Please, let me be a fool

Maybe I am really old and too old to follow His Majesty's footsteps.

Even Song Gongwen is so talented, His Majesty discovered it before himself...

this moment.

Zhang Zhengming was completely silent, sitting where he was, as if thinking.

Next to him, Song Gongwen was also very quiet, did not speak, and had some premonitions in his heart.

It feels like the teacher is about to make some big decision.

Although he didn't know what this decision was, he knew it must be very important. It might be about himself...about His Majesty, about the entire Great Wei Dynasty...

"Official documents." After a long time, Zhang Zhengming finally spoke: "I have decided that I will not support you publicly."

Don't you support me on the bright side?

This sentence.

Song Gongwen, who was originally quiet, was stunned, and immediately said: "I also ask the teacher to enlighten me."

Zhang Zhengming said with a smile: "Originally, my wish was to assist Your Majesty and manage the Great Wei well. In this way, I would not be indebted to the late Emperor for his kindness, but after you reminded me, I realized that Your Majesty must Things have gone beyond what I could have imagined.”

"But this kind of thing is too difficult. No number of emperors in ancient and modern times can do it. Even if His Majesty has great ambitions, he will definitely encounter difficulties and dangers."

"And I'm old, maybe I won't see this day, what I can do now is to help His Majesty complete his great cause as soon as possible!"

Song Gongwen listened and nodded, agreeing with this point of view.

As the other party said, I want to set such a great cause.

There are too many factors required, and it is easy to backfire because of taking too many steps.

At this point in his thoughts, he respectfully said, "Then teacher, what do you want to do?"

It's just that Zhang Zhengming didn't answer, but asked instead: "Gongwen, in your opinion, what is the most important thing for a ruler?"

"Naturally, it's about knowing people well, making wise decisions, accepting advice with an open mind, etc." Song Gongwen said after thinking for a while.

"Yes, but it's not right either!" Zhang Zhengming shook his head, then stood up with sharp eyes: "The most important thing for a king is to have incomparable prestige!"

"Let me ask you, what did Emperor Taizu Gao rely on to abolish the thousand-year-old prime minister system and form a cabinet?"

"Is it knowing people well? Is it a wise decision? Is it humility to accept advice? In my opinion, this is only a small part."

"The reason why the prime minister can be abolished smoothly is because Emperor Taizu Gao has the supreme power to found the country."

"Even if the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty do not agree, it is still useless and dare not object."

When Song Gongwen heard the words, he immediately took it seriously.

Why in the past dynasties, most of them only had one or two previous emperors, who were able to successfully eliminate the shortcomings of the previous dynasties.

In addition to ability, it is because of enough prestige that the ministers under him dare not even raise objections!

At this time, Zhang Zhengming took a deep breath and continued: "Although His Majesty is capable and has a long-term vision, His Majesty has only been on the throne for three years, and his prestige is still too low to completely deter his subjects."

"So, if Your Majesty wants to accomplish such a great cause through the ages, he must have a prestige that no one can match."

"And there is only one way to have this prestige, and that is, use me as a stepping stone!"

"Teacher... do you want to?"

At this moment, Song Gongwen's face changed slightly.

Because he finally knew what the teacher was going to do.

As I said before, Zhang Zhengming has gone through two dynasties. He is not only an important minister of the late emperor Tuogu, but also a great Confucianist in the world. His prestige is unmatched!What if His Majesty could transfer such prestige to himself?

"That's right, His Majesty can only build prestige from me."

"Gongwen, think about it. I know that His Majesty's decision is correct, but I have to go against him and run counter to His Majesty. What do you think?" Zhang Zhengming continued with a solemn expression: "In the end Everyone will know that His Majesty's decision is the best and wisest!"

"From the whole world, the whole imperial court, there will be no one to support me, and I will turn to Your Majesty and look forward to it!"

"But teacher, once you do this, you will become a lonely minister, a lonely minister that no one understands."

Song Gongwen couldn't help but said: "Moreover, it will destroy your posthumous reputation, and even affect the evaluation of you by later history books!"

He knew that this method of establishing prestige was absolutely feasible.

The teacher's implication is that he wants His Majesty to continue to deny the teacher.

Negating the No.1 of the imperial court today, negating this powerful and powerful Master Tai Tuo, has established real prestige.

But in this way, the impact on the teacher is too great, and he is somewhat difficult to accept.

"As long as you can help His Majesty complete his great cause, what will be your name and history?" Zhang Zhengming smiled.

"An ancient man once said: Since ancient times, there have been people who worked hard, some who pleaded for the people, and some who sacrificed their lives to seek the law."

"As long as you can help His Majesty complete his great cause, what is his reputation after him, and what is his history's evaluation? What about being a lone minister? What if the world doesn't understand? For me, it's just a trivial matter, and I don't care."

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhengming waved his hand, free and easy but indifferent.

Because in his opinion, as long as it can help His Majesty, nothing is important.

"teacher!"

Song Gongwen's tone was trembling.

He originally thought that he would do his best and die after death.

This is already the limit of what the courtier can do, but compared to the teacher, what I have done is not enough, it is too far behind...

Zhang Zhengming looked at his new student, smiled slightly, and said, "So, what I said is that I no longer support you, but I want to turn behind the scenes. You should understand what it means, right?"

"Students understand!" Song Gongwen said: "The teacher wants to oppose me in the same way as opposing His Majesty, but supports me secretly."

"Let me assist His Majesty to make the right decision, and the teacher, as a bad person."

"While establishing prestige for His Majesty, it can also pave the way for me."

In the end, his voice became very small.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

He no longer knows.

This is the first time I have been touched.

Because of His Majesty, and because of such a teacher...

Chapter 32

"Ruzi can be taught."

Zhang Zhengming smiled gratifiedly.

Because of his purpose, exactly.

To put it simply, one is a red face and the other is a bad face, and they will assist His Majesty together!

"But teacher, are you really determined to do this?" Song Gongwen calmed down a little, his tone a bit heavy.

Once this happens, the teacher will not only contradict His Majesty everywhere, but even if the decision is right, he will choose to ignore it.

Moreover, a part of his mind needs to be allocated to promote him as a superior student.

In short, it is to risk everything to help others.

This is no longer as simple as being a lone minister.

It's a bet on a century-old reputation.

Song Gongwen thought about it.

If it were me, would I be able to do this to this extent?

"As I said before, I'm old and there's only so much I can do."

Of course Zhang Zhengming knew what the other party was thinking, and he smiled and persuaded him: "Your Majesty has grown up now and has ambitions, what is lacking is prestige, and you are considered to be in the prime of life, I don't have much energy to deal with the chronic illnesses of the court.

"But you are different. You are still in your prime and have a lot of time and energy. I believe you can do better than me."

"My actions will build prestige for His Majesty and allow you to succeed me better. Why not do it?"

take over with me...

Song Gongwen was shocked when he heard the words.

Because that sentence shows that the teacher has already regarded himself as a successor...

As a student, of course you have to learn from your teacher and work harder to serve His Majesty!

Immediately, without any hesitation, he stood up and said, "Student, I will live up to the teacher's trust!"

"Very good, the teacher saw you right!"

Zhang Zhengming nodded.

But soon, he seemed to think of something: "You have to do a full set of acting. If you come to see me today, I believe it will spread all over the capital soon. I will order people to spread false news, saying that you came here to gain influence. , wanted to get my blessing and support, but was scolded by me, how about it?"

Hearing this, Song Gongwen's eyes lit up immediately, and he couldn't help saying, "It's still the teacher who is thoughtful."

As long as this fake news spreads, my behavior today can be perfectly explained.

Even if there is a conflict with the teacher on the surface in the future, no one doubts it.

That's why he felt that the teacher was thoughtful.

"But..." At this time, Zhang Zhengming frowned, and said solemnly: "Because of me, you will probably bear a lot of pressure in the future."

I want to be a lonely minister, a bad person.In the future, we will not only oppose His Majesty, but also oppose Song Gongwen everywhere.

He is very clear that with his own influence, it may be nothing to His Majesty.

But for this student, it is completely different.

The other party was not welcomed in court.

Now it is being targeted again, so the road ahead will be very difficult.

For ordinary people, such pressure may be unbearable.

"Students have no fear!" Song Gongwen immediately said: "Teacher, you are willing to use your posthumous reputation to establish your prestige for His Majesty and pave the way for your disciples. If you can't even bear this pressure, your students are not worthy of being your students!"

What he said was very serious and sincere, and he was just under a little pressure.

In comparison, it's nothing at all, it's nothing but nothing.

"Very good, the teacher saw you right!"

Zhang Zhengming was very happy, and he couldn't help but feel a little pride in his heart, and then said: "From now on, you and I, master and apprentice, will work together to assist His Majesty and help the great Wei Dynasty!"

"Yes! Teacher!" Song Gongwen bowed and performed a Confucian standard disciple salute.

Zhang Zhengming is happy because he feels that he has a new goal in the future and has the best successor.

Song Gongwen was happy because he was recognized by the teacher, and he could really make great achievements in the future.

At this time, the master and apprentice also looked at each other and smiled.

for the rest of the time.

They are finalizing the various details of the future plan and what to do in the future.

Until Wei Wei dawned, Zhang Zhengming looked at the sky and said: "The official document is ready, it's not too late, although you don't have to go to court today, but you haven't returned all night, your wife should be worried, go back."

"Yes, teacher, the student will leave now." Song Gongwen nodded.

With a little reluctance, he left Zhang's house.

I understand that from now on I and the teacher.

It is the opponent on the surface.

But he didn't feel uncomfortable, on the contrary he was very happy and looking forward to it...

And after Song Gongwen left, the little maid from the Zhang residence also hurried in: "Master, you have worked hard all night, and it's time to go to rest."

The little maid's voice was a little worried. Others didn't know it, but she knew it very well.

My master is already old, but he has to worry about state affairs on weekdays.