How old is Han Du? He is only in his early teens. How could he have such deep thoughts?
"It's indeed a clever plan," Lao Zhu nodded with a smile as usual, and then asked nonchalantly: "But what if their officials protect each other and don't report and expose?"
At this, Han Du snorted and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, although the civil servants will protect each other, the civil servants are even more contemptuous of each other." Scholars despise each other. This is a bad habit that scholars can never change in their lives. As long as this problem exists, it is impossible for them to truly unite. Everyone has studied hard for twenty years, so why are you a third-grade official, while I can only be a small seventh-grade official?
It's just that there were no other opportunities in the past, and those with low status could only endure it. But now that I have this opportunity to achieve success, why should I tolerate you?
Lao Zhu nodded slightly and continued: "Of course it is possible to upgrade to three levels in a row, but what if the officials object?"
Han Du smiled and said casually: "If one person is promoted to three levels in a row, hundreds of officials will object. If there are ten people, they can only ask the emperor to think twice. If there are a hundred people, they will all shut up. Can’t say a word.”
Lao Zhu immediately understood that it was indeed what Han Du said. Cutting off someone's wealth is like killing one's parents. Cutting off a person's official career is like exterminating nine tribes. When one person is promoted, hundreds of officials will naturally dare to stop him, because they have the strength in numbers and are not afraid of a newly promoted official at all. But if there are ten officials and a hundred officials, then even the hundred officials will not have any objection to this, because they still dare not offend so many people to death.
Lao Zhu laughed happily. He was originally hesitant to build a Jinyi personal army. Lao Zhu naturally knew that the establishment of the Jinyi pro-army would not be a good thing for the people of the world, but in order not to be deceived by officials, he had to choose this way. Now that there is such a good method, it will cost a lot to build Jinyi's personal army. If the effect is not good enough, Lao Zhu will naturally give it up without hesitation.
"Your secret method is good. Originally, I was still worried about the fact that there are so many corrupt officials in the world. If I don't clean them out one by one, sooner or later, my country, the Ming Dynasty, will be eaten away by them.
. "Lao Zhu couldn't help but sigh.
Han Du heard the words, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, I don't know whether to say it or not."
"Say, just say it." Lao Zhu waved his hand, "No matter what you say today, I will pardon you."
Han Du smiled and nodded. In that case, don't blame yourself for being rude. He raised his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, the prosperity and decline of the country has nothing to do with honest officials, and the decline has little to do with corrupt officials."
"Why, why?" Zhu Biao was so shocked that he couldn't speak when he heard Han Du's words. This was really very different from the teachings he usually received. To put it simply, Han Du's words somewhat ruined Zhu Biao's outlook on life.
"Since ancient times, hasn't it been said that honest officials prosper and corrupt officials ruin the world?" Zhu Biao looked directly at Han Du, waiting for an explanation.
Only Lao Zhu sat there motionless, looking at Han Du calmly. He was also shocked by Han Du's words, but with Lao Zhu's city, he would not show it easily.
"Those who prospered were always capable ministers, and they had nothing to do with upright officials. Your Highness thought that Guo Ziyi in the Tang Dynasty and Zhongshi Dao in the Song Dynasty were honest officials? No. But Guo Ziyi was able to keep the building from falling, and Zhongshi Dao dominated the government easily. He just resisted the Jin Kingdom for decades and saved the Song Dynasty from war. It can be seen that this upright official is not of much benefit to the court."
Han Du paused, and then said with a hint of meaning in his tone: "In my opinion, honest officials and corrupt officials are the same, selfish people. Corrupt officials are greedy for money, and honest officials are greedy for fame. Those who are greedy for money will cause temporary harm to the people of the court. However, those who are greedy for fame can leave endless poison."
Honest officials are most likely to oppose for the sake of opposition. They always think that as long as they are not greedy, they will be able to leave a name in history. They never thought that even if he didn't take any money, the people under his rule lived like beggars. What's the use? Is this the embodiment of his ability?
On the contrary, as long as the people under his rule can live a prosperous and comfortable life, even if he is greedy, Han Du will recognize his ability. At least there is no problem with his ability, unlike an upright official, who is good for nothing except being honest.
"Nonsense." Lao Zhu said.
Hearing this, Han Du could only smile and shake his head. Since Lao Zhu disagreed,
, there is no use in talking about it anymore. But Han Du was a little unwilling and unfinished without talking about it. Thinking of this, Han Du changed his tone and said: "Your Majesty, how about I tell the Emperor a story, and the Emperor just listens to it as a story?"
Lao Zhu glanced at Han Du. He didn't know what Han Du wanted to express, but Lao Zhu didn't stop him. He was also curious about what kind of story Han Du would tell to refute him.
"speak!"
Han Du smiled and nodded, and said: "There is such a person who is both honest and capable, but he was not able to save the dynasty that was about to be destroyed. In terms of ability, he led the army for several years and regained an equivalent of 100,000 yuan for the imperial court. Several provinces lost territory. In terms of integrity, during the period when he was leading the army, the amount of military pay that passed through his hands every year exceeded 10 million taels of silver, and in a few years, it exceeded 100 million in assets. And he spent more in his life. He was in power for more than 20 years, and his annual salary alone was 20,000 taels. But when he died, he only gave a few sons and no one had 5,000 taels, and there was no more money left. . The family letter he left to his eldest son wrote: My family has been in poverty for a long time, and has been called a wealthy family recently. Although I have warned you repeatedly not to be tainted by the habits of the officials, the family income is increasing day by day, and it is no longer possible to save money. I am not honest and have no money. If you want to enrich your family, you will easily disperse if you have any leftovers, so you should make your own plans as soon as possible."
"Incorruptible money does not enrich the family, it is really a good story about a good minister." Lao Zhu couldn't help but clapped his hands and sighed, his face full of longing for such a good minister.
Han Du glanced at him, ignored Lao Zhu, and continued: "Someone once competed with him for power, secretly instigated people to impeach him, and falsely accused him of taking a large amount of bribes. So the court quietly sent people to the house to investigate. The emperor thought the result would be How about it?"
"That's sheer nonsense. How can a minister who can say such things accept bribes?" Lao Zhu said angrily, glaring a bit. But after saying that, he couldn't help but become suspicious and worried. If a bribe was really taken, it would disgust him.
Han Du raised his thumb and gestured towards Lao Zhu, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the court officials did not find any silver after they arrived at his home. Not only were the court officials asking him where the silver went, but even his wife was there. After learning that his annual salary was 20,000 taels of silver, I also grabbed his lapel and asked him where the money went."
"Rebirth of the Great Era of Fighting Waves"
