After everything was done, Zhu Youxiao asked, "What is the matter with Mr. coming to the palace today?" ”

Sun Chengzong glanced at Zhu Youxiao, and asked with a firm face: "Your Majesty wants to innovate?" ”

At this moment, Sun Chengzong didn't detour anymore, and directly told the matter.

Since he decided to enter the palace to ask, he didn't want to go around the bend again, so he just went straight to the bend.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Sun Chengzong lightly, and asked with a smile: "Why did Mr. say this?" ”

In fact, Zhu Youxiao really wants to innovate, and what he is doing is also innovative, but he doesn't want to mention the slogan of innovation.

The reason is simple: innovation is not a slogan that is useful. To a certain extent, it is true that a slogan needs to be shouted, but now is not the right time.

So Zhu Youxiao didn't mention this matter at all, even if he brought it up now, it would only meet with more opposition, and it would be useless otherwise.

Zhu Youxiao didn't expect Sun Chengzong to ask about innovation, and it was so direct.

Seeing Zhu Youxiao talking like this, Sun Chengzong had no choice but to continue to ask.

The reason is also very simple, as a courtier, you can't persecute the emperor, this point still has to be observed, and it is also the duty of a courtier.

Sun Chengzong said: "Your Majesty has appointed newcomers these days and changed a lot of rules, so the minister thinks that Your Majesty has the intention of innovation. ”

After listening to Sun Chengzong's words, Zhu Youxiao was a little helpless.

At any time, there are many smart people, let alone in the court?

None of the people who can make the official to the top position are stupid.

Although I found a lot of reasons, I was still seen through. But at this time, I still can't admit it, because there is no benefit.

Zhu Youxiao's face let out an "oh" with a little doubt, and then said: "What kind of innovation? I've never thought of it that way. ”

"Since I succeeded to the throne, there have been many disturbances in the court, and there are so many things, how can I have the heart to think about this? Besides, there are many innovative things in history, many courtiers want to do it, and many emperors also want to do it, but what about the final result? There weren't many good results, so I didn't think about it. ”

This is not what Zhu Youxiao said nonsense, he must have thought about it, but it is true that all dynasties and dynasties did not end well.

Not to mention the rest, just the Ming Dynasty, how many years has Zhang Juzheng's reform been completed, and what is the result?

It's not like this, people are dead.

Before he is completely sure, Zhu Youxiao will not shout the slogan of innovation.

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "The minister knows." Since this is the case, let's not talk about this matter, the minister has another matter. ”

The Emperor has already given you an answer, and whether this answer is true or not, you need to take it as true, and this will not change at any time.

Since he couldn't continue to ask, Sun Chengzong decisively changed the topic.

"Your Majesty, since the minister arrived at the Ministry of War, I have found that many things in the Ministry of War are not satisfactory."

Sun Chengzong thought for a while and said, "Not to mention anything else, Jingying alone is very unsatisfactory." Every year, the imperial court spends so much money to support them, but the result is unbearable. Therefore, the minister thought of thoroughly investigating the Beijing camp and eliminating some old and weak. ”

This matter is within the scope of the military department's authority, and Sun Chengzong's proposal of this matter is also within the normal category.

However, Zhu Youxiao can also see that Sun Chengzong is ambushing. It's just that it doesn't matter, he still recognizes Sun Chengzong's military literacy, at least Sun Chengzong has trained his troops well.

Not to mention anything else, many people say that Sun Chengzong consumed too much silver when he was in Liaodong, and his overall strategy was problematic.

But when it came to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youxiao understood that Sun Chengzong did not have other methods, but other methods did not work.

The Ming Dynasty's guard system has been completely eroded, and it is very difficult to reform the old army; Even Liaodong is the same.

The army in Liaodong did not want to fight for the imperial court, and Zhu Youxiao knew this very well.

First of all, the imperial court did not have money for the army in Liaodong, and they had to farm their own land every year in battle; In addition, the compensation of the court for their death in battle is not in place, and the reward given to them for killing the enemy is not enough, so the soldiers are naturally unwilling to give you their lives.

Liaodong's fighting spirit is not high, and there are no elite soldiers, so what should I do?

As long as there is enough money, the city can be repaired and eaten away little by little.

The benefits of this are very numerous, except for spending a little more. Besides, it didn't cost much, according to the expenses of the Ming Dynasty, only 8 million taels were burned in Liaodong every year.

For such a big country, burning 8 million taels is also money?

If it is a normal tax, the normal court expenditure can afford to burn 20 million taels a year.

In the final analysis, the Ming Dynasty just has no money, and everything is easy to do with money.

Not counting anything else, just calculate the taxes of the Qing Dynasty during the Qianlong period.

During the Qianlong period, the Qing Dynasty's annual financial revenue was around 50 million taels of silver, and the grain reached 13 million, in addition to other incomes. But what about Da Ming?

It stands to reason that the economy of the Ming Dynasty was more developed than that of the Qing Dynasty, but the taxes were so much worse.

Liaodong burned so little money and burned the country down.

Although there are many natural and man-made disasters in various places, there is also a lot of wealth, that is, the country has no money and the poor are going to die.

So Zhu Youxiao was not in a hurry to solve other problems at all, he just wanted to solve internal problems. As long as the money is collected, nothing else matters.

The reason is very simple, with money you can do anything; Nothing can be done without money.

So Zhu Youxiao is not in a hurry, he wants to adjust the court first and get a working team, at least not a mess.

After achieving this goal, Zhu Youxiao can start doing what he wants to do, and it should be possible to achieve it next year.

Now that Sun Chengzong mentioned the matter of thoroughly investigating the Jingying, it is obvious that he also has an idea. Since the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Household began to do things, Xu Guangqi's power has expanded rapidly.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao has been indulging or supporting Xu Guangqi to do so, allowing the central government to take power.

In fact, it is very simple, only after the central government has power, Zhu Youxiao can receive power into his own hands.

Now Sun Chengzong obviously can't sit still, and he wants to do the same.

Zhu Youxiao also understood why Sun Chengzong asked himself the question of innovation.

"Since Mr. wants to do it, let's do it!" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

"I will ask the British public Zhang Weixian to cooperate with Mr." Zhu Youxiao mentioned the British Princess.

At this time, in the official of the Ming Dynasty, the British public Zhang Weixian is a person who can't get around, and he is also a person who can't get around in the court.

Zhang Weixian was involved in the three major cases in the late Ming Dynasty (the Attack Case, the Red Pill Case, and the Palace Removal Case), because of his prominent background, he was in charge of the military power of the Beijing camp, and he was able to protect himself in the chaotic and sinister political struggle in the late Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Weixian made great efforts in the palace transfer case, and under the obstruction of Wei Zhongxian and others, he personally carried the sedan chair to carry the Emperor of the Apocalypse from the Qianqing Palace to the Wenhua Hall to inherit the throne.

In the original history, when Wei Zhongxian was in power, he couldn't take Zhang Weixian seriously. The Emperor of the Apocalypse was able to ensure that the capital was not in chaos, and a big reason was because of Zhang Weixian's existence.

Although Zhu Youxiao has never reused Zhang Weixian, it does not mean that he does not value him.

On the contrary, Zhu Youxiao attaches great importance to Zhang Weixian, but it has not yet reached the time to use him.

For such a person, it is impossible for Zhu Youxiao to give up.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao say this, Sun Chengzong arched his hand and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then the minister took his leave. ”

After saying this, Sun Chengzong saluted Zhu Youxiao, turned around and walked outside.

Zhu Youxiao thought about it, then shook his head with a smile.

There are some things that are better not to delve into them.

Turning his head to look at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao said: "You go to the cabinet to pass the decree, on the first day of the first month of this month, I will go to the early court, and it is a big court meeting." All civil and military officials above the fourth rank in the capital must participate. ”

Chen Hong didn't expect the emperor to talk about this, because the emperor hadn't been to the court for a while. Don't say anything about the big court meeting, the emperor doesn't even go to the morning court on weekdays.

I didn't expect the emperor to hold a big court meeting now, this must be a big deal, but it has nothing to do with himself.

Chen Hong didn't dare to ask more, so he hurriedly bowed down and said, "The slave will go now." ”

After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao moved his body and looked at the sparkling water in the distance.

For Zhu Youxiao, he didn't want to do anything during this time, he just wanted to sit here peacefully and wait here.

But the courtiers did not stop.

It's time for this period of time to come to an end, and it's time to see the results of your own selection.

At this time, it's time to make a decision.

The news that His Majesty was going to hold a great court meeting on the first day of the new year quickly spread throughout the capital, and all the officials did not dare to believe their ears.

After they reacted, they all geared up and were a little excited. Since this is the case, then it is an opportunity to perform.

Inside the cabinet, there was something odd about the atmosphere.

The four cabinet scholars seemed to be a little wary of each other, and the atmosphere was not very good. Although everyone's face is passable, no one knows what they are thinking in private.

Only Han Yi looked like he had no desire and was rigid, smiling at everyone, and posing as if he had nothing to do with himself.

In fact, Han Yi has been doing this all this time. The news of the Great Dynasty Meeting came over, but it made him a lot happier, and the matter finally had a result.

As for what the result is, he doesn't really care.

The disturbances in the court, Han Yi felt that it did not affect him too much. However, one thing is certain, that is, what these cabinet universities are thinking, Han Yi probably has a bottom in his heart.

After all, the authorities are fascinated, and the bystanders are clear, and what Han Yi has been doing is watching everyone.

In such a situation, Han Yi felt that he had grabbed something.

Let's make a fuss, make a fuss!

Let's see how far you can get up in the end. It's really up to a certain point, and you guys are good-looking!

But this time Han Yi is not ready to participate, he is ready to do something else.

At this time, a clerk walked in from outside, came straight to Han Yi's side, and said respectfully: "Elder Ge, someone from your family has come, it seems that there is something going on." ”

Standing up with a smile, Han Yi opened his mouth and said, "The family is just ignorant, I'm sorry, the old man wants to leave for a while." Take care of the Cabinet's affairs. ”

Several people hurriedly smiled and clenched their fists, saying that it doesn't matter, you can do it yourself, but they have a little Jiujiu in their hearts.

When he came outside, Han Yi saw his family.

took him to a corner where no one was around, and then Han Yi asked, "How are things going?" ”

"Back to the master, the person has been found." The family said quickly.

"Then bring him back and let him see me at the house tomorrow." Han Yi thought for a while and said, "Don't let people know, this matter will be kept secret for the time being." Do you understand? ”

"Yes, sir, I understand." The family agreed, turned around and walked outside.

In an inn in the capital, three people were talking about Han Yi.

Sitting at the top is Song Yingsheng, on the left is Song Yingxing, and on the right is Zhang Yu. There were tea and snacks on the table, but none of the three had any intention of drinking or eating.

"There's something too weird about it." Zhang Yu said with a frown.

"Han Yi is the first assistant of the cabinet, how could he send the post here and invite us to his mansion together? When will we be able to enter the eyes of the first assistant of the cabinet? ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Yu smiled self-deprecatingly, "People are masters of science, and the face of the Donglin Party." ”

Song Yingsheng glanced at Zhang Yu and said lightly: "It is estimated that it has something to do with the last time." If we get involved in this kind of thing, I'm afraid it's dangerous. This capital is really difficult to mix. ”

Hearing the words of the eldest brother, Song Yingxing said with a sad face: "It's all my fault, let the two of you be implicated." It's just that I didn't expect things to turn out like this, I just wanted to strengthen my determination, who would have thought that it would be so big. ”

Zhang Yu put down the teacup in his hand, glanced at Song Yingxing, and said with a smile: "I don't blame you for this matter, you just went to find them." We just happened to be caught up in it. It seems dangerous, but it is not necessarily not our chance. ”

Raising his head to look at Zhang Yu, Song Yingxing asked with some excitement, "How do you say this?" ”

"The four cabinet universities in the cabinet, Han Yi is science, Xu Guangqi is psychology, and as for Huang Kezhang, it should also be regarded as science, but now they have changed it to respect Xunzi. Therefore, everyone has a representative, and there is also a Sun Chengzong who is His Majesty's teacher, who is also a representative of science and Donglin Academy, maybe the relationship is not so deep, but this is a fact. ”

"Have you noticed one thing, three of the four people each represent one side, and only two of them are the same, that is, Sun Chengzong and Han Yi. In such a situation, does it seem redundant to be alone? Sun Chengzong is His Majesty's teacher, who do you think will go? Zhang Yu looked at the two brothers and asked.

Seeing that the two of them were looking at him, Zhang Yu said confidently: "It must be Han Yi who is leaving." The reason why he was able to stay in the cabinet was nothing more than His Majesty's desire to use him to balance the cabinet. After all, there was a lot of trouble some time ago, so I left him for a while, but now it doesn't seem to be needed. ”

"That's why Huang Kezhang will go to respect Xunzi, this is called Bo's way out. Because he saw Xu Guangqi's future. If nothing else, after Han Yi left, the first assistant scholar of the cabinet was Xu Guangqi. In terms of position, Xu Guangqi is the second assistant of the cabinet, in order; In terms of seniority, he holds the household department in his hands, is deeply trusted by His Majesty, and also has the support of Shen Tingyun, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites. ”

"Whether it is Sun Chengzong or Huang Kezhang, there is no way to compete with Xu Guangqi. So now the question arises, will they be willing? Having already reached that position, who will be willing?

Song Yingxing looked at Zhang Yu and said helplessly: "Our brothers are not good at this, so don't sell it, just say it directly." ”

"Quite simply, they needed to find a different way." Zhang Yu said with a smile: "After all, Your Majesty can accept Li Zhen's doctrine, and Xunzi naturally has no problem." So Huang Kezhang chose Xunzi, so that he seemed to be a maverick, and at the same time, he was able to hold a group of people. ”

"Look at the current situation, although many people oppose Huang Kezhang, there are still people who support him. Among these people, some of them think that what Huang Kezhang said makes sense, and the other part is pure speculation. Even so, Huang Kezhang's goal has been achieved, and he has become a new party in the court, rather than being ignored and replaced at any time like the original. ”

In this way, there will be two people who will be more nervous, one is Sun Chengzong and the other is Han Yi. However, Sun Chengzong was not too worried, he held the military department in his hand, and he only needed to do a little thing to show his role. ”

On the contrary, it is Han Yi, the first assistant of the cabinet, once Huang Kezhang and Xu Guangqi decide the winner, it will be the time for him Han Yi to step down. didn't even need Xu Guangqi and the two of them to decide the winner, Han Yi was going to roll up and leave. If Han Yi is willing, he can take the preferential treatment given by His Majesty and return to his hometown safely; What if he is not reconciled? Zhang Yu stood up, his eyes faintly revealing excitement.

Seeing that the two brothers didn't speak, Zhang Yu was not discouraged, and he didn't seem to care that no one was cheering.

He continued: "If Han Yi is willing and doesn't care about this, then he should have left last time, why is he now burdened with infamy? You must know that those people in the science and Donglin Party are not very good to him. How could the position of the first assistant of the cabinet be handed over so willingly after sacrificing such a big amount of money? ”

"So in such a situation, what should Han Yi do?" Zhang Yu's gaze swept over the two brothers.

This time he didn't continue, but chose to sit down and take a sip of the teacup, waiting for the two brothers to react.

Song Yingxing raised his head at this time and said slowly: "What else is he going to do?" ”

"Of course he has to do something, or he will wait for death." Zhang Yu said with a smile: "Judging from the current situation in the imperial court, Han Yi needs to choose a new school, otherwise he will be a dead end." ”

"If he continues to hold on to Rigaku's thighs, then he's probably finished. After all, the science is based on the doctrine of Mencius, and this is true whether they admit it or not. The doctrine of Xunzi and Mencius is just the opposite, if the imperial court uses Xunzi, the science of science will be greatly weakened. ”

"If that time really comes, there may only be one Sun Chengzong left in the court. In such a situation, Han Yi has no chance, so he needs to find a new school and find new people to support him. That's probably why they invited us. ”

After saying this, Zhang Yu sat on the chair, looked at the two Song Yingsheng brothers aggressively, and said in a deep voice: "So I said this is an opportunity, the best opportunity for us." Han Yi needs our support, why don't we need his support? ”

"Now there is Xu Guangqi in the court, and Huang Kezhang of Xunzi, he doesn't have many choices for Han Yi, and our Guan Xue may be very suitable for him, after all, we are far away from science and psychology."

Although our school is relatively small, we also have some people. As long as we are under his door, he will have our support, and we will have his support, which is a matter of mutual benefit, and for us, it may be more profitable. ”

"Because there are Xinxue and Xunzi in the court, it is even more difficult for us to do something. If we don't have support, it's hard for us to get ahead. In such a situation, Han Yi is undoubtedly our best choice. ”

After Zhang Yu said this, he said with some emotion: "Success or failure, just give it a go here!" ”

Song Yingxing and Song Yingsheng looked at each other, and they both saw the disbelief in each other's eyes, but they believed what Zhang Yu said.

Among the three of them, Song Yingsheng became old and heavy; Song Yingxing is knowledgeable and has a lot of knowledge about everything; As for Zhang Yu, this person is not as calm as Song Yingsheng, and he is not as broad as Song Yingxing, but he is extremely good at scheming, and his grasp of people's hearts is particularly profound.

So in the small group of these three people, Zhang Yu has always played the role of a think tank. The three of them have been together for so long before, and Zhang Yu has proven his strength countless times. Therefore, the two brothers of the Song family did not doubt Zhang Yu's words at all.

So now the question arises, what are the two of them going to do, it's a very big thing.

"If God doesn't take it, he will be blamed." Zhang Yu looked at the two brothers in silence and said slowly.

At this time, Song Yingsheng raised his head and asked Zhang Yu directly: "You also said that Han Yi's position is actually unstable, and he may leave at any time." If he leaves halfway, won't we be the target of public criticism? We have no backers in the court, and at that time, I am afraid that we will be idle. ”

"That's better than it is now, right?" Zhang Yu smiled disdainfully: "What are we now?" ”

"We didn't even get into the imperial examination, let alone anything else. With Han Yi's support, we will soon be able to go into the mainstream vision. If we don't talk about anything else, let's just talk about the Royal Academy, and when we enter the Royal Academy, if there is no one to support us, what can we do? ”

"Brother, I think you can try." Song Yingxing looked at Song Yingsheng and said: "What Zhang Yu said makes sense, anyway, I don't know what the future will be, so it's better to give it a go." If we can do it, then we will be able to do things well, and we will not waste a lot of learning. ”

"If we don't get things done, it's a big deal that we go back to our hometown to write and read while cultivating and reading heirlooms, and even be able to benefit our hometown, which can be regarded as our deep blessing."

Seeing that the two of them had this attitude, Song Yingsheng thought about it, nodded and said, "Since that's the case, then let's try it." If Han Yi really said so. We followed him. ”