"The Ming Dynasty has been around for over two hundred years, and it's plagued by numerous problems. The only way to prolong its rule is through reform. There's no other way. Your father has tried to find a solution, but there's nothing good."

"What Zhang Juzheng did once wouldn't necessarily work if he did it again, so I don't want to do that. After reading through history, I think Xunzi's theory is right. He believed that the combination of rites and laws is the way to a strong country."

At this point, Huang Kezun looked at Huang Yongji and said with a smile: "I have been thinking about this for many years, but how can innovation be so easy?"

"We need unity between the ruler and his subjects, and the courage to burn our boats. All of these are indispensable, otherwise the reform will not succeed. I had originally given up on this idea, but the current emperor has rekindled my hope."

"Your Majesty, who currently employs Xu Guangqi, is actually willing to accept Li Zhi's theories. Do you know what this means? It means Your Majesty is open-minded and willing to accept everyone's opinions, accepting all theories. It also means Your Majesty has realized the current situation of the Ming Dynasty and wants to make changes!"

"When you said that Your Majesty believed in Xunzi, your father already had an idea."

"Does father also believe in Xunzi?" Huang Yongji asked hesitantly.

In fact, Huang Yongji was a little unsure, because his father had never shown anything in this regard. Why did he suddenly convert to Xunzi and ask him to read Xunzi's books all the time?

"Do you believe in Xunzi?" Huang Kezun smiled and said, "I don't. But what does it matter whether I believe it or not?"

"There's no logic to innovation itself. Your Majesty once said, 'Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.' You only know something after you've done it. It's useless to simply talk about success or failure; the results will naturally emerge after you've done it."

"But you also have to know that if you want to innovate, you must gain His Majesty's absolute trust and support, and you must have enough ideas to convince His Majesty. Although Xu Guangqi did this, he didn't do it well enough."

"But Xu Guangqi has already succeeded enough now. His Majesty has approved everything he has done." Huang Yongji said with some surprise.

"Far from it!" Huang Kezun shook his head and said, "Why does His Majesty still keep Han Yu in the court today? It's simply because he doesn't want to reuse Xu Guangqi. He keeps Han Yu to check and balance Xu Guangqi. Why?"

"Because Your Majesty doesn't trust Xu Guangqi that much. In other words, some of Xu Guangqi's ideas are acceptable to Your Majesty, but others are not. Your Majesty's admiration for Xunzi is simply a desire to use the Legalists. This point is beyond consideration, so someone must bring it up."

"Since we already know this, I will bring it up. If Your Majesty is willing to use me, you will remove Han Yu and use me to check and balance Xu Guangqi. Otherwise, I, your father, will go home this time."

"But after so many years as an official, I've grown tired of the petty bureaucracy. If I could do things my own way, I might continue. Otherwise, I'd rather return to the mountains and enjoy the countryside, playing with my grandchildren."

"But this is too dangerous!" Huang Yongji said anxiously.

"No danger." Huang Kezun waved his hand and said with a smile, "They're just saying I'm rebellious. Your father is so old and doesn't have many years left to live, so it's okay to let them say something. It's just that it will be hard for you. I'm afraid you have no hope of passing the imperial examination."

"But since you are not good at studying, it may not be a bad thing if you fail the imperial examination. It is not a bad thing for you to study and farm at home."

Huang Yongji glanced at his father and said nothing.

It hurts my self-esteem.

Huang Kezun ignored his son and continued, "So whether it succeeds or not depends on this one time. Tomorrow, when you go to the cabinet, tell them that I've caught a cold and am not feeling well, so I need to ask for leave."

Huang Yongji nodded and agreed: "Yes, father."

Looking up at his father, Huang Yongji said again, "There's still one thing I don't understand. Even if you think so, there's no need to target Mencius. Why can't you just fill in Xunzi's name directly?"

"Because I want to see what Your Majesty will choose." Huang Kezun said with a smile: "Since ancient times, when Your Majesty chooses his subjects, aren't the subjects also choosing a wise leader? It's not only in times of chaos and struggle for supremacy that we need to choose a wise leader; it's the same now."

"If I, as a father, only wish to be a safe official, then there is no need to do this. However, if I wish to accomplish great things, to make innovations, then I must have a wise leader."

"Throughout history, there have been only a few innovators who have achieved success. However, all those who have achieved success have always had a wise leader behind them. Such a wise leader must be bold and magnanimous, and possess unparalleled courage and insight. He must not hesitate and must possess immense courage."

"Although the current emperor has the idea of ​​reform, it is uncertain whether it can be successful. There were also emperors in the Song Dynasty who wanted to reform, but what was the result? So your father wants to know what the emperor will choose."

Huang Yongji stared at his father with wide eyes, and said in disbelief: "But this is unbecoming of a minister!"

"The way of a minister?" Huang Kezun said with a smile, "What is the way of a minister? Loyalty to the emperor and patriotism is the way of a minister. What your father is about to do may not only put his life in danger, but also implicate his family. Before doing this, I cannot be too cautious."

"If His Majesty can't even tolerate this, then we should pack up and go home early. There's no need to stay in the capital and be an eyesore."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!