Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 359: Scholars’ opinions can be listened to and used as reference, but cannot be used directly!
Zhu Biao was speechless.

My father is too obsessed with violence.

We are used to solving everything with violence, but how can violence solve all problems?

In this world, solving the problem does not mean the problem will disappear. On the contrary, the problem will be further intensified until it can no longer be suppressed. He did not agree with many of his father's practices, believing that they were just a superficial solution.

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "The more this happens, the more we must exercise restraint."

"I have always believed that killing people cannot solve all problems. It can only intensify conflicts. If we want to solve them, we have to put them out in the open and face them directly. It's like controlling a flood. Can we solve the flood problem by providing relief to the victims?"

"No."

“Eventually, we still have to dredge the weirs, repair the levees, and strengthen the riverbanks.”

“Only by addressing the root causes can we resolve the problem in the long run. Only addressing the surface issues will not achieve long-term results.”

"Recently, I have been reviewing my own experience in governing the country, and I feel more and more that institutionalization and formalization are the correct direction for the Ming Dynasty."

"Father is good at being unconventional and finding new ways, but only Father can use this method of governing the country. I cannot. The only thing I can rely on is Father's prestige and system. As Xia Zhibai said, the system of the Ming Dynasty actually has many loopholes and deficiencies."

"A small court has its advantages, but a large population also has its advantages."

"With fewer people, the court's expenditures will be less, but the court's control over the world will undoubtedly be greatly weakened. And your father is aiming to strengthen the control over the world. This itself is not very reasonable. Even though I am young and strong now, I still feel very weak, let alone other officials?"

"I think so."

"The court cannot afford to lose important matters just to save a little money!"

"Hey." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows, showing his displeasure. Zhu Biao actually started to teach his father a lesson, but he only muttered reluctantly twice and did not really show any anger.

In fact, he really wanted Zhu Biao to open his heart and tell him everything.

Nowadays, there are very few people who can speak their true feelings in front of him.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Everyone can talk about the truth, but talking is different from doing. For some things, you will naturally understand when you really reach our position. But what you said is not wrong. Some systems in the world do need to be changed. However, reforming the system is not a small matter. If it is not handled properly, it may become a major event that shakes the world."

"Also, don't trust Xia Zhibai too much."

"This person does have a lot of ideas, and they are very inspiring, but his perspective is different from ours. We established the current system after careful consideration and many debates. How could we treat the Ming Dynasty as a joke?"

"As for what you said about setting up an 'organization' in the court, it's a good idea, but let me ask you, have you asked the officials?"

"Are they willing to have more shackles on their heads?"

"You want to let other officials of lower positions join, but have you ever thought about what if these officials dare not join? Or what if they join and go against you? Don't think these people don't dare. We are standing behind you, but the officials are standing behind them!"

"There are only so many people in the court right now, and we still feel that these people are indecisive. When there are more people in the court, the situation will only become more complicated."

"Aren't we thinking about you?"

"Don't treat these officials in the court as fools. They are never stupid. They are even very smart. They just appear a little stupid sometimes. But if you are out of our sight, we will see how smart and calculating they are."

"You advised us to kill with violence."

"But if you want to implement your ideas, which one doesn't require violence?"

"Just by talking, can you make all the officials listen to you and obey your orders?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, and Zhu Biao fell silent.

There was still some reluctance in his eyes, and he said: "I think it may be feasible. Since those old officials do not agree, I will use some new officials, or those from the local areas. I believe that the official positions of my Ming Dynasty are still very attractive to these scholars and literati."

“The world may lack everything, except people who want to be officials.”

“It’s just that many people didn’t have the opportunity in the past!”

"But I will give them the opportunity to be promoted to the court now."

"Since I want to promote them vigorously, I naturally have to restrain them, and then everything will be logical. Moreover, in this way, these new officials will also be opposed to the old officials in the court, which can also help to balance the court invisibly."

"As the saying goes, every day brings one step forward. I have time to persevere."

Zhu Biao still insisted on his opinion.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

He originally thought that Zhu Biao would retreat when faced with difficulties, but he did not expect that Zhu Biao had no intention of giving up. Instead, he wanted to face the challenge head-on.

Zhu Yuanzhang reread the memorial and reviewed it carefully. He said with a deep look in his eyes, "I don't think this idea is bad. I just think it is not feasible, and it is time-consuming and laborious. It may even be extremely unpopular. It is too demanding and will not be perfect."

"Where do you place the Huaixi students? Where do you place the successful candidates in the imperial examinations in the future?"

"Where will the extra money and grain come from?"

"How will the other officials of the Eastern Palace view this? What will they think? Have you really considered this? If you haven't thought it through, do you know how many people will have opinions about you if you do this? Do you know the consequences and impact?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang reminded earnestly.

There are too many good ideas in the world, but only a few can be implemented, and most of them cannot overcome the hurdle of "money". If his Ming Dynasty had so much money, why would he have set up so many stingy systems? It's because he has no money.

What can he do if he has no money?
If you have no money, you will live a poor life, but you can still survive by tightening your belt.

But if you want to live a rich life without money, sooner or later you will starve to death on the road.

Moreover, he only cared about his own ideas and ignored the feelings of other people in the court. This was a taboo. Even when he dealt with some officials, he had to think twice, and even made up various reasons and excuses, and made them very convincing, for fear of arousing dissatisfaction among too many people and then causing an uproar in the court.

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment.

He had actually thought about it, but not so deeply. After being reminded by Zhu Yuanzhang, he immediately realized that he had thought too little and had not taken many aspects into consideration. If not handled properly, it might cause a major political incident.

In a moment of thought.

Zhu Biao was also sweating profusely.

Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "The opinions of scholars can be listened to and used as reference, but they cannot be used directly."

"These people's ideas are too empty and their words are meaningless, but they are tasteless and a pity to discard. When you hear them more often, you will get used to them slowly."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't think it was a bad thing.

Just lack of experience.

But he is still here, and there is still time to guide and tell.

(End of this chapter)