Zhao Benxue, dressed in commoner clothes, stood outside the Meridian Gate and looked up at the red wall and gold tiles.
This is the forbidden palace of the Emperor of Heaven, but the left and right doors are open, and people wearing red, green, or even green official robes can come in and out from time to time. Although there were some inspections, they were not very strict.
Yu Dayou stood aside and said, "Sir, come over, Lu Qianhu is still waiting."
Zhao Benxue wanted to come and see the young emperor, but he couldn't just refuse the invitation - not to mention it might harm Yu Dayou's future.
Now, the person who came to greet them outside the Meridian Gate was Lu Bing, who had arranged to go to the palace as an errand after the New Year.
"Zhifu! Is this Mr. Zhao? Jin Yiwei Qianhu Lu Bing has met Mr. Zhao."
Lu Bing was not scornful, because he knew that the emperor did not even attend the science and technology policy test that started today and the military affairs meeting in Wuying Palace where Guo Xun attended. He only spared time to wait in the imperial study.
Lu Bing was convinced by Yu Dayou, the top martial artist.
As for Zhao Benxue, who taught Yu Dayou the art of war, since His Majesty specially invited him here, he could not be at least worshiped by the Military Academy of Huangming University.
"Lu Qianhu." Zhao Benxue responded as usual, concisely and politely.
This is considered a meeting. Before coming here, I had naturally heard a lot from Yu Dayou. Lu Bing was a Jinshi in the same discipline. Although he has the status of the emperor's brother, his skills are not bad.
Following Lu Bing into the Forbidden City, Zhao Benxue felt that there were still people coming and going in the Forbidden City, just like a huge government office.
As he had known for half his life, the palace had always been strictly forbidden. Unless there is a court meeting, usually only some important officials can enter and leave the forbidden palace, either because of summons or because of special favors.
Looking at this scene now, the conclusion he could draw was simple: the emperor was so diligent that many military and political affairs had to be run closer to his sight.
Sure enough, the legendary imperial study room has a courtyard gate on the right rear of the Guoce Hall.
Entering here, you are not only in the front court, but also close to the harem.
The descendants of the royal family of Zhao and Song Dynasty first saw the Emperor of Heaven, wearing ordinary clothes.
"Zhifu, since you have sent your mentor, you and Lu Bing should go to Wuying Hall to observe the military affairs meeting."
Lu Bing was startled: "Your Majesty, are you serious?"
"Listen more, learn more, talk less." Zhu Houcong said without any scruples, "One is my appointed number one scholar, and the other is my brother-in-law. Who doesn't know my intention of cultivating you? I only hope that you will be modest and prudent, and you will be able to take on the role as soon as possible." Great job!"
Yu Dayou and Lu Bing couldn't help but express their gratitude gratefully.
Zhao Benxue naturally saw this scene.
Based on his experience, he could tell that this was not done for him. Judging from Lu Bing's reaction, how important is the military meeting in Wuying Palace? The emperor really valued Yu Dayou's future and was very confident that Yu Dayou would not let him down.
But as a result, he, the emperor and the imperial attendants were the only ones left in the imperial study room.
Even the bachelors who were accompanying him in the Imperial Study Room just now looked at him meaningfully, then bowed and left.
Zhao Benxue was still a civilian and had no official or position.
What the emperor talked to him did not need to be paid attention to in daily life. What's more, one is the current emperor, and the other is said to be a descendant of the Zhao and Song royal families. Who knows what the emperor wants to talk to him?
"Mr. Zhao came to Beijing all the way from Quanzhou, and even spent the Spring Festival on the road. You don't blame me for disturbing your life, right?" Zhu Houcong smiled and said, "Zhifu said that Mr. Zhao is a hermit and has no intention of becoming famous. .”
Zhao Benxue was silent for three to five breaths, and then he said: "The common people also want to see the sky."
One is "I" and the other is a common man. One is a descendant of Zhao Song who lost his country, and the other is the Lord of Zhu Ming who conquered China.
Zhu Houcong was a little emotional, and then he went straight to the point: "Mr. Zhao has seen me now, and naturally he also knows that I am eager for talents. Although Zhifu has never seriously practiced military training, he had a deep understanding of the Book of Changes during the martial arts examination. General Staff Yang and Wang Shangshu praised Mr. Zhao for his talent in military strategy. Now I want to enrich the country and strengthen the army, and respect the Han and Tang Dynasties from afar. I wonder if Mr. Zhao is willing to serve the country and not let his pearls and jade become dust?"
"...The common people have little talent and little knowledge. May I ask what it means to pay homage to the Han and Tang Dynasties from a distance?"
In Zhao Benxue's sight, the young emperor just smiled and glanced at the map of the Ming Dynasty hanging on the wall of the imperial study room.
Then, there was a clear and powerful voice: "If you are close, the people will not be hungry or cold, and the Ming Dynasty will be free from foreign troubles. If you are far, the force will deter foreign enemies, or drive them away, or they will be willing to serve as Han ministers. Wen governs the world, the officials and the people are diligent, and the Yi and Di They are all yearning for it. It is as strong as the Han Dynasty, as prosperous as the Tang Dynasty, and even more prosperous as the Song Dynasty. Although the prosperous times are indescribable, they can be said to have laid the foundation of China for eternity."
Zhao Benxue looked at his high spirits, and then heard the emperor smile heartily: "I am not bragging, I prefer to call it an ideal. I think that all people with lofty ideals in our country should take this as an ideal. Mr. Zhao feels that Woolen cloth?"
Zhao Benxue recalled that although the Song Dynasty was mentioned, only the Han and Tang Dynasties were respected.
I felt a little bitter in my heart: Ancestors...
"...Your Majesty's heroic spirit is admired by the common people." He raised his head, "The remaining people in the countryside can see your Majesty's beautiful face and hear about Mingjun's lofty ambitions, which is enough comfort. He has lived in seclusion for half his life, only knowing about studying. His achievements in Zhifu are due to his extraordinary talent. It is not the result of ordinary people. Although I have the heart to serve the country, my family's motto is above all. I hope your majesty will forgive me."
Zhu Houcong frowned: "Family motto?"
"Don't dare to deceive the king. Our ancestors have a legacy, and this branch of the common people will not change their surnames to disobey their ancestors, nor pursue honor. Forget all the ups and downs, and enjoy serving the people from generation to generation."
"Ancestor..." Zhu Houcong looked at his age, calculated the time, and then could only smile, "When Meng Yuan came to power, he warned future generations to stay safe. Why should Mr. Zhao be so rigid?"
If it's more formal, there will be formal titles for the eighteen generations of ancestors. This ancestor may be the ancestor of Zhao Benjia's branch in Quanzhou, or he may actually be the eighth generation ancestor.
If we calculate it that way, wouldn't it mean that the Southern Song Dynasty was completely gone, and the Yuan Dynasty just drew a line between several people?
The destruction of a country and a family does not mean total destruction. Naturally, one must warn the descendants not to dwell on the glory of the past and to save their lives first.
Zhao Benxue looked at the emperor and was silent for a while before saying: "Your Majesty established the imperial examination, selected local talents, rewarded brave generals, promoted skilled craftsmen, and appointed people to all officials. The common people are despicable and confused. Now that you have never tested the common people, how can you do it?" Do you think the people of Xincao have any talents that can be used?"
Zhao Benxue really didn't have much interest in becoming an official. He was mainly interested in and curious about the young emperor.
Family training comes first, and he does not hope that starting from his own generation, future generations will have any attachment to wealth. The mismatch of talent and virtue is the source of disaster.
What he said now was his real doubt.
He didn't believe it was because of Yu Dayou. There are so many new civil and military scholars, but I have never heard that the emperor would specially invite other people's teachers because they were talented. What's more, Yu Dayou had more than one teacher. Didn't Jingchu Changjian, who traveled to Quanzhou, send him away from Quanzhou with helpless eyes and incomprehension?
He thought that when he got here, the emperor would at least have a lot to ask and want to test him, but he got straight to the point as soon as he got here and said something like "I am thirsty for talents."
"Mr. claims to be despicable, but I have never even visited the thatched cottage." Zhu Houcong joked first, and then said solemnly, "Among the hundreds of officials, there are many descendants of the previous dynasty. I first admired Mr. Xin Zhifu for his talent; The reason for the special edict to summon Mr. Zhifu to the capital was because of a sentence conveyed by Zhifu."
"..." Zhao Benxue didn't expect that it was because of Yu Dayou, but which sentence made the emperor make an exception and issue an edict to personally announce the summons, instead of letting Yu Dayou persuade him to take the initiative to seek recommendation and become an official?
"Zhifu said that after he made up his mind to take the martial arts examination, he said something: 'I have learned all my life as a teacher, and I hope you will inherit the mantle and come back to the country again!'" Zhu Houcong looked into his eyes and slowly He said, "Zhao Song has a son who regrets the mountains and rivers. I also want to see him. He is already able to write books and speak out, and his virtue is even more indifferent to fame and fortune. Sir, I have regrets in my heart. Don't you want to help the new master of China and take a look at your ancestors? Magnificent mountains and rivers that cannot be seen?”
My initial thought, when I heard that there was such a person, I just thought that he was someone who could lay the foundation for the next generation of famous generals for Yu Dayou, so it would be no problem to be enshrined in Huangming University.
But as soon as Yu Dayou relayed that sentence, Zhu Houcong had a clearer image in front of his eyes.
Even if such a person cannot become a famous minister, he will at least do one thing well with ambition and belief, right?
Zhao Benxue sighed in his heart, is it just because of this same desire?
Zhu Houcong added: "Sir, if you don't seek fame and position, there are ways to work around it."
"...The common people are puzzled."
"Sir, let's place our ambitions on our disciples." Zhu Houxuan looked at him and said, "I originally intended to invite you to a banquet to offer sacrifices to the Military Academy, but now I hope that you can continue to help Zhifu go faster. I have accepted his invitation. Datong is training troops to guard the border. The situation in the border town is complicated, and Zhifu is appointed as a border general in the name of Wu Zhuangyuan, so he inevitably has a lot of chores. There are disputes in the officialdom, and he always needs someone around him to help make plans."
"...His Majesty's intention is that ordinary people should join the Zhifu Curtain?"
Zhu Houcong nodded: "He still has a lot to learn about military training and officialdom. I am cultivating him, but I am worried that he will become arrogant and arrogant if he goes smoothly. As my teacher, I can teach him to guard against arrogance and impetuosity."
As a staff member, you really don’t have much reputation, you are a person behind the scenes.
But what the emperor said according to his own mentality was this reason.
Now it is even more clear that the emperor's cultivation and expectations for his disciple are really a bit unimaginable, and it is almost as if he is afraid of melting away.
Does he listen better when speaking as a teacher? Really...
Zhu Houcong looked at him with a smile: "What do you think, sir?"
Gold will always shine, and the environment will make people change.
If this Zhao Benxue is really talented, it would be better to throw him to the border town first. Not only can there be a practical scene for him to verify his knowledge of the art of war, but also continue to teach Yu Dayou some things, allowing him to grow while preventing him from being proud.
Under the pressure of Bei Yuan, a powerful enemy who would fight hard sooner or later, Zhu Houcong needed more immortal generals.
Now Qi Jiguang is still breastfeeding!
However, old ministers like Guo Xun have the motivation to perform meritorious service, but the upper limit of their abilities is there. At this point in time, people like Guo Xun, who he can trust and can go to the town with his status as a marquis, can only make do with it.
Yang Yiqing and Wang Shouren are both old, and Zhu Houcong also hopes that they will spend their skills on temple calculations and "conquests" instead of being on the front line as commanders. It is better to live a few more years if you are tired and exhausted than running around in the battlefield.
Zhao Benxue's feelings towards Yu Dayou are quite complicated.
To be honest, at this point, he is a real disciple, and his weight in his heart is comparable to that of a parent and child.
He thought for a while and then asked: "Zhifu asked for orders at the end of last year, but he hasn't set off yet. Could it be that His Majesty is just waiting for the common people?"
"We are also waiting for Marquis Wu Ding to set off together." Zhu Houcong said meaningfully, "If Marquis Wu Ding wants to ask for advice on the way together, I hope you can speak freely. They are all going to deal with the northern barbarians. They will run the army and use troops, and the generals and counselors will learn from each other."
Zhao Benxue was slightly shocked when he thought that the emperor asked Yu Dayou to attend the military affairs meeting.
Could it be that there was a big plan for going there, and it was not just that Wu Dinghou was punished for his crime and asked to guard the border?
Letting Yu Dayou know the tip of the iceberg was clearly to create an opportunity for Wu Dinghou to discuss with someone he could trust.
Zhao Benxue looked at Zhu Houcong and felt that his trust in Yu Dayou and himself was really unreasonable.
But... damn trust always makes some people's blood boil.
"...It is what I wish for." Zhao Benxue left his seat and saluted, "The common people should be cautious, hoping that Zhifu can achieve great achievements and comfort my life ambition. If Wu Dinghou asks, the common people will know everything and tell them everything. "
Zhu Houcong knew that he understood, so he laughed: "I have seen some of Mr. Wu's intelligence. With the prestige of Wu Dinghou, the bravery of Zhifu, and Mr.'s experience, I, General Counsel Yang and Wang Shangshu will feel more at ease in the capital."
Zhao Benxue further confirmed, isn't this a battle situation in which the frontline generals suddenly change the situation and the rear monarchs and ministers fully support it?
There is certainly no shortage of people who can serve as advisors at the front, but putting yourself close to the core is just to confuse the enemy and yourself.
What kind of situation, even some of our own people have to hide it first.
The young emperor seems to have a big appetite.
"...Your Majesty is so majestic and magnificent that even the common people have seen it."
What can make Yu Dayou grow faster and move faster? A real war!
It was even more necessary to go, otherwise, what would happen if Yu Dayou, who had never really experienced himself in official circles or on the battlefield, would be caught in such a war?
In fact, Guo Xun in the Wuying Hall had been looking at Yu Dayou from time to time, who was sitting at the end with his head bowed and listening but unable to hide the shock on his face. He didn't understand.
Therefore, after the meeting here, he went straight to the Yangxin Hall to ask for an audience. When he saw the emperor, he hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, the situation ahead is rough. Aren't only Wang Dutai, Chen and Fu Zongbing among the Xuanda generals aware of it? Then Yu Dayou..."
Zhu Houcong said while reading the memorial: "He is fine, please stay close to him."
"..." Guo Xun thought to himself, if you don't tell me, I will be the first serious imperial examination champion in the Ming Dynasty.
"It's not that I have any more plans to hide from you." Zhu Houcong put down the memorial and looked at him, "I hope you will rely more on your strategic intentions and expectations for the direction of the battle. In addition to discussing with several staff members in the rear who are planning this battle, You can only discuss it with Wang Xian at the front. Wang Xian is the Governor of Xuanda. In addition to this bright line, I will give you another hidden line."
"...Is this Yu Dayou who has never led an army? I am not saying that he has no skills, but he is the number one martial artist after all."
Zhu Houcong knew that his worries were justified, and it could not be said that Yu Dayou was already a star-studded SSR now.
"Just remember that he was selected by me. He is absolutely loyal to me and the Ming Dynasty, and he also has some skills. This is enough." Zhu Houhuang sighed, "I am not only giving you the opportunity to make meritorious deeds, but also It's to help you worry about whether the merit is not good enough. It's better than having to rely on your own brains after you go, right? Over there, meeting each other has its benefits! After Yu Dayou went, you can also learn from his Angle sees things that generals who have been in border towns for many years cannot see.”
"Your Majesty is thinking of me like this, I..."
"Okay, okay, don't be like this." Zhu Houcong felt that the middle-aged macho man's expression was a bit disgusting, "I am not specialized in military tactics and strategy. Please make my intention and direction clear, and you can take advantage of the few days you can still stay in Beijing. Let's discuss it with several staff members. When you arrive in Datong, I and they will not easily dictate your arrangements there, so we should try our best to deduce it. Whether your son can still be a marquis depends on your ability. It is also part of your skill to not be picky and make good use of those who can be used."
"..." Guo Xun felt that the emperor's words seemed to include him. If there were the British Dukes of the past or even those fierce generals at the founding of the country, he would not be able to achieve the great success of this plan.
He is also one of those people who is "not picky".
"I have been training soldiers for five years and studied military books diligently. If I am thirsty for battle, I will live up to His Majesty's high expectations!"
"You are brave and courageous! Is there anything else?"
Guo Xun felt that the emperor's refusal to be moved by passion with him was a little perfunctory.
"No! I will continue the deduction with General Staff Yang and the others, and learn about the old situation of Xuanda Zhubao from Wang Shangshu."
Zhu Houcong nodded with satisfaction: "That's right, go ahead."
Seeing that he resigned, Zhu Houcong continued to pick up the memorial that he had not finished reading before, and frowned in deep thought.
Yang Yiqing and Wang Shouren specially prepared a joint secret for this plan. Under the possibility that the Ming Dynasty monarchs and ministers thought that Bei Yuan, which was full of hidden dangers of internal strife, shared the same enemy and wanted to suppress the Emperor of Ming Dynasty's desire to look north, they proposed a declaration. Candidates for civil and military supplements to the defense lines on both sides were presented.
The two sides just defended, but they had to guard against the reaction caused by the low morale of the soldiers after Ming was "defeated" in the early stages of the battle.
Faced with this list of candidates, Zhu Houcong chose to believe in Yang Yiqing and the others.
But he also added two people.
Tang Shunzhi, Mao Bowen.
Take young mules and old horses out for a walk.
I hope they come back safely and grow stronger.
At this moment, in the Wenlou and Wulou in Bauhinia City, Tang Shunzhi and the others were taking part in the planning examination for the system.
In the previously vacant room on the southwest side of Wuying Hall, Huang Jin just came over to check on the progress of the sand table production in the Xuanda area that His Majesty and the others were concerned about - it was not that detailed, but it would be more intuitive than the map.
On the grassland, Fengzhou Beach and the southwest, northeast and other directions are full of fast horses.
The weeds on the grassland and the willow trees in the south of the Yangtze River have just begun to sprout new buds. I wonder who will grow faster and stronger this year.
Sorry, I'm a little late. I'm too busy with work.
(End of chapter)
