Red House Shoufu

Chapter 263 Qian Qianli's Asking Words
Jia Cong's performance today made Lin Shu very envious. It is too difficult for a family to grow by only one person.

After the brothers and sisters returned home, they exchanged their experiences with each other.When Lin Shu talked about Jia Cong's performance today, Dai Yu also lamented that the prosperity of Rongguo Mansion is imminent.

She urged Lin Shu to quickly deliver a letter to his hometown in Suzhou, and asked his uncle to pick a few capable cousins ​​early, and while they came to Beijing to study for the imperial examination, they helped his elder brother with household affairs.

Because Daiyu had to go to the Minister of Rites Qian's house for a banquet the next day, the siblings didn't talk too much, and after chatting for a while to clear up their appetite, they went back to their rooms to rest.

One night the wind and snow crushed Dongmei, and the next day it was still snowflakes.

Lin Shu escorted Daiyu to the Qian Mansion, and then drove to the cabinet Dianmao to be on duty.But before the stools were warmed up, the Qinzheng Hall sent the emperor's oral order, saying that Zhongshun Wang Gao Yongheng was about to arrive in the capital, and asked the crown prince Gao Wancheng to welcome him on behalf of the emperor. The fifth son Gao Wanxuan, the cabinet minister Lin Shu, and the five armies Officials from the prefecture, six ministries and nine monasteries accompanied him out of Beijing for twenty miles to meet Wang Jia.

From Dachumen to Suzakumen, Shuntian Mansion has arranged for people to clean the north-south main road.The prince had already left the East Palace in his car, followed by Lin Shu and other civil and military officials.

"If the snow doesn't stop, the snow disaster in Gyeonggi is inevitable."

In the southbound team, Qian Qianli's carriage was the most advanced except for the Crown Prince's carriage.The Ministry of Rites is the main person in charge of today's ceremony to welcome the king, and of course Qian Qianli, the Minister of Rites, needs to go.

As soon as Lin Shu left the cabinet gate, he was dragged into the carriage by Qian Qianli.The boss cared about the common people, and he was already sighing and booing before he left the city.

"How difficult it is to rejuvenate the country, the natural disasters and man-made disasters in the past few years, for the imperial court, it may not be a rare encounter..."

Before Lin Shu finished speaking, Qian Qianli scolded sharply: "You bastard! The people are displaced, their wives and children are separated, and starvation is everywhere. Is it a rare encounter? Has your heart been polluted by the ugly rules of the officialdom?"

"Teacher, the student doesn't mean that. The student is saying that natural disasters are inevitable. After experiencing the natural disasters in the past few years, the imperial court can sum up experience and prepare for emergencies. As for man-made disasters, it should be plowed by the moths that have been exposed. Sweep the ground for a good harvest in the coming year."

Lin Shu's explanation did not calm Qian Qianli down, but he reprimanded him again: "I know what you mean. I ask you, in your heart, who is more important than the king, the country, and the people of the world?"

Qian Qianli's reprimand was so loud that even the prince's car in front could hear it clearly.

Especially the last question, Prince Gao Wancheng and Fifth Prince Gao Wanxuan heard it clearly.The atmosphere in the carriage instantly became serious, and the accompanying inner eunuch did not even dare to take a breath.

Lin Shu was stunned by Qian Qianli's question, he didn't expect that he would encounter such a problem today.

Okay to answer?

Mencius said: "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the lightest. That is why the people of Qiu are the son of heaven, the son of heaven is the prince, and the princes are the great officials. The princes who are in danger of the country will change their positions. Sacrifice is done, and the land will be destroyed." Sheng Jijie is the time to worship the ancestors, but when the water overflows early, the country will be changed.

It seemed like a simple question, but Lin Shu's back was sweating when asked.The status of Confucianism and officials is now the biggest difficulty for Lin Shu to answer this question.

The wheels of the carriage creaked and crushed the snow on the ground, Lin Shu was silent for a cup of tea.But it was still difficult for him to make a choice. From a Confucian perspective, it is natural that the people are more important than the emperor.

But he still has too many identities, from the youngest Patriarch of the Lin family, to Zhan Shi, the head of the Zhan Shifu, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, a waiter of the Hanlin Academy, a cabinet minister, and a series of official positions, up to Liuyuan, which is recognized by everyone in the world. Wen Kui, a great Confucian in the world in the future.

A minister who enters an official position should put the monarch first.Confucianism born in the world should be based on the people.Lin Shu is now wondering how to define the world.

If he directly replied that the people are more important than the emperor, he would feel blush.Perhaps before he became an official, he would readily say the words Minguijunqing, but it is really difficult for him to speak now.

Qian Qianli didn't press for questions, but closed his eyes and stopped talking.There was an eerie silence in the carriage, and even the prince Gao Wancheng in front was curious about what was going on in the carriage behind.

"Fourth brother, is this question difficult to answer?"

Gao Wanxuan, the fifth son of the emperor, was young and less patient than the prince. He asked in a low voice, "What do you think is the answer in Master Lin's heart?"

Gao Wancheng looked serious, and he said leisurely: "It's hard, it's hard! Mr. Qian is asking his heart! I don't know about others. When Master Wei was asked by the emperor's grandfather, Mr. Wei was silent for a long time, and the final answer was The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least!"

"Teacher, the students believe that the people are the most important, the society is second, and the king is the least!"

Almost at the same time, Lin Shu's loud voice came from the carriage behind.Gao Wancheng breathed a sigh of relief, and he whispered to Gao Wanxuan with a smile on his face: "If Master Lin's answer today is not this sentence, he will be a Bachelor Lin from now on, and it is very likely that he will be a Bachelor Lin for the rest of his life!"

……

Twenty miles south of the capital, Gao Wancheng led a group of civil and military personnel to stand in the snow and wait for the loyal and obedient Prince Gao Yongheng who was within sight.

Lin Shu was by Qian Qianli's side, still thinking about the question and answer between Qian Qianli and himself just now.The people are the most precious, the country is second, and the king is the lightest.The words of "Mencius" that Mengtong had been familiar with when he was a child, today turned out to be like a scorching flame, roasting himself again.

In fact, Lin Shu's answer just now was a bit against his will. He still doesn't know what the most real thought in his heart is.But when he couldn't make a choice, there was a voice in his mind that kept reminding him.

So in the end he told Qian Qianli the answer, and when Qian Qianli had a gratified smile on his face, Lin Shu felt a little ashamed of himself.

da da da da...

The sound of horseshoes next to his ears awakened Lin Shu who was still in deep thought. Looking up, Gao Yongheng had reined in his horse and stopped under the protection of hundreds of soldiers.

Gao Yongheng dismounted from his horse, the black armor on his body creaking.

"Prince Chen Zhongshun pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Uncle Wang is very polite, my father ordered me to go out of the capital twenty miles away to meet Uncle Wang, in order to reward Uncle Wang for his work in suppressing the rebellion!"

Prince Gao Wancheng waved behind him, and Gao Wanxuan came forward with a tray in hand. Gao Wancheng poured wine to King Zhongshun: "Nephew toast Uncle Wang, congratulations on Uncle Wang's triumphant return!"

"How can your majesty miss you for such a trivial achievement! I thank your majesty for your kindness, and thank you for your congratulations from your highness the crown prince!"

Gao Yongheng drank a full glass, and the soldiers behind him shouted long live three times, and then the Ministry of Rites gave each of the accompanying civil and military soldiers and triumphant soldiers a glass of fine wine.

After drinking together, the simple but solemn welcome ceremony came to an end.

Lin Shu was summoned by the crown prince when he returned to Beijing. Qian Qianli said in a low voice when Lin Shu left: "If the people are the most precious, there will be a dynasty for all ages. Every Mingjun regards the people of the world as the most important thing. As a king, likes and dislikes It doesn't matter, the first thing to choose a minister is to see how he treats the people. At least your choice today makes the old man very happy! Go, His Royal Highness probably already knows how to treat you..."

(End of this chapter)