People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

"Why are you two here?"

When Zhang Yi saw the two of them, he couldn't help but ask.

Song Lian glanced at Zhang Yi, his eyes a little cold.

The relationship between Zhang Yi and Song Lian is really average. Ever since the guy fell out with him, the friendship between the two has never been established.

Liu Ji, on the other hand, has a good relationship with Zhang Yi.

Liu Bowen was supposed to have died in the eighth year of Hongwu, but Zhang Yi reminded him not to go to the capital if he had nothing to do.

He probably predicted something, so facing Hu Weiyong's criticism in the court, he huddled in Qingtian and did not come out.

So in the eleventh year of Hongwu, although he was very old, he seemed to be in poor health.

But he survived in the end.

Liu Ji wanted to say hello to Zhang Yi, but Song Lian couldn't help but say:
  "Master Liu, what your Majesty has done is inextricably linked to this demon..."

When Zhang Yi saw him speaking, he seemed to understand something?
  He winked at Liu Bowen, then turned and went to the imperial study room.

After the announcement and the emperor's permission, Zhang Yi entered the room.

Zhu Yuanzhang wrote vigorously, and his whole person seemed to be enveloped by a special murderous aura.

"Tell me, what are you doing here?"

Lao Zhu didn't even raise his head and just asked Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi lowered his head and said:

"I'm here to say goodbye to His Majesty..."

After hearing these words, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his head.

He originally wanted to reject Zhang Yi, but he seemed to understand something:
  "Your father's body..."

"Your Majesty has learned clearly that people must return to their roots after falling leaves!"

The emperor's gloomy face showed a rare change of humanity.

"That's right. When I met Zhang Aiqing back then, he was still very high-spirited. Who would have thought that things in the world are unpredictable..."

"Time is destiny, just face it!"

Zhang Yi took over Lao Zhu's words, and the emperor and his ministers found themselves in an awkward situation with nothing to say.

"show you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to sense that the atmosphere between him and Zhang Yi was a bit subtle, so he took the initiative to hand over a prepared imperial edict to Zhang Yi.

"Your Majesty wants to cancel the folk worship ceremony of Cheng Zhu..."

Zhang Yi's expression changed slightly when he saw the contents of the imperial edict.

He knew that this day would come sooner or later, but he didn't expect that Lao Zhu would be determined this time.

It is reasonable and reasonable to take advantage of the opportunity to anger Cheng Zhu while the blood on the butcher knife in his hand is still wet.

If you let go of this opportunity to become famous as a teacher and want to resume studying, the resistance to its implementation will be much greater.

Zhang Yi also understood why Liu Bowen and Song Lian were kneeling outside.

Song Lian was a great Confucian at that time.

So does Liu Ji.

The two of them retired from old age and returned to their hometown. They did not want to get involved in world affairs, but the emperor wanted to liquidate Cheng Zhu and Neo-Confucianism, which was tantamount to destroying their faith.

These two old men came up, probably with the determination of martyrdom.

The sacrifices to Cheng and Zhu were cancelled, the imperial examinations were reformed, and Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism was denied from the official level.

Once the imperial court took this step, the Cheng-Zhu School of thought that dominated the Ming and Qing dynasties should cease to exist.

Cheng-Zhu's studies were not really popular even in the Southern Song Dynasty when Zhu Xi was still around.

What allowed it to become Juche was the laissez-faire and support of the Mongols.

The government can support it, and if Zhu Yuanzhang is really willing to cut off his flesh, he can also suppress it.

Liu Ji and Song Lian also saw the trend, so they did not hesitate to take the risk to come to seek help from the emperor.

"I have someone notify Kong Ne to come back. I hope he will live up to expectations and take responsibility!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhang Yi with slightly complicated emotions.

The time was ripe for Zhang to dissent and asked:
  "Your Majesty, I saw Master Liu and Mr. Song outside..."

"I just want to save Cheng Zhu's life and persuade me to be more open-minded!
  But now that I have come this far, there is no turning back.

If you take a step back, I can't bear the consequences.

Just like you said, if I can't let the great scholars in the world debate scriptures for me.

In the future, I and my descendants will still have to bear the covetousness of those people!

This is class struggle! "

puff~
  Zhang Yi almost choked to death on a mouthful of water.

Your Majesty, where did you hear the term?

He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang in shock, and immediately understood that it must have been taught by Yao Guangxiao.

That's not how class struggle works, Your Majesty, Zhang Yi wanted to complain.

But if class struggle was explained clearly, his life would probably be in danger.

But what Zhu Yuanzhang said makes sense. From the moment he took action against Cheng Zhuzhixue, he embarked on a path of no return.

Hu Weiyong's rebellion made him understand the situation where both sides would fight to the death.

He must promote this reform, because if this matter cannot be resolved while he is alive, neither Zhu Biao nor Zhu Xiongying in the future will most likely be able to complete the reform.

Therefore, no matter how much Song Lian and Liu Ji kneeled, they could not get the emperor to change his mind.

What's more, Zhang Yi himself didn't agree with their views.

He pushed Zhu Yuanzhang to change the world, and he also yearned for a more open ideological environment.

"No wonder Master Song would look at me angrily when I came in. Perhaps in his eyes, I am a traitor who deceived His Majesty!"

"I don't know if you are a traitor or not, but I know that you have something hidden.

Since you encouraged Conne to create New Confucianism, you should shoulder this part of the responsibility before Conne comes back.

You can go back, but don’t leave this matter behind..."

Zhang Yi: ...

Is Lao Zhu forcing him to write a book similar to Yao Guangxiao's "Dao Yu Lu"?
  Zhang Yi nodded silently, and he found that he and Lao Zhu were speechless.

But since he agreed to Zhu Biao, he still took the risk and said:
  "Your Majesty, regarding those people involved in the Hu Weiyong case..."

"What, you still want to be admitted to Spring and Autumn College and become your student?"

Zhu Yuanzhang blurted out a sentence, but Zhang Yi's heart skipped a beat.

He laughed:

"Of course not, but I saw a sentence in the Book of Heaven, and I think it makes sense!"

"What?"

"knowledge is power!"

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled, Zhang Yi took the initiative to answer:
  “Many of these people’s family members are literate, and they are the wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

Instead of killing them, they would be exiled to a bitter cold place where they would live a narrow escape from death.

It's better to stay and make more use of it.

For example, training to become craftsmen, industrial workers...

Or become a teacher who teaches and promotes the written word!

Your Majesty, you also know about the application of steam engines and the plan for northern industrialization promoted by me.

What's the reason for the slow progress now?
  It's just because there are few talents. Even if we cultivate them slowly, our Ming Dynasty's talents will gradually catch up in the future.

But this time can be ten years or twenty years.

You see, these criminals are different now. After reforming them through labor,
  They can all make the best use of it.

Therefore, I believe that instead of killing, it is better to reform through labor..."

After Zhang Yi fooled around for a while, the vigilance in Lao Zhu's eyes gradually relaxed, and he began to lower his head and think carefully about Zhang Yi's answer.

"Your Majesty, no matter how capable Hu Weiyong is, he will not really involve so many rebels.

Those who are crowding around him are simply because you and their positions are not on the same page, and there is a conflict of interest.

But after they became prisoners, this stance itself has changed!

Your Majesty is mainly worried about two points. First, without torture, it will not be enough to deter others.

Second, I am afraid that these people still have influence and will continue to spread! "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, he did have concerns in this regard.

“So reform through labor, ideological reform…

In fact, Your Majesty, it may be difficult for those Taoist teachers who are already old to change!

But how many of those young people really take Cheng-Zhu Zhixue seriously?
  I still said what I said back then, most people are just mortals.

The characteristic of mortals is that their minds are unstable and influenced by external objects...

Since Cheng and Zhu's studies can influence them, doesn't His Majesty have the confidence to influence them?
  Of course, if these people kill, they will kill.

I don’t want to give Your Majesty the value of benevolence, righteousness and morality.
  I just feel that it’s a pity…”

Zhang Yi's grasp of Lao Zhu's character is quite accurate.

What about talking about intolerance, benevolence and righteousness with Zhu Yuanzhang? Zhu Yuanzhang will only think that you want to teach me how to do things?

If it really triggers this emotion in him, given Lao Zhu's recent mood, he will most likely record you in his little notebook.

But if you talk about utilization value, another characteristic of his character will also show up.

practicality.

Zhu Yuanzhang has always been a pragmatic king. He can be tyrannical and patient.

Zhang Yi's plea to those people was practicality.

Lao Zhu is busy killing people these days, but in fact he is not idle about government affairs either.

Using Zhang Yi's plan, he gradually implemented several resource-based industrial cities.

Because he saw the possibility of implementing the plan Zhang Yi talked about.

The coal mine that Zhang Yi chose originally was managed by him.

A place that could only be considered a village at the beginning has turned into a city with tens of thousands of people.

Tens of thousands of people, in future generations, may not even be comparable to a town.

But in this era, even many state capitals in the south, after Hongwu's ten years of recuperation, had only this population.

What's more, it was a northern city.

Lao Zhu saw the possibility of revitalizing the northern economy and also saw the benefits of planning!

But as Zhang Yi said, when such a city develops, the cost of management also increases.

In the past, a government only had [-] people, and when it was decentralized to the county town, there were even fewer people.

A county magistrate is naturally good at managing a county with thousands of people.

However, it is too difficult for a county magistrate to control a city with tens of thousands of people.

The agglomeration of population and the changes in biochemical industry.

In fact, they are silently changing the social structure of Ming Dynasty.

These things are just like Lao Zhu's reforms in recent years. The common people have not deeply realized the changes in the world.

But once Hu Weiyong abolished the emperor's policy, someone immediately understood the goodness of Emperor Hongwu.

Zhang Yi actually took advantage of this public sentiment to bind Zhu Yuanzhang to a certain extent.

Imperial power and industrialization are actually contradictory.

He himself does not want society to develop too fast. When the social structure undergoes drastic changes, there will actually be restrictions on imperial power.

When a powerful emperor like Lao Zhu was alive, the emergence of such changes would most likely cause him to reverse the course of history.

And as time goes by, when the social structure changes completely,
  No one can reverse history.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be somewhat relaxed about Zhang Yi's proposal, but in the end he just left one sentence:
  "Let me think about it..."

With these words, Zhang Yi knew that half of the matter was already done.

He stood up and said goodbye!

After going out, Song Lian and Liu Ji were still kneeling.

Zhang Yi knew that they would not pay attention to him, so he gave Liu Ji a look and went back.

… ˆ ˆ “Master Liu and Master Song passed out at the door of the royal study, but they still didn’t see the emperor after all!”

a day later.

Zhang Yi has already started to pack his things and prepare to return to Longhu Mountain.

This time, he not only left alone, but also took his three wives with him.

But as a person with de facto power, he wants to leave and has to hand over many things.

Of course, the most important thing is to interact with Yao Guangxiao.

Although he did not enter the Central Publishing House, he actually became the prime minister of the Ming Dynasty.

The inertia of history is terrible, and Zhang Yi has been lamenting this phenomenon many times.

In the case of Hu Weiyong's rebellion, the two prime ministers were sent to see the King of Hell by the emperor.
  Lao Zhu restored the operating mechanism of the capital, and the six new ministers were in place.

But the two prime minister positions of Zhongshu Province were actually vacant.

At first Zhu Yuanzhang said that Yao Guangxiao would be appointed prime minister, but in fact he was not canonized.

But Yao Guangxiao took on a job similar to that of prime minister.

The six ministers are Confucian people.

But their leader is a Taoist priest.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang is going to start attacking Confucianism, he will not completely forget the word checks and balances.

Yao Guangxiao is naturally well aware of this kind of thing.

He was different from ordinary people, and he was happy that Zhu Yuanzhang was on guard against him.

So I'm still in a good mood now.

"Your Majesty has actually not completely made up his mind. The Spring and Autumn School represented by our Spring and Autumn Degree can be regarded as a reformist...

Today, His Majesty still wants to keep the conservatives as a check and balance!
  Therefore, the disciple estimates that he will not embarrass Master Liu too much! "

"Yes, but Pindao and Master are also old friends. Pindao went to see him..."

Zhang Yi knew that he could not satisfy Liu Ji's request, but the two had met each other after all, and he was going to Longhu Mountain. If Liu Ji returned to Qingtian, there was a high probability that he would never say goodbye to this historical celebrity.

"Master, are you not afraid of getting into trouble?"

Yao Guangxiao said something.

Zhang Yi shook his head and smiled:

"No, I'm going away and I won't come back for at least three years, so..."

Yao Guangxiao nodded silently.

Zhang Yi handed Yao Guangxiao a piece of information, which he had written down about the development and application of steam engines, as well as other things.

"Mr. Trouble!"

He stood up and bowed to Yao Guangxiao.

After the two separated, Zhang Yi asked about Liu Ji's residence.

But when he went there, he came up empty again.

After asking the old servant to inquire, Liu Ji and Song Lian went over and knelt down again.

Zhang Yi was silent.

How could Master Liu in the unofficial history have ever been so humble?

But in reality, everyone is a victim of the changes of the times. He and the old man were once friends.
  But now, the position is probably different, right?

This is probably what is called the so-called Taoism.

He originally wanted to turn around and leave, but at this moment, another person hurriedly walked over.

"It's not good, the master was caught..."

"Ok?"

Zhang Yi's footsteps suddenly stopped, he grabbed the servant who reported the news and asked:
  "what happened?"

The servant was out of breath and stammering.

Seeing that he couldn't ask anything, Zhang Yi left directly. The place he went to was Jinyiwei's Zhenfusi Yamen.

"Master Zhou, what's going on?"

Zhang Yi went to Zhou Tong to inquire about information. Zhou Tong looked helpless:
  "It's Mr. Song Liansong..."

After his explanation, Zhang Yi understood the whole story.

In short, Lao Zhu still couldn't bear the suffering of the two veterans and met with Liu Ji and Song Lian.

Zhou Tong didn't know what the two were talking about in the imperial study, but it was not difficult for everyone to imagine.

Song Lian and Liu Ji came here to continue the Cheng and Zhu lineage, but Zhu Yuanzhang could no longer turn back.

This is a dispute between moral principles and interests.

Be it Liu Ji or Song Lian, their efforts are destined to end in vain.

Even if this was the case, the monarch and his ministers would at most break up on bad terms, and Lao Zhu would not become furious.

But the problem is that after Song Lian was sure that the emperor was determined to reform, just like when Li Shanchang and Zhu Yuanzhang quarreled over the issue of "the king and the scholar-bureaucrats rule the world",
  The communication between Song Lian and the emperor was also full of gunpowder.

But even so, it would not make Zhu Yuanzhang angry.

"Master Song saw that he still couldn't persuade the emperor, so he threatened to die. He hit the pillar of the imperial study room, but he was not killed...

But it aroused His Majesty's anger, so he sent both of them to prison..."

Zhang Yi fell silent when he heard this.

Song Lian, in terms of knowledge, can be regarded as the first literati in the early Ming Dynasty.

But in dealing with people, he is too bookish after all.

This collision made him feel happy.

But his death in the imperial study room was equivalent to destroying Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation.

Letting the emperor endure eternal infamy may have been his final decision as a scholar to protect his faith.

Perhaps, he also hoped that his death would awaken a change in the emperor.

It's a pity that although he has followed Lao Zhu for many years, he definitely doesn't understand Zhu Yuanzhang.

His collision not only did not destroy hope, but also pushed Cheng Zhuzhixue towards the path of death.

It is reasonable for Song Lian and Liu Bowen, who were the parties involved, to be thrown into death row by the emperor.

Zhang Yi was silent.

"Master Zhou, can I please meet Mr. Liu?"

Zhou Tong hesitated for a moment and said:
  "Master Guo, it's not that we don't have friendship, I won't give you convenience, and you know that Your Majesty..."

Zhang Yi understood in an instant that although Zhou Tong was now the commander of the Jinyi Guards, he seemed to be powerful.

But Jin Yiwei, who had betrayed him once, was also an untouchable thorn in Lao Zhu's heart.

If Zhou Tong puts Zhang Yi in, he himself will be targeted by the emperor.

Zhang Yi nodded silently to express his understanding.

He turned around and went to the Prince's Mansion, but was told that the Prince had already entered the palace.

Zhang Yi found Zhu Fan and entered the palace.

Royal study.

Prince Zhu Biao came out angrily. He interceded for Liu Ji and Song Lian, but was kicked out by Zhu Yuanzhang instead.

Zhu Biao knew that Lao Zhu had murderous intentions, so he simply followed suit and knelt at the door of the imperial study.

As soon as he knelt down, Lao Zhu's anger became even greater.

Zhang Yi came over at this time, and when Zhu Biao saw him, it was like seeing a life-saving straw.

He gave Zhang Yi a look, Zhang Yi:...

Although he also wanted to save Liu Bowen, he also understood Zhu Biao's thoughts!
  Song Lian is Zhu Biao's true mentor, and it is only humane for him to want to save Song Lian.

Zhang Yi didn't care much about Song Lian's life and death.

He just didn't want Liu Ji to die in prison.

"Your Majesty, I would like to see you!"

Facing Zhu Biao's prayer, Zhang Yi could only bite the bullet...

In the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang was still angry, but Zhang Yi asked to see him, and he acquiesced in letting him in.

"Your Majesty, don't take it to heart. His Royal Highness is also grateful for his kindness..."

Zhang Yi came in and immediately interceded for Zhu Biao.

But Lao Zhu didn't buy it, he asked coldly:
  "What about you? Who are you here to plead for?"

Zhang Yi lowered his head. He knew that he had no room to lie in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, so he answered honestly:

"I plead for Master Liu...

Your Majesty, although my father and son have different opinions, there is still affection between them.

Although he speaks softly, he can only pray a lot..."

This time, he did not use other reasons to fool Zhu Yuanzhang, because the emperor was not a fool.

Many times, there are many high-sounding reasons, but it is better to be honest.

Lao Zhu's anger suddenly rose, and he just stared at Zhang Yi with a sneer:

"Do you think that as long as you open your mouth, you will be able to control me?"

The moment Zhang Yi opened his eyes, his hair burst.

He suddenly looked at Lao Zhu, only to see that Lao Zhu's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

At this moment, he suddenly had an enlightenment.

He sighed and just bowed silently.

Something seemed to be broken at this moment. Seeing his attitude, the emperor became more and more angry.

"You don't want to see Liu Ji. If you have a good relationship with him, go to the prison and talk to him yourself! Someone is here..."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked someone to come in and drag Zhang Yi away.

This sudden change caught Zhu Biao, who was kneeling outside, off guard.

No matter who the emperor touches, Zhang Yi cannot be touched.

But now he has moved...

Zhu Biao looked into the imperial study, becoming more and more worried about the emperor's condition.

It’s just that he also understands Lao Zhu’s state, and it’s useless to say anything at this time.

He simply got up, bowed to the Imperial Study Room, and returned to the Prince's Mansion.

……

"Why don't you plead for your master?"

The news that Zhang Yi was imprisoned by the emperor caused quite a stir in the capital.

As a core figure of the Spring and Autumn School and a national preceptor of the Ming Dynasty, his imprisonment aroused a lot of speculation.

And when others are worried, frightened, or trying to find ways to plead with Zhang Yi.

Yao Guangxiao's attitude is that he should eat and drink...

Even in front of Lao Zhu, he didn't mention Zhang Yi at all.

People say he is cold-blooded and ruthless, but he is a rebellious person by nature.

A few days later, even Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask, why didn't Yao Guangxiao intercede for Zhang Yi?
  Yao Guangxiao looked puzzled:
  "Your Majesty needs me to give you a step down. If so, I will plead with the master now..."

His words made Lao Zhu furious to death.

Neither master nor disciple is worry-free.

He also knew in his heart that he was indeed impulsive when he sent Zhang Yi to prison out of anger.

However, deliberately beating Zhang Yi was also one of Lao Zhu's plans.

"Master taught me not to think about meaningless things!

Since I promised my master, I also promised your majesty.

Doing my duty well is considered as repaying my teacher's kindness!
  As for the grievances between Master and His Majesty, I can't control it, and I don't want to...

If your Majesty wants to dig a hole for me, please don’t..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time, and finally asked:

"Yao Guangxiao, are you Zhang Yi's person or mine?" (End of Chapter)