People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 491: Break up Confucianism first
The Chinese nation is a concept that is superior to the Han people, and it is also something that later generations of officials emphasized more.

Zhang Yi had never mentioned this concept to Lao Zhu because he did not think it was wise to raise the concept of the Chinese nation in the Ming Dynasty.

In today's world, Han people are alienated from each other, and condensing the cultural identity of the Han nation is the most critical thing.

The concept of the Chinese nation, which is mainly composed of Han people, is due to new changes in the world situation.

"Chinese nation!"

Because of the slogan of expelling the Tartars and restoring China, Lao Zhu was very sensitive to the word "China".

This novel word seemed to open up a new path for him.

“With the Han nationality as the core subject, like the stars holding the moon, we unite all ethnic groups into one!
Respect each other, but there are priorities..."

Zhang Yi tried to explain the concept of the Chinese nation, but in fact, this concept did not count even if he said it himself.

But he has tried his best to explain the term clearly in a way that is consistent with the times and his own selfishness.

Use a larger national concept to include the Han people.

This is a good reference plan for Lao Zhu.

But he also vaguely felt something was wrong:
"This concept does not seem to be suitable for the current Ming Dynasty..."

"Your Majesty is right, so Pindao never mentioned this concept before!

Today, our Ming Dynasty has not yet unified Liuhe, and the war between Mongolia and Han has not yet ended!

Gathering the soul of the Han people is what the government should do!

The concept of the Chinese nation should be a topic that the future emperor should worry about!
The so-called nation generally means identifying with a common value, and the best way to generate this value is to have a common goal and foreign enemies!

Your Majesty, think about overseas..."

As soon as Zhang Yi said it, Zhu Yuanzhang understood.

When people in the land of China begin to realize that they are different from others, national cohesion will emerge.

Unless the emperor brings peace to the north and then brings the Mongols and northern nomads into effective rule, it is still too early to mention the Chinese nation.

Only when the warships of the Ming Dynasty go to sea will the people living in the small world of China have common interests and values.

"You're right, it's too early for me to worry about these things!
But you are right about one thing. Common values ​​are probably those of Confucianism, right? "

Zhang Yi nodded silently. He didn't like Confucianism, but to a certain extent, Confucian civilization represented Chinese civilization.

"You have no selfish motives..."

What Lao Zhu likes very much about Zhang Yi is that when Zhang Yi does things, he rarely starts from his own standpoint.

As a Taoist priest, others may be eager to influence you through policies and make the Taoist sect prosper.

Zhang Yi understood what the emperor meant and could only shake his head and smile bitterly.

Leaving aside the question of whether Taoism is still suitable to become the ruling ideology of China, his actions to promote Taoism may very well plant the seeds for his future liquidation by the emperor.

He would never dare to commit suicide.

To follow Lao Zhu, you need to have this kind of political awareness.

"But those things in Confucianism are all in the hands of those people, so I have a hard time dealing with them!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang revealed his identity, he was able to share many words with Zhang Yi without reservation, including thoughts deep in his heart that were difficult to discuss with others.

Zhang Yi actually understood him, so he mentioned another thing to Zhu Yuanzhang:

"Last time in Shandong, Pindao met Kong Ne, and Pindao thought his approach was quite interesting..."

Zhang Yi told Zhu Yuanzhang about Kong Ne.

"Strive for the right to interpret scriptures and return the right to interpret scriptures to the readers..."

Lao Zhu was very interested in Kong Ne's statement. As an emperor, he needed Confucianism to prove his legitimacy, but at the same time, he did not like the scholar-officials to have too much say.

But with the development of the times, monarchy was becoming more centralized.

The development of Neo-Confucianism has actually given scholars a very powerful voice.

Lao Zhu felt the danger, so he instinctively wanted to weaken the scholar-bureaucrat class.

He thought about using the Xungui Group to restrict the civil servant group, but Xungui's side was not a long-term solution.

Kong Na's so-called return of the right to interpret scriptures to the people of the world was very popular with Zhu Yuanzhang.

In fact, to put it bluntly, Zhu Yuanzhang began to waver in Neo-Confucianism. He did not want others to use a set of theories to restrict his behavior.

"This Kong Ne, I will talk to him later..."

Lao Zhu showed great interest in Kong Ne, which made Zhang Yi slightly relieved.

Although the emperor did not like the authority of civil servants, he was also a supporter of Neo-Confucianism.

Only Zhu Yuanzhang could do this kind of behavior of reversing the direction of history by committing suicide.

But no matter how much Lao Zhu agrees with some concepts of Neo-Confucianism, he is still a pragmatic person.

Having tasted the benefits of business taxes, he became somewhat looser about emancipating his mind.

Kong Na's ideal was to return the right to interpret scriptures to the people of the world, but Zhu Yuanzhang would never have this idea!
Most likely, he wanted to take the power of Bible interpretation into his own hands, or to become the loudest among those who interpret the Bible.

Let Kongne use his identity as a family member to initiate this change.

As long as within Confucianism, different voices began to appear!

Lao Zhu's goal was mostly achieved.

Zhang Yi was also happy with this idea and returned the power of interpretation to the people of the world.

In essence, it is to break the monopoly of Neo-Confucianism on Confucianism!

When an idea becomes the mainstream, controlling the words and deeds of people in the world, and the power of Confucianism reaches its peak, as an idea, it actually begins to gradually decay.

Even if later there are some tinkering with theories like mind science, they are destined to be ineffective.From now on, Confucianism has become a scourge that hinders the development of productive forces because of the idea of ​​the birth of advanced productive forces.

The Confucianism that was overthrown by later generations may not still have inherited the essence of the sages’ thoughts.

Rather than letting it become something that will hinder the development of the world in the future, it is better to break it in advance.

Confucianism, which has no authority and has different interpretations, will give birth to Confucianism that adapts to the new productive forces when new productive forces emerge in the future.

But how easy is it to break authority?

Confucianism and power have long been closely integrated.

If Konne wants to realize his ideal, he must need a strong help.

And Zhu Yuanzhang was the person who broke the old thinking.

As for the future changes in production relations due to new productive forces and thus affecting the imperial power, it is not Zhang Yi's concern at all.

Anyway, Lao Zhu can’t see this kind of thing, and neither can he!
When the time came, they were all dead.

The future of the Zhu family was none of his business.

Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he was just chatting casually, and Zhang Yi gave him a good answer.

The joy that I felt three years ago is coming again now.

And without the restriction of concealing his identity, Lao Zhu's experience was better than three years ago. Of course, whether Zhang Yi's experience was good or not was none of the emperor's business.

Seeing that the boy was still a little embarrassed, Lao Zhu didn't intend to talk too much with him.

Zhang Yi guessed in advance that his identity was correct, but guessing and actually recognizing him were two different things.

Let the boy get used to the change of status, lest he can't bear it.

"In three days, I will return to Beijing, you go back with me!
I have some things to think about these days, so you don’t need to see me for the time being!

However, you must pay attention to the mission I entrust you with!
You can go to Wang Baobao at any time..."

Zhang Yi heard this and asked:

"Your Majesty, what token will you not give me?"

Lao Zhu looked at him deeply and replied:
"Your face is a token. There are not many Jin Yiwei who don't know you..."

Zhang Yi: ...

Everyone else is numb!
How many royal guards has the emperor sent to monitor him over the years?

Thinking that Jin Yiwei might report him when he went to the toilet, Zhang Yi broke into a cold sweat.

He has complained about Zhu Yuanzhang a lot over the years, even if he did it in front of his face, it would be even worse if he didn't complain in front of him.

It’s not easy to live by yourself!

Zhang Yi remembered another thing:

"Lao Mo is also a Jin Yiwei, right?"

"Yes, but he is not now. I asked him to become a Taoist priest just to protect you. He has been in Longhu Mountain for three years and has almost never taken the initiative to report anything about you!

If you can trust him, continue to use him!

If you feel uncomfortable, let him come back..."

"It's okay, it's okay, Lao Mo has a good relationship with me..."

Zhang Yi quickly waved his hand, Lao Zhu sent someone to monitor him, it was better than letting him spy on Qiang secretly.

Although Zhang Yi was mentally prepared, he also had many uncomfortable feelings in his heart.

How could the emperor not know about his subtle changes?
Therefore, Lao Zhu also needs to leave some time for him to adapt to the days when he will be with him in the future.

"Okay, get off the car and someone will arrange a place for you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhang Yi to get out of the car and walked away.

Zhang Yi watched Zhu Yuanzhang's carriage and horse drive away on the street with mixed feelings.

He and Lao Zhu finally recognized each other?
There seemed to be no ups and downs in this meeting. The emperor and he were not relatives, but they had a kind of family bond.

Even after not seeing each other for three years, the two naturally started chatting.

Although Zhang Yi said he was afraid of Lao Zhu, he was quite casual when chatting.

Zhang Yi himself couldn't explain this contradictory feeling.

"Zhenzhen Zhang, please come with me..."

The emperor was right, Jin Yiwei was indeed very polite to him.

Zhang Yi got on Jin Yiwei's other carriage and pulled him back.

Zhang Yi:......

When he found out that the residence Jin Yiwei had arranged for him was right next to the place where Guanyin Nu was closed, he was speechless.

Co-author Lao Zhu deliberately led him around, right?
After settling down, he was not in a hurry to find Guanyin Nu, and recruiting Wang Baobao to surrender was the first task Zhu Yuanzhang gave him?
How to do it?
Zhang Yi has to think about it!
Before he could figure it out, another person came to visit Zhang Yi in the evening.

The commander of Jinyiwei, the so-called deputy commander Mao Xiang, was respectful in front of him.

"Shopkeeper Mao's..."

When Zhang Yi saw Mao Xiang, he understood why he couldn't see the deputy commander.

As an acquaintance he had met, it was certainly impossible for Mao Xiang to show his face to him.

"Zhenzhen Zhang, the emperor asked me to tell you that your troubles at sea have been solved!"

(End of this chapter)