Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 258: Isn’t it lonely at the top?

The beginning of October.

Xia Zhibai had made preparations and received the corresponding seals, documents and other items.

On the third day of the first lunar month, when it was still pitch dark in Yingtian Prefecture, Xia Zhibai had already gotten up, packed his belongings, and headed out of the city.

The only person traveling with Xia Zhibai was Lu Cang.

Aokiji wanted to follow, but Xia Zhibai did not agree.

He went south this time to handle important matters, and it was a bit inconvenient to bring a woman with him.

This decision made Aokiji complain for a long time, and also made Lu Cang secretly proud for a while.

Lu Cang carried him on his back, smiling uncontrollably, and said, "Brother Xia, why do you insist on walking out of the city? Can't you just send a carriage over? What exactly are we going to do when we go south this time?"

Lu Cang's face was full of curiosity and anticipation.

Xia Zhibai smiled and said, "Of course it's about resolving the salt administration issue."

"It can be regarded as a warning to the South for the imperial court."

"I do have a carriage, but I asked them to go to the salt factory to pick up Zhou Ning and other engineers. They are old, and I'm afraid they can't stand the fatigue of the journey. Besides, Zhou Ning just recovered from his injury and can't stand too much. The carriage should be given to those who need it."

Lu Cang nodded thoughtfully.

He curled his lips and said, "That was all Zhou Ning's fault."

"If he hadn't gone to find Li Sheng, there wouldn't have been so many problems. Besides, Brother Xia, you've already allowed Zhou Ning to rest in Yingtian Prefecture, but he insisted on following. Isn't this just throwing trouble away?"

Lu Cang felt a little indignant for Xia Zhibai.

He thought Zhou Ning's behavior was not fair, and because of that, Xia Zhibai had no choice but to walk.

Xia Zhibai laughed and said, "Now that Li Sheng has been brought to justice, this matter is over. There is no need to say more."

"After all, Zhou Ning has been studying steam engines for many years and has a deep understanding of them. If he goes south, it will be of great help. Besides, we are not the only one going south this time. If it doesn't work, we can squeeze in with other people."

"Besides."

"Walking on the ground more often is good for your health."

Xia Zhibai didn't care much.

If he really wanted to rest, it would be easy to find a carriage. If not, he could squeeze in with Hua Lun and the others. They would not refuse. However, there were indeed not many carriages on this trip, which was also Xia Zhibai's request.

Travel light and simple.

Of course he did not approve of the grand ceremonies of the past.

Moreover, many officials of the Ming Dynasty really read the books of sages in vain.

The literati of the Northern Song Dynasty knew that since ancient times, although the kings and nobles were not moral, they never dared to replace livestock with humans.

And the officials from the Ministry of Rites actually arranged sedan chairs.

Xia Zhibai naturally refused vehemently and made a sharp request. He only wanted a carriage, even one with some slow horses, and he also resolutely refused to allow the accompanying officials to ride in a sedan chair, not even the Duke of Xin.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were reluctant at first.

In the end, they could no longer refuse and reported the matter to Zhu Biao, who personally asked for a few more carriages to be prepared for them.

But on the other hand, it also loses "etiquette".

Therefore, Xia Zhibai was often ridiculed and mocked in the Ministry of Rites.

The two of them didn't walk for long before they arrived at the city gate.

After showing the official documents, he was released.

The city gate.

Jiang Li had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Xia Zhibai coming late, a cold look flashed in his eyes.

He sat on his horse, glanced at Xia Zhibai coldly, and said, "Grand Scholar Xia, the carriages and horses are all here, waiting for you."

Xia Zhibai said calmly: "Okay, let's go."

Xia Zhibai didn't say much and simply ignored Jiang Li's coldness.

As the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it was impossible for Jiang Lin to be on good terms with court officials. If he got close to court officials, it would be a big taboo. Then it would not only be Jiang Lin who would be in trouble, but he himself would also be implicated.

Just as Xia Zhibai was about to step onto the carriage, a gorgeously decorated carriage stopped by.

Tang He reached out and lifted the curtain, smiling and said, "Master Xia, your carriage is too crowded, so you should take mine."

"Your group has a lot of stuff."

"Don't tire the horse out."

"My Ming Dynasty is in urgent need of horses."

Tang He smiled and joked, then took the initiative to signal Xia Zhibai to go with him.

Xia Zhibai was stunned for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and nodded, "Thank you, Duke Xin."

Xia Zhibai did not refuse. He took the luggage from Lu Cang's hand, stepped on a small wooden stool and got into the carriage of Duke Xin. The carriage of Duke Xin was very spacious, with some exquisite small tables placed inside, and the aroma of tea wafting in the air.

Xia Zhibai bowed respectfully to Tang He and said, "Greetings, Duke Xin."

Tang He smiled and said, "You don't have to be so polite. People in the world say that you, Xia Zhibai, are arrogant and rude, but I don't think so. You are quite polite, at least more polite than a farmer like me. The first time I met those military leaders, I didn't say a word for a long time."

"It's better to be a scholar."

Tang He sighed and took the initiative to pour a cup of tea for Xia Zhibai.

Xia Zhibai placed his luggage in the corner of the carriage, and then obediently took the tea.

Tang He took a sip and curled his lips and said, "I don't know what's so good about this tea. They say it's imperial tea. I think it's just a lie. By the way, someone has submitted a petition to the court regarding the things you said in private before."

Tang He put down the teacup, looked around, and took out a memorial.

Xia Zhibai picked up the memorial, took a quick look at it, and said with a smile, "These people are used to being the first to file a complaint, but it's only been half a month since I passed on this news, and these people are so anxious to file a memorial. They are really a little anxious."

Xia Zhibai shook his head and put the memorial down.

Tang He nodded and said, "Of course they are anxious. You have already instigated the local authorities to fight against His Majesty, so how can they not be anxious? Our His Majesty is impatient and has a bad temper. If he really takes it seriously, he might do something in a fit of rage."

"You have done these people a great disservice."

Xia Zhibai said: "How could I harm anyone? I am just telling the truth."

Tang He shook his head, his eyes suddenly became sharp, he stared at Xia Zhibai tightly, an invisible pressure was exerted on Xia Zhibai, Tang He said: "I know I am not good at any calculations, but when His Majesty gave me this memorial, he said something else to me."

“You didn’t say these words to the local officials.”

"You are speaking to His Majesty."

"I was a little curious for a moment, what are you thinking?"

Tang He's eyes were slightly closed, emitting a chilling light that was captivating, with a hint of sinisterness and dominance.

Tang He was indeed a low-profile figure in the court.

But no one in the court dared to look down on this old man.

This is the "brother of life and death" of His Majesty today, who has followed His Majesty all the way. Oftentimes, His Majesty has to ask Tang He for his decision. Now Tang He has simply restrained his edge, but who dares to really forget this veteran who has fought in many battles on the battlefields?

For a while.

A bloody atmosphere suddenly appeared in the carriage.

Xia Zhibai could faintly hear the sound of swords and guns clashing.

Xia Zhibai looked calm as usual. He put the teacup on the low table and nodded, "Your Majesty's understanding is both right and wrong."

"The correct part does have the meaning of speaking to His Majesty."

“But this speaks to the place itself.”

"It's just that different words, when heard by different people, get different reactions."

"If we really look into it, it's because of different political views."

Hear the words.

The soup and face color changed slightly.

But he soon returned to normal, except that there was a hint of strangeness in the look he gave Xia Zhibai.

"Political views?" Tang He pondered for a while, then asked with some curiosity and nervousness: "Is it you and the local government, or you and His Majesty?"

"All."

Tang He was silent for a moment.

He looked at Xia Zhibai with a complicated expression.

There are mixed feelings in my heart.

This Xia Zhibai is really not quiet at all. He has been very arrogant and presumptuous since he first appeared in front of the world. I thought that after two years of settling down, he would be able to restrain himself a little, but in the end he still hasn't changed at all and continues to play against His Majesty.

He didn't know whether to say that Xia Zhibai was brave or that Xia Zhibai was not afraid of death.

In all the time he had known Zhu Yuanzhang, there were only a few people in the world who dared to challenge him again and again, and now they were all dead.

Xia Zhibai raised the teacup and tasted the imperial tea lightly.

It leaves your mouth watering and has a sweet aftertaste.

It is indeed a good tea.

Tang He said in a deep voice: "Why do you insist on doing this? Isn't there a better way?"

Xia Zhibai smiled slightly and shook his head silently.

a long time.

Xia Zhibai sighed and said, "Duke Xin, you have fought many battles throughout your life and have made great contributions to the world. With such a prominent identity and status, you could have looked down on everyone and not taken anyone in the world seriously except Your Majesty. However, as you have shown over the years, you have become more and more cautious and careful."

"Conquering the world is different from ruling the world."

“Governance governs.”

"From ancient times to the present, many wise rulers and ministers have believed that the first thing to do is to govern the country, and then to 'resolve' it. However, throughout history, those who govern first and then resolve it often fail to resolve it clearly and cannot resolve it. This is the biggest political difference between your majesty and I."

"I think your majesty is indulging the world in evil."

"I have always believed that the world needs a big change."

"To make a profound revolution in this world, not just a piecemeal patchwork."

"Destroy and establish at the same time, establish first and then destroy!"

"We must eliminate all the deep-rooted problems that hinder the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the progress of the country, and at the same time, we must ensure that China can truly 'stand'."

"This 'establishment' is difficult. It requires innovation in the concept of governing the country, innovation in social production practice, institutional innovation, cultural innovation, and innovation in the upper echelons of the Ming Dynasty."

"Today's Ming Dynasty's social consciousness and spiritual values ​​have been seriously distorted and confused."

"And there is serious internal strife and struggle."

“The contradictions are acute.”

"Today's Ming Dynasty is hopeless for local people."

“They see no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel.”

“All I can see is endless exploitation.”

"Sometimes I can't help but wonder if Your Majesty is really old and has lost the vigor and decisiveness of the past, or if it is because His Majesty is in such a high position and it is really lonely at the top, so Your Majesty spends more and more time napping."

(End of this chapter)