Chapter 29: Unpleasant
The emperor is also unhappy with things, let alone He Xi?
He Xi was unhappy. But I have to admit that Yao Guangxiao was right. Even Yao Guangxiao didn't say some of his words, but he could feel them.
That is, Confucianism is actually like a ghost, it is not an entity enemy. It cannot be ended by killing one person, several people, or even hundreds of thousands of people.
Don't talk about others. It is hard to say that this person under his command was not a Confucian scholar. The fundamental reason why Yang Zhen hates Confucianism deeply is because he knows that his posthumous reputation and current affairs cannot be recognized in the Confucian system.
That’s why I tried my best to oppose it, but in essence, it was not an acknowledgment of Confucianism.
Even though He Xi used many means to divide the various powers of Confucianism. But I have to admit that the power of a single word of praise or criticism has been passed down through the ages. This power has not been completely wrested from Confucian scholars.
This is also something that many people care about.
He Xi turned to look at Yang Shiqi and said, "Shiqi, what do you think of this matter?"
Yang Shiqi was silent for a while and said: "My lord, the world has been fighting for a long time, so there really shouldn't be any more trouble. As the saying goes, don't chase the poor criminals. Now this generation is at the end of the road and can just wait for them to die. If you push too hard, you will be demoted. I’m worried that something has happened, and it’s hard to explain to the top and bottom.”
He Xi smiled slightly and said, "That's right." He thought about it in his heart and said, "That's what I mean too."
In He Xi's heart, it didn't matter whether he thought so or not. The important thing is what Yang Shiqi thinks.
There are also factions under He Xi's command, and Ye Chen represents He Xi's power in the army. Yang Zhen and others represent He Xi’s strength in the economic field and influence in science and technology. After all, Zhang Zongde is Yang Zhen's son-in-law, so Yang Zhen naturally represents his son-in-law.
And what does Yang Shiqi represent? It's none other than the Imperial College faction. The traditional civil servant faction was also the civil servant force of the middle and upper classes of the Ming Dynasty.
Yes, Yang Zhen knew very well that he was actually an anomaly among the upper echelons of the Ming Dynasty. After He Xi stepped down, it would be difficult for him to stay. In essence, Yang Zhen was He Xi's private person, not a minister of the Ming Dynasty.
But Yang Shiqi is different.
The relationship between Yang Shiqi and these scholar-bureaucrats has never been irreconcilable. More importantly, Yang Shiqi assisted He Xi in handling general affairs during his years in the cabinet. And He Xi was busy with affairs and focused more on the system and the war in the south. Many things were handled by Yang Shiqi.
Yang Shiqi has also gained experience in the past few years.
Although he is still under He Xi, the team has become established.
Not to mention, He Xi will leave at the end of his term. Yang Shiqi had no intention of leaving. Moreover, Yang Shiqi's achievements are not enough to give him a fiefdom overseas. More importantly, Yang Shiqi never thought about leaving the center of power.
He Xi understood Yang Shiqi's thoughts very well. Yang Shiqi must want to be the first assistant.
He Xi had no objection to Yang Shiqi's idea. But if Yang Shiqi wants to do this, Yang Shiqi can’t just think about it alone. Zhu Xiongying must nod.
If you want Zhu Xiongying to nod, Yang Shiqi must take care of things up front. You can't wait until He Xi leaves office before trying to please Zhu Xiongying. Then it's too late.
But this is a test of political wisdom.
Yang Shiqi must make a balance between He Xi and Zhu Xiongying. After all, He Xi can decide his present, while Zhu Xiongying can decide his future.
He Xi could actually appreciate Yang Shiqi's subtle thoughts.
He Xi could understand, but she still felt uncomfortable. The tea got cold before she left.
But that's the way politics is. There is nothing wrong with Yang Shiqi making plans for his future.
Therefore, Yang Shiqi weighed many things behind his words, and he felt that it was probably an acceptable result in all aspects.
Yes, after several years of fierce fighting and all kinds of ups and downs, many people are tired of it. In a word, people are calm, especially Zhu Xiongying. He likes that this conference can
It ends peacefully and beautifully. I no longer care much about some reform ideas.
This is not just Zhu Xiongying’s idea. This is also what many people think.
Since He Xi came to power, the world has changed too much. Many people are overwhelmed. It was not only the scholar-bureaucrats in Jiangnan who had difficulty adapting. In fact, many people had this idea.
This is also human nature.
People are lazy.
In one country, there are people who procrastinate, and in another country, there is a mentality of just following the rules. Everyone wants to push things back. Fortunately, the debt ceiling seems to be pushed to tomorrow, and there will be no difficulties in the future.
Of course, at least it won't be embarrassing now.
This is another reason why He Xi finally gave up power.
The general trend is like this. The heaven and earth are brought together to draw strength, but the heroes are not free. A man as strong as Zhu Yuanzhang had to think for a long time before he could advance the reform through a war that lasted for several years, killed millions of people, and consumed countless supplies.
Today, it is certain that the urgency for reform is gone. And He Xi has changed enough.
Although due to He Xi's power, many people did not dare to come forward. We cannot exhaust all our potential, we cannot enjoy all our blessings, and we must leave room for many things.
Only then can it last long.
He Xi was unwilling to do so, but he knew that he would push forward forcefully. It's very likely to backfire. Or after his death, all his policies will be overturned. Or, he simply cannot wait until his death to see his policies overturned.
The situation is not at all up to anyone.
The Confucian system coupled with the emperor's dictatorship was a system that was too strict and sophisticated. He Xi clearly felt all kinds of pressure. In the eyes of many people, this is correct. This is only natural.
It even includes many followers of He Xi.
And when he retired on his own initiative, the successors must uphold the orthodoxy of He Xi. Just for their own legitimacy, they did not dare to easily overturn He Xi's policies. After all, respect for teachers is important. This is also what Confucianism advocates.
As long as He Xi can remain morally flawless, many people will not dare to easily overturn He Xi's policies in the future. At most, it is what the demons did to the Lord Buddha, who put on cassocks and entered the temple. As a monk. Do the opposite.
However, He Xi was mentally prepared.
The thing that made He Xi the happiest today was nothing else. It was Zhang Zongde who took the initiative to confront Kong Xilu. At the very least, the political power fabricated by He Xi now has its own power. With the position.
Capitalism and the new bureaucracy have stepped onto the stage of history and will not retreat easily.
From now on, it depends on their own combat effectiveness.
"But, then again." He Xi said in a calm tone: "I will give him some of the things that should be given to him. But they can't take what I don't give to him. Mr. Yao."
Yao Guangxiao said: "My subordinates are here."
He Xi said: "You can go there on my behalf. Talk to them. By the way, tell them and let them think about it before they talk. If they don't say it well, it will kill someone."
He Xi's tone was calm, as if he were eating and drinking. But no one dared to think that He Xi was talking about eating and drinking.
A mere appearance can force Jiangnan scholar-bureaucrats into that state. Not to mention He Xi. Fu Youde was so anxious that he dared to order the massacre of the city, but He Xi's power is still higher than that of Fu Youde.
Nothing can be done.
The so-called authority of scholar-bureaucrats only exists in peacetime. If the situation were replaced by troubled times, when Zhang Shicheng was conquering the country, not many people dared to rise up and resist.
But today, it's just a single-minded effort to control chaos.
Yao Guangxiao said: "I understand."
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Soon Yao Guangxiao came over with Kong Xilu.
Kong Xilu lowered his posture as soon as he saw He Xi, and after saluting, he said: "He Shoufu, we don't dare to fight against him, we just ask him to give him a way to survive. From now on, we are willing to be your lord." Yes. Sir, please show your respect."
"A way out?" He Xi said, "What way out?"
Kong Xilu said: "I represent dozens of families in the south of the Yangtze River that have been passed down for generations. The inheritance cannot be cut off in our generation."
He Xi didn't know whether to be happy or sad after hearing this.
Fortunately, under such ravage, Jiangnan's hard bones have been pulled out. Today's so-called Jiangnan scholar-officials are bureaucrats through and through.
All they care about is the continuation of their family.
It doesn’t matter whether it is Confucianism or not.
This reminded He Xi of Song Ne, Liu Sanwu, Fang Xiaoru and others. With such descendants, they may not be at peace under the Nine Springs.
Fang Xiaoru and others have always had the attitude of protecting the countryside and the small farmer economy. After all, whether He Xi's policies are good or bad is another matter, but the impact of He Xi's policies on the countryside is obvious.
On the other hand, facing these people who have no principles, He Xi certainly doesn't believe in the following. But they also believe that they will obey the strong.
From then on, He Xi felt that the biggest obstacle to the implementation of the New Deal was that he would not stand up to him.
But all the strength of character and the heart to pray for the people were thrown away without knowing where.
Even more ridiculous. He cannot tolerate a noble person alone. As the saying goes, people with different principles should not conspire against each other. Fortunately, Fang Xiaoru died. Otherwise, if it falls into He Xi's hands, He Xi will certainly not kill him. But it won't make him feel better.
It's not that He Xi has any opinion about Fang Xiaoru's personal ethics, but that Lanzhi has to be eliminated since he is in charge.
It's just that when I go to Lanzhi, everything is covered with weeds.
It is these realists today who bow their heads when they should, and these people are able to stay. As an embellishment for the implementation of He Xi's New Deal.
The world is so ridiculous.
He Xi said: "I will give you a way out. I will write to the imperial court to promote literature and education and appease the scholars in the world. I will hold another encore, but it will also be the last one. At the same time, we will build one in Suzhou, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi. For the academy, let the local people recommend a virtuous person to lead it."
