Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 342 Li Shanchang invites you!

Late November.

There is nothing going on in Kyoto, and everything is peaceful and harmonious.

It has been some time since Xia Zhibai responded to Tianfu. In his opinion, what he wanted to do was gradually on the right track. Although Zhu Biao had not contacted him again, judging from some signs in the court, Zhu Biao had obviously made great changes.

Still very restrained though.

But compared to the past when they were just following orders, they now have more opinions of their own.

Another day, night falls.

Xia Zhibai just came out of the Hanlin Academy.

Walking on the snow-covered ground, he left behind a long set of footprints. At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from behind. An old man in his sixties appeared from nowhere, bowed respectfully to Xia Zhibai, and said, "You are the Grand Scholar Xia, my master wants to see you."

Xia Zhibai frowned.

He stopped and looked the visitor up and down, with some doubt in his eyes.

The old man smiled and said, "Don't be alarmed, Grand Secretary. My master is none other than the Grand Tutor of the Imperial Court."

Xia Zhibai suddenly realized.

Li Shanchang.

Then he was puzzled. Why did Li Shanchang come to him on such a cold day? He thought he had little interaction with Li Shanchang and had never met him. Even when they went to court, they were not even so-called acquaintances.

However, Li Shanchang was one of the three highest officials in the imperial court after all, so he did not dare to neglect him easily and said quickly, "Please lead the way ahead, old man."

The old man's face lit up with joy, and he nodded repeatedly as he led the way.

Li House.

Li Shanchang's mansion was very luxurious.

As a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, Li Shanchang devoted a lot of effort to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, and thus received many preferential treatments. Not only were his children married into the royal family and were in-laws, he also had a high status in the court. Even Zhu Yuanzhang had to listen to his suggestions.

To a certain extent.

Li Shanchang can be considered an alternative prime minister.

In the hall of Li's mansion, Li Shanchang had already prepared a table of wine and food.

He sat on the main seat, waiting for Xia Zhibai to arrive.

During this period, with his political acumen, he had keenly noticed that some changes had taken place in the court, especially in the Crown Prince Zhu Biao. In addition, Zhu Biao had sent him a letter, but he had never been able to decipher it, so he was always uneasy.

Seeing that His Highness was becoming increasingly cold toward him, Li Shanchang felt inexplicably panicked.

After thinking about it for a few days, I decided to meet Xia Zhibai.

He was sure.

The change in His Highness today must be related to Xia Zhibai. Xia Zhibai is an articulate and eloquent person, and to a certain extent, he is also very capable of handling things. I am afraid that Xia Zhibai said something to His Highness in private, which made His Highness have some opinions about him.

Li Shanchang didn't wait long.

Just when the wine was warmed up, a servant came to report the news.

Li Shanchang showed no expression at all, still sitting on the main seat, waiting for Xia Zhibai to come to the hall.

soon.

Xia Zhibai's figure appeared in the hall.

Li Shanchang did not stand up, but just glanced at Xia Zhibai calmly, and said with a smile: "Master Xia, you have kept me waiting for a long time."

Xia Zhibai bowed to Li Shanchang and said, "Greetings, Grand Master." Li Shanchang waved his hand and said, "Sit down."

Xia Zhibai took a seat.

After the maids around filled the two people's glasses with wine, Li Shanda waved his sleeves and asked the maids to retreat behind the screen. Then he said, "I hope you won't mind my sudden invitation to the Grand Secretary today."

Xia Zhibai said: "You are too polite, Grand Master."

"But the Grand Master asked me to come here, what on earth is it?"

Xia Zhibai held the wine glass but did not drink it. As the saying goes, if someone shows kindness without any reason, he is either a traitor or a thief. Especially when the person is an old fox like Li Shanchang, he could not help but be on high alert and had to be vigilant and careful.

Li Shanchang smiled slightly, revealing a hint of cunning.

He could see Xia Zhibai's vigilance.

He raised his cup and took a sip, then put it down with great joy, saying, "This wine is the imperial wine bestowed by His Majesty before. Grand Scholar Xia can have a taste. As for why I invited the Grand Scholar here today, it's actually not that complicated. I just have a question in my mind. I hope Xia Zhibai can explain it in detail."

Xia Zhibai pretended to be surprised and said, "Grand Master is knowledgeable and experienced. Is there anything in the world that Grand Master cannot understand?"

Li Shanchang laughed, then shook his head helplessly and said, "I can be considered knowledgeable, but I have only traveled extensively with Your Majesty. In fact, I have always stayed in the Central Army and have not seen much of the world. If I really say that I have seen extensively, who in the world can be better than the Grand Secretary?"

"When he first came out, he shocked the world."

"A piece of admonition appeared out of nowhere."

"Then he passed the imperial examination with the 'divine weapon' in his hand. Everyone in the world knew him. He then gave up his official position to become a businessman, which also surprised everyone. Then, the salt shop in Kyoto and other places once again refreshed people's cognition. A small steam engine caused a great commotion in the south. Among all the officials in the world, you are probably the only one who can stir up the world from behind the curtain."

Xia Zhibai gave a bitter smile and denied it repeatedly.

He said, "Grand Master, you are too kind. I was young and frivolous and did some arrogant things. Grand Master, please don't joke with me. Now that I think about it, I feel very anxious. I really can't bear such high evaluation and praise from you."

At first glance, the things he did were indeed extraordinary.

In fact, he is walking on thin ice. If there are other options, he may not want to do this.

Li Shanchang smiled and said, "Young people should have the spirit of youth. When I was young, wasn't I also full of spirit and vigor? It's a pity that I am old and decayed now, and it is difficult to return to my former youth."

"I am getting old, and I don't know how much longer I can live."

"But this Ming Dynasty was created by our own hands, and I always have concerns in my heart. I wonder if Master Xia has any new insights on the future of the Ming Dynasty?"

After Li Shanchang's words, he finally got back to the point.

He raised his glass again and took a sip, his eyes a little cloudy, as if he was still immersed in the changes of time.

Xia Zhibai was silent for a while before he raised his glass and said, "In my opinion, it should be 'to count the heroes of the day'."

"Or maybe it's 'Every generation has its own talented people, each of whom leads the trend for hundreds of years'."

"During wartime and peacetime, the world will be two different things, even completely different things."

Li Shanchang raised his eyebrows, seeming dissatisfied with Xia Zhibai's answer.

He nodded and said, "There are indeed differences between war and peace, but how can there be too many differences? The people still have to struggle to make a living, merchants still have to do business, and scholars and officials still have to perform their duties. In my opinion, the world has not changed much."

“It’s just people!!!”

Xia Zhibai nodded and shook his head, and said with a smile: "What the Grand Master said is both right and wrong."

“People do change, but the world also changes.”

"From the violence and disorder of war to the order and discipline of peace, from destruction to construction, people's hearts always yearn for a better future."

(End of this chapter)