Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 347 Is there a compromise?
There was no conversation for a long time.

Xia Zhibai and Li Shanchang did not say anything, but just quietly tasted the food.

After eating and drinking, Xia Zhibai also stood up and said goodbye.

Li Shanchang did not try to keep him.

At the same time, he did not go out to see him off, but just sat in the hall, watching Xia Zhibai walk away. When Xia Zhibai's figure completely disappeared from his sight, Li Shanchang propped himself up and slowly stood up.

"Talented people emerge in every generation, and each leads the trend for hundreds of years."

"It turns out that I am really old."

"I thought I was just old, but I still have great ambitions. Now, after talking with Xia Zhibai, I realized that my ideas have long been old. In the past, I secretly competed with Liu Bowen and wiped out the Zhejiang East Group headed by Liu Bowen. At that time, I laughed at Liu Bowen for being so-so. Now it seems that Liu Bowen sees things more clearly."

"If you continue to cut off, you will be subject to chaos!"

"It's a pity that I can't turn back. There is no way to turn back."

"Since I put on this official robe, I have never thought about taking it off, let alone the thought of taking it off."

“Abolish the life tenure system”

"Good idea."

"It is indeed beneficial to the country and the people."

"But how many people in the court, and even in the local areas, can agree?"

"I can't be the first to take the lead, and I don't even want to be one. The only thing I can do is to be careful in what I say and do, stay in my position, do some of the things within my responsibility, and do my job well. At the same time..."

"Alienate yourself from the Huaixi forces as much as possible."

talking.

Li Shanchang's eyes dimmed.

Because he really wasn't sure what Zhu Yuanzhang would think.

Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts were too difficult to guess, and he was too murderous and violent. Once Zhu Yuanzhang became suspicious, any small matter would be blown out of proportion and would eventually become a rope to hang himself.

The Emperor’s mind is hard to predict. The Emperor’s mind is hard to predict.

There are some things that he really cannot avoid intentionally, and he cannot even retreat easily. Once he takes the initiative to retreat, it is very likely that Zhu Yuanzhang, who did not doubt him before, will suddenly doubt him, because retreating is not his style.

Li Shanchang was also secretly having a headache.

It was also at this moment that he suddenly understood Xia Zhibai.

Why did Xia Zhibai have a bad relationship with the officials in the court and always argued for himself under various pressures? Because what he wanted to do was to be a "lone minister". Only a lone minister, with no one to rely on, would be the most reassuring and least threatening person for the emperor to use.

It's just that it's impossible for him.

He fought his way up with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Even if he wanted to be a lone minister, the other old ministers of Huaixi would not agree and would definitely force him to step forward. When he was in this position, many things were often beyond his control because he was no longer just an individual.

Li Shanchang sighed several times, his voice becoming more and more mournful and low.

Even with a bit of panic and anxiety.

The next day.

It's just dawn.

The weather was still chilly, making people want to curl up in bed, but Xia Zhibai still got up early, and even took a cold shower while it was still early. When the well water with a little residual warmth poured down from his head, Xia Zhibai couldn't help but shiver, but as a hot mist rose, his body seemed to have gradually adapted.

A cold shower is always refreshing.

Outside the living room, Lu Cang, who was waiting, was secretly shocked. He didn't want to try a cold shower. It was too cold. He just touched the water and it was icy. Just when he put his fingers down, he felt a chill.

Thinking of Xia Zhibai asking for several buckets of cold water, he couldn't help but shudder. He didn't understand it either.

Why does Xia Zhibai take a cold shower?

You are such a high-ranking official and so rich, why are you still afraid of that little bit of firewood money?

Moreover.

Other people may not need much coal, but who is Xia Zhibai? He is the owner of Kyoto Coal Industry. How much coal he wants is not just a matter of a word. Why does he need to be so stingy and even take a cold shower?

Besides, Xia Zhibai is not a stingy person.

When Xia Zhibai came out wearing a pair of underwear, Lu Cang quickly handed him a thick cotton coat.

Xia Zhibai reached out to take it and asked curiously, "Why are you here?"

"Shouldn't we go to the salt factory to learn to read?"

Lu Cang said, "Brother Xia, it's not that I don't want to go. I was stopped by someone just now. The person seemed to be about 18 or 19 years old. He came to tell me that Brother Xia, you should go to the palace and say that the Crown Prince wants to see you."

"How dare I neglect it? I ran back immediately."

Hear the words.

Xia Zhibai nodded.

This is indeed not Lu Cang’s fault.

He put on his clothes and did not let Lu Cang follow him. He just asked Lu Cang to go to the salt factory to study and not to fall behind in his studies. Then he bought two buns on the way and ate while walking. Not long after, he arrived outside the palace.

He was not surprised that Zhu Biao came to him.

Ever since Li Shanchang came to see him yesterday, he realized that Zhu Biao wanted to change.

In Zhu Biao's living environment, no one except himself could escape the strong influence of Zhu Yuanzhang. Therefore, if Zhu Biao wanted to make changes, he could only turn to himself, and only he could give Zhu Biao the most useful and practical advice.

Not a moment.

Xia Zhibai arrived at the side hall of the East Palace.

Zhu Biao arrived early, and when he saw Xia Zhibai come in, he looked up.

But seeing Xia Zhibai's special clothes, he couldn't help but feel a little strange, because this dress was quite different from the usual ones, especially the green outside. Xia Zhibai smiled and bowed, "Your Highness."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Grand Secretary can always come up with some new tricks."

Xia Zhibai laughed and said, "Your Highness, you are joking. I am also bringing goods for the textile factory I own. This is a cotton coat. I prefer to call it a military coat. Although it doesn't look as exquisite as ordinary clothes, it is warm and thick."

“The most important thing is that the price is not that expensive.”

"If you want the people to have something to wear, you naturally have to make some sacrifices."

"It's okay to be ugly."

Zhu Biao said, "I don't think it's ugly, but the style is indeed somewhat out of tune with the current clothing, which made me look at it a few more times. However, military coats, you designed this kind of cotton coat, is it intended to supply it to soldiers in the army?"

Xia Zhibai said: "That's right."

Xia Zhibai did not hide his thoughts and said bluntly: "People nowadays don't have much extra money in their pockets. If you want them to buy this kind of new clothes, not many people will be willing to do so. But if we can increase sales from the military, this will be a very large and stable market."

"Enough to make the textile factory I run flourish."

Zhu Biao frowned, but didn't say much. He got straight to the point and said, "I asked you to come here today mainly to ask for your opinion. I had a discussion with His Majesty a few days ago, but His Majesty's attitude was ambiguous. He didn't expressly oppose it, but he didn't actually agree either."

"So I want to ask if there is a compromise?!"

(End of this chapter)