In the 12th month of the 16th year, the court granted Yangming the title of Xinjian Bo. However, this title did not imply a complete vindication of the unjust accusations that Yangming had endured during the previous 3 years, nor did it imply the restoration of justice and fairness with the advent of the new reign. In fact, the court’s bestowal of the title “Xinjian Bo” on Yangming was merely a means of appeasing public opinion, a gesture made out of necessity, and even a political maneuver by influential ministers. It was a way to set aside justice. The slander of petty individuals continued unabated, and justice remained unfulfilled. Yangming’s fellow officials who had worked together to quell the rebellion were uncertain about their promotion or demotion, and fairness was yet to be established. In reality, the outcome of the title bestowed indicated that Yangming had once again become a pawn in the power struggle among the influential ministers. What Yangming really wanted was not personal glory and titles. Rather, he wanted to uncover facts and truth, and embody justice and fairness as fundamental principles in politics. Therefore, on the tenth day of the first month in the first year (1522) of the Jiajing period, Yangming submitted a memorial requesting the renunciation of his bestowed title. He gave four reasons for his refusal to accept the title: