People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

"If it weren't for Your Majesty, they might not have jumped onto my boat so quickly..."

Hu Weiyong wrote the names of several people on the paper. Among them were Ling Shuo, Li Shanchang, and many officials in the court.

He chuckled, then crumpled the paper into a ball, but felt it was inappropriate, so he put it directly on the candle flame and burned it...

Hu Weiyong opened the window. Spring had gradually passed and summer was approaching.

“Bringing everyone together is never easy.

It's just that you, Zhu Yuanzhang, asked for too much and gave me a chance!
Lord and minister, Lord and minister, since ancient times, who can touch the interests of scholar-bureaucrats?

If you, Zhu Chongba, don’t understand, then you deserve to give up the throne..."

In Hu Weiyong's eyes, there was a different kind of madness than before.

Only the darkness of night hid his ambition.

……

Jiang Lang is dead?

Spring and Autumn College always receives news later than the palace.

Those who died together with Jiang Lang were also several junior brothers he came to the academy to take away.

When Zhang Yi knew this, he was just stunned.

He was preparing for his marriage recently and was very busy with many things.

The news was told to him by Lao Mo. When he knew about it, he vaguely felt something was wrong.

Go investigate a crime and then die?

No matter how you look at it, this looks like a drama about burning an imperial envoy.

Zhang Yi's face was solemn, and he had an intuition that there must be something fishy.

In this era, the court's control over local areas was far from sufficient.

And because the large areas of land between cities cannot be completely controlled.

As long as you find an opportunity to kill a lot of people in the name of rogue bandits, it won't be a problem at all.

Jiang Lang must have touched the interests of some people to cause this disaster.

"What else do you know?"

Zhang Yi asked Lao Mo, and Lao Mo shook his head.

"I don't know how many, but His Majesty sent people to the Household Department to check the accounts, and also sent Jin Yiwei to investigate the case!
If all goes well, there should be results soon! "

Zhang Yi nodded upon hearing this. Since the emperor had intervened in this matter, it meant that the emperor also believed that there was something fishy about the case.

But he was not ready to intervene. After all, he was not the official in charge of the court, and this kind of case was also very sensitive.

Zhang Yi asked Lao Mo to go to the government to inquire about the news, and then find the friends of the dead students.

Some of them were concubines, and some had families.

Although this matter had nothing to do with him, Zhang Yi still allocated some money to the families of these dead students.

Although he can't bring the dead back to life, he can still do his best.

Lao Zhu did not seek out Zhang Yi because of this incident.

Probably because he didn't want to continue to ignite Zhang Yi at this juncture.

However, many students were taken away from Spring and Autumn College.

In the past few years, students from Zhang Yi Chunqiu College have unknowingly become the talent pool for Ming Dynasty’s audit work.

Zhang Yi didn't take the initiative to go out, but that didn't mean they couldn't do anything.

After asking Lao Mo to consult his superiors, Zhang Yi's front page headline the next day was about Jiang Lang's death.

There is no word pointing to assassination, but there are hints everywhere...

In an instant, public opinion was ignited by Zhang Yi.

“Every time you walk, you leave a trace!

If there is something fishy about the other party, there will be no witnesses!
Put a reward in the newspaper for me and pay a lot of money for anonymous whistleblowers..."

Zhang Yi used his own way to offer a reward in the name of Spring and Autumn College.

100 taels of silver.

For ordinary people, that is wealth that they cannot earn in a lifetime.

When newspapers were distributed throughout the country, many people knew the news.

……

Hu Weiyong also saw this newspaper, and his expression changed slightly.

Did he really not expect that newspapers could be used in this way?

Although the Sun and Moon Times has no new newspapers except Nanjing, Shuntianfu and other major cities, there are no new newspapers.

However, under Zhang Yi's operation in the past few years, most of the state capitals in Jiangnan have distribution points for Sun and Moon Times.

He had Jiang Lang and the others killed, but what he was sure of was that the court couldn't find anything in the place.

Local relations, especially the relationship between the gentry and the imperial court, were extremely poor.

When the court comes to a place, it is easy to cover up certain facts as long as there are local officials covering it.

But the influence of newspapers can, to some extent, break these information gaps.

If the people could directly see the reward in the newspaper, there is no guarantee that they would not take the risk and report it to themselves.

"This little master is really uneasy. Fortunately, we have Master Ling..."

With a look, Hu Weiyong stopped the nonsense of the servants beside him. He took a deep breath, stood up, and remained silent for a long time.

"Go to Suzhou Mansion and let Ling say..."

There was a hint of fierceness in Hu Weiyong's eyes.

……

"father!"

At a time when the capital was in turmoil, Zhang Yi welcomed his family.

A large group of people from Tianshi Mansion came to Beijing with their entire family.

Zhang Zhongcheng and his wife, Zhang Yuchu and his wife, and many others were waiting.

In addition to Song Zongzhen, who went to sea with Zhu Chen and went to Japan, most of his fellow disciples were here.

Zhang Chenggong got out of the car, walked up to Zhang Yi, and looked up and down:

"Very good, I'm more or less an adult..."

He turned around and found Zhang Haipeng and Zhang Shengyou hiding behind Zhang Yi, and asked:
"Have you listened to your second brother recently?"

Zhang Haipeng quickly answered:
"Dad, we are very obedient. We study Taoism at Chunqiu Temple in the morning and learn knowledge at Chunqiu College in the afternoon. We don't run around..."

The two of them were afraid that Zhang Changshang would call them back to Longhu Mountain, so they hurriedly tried their best to prove it.

Old Zhang snorted coldly.

The second child was as silent as a cicada.

Their cowardice made others laugh.

Zhang Yi said:
"Father, mother, please go back to the Spring and Autumn Period and rest first..."

Zhang Yi introduced the whole family to the Spring and Autumn Period.

Zhang Chengchang stopped him:

"You ask Lao Mo to take your mother and the others back, and you follow me into the palace to ask for an audience with the emperor!"

Lao Zhang insisted on meeting the emperor, but Zhang Yi could only agree.

The father and son took another car and arrived at the gate of the palace.

After Zhang Chenggang submitted his request, people from the palace soon came.

"Your Majesty, let the two real people in!"

Lao Zhang was quite touched after not coming to the palace for a long time.

Following the familiar yet unfamiliar path, we arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study Room.

The person who came out of the imperial study was Zhang Yi's uncle Wang Baobao.

"I told you uncle...General Wang..."

Wang Baobao has long been the commander-in-chief of the Southern Expedition designated by the emperor, but he has not yet left the capital and headed for the battlefield.

He held some medicine in his hand. After seeing Zhang Yi, Wang Baobao was very excited:

"Zhang Yi, did you research this medicine?"

Zhang Yi knew what he was talking about, but he shook his head and smiled:

"It's my brother..."

"Okay, okay! This medicine of yours can keep tens of thousands of Ming soldiers alive..."

You guys from Longhu Mountain are all great! "

Zhang Yi smiled when he saw him like this and asked:
"Has Your Majesty verified this medicine?"

"Well, in fact, in these years of the Northern Expedition, the malaria problem you mentioned has always existed!
This general has never led troops to the Southern Expedition, so he has been checking past records these days.

This general has also noticed this problem. Who knows, you have solved the problem!

Your Majesty has had people try the medicine you mentioned, and it works very well!
If the output can be guaranteed, our Ming Dynasty will definitely have fewer casualties in the southern expedition! "

After Wang Baobao said this, he noticed Lao Zhang.

He quickly saluted:
"I've met Zhang Tianshi..."

"Dad, he is Wang Baobao! My future uncle!"

Zhang Yi also took the opportunity to introduce the two of them.

"It turns out to be General Wang, a man whose name I have admired for a long time!"

Zhang Changcheng bowed and saluted Wang Baobao.

"You're welcome, Master. We can be considered a family. Zhang Yi, come to my place for a drink in two days. Bring your family with you. Your Majesty will be waiting inside. I won't say more to you..."

Wang Baobao left in a hurry, Zhang Yi and Lao Zhang looked at each other, and the father and son entered the imperial study room under the guidance of the eunuch.

"Zhang Aiqing, long time no see!"

Lao Zhang thought about what the emperor's attitude would be like if he saw him again.

But Zhu Yuanzhang was very enthusiastic when he saw Zhang Chenggong.

He had only seen the emperor's unusual enthusiasm once. Last time, he lost his title as a Heavenly Master while talking and laughing.

Lao Zhang was really afraid of Zhu Yuanzhang's enthusiasm, but then he thought about it and realized that he was only a few years old.

This is probably why the petty emperor in front of him can put down his arrogance.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty! It has indeed been a while since I last said goodbye to Your Majesty..."

The two of them didn't mention Lao Zhang's illness, but just talked about their lives over the years.

Starting from the fall out in the third year of Hongwu, Lao Zhu and Lao Zhang seemed to have returned to the time in the first year of Hongwu.

"I haven't thanked Your Majesty for arranging my child's marriage...

I dare not disturb His Majesty, so we will go back first..."

After a while, Lao Zhang was ready to say goodbye and leave.

"Okay, you don't have to worry about organizing the wedding. I have watched Zhang Yi grow up. I am happy to see him marry a wife. I have already made everything ready. Even his National Preceptor's Mansion has been prepared by me." Ready!

Follow the prince’s standards! "

Not to mention Lao Zhang, even Zhang Yi didn't know that the emperor secretly built a national master's residence for him.

Hearing this, he quickly knelt down and thanked the emperor for his grace.

"It's a pity that according to the rules I have set, I cannot make you king with a different surname!
If not, your contribution is enough, boy, there is only so much I can do for you, live a good life in the future..."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhang Yi on the shoulder and spoke seriously.

Zhang Yi said nothing and just nodded heavily.

"You stay and have a few words with me. Zhang Aiqing, don't worry, I won't keep him for a long time today.

Later, I will send him back to Chunqiu Temple so that you can have a good time..."

Naturally, Zhang Changsheng didn't say much, gave Zhang Yi a look of reassurance, and left under the leadership of the eunuch.

And Lao Zhu, after only two people were left in the imperial study, handed a report to Zhang Yi.

"It's still Jiang Lang's death..."

After Zhang Yi saw the report, he asked.This happened for some time, because the emperor didn't ask, and Zhang Yi pretended not to know.

However, he posted a reward in the newspaper, which is indeed amazingly powerful.

Many true and false news were summarized in the newspaper.

The newspaper office had business dealings with Jin Yiwei, so Zhang Yi casually gave the news to Jin Yiwei.

It's also because this action really revealed many details that were originally ignored.

"crossbow……"

Zhang Yi saw information about crossbow arrows from this secret report.

He took a breath, there was indeed something wrong with Jiang Lang's death.

With the gradual popularization of Daming firearms, weapons like crossbows became less and less important.

However, this still does not change the fact that only soldiers can equip hand crossbows.

Bows, common people can have them.

But hiding a crossbow is almost like rebelling.

"Your Majesty, do you think it's most likely that the soldiers did it?"

Zhang Yi raised his head, and he himself was startled by this guess.

The soldiers during the Hongwu period were not like the lax military discipline of later generations.

If there were soldiers who really attacked Jiang Lang and the others, it is no wonder that Jiang Lang died unexpectedly even though he was protected by Jin Yiwei.

"That's right!"

After confirming the suspicion in his heart, Zhang Yi's expression became solemn.

If there are soldiers involved, it means that what Jiang Lang said is probably true...

But the nature of this matter has fundamentally changed.

What Jiang Lang went to investigate was just a corruption case.

From the time he was killed to when local soldiers were involved, this was far from being a corruption case.

"Thanks to your idea of ​​posting a reward in the newspaper, I was able to get useful information..."

This was also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang specially called Zhang Yi over. Without the 100 taels of silver, no common people would take the risk.

China is a rural society, and many local affairs are strictly controlled.

The gentry has access to information channels, and outsiders, even people from the imperial court, are essentially outsiders when they come to visit.

It is very difficult to get useful information from ordinary people.

But the emergence of newspapers can create miracles...

Zhang Yi smiled. Many methods that were used badly in later generations are very useful new things in this era.

100 taels of silver and means from the court to ensure the other party's safety.

It's enough to make people take risks.

Zhang Yi really paid the money and was also responsible for moving the people who reported useful information away from their original places.

And because of this, there will be more supplementary information coming to the court in the future.

Based on the information collected by the imperial court, Jin Yiwei has begun to check the nearby guards.

A small Jiang Lang case, who knows how many people will be involved?
Zhang Yi had a feeling that if this case continued to develop, it might become one of the major Hongwu cases.

The scary thing about this incident is that the seriousness of the alliance between civil servants and military generals has reached the level of rebellion in Lao Zhu's mind.

Why did Zhu Yuanzhang dare to promote reforms when the civil servants were so resentful?

It is Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and thousands of Ming soldiers who are Lao Zhu's real support.

But if civilian officials get involved in military power, this is definitely not good news.

"Zhang Yi, I want to start another newspaper, what do you think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhang Yi about this issue.

Zhang Yi was stunned for a moment, but soon understood.

Although the Sun and Moon Times is essentially an official media, it is still different after all.

Lao Zhu saw the potential of paper media from him, and I believe he should have had this idea a long time ago.

It's just that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't understand the operating logic of the newspaper.

He has been learning how to run a newspaper over the years, and most likely feels that he is almost there.

Zhang Yi laughed and said:

"As it should be!
After all, the Sun and Moon Times is a private newspaper, although it sometimes forwards some official news!

But in terms of coverage, it is definitely not as good as the newspapers run by the imperial court!
But Your Majesty, please think about it. If you run an official media, who will run it? "

The administrative unit of the imperial court was naturally the civil service group.

But Lao Zhu founded the newspaper just to avoid these people. Naturally, it was impossible for him to hand over the running power of the newspaper to others.

The operation of the newspaper must not be limited to people from the civil service group.

Where do talents come from?
Zhang Yi actually knew it well. When Zhu Yuanzhang asked him, he knew that Lao Zhu wanted to poach him.

Zhang Yi has a mature editorial team in his hands, and many people can use it.

But doing so seemed a bit unnatural, so Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to find out what he was talking about.

He guessed that Zhu Yuanzhang would have told him later, but Jiang Lang's case showed him that the media still had more potential to tap.

So Lao Zhu couldn't wait any longer. He had to set up the court's own official media.

Did this incident have any impact on Zhang Yi?
In fact, no. Although Lao Zhu was worried that he had ideas, Zhu Yuanzhang did not know that Zhang Yi had been prepared to steal Lao Zhu's business since the Sun and Moon Times came out.

There is room in this world for two newspapers.

And from the beginning, the positioning of Sun and Moon Times was different from the official media in Zhang Yi’s imagination.

The Sun and Moon Times is positioned as a civilian newspaper that collects interesting news...

As for the official media, it can't report on the parents of the East and the shortcomings of the West, right?
"I want you to help establish the newspaper, and then I will send others to manage it...

Talents, please recommend some to me and let me choose! "

Lao Zhu probably also felt that he was not very authentic in doing this. Although he pretended to be calm, his tone was still a little different.

Zhang Yi smiled and said:

"This matter is easy to handle. In fact, I have long wanted to suggest that Your Majesty become an official media.

In the past, newspapers were immature, and I didn’t know if this thing could be spread in the Ming Dynasty!

Now that the time is ripe, the imperial court cannot live without its own channels of expression!

Regarding the official media, I have some suggestions..."

Zhang Yi told Zhu Yuanzhang the positioning of future official media, the content of their broadcasts and the logic of their operations.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up. Although he had studied the operation of newspapers for a while, most of them were still copying the Sun and Moon Times.

However, the proposal given by Zhang Yi clearly explained the operation method of the official media, and it was also in line with Lao Zhu's vision.

Only then did Lao Zhu believe that Zhang Yi had really thought about suggesting that he set up an official newspaper.

The guilt and wariness in his heart towards Zhang Yi also disappeared.

The style of the newspaper is different from that of the Sun and Moon Times, and what creates differentiation cannot be said to be competition.

Being suspicious, he was naturally satisfied with Zhang Yi's superior performance, so with a wave of his hand, he asked Zhang Yi to set up the framework of the official media.

This newspaper naturally had the name "Ming Pao" that Zhang Yi could not ask for.

Zhang Yi also made suggestions on the organizational structure of the newspaper.

Regardless of whether the president is in name or not, he must be a member of the royal family. This is to support the newspaper and prevent outsiders from interfering with the content of the newspaper.

Then, since it is an official media, taking advantage of the court...

Newspapers can also be profitable...

As for the most important content, Zhang Yi promised to lead some people to build the framework of the newspaper.

However, he made a suggestion that made Lao Zhu feel a little uncomfortable.

Among newspaper editors, at least in Zhang Yi's newspaper, the proportion of women is extremely high.

It’s not that women write better articles than men, but because he involved his three fiancées in the running of the newspaper from the beginning.

If an official media was to be established, Zhang Yishao would have to bring a group of women into it.

Can Lao Zhu accept these people?

Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed indecisive.

He was the one who reversed the course of history and restarted human sacrifice. Over the years, he was forced step by step by Zhang Yi to gradually allow women to enter mass production in society.

The use of women in newspapers has already made those moralists furious.

Over the years, the accusations against the newspaper have never stopped.

And Zhang Yi is planning to bring this into the official media?
Isn't this a disguised form of allowing female [civil servants] to appear in Ming Dynasty?
Lao Zhu took a breath, his teeth hurt a little.

If this decision is made, it will really cause an uproar...

"You kid, are you going to cause trouble for me?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhang Yi sitting with nothing to do with himself, he was furious.

Zhang Yi secretly laughed in his heart, he did this on purpose.

Many times, seemingly inadvertent concessions will lead to the subtle development of social concepts.

Zhang Yi is not interested in liberating women, but his values ​​naturally believe that men and women can look at each other equally.

Just like the Xu family girl, only she can understand her unwillingness.

And it was also because of this that the Xu family girl fell in love with him.

These are Zhang Yi's natural views, and because of this, he conveniently promotes changes in social concepts at his own convenience.

Faced with the emperor's accusation, Zhang Yi pretended to be aggrieved:

"Your Majesty, women are attentive and do a lot of proofreading and editing. Women are good at it!
If Your Majesty wants to find experienced hands to put the frame up, I can only do this.

But if Your Majesty mind, please give me two or three years to train a group of male editors first..."

"Okay, okay, I'm sure!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's temperament was tightly manipulated by Zhang Yi. A man like Lao Zhu who acted vigorously and resolutely would do what he wanted to do.

If you ask him to wait for two years, Lao Zhu will most likely refuse.

"Then let's get ready!"

"Don't worry, you can get married first and then talk about it..."

correct……"

Zhu Yuanzhang called to Zhang Yi who was about to leave and said:
"If you need any valuable medicine, you can always ask the prince to help you find it..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The emperor was willing to take the initiative to care for Lao Zhang, but Zhang Yi still recognized Zhu Yuanzhang's favor in his heart.

"Go ahead. It's rare for a family to get together. You don't have to rush to deal with the newspaper office matters!"

Zhang Yi really said goodbye this time. After leaving the palace, he took a deep breath.

The Jiang Lang case was vaguely connected to certain things in his mind, but the things were complicated and he couldn't get a clue, so he simply put them aside.

Zhang Yi finally let go, but the impact of this incident made many people forget about food and drink.

At this time, many people were wandering in front of Hu Weiyong's mansion, wanting him to give an accurate message.

Hu Weiyong closed the door and refused all requests from those under his command to see him.

"Sir, over here at the Ministry of Accounts, the Emperor's accounts are being inspected more and more strictly..."

"What about the ledger?"

"We have burned the key ledgers, but..."

When the servant said this, he paused for a moment, but Hu Weiyong understood what the other party meant.

The ledger was burned. In another dynasty, this matter would probably have been over!
But if it comes to Zhu Yuanzhang, this matter may not be over yet.

Jinyiwei will not give up just because the evidence disappears, and the prison will pry out anything they want.

"Ling said he was on his way back, right?"

Hu Weiyong's eyes were full of crazy ferocity. (End of chapter)