People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 519 If you don’t like the emperor, just change him.

Wang Guangyang is not an incompetent person. If he were, Lao Zhu would not trust him so much.

In fact, Wang Guangyang's military achievements may not be much less than Liu Ji's in addition to the advice given by civil servants.

It's just that what Lao Zhu misjudged him was that after Wang Guangyang became prime minister, he cherished feathers too much, or Ming Zhe protected himself!

He was punished once by Lao Zhu because of his laziness, and he almost lost his head.

But when he went to Zhejiang, Wang Guangyang immediately showed his abilities.

After returning to the capital, he became the same as before. Although he would not let Lao Zhu settle accounts with him again, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very dissatisfied with him.

Wang Guangyang's character lies in his unwillingness to take responsibility.

From this aspect, it is really not feasible to let him be the prime minister.

However, Zhang Yi's small newspaper could arouse Wang Guangyang's fighting spirit.

This gave Lao Zhu more confidence in the newspaper created by Zhang Yi.

There is no shortage of smart people in this world.

Be it Wang Guangyang or Hu Weiyong.

It would be strange if they didn't feel that the appearance of Dragon Tiger News would bring about some changes.

But they knew that they couldn't do anything.

The emergence of newspapers is a naked conspiracy. It is Lao Zhu using another way that others would not think of to interrupt the right to disseminate information.

"What are Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong talking about?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Mao Xiang casually.

Mao Xiang knelt on the ground, a cold sweat forming on his head.

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent. The royal guards currently installed in the mansion cannot get close to Hu Weiyong!"

"I mentioned Hu Weiyong later. When you were inspecting the school, I didn't pay much attention to him!

It’s not surprising that you can’t place anyone in Hu Mansion!
But you have to pay attention to this matter, you know? "

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Mao Xiang quickly agreed to Zhu Yuanzhang, but there was a look of embarrassment on his face.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for Jinyiwei to place people in the homes of ministers in the imperial court.

When the Ming Dynasty opened, the emperor rewarded the meritorious officials, and the inspectors placed enough people in the families of the meritorious officials in the dynasty.

But the people who inspect the school are not ordinary people. It is impossible for everyone to have a spy in their home!

Song Lian, Li Shanchang, Xu Da...

Even the relatively important Wang Guangyang and his family have...

But Hu Weiyong, although it cannot be said that he was not outstanding among Lao Zhu's early courtiers, it can only be said that he was not so important.

Therefore, their family has relatively fewer royal guards.

In the past few years, Jin Yiwei has been trying his best to investigate the affairs of officials. Naturally, officials will also secretly look for Jin Yiwei at home.

They may not dare to confront these people, but they may secretly isolate, alienate, or even find reasons to drive them out of the mansion.

Therefore, it was extremely difficult to accomplish what the emperor expected.

"His Majesty……"

A eunuch outside the palace reported this matter:

"Master Hu, Uncle Zhongqin is asking to see Your Majesty outside the palace!"

"Haha, you came to me so quickly, it seems you are really anxious!"

Lao Zhu was confident and asked the eunuch to inform the two prime ministers. Mao Xiang retreated after knowing the truth.
After a while, Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong appeared in the imperial study.

"I have seen Your Majesty!"

"Excuse me, my dear friends, why are you here today?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked the two of them in a casual tone.

Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong looked at each other, and Wang Guangyang stood up and said:
"Your Majesty, I have something I want to verify with Your Majesty!"

"what's up?"

Wang Guangyang respectfully presented a copy of "Dragon and Tiger News" to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"The interview is out! I just wanted to ask someone to get a copy and have a look. Wang Aiqing still understands me..."

Lao Zhu naturally took the newspaper and read it with great interest.

Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong looked at each other.

The emperor just admitted it,

"So, this interview is really what His Majesty said?"

Wang Guangyang was anxious and couldn't help asking Zhang Yi.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and said:

"That's right!"

"Your Majesty, this matter is unreasonable!

How could the king be so frivolous and be bewitched by that man!
I request your Majesty to order the closure of the Dragon and Tiger News and punish Zhang Yi..."

Lao Zhu narrowed his eyes when he heard this. Wang Guangyang looked more anxious than Hu Weiyong.

He pretended not to understand and asked:
"Wang Aiqing, why did you say this?"

"Your Majesty, your words and deeds are related to the state of the country. How can you let a Taoist priest leave your words open for comment?

This kind of behavior is really nonsense!
A king should have the majesty of a king..."

Seeing that he was about to make an impassioned speech, Lao Zhu chuckled, waved his hand and said:

"No, that kid just wants me to boost sales for his newspaper!
Moreover, I don’t think there is anything wrong with this!

This is really allowed, you don’t need to say more..."

Lao Zhu interrupted Wang Guangyang's eloquent talk by quoting scriptures:

“The Chinese New Year is coming soon, why don’t we have to talk about fighting and killing?

By the way, next spring, our supplies can keep up..."

The emperor moved a thousand pounds with one move, and directly suppressed what Wang Guangyang wanted to say.

Seeing him like this, Hu Weiyong quickly took over.

"Your Majesty, there will be no problem next year. Our Ming Dynasty is now stable in the north!

This autumn, several things Mu Ying and others brought back from overseas have indeed produced a good harvest!
There is not much pressure on food this year, and the national treasury is full!

I promise that when our Ming soldiers go to war next year, there will be no shortage of food and logistics...

Your Majesty, I have been reading this newspaper recently. I have an idea. I wonder if I should mention it? "

When Hu Weiyong and Wang Guangyang come here today, they will definitely not let the emperor easily avoid this topic.

They needed a starting point to make Zhu Yuanzhang give in on this matter.

Seeing that he couldn't escape, Lao Zhu could only ask:

"what's up?"

"This method of newspaper dissemination seems interesting, but I thought, why not the imperial court also learn from it and start a newspaper of its own?

Master Zhang does have his own ideas on this matter!

When I saw it for the first time, I was shocked!
But I heard that some people wanted to follow suit, but Jin Yiwei's people arrested people everywhere!
I don’t know if His Majesty has any concerns, or if this newspaper belongs to His Majesty..."

"That's not true. Zhang Yi proposed to me to get this thing, please allow me!

I agreed to him, and he asked me for permission!
That is, the court cannot allow anyone else to participate in what he is doing within ten years..."

The emperor's words left Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong speechless.

No ghost will believe this.

The more Zhu Yuanzhang said this, the more certain they became that the person behind the Dragon and Tiger Report was Lao Zhu.

But he didn't know why and refused to admit it.

After finding out the details, the two of them didn't look good.

It would be okay if Zhu Yuanzhang had nothing to do with this matter.

If Zhu Yuanzhang really presided over it and supported Zhang Yi to do this.

That's the worst news.

After testing Lao Zhu's attitude, the two of them refused to say anything more?

Since it is the emperor's property, this thing is another form of Jinyiwei.

The two of them were in a bad mood, even a little irritable.

In addition, Lao Zhu didn't want to talk to them anymore. After talking about state affairs for a while, Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong walked out. …

"Your Majesty, you are different from other emperors!"

Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong went to Zhongshu Province. On the way, he took the initiative to sigh and opened the topic:

“It is not a blessing for the country if the ruler and his ministers are separated from each other!
In the third year of Hongwu's reign, His Majesty opened Enke, and he was not satisfied with the students who were admitted as scholars.

But Your Majesty has never thought about why talented people are unwilling to take part in the imperial examination?

We learn a skill just to display our ambition!

But His Majesty's methods are too strong.

I am waiting to become an official in the Ming Dynasty, and it will be difficult to move around...

Let's just say that I don't want to serve the Ming Dynasty, but this aspect of Zhongshu Province is not easy to sit on.

The prime minister sounds like the head of a hundred officials, but he is also a doormat in the middle.

The truth is to see this, so..."

Wang Guangyang changed his usual conciliatory temperament and took the initiative to express his feelings.

Hu Weiyong was slightly stunned. The two of them were essentially political enemies.

When Wang Guangyang said these words, he was giving the handle to himself.

"Your Majesty wants too much, but he doesn't understand that the world doesn't just need him as a king, but also needs millions of scholars to serve him.

We are the cornerstone of the imperial court, not the common people who are like ants.

But the more we weaken our power, the more it will endanger the country!
Although His Majesty is a hero, he cannot see through this truth...

It’s no wonder that a gentleman doesn’t stand behind a dangerous wall..."

"Master Wang, what do you mean when you say that?
Please let me know clearly! "

"Master Hu, I know you have great ambitions, and you are Li Shanchang's chosen successor.

I can usually let you go, but at this critical moment, I ask Mr. Hu to stand with the truth and oppose this matter!

What your Majesty is doing is digging into the roots of scholars like us..."

Wang Guangyang stared at Hu Weiyong very seriously.

Hu Weiyong chuckled:

"From the Royal Guards to the newspapers, to the Lijia system and the Yellow Book, what is your Majesty doing that is not digging into our roots?"

His words stunned Wang Guangyang on the spot.

Speaking of which, over the years, they have indeed felt the rope that Zhu Yuanzhang has gradually tightened.

Almost every reform carried out by Lao Zhu focused on centralizing power.

The emperor gradually took back the powers delegated to officials by previous dynasties or previous emperors.

Wang Guangyang's face became even more ugly when he thought about it.

Hu Weiyong is right. Over the years, the emperor has been squeezing their space.

Apart from anything else, with the yellow book and the Lijia system, it became increasingly difficult for local officials to fool the king.

When the emperor understands the world's land, it is estimated that another round of reforms will be implemented.

"What Mr. Wang is worried about is that something called a newspaper will silence the world's scholars and make His Majesty less dependent on us?"

"There is already a trend...

Mr. Hu, I don’t have much ambition, but I don’t want people like us to end up like this!

Therefore, I hope that at least with regard to the newspaper, Mr. Hu can fully cooperate with me and defeat it!

What I can promise you is that you have the final say from Zhongshu Province..."

Hu Weiyong replied:
"Lord Wang, you are serious. You are the head of all officials. Strictly speaking, you must respect Lord Wang!

However, Mr. Wang is willing to let me bear a heavier burden, so I can only..."

In a few words, the two reached a deal with each other.

At this time, Zhongshu Province has arrived.

Wang Guangyang said it was settled and went to Zhongshu Province first.

Hu Weiyong did not go in immediately, but stood there thinking about the political deal with Wang Guangyang.

Also, about the emperor.

"We are all thinking about how to persuade the emperor, but how can you, Wang Guangyang, persuade the emperor?

Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, why don't these people want to persuade the emperor?
But Emperor, who did you listen to? "

Hu Weiyong sneered, knowing that Wang Guangyang's efforts were destined to be in vain.

Zhu Yuanzhang has used countless actions to prove that he is not a person who can be persuaded at all.

However, he did not object to following Wang Guangyang to confront the emperor.

Who is behind the Dragon and Tiger News? It's Zhang Yi...

I would be happy to see that boy suffer misfortune.

If he was sure that Zhang Yi could be killed, Hu Weiyong didn't mind stepping on him.

But he also understood that it was difficult for Zhang Yi to move. At least this time, he would not take the lead.

"Since you don't like the emperor, just change him..."

When there was no one around, Hu Weiyong said silently.

If these words were heard by others, it would probably cause an uproar.

He also understood this truth, so as he spoke, Hu Weiyong's voice became deeper and deeper.

"The truth is both right and left..."

After Hu Weiyong finished speaking, he turned around and entered Zhongshu Province.

……

"What's the feedback from the outside world?"

At the newspaper office, Zhou Tong was ordered to personally deliver a piece of information to Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi looked at it and couldn't help but laugh.

Wang Guangyang and Hu Weiyong teamed up to ask the emperor for an explanation about that interview?

This was probably what Zhang Yi expected.

There will never be a shortage of smart people in this world, but everyone's vision will also affect the performance of their IQ.

The so-called well-informed people, like Wang Guangyang,

They may make mistakes in judgment on certain things due to limited knowledge, but once they witness something, they will naturally understand the meaning behind it.

When Zhang Yi was running a newspaper, he asked the emperor to control the number of media outlets.

What he controls is not profit, but the right to speak.

The media is the right to speak, and in ancient times, this situation was not that serious.

Wait until the emergence of capitalism and the development of productive forces.

Coupled with the promotion of simplified Chinese characters, the illiteracy rate has dropped.

Print media will have a broader market in the future...

At that time, the print media was the real uncrowned king.

Zhang Yi understands the importance of the media, so naturally he wants to ask Lao Zhu for restrictions.

Hearing that Hu Weiyong wanted to start a newspaper, Zhang Yi laughed first. This guy knows what's good...

Faced with the storm he might face after the emperor's rejection, Zhang Yi didn't pay much attention.

What he really cares about is the feedback from newspapers.

Zhang Yi had no ability to observe the reactions of the people in other places.

“The newspaper was sent back to the north and sold like crazy!

The price of a newspaper in Yangzhou Prefecture has reached three cents, and the third issue, which records His Majesty’s interview, was sold to fifty cents..."

Fifty times the profit?

Zhang Yi couldn't help but be speechless when he heard the price. These people really dare to sell...

Although money and silk are attractive to people, Zhang Yi doesn't have much jealousy.

Hype is the best traffic. With Yangzhou Prefecture's businessmen at the forefront, the sales of newspapers will definitely see a surge.

Zhou Tong sent the news to Zhang Yi, chatted a few words and returned to his hometown.

Zhang Yi quickly asked Chen Ke to come over to discuss.

(End of this chapter)