What does Zhu Youxiao think about this statement?

He felt great.

What's the big deal? Does the imperial power rely on some kind of destiny?

It never has been. It has been nothing but deception since ancient times.

In Zhu Youxiao's view, this is self-deception. Bullshit destiny, the land of China has always had the cry of "Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers born of different species?"

Rule always relies on power, not some other messy things. When the emperor controls the country's army, his rule is stable, otherwise it is nonsense.

What’s the big deal about Li Zhi’s statement?

In Zhu Youxiao's view, Li Zhi's thoughts could provide some foundation for himself.

For example, Li Zhi's idea of ​​equality, according to the principle of the unity of all things, does not exist in society. The common people are not inferior, they have their own dignity; the nobles are not noble, they also have their own inferiority.

What can this idea provide to Zhu Youxiao?

It can provide a reason for me to punish the nobles, relatives of the nobility, and gentry. You are not noble at all, you also have your baseness. In this case, if you break the law, it is naturally very safe and just for me to punish you.

This idea allowed Zhu Youxiao to raise his butcher knife high and crush the idea of ​​"no punishment for officials and no courtesy for common people" with one foot.

Of course, some areas also need to be changed and implemented according to one's own ideas, such as paying taxes.

I can completely bring over the taxation concept of later generations. Taxes are collected from the people and used for the people. Paying taxes is the responsibility and obligation of every citizen of the Ming Dynasty. If you want to not pay taxes, that is impossible.

The most important thing is that there was hatred between Li Zhi's school and the Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism school.

How did Li Zhi die?

In the 30th year of the Wanli reign, Zhang Wenda, a clerk in the Ministry of Rites, followed the instructions of the Prime Minister Shen Yiguan and submitted a memorial to Emperor Shenzong, criticizing Li Zhi. Ultimately, Li Zhi was arrested in Tongzhou on charges of "daring to advocate heresy, misleading the world and deceiving the people," and his works were burned.

After Li Zhi was imprisoned, he said frankly: "I have climbed all the famous mountains and valleys, but I have never entered this wall. When I was sick, I realized that I was imprisoned. How many days and nights have I passed."

Later, when he heard that the imperial court was going to escort him back to his hometown in Fujian, he said with emotion: "I am seventy-six years old. What is the point of returning home after death?"

On March 15th, Li Zhi left a verse: "A brave man never forgets the ditch where he is, and a martyr never forgets his loss." Afterwards, in the name of shaving his hair, he took the barber's razor and cut his throat and died at the age of 76.

In the 1974 Criticize Lin Biao and Criticize Confucius Movement, Li Zhi was praised as a hero who respected the Legalism and opposed Confucianism, and his works were classified as "Legalist".

Now, Zhu Youxiao can do this. Since Li Zhi is dead, he can give full play to his thoughts and change the philosophy of mind into his own ideas.

Li Zhi's disciples can be used for their own purposes. They have a grudge against Neo-Confucianism, the current Donglin Party, and people in the officialdom. They are perfect replacements. After the Donglin Party is destroyed, they will be the best successors.

Zhu Youxiao saw one thing clearly: most of the people who joined the Donglin Party were there to get an official position. These people had no bottom line and no determination to defend the truth to the death.

As long as you establish a stronghold for them, they will rush over directly. After the eunuch party established this stronghold, how many people rushed over? How many people wrote poems for Wei Zhongxian?

In comparison, once the Li Zhi school was established, these people would rush over without hesitation and without any bottom line, which would be more thorough than joining the eunuch party.

Especially the students of the School of Mind, they will flock to it as if they have found their backbone.

How powerful are these people?

The answer is very powerful. They continued to fight until the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Zhi also lectured in Jiangnan, attracting tens of thousands of people. Whenever Li Zhi began to lecture, monks, woodcutters, farmers, and even women would bravely open their doors, shying away from their boudoirs. Almost the entire city would empty out as they came to listen to Li Zhi's lectures, no matter where they were, in the temples or in the mountains.

All of a sudden, Li Zhi became an academic star who swept across Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Even at the end of the Chongzhen period, Li Zhi still had a large number of followers.

How can we not use such ideas?

"Chen Hong." Zhu Youxiao turned around and greeted him.

Chen Hong hurried over and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

"Call Luo Sigong into the palace." Zhu Youxiao ordered expressionlessly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong agreed and quickly asked someone to summon Luo Sigong.

Luo Sigong was not the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard yet. In the 41st year of Wanli, Wang Zhizhen, the left commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dismissed him from his post. Luo Sigong became the chief officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as the assistant commander and assistant secretary of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In July of the 48th year of the Wanli reign, his adoptive father, Emperor Taichang, passed away. Luo Sigong served as a guard of the Eastern Palace, and was responsible for internal and external protection, and diligently protected the personal safety of the new emperor, Emperor Tianqi, and made great contributions.

Because of this contribution, Luo Sigong was promoted to the commander-in-chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Junior Guardian and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Left Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army Commandery.

Zhu Youxiao also wanted to test Luo Sigong this time. If he was capable, he would use him; if not, he would completely replace him.

Luo Sigong came from a family of Jinyiwei. His father, Luo Bingliang, was a captain of Jinyiwei. In the 20th year of Wanli's reign, he led the Jinyiwei to attack Korea to collect military intelligence. This work is known in history as the Wanli Korean Campaign.

He was capable, especially in intelligence work, where Luo Sigong was very good. It was just that he and Wei Zhongxian were not on the same path, or rather, he looked down on Wei Zhongxian.

This was not a big deal for Zhu Youxiao. It would be better if they didn't like each other. If they did, what would be the point of him being the emperor?

Although the East Factory supervises the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it can only supervise and absolutely cannot supervise. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be better to set up an East Factory?

The Jinyiwei has its own role, which is completely incomparable to the Dongchang. Zhu Youxiao is very clear about this.

Luo Sigong arrived quickly.

For Luo Sigong, both the Jinyiwei and himself were under great pressure during this period. The Dongchang was gaining popularity and had the emperor's trust, so the Jinyiwei had a hard time.

Now that His Majesty had summoned him, Luo Sigong naturally did not dare to be negligent and hurried over.

After entering the hall, Luo Sigong lifted his clothes and knelt on the ground, saying: "I, Luo Sigong, the commander of the Jinyiwei, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said expressionlessly, "Get up!"

When Luo Sigong stood up, Zhu Youxiao looked directly at him and asked, "Are the Jinyiwei still useful now?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Sigong knew he had work to do. He quickly stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei are willing to die for you at any time."

"Very good." Zhu Youxiao said with satisfaction: "I have something for you to do. Please help me find someone."