The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youtang was determined to let Zhang Zhou preside over the affairs of the court.

If the officials don't support it, then we'll rectify you until you can support it. If anyone is stubborn, we'll just let you go home and farm. If local mining doesn't support it, then we'll rectify you. You'll know when your family is about to be ruined. Is it time to support it?

Zhang Zhou could also feel this incomparable trust.

Even Zhang Zhou himself was thinking that throughout the Ming Dynasty, there was only one emperor who could trust others unconditionally like Zhu Youtang. First there was Li Guang, then him, and even the Zhang brothers were included. Inside, as long as Zhu Youtang is sure of the people and things, he will not change them even if he dies.

In comparison, even Zhu Houzhao is not as good as his father.

Then Zhang Zhou went to the East Palace to give lectures to Zhu Houzhao.

It's not really a lecture. Regarding the Four Books and Five Classics, Wang Hao and other officials in the East Palace lectured, and what they taught was no worse than Zhang Zhou. It could even be said to be better. Zhang Zhou didn't have to teach Zhu Houzhao how to cater to the examiners, and he didn't have to say anything. Exam-oriented education, anyway, is to teach Zhu Houzhao something that others cannot.

"Is mining fun? Isn't it said that every miner is the kind of person who is very dark and takes a long time to get out?" Zhu Houzhao looked at Zhang Zhou.

He didn't seem to understand why Zhang Zhou had to go out for so long for a mining matter.

Zhang Zhou said: "You don't understand. You must also learn to respect others."

"Do I not respect Mr. Zhang? Or does Mr. Zhang think that as the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, he should treat everyone as equal to me? I know what you mean. In fact, I also want to respect them, but you Look at them..."

Zhu Houzhao glanced at Gao Feng and others standing at the door, as if to say, do you think they deserve my respect?

Zhang Zhou didn't say anything.

He also knew that Zhu Houzhao was good at talking about loyalty. He was quite honest as a child and would not treat the eunuchs around him lightly. But the problem was that Zhu Houzhao still had the unique arrogance of the royal family and felt that everything in the world was unfair. For them, under this premise, Zhu Houzhao will have an innate prejudice and look at everyone with a different perspective.

Zhang Zhou said: "Opening iron mines is different from opening coal mines. Do you know why I open these mines?"

"I do not want to know."

Zhu Houzhao said, "I thought you were going to fight in Liaodong. I was happy for nothing. I even asked my father to let me agree to go with you. If I had known that you were just mining and not doing anything else, I wouldn't be too lazy to follow you. go out!"

As he said this, Zhu Houzhao seemed to be angry.

As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, everyone coaxed him, except for two people, one was his father and the other was Zhang Zhou.

Even his mother didn't take care of him like Zhang Zhou.

Just as he was talking, Gao Feng brought something over and said, "Your Highness, this is the military policy you wrote. Why don't you show it to Mr. Zhang?"

"It's written in vain." Zhu Houzhao said, "I have summarized it for a long time and feel that there are many problems in the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty, and people with insight need to make changes. Mr. Zhang, I know you are capable, but no matter how capable you are, It's impossible for one person to change Ming Dynasty too much. Am I right?"

"En." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Zhang Zhou seemed to be modest, but in fact he was thinking, besides me, who else can change the fate of Ming Dynasty?

Give you face and approve your statement.

But actually...

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "So, you need me."

Zhang Zhou was speechless after hearing this. This kid... was completely narcissistic. He always felt that he was very capable. He had such arrogance and arrogance... He didn't know how to educate him.

This is probably a common problem among naughty children.

"Look at what I have summarized. I think that in order to capture the grassland, we should send troops from Yansui. The terrain here is the best, and then capture the Western Regions. In fact, those places have not followed the king's rule for a long time. If we can capture If it comes down, won't Ming's territory be able to expand a lot? And look at the northern part of Liaodong, if it's too barren, we can release it first..."

Zhang Zhou held the military policy written by Zhu Houzhao in his hand and couldn't help but frown.

This kid seemed to take himself too seriously. He actually talked about military and political matters seriously, as if he was a general who could lead troops in battle, and was even formulating the overall situation.

Zhang Zhou couldn't help but think that if this kid suddenly ascended the throne and used these methods, the family fortune accumulated by his father would probably be wiped out by him in a year or two.

He is simply a child who has not grown up. His mind is so immature. He always thinks of attacking to resolve everything. He never thought about patience, nor how he could completely crush him strategically, or how he could win without a fight. A conquering soldier.

"and many more."

Zhang Zhou couldn't help but stop the excited Zhu Houzhao.

"Sir, please comment." Zhu Houzhao looked excited, as if he was waiting for Zhang Zhou's praise.

Zhang Zhou asked: "Did you write all this?"

"Yeah." Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Of course there were people who helped me with the details. For example, Liu Jin, he is really a damn talent. Guess what? He learned a lot in Yanwu Hall. You are not here in Beijing. For a while, as the internal officer of the Admiral Yanwu Hall, he would find someone to write some military policies and let me take a look at them, and then I learned a lot."

Zhang Zhou put down the so-called military policy and asked: "Then do you think that only war can solve all problems?"

"Otherwise?" Zhu Houzhao heard that this was probably not a good thing.

The next step is probably to criticize his military policy for being full of loopholes.

It seems that all the gentlemen in the world are like this.

Zhang Zhou said: "If the passes of the Ming Dynasty were full of artillery, and every soldier was equipped with a musket, and a team of a thousand people could roam the grasslands without any scruples, then would it matter whether they conquered the grasslands? Why should Shicaiyuan fight with us?"

"This one……"

Zhu Houzhao was silent for a moment.

"And by that time, the grassland will also take the initiative to surrender, just like the Jurchen and Duoyan tribes today, who are forced to accept the title of the Ming Dynasty and can only serve as ministers to the Ming Dynasty. In this way, they can not only conquer a place, but also conquer the hearts of the people. , the world is peaceful, is it really that important whether there is a war or not?"

After Zhang Zhou finished speaking, Zhu Houzhao started running up and down.

"Sir, I think you are wrong. After all, you have to beat them down to convince them. What's the use of just relying on intimidation?"

Zhu Houzhao was very martial.

Zhang Zhou can also see this. Anyway, this kid has been a warmonger since he was a child, and he has many fantastic ideas in his mind. When he grows up, he will not be the emperor but will be the Duke of the country. Is this kind of thing done by humans?

If he had been more ridiculous and given decades of time to govern the country, he might have messed up the Ming Dynasty.

The crisis of the Ming Dynasty had actually already emerged during the Zhengde dynasty, but many conflicts had not yet erupted. However, it is certain that the Ming Dynasty will turn downhill from this. Zhu Houzhao has his innocent and kind side and his ability, but it is more of a non-kingly nonsense. This kind of nonsense is not a good thing in governing the world and will bring the Ming Dynasty into a ditch.

"Then think about it carefully." Zhang Zhou said, "Just think of it as the topic I gave you. The topic is to conquer the enemy without fighting. As long as you can write this topic well, then I can ask His Majesty to ask You go out for a walk more often."

essay topic.

Don't you like to write military policies?

Then I will give you a proposition essay, but I don’t agree with the strategy you wrote about ending war with war. I cannot fully accept you being a warmonger, so I will ask you to come up with a compromise method, or you can fight, But it must be a battle that ends when enough is enough.

"You have the final say? I don't believe it." Zhu Houzhao was already blinking when he said this.

Zhang Zhou said: "The prince had better know that your majesty hopes that you can become a well-behaved Confucian scholar and be able to defend the Ming Dynasty, instead of always thinking of using some radical methods to solve problems. The same is true on the battlefield, and even your majesty wants the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty. Be more powerful, instead of just trying to win by trickery, otherwise Your Majesty would have sent me to the grasslands to fight the Tatars!"

Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and suddenly nodded unconsciously.

It seemed that Zhang Zhou had convinced him.

He also seems to understand his father's character. He wants to fight but always has reservations.

"This is like a strategic game. Do you still remember the sandbox I gave you? If you want to win on the battlefield, there are many conditions for winning, covering all aspects. If you don't do a good job in primitive accumulation, you just want to win with surprise troops. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you lose?"

"What we want is the result of a hundred battles, not a strategic advantage of [-] to [-]. If we want to fight, we must win every battle!"

After Zhang Zhou finished speaking, Zhu Houzhao also fell into deep thought.

Even Gao Feng and other eunuchs found it incredible when they saw it.

There are actually things that the prince is sure of that others can refute? This kid has always been stubborn, like a donkey.

"Think about it, think about it, and then write this policy. After writing it, in addition to reading it, I will also show it to Your Majesty. There is only so much I can remind you, do I need to remind you again?" Zhang Zhou said.

"No need." Zhu Houzhao waved his sleeves and said, "If you remind me too much, does it count as written by me or you? Look at you!"

……

……

Zhang Zhou did not stay in the East Palace for too long. Zhu Houzhao had to attend class in the afternoon. Although Zhang Zhou was still a lecturer in the East Palace, he no longer had the responsibility to attend lectures, so he had to take the initiative to avoid the lectures when other East Palace lecturers arrived.

Otherwise, it can be regarded as not giving face to colleagues.

Zhang Zhou doesn't need to give face to others, but Wang Hao still has to take care of him.

When Zhang Zhou came out, he happened to see a group of East Palace lecturers talking. A group of people were teaching one person, and everyone had to prepare lessons carefully... Zhang Zhou thought to himself, who has better conditions than you, Zhu Houzhao? Even so, I haven’t taught you to be a talent... You are really a talent...

"Scholar Wang." When Zhang Zhou saw Wang Hao getting up and walking towards him, he couldn't help but greet him.

Wang Hao nodded, but first took a look at Gao Feng behind Zhang Zhou. Gao Feng was responsible for sending Zhang Zhou out.

Gao Feng, however, understood the situation and stood aside.

In fact, Wang Hao just wanted to say hello to Gao Feng. Although Gao Feng seems to be nothing now, as a regular eunuch of the East Palace, he is likely to become an unattainable big shot such as the Chief of Ceremonies in the future. Wang Hao is in the royal system. The gangster knew very well that he needed to have a good relationship with this group of eunuchs.

The promotion of ministers is based on seniority, while the promotion of eunuchs in the palace depends on the emperor's mood. Zhu Houzhao is not the emperor now, but he will be in the future.

"Has your Majesty explained to you?" Wang Hao said, "This provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture will be conducted by you and me."

Because it has entered August and the rural examination will begin, it stands to reason that this matter should be finalized a few days before August [-], that is, around August [-].

That's what's happening right now.

Wang Hao obviously also knew that this time Zhu Youtang wanted to give Zhang Zhou a chance to win reputation among academic circles and scholars, so Wang Hao was also prepared to be his deputy in this matter.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty mentioned it, but he didn't say much."

Wang Hao nodded and said: "It's good to know. You should also study the test questions more and come up with a few questions that are suitable for the current situation. You and I can think about it. There is no need to say it now. We have to wait until we enter the inner curtain to answer the test questions for the first time." Submit it on paper, and do not accept visits from scholars in advance."

As an old scholar, Wang Hao still habitually talks to others in a preaching tone.

Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded.

Wang Hao suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He probably felt that Zhang Zhou was just the one he had chosen to solve the problem. Later, Zhang Zhou’s many accomplishments seemed to have nothing to do with his guidance. The two of them had very little contact time, and they could not communicate with each other. To claim oneself as a teacher.

Teach Zhang Zhou how to do things?

Isn’t Zhang Zhou’s current status in the court higher than that of Wang Hao?

"There is also the matter of the Hanlin Academy. You haven't been there for a long time. Regarding the re-editing of "Huidian" after it was completed, manpower is also needed. Bachelor Cheng has been taking care of it before. You should... help."

Wang Hao was reminding Zhang Zhou.

You have always been the chief editor of "Da Ming Hui Dian". There are many proofreading and other things that only you can complete. Although it has been published into a book, some changes will still be made in the future... because this book is after all a charter book. If things change, so will the rules.

Zhang Zhou also responded with a smile.

Farewell.

Wang Hao and Zhang Zhou walked for a while toward the door. They always wanted to say something, but were embarrassed to say it.

Zhang Zhou said: "His Majesty also mentioned to me that Academician Wang is highly respected and ranked among the best in the selection of candidates to join the cabinet this time."

"Really?" Wang Hao's face was lukewarm. Obviously, he still had many concerns about joining the cabinet.

Wang Hao seemed to be used to it as he kept saying he wanted to join the cabinet, but things kept getting delayed.

More importantly, as a party involved, Wang Hao seemed to know very well how much the emperor cared about Zhang Zhou's entry into the cabinet. He seemed to understand that the emperor had been leaving opportunities for Zhang Zhou.

Once Zhang Zhou enters the cabinet after him, how will the ranking be determined in the future?

Doesn’t the emperor want Zhang Zhou to be his chief minister?

Assuming that Zhang Zhou enters the cabinet first, then Wang Hao, as a senior master, is willing to help Zhang Zhou?

To others, this matter might not be a big deal, but to Wang Hao, it was enough for him to struggle with. (End of chapter)