This theory, which is known to most people in later generations, is rare to hear in this era.
Of course, it’s not that ancient people didn’t know this truth, but that the spread of knowledge in ancient times was too inefficient. Some people may know this principle, but they may not be able to spread it widely.
So, after Zhu Biao asked, Zhang Yifan explained in detail: "How much water a barrel can hold does not depend on the longest piece of wood that makes up the barrel, but on the short piece of wood. This is Barrel theory!"
Zhu Biao was obviously a smart man. When he heard what he said, he immediately showed an expression of enlightenment and said to him: "You mean, how long our Ming Dynasty can exist does not depend on the most powerful emperor, but the worst." That emperor?"
Zhang Yifan did not give an affirmative answer, but just replied: "Brother, look at history, there should be many examples. Soon the founding emperors were all wise and powerful, but in the end the country was defeated in whose hands, history should There is an answer."
"That's right, that's right!" Zhu Biao nodded and agreed. "Using history as a mirror, we can understand gains and losses. It's true!"
Zhang Yifan saw that Zhu Biao had some understanding, so he stopped talking, allowing Zhu Biao to think more and talk less.
No, Zhu Biao said while thinking about the rotation of emperors in history: "Historically speaking, even if one generation of emperors is not as good as the other, the difference will not be much. The most worrying thing is that if the emperor dies early, the prince Either the prince has not been established or the prince is young. Or the prince appointed is not a human being..."
When he said this, he suddenly looked at Zhang Yifan and seemed to have grasped the key point and said: "And this is the shortcoming of the barrel. Even if it does not ruin the country, it will probably severely damage the vitality of the empire and make it unable to recover?"
After Zhu Biao finished speaking, he was a little dissatisfied when he saw Zhang Yifan not speaking, and immediately asked: "You are speaking! Now that you have thought of this situation, is there anything else you want to say?"
After hearing this, Zhang Yifan had no choice but to reply: "Brother, since how much water a barrel can hold depends on the shortest board, then when we let people use the barrel to fetch water, should we use the shortest board? How much water can it hold? Do you think so?"
Zhu Biao naturally understood this truth. However, he was not satisfied with this and said angrily: "Yifan, don't hide it in front of big brother. Just tell me what's in your stomach. Is it possible that big brother can still eat you?"
Zhang Yifan also laughed when he heard this, and then replied to Zhu Biao: "Since the eldest brother said so, then I will tell you what I think. Can't you say I'm lazy?"
Zhu Biao: "..."
He pretended to be angry and said, "Say it quickly, otherwise I will be really angry!"
Zhang Yifan knew that he was pretending, so he pretended to be scared and matched his expression and said, "Brother, look, my father demands others based on his diligence, but my father has never thought that we are just mortals, and there is no father." The emperor's ability. Therefore, his request is actually to ask people based on the highest board. Even if others can do it, it will definitely not last long. For example, if you have to get up so early, there will be few days of rest throughout the year, etc. wait."
"Secondly, our emperors after the Ming Dynasty should have been born in and grew up in deep palaces. Regarding the specific conditions of the people, their conduct in the world, and their insight into people's hearts, etc., they are definitely not as wise and powerful as the founding emperor. Then they will How can we govern the country well? Are the rules set by the founding emperor considered from their perspective? Even a mediocre person can be a good emperor. Will this ensure the longevity of the empire? What if? A wise and powerful emperor can make money and manage the Ming Dynasty well, right?"
Speaking of this, he said to Zhu Biao sincerely: "Actually, to be honest, brother, I like to sleep until I wake up naturally. But after I came to Xiangshan County, I didn't have such an opportunity. I was busy every day. For a long time, I I felt a little tired. So I thought of a way to recruit those secretaries and let them help me handle government affairs. This would save me a lot of time and energy. Anyway, they only have the power to make suggestions and ultimately decide whether to do this or not. It depends on what I mean. Doesn’t this mean that I am still handling the matters in Xiangshan County?"
Zhu Biao actually burst into tears when he heard what he said: I also want to sleep until I wake up naturally, but my father doesn't allow it!
Of course, you have to act like a big brother on the surface, and you can't speak ill of your father. Zhu Biao asked Zhang Yifan: "Can you show me all the documents they have processed?"
After he finished speaking, he felt something was wrong and wanted to see more, so he changed his words and said, "Why don't you take me to see it?"
Zhang Yifan knew as soon as he heard that Zhu Biao was interested in his method, and this was what he wanted, so he took Zhu Biao to the warehouse.
The documents that have been processed are kept in separate collections. Zhu Biao can read whatever he likes.
It has to be said that Zhu Biao still has the shadow of Zhu Yuanzhang. Even though he has just arrived in Xiangshan County after a long journey, he is still very serious when talking about business and checking documents.
I saw him randomly checking documents, looking through the original records, and then looking at the handling opinions on the stickers and Zhang Yifan's handling results, etc. Sometimes he would occasionally ask Zhang Yifan why he did this.
Just like this, Zhang Yifan became a little impatient, but Zhu Biao continued. Fortunately, it was getting late and Zhu Jingjing came over, which interrupted Zhu Biao's busy work.
While returning to the back office for dinner, Zhu Biao said excitedly to Zhang Yifan: "I took a quick look and found that this method is really good. Most of the suggestions from the secretaries are pertinent and can save a lot of things."
Zhang Yifan listened and thought to himself, have you also found a way to be lazy?
In fact, even Zhu Yuanzhang was unable to do it personally at a high intensity later on, so he had to use secretaries, the predecessor of the cabinet ministers. After several generations of emperors' improvements, the Ming Cabinet was born.
At this time, Zhang Yifan smiled and replied to Zhu Biao: "Those secretaries must pass my test first. Only those who I think can do the job will be hired as secretaries. Otherwise, it will cause chaos!"
After Zhu Biao heard this, he asked about the details of the recruitment. He talked as he walked and arrived at the Houya.
The Crown Princess and Zhu Xiongying had already bathed and changed clothes, feeling much refreshed. When he saw Zhu Biao going in, he immediately said with disgust: "You are smelly and sweaty. Go and wash up first. When you come to Yifan's place, take a good rest and don't think about political affairs all day long!"
Of course she saw Zhu Biao's busyness and felt pain in her heart.
After listening to this, Zhang Yifan remembered that there was a saying in later generations that Zhu Biao died early because of high psychological pressure, poor physical rest, and illness caused by overwork.
There is no precise way to say what it is. However, Zhang Yifan saw that this elder brother was indeed as diligent as Zhu Yuanzhang in his work. He came all the way to Xiangshan County, but he was busy without rest at all.
Thinking like this, he echoed the Crown Princess and said, "Yes, big brother, you have to be busy in moderation, combine work and rest, and only by being healthy can everything go well, right?"
When the princess heard this, she immediately pointed at Zhang Yifan and said to Zhu Biao: "Look, do you hear it? My brother-in-law's words are golden words. Do you know that we should balance work and rest?"
Zhu Biao listened and showed a wry smile. Of course he wanted to combine work and rest, but who could go to his father to convince him to agree to this idea of combining work and rest?
Of course, at this time, he wouldn't say anything to spoil everyone's interest, so he went to wash up obediently.
Zhang Yifan naturally went too, but he just took a shower. The pool was at a high place and the valve opened and closed. It was similar to the showers of later generations, simple.
After half an hour, Zhu Biao appeared refreshed and praised: "I feel much better now!" 「
The princess was talking to Zhu Jingjing, Zhang Yifan was teasing Zhu Xiongying, and the two had become familiar with each other again. Of course, it is mainly the Crown Princess's attitude towards her sister and brother-in-law that determines Zhu Xiongying's acceptance.
As soon as Zhu Biao came out, it was time for dinner.
Good guy, it’s an all-fish feast. There are so many fish that even Prince Zhu Biao has never seen before.
So Zhang Yifan and Zhu Jingjing introduced them to them.
I have to say that the taste of many types of sea fish is definitely different from ordinary fish.
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Such as shark, nine-spit fish, etc., the taste is absolutely unique. The shark meat is like pig skin, and the fish is like soft tofu. It was the first time to eat real seafood, which surprised Zhu Biao and the Crown Princess.
Not to mention, in order to entertain her eldest brother, sister-in-law and nephew, Zhu Jingjing cooked the food herself. Even Zhang Yifan, who has eaten delicious food for two lifetimes, would praise her craftsmanship.
Zhu Biao and his family were full of praise for the fish they had never eaten before and the delicious fish soup.
After eating, it was a pleasure to enjoy the cool breeze in the yard.
Zhu Biao was lying on the recliner, turned to Zhang Yifan on his side and said, "Can you elaborate on the patent you mentioned? My father thinks it would be better to ask more clearly."
When Zhang Yifan heard this, it turned out that his explanation was not detailed enough, so the father-in-law didn't respond for a long time?
He was guessing in his mind, and just as he was about to answer, he was interrupted by the Crown Princess: "You two, okay, we have just arrived, so stop talking about political affairs and have a good rest. Can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
When Zhang Yifan heard this, he immediately changed his tune and said, "Sister-in-law is right, brother, just take a rest!"
After hearing this, Zhu Biao also smiled and said, "Okay, I listen to you, let's not talk about that."
So, the two families chatted about their own topics and teased little Xiongying, which seemed to be enjoying themselves.
After the night got a little deeper, Zhu Jingjing was worried about the health of her elder brother and sister-in-law, so she suggested that they go to bed early.
Zhu Biao felt fine, but he couldn't stand the princess' decision, so he had to rest.
What he didn't expect was that before taking a break, he was given a surprise: "What is this?"
He saw that his wife was not wearing a bellyband, but a very strange thing that he had never seen before.
After hearing this, the Crown Princess smiled and said: "This is Jing Jing's. My clothes are just a little too small. She said this is the most humane and can protect this place. The previous bellybands were inconvenient. You need to tie your chest when going out. What's more, It will be crushed. Anyway, what she said made sense, so I gave it a try."
After she finished speaking, she deliberately asked fiercely: "What do you think?"
After hearing this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but smile and shake his head and said, "This must be Yifan's idea, right? One set after another, as long as you feel comfortable."
"Yes!" The Crown Princess said with satisfaction, "Jing Jing took the measurements and will make a few sets for me later."
Zhu Biao leaned his back against the bedside and said to her: "This brother-in-law is really a genius. No matter what it is, he can turn it into something magical. Food, clothing, travel, whatever he has seen, he can make it happen." A bunch of new ideas!”
After hearing this, the Crown Princess said slightly proudly: "So, I must have been right in my original vision. I strongly advocated that it would be best for him to be the consort!"
After hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded and said with a smile, "It is true. I can see that Jingjing is marrying him. I am very happy. As an elder brother, I am also very happy!"
The princess looked at him and began to express her feelings: "You don't know, when I discovered that Yifan knew how to be grateful, I knew that this child could do nothing wrong. Think about it, he was an orphan and suddenly got a large sum of money. , for ordinary people, it is too late to hide, but he did not hesitate to repay the village. Based on this, I am optimistic about him. But I did not expect that he is actually born with talent, this is a treasure!"
Having said this, the Crown Princess suddenly asked worriedly: "You and he were talking together this afternoon. Did you talk about the matter that made my father angry? Does it matter?"
After Zhu Biao heard this, he knew that his wife was also concerned about this matter. Just as he was about to say it, the Crown Princess quickly added: "You are the eldest brother, and he is so good to Jing Jing, and he is also very good to us, so we must help him." a little!"
"Don't worry!" Zhu Biao couldn't help but smile bitterly after hearing this, "I also like this brother-in-law. If something happens, I will definitely put in a good word for him. Not to mention, my father is actually worrying too much!"
When the Crown Princess heard this, she couldn't help being a little surprised and said: "Really? That would be great. Then we can eat and drink here, and we will feel at ease!"
Zhu Biao: "..."
After a while, he coughed and said to his wife: "Actually,
, I think Yifan did a good job in this matter. Maybe after he goes back, his father will know about it, and maybe he will learn to do it. "
"What?" When the Crown Princess heard this, she immediately became curious and asked quickly, "You think it's possible that my father will also learn from Yifan?"
It was really hard for her to imagine that with her father's diligence, he would learn from Yifan's tricks? If you don’t train Yifan, it’s already good, right?
When Zhu Biao heard this, his expression became serious and said: "Yifan is thinking long-term! The emperors of our Ming Dynasty will definitely not be as wise and powerful as our father. If every generation of emperors follows the standards of our father, If you do something, it will definitely not be possible and problems will occur. My father will definitely consider this matter carefully!"
