Chapter 68 Loyal and Capable Ministers

The sixteenth year of Yongle.

Zhu Di and his two sons and grandsons were also studying the issue of the demise of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Zhanji proposed an idea: "Grandpa, Dad, do you think it has something to do with the struggle among ministers in the court?" After all, the political struggle began to use Fang Xiaoru as a banner, and it was obviously intentional.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi both looked gloomy. They also thought this idea made sense. The factional struggles in the Song Dynasty were extremely fierce, so it made no sense that there would be no factional struggles in the Ming Dynasty! Zhu Di was confident that he, his sons, and his grandchildren would not have that level of factional struggles when they were in power, but his descendants might not be sure!
"Moreover, maybe the target of their struggle is the emperor himself, so they use you and Fang Xiaoru as examples." Zhu Gaochi pointed out another possibility - the emperor's power fell into the hands of others.

Zhu Di's face became increasingly gloomy. He slapped the armrest of his chair and said, "It seems that we must not relax our management of these literati and civil officials!"

Regarding Zhu Di and his two companions' plan to strengthen management of literati and civil officials, Yongle's ministers were roughly divided into two groups.

Some of them were those who participated in the Jingnan Campaign. They were relaxed. After all, in terms of their positions, they were hostile to Fang Xiaoru and others. Even if they were good at literature, it would be difficult for them to immediately walk on the same path with this group of people. Therefore, not only were they not worried, some of them even thought about whether they could take this opportunity to earn more merits and expand their power.
The other part is the ministers who have some connection with these people. They are all a little worried. Although they are not ministers of Emperor Jianwen, they are inseparable from these literati, or have private interests in them.

In the 13th year of Hongwu, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province.

If the previous content about Fang Xiaoru's loyalty to Emperor Jianwen made him and his teachers and classmates somewhat worried.

When seeing "Fang Xiaoru was executed with ten clans", his classmates admired his integrity, felt sad about his tragedy, and were also a little angry at Zhu Di's cruelty. One student shouted "tyrant!" in a low voice, which won the silent approval of others. Fang Xiaoru himself didn't think it was a big deal. This was his perseverance. How could he give in because of the intimidation of a tyrant? But he didn't hear what the teacher said. He looked at his teacher Song Lian and saw only Song Lian's worried expression.

"Teacher, it's okay. I won't be scared. Your Majesty cannot punish me for this!" Fang Xiaoru felt that the teacher was worried about his life, so he spoke out.

Unexpectedly, his teacher shook his head. Seeing his confusion, Song Lian said, "I am not only worried about this problem, I am also worried about..."

Tianmu’s next words stopped him from continuing, because his worries had become a reality.

Zhu Di killed more than 800 people! But the killing of ten clans is false! But this statement has a lot to do with literati! ...

Most of the students who study here have not really been exposed to officialdom. Their thoughts are still based on their own understanding of books. They don't understand officialdom, nor do they understand actual politics, let alone who the current Hongwu Emperor is. So even though they know that this matter is fake and have a vague feeling that something is wrong, they still don't understand.

Fang Xiaoru didn't understand either. He looked at his teacher, who suddenly looked sad and even a little desperate, and asked, "Teacher, what's wrong?"

Song Lian sighed: "You will definitely have no future in officialdom! And for us literati, the road ahead will be extremely difficult!" He didn't say more.

Song.

Zhao Kuangyin fell into deep thought: He had done his best to guard against military generals to prevent a repeat of the Tang Dynasty, but now it seemed that military generals alone were not enough and he also had to guard against the literati? So what should he do?
Qin Dynasty.

The First Emperor looked at the problems encountered by the Ming Dynasty displayed on the sky curtain and thought of the people of the Hundred Schools of Thought. If the Hundred Schools of Thought cannot be used by me, what is the point of using them! He looked at Li Si.

Li Si understood his meaning perfectly, responded respectfully, and began to think of corresponding measures in his mind.

So, what is the evaluation of Fang Xiaoru?

He was a loyal minister. Whether people like him or not, they all agree with this view. He was loyal to Emperor Jianwen, accompanied him to the end, and did not surrender to Zhu Di. He really practiced the Confucian ideal of loyalty to the emperor.

So is he a capable minister? Not necessarily.

He once wrote an article entitled "On Deep Contemplation" and was recommended to Mr. Runzhi. Mr. Runzhi's answer was: "What about his own fate? If he can't even consider his own fate, how can he talk about deep contemplation?"

Of course, his spirit is worthy of respect. He sticks to his personality and never gives in.

With his extensive knowledge, he might be more suitable to be a Confucian scholar or teacher, educating people. This might be the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang initially appointed him as a professor in Hanzhong.

Ming Dynasty, the 13th year of Hongwu.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head. Although he had not met Fang Xiaoru yet, he could get a glimpse of him from the description of the sky curtain. "A loyal minister but not a capable minister?" This kind of person is not a big problem at ordinary times, but in the era of Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Di, lack of ability is a great sin! "However, he is indeed suitable to be a banner and a spiritual symbol!" He paced a few steps and decided to follow his own approach in the miracle, "Let him be a professor! Others are not suitable."

Seeing that the big event seemed to have passed, Zhu Bai became active again: "Dad, who is Mr. Runzhi in the sky curtain?" The sky curtain only said Mr. Runzhi, and the picture only showed a shadow next to a bookshelf, without showing any information at all.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and saw that his other sons and ministers were also looking at him, as if he knew. He couldn't help but hold his breath: "We don't know! Maybe he is a person from the future. To be mentioned by Tianmu, he must be a hero."

"Oh." Zhu Bai withdrew his gaze from his father in disappointment. What his father said was no different from not saying anything!
Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province.

When Fang Xiaoru saw the miracle's evaluation of himself, he just lowered his head and remained silent. His classmates didn't know what to say, so they could only look at each other, and for a moment even the air became quiet.

One person couldn't stand the strange silence and was a little worried about Fang Xiaoru, so he said, "We have all read Brother's "Deep Concern", it is very well written! Mr. Runzhi's evaluation is a bit too much." ("Deep Concern" was written in the seventh year of Hongwu)
Several other people echoed and comforted Fang Xiaoru.

Fang Xiaoru raised his head and forced a smile, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, fellow disciples. But maybe what I wrote was not good enough. After all, I did make a wrong judgment later and failed to save the situation..."

His teacher Song Lian also consoled him: "Although it is an evaluation made by future generations, it is not unchangeable. You are already excellent in academics, but you lack personal practice. In the future, you should read and learn more, and don't be bound by books. The same goes for others." At this time, Tianmu mentioned that Zhu Yuanzhang initially appointed Fang Xiaoru as a professor in Hanzhong. Song Lian breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "The emperor may also grant you a professorship by then. It is also good to be a professor first. With your knowledge, it is not impossible for you to write books and become a local master in the future."

Fang Xiaoru nodded seriously, he knew that this was also his best choice.

Han Dynasty, the second year of Yuanfeng.

At this time, Huo Guang had already seized power. Shangguan Jie and others were executed, and Emperor Zhao of Han appointed him. In the current Han Dynasty, he could be said to have the final say.

Emperor Zhao of Han, Liu Fuling, looked at Huo Guang and thought, Huo Qing is the capable minister mentioned by the miracle. Under his governance, the people of the Han Dynasty are prosperous and the barbarians are submissive. So is he a loyal minister? Yes, at least he doesn't want to be the emperor now.

Liu Fuling sighed. [Speaking of capable and loyal ministers, let's mention another famous person in the Ming Dynasty: Yu Qian.

In the 19th year of Yongle, Yu Qian passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. Later, Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen was defeated in the Battle of Tumu Fortress and captured by the Tatars. The people of the capital were in a panic, and some even proposed to move south.

Under such circumstances, Yu Qian stood up, rejected the idea of ​​moving south, persuaded everyone to stay in the capital, and insisted on letting Yingzong's brother Zhu Qiyu ascend the throne to stabilize the people's hearts. After the new emperor ascended the throne, he organized military preparations, deployed key points, personally supervised the battle, led an army of 220,000, lined up outside the nine gates of the capital, and resisted the Oirat army. The Oirat Grand Master Yesen threatened Yingzong to make peace, but he refused, saying "the country is more important than the emperor".

This series of actions can be said to have saved the Ming Dynasty. Without mentioning other things, just talking about the migration to the south, if it really migrated to the south, I am afraid that the Ming Dynasty would be no different from the Southern Song Dynasty.

Eight years later, Emperor Yingzong of Ming was restored to the throne and Yu Qian was eventually killed.

Is he a capable minister? Obviously. Is he a loyal minister? Of course. However, he is not only loyal to the emperor Zhu Qizhen, but also to the Ming Dynasty and the people.

It's just that such a famous minister needs a king with a broad mind. Zhu Qiyu can do it, but Zhu Qizhen obviously can't. In the end, it can only make people sigh. 】

Ming Dynasty, the 16th year of Yongle.

Zhu Di was quite happy at first: "A Jinshi in 19 years? Soon, my Ming Dynasty will have another talent." Before he and his children and grandchildren could have a good time, the content of the miracle took a sharp turn for the worse, "The emperor was captured?! By the Tatars??" Zhu Di was furious. Where did these incompetent descendants come from! Not only did they lose the battle, but they were also captured! Apart from the emperors of the Song Dynasty, it couldn't be their Zhu family!
However, this name in order... Zhu Di suddenly felt his eyes go dark and he could hardly breathe. After a while, he opened his eyes and saw his unfortunate grandchildren busy calling the imperial physician over. He was furious: "Zhu Zhanji, you gave birth to a good son!"

Zhu Zhanji quickly apologized and advised Zhu Di: "It is my fault for not educating my children and grandchildren well. But it is not too late now! Grandpa, please don't get angry. Anger is harmful to your health!"

The imperial physician who had been in the palace came forward to feel Zhu Di's pulse and concluded that he was suffering from a heart attack due to anger.

At this time, Tianmu talked about Yu Qian's series of actions. Zhu Di suddenly felt deeply gratified.

Zhu Gaochi was also moved and said: "Master Yu Qian is the benefactor of our Ming Dynasty! Dad, such a person must be treated well!"

Zhu Di agreed and ordered people to find out about Yu Qian. As for other things, he thought of Tianmu's mention that someone was going to move south? I don't know who it is, don't let me catch him!

As a result, another big thunder came.

"Restoration? This bastard can restore the throne?" Zhu Di was even angrier than before. "Zhu Qiyu didn't kill him? Can he restore the throne?" No wonder he was so angry. What Zhu Qiyu had done before was still ringing in his ears. Who knows what the Ming Dynasty will become after his restoration! Moreover, if he restored the throne in just eight years, what about Zhu Qiyu?
"Yu Qian is dead?" Zhu Gaochi looked at the other sentence and cast his eyes towards Zhu Zhanji.

"My son will never let Zhu Qizhen ascend the throne!" Zhu Zhanji was also very depressed, as his son was nowhere to be seen!
Ming Dynasty, the 13th year of Hongwu, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province.

Fang Xiaoru looked at the miracle's comments on Yu Qian and was stunned, and even began to doubt himself. Yu Qian was not loyal to Emperor Yingzong of Ming, he established a new emperor! But he also protected the Ming Dynasty... Tianmu said that he was also a loyal minister, loyal to the entire Ming Dynasty... Is my loyalty wrong?

In the palace.

After angrily scolding Zhu Qizhen and beating up Zhu Qizhen's ancestor Zhu Di, Zhu Yuanzhang's anger subsided a little, and he began to pay attention to other details in the sky curtain.

The image of the capital city on the sky screen made him realize that something was wrong. This didn't seem to be what the capital city looked like now?

"Fourth brother, did you rebuild the capital after you ascended the throne?" Zhu Yuanzhang decided to ask Zhu Di.

"Maybe. It could be that the capital city is a little shabby after I finished the war." Zhu Di grinned, but did not forget to embellish his words.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. Although he still had some doubts, he decided to let it go for now.

Zhu Di, on the other hand, had been to Beiping. Looking at the wall style and architectural style of the capital in the sky, he felt that it looked a little familiar. Hmm? Why does it look a little like Beiping? Could it be that after I ascended the throne, I missed Beiping and renovated the capital?

Song.

Zhao Kuangyin and his two brothers were originally enjoying themselves, but suddenly the fun began to happen to them.

"Like the Southern Song Dynasty?" This is obviously not a good thing to say, and it is still a migration to the south.

Zhao Kuangyin was horrified. Why would there be a "South" for no reason? The dynasties that were divided in this direction were all interrupted, or even new countries were established... Could it be that the descendants of the Song Dynasty were useless and moved south, and thus became the "Southern Song"?
He murmured, "Could it be that our Song Dynasty failed in its northern expedition and failed to unify the country?"

Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Guangmei and others looked unhappy when they heard this speculation. They still had the ideal of unifying the north in their hearts, but the little bit of information revealed by Tianmu said that they might not succeed...

The more terrifying scenario, which no one has mentioned, is that not only will they fail, but they will also be defeated and become a humiliation!

The atmosphere suddenly became cold.

Tang Dynasty, the third year of Zhenguan.

Li Shimin and his ministers looked at Yu Qian with respect in their hearts, and when they recalled the situation of Fang Xiaoru in the sky curtain, they shook their heads.

"If Yu Qian was in our Tang Dynasty, if he had met Your Majesty, how could he have suffered such an end!" Cheng Yaojin was extremely angry at Zhu Qizhen, but he also felt sorry for Yu Qian. He was both civil and military, and could stand up at critical moments. Such a good talent should be matched with their Majesty.

"What a loyal and righteous man, with both moral integrity and talent, and both civil and military talents!" Li Shimin's tone was full of admiration, "The Tang Dynasty needs such talents!" Thinking of Shen Ji's evaluation of loyal and capable ministers, he looked at his trusted ministers and said, "What do you think is wrong with the term loyal minister?"

Wei Zheng bowed and said, "I think that in addition to the distinction between loyal and capable officials, there should also be good officials. Loyal officials will put themselves in an isolated and dangerous situation, trap the monarch in deep sin, lead to the destruction of the country and the family, and leave the name of loyal officials in vain; while good officials can gain a noble reputation for themselves, help the monarch gain a prominent title, and enjoy wealth and honor during his lifetime and after his death."

Li Shimin was thoughtful.

(End of this chapter)