The Lantern Festival at that time was held north of Dong'anmen (in the area around Dengshikou today). "Merchants from all over the country gathered, bringing with them precious stones, silks, and other exotic goods, both ancient and modern. There were also performances of various arts and plays, with men and women mingling and rubbing shoulders with the audience, creating an extremely lively atmosphere."
Judging from this description, the Lantern Festival is not only bustling, but also a large market and a grand temple fair. Even women can come out to enjoy the lanterns and play. No wonder the Lantern Festival is also called "the ancient Valentine's Day."
“The moon is above the treetops, and we make an appointment after dusk.” But even if we are attracted to each other, can we still rush to book a room like in modern times?
We made an appointment this year, and maybe we can meet again during the Lantern Festival next year. It is romantic, but it also tests the sincerity and strength of the relationship.
"… the villagers made sheds out of sorghum stalks and hung various lanterns around them. The winding path stretched three or four miles long, and was called the 'Nine Bends of the Yellow River Lanterns'. People often got lost walking along it and couldn't get out!"
“
After Zhu Youxiao finished reviewing a memorial, he looked up at Li Chengcheng, who was giving a brilliant speech, and said with a smile, "You remember it clearly. Your description makes me itch to go and watch it."
The eagerness on Li Chengcheng's face slowly faded, and he shook his head gently, saying, "Your Majesty's body is worth millions of gold, and he cannot be dressed as a white dragon fish and wander around in the market."
Zhu Youxiao chuckled, knowing what Li Chengcheng was thinking but not revealing it. He casually picked up another memorial and opened it to read carefully.
Li Chengcheng really wanted to go and watch the fun, but if the emperor went to the Lantern Festival after listening to her description, wouldn't she be guilty of instigating and misleading the emperor?
What's more, the emperor's status is so noble and his safety is so important. How could he easily go to such a crowded and chaotic place?
Zhu Youxiao really wanted to watch the Ming Dynasty Lantern Festival, but he was also a little cautious and would not take risks easily.
Over the past year or so, he had offended many people and would offend even more in the future. It was not difficult to guess from the articles published in the Daming Forum and from the emperor's thoughts and actions.
Regicide, this heinous crime that brings disaster to nine generations of the family, may not be enough to deter certain people from committing such crimes. As long as they think they have done it perfectly and will not be harmed themselves.
Therefore, although Zhu Youxiao left the palace many times, he always took the best possible precautions and measures. Even in the palace, he conducted background checks on the palace people and constantly released those who might have problems.
Externally, Zhu Youxiao used the factory guards to monitor officials, mainly civil officials. This practice cannot be called a wise ruler in history, but for his own safety, Zhu Youxiao would do anything.
Li Chengcheng felt uneasy when he saw the emperor remained silent. Seeing the emperor absorbed in reviewing memorials, he didn't dare interrupt and regretted his earlier description of the lively Lantern Festival market.
At this time, Wang Tigan went in to report, and the Minister of Personnel Tao Lang was waiting outside to see him.
After Zhu Youxiao finished reviewing the manuscript in his hand, he sat up straight and ordered someone to call Tao Lang into the hall first.
At forty-five, Tao Langxian was the youngest of the six ministries and nine ministers, the cabinet. In terms of talent, having served as governor of Denglai, his strategic vision and administrative ability were comparable to Yuan Keli's.
Without the foundation he laid in Denglai, Yuan Keli would not have been able to achieve such results in such a short period of time.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao initially relied more on Tao Lang. People like Sun Chengzong and Li Qiyuan were too old and would not be able to be used for many years.
"Your humble servant pays homage to the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!" After Tao Langxian entered the hall, he bowed as a courtesy.
Zhu Youxiao raised his hand and said, "No need to be polite, please stand up and take a seat."
Tao Lang first handed the memorial in his hand to the palace maid to present to the emperor, and then he sat down respectfully on the embroidered cushion.
"Clerks to officials" was not just a pie in the sky painted by Zhu Youxiao, but a reform plan that needed to be implemented as soon as possible. As the head of the Ministry of Personnel, Tao Lang must first come up with specific regulations according to the emperor's wishes and promulgate them for implementation.
Zhu Youxiao took the manuscript, opened it, and read it carefully. After a long pause, he said, "Overall, it's good, but the details need further consideration. For example, the harm of a culture-oriented politics is most easily exposed at the lowest levels. Even if it's unavoidable and difficult to eliminate, some warning and punishment measures are necessary."
The so-called "politics that values literature" was equivalent to the clerical politics of later times, and it had significant drawbacks. Because many political matters (literature and law) were left to the clerks, if not handled properly, the consequences and impact would have been quite serious.
To give a simple example, "There are excusable circumstances, but the crime is unforgivable" and "The crime is unforgivable, and the circumstances are excusable" are very different in meaning even though they are just a reversal of order.
For example, in the Water Margin, when Wu Song killed Ximen Qing, the clerk in the yamen wrote down the words and changed it to "fight and kill", which made the serious crime lighter. Wu Song was able to save his life and was exiled to a distant place.
Zhu Youxiao also knew that playing with words was a specialty of some civil servants and clerks, and that it was impossible to eradicate it. But just as corruption could not be eradicated, was there no way to enact relevant laws to punish it?
Tao Lang first grasped the emperor's intention, then hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, I am somewhat concerned. Will the introduction of the official transfer system affect the legitimate path of the imperial examination system and cause dissatisfaction among candidates?"
Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said, "As long as the number of officials admitted through the imperial examination remains unchanged, I don't think so. Minister Tao doesn't have to worry about too many officials causing financial difficulties. As long as there are talented officials, giving them a way out will only benefit the country."
Redundant officials, redundant staff, and redundant soldiers—all of these problems have plagued many dynasties throughout history. But in the Ming Dynasty, at least at this stage, there may be redundant officials, but they are definitely not at the grassroots level.
After being promoted from a clerk to an official, it was natural for them to enjoy the benefits of an official, including salaries and pensions, which would cost a lot of money.
But Zhu Youxiao looked at the problem from a different perspective, and the means of making money was naturally one of his confidences.
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