My Ming Dynasty, I have the final say

Chapter 197 The beginning of another round of confrontation between monarch and ministers

Zhu Youxiao had considered how Confucianism would develop next.

It's very simple, just push it in the direction of practicality behind the scenes.

As for the specific methods, it would be like changing the name to Chinese Studies or something, and then expanding it to a larger scale.

Put it up high.

Is the Confucianism of today still the Confucianism of the past?

No.

Confucianism is just a piece of plasticine that slowly changes with the needs of the ruling class.

Although Zhu Youxian dislikes today's Confucianism, or the civil servants don't like it.

But if you want to govern the world, you cannot do without Confucianism.

Stop talking about reviving Baijia and be realistic.

If during the Han Dynasty before and after, there was still some shadow of the various schools of thought.

But as early as the Tang and Song Dynasties, those disciples and grandsons of Kong Laoer who deceived their masters and destroyed their ancestors had almost absorbed the essence of hundreds of schools of thought under the banner of "Five Classics" and "Five Classics Instructions on Me".

The Tang Dynasty's "I Annotated the Five Classics" first had the classics, and then studied the classics to explore the principles.

The Song Dynasty's "Five Classics Notes to Me" means first having one's own thoughts and then distorting the classics to interpret them. (In layman’s terms, it’s taken out of context)

Take Zhu Youxiao's current time point as an example.

Who can say that Xu Guangqi, a Western scholar, is not a Confucian scholar? He was a Jinshi during the Wanli period.

Who can say that Lu Xiangsheng is not a Confucian general? He is a Jinshi of Tianqi Renxu.

Going one step further, who can say that Yue Fei was not a Confucian general and Shen Kuo was not a Confucian scholar.

As time has developed to this day, after thousands of years of absorption, Confucianism has already become essentially the main body of Chinese culture.

In the past, hundreds of schools of thought, including those in agriculture, industry, law, martial arts, arithmetic, and medicine, over time, in order to survive and develop, they gradually put on a layer of Confucianism and gradually became Confucian.

All of them are Confucian scholars, Confucian generals, Confucian doctors and so on.

Oh, yes, the businessman whom Confucianism despises the most turned out to be a Confucian businessman.

Over thousands of years, with the support of emperors and imperial power, Confucianism has grown to a point that cannot be overturned.

But at the same time, this change also exposed Confucianism's most vulnerable side.

Under the strong pressure from the imperial power, Confucianism must automatically and proactively adapt to and move closer to the needs of the imperial power.

Under the great waves of time, not only the various schools of thought were eliminated, but also the conservatives within Confucianism were eliminated. .

Confucian scholar-bureaucrats are the most stubborn and at the same time the easiest to change.

Confucianism has long been deeply integrated with Chinese history and has long ceased to be a school of thought.

After experiencing speculation in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, when the imperial examination appeared in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it had long been equated with being an official in the thinking of the Chinese people.

Chasing power is the essence of 99% of Confucian scholar-bureaucrats.

As long as you study, you can still be an official, instead of engaging in bullshit elections and the like.

Confucianism will automatically develop in the direction that the emperor Zhu Youxiao needs.

Starting from today, Zhu Youxiao plans to inject fresh blood into Ming Dynasty Confucianism through the "Supplement to the Great Learning" written by Qiu Jun.

"Cough cough."

After several people discussed for a while, Zhu Youxiao coughed and interrupted their discussion.

"Now, if you know why Minister Yuan sent a letter to promote silver coins with high fire consumption in Nanzhili, I will agree."

"I understand."

Looking at the sullen emperor above, Bi Ziyan bowed even though there were black lines on his head.

Can this young emperor, whose emotions are reflected on his face, sum up these things?

Thinking this, Bi Ziyan secretly glanced at Liu Shimin beside the emperor.

Then, he shook his head inwardly.

The two arguments put forward by the emperor, "Labor creates value" and "Currency is only the embodiment of labor value and an item used to measure labor value", have great philosophy in them.

This is not something that a eunuch from the Neishu Hall who has worked as the Superintendent of Ceremonies for more than ten years could come up with.

This requires a lot of social observation experience.

Could it be Sun Chengzong?

Thinking like this, Bi Ziyan recalled the current governor of Liaodong, and then shook his head in his heart.

Although Sun Chengzong went to Datong, the border border, he was also a Jinshi.

But he has never been a people-friendly official before and does not have the ability to summarize.

Look at it this way now.

Or, the emperor really accepted his reign title, Apocalypse, and sent it to heaven.

Or, there is a master standing behind the emperor.

How high? At least three feet.

It’s not like this kind of thing never happened in Ming Dynasty.

For example, the bald donkey beside Chengzu in the past, no, it was the master.

Prime Minister Yao Guangxiao in black.

Just when Bi Ziyan was thinking about who was the master standing behind the emperor, Yuan Shizhen spoke up.

"Your Majesty is gifted by nature, I bow to you."

After giving a great salute to the emperor, Yuan Shizhen said loudly.

"Your Majesty, with one word today, cleared up my long-standing confusion."

The emperor's words solved some of the doubts he had in mind when he was reforming the salt policy in Lianghuai.

Under the leadership of Yuan Shizhen, everyone in the hall began to flatter the emperor.

Listening to their kind words, Zhu Youxiao, a time traveler, couldn't help but blush.

"Speak less of such compliments from now on."

The old man's face was a little red. Zhu Youxiao waved his hand to signal everyone to stop, and then got down to business.

"There is currently too much silver in Southern Zhili. Yuan Shilang's method of collecting silver from Southern Zhili with heavy firepower is very good."

"But whether it will be hindered and whether the people will recognize it or not, this matter requires the joint efforts of all ministers and workers."

Sitting in his seat, Zhu Youxiao looked at the people below and admonished.

"Regarding the issue of southern Zhili, we must handle it carefully, and we must not let the people in the head of Guizhou be treated harshly, causing the people to live in dire straits."

"I respectfully abide by His Majesty's holy instructions."

After hearing the emperor's words, everyone said in unison.

"Your Majesty, please publish what your Majesty said today in your newspaper, so that officials all over the world can share their encouragement."

Just when Zhu Youxiao was about to let everyone leave, Bi Ziyan suddenly spoke up.

"Ah."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said.

"That's right."

After everyone left, Zhu Youxiao also walked outside.

There is another football match today.

It's Jin Yiwei versus Hu Benwei.

On the other side, after leaving Xiyuan, the ministers returned to their yamen to convene a meeting to record the emperor's lecture today.

Labor creates value.

Money is only the embodiment of labor value.

In layman's terms: money is people's power.

These two sentences are simple to say, but to truly understand them, you need to have sufficient social experience.

Very few people understand its philosophy.

Nowadays, the big households in Shuntian Prefecture still do not fully understand this principle.

They only know that the people's power this year is slightly insufficient.

Zhangjiawan.

The name comes from the fact that the canal took a small turn here, and it is located to the east of the great prosperity of later generations.

This is the most popular market place nearby.

In the teahouse on the side of the canal, several wealthy people were drinking tea and chatting.

"Where have those muddy legs gone?" Zhang Yongcheng said, holding a teapot in his hand, putting it in his mouth and taking a sip, looking at a few familiar wealthy people.

"No one is farming on my land today."

"No, the river channel is being built over there."

After hearing Zhang Yongcheng's words, someone pointed with their nose at the farmer digging a ditch over there.

"How many people did they recruit?"

"do not know."

The person who spoke shrank his neck before saying.

"At least there are three thousand people."

"Hey, the emperor is so abusing the power of the people, why don't those wise men advise him?"

Zhang Yongcheng has also studied for several years, and when he speaks, he can also use a few "professional" words.

"Persuade? Who dares to persuade?"

Hearing this, Wang Fang, who shrank his neck, looked around carefully before saying.

"I have a relative in my family who is a yamen servant in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. I heard from him that the emperor had just ascended the throne and moved to Nanhaizi. Someone went to persuade the emperor to return to the palace. Do you know what happened?"

"what happened?"

"People are immediately useless!"

Wang Fang said, pointing to his knees.

"The Emperor made those people kneel outside Nanhaizi Gate for a few days. I heard that one named Hui Shiyang had his legs disabled."

"So cruel?"

After hearing Wang Fang's words, everyone looked at each other and shrank their necks.

"Your Majesty ascended the throne in September last year, right? It's been half a year, why are you talking about this?"

"The emperor never released those people."

Hearing this, Wang Fang waved his hand and continued.

"Let's just say that Hui Shiyang, dragging two useless legs, is still in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment."

"Ah~"

After hearing Wang Fang's words, everyone shrank their necks again.

What kind of hatred or resentment is this?

He could kill people with no more than a nod, and even though his legs were crippled, he still didn't let go.

Will the emperor not let these people go?

Of course not, but he selectively ignored these people.

Zhu Youxiao hated Yan Guan from the bottom of his heart.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao chose to ignore these people who were sent to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.

It doesn't cost much to raise a few prisoners.

"Have you read those two sentences the emperor said?"

"What about labor creating value and money being just an object to measure the value of labor?"

"Correct."

In the darkness, a person nodded and then asked.

"What do you think?"

"The imperial court cannot compete with the people for profit, let alone abuse the people's power."

"The gathering in front of Chengtian Gate, are you going?"

"go with!"

As the emperor's two sentences were published in Di Bao, a new trend, "The court cannot compete with the people for profit", was taking shape in Beijing.

The politics of the Ming Dynasty focused on the coexistence of dictatorship and democracy.

During the period of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, the emperor made the final decision on major matters, officials from the six ministries were responsible for doing things, and the Yanguan was responsible for checking for deficiencies and filling in the gaps.

When Xuanzong died and Zhengtong succeeded to the throne at the age of nine, the person in charge of the administration was Sanyang, headed by the cabinet. They were all officials, and the people who were responsible for checking and filling the gaps began to hold power.

After the indulgence during the Xiaozong period, major national affairs were changed to be discussed at the imperial meeting.

But now, after Zhu Youxiao came to power, he directly stopped the imperial dynasty. The emperor decided all major national affairs with one word. Even if he had to discuss it, he would discuss it with the chief officials of the six ministries. With the same Kedao official, nothing would happen.

These people are not like the chief officials of the Six Ministries, who can ask to see the emperor with a memorial, but get no response from the emperor.

Therefore, officials from the Hanlin Academy were the main ones, supplemented by the Taoist officials, and officials from various ministries were in the shadows. Officials of the seventh rank and above in the capital gathered in front of Chengtian Gate.

In a seemingly "open" and "fair" manner, these people discussed issues such as the imperial court's issuance of silver coins, the large-scale construction of Nanhaizi, and the restructuring of Beijing's operations.

Only a few people really care about the imperial court's new policies.

Only a few have a stake in these policies.

There are even fewer people who insist on opposing it.

What is their purpose?

Taking advantage of the situation, the emperor who moved back to Xiyuan made a compromise.

If the emperor wants to carry out any major policy, he must first discuss it with these ministers. If he has an idea, he can directly go to the six ministries to do it. What kind of thing is this?

This was a demonstration against the emperor.

It is also a test of the monarch's power by the ministerial power.

It's done, Ming Dynasty has returned to its previous path. If anything happens, put it on the court and discuss it with everyone.

If not, then the imperial court will become the emperor’s real voice.

So, it was the first day of April in the first year of Tianqi.

"Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao, who was sleeping soundly with Loli in his arms, heard Liu Shimin calling him. Fang opened his eyes and saw Liu Shimin standing at the head of his bed.

"what's up?"

After letting go of the little Lolita in his arms, he sat up from the bed, took the towel from Liu Shimin and wiped his face, Zhu Youxiao asked with a bad expression.

"Your Majesty, there are courtiers gathered outside Xiyuan Gate. Please hold a court meeting."

"Um?!"

Hearing Liu Shimin's words, Zhu Youxiao was instantly shocked.

After walking out of the inner room and taking down the Yongle sword he usually wore from the sword stand, he looked at Liu Shimin and asked.

"How many people gathered? Did anyone attack the palace gate?"

"No."

Hearing the emperor's words, Liu Shimin quickly shook his head.

There are tiger guards stationed in Xiyuan. Those civil servants are not crazy and dare to attack the palace gate.

"The courtiers are asking His Majesty to hold a court meeting to discuss matters that cannot benefit the people."

"Competing with the people for profit?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao opened his eyes wide and looked at Liu Shimin.

"What is fighting for the interests of the people?"

"A few days ago, after the words that the emperor said about labor creating value were printed in the Di newspaper, those people seemed to understand something."

Liu Shimin came to the emperor to report the situation. Of course he had done his homework.

"These people gathered outside Xiyuan Gate, saying that they cannot compete with the people for profit and cannot mint coins."

"If you use my words to block me, do they want to die?"

After listening to Liu Shimin's description of what people gathered outside the palace gate to discuss, Zhu Youxiao's eyes widened instantly.

What are these people doing?

ps: Let me mention it again at the end, really

Don’t let some idiots fool you into thinking that the Western approach is very advanced.

In fact, the so-called electoral system in the West is essentially no different from our government system. They are actually the flesh and blood of the civil service system, with a layer of electoral system on the outside.

What really supports the operation of the government is the work of the civil servants selected through examinations, not the politicians who talk the talk.

Take Oi Sakura who plays the constitutional monarchy electoral system as an example. It is essentially two systems.

The first set is the general election.

The second set is the imperial examination system we learned from ours. They changed it to a civil service system. The Civil Service Commission and relevant departments sent people to form an examination committee to select civil servants through examinations.

Ami Luka also has a similar system.

Therefore, no matter where it is, the end of the universe is the establishment.

(End of this chapter)