Looking at Li Dongyang's departing back, Zheng De shook his head helplessly. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 Info looked at Wang Tingxiang, who was showing a thoughtful look on the side, "Don't you understand why I don't agree with the son of Changning Bo?" ”

"I think Your Majesty must have his own reasons for doing this." Wang Tingxiang seemed to say something quite understandingly.

Zheng De nodded, "Somehow, I hate those who have obtained official positions by virtue of their father's merits. It felt like a backdoor, and it was uncomfortable. Compared to these, I would rather give these people a title, a title that only receives a title and no other land and rewards. In this way, although they are somewhat unearned compared to the shadow officials, it is much better than granting them official positions without knowing their abilities. Who knows if they will stand in the pit and not, or rely on the shadow of their fathers to prosper in their official fortunes, and even rely on their official positions to oppress the people? ”

After listening carefully to the emperor's words, Wang Tingxiang also felt that the emperor's worries were also somewhat reasonable, but he still raised a question, "Isn't Your Majesty afraid that they will oppress the people with their titles?" ”

Zheng De was stunned for a moment, perhaps influenced by his previous life, he simply hated those who stepped into the officialdom by relying on his father's relationship, and he really didn't think about anything else. But then he came up with an idea, "What do you think of the 'knighthood'?" ”

Wang Tingxiang was stunned, "Your Majesty, isn't this the method of 'Eight Discussions'?" ”

"The method of 'eight discussions'? What is the 'Eight Discussions' Law? Zheng De saw Xiang Wang Tingxiang, who looked at him with a puzzled expression, instantly understood what was going on, and explained, "I have lost my memory, and I can't remember some things clearly. ”

Wang Tingxiang also reacted at this time, after all, there have been rumors in the court about the emperor's amnesia, but not many people really know. After a moment of silence, he said, "The so-called 'eight discussions' are the discussion of relatives, the discussion of reasons, the discussion of merit, the discussion of virtue, the discussion of ability, the discussion of diligence, the discussion of nobles, and the discussion of guests. ”

"Is it the right to reduce or even exonerate the guilty?" Hearing Wang Tingxiang nodded, Zheng De had a basic understanding of the "Eight Discussions", "Then can their titles still be retained?" ”

"Unless you commit a heinous crime, you can naturally keep it." Wang Tingxiang understood the emperor's thoughts a little when he heard this, but he didn't say it.

Zheng De shook his head when he heard this, "The 'title atonement' I am talking about is not a privilege for those who have a title that can be relieved of their guilt, but for them to use the title they have to offset their guilt. What do you think of my thoughts? ”

"Your Majesty is far-sighted, but what kind of criminal law should be offset by each title and how much criminal responsibility should be offset still needs to be carefully considered by Your Majesty." Wang Tingxiang felt that the emperor's idea was too good, so that those nobles with titles would not dare to oppress the people so unscrupulously.

Zheng De nodded, "But this matter can't be rushed now." ”

Hearing the emperor's words, Wang Tingxiang was shocked, is the emperor afraid of offending which royal relatives and nobles are ready to give up?

But I only heard Zheng De continue, "Before that, I want to revise my Ming criminal law. When the time comes, the implementation of 'title atonement' will not need to redefine the guilt that needs to be offset by the title. ”

"Does Your Majesty want to revise the Da Ming Law?" Wang Tingxiang was also completely shocked by the emperor's bold idea, "But Emperor Taizu said that 'it is strictly forbidden for the heir to change chaos into law'? ”

Zheng De stared at Wang Tingxiang, "Ziheng also wants to use the method of the ancestors to suppress me?" ”

"I don't dare." Wang Tingxiang hurriedly bowed his hand and said, "The minister just thinks that if Your Majesty really revises the "Da Ming Law", it will be unanimously opposed by the whole court, and I am afraid that in the end, it will not be able to achieve its goal." ”

He was a man who was committed to reform, and reform would inevitably violate the laws of his ancestors. So he didn't care about the ancestral system or anything at all, but wanted to break this shackle more than Zheng De, but this didn't mean that he had to do it brutally.

"Am I still afraid of them?" Zheng De said quite arrogantly.

Wang Tingxiang shook his head helplessly, "Your Majesty is naturally not afraid, but in this case, I am afraid that the entire imperial court will be messed up." This is not a good thing for the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world, it really outweighs the loss! ”

Zheng De was just talking angry, and he smiled when he heard this, "Don't worry, I will never do the thing of an egg touching a stone." ”

"Your Majesty." Wang Tingxiang also secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, it is impossible for a reckless king to do great things. If Zheng De really did this, he would have to consider how to resign from his seemingly coveted position.

"When did you become a sycophant, is it because of what I said in the morning?" Zheng Detu suddenly laughed, "It seems that I have taught an honest and good official badly." ”

"Your Majesty made fun of Wei Chen." For the emperor's ridicule, Wang Tingxiang could only smile lightly.

"Okay, no kidding with you." Zheng De smiled and waved his hand and looked at him, "Since you persuaded me not to oppose the civil and military officials, and the "Da Ming Law" must be revised, then you can come up with an idea to solve this matter." ”

When Wang Tingxiang heard this, he knew that the emperor had the intention of testing his own ability, but he still asked with doubts, "Why is Your Majesty so obsessed with revising the "Da Ming Law"? ”

Zheng Dedao, "In my opinion, there are many unreasonable and imperfect aspects of the "Da Ming Law", and I have been in the Ming Dynasty for more than 100 years, and many of them are out of date. Moreover, the law is full of many inhumane tortures such as Ling Chi, beheading, and corpse killing, which is why I want to revise the "Da Ming Law". ”

"Your Majesty is merciful." Wang Tingxiang said from the bottom of his heart, after all, although he did not agree with this kind of torture, he was not so strong that he had to change anything. Or maybe this is the difference between the way of thinking of ancient and modern people!

"Am I merciful?" Zheng De smiled when he heard this, it was the first time he had heard others praise him like this, and it sounded a little harsh.

"Your Majesty, do you know that the first emperor once formulated Article 279 of the "Punishment Regulations" in the thirteenth year of Hongzhi?" Hearing Wang Tingxiang's words, Zheng De looked at him with some doubts, "Didn't Emperor Taizu say 'it is strictly forbidden for the heir to change the law'?" ”

Wang Tingxiang explained with a smile, "Your Majesty doesn't know, although Emperor Taizu said 'it is strictly forbidden for the heir to change the law', he did not say that it is not allowed to issue edicts or formulate regulations, and act in accordance with the law." ”

"Isn't this the legendary loophole?" Zheng De suddenly realized when he heard this.

Wang Tingxiang was choked by the emperor's straightforward words, "Your Majesty, can't you speak tactfully?" He couldn't help but muttered in his heart.

"You're really my 'Wolong'!" Zheng De said excitedly, "I will immediately find Min Jue, the secretary of the Criminal Department." ”

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten what Elder Li Ge said just now?" Wang Tingxiang couldn't help but remind.

Zheng De was suddenly poured a basin of cold water, and looked at him with some doubts, "Ziheng, do you also think that there are too many things happening in the imperial court during this time?" ”

Wang Tingxiang nodded affirmatively, "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the external troubles have not yet been resolved." There are so many things happening in the imperial court, and it is really not easy to regenerate turmoil. ”

Zheng De also thought about it calmly when he heard this, he had indeed done too many things in the past ten days, and he had abolished the eunuchs guarding the Quartet, and rectified the 26 guards of the pro-army, if it were not for Zhang Sheng's opposition, he would also want to make some changes to the imperial examination system and implement nine-year compulsory education or something.

He raised his head and looked at Wang Tingxiang, "Ziheng, tell me the truth, are you in too much of a hurry to do this recently?" ”

"If Your Majesty really has the heart to inherit the last order of the first emperor, Zhongxing my Ming Dynasty, and the pros and cons of revolution, but you can't be in a hurry." Wang Tingxiang persuaded him tactfully.

Zheng De raised his eyebrows, "Oh, does Ziheng think that I have not been able to prosper in the hands of the first emperor?" ”

Hearing the emperor's words, if he had poor mental quality, he would have been so frightened that he knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty. However, when Wang Tingxiang heard this, he knew that the emperor was not angry, otherwise he would not have asked him but took it directly.

"Although the first emperor had the pros and cons of reforming and rejuvenating, it was a pity that he was afraid of the law of his ancestors, and it was only a small repair for my Ming Dynasty. He drove the crane west again, and there was really a lot of unfinished business. Wang Tingxiang also had a look of regret when he heard this.

Then he said, "This is a trespass, and I ask Your Majesty to atone for your sins." ”

"It's fine." Zheng De waved his hand, as a modern person, he naturally didn't care about these, "What does Ziheng think should be done?" ”

Wang Tingxiang said succinctly, "Meals must be eaten in one bite, and things must be done one by one." ”

Seeing the emperor looking at him, he explained, "If one thing has not been done well, and you are in a hurry to do another thing, it is inevitable that you will not do it well because of distraction, and if you don't do it well, it will be chaotic and easy to make trouble." If you do everything step by step, just like laying the foundation of a house, the stronger the foundation, the less likely the house will be to collapse, and the higher the house can be built. ”

"Listening to your words is better than reading a book for ten years." Zheng De sighed, no wonder he has many ideas in his mind recently, but he always finds it difficult to do them. In addition, he was always opposed by the courtiers, and he felt even more bored, and he couldn't hold on anymore. It turns out that the reason is here, and it is really greedy and can't chew it.

"Ziheng, what do you think I should do now?" Zheng De looked at Wang Tingxiang, this was the first like-minded person he found after coming to this world. It's like a person walking alone in the dark and discovering a partner who is also walking alone in the night. At least in the future, we will be with each other, and we will not feel depressed because there is no one to talk to. With the same goal, we can go through thick and thin together, and no longer follow suit.

"Your Majesty actually has a plan in his heart, why should he say more." Wang Tingxiang said lightly.

Zheng De glanced at him and nodded thoughtfully, "I understand. ”

I looked up at the sky again, and the sun was setting in the west. smiled and said to Wang Tingxiang, "Ziheng, I said that I would entertain you in the palace back garden tonight, and it's not too early now." Let's go, let's go first. ”

After speaking, he strode away first.

Wang Tingxiang looked at the back of the emperor leaving, shook his head helplessly, and followed.

On this night, there was no bright moon shining in the sky. In a water pavilion in the palace garden, Zheng was drunk with the king's court, and said many words to the latter that had been held in his heart for a long time, until he was finally helped back by the eunuchs to rest. And Wang Tingxiang is also seven points drunk. For many of the heartfelt words that Zheng De said, he naturally listened to a lot. But the next day, Zheng De asked him nervously, 'What did you hear?', and the latter just excused himself by being drunk.

But the relationship between the two, at least after this night, has become a lot closer.