Domineering Daming

Zhu Xu also looked at the old man curiously, opened his playbook and glanced at him, his expression remained unchanged, but he was rather surprised.

Lai Zongdao Zouben mentioned more than a dozen items, including "prohibiting ministers from going out of Beijing, destroying the important codes of the three dynasties, straightening out the functions and powers of the various ministries of the court, clarifying state affairs, respecting the ancestral system, and not acting rashly" and so on.

Zhu Xu's internal monitoring and control is relatively strict. The "Three Dynasties Essentials" cannot be destroyed for the time being, but the functions and powers of the various ministries of the court are straightened out, and the state affairs are clarified. This makes Zhu Xu's eyes shine.

As time went by, almost all the functions and powers of Daming were concentrated in the six departments, which were huge and mixed. There was also Huitong Commercial Bank outside, which also inherited countless privileges, and even had more power than ordinary yamen.

Clarifying state affairs means that his policy has always been unclear, which is the root cause of all kinds of disputes.

The system of respecting ancestors is also quite in line with Zhu Xu's wishes. In troubled times, heavy codes are used to move out of Zhu Yuanzhang's policies on governing officials in the early Ming Dynasty. With a little change, most people in the world can be blocked!

Regardless of whether it is round or not, what Zhu Xu needs now is an official who can do things and accomplish things. He closed the memorial book of Lai Zong Dao, and said with a smile on his face: "Well, what Master Lai played is very suitable for me!"

Lai Zongdao listened to Zhu Xu's words, indifferent, his thin face became more and more serious, he raised his hand and said: "I have three questions, please answer them truthfully."

Zhu Xu has seen Ye Xianggao's mellowness, Han Huang's rigidity, and Yang Lian's self-control. They are more or less "severe", but they are still far inferior to Lai Zongdao in front of him.

He was also quite curious about Lai Zongdao's "Three Questions", and said: "Just ask Laiqing, I know you can talk about everything, and you can talk endlessly."

Cao Huachun was also quite curious, not knowing what the old man wanted to ask.

Lai Zongdao raised his hand, with a solemn expression, and said in a deep voice: "First question: Taizu drove the Tatars back to China. It was extremely difficult. I can't describe it. Yesterday, a slave came to the city, and the country was overthrown. Fortunately, After the defeat, does the emperor have a prince to guard the southern capital? Is it safe for me to destroy the country?"

Zhu Xu frowned slightly when he heard this. Back then when Zhu Di moved his capital to Beijing, there was an imperial edict that the emperor guarded Beijing and the crown prince guarded Nanjing, so as to protect the integrity of the Ming Dynasty.This is indeed an ancestral system, but how can he have any prince now?

In Zhu Xu's life, only King Xin had a son.

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes, his gaze was dim.He remembered that in history, Emperor Chongzhen could have allowed the crown prince to go to Nanjing, but in the end, during the debate among the courtiers, he decided not to agree. The regents of the country came and went one after another.

Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the table. After a long time, he looked at Lai Zongdao with a rigid face, and said slowly: "I really didn't think about this matter. If there is a next time, I will make the eldest son of Xin Wang the crown prince, and he will be stationed here." sky."

Lai Zongdao looked at Zhu Xu with deep eyes, still raised his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Second question: Since ancient times, the sages have been Qing, Zheng, Lian, and Ming. Dare to ask the emperor, since he ascended the throne, which one has he possessed?"

Zhu Xu's expression moved slightly again. If he wanted to say "clear", he couldn't take it. The reputation of good money had already spread all over the world. "Positive" is not counted, he is cronyism, and everyone knows it. Not to mention "Lian", his internal money is probably the most since the Ming Dynasty. "Ming" should have been counted, but he acquiesced in and even promoted the eunuch's revival. Now that the eunuch is being beaten by the whole world, he, the emperor, has already given the title of "faint emperor".

Zhu Xu's fingers tapped a little faster unconsciously. It turned out that Zongdao is a cunning and cunning person, and he can't get angry when he hits his vital points everywhere.

He pondered for a while, and said calmly: "I don't take any of them, but I have a clear conscience!"

Lai Zongdao's expression remained unchanged, his eyes flickered, he was silent for a while, and then asked again: "The third question: Since ancient times, the people have been water kings and boats. Now that all people are in the water, what does the emperor think of himself?"

Just as Zhu Xu was about to open his mouth, he was immediately taken aback. There was a deep meaning in Zongdao's words.

Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the table, and slowly slowed down. After a while, he didn't speak, his eyes were sizing up Lai Zongdao.This old slicker has no reason to embarrass him, a powerful emperor.

The sternness on Lai Zongdao's face did not diminish at all, and he stared at Zhu Xu with piercing eyes.

After another long while, Zhu Xu opened his mouth slowly and said: "My Zhu family is entrusted by all people to hold the power in the world. It is not water or a boat, and water is also a boat. The people are in the water, and I am in the water. The monarch and the people are one, work together and rest together!"

Lai Zongdao's expression moved slightly, his eyelids drooped slightly, and it took a while before he smiled and said: "The emperor is holy!"

Zhu Xu also smiled and said: "Laiqing's three questions, I'm afraid you are not the only one who wants to ask them?"

Lai Zongdao took out another playbook from his arms, held it up and said: "On behalf of all the people in the south of the Yangtze River, I present the Wanyan book."

Cao Huachun stepped forward quickly and passed it to Zhu Xu.

The corners of Zhu Xu's eyes twitched, and as he flipped through the notebook, the corners of his mouth smiled more and more.

This is the joint memorial book of the Jiangnan Shilin Group, with tens of thousands of signatures. This marks that the Jiangnan Shilin Group has bowed to the court, approved the "Nine Rules", expressed goodwill to the emperor, and asked for "reconciliation".

Zhu Xu closed the notebook, nodded slightly and said: "I am very pleased with the profound sense of righteousness of the Southern Scholars. Wei Zhongxian has often overstepped the rules, and I will immediately order him to return to Beijing to question the crime."

When Lai Zongdao heard Zhu Xu's words, he felt relieved, his stern expression softened, and he said, "Dare to ask the emperor, what is the imperial court's plan regarding the imperial examination?"

Zhu Xu knew that this was impossible. Abolishing the imperial examination would have too much impact, but popularizing education, giving more opportunities to poor families, and weakening the southern bureaucracy group were his established goals, and he would not compromise.

But he can't force the official group to bow their heads. Fortunately, he has already thought of a countermeasure, looking at Lai Zongdao: "The imperial examination will not be abolished. It will be held once every three years. The government, province, and Beijing three exams, regardless of whether you are admitted to the academy or not. They all need imperial examinations to become officials."

Lai Zongdao came this time to voice and echo for the Southern Shilin Group. Hearing Zhu Xu's own words, he felt relieved and said: "The emperor is wise, and scholars all over the world will be grateful for the emperor's kindness."

Zhu Xu shook his head secretly. His colleges are all biased towards practical teaching, not to mention the six arts, just "mathematics" and "reasoning" are not something that a rich kid who immerses himself in the sage books can easily make up for.

Such things as educational resources will become very precious in the future.The Jiangnan Shilin Group sticks to the sage culture, which is clearly an opportunity for poor scholars to stand out.

Zhu Xu, of course, is also happy to see it.Reform means sacrificing those who benefit the most.

The purpose of coming to Zongdao has been achieved, and he raised his hand and said: "I still want to recommend someone to the emperor."

Zhu Xu had a slight fondness for the old slippery head, at least he could help resolve the "grievances" of southern scholars, and smiled, "Who do you want to recommend, Lai Qing?"

Lai Zongdao raised his hand, and said in a deep voice: "The former Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Zhang Wenda. This man is alert and wise, and understands things. He is a great talent in the world. It is absurd that the court does not use it."

Zhu Xu immediately raised his brows, he has dealt with Master Zhang before, he is really old and cunning, Zhu Xu wanted to trap him in the third year of Tianqi, and give him a long history of Prince Hui's mansion, but this cunning is as smooth as a loach, no matter what Unable to catch him, he could only let him run back to his hometown, in vain.

Tian Qi was hunted down by Wei Zhongxian in the fifth year and nearly killed him, but Zhu Xu secretly saved his life.

If this person becomes an official, no matter where he is placed, it will be enough to give Zhu Xu a headache, this is the person he is not sure about!

The Donglin Party can be suppressed by "power", the Eunuch Party can be suppressed by "force", and neutral people can directly order, but Zhang Wenda is an old slicker, Zhu Xu has no way to deal with it, because there is no way to stop him.

He is uncontrollable!

In such a situation, Zhu Xu needs to firmly control all power, and no one can add variables to him!

Therefore, even though he appreciates this person very much, he never intends to use it, not at all!

Lai Zongdao came here this time to represent the Southern Shilin Group, Zhu Xu also needs to respond to kindness in order to "reconcile", he pondered for a while, and said: "If Mr. Zhang revives, Laiqing, which position do you think is suitable? "

When Zongdao came to recommend him, he had already planned it, saying: "Go back to the emperor, there are not enough members in the Wenzhao Pavilion, so I recommend Mr. Zhang to the Wenzhao Pavilion."

Before Zhang Wenda was Minister of the Ministry of Officials, if he wanted to enter, he would also enter the cabinet. The cabinet was abolished, and only Wenzhao Pavilion could arrange it.

Naturally, Zhu Xu couldn't put Zhang Wenda in Wenzhao Pavilion. If Wenzhao Pavilion got out of control, his government affairs would be messed up.

He shook his head resolutely, and said, "You can go to Wenzhao Pavilion, but Zhang Wenda can't. I plan to remove the Liaodong capital from Shandong and establish a new province, so Zhang Wenda can go there and become governor."

The Hou Jin in Liaodong has now been weakened to an embarrassing situation, and this embarrassment also includes the Ming Dynasty.Since Hou Jin did not have the strength to attack the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty also did not have the ability to eliminate Hou Jin in one fell swoop.

Therefore, both sides can only coexist like this until the Ming Dynasty is strong enough to completely eliminate Houjin!Right now, no matter the north of Shanhaiguan or the west of North Korea, except for the area controlled by Hou Jin, they are basically in a peaceful environment. This kind of peace is not expected to be broken in two or three years.

After listening to Zhu Xu's words, Lai Zongdao knew that there was no room for negotiation, so he could only raise his hand and said: "I have received the decree, I will write to you today, and invite Mr. Zhang to come to Beijing."

Zhu Xu shook his head and said: "After Laiqing enters Wenzhao Pavilion, he must supervise Wenzhao Pavilion's handling of government affairs, and don't procrastinate arbitrarily. The government needs to fight day and night."

Lai Zongdao didn't know the specific situation of Wenzhao Pavilion, but he knew that the emperor was dissatisfied with the delay in Wenzhao Pavilion, so he raised his hand and bowed: "Observe the order!"

Zhu Xu tried his best to say a few more words, and asked Cao Huachun to personally lead Lai Zongdao to Wenzhao Pavilion.