Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 316 Our Fang Xiaoru, Zhu Di? !

Fang Xiaoru smiled faintly, cupped his hands and said with a happy expression: "Your Majesty is both civil and military, and it is precisely because of this that Your Majesty is the saint of the present age."

Zhu Biao shook his head and said, "I don't think so. Your Majesty, who in the world doesn't know what your Majesty is like? Born as a commoner, you didn't have the opportunity to study when you were young. It is a fact that you are both civil and military now. This is more of a result of your hard work."

"So in my opinion, it doesn't matter whether you are a scholar or a warrior."

“In fact, it’s all acquired through learning.”

"Before the Song Dynasty, civil and military affairs were inseparable. Civil officials could fight on the battlefield and military officials could govern the country and ensure its security."

"If I remember correctly, at that time, scholars admired the ability of a writer to pacify the world with a pen, and the ability of a warrior to rule the world on horseback."

"The general and the minister are one."

"It's just that nowadays many people only learn literature, while some only learn martial arts, and then there is a distinction. This is not a regression of scholars. Since both literature and martial arts can be learned later, let the scholars who go to the military camp read some military books and let some martial artists read more of the Four Books and Five Classics. Perhaps this matter is not that difficult."

Zhu Biao expressed his thoughts.

He actually didn't want to see the separation between civil and military affairs.

But this trend was very obvious in the court, especially Lan Yu, who was very rude to these literati, beating and scolding them at will. The literati also pointed fingers at the military men, and there were countless secret impeachments. Even the emperor, his father, was secretly troubled by this.

I heard Xia Zhibai talk about rectifying military discipline earlier.

He then thought, could this be used to eliminate the rift between the "civil and military" factions, so that the civil and military could live in peace, or at least there would be no need to make things so tense. The Ming Dynasty needed scholars to govern the country, but it also needed military men to defend the country, and the two should complement each other.

Hear the words.

Fang Xiaoru's face darkened and he said quickly, "Your Highness, you can't do that."

Fang Xiaoru looked at Liu Sanwu for a few seconds, then bowed and said, "I have made some inappropriate remarks, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Say!"

Fang Xiaoru said: "Before the Song Dynasty, it was true that civil officials and military officials were inseparable, but it was also because of this that these people posed a great threat to the court. The general trend of the separation of civil officials and military officials seemed to be a mutual choice between civil officials and military officials, but it was not necessarily due to the circumstances of the times."

"The world doesn't need such an omnipotent minister nowadays."

"People of this kind are naturally arrogant and will easily develop disloyalty when they are in high positions. Most of the rebels in the past dynasties were like this. For example, Hu Weiyong was arrogant and felt unsatisfied even though he was already the prime minister, so he developed the intention of rebellion."

"It's just that a mere scholar is like this."

"What's more, he is both civil and military?"

"Since the Song Dynasty, the number of traitors has been greatly reduced, and the division of labor between civil and military officials has greatly improved the efficiency of officials and reduced distractions, which led to the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. If the scholars of the Song Dynasty had to study both literature and martial arts, how much time would they have on government affairs? How much worry could they have relieved for the country? How many problems could they have solved?"

"Besides."

"Today, political affairs are complicated, and officials have limited energy. The division of labor is becoming more and more detailed, and more and more experience is required."

"Therefore, it is most appropriate to separate civil and military affairs."

Zhu Biao nodded.

He actually agreed with what Fang Xiaoru said.

But since there is a division of labor, why can't the civil and military be further divided?
Wouldn't it be more reasonable to divide civil and military officials into "civil-wen", "civil-military", "military-civil" and "military-military", with some specializing in civil affairs and others specializing in military affairs, as well as civil officials serving in the army and military officers serving in the court?

However, Zhu Biao also noticed that Fang Xiaoru was very resistant to this, so Zhu Biao did not say much about it.

He smiled and said, "Master Fang is absolutely right."

"I thought it was simple."

"My Ming Dynasty has a small government, with a small number of officials. We have high requirements for each official. How can we ask for more?"

"Your Highness is wise." Fang Xiaoru said hurriedly.

Zhu Biao added: "Let's not talk about arranging civil servants in the army for now, but military discipline must be maintained, and propaganda and education have always been the job of civil servants, so it is certain that civil servants will be responsible for it. Let me ask you, if I send you to Beiping, do you have the confidence to enforce military discipline under the command of Prince of Yan?!" Fang Xiaoru's face changed suddenly.

He looked at Zhu Biao with an uncertain gaze, trying to see whether this was just Zhu Biao's unintentional remark or he really had this idea.

If it was just an unintentional remark, then it would be fine.

If you really have this idea, it will be very bad.

Prince of Yan Zhu Di had always had a bad temper. He never took scholars seriously and would beat and scold them at any time. Zhu Di was also very protective of his subordinates. Under Zhu Di's command, it was almost impossible to enforce strict military discipline because one could not get past Zhu Di.

Going to Peking is almost like seeking death!

Fang Xiaoru hesitated for a while, then smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid I can't do it."

"Why?" Zhu Biao said with a half-smile, "The scholar was so confident before, why did he lose confidence now? My fourth brother does have a bad reputation, but he has studied in the Great Hall for a few years. According to what you said, he deserves the title of 'literati'. Why can't he be successful?"

Fang Xiaoru said: "How can the Prince of Yan be compared with ordinary military generals?"

"That is His Majesty's heir."

"Since I started studying, I am not good at these things."

"Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Fang Xiaoru immediately lowered his head. He was living well in Yingtian Prefecture and didn't want to go to Beiping. Moreover, he didn't have a good impression of Prince Yan. If he wasn't born in an imperial family, Prince Yan's temperament would not be worthy of any respect.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "It is indeed difficult to handle, but no matter how difficult it is, someone has to do it."

“You can’t just pick and choose when something happens.”

"Moreover."

"I still have confidence in my brothers. They are all sensible people. As long as the civil servants are properly managed, I believe my brothers are willing to cooperate."

Liu Sanwu's eyelids twitched.

He no longer dared to speak casually.

I even felt a chill on my back.

Zhu Biao actually wanted to arrange them to various vassal kings to enforce strict military discipline for the court. Isn't this pushing them into the fire pit? Not to mention whether it can be done or not, even if it can be done, I am afraid that if they don't die, they will be skinned alive, and it is very likely that they can't do it.

If you want to enforce strict military discipline, you must take action against the soldiers.

How could these princes be willing?

Conflict is inevitable, and they, the civil servants, will be alone and it may be difficult for them to walk out of the barracks alive.

Liu Sanwu glanced at Fang Xiaoru, whose face was extremely ugly, and a hint of pride flashed in his eyes. Fang Xiaoru had dominated the limelight before, but now he had lost face. Moreover, no matter what Zhu Biao thought, he would not arrange for him to go.

As a man in his seventies, he is naturally unable to do the job.

Think of this.

Liu Sanwu stood aside and laughed at Fang Xiaoru's joke.

Fang Xiaoru's face was as dark as ink.

He shook his head again and refused, "Your Highness, please don't scare me. I really can't take on the responsibility. I have been working in the Hanlin Academy and I don't know much about military affairs. If you let me go, it will only make things worse. How dare I mess up your Highness's important affairs?"

"Please find someone else, Your Highness, and don't make fun of this matter."

"I am terrified."

(End of this chapter)