Jie Jin looked up in confusion, and after Zhu Yuanzhang was briefly stunned, he looked at his grandson with relief.
Gentleman Jie, let me ask you. From the founding of the country to the present, how many years have Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong been prime ministers and occupied the court?
Xie Jin did not hesitate, seventeen years!
Then do you know where all the officials employed by the Ming Dynasty in the past seventeen years were born?
This... Xie Jin hesitated slightly.
Let me tell you, in the past seventeen years, almost all the high-ranking officials employed by the Ming Dynasty and all the good positions were from Huaixi.
Most of history is covered in dust and then arbitrarily commented by future generations. Some of the most shocking major cases during the Hongwu period were also major cases that later became Zhu Yuanzhang's stain for hundreds of years, including the cases of Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a cruel man, and Zhu Yunxi knew this very well. But he believed that history must have an objective side, rather than letting the so-called experts of later generations say whatever they want based on subjective impressions.
In the Fengtian Palace where he was, Zhu Yuanzhang did not allow him to read other documents except military secret files, so he saw something different in them.
Li Shanchang was the leader of the Huai people's civil servants. He had made great contributions to the country, so he was ranked as prime minister, Duke, and Princess Zishang. Zhu Yunxi continued that when he was in power, he tried his best to exclude officials who were not from the Huai people, no matter how talented or famous they were.
, as long as he is not from Huai, he doesn’t need it.
For example, sincere uncle Liu Ji, in the early years, the emperor's grandfather personally told Liu Ji's son that when Chen Youliang came to beat me, everyone else was afraid, but your father supported us. There is Fang Guozhen in the east, Chen Youding in the south, and the Zhang family in the west.
, your father has made great contributions to pacifying them.
Amidst the sound of Zhu Yunxi's words, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the sword on the table quietly, seeming to be lost in reminiscences in his mind.
At that time, Chen Youliang claimed that 800,000 men were coming to attack Yingtian. No one among the civil servants and his staff dared to fight to the death. Only Liu Bowen said that only the Lord could escape and surrender.
The only plan for now is a decisive battle. Those who surrender or flee should be punished. (I have always suspected that the words Lu Su said to Sun Quan in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms came from here)
Later, Uncle Chengyi helped the emperor establish the Ming Dynasty's army and guards, organize farming, and even helped recruit the literati, gentry and landlords in eastern Zhejiang, appease the people, and demoted officials, all of which made great contributions.
Originally, Liu Ji was the man who had contributed to the founding of the country and was granted the title of Duke based on his merits. However, Li Shanchang and others secretly instigated him and repeatedly slandered him, so he could only be granted the title of earl!
If Liu Ji is sincere like this, why should we talk about other Jiangnan scholars?
Xie Jin lowered his head and said nothing, meditating silently.
Zhu Yunxi took a breath and then said, this Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty of the people of the world, not the Ming Dynasty of the Huai people. The world regardless of north and south, regardless of east and west, Han and Hu are all subjects of the Ming Dynasty. However, in the hands of Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong, the world belongs only to the Huai people.
The world!
From Li Shanchang to Hu Weiyong, during the seventeen years they eliminated dissidents and formed a clique at all levels for personal gain. As a result, the officials only knew the two prime ministers, not the court. Isn't this a clique?
They use nepotism, protect each other, disrupt the government, bring trouble to the world, form cliques for personal gain, and abuse power. When foreign officials come to Beijing, instead of reporting to the Ministry of Civil Affairs first, they have to visit Li Shanchang's house first. His relatives of the Li family, his younger brother Li Cunyi, and his nephew Ding Pubi
The royal relatives are still majestic.
The Ministry of Personnel selects officials for promotion, and they themselves decide. As long as they are Huai people, as long as they pay filial piety to you and accept them as their disciples, they can become high officials. Isn’t this selling an official position and getting a title? (magrave;iguanyugrave;jueacute;)
Jie Jin, tell me, which of these crimes should not lead to death?
Without waiting for Xie Jin to continue speaking, Zhu Yunxi continued, the emperor knew that they were like this, but he still missed the old relationship. The emperor once said that good people have no talent, but they are from the same hometown as us. Since we started the army, we have followed An Qian Ma Hou, no
Credit comes with hard work. If we become emperor, he will naturally become prime minister.
Grandpa Huang missed his old love and hoped that they would wake up, but what they got in exchange was that things got worse!
The more Zhu Yunxi talked, the angrier he became. If he hadn't personally seen the secret files of the Jin Yiwei, he would not have known that these two so-called wrongly killed and wrongly accused people had such a bad side in history.
Grandpa Huang endured it again and again, thinking that he was getting older and would one day retire and return to his hometown. In the fourth year of Hongwu, Li Shanchang was unable to manage due to illness and retired to his hometown. Grandpa Huang rewarded him with more than 360 hectares of land and guarded his grave.
There are 150 households, 1,500 tenants, and 20 private soldiers. The emperor’s favor is not unkind!
At that time, many people in the court were involved in him, but the emperor still protected him. If he had any intention of repaying his kindness and knowing how to advance and retreat, he should cultivate his moral character at home, but what about him? He also wanted to be the Supreme Emperor above the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty!
The position of prime minister was vacant, and the emperor wanted Liu Ji to take it, but would Liu Ji dare? Later, the emperor fell in love with Yang Xian, the censor of Taichung. Do you know what Li Shanchang said to Hu Weiyong?
Xie Jin was stunned. How could he know these secrets of the court? He was too embarrassed to speak.
Zhu Yunxi sneered, Hu Weiyong and Li Shanchang said, if Yang Xian becomes prime minister, then we and the Huaixi people will not be able to be high officials. Tsk tsk, the prime minister is a national weapon of the Ming Dynasty. In their mouth, it is for the promotion and wealth of their own people.
.
Forget it, they instigated the Supervisory Council to impeach and frame Yang Xian, saying that Yang Xian engaged in malpractice for personal gain, corruption and perversion of the law. They deceived the emperor and caused Yang Xian to be killed, together with the leaders of Jiangsu and Zhejiang officials, Gao Jianxian, Xia Yi, Ling Shuo
were executed together.
Zhu Yuanzhang's face showed deep regret.
The leading figure among Jiangsu and Zhejiang officials died, and the position fell on Hu Weiyong. He did even harder than Li Shanchang. He relied on the emperor's grandfather to remember the past. He was an old minister of Huaixi and a relative of Li Shanchang. He had a group of Huaihe people behind him.
With the support of Minister Xi, Qian Gang was arbitrary.
He did not report official promotions, he did not report tributes from foreign vassals, and some people impeached him. He actually instigated his disciples to secretly intercept the memorial to the emperor's grandfather. People from all over the country who wanted to be officials rushed to his door, and collected countless money.
As he spoke, Zhu Yunxi suddenly lowered his voice. Even many generals from Huaixi were his guests at that time. Not only did he have control over civil affairs, he also wanted to get involved in the army. Xie Jin, you are a scholar, tell me, like this
Man, which emperor can tolerate him?
I'm so stupid! Xie Jin's head was covered in cold sweat and he quickly knelt down to apologize. He was a little stunned, but he was not stupid.
Throughout the ages, emperors have been the most suspicious, and being able to indulge their ministers to this extent can be considered a benevolent monarch. But according to what King Wu said, these two people brought their own fault.
Even though they had done so much, the emperor did not have any murderous intentions. He just wanted to take care of them slowly, not to cause too much turmoil, and not to make our Ming Dynasty unstable. Zhu Yunxi continued, but you know, you and the others are so audacious.
The point?
Jie Jin raised his head in panic, and the tip of his nose was covered with sweat. He was very torn between fear and wanting to hear more clearly.
Do you know how Liu Ji, the sincere uncle, died? Zhu Yunxi sneered and said, Hu Weiyong hated Liu Ji for dealing with officials in Huaixi, killing Li Shanchang's close relative Li Bin, and ordered people to attack Liu Ji.
Liu Ji had returned to his hometown. He was so shocked that he had to come to the capital to plead guilty. As a result, he was so frightened that he fell ill. Zhu Yunxi had a sneer on his face. Hu Weiyong sent a doctor to see him. As a result, Liu Ji took medicine and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea.
's dead.
I shouldn't have listened! Xie Jin cursed in his mind that he was troublesome and almost fainted from fright.
Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne, he looked like he was about to eat someone, and his hand had already touched the scabbard.
Even if he kills people, he spreads rumors that Grandpa Huang asked him to do it. Do you think he should die?
As he spoke, Zhu Yunxi felt thirsty. He walked to the imperial desk, picked up Zhu Yuanzhang's tea, and drank it down.
Dasun, that is our strong tea, drink less, drink less! Zhu Yuanzhang said.
Zhu Yunxi wiped his mouth, looked back at the kneeling Xie Jin and said, "Are you still complaining about them? But Grandpa Huang cared deeply about them. Who can complain about Grandpa Huang? Who knows the grievances of his old man?"
You think there are too many people killed, but they are all Li Hu's gang members, so how can you do it if you don't kill them? As he said that, Zhu Yunxi suddenly raised his voice and said, "If you don't kill them, how can you young talents who are not from Huai people do it?"
Serve in the DPRK?
Your Majesty, I... Xie Jin looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and choked, feeling ashamed!
Those who don’t know are not guilty. Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand calmly, it’s better that you young people don’t know about the embarrassing things in the past. After reading your memorial to redress Li Shanchang’s grievances, we were very angry at first, and then we remembered how good they were back then. And
The imperial court also needs outspoken ministers like you, so we didn't deal with you.
As he said that, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, otherwise, with your small body, if I cut you with a knife, your head would be moved. Besides, you are here to avenge Li Shanchang, not Hu Weiyong, so what you said makes some sense.
Your Majesty, I have betrayed the Holy Grace! Xie Jin said respectfully.
So we punish you not to become a Hanlin bachelor, but to become a good scholar for our eldest grandson. Are you convinced? Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.
Zhu Yunxi also opened his mouth and said, "Do you still think that you, the great gentry, are surrendering your talents by being alone?"
Your Highness! Xie Jin kowtows, I am sincerely convinced!
If you assist our eldest grandson well, his future future will be better than that of a Hanlin bachelor! Zhu Yuanzhang continued, in a few years, you Jie Jin will understand what I mean!
Although Xie Jin does not have high emotional intelligence, he is extremely smart. After thinking about it for a moment, he wanted to jump up and slap himself on the spot.
His greatest wish in life is to be the emperor's master, which is the highest honor for a scholar.
People inside and outside the court have long secretly discussed that the emperor prefers King Wu. Today it seems that they are really inseparable.
I am so stupid that I don’t worship the real Buddha, but instead?
Therefore, I immediately told Zhu Yunxi that I am stupid, and your Highness must not be offended!
Zhu Yunxi smiled, I am not such a petty person. The emperor can tolerate you defending Li Shanchang, and I can tolerate your petty behavior!
Then, the two men looked at each other and laughed.
At this time, Pu Bucheng came in from outside and stood at the door of the hall and said loudly.
Your Majesty, His Highness King Wu is here!
Is there anyone else? Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhu Yuanzhang doubtfully.
The latter laughed and said, this is not the only young talent in the Ming Dynasty. Ji Shan is still too weak. We have also chosen a Dian Guan for you.
Who? Zhu Yunxi thought about it.
Young talent? Disdain suddenly surged on Xie Jin's face. Who could be more young and talented than him?