Chapter 1114. Drawing cakes is a required skill for politicians (1).
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In the past, Prince Zhu Heyu had always dismissed the idea of "painting cakes to satisfy hunger".
In Zhu Heyu's view, a person should be based on integrity, and this is especially true for those in power. As for him, as a dignified prince and prince, he must be honest and trustworthy, and stick to his word, otherwise how can he become a model for the world?
, to convince and follow the ruling and opposition parties?
Therefore, Zhu Heyu will never promise anything to others easily. Once he makes a promise, he must keep his promise!
Regarding this attitude, Zhu Heyu had expressed his complaints to Emperor Deqing, Zhao Shancai, and Zhao Junchen after the alliance was formed.
Emperor Deqing was stunned when he heard Zhu Heyu's statement.
Then, Emperor Deqing immediately summoned Xiao Wenruan, the former crown prince and grand master who was still alive at the time, and then reprimanded him, believing that Xiao Wenruan had educated the crown prince into a pedantic idiot.
After Emperor Deqing's reprimand was over, Xiao Wenruan said to Prince Zhu Heyu - "I taught you what I think is correct, but that road is difficult and may not be successful. Some things are right or wrong.
, and whether you should stick to it or not, no one else can decide, it’s up to you to decide.”
After Xiao Wenruan passed away, Zhu Heyu was assisted by Zhao Shancai. He also told Zhao Shancai his ideas, and Zhao Shancai remained silent for a long time.
But soon, Zhao Shancai seemed not to care at all, and just said with a calm smile, "Everyone should do something. There are some things that His Royal Highness really shouldn't do personally."
After Zhao Shancai died of illness, Zhu Heyu chose to form an alliance with Zhao Junchen and told Zhao Junchen his persistence. After hearing this, Zhao Junchen also smiled, but the meaning of the smile was unclear.
Finally, Zhao Junchen said leisurely: "Integrity seems to be a good thing. You think integrity is right, but in my opinion, there is no real right or wrong in this world. In the eyes of people from different positions, right
Wrong words are often completely opposite...
At the same time, absolute success and failure do exist in this world! Isn’t it ridiculous to give up absolute success or failure for the sake of false right and wrong?”
Zhu Heyu discovered that although Zhao Junchen was a corrupt official, he actually had a tendency to "be a teacher" and would often explain seemingly useless truths to others at length.
Therefore, compared to Xiao Wenruan and Zhao Shancai who talked about this matter in one sentence, Zhao Junchen talked about many things in detail.
During this period, Zhao Junchen also mentioned a new concept to Zhu Heyu - "involution".
"What is involution? It means that everyone is squeezing towards the center! That is, in order to compete for relatively limited resources, people must put in a lot of extra ineffective efforts, and it also forms an irreversible vicious circle!
Take the imperial examination as an example. Memorizing and understanding the Four Books and Five Classics is enough, and neat and clean calligraphy is enough. However, there are only so many places on the list, and there are hundreds of thousands of scholars in the world. It can be said that
It's like thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge. If you still want to stand out under such circumstances, you must put in a lot of extra ineffective efforts!
Therefore, there is the Eight-Part Essay. When writing an article, you must deliberately imitate the tone of the ancient saint. The length of the sentence, the use of traditional and simple words, the pitch of the voice, etc. must be carefully studied. The calligraphy handwriting cannot only be neat and clean, but also must be carefully studied.
It must be at the level of a famous artist...
However, let us think about it carefully. Scholars have spent so much effort on hanging beams. Do their efforts have practical significance? Is writing articles imitating the tone of saints useful for daily life? The sentences should be long and short, and the words should be used in both traditional and simplified styles.
Is the emphasis on the tone of voice any good in governing the people? None, it has no practical significance! It is simply a waste of time!
Not only that, people's energy and time are limited, and this situation has also produced many bad consequences. Scholars waste a lot of time and energy on useless things, and they will be helpless, ignorant of world affairs, pedantic, and even useless.
There is no common sense in distinguishing grains, so there is a saying that "a useless scholar is a scholar"... Under such circumstances, even if they successfully cross the single-plank bridge in the future, how can they be expected to govern the country and bring peace to the people?
However, when every scholar does this, if you still want to cross the single-plank bridge, you must waste your life and time with the crowd, otherwise you will not even have a chance to cross the bridge!
This is involution! It forces everyone to waste time and life on useless things. If you think about it carefully, don’t you think this situation is terrible?”
At that time, after Zhu Heyu heard what Zhao Junchen said, although he could not empathize with him, he still subconsciously felt that "involution" was indeed a terrible phenomenon, so he nodded in agreement.
Zhao Junchen continued: "Yes, involution is not a good phenomenon, but if you think deeper, you will find that the root cause of the involution phenomenon is actually a good phenomenon that everyone praises.
, that is 'fair'!
Why? It is precisely because the imperial examination system ensures a certain degree of fairness and allows every scholar to participate in the competition that there are thousands of troops crossing the single-plank bridge. Therefore, scholars are forced to waste their lives and put in a lot of effort for useless studies.
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Hey, everyone knows that the culture of the Ming Dynasty declined, and it was not as splendid as the previous dynasties. In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, a hundred schools of thought contended, in the Han Dynasty there were Yuefu, in the Wei and Jin Dynasties there were styles, in the Tang Dynasty there were poems, in the Song Dynasty there were lyrics, and in the Yuan Dynasty there were songs... But what did the Ming Dynasty have?
The novel is still enjoyable for just a few chapters, but have you ever thought about why this happens?
That's because there was no imperial examination system before the Sui and Tang dynasties. Instead, the children of nobles directly became officials, or they were promoted to be filial and honest. Although there were imperial examinations in the Sui, Tang, Song and Three Dynasties, there were many loopholes. Only in the later period did the naming and copying techniques come into being.
The rankings were still monopolized by the children of aristocratic families; in the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial examination system was discontinued for a time...
In this way, ordinary scholars have no chance to participate in the competition, but the children of aristocratic families do not need to compete, and there is no chance for involution to occur. They naturally have the leisure and energy to focus on romance, poetry, and songs!
But by the Ming Dynasty, the imperial examination system had been perfected, and the room for maneuver of the aristocratic families was suppressed to the greatest extent. Whether they were the children of nobles or the common people, they all had to compete fairly... but the result was that everyone was involved in it.
If you waste your life without studying, how can you have leisure time, poetry, and songs?
In this regard, the words fairness and involution are almost synonymous, but involution is wrong and fairness is right. Don't you think it's very contradictory?
Therefore, the so-called right and wrong are often completely opposite in the eyes of people from different positions. For those ordinary people who are down and out, fairness is right, and involution is also right, because these situations are the best way for them to reverse their own and family destiny.
The only chance! But for those noble nobles, fairness may be right, but involution is definitely wrong, because this situation has always made them waste time and lives!
There are many similar situations... Where is the boundary between forgiveness and indulgence? Perseverance and flexibility are both good qualities that people advocate, but they are actually completely opposite things; if loyalty is a good thing, then is it the same to help others do evil?
Kind of loyalty?”
At that time, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but feel confused after hearing what Zhao Junchen said.
In the end, Zhao Junchen concluded: "So, there is never a true sense of right or wrong in this world, but there is an absolute sense of success or failure!
Before we distinguish between right and wrong, we must first recognize our own position. Remember that it is our own position that determines right and wrong, good and evil, and we cannot let the so-called right and wrong and good and evil determine our own position!
If it is beneficial to your own position, it is right, and if it is not beneficial to your own position, it is wrong. This has been true in ancient and modern times! Otherwise, even if you insist that what you do is right, as long as it fails in the end, you will still be wrong in the eyes of everyone.
Incorrect!"
Having said this, Zhao Junchen looked at Zhu Heyu's expression changes with a smile, and asked: "In the same way, integrity seems to be a good quality... but is it necessarily right?"
*
On this day, Zhu Heyu summoned several major officials of Yuezhou Prefecture to talk to him in the Yamen of Yuezhou Prefecture in Huguang.
During the conversation, Zhu Heyu unexpectedly recalled the different opinions of Xiao Wenruan, Zhao Shancai and Zhao Junchen.
Xiao Wenruan only wanted to shape Zhu Heyu's character, Zhao Shancai only wanted to solve things for Zhu Heyu, and Zhao Junchen wanted to change Zhu Heyu's way of thinking.
Zhu Heyu himself respected Xiao Wenruan the most and trusted Zhao Shancai the most... But today, he has finally followed the path pointed by Zhao Junchen.
Thinking of this, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but laugh at himself.
But soon, Zhu Heyu calmed down the distracting thoughts in his mind and continued his task of "painting the pie".
At this time, Lei Jiazheng, the chief envoy of Hunan, Lu Zhihong, the prefect of Yuezhou, Zhang Chengshun, the fellow magistrate of Yuezhou, and others were sitting in front of Zhu Heyu, quietly listening to Zhu Heyu's speech, all with respectful attitudes.
In fact, Zhu Heyu was the current prince and an imperial envoy. These officials were originally only qualified to stand in front of Zhu Heyu and obey instructions. However, Zhu Heyu's attitude after seeing them was extremely polite. Not only did he let them
When we sit down and talk, the tone is mainly discussion.
"My lords, the attitude of the central government is very firm. This time, we will not let go of those vassals who violate disciplines and disrupt government under any circumstances. Even if they are relatives of the emperor, they will be guilty of the same crime as the people if they break the law!
Yuezhou was an important town of the imperial court, with a large amount of land owned by three vassal kings and 17 clansmen scattered throughout the territory. This was the key point! For many years, the people under Yuezhou had suffered from oppression by the vassal clans, and some were forcibly annexed.
Some people were robbed of their land, their wives and daughters were robbed, and the Yuezhou Prefecture Yamen also had a backlog of cases in which people sued the vassal. Now is a good time to settle the matter!
We have a good chance. We have collected a lot of evidence in advance. The feudal lords involved in the case have no chance to defend themselves! I hope you all can cooperate sincerely and handle the case with all your strength. You don’t have to worry about the lords’ retaliation afterwards. I will make the decision for you.
!The imperial court will also support you! As long as the case is handled smoothly, I will ask for credit from the imperial court, and all of you will be rewarded!"
After hearing what Zhu Heyu said, all the officials present agreed in unison, still with a respectful attitude.
However, Zhu Heyu was still keenly aware of the disapproval flashing across many people's expressions.
After all, everyone now knows that Zhu Heyu's position as crown prince is in danger, and the ascendance of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian is irreversible. Under such circumstances, no one believes that Zhu Heyu will be able to help them block the feudal clan in the future.
revenge, and did not believe that Zhu Heyu had the ability to get them to be rewarded by the imperial court.
After being keenly aware of the thoughts of these officials, Zhu Heyu understood that he had lost his prestige, and his expression darkened, but his expression soon returned to normal.
On the way from Luoyang to Yuezhou, Zhu Heyu was used to such situations, and he also knew very well that he had indeed lost the ability to protect and promote these local officials. He was just trying to spread the pie.
Therefore, in order to persuade these local officials to work wholeheartedly, Zhu Heyu not only had to draw a big pie, but also pulled a tiger's skin and a big banner.
Therefore, Zhu Heyu skillfully changed the topic and said: "I just said that the attitude of the imperial court is very firm, because not only is His Majesty determined to severely punish the feudal clan involved in the case, Zhou Shoufu and Zhao Gechen also hold the same attitude.
The king and his ministers are united and unstoppable!
Since I left Beijing to investigate the case, I have still maintained contact with Zhou Shoufu and Zhao Gechen. Their positions are completely consistent with mine, so your future performance is not only in my eyes, Your Majesty, Zhou Shoufu and Zhao Gechen
They will also see it! In addition to me, the people who will support you in the future include Zhou Shoufu, Zhao Gechen and others!"
When Zhu Heyu mentioned Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen, the expressions of all the officials present changed slightly, and they agreed in unison again.
But compared with the last time they agreed in unison, the officials were obviously much more serious this time.
After all, they had also heard the news and knew that Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen had become allies. These local officials could secretly despise Zhu Heyu who was in danger, but they did not dare to despise Zhao Junchen who was in full swing.
With Zhao Junchen's current status, he will be convincing in the future whether he blocks the vassal's revenge for them or asks the court to take credit for them.
Seeing the changes in the attitudes of the officials, Zhu Heyu's mood became increasingly complicated, but his appearance remained as usual. After discussing the follow-up plan with the local officials in detail, he got up and saw them off in person.
When the local officials left, looking at their retreating figures, Zhu Heyu finally couldn't help but sigh.
Li Chuanwen was still accompanying Zhu Heyu at this time. After hearing Zhu Heyu's sigh, he immediately guessed what Zhu Heyu was thinking.
After a moment's hesitation, Li Chuanwen persuaded: "Your Highness, don't be discouraged. These local officials are just short-sighted and can only see your current predicament. But as long as your follow-up plan is successfully realized, there will definitely be opportunities to reverse the overall situation in the future...
Zhao Gechen will definitely help you!"
Zhu Heyu turned his head and glanced at Li Chuanwen, but sighed: "Now everyone in the government and the public looks down on me. It feels really uncomfortable and makes people feel powerless...
Having said this, I admire Zhao Gechen's wisdom even more. Just over a year ago, he was also not favored by the world. Everyone in the government and the public believed that he would inevitably end badly in the future, and they all stayed away from him...
...But in just over a year, Zhao Gechen has completely turned the situation around. Now, no matter the local central government, officials or people in the government and the public, who dares to underestimate Zhao Gechen?
It's ridiculous to say that I am now determined to imitate Zhao Gechen's method of turning things around, but I have clearly seen everything Zhao Gechen has done over the past year, and I can't even summarize it.
I don’t know what kind of methods Zhao Gechen used to turn the situation around so quickly... Sigh, maybe I just don’t have enough talent and virtue!"
Li Chuanwen hesitated again. After seeing Zhu Heyu's sad expression, he finally couldn't help but said: "Zhao Gechen's method of turning the situation around is difficult to say and simple to say. In summary, it is to seize everything.
Opportunities, use every opportunity! Whether it is to please His Majesty, reform political malpractices, form a party and expand power, make friends with scholars, or even fight for meritorious deeds, etc., etc., you must try your best to seize any opportunity, just like this, little by little
To turn the situation around... Therefore, His Highness the Crown Prince must remain patient now!"
Zhu Heyu nodded lightly to express his acceptance. Just as he was about to say something more, he saw Xiao Wenxuan hurriedly entered the room and reported: "Your Royal Highness, we just received the news that the new imperial envoy Wang Youlun has now left Luoyang and is rushing towards Yue
We are coming from the Zhou direction to catch up with His Highness the Crown Prince to hand over the authority of the Imperial Envoy. We will arrive in about five days."
After hearing the report, Zhu Heyu's expression suddenly changed, and he did not care to continue to exchange experiences with Li Chuanwen. He immediately ordered: "Before everything is settled, Wang Youlun must not be allowed to catch up with me and hand over power! Continue the order.
, let everyone hurry up and do things, we must finish everything in Yuezhou City within three days, and then leave Yuezhou as soon as possible!"
Zhu Heyu has made up his mind to play hide-and-seek with Wang Youlun. He will never meet with Wang Youlun to hand over the powers and responsibilities of the imperial envoy before he personally concludes the feudal clan's crimes - if he loses his status as an imperial envoy again, he will only serve as an imperial envoy.
A precarious prince cannot accomplish anything at all!
After making the decision, Zhu Heyu turned to look at Li Chuanwen and asked again: "Mr. Li, in your opinion, what should we do next?"
Li Chuanwen did not hesitate and said quickly: "The next step is to meet and win over the wealthy gentry families in Yuezhou, and use the vassal land as bait to win the full support of these people! As long as His Highness the Crown Prince has the support of the wealthy gentry families from all over the country
, your reputation in the minds of scholars will not be damaged, and you will have a chance to make a comeback in the future. This is the most important thing!"
"Okay! Just do what Mr. Li wants!"
Zhu Heyu immediately nodded in agreement.
He knew that he would be trying to impress the gentry again.
Zhu Heyu, who used to be disdainful of the art of painting cakes, now regards this method as the foundation of his career!
After all, right and wrong are illusory, while success or failure is absolute.