People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 421 The significance of the imperial examination, danger in times of peace

The Celestial Master is a national master. If you want to regain the position of Celestial Master, you must have a good relationship with the emperor and make him trust you.

Zhang Yi has a clear understanding of the road he is about to face.

But so far, he has no way out.

Zhu Xi was already the person closest to the core of power that he could contact.

But is it appropriate to help Zhu Xi?

If it were placed in another copy of the code, he would bow down and bow, and he would probably be in the camp of King Qin.

But he knew that the Ming Dynasty was different from other dynasties, or that Zhu Yuanzhang was different from other emperors.

In the Hongwu Dynasty, there was no such thing as seizing the direct descendants.

Even if Zhu Biao dies, he will quickly determine the successor and put aside other people's thoughts on the throne.

The emperor was very taboo about his brother's rebellion, and he was also very taboo about Ran He's role in inciting the King of Qin to rebel.

He gives advice to Zhu Xi, is he the kind of person that Lao Zhu thinks is dangerous?

Zhang Yi hesitated for a moment, then shook his head to deny this view.

Zhu Di took Yao Guangxiao, who had been fooling him all day long to rebel, for many years, but he didn't see Lao Zhu doing well.

As long as he is not an official of the imperial court, he is not within the emperor's warning range.

What's more, he had no intention of inciting anyone to rebel.

"If His Highness doesn't give up, Xiaodao can have a chat with His Highness!"

With no way out, Zhu Ping was already his best choice, and Zhang Yi nodded in agreement.

Immediately he laughed and said:
"Actually, Your Highness doesn't have to worry. If the imperial court really goes on an expedition to Japan, His Majesty will definitely not allow any generals to be stationed there!

Even Duke Guo of Wei and Duke Zheng are not enough to make Your Majesty trust you!
There will definitely be one or two Qin kings in Japan who are vassal there...

At present, the only ones who have the opportunity to join the vassal state are His Highness, King Jin and King Yan!
King Yan is young and it will take at least five years to achieve anything.

If we go on an expedition within five years, in fact, His Highness’s only competitor will be King Jin!
But King Jin may not be interested..."

Although the Central Plains that Lao Zhu took over from the Mongols was already very dilapidated, no matter how dilapidated the Central Plains were, it was still ten times better than those small barbaric countries.

"You mean, no matter how I behave, from the moment I decide to go to Japan, my father will definitely let me go?"

"That's right!"

Zhang Yi gave Zhu Xi a reassuring shot, but the conversation changed:
"But whether His Highness can gain a foothold there is another matter!"

Even if he is enfeoffed, Zhang Yi believes that Zhu Yuanzhang will never give up military control over Japan. He will not give the prince great military power like previous dynasties.

In fact, the power that Lao Zhu gave to Prince Daming could be regarded as reversing the course of history.

Since hundreds of years ago, rulers of all dynasties have gradually realized the disadvantages of letting clan nobles control military power, and have gradually deprived the clan of military power.

Zhu Yuanzhang did this mainly because he believed in his children too much.

But it turns out, he was wrong!
But even though Zhu Yuanzhang gave the prince military power, he still did not hand over local military power to his son.

He just loves his son, but he is not stupid.

If Zhu Ping goes to Japan, he will not have control of the Ming Navy, and there will be people monitoring his behavior.

If he doesn't do well, the emperor will definitely call him back to the capital!

"What do you want me to do, Your Highness?"

Since he decided to help Zhu Ming, Zhang Yi naturally stepped into the role of a counselor.

Zhu Xi has been laying the groundwork for so long, actually just to complete the task assigned to him by Lao Zhu.

"Speaking of which, there happens to be an issue that I want to ask you about, which is about your explanation of the imperial examination that day..."

This is an issue that Zhu Xi is most concerned about.

It is also the issue that Zhu Yuanzhang is most concerned about. Lao Zhu has made a lot of efforts for his first imperial examination...

He reformed arithmetic and divided the northern and southern rankings.

However, the first batch of talents selected in Hongwu's three years was indeed not satisfactory.

Therefore, at the sixth year of Hongwu, the imperial examination had actually reached a turning point.

If the emperor is still not satisfied, Lao Zhu will most likely suspend Enke.

This is something that has happened in history, and Zhang Yi knows it very well.

But Zhang Yi believes that the imperial examination cannot be stopped. Although the imperial examination has many imperfections, it is still the best way to select talents in ancient times.

"Your Majesty is dissatisfied with the abilities of the officials?"

Zhang Yi smiled and said to Yan Yan, Zhu Xi nodded.

"Then is Your Majesty prepared to continue to use the recommendation system and let local governments recommend talents?"

Zhu Xi nodded.

"I'm confused. By doing this, isn't your Majesty giving up the country's channel for recommending talents to others?
He was wary of Prime Minister Quan and wary of civil servants, but why was he not on guard in this most deadly place...

To put it bluntly, even if the talents selected by the imperial examination are pigs, they are still disciples of the emperor!

But if it is a talent recommended by the local government, what is that?
Human nature is selfish. Recommendations are meant to recommend your own people...

Before the emergence of the imperial examination, why did there exist powerful families? Doesn’t your majesty know the history?
The harm caused by the clan gave birth to the imperial examination!

The imperial examination system is meant to give poor families a way to rise. Your Majesty is turning back the clock on history!

Unwise! "

Zhang Yi directly criticized this issue.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed a good emperor, because of his character and background, he did a lot of things that reversed the course of history.

The so-called human sacrifice system is an example of the vassal king taking over the military power and the suspension of Enke in the sixth year of Hongwu.

Zhu Fang didn't expect that Zhang Yi would get all fired up when he said it, leaving him dumbfounded.

This guy is indeed as vicious as his father said. This is because he is a prince, so he has restrained himself.

I am afraid that if he were in front of the "Huang family father and son", his words would be even more vicious.

Zhu Laoer broke into a cold sweat when he witnessed Zhang Yi at full strength for the first time.

However, this is not a rough statement. Zhu Fang does not know Zhu Yuanzhang as well as Zhu Biao, but he has gradually helped the family in recent years, and he has noticed his father's behavior style...

There is truth to Zhang Yi's words.

While he was thinking, Zhang Yi said again:
"And the people selected by the imperial examination are really not as useful as His Majesty said? In fact, I don't think so!

Your Majesty thinks that the talents recommended are useful, but he never thought that the recommended people have mentors and connections...

Those recommenders are their benefactors and their backers!

If you go to a local government and have someone to rely on, why can't it be used?

But those who passed the imperial examination, especially the northern scholars.

They are isolated and helpless in the court, and there is no one to help them. Naturally, it seems that there are no recommended talents to use!
Their backer is His Majesty, but His Majesty has never given them real support. Naturally, they seem to be in trouble...

But if it’s not easy to use, why not use it? "

Zhang Yi paused and continued:

"There are talents in this world, including geniuses, good talents, mediocre people, and idiots...

The imperial examination system is based on merit-based admissions. How can there be so many geniuses? Those who can pass the imperial examination are at least good talents!

It's just that Your Majesty is used to seeing the ministers in the first dynasty and selecting talents according to their standards, but those people are all people who have been through hard work since the end of the Yuan Dynasty!

Using this requirement to govern the country is not..."

Zhang Yi almost said that he was sick, but finally swallowed it back.But what he said was enough to shock Zhu Ping.

Zhu Ming lowered his head and pondered. Zhang Yi actually expressed three thoughts. First, the imperial examination was the best way for the king to select scholars, but the recommendation system would lead to endless troubles.

Secondly, the recommended talents themselves have the disadvantage of forming cliques for personal gain.

Third, the emperor was too eager for quick success and quick success in selecting talents.

Although Zhang Yi said it relatively politely, he only needed to think about it for a moment to understand what he meant.

Do you really want to completely paraphrase Zhang Yi's words?
The guy dared say so.

In fact, the core reason why Zhang Yi opposed the suspension of the imperial examination was that the recommendation system would bring about the problem of excessive power.

This alone can make the father warned.

"As expected..." He raised his head and looked at Zhang Yi blankly, but he almost let it slip. Seeing that Zhang Yi was attracted by his words, Zhu Ming forcibly changed his words:

"Sure enough, as I guessed, I will definitely get a different answer from you. If my father tests me, I will give you advice!

If he agrees with my opinion, I will recommend you! "

Zhang Yi nodded when he heard this.

Whether to recommend or not is a secondary matter, but understanding the problems of the imperial examination is crucial.

But he himself didn't think that Zhu Ping could convince the emperor.

Lao Zhu has such a distinct personality.

A feudal patriarch like him has a certain understanding of his own behavior.

It is not easy to change this perception.

But if he could change it, he would probably look high on himself and summon him, right?
Zhu Ping solved one problem and asked another:
"What about the reform of martial arts you mentioned last time?"

Now that he has said it, Zhang Yi doesn't shy away from it!
He laughed:
"His Majesty has made a meritorious official. Has your Highness noticed a characteristic?"

"What characteristics?"

"Except for Li Shanchang, Liu Ji and Wang Guangyang who actually have military merits, other civil servants are not allowed to receive rewards. And the rewards given by civil servants, even if they have great achievements, only stop at the earl?"

Zhu Xi nodded when he heard this. Zhu Yuanzhang had already set this rule when he formulated the title system.

Civil servants are not ennobled, and the few people mentioned by Zhang Yi are exceptions among exceptions.

“Your Majesty is like this, but it’s not hard to guess what you are thinking!

The civil servants hold the power of the prime minister. If they are knighted again, their power will be too great!

This kind of power must be restricted, and the civil and military balance is the method decided by His Majesty!

With the exception of Li Shanchang, the nobles awarded by His Majesty are used by Your Majesty to prevent the Prime Minister from having too much power!
But it is impossible for His Majesty to give military power to those people, so he can only use military merit and title to distinguish civil and military forces!
A military general performs meritorious service and gets a title!

Civil servants enter officialdom and gain authority!

Your Majesty's intention of decentralizing power between civil and military affairs is good, but this thing about honorable nobles is unreliable..."

Zhang Yi did not hide his dissatisfaction with Xungui Yiyi...

During the Hongwu period, there were indeed many people who were granted the title of nobility due to military merit. However, in the second and third generations, these nobles gradually occupied the channels for promotion in the military because of their origins.

He told his truth. After hearing the words, Zhu Ping lowered his head and pondered.

No wonder Zhang Yi chose to avoid talking when Xu Da asked him that day.

Because Xu Da himself is also a member of the nobility, his position is naturally different from Zhang Yi.

“These contradictions will not manifest themselves from the beginning!

Because our Ming army is now fighting in all directions, there are not many opportunities for promotion!
It’s just that the war will be over sooner or later, at least it will become less and less frequent!

And when the world is at peace and the nobles of the older generation fade away, the troubles left by His Majesty will gradually become apparent!

Therefore, the crisis is not during the war, but after peace!

If Your Majesty does not solve this problem, something big will happen in the future! "

Zhang Yi said it categorically. He naturally knew what the so-called big event was?
After Tumubao, due to the overall incompetence of the military generals group, Xungui completely withdrew from the political stage of the Ming Dynasty, ushering in the most powerful era of the Ming Dynasty civil servants...

In fact, the decline of the Xungui Group is probably similar to the clan system.

When the power represented by the civilian officials completely took the initiative, the situation that Zhu Yuanzhang had worked so hard to manage developed in the direction he least expected to see.

At this point, Zhang Yi stopped.

After all, it was impossible for him to speak as openly as he did to the Huang family's father and son.

"Thank you very much. With these two strategies of yours, I should be able to suppress my brother and the others!"

Zhu Xi thanked Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi quickly returned the greeting.

"Have a drink, you and I haven't been together for a while!"

Zhu Xi asked people to bring drinks and drank with Zhang Yi.

Where Zhang Yi didn't notice, Jin Yiwei's people were quickly recording the conversation between the two.

Jinyiwei cannot monitor the vassal king, but the conversation itself was specially arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Chong.

When Zhu Fang and Zhang Yi framed Jia Chang, the Jin Yiwei sent by Lao Zhu left the scene silently.

"You can stay here with me tonight. There will be nothing wrong with you going back anyway..."

The sky was getting dark, and Zhu Ping asked Zhang Yi to stay.

Zhang Yi thought that he would still be embarrassed with Guanyin Nu when he went back anyway, so he might as well stay here.

He saw that Zhu Ping was in a good mood, and he happened to have something to ask him:

"Your Highness, I am unable to meet the Holy Spirit now, but I have a request. Can you convey it to Your Majesty for me?"

Zhu Qing asked:
"what's up?"

Zhang Yi smiled bitterly:

"Your Majesty wants to keep the princess in the Taoist temple, even the poor Taoist can't control it!
But this is inconvenient after all. Pindao wants to expand the Taoist temple a little so that she can have a yard by herself. Is that feasible?
Secondly, Your Majesty also killed her maid, why not send another maid over?
After all, he is a rich man, and having no one to take care of him is also troublesome! "

Zhu Xi thought for a moment and realized that this was a trivial matter, so he agreed.

Zhang Yi asked someone to go to Qingxin Temple to assure Meng Yao and her daughter that they were safe, and then he stayed in Prince Qin's Mansion with peace of mind.

Three rounds of wine!

Zhu Ping was so drunk that he arranged for Zhang Yi to stay.

But after Zhang Yi left, Zhu Ping's eyes gradually became clearer.

"Your Highness!"

The guards of the palace came to Zhu Ping, and Zhu Ping said:
"Prepare the car!"

The carriages and horses of Prince Qin's Mansion were ready, and after Zhu Ping got on the carriage, they headed all the way towards the palace.

The curfew has begun and the palace gates have long been closed.

Zhu Fang curiously looked at Yingtian Mansion under the night, feeling emotional.

Zhang Yicai was his father's biggest secret. For this secret, his father was willing to reveal many things to him that he could not have known before.

For example, the channel in front of you can secretly enter the palace.

If it weren't for Zhang Yi, he would have no way of knowing.

Zhu Xi entered the palace along the channel and went directly to the imperial study.

In the imperial study, the emperor and Zhu Biao were waiting for him.

(End of this chapter)