Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 472: Newspapers are popular, Confucianism is declining (Subscription required!!)
"Aren't the Confucianists here to help us? What's going on?"

"Yes! I have also listened to the lecture of a great Confucian scholar. He said that our Ming Dynasty is now in a critical situation. The emperor is incompetent and powerful officials are in power. Confucianism is meant to help us, the people!"

"Yes, that's right. That's what they told us."

"The current situation in the Ming Dynasty is indeed chaotic and terrible. All major construction sites have stopped working, people walking on the streets are beaten, and even officials are assassinated one after another. I'm afraid the whole country is going to be in chaos!"

The guests in the teahouse started to speak.

Hearing this, Master Zhao shook his head and said, "You are really wrong!"

"From what I know, the main reason why all the major construction sites stopped working was because of the Confucian school of thought. They were using the slogan of pleading for the people. The masterminds behind the beatings on the streets were still the Confucian school of thought. Many newspapers have made it very clear. As for the assassination of officials, there will be a result soon. But think about it, would the court assassinate its own officials?"

Hearing this, the guests in the teahouse all looked changed drastically and began to ponder over it carefully.

"What Mr. Zhao said seems to make sense!"

"Damn it! It turns out that I can't find a job. It turns out that these Confucian scholars are the cause!"

"Asshole, I thought these Confucianists were helping us, but it turns out they are harming us!"

"Thank you so much, Mr. Zhao, and this newspaper. If it weren't for them, we would still be kept in the dark."

Of course, there are also those who expressed doubts.

"Mr. Zhao, the Confucian school is just a group of Confucian scholars. How could they possibly stop the construction site?"

"How can those black-clad thugs be sure that Confucianism is the mastermind behind this?"

"Isn't it because these officials are corrupt officials and accomplices of the treacherous minister Ouyang Lun that the assassination was carried out?"

Hearing these questioning voices, Master Zhao on the stage was not panicked at all. Instead, he calmly picked up the teacup brought by the teahouse owner, took a leisurely sip, and then slowly put the cup down.

Then he said calmly, "If it were just the Confucianists, they would naturally not be able to stop the construction site, but it would be different if we had your help and assistance."

"The Zhejiang provincial newspaper actually stated it clearly a long time ago. Someone instigated some people who did not know the truth to stir up trouble. In order to ensure that the construction site would not suffer any losses, the government temporarily closed the construction site and will reopen it after the incident has subsided."

"As for those people who instigated it, I don't need to say more, right!?"

"Some of you asked me how I was sure that those black-clad men who beat people were instructed by Confucianism. Do you really not read newspapers? The Jinyiwei newspapers have detailed accounts. Through the investigation of the Jinyiwei, several waves of black-clad men who beat people have been arrested!"

"The facts prove that these men in black are not special at all. They are just some ruffians who were bought by Confucianism at a high price. They wear black clothes and masks to avoid being discovered by the government!"

"The People's Daily has been updating the resumes and deeds of those corrupt officials who were assassinated recently. These were all good officials. The people under their rule had a very high opinion of them. The reason they were assassinated was entirely because they supported the prince consort's education reform, which touched the interests of Confucianism, so Confucianists sent people to assassinate them."

"What I said today is not something I made up or just my own opinion. It has been compiled in newspapers all over the country. If you don't believe it, you can go and read it in the newspapers!"

“I believe you will gain more!”

Under Master Zhao's interpretation and analysis, the guests in the teahouse became more sober, seeing clearly the dirty tricks of Confucianism, and at the same time they became more concerned about the newspaper.

They were not unfamiliar with newspapers, but since buying a newspaper cost several cents, although a few cents was not much, it could buy a big meat bun.

Therefore, more people are willing to come to the teahouse to listen to the storyteller talking about the contents of the newspaper while listening to the book. After all, many people are illiterate, so it is more convenient to listen to others.

It’s the first time that we’ve invited a professional to analyze the contents of the newspaper and the current situation in the government and the opposition. However, many people have already liked this model, which is more interesting than just listening to storytelling.

Of course, this is a story for later. Now the situation in the teahouse has become noisy.

"Those Confucianists are using us as pawns!"

"According to Mr. Zhao's analysis, they are not just using us as pawns, they are clearly using us as cannon fodder. If the court really blames us, we will be their accomplices. This is so unjust!"

"I still support them like that. It makes me so angry!"

"We can't just let it go like this. We have to settle accounts with the Confucianists!"

"Count me in!"

"I!"

"And I."

……

Inside the teahouse, the guests were outraged and shouted for an explanation.

This situation was not only happening in this teahouse, but also in the surrounding restaurants, tea stalls and other places. Many people came here, and more people joined in halfway.

On the streets, more and more people were seeking advice from Confucianists, and the scene was getting bigger and bigger, which scared quite a few people.

Newspapers across the country have been exposing the true face of Confucianism for some time. The people already had a lot of dissatisfaction with Confucianism, and now that someone is taking the lead, they will naturally come out in droves.

The angry people rushed into the Confucian sites and beat the Confucianists before they could react.

Confucian sites were also manually demolished by angry citizens.

Such scenes appeared all over the Ming Dynasty.

After figuring out the reasons, the Confucians wanted to fight back. They ran to the streets one by one to explain loudly and continue to deceive people, but what awaited them was another beating.

For a time, Confucianists became the rats crossing the street that everyone wanted to beat.

No matter how Confucianists promote and explain it, it is completely crushed compared to the spread of newspapers, pop songs and dramas.

Less than a month.

Confucianism, which once had a huge influence and many supporters, disappeared without a trace!
Newspapers also became the biggest winners in this turmoil. Not only did dignitaries, gentry and wealthy businessmen develop the habit of reading newspapers, but even ordinary people who were slightly wealthier, especially the middle-aged and elderly, would subscribe to one or several newspapers.

You can eat one less meat bun and gain a lot of information, and learn about local and national affairs. It's really a good deal!

Even those who were poor or illiterate were willing to go to teahouses to listen to storytellers telling news from the newspaper.

A trend has already formed.

……

Beijing.

Tai Chi Hall.

The morning court is about to begin, and most of the civil and military officials are already standing in the hall, waiting for the court to begin.

Because Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had not arrived yet, the officials looked relatively relaxed, and many of them were standing in groups of three or four discussing matters.

"The Prince Consort is here!"

As this voice came to mind.

All the civil and military officials looked towards the palace entrance, and a handsome man in black clothes slowly walked in.

It’s Ouyang Lun!
The only ones who dared to go to court without wearing official uniforms were Ouyang Lun, the crown prince, and a group of princes.

The reason why the crown prince and prince do not wear official uniforms is because they are the heir to the throne and the prince, beings of a higher rank, and do not need to wear official uniforms.

However, Ouyang Lun was neither the crown prince nor a prince. Although he was the son-in-law of the emperor, Duwei also had official uniforms.

But Ouyang Lun was too lazy to wear it, so he wore casual clothes to attend court. Naturally, many censors reported him many times at first, but Zhu Yuanzhang chose to acquiesce in Ouyang Lun's wearing casual clothes to attend court. The censors reported him many times, but Ouyang Lun didn't take it seriously, so Zhu Yuanzhang simply ignored it. Over time, everyone got used to it.

"Prince-in-law!"

"Hello, Prince Consort!"

"I've met the Prince Consort!"

Seeing Ouyang Lun walk into the Taiji Hall, a group of officials immediately surrounded him, and the expressions on their faces could easily be described as flattering.

"My Lord, you are really amazing!" Guo Zi gave a thumbs up. "The Confucian school is so powerful. In terms of public opinion, no one can rival them. They always crush others."

"But unfortunately, they met the Prince Consort! With just one move, they were beaten to pieces!"

"In the past, when Confucianists went out, they would hold their heads high and walk in the middle of the road with their noses pointed upwards, and no one would say anything. But now, all Confucianists have become rats that are shouted and beaten across the street!"

"Haha, now if anyone dares to shout in the street that he is a Confucianist or supports Confucianism, he will be beaten up immediately!"

Those who said these words were basically officials from the Prince Consort's Party. Ouyang Lun was their boss and spiritual leader. This time, he had commanded a great victory against the Confucian school, which directly made these officials from the Prince Consort's Party more confident.

Some people are happy but others are sad.

Confucianism was destroyed to ashes, which made the Huaixi Party feel a strong sense of grief for the deceased!

You have to know that in the beginning, the Confucian school and the Huaixi Party were allies against Ouyang Lun. Now that Ouyang Lun has completely eliminated the Confucian school, it is hard for them not to believe that Ouyang Lun will not take action against their Huaixi Party next.

If it were a few years ago, they would not have taken Ouyang Lun seriously at all, but things are different now. With Ouyang Lun's strong rise, the power of the Prince Consort Party is also expanding rapidly. More importantly, the number of officials in the Prince Consort Party is still increasing, both the younger generation and those in high positions in the court.

The Prince Consort's Party had become so powerful that the Huaixi Party had to pay absolute attention to it.

Of course, the people who were most upset were not the Huaixi Party, but several officials in the court who were very close to Confucianism and were themselves Confucianists.

They had the support of Confucianism before. Although they did not hold high positions in the court and were just censors, no one bothered them.

Some time ago, they were the ones who implicated Ouyang Lun as the most ruthless and crazy person, but unfortunately, Confucianism lost, and was completely crushed.

These officials have become rootless and their future can be said to be quite bleak.

Right in the main hall, each force had its own thoughts.

"Your Majesty is here!"

As Wang Zhong's voice sounded.

All the civil and military officials in the hall immediately returned to their respective seats, and the originally noisy scene became quiet.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Long live your majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down on the dragon throne and looked at the officials below with a smile on his face.

"My dear friends, no courtesy!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

All the officials saluted again and then stood in line.

"Ouyang Lun!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze fell directly on Ouyang Lun.

"Your son-in-law is here!" Ouyang Lun was speechless. The morning court had just started and he was the first one to be called. Old Zhu, are you sick?

"You handled the Confucianism incident very well! You did not disappoint me, I am very pleased!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

"These are what I should do. If Your Majesty wants to reward me, you can give me a vacation of one and a half years to let me have a good rest." Ouyang Lun said directly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's smile froze.

Good man, a year or two of vacation! I might as well just let you retire and go back home!
Zhu Yuanzhang would never let Ouyang Lun go.

"Humph, I haven't even rested yet, what are you resting for? I allow you to work in the clan residence and wear regular clothes to court. Even if you are absent from the morning court, I have never blamed you. What else do you want?"

"Not to mention half a year, not even a day!"

"As long as the Ming Dynasty does not reach its peak, you will never rest!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

When Ouyang Lun heard what Zhu Yuanzhang said, he almost exploded.

No, Zhu Yuanzhang, you are sick!

The Ming Dynasty is prosperous. That is your responsibility as the emperor. Why are you putting it on my shoulders?
I don't feel like I have traveled through time to the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, but rather I have entered a den of scammers in northern Myanmar!

You have to squeeze me dry, right?

In that case, you forced me to do this!
"Your Majesty is right. The Ming Dynasty has not yet reached its peak. As a member of the Ming Dynasty, how can I slack off?"

Ouyang Lun looked like he was reflecting on himself.

Um! ?

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Ouyang Lun's words, he was stunned.

Ouyang Lun actually admitted his mistake!
This is not like Ouyang Lun’s character!
It turns out that you still need to put pressure on it.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt somewhat proud inside.

"Very good, very good. I am very pleased that you have such an understanding. Although you handled the Confucianism incident very well and made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty, you are not allowed to be proud and complacent. Keep working hard!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Ouyang Lun nodded obediently.

Just when Zhu Yuanzhang was about to proceed to the next step, Ouyang Lun spoke again.

"Your Majesty, in order to realize the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible, I have something to report!"

Ouyang Lun cupped his hands and said.

"Oh! You have an idea so quickly?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised, but he was still very happy in his heart. At least from the current situation, Ouyang Lun seemed to have been trained well by him. After all, Ouyang Lun had never taken the initiative to report on his work. Today was the first time!
"Very good! That's how it should be!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with a smile, "You tell me!"

"Your Majesty, it is not difficult for the Ming Dynasty to create a truly prosperous era! And the Ming Dynasty today already has some signs of prosperity!"

"As the saying goes, everything depends on human effort, so the key to creating the prosperous Ming Dynasty lies in people!"

Ouyang Lun said seriously.

Hearing Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly, "What a good saying, everything depends on human effort. This point is exactly what I and you agree on! So, what are you going to do?"

Ouyang Lun raised the corner of his mouth and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I want to reform the imperial examination system!"

(End of this chapter)