Ming Zuo

Chapter 45 Helper
There is plenty of money and food, plenty of labor, and the speed of dredging the canal is fast visible to the naked eye.

"The old man has organized labor labor many times in the past, but the slow progress of the project is really appalling. Today, the construction site is thriving and refreshing. What's wrong, it's thought-provoking!"

Hou Xun stood on the shore and looked at the noisy construction site with a lot of emotion.

Not to mention him, Cao Wenheng and Qu Shisi, who had been local officials, all felt the same way.

Zuo Menggeng was by their side and was the only one who could explain it.

"The people's demands are actually not many. They are nothing more than food and survival. In the past, the imperial court labored the people without compensation, and the people abandoned their homes and businesses. They worked hard but got nothing. They dared not speak out, so how could they work hard?" ?”

Today, no one will underestimate Zuo Menggeng.

Real results are his capital.

At least a lot of bigwigs have been famous for many years, but no one thought of using banknotes, tariffs and silver to raise money and food, and they really did it.

Qu Shiti asked for advice like a student: "Corvée is a major matter of state affairs, and many projects cannot be completed if the people are not driven. If the state pays for every corvage, the treasury will be overwhelmed."

This is the drawback of the feudal court, and Zuo Menggeng has no mind to solve the problem.

"This is the difficulty. If it can't be solved, the people will be in difficulty. Like the chaos in the northwest, it is unavoidable."

If the common people are not used for corvée service, major projects cannot be built; if the common people are used for corvée labor without money and grain, the common people will go bankrupt.

If you give money and grain, the imperial finances will inevitably collapse.

Difficult!
Several big men frowned and thought, all of them couldn't think of how to solve it.

Fortunately, the lively labor scene in front of us has somewhat eased everyone's depression.

A young man wearing hemp and filial piety came to the construction site and walked directly to Liu Zongzhou.Without saying a word, he knelt down and bowed.

"Isn't this too rushed, get up quickly."

Liu Zongzhou was very excited, he personally helped him, and watched the young man love him.

The young man's face was full of tears, but his expression was quite stubborn.

"Nian Taigong, take the exam first, and you'll get a lot of grievances."

Everyone was overjoyed.

"Duke Bai An is not afraid of power and eunuchs, and dies righteously. He is respected by heroes all over the world. The nephew should inherit the legacy, and don't weaken the name of Duke Bai An. When you come back soon, you should remember to be loyal to the king and serve the court. Don't slack off."

Liu Zongzhou's relief made the young man angry.

"What kind of allegiance can this Lao Shizi court be loyal to?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone changed color.

Hou Xun was afraid that he would cause trouble, so he quickly covered it up.

"My nephew, I'm afraid it's not because I'm in a turbulent mood, I'm too happy."

Unexpectedly, the young man was not appreciative, and his voice was filled with endless grief and anger.

"Kong Ruogu, do you know what the little nephew met in the capital?"

Without waiting for everyone to ask, he said the matter.

"The new emperor ascends the throne and liquidates the eunuchs. The little nephew is in Zhejiang, and he is overjoyed when he hears it. I hurried north, hoping to see the eunuchs slaughtered and punished with my own eyes, and my revenge will be avenged."

He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was full of anger.

"That day, my little nephew rushed to the Criminal Department. Under the majesty of the proposed criminal law, Xu Xianchun, Cui Yingyuan and other evil thieves would be afraid to confess their guilt. But who would know that these two thieves made a sophistry and refused to confess their guilt. That's all, the interrogating officials in the court also covered up in every possible way. , intending to fool things. The little nephew was angry, so he shot out in anger, hitting Cui Yingyuan with blood all over his face, and Xu Xianchun was also stabbed by the little nephew before the two thieves confessed."

Everyone was stunned, they didn't expect him to be so fierce.

Zuo Menggeng was stunned, and when he looked closely, he did not expect that this thin young man was actually Huang Zongxi.

At this time, Huang Zongxi had obviously finished his affairs in Beijing and went south to return to his hometown.Hearing that Liu Zongzhou was in Linqing, he came to see him.

His voice of grief and indignation was clearer in the cold air, and everyone could hear it clearly.

"Although the court sentenced Xu Xianchun and Cui Yingyuan to beheading, but in the past, they persecuted the loyal and good people, and it was not only these two people? The little nephew refused to accept it and wrote many letters, but the bullshit went into the sea, and there was no news. Go to each yamen to ask questions, and even the gates are connected. They are not allowed to enter. Dare to ask you uncles, what exactly does the new gentleman want to do?"

This is really disrespectful.

But it is not surprising that the person who asked this was Huang Zongxi.

Among the thinkers in the late Ming Dynasty, Huang Zongxi belonged to the most radical one.

Although he is still young, his ideas have not been formed.But this trip to the capital, what he saw, heard and experienced, still gave him great stimulation.

However, no one can answer his accusation.

Everyone knows that Chongzhen is inexhaustible to eradicate evil and keeps the remnants of the eunuch party in order to check and balance the Donglin party.

From the point of view of tactics, this emperor's technique can be described as consummate and extremely brilliant.

However, when the country is in turmoil, as an emperor, he is obsessed with power and art, and he does not think about cleaning up the atmosphere and refreshing himself, which is a great harm to the country and the people.

An emperor who cannot be completely separated from the past will inevitably allow the country to continue to bear the remnants of the past.

Everyone understands, who dares to say?

Huang Zongxi let out a good vent, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and finally calmed down a little.

"First of all, there is a saying at the end of the test, that the language of the time is useless, and it only brings disaster to the country and the people. Today's scholars should prove it from history. There is another saying, I ask you to learn from Niantai. in front of your knees."

Facing the chaos in the late Ming Dynasty and the end of his life, Huang Zunsu made a profound reflection.

He came to the conclusion that moral articles are useless in governing the country and the people, and the way to govern the country must be rediscovered.

Huang Zunsu couldn't see the future, and the only way he could think of was to look for answers in the pile of old papers of history.

The [-]-year history of China is so long that there are allusions and examples.

Taking history as a mirror, it is possible to succeed.

This is by no means an exaggeration.

Not to mention the end, even four hundred years later, similar examples can be found in China's history for what happened around the world.

Both from Zhejiang, Huang Zunsu and Liu Zongzhou had a very close personal relationship.Therefore, when he was dying, he instructed Huang Zongxi to find Liu Zongzhou to study.

Since we met today, Huang Zongxi simply apprenticed.

After being the son of an old friend and being loyal and righteous, Liu Zongzhou would not refuse no matter what.

"You are smart and eager to learn since you were young, and being able to teach you is enough to comfort the spirit of Bai An in the sky."

This is promised.

Huang Zongxi was overjoyed and finally lived up to his father's last wish.

Others are also happy for Huang Zongxi. With Liu Zongzhou's knowledge and careful teaching, Huang Zongxi will become a great weapon in the future.

Liu Zongzhou promised that he had agreed, but he was in a dilemma.

"The old man will go north to become an official soon, Taichong would like to accompany him?"

Huang Zongxi was stunned for a moment, then his face was gloomy.

"What can officials do in this corrupt court?"

It seemed that the Ming Dynasty had completely disappointed this young man.

He's still not being self-motivated, and for good reason.

"After Mr. Liu Ge, the morale of Wang Yongguang, Wen Tiren and others was greatly boosted, and they targeted me Donglin everywhere. The emperor sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, and his thoughts are self-evident. Teacher, you will not be useful if you go to the capital."

This conclusion was supported by Zuo Menggeng.

"Brother Huang's analysis is in-depth. I'm afraid it will become more and more difficult for me, Donglin, to do things in the future."

Seeing that someone actually supported him, Huang Zongxi was very happy.

"This virtuous brother is..."

Zuo Menggeng bowed his hands and still respected this great thinker.

"Little brother Zuo Menggeng, I have long admired Bai An Gong Weilie. Today, when I see him, the tiger father has no dog son. Brother Huang can be said to be better than blue."

Ever since he saw the corruption of the imperial court in the capital, Huang Zongxi has been talking a lot.

It stands to reason that his words are dangerous.

However, because of Huang Zunsu's status as the son of Huang Zunsu, the imperial court also turned a blind eye.

The most depressing thing about Huang Zongxi is that he clearly said all warning words, but no one responded.

The feeling that everyone is drunk and I wake up alone is really uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, I found a like-minded person here.

Why did Zuo Menggeng clearly support Huang Zongxi?
Because Huang Zongxi was the first person of the "non-monarch" in the late Ming Dynasty.

This "non-monarch" does not mean that Huang Zongxi has any progressive ideas beyond the times, but in Huang Zongxi's concept, the monarch is not so important.

Since the status of the monarch is inferior to that of the common people, then when the monarch is incompetent, there is a theoretical basis for overthrowing the monarch.

Don't underestimate this idea. In fact, once this idea is popularized, its influence is unparalleled.

There is a saying that is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, it is called a rebellion by a scholar, and he will not succeed in three years.

Why can't Xiucai rebel?

Because the core of the idea of ​​feudal literati is loyalty to the monarch.

Let the man-made monarch who is loyal to the monarch be opposed, the hurdle in his heart will be difficult to pass.

This is also why in ancient times, there were many literati who assisted Mingjun, but no literati became the monarch.

Can a scholar really not be able to rebel?
No.

The key is whether there is a theoretical basis for the Xiucai rebellion.

A librarian is not a scholar?

Great achievements, who in the world can compare?
The peasants rebelled simply because they could no longer survive.

This is an instinctive approach, so blind.

This is also the reason why the peasant uprising is so easy to be strangled and ultimately unsuccessful.

But once the literati had a basis for rebellion, it would be terrifying.

Knowledgeable and literate people know how to establish a reasonable political regime, can maximize the use of social resources, and can stimulate the energy of the general public.

Zuo Menggeng wanted to rebel, but he couldn't find a way that suits him.

His background is determined, he can't completely take the bottom line.

Then we can only think of ways from the top of the society.

In order to inspire the upper classes of society to oppose the now decadent old dynasty, in addition to starting from an economic and political point of view, theoretical foundations are also indispensable.

Zuo Menggeng has been hesitating, how to plan.

Alright now, helper is available.

(End of this chapter)