Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his appointed heir with a hint of helplessness on his face.
This son is kind and wise, and he is also good at handling government affairs, but he is too soft-hearted and not ruthless and decisive enough in his work. This is also what worries him.
For an emperor, every word, every deed, and every move has a huge impact on the national economy and people's livelihood. How can he be kind-hearted and soft-faced?
Forget it, let’s do the evil thing, let him be a benevolent king... Zhu Yuanzhang did not continue on this topic and asked:
"Biao'er, what do you think of that Li Qing?"
Zhu Biao thought for a while and said, "This person is not old, but he is calm in his work and has a good temperament. When facing his father, the emperor, and his mother, he can neither be humble nor overbearing."
"Is there any more?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
"Well... he's very smart." Zhu Biao added, "It's easy to see from his admonishment just now that he doesn't agree with his father's approach, but the way he admonished was very tactful, which shows that this person knows how to adapt.
"
He showed admiration, "He has a just heart, but is not impulsive or reckless. His character and temperament are both excellent. I just don't know how good his writing is. If he can pass the imperial examination and give him a little training in the future, he will not only become a pillar of the country, but he can also benefit a country."
"
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "He said he has justice in his heart, does that mean we did something wrong?"
"..." Zhu Biao was silent for a moment and said seriously, "Father, please forgive me for being rude. I think that there is indeed something wrong with you in this matter."
"You also think we are cruel, don't you?" Zhu Yuanzhang was angry and said, "We have killed many officials, but if they had not violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty, would we have killed them?"
Zhu Biao retorted: "If the emperor were like Yao, Shun, and Yutang, how could there be so many lawless officials?"
"Asshole!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and slapped him up. When he reached Zhu Biao's cheek, he stopped abruptly. He calmed down and hummed:
"We have killed so many officials, but the people's lives are getting better and better, which shows that we are not wrong in killing them."
Zhu Biao was speechless. The father and son had disagreed on their ideals for more than a day or two. He couldn't help but didn't agree with it.
The hall fell into silence and the atmosphere was dull.
Seeing his father's face getting darker and darker, Zhu Biao sighed secretly, stood up and bowed down, "My son is unfilial."
"Forget it, get up!" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled helplessly. His son's incomprehension made him feel even more sad.
After pondering for a moment, "The Tang Dynasty shared the world with scholar-bureaucrats, the Song Dynasty shared the world with officials, and the Yuan Dynasty was self-centered and regarded the people as cattle and sheep. They all perished in the end.
As for our Ming Dynasty, we share the world with the people. The imperial examination has been around since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, but how many candidates did they admit in a year?
How many of these few candidates are from poor backgrounds?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We have made the imperial examinations completely civilian and gave children from poor families a chance to stand out. Candidates regardless of their origins, scholars are not required to kneel when they meet the county magistrate...
We provide such support because we hope that when these people from humble backgrounds become officials, they can help more people escape poverty, but what about them?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked heartbroken and said, "Not only is he ungrateful, but he is also corrupt and bribery, feeding the common people... not a damn good thing at all!"
"Father, calm down." Zhu Biao quickly stepped forward and caressed his chest, "I know I was wrong."
"It's good that you understand." Zhu Yuanzhang pushed his hand away, "Biaoer, remember, civil servants have always looked down on each other, which has been the case since ancient times. You must not be influenced by it!"
Zhu Biao thought for a moment and nodded seriously. "I understand."
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened, "Just now we asked you to evaluate Li Qing. Your arguments are good, but you didn't get to the point. Those are not the things he likes most."
"What is that?"
“Sincerity and courage!”
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "He is not an official, not even an official, but he dares to give advice, not to ask for a name, but just to save people. This is commendable."
"My father is aware of every detail, and my sons and ministers admire him."
"Okay, when did you learn to flatter others?" Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily.
Zhu Biao chuckled, "What I said is the truth."
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Xiao Guizi, go and bring over all the gadgets we bought."
Then, he said to Zhu Biao, "Yesterday we bought a lot of toys for children. You will take them and distribute them to Yunwen, Yunxi, the others, ahem...and your younger brothers and sisters."
"My son, I obey." Zhu Biao nodded with a smile.
…
"Papa..."
"Ah... Ouch..."
The board fell on his butt, Li Qing bared his teeth and screamed, making Mao Xiang beside him speechless.
He has already given you a code word, only a slight punishment. The punishment is obviously very light, but it will hurt you to death?
Soon, after playing twenty boards, Li Qing was completely stunned, as if he had lost half his life.
Mao Xiang was so angry that he brought the imperial edict like this. It would be strange if the emperor did not punish him.
"Stop pretending and be more energetic."
"..." Li Qing said with a bitter face, "Sir, I'm not pretending, it really hurts."
"You..." Mao Xiang was so angry that if he were an ordinary subordinate, he would have yelled at her, but Li Qing was different. How could he dare to hit the queen's chief physician?
But he couldn't get the job done with Li Qing's death, so he had no choice but to say, "The emperor has no intention of punishing you severely. There is no need to pretend to be miserable and beat you up. Who will treat the empress?"
Li Qing thought so and immediately became more energetic.
Mao Xiang glared at him and said, "Let's go."
"Hey, okay." Li Qing rubbed his buttocks. He was protected by his true energy. The slap just felt like scratching an itch, but he still had to pretend. If he didn't let Lao Zhu relieve his anger, he would not feel better.
.
So he pretended to be half in pain and half scared, and followed Mao Xiang.
Royal study room.
After receiving the permission, the two people walked into the main hall and bowed down to salute.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at Li Qing, "Do you know why I beat you?"
Li Qing asked tentatively, "Talking about state affairs?"
"It's good to know!" Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial in his hand, "After treating the queen tomorrow, I will go to the Zhenfusi Yamen to report and do some things that Jin Yiwei should do.
You keep this tooth tag, it is the voucher for entering and leaving the palace."
"Yes, I obey your order."
Li Qing stepped forward and took it with both hands, bowed, and left the hall with difficulty.
…
The next day.
Li Qing came to Qianqing Palace to play the piano as usual. He used his Qi frequently in the past two days and almost drained it every time. Although he was very tired, it became much more solid.
Queen Ma's complexion improved a little, and she could sit up on her own without the help of a palace maid.
Half an hour later, as the last note sounded, the room became quiet again.
"Li Qing." Queen Ma said, "Are your parents still at home?"
"My parents died in troubled times, and I have been wandering around since I was a child. I didn't settle down until I met my master." Li Qing didn't even blink. He had thought of these excuses long ago.
"Then where is your home?"
"The previous dynasty treated the people harshly, and my family could not pay taxes, so my grandfather became a refugee. I don't even remember where my hometown is." Li Qing's answer was flawless.
"He is also a poor person." Queen Ma sighed, "Do you want to escape from this whirlpool before I die?"
"Ah? This..." Li Qing looked around and saw no one was around, so he cautiously said, "How to escape?"
"When I, Princess Ming Dynasty, choose a husband, she only needs to be of good conduct and have a clean family background. Scholars, farmers, and workers can all participate in the selection of a consort. The Sixth Princess has also reached the age of marriage, and the recruitment of a consort will begin next month. If you choose
, I’ll be fine!”
Empress Ma smiled and said, "I think you are a nice person, do you want to participate?"
"Thank you for your kindness, I'm afraid!"
Just kidding, having three wives and four concubines is not a good idea. You only think about marrying an ancestor back home after your brain was kicked by a donkey.
Besides, time can hardly leave its mark on him. If you marry a wife and have children, doesn't it mean that you have to watch your loved ones die before your eyes?
Well... forget it about getting married, just listen to music when you have nothing to do, wouldn't it be fun?
"What? Our daughter is so unwelcome to you?" Zhu Yuanzhang came over with a displeased look on his face.
"Wei Chen doesn't dare." Li Qing saluted quickly and explained, "Wei Chen has little talent and knowledge, and he knows that he is not worthy of the princess. Even if he participates in the election for the consort, I am afraid that he will fail and sink into the sand, uh ha ha..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was annoyed when he saw his mean look, "Get out of here!"
Li Qing: "..."
Call him Mr. Li when you use him, and tell him to get lost when you are done using him?
By the way, you can’t go to a brothel without money!
Thinking of this, Li Qing said with a shy face: "Your Majesty, the clothes I wore before are torn. It's hot in the summer and I don't have a change of clothes. I'm afraid that I'll fume the empress... Haha..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked. He never expected that someone would dare to ask him for money nakedly.