Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and remained silent for a long time.

Having discussed this point, it can be said to be a dispute on the ideological level, or in other words, it is about the positioning of the Ming Dynasty's national policy.

A new emperor has new ministers. Zhu Yuanzhang was very clear that some things could not be changed just because he made the rules.

With the eldest grandson's "rebellious" character, it wouldn't make much sense even if I set some ancestral precepts.

Just by looking at the look in Da Sun's eyes, I could tell that his personality was similar to mine, and he was extremely stubborn.

Even if I can oppose it now, I will still make changes when I ascend the throne in the future.

In fact, from a certain perspective, it is already a very magical thing that Zhu Yuanzhang was able to realize this.

Especially for his eldest grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang has been doting on him from the beginning to now almost always communicating with him with an equal attitude.

It is difficult for others to imagine a person with a personality like Zhu Yuanzhang. Generally speaking, he felt guilty towards his eldest grandson, which was why he made concessions in many areas.

When faced with issues that he opposes in his heart, he does not suppress them with a violent attitude. For the sake of this rare relationship between grandfather and grandson, he will think about it and convince his grandson with reason.

All schools of thought were abolished and Confucianism was the only one respected.

This is Zhu Yuanzhang's thought on governing the country. The moral principles between the ruler and his subjects in Confucianism are very beneficial to the rulers, which cannot be compared with Taoism and Buddhism.

"Grandson, there's no need to beat around the bush. Tell us directly what you think about the imperial examination."

After a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang chose to throw the question directly back to his eldest grandson.

Since Da Sun thinks that the eight-legged essay is not a good way to select scholars, he will come up with a better way.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying did not hesitate and directly said what was on his mind.

"Students study hard for ten years, but after they achieve fame, these poems and songs do not help them learn how to govern the local area quickly."

"So my grandson thinks that the imperial examination can be subdivided into six areas, just like the six ministries."

"The Four Books and Five Classics are also indispensable. You can select some of them as the key points, and then test them according to the different directions chosen by the candidates themselves."

"For example, if you are taking the examination at the Ministry of Justice, the Four Books and Five Classics, the Great Ming Code, and the Great Edicts will each account for three parts, and then a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted, and those with excellent results will be promoted."

Zhu Ying certainly would not choose to kill Confucianism with one blow. After all, as far as the Ming Dynasty is concerned, Confucianism is the mainstream thought of governing the country, which is still very good.

There is no other thought that can replace Confucianism today.

It just means that like universities in later generations, the originally unified national examination was turned into a specialized examination.

As for the top talents, of course they can be promoted. There are quite a few geniuses in the Imperial College of the Ming Dynasty.

In this way, the content of the imperial examination was actually broadened. It was no longer just the Four Books and Five Classics, but only served as an auxiliary subject in terms of ideology.

Students are free to choose the direction of their studies, so that after passing the exams, they can enter the corresponding majors and get started quickly.

It would not happen that an official in the Ministry of Justice, after taking office, has never even read the Ming Dynasty Law and makes a fool of himself when judging a case.

Of course, after going through so many circles, Zhu Ying’s greatest focus is still in the Ministry of Industry.

These channels are mainly created for the Ministry of Industry.

The Ministry of Industry is responsible for a very broad range of areas, such as arms manufacturing, agricultural tools, etc.

Basically it involves the military industry and agriculture itself.

But now the status of craftsmen is too low. Although there are scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, in reality it is scholars, merchants, farmers and artisans.

However, the Ministry of Industry is the key to productivity.

Research on materials themselves, research on firearms and gunpowder, etc., are the key to productivity.

Improving the welfare and social status of craftsmen and guiding the emergence and development of the Ming Dynasty's industrial system, all depends on the Ministry of Industry.

The rest can be developed slowly.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his eyes began to light up.

From rejection at the beginning to gradual admiration now, Zhu Yuanzhang could feel his grandson's unique ideas and thoughts on governing the country.

From military management to internal affairs, the current eldest grandson gave Zhu Yuanzhang a feeling of being almost omnipotent.

"What Da Sun said is indeed a good idea, but it cannot be formulated immediately. We will hand it over to the Hanlin Academy for processing."

"The students' books must be compiled first, and then the imperial examination can be conducted."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

The eldest grandson did not directly say that he wanted to abolish the Four Books and Five Classics, but chose to practice them in combination, which was still acceptable in Zhu Yuanzhang's view.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang himself had long discovered from memorials that many of his ministers had serious deficiencies in their abilities.

But this was a common phenomenon and Zhu Yuanzhang could do nothing about it.

The imperial examination system began in the Sui Dynasty and was perfected in the Tang Dynasty. It was the key for the emperor to select talents, and it was also the reason why a group of students from poor families emerged.

"Since this matter was proposed by you, my eldest grandson, then you will be responsible for it. When the time comes, I will approve a document and you will be responsible for the affairs of the Hanlin Academy first." Zhu Yuanzhang added.

"Grandson, I will follow your grandfather's instructions."

Zhu Ying's eyes lit up and he spoke immediately.

Zhu Ying believes that compiling textbooks is a very meaningful thing, and he can add a lot of personal opinions during the compilation process.

These textbooks are extremely important and will directly affect every scholar in the Ming Dynasty, and will also change the direction of development of the entire Ming Empire.

"We have to go back to the palace. We have to think carefully about what our eldest grandson told us today, and let the ministers discuss it carefully and come up with a detailed plan."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and said to Zhu Ying, "We'll send someone to pick you up later. Go to the palace tonight and see your father."

Zhu Ying nodded slightly when he heard this: "Okay."

…

Western Regions.

Zhu Ying didn't expect that when he arranged Zhang San to deliver the letter, he ended up delivering trouble.

In fact, after Zhu Ying knew about his life experience and especially after he made plans to conquer the Ming Dynasty, his main focus had already begun to revolve around the Ming Dynasty.

Now is the best time for Ming Dynasty to reform. The old man is still alive. No matter what kind of reform it is, as long as he has the support of the old man, no one in Ming Dynasty can stop it.

Now is also the time when the Ming Dynasty’s military strength is at its peak.

In fact, Lan Yu alone cannot affect the situation to a great extent. Even famous generals like Feng Sheng and Fu Youde, in Zhu Ying's opinion, would certainly be better if they existed, but not having them would not be too bad.

Most importantly, the Lan Yu case led to too many mid-level military officers being implicated.

Just like a human arm, without the bones inside, it naturally cannot be strong. Even if the old man is determined to kill Lan Yu, Zhu Ying will not take it too seriously.

In Zhu Ying's opinion, whether Lan Yu can survive or not can only be known after meeting him. Although Lan Yu is his uncle, if Lan Yu opposes him for some reasons.

That can only be removed.

In fact, as far as his subordinates in the Western Regions are concerned, Zhu Ying naturally cannot reveal his identity directly now. This does not bring him much benefit, but may easily breed hidden dangers.

The most important reason is that his men are all outside the Ming Dynasty, not inside it. Moreover, if he plans to attack other places in the future, they will be a good hidden chess piece.

Of course, he still delivered a cryptic message, the key to which was the seal on the blank document.

Qun Ying City, this is the city built in the Zhu Ying territory of the Western Regions.

Even if it is a small country in the Western Regions, there is no problem.

With a population of 3,000 households, about 10,000 people, and more than 3,000 soldiers, mainly cavalry, there is no problem in protecting themselves in the Western Regions.

It is worth mentioning that if the City of Heroes had not been established as a country, Zhu Ying would have always gone to the desert and the grassland to build up his power.

Who knows, the current Qun Ying City might be called Qun Ying Country.

You can also establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, pay tribute, and even receive a title from the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, although the Qun Ying City does not have a title now, it has reported its surrender to the Ming Dynasty and is under the protection of the Ming Dynasty.

Strictly speaking, it still belongs to the Ming Dynasty.

In the city of heroes.

"Mr. Li, you have to look carefully. This is a document from the Daming Post Station." Liu Sheng said to a middle-aged man with graying hair, a thin body, and a fairly old age.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiucai said with certainty, "Of course I know this is the document from the Daming Post Station. It also has the seal of the Director of the Military Department's Chariot and Horse Division."

After he finished speaking, he added with some doubt: "In theory, although the post station is under the jurisdiction of the Military Department, the post station documents generally do not have the seal of the Military Department, and they are blank documents."

"What does this mean?" Liu Sheng asked puzzledly. He was not very familiar with the situation in the Ming Dynasty.

Li Xiucai was a scholar with a legitimate title, but he ended up in the Western Regions because he got involved in a lawsuit and had to flee.

However, scholars these days can eat well everywhere. After all, there are not many literate people in the Ming Dynasty, and even fewer in the Western Regions.

Li Xiucai's status in Qunying City is still one of the best. After living here for several years, he married and had children and lived a rich life.

He organized his words in his mind, and was too lazy to explain the details of the Ming Dynasty Empty Seal Case to Liu Sheng, so he said directly:

"There are only two possible situations in which you can get a blank document with your boss's seal as proof."

Liu Sheng asked; "Which two situations?"

"One possibility is that these documents are all forged, but the boss has connections in the capital and was able to conceal the truth. However, I think this possibility is not high."

"After all, the capital is under the emperor's feet. The slightest movement cannot be hidden from the emperor's eyes, let alone the post station clerks."

Li Xiucai analyzed and said.

"What about another situation?" Liu Sheng urged.

What he disliked most was this thing about Li Xiucai. Every time he spoke, he liked to keep people in suspense, and was hesitant and not straightforward at all.

However, Li Xiucai's knowledge was beyond doubt, and he didn't have much of a solution to this problem.

Liu Xiucai took the teacup on the table and drank a sip to moisten his throat. Then he said:

"There is another possibility. The boss is currently well connected in the capital and can even get in touch with the emperor. This may sound incredible, but judging from the content of the document, it is reasonable."

Liu Sheng looked slightly shocked, and asked in disbelief, "Are you saying that the boss is hooking up with the Ming Emperor?"

"Go away, do you know how to speak? What do you mean by collusion? If this weren't the Western Region, or the Dong family's territory, just the word collusion would be enough to kill your entire family."

Li Xiucai scolded Liu Sheng, and when he saw Liu Sheng's embarrassed expression, he continued:

"Be careful with your words in the future. In my opinion, the boss must have been appreciated by His Majesty. In fact, it makes sense if you think about it. The boss is such a person, he is almost born with great talent."

"With His Majesty's discerning eyes, he can naturally see our talents, so it is normal for us to be directly reused. Our documents also mentioned that we should prepare a large amount of potatoes, sweet potatoes and other high-yield crops."

"If I'm guessing correctly, it might be that the owner specially presented it to His Majesty."

After hearing Li Xiucai's analysis, Liu Sheng frowned and said, "But the boss had decided earlier to take Annan. How could he suddenly turn to the Ming Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiucai said disdainfully: "How can a poor and remote place like Annan be compared with our Great Ming? Even a random county town cannot be compared with a small country like Annan."

"The Dong family was just a merchant before, but now that they are highly valued by the emperor, they naturally don't need to care about Annan anymore."

"I think if the host offers potatoes, sweet potatoes and other high-yield crops, he may even be granted a title by His Majesty. Isn't this more comfortable than governing a small country like Annan?"

When Liu Sheng heard this, he was convinced.

Zhu Ying seldom explains to his subordinates why he does something, in order to make it easier for them to blindly believe in him.

People like Liu Sheng grew up in the Western Regions. For example, Li Xiucai, although a Ming Dynasty citizen, also grew up in the Ming Dynasty's frontier region.

As for Annan, if his boss hadn't told him, Liu Sheng wouldn't even know the name, and Li Xiucai only knew a concept about it from books.

At present, the self-confidence index of the Ming people naturally gives them a sense of superiority compared to the surrounding small countries.

Therefore, it is understandable that Li Xiucai despises Annan.

It was at this time that the middle-aged man who had been with Liu Sheng earlier pushed the door open.

"Junior brother, how is the interrogation of Zhang San going?" Liu Sheng asked.

Jiang Yun, who is called the junior brother, is the second disciple of Zhu Ying.

In fact, Zhu Ying himself did not have any sect or anything like that. It was just that the hundreds of "disciples" all respected Zhu Ying as their teacher and spontaneously ranked themselves according to their differences.

Jiang Yun frowned and said, "After all, Zhang San is the teacher's confidant. The current situation is unclear, and it is impossible for him to use punishment arbitrarily. However, after asking, there are no major loopholes."

"The only thing worth mentioning is that the teacher once asked him to secretly follow a high-ranking official in the imperial court. He was then discovered by the Jinyiwei and arrested in the Jinyiwei prison, but was released the next day."

"If I'm not lying, I think the teacher must have a certain amount of power in the capital."

Hearing this, Liu Sheng subconsciously looked at Li Xiucai.

From this point of view, Li Xiucai's analysis just now is almost completely consistent.

"It seems that the teacher is doing very well in the capital now. Junior brother, please release Zhang San. We have wronged him." Liu Sheng said, thinking of Zhang San.

Jiang Yun was speechless towards his senior brother Liu Sheng.

It was you who said there was a problem, and now you are also the one who says that it was a mistake. It's really... hard work for Zhang San.

However, before Jiang Yun left, he said to his senior brother Liu Sheng: "Now that the matter is clear, then the senior brother should follow the teacher's instructions and quickly send the wooden box to the post station and send it to the capital as soon as possible."

"I think the things in the wooden box will be of great use to the teacher."

Liu Sheng was a little surprised when he heard this and said, "Teacher, why do you want the wooden box so much? There is nothing valuable in the wooden box. It is just a piece of rag."

At this point, Liu Sheng suddenly remembered the instructions his teacher gave him when he left the wooden box for safekeeping when he left the city of heroes.

Because a few years had passed and Liu Sheng was old, he didn't think of it all of a sudden.

Thinking about it now, my eyes widened.

The teacher's words of advice echoed in my ears again.

"Liu Sheng, you have to keep the things in this wooden box for me. This is the only thing related to my parents."

Zhu Ying advertised to the outside world that he had connections in the Ming Dynasty, but as his teacher's chief disciple, Liu Sheng still knew some inside information.

I have also heard about the teacher's life experience.

Now let’s talk about the torn pieces of cloth, the teacher’s background, and the capital, when these three words are associated together.

An extremely shocking answer was about to emerge in Liu Sheng's mind.