I'm really not doing business

Chapter 863: Tribute, a title for offering from below (Congratulations to the leader of the alliance "Rice Cooker Recipe"!)
Zhu Yijun could fully understand what Shen Shixing wanted to do, because when the West was engaged in the great maritime trade and colonized the world, they had been promoting Eurocentrism for a period of time, claiming that Europe was the center of the world.

In order to make Eurocentrism work, Europeans have done their best to lie.

For example, the map of England drawn using the Mercator projection was even larger than India, and this type of map lasted for more than two hundred years in England. Finally, after England slipped from the British Empire, the English people realized that the island of England was really very small.

Europe is not very large in area and can even be called the edge of the world, but under the influence of Eurocentrism, Europe is a whole continent, while India, with a larger population and a larger area, is only worthy of the title of a subcontinent.

Eurocentrism is the general principle. Since the Renaissance, various achievements of the Renaissance have been constantly attributed to ancient Rome and ancient Greece in order to prove that they are the central historical origins.

In the era when England colonized the world and the great powers divided up the globe, the theory expanded from Eurocentrism to exceptionalism.

Exceptionalism is the law of all history. Europeans are exceptions. They will not weaken or perish. Even after experiencing the most brutal wars, they can still stand at the top of the world.

They used the three magic weapons of center, victory and exceptionalism to prove that Europe's rise was due to the particularity and uniqueness of its rationality, system, spirit, culture, technology, geography and even race.

It is precisely because of this particularity and uniqueness that they will not make mistakes, will not lose, and will always win, which has a bit of the flavor of "I am different from ordinary people".

The center, the victorious, and the exceptional, three progressive theories. Ultimately, the European self-mythology was passed on to the whole world through colonization for the sake of the world's ruling class.

Shen Shixing was already very humble. The debate between Chinese and barbarians was only a cultural distinction. It did not expel the barbarians from the human race. The theory of Ming-centeredness was still based on factual narrative. It aimed to build Ming Dynasty into the true center of the world and maintain this status.

During the period when Eurocentrism and exceptionalism were prevalent, any indigenous person to Europeans was just a monkey who had learned to use tools, and they even had to publish various papers to prove that they were not the same species.

Shen Li handed the written memorial to the emperor. Regarding how to establish the Ming-centered theory, the Ministry of Rites has made a complete plan, which is divided into many aspects such as culture, economy, military, religion, and politics.

For example, in terms of culture, we selected sufficiently excellent literary works from the Book of Songs, Chu Ci, Han Fu, Tang poetry, Song Ci, Yuan opera, and Ming novels, compiled them into a book, made elegant and faithful translations, and attached the Chinese text.

Especially Ming Dynasty novels, as the source of cultural output, the Ministry of Rites observed that in this era, novels were the easiest to spread and were the best carrier of culture. A fantasy novel "Journey to the West" was enough to fascinate everyone.

The Japanese were obsessed with Romance of the Three Kingdoms and even considered duels between generals as a form of warfare, creating a strange way of warfare called "Ikki-shou".

In addition, the "Brief Volume of the Yongle Encyclopedia" was translated and distributed throughout the country.

The abridged version has only thirty-two volumes, which do not involve any technical details. As long as it is sold all over the world and its authority is established, cultural discipline will begin.

Anyone who reads this book will be yearning for the lifestyle described in the book. The popularity of tea, porcelain and silk is based on this yearning.

Shen Li said very accurately: "We need to publish it on a large scale to establish the authority of the Yongle Encyclopedia. The records in the abridged version are the only correct ones. If the Ming Dynasty says it is right, it is right if it is wrong. If the Ming Dynasty says it is wrong, it is wrong if it is right."

"We already have enough interpreters, and we plan to translate them into Latin and Persian and sell them all over the world."

For example, in the economic field, the standards of the Ming Dynasty are set, and only what is recognized by the Ming Dynasty is good and right.

The formulation of Ming Dynasty standards relies on Ming Dynasty's huge and advanced productivity. Even if someone catches up in the future, it must be done within the framework of Ming Dynasty.

As small as the size and thickness of iron pots, utensils for drinking tea and coffee, and the size of tea bricks;
From the width of the highway and carriage to the size of ocean-going ships, firepower configuration and many other aspects.

The standards set by the Ming Dynasty must be the most suitable for the Ming Dynasty, and others can only adapt to them, no matter how awkward and uncomfortable they are, and eventually they will be domesticated in the environment.

Because the standards are not followed, the products produced will not be accepted by people.

In terms of military, it is mainly the Mingguan system. The Mingguan must maintain sufficient military force to protect the Ming culture and the smooth flow of commercial goods. The Ming navy and the global fleet must constantly demonstrate their military power to ensure the safety of the Mingguan.
In terms of religion, it mainly relies on the Great Light Church to spread and deify the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty must provide a certain degree of support to the Great Light Church. The Ming Dynasty must provide some help for those simple scriptures, the less standardized Latin writing style, and the incomplete doctrines so that it will have enough resilience to take root, sprout, bloom and bear fruit in the western land.

Zhu Yijun finished reading Shen Li's memorial and asked with a frown, "The Great Light Sect talks about the theory of contradiction, but what about the theory of public and private, the theory of production diagram, the theory of class, the theory of natural selection, and the theory of human selection? Aren't these translated?"

Such a detailed plan lacks the results of the Ming Dynasty's great thinking. There is only one contradictory theory, which is that it is still being spread under the guise of the Great Light Religion.

"It's better not to translate this for now." Shen Li said that it was not that the Ministry of Rites had forgotten, but that the Ministry of Rites would not really export the really good things. The really good things would not be circulated.

For example, the Yongle Encyclopedia sold a simplified version, not the complete version. The core concept of the Great Light Sect's doctrine is based on the theory of contradiction, but its doctrine is not the theory of contradiction.

Legazpi did translate things like class theory into Latin, but after sending it back to the West, it didn't even make a splash as Felipe simply shelved it and did not allow it to be spread at will. Of course, Felipe was even more afraid of something that the Ming Dynasty was afraid of.

Although the Ming Dynasty had a larger population, a wider territory, and greater depth, it still could not withstand the impact of the third volume of the theory of class and could only spread within a limited range. What's more, Spain, which even the West could not deal with, had much lower political stability than the Ming Dynasty.

Spain didn't even understand the Ming Dynasty's Silijian, Wenyuan Pavilion, six ministries, local departments of the court, the imperial examination system for selecting government officials, etc., and the class theory, which was simply not something that the West could accept at the moment.

"The Ministry of Rites has thought more thoroughly, and I agree with it. I was a little fanciful and forgot the principle that orange trees in the south will grow in the north." Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "The Ministry of Rites has agreed, so how much will it cost?"

"It's less than a million silver in the early stage, but we have to make money later." Shen Li said very bluntly: "No one will do a business that loses money. After the discipline, we still have to make money by selling goods."

"That is to say, once the Ming Dynasty moves away from reality and toward virtuality, the Ming-centrism theory will be meaningless, right?" Zhu Yijun thought for a while and expressed his understanding.

Shen Li immediately said, "Your Majesty is wise. The money used to maintain the Ming Dynasty's centralism must be earned back through commodities, because commodities are an important support for the centralism. Once the commodities cannot be earned back, it means that there is something wrong with the commodities, and the centralism becomes just a story."

“No matter how good the story is, once people get the product and realize it’s not what they thought, they’ll lose the charm.”

"Domestication is very similar to religion. It is a constant self-deception. If what you see is believing and it is different from dogma, you will doubt it."

Whether it is the theory of Ming Dynasty's eternal victory or the theory of Ming Dynasty's centrality, it is storytelling and a narrative. Once the facts no longer exist, the narrative will collapse. This is Shen Shixing's fundamental purpose. What he wants is for Ming Dynasty to become a true cultural, economic, military, political and technological center.

"Your Majesty, this is actually the law established by our ancestors. Tribute means offerings from the lower to the upper." Shen Li added his final point. Whoever opposes these two things is opposing the law established by our ancestors. The Ming-centered theory is the ultimate form of the tribute system.

With a long history, people can find old examples for everything, which can silence the scholars. However, not everyone can bear the charge of opposing the laws established by ancestors. Opposing the laws established by ancestors in the Ming Dynasty is as dangerous as opposing God in the West.

On the twenty-third day of the first lunar month of the seventeenth year, the early spring dust, accompanied by the sound of donkey hooves, spread over Yongdingmen. The willow trees on both sides of the Tonghui River had just sprouted new buds as big as rice grains. Yongdingmen Street was crowded with people and traffic. Mule carts, donkey carts, and horse carts formed a long snake in front of Yongdingmen, with no end in sight.

The reason why it was so crowded was that the last batch of students going to Beijing for the imperial examinations had arrived.

Among them was a man named Yuan Keli, from Suizhou, Guide Prefecture, Henan Province. He was a juren from Guide Prefecture in the 16th year of Wanli, and was 27 years old this year. Other students who came to Beijing had at least one mule cart, but Yuan Keli did not.

He was a military household, his family was poor and he lived in difficulty, but his father saw that he had a talent for studying and still supported him to go to school.

Yuan Keli was holding a piece of paper in his hand. It was the address his father had given him. The address was from an acquaintance of his father in the capital, a classmate of his in those days, and the teacher that Yuan Keli was going to worship. Yuan Keli's book box and examination basket contained a bag of more than 40 kilograms of millet, and the daily necessities of pens, ink, paper, and inkstone in the book box made it extremely heavy.

As the sun set, Yuan Keli finally found the place he was looking for.

Yuan Keli stood in front of the door, straightened his clothes, dusted off his body, looked at the wide door, and was a little afraid to go forward. The door was too luxurious, and the high-class mansion was incompatible with his attire.

He was an old friend of my father’s. That friendship dates back more than 30 years. They only exchanged three letters over the years, and that was after Yuan Keli passed the imperial examination.

He was a little worried that he would be kicked out if he barged in so rashly. After thinking it over, he took out the visiting card from the bookcase, walked to the concierge, handed the card in, and then began a long wait.

When the sun had completely set and curfew was approaching if they didn't leave, Yuan Keli became anxious. He carried a heavy book box on his back and walked towards the gatehouse to ask if he could see her today.

"Go away, it's getting late. Mr. Lu doesn't see guests at dusk. Come back tomorrow." The doorman waved his hand impatiently and drove Yuan Keli away.

Yuan Keli wanted to say more, but he still left the mansion. He looked back, sighed, and had to find a place to stay.

The doorman looked at Yuan Keli's back as he left, spat, and said viciously, "Where did this country bumpkin come from? He wants to eat and drink at my Lu Mansion, and he wants to see me with just a visiting card, and he wants to become my disciple?"

"Poor guy."

"My family was poor and I had no access to books to read." This sentence is Yuan Keli's real life. When he was a child, his hands were frozen while copying books, but he did not dare to slack off. Yuan Keli could empathize with every word in "Preface to Farewell to Ma Sheng of Dongyang," an article encouraging learning.

When he was very young, Yuan Keli knew what it meant to be fickle.

He shrugged the book box on his shoulders and walked towards Yu Pavilion in the dusk wind and sand.

Yuguan was built by Henan scholars and wealthy businessmen in Beijing, specifically to provide convenience for Henan candidates. Later, due to the downfall of Gao Gong, Yuguan was deserted for a period of time and no one dared to go there. It was not until after Gao Gong's death that His Majesty gave him a posthumous title, which was considered to be forgiving Gao Gong, and Yuguan became popular.

As Yuan Keli walked, he found himself lost... The capital was too big, the map in his hand was too old, and he was reluctant to spend money, so he did not buy a new geomancy map of the capital at Yongdingmen. The capital had been repairing roads over the years, and many roads had changed.

Although the map only cost fifteen cents, fifteen cents could buy a meal, and a penny makes a hero fall. Yuan Keli had six taels of silver in his pocket, which was his father's savings over many years.

In this way, after turning several turns, Yuan Keli finally arrived at the Quan Chu Guild Hall.

The Quan Chu Guild Hall and the Quan Jin Guild Hall are adjacent to each other, but the Yu Guild Hall is in another direction. However, it was already completely dark, and the captain of the Five Cities Army took the soldiers to the streets and announced a curfew everywhere. In another quarter of an hour, it would be curfew time, and there was no way to get to the Yu Guild Hall anyway.

Yuan Keli immediately panicked. If he was caught for breaking the rules, he wouldn't have to take the exam.

In desperation, he sent a visiting card to the door of the Quan Chu Guild Hall. The doorman of the Quan Chu Guild Hall took the card and told Yuan Keli that this was the Chu Guild Hall and it was inconvenient to receive him. Yuan Keli asked the doorman to give him a favor as the curfew was approaching.

The doorman was also a little panicked. The 23rd was the day when His Majesty went to the Quan Chu Guild Hall for a meal every month. Seeing that His Majesty was about to leave, if he saw him, he would definitely be held accountable. After the doorman said a few words, he did not dare to argue any more. "It's one day, so leave tomorrow. Don't talk too much and don't let anyone find out." The doorman carefully warned him, but before he could finish his words, Yuan Keli was held down by two imperial guards.

It was a custom for the emperor to go to the Taifu's house for meals every month, and everyone in the capital knew about it. The Imperial Guards were responsible for His Majesty's safety, and it would be dereliction of duty for the Imperial Guards not to arrest someone who looked a little suspicious and showed up at the critical time when His Majesty was about to leave.

The main problem was the book box that Yuan Keli was carrying, which looked a little too heavy.

Zhu Yijun was in Wenchang Pavilion. After discussing state affairs, he was talking about Xiong Tingbi's imperial examination.

"Xiong Da, are you confident about this exam?" Zhu Yijun asked Xiong Tingbi with a smile about his preparations.

"Your Majesty, do you want me to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar? I guess that's not possible. The Ming Dynasty is a land of outstanding people and talents. I think I can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, but I can't say I can become the top scholar." The burly Xiong Tingbi said modestly.

Xiong Tingbi looked more like a military general than a scholar-official. Even though he had read so many books, he still did not have much scholarly air.

Zhu Yijun leaned forward and said, "It's easy to get the top prize. I'll leak the test questions to you. The Ministry of Rites has already confirmed the test questions and wants us to review them. When the time comes, I'll tell you! The chief examiner, the deputy examiner, the co-examiner, and even the Imperial College are all ours. We'll make it easy for you and get the top prize!"

“Uh…” Xiong Tingbi seemed a little helpless. His Majesty might dare, but he didn’t.

"Your Majesty, you can't do this. There is something wrong with Wang Qian, the candidate. It will affect Wang Qian's promotion. This is absolutely not allowed. Isn't leaking the questions harmful to him?" Zhang Juzheng was numb. In private, the Majesty was not serious at all.

"Just kidding, just kidding." Zhu Yijun waved his hand, stood up and said, "It's getting dark, we're going back, Xiong Da, prepare well for the exam, don't be nervous. I've also read your essay, if you study hard, you'll have no problem."

Zhu Yijun was just joking. The imperial examination was a big event that was being watched by thousands of eyes. By doing this, he was openly disrupting order. He was afraid that Xiong Tingbi would be nervous. What he meant was, if he failed this time, there would be next time. If he really failed the exam, Xiong Tingbi could still pursue a career as a military man.

Luo Sigong entered the Wenchang Pavilion, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have caught a spy."

"Oh? Bring it up." Zhu Yijun said in surprise.

When Yuan Keli was brought to Wenchang Pavilion, he broke out in layers of cold sweat. He recognized the Feiyufu. Instead of being captured by the Five Cities Army, he was actually arrested by the Imperial Guards and thrown into the Imperial Prison.

As soon as Zhu Yijun saw Yuan Keli's expression, he knew that he was not a spy. He waved his hand and said, "Let him go. He is just a scholar. What is your name?"

It's not the fault of the imperial guards for being suspicious. It's just that Yuan Keli's bookcase was a bit too heavy. Wang Chonggu's younger brother Wang Chongyi was killed by gunpowder, so we have to be on guard.

Yuan Keli's palms were very rough, very similar to Zhu Yijun's hands, and one could tell at a glance that they were the hands of someone who often did farm work. He stood very straight, and one could tell from his spirit that he was not a treacherous person.

"In reply to your question, my surname is Yuan Keli, and I am from Suizhou, Henan. I came to Beijing to take the imperial examination. To avoid the curfew, I disturbed the Quan Chu Guild Hall. I have no intention of spying." Yuan Keli bowed his head again and said. He didn't know who the man in front of him was, but from his position, he was the person in charge. Anyone who could be in charge of the Quan Chu Guild Hall must be a noble person.

"Oh, then stay for one night, and the bill will be on our side." Zhu Yijun said without much concern. The imperial guards thought he was a spy and arrested him. The payment of room and meals for one night was considered to clear up the misunderstanding.

The imperial guards had already checked it thoroughly and found that the book box contained millet, not gunpowder. The 40 kilograms of millet was the tuition fee for his apprenticeship.

Zhu Yijun walked to the door of Wenchang Pavilion, and suddenly turned around and asked, "What was your name?"

"In reply to your words, Yuan Keli." Yuan Keli replied immediately.

"Okay." Zhu Yijun looked at Yuan Keli, smiled, and left.

Zhang Juzheng saw the emperor off and returned to Wenchang Pavilion only after the carriage disappeared from the street. He thought about it carefully and called Yuan Keli to Wenchang Pavilion. He asked You Shouli to light a lime blowtorch and gave Yuan Keli a topic on the spot, asking him to write an article.

After Yuan Keli finished writing, Zhang Juzheng gave Yuan Keli another mathematics paper. While Yuan Keli was doing the paper, Zhang Juzheng learned a comprehensive understanding of Yuan Keli's situation from Luo Sigong.

Yuan Keli had no problem with Confucian classics, but his performance in mathematics was a bit poor. It was not that he had no foundation at all, but it was mainly because there were no good mathematics teachers in his hometown.

Zhang Juzheng looked at the two answer sheets in front of him, thought for a moment and said, "The nobleman who just left is His Majesty. I think you have guessed it."

"You want to become Lu Shusheng's disciple, but he refuses to accept you. So, I'll write you a visiting card and you can go and become his disciple tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll give you these 40 kilograms of millet. How about that?"

"Student greets you, sir." Yuan Keli immediately performed the disciple's salute.

Forty kilograms of millet is not a valuable commodity, but the badge of the Quan Chu Guild Hall is also very hot.

The teacher that Yuan Keli wanted to worship was Lu Shusheng, who was the Minister of Rites before Wan Shihe. He had been against the emperor all day long and was finally driven out of Wenhua Palace. He had been living in the capital ever since. Now he is still a famous scholar and there is an endless stream of people who want to become his disciple.

Zhang Juzheng asked You Shouli to arrange for Yuan Keli to stay and asked someone to bring him a set of mathematics books. Starting tomorrow, Yuan Keli would study mathematics in the family school of the Quan Chu Guild Hall.

"This Lu Shusheng has too many rules in his family." Zhang Juzheng was in a good mood. Whether in terms of character or talent, Yuan Keli was a promising talent.

The reason why Yuan Keli couldn't enter was not because Lu Shusheng didn't remember the old friendship, but because Yuan Keli didn't give any benefits to the doorman. There were so many people who wanted to become his disciples, and without any benefits, the doorman naturally wouldn't make a special trip. These students were sincere and would wait in front of the door for a while, or visit again.

The story of Master Cheng standing in the snow outside his teacher's door has been passed down through the ages and is a model of respecting teachers.

This was just a coincidence. Yuan Keli got lost and ended up at the Quan Chu Guild Hall. Otherwise, Yuan Keli would have made a few more trips. After making two more trips, he would have known that he needed to find the right people and could naturally become a disciple.

Since Lu Shusheng was willing to write a letter to Yuan Keli's father, he naturally acknowledged the past friendship, and Zhang Juzheng was just intercepting him halfway.

It was intercepted, so it was intercepted. It was Lu Shusheng who didn't want it, and Lu Shusheng couldn't find any reason to do so. Yuan Keli was driven away.

Zhang Juzheng was certainly not a rag picker. His topic was: to save the people from fire and water, just take the remnants.

This sentence comes from "Mencius", which talks about the demise of the Shang Dynasty and the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty. After the dynasties changed, King Wu of Zhou destroyed the Shang Dynasty and established the Zhou Dynasty, which saved the people from dire straits and killed the unjust tyrant.

Yuan Keli answered it very well. The key to this question lies in saving the people and eliminating the disabled.

To eliminate the remnants means to eradicate the cruel and unjust tyrants.

This is not easy to write, especially since His Majesty has shown violent traits in certain aspects. If you are not careful and write incorrectly, let alone passing the imperial examination, it would be good if you are not arrested for criticizing the emperor.

Yuan Keli based his argument on the word "saving the people". Through just a few short sentences, he demonstrated that whoever puts the people in dire straits is the source of brutality. If a sage monarch knows about these cruelties and does not punish them, he is not governing with benevolence.

In order to save the people from drowning, a sage king must punish the cruel and violent to bring peace to the people. The people in the water and fire did not fall into the trap themselves, but were driven into it by the cruel and violent. If the cruel and violent are not punished, then there is no place for benevolent governance, and how can the way to save the people be made clear?
Yuan Keli solved the problem in one sentence in a very short time, which shows his quick wit. Even without a good teacher, he taught himself mathematics and reached the passing standard. He is already a very talented student and it is basically certain that he will be on the list of successful candidates.

Zhang Juzheng was inspired by his admiration for talent and helped Yuan Keli. By asking that question, he had already eliminated the possibility of Yuan Keli refusing.

Yuan Keli and Xiong Tingbi, who were the last disciples and students taught by hand, were completely different. This was because Zhang Juzheng provided a little help, and Yuan Keli met him as a disciple. In the future, Yuan Keli became successful, and he should not forget this friendship. There was some relationship between the fellow disciples, and they helped each other.

For Zhang Juzheng, this was a convenient thing to do, but for Yuan Keli, it made him toss and turn and unable to fall asleep.

I went to the wrong door this time and I don’t know whether it is a blessing or a curse.

Zhang Juzheng had a very, very bad reputation among the literati. All kinds of things were said about him, and there were countless random rumors.

This is normal. From ancient times to the present, reformers have never had a good ending.

It was a consensus among the literati to avoid having anything to do with Zhang Juzheng. Even if the candidates from Chu came to Beijing to take the imperial examinations, they would avoid him if possible. If they really had nowhere to go, they would not easily go to the Quan Chu Guild Hall.

But Yuan Keli really had nowhere to hide. Outsiders who came to Beijing to take the imperial examinations had to try their best to avoid trouble, especially someone like Yuan Keli who came from a poor family and had no power or influence. If he broke the rules and was caught, it would be fine if he failed the exam, but if he did pass, someone would definitely make a big fuss about it.

When Yuan Keli came into contact with Zhang Juzheng for the first time, he intuitively felt Zhang Juzheng's tyranny. He did not give you any chance to refuse. His style of doing things was indeed as swift and resolute as the rumors said. Apart from that, Yuan Keli felt that all the rumors in the literati circle were false.

Because Yuan Keli saw a study room filled with documents, which seemed a bit messy but quite orderly, which meant that the owner of this study room was indeed very busy on weekdays.

On his way to study, Yuan Keli saw many clean and tidy study rooms of famous scholars. The books that he could not get were just placed on the bookshelf and covered with dust.

Yuan Keli's first impression of him was that he was a diligent old man who devoted his life to the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yijun returned to Tonghe Palace and dealt with today's memorials. The moon was already high in the sky, and he thought of the young man he had met at the Quan Chu Guild Hall, Yuan Keli, a name that had been banned by the Qing Dynasty for three hundred years.

Yuan Keli was a military householder and a hereditary centurion. After the military garrison system fell into disrepair, this hereditary centurion became a mere name.

Born into a military family, he was entrusted with the task of opening up the Liaonan battlefield in the second year of the Tianqi reign. He formed a pincer attack with the Guanning Army and won seven battles in a row, causing enormous trouble for Nurhaci. He even instigated the rebellion of Nurhaci's son-in-law and general Liu Xingzuo, who eventually died on the battlefield for the Ming Dynasty.

Unfortunately, during the Tianqi and Chongzhen years, the life-and-death struggle between Donglin and the eunuch faction in the court had reached the point of no return. Even though the Later Jin was aggressive and conquered cities, no one in the court cared. The fight was so life-and-death that no one was really serious about quelling the chaos outside the Great Wall.

It is unknown how many years it will take for the Later Jin to enter the capital, but the enemy before them will be truly deadly.

The Party has always been like this. In order to fight, nothing else can be taken care of.

(End of this chapter)