Daming Military Empire

Chapter 39
Being an emperor in ancient times was very hard. Not only did he have to deal with countless government affairs, but he also had to go to court early. If he was a little slack, the whole country would have problems.

Being an emperor in the Ming Dynasty was especially hard. The emperors of other dynasties basically did not have the habit of going to court every day, but the emperors of the Ming Dynasty almost always went to court every day.Of course, there are exceptions. Emperor Wanli has not been in court for more than 30 years, so he is often criticized as a lazy emperor.

Why do you say that this morning is hard work?The main reason is that this time is too early. The emperor usually has to attend the court at Maoshi (five o'clock in the morning), that is to say, he has to get up at four o'clock in the morning. For modern people, that is simply a terrible torture. The emperor is like this every day!
This day was also the same, Zhu Cijiong got up early, and after packing up, he sat on the dragon chariot and walked slowly towards Huangji Gate surrounded by eunuchs.

This morning court is a very solemn event, and every detail has detailed regulations. Although the process is grand, it is also very cumbersome. Zhu Cijiong has gradually gotten used to it after so many morning courts.

As soon as the team entered the Meridian Gate, an etiquette officer sang loudly: "The emperor is here."

Inside the Meridian Gate and outside the Huangji Gate, the officials on both sides of the Royal Road immediately knelt down and shouted in unison: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live."

Then, he lay there motionless.

At this time, the ceremonies and music were singing together, and Zhu Cijiong's dragon chariot slowly passed through the imperial road and came to the steps of the Huangji Gate.Zhu Cijiong got off the dragon chariot, stalked to the porch at the top of the steps, and sat on the dragon chair that had already been set up. The eunuch next to him swung his whip, and the ceremony and music stopped suddenly with a "pop", and the etiquette officer sang loudly: " Enter class."

Officials on both sides of the imperial avenue started to stand up and approached the imperial avenue neatly, and almost the frontmost officials stopped at the same time when they were close to the imperial avenue, turned to face the emperor, knelt down and shouted: "My humble minister sees the emperor."

Then, kowtowing three times together, Zhu Cijiong raised his hand as usual and said, "Pingshen."

Only then did the officials stand up, and another courteous official sang: "Play things."

Then each yamen began to play in turn. Of course, Zhu Cijiong doesn’t need to play in anticipation now. Generally, Zhu Youjian will answer in accordance with the previous regulations. If there are special circumstances, it is generally a sentence: “This matter will be discussed later.” This means that After the next court, the auxiliary ministers will discuss the results together before replying.

Zhu Cijiong just needs to sit there seriously and pretend to listen carefully.

On this day, when all the yamen's performances were finished, the etiquette officer sang again: "If you have something to play, you will leave the court if you have nothing to do."

It stands to reason that these officials should bow and retreat, waiting for the emperor to drive back to the palace.

But this time, someone suddenly coughed dryly, which means something has happened.

Everyone turned their attention to him, and it turned out to be Huang Zongzhou, an attendant lecturer. He walked from the back row to the royal road with a serious face, knelt down on the ground and said loudly: "My minister has something to say."

The ceremonial officer was taken aback when he heard the words, but luckily he reacted immediately, and said loudly as usual: "The big one announces the Lubu, and the small one has the playbook."

Only then did Huang Zongzhou speak loudly: "I heard that the emperor wants to promote Western learning. I wonder if there is such a thing?"

When Zhu Cijiong heard this, his heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "Isn't it here to make trouble again?"

He really wanted to promote Western learning, and there was nothing to deny, so he nodded slightly.

Zhu Youjian, who was standing on the first step, saw that Zhu Cijiong nodded, so he could only answer loudly: "It is true."

Huang Zongzhou said loudly again: "I heard that Xu Guangqi, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, is a master of Western learning. I don't know if there is such a thing?"

After hearing this, Zhu Cijiong just wanted to roll his eyes: "What do you mean? Why are you always targeting Xu Guangqi? If you have the ability, come at me!"

Zhu Youjian also wanted to roll his eyes, he didn't know how to answer any questions, so he had to look at Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi knew that this time he was afraid that he would take the blame again, and he was used to carrying the blame. Anyway, this was the emperor's intention, and the emperor would not come to punish him.So, he walked out of the train fearlessly, knelt down on the royal road side by side with Huang Daozhou, and replied loudly: "I only know a little about Western learning, and I really don't dare to be a master."

Huang Daozhou squinted at him, and said with a straight neck: "I have been in China for nearly 2000 years since the Great Han Dynasty. I have only heard that the way of Confucius and Mencius can govern the country, and I have never heard that the learning of barbarians can stabilize the country. Master Xu, are you promoting Western learning for the sake of the public? Or is it selfish? Where do you put the study of sages?"

Zhu Cijiong was depressed, and thought: "Sure enough, here they come again. What's the matter with these people, they make trouble when building a military factory, and they also make trouble when recruiting workers. It's really unreasonable!"

Naturally, Xu Guangqi couldn't say that Huang Daozhou made trouble for no reason, and he could not bear the charge of contempt for the learning of sages. He hastily argued: "The promotion of Western learning is to recruit craftsmen for Wang Gong Factory, of course it is for the public."

Huang Zongzhou mocked: "What a publicity, what a high-sounding reason, then let me ask you, will the school be closed after Wang Gongchang recruits?
Xu Guangqi really didn't know how to answer these words, so he could only look up at Zhu Cijiong.

Zhu Cijiong is angry. He naturally does not want to close this school. Although he does not expect to cultivate great scientists like Watt, Newton, and Einstein, but with the popularization of Western learning, the people can always produce some modern talents. He built military industry The system needs such talents.The military industry system is not just about making a gun. There are still many things to be done later. Without a large number of talents, Xu Guangqi and the others will not be able to do it if they are exhausted.

Of course, this question could not be explained clearly for a while, and he didn't know how to tell these people, so he could only play a rogue, and said directly: "We will discuss this matter later, and retreat!"

Huang Zongzhou mistakenly didn't choke to death on Zhu Cijiong's words, his face immediately turned red, and his temper suddenly came up. He looked at Zhu Cijiong with grief and indignation, and said directly: "Your Majesty, Wuhou Zhuge Kongming has something to say." To be close to virtuous ministers and far away from villains is why the Han Dynasty prospered; to be close to villains and far away from virtuous ministers is why the Han Dynasty has fallen.', I hope the emperor takes this as a lesson, to be close to virtuous officials and far away from villains, otherwise I will be Ming Danger!"

Zhu Cijiong naturally knew who was a virtuous minister and who was a villain, but these villains didn't know it themselves, and he didn't bother to explain to these villains, so he put on a fight and went back to Qianqing Palace.

Is this the end of the matter?Of course not, what kind of character is Huang Daozhou? Memorial to impeach Xu Guangqi!
Naturally, Qian Qianyi would not be idle, he pretended to be heartbroken, and publicized everywhere in the Donglin Party, as if the school of sages and sages was about to collapse, and it would be the world of Western learning in the future. He was ashamed to say that he was a scholar, so officials at all levels of the Donglin Party also filed memorials to impeach Xu Guangqi.

Zhu Cijiong looked at the pile of memorials getting higher and higher, and knew that he was in serious trouble. This time, it was not dozens of copies, but hundreds of copies!
(End of this chapter)