The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 70 Begins the Chinese Era

Chen Jingke didn't know what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking, so he responded modestly to Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao's compliments.

At this point, the topic is almost over.

After all, after hearing the line of productivity he had teased out, Zhu Yuanzhang and the other three were no longer interested in paying attention to their affairs outside the palace.

But Chen Jingke was ready to continue talking about a plan.

A plan that had been thought up as early as when Zhu Xiongying was told about China's territorial expansion.

I was still thinking about how to throw out this plan before, but now is the time.

So he said:

"Although there is currently no way to completely solve the problem of scholar ability."

"But I just came up with an idea that might improve the situation a little bit."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, what's your idea?"

Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao were also surprised. They did not expect such a turn of events.

Only Zhu Xiongying didn't find it strange at all, and even thought it was natural.

In his heart, there are no problems in this world that Chen Jingke doesn't understand, and there are no troubles that he can't solve.

If there is, it's just that the external conditions are not suitable and he doesn't want to say more.

Chen Jingke said: "Just now, Empress Cai and His Highness the Prince said that reading history can make you wise and know the ups and downs, so it is better to let scholars read history."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said: "The history books are vast, and we have only read a corner of them. How much can those scholars read?"

"Besides, as you said, ordinary families have already tried their best to support a scholar. How can they have the money to buy so many history books?"

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "This matter is easy to handle. The imperial court can just compile a brief history of China."

Zhu Biao asked doubtfully: "A brief history?"

He understands China and its history, but this is the first time he has heard of a brief history.

"A brief history, as the name suggests, is a brief history book."

Chen Jingke explained the concept of brief history and then said:

"We can briefly tell the history of Chinese civilization starting from the ancient legends of the Chao family and the Suiren family."

"Only introduce important people and major events...explain the antecedents, processes and consequences of major events, and their impact..."

"For example, the Battle of Makino, the time and place it took place, and the people involved all caused the outcome."

"For the entire Xia Dynasty, it is enough to simply talk about Dayu, Xia Qi and Xia Jie."

"Let's sort out the characteristics of each dynasty, the reasons for its decline, etc."

"Thousands of years of Chinese history can be condensed into hundreds of thousands of words."

"For most people, this is actually enough, and more details are useless for them to read."

"If they are really interested in history, it won't be too late to buy books to study after they become successful."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. Although he did not say it directly, it was obvious that he did not support this method.

Chen Jingke is not surprised by this. In our view in the 21st century, reading history is a must.

In order to increase national cohesion, the state even requires history to be studied in compulsory education.

But in ancient times it was just the opposite.

The ancients originally wrote history not to record civilization or anything else, but to provide reference materials for the ruling class.

This is also the origin of "reading history can tell the rise and fall".

Later, with the popularization of knowledge and the decline of aristocracy, history books gradually became popular among the people.

Although the ruling class did not stop it, it did not want too many people to read history.

Because reading history can make you wise, you will understand more principles and have more ideas.

To sum it up in one sentence: when the people are confused, it will be difficult to lead the team.

At its core, it is still a policy of obscuring the people.

Zhu Yuanzhang is now the emperor, so he is no exception.Not only him, but Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao also had similar ideas.

Chen Jingke also knew this. Since he made this suggestion, he naturally thought of a solution.

Lao Zhu has a weakness, that is, he attaches great importance to the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty.

In order to prove the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty, he did not hesitate to recognize the Yuan Dynasty.

And Chen Jingke wanted to use this to achieve his goal.

"Your Majesty, a brief history of China can not only help scholars to be wise."

"With just a small change, everyone in the world can know that Ming Dynasty is the orthodoxy of heaven and earth and the orthodoxy of China."

Sure enough, after hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately sat up straight and looked at him directly:
"Details."

When Chen Jingke saw him taking the bait, he knew that the matter was half done and was very happy:
"You can activate the dual era method, which is the era of the Yellow Emperor plus your majesty's era name."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned even more tightly. The reign name was of great importance. How could it be changed easily?
If he hadn't known that Chen Jingke wouldn't take the target without hesitation, he would have been angry long ago.

"Explain it to us clearly, what does it mean?"

Chen Jingke was not afraid and explained in detail:

"The Yellow Emperor is the ancestor of humanity and the first founder of the dynasty."

"Your Majesty may wish to take the day when the Yellow Emperor ascended the throne as the first year of Kaiyuan, which means the beginning of the Chinese Era."

"This will last from the second year to the third year of Kaiyuan to ten thousand years..."

"I have calculated that the date when the Yellow Emperor ascended the throne is about 4065 years ago. Based on this calculation, the founding date of the Ming Dynasty should be Kaiyuan 4065."

"Using the dual era method, the founding date of the Ming Dynasty was the first year of Hongwu in Kaiyuan 4065."

"This year is the 4079th year of Hongwu in Kaiyuan 15."

"The time when Qin Shihuang unified the six countries was Kaiyuan 2476, and the Tang Dynasty was established in Kaiyuan 3315, the first year of Wude."

"In this way, as long as anyone has read the brief history of China, who dares not to recognize the Ming Dynasty as the orthodoxy of the world?"

The more Zhu Yuanzhang listened, the brighter his eyes became. This was more effective than worshiping Haotian a hundred times.

He thought more than just a brief history of China. All future history books that mention time must also add the Kaiyuan era.

At that time, who will dare to say that our Ming Dynasty is not Zhengshuo.

However, the matter was so important that he did not directly agree. Instead, he asked Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao:
"Do you think this method is feasible?"

Zhu Biao expressed his meaning directly: "I think it is feasible."

Ma Xiuying thought for a moment before slowly nodding: "I think it's feasible, but what about the reign name of the vassal state?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment. Yes, if the vassal states also adopted the dual era, wouldn't it be the same as the Ming Dynasty?

Chen Jingke was also stunned for a moment. He also ignored this. It was indeed a big loophole.

After a little thought, a solution was quickly found.

"This matter is easy to handle. The vassal state adopts a three-level calendar, Kaiyuan plus Hongwu plus the year name of the vassal state leader."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but cheered: "Okay, this method is good. It can better show the vassal states that the Ming Dynasty is the country of the suzerain."

Arriving here means that Zhu Yuanzhang has agreed to this method.

In the Hongwu Court, as long as Zhu Yuanzhang agrees, it means that this policy will definitely be implemented.

The group of scholars can indeed act in both positive and negative ways.

However, once the news of the launch of the Kaiyuan Era came out, scholars were definitely the most supportive group.

Needless to say, the reason is nothing more than the word "Fatong".

But Chen Jingke's words were still not finished. He produced the Brief History of China and the Kaiyuan Era not to prove the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty for Lao Zhu.

But it has a deeper purpose.

So after the three of them digested this point of view, he continued:

"A brief history of China, with a slight change, can also be used to prove the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty's rule over the barbarians."

(End of this chapter)