First Minister of Ming Dynasty

First Minister Section 475

Zhu Biao's words really surprised people... For a long time, Zhu Biao's image of being honest, gentle, kind, courteous and thrifty is also the hope of many civil servants.

Zhu Yuanzhang is too weak, there is no hope, and only Zhu Biao can be counted on.

But what happened today shocked everyone. It seems that His Royal Highness is not a good talker.

Everyone was terrified, but Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon chair nodded slightly.

"What the prince said is very true... since we started the army, we have been sitting on the dragon chair, and now we have been on the throne for almost ten years. There are always some people in the world who think that we are not worthy of sitting on the dragon chair. The various national policies of the Ming Dynasty cannot satisfy them. We always thought that with the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, wealth and people, and the surrender of the barbarians, someone will eventually figure it out. But now it seems that it may not be!"

What Zhu Yuanzhang said, some people's blood is cold, it's terrible!

This is the anger of the emperor!

Sure enough, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Today is our birthday, so it's not good to kill people. But there must be a conclusion on this matter, who is waving the flag behind, fanning the flames, and who is conniving and defending, making a mess... There must be a conclusion." Confess!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes fell on Li Shanchang, and Li Xianggong fell to his knees in fright.

"Superior, minister, minister is negligent, minister is guilty!"

Old Zhu shook his head and said, "Mr. Li, this matter is just like the previous Ministry of Commerce. You are right. I didn't think about it before, so I can't handle it. This time, the Ministry of Etiquette should take care of it. Within a day, I want to hear what the Ministry of Rites has to say!"

Chapter 661 Abandoned

Although Zhu Yuanzhang only said that he wanted to hear the meaning of the Ministry of Rites, there was another sentence in front of him, because it was his birthday, so he didn't want to kill.

In other words, after three days, if there is no way to do it, it will be death!

Once the civet cat was exchanged for the prince, it caused so much trouble. Li Shanchang also complained endlessly, and since the alliance with Zhang Ximeng collapsed, Lao Li felt powerless and difficult.

Whether it is Jiang Nan's business department or this incident, it is beyond Lao Li's control.

He had no choice but to summon Tao Kai, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, Yang Xunwen, the left servant, and several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy on the second day to discuss together.

"Li Xiang, to be honest, we were really wronged. We don't know about the drama where the civet cat was replaced by the prince. You said that the lowly officials are all court officials after all, how could they get mixed up with a group of actors!"

"Shut up!" Li Shanchang stopped drinking, then glared at Tao Kai, and said with a sneer, "You have just been transferred from Shanxi. Judging by your appearance, it is useless to practice outside. Get out of the Ministry of Rites now, don't Stay here!"

Lao Li showed his power and scared Tao Kai enough. What did he do wrong?

It doesn't make sense, why is Li Xianggong so angry?

Seeing this unrepentant thing, Li Shanchang was really speechless.

"Go and invite Jiang Shangshu over!"

Jiang Nan is the only Shangshu named Jiang in Zhongshu Province, please come here?

Let a female stream teach us old men how to do things?

Li Shanchang was so angry that he wanted to hit someone, so instead of asking Jiang Nan, should the old man beg for Zhang Ximeng?Isn't that even more shameless?

After a while, Jiang Nan really came, and after listening to Li Shanchang's words, Jiang Nan said without any hesitation, "Li Xianggong, when His Majesty raised his troops, he asked Wu Tiju to compose operas and perform on stage very early. Years ago, it was clearly stated that the performers also have military membership, and they are given preferential treatment like lieutenant officers."

"It was decided at the beginning because this publicity is very important and cannot be sloppy." Jiang Nan said seriously.

Tao Kai was stunned for a while, and then said: "Jiang Shangshu is right, but now that the Ming Dynasty has been established for ten years, the country is stable, the things are rich and the people are prosperous, the world is in great order, just like the prosperous Ming Dynasty! At this moment, there is a difference between high and low. , how can you disregard face and associate with those actors?"

Jiang Nan chuckled, "Yeah, opera singers are low class, unworthy to stand in court alongside officials. To treat them, you should throw them away after use, don't take it seriously... Forget it, I'm tired too, let me say goodbye!"

Jiang Nan got up to leave, but Li Shanchang stopped him in fright, "Jiang Shangshu, don't get me wrong. After all, Tao Shangshu is too literary, and I will definitely teach him a lesson when I turn around. I also ask Jiang Shangshu for advice on what to do. That's good!"

Jiang Nan sneered, "I think the habits of scholar-bureaucrats are too heavy! I really have nothing to advise Li Xianggong. If Li Xianggong is willing, he can invite Liu Xueshi or Qian Shidu to discuss this matter."

After Jiang Nan said this, he got up and said goodbye. He didn't want to waste a second.

Don't look at the more than ten years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Ximeng has been busy for so many years calling for changing customs.It would be nonsense to say that it has no effect. After all, if there is no effect, how can Jiang Nan sit on the throne of Shangshu?

Moreover, like Di Qing, she has not been attacked by a crowd and expelled from the court, which shows that Zhang Ximeng's troubles have not been in vain.

But to say that since then, the world has changed drastically, the old habits have disappeared, and everyone has changed their views, and the Ming Dynasty has become new from head to toe... That is even more like a dream!

What is especially ironic is that the higher the official position, the more powerful it is, especially the noble yamen such as the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial College, and the Imperial Academy, the more difficult it is to change.

The gentlemen are all disciples of Confucianism and Mencius. Although they are temporarily frustrated, sooner or later, they will see the sun.For nothing else, how old is Zhang Ximeng this year?

Let us convert to his sect and call ourselves Zhang's sect?

What are you thinking?

Even if the knife is pressed against the neck, we still refuse to accept it!

That is to say, Mao Gui's kind of unscrupulous warrior, can be shameless, we real scholars will never bow our heads!

Li Shanchang has long seen through the bezoar and dog treasures of this group of things, and it is a dream to expect the Ministry of Rites to come up with any plan!Moreover, Li Shanchang heard a clue from Zhu Yuanzhang's wording.

Lao Zhu said that like the Ministry of Commerce, it is about to carry out a thorough reform of the Ministry of Rites.

Maybe three days later, if there is no proper plan, the Ministry of Rites will be wiped out.

Faced with this situation, Li Shanchang was really helpless.

A Ministry of Commerce is terrible. If there is another Ministry, there will be nothing left with my little authority in the Ministry of Education.At that time, Zhongshu Province will become a province under the door.

Lao Li was full of anger and helpless.

After thinking about it, he finally decided to invite Qian Tang over.

Without him, Qian Tang participated in the revision of Song history since he went north to Yanshan, and wrote several good articles, which were appreciated by Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang.

They belonged to those who were more able to figure out what they wanted. Jiang Nan also said that Qian Tang was available, so Li Shanchang had no choice but to invite Qian Tang over.

Qian Tang came over soon, and after roughly talking about the situation, Qian Tang immediately said: "Li Xiang, let the humble official say that since Wu Tiju went to Liangzhou, the imperial court has not been able to create operas, explain state affairs, and serve the imperial court. The propagandist. Now it should be added as soon as possible, and there must be something from the imperial court."

Li Shanchang had no choice but to smile bitterly, "You said that this old man has thought about it too, but the current imperial court has no one who can do this, should we call Wu Datou back?"

Qian Tang immediately shook his head, "Mr. Li, Dudu Feng and the others went to the Western Regions, aiming to dig through and restore their old land. Wu Tiju's burden is not light on them. And if the Ming Dynasty is so big, only Wu Tiju can use it. That thing will never work!"

Li Shanchang sighed helplessly, "It's true that you said this, but there is really no suitable candidate at the moment... I don't know if you have any ideas?"

Qian Tang paused, "Mr. Li, it's not that the lower officials are unwilling to take on the responsibility, but the lower officials are really not good at it... If anyone is more suitable, the lower officials have the courage to suggest that Luo Guanzhong be in charge of this matter."

"He!"

Li Shanchang thought about it for a while, this person can write, don't just be played badly by Zhang Ximeng back then, can this person do it?

Li Shanchang thought about it again, and it seemed that there was nothing wrong with it. After all, it was different from the past, being played by Zhang Ximeng. It was a fight with Zhang Xiang, and it was an honor to lose!

"In that case, give him a chance!"

Li Shanchang thought for a while, and asked: "Qian Tang, do you think it's okay to make up for it?"

Qian Tang laughed loudly, "Li Xiang, where are you now? There are still too many things to do! Your Majesty blamed the Ministry of Rites, and it is really their own fault! No one else is to blame."

This is very rude to say, especially Qian Tang's low position, it is a bit outrageous, if not for the current situation, Lao Li would want to drive him out as a crazy student!

"Then you might as well tell me, what should I do?"

Qian Tang said: "Li Xiang, the Ministry of Rites is in charge of teaching and learning, and shoulders the great task of establishing schools... Ever since His Majesty entered Jinling, he has allocated huge sums of money to vigorously develop schools! For so many years, since Li learned from Li Shangshu, the Ministry of Rites has only allocated funds and only issued Money, no enlightenment. The Ministry of Rites is just the money bag of each school, and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites has become a housekeeper, is this justified?"

Li Shanchang was taken aback, but it made sense, except for his tone of voice, it turned out to be the case.

"What about other things?" Li Shanchang said, "Are there any deficiencies?"

"Of course there are. The Ministry of Rites is also responsible for sacrifices. For such a big matter, who should be sacrificed and who should be praised? The Ministry of Rites can't have a list? Just like Bao Zheng, this person is certainly an upright official, a bunch of bastards in the Song Dynasty Among them, it is not bad. But Bao Zheng has been the governor of Kaifeng for a few days? He has been an official for a long time, and he has been an admonishing official. Do your best, how about opening up the frontier and expanding the ground?"

"Clean and honest, this is what Confucianism advocates. In my Ming Dynasty, officials must be clean and honest, but they must also make a difference. They must contribute to a strong and prosperous country! If the country is not strong, the courtiers will lose face!"

Qian Tang talked eloquently, and what he said was exactly his idea of ​​strengthening the country.

Li Shanchang thought about it and could only agree.

Basically, the Ministry of Rites has four missions, one is to educate, and in Daming, it is to establish schools, which has been said by Qian Tang to be worthless.

The second is foreign exchanges, and the Ministry of Rites is responsible for handling the affairs of the vassal state.This item was abolished a long time ago, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established separately.

The third is the Spring and Autumn Sacrifice, which needless to say, was also refuted by Qian Tang.

The last thing left is refined meals, that is to say, every important occasion, such as Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday, to hold a banquet, the Ministry of Rituals needs to coordinate.

To put it bluntly, it is to eat!

There is only such a dispensable content left in the dignified Ministry of Rites. Li Shanchang couldn't help laughing, "According to this, it seems that the Ministry of Rites can be abolished!"

Qian Tang hurriedly bowed and said, "Returning to Li Xiang, the Ministry of Rites cannot be dismissed, but what the Ministry of Rites does needs to be changed."

"How?" Li Shanchang asked curiously.

"Returning to Li Xiang, in the past, the Ministry of Rites selected talents for the master, but now the Ministry of Rites needs to educate talents for the country. In the past, the Ministry of Rites was for the rituals of offering sacrifices to the heavenly family, but now the Ministry of Rites should offer sacrifices for the people, so as to educate the people and gather people's hearts."

Qian Tang said: "Education by rites and music. In the past, the Ministry of Rites relied on this set of things to restrain the emperor and share the world with the emperor. The current Ministry of Rites should be to correct people's hearts and protect the foundation of the country! It's better to just add trouble to His Majesty. To assist His Majesty is to govern the people!"

Li Shanchang turned pale with shock, Qian Tang's insight in these few words has far exceeded his expectations.

Qian Tang seems to have explained a problem: why is the Ministry of Rites always on the verge of death, always fighting against Zhu Yuanzhang?

There is no way, this yamen is responsible for national ceremonies and sacrifices... This thing has little restraint on ordinary people.To put it bluntly, from the very beginning, the Ministry of Rites was designed for the royal family.

It implies the meaning of restraining the emperor with etiquette, such as the famous Daliyi...

That's the original intention, so it's no wonder if you don't add trouble!

Li Shanchang couldn't help sighing, "If you say that, the Ministry of Rites really needs to make a move!"

Chapter 662 Li Shanchang's Highlight Moment

Li Shanchang suffers from insomnia. At his age, it is not uncommon for him to be unable to sleep, but this time he is very troubled. The conversation with Qian Tang has already made Li Shanchang see clearly the problem of the Ministry of Rites, and even said that it made Lao Li aware of it. The problem with the whole set of bureaucracy,

Of course, in the face of problems, it is not necessary to solve them, delay, cover up, divert, avoid, or even simply solve the person who raised the problem, there is always a way to use, after all, these are much easier than solving the problem.

But now that Qian Hui brought it up, there is no reason for Zhang Ximeng not to realize that Li Shanchang's various means are useless in the face of Zhang Ximeng, and even just fall into the empty space, taking his own humiliation.

Could it be that the old man can only be the head of a hundred officials in name all his life, living in the shadow of Zhang Ximeng forever?

In the first half of the night, Lao Li tossed and turned. In the second half of the night, Li Shanchang simply got up and slept in the yard under the moonlight. After thinking over and over again, he finally gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

In fact, if you want to deal with Zhang Ximeng, there is another way, and that is to do better than Zhang Ximeng!

That's right, we will take this opportunity to thoroughly reform the official system, start from the Ministry of Rites, break this chaotic situation, and surprise everyone.

Know what I am, Lee Sun Jang!

right!

Just do it!

Even Zhang Ximeng was taken aback!

The more Lao Li thought about it, the happier he became, and he even hummed unconsciously.

Li Shanchang decided to open Zhang Ximeng's eyes!

And what about Zhang Ximeng at this time?

what is he doing

Zhang Ximeng was also humming a ditty, in a good mood... There was nothing wrong with it. In front of him was a copy of his son's final exam results.

First Class No.7!

In Jimin School where the world's talents gather, his son actually got No.7 in the exam!

As the father, Zhang Ximeng was naturally very satisfied, even happy.

Converting this ranking to future generations, it is basically recommended to the Qingbei, and the colleges and departments are randomly selected... May I ask if a father will be happy tomorrow?

It's just surprising that Zhang Runing was not satisfied. In fact, when he went to Jimin Academy, he was sick for a while and often had a fever. Fortunately, his grandparents took care of him.

Moreover, his neighbor is a veteran. When this veteran first arrived in Jiangxi, he was also sick. He just boiled water and drank it according to the folk prescription, and he got better.

The grandparents were skeptical, and the old couple secretly tried it first, and found that it was fine, and then gave it to Zhang Runing. As a result, the little guy really got better and became alive and well.

The little guy became interested in medicine, and he set a goal for himself. In the coming year, he had better be admitted to the top three in the school, and then went to the medical school if he had enough energy to study, and listened to what Mr. said, he to study medicine

Zhang Shuning felt that being a teacher or a doctor would benefit the common people and be a very fulfilling thing... He also asked his father how to learn medicine, did he have any suggestions?

Faced with his son's request, Zhang Ximeng had nothing to say, but searched for the health regulations he compiled back then, and many pamphlets on battlefield rescue, packed them in boxes, and sent them to Jiangxi.

However, Zhang Ximeng also wrote a stern letter, admonishing Zhang Ning that medicine is different from other things, human life is at stake, and one must be responsible for the patient and himself... Therefore, Zhang Ximeng strictly forbids his son to prescribe medicine casually until he has learned something. Treat people casually.

All kinds of prescriptions must be confirmed to be effective, and they cannot be taken casually...

Zhang Ximeng sent the letter out. There was one more thing he didn't tell his son, that is, next summer and autumn, he might go to Jimin Academy to hold a special class and give lectures for a period of time. It can be regarded as a surprise for his son!

Next year will be the tenth year of Hongwu. Converted to the Western calendar, it should be 1370.