In fact, as expected, the position of CEO of "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty" is held by Zhao Shu, the chief minister of the cabinet.
Among the important ministers of the country, there is no one more suitable than him. Leaving a name in history, especially writing history books, is the greatest honor in life for a literati.
The emperor also wanted to use this official position to reward Zhao Shu for his contribution. Similarly, it is precisely because Zhao Shu is in tune with him and knows his thoughts that it is the most suitable.
In addition to the president, there are also a large number of official positions such as supervisor, editor, historian, etc., which are all attractive fruits, making the literati in the government and the public excited collectively, which is more exaggerated than a chicken blood shot.
However, let me add a word here. The "History of the Ming Dynasty" compiled by the Qing Dynasty went through three revisions for ninety-five years. During this period, there were countless smear incidents. But again, compared with the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" and "The History of the Former Tang Dynasty" "Book" and other historical books are of higher value.
After all, it is a historical practice to discredit the previous dynasty, and it is understandable for the Manchu and Qing Dynasties to do so. After all, if it is not written that the Ming Dynasty is almost exhausted, how can it highlight the clear destiny of the Qing Dynasty?
Therefore, the greatest value of "History of the Ming Dynasty" is twofold: first, it is detailed and prudent in collecting materials; second, it is more objective and fair in its evaluation of the characters of the Ming Dynasty.
After all, the biggest tampering with history is nine truths and one falsehood. Historians, including historians, generally agree that "History of the Yuan Dynasty" was written in one year and is the worst among the Twenty-Four Histories.
Of course, it is precisely because of this that many people in the Ming Dynasty revised the "History of the Yuan Dynasty". For more than two hundred years in the Ming Dynasty, many people continued to write letters requesting to re-edit the "History of the Yuan Dynasty". However, because it was compiled by Emperor Taizu, it has been It won’t work.
Many great Confucians, who had no desire for official positions but eager for fame, went to Beijing one after another, hoping to occupy a place in the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty".
This trend quickly spread throughout the world. However, the emperor understood that this was like a bait to catch celebrities, such as a large number of veteran officials and profound scholars, so that they could support the prestige of the Shaowu court and achieve mutual benefit.
Just like Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Han Dynasty, recruited Shangshan Sihao, and Sima Yan, the Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty, recruited Li Mi, the voice of Zhaofang's new dynasty served as the icing on the cake, thereby strengthening the emperor's reputation.
What it follows is the people's admiration for virtuous kings and famous ministers. A wise king is paired with a famous minister, and a wealthy family is paired with a star player. It's nothing more than that.
The most typical person who used this trick to perfection was Sima Rui, the king of Langya in the late Western Jin Dynasty. Because he asked the celebrities Wang Dao and Wang Dun brothers to lift the chair, his worthless reputation soared instantly, and he united with the Jiangnan clan.
In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang went to beg the old officials in a low voice, but he was scorned one by one to support the Tatars, which really made him very angry.
Zhao Shu also understood the emperor's thoughts. After becoming the president, the first person he recommended to the emperor was Zhu Zhiyu, a native of Shaoxing and Yuyao County.
"Oh?" Zhu Yixi was a little surprised. He had always looked down upon those rural celebrities. In his opinion, these people are like big Vs on the Internet, self-media, with a large number of fans and the right to speak among the people. They are a mixed bag and cannot be counted.
He has always been disdainful.
"I'm afraid there are no officials like this among the officials of the fifth rank or above in the imperial court, right?" The emperor guessed slightly: "There should be no famous officials who have reached official positions."
"But a member of the clan?"
"Your Majesty, this person is a man of the people." Zhao Shu said softly: "This person has no official position and lives in the countryside, but he is well-known in Jiangnan. He can be said to know everything."
"It's just a person who is looking for fame and reputation. Sir, you praise him too much!" There was a hint of disdain in the emperor's tone.
"Your Majesty, please don't underestimate him. This person is not someone who takes the shortcut to the south, but a person with real talent and practical knowledge." Zhao Shu smiled slightly. He knew that the emperor liked those who are practical and talented, not those who are vain and incompetent. So explain it softly.
It turns out that the reason why Zhu Zhiyu became famous in Jiangnan was because of his amazing actions. Because he refused the imperial edict and became an official in the court for four times, he not only cultivated his own strength, but also impressed all the gentry among the people.
The first time he refused was in the eleventh year of Chongzhen. Emperor Chongzhen used his
"Number one in both civil and military talents" was recommended to the Ministry of Rites, but Zhu Zhiyu saw
"The world is getting worse and worse, and the country is changing."
"Officials are obtained only by money, and government is obtained by bribery." If the government is in chaos, and you cannot be tolerated by the customs, you will give up your official career and focus on learning.
The second time, in the first month of the eighteenth year of Chongzhen, King Fu ordered him to be recruited again, but he still refused to take office. The third call-up has not yet taken office.
The fourth time, in April, Jing Guogong Fang Guoan bit the bullet and recommended him again, but he still refused to take office.
He refused to be called up three times in one year and was jealous. The following year he
He is being pursued for the crime of "not receiving orders from the court and having no courtiers or courtesy". Zhu Zhiyu actually fled to Zhoushan overnight, using his business as a cover.
Hearing this, Zhu Yixi's butt determined his head, and he immediately felt that this person was rebellious and was definitely an out-and-out traitor.
Good guy, King Fu is just that, half of the country is lame, and the court is lame. But in the eleventh year of Chongzhen, King Chuang's reputation had plummeted, and Sun Chuanting and Hong Chengchou were roaming the Central Plains. At this time, he dared to refuse the imperial edict. It was absolutely audacious.
Seeing the emperor frowning and displeased, Zhao Shu excused him and said: "The Chongzhen Dynasty was turbid and the party disputes were fierce, so Zhu Zhiyu refused to enter the court; King Fu's destiny was not there, and treacherous ministers were in power, so he did not enter."
"Nowadays, the government is harmonious and the people live and work in peace and contentment. Although they don't know the way and don't pick up things, and they don't close their homes at night, they are still the same."
"It is the right time to recruit Zhu Zhiyu to the court to highlight your Majesty's virtue." Hearing this, Zhu Yixi's brows relaxed a lot.
That's right, Chongzhen, King of Fortune. The two of them were recruited many times, but none of them were officials. As a result, they were recruited by themselves, and people came running like crazy.
By comparing the two, doesn’t this just illustrate his greatness? However, he hesitated and said: "If this Zhu Zhiyu still ignores everything and refuses my call, doesn't this mean that I will be associated with Chongzhen and Prince Fu?" Zhao Shu burst out laughing when he heard this. Only then did he realize that the emperor has always been face-saving. At this time he had forgotten.
"Don't worry, before the imperial edict is called, the veteran can write a letter to test a few things."
"If it works, just issue an imperial edict; if it doesn't work, then forget about it." The emperor nodded and showed a smile.
"Besides this, is there anyone else?"
"There was a man whose original name was Gu Jishen, whose given name was Zhongqing. Later he changed his name to Yanwu, whose given name was Ningren. He also gained great fame among the people." Zhao Shu continued to recommend: "He once served in Nanjing and wrote "Military System" "On", "On Situation", "On Field Gong", "On Qian Fa", which became the 'Four Treatises on Yi and You', which attracted the attention of both the government and the public."
"In the early years of Shaowu, after the world was peaceful, he resigned from office and traveled north and south, teaching and learning. He seemed to be searching for the reason why the previous Ming Dynasty died, and he broke through countless cloth shoes."
"Because of this, he actually has the style of Wang Yangming, who seems to be creating a new school, and there are endless debates among the people..." Compared to Zhu Zhiyu, Zhu Yixi was too familiar with Gu Yanwu.
Together with Wang Fuzhi and Huang Zongxi, he was listed as the three major thinkers in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
"Rituals, justice, integrity and shame are the four dimensions"
"The rise and fall, everyone is responsible"
The catchy slogans of "Advising the world for practical purposes" speak directly to people's hearts. It can be said that Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism prevailed for four hundred years, while Yangming's philosophy of mind declined, and these ideas of Gu Yanwu were of great use value to the imperial court.
That's right, in the eyes of the imperial court, Yangming's philosophy of studying things and seeking knowledge was completely useless for governing the country, and was inferior to the increasingly decadent Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.
But these ideas of Gu Yanwu can be used by the country. Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. Isn't this calling on the people to defend the court and the Zhu family?
Isn't it to cultivate talents and govern the world to manage the world for practical purposes?
"Okay!" Zhu Yixi said excitedly: "Let's recruit Gu Yanwu first."
"I have been famous for him for a long time. Since I have such a great talent, I should compile a history book so as not to waste it." Zhao Shu was surprised.
In his opinion, Zhu Zhiyu has profound literary skills and is upright and selfless, much better than people like Gu Yanwu who are more famous than real.
The reason why Gu Yanwu was recruited was to take care of his reputation.
"Yes -" Zhao Shu sighed and continued to recommend... At this time, he was in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. Zhu Zhiyu studies calligraphy and paintings at home, which can be said to be leisurely and extremely comfortable.
He was already fifty-six years old, and he was originally passionate about restoring the country. After Emperor Shaowu unified the world again, he immediately stopped and began to spend his leisure time.
Even if there were people in the officialdom who wanted to recommend him to the court from time to time, they were all rejected. Over the years, like other great scholars, he regarded the Jiashen Rebellion as a great shame, and he was even more concerned about the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
Over the years, continuous research has finally yielded its results: To govern a country, you must apply what you have learned;
"The most important thing in learning is practice, and all the learning of sages depends on practice." But he didn't know that if in history, in order to preserve his integrity, he would live in exile in Japan for more than 20 years, teaching and teaching. to learn and teach China's advanced agriculture, medicine, construction, and craftsmanship to Japan.
Established the Shun Shui theory as its purpose
"Edo School".
"Zhiyu, Zhiyu——" Suddenly, an old shout brought Zhu Zhiyu back from his calligraphy. He hurriedly put down his pen and walked out of the room.
Taking three steps and two steps together, he helped the old man walking by. This is his eldest brother, Zhu Qiming. After his father died when he was eight years old, his eldest brother raised him like a father, which was a lot of hard work.
It was extremely hard work to support him in his studies with the military officer's salary, so he always felt respected.
"Brother, you are so old, why are you still acting like this?" Zhu Zhiyu scolded: "Sit down quickly."
"Speak slowly if you have something to say."
"Hey, isn't this good news!" Zhu Qiming is tall and tall, but he is using a cane. At the age of seventy, there is wind at his feet.
"You don't know, the imperial court is planning to recruit you as an official!" Zhu Qiming had a smile on his face and held Zhu Zhiyu's hand without letting go.
"Brother, why are you here to persuade me?" Zhu Zhiyu said helplessly: "The officialdom is turbid. I'm not suitable for being an official, so don't recommend me anymore."
"This time is extraordinary -" Zhu Qiming's voice suddenly became loud. He stared at his younger brother and said seriously: "The imperial court is going to compile the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty" and wants to recruit you as a historian. This is a good opportunity to leave your name in history. ah!"
"I don't care about your celebrity status, but you can't shirk this opportunity to honor your ancestors."
"What?" Zhu Zhiyu was stunned. He never expected that such an opportunity would fall on his head.
Over the past few days, he had heard that many people braved the cold and wanted to go north to make a name for themselves. He never thought that they would be recruited by the imperial court while they were at home.
After thinking for a long time, he opened his mouth and was about to refuse, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by his elder brother.
"Zhiyu, the youngest, you have been willful for decades. You have been studying since you were a child. I have worked hard to support you, your eldest brother, but in the end you are no longer an official." Zhu Qiming said sternly: "I will let you do whatever you want. As long as you are happy, I will do whatever you want." become."
"But now that I am old and have many children, I can no longer let you be arrogant. Clean it up for me immediately and leave for Beijing the day after tomorrow."
"No, it will be tomorrow -" Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhiyu could only smile bitterly and bow: "Oh -" The court really hit him seven inches this time.
At this time, at the foot of Huashan Mountain in Shaanxi Province, there was a lively indoor lecture in Huashan Town.
The bonfire was burning brightly, and everyone was sitting on the ground, wearing thick clothes, but their faces were full of excitement. In front of everyone, sat a man about fifty years old.
He was wearing a black cotton coat, sitting upright, with his back straight, his rough face glowing with a dark luster, and the thick bags under his eyes showing that he had been tired for a long time.
A pair of inverted eyebrows are raised, creating a majestic image.
"Since Wanli, there have been long-standing disadvantages. Dozens of villages have been raised and merged with Haoyou. This has happened everywhere. There have even been cases where there are fields and stretches of land, but the rice per household is not enough to fight against stones. There are poor people who have no standing cones, but the meters per household are up to tens of stones. By……"
"Therefore, at the end of Wanli, when slavery was established in Liaodong, between the Apocalypse and civil unrest, before internal and external attacks, how could the imperial court be invincible?" Gu Yanwu talked eloquently and fluently described the imperial court's shortcomings: "Those who are superior to others , only for their own benefit, colluding with evil gentry to plunder and plunder, causing the people's livelihood to become poorer, and the national economy to become more embarrassed, raising troops but lacking them, taking wealth but lacking the people, the more they seek it, the more money they will lack..."
"So much so that they had to levy new taxes and drink poison to quench their thirst, which led to the Jiashen Rebellion."
"Sir, I wonder how we can make the country prosperous without disturbing the people?" Suddenly, a scholar sitting down couldn't help raising his hand and asked.
Gu Yanwu smiled faintly: "Without him, wealth is hidden among the people——"
"Those who serve the country well must hide it from the people. Only in this way can we truly know the root and cause of it."
"In ancient times, rulers never talked about wealth. If the people benefit from it, the wealth will flow and benefit the officials; if the officials only benefit from it, the wealth will be blocked and it will harm the people."
"The imperial court is now frivolous in corvee and thin in taxes, exempting and exempting three taxes, clarifying taxes, and dividing the world's money and food into three classes. This is how to hide wealth among the people."
"In order to transfer the wealth from the mines to the people, open canals to the north and south, and promote sea transportation to save manpower, it can also increase wealth." Gu Yanwu said with a smile: "At this time, we will re-levy commercial taxes and rely on the profits of those merchants for official use. All the people are happy, who dares to say no?" The questions and answers were so reasonable and well-founded that people couldn't help but admire them.
After the class, everyone stood up and prepared to leave. At this time, a government official suddenly broke in, surprising everyone.
Gu Yanwu remained calm. Although he failed in the provincial examination, he was still a scholar, and even the county magistrate could not do anything to him.
Sure enough, the magistrate of Huayin County came with a smile on his face: "Mr. Tinglin, I would like to congratulate you."
"I have seen the county magistrate -" Gu Yanwu said in confusion: "I am giving a lecture here, where does the joy come from?"
"Your Majesty heard that Mr. Wang has solid knowledge and summoned you to Beijing to compile the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty"!" As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was shocked.
