Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 75: Abandoning the government to do business?! (Subscribe)

What is the purpose of being an official?
Zhang Zai of the Northern Song Dynasty once said: "Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, inherit the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity."

There is just a gap between ideal and reality.

Xia Zhibai's original intention was good, but it was too unrealistic and too self-righteous. There are not so many saints in the world.

There won’t be that many saints.

If everyone in the world could become a saint, then why would we need to read books by saints? And why would there be so many trivial matters in the world?
Xia Zhibai is too young.

He has never experienced the darkness and bleakness of society, nor has he experienced true despair, but after he has truly experienced it, he is still able to maintain this original intention and perhaps be so shameless.

Xia Zhibai is not qualified now!
Li Shanchang, Mao Xiang and others looked indifferent. Xia Zhibai's words had no effect on them. They had long passed the stage of impulsiveness and passion.

Now just look at the pros and cons.

Guo Chong and Wu Gongda seemed to be thinking about something, but when they saw the ministers who were responding indifferently, they quickly lowered their heads and returned to their cold expressions.

Only Hua Lun and other newly promoted Jinshi were slightly moved, but their eyes only flickered for a few times before quickly fading away.

This is the way things are.

It's not something they can reverse.

However, they also secretly admired Xia Zhibai's courage and bravery for daring to say these words in front of civil and military officials.

remarkably brave.

But that's about it.

If you are born into a career in politics, you are destined to learn to be smooth. If you are too aggressive and have too high moral standards, you will end up being unpopular everywhere.

Any tree that is beautiful in the forest will be destroyed by the wind!

Xia Zhibai has read so many books, but he has forgotten this simplest truth.

He is good at seeking the country, but he is poor at seeking his own life.

Stupid behavior.

Xia Zhibai had a calm face. He did not think of changing anything with his words. This was simply impossible. Those who share the same desire will win.

Nowadays, there is discord between the upper and lower levels.

It won't get very good results.

However, Xia Zhibai didn't mind. He just said it first, using courtesy before force. When he really put it into practice in the future, he would be successful.

There is motivation only when there is pressure.

The teacher once said that people will not make progress without pressure.

He wasn't going to leave himself any way out.

Because once there is a way to retreat, it will be difficult to have the determination to make progress and the courage to move forward. The ground is full of suffering and blood, and the only thought is to save the people.

Xia Zhibai suddenly laughed.

The smile is bright and full of fighting spirit.

It was as if he was willing to fight the whole world on his own. Everyone present could feel this attitude and their expressions were slightly moved.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xia Zhibai deeply.

He now understood that he had underestimated Xia Zhibai. He was a true patriot with lofty ambitions and the courage to be the first in the world.

He never leaves himself a way out.

Or die.

Or just keep moving forward.

But Xia Zhibai took himself too seriously. This was his world. If he didn't agree, it would be meaningless for Xia Zhibai to be so resolute.

Zhu Yuanzhang said indifferently: "Our Ming Dynasty has its own set of rules for selecting officials, and we always want to trust our Ming Dynasty officials."

"There is no need to discuss this matter further."

He waved his hand to stop the topic.

Xia Zhibai nodded slightly and continued, "Third question: May I ask if Your Majesty still has the ambition and ambition to conquer the world as he did in the past?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said proudly: "Of course we have it."

Xia Zhibai said: "The land of China reached its peak during the Qin and Han dynasties and reached its peak during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Since Your Majesty has such ambitions, you should continue the tradition and make further progress in the Ming dynasty to achieve national prosperity and people's strength."

"The world is at its peak."

"A century is only the beginning of a great undertaking that will last for thousands of years."

"However, it is difficult for the Ming Dynasty today to reproduce the glory of China's past. I am not happy with the current path of the world and I am determined to find another way."

"Xia Zhibai does not seek fame for this lifetime, but seeks prosperity for thousands of years."

"Every word I say today comes from the bottom of my heart."

"I know that it is difficult for the officials and Your Majesty to be convinced, so I dare to be the first merchant official in the world to be recognized by the court."

"I wish to use my own heart to pave a broader path for governing the world."

"One hundred words are worth one action."

"I am willing to be a pioneer in the world, to forge a new economic path for all people, for the world, and for China."

"Unlike in the past, the state advances while the people retreat, and it is also different from the past, aiming to enrich the country and strengthen the people."

"I want to prove that what I said today is not just empty talk, but that you can really put it into practice and benefit the people."

"I only wish for this."

"When I step down, I can proudly say to the local people that the country and officials they trusted have lived up to their expectations and trust."

“They made the right choice.”

"I can also proudly tell the scholars that because of my trust in the people, the people of this land no longer have to endure hunger, cold and oppression."

"Their country is extremely powerful!"

"If I, Xia Zhibai, fail to do it, or if my attempt fails, then Your Majesty, please take my life directly."

"I, Xia Zhibai, have no resentment."

"I will never regret it."

"In one's lifetime, one can either be condemned by the masses or leave one's name in history. I, Xia Zhibai, wish to be the leader of a new path for the world."

The whole place was in dead silence. As Xia Zhibai's voice fell, everyone was shocked and couldn't even believe what they heard.

Xia Zhibai is going to give up his bright future and become a "businessman" who is laughed at by the world, even though he ranked first in the imperial examination.

According to what he brought to the table, it was a foregone conclusion that he would become the top scholar. According to the Ming Dynasty's promotion path, he only needed to hone his skills in the Hanlin Academy for a few years before being sent to serve as an official in a local area, and then he would advance one level at a time every few years.

Promoted to the court.

How could he be willing to give up such a bright and prosperous road?
Hua Lun whispered, "Xia Zhibai, are you crazy? Do you know what you are talking about? Even if you have different ideas, you can go after you become an official. Why are you so determined?"

"You are confused!"

He was really anxious.

Xia Zhibai's words shocked him greatly, and he also realized that Xia Zhibai was not really arrogant before, but had his own firm beliefs.

He has a kind heart.

But precisely because of this, Xia Zhibai cannot give up his official position easily, otherwise, how can he really accomplish anything relying on his own strength?
Lian Zining was also stunned.

He stared at Xia Zhibai blankly, but only felt deeply ashamed.

The others were also shocked.

They don't believe in the concept of businessmen and officials. Businessmen are businessmen, and officials are officials. How can they be confused and integrated like this?

Once Xia Zhibai got involved with a lowly businessman, his life would be completely ruined.

Not worth the candle.

Zhu Biao's expression was also moved.

He originally thought that Xia Zhibai was just full of passion and was only good at talking, but in fact he was becoming more and more contemptuous of Xia Zhibai in his heart.

But after hearing what Xia Zhibai said today, he suddenly realized that all of them had underestimated Xia Zhibai. He had his own plans and had already planned his future, including taking part in the imperial examinations and even the palace examinations.

There is only one purpose.

Make your ideas known to the world.

He wanted to use his own efforts to create a new path for the world, which is what he called science and the future.

Zhu Biao was filled with awe.

Regardless of whether Xia Zhibai succeeds or not in the end, the fact that he dares to do so shows his courage and spirit, which surpasses most people in the world.

He is not up to it.

Li Shanchang and Zhao Mao were also stunned.

They stared at Xia Zhibai in a daze, somewhat unable to react. They thought Xia Zhibai was about to stir up a new political storm in the court.

It turned out not to be.

He had no intention of fighting in the court.

He truly serves the people wholeheartedly.

I don't care even if I lose my official position.

Then Li Shanchang also sneered. After all, he was too self-righteous. Did he really think that he could achieve something just by relying on his passion?
If everything in the world were so easy to do, there wouldn't be only a few people who succeed.

An earthworm shakes a tree without overestimating its own capabilities.

This person is nothing to be afraid of!

Li Shanchang came to a conclusion in his heart.

Tang He looked at the ground with no expression on his face, as if he hadn't heard what was said and didn't show any expression at all.

"Merchant official?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. He looked at Xia Zhibai suspiciously, chewing on this new word over and over again, with a hint of vigilance and caution in his eyes.

He doesn't trust Xia Zhibai.

However, he was quite happy that Xia Zhibai was unwilling to serve as an official in the court. Xia Zhibai was too troublesome, and who knows how much trouble he would cause if he stayed in the court.

Now it suits him just fine.

"Why should we trust you?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xia Zhibai and said coldly.

Xia Zhibai shook his head, looked directly at Zhu Yuanzhang, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty does not trust me, but the people living on this land."

"I just want to use real things to tell your Majesty and all the officials that following the old ways of the ancients is wrong, and it is a big mistake."

“The world is changing all the time.”

"The way of governance must also keep pace with the times. Governing a country is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. And it will have a real impact on the world."

“It’s the lower class people!”

"Do you really think you can do it?" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were full of contempt.

Xia Zhibai said: "We have to try it."

“The road may be tortuous, but the future is definitely bright. If you don’t even have the heart to try, that would be truly sad.”

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes uncertain, and he was a little unsure of what to do. Xia Zhibai's sudden decision was completely beyond his expectations.

It also disrupted some of his arrangements.

But when he thought of the things Xia Zhibai took out, he couldn't help but have an idea. Perhaps agreeing to Xia Zhibai might be a good idea.

The power of life and death is yours.

Think about it.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Since you have such great ambitions, why not help you?"

"Let me be frank with you. If you dare to oppress the people and bribe officials, we will not show any mercy. If you disrupt the order of the world, we will use your head to quell the chaos."

He doesn't care about anything.

As long as it affects the Ming Dynasty's rule over the world, he will kill anyone, not to mention a small person like Xia Zhibai, even generals of the three armies and important officials of the court.

He was never afraid to kill.

I never care about so-called rumors.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your permission." Xia Zhibai bowed his hands in thanks, with a shrewd look in his eyes. He did not want to take the strategy of 'surrounding the countryside with the cities', but chose to take the strategy of 'surrounding the cities with the countryside'.

From bottom to top.

Force the Ming Dynasty court to reform!
(End of this chapter)