Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 348 Then let’s form a party!
Zhu Biao looked hopeful.

He had high hopes for Xia Zhibai.

Although he was not very optimistic in his heart, because it was too difficult to compromise, having it all was, to a large extent, unrealistic.

But many of the ideas he put forward were originally proposed by Xia Zhibai. With Xia Zhibai's intelligence, it was impossible for him not to have thought of the cruel reality he was facing. Therefore, Zhu Biao wanted to give it a try and ask. If there was an answer, that would be great. If not, there was nothing he could do.

Xia Zhibai frowned slightly.

He did not rush to speak, but just looked at the young man beside him.

This young man is very immature, but with thick eyebrows and big eyes, he is handsome and has a heroic air.

Seeing Xia Zhibai looking at him, the young man was not much behind and looked back, but there was a little more kindness between his brows.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao also said, "Xia Xue Shi, don't worry. This man is the current Duke of Cao, Li Jinglong, the son of the late Duke of Cao, Li Wenzhong. He inherited the title this year and married Princess Yangcheng in the same year. His current official position is the Duke of the Imperial Concubine, but I intend to promote him to the Eastern Palace."

Zhu Biao briefly introduced Li Jinglong.

Just hearing the three words "Li Jinglong", Xia Zhibai couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

The Ming Dynasty's God of War.

This name is very familiar to him.

There are only a few people in the world who can lose a battle that they are sure to win.

However, when he heard that the person he was going to marry was Princess Yangcheng, Xia Zhibai suddenly showed a hint of boredom again. He had heard of this wedding. Princess Yangcheng was none other than the sister of Prince of Yan Zhu Di. From this point of view, Li Jinglong's historical actions might have been intentional.

After all, Zhu Yunwen was indeed unpopular at that time.

Seeing Xia Zhibai staring at him closely, Li Jinglong also became a little nervous.

He still had great respect for Xia Zhibai. As a commoner, he was able to stir up sudden changes in the world in just a few years and make all the officials in the court uneasy, especially the salt administrator, who made the entire south tremble with fear. Throughout the world, there were only a handful of officials in history who could achieve this with their lowly official positions.

He is only seventeen years old now.

This is the age when one is full of passion and yearns to achieve great things.

Xia Zhibai retracted his gaze and nodded, "Yes, heroes emerge from youth. Duke Cao is indeed a descendant of a general. His tiger eyes are very impressive."

Zhu Biao also smiled and said, "Although our current Duke Cao is quite old, he has a wide range of knowledge and unique insights into many aspects. He is not only knowledgeable about military affairs, but also has a good understanding of politics. I specifically asked Your Majesty to bring him here."

Zhu Biao obviously also recognized Li Jinglong.

Ever since Xia Zhibai said that his prince was 'in name only', he had intended to select some candidates of his choice. However, due to the existence of Zhu Yuanzhang, he did not dare to make too many moves and could only choose from people close to him. Chang Sheng and Li Jinglong were the ones he had chosen so far.

These people are the descendants of the old people.

His Majesty will not stop me from getting close to these people, and may even be happy to see me use old people. Secondly, they are indeed quite talented. Li Jinglong is talented, and Chang Sheng is brave and martial. One is civil and the other is military. This is the starting team that Zhu Biao has chosen for himself.

This time, he took the initiative to bring Li Jinglong here to meet Xia Zhibai, so that Li Jinglong could convey the message on his behalf in the future.

immediately.

Zhu Biao looked at Xia Zhibai again.

Obviously, he needed a positive answer.

This little episode did not affect Zhu Biao's emphasis on the answer.

Xia Zhibai was silent for a while, but finally nodded.

Seeing Xia Zhibai nod, Zhu Biao was stunned at first, then he looked at Xia Zhibai suddenly and said excitedly: "Did Master Xia nod just now? In other words, Master Xia actually has a compromise in his mind?" Xia Zhibai continued to nod.

Zhu Biao looked ecstatic and was also overjoyed.

In fact, he had already made plans for Xia Zhibai to talk about other things, but he didn't expect that Xia Zhibai would give him such a big surprise.

"Please explain clearly, Mr. Xia." Zhu Biao said hurriedly.

Xia Zhibai said slowly: "The answer your highness wants does have a compromise, but it is not necessarily a compromise. It can only be regarded as a more reasonable choice. While taking into account the face of the current emperor, some adjustments can be made to the court situation."

"First and foremost, it's the law!"

"In every dynasty, clear laws must be made when a country is founded."

“Law is the foundation of a country’s governance.”

"But now the Great Edict and the Great Ming Code exist at the same time in the Ming Dynasty. Even private law is higher than the written law. If this situation lasts for a long time, it will become a tool for local officials to manipulate. Therefore, the first thing is to clarify the priority of the Great Edict and the Great Ming Code."

Hear the words.

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly.

How could he not know, but now that his father was still alive, how could he, as a son, dare to oppose it? He said that the Ming Dynasty should give priority to the "Great Ming Law" and should not carry out private punishment such as the "Great Edict". I am afraid that as soon as he said this, the soles of his father's shoes would fly over.

And His Majesty will never agree to change it.

Li Jinglong opened his eyes wide and looked at Xia Zhibai with admiration.

Zhu Biao said: "Of course I don't know, but I can't do anything, and I don't have the courage to do anything."

Xia Zhibai smiled slightly and said, "Who said we need to move?"

“Both methods can coexist.”

Zhu Biao was stunned, then he said suspiciously: "But if the two laws coexist, wouldn't there be different sentences for the same crime, some heavy, some light? In this way, the subjectivity of local officials is too strong."

Zhu Biao looked puzzled.

Xia Zhibai smiled mysteriously and said, "Your Highness, have you ever heard of the family rules?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "Of course I have heard of it."

"Compared to the national law, the family law is undoubtedly more stringent and even inhumane. It often involves beating, scolding, or even killing. In some places, the family law is superior to the national law. To a certain extent, isn't the Great Edict also a kind of family law?"

Zhu Biao shook his head and said sternly, "That's true, but the Great Edict governs officials, not families. Besides, the Ming Dynasty has royal families, and their own family rules. Besides, the officials are not royal relatives, so how can they use the royal family rules of the Ming Dynasty?"

"inappropriate."

Seeing that Zhu Biao didn't understand, Xia Zhibai frowned secretly and couldn't help but say a few more words.

He opened his mouth and said, "The laws of the royal family of the Ming Dynasty are the laws of the royal family, and the family laws are the family laws. The two are different. I once said this: there are no factions in the court, and there are all kinds of strange things. So why can't Your Highness ask His Majesty for permission to establish a party in the world."

"Use the Great Edict as the 'house law' of this party!"

"'Family rules' are more important than national rules, so they have a basis, are not too abrupt, and can convince people."

"For court officials, we must first investigate party discipline and then punish them severely according to national law. This way, the two will not conflict with each other and the priorities will be made clear at once."

(End of this chapter)