Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 427: There is still time to learn
"The east has not yet spread its wings, and the army is marching south again. From time to time, I come to the villages and counties, visit old times and play together. Stay and have a feast, and I can't bear to be separated for a while..."

"Oh, he is quite leisurely and elegant."

In the Chunhe Hall, Zhu Gaoxu looked at the poem written by Xie Jin and couldn't help but mock.

"Xie Jin is indeed talented and knowledgeable, but being arrogant about his talent is not my type of talent."

Zhu Gaoxu spoke to Hu Lun in front of him, and Hu Lun nodded and said at the same time:

"This is indeed the case with Xie Jin, but Yang Shiqi, on the other hand, has not left any clues in the four months since he took office."

Facing the loach-like Yang Shiqi, Hu Lun felt a little headache.

"Just because he is fine, it doesn't mean that the people below him are fine. Go check his relatives and heirs."

Zhu Gaoxu remembered how Zhu Qizhen manipulated Yang Shiqi. Although Yang Shiqi was a well-educated person, he doted on his eldest son Yang Ji, which made him feel confident and use his power to do evil.

Historically, Yang Ji was good at pretending, and often made Yang Shiqi very happy with sweet words. However, Yang Shiqi also knew that Yang Ji had no talent, so he did not find a job for his son. He just gave him the land at home and helped him open several oil mills. .

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but think of Xie Jin who only knew how to give advice but had few suggestions.

At the same time, Zhu Qizhen did not execute Yang Ji or sentence him. He just imprisoned him and used Yang Shiqi's psychology of loving his son to capture his seven inches.

"Say!" Zhu Gaoxu narrowed his eyes when he heard the news about Shandong Kong Mansion, and Hu Lun also said quickly:
"They have indeed tolerated it for many years, but last year, the master's children began to embezzle people's fields and buy and sell by force."

A year later, Yang Shiqi was worried and depressed and died of illness with anger.

After the father and son met, Yang Ji said that he abided by the law. On the contrary, some people were jealous of his father's great fame and power, so they used excuses to slander him.

"Your Highness, there is news from Shandong, mainly from the Kong Mansion."

Since Queen Xu was seriously ill at that time, Zhu Di did not deal with the matter, but postponed it until now.

Supporting a family for no reason, then allowing them to annex their land and refuse to pay official food?

In the Zhizheng period, after Zhu Yuanzhang led his army to capture Quzhou and other places, he ordered the soldiers and civilians of Quzhou to repair the Confucius family temple.

After Hu Lun finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu stroked his mustache and said, "Don't alert others. The number of people a master's son can implicate is limited. This is not the result I want."

Zhu Gaoxu chuckled and threw the memorial on the table. He wanted the officials in Jiangzuo to see the great talent they held in their hands being embarrassed in front of them, and to severely suppress the arrogance of these guys.

After Zhu Di came to the throne, people often wrote that Nan Kong's title had not been restored, and the sacrificial fields were still paid by official grain, so he was unable to repair the family temple on his own, so the Nan Kong Family Temple gradually declined.

Not only that, what Yang Shiqi saw locally were also Yang Ji's wise actions in building roads and bridges.

Because of this, starting from Yang Ji to control Yang Shiqi is what Zhu Gaoxu wants to do.

From then on, Yang Shiqi did not believe that his son would do evil deeds, and he would never hear the true story about his son again.

"Yes!" Hu Lun bowed in response, and at the same time he bowed and said:

Let him live a few more years, which is just a few more articles, but the Ming Dynasty did not need so many articles, nor did it need so many Jie Jin.

The Southern Song Dynasty was kind to them, at least because they followed Zhao Gou to the south.

However, in his opinion, neither the prosperous Beikong nor the declining Nankong had anything to do with the Ming Dynasty.

From then on, the emperors of the Southern Song Dynasty would occasionally reward Nan Kong, and his life was very comfortable.

After Zhu Qizhen grew up, Wang Zhen sent people to Taihe County to investigate the case and reported what Yang Ji had committed.

In this era, the oil mill has huge profits. As long as Yang Ji continues to work honestly, he will be rich and prosperous for his whole life.

After Yang Ji knew that his father had returned to his hometown, he also made careful arrangements. As a result, what Yang Shiqi saw after returning to his hometown was still his son who was plainly dressed and sensible.

Now after Hu Lun's explanation, Zhu Gaoxu almost understood what happened to Nankong.

Historically, Yang Shiqi only doted on Yang Ji, so as long as Yang Shiqi's doting does not change, it is difficult for Yang Ji's character to change.

"Continue to indulge them with indulgence, and when the time comes, I will make them spit it out with profit."

When the local censor impeached Yang Ji, Yang Shiqi thought that his son was still as honest as before and did not believe that he would commit such a serious crime, so he took the opportunity to return to his hometown to visit his grave to find out.

However, because of Yang Shiqi, Yang Ji was often sought after and flattered by local officials and gentry. Under the environment of being promoted and coaxed by others, Yang Ji gradually became arrogant and lewd. Relying on his father's status, With no fear outside, he ran rampant in the countryside, bullied men and women, and committed several murders.

"Continue to monitor this guy and give him some more time. When he has finished playing with himself, even the officials in Jiangzuo will not have the face to plead for him."

Don't be kidding, the generals of Yanfu and the generals of Jianwen who have surrendered to the Bohai Sea have all contributed to the Ming Dynasty in the past or in the future, so Zhu Gaoxu will not hesitate to reward him.

However, after Kong Zhu abdicated his title, Nanzong began to decline. It coincided with the military revolution at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, and Nankong's life gradually declined.

He didn't want to kill Yang Shiqi, because Yang Shiqi could do things after all, but the things he did were not what he wanted to do.

Nankong is mainly composed of the descendants of the Kong family who migrated south when the Northern Song Dynasty collapsed. Due to their meritorious service, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty granted them residence in Quzhou and built family temples for them.

Seeing his death, Zhu Qizhen was too lazy to keep Yang Ji and executed him according to law.

"In addition..." Zhu Gaoxu thought of the South Kong Kong in Quzhou and couldn't help but ask: "How is the South Kong Kong in Quzhou compared to the North Kong Kong?"

However, compared to the North Kong, there is really nothing to investigate in the South Kong.

But if Yang Ji can be caught, Yang Shiqi can only do things for himself.

"Nankong..." Hu Lun began to explain on the spot after hearing this. After all, he wanted to investigate Beikong, so naturally he would also investigate Nankong.

Yang Shiqi still has some use, but Jie Jin is of little use.

"The news has just been reported, and I have just learned about it and came to report it."

But for Zhu Gaoxu, Nanbeikong has never supported the father and son, so why should he support them?

As for the Northern and Southern Confucius, Zhu Gaoxu had no intention of supporting them, let alone helping to build the family temple.

"Beikong will keep a close eye on all of them, and when they have been convicted enough, they will all be punished together."

Zhu Gaoxu picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and Hu Lun quickly agreed.

"You go down first and let Yishiha come in."

"Yes!"

Hu Lun returned the greeting and stepped back. After a while, he walked into the hall and bowed to Zhu Gaoxu.

However, Zhu Gaoxu did not arrange anything, and just asked him to accompany him to deal with the memorial.

Managing a big country is like cooking a small one. Of course, as long as the route is set and the pace is monitored, it is enough. There is no need to micromanage everything.

Of course, for people like Zhu Gaoxu and Yi Shiha who stand at the top of the pyramid, it seems that except for influencing policy, everything else is trivial.

But for ordinary civilians, the court's policies determine their future future and path.

"Crackling!!"

On the first day of March, as firecrackers rang out in Gaoshan Town, Luzon, at the gate of Gaoshan Town Primary School, the slim Lu Yu undoubtedly became the focus of the town at this moment.

The Xin Mao Ke Children's Examination has been announced in Luzon. The number of Luzon students participating in the Xin Mao Ke Children's Examination this time is only 446, and there are only twelve high school students, and Lu Yu is one of them.

In front of everyone, Fang Zheng, a thirty-year-old Luzon County professor, smiled and put a big red flower on Lu Yu's head and handed him his high school student certificate.

"Your Excellency, the Xuanwei Envoy, heard that you have made Luzon famous, and specially ordered to reward you with thirty guan of money, exempt your family from land tax for three years, give you a sword of rice paper, ten high-quality calligraphy brushes, and ten pieces of Su Mo."

Fang Zheng said with a smile that Lu Song's Xuanwei envoy Xu Chailao had given Lu Yu and his group of students a commendation. Amidst the envious eyes of everyone around him, Lu Yu bowed respectfully:
"Young man, I am grateful for the teachings and the envoy's kindness. I will never forget it!"

"Haha, okay, okay..." Fang Zheng nodded with a smile, and then said: "Xuanweishi and I heard that you only entered elementary school when you were sixteen years old, and now you are only in the third grade, and you have already obtained the qualifications of a student member. You are really a formidable young person... "

"The Xuanwei Secretary said, you don't have to rush to participate in this imperial examination, but for the imperial examination in the thirteenth year of Yongle, I hope you can earn some face for the Luzon Xuanwei Secretary."

"If you can pass the exam, the Xuanwei Si Yamen will buy you a house in Luzon City and give you other generous gifts."

Fang Zheng smiled and expressed his thoughts. If he was just a student, it would be impossible for him to come to see Lu Yu in person. What he was interested in was Lu Yu's ability to pass the student examination in just three years of study.

It is not uncommon for people to pass the examination as a student officer at the age of eighteen, but those who can pass the examination as a student officer after studying for three years are only one in ten thousand students in the world.

Since the establishment of the Luzon Xuanwei Department, only three people have passed the examination, and Xia Lu Yu is likely to be the fourth.

"Students will definitely study hard and bring glory to Luzon!"

Lu Yu finished speaking in a neither humble nor overbearing tone, and Fang Zheng patted his arms with satisfaction, and then left Gaoshan Town after some pleasantries.

After he left, the somewhat powerful wealthy households in Gaoshan Town extended their olive branches to Lu Yu, but their olive branches were indeed a bit shabby.

"Lu Xiucai, I have a nice set of hardwood furniture at home. Take a look..."

"Lu Xiucai, my family has opened two acres of paddy fields in the east of the town. It's too far away from home. I don't know..."

Compared with those in the mainland, the financial resources of the wealthy households in Gaoshan Town are actually shabby. After all, most of those who can come to Luzon to make a living are from not very good families.

These so-called wealthy households just settled down in Gaoshan Town a few years in advance. Taking advantage of the small population of Luzon and the large number of prisoners of war at that time, they acquired more farmland, hired some craftsmen who were struggling to make ends meet, and opened some small workshops.

Although the current students no longer have the superior treatment they had during the Hongwu period, who knows whether Lu Yu will pass the imperial examination in two years' time, or even become a higher-level Jinshi?
At present, the Ming Dynasty is not slow to expand its territory, especially Zhu Gaoxu's pursuit of actual control, so officials who used to be sufficient in number are beginning to become nervous.

As long as you pass the exam, you won't have to worry about not getting an official position.

As for the students, there is no need to say more.

With this status, even if there is no special treatment, they can still protect their families from subordinates. Some young and talented scholars are on an equal footing with the county magistrates, entering and leaving the court, making friends with the officials, and several wealthy families compete with each other. Proposal.

Fortunately, the wealthy households in Gaoshan Town also knew it, and no one proposed to propose to Lu Yu.

But just because they have the knowledge, it doesn't mean that everyone has it.

Some women who had never interacted with Lu Yu on weekdays immediately surrounded Lu Yu with all kinds of chatter, trying their best to introduce their girls. However, their fate was to be driven away by the doormen at the elementary school who waved big sticks. Lu Yu also took the opportunity to escape back to the elementary school and bowed to the courtyard of his elementary school.

"Qian Yuanzheng made a joke..."

"Where are you talking?" Qian Yuan, who was in his thirties, looked at Lu Yu with envy: "I started school at the age of seven, and didn't pass the examination until I was twenty-four. After that, I wasted several years before studying in the official school for five years. I got this The identity of the principal of Gaoshan Town Primary School in Luzon."

"You started school too late. If you could have started five years earlier, you might have already been on either side by now."

"Qian Yuanzheng is so complimentary..." Lu Yu said with shame. He was still planning to finish the remaining two and a half years of his studies here, but he didn't dare to be proud just because he was a successful candidate.

His family did not allow him to be proud. Only by walking down to the high platform step by step could he look back and look down at the steps with pride.

"Okay, I allow you to take five days' leave. Go home and tell your family about the good news."

Seeing Lu Yu's humility, Qian Yuan couldn't help but admire him.

You must know that when he was 24 years old, he passed the examination for the student body, and his tail was almost raised to the sky. It seemed that within a few years he would pass the examination for civil servants, or even Jinshi, and become an official.

Now it seems that my 24-year-old character is far worse than the 18-year-old Lu Yu.

If I had Lu Yu's character, maybe I wouldn't have wasted so many years.

Qian Yuan sighed in his heart, and Lu Yu bowed in return and returned to the dormitory.

Since classes were still in session when people from the county came, most of his classmates were studying in the classroom, and no one greeted him.

He packed his bags and walked out of the elementary school to walk home.

When he walked out of the elementary school, the two servants who usually had a good attitude towards him also smiled at him, but they felt a little guilty than usual, as if Lu Yu was shorter than Lu Yu out of thin air.

The wealthy households at the door had disappeared. Upon seeing this, Lu Yu was worried about being seen walking out of the elementary school, so he quickly took a detour from the outskirts of the town to Donghetun.

But when he walked to the post road outside the town, there were already seven or eight people waiting with donkeys and mules. Seeing his arrival, they all handed over the reins in a flattering manner.

"I am the king of the lumber shop in the town. This is my family's donkey. I gave it to Lu Xiucai for use."

"I'm……"

Seven or eight people rushed to bring the reins. Seeing this, Lu Yu could only take the reins of a donkey. Then he stepped back and bowed to everyone to thank him. Then he climbed on the donkey's back and headed back to Donghe Village at home.

Four hours later, he thought that the news would not spread back so quickly, but when he saw Donghetun, the gate of Donghetun had been decorated with lights and more than ten large lanterns were hung on the archway of Donghetun. Even though it was daytime, candles were lit, and there were many villagers cleaning the streets on the post road.

"Lu Xiucai, come back!"

"Lu Xiucai, I have a bad mouth. I used to talk to you carelessly. Don't be as knowledgeable as me."

"Lu Xiucai... Lu Xiucai..."

Dozens of villagers who were sweeping the floor on the post road gathered around him and apologized repeatedly for their bad mouth.

Although Lu Yu felt extremely comfortable, he still said humbly: "They are all neighbors. I don't care. Please give me a break. I have to go home and talk to my brothers and sisters."

"Okay, okay! Make way, make way! Don't delay Lu Xiucai's return home!"

Seeing Lu Yu say this, the people around him immediately became the vanguard to clear the way, and surrounded Lu Yu as he walked into the village.

All of a sudden, the entire Donghetun people came to the street and lined the streets to welcome Lu Yu back home.

Many people I've seen, people I haven't seen, people I'm familiar with, people I'm not familiar with... all came forward to make themselves familiar.

It was only about 200 steps, but it took a full quarter of an hour to finish.

"Big brother!"

Lu Hun, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, shouted excitedly, and the other brothers and sisters swarmed over.

Inside and outside the house, there were many villagers who volunteered to clean and pull weeds for the Lu family.

In addition, the home was also decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. This scene made Lu Yu a little confused.

"We are from the Liu Mansion in Luzon County. Congratulations to Lu Xiucai for becoming a high school student!"

"We are from the Royal Palace of Luzon County. Congratulations to Lu Xiucai for becoming a high school student!"

"we are……"

More than a dozen family members sent people from the county and town. While congratulating Lu Yu, they also presented trays in their hands, which contained the usual Yongle Tongbao. Looking around, there were more than ten trays on which , at least hundreds of dollars.

This money, let alone in a remote place like Luzon, even if it is placed in Nanjing City, it can be used to squeeze into the status of a wealthy family and not be despised by others.

Regarding the money, Lu Yu didn't want it to be a lie. He knew what his family's situation was like. If he could accept the money, his family's life would undoubtedly be much easier.

Thinking of this, he turned to his younger brother Lu Hun and said, "Keep all the gifts and write down the information about each government so that you can return them to my brother in the future."

Although Lu Hun did not go to elementary school, Lu Yu gave extra lessons to his younger brothers and sisters every winter and summer vacation, so they were also literate.

"Brother, this..."

Lu Hun felt that these people had bad intentions, but Lu Yu shook his head to signal him not to speak and accepted all the gifts.

Seeing this, Lu Hun could only take the luggage from Lu Yu, lead the donkey, and then let Lu Zhang, the third child, take the things in first, and at the same time move a table and take out the paper, pen, and inkstone.

The actions of Lu Hun and Lu Yu made the servants who came to give gifts smile. The villagers around them also looked at the golden Yongle Tongbao with envy, but they did not dare to have any thoughts in their hearts.

Time passed little by little, and each family member left after giving the gifts. Lu Yu asked his younger brothers and sisters to join the villagers to kill more than a dozen chickens raised in the family in order to prepare some cheap meals.

However, seeing his arrangement, some wealthy people killed the pigs at home, brought in iron pots, set up stoves, placed tables and chairs in front of Lu's house, and made the banquet more grand.

Although Lu Yu said he would not drink alcohol, the enthusiastic villagers kept coming up to toast him.

Some people say they are discerning and always praise and help them, while others apologize for their bad mouth in the past...

Facing these villagers, Lu Yu tried to keep his calmness and try to comfort them.

It wasn't until he got drunk that Lu Yu returned to his bedroom to rest, leaving Lu Hun and the others to entertain the villagers.

When Lu Yu woke up, it was already noon the next day.

He stood up and walked out of the bedroom in confusion. Lu Hun, who was sitting in the main hall, saw this and rushed forward to help him. At the same time, he shouted: "Third sister, bring the hot food over, brother is awake!"

"Okay!!" After hearing Lu Hun's words, a girl of twelve or thirteen years old hurriedly went to the kitchen to get busy.

"Where are the third brother and the others?" Lu Yu asked Lu Hun about the whereabouts of his other brothers and sisters. Lu Hun explained:

"Many people killed their livestock yesterday. I don't want to owe them any favors, so I will first use the 30 pieces of money you brought back to pay off the debt."

"In addition, the gifts I received yesterday include three hundred guan of money, thirty knives of paper, thirty kilograms each of brush and inkstone, thirty kilograms each of oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, and thirty kilograms of rice."

"Brother, you said this money..."

Lu Hun was very honest and felt uneasy with the money, but Lu Yu raised his hand and said, "The villagers probably won't ask for the money."

"As for the money, since we are short of money, we will keep it first. With this money, we can buy a piece of land in the town and the Yamen, build a yard, and then move the family there."

"The cultivated land in the village will be given to the village official Wang, and he will distribute it to each household for us, so as to repay the kindness."

"After you go to the town, you don't have to farm anymore. You all go to the elementary school to study for me. Although the eldest, second and third sisters are female, they still need to be able to write articles."

"At that time, you go to school to study and come back to teach them. Don't let others think that they are illiterate and look down on them."

Lu Yu had already thought of the use of the money, but Lu Hun felt heavy when he heard this: "But if this money is found out in the future, it will not be harmful to you, brother..."

"No!" Lu Yu shook his head and explained specifically: "Only accepting money and food after becoming an official will be regarded as accepting bribes. I specifically asked about this."

"That's why the wealthy households in the county rushed to send money and food at this juncture."

Lu Yu knew everything and the importance of this money to his family, so he chose to accept it.

If he becomes an official in the future, he will find a way to do some small favors in return, or he can pay back ten times.

"Brother, it's all us who have dragged you down..."

Lu Hun lowered his head, but Lu Yu shook his head: "Without you guys taking care of things at home, I wouldn't be able to study alone in the town."

"It's already good that you didn't complain about me leaving you to study alone. How can you say it's a drag?"

"But if you fail to pass the examination, it will be difficult to pay back the money and food you have spent." Lu Hun was worried about too many things, which was related to the background of their orphans.

When Lu Yu heard this, he reached out and patted his shoulder. His voice was small but heavy: "Don't worry, you won't fail the exam."

"Brother, it's time to eat!"

As soon as Lu Yu finished speaking, an ordinary-looking girl of twelve or thirteen years old brought a plate of food. Seeing this, Lu Yu stood up and took it with a smile.

After taking his seat, he smiled at Lu Hun and said, "The days will get better and better in the future. Don't worry, come with me to the town to buy fields and build houses in two days."

"Hmm..." Lu Hun nodded, and the third sister next to him asked in surprise: "Building a house?"

"Well, we are moving." Lu Yu said this with a smile, and the third sister immediately said excitedly: "Then I will call the third brother and the others to come back now!"

After saying that, she trotted out excitedly, and Lu Yu also buried himself in his lunch.

As for Lu Hun, he looked at his elder brother with heartache and stood up to make a cup of tea for him.

Maybe as his elder brother said, life will get better...

(End of this chapter)