Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

The disaster relief in Shaanxi and the overseas enfeoffment issues undoubtedly caused heated discussions in the capital.

In particular, the claim that the natural disaster was caused by the killing of Native Americans by the Thais put great pressure on the Jesuit missionaries in the capital.

After Xu Guangqi became a Grand Secretary and the emperor showed his love for the harpsichord and ordered people to make a piano based on it, the churches in the capital city attracted many people to visit and attracted quite a lot of people.

These people could have potentially become believers, but after the rumor spread that the natural disasters originated from Westerners and that missionaries were the pioneers, the church suddenly became deserted and few people came.

The occasional people who came also scolded them for killing people wantonly and bringing disaster to the Ming Dynasty.

The drought in the capital has become increasingly severe, and it hasn't rained yet.

If the emperor had not explicitly stated that the god of clouds, rain, wind and thunder was a god in heaven, and that it would be difficult to take his place because of killing people on earth, it is estimated that there would be ministers who would submit petitions to the emperor, suggesting that he pray for rain.

But no one does this now. They are all waiting for news from Shaanxi to confirm whether what the emperor said is true.

Even the Jesuit missionaries, under Xu Guangqi's persuasion, temporarily suppressed the discussion of doctrine.

After all, if the prediction of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty was correct, it would mean that he had the ability to communicate with the gods of heaven and earth. Facing such a living true god, even if they did not believe in gods other than God, they had to show respect and explain the existence of this true god on earth.

It can be said that the news from Shaanxi determined the attitudes of many missionaries and whether the Jesuits would change the doctrines in China in accordance with the requirements of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Long Huamin, the supervisor of the Chinese missionary group, wrote letters to Jin Ni Ge, Yang Manuo, Li Zhizao, Wang Zheng and others, summoning missionaries and believers and inviting them to Beijing for discussions.

Renowned monks and Taoist masters of Buddhism and Taoism gave explanations for the emperor's statement.

These two religions had long been tamed, and even if they did not support the emperor's dream theory, they would not openly question it.

Even Zhang Xianyong, who had failed in his attempt to pray for rain, under the emperor's suggestion, used the emperor's words to explain the reason for his failure.

Under his leadership, other eminent monks and Taoists were forced to use the emperor's explanation of the drought under pressure from public opinion, lest they make the wrong statement and be sent by the emperor to pray for rain.

Zhang Tianshi didn't care about the failure of praying for rain, because he had the identity of a real person passed down from generation to generation to protect him. Other high monks and Taoists didn't have this identity, and if they failed to pray for rain, it would be a big blow to their reputation.

In the absence of confidence in their success in praying for rain, these eminent monks and Taoists, facing the pressure of public opinion from the Public Opinion Bureau, all expressed their agreement with the emperor's statement and told the people that the emperor could communicate with the gods of heaven and earth and was the supreme god on earth.

It can be said that before the religious conference was held, Zhu Youjian had already established his prestige in Buddhism and Taoism. Some monks and Taoists who were seeking to be promoted also began to not dare to underestimate the emperor.

They all realized that the current emperor was not easy to fool, and was even more cunning than them.

With this true God presiding over this religious conference, the impact of this conference is far greater than that of previous ones. Whether each religious sect can prosper depends on the conclusion of the conference.

Even the status of the gods and immortals will be determined at this conference. People will believe that the system of gods and immortals compiled by the current emperor is more convincing than the previous true spirit status diagram.

So these people also called their friends and invited more monks and Taoists to come.

For a time, the capital was densely populated with monks and Taoists, far more than before.

However, the largest number of people in the capital now are the juren who take part in the imperial examinations.

According to past experience, most candidates would disperse after the palace examination, and those who failed would return to their hometowns.

But this year is different. Not only will the special examination be held, but successful candidates will also be allowed to become officials.

Those who felt that they had no hope of passing the imperial examination and wanted to become officials to change their family status, all looked for ways to become officials after the palace examination.

According to the emperor's will, the juren could serve as officials in frontier areas or overseas, or join the army as civilian officers.

Previously, most of them had their sights set on the frontiers, but when the news of the emperor's enfeoffment of overseas vassal states spread, some clever people saw an opportunity to make their fortunes overseas - after all, overseas was remote, and the Jinshi who could become officials obviously looked down upon them, and these Juren, were great talents overseas.

As long as you can make contributions in the development of the vassal state, there will be opportunities for promotion.

Even if you rely on the princes, you may be given important positions and titles by the princes.

According to the detailed rules discussed by Zhu Youjian and his ministers, overseas princes could apply to the court to confer titles on a certain number of vassal nobles: earls and marquises could be conferred knighthood, dukes could be conferred barons, and vassal kings could be conferred viscounts and granted corresponding territories.

In this way, the princes could confer titles on their family members and even use titles to recruit people.

Some scholars who felt that they had great talents but were not recognized set their sights on these titles. They were like the scholars in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, looking for wise rulers.

Representatives of the feudal lords and descendants of meritorious officials who arrived in the capital received many business cards.

The descendants of Zhang Juzheng, who had long been favored by the emperor and had just arrived in the capital, were frightened in this way.

Zhang Juzheng's fifth son, Zhang Yunxiu, said worriedly:

"With so many candidates joining us, is there some trick?"

"Your Majesty, do you really want to implement the feudal system, or do you want to see which people are restless?"

Having experienced the confiscation of his property, he was wary of everything the emperor did.

Zhang Tongchang is the grandson of Zhang Juzheng's eldest son Zhang Jingxiu, and he is less than 30 years old this year. He has never experienced the disaster of family confiscation, and he is very grateful to the new emperor for giving him an official position.
"It shouldn't be a trick!"

"Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have mentioned the implementation of the feudal system and the well-field system many times."

"If I suddenly regret it, wouldn't I lose the trust of the world?"

"Besides, so many princes and crown princes have come to the capital, and now they are all involved."

"Even if your majesty wants to use a conspiracy, it won't be on such a large scale."

"It is said that one cannot blame the masses, so how should His Majesty deal with the thirty princes?"

It is believed that the emperor was sincere in granting fiefs, and was not using this method to attract restless people.

Zhang Yunxiu still had doubts in his heart. The reason he came to Beijing this time was that he was not confident about Zhang Tongchang, who had inherited the throne. He said:

"No matter what, let's not stand out."

"The Zhang family has just recovered and can't afford to suffer any more."

"Let other descendants of meritorious officials go to open up the vassal state this time!"

Tell Zhang Tongchang not to interfere in the distribution of fiefs among meritorious officials, and to wait patiently for his opportunity in the capital.

However, as Zhang Juzheng was a Purple Pavilion meritorious official who was posthumously awarded the title of Duke like Yu Qian, his descendants' visit to Beijing obviously attracted a lot of attention.

The descendants of meritorious officials and nobles with titles all urged the Zhang family to take the lead and open up fiefdoms overseas.

After Zhu Youjian learned that Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Tongchang had come to Beijing, he also took time out to summon them. (End of this chapter)