After Wenhua's summons was over, Gao Pragmatic returned to the cabinet for duty. Not long after he arrived at the cabinet, he suddenly received a report that Xiao Liang, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, had come to pay a visit.
Gao Pragmatic was quite surprised by Xiao Liangyou's visit at this time, and thought to himself: Why would Hanzhong come to the cabinet to find me?
Xiao Liangyou was born in the same year as Gao Jingshi. At that time, Gao Jingshi was the number one scholar, while Xiao Liangyou was the second. Together with Tanhua Wang Tingzhuan, he was the first-class "celestial god" of the Gengchen Branch in the eighth year of Wanli.
Gao Pragmatic's official trajectory over the years was different from that of ordinary champions. He often served as a foreign official, and it was not until he returned to the Ministry of War in Liaodong to take charge of the Beijing camp that he returned to the official system of the capital.
Xiao Liangyou and Wang Tingzhuan were different. They followed the normal "nobility" path and had been working in the Hanlin Academy, Zhan Shifu and the Imperial College for many years. The two of them spiraled up the ranks in these three yamen, starting from editors and working through seniority until the first two years before they were finally released to the other yamen.
Today, Xiao Liangyou is the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Wang Tingzhuan is the minister of Dali Temple. Both of them are of the third rank. Of course, although their grades are the same, their virtual power and real power are actually different.
Xiao Liang, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, can be said to be the third-in-command of the Ministry of Rites, while Wang Tingzhuan is the number one in Dali Temple. Dali Temple is one of the Three Dharma Divisions, so it definitely has real power, but there is no need to say more here for the time being.
The theoretical authority of the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Rites is "the Minister of the Left is in charge of ministry affairs", while the Ministry of Rites is in charge of government orders such as rituals and music, sacrifices, feudalism, banquets, schools, tribute and examinations.
As the top leader, the minister naturally "grasps everything", but the left and right ministers have to divide the labor, and this division of labor is not clearly defined. Most of the time, it is assigned by the minister, which means that the specific powers depend on how the minister arranges them.
The Minister of Rites at that time was Yu Shenxing. He was not an official of the Practical School, but he was the chief examiner of Henan during the Yuan Dynasty. Therefore, his relationship with the Practical School was not bad.
With this relationship, Xiao Liangyou, who was in the same year as Gao Pragmatic, had a good life in the Ministry of Rites, and was assigned the two biggest real powers of the Ministry of Rites: school and tribute examination (of course, these two items are generally not separated in the Ministry of Rites).
In this case, it stands to reason that Xiao Liang's government affairs related to high pragmatism at this time seem to be only asking for money to host examinations at all levels, but it is the end of the year, and this is not the time for the Ministry of Rites to ask for money.
Although Gao Pingshi had doubts in his heart, he still came out to greet Xiao Liangyou in person. When Xiao Liang saw him, he even said that he didn't dare to take it seriously, but Gao Pingshi pulled his arm into the check-in room, looking like he was overjoyed to meet old friends.
After entering the check-in room, the two of them looked much more relaxed. Xiao Liangyou said with a smile: "When Rixin returned to Beijing, I was supposed to pay him a visit, but I thought that the Marquis Mansion might be too busy to receive the reception, so I planned to delay it for a few days. I didn't expect that the official business came first before the personal friendship was discussed. I'm really sorry. .”
"Hanzhong and I have known each other for many years. It doesn't matter whether we visit or not, but I don't know what the so-called official business is?" Gao Pingshi was indeed a little surprised. After all, this year (the twenty-sixth year of Wanli) is the year of spring, and the court has already been busy in the first half of the year. , and the next audition will have to wait three years, which is still far away, and it is not the time to ask for money now.
Xiao Liangyou smiled and joked, "Isn't this why you, Rixin, are asking for work for our Etiquette Department? It was easy for Li Shanhai to come here. The Etiquette Department has its own arrangement process, but today after the meeting, he suddenly said that he would arrange three concessions. This is a bit difficult to decide...
Rixin, you also know that this is the first time in our Ming Dynasty that the gift of three concessions is used for the external vassal and the internal vassal. There is no example at all. In this case, we had to discuss how to arrange for Li Shanhai to do the "three invitations" ceremony. After Yubu Tang discussed it with us, we still found it difficult to decide. Considering that this matter was initiated by you, Rixin, I had no choice but to let me ask for clarification. "
It turned out that this was the case. Gao Pingshi breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't care too much. He smiled and said: "What big deal do I take? Brother Hanzhong, this matter is naturally a responsibility of your Rites Department, but to be honest, it's not for me." Words are not important..."
He explained the situation during the summons, and then said: "So you see, this is a makeshift solution, but it is just a show. It doesn't really matter how the Ministry of Rites arranges it.
As for Li Shanhai, although he is not familiar with military affairs, he is considered a smart person above all as an official. No matter how you arrange it, I'm afraid he won't have any objections. Brother Hanzhong can just go ahead and do it. "
"So that's the case, then I'm relieved." Xiao Liang nodded a little, but he didn't look very surprised. Instead, he hesitated slightly after saying this, as if he was hesitant to speak.
"Brother Hanzhong looks like he has other questions?" Gao Pragmatic asked proactively.
This was what Xiao Liang was waiting for. Seeing that Gao Pragmatic was on his way, he immediately looked around and asked in a low voice, "I heard that Yuanfu and Cifu will be begging for bones after the new year?"
Gao Pingshi was moved in his heart and said with a smile: "If Brother Hanzhong wants to join the cabinet, I should recommend him."
"No, no." Xiao Liangyou waved his hands repeatedly and said: "I am a mediocre person and have never achieved anything, so how can I dare to covet the position of assistant minister? I asked this because I feel that the timing of this matter is quite strange. ...The two Dukes of Wang and Liang will take the throne later this year, and Rixin will be appointed as the first assistant. This is a great joy. But if this happens, what will happen to the war against Japan? Didn't you say that we will continue to fight?"
Xiao Liang came to ask about this matter. He must not be the only one who has doubts. Gao Pingshi knew that this must be a common doubt among many officials within the Shi School, and Xiao Liang was most likely just here to represent him.
Gao pragmatic frowned and sighed: "Right now, there are waves of unrest. The emperor's legitimate son is born, and the battle over the country is about to end. I expect that once the prince's canonization is completed, it will probably be the time when Wang and Liang Gong will resign. However, I heard again With the Chahar border uprising in Gansu, the imperial military might have to move to western Xinjiang, and the war against the Japanese would probably be difficult to continue..."
"But after Korea is annexed, it will be our territory. It is only separated from the Japanese country by a river. If we can't continue to land on the island to seek peace, won't we always have to station a large army in Korea in the future?" Xiao Liangyou frowned: "The right way is to eliminate evil. This war between Japan and Japan was originally expected to be a great victory, but in the end it could only be abandoned halfway?"
Although Xiao Liangyou was one of his own, Gao Pragmatic could not explain this matter too thoroughly. He could only comfort him: "Brother Hanzhong, don't worry too much about this. Most of the main force of the Japanese pirates was lost in Korea and fled back to the mainland." It's only one-tenth or two-tenths, so there's nothing to be afraid of.
As for the follow-up to the Battle of Japan... Even if the imperial army no longer pursues the island, the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance can break it up and defeat it one by one, so that it will not worry about China. "
There is no need to doubt the strength of the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance, but in the past, in the eyes of most people, this strength mainly refers to maritime strength, but now it means that it is not only at sea, but also to attack the Japanese "court" ashore. , Xiao Liang was inevitably a little surprised.
After being surprised by the strength of the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance, Xiao Liangyou thought of another question and hesitated: "What will the Japanese country do in the future?"
Gao Jingshi knew what he meant, but even if Gao Jingshi didn't want to say it clearly, he had to say it, so he had to say: "At the moment, I'm afraid I can only follow Annan's story."
Xiao Liangyou looked a little worried and sighed: "Rixin, you may not like some of the things I say, but after all, you and I are old friends of the same age, so it would be unjust not to say anything.
Have you ever thought that Annan is in the south and Japan is in the east. If these two countries are under your control... Even if the emperor is wise, there is no guarantee that no one will use this to deceive Sheng Cong. What explanation will you give then? "
As a person who "overcalculates", Gao Pragmatic has always been rational over emotional, but at this moment he was really touched, because most people would not talk to him about this kind of danger - you know, no matter what the starting point for raising this issue, They seem to doubt his pragmatic loyalty or whether the emperor is wise. How could ordinary people ask?
Gao pragmatic knew that Xiao Liang's ability to ask this question meant that he really cared about him. Although he could find various reasons and excuses to excuse himself, he could not say it out anyway.
"Japan is an island country with a small territory and a population that naturally has an unusual desire for the mainland. Although Japanese culture is influenced by China, it has its own unique side. China teaches etiquette but it is difficult to learn it completely and it is difficult to change it. Due to their evil nature, the people of this country often have two different natures - either they have low self-esteem or they are arrogant; they either show courtesy to others or show violence to others."
Gao Jingshi suddenly said something like this, which shocked Xiao Liangyou, but Gao Jingshi didn't take it seriously and continued: "As the oldest and most primitive part of Japanese culture, Shinto and the worship of gods are deeply rooted in the Japanese nation. in character.
Whether it was the era of emperor politics or the era of the shogunate, this irrational and religious worship was never abandoned by the rulers. Instead, it was gradually transformed and strengthened into the core connotation of Japanese centralism. Therefore, in the hearts of the Japanese, the Imperial family is the descendant of the divine grandson descended from Amaterasu, and Japan, as a unique divine country, can only be ruled by the great men of the Imperial family.
This kind of religious worship has gradually penetrated into all aspects of Japanese society and has become the internal relationship model of the Japanese nation - regarding all authorities as gods, and unconditionally paying absolute respect, obedience and loyalty to gods, while gods can do whatever they want. dispose and decide everything about them.
However, under the oppression of the strict class system, this relationship model gradually changed from a specific and voluntary worship to a universal and mandatory unspoken rule and social requirement: your superior is the authority.
No matter who this superior is, what his talents and character are, no matter what thoughts and opinions you have about this superior, as long as he constitutes your superior in your relationship, then you must have absolute respect for this superior, that is, authority. Respect and obedience.
As a result, Japan has long been in an extremely unequal hierarchical system. The common people need to be servants and absolutely obedient to the upper class, but the upper class can kill and take away the livelihood of the common people.
At the same time, Japan's products are scarce, its natural environment is harsh, and its production capacity has been low for a long time. It is difficult for Japan's living standards, people's literacy, and political system to reach a high level. Under the clan system, violence is the only truth and the best way to solve problems. Therefore, Japan has a great worship of samurai and violence.
The worship of gods and the worship of the strong are derived from absolute obedience and violence. These two extremely contradictory behavior patterns constitute the most fundamental national character of Japan, and have produced three basic external behavior patterns:
First, the Japanese will show fanatical and religious worship for strong men and authorities whose strength far exceeds their own, and even show obedience and absolute obedience similar to servility;
Secondly, the Japanese show great ambition, arrogance and conceit towards strong men and authorities who are similar in strength to themselves, or who they feel they can surpass in the future. They will ignore kindness, have no bottom line, and will immediately devour the owner once they have the opportunity. This is the mentality of a white-eyed wolf;
Thirdly, when it comes to people or things that are weaker than themselves, the Japanese's barbaric and violent morbid character will be immediately revealed. In their concepts and experiences, God can deal with and decide everything about the weak and inferior at will.
Therefore, when facing the weak, they will bring themselves to the position of God, inflict the pain and suppressed violence on themselves twice as much on the weak, and vent their anger without scruples and unscrupulousness. Real emotions and thoughts. "
Although Xiao Liangyou didn't know why Gao Pragmatic analyzed the Japanese national character with him, he was still a little frightened when he heard it. He lowered his face and said: "It's so dangerous?"
Gao Pragmatic nodded and said: "Knowing small etiquette but not great righteousness, being afraid of power but not being virtuous, strong enough to be bandits and thieves, weak and humble, not caring about kindness - these are the characteristics of the Japanese.
Brother Hanzhong knows that there are many Japanese descendants who came to my house when they got married. These people are usually very obedient to me. No matter what I ask them to do, they will do it without hesitation, for fear of offending me even a little bit. People say these people are really born to be good slaves...
Haha, but others may not know that if I fall into chaos and lose power one day, these people will never mind lending my head in exchange for their glory and wealth. "
Xiao Liangyou's face was solemn and his brows were deeply furrowed. He was about to speak when he heard Gao Pingshi continue: "The emperor was furious because of the incident involving the Chahar invaders. He has decided to organize his army for the western expedition as soon as possible. At that time, the Silk Road will be reopened." Road, restore the glory of Han and Tang Dynasties.
It is a blessing for us Han people that the emperor has such great ambitions, but as a result, the imperial court will no longer be able to maintain a large navy. Without such a navy, it would be unrealistic to maintain long-term rule over Japan. Therefore, the Maritime Trade Alliance had to take over this task in order to let the Japanese know again after the Tang Dynasty that China is the 'god', not them. Able to provoke and resist.
In order to achieve this goal and prevent the country from coveting it in the future, how can I worry about slander and fear of ridicule? As for the Emperor, I am not worried that he will misunderstand... Of course, if the Emperor really becomes suspicious one day, I will just resign and go home. "
Seeing this, Xiao Liang knew that today's conversation could only be like this, so he nodded and said: "Since Rixin has already made an agreement, Liang You can rest assured." Gao Pragmatic nodded, but didn't say much.
Xiao Liangyou said again: "As for Li Shanhai's request for the Third King of North Korea, the Ministry of Rites will immediately come up with the regulations... Haha, when the emperor's legitimate son is full moon after the new year, I'm afraid he will be busy again."
Gao Pingshi smiled and said: "The dispute over the country has been going on for so many years. If it can be successfully concluded after the new year, I think the Ministry of Rites will be the happiest, right?" As soon as these words came out, the two looked at each other and laughed.
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