It seems that no one in the world can live without Zhang Anshi.
But if you think about it carefully, it seems that Zhang Anshi has become dispensable.
The craftsmen are satisfied for the time being, because ten or twenty years ago they were still full and hungry, but now they can finally support their families.
Many young people, or become apprentices, are no longer willing to work in the fields, and there are also many who are studying. However, more people are not willing to accept such a numb job, and are willing to join the army.
Among the various university halls, the Maritime School is always the most popular target for young people, because in the future, whether they enter the Navy or stir up troubles in various vassal states, there is still countless wealth in this ocean.
The achievements seem to be waving towards those young people who are unwilling to live day by day.
Although the prince is currently supervising the country, almost all the projects in the world are in the hands of the emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji.
His Royal Highness, the grandson of the emperor, is more radical than the more stable prince. He is surrounded by talents for the construction of major railways, ports, docks, and bridges.
Due to the lack of manpower and the large number of men sailing or working abroad, the issue of women's employment has been brought to the fore.
The first one to advocate was the Business Daily, which was almost the most radical at this time. A large number of articles were desperately ridiculing Confucianism's harm to women, from women staying at home, to women not having talent as a virtue.
I don’t know how many people wrote articles and criticized it.
Instead, women were encouraged to work, and their contributions to the textile industry were especially praised.
Women are even encouraged to read, write and read newspapers. Of course, this is regarded as a sign of obsolescence and enlightenment.
It seems that at this moment, the old morality is beginning to be constantly impacted.
It's just that this kind of impact is not a whimsical one, it just relies on the impulse of slapping the forehead.
But with the changes in the mode of production, a group of upstarts, driven by interests, began to consciously establish a new theoretical system, and then borrowed tools from newspapers and other media to promote it.
Especially in the textile industry, as well as in many new workshops, the demand for female workers has reached a critical level.
Naturally, if you want to encourage women to get out of the house, then...it is inevitable...in this new moral theory, it is natural that equality between men and women will be put in the forefront.
In this era, it is obvious that this is progress, but the so-called progress does not rely on people's conscience to promote it.
But under the new mode of production, out of the desire for profit, people unknowingly began to plunge into this torrent that washed away the old morality.
Of course, this moral system is not just for women. At present, almost all public opinion tendencies are like a torrent, and they have begun to praise adventurism and warriors wantonly.
It is clear that a few or ten years ago, people still looked down upon warriors as warriors, and had natural discrimination against military households.
But now, the situation has changed drastically. Almost all the overwhelming articles on the market and major newspapers praise adventurers and warriors.
Especially after the Japanese rebellion, this kind of admiration almost reached its peak.
In the past, Confucians, or the gentry, hated war, because war meant that a large number of strong men in the countryside would be recruited, which would weaken the manpower in the countryside and the rent of land would inevitably plummet.
What's more, this also means that the court may try every means to collect money and food from the gentry.
The so-called wars are rising everywhere and the sea is wasted, this is probably the case.
As for the gains from the war, whether it was the land in the desert or the development of the southwest border towns, there was actually no gain for the gentry. Even if there was any gain, it would be for the imperial court.
But now, war is completely different for the nouveau riche. Advances in technology have greatly reduced the demand for manpower in war. In the past, millions of troops were often sent out, but the real number of soldiers may only be 100,000 or 200,000. The rest are all
The situation of various servants and auxiliary soldiers has also been alleviated.
On the other hand, compared to the reduction of manpower, for the new rich, opening up new markets is the top priority. After tasting the sweetness once or twice, it seems... many merchants are no longer just advocating the importance of
Discussed.
Nowadays, they are beginning to be enthusiastic about establishing a new value system, which is like the Japanese New Deal, extending this New Deal to all parts of the world, and opening the door to all countries in the world.
At this time, perhaps this awareness is still hazy, and many people are just unconsciously thinking that it would be best if all the countries in the world followed the example of the Japanese. However, smart scholars have begun to write their articles and continue to
Improve this theoretical system.
And to achieve this means... the Ming Dynasty must have countless adventure teams and a large number of warriors to provide protection.
Therefore, advocating warriors and encouraging adventure at sea have begun to penetrate into the hearts of people all over the world like whispers.
Just a few days ago, a fleet from Europe returned home.
For many days before the return voyage, almost many newspapers were constantly advocating! It had been noisy for more than half a month, and many people even discussed the personnel of the fleet and their qualifications.
He collected them and regarded the captain who led the team as a rare hero in ancient and modern times.
So, just three days ago, when this tired fleet returned to Huating Port.
Along the coast, tens of thousands of people gathered to give a warm welcome.
There were endless cheers, and the leading officials and merchants presented a lot of rewards.
The crew members who stood tall and trembling as they disembarked from the ship were as if they were in a dream. No matter how much they thought about it, they could not imagine that the world had become such a scene.
This is like someone who went on a long trip, but when he returned to his hometown, he found that things had changed. He was a single young man with a poor family, but when he returned to his hometown, he found that he had a new house, and his wife was waiting here.
, and he was holding a few fat boys on his left and right hands. As soon as he saw you, he rushed forward to call you daddy.
This kind of atmosphere has been a bit unstoppable since the beginning.
Naturally, the concern for the Japanese country is almost the most important thing for many people.
One year has passed, and no one dares to judge easily the situation in the Japanese country. After all, the last rebellion made many people realize that the situation in Fuso is more complicated than what they can glimpse.
And in the twenty-eighth year of Yongle, the current emperor's seventieth birthday had unexpectedly arrived.
For Zhu Di, in his twilight years, he no longer knows how many more years of peace he can enjoy.
Almost all political affairs in the world were left to his sons.
As for the prince Zhu Gaochi who oversees the country, he is determined to make this birthday grand.
On the one hand, it shows the filial piety of the Son of Man.
On the other hand, there is too much surplus in the internal funds, and it won't hurt even if it is managed a little.
So as soon as the edict was released, the eligible vassal kings were ordered to return to Beijing to celebrate their birthdays.
As early as half a year ago, preparations for various matters began.
Zhu Di was obviously not enthusiastic about such a thing, but thinking that his brothers, sons, and grandchildren might all come back to Beijing to celebrate their birthdays, he actually had no objection.
After all, as people get older, they miss their family ties even more. Zhu Di still wants to see these relatives he hasn't seen for a long time.
At this time, the busiest ones were the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple.
And many vassal kings were obviously interested in it this time.
Not to mention that after being overseas for so many years and being thousands of miles away from home, I am also very homesick. Moreover, if I come back to see His Majesty and make Him happy, I might be able to get some benefits. Even if there is no benefit, at least... the purchased arms and firearms
, it would also be good to get more discounts.
The second thing is to take this opportunity to pay homage to the tomb of Taizu Emperor Gao!
When people are overseas, they often fight. For those who fight, they are often more or less superstitious. They always feel that... they should pray more for the blessing of Emperor Taizu Gao. He is here to protect him.
, you can only be successful overseas.
So many vassal kings called back one after another. Some set off early, and some sent their sons to go on their behalf even though they were unable to make the trip due to the war.
The specialties of every vassal in the world have now become birthday gifts.
At this time, King Zhao and King Han finally returned to Beijing first.
As soon as Fang arrived in Beijing, he didn't bother to rest, so they entered the palace first, met with his father, the emperor and his mother, stayed in the palace for one night, and went to see his brother the next day. In the evening, they came to see Zhang Anshi.
.
"Ha ha……"
Zhang Anshi greeted the two with a smile, looked at the two dark-skinned guys, and couldn't help but think of the scenes between them, and couldn't help but sigh: "Hey... It's different, they are all different.
It’s been so many years...it’s really a huge change.”
Zhu Gaoxu looked at the man in front of him who was still handsome but a little more mature and steady, and smiled and said: "But King Song has not changed much. Hey... I am in Annan, and I miss King Song day and night!"
Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "I think you miss my firearm."
"How did you say this, what did you say... Hahaha... Hahaha..." Zhu Gaoxu laughed dryly.
Zhu Gaosui's eyes rolled, and he said to himself that fortunately the second brother was stupid and always had such a quick temper, but this time he was wading into the water for himself. The King of Song had not changed, he was still outspoken and did not talk about friendship. .
At the moment, the three of them took their seats, and Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui talked about their experiences overseas.
Changing the topic, Zhu Gaoxu said: "I heard something while overseas."
Zhang Anshi said: "I don't know what's going on?"
"Ahem..." Zhu Gaoxu said magically and a little unnaturally: "If I tell you, don't be unhappy."
Zhang Anshi said: "Let's talk, let's talk, if you were so easy to get angry, I would be angry to death."
Zhu Gaoxu said hesitantly: "Hey...I heard...that my nephews' vassal territory...someone said...it's not fair."
Zhang Anshi raised his eyebrows lightly and said, "Where did this come from?"
Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhang Anshi's expression and seemed to feel that Zhang Anshi's reaction was quite calm, so he let go and said: "It's just hearsay that that boy Zhu Zhanchuan made a scene in front of His Majesty, and finally he was Zhu Zhanyong's vassal territory was given to him."
Zhang Anshi said: "Did you also hear this in Annan?"
Zhu Gaoxu said: "Why didn't you hear it? There are various vassals in the world, and no one knows about it, right?"
Zhu Gaojiu said and looked at Zhu Gaosui.
Zhu Gaosui shook his head and said seriously: "I haven't heard of it..."
Zhu Gaoxu: "..."
Although Zhang Anshi had heard about this kind of thing many times, he couldn't help but said: "Damn it, isn't it true that good things don't go out and bad things spread thousands of miles? Why do I feel like someone wants to ruin my reputation?"
Zhu Gaoxu said: "Ahem... on this matter, please listen to my advice. Things in the clan are the most troublesome. If it is unfair, someone will inevitably gossip..."
At this time, Zhu Gaosui helped him: "Yes, yes, listen to the second brother's advice."
When this matter was mentioned at this time, on the one hand, Zhang Anshi naturally knew that someone must have let it slip on purpose.
On the other hand, for the clan members and vassal kings, the reason why they pay so much attention to this matter is obviously because they have interests!
After all, this is related to personal interests. After all, they are far away from the center of the imperial court, but Zhang Anshi is right in front of the emperor. If there are any enfeoffments and rewards in the future, but Zhang Anshi gives all the benefits to his nephew, everyone will suffer.
Of course, everyone has their own prejudices in their hearts, but the average vassal king may not be willing to speak out. Everyone knows that Zhang Anshi will still be in charge of the central government for at least twenty years in the future.
The King of Han was reckless and outspoken, not to mention he had a good relationship with Zhang Anshi, so he revealed it at this time.
Zhang Anshi naturally began to cry out about his grievances, saying that he had done something wrong with his kindness, so Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui had no choice but to say: "Forget it, forget it, don't mention these things, who doesn't have any personal thoughts? If it were me, I wouldn't Same, okay, don’t worry."
Zhang Anshi knew it very well, and sneered: "Just wait and see, it must be that boy Zhu Zhanquan who spreads rumors and causes trouble. Others can't cure him, so why can't he be cured?"
Who is Zhang Anshi? It's good that he doesn't cause trouble, but there are still people who dare to make trouble for him again and again?
Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui looked at each other.
Zhu Gaoxu said: "When trouble occurs, don't say it was me."
Zhu Gaosui immediately said: "Fortunately, I didn't say anything just now. You must remember clearly that this is what the second brother said."
More and more vassal kings came to the capital, and almost every vassal king brought with him hundreds to seventy or eighty retinues and guards. Therefore, the capital became increasingly noisy.
Zhang Anshi just listened to what the King of Han and King Zhao said, and he wasn't angry at first. Are there fewer people saying bad things about him?
But later, when I thought about what happened at the beginning, I realized that I was really wronged, and gradually I became so angry that my teeth started to itch, and I was no longer in a good mood. I simply stopped going to see other feudal princes in the past few days and complained of illness at home.
Until his birthday, the disease could not go away.
Zhang Anshi put on a python suit and entered the palace immediately.
There was a long ceremony during the day, but in the evening it became a little more relaxed, and all the tired princes and princes were arranged in the newly built Hall of Inheritance.
Zhu Di ascended to the throne, and immediately the eunuchs presented fruits, vegetables, water and wine.
The eunuchs began to sing the ritual list.
Obviously, Zhu Di is still very concerned about birthday gifts.
"The King of Zhou presented three hundred kilograms of spices and fifty pairs of ivory..."
"King Wu..."
Zhu Di's face was red, and occasionally he would show a bit of unpleasantness, and then he would glare at someone in the audience.
And that person couldn't help but look ashamed.
It is said that there are only vassal states, but after more than ten years of development, vassal states and vassal states have actually become different. Some are rich, some are barren, some have expanded hundreds of miles, and some have
, then it can barely control a radius of a hundred miles.
After all, everyone's abilities are limited, but at this time, we can't help but blush.
"His Royal Highness King Zheng, I would like to present one hundred pairs of Japanese swords, one hundred pairs of fine armor, and thirty jade stones..."
Someone read the name of King Zheng Zhu Zhanquan.
Zhu Di was wary when he heard that it was his grandson who was paying tribute.
These birthday gifts were actually not valuable, but... Zhu Di still laughed and expressed satisfaction.
After all, it has only been a year for the vassal to establish a firm foothold. It would be good if I, the imperial grandfather, do not secretly subsidize it. It is rare for people to come and give gifts now.
After reading the gift list from King Zheng Zhu Zhanyu, Zhu Di couldn't help but express his feelings and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, okay..."
Saying three good words in a row is obviously an endorsement of this grandson.
Zhu Zhanquan was a young man, so he naturally sat behind his uncles. When he heard Grandpa Huang's approval, he couldn't help but smile.
All the kings looked at Zhu Zhanqun one after another, and they all smiled when they saw that this junior was also very impressive.
The atmosphere started to become cheerful.
"His Royal Highness the King of Yue...His Royal Highness the King of Yue..."
At this moment, suddenly, the eunuch seemed to be stuck.
He was holding the new gift list, but he couldn't stop reading. If someone looked closer and looked carefully, he could still see that his hand holding the gift list was trembling slightly.
At this moment, Yi Shiha on the side was frightened.
This eunuch who specializes in singing rituals is carefully selected and must not be let off the hook. In this case, where is the royal dignity?
Just when Zhu Di frowned.
The eunuch then continued: "His Royal Highness the King of Yue, please donate 1,888,888 taels of silver..."
"..."
As soon as these words came out, the palace suddenly became quiet.
More than 1.88 million taels of silver may be a large sum of money to the current emperor, but it is not shocking.
But for a vassal king, this definitely belongs to his wealth and life. Most of the vassal states will not have this income all year round.
What's more, even if it is barely enough, there are so many officials and troops in the palace to support, how can one squeeze out a year's income to give a birthday gift?
Isn’t this just holding on after eating enough?
Immediately afterwards, someone started whispering.
King of Yue...
It's that boy Zhu Zhanyong.
Didn’t this kid become a feudal lord just now?
Where did he get so much money?
Is this kid crazy?
Zhu Di was full of surprise and couldn't close his mouth for a moment.
Of course, it would be too late for him to be happy if he just gave money directly.
The problem is...this seems unlikely, but more like a prank!
…
I forgot to tell you that Tiger didn’t update yesterday because he was asleep and I don’t know. I’m really sorry. Tiger has a cold recently. He’s been dozing for the past few days. Sometimes he doesn’t know when he’s asleep. I’ve also heard that many people have colds.