Chapter 470 Chang Qiu Luan 13
The nobles violated the law. This was the case that Hu Weiyong took the initiative to report to the emperor and the prince after he became prime minister. He also proposed a compromise solution in accordance with the emperor's wishes, and the emperor adopted it.
Obviously, the so-called warning effect was nothing in the eyes of the Huaixi Group. After all, the idea was proposed by Hu Weiyong, who was also on the Huaixi ship. Tu Jie, who was in charge of the case in Zhongdu, followed Hu Weiyong's lead.
Even when the three princes who were about to be enfeoffed went to Fengyang for a martial arts demonstration, those people dared to continue their activities in secret. They only thought that the princes were grand and that the princes and grandsons of the emperor would not care about the lives of the common people.
This guess is not wrong. There are many princes who are used to being superior, but it is obvious that Prince Yan Zhu Di does not have such a personality.
Ever since they left the capital, the news Zhu Biao heard from his father was never good.
"Your Majesty, Father, is so harsh on corrupt officials that it is rare in all dynasties. Isn't this enough to deter this kind of unhealthy trend?"
Zhu Biao sat in the cool hall, but he felt as if there was a pot of fire burning in his heart, which made the Crown Prince irritable and he threw the book in his hand to the ground.
Qiu Luan did not rush to dissuade him. He just asked the palace servants to leave first, let him vent for a while, and then personally served him tea.
"The word 'greed' is the root of so much history's ups and downs. It's human nature, it's just that everyone covets different things." Qiu Luan helped him sit down before continuing, "Incorruptible officials seek fame, while corrupt officials seek profit. Your Highness, haven't you heard the saying 'Learn the civil and martial arts, and sell them to the imperial family?' These old people in Huaixi suffer because of their background. In the past, they struggled to survive, but now, despite their wealth, plunder is ingrained in their DNA."
The noisy wind blew past the window, carrying with it scorching heat that made Zhu Biao's cheeks flush red, but his heart grew heavier and colder as Qiu Luan spoke.
"If you say that these people in Huaixi have become a pustule of the country, have you ever thought about what the literati in eastern Zhejiang mean to the country?"
Zhu Biao recalled what Master Liu had said before he retired: "The scholars and scholars are the foundation of the country." And not long ago, Hu Weiyong's remarks on opening the imperial examination system coincided with these words.
"These words must have come from Master Liu."
A light laugh startled Zhu Biao, who was lost in thought. He then realized that he had just said that without realizing it. He looked up and saw his wife's eyes, which seemed to be filled with a mixture of sigh and ridicule, as if she didn't agree. He couldn't help but ask:
"Jiu Niang seems to have a different opinion."
"It's not about opinion, it's just that I was born to be unconventional, so my thoughts and ideas may be a bit shocking."
Chang Qiuluan looked at her nails, which were only stained with a rouge-like red on her fingertips, but in the dark room they looked like a monster digging out people's hearts and livers.
"In my opinion, those nobles are indeed pustules, but they are only temporary pains that can be cured by pricking them."
"But the scholar-officials...are like maggots clinging to our bones, leaving behind harm for thousands of years."
Zhu Biao had never expected Qiu Luan to use such serious words to describe this group, and for a moment he was at a loss for words. The shock on his face was too obvious for Qiu Luan to understand.
"Didn't you expect me to say that? Actually, it's quite obvious. Martial arts create businesses, while civil governance maintains them. This has been the norm throughout all dynasties. Do you agree with this?"
This is true. Zhu Biao also holds the same view. Seeing Qiu Luan asking, he nodded quickly.
"Have you ever thought about why these dynasties fell? Stupid kings? Political corruption? Foreign invasion?" Chang Qiuluan's smile grew increasingly sarcastic. "Then who taught the kings? And who stood in the court?"
"Dynasties come and go, but the noble families remain standing. This has never changed since the Zhou Dynasty."
Chang Qiuluan shook his head: "Everyone wants to climb up, but what are those who climb up thinking?"
"Naturally... cut down the ladder leading upwards and stand on it for a long, long time."
Zhu Biao immediately realized the problem, and the more he thought about it, the more he pondered. For example, why didn't his father hold an imperial examination at this time? For example, why did his father issue a strong order for all places to establish schools at the beginning of the founding of the country, when everything was in ruins, and even required local officials to set up a school in every village.
Scholars are indeed the foundation of the country, but they must be scholars from among the people.
"Hu Weiyong is bringing up the imperial examinations now, probably to boost the Zhejiang East Party. When the time comes, the Emperor will naturally not be able to clean up these old officials in Huaixi in order to check and balance them."
At this moment, Zhu Biao's mindset shifted subtly. Previously, he believed that governing a country meant exercising benevolence, selecting the virtuous and capable, and allowing the people to rest and recuperate. Although he didn't say it out loud, because of the illegal actions of the old officials from Huaixi, he leaned more towards the virtuous and righteous Liu Ji, and naturally, he also showed more respect for scholars.
But now, he suddenly felt that whether they were civil officials or military generals, they were just human beings after all, and as human beings, they were inevitably selfish.
"That's not enough. If every citizen of the Ming Dynasty could study, the court would select the best candidates and assign officials to the central and local governments. Then officials could be replaced frequently, and even those with bad intentions would not be able to achieve great things."
Of course, this is the ideal state.
In fact, even if everyone can read, it does not mean that all problems can be solved.
This is the complexity of human nature. The huge differences between individuals mean that no matter how many regulations society makes, it can only achieve the maximum degree of stability.
But no matter what, this is better than allowing rigid classes to monopolize resources.
Zhu Biao suddenly stood up and said, "I will go to the Fengyang martial arts performance this time. I will also go with the younger ones to see it, so that we won't be ignorant of the sufferings of the people in the future."
What is more important is to prevent these future princes from being easily deceived. They will not lose much if they are deceived, but the people under their rule may not be.
"In that case, I'll take Xiongying and Yunhuan with you. They grew up in the inner palace, so they should go outside and see the world."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
