Liu Bowen looked serious and looked expectantly, but his words shocked Zhu Su.
In desperation, he didn't know how to deny it, so he could only put on a stiff smile and said: "Mr. Liu...why did you suddenly say this?"
When Liu Bowen saw Zhu Su's expression, he was already convinced. His expression became more respectful, and he spoke out his usual guess:
"Your Highness, do you still remember our defeat in the north of Daming Ridge in the fifth year of Hongwu?"
"At that time, everyone in the government and the public said that it was a huge defeat, and even the ministers were worried. But His Majesty was certain that if General Xu's command was stable, the main force of our Ming Dynasty would still be alive."
"If this matter can be said to be a deliberate act of His Majesty's great talent and brilliance in order to stabilize the situation in the DPRK...then he went his own way and attacked the little-known Jurchen Jurchen in Jianzhou. This matter is no matter what. It’s inexplicable.”
Zhu Su had a strange look on his face. It was true that he plowed holes in the courtyard of a small tribe that he had never heard of before. This was so deliberate that there was no way to explain it. Liu Bowen saw his expression in his eyes. Then he continued: "After that, His Majesty calmly laid out the plan. Hu Weiyong had just spoken out lies that night, and it was known to the Jin Yiwei. Looking at the whole story, from the moment Hu Weiyong relied on His Highness's power to win over hundreds of officials, he had already fallen into the trap. Your Highness clearly He has no intention of seizing the direct heir, but he agrees with Hu Weiyong to form gangs in the name of His Highness..."
"This is naturally the result of His Majesty's instructions. But Hu Weiyong has not shown any signs of counterargument before. It seems that His Majesty and the Fifth Prince have known about Hu Weiyong's ambition for a long time, and they will definitely act against him."
"Not to mention, the science your Highness studied is extremely profound and is not like contemporary learning. Your Majesty has recently made drastic changes to the old system..."
"Your Highness, could it be that the tax system, the government system, Neo-Confucianism, etc., are all harmful to me in the future?"
Zhu Su was speechless. The matter of dealing with Hu Weiyong was originally a trap set by Lao Zhu in order to quickly remove the power of the prime minister and purge Huaixi officials. The Hu Weiyong case in history will not happen for many years. It can be said that Hu Weiyong was conspired by Lao Zhu and himself to be promoted to the position of prime minister.
When things are done in a hurry, there are naturally things left to do. Facing Liu Bowen's analysis and inquiry, Zhu Su had no choice but to remain silent.
Liu Bowen saw it clearly and sighed: "The veteran has also practiced the art of prophecy, but the hexagrams he obtained are often specious."
"In this way, His Highness's prophecy skills must be better than those of many of my veterans."
"I don't know any prophecy skills." Zhu Su said.
"Your Highness has not denied that he can know the future." A smile appeared on Liu Bowen's lips. Zhu Su was startled and glared at him fiercely. You old man actually dug a hole for me!
"Your Highness doesn't want to say more, I think there is something unspeakable." Liu Bowen had already figured out the information he wanted, so he handed over to Zhu Su. "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will always be loyal to Your Majesty. Your Highness wants me to serve as the eunuch of the Imperial Academy, and I will do so."
"Once His Highness and His Majesty give orders, I will definitely obey them."
At this time it became "Your Highness and His Majesty" again. It seems that the previous statement of willingness to "dedicate oneself to one's best" was really just a trick. Zhu Su silently complained in his heart, old fox.
He is worthy of being compared with Zhuge Kongming.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Su asked: "Mr. Liu, I also have a question, sir, please clarify it."
"Mr. was originally a Jinshi of Yuanting, and later became an official. He also helped Yuanting to quell the Red Turban Rebels."
"Then he served in the Ming Dynasty and became the uncle. At that time, all the nobles in the court were led by Mr."
"This is the time when it was clear that we could seize great power and express our ambitions. However, we retreated bravely and did not care about the affairs of the court. Instead, we took shelter in a small imperial manor..."
"Sure, I'm stupid. I really can't understand what my husband really wants in this life. Therefore... I can't show my true feelings to you, sir."
Zhu Su's words were very candid. No matter in history or in reality today, he never dared to say that he understood Liu Bowen. Although this man served in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Su always felt that he did not really show his sincerity even when facing Lao Zhu.
Always be on guard.
In view of this feeling, Zhu Su's trust in Liu Bowen, a famous official throughout the ages, was not even as much as that of Song Lian. After all, Song Lian was a sincere gentleman, but Liu Bowen... Zhu Su couldn't see through it.
"...What is it that I want...?" Regarding Zhu Su's almost offensive question, Liu Bowen was not sullen, but smiled with understanding. He pondered for a while and then said: "If I tell His Highness... what I want is just to protect myself wisely... Will Your Highness believe it?"
"Letter." Zhu Su said. Although Lao Zhu has not yet attacked the meritorious officials, with Liu Bowen's wisdom, he has probably figured out that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. "But that's not what I want to ask. Sir, you are a great talent. If you just want to be wise and protect yourself, you can just hide in the mountains during the turmoil in the late Yuan Dynasty. Why do you want to go out to quell the chaos and help the Ming Dynasty?"
"Why...just now did you use words to deceive me?"
Zhu Su looked at Liu Bowen with burning eyes.
Liu Bowen was speechless for a moment, and then laughed like a self-mockery. "Your Highness is indeed a very good person. I admire you very much."
"What I want is actually...the peace and prosperity of the people and the country."
"The people are safe and the country is peaceful?" Zhu Su frowned.
"Yes." Liu Bowen nodded. "In this life of my veteran, I have seen many times when the people are in dire straits and the world is in turmoil...Does your Highness understand?"
Zhu Su shook his head and nodded again. He had not witnessed the turmoil in the world with his own eyes, but in his previous life, in textbooks and photos, he could also glimpse the dark and humiliating history of Yi Er...
Liu Bowen's language was a bit urgent. "After tomorrow, will there still be a disaster of overturning?"
"Otherwise, why would His Majesty suddenly take such drastic measures to reform the government? Your Highness, you are also reforming Confucianism and introducing science..."
"There must be no reason for being so impatient! Your Highness, can you tell me directly?"
This was the first time that Zhu Su saw this old man being so sincere. After several attempts with words, the old man responded with sincerity and ignored him.
If Liu Bowen could be allowed to join the plan of the rise of the Ming Dynasty wholeheartedly, it would be like adding more power to a tiger. Zhu Su thought about it and suddenly had an idea, so he stood up, put his hands behind his back and walked a few steps.
Just when Liu Bowen was confused about what Zhu Su was doing, he suddenly heard the Fifth Highness recite:
"The world values literature but not martial arts. Heroes always have no youth. Wu Ziji is as ugly as a mess. People everywhere are not at home."
"I encountered famine and grass bandits by chance, and guarded the sweet-scented osmanthus safely. I got six hundred and half, and I was frightened when I dreamed that the flower would have a son."
Liu Bowen was startled, what kind of poem was this, and then he quickly realized that this was a prophecy!
There is chaos, people are not at home everywhere, there is famine and banditry... This is all about the end of the dynasty and the scene of troubled times!
Also, emphasizing literature rather than military force... Could it be that the future chaos of the Ming Dynasty was all due to civil servants? No wonder His Majesty and His Highness want to rectify Confucianism...
Six hundred and half... Could it be that the Ming Dynasty's national destiny is only half of six hundred... three hundred years?
(End of chapter)
