What's more, adding more officials is a good thing for the vassal state.
The vassal kings had more subjects, which also made it more convenient for them.
What's more, relying on recruiting talents to attract a large number of talented people to move in is definitely not a small attraction.
There are always people in this world who are depressed and frustrated. They want to do something great, but unfortunately there is no way. As long as they make up their minds, the population of the vassal country will increase, and the scholars will have a place to go. It can be said that everyone is happy.
Zhang Anshi pondered and said: "Jie Gong... these words are not unreasonable. The situation in the vassal state is most familiar to Jiegong. It would be a good thing to draw up a charter. In this case, then I will ask the secretaries of the county and prince's palace to also
Draw up a charter and read the details."
"If this is the case..." Xie Jin said: "Then His Highness has done something that will benefit the future."
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but laugh: "The benefit lies in the future?"
Xie Jin smiled slightly and said: "Have you ever thought about, Your Highness, what are the problems that restrict sea trade now?"
When Zhang Anshi heard that he mentioned sea trade, he became serious. He sat upright and said, "You don't have to show off, but it doesn't matter what you say."
Xie Jin said: "It's about the exchange of personnel. When Xianguan first arrived in Java, because sea trade had not yet emerged in those years, there were very few ships entering Java ports. Zhao Wangwei, his men, horses and family members slowly settled in Java over time.
, and gradually became unfamiliar with the Ming Dynasty."
"This kind of unfamiliarity comes from the fact that the Ming Dynasty is far away in the world and has no communication with each other. It has to rely on itself for everything and people cannot communicate with each other. It has only been a few years. But has your Highness ever thought that if this continues, after ten years?
Years, twenty years, or even one, two, or three generations later, what will happen?”
Zhang Anshi nodded subconsciously and said: "The distance is too far. Even though they speak the same language and are of the same species, over time, although they still speak the same language, they can live together for a long time and cannot communicate frequently. It is indeed easy to get separated."
Xie Jin said: "Now that sea trade is booming, business exchanges are frequent, and there are quite a few merchant ships frequently in Java Port. But in the eyes of Xiaguan, this is still lacking, because the exchanges of people are actually blocked by thousands of miles of blue waves.
, and gradually became unfamiliar with each other. Therefore, the top priority is to deepen our contacts."
Zhang Anshi said: "This is not wrong. If we only rely on blood relations between emperors and the same clan, what's more, even if they are blood relatives, after a few generations, they will gradually become less close."
Xie Jin said: "The only way is to have frequent passenger ships and make people move around! This time... is actually an opportunity to make the people of the Ming Dynasty not afraid to go to the vassal country, and the people of the vassal country
, you can also easily go to the Ming Dynasty. Only with contacts can you get married, keep in touch, and be inseparable from each other."
Zhang Anshi said: "So you think this problem can be solved by relying on these talented people to serve as officials, as well as the mutual secondment of officials from the vassal state and officials from the Ming Dynasty?"
"Exactly." Xie Jin said: "The most difficult thing about passenger ship travel is that there are too few people. Because there are so few, there are almost no passenger ships from Java to Daming. If Xiaguan wants to come to Daming, he must
Java Port is waiting for the returning merchant ships to return, and these merchant ships need to unload and berth. The return date may be five days, or it may be ten days and a half. This not only delays time, but also requires negotiation with the ship owner in advance.
Time-consuming."
"The only passenger ship that travels between Daming and Java is only once in March. It goes to and from Daming every three months. It is also time-consuming and labor-intensive, and because there are few people traveling, it has to carry cargo, and
In order to carry cargo, the ship was inevitably dirty and mixed with a lot of smells. This trip was really miserable. The official asked the shipowner and he couldn't do anything. What they said was that if there were enough guests, they would
I wish I could leave a ship every three to five days, and it would never carry cargo. Even if there are a lot of people, the ship price can be reduced a lot. This passenger ship... will also try its best to focus on comfort, rather than just being like a merchant ship.
Loading cargo, but perfunctory about the cabin.”
Zhang Anshi nodded secretly.
Xie Jin continued: "So... now is the time to open up this situation. The most important thing right now is to increase the flow of people on the route. When there is a group of scholars who frequently travel between the Ming Dynasty and various vassal states, there are many
Officials often travel back and forth due to official duties, so... it is enough to drive the flow of passenger ships. If the number of people gradually increases, and the Ming Dynasty has real passenger ships in Java and other vassal states, the sailing schedule can also be greatly shortened, then... it will be possible to go to sea
With more protection and convenience, it turns out...those soldiers and civilians from Java who wanted to travel to and from the Ming Dynasty, who were originally discouraged due to the inconvenience, naturally became willing to sail. Over time, more and more people sailed to and from the Ming Dynasty, and they were even able to do so.
If it reaches the point where one passenger ship is sent every day, you can imagine the convenience? As long as there are enough people going back and forth, then the Ming Dynasty, Java, and the vassal states will all be of one heart and one mind. What do you think, Your Highness?"
After hearing this, Zhang Anshi said with emotion: "This is quite reasonable. It seems... that this king has to report to His Majesty himself the policy of increasing the number of officials in the vassal state."
This is what Xie Jin was waiting for, and he immediately said: "I'm afraid it will take a lot of hard work, Your Highness."
Zhang Anshi said: "In the next few days, I will draw up a charter. For this matter, I'd better go and ask for it. Then you can second it."
Xie Jin did not hesitate to say kind words: "Your Highness has worked so hard for the imperial court. No wonder His Majesty has so much trust in you."
But Zhang Anshi was very wary of Xie Jin's flattery, so he said: "What is your second thing?"
Jie Jin seemed to have noticed Zhang Anshi's vigilance, and his expression remained natural as he said: "This second incident is about the school."
"School?" Zhang Anshi was a little surprised.
Xie Jin said: "The reason why the Ming Dynasty is different from other barbarians in the world is that it only has four characters: Chongwen and Chongjiao. Has Your Highness read the Spring and Autumn Period?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Ah... I am very familiar with this."
"So... there was a saying in the Spring and Autumn Period that when China invades the barbarians, the barbarians will conquer it, and when the barbarians invade China, the barbarians will invade China. Does your Highness have any impression of this?"
Zhang Anshi: "..."
Xie Jin said: "Your Highness should understand very well."
Zhang Anshi blushed and said loudly: "I am just here to read the story."
Xie Jin smiled slightly and said: "The further explanation of this sentence is that the princes who use the Yili etiquette will be treated as barbarians, and when the barbarians advance into China, the Chinese will be harmed. It means: for the princes who adopt the etiquette and customs of Yidi, they will be classified as Yidi;
For the princes who adopt the etiquette and customs of the Central Plains, recognize them as Chinese people. This is etiquette. Now the vassal states have moved away from China. Over time, if they gradually accept the barbarian customs, they will become barbarians sooner or later. The only way is to persist in advocating culture.
Only by emphasizing education can you maintain your true character forever."
Zhang Anshi seemed to have remembered something, and then said: "I remember that the imperial court exiled some scholars to the Tongwen Hall in various vassals. Isn't this enough?"
"It's far from enough." Xie Jin said: "Tongwenguan is to educate barbarians and natives. Of course, my overseas descendants of the Ming Dynasty must learn Chinese knowledge."
Zhang Anshi said: "In that case, then let the kings appoint people to teach on their own."
Xie Jin shook his head and said: "This is not possible. On the one hand, talents are rare, and on the other hand, the teachers are weak, so... I need to ask His Highness... to help."
Zhang Anshi did not refuse, but said: "How you can help is up to you."
Xie Jindao: "The main universities in Qixia, such as the official school, mathematics school, engineering school, medical school, etc., can go to each domain to set up branch schools. All doctors and teaching assistants are appointed by His Highness. The local
The children of the vassal state, after studying in the branch school for two years, then study in Qixia for three years, they will be allowed to graduate like all the universities. What does Your Highness think?"
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but said: "Wait a minute, we just seemed to be talking about advocating culture and emphasizing education, right? Since we are advocating culture and emphasizing education, how can we become a school if we don't learn the teachings of Confucius and Mencius?"
Xie Jin smiled and said: "Because there is no unchanging law in the world, and there is no learning in the world that follows the old tradition. "Han Shu, Biography of Dong Zhongshu" says: If the harp and harp are not in tune, if they are stolen, they will be interpreted and changed, and this can be used as a drum;
It is understandable that if the government does not work well, it will change and change it. Therefore, since the Han Dynasty took over the world, it has always wanted to govern but cannot manage it well so far. This is a failure to change when it should be changed but not to change it."
Zhang Anshi: "..."
Xie Jin said: "What this means is that when we play the harp and the music is not harmonious, if it is particularly serious, we must take off the old strings and replace them with new ones before we can play again. The same is true for governing a country. If we encounter
Even if the obstacles are serious, they must be changed in order to govern the country well."
"So, since the Han Dynasty took over the world, the rulers have always wanted to govern the country well, but they have not managed it well so far. The main reason is that there was no change when it should have been."
Zhang Anshi suddenly realized.
Xie Jin continued: "So Chinese law and the learning of sages have always changed with the times. For example, when Confucius was around, he required gentlemen to learn the Six Arts. But after that, people felt that the Six Arts were useless, so they naturally changed to the study of Confucian classics.
Since the beginning of Confucianism, the Confucianism of the Spring and Autumn Period is different from the Confucianism of the Qin and Han Dynasties, and the Confucianism of the Qin and Han Dynasties is also different from the Confucianism of the Tang and Song Dynasties. Now... I understand Confucianism, so naturally there will be changes."
"In the past, I studied etiquette, and now I study the study of applying the classics to the world. In fact, they are all in line with the teachings of the sage Confucius. What the sage Confucius pursued... is just kingly benevolence. As long as the kingly benevolence is not lost, on this basis, we can establish a set of
The common people can get practical etiquette, so... no matter what scholars learn, it is all respected by Confucius. This is also a kind of respect for literature and education, which is what distinguishes our Ming Dynasty from the barbarians."
Zhang Anshi opened his eyes slightly and couldn't help but sigh: "Tsk, tsk, tsk... you are still awesome, no matter what, it makes sense."
Xie Jin still had a calm face and said calmly: "Your Highness, there is no need to sneer. Confucius also advocated great unification, that is, the princes surrendered to the royal family and established eternal etiquette. Now that Chinese culture has changed, so the princes also
We must adapt to the current situation. But at the moment, the vassal states really have no spare capacity, so I ask Your Highness to provide help."
After a pause, Xie Jin continued: "Of course, this is also good for His Highness. Your Highness has established various schools and now... teaches his knowledge to students all over the world. All students in the four seas will learn from His Highness.
Knowledge, this is also the world where students and plums are everywhere, and it is something worth gratifying."
Zhang Anshi felt that Xie Jin's words were not a pain in the ass, so he smiled bitterly and said: "With so many vassal states, the manpower and material resources spent are quite large."
Xie Jin was silent now. To be honest, everyone knew that Zhang Anshi was rich. It was a bit against his will for Zhang Anshi to murmur such words.
After Zhang Anshi pondered for a while, he added: "But... if I can help, that would be great. I and the other kings are all in the same spirit. In short, I will come up with a solution."
Xie Jin was immediately overjoyed and said: "If Your Highness can agree, it will really benefit the future."
Zhang Anshi suddenly said: "Jie Gong is still stronger than other kings."
Jie Jin looked at Zhang Anshi in confusion: "Oh?"
Zhang Anshi said: "The kings just looked in front of them, thinking of being debt collectors. They only wanted firearms, war horses and armor. But what Jiegong was thinking about was the big plans of each vassal state in a hundred years."
Xie Jin smiled and said: "Your Highness is overly flattering. This time, Your Majesty has appointed a subordinate to the court, and the subordinate has been in Java for a long time. Therefore, it is natural that he can not only serve as a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but also be familiar with the actual situation of the vassal country.
, we must establish a new set of etiquette and laws for the Celestial Dynasty and the vassal states. Only in this way can we live up to our lifelong aspirations."
Zhang Anshi nodded. After listening to so much, he could probably understand Xie Jin's thoughts. In his heart, Xie Jin was still a Confucian scholar, and the essence of Confucian scholars was actually the same as Zhou Gong. They all hoped to rule the country and bring peace to the world. They might not be too concerned about war.
Enthusiasm, but extremely enthusiasm, to establish a set of order, to put it bluntly, in later generations, this is the so-called system construction.
This is something engraved in their bones, just like genes. No matter what kind of knowledge they adopt to govern the world, in short, they will never abandon this old skill.
Zhang Anshi's expression became more easy-going at this time, and he felt that Xie Jin in front of him had become much more pleasing to the eye. He unconsciously asked with some concern: "Are you still used to Xie Gong's return to Beijing?"
Xie Jin smiled and said: "I'm used to it. It's just some of the past events in Java, so I can't help but miss it."
Zhang Anshi unexpectedly said: "Miss you? I thought that Duke Jie had been in Java for more than ten years and his days were like years?"
Jie Jin sighed and said with some sincerity: "It was true at the beginning. But His Highness may have felt the kind of overcoming thorns and thorns, and then step by step, he first established a foothold in Java, then established a city-state, and then, a little later
Territory was opened up bit by bit, and then, on this basis, ports were built, farmhouses were built one after another, grain seeds were sown, and finally... gradually it became what it is today."
"The hard work and witnessing bit by bit in the eyes, in the eyes of the lower official, this Java is like a baby in the eyes of the lower official. Now this child has slowly grown up, even if it is far inferior to the Ming Dynasty, in Jie Mou's
In my heart, it is like my own flesh and blood, which is difficult to part with."
Zhang Anshi looked at Xie Jin speaking these words seriously, and he could feel that Xie Jin's words should come from his true thoughts.
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but look at Xie Jin and sighed: "When Mr. Xie said this, I will understand."
Xie Jin smiled back, looked at the sky, and said: "Okay, it's getting late. I need to go back to the capital quickly. I have to go to Wenyuan Pavilion early tomorrow morning to be on duty."
Zhang Anshi said with a pleasant expression: "I will send someone to see you off in a carriage."
"No problem." Xie Jin said, "I'd better take the ferry back. It's convenient anyway, so I won't bother Your Highness and just say goodbye."
After that, he bowed and hurried away without looking back.
Zhang Anshi stood and watched Xie Jin leave, and couldn't help but said: "This guy..."
"Your Highness."
At this time, a person emerged from the next door room, it was Yang Shiqi.
Yang Shiqi has been living in Zhang Anshi's palace these days. When Xie Jin came to see him, he went to the ear room next to him. He could clearly hear the conversation between the two of them just now.
Zhang Anshi glanced at Yang Shiqi and couldn't help but said with some emotion: "This guy... has worked hard... Hey... I really envy King Zhao, who has such a long history..."
Yang Shiqi: "..."
"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Yang." Zhang Anshi said, "Mr. Yang is also very powerful, I admire you."
Yang Shiqi said: "Your Highness saw the far-sightedness of Jie Gong, but I saw the clever tactics of Jie Gong."
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but look at Yang Shiqi in surprise and said: "Brilliant skills?"
Yang Shiqi said: "When I entered the capital, I first used thunderous tactics to show off my prestige and murderous intent. But every step after that, I was gentle, using talents as officials to win over aspiring talents. Each school set up branch schools, and we made good friends.
The vassal kings have also benefited the soldiers, civilians and scholars in foreign lands. I am afraid that soon, except for the corrupt officials whom he has severely attacked, almost everyone in the world will be favored by him."
"However, in this process, Jiegong does not have to pay anything. It is the imperial court's decision to appoint scholars as officials. To build a new branch school, His Highness spends money and food and dispatches teachers. Alas... Jiegong is still the same Jiegong.
It hasn’t changed at all, and I will always be good at dancing.”
Zhang Anshi nodded in agreement and said, "I have noticed it too, but I really can't refuse his suggestion."
Yang Shiqi said: "This is his greatness."
Zhang Anshi said with a smile: "Then Mr. Yang should learn more from Mr. Jie."
Yang Shiqi immediately shook his head and said: "Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. I can't learn from them."
Zhang Anshi laughed: "Well, in short, we in Xinzhou can also get huge benefits from it! Oh, by the way, the business group going to Xinzhou is almost ready. This time we have gathered the owners of major trading houses and
There are more than 400 shopkeepers. They will go to Xinzhou with you when the time comes. You will receive them well and, no matter what, find a way to get them to come up with money... Damn it, after earning so much money with me, you will have to pay for it.
Teach them to leave something behind in Xinzhou."
Yang Shiqi beamed. Isn't this what he was waiting for after staying for so long?