The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 236 I’m going

The future of Ming Dynasty is entirely in your hands. This is no joke.

The grandson was trained by him, and now he has obtained the educational qualification of the concubine.

The future emperors and empresses are all in his hands, which is equivalent to controlling the future of the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, after obtaining Xu Miaojin's educational qualification, Chen Jingke felt more pressure.

In comparison, Zhu Xiongying is too optimistic.

He was very happy to learn about this and kept asking how he was going to teach.

And he patted his chest and said, "If you don't know how to teach, just leave it to me. I will definitely teach her well."

Chen Jingke rolled his eyes, ignored him, and continued to think about how to start the course.

Zhu Xiongying was not angry, he came over and said:

"Is it that difficult? Wasn't it very simple when you taught me?"

Chen Jingke laughed angrily: "Where do you see simplicity?"

She collected stories of gains and losses of ancient concubines and commented on them to teach herself how to be a competent queen.

It would be fine if the two of them were the same age, but Zhu Xiongying is much older than Xu Miaojin.

During the Wei, Jin, Sui and Tang dynasties, the status of women was relatively much higher.

"Um..." Zhu Xiongying said sarcastically: "Teacher Chen, thank you for your hard work."

I saw him saying a little frustrated: "Okay, okay, what you said makes sense... Then I can't play with her in the future?"

"Female Commandments" and "Female Rules".

Zhu Xiongying said unhappily: "Why? That's my wife."

The former was written by Ban Zhao of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Its core is meekness and prudence. To put it more bluntly, it teaches women how to obey the three virtues and the four virtues.

She had long heard about the legend of Chen Jingke's lectures, and was naturally very interested.

Zhu Xiongying breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, I will try to see her as little as possible from now on, and I won't give her any big reasons."

Zhu Xiongying asked: "Isn't it okay to be the same? This way we have a better understanding."

Zhu Xiongying looked disapproving. What about the universe and yin and yang? That's nonsense.

Chen Jingke said: "It's okay to just have fun, but try not to talk to her about government affairs and knowledge, and avoid imposing your ideas on her."

The little girl didn't know what happened. Queen Ma just told her that she could listen to Chen Jingke's lectures in the future.

Chen Jingke said angrily: "She's not married yet... You don't want people to gossip about her, right?"

"So, how can we help each other?"

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "That's good..."

Chen Jingke shook his head and said seriously: "To be serious, you have to keep a certain distance from Miss Miaojin from now on."

The latter was written by the Empress, the eldest grandson of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and talks about how concubines handle various matters correctly.

"Are you thirsty? I'll pour you a cup of tea. The best Dahongpao, exclusively for the royal family."

This explanation was more specific, and Zhu Xiongying really listened.

"If you both think in the same way, she can think of what you think of."

Chen Jingke said a little confused: "Do your Majesty and your empress have the same temperament?"

He is an example of a virtuous queen.

Chen Jingke was also prepared and took out two books.

Chen Jingke also knew that it would be difficult to convince him with such empty principles, so he thought for a while before saying:

"If you two have the same temperament, how can you complement each other?"

Empress Changsun was one of the best, assisting Emperor Taizong Li Shimin to correct his political mistakes...

The next day, Xu Miaojin came to the side hall of Qianqing Palace to attend class.

"It's easy to be influenced by you, which is also not conducive to her growth."

Chen Jingke patiently explained: "The man is the god and the daughter is the kun, and the husband and wife have one yang and one yin, just like Tai Chi, they complement each other to achieve perfection."

"And she is too young, and it is the time for her character to develop."

"The greater possibility is that there is a pit in front of you, and you both fell into it without seeing it."

"It's hard for her to think of places you can't think of."

"You don't want her temperament and way of thinking to be exactly the same as yours, right?"

Came here early in the morning.

If knowledge is exchanged frequently, it can easily turn into one-sided indoctrination.

It is common for women to express their opinions publicly and even be praised by the world.

“Husbands and wives complement each other and check for each other’s mistakes.”

Zhu Xiongying shook his head, but argued: "I didn't say it had to be different."

"Look at my hair, which is much thinner. Why do you think it is?"

After her death, the palace maid presented this book to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin published this book all over the world and regarded it as a model.

However, with the great rise of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, the status of women plummeted.

"Women's Rules" began to be rejected, and slowly it was lost.

However, there are still copies hidden in the palace and in the homes of some officials.

This set of books last appeared in history books during the Yongle period.

Queen Xu found this set of books in the palace, and after reading them, she found them useless.

She even thought that Queen Changsun was a womanly woman because of this book.

The implication is that she is not worthy of being a model queen.

Since then, this set of books has never appeared again.

Chen Jingke had been thinking about how to teach Xu Miaojin.

Then I came up with the idea after thinking about the book "Women's Rules".

He placed the two books in front of Xu Miaojin and asked, "Have you read these two books?"

Xu Miaojin looked at it and said, "I have learned the female commandments, but not the female ones."

Chen Jingke put away the women's rules and said, "From today on, we will learn the women's rules."

"Female Rules" is a collection of stories, with the characters' deeds in the front and comments in the back.

Chen Jingke focused on the previous story and omitted the subsequent comments.

Children, by nature, like interesting stories and don't like dogmatic preaching.

Xu Miaojin is no exception.

Not to mention how happy she was to see that Chen Jingke was really just telling her stories.

But someone raised a question, and that was Queen Ma:

"I can understand and support you if you teach her women's principles..."

"But why only tell the previous story and not the subsequent comments?"

Chen Jingke explained: "The following comments are the thoughts of Empress Changsun, which are too profound for her."

"And telling her the answer directly is not conducive to her developing her own way of thinking."

"Tell her a story first and let her think and understand on her own."

"After a few years, she has her own ideas, and then I will give her Empress Changsun's comments as a reference."

"This will not only cultivate her ability to think independently, but also deepen her understanding of women's principles."

Queen Ma nodded and said, "I understand."

Although she thought it was unnecessary, since Xu Miaojin had been handed over to Chen Jingke for instruction.

As long as nothing goes wrong, she will keep her promise and not interfere.

"Since you decided to teach her the rules of women, why did you bring out the rules of women?"

Chen Jingke said: "I don't like the three obediences, but the four virtues are excellent qualities."

"If she hasn't learned the Women's Commandments, I will tell her the four virtues."

Queen Ma frowned slightly: "Do you think the three nevers are right?"

Chen Jingke said: "Throughout the history books, I have only seen people who were called sages because of the four virtues, but I have never heard of people who were called sages because of the three virtues."

Empress Ma said helplessly: "You...that's all, go as you want."

"Remember not to say this to outsiders, otherwise it will definitely cause an uproar."

Chen Jingke replied: "Don't worry, Madam, I understand."

Then the teaching continues.

In addition to teaching the story of Nu Zeshang, Chen Jingke also sorted out historical knowledge for her.

"In ancient times, men went out to hunt, and women collected grass seeds, fruits and vegetables..."

"Later, farming appeared, men plowed the fields, and women weaved..."

"Men go to the border to fight, and women weave at home..."

"I farm during the day and spin cotton at night. I work hard day and night..."

"There are many other heroines who also deserve credit..."

It is imperative to improve the status of women. Instead of waiting for things to happen and then cramming for them, it is better to prepare in advance.

Everyone in the Zhu family loves their daughter-in-law, so you can make good use of this fact.

Teach Xu Miaojin well first, and then slowly influence more people.

Many times, she doesn't need to speak out deliberately, she just needs to do it.

Just like Queen Ma, she said that women can wear phoenix crowns and harems when they get married, and new customs will naturally form.

It's just that she didn't realize the status of women, and she never thought about using her status to improve anything.

All I can say is that it is a pity.

Of course, women's status is also related to economic level.

The production relations at that time determined that women’s status would not be too high.

But it is really abnormal to be as low as Song and Ming. However, the general trend has been formed, and it is difficult to go against the trend.

So Chen Jingke didn't rush and took his time.

Cultivate a few role models first, and then slowly lead more people.

He already has follow-up plans.

It's not complicated actually, it's a girls' college.

But all this will have to wait until the capital is moved.

Chen Jingke was asked to teach the future concubine. This matter was not publicized and few people knew about it.

Everything was done in silence.

Even the servant who served Xu Miaojin only knew that she would go to Chen Bandu's place to listen to stories from time to time.

I don't know anything else.

The reason for doing this is naturally to avoid causing dissatisfaction among outsiders and causing complications.

As Xu Miaojin's father, Xu Da naturally knew.

He found an opportunity and invited Chen Jingke to a banquet at his home.

During this period, he didn't say any unnecessary words. Xu Da picked up the wine glass and made three large cups:

"Jing Ke, don't say anything else. This is my respect for you, uncle."

"I know you don't drink, just drink tea instead of wine..."

Chen Jingke naturally knew why he was like this, but he didn't say it explicitly. He just said:

"My uncle and aunt take great care of my family. Brother Xu and I feel like brothers. This is what we should do."

After that, the two of them moved the topic elsewhere.

Xu Da said: "The southeast coast has been particularly lively in recent months, and people are all looking forward to the opening of the sea..."

"Once the imperial decree is issued, coastal cities will burst into great vitality..."

"Now I understand better why Your Majesty decided to move the capital to the north."

Chen Jingke nodded and said: "Opening the sea is only the first step. If subsequent policies cannot be followed up, only a few coastal cities will become rich."

"What the imperial court wants to do is to use maritime trade to drive economic development across the country, so that people in the most remote places can benefit from it."

Xu Da said: "I have heard about this matter. I heard that the prince asked the Financial and Banknote Bureau to take the lead in organizing local yamen and large merchants to negotiate the acquisition of local products."

"Yongchang Hou and I also set up a small caravan and purchased a batch of porcelain, tea, cotton and other items."

He was too modest to say that it was a small caravan. A total of more than a dozen dignitaries jointly purchased more than 70 ships.

It’s not that they don’t want to purchase more, but they can only buy so many ships.

Last year there was talk of opening up the sea, and private businessmen were still a little skeptical.

But it soon became apparent that bureaucrats and bigwigs were buying ships.

Now they no longer had any doubts and flocked to the southeast coast one after another. Orders from major shipyards were queued up for a few years.

As soon as a ship comes out of the dock, it is loaded with cargo and ready to depart.

Now everything is ready, just waiting for the imperial edict to be issued.

Speaking of the fleet, Xu Da said regretfully: "It would be a shame if you didn't participate."

"Do you want to think about it again? We can arrange a few ships for you, and the goods are all ready."

"Money is not a problem. You can owe it first, and it won't be too late to pay it back after the goods are sold."

Chen Jingke smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you, uncle. I'm really not interested in this kind of thing. Besides, I'm really not short of money."

He naturally knew why Xu Da and others wanted to give him money for free, just to deepen the relationship between the two parties.

But he knew that this was causing trouble for himself.

His position is too special and he is not suitable for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications.

The reason for making good friends with Xu Da, Lan Yu and others is because of their special status.

Joining their maritime trade organization and having interests entangled with many nobles is just causing trouble for yourself.

There will indeed be no problem at the moment. Xu Da is also kind-hearted and wants to repay himself.

But what about the future?

Does Huo Guang really not know the consequences of dictatorship?

He knew better than anyone, but he had no choice.

The interest groups behind him will push him forward.

The death of Queen Xu Pingjun is the most obvious example.

In his position, he is already a rare loyal minister without rebellion.

Chen Jingke didn't want to regret it until things were irreversible.

Don’t set yourself up for trouble in the first place.

Not wanting to dwell on this matter anymore, Chen Jingke changed the subject and said:

"As far as I know, spices are abundant on a certain island in the South China Sea."

"If you transport these spices to the countries in the far west, the price will increase dozens of times."

"From the land to the countries in the far west, you have to pass through many countries on the way."

"Several of these countries are very powerful and have blocked trade routes..."

"If we can find a route from the ocean to the countries in the far west, we can reap the most generous profits."

"If we can monopolize the spice trade and use starvation marketing, the profits will be unimaginable."

Hunger marketing, this trick was used by the Dutch back then.

The spice trade was once flourishing, but with the influx of huge amounts of spices, Westerners are no longer so rare.

The Dutch once had hundreds of thousands of tons of spices backlogged in their warehouses, and in the end they had to burn them to reduce the inventory.

For this reason, they also invented a festival, which was to burn incense in the open air on a certain day.

Later, someone thought of a way to defeat all opponents and prohibit private spice business to complete the monopoly.

Then rely on hunger marketing to continue to make huge profits.

This method indeed revitalized the spice trade for a time.

But with the end of Dutch maritime hegemony, the monopoly was no longer possible, and spices were completely reduced to ordinary commodities.

But then Westerners played another fancy trick, a routine that the Chinese are very familiar with, health preservation.

Vigorously promote spices and health care...

So the spice trade became popular again, but it never regained its former glory.

How did Chen Jingke know this?

Of course I read it from extracurricular books when I was studying medicine.

After all, in order to promote sales styles, Westerners did a lot of tricks.

They were all written down in books as interesting anecdotes by later generations.

He told Xu Da this, firstly, the spice business is indeed very profitable, and secondly, it is to stimulate them to explore new routes.

Never underestimate the adventurous spirit of the Chinese. Our ancestors have also set foot on distant horizons.

Unfortunately, Xu Da has little interest in the spice trade.

Think about it, he is the first-class dignitary in the Ming Dynasty.

Why take risks when you can make money safely and securely?

Most of the earliest adventurers in the West were down-and-out nobles, hoping to make a comeback through this.

The larger nobles provide financial support behind the scenes.

When new routes appear, they will personally harvest them.

There is no way around it.

Seeing this, Chen Jingke didn't say anything more. We'll talk about the new route later.

Let’s take it step by step. Let’s do the first step of opening the sea first.

The topic continued, and naturally they talked about the Liaodong War.

Chen Jingke said: "The army has arrived in Liaodong now, right?"

Xu Da said with certainty: "If there is no news, it means we have arrived successfully. It is estimated that a small-scale battle has occurred between the two sides."

There are strict regulations on the marching route of the army and the number of miles traveled every day.

If nothing unexpected happens, the court only needs to calculate based on the data to know where the army has gone.

In fact, thanks to the Grand Canal, troops can be transported directly to Peiping by water, saving a lot of time.

While they were discussing the matter, the army had arrived in Tongzhou.

Feng Sheng immediately sent someone to inquire about Naha's situation and received an important battle report:

"The troops supported by the Northern Yuan Royal Court to support Naha did not directly join forces with Naha, but were stationed in Gyeongju and moved accordingly."

"What do you think?"

Tang Shengzong looked at the military map and said, "The Beiyuan people are very cunning in this move."

"If we launch a surprise attack on our rear while we are at war with Naha, the consequences will be unpredictable."

"If we send troops to defend, we won't be able to attack Nahachu with all our strength..."

"And if you defend for a long time, you will lose. Bei Yuan has many cavalry, and our front is long, so it is difficult to defend against it."

Zhao Yong suggested: "It would be great if we could destroy this support army first."

"Not only can it solve hidden dangers, but it can also severely damage the morale of Naha's troops."

Guan Liang frowned and said: "It's just that Qingzhou is far away from here. Once the news is leaked, we may be surrounded by enemy cavalry."

"It's too difficult to launch a surprise attack across a distance of 800 miles without anyone noticing."

Feng Sheng looked stern and told another piece of information: "According to reports from the Malay Telegraph, it snowed heavily on the grassland..."

All the generals were silent.

Raid is all about speed, launching a rush battle on the grassland where it is snowing heavily.

Not to mention whether the enemy can be found, the non-combat attrition caused by the cold is enough for one person to drink a pot.

At this moment, Lan Yu, who was silent on the side, suddenly said:

"I go."

(End of this chapter)