After the meeting, Gao Pragmatic, still accompanied by Liu Ping, came out of the harem and headed towards the cabinet.
In order to avoid some gossip, they did not discuss any details this time, and even tacitly agreed not to mention the respective issues of the monarch and his subjects during the meeting.
Of course, Liu Ping couldn't help but ask about Nanyang Imperial Village, and Gao pragmatic replied that the emperor had expressed
"Everything will be decided by you and Liu Ping through discussion." After hearing this, Liu Ping finally felt relieved. Gao Pangshi just returned to Beijing today, and after all, he came back in the name of reporting on his work. Naturally, coming to the cabinet at this moment is not on duty, but only part of the reporting. When you meet the cabinet elders, listen to what they have to say about their work.
Although Gao Pragmatic himself is a cabinet minister, theoretically he will not go
"Reporting work" is not a big deal, but after all, there are first and second assistants above you, and their qualifications are also older. Going there can always show respect for the seniors, and it will help your reputation to some extent, or at least it will not. harm.
Coincidentally, all the ministers in the cabinet were chatting in the small meeting hall at the moment, seemingly waiting for news from the palace at any time.
Wang Jiaping was really surprised to see Gao Pingshi coming. While he and several other cabinet ministers stood up to greet him at the same time, he smiled and said in a joking tone: "It's been a long and tiring journey to Rixin. You have gone back to the government to rest, why did you come to the cabinet? Could it be that you are worried that I will not be able to handle the cabinet affairs after you leave, so you are anxious to supervise it?" Everyone laughed, and Gao Pragmatic also smiled and replied: "Yuan Fu is joking. Well, since this return to Beijing is a report of work, why not come to the cabinet to give a detailed statement?" He said this, not to mention Wang Jiaping felt relieved after hearing it, even Zhao Zhigao and Shen Yiguan couldn't help but secretly say something terrible.
This is what it means to be dignified but not arrogant, to have high achievements but not to be complacent. It is no coincidence that he is so pragmatic that he is where he is today.
With people giving face like this, the cabinet ministers naturally have to know how to measure. Wang Jiaping, as the chief assistant, naturally waved his hand immediately and said: "Rixin's words are serious. You are managing and pacifying the Japanese with the respect of the cabinet, and you represent it." The cabinet, when returning to Beijing to report on its work, naturally only needs to make a statement to the emperor. Why come to the cabinet to report the details? That is not a report to oneself. Is there such a truth in the world?" Then, without waiting for Gao Pragmatic's reply, he beckoned: "Come here. Come on, since you're here, let's sit down first. Let's take advantage of today's great joy to talk about the fundamental matters of the country." In fact, Gao Pragmatic also guessed that the cabinet would definitely talk about this matter today, so he didn't refuse. So everyone took their seats one by one, assuming the posture of discussing important cabinet affairs.
Wang Jiaping started the conversation first and said: "In the past thirty years in the Wanli Dynasty, we have had several quarrels over the issue of the country's foundation. In the past, the main problem was that the emperor did not have a legitimate son, so the ministers had several different opinions on the matter of the country's foundation. Views. At that time, most colleagues believed that since there was no legitimate son, then a eldest son should be established, that is, they suggested that the emperor appoint the eldest son as the prince. Another group believed that the eldest son of the emperor had been frail and sick since childhood, and they were worried about what might happen, so they suggested that the eldest son should be made stronger. Naturally, there is also a group of people who believe that the queen is still young and cannot rush to appoint a legitimate son just because there is no legitimate son for the time being. Otherwise, once the crown prince is appointed and the queen gives birth to a legitimate son, things will become embarrassing and difficult. At the time, no matter which consideration they preferred, these three schools of argument actually had their own truths, and therefore the whole matter was frozen. Since then, the issue of national origin has been unresolved until now. ." When he said this, he sighed with emotion, and then continued: "Fortunately, the queen rested for several years and gave birth to two princesses one after another, which proved that the queen's body was fine. However, after all, the foundation of the country is a major matter in the world. All ministers know that one of the reasons why Hu has no luck for a hundred years is because they do not have a stable inheritance system. I have a great Ming Dynasty How can the mighty China let its capital remain vacant for a long time?" Everyone nodded in approval after hearing this, especially Wang Jiaping's response to
All the pavilion elders have a unified understanding of the interpretation of "Hu has no luck for a hundred years". It is not that nomadic peoples have never been formed.
Among the "great empires", the Xiongnu, the Turks, the Mongols, etc., which one has not been tyrannical for a while? Since it is so powerful, why does this nomadic empire have a national destiny that lasts only a hundred years?
Because even if the grassland empires unite, their population is far less than that of the Central Plains. The only magic weapon they have to maintain their strength is military combat effectiveness.
And this requires the tribal leader to have strong fighting ability, only in this way can he convince the crowd. Therefore, the leaders elected by grassland tribes must be adult men. Only in this way can the stability of the regime be guaranteed.
The inheritance system of steppe dynasties is mostly brother-to-brother succession, rather than father-to-son succession. This is because the age difference between brothers of the same generation is smaller, and brother-to-brother succession can better ensure the combat effectiveness and personal abilities of the succeeding leader.
After all, grassland tribes that rely on military capabilities to maintain unity certainly cannot rely on children to govern the entire society.
After the Ming Dynasty was established and the Mongols fled north, although the last powerful ruler Dayan Khan succeeded to the throne in the same year, the reason why the situation was stable at that time was because his wife Manduhai Manduhai was older than Dayan Khan. It is said that 15 years old is 25 years old, which is controversial. In terms of seniority, he is even Dayan Khan's great-uncle.
So there are some records in Mongolian historical materials that make later generations wonder whether to laugh or give a thumbs up. For example, Queen Manduhai often led the cavalry, but she could only tie her husband, who was still unsteady on the road, to her own It’s shocking to think about riding a horse and fighting on your back.
And this is actually the nomadic people
A manifestation of "the king of the country". anyway,
There is a natural problem with the inheritance system of "brother lasts until younger brother succeeds." That is, even if all the people of the same generation are strong and healthy, their combined life span in power will hardly exceed 100 years from the time they ascend the throne.
Once all the adult men of the same generation pass away, the subsequent inheritance rights will often be involved in great disputes.
Because the younger generation often has many nephews, and they will all be adults by then. The disputes between them will plunge the succession of the regime into chaos and division, thus giving the Central Plains dynasty an opportunity to counterattack.
Looking back at history, the conquests of the grasslands by the Central Plains dynasties often took advantage of such divisions and crises to suddenly take action.
Or even if the grassland tribes choose to fight at this time, their combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced and they will be easily defeated individually.
This is
One of the main reasons for "Hu has no luck for a hundred years". So, if we look at it the other way around, if a conflict breaks out in the Central Plains Dynasty due to multiple princes and clan kings who have legitimate inheritance, wouldn't the result be the same?
It's the same. For example, the Eight Kings Rebellion directly led to the Wuhu Rebellion in China, a huge national disaster that could have been avoided by the Central Plains Dynasty.
The car in front is overturned, and the car behind is a lesson. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the reason why Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang would rather pass the throne to the emperor's grandson than to any other son when the prince died early was precisely to ensure that the dynasty he established would have the clearest and most A stable inheritance system prevents civil strife and turmoil from being taken advantage of by others.
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Wang Jiaping continued: "For God's sake, now that the emperor's legitimate son is born, the biggest controversy in this dynasty can finally come to an end, and I can be said to have got rid of my biggest heartache before leaving." Wang Jiaping originally said
"The biggest controversy since this dynasty can finally come to an end." Shen Yiguan's face suddenly became very gloomy. Zhao Zhigao couldn't help but frown a little, but when he heard his last sentence
"I can be regarded as getting rid of my biggest heartache before leaving." No one was surprised.
"What do you mean by these words to Brother Nan?" He had already decided to wait for Gao Pragmatic to prepare as soon as he returned to Beijing.
Liang Menglong, who was "begging for bones", was very surprised. He opened his eyes wide and asked, "What does it mean before leaving?" Of course he knew Wang Jiaping's
What does "before parting" mean? I'm just asking this because I'm too surprised. I hope I just heard something wrong or thought wrongly.
Several other pavilion elders were almost as shocked as Liang Menglong by Wang Jiaping's statement. Following Liang Menglong's question, they all looked at Wang Jiaping.
"Hahaha." Wang Jiaping, who had always been serious, showed a rare kind smile at this moment. He said calmly and even half-jokingly: "Before we say goodbye, we naturally want to beg for the bones. We can't just go home to eat." After getting the exact answer, all the cabinet ministers gasped. Shen Yiguan was the most anxious and immediately said: "Several major events in the court have not yet been decided. How can Yuan Fu retire and return home at this time? Besides, Yuan Fu is strong and healthy, and he is not yet in his seventies. It is the right time." Before he could finish his words, Wang Jiaping waved his hand to stop him, and interrupted: "Brother Jiaomen doesn't know, Jiaping seems to be still strong. , In fact, it is just a matter of force, and the emperor knows that it has failed recently. He sent an imperial doctor to visit Jiaping four times and determined that it was due to inability to drink water and stasis of dampness and heat, and there is no way to save it. "
"Dampness and heat are stagnant due to stasis of dampness and heat" is naturally a term used in traditional Chinese medicine. If translated into a term that everyone in later generations would understand, it probably refers to tumors in the gastrointestinal tract.
And Wang Jiaping said that the imperial doctor had examined her four times and concluded that there was nothing she could do to save her, so she was probably already cancerous, or even at an advanced stage.
If this is indeed the case, it is indeed hopeless in this era. If you can put down your heavy work and take a good rest, you may be able to live two or three more years.
Only then did Gao Pragmatic remember that Wang Jiaping seemed to have died in the 31st year of Wanli in history. At that time and space, Wang Jiaping had already retired and returned to his hometown for many years, so he should have had a good rest.
In this current time and space, he is still in phase, and he is still the first assistant. It is conceivable that his health will only get worse.
Shen Yiguan was stunned for a moment. This news really caught him off guard, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.
In fact, he was not the only one who felt caught off guard? No matter which one of the other five pavilion elders was caught off guard at this moment, including Gao Pingshi, he had not considered in advance that Wang Jiaping had always been thin. Even if he had a tumor in his stomach and intestines and became thinner, it would not matter. People will pay attention!
After all, there has been a saying since ancient times: "It is hard to buy old age and lose weight if you have money." After the shock, Liang Menglong was the first to react. He immediately opened his eyes and looked at Gao Pingshi.
At this time, I felt the pragmatism in his eyes and realized: Ah, Wang Jiaping wants to beg for bones, and Liang Menglong also wants to beg for bones. They are both going to retire and return to their hometowns, so won't I be the first assistant?
No, this is too abrupt! If I want to be the first assistant now, what will Japan do? Should they still fight?
Gao Pragmatic's first reaction was not to be overjoyed, but to be extremely shocked. This position of chief assistant came too unexpectedly, even at the wrong time!
If I were to be the first assistant now, what would happen to the previous Japanese plan? Wouldn’t it all have to be scrapped and started all over again?
He reacted, and so did everyone else. Zhao Zhigao, Shen Yiguan and Zhou Yong all looked at Gao Pragmatic, and Wang Jiaping also smiled and said: "As you all know, Mingquan brother Liang Menglong also begged for the bones, so the next cabinet affairs must be entrusted to Rixin ." Gao Jingshi was at a loss. This time, his face was really stiff, and he kept smiling bitterly: "Yuanfu's news is too sudden. At the moment, Pingwo has not yet fully conquered Japan, and Pragmatically is still thinking about how to land on the Japanese mainland. How to plow the courtyard, sweep holes, eliminate bandits, etc.?" As he said this, Gao Pragmatic couldn't help but ask: "Yuanfu's illness is really so serious, can't he stick to it for the emperor and the world a little longer?" In fact, Gao Pragmatic couldn't help but ask: There is something wrong with saying this pragmatically. If you had said this in normal times, you would most likely offend someone.
After all, his words sounded like he was accusing Wang Jiaping of not caring about the safety of the world, rather than just giving up.
However, Wang Jiaping laughed loudly after hearing this, and then clapped his hands and said: "A few years ago, a senior told me that one should seek truth and only serve the well-being of the country. To be honest, I was still doubtful about this at the time, but now It seems that he is still not as good as that senior who has a sharp eye. When the position of Chief Assistant is presented to him, he is not happy but worried. I am afraid that Rixin can be regarded as the number one person in my court." When he said this, he laughed again and said: "But Rixin, you don't have to be like this. People from all over the world will do all the things in the world, and you can't do everything by yourself. Although it is a big thing to fight against Japan, you have already done most of it, and the rest Since you have laid the foundation for this part, it is not necessarily impossible for someone else to do it well. Besides, you will be the first assistant at that time, and some things will be easier to handle, and you can also provide more appropriate support for the peace of Japan, don't you think? "Gao Pragmatic always felt that Wang Jiaping's words were a bit too much, even a bit...
It sounds like "a person is about to die, but his words are also kind", which makes people feel a little sad. Wang Jiaping is a good person. From a political standpoint, he is a neutral person, that is, a traditional Neo-Confucian school. His behavior sometimes seems a bit rigid and serious.
Although he did not fully approve of some of the reforms of the Practical School that he considered too radical, as long as the reforms did produce actual results, he would admit it without hesitation and change his previous views, and would be willing to do so in the future. provide support.
From this point of view, although he is not a reformist, he certainly does not insist on it for his own selfish interests.
The kind of person who “opposes for the sake of opposition.” Therefore, although he is not proactive enough in some matters, he can be called fair.
This is also an important reason why Gao Pragmatic's relationship with him has always been good. He has been in the cabinet for some years. Although he has not been in the position of chief assistant for a long time, it has not become an obstacle to Gao's pragmatic work.
In Gao Pragmatic's plan, after Liang Menglong takes office, there should be a situation where Wang Jiaping's name is in the cabinet and Gao Pragmatic is in charge for a long period of time.
Gao Pragmatic had no objection to this, and even thought that he was indeed too young. Being appointed as the first assistant so early might make everyone in the government and the public, even the emperor and the queen mother, nervous.
Hey, wait, wait, something is wrong. Zhu Yijun has always had great trust in himself, which is known to everyone in the world.
However, today he was uncharacteristically because of Gao Luo's
The word "Luo" made me suspicious, and I couldn't help but express this suspicion directly. It was completely inconsistent with his past style, and it was extremely inconsistent with the political wisdom he had long experienced. Could it be that his achievements were due to his early experience? Knowing that Wang Jiaping would be begging for bones in the near future, he was too nervous and lost his sense of proportion?
All the previous doubts were suddenly illuminated like meteors piercing the night sky in the dark, and all the strange phenomena were explained.
Gao pragmatic took a deep breath and finally understood why all the abnormalities in the capital today happened.
Although the queen gave birth to a legitimate son, it makes sense that Zhu Yijun did not go to pick her up in person for her triumphant return, but the eunuchs of the Chief of Ceremonies do not need to all accompany them in Kunning Palace. Isn't it also difficult to send a representative to go with the courtiers?
But Zhu Yijun didn't do this. The issue of Gao Luo's name is even more strange.
Even though the word "Luo" may have some profound meaning in Zhu Yijun's opinion, Gao Luo is, after all,
He was "adopted" to the eldest princess Yongning and will not appear in the Gao family's genealogy from now on. How can Gao Pragmatic support him?
"Ultimate motives"? How many can it be
"Ultimate motives"? No matter how he has ulterior motives, how can he let Gao Luo go?
"Took the bird's seat"? Isn’t this nonsense? Why should he? This is the Ming Dynasty, and it is not some European country that does not respect Salic law. Note: One of the most famous provisions of an ancient European code is that women have no right to inherit land, and a princess has no possibility of succeeding to the throne, let alone yes
"The adopted son of the eldest princess". Therefore, the sensitivity Zhu Yijun showed today was completely inexplicable to Gao Pragmatic. He really couldn't figure out what the emperor was doing before Wang Jiaping said he wanted to beg for the bones.
And now, he finally understands. The emperor indeed still trusts and relies on himself, but I am afraid that the emperor never thought that he would serve as the chief minister before he was less than forty years old. Not to mention that there is no precedent, it even sounds unbelievable. .
Note: In fact, there were quite a lot of young people in the cabinet in the early Ming Dynasty, but the attributes of the cabinet at that time and the later ones were different. After all, the cabinet was just the emperor’s secretarial agency at the beginning, mainly dealing with books and other things, not later. of
"Xiangquan" representative.
"Yuansuke, this is really too sudden. Pragmatically, we need to carefully consider the follow-up arrangements for peace and Japanese matters, but no matter what, I still hope that Yuansuke can stay for a while."
"Hehehehe." Wang Jiaping smiled and shook his head and said: "I just hope that the national foundation issue will be settled early. This can be regarded as my last wish before leaving. I wonder if Rixin can help me?" Thank you book friends
Thank you for the reward and support from "Cao Mianzi"! Thank you book friends
"Cao Mianzi",
"First login" monthly ticket support, thank you! I wish all readers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a happy family. PS: I still fell asleep last night. Fortunately, I had a rest today and finished this chapter in the morning.
This chapter is 5K, with the last 1K left in debt.
