Ming politicians

() Thirty of the twelfth lunar month, early in the morning. If you choose such a special day to come to your home, you must have expressed admiration for your strong support for the establishment of the Zhongxing Academy, but there may be other things.

The argument between Su Tiancheng and Liu Zongzhou last time, Sun Chengzong and others were not too convinced. It is no wonder that they themselves are the products of Confucianism education, and it is impossible to know the model of social development hundreds of years later, let alone those who It is an advanced idea. Su Tiancheng is at the forefront of the times. Based on the Zhongxing Academy, he implements his own ideas step by step. Sun Chengzong and others need time to adapt.

Sure enough, after sitting down and chatting for a while, Sun Chengzong mentioned the purpose of the Zhongxing Academy. He clearly believed that Liu Zongzhou’s idea of ​​prudence and independence should be adhered to, regardless of whether the scholar-officials, gentry and wealthy households can achieve it, or not. No matter how Liu Jingting's quick book reveals some of the following problems, as a scholar or even a scholar-bureaucrat, he still cannot give up on the ideals he pursues, and cannot fully focus on reality.

Su Tiancheng kept paying attention to the expressions of Lu Shanji and Huang Daozhou, and found that they also agreed.

In any case, the purpose of Zhongxing Institute must be adhered to. This is the bottom line that cannot be crossed.

The opinions and understandings of Sun Chengzong, Lu Shanji, and Zodiac on Wednesday are very important. They are the leading force of the Zhongxing Society, in terms of thinking and understanding.It is also biased towards Liu Zongzhou, and even the Donglin Party and Fushe.Then my painstaking efforts will be in vain, and I must correct some stubborn things in their thinking and understanding to the greatest extent.

"The three adults mentioned Shendu. The younger generation said it long ago. It's not against Shendu's point of view, but the timing must be right. The three adults are aware of the debate between the younger generation and Lord Liu. The younger generation will not say more. Today ri is New Year's Eve, this junior will tell a story to the three adults."

"A long time ago, a certain tribe was very poor. The people here lived in a very difficult situation, and their food production was very low. They couldn't fill their stomachs, and they had to go to the mountains to dig wild vegetables to satisfy their hunger."

"The leader of the tribe is old and plans to choose an heir. The condition given by the leader is that the leader can lead his people to live a good life, no matter where the person comes from."

"Three scholar-bureaucrats went. They all wanted to be the leader of the tribe. The old leader saw three scholars and was willing to come to the tribe. He was very happy, but facing the three of them, he couldn't choose for a while, so he made a decision Let the three of them explain their views in front of his people, and whoever can impress the people can be the leader."

"The first scholar-bureaucrat came to the stage to give a speech. The point he put forward was to let the ethnic group strengthen their studies, establish lofty ideals, and have unusual moral concepts. Everyone loves each other and works together to make life better."

"The second scholar-bureaucrat also came to the stage to give a speech. The point he put forward was to make the people rich. He did a lot of calculations and said that what kind of advantages the people have. As long as everyone listens to him, follow along. Do it, you will definitely earn a lot of money and live a good life."

"After the speeches of the two, the people of the ethnic group did not have much interest."

"The third scholar-official came on stage, he only said a word, and the people below began to cheer, so that everyone rushed to the stage, lifted this scholar-official high, and unanimously supported this scholar-official as their leader. "

"Three adults, I think you may not know what the third scholar-bureaucrat said."

Su Tiancheng looked at Sun Chengzong and the other three, and found that they were all deep in thought.

"What this scholar-bureaucrat said is very simple. He said that as long as he serves as the leader of the tribe, all the tribesmen will be able to eat three meals a day."

There was silence in the study for a while, and after a while, Su Tiancheng spoke again.

"Three lords, this is why the younger generation opposes Shendu. Thinking about how many problems I faced in the Ming Dynasty, it was already precarious. What the emperor thought of was to solve the many problems we faced, and it was a notice to stabilize the court. The officials in the middle are also divided into three categories. One category puts forward prudence and independence, and requires everyone from the emperor to the civil and military officials to strengthen their own self-cultivation. From the height of morality, a certain degree of combination system is used to solve the problem of the imperial court. disadvantages in the

"Other civil and military officials see difficulties in their eyes, and difficulties in their minds. The suggestions and opinions they put forward are to remove the east wall and make up the west wall, just like a framer. The chronic illnesses that existed in the Ming Dynasty, or the unwillingness to touch such chronic illnesses, always advocate repairs."

"Just imagine, these two types of civil and military officials are so similar to the first two scholar-bureaucrats in the story of the younger generation. They both put forward ambitious goals, but it's not that the people don't believe them. The people can't afford to wait. It is estimated that many people will starve to death before the goal is achieved.”

"Look at the method proposed by the third scholar-bureaucrat. Perhaps in some people's eyes, it is so vulgar that it can't be regarded as a goal, but the people support him and ask him to be the leader. Why, why? It is because he discovered the crux of the problem. He is very clear about what the ethnic group needs and what to do first. He understands that after a period of hard work, the ethnic group can eat their stomachs, and then they can solve other problems. question."

"Three lords, when the younger generation was arguing with Master Liu, why didn't you agree with Master Liu's idea of ​​being independent? The emperor is eager to change the current predicament. There are bandits and harassing, and disasters continue. The common people can't eat enough and starve to death. All over the land, there are Houjin invasions from outside, threatening our Ming Dynasty. At such a critical moment, we ask the emperor to be cautious and independent, and ask civil and military officials, scholar-officials, and wealthy gentry to do a good job of cautious independence. They can defeat the bandits, expel the Houjin, and let the people Are you filling your stomach?"

"You don't need to say too much, the three adults also know that this is definitely not acceptable."

"The younger generation is by no means against the idea of ​​Shendu. All scholars must have lofty moral qualities. Only in this way can the world be governed better. But you have to see when and under what circumstances to advocate Shendu."

"The views advocated by the Zhongxing Institute have three points that are the most prominent. One is to grasp the sufferings of the people, truly know what the people need, what the government needs to do, and what aspects the government should make efforts. Preaching, eating the king's salary, and being loyal to the king, no matter you are the magistrate, prefecture, or county magistrate, you are the parents of the people, then you must do your best to ensure that the people have enough food and clothing. The common people have enough food and clothing. Thirdly, rich gentry households, including gentry, must make contributions. The imperial court has a lot of favors for gentry and gentry, but this is not the reason for gentry not to contribute. In terms of taxes and other aspects, you have to pay money , and take out the silver first.”

"The younger generation's biggest views on Donglin Academy and Fushe come from these three aspects. Donglin Academy and Fushe blindly emphasize respect for the ancients, and blindly emphasize that they protect the interests of the gentry and rich households. They also care about the common people. but they just said, did they think of a good solution to solve the problem? The juniors know that they don’t have it. The juniors find it ridiculous that in some places, there is no income. They hypocritically say that taxes are exempted, This is really a joke, people will starve to death without a grain of food, if you go to exempt them from taxes, if you don’t exempt them, how can you receive taxes.”

"The pilot project done by the younger generation in Jiangning County is to require the wealthy gentry to make contributions and pay taxes first. The Department of Shipping has abolished the so-called preferential treatment for wealthy gentry and even scholar-bureaucrats. No matter whose goods are sold, All taxes must be paid, since you can earn money, you should bear the tax."

"The younger generation has exempted the land tax, and it will be exempted next year. What is the purpose of doing this? It is to let the farmers barely have enough food and clothing. The younger generation also thought that when a certain time comes, the county government will help the farmers to gradually become rich."

"Based on this, the juniors feel that the mission of the Zhongxing Academy is very heavy. The influence of the Zhongxing Academy is not only in Jiangning County, Yingtianfu, and even Nanzhili, but in a short period of time, these understandings , spread to all parts of our Ming Dynasty, and the Zhongxing Academy will spread all over our Ming Dynasty."

Sun Chengzong's face turned red again.

After Su Tiancheng finished speaking, he spoke first.

"Master Su has such an idea and vision, which is the gospel of my Ming Dynasty. The Zhongxing Academy shoulders a heavy responsibility, and this old man has thrown his old bones on it. What Master Su said today is really enlightening and kind. Ji, Dao Zhou, the old man has figured it out, I don't know what you guys think."

Lu Shanji nodded, but did not speak.

Zodiac Zhou spoke.

"Master Su, I am getting more and more ashamed after talking with you a few times. I have learned a lot. The point of view that Master Sun said represents my understanding. I will set off tomorrow and go directly to find Liu Zongzhou. These words, Let him listen too, and see what he thinks."

Su Tiancheng felt very tired. For the matter of the Zhongxing Academy, for the continuation of the Ming Dynasty, and for the change of history, he had had too many debates. These debates, in retrospect, were not so simple, but It is necessary again, the bloody suppression is only one aspect, and the invasion of culture can produce long-term effects.

Therefore, for all these reasons, the Zhongxing Institute must adhere to a pragmatic view, must adhere to the purpose of doing practical things for the common people, and must break away too many privileges of the gentry and wealthy households.