Seeing Chen Jingke denying it so simply, Wei Zheng was helpless. At this time, he was basically sure that Zixiaoguan was involved in this matter, but he was still not sure how deep the involvement was.
But all these are just suspicions, and there is nothing he can do if Chen Jingke doesn't admit it.
Tell the nobles and let them think of a solution? That's impossible.
If you really do this, it means that you will be completely bound to the nobles.
Although he appreciated being close to the nobles, he had no intention of living or dying with them.
Especially now, the emperor, Guanlong, and nobles have joined forces to launch an attack. Due to the academic and political system, poor families and local wealthy households have also joined in.
Several parties formed a joint encirclement and suppression trend, and the noble clan was at the end of its rope, and it was even more impossible for him to be buried with the other party at this time.
The reason why I am still running around is just to do my best and obey fate.
After all, he still hopes from the bottom of his heart that the gentry can continue to exist. As for the reasons, Chen Jingke has already written his first article.
So he still tried hard to argue: "Even if what you said makes sense, in fact it was the nobles who shouldered this responsibility during that time, and Chinese civilization was able to continue because of them."
"They have made great contributions to China, and we cannot deny them so hastily."
Chen Jingke shook his head and said: "Which of the hundreds of schools of thought has not contributed to Chinese civilization? Where are the three major pre-Qin schools, Confucianism, Legalism, and Mohism? Where are the Yin-Yang School, the Famous School, the Miscellaneous School, and other schools of thought?"
"When Chinese civilization needed them, they appeared and created a splendid era of contention of a hundred schools of thought. When Chinese civilization did not need them, they retired after success."
"But their essence has not disappeared, but has been inherited by other schools of thought. Chinese descendants have not forgotten their existence and are still praising them."
"Even hundreds of schools of thought can disappear, so what are the nobles? Why can't they disappear? Now it's time for them to disappear."
Wei Zheng asked: "What should we do after the gentry disappears? Will there be a group that is stronger and worse than them? Have you ever considered this issue?"
Chen Jingke said: "I don't know what the world will be like after the noble clan disappears. No one knows what the future will be like until it happens."
"But I know that establishing official schools to educate without distinction and open up channels for advancement is a correct path in line with the ideas of the sages. In this case, why don't we do it?"
"Is it just because doing this will harm the interests of the noble clan? Don't you think it's ridiculous for the benefit of the noble clan family but harming the interests of the people of the world?"
"Furthermore, the gentry passed down their knowledge to their families and had abundant wealth for them to concentrate on their studies. Their advantage is greater than that of ordinary students, so why are they afraid of competing with ordinary people?"
"While they have every advantage, they are still outclassed by ordinary students. Instead of looking for reasons within themselves, they blame the imperial court for not establishing schools. Isn't this even more ridiculous?"
Wei Zheng was speechless.
Speaking of which, the imperial court did not directly take action against the nobles. It was necessary to conduct a population census, and the people hidden by the nobles were also found out.
The establishment of the official education system only gave ordinary people an opportunity to study.
So what if the imperial official school was taught the Hongwenkan Annotated Edition of the Nine Classics? The children of the gentry still had an overall advantage.
The reason why they oppose it so fiercely is that they have enjoyed their privileges for too long and are unwilling to give up.
Thinking of this, he said a little decadently: "Am I wrong?"
Hearing these words, Chen Jingke was a little surprised. Wei Zheng actually gave up. Minister Bu Mu Cao, this is Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng saw what he was thinking, but he didn't say anything, but asked: "What method did the saint use to convince the nobles?"
"Don't say you don't know. Even though I, an old man, have given up, you won't lie to me again."
Chen Jingke smiled bitterly, he was indeed an old fox, he could immediately turn from passive to active.
But his response method was the same as always: "Even if I know, do you think I dare to tell you?"
"Actually, you should realize one thing from the beginning. Except for the saints, you can't get useful information from anyone."
"Instead of running around, it is better to go to a saint and have a frank talk. You may get unexpected gains."
Wei Zheng shook his head and said: "You still don't understand our saint well enough. If you are excluded from such a big matter from the beginning, there will be no possibility of you participating again."
"What's more, I'm so close to the noble family. To be on the safe side, he won't tell me."
Chen Jingke advised: "Since you understand everything, why bother asking for help? Even if you ask, what will happen?"
"If the saint's plan is really destroyed, can you get away with it? If the saint vents his anger on you, will the nobles protect you? Why do you keep asking like this?"
Wei Zheng smiled bitterly and said: "Perhaps he is unwilling to do so. Who can really be alone in this chess game?"
Then he said sternly: "As the prime minister, I have the responsibility to assist the saint in checking for leaks and filling the vacancies. How can I not ask about such a big move by the court? Then why should I be the prime minister?"
Chen Jingke said with admiration: "As expected of Mr. Wei, he is upright and upright. It's a pity that your position on this matter is different from that of the saint, so it is impossible for you to participate."
"The matter has reached this point. No matter how hard you try, it's useless. If you don't do anything right, the saint will be angered and lose his trust."
"Rather than pursuing this matter, I think you should assist the saint and do the things you can control well."
Wei Zheng sighed heavily, and then said: "Zixiao Temple is indeed a place outside the world. Its ability to resolve knots in the heart and enlighten people's hearts is indeed extraordinary. Now my heart is much clearer."
Chen Jingke said modestly: "Xiangong Wei is overly praised. It's because you have a clear heart. It's the same with or without me."
Wei Zheng nodded and shook his head, stood up and said, "I've been bothered for a long time and it's time to leave. Thank you Master Chen for enlightening me."
Chen Jingke also stood up and said: "Blessed Immortal Lord, Mr. Wei, you are so polite, I will send you off."
It wasn't until he was sent outside the gate to watch him leave that Chen Jingke breathed a sigh of relief. This was the first time since time travel that he had faced a big boss named in the history books alone. The pressure was understandable.
Well, except for Li Shimin and Changsun Wugou, these two people never seriously put pressure on him.
Worried that he might have made any omissions, he quickly went back to find Wu Shu and told her what had happened.
Wu Shu nodded and said: "That's right, I didn't say anything that I shouldn't have said. But you do think highly of Mr. Wei, and you actually said so much. I thought you dismissed him with just a few words."
Chen Jingke said seriously: "Xianggong Wei is a straight man and a down-to-earth good official. I don't want him to go astray."
Wu Shu covered his mouth and said with a smile: "Oh, our real family is really amazing. He can even enlighten the prime minister of the dynasty."
Chen Jingke glanced sideways at her and said, "You asked for this."
Wu Shu's expression changed and he said: "What are you going to do? Don't come over. I'm calling someone."
Chen Jingke sneered and said, "Just scream, no one will come to save you even if your throat is broken."
As he spoke, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms...
In fact, he had hidden something from Wu Shu just now. The reason why he was special to Wei Zheng was not only because he was a good official, but also had something to do with a historical record from his previous life.
The New Book of Tang records that after Empress Changsun died of illness, Li Shimin planned to make Concubine Yang his queen, but was stopped by Wei Zheng's advice.
Who is this Concubine Yang? No one knows specifically, and there are no detailed records in history books, but everyone generally believes that she is Li Yuanji's concubine.
This record appears very suddenly, because before the appearance of the New Book of Tang Dynasty, there was no historical record of this incident.
So where did Ouyang Xiu learn about this incident and write it down in the book?
Not to mention whether Li Shimin had feelings for Empress Changsun, but when his three legitimate sons and four legitimate daughters were all present, how reluctant was he to make another woman the queen?
Is it that the fight for the heir apparent is not big enough? Or are you dissatisfied with the three children born to the eldest grandson and want another prince to be the crown prince?
This Concubine Yang had no title from beginning to end, and had been living in the harem as a foreigner. The record of her in history is also: Cao Wangming's biological mother, the Yang family.
A concubine who doesn't even have a title is directly named a queen. Is it really just a show of etiquette and ministers?
Moreover, she always carried the identity of Princess Chao Ci, and she was buried with Li Yuanji after her death. Her child with Li Shimin, King Cao Li Ming, was also adopted to Li Yuanji.
Under such circumstances, it is nonsense to say that Li Shimin wants to make her his queen.
Sima Guang, who had a good relationship with Ouyang Xiu, also included this incident when compiling Zizhi Tongjian.
However, there is a special note at the end: no reliable historical records have been found on this matter, so it cannot be trusted.
Even Sima Guang during the period said that there was no reliable historical data, which shows that this matter is indeed unreliable.
There are many similar records without sources in the New Book of Tang. For example, the affair between Princess Gaoyang and Bianji was also not recorded in any historical records before the New Book of Tang.
Ouyang Xiu knew it out of nowhere and wrote it in the book as if it were true.
With Fang Xuanling's status, Princess Gaoyang dared to show off her hair in front of him? If Fang Lu could gouge out her own eyes with a knife, would she tolerate her daughter-in-law's affair?
But no matter where Ouyang Xiu got the news, and no matter whether these things were true or false, this record made Chen Jingke have a better impression of Wei Zheng.
There is no other way, because Queen Changsun is his mother-in-law and his biggest supporter.
There is another reason. Anyone who has read history books knows that Wei Zheng repeatedly angered Li Shimin with his blunt remonstrances, and it was Empress Changsun who reconciled him.
It can be said that she is the lubricant between Li Shimin and Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng is not a person who doesn't know what is good or bad. He has a clear conscience in many things and respects Empress Changsun very much. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is half a queen.
Maybe they have different political views and different positions, but when it comes to protecting the Queen, their positions are the same.
So no matter from which aspect, Chen Jingke felt it was necessary to have a few more words with Wei Zheng to prevent him from really taking the wrong path.
…
Wei Zheng's visit to Zixiao Temple could not be hidden from anyone who was interested, and everyone was guessing what they talked about.
Some people have begun to wonder, is this incident related to Zixiao Temple? Or do they know something?
Thinking of the two articles written by Chen Jingke targeting the gentry, this possibility was not impossible. Many people immediately thought of it and found excuses to visit Chen Jingke to try to get information.
However, Chen Jingke did not give them any face. They all refused because Sun Simiao was not here and he was too young to see guests.
He didn't forget it in the palace. He took the opportunity to go to the palace to see the little Sizi and told his eldest grandson Wugou.
He said half-jokingly: "Seeing that Wei Xianggong is half a party member, I gave him a good enlightenment."
Changsun Wugou hit him lightly and said helplessly: "You can only talk nonsense, how can you be a backer?"
"Xiangong Wei is the pillar of the country. Erlang regards him as a mirror. Even without my persuasion, he would not really do anything to him."
Chen Jingke thought about the history of people who regretted their marriage by pushing monuments and said: "That's not necessarily the case. People can do anything when they are angry."
"You are the only one in the world who can persuade His Majesty when he is angry. Everyone in the civil and military dynasties knows that if they offend a saint, they should come to you for help immediately."
Changsun Wugou was elated when he heard this, and said with a smile: "You kid, you haven't learned any other skills, but your ability to flatter people has improved a lot."
Chen Jingke chuckled, and then said helplessly: "It seems that my words have no effect. Wei Xianggong is still asking around."
Changsun Wugou smiled and said: "No, he listened. The reason why he did this was just to cover up for you."
Chen Jingke was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, and said: "I see, if you hadn't reminded me, I would never have thought that Mr. Wei was already protecting me."
Then he smiled and said: "Look, you still know him well, no wonder he became a rear party member."
In fact, the matter is very simple. If Wei Zheng changed his attitude after visiting Zixiao Temple, everyone would know that something was wrong.
Now that he is still the same, we can dispel everyone's suspicion and take out Zixiaoguan.
This is indeed the case. When everyone discovered that Wei Zhenghe had not changed before, Zixiao Temple closed its doors to thank visitors again, and no one visited him anymore.
Chen Jingke's life has returned to peace again.
Every day, Hongxiu Tianxiang reads and practices calligraphy, chats with Wu Shu and cultivates her relationship. Occasionally, she goes to the palace to visit Xiao Sizi, and then goes to Baiqisi for a walk.
A week goes by in the blink of an eye, and June 23rd will come soon.
That day, Chen Jingke got up early in the morning, took care of himself, and walked to the palace with the gifts.
Naturally, these gifts are not sent to the palace, but to Princess Tong'an.
When he arrived at the gate of the palace, he asked the guards to wait at the gate with gifts, and then he entered the palace and went straight to the Li Zheng Hall.
Seeing him coming, Xiao Sizi showed a happy smile.
Today is the death anniversary of Princess Tong'an's husband. Naturally, it is not appropriate to dress too gorgeously when visiting someone else's home.
Therefore, she wore relatively simple and elegant clothes, which further highlighted her red lips and white teeth, as if they were carved from jade.
Chen Jingke praised: "Little Sizi is so beautiful, she looks good in whatever clothes she wears."
The little girl shyly covered her face with a round fan and did not dare to look at anyone.
Changsun Wugou scolded: "Is it worth going through all this trouble for one Wang Fangyi?"
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "No matter what I say, it's better than you seeing it with your own eyes. When I find him, you will understand after you see him."