Jingming

Chapter 170 The Great Storm Begins

After the national policy meeting, Gao Zhong looked at Zhu Houcong with a very different look.

Still in awe, but before because of imperial power, not now.

Having read some books in the Neishutang, he understood what the emperor did today.

This matter has not been spread yet, but if this matter can really be achieved, then His Majesty may not have the merits of governing the country that have convinced all the subjects of the world, but he will definitely have a status that is far more important than this: the great Confucianism of the world.

Only 16 years old.

Even if it goes a step further, His Majesty's academic views are recognized by scholars all over the world, and Daming is really getting richer and stronger after 20 years, then His Majesty's status will be directly upgraded to: a sage.

How many emperors have there been throughout the ages?The merits of the emperor are nothing more than literary and martial arts.It is Wen Zhi, that is just Daxing culture and education, good ministers are in the court.

Which emperor has such achievements in learning, enough to be called a sage in Confucianism?
But His Majesty didn't seem to take it seriously, but continued to read the two sets of books he had read recently.

One set is Qiu Jun's "University Yanyi Supplement", and the other is Wang Wensu's unfinished "Analysis of Computing".

The former is the teacher of everyone, famous officials, Xie Qian and Liang Chu.

The latter is a commoner and a businessman.

His Majesty spent more time on the "Treasure Book of Mathematical Sciences", and from time to time he used a pen to do calculations, and even wrote his own experience.

Now all the eunuchs around Zhu Houcong knew that the emperor was highly skilled in arithmetic, otherwise how could he come up with that set of accounting methods?
The mathematics books that allow His Majesty to study so hard are indeed worthy of the name "Treasure Mirror".

Above the imperial court, the Eighteen Arhats would spend every few mornings arguing about the new law blushing as if trying to get their brains out of their heads, and then continue to communicate "candidly and intimately" at the national policy meeting.

But it's all old drama, and I don't think it's fine.

Right now, what the emperor can give them is not only the possibility of entering the Imperial Temple, but also the opportunity to enter the Confucian Temple!
Taimiao, to put it bluntly, disappeared after the change of dynasty.And what about the Confucius Temple?In their view, no matter which one you sit in the world, the Temple of Confucius will last forever!
In mid-July, Zhu Houcong felt a bit of a headache, and had to stop them who were gradually jealous at the national policy meeting: "There is no rush for this learning! What you need to pay more attention to now is the new law in Guangdong! Previously, it was agreed to separate taxation from labor, The divisions are unified, and the principles of procurement are handled, and now we need to continue to discuss the system of business licenses and commercial taxation."

Yang Tinghe and others stopped arguing about the principles of heaven, physics, and human beings angrily, but they were anxious.

These counselors must also discuss the steps of the new law while acting in court meetings and daily party struggles. They have much less energy to perfect His Majesty's new Confucianism framework than Wang Shouren!
Is it necessary to give up the opportunity of Confucianism to innovate again to Xinxue?

Wang Shouren in Shou Xiao Zhong retreated, and he never expected to encounter two major events in a row after returning.

It's up to the consultants to direct the big play, but he was also greatly shocked by the theory of heaven, physics, and human that he received a few days ago.

The experience of Gewu at that time was unforgettable to him, and he also thought it was a mistake, and only later did Longchang realize the Tao.

But now His Majesty said that studying things to gain knowledge should be knowing physics, and he doesn't have a specific method to improve conscience, and he values ​​talent too much.

Wang Shouren originally thought that His Majesty would be more appreciative of Xinxue, but he didn't expect that His Majesty actually had a higher understanding, and wanted to recreate Confucianism based on the directors of various schools.

In the time when the Six Classics commented on me, reforming Confucianism was not considered an act of madness. Isn’t it because of this that Cheng Zhu was called a virtuous person?

But now this set of theories of heavenly principles, physics, and human principles can be said to be compatible with the knowledge of Mohism, Legalism, and many other schools of thought.

After breaking up, some can be stuffed into physics, and some can be stuffed into human reason...

A new world has opened up in front of you, everyone in the national policy meeting is excited right now?

This may be an opportunity for Confucianism to dominate without the need to forcibly oust a hundred schools of thought, and it is an opportunity for Confucianism to truly embrace the cultures of various schools of thought.

If it is done, the new law will be guided by Neo-Confucianism. Even though the officials and gentry will be unwilling to suffer from the current gains in taxation and labor, they will not dare to deviate from the foundation of enjoying these benefits.

Three or fifty years later, if the new Confucianism has achieved great success, their descendants will have to rely on it to enter school and become an official!
There is also the law on the treatment of officials that is still under discussion...

At this point in the new law, it may really be called "monarch and ministers of one mind".

The counselors are really motivated.

After Wang Shouren thought about it, he thought that he didn't need to worry about this matter.

Five years before Jiajing, the "New Party" and the "Old Party" will surely confront each other on the cultural level, and this is the situation His Majesty needs.

Five years from now, the world will be greatly changed, and the first thing to be changed at that time may be the imperial examination!
……

It was already mid-July, and the scholars who participated in the provincial examinations from various provinces rushed to the provincial capital one after another.

19-year-old Xu Jie packed his bags and was going to Yingtianfu to take his second provincial examination.

"Nie Tiju attaches great importance to you, so don't have demons this time." His father told him, "I will definitely pass high school!"

Xu Jie nodded, and looked at another sedan chair not far from the pier.

Inside sat the woman who had been waiting for him for two years.

It was a pro who was proud of being a scholar at the age of 13, and failed in the first provincial examination at the age of 17.

At that time, he doubted his talent and learning. If Nie Bao, the county magistrate of Huating last year, hadn't praised him as a "national weapon" and taught him knowledge in person, Xu Jie would have planned to start a family first.

Now he bowed to his father and said: "Father, take care of your health. My son will definitely win two rankings this time, and return to the province next year to get married!"

The voice is full of confidence, and it is not only for his father, but also for the mother and daughter in the sedan chair in the distance.

His father was a county magistrate, and he was also a poet in Huating.

Watching his son take the book boy on the boat going up the river, the Xu family who saw him off waved goodbye.The car curtain was opened a crack, revealing half of his face inside.

There were tears in the young woman's eyes. She will be eighteen next year, but the person she likes must greet her with a good reputation as a Jinshi.

Now, he's on his way.

In Guangzhou Mansion, scholars from various prefectures in Guangdong also arrived one after another.

The township examination in August, and the Ministry of Rites examination in February next year, this is the year of the big examination that all scholars take to heart.

If you have good talent and good luck, you will be able to overcome two hurdles in succession, leave the career path, and enter the officialdom with the best background.

Otherwise, just like some people with gray hair, they will have to fight for this Juren's origin once every three years.

Zhang Fujing, Zhang En, Zhai Luan and Yang Shen didn't dare to ignore them.

"There are many hurricanes in July and August." Zhang Fujing seriously reminded Yang Shen, "Eunuch Wei reported that the fleet that left the port in May had damaged two large ships when returning to the port a few days ago. It was because of the strong wind and waves encountered on the way. Apart from the rural examination, There must be no shortage of preparations for windbreak relief."

"The lower officials will definitely make proper arrangements." Yang Shen replied, "Although the lower officials don't know the habits of hurricanes, the people in Guangdong have a lot of experience. The counties will make more notices, and there will be no mistakes in summer and autumn food."

Zhang Fujing said again: "It is the first time in my Ming Dynasty that two officials from the capital are appointed as the main examiners. Now that the students are gathered together, we must pay more attention to the study, so as not to cause trouble."

Zhai Luan was full of confusion: "There are already a lot of discussions."

Zhang En said: "The chief envoy only sends transferees and co-exams, so the preparation for the rural examination is safe. Although the examination system of the rural examination has not been changed, it is really uneasy for the students to take the Beijing official as the main examination."

"It can only be said that last year's two major cases shocked the imperial court. Taking Beijing officials as the main test is just out of the consideration of the fairness of Qiu Wei." Zhang Fujing said with a serious face, "If someone makes trouble after the list is published, I will take care of myself. Will find out!"

There was indeed a lot of discussion in Guangzhou at this time.

In the past, the local governments were always responsible for the formulation of questions and the main examination for the local township examinations.

Since local officials are the main examiners, the scholars can naturally understand the knowledge and preferences of the main examiners, and they can even go a little way ahead of time.

But now, the local government is only preparing the examination affairs in advance. The two main examiners and three sub-examinations are all sent by the imperial court and are on their way to Guangdong.

This is a fatal blow to some "prepared" candidates before.

"There are endless political disputes in the imperial court, why do you use Guangdong as the battlefield?" A scholar in the restaurant was filled with righteous indignation, "One exam at three years old, how many three years are there in one's life?"

"It's clearing up the land, and taking advantage of the imperial merchants' monopoly on the market, is it still necessary to cut off the career path of Guangdong scholars?"

"The examination system hasn't been changed, it's just that Beijing officials are appointed as the main examiners. Brothers, are you going too far?"

"This statement is wrong! This year the chief examiner will be sent, will the examination system be changed next year? Isn't it meaningless to study hard for ten years? If this year's chief examiner asks me to discuss the new law in Guangdong, how should I write?"

"Exactly. The imperial court is arguing endlessly over the new law. Who knows whether the main examiner is leaning towards the reform or the old system? How can it be called fair to treat the Guangdong provincial examination like this? Two capitals and thirteen provinces, only Guangdong Qiuwei's main examiner is sent from Beijing Officer, how can you call it fair?"

"..."

At the moment Zheng Cunzhong's mansion is also visited by scholars.

Zheng Cunzhong is already a Juren.Unlike the Song Dynasty, as long as the Ming Dynasty passed the Juren examination, as long as it was not dismissed, it could always participate in the Ministry of Rites Examination as a Juren.

Therefore, Zheng Cunzhong does not have to take the provincial examination this year, he can wait for the general examination next year.

Now a scholar came to visit him because he knew that Zheng Cunzhong had many friends in Beijing and China during the previous three exams, and he was well informed now.

"The examiner is Xu Jin, a servant of the Imperial Academy, a Jinshi in the 18th year of Hongzhi, and a disciple of Mr. Yang Ge. The other examiner is Mr. Fei Ge's nephew, Fei Maozhong, last year's new champion." Zheng Cunzhong repeatedly sighed, "Last year It is really a grand event for Jia to gather in Guangdong."

Isn't it?Tanhua is the governor of Guangdong, and the second place is the Guangdong Senate. Now the other main examiner of the Guangdong provincial examination is their top scorer in the same subject.

But what really made him feel interesting was the origins of the two chief examiners.

Yang Tinghe is now the "leader of the new party", while Fei Hong is the leader of the old party.

The scholars were frowning: "This Xu Jin and Fei Maozhong... who will come up with the test questions? What kind of test questions will they come up with?"

"I don't know about that." Zheng Cunzhong said with a smile, "In short, the first session of Four Books and Five Classics, and the second session of judgment are all basic skills. The third session of classics, history, and current affairs policy is the key. Everyone will ask questions.”

After entertaining these scholars, he walked out of the study and looked at the sunny sky, and then asked his housekeeper: "The wind is blowing at sea? Will it turn into a hurricane?"

"My lord, there is no definite number."

Zheng Cunzhong's eyes flickered, hoping that the wind and rain would be bigger.

In the Ming Dynasty, this typhoon was called a hurricane. Above the ocean, such a big storm is indeed brewing now.

In this era, there are no weather satellites in the sky, and it is really impossible for people living on the earth to predict whether a typhoon will hit.

Only when the typhoon is about to hit the shore, will the situation change suddenly and the rain will be torrential.

A few days after Xu Jie left Huating County, the typhoon struck.

On July 25th, "the hurricane blew up, pulled out the wood and flew the house, the tide surged more than ten feet on the flat ground, and countless people drowned. Dozens of counties were hit by disasters from Changzhou, Songjiang and even Yingtianfu. The Nanjing River overflowed. Kissing the spine is all bad..."

It was already August when the report was urgently delivered to Beijing.

At the court meeting in Shuo Ri, a certain official was extremely resolute: "This celestial phenomenon is a warning, because the traitor is in the court, and the ancestral system is being recklessly violated! The tax-heavy land in the south of the Yangtze River, when this disaster hits, the summer grain is destroyed, the fertile land is barren, the victims are everywhere, and disasters are everywhere! The minister impeached Great scholars Yang Tinghe, Jiang Mian, Shi Ping, Mao Ji..."

The fight is already in full swing, and some people have indeed begun to lose their minds and come up with the theory of the interaction between heaven and man.

Although the spearhead is directed at these "treacherous sycophants" of the New Party, should the emperor issue an edict for this?

Yang Tinghe came out and said angrily: "In July of the 23rd year of Hongwu, Songjiang Mansion was hit by a hurricane, and the people survived two or three; Year……"

He is worthy of being a child prodigy back then, and after making some preparations, he opened his mouth and said so much data: "Catastrophe is predicted, how can you say astronomical warning at this time? The top priority is to relieve the victims! Your Majesty, this time Disasters are everywhere in the south of the Yangtze River. Although Fujian and Guangdong reports have not yet arrived, the fear of disasters should not be underestimated. In the years when hurricanes start at sea, there are storms and storms along the coast. Please order the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Industry to discuss relief matters."

However, Fei Hong said: "Impeachment has become common in the past two months, and many important positions have been vacant! After the natural disaster, the hearts of the people are even more disturbed! Your Majesty, at this moment, it is even more necessary for officials to use their efforts and gentry to appease the villagers! The dispute over the new law, Don’t let it last for a long time, otherwise the disaster victims everywhere will not be appeased, and disasters will happen everywhere!”

Acting must be performed in full. Although I know that it may be bad to use natural disasters to drag this matter into the dispute over the new law. I don’t know how His Majesty is feeling now, but I must bite the bullet and continue to raise this point.

Zhu Houcong was really in a bad mood.

Yang Shenna intensified the contradictions of the new law artificially, so the national policy meeting decided on the strategy of this big drama.

But natural disasters caused by typhoons are unpredictable. Fei Hong is right. Under the current conditions, local relief is basically inseparable from the support of the gentry.

Now they are quite resentful about the new law that may be implemented nationwide. Will they take the initiative to contribute this time?That depends on the wind direction of the court.

"In the face of a national crisis, officials and gentry have read the books of sages and sages. How can they hesitate to move forward because of whether or not to implement new laws and what kind of new laws to implement?" , Water transportation and other matters, led the governors of Fujian and Guangdong to strictly investigate the matter of embezzling people's land and hiding households under the pretext of disasters! Every natural disaster, there must be human disasters, and we have to prevent them!"

He immediately mentioned a lot of previous examples, Fei Hong could only persuade the emperor to reassure the people at this moment.

However, Zhu Houcong seemed furious when he heard it: "If there are orphaned children, all of them will be adopted in Beijing and Huguang Kindergarten! If there are officials, gentry and rich households who take advantage of the disaster to do illegal things, they will be investigated and dealt with! Mr. Yang Ge, please allow it, Discuss the disaster relief strategy first!"

　Well, this year is indeed a storm surge, and the first year of Jiajing is not easy.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)