"You said it's hard for a poor family to produce a noble son?"
On the last point, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly. In the past, he had always noticed the huge differences between students from the north and the south, and had not noticed this.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang was a person who was willing to seek verification, and beckoned: "Come, please go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to check. The families of the candidates who passed the Jinshi in the last imperial examination, please come and report quickly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A eunuch walked in outside. After receiving the order, he immediately left.
Ah this
If the next investigation shows that they are all from poor families, wouldn't it be a slap in the face?
Li Xiao muttered in his heart. This idea he came up with was based on his last trip to Jiangnan. Those students wearing green shirts often go to high-end restaurants and flower houses. Therefore, Li Xiao concluded that there are no poor people who can study and gain fame. .
But this is all conjecture.
"Let's sit down and wait."
Zhu Yuanzhang asked everyone to sit down and said with a smile: "We are all one family. Why are we so tense? It doesn't matter even if Li Xiao is wrong. He dares to speak and we dare to listen."
"Yes, Father."
Zhu Di winked, and Zhu Gaoxu immediately brought the tea to Zhu Yuanzhang.
A few people sat down to drink tea.
We chatted about other things and relaxed the atmosphere.
An hour later.
The eunuch came over with the household memorials he had reviewed and said:
"Your Majesty, among the 930 Jinshi recorded in the imperial examination in the 22nd year of Hongwu, 760 were from noble surnames, and 132 were from two generations of unofficial scholarly families or famous eunuchs. The rest are The thirty-eight people are from a humble family who have been in poverty for generations and have had no fame."
The words fell.
The results came roaring out.
Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly silent, but he didn't expect it to be exactly what Li Xiao said.
Most of the officials came from noble families, and it was difficult for noble families to produce noble sons.
Fortunately, thirty-eight people were counted.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Xiao and said, "How did you notice it?"
Li Xiao answered truthfully: "This is what I guessed when I traveled to the south of the Yangtze River with Princess Yong'an this time and found that most of the students in the south were rich.
If you want to learn eight-part essay well, you need to go to school and get guidance from famous teachers. If you don't have money, you can't afford to study. Over time, your fame will be monopolized by big families. Even when the examiner sets the questions, a well-informed family can guess the examiner's preferences and gain an advantage.
For example, in this leaked exam question, there must be a conflict of interest.
Even if there are some children from poor families, the cost of going to Beijing to take the exam is very high. If you want to get the money by relying on your fame, you can only accept funding from the local landlord class.
As time goes by, it will be difficult for these children from poor families to escape from the mire and remain untainted.
When these children from poor families are admitted to the imperial examination, they will be exempted from taxes. The land of these landlords is often transferred to the students, thereby evading taxes, which is in short a disadvantage to the country.
The most frightening thing is that even if these children from poor families become officials, they will have to move closer to the powerful circles in the court because of their poverty. They are often used as assassins and cannot display their true talents at all. "
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded thoughtfully, "No wonder the candidates from the north and the south are mostly students from the south. It is also for this reason. Li Xiao, you have good observation skills."
After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "But what you said later is a bit alarmist. Can they hug each other? Do they dare? ?"
"dare"
Li Xiao thought for a while and said, "I have a plan. Your Majesty will know it after you try it."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Tell me and listen."
Li Xiao said: "Your Majesty, as long as you touch the interests of the officials, they will come out to stop you. They will form a group to stop you."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly.
Li Xiao looked at Zhu Di and said, "Didn't His Highness say before that if you want to attack Beiyuan, you need to raise military expenses?"
Zhu Di nodded: "Yes, Li Xiao, do you have any good ideas?"
Li Xiao said: "The only option is to increase taxes."
Zhu Di said: "It is difficult to raise taxes. I haven't figured out where to start yet. People's lives are not easy, so we can't ask them for money."
Li Xiao smiled and said: "Of course that's not good. I think it's time to collect taxes from the rich. Iron mines, salt mines and other private kilns are big money-makers. Why not increase taxes on these people?"
Zhu Di's eyes lit up and he said: "This is a good idea. Do you mean that Baiguan will stop Gu?"
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang also understood Li Xiao's intention and said: "Li Xiao, I understand what you mean. Most of those folk kilns are the property of the gentry. What you mean is that if we increase taxes, these officials will Come out and stop us??”
Li Xiao nodded: "This way we can see that there is still a group in the court. They are usually quiet and do not engage in corruption. That is because their families have fertile land and property, or they belong to relatives. , or belong to a good friend’s family, in short it is not in their name, but the benefits will eventually flow into the hands of the aristocratic family.”
After finishing speaking, Li Xiao said: "I have one more thing to say, I don't know whether I should say it or not."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Speak, I will tell you thoroughly today!"
Li Xiao said with a smile: "That's what I said, to say something treasonous. It's true that once the emperor is the emperor, there are always ministers. But no matter how the court changes, the great family can always stand firm. They have become a giant beast, and it is difficult to Even if the dynasty changes, they can adapt according to the rules, their industry will always be protected, and their family will always have people serving as officials in the court."
After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly surprised. He had seen this a long time ago, but Li Xiao dared to say it.
He blew on the tea soup in the teacup and said, "Fourth, let's give it a try."
"correct."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Xiao, "You have said so much and you are saying that there is something wrong with our stereotyped recruitment of scholars. So what do you think?"
Li Xiao thought for a while and recalled this period of history. The reason for abolishing the eight-part essay selection process is that it restrains the minds of talented people. This is not conducive to the cultivation of innovative talents. It also restrains the candidates from content to form, which makes many Most of the talented and learned people do not pay attention to practical knowledge, and the harm to modern China was also great.
However, it was abolished on September 2, 1905. On this day, Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai jointly petitioned for the immediate suspension of the imperial examination. In 1906, all township examinations were stopped, the eight-legged examination was officially abolished, and the imperial examination was officially abolished. The Minister of State quickly issued various textbooks.
If you want to abolish stereotyped writing, you must replace it with corresponding examination methods, and education must be provided to support this examination. It cannot be replaced by just changing it.
Li Xiao felt that although there were many dangers, it was too difficult to change. If he took too big a step, it would be easy to lose his temper. This was not something he could do successfully. This would require a group of literary figures to work together to reform successfully.
In the end, Li Xiao shook his head: "I don't have any good solutions at the moment. I just saw the problem and haven't figured out how to solve it yet."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "."
Zhu Di: "."
Zhu Gaoxu: "."
Zhu Gaosui: "This is not about taking off your pants and farting, is it unnecessary??"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly, stood up, looked at Li Xiao and said: "Li Xiao, get up."
"ah?"
Li Xiao stood up in confusion.
"Ouch~~~"
Li Xiao felt like he was kicked in the butt. It didn't hurt, but he still pretended to grin and flew out.
Zhu Yuanzhang kicked Li Xiao to relieve his hatred, and cursed: "You brat, you taught us lessons for more than two hours, and a group of us listened to your analysis for two hours, and in the end you said there was nothing you could do??? You The boy is talking nonsense!"
Zhu Di was overjoyed. His father kicked Li Xiao's butt and looked furious, but in fact he was just pretending, which was a sign of kindness.
If you are really angry and don't hit you, scold you, say a word to you, or tell you whether you are right or wrong, then you are really dead.
Zhu Di hurriedly coaxed Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "Father, calm down. Li Xiao, a boy with such virtue, can talk to you for a long time, but in the end, isn't this a joke?"
After saying that, he looked at Li Xiao again, showing a stern look, and scolded: "Li Xiao, why don't you pour tea for your imperial grandfather to calm him down?"
"okay."
Li Xiao jumped up, dusted his butt, smiled, poured tea and handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Your Majesty, you are the hero. If I point out the problem, you will definitely think of a solution. Don't worry about it."
Li Xiao said this, thinking, I have thrown the problem to you, I want you to realize this problem, you can find your own way to solve it.
After all, there is nothing I can do about such a big problem that shakes the roots of the world’s elites.
Zhu Yuanzhang took a sip of tea and said: "You kid, can't you let us have a good rest? We are planning to leave the government alone, and you have raised such a big problem again. What you said must also be explained. .”
Li Xiao thought for a while and said: "I think that there should not be too many changes. The imperial examination can be carried out as usual, but the content can be slightly changed and liberalized. It is not limited to the four books, five classics and eight-part literary style. We can even let the officials of the six departments each come up with some questions. Let’s test their practical abilities.”
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and said, "Let Zhu Di consider this."
After saying that, he looked at Zhu Di and said: "Fourth brother, you go and try it out to see if these guys are what Li Xiao said. Let the news out now. The imperial army is going to attack Beiyuan and they will levy an additional mineral tax. I'll bring it up to you tomorrow morning and see how the officials react. If it's like Li Xiao said, and they are hugging each other, then there is really something wrong with this bad-gut recruitment."
After the tax is increased, you can go out to fight. Zhu Di was overjoyed and handed over his hands: "Yes, father."
Li Xiao cupped his hands and prepared to leave.
Zhu Yuanzhang came over and whispered: "You are such a thief. I just kicked you with a lot of force. How can you fly so far?"
Li Xiao chuckled: "Your Majesty, the sword is still powerful and powerful!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, "Go, go, go to court tomorrow morning, remember to come over."
Li Xiao cupped his hands and said, "I accept the order."
On the way back.
The two of them rode horses towards the palace in the capital.
Li Xiao thought about today's events for a moment, looked at Zhu Gaoxu, and said, "Am I being abrupt when I say this today?"
Zhu Gaoxu thought for a while and said: "I don't think it's rude, brother-in-law. To be honest, brother, I very much agree with your idea. Scholars are a group of people who harm the country and the people. They point at you all day long."
Li Xiao held his forehead, feeling that if he asked, he didn't ask.
Zhu Gaoxu was a military general, so he naturally had no dealings with civil servants.
As the saying goes, couples should discuss things when they have something to do. Li Xiao still planned to discuss it with Zhu Ningyun after returning to the mansion.
It was already evening after returning to the mansion.
The burning clouds on the horizon dyed the sky an egg yellow color.
Today, Zhu Ningyun went shopping with several young princesses, bought some clothes for Li Xiao, and had people prepare meals to welcome the two of them.
"Xiaolang, you've worked hard today, why did you stay all day?"
Zhu Ningyun welcomed Li Xiao in with a smile and introduced: "Xiaolang, today several princesses are visiting the house. This is Princess Nankang, this is Princess Yongjia, this is Princess Hanshan, this is Princess Baoqing, and this is Jiangdu Princess."
There were several little girls standing in front of them, all of whom were Zhu Yuanzhang's daughters. They were about the same age as Zhu Ningyun. The youngest, Princess Baoqing, was only seven years old. They all had good looks. After all, they were all born to the concubines behind them, so their looks were not bad.
In fact, most of them came with a purpose, because other dignitaries could not make friends with Li Xiao. After being granted the title of Duke, countless dignitaries visited Li Xiao these days with generous gifts, but they were all rejected by Li Xiao.
Several people came to visit the house together early in the morning, and then invited Zhu Ningyun to go shopping and play on the street with him on the pretext of showing him the city of Nanjing.
At this time, several princesses saluted one after another: "I have met Duke Yongle."
Li Xiao smiled, cupped his hands, and joked: "Then should Li Xiao call you aunt or princess?"
"Calling me aunt makes me look old. Just call me princess."
Several princesses covered their mouths and laughed, looked at Ningyun and said: "Ningyun, the Duke is really as you said, humorous and handsome. I really envy you."
Zhu Ningyun smiled like a flower and said modestly: "Where is it?"
In fact, most women are vain. Although Zhu Ningyun never pays attention to these things, she is very happy to be praised so much.
"Ouch."
Zhu Gaoxu came over and said, "Are these little aunts here to see this king?"
Several little girls gave him a blank look, leaving Zhu Gaoxu in trouble.
Afterwards, Zhu Ningyun invited everyone in, and everyone was eating and drinking. The princesses were particularly enthusiastic. They kept praising Zhu Ningyun, saying that she was naturally beautiful, and praising Ningyun for her good vision. Finding such a husband made her happy. He had the opportunity to introduce them to them as well.
Li Xiao became interested and said, "That's okay. There is a general named Zhang Fu in Peiping. He has made two meritorious services and has been named a marquis."
As soon as the words came out, the princess pestered Li Xiao and asked him to mention something to her father.
"Mr. Yongle, I really envy you. You get to see your father every day, unlike us, who can't see him every few years."
Speaking of this, several little girls looked at Li Xiao with envy.
Ah this
Li Xiao didn't know how to answer. No wonder the ancients said that pitiful beauties always have a bad fate, and the most ruthless emperors are.
It's really pitiful that I can't even see my father a few times a year.
Li Xiao felt that he could indeed meet Zhu Yuanzhang every day, but he didn't know whether it was good or bad.
"Being with you is like being with a tiger. You don't have to envy me. Your father kicked my ass today and it still hurts." Li Xiao could only comfort me.
Hearing this,
Zhu Ningyun was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Xiaolang, are you okay??"
Li Xiao smiled and waved his hand, "It's okay. Fortunately, the kick wasn't heavy. I'll tell you more about this tonight."
Zhu Ningyun felt relieved, thinking that according to the temper of the emperor's grandfather, he would treat Li Xiao as his own person instead of kicking his ass. His father also loved Li Xiao so much, so nothing would happen.
The banquet lasted for almost an hour and a half before slowly dispersing.
Li Xiao and Zhu Ningyun sent everyone outside the house. After all, they were all aunts, so they had to be polite.
After sending several people to the carriages in their respective palaces, Li Xiao and the others were about to turn around and return home. In fact, one carriage did not leave at all.
After everyone left, Princess Nankang suddenly got off the carriage.
This Princess of Nankang is Nian Fang. Li Xiao just noticed that her clothes are worse than others. She doesn't have gold hairpins or other jewelry, so she looks plain.
What Li Xiao didn't expect was that she suddenly knelt in front of Li Xiao.
Zhu Ningyun was shocked and hurriedly helped her up and said, "Aunt Yuhua, what are you doing? Get up quickly."
However, Princess Nankang did not get up. Instead, she looked at Li Xiao, choked with tears, and said: "Mr. Yongle, please take the sake of my relationship with Ningyun and help my husband Hu Guan to intercede with Your Majesty. , spare his life, I know this is very abrupt, but I really have no other way, please.”
After listening to the words, Li Xiao roughly understood that Hu Guan was the son of Dongchuan Hou, who was also part of Lan Yu's party. This time, everyone was imprisoned by the Holy Emperor. His family was implicated and they were probably not going to survive.
"Princess Nankang, please get up. You have to ask for this yourself."
Li Xiao helped her up, but she knelt and refused to get up. Li Xiao had no choice but to say: "Sorry, I can't do anything."
Princess Nankang begged: "You are a popular person in front of His Majesty, you must have a way."
Li Xiao didn't answer. He thought for a while and realized that his plea might be useful, but it would only consume his friendship with Zhu Yuanzhang, so he decided not to do it. Besides, he had no friendship with Princess Nankang.
Zhu Ningyun glanced at Li Xiao and knew what her husband was thinking. She pulled Princess Nankang up with force and said, "Aunt Yuhua, you heard it too. Today, Lord Yongle himself was kicked and punished by His Majesty. This matter is not It’s helpful, you’d better think of another way and go and beg the Holy One yourself.”
"But I can't see my father at all," Princess Zhu Yuhua of Nankang cried.
After a few more words of persuasion, Princess Zhu Yuhua of Nankang looked at Li Xiao's indifferent expression and had no choice but to wipe her tears and leave.
Looking at that lonely back, for a moment, Li Xiao suddenly felt that this woman was a little pitiful, but he was helpless. There were too many helpless things in the world. It was better for him to have less involvement in the affairs of the emperor's family.
After Princess Nankang left, another person came from the darkness and knelt in front of Li Xiao. Li Xiao felt a little helpless. He seemed to have become a favorite now?
"Mr. Yongle, please beg for mercy from the Holy One and spare my brother. My father demoted him to a commoner and exiled him to Yunnan. He has been pampered since he was a child. I'm afraid he won't survive after this."
This crying little girl is the eldest daughter of Prince Zhu Biao, the princess of Jiangdu, and the granddaughter of Zhu Yuanzhang. She is about the same age as Ningyun and is Ningyun's cousin.
"Are you Zhu Yunwen's sister?" Li Xiao asked.
The little girl nodded and begged again.
This little girl had been looking very worried at the dinner table just now. It turned out that she was here to beg for mercy.
"Forgive me for being helpless." Li Xiao shook his head helplessly.
Zhu Ningyun still tried to persuade him before he persuaded him to leave.
Looking at that lonely figure, Zhu Ningyun couldn't help but sigh:
"Although the emperor's family is born with wealth, who can understand the pain involved?"
This sentence shocked Li Xiao again. Damn it, why did he feel more and more bold about what he did during the day?
Thinking of this, Li Xiao asked: "By the way, Ningyun, how is Mahe's shipyard doing?"
The ship still needs to be built, but if things go wrong one day, run away immediately, find a place to become the king, establish a country, and worship Ningyun as the empress.
Zhu Ningyun looked slightly confused and said: "Why did you mention this suddenly? Ma He wrote a letter a few days ago, saying that he had gathered more people to start preparations."
Li Xiao nodded.
Zhu Ningyun pulled Li Xiao back to his house and said, "Xiaolang, do you have something to tell me?"
Li Xiao then told what happened today.
"You said that recruiting scholars with stereotypes is not good for the country? Is the battle over the destiny of the country a great battle?"
Zhu Ningyun looked at Li Xiao in surprise.
Li Xiao was stunned for a moment and nodded truthfully. There should be no secrets between husband and wife.
"Xiaolang, I don't even know how to express what I'm thinking."
After Zhu Ningyun heard this, she threw herself in front of Li Xiao and hugged Li Xiao tightly.
In my heart, there was a sense of worship. The meaning of that worship was indescribable. It was a kind of love that transcended the ordinary world. The love between the two sublimated at this moment.
Among them, it includes the connection between the two people's lofty ideals, the most beautiful form of love, the righteousness of family and country, and the pursuit of common ideals.
Don't say anything. There are few people here who can speak. The beauty of love cannot be conveyed in words, but it can shake mountains and rivers. Don't ask me, Youyou, after we say goodbye. There are countless things that can't be said.
Li Xiao looked slightly surprised and said, "Ningyun, you don't seem to blame me?"
He thought that his actions during the day would make Ningyun worried.
Zhu Ningyun: "Fool, why should I blame you?"
In her heart, Li Xiao became the hero she admired.
Li Xiao: "So."
Zhu Ningyun: "Actually, I have long felt that stereotyped writing can harm the country and the people, but I can't do anything. I am just a woman, but you are different, Li Xiao. You are a man, and you obviously have power and wealth that are astonishing to ordinary people. You You have them all, but you dare to do things that ordinary people cannot do."
Li Xiao: "What's different about me? I feel like I'm just an ordinary person, some ordinary people who don't know the heights of the world."
Zhu Ningyun smiled: "You are different. You keep saying that you are doing these things for me to let me see the prosperous Ming Dynasty. But I know that you have unknowingly regarded this as one of your goals. Maybe I changed you, didn't I?"
Li Xiao nodded: "Maybe."
Zhu Ningyun: "You have also changed me. I have never had such an idea before. I read thousands of history books. It was not until I stepped out of Prince Yan's Mansion with you, walked into the world, and saw all kinds of things in the world, that I realized that if people It would be great to be able to do something for this world. My journey in this world is not in vain. It was you who changed me."
Li Xiao sighed: "Maybe they changed each other."
Zhu Ningyun: "I support you, let's work hard together. Think about it, now the Holy Emperor is our imperial grandfather, the Prince is our father, the Emperor's grandson is my brother, and you are the Duke of the country. In this world, except for them, , There is no one more powerful than us! If no one does something, then no one really does it. And we have such ability, why not do it."
After hearing these words, all the doubts in Li Xiao's heart were slowly solved.
Yes, I always say that I want to leave something behind for this world and the long river of history, but in the end, I am timid and unable to see clearly like Ningyun.
Li Xiao suddenly recalled a great man, a great person.
In this world, if that person didn't stand up when millions of people were in danger, would there really be a second person like that who stood up?
Will China still stand on top of the world in the future?
Maybe not at all. As Zhu Ningyun said, if no one does some things, then no one really does it!
Fortunately he was born in China.
There is also Qin Shihuang, the emperor of the ages.
The land of China, because of the existence of Qin Shi Huang, unified the land of China.
Because of him, the ambition of all subsequent emperors was always to unify, and the vast land of China, the southern and northern borders, with the succession of dynasties, and the glorious history of thousands of years, became the country of China!
On the European continent, it was precisely because there was no such great person that it split into countless small countries. If the land of China had not had the emergence of the First Emperor and the Qin State with its remaining heroes, would it still be the Seven Kingdoms now? , or even several countries continue to have disputes?
Some people will definitely say that without his appearance, someone else will appear. Times make heroes.
But with this historical trend, without the emergence of this person, there would not be another person!
In an instant, Li Xiao had a clear idea, looked at Ningyun and said: "Ningyun, I understand what you said, and I understand your ambition. Our ideals are the same, and we are working hard for a prosperous Ming Dynasty."
Why don't two people with infinite lifespans dare to make such a grand ambition?
Zhu Ningyun smiled and said: "That's right, Xiaolang, feel free to do it. I will always support you silently. My father is the prince, so what do we have to worry about? The emperor also has great trust in you, so what are you worried about?" To put it another way, with the abilities of the two of us, the world is so big, where can we go? We can control our own destiny!"
Li Xiao: "Yes, the world is so big that there is nowhere to go. I understand. Thank you, Ningyun."
Zhu Ningyun: "Thank you, Xiaolang."
The two embraced each other, and the love at this moment surpassed everything in the world.
At the same time, a long-lost sweet sound came to Li Xiao's ears.
【Ding! You have given birth to a higher ideal, your souls are intertwined, and your dreams resonate. It has surpassed the undying love in the world, and no one in the world can match it. When Ningyun's favorability towards you is +0.1, the current favorability is 99.1. Please keep improving. When the favorability reaches 100, you will receive the ultimate gift package. 】
(End of chapter)
