November 3rd.
Due to visits and lectures along the way, Li Zhi was delayed a lot of time, but at least he arrived in the capital within the deadline set by the Ministry of Officials.
Saying goodbye to the students who insisted on seeing him off - one of the rewards of giving lectures along the way.
Li Zhi pulled the donkey cart to the city gate alone.
The nine-door tax in the capital does not charge a head tax, but it still collects a business tax.
Li Zhi pulled a donkey cart sent by his students into the city. There was a pile of local specialties on the cart, and several guards at the city gate insisted on checking it.
Unfortunately, the officer encountered a problem. Li Zhi cited scriptures and rebutted the request for interrogation, saying: In the early days of Emperor Xiaozong's reign, the censor Chen Yaoyan said that the Chongwenmen tax inspector believed that his ability was to suppress people, which was not a state system. Instead, he ordered passengers and cargo to be cleared, and vehicles were not to be searched or blocked.
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Anyway, during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, there was an edict stating that in addition to checking passengers and cargo, random searches and blocking of vehicles were not allowed.
The tax collector at the city gate wanted to refute physically, but after finding out the documents for his appointment as Imperial College, he was convinced by Li Zhi's reasoning and finally let him into the capital without checking the donkey cart.
Li Zhi entered the city gate with his head held high.
Later, after seeing that the price of houses in Beijing had increased a little, I became discouraged.
This is why he took so long to come to the capital.
Living in the capital is not easy.
Li Zhi really didn't want to come to the capital, and even said that he had never been interested in becoming an official.
He no longer remembers how he was forced into this situation step by step.
When he was eight years old, a raging fire ignited in his heart. He said that he was stubborn and difficult to change. He did not believe in learning, Taoism, immortality, or Buddhism. Therefore, he became evil when he saw Taoists, monks, and especially Taoists.
When he was twelve years old, he was even more enthusiastic and wrote a piece of "Old Farmer and Old Farm Theory", which satirized Confucius.
When I was fourteen years old, I read the Book of Documents and bluntly said that Zhu Xi's annotations were disgusting.
He once thought that he was a destined figure and the protagonist of history. In the future, he would write books and commentaries, and sooner or later he would leave these so-called saints behind.
Later, he found out that he was wrong.
The fault is not that he is inferior to these saints, but the fault is that these so-called saints have too many disciples.
There were so many rules and regulations imposed by these saints throughout the world that made it difficult for him to move forward.
The so-called Confucius said that when a dog barks and a hundred dogs obey, it is not that he looks down on Confucius, a moral figure who has passed away, and he has no intention of disparaging him.
What he looked down upon was not Confucius, but the wild dogs behind Confucius!
When he was fifteen years old, for the child examination, he unintentionally comprehended the so-called Confucian classics, the Four Books and the Five Classics.
When he was seventeen years old, his father forced him to take the provincial examination and asked him to pick up the Neo-Confucian classics that he had previously despised, Zhu Xi's "Biography" Notes.
At the age of twenty-one, Li Zhi watched helplessly as his bride, Huang, had to help others with sewing and eat whole grains and wild vegetables because of the financial difficulties of his family.
His wife, who is only fifteen years old, is hard-working and virtuous. As the eldest sister-in-law, she "treats Su Si as a compatriot and takes care of everyone as if she were her own child." How can he have the heart to ask her to live in poverty and happiness with him?
Finally, Li Zhi compromised on his official duties.
Compromise to your father, compromise to your wife and children, and compromise to rules and regulations.
Fortunately, his talent was quite good. He passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-six and went out to become an official at the age of thirty.
However, Li Zhi never dreamed of the so-called way of making money quickly as an official.
Communicate with the trend? Or emerge from the mire but remain unstained?
The young and energetic Li Zhi chose moral integrity.
Unfortunately, the salary of the Ming Dynasty taught him a solid lesson.
He successively served as the magistrate of Huixian County in Henan, doctor of the Imperial College of Nanjing, and doctor of the Imperial College of Beijing. He lived in poverty. Finally, when he was thirty-eight years old, his wife and daughter died of starvation in Huixian...
Li Zhi looked at the bricks and tiles of the capital with a complicated expression along the way.
After his wife's death, he returned to the capital to serve as an official in the Ministry of Rites. However, due to conflicts with his superiors, he took the initiative to report that "I was tired of the capital's extravagance, so I begged to stay in the capital."
At that time, he secretly swore that he would never return to this place of right and wrong.
As for why he was called back... because the emperor promised that he could "not be controlled by others, his salary would be doubled, and he could study with peace of mind."
With a tangled mentality of wanting to believe it but not fully believing it, Li Zhi rushed back to the capital alone without his family.
The capital was still as he remembered it, with busy traffic and crowded streets.
Li Zhi walked along the side of the road with some discomfort, so as not to encounter any unnecessary trouble.
I happened to see a noodle stall with four simple tables set up on the roadside, with a sign saying "noodles" on it. The coal stove was cooking noodle soup, and the steam was rising, which aroused Li Zhi's greed.
He thought for a while, walked over, tied the donkey cart to a tree, and shouted: "Shopkeeper, give me some noodles!"
Li Zhi hadn't eaten yet today, and he was so hungry that his chest pressed against his back, so he happened to take a rest.
Not long after, the store owner brought a bowl of noodles.
"Your Majesty, please take your time," the shopkeeper said, putting down the bowl.
Just as the shopkeeper was about to turn around and do other work, Li Zhi's face suddenly darkened and he grabbed him.
"Wait a minute!" Li Zhi picked up the chopsticks and picked up the noodles in the bowl, "You don't have two ounces here!"
The shopkeeper was startled and quickly comforted him.
He lowered his voice and apologized: "Sir, we have a small business, so how can we be short of you? Besides, I have to come here to check every now and then. I don't dare to give you the courage."
Li Zhi was used to poverty and was a more sincere person.
He knows that the "chaiyecha" as the store owner calls it is the military commander in Beijing who conducts inspections of the market every three days to measure and measure prices.
But he also knew that as long as these stores paid their share in full, they could make the guards turn a blind eye.
Li Zhi ignored these excuses and just held on to it and said: "I just asked you if you have any two taels!"
The shopkeeper repeatedly begged for mercy, but seeing that the man in front of him was indifferent, he finally relented and said, "Sir, if so, I'll give you a piece of cooking cake."
Li Zhi then softened his expression and let go of the shopkeeper: "The pancakes can only be considered short-term compensation! I still have to pay you a penny less for this bowl of noodles!"
The shopkeeper smiled bitterly, cupped his hands and turned around to get the cake.
Li Zhi then sat down and started eating noodles.
My eyes looked at the shopkeeper from time to time to prevent him from spitting into the cake, and I listened to the chatter of other diners.
"...If you are so talented and don't take the imperial examination, how can you stay in the tabloids and write novels?"
"You know nothing. Look at this setting. Isn't Bi Mawen the Royal Horse Supervisor? There are also these official slangs. In my opinion, most of them are veterans who have retired from officialdom."
"Nonsense! Is there any clear evidence? Are you just lying here!?"
Li Zhi looked at the two people huddled together reading the new newspaper, and suddenly remembered that he had missed two issues of Journey to the West.
It happened that the store owner came forward to deliver the cooking cakes, and Li Zhi asked the store owner: "Seller, do you have these two issues of the new newspaper?"
The store owner wanted to decline politely, but was afraid that this guy would cause trouble. After thinking about it, he turned around and brought two new newspapers.
When it was handed over to the guest in front of me, he did not forget to say: "Be careful not to damage it."
Li Zhi waved his hand and took the newspaper in his hand.
I originally planned to read the novel first and then eat noodles.
As a result, after scanning it at a glance, I was attracted by the large characters.
Li Zhi frowned and murmured to himself: "The attitude and method of learning... from the theory of good and evil? What the hell is that name?"
With a critical attitude, Li Zhi put down Journey to the West and first read this article, which seemed a bit handicapped.
Seeing the beginning... Oh, it turned out to be the emperor. Only then did he remember that the emperor asked for the innate person before.
It's no wonder that Li Zhi relaxed his tolerance for the level of thinking at this age when a ten-year-old boy was doubting about good and evil.
Moreover, using congenital people as proof, the idea is still somewhat novel anyway.
Let him see what conclusion he has reached?
When he saw the emperor making rash judgments, he shook his head again.
How can one person make a conclusion?
I was about to curse, but when I saw the last sentence, I raised my eyebrows again.
This little emperor seems to have pretty good potential.
Li Zhi did not read the novel immediately, but instead looked at the next issue of Xinbao.
After all, there had never been a newspaper before that published the emperor's discussion of Confucian classics. Anyone would be curious to see the follow-up.
However, the next issue surprised Li Zhi even more.
It means that the emperor announced the establishment of a new school on the 29th of last month, specifically for the purpose of seeking proof.
On the 30th, the emperor issued an edict asking "how to obtain clear evidence and how to confirm the authenticity of the proof." If he could find something, he could be appointed to the new academy, be given the status of an official, and receive a monthly salary of twelve liang.
When the people and supervisors heard the news, they started discussing it.
On November 2, that is, yesterday, You Shangcheng unveiled the list and criticized the omissions in the emperor's theory of good and evil.
It is said that for the theory of good and evil, just one example is not enough to prove it. There may be ten or hundreds of examples, all of which can be called clear evidence.
At the same time, since he is still in chaos, how can he only let his ministers guide him to good things?
It can also be proved by comparing the two people who lead to evil.
After hearing this, the emperor took the initiative to summon Cheng Dawei, admitted his shortcomings face to face, and praised, "This is the solution I want to solve."
We had a great time discussing it in detail, and then we worked together to customize it. The method for studying the theory of good and evil was tentatively designated as the "experimental method."
According to what Cheng Dawei said, the results obtained by experimental methods must have characteristics that can be realized repeatedly, otherwise it cannot be called clear evidence.
Furthermore, the test method should have contrast, one positive and one negative, just like one yin and one yang, otherwise it can only be called one-sided evidence and is not acceptable.
He also granted Cheng Dawei the status of a guest lecturer in the new school, with a monthly salary of 10 liang, and he did not have to work in class.
After Li Zhi read it, he completely ignored this part of the discussion and fixed his eyes on the "temporary position" and "monthly salary of twelve taels".
He summoned the shopkeeper and asked, "Shopkeeper, where will this new school be built?"
You have to take a look yourself to see if you can hold an official position at the same time.
…
At the same time, Qianqing Palace.
His Majesty the Emperor slept in late today and did not get up until daybreak.
Today, the late emperor's first wife, the Queen Mother, moved into the late emperor's mausoleum and was buried with the late emperor.
For the important event of offering sacrifices, it is appropriate to miss school for one day.
Then Zhu Yijun ordered his consort Xu Congcheng to offer sacrifices on behalf of the emperor, while he hid himself.
Political affairs were handed over to the cabinet, and matters concerning Huaihe River and Huaihe River were entrusted to Hai Rui. Zhu Yijun finally had nothing urgent to do.
Next, if he intervenes in the Beijing camp, he can figure it out slowly. In his memory, Gu Huan should have died quite late.
Zhu Yijun stretched himself and called the palace servants to change his clothes.
I was thinking about whether to go to the school yard later or go to the Ministry of Industry to ask about Zhu Heng's ship.
Just at this moment, Zhang Hong entered the hall looking a little nervous.
He even took over the task of changing clothes and drove away the palace people on his own initiative.
Before Zhu Yijun could ask, he whispered: "Sir, there was a fire in Ciqing Palace last night."
Zhu Yijun suddenly woke up: "Is the queen mother injured?"
His first reaction was to ask about Queen Mother Chen's safety.
If the Queen Mother was burned to death at this time, the impact would be too bad.
Zhang Hong said quickly: "The fire was controlled on the spot. Only a few eunuchs and maids were injured. The Queen Mother is safe."
"Then the Queen Mother ordered her servants to detain everyone in Ciqing Palace and interrogate them one by one in person."
"I originally wanted to send someone to Qianqing Palace to report to Your Majesty, but the Queen Mother suspected that I wanted to send someone away, so I held her down."
Zhang Hong explained the reason clearly in a few words, and also pointed out why he did not report it immediately.
In that case, if he insisted on letting people leave, he would probably make Empress Dowager Chen suspicious of the emperor.
Zhu Yijun breathed a sigh of relief, Queen Mother Chen was fine.
He spread his arms and asked Zhang Hong to put it on for him. He asked seriously: "Is the fire normal?"
If something knocks over the candle, that's all. I'm just afraid that someone is seeking death.
Zhang Hong hesitated for a moment, then considered: "The fire started a little quickly, but it was not too obvious."
Zhu Yijun looked gloomy and did not speak.
If it was man-made, who could have done it? The South Zhili Township Party? The minions of Lianghuai? Or the Jin Party? Those who reject the new law?
What is the purpose? Is it a demonstration? Or is it a estrangement? Or is it because you want to knock the shit out of him?
Zhu Yijun waited until he was dressed before he said in a deep voice: "Let's go to Ciqing Palace."
After that, he shook his wide sleeves and strode out, unintentionally showing the eagerness in his heart.
Zhang Hong quickly followed.
Silently all the way, the group quickly arrived at Ciqing Palace.
Standing outside Ciqing Palace, Zhu Yijun felt a burning smell coming towards his face.
While slowing down, he asked: "Is the queen in the palace?"
Zhang Hong said hurriedly: "The Queen Mother is in Nuan Pavilion."
It was normal that the fire had just started and he did not dare to stay in the palace. Zhu Yijun nodded, walked into Ciqing Palace and went straight to the Nuan Pavilion.
As soon as she entered the Nuan Pavilion, she saw Queen Mother Chen sitting on a chair, supporting her cheek with her hands and tilting her head to rest.
When I heard someone coming in, I suddenly sat up straight and opened my eyes.
Seeing that it was the emperor coming in, he relaxed a little.
"My child, please give my regards to the queen." Zhu Yijun saluted.
Queen Mother Chen rubbed her eyebrows and said, "I beg you for now, but it won't be certain in the future."
Zhu Yijun heard the resentment in the queen mother's mouth.
He hurriedly stood up and approached, rubbed Empress Dowager Chen's temples, and said, "Did Empress Dowager find anything out of the investigation?"
Empress Dowager Chen said helplessly: "I accidentally knocked over the candle."
Zhu Yijun asked: "Really?"
Queen Mother Chen sighed and said nothing.
Zhu Yijun was silent.
This means that there is no trial, but it cannot be said to the outside world that someone deliberately set the fire, but we don’t know who it is.
The impact on Tianjia's face is secondary. The most important thing is that it can easily arouse suspicion both internally and externally.
Zhu Yijun asked carefully: "Does the queen have any clues?"
Queen Mother Chen gave him a strange look and said, "I should ask your Majesty this question. Is your Majesty causing trouble again recently?"
Fires in the palace are actually a very common thing, and there are often traces to follow.
In Empress Dowager Chen's memory, during the two years when the late emperor supported Kaihai, there were frequent fires in the palace.
Now that the emperor is isolated from the inside and outside, she doesn't know if there is any big event in the outer court, but...from the last time Gao Gong left the capital, the cabinet insisted on seeing her. To see, the relationship between the outer court and the mother and son may not be the same.
On the bright side, if she had been burned to death in the palace last night, the emperor would have been in a lot of trouble.
Therefore, rather than saying that it was directed at her, it was more about the emperor causing trouble.
Just at this time, Li Jin walked in from outside the Nuan Pavilion: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, and the ministers from the outer court heard that there was a fire in Ciqing Palace, and they sent people to comfort them."
Zhu Yijun's eyes flashed and he said: "What a quick news!"
He stopped rubbing his hands and said to Queen Mother Chen: "Mother, let the child handle it."
There is another chapter, either around 10 o'clock or tomorrow.
There are some things at work, I will do a performance report + update tasks on the weekend
Note 1: In October of the sixth year of Longqing, at Gengwu, the ministers such as Xilian Fanghuo behind Ciqing Palace, the cabinet, the Ministry of Government, and Rituo all sent their condolences and reported the news.
Chapter completed!