Walking casually, naturally you can't go far to visit the mountains and rivers, Zhu Yongxing and Mengzhu took the guards and went to the South Lake in the city.

Nanko was originally a rainwater confluence of Ozawa, also known as Grass Lake. In the Ming Dynasty, it was excavated into a lake, and three earth mountains were piled up in the lake, which were named after the mythical Penglai, Abbot, and Yingzhou Three Immortal Mountains. Here the bamboo is beautiful and the forest is secluded, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, and the pavilions and pavilions are hidden in the verdant greenery. Moreover, the willows here are still all year round, and the four seasons are sparkling, and the scenery is very beautiful. The local literati often like to come here to recite poems and write poems, and study hard, so it is also called "learning the sea". The story of Yunnan cross-bridge rice noodles originated here.

Zhu Yongxing and Mengzhu were walking around the lake, while the guards were on guard from afar. The gentle and tranquil flow of the lake seems to be singing a harmonious song. The flowers and trees on the shore, tall, short, and of various colors, add infinite picturesqueness.

Zhu Yongxing found a stone and sat down, looking at the lake in a daze. The breeze came and struck his clothes, and the smell of the mountains calmed his mind much more, and he tried to keep himself from thinking of nothing, except to occasionally pick up a branch or a stone, and throw it at the water, scattering a halo of circles and scaring the timid little fish away.

In the past, Zhu Yongxing had such a point of view, thinking that the quality of a country lies in the emperor, and the emperor is a virtuous monarch, and the country can be good; If it is a faint king, it is impossible for the country to think well. Now it seems that such an idea is still too naïve. Although the emperor lives a life of fine clothes and food, and a flock of beautiful women, he is actually a golden silk bird in a beautiful cage in a sense.

At the same time, the emperor is lonely, and there is no courtier who can treat the emperor as a friend, and everyone's approach is purposeful, because only the emperor is in charge of life and death. "The king wants his ministers to die, and the ministers have to die." Too many lies. There is too much deception, and what is worse is that even if you want to change such a state, it is impossible to rely on the emperor alone.

"A companion is like a tiger", yes, everyone may not be able to guess what the emperor is thinking. But on the other hand, everyone is thinking about what the emperor is thinking, and how can the emperor understand what these courtiers around him who accompany him all day are thinking, if you are the emperor, you don't know what so many people around Lu Dao are thinking, is there a greater panic?

History always says that "loyalty is contrary to the ear", but how does the emperor judge which ones are loyalty, so many people tell right and wrong in front of him every day. A lie told ten times becomes true. The emperor is also a human being, he is not a god, and he can distinguish which ones are true and which ones are false.

And what about the more emperors who were pushed to the throne by fate? Fate made them emperors, and too many lies whitewashed this world, making them feel that there was nothing wrong with their country and that everyone could live a good life. The mediocre emperor who asked the victims why he didn't eat meatballs in the famine year was ridiculed by the world for hundreds of years, but was he really wrong? If he can ask this sentence, it shows that he is still very kind. It's even more inappropriate to change the emperor, as long as you live well.

There will be sorrow for those who hate him; Those who deserve to be envied must have reasons for envy. The emperor has three thousand beauties, but he can't feel the true love; The Emperor has supreme power. but does not get the sincerity of others; The emperor said a golden word, but he couldn't choose what he said, and he had to be cautious to prevent others from figuring out one of his jokes; The emperor's actions could not be free, and all kinds of rules and regulations made him wear a mask all day long and pretend to be majestic.

Ordinary people. Having sincere feelings, sincere friends, and real feelings are all precious things that Zhu Yongxing can still have. In the future, it may be an extravagant hope.

And Guo Zhiqi's persistent advice also made Zhu Yongxing realize that even if he is an emperor, even a wise emperor, he may not be able to govern the country well. After all, the emperor is a person, it is impossible to do everything personally, it is impossible to allow trivial things to be managed, he still has to rely on the officials below.

In other words, relying on a wise emperor is ruled by man, and loopholes are inevitable; Only systems and laws can guarantee the stability of the country to the greatest extent. This is not the rule of law in the true sense of the word, and it cannot be achieved in the true sense of the word. However, it is possible to emphasize the governing methods, systems, and operational mechanisms of "rule of law" and "doing things according to law", and then gradually transition from the rule of law in this formal sense to the rule of law in the substantive sense.

Moreover, this kind of thinking about the rule of law does not need to be original, but can be borrowed from the ideas of the Legalists and can be implemented with slight improvements. As for the resistance, it will naturally come from the deep-rooted Confucianism, which is also what Zhu Yongxing has always found difficult.

However, if it is not broken, it will not stand, it will be broken and small, and it will be broken and big. Zhu Yongxing realized that it may be a good time now, under the banner of promoting the good and eliminating the disadvantages, and the Ming Dynasty, many troubles will be solved, and when the habit is formed and the framework is established, it is not so simple to change it in the future.

Although the military should be the main force at this stage, the rule of law and the building of institutions should not be relaxed. Because there is no honest and upright subordinate, Zhongxing is just an empty word, and Zhu Yongxing is not arrogant enough to be able to turn the tide alone.

To tell the truth, he positions his role as a banner, a slightly lame guide, with the help of knowledge of history, pretending to cheat like a ghost, and when history deviates too much, the prophetic preconception will eventually disappear, and a new chapter needs to be written by a group or an advanced system.

This is not a very distant thing, if in case the plan and efforts to control Yongli and the small imperial court fail, this is Zhu Yongxing's backhand, which can prevent the situation from getting completely out of control.

From the point of view of historical research: the demise of the Southern Ming Dynasty is not surprising, the mediocre emperor, the raging traitorous ministers, the domineering generals, the incompetent supervisors, the Ming Dynasty's legacy such as party strife, harsh government, and literati leading the army have all been inherited intact, and even carried forward, so it is logical to continue the road to the demise of the Ming Dynasty.

What do you want to change? It is these drawbacks, although they are in a corner now, but they also have benefits. The big waves wash the sand, wash away the dirt, and most of the people who can persevere to the bottom are loyal people, although they have some minor faults, but they rarely affect the overall situation. And the number of people is small, so there are not so many intrigues and headaches.

The sun is big, the sky is blue, and the air is fresh. Zhu Yongxing, whose thinking is slowly smoothing out, is in a better mood.

……………

"Your Highness, the lower officials feel that it seems inappropriate to only let Zhang Huangyan's department come south, do you also mention it to the King of Yanping, and let him also send some troops to protect the imperial court." As soon as he returned to the Jade Emperor Pavilion, Changshi Yicheng took a few documents to report.

Zhu Yongxing frowned and thought about it, and said with a smile: "I was indeed negligent. This seems to be suspected of digging people into the corner, although Zhang Huangyan and other eastern Zhejiang armed forces are not subordinate to the king of Yanping, but the king of Yanping knows the way, and it is inevitable that he will be unhappy. Let's just add that if it is enough to resist the Qing army's attack on Jin and Xia, I hope that the king of Yanping can also send some sailors to help, whether he is willing or not, it doesn't matter. ”

"Your Highness has already prepared a draft, please take a look at it." Yi Cheng handed the manuscript of the letter to Zhu Yongxing.

After Zhu Yongxing read it. Nodding, the draft was finalized. Later, he dealt with other official duties, and an article caught Zhu Yongxing's eyes and aroused his interest.

“…… Those who are ministers are said to be greedy and greedy: greedy people often engage in personal interests and harm the public, and bend the law after profit, so. "The disgrace, loss of morality, death, and repetition of the ancient people and ministers are not contemptuous of this; One is to avoid hypocrisy: if you are not sincere, you will be hypocritical. If you are not false, you will be sincere, between honesty and hypocrisy, the difference between the delicate and the middle, and Miao is a thousand miles. There is more than one sincerity, and there is more than one hypocrisy, and there is a false heart. The small ones are coerced to be traitors, and the big ones are hidden and deceived to mislead the country; One is to guard against arrogance: cover arrogance is self-profiting, self-profit is lazy and arrogant, and the form of arrogance is seen in color, although there is goodness. Mo Zhi can cover it; One is to abstain from slackness: Among the hundreds of officials, there is certainly no shortage of people who are diligent in state affairs and fulfill their duties, but there are also many people who are vegetarian, derelict in their duties, derelict in their duties, and perfunctory ......"

Zhu Yongxing bowed slightly, and said with emotion: "As the saying goes: there are stubborn people who are not defeated, and there are ministers who do not lose the country." Although Guo Zhiqi is stubborn and a little pedantic, he has made a good article and has something to say, but it cannot be discarded. ”

"It's not His Royal Highness's wisdom and martial arts, where is there an opportunity for Scholar Guo to speak." Yi Cheng complimented Zhu Yongxing.

Zhu Yongxing was accustomed to this, smiled faintly, changed the topic, and said: "Yi Changshi, I appreciate the Legalist theory very much, would you like to take the time to explain it to me in detail?" ”

"Your Highness, Han Fei's Legalism has its own merits, but the Confucian benevolence is exactly what His Highness should be familiar with." Yi Cheng said tactfully.

"Confucianism naturally has to be learned." Zhu Yongxing smiled slightly and explained: "However, I am also in favor of learning from hundreds of schools. ”

Yi Cheng pondered for a moment, an eager light flashed in his eyes, he had some knowledge of the theories of various schools and factions, so he directly asked Zhu Yongxing questions.

Legalism was the school of the pre-Qin princes who attached the most importance to law. They are known for advocating the "rule of law" of "the rule of law" and have put forward a whole set of theories and methods. Legalists have made contributions to jurisprudence, and have made fruitful discussions on the origin, essence, and function of law, as well as the relationship between law and social economy, the requirements of the times, state power, ethics and morality, customs, natural environment, population, and human nature.

After Yi Cheng's detailed explanation, coupled with Zhu Yongxing's personal understanding, Legalist thought gradually formed several clear veins in his mind.

First, Legalism attaches great importance to the law and opposes the Confucian "rites"; Second, the role of the law: first, the ownership of things is clarified by "dividing and stopping disputes", and then there is "meritorious service and fear of violence", that is, encouraging people to make military exploits, and making those lawbreakers feel afraid; Third, the theory of human nature of "good and evil" reveals that people have the same thoughts, so "there are likes and dislikes in life, so the people can be governed"; Fourth, the historical concept of "lawless in the past, not in the present".

Legalists oppose conservative retro ideas and advocate resolute reforms. They believe that history is moving forward, and that all laws and systems must develop along with the development of history, and that they cannot go backwards or follow the old ways. Han Fei further developed Shang Ying's proposition, proposing that "time changes and the rule is not easy to regulate", and he caricatured the old-fashioned Confucianism as a stupid person who waits for the rabbit.

"The rule of the husband and the saint is not to be afraid of others for my goodness, but to use it for nothing. It is good for me, and there are not many in the territory; There is no wrong way to employ people, and a country can make all of them. For the sake of the ruler and the people, the widow is sacrificed, so he does not practice virtue but the law. Yi Cheng said in a frustrated voice.

"Yi Changshi will talk about it in detail." Zhu Yongxing scratched his head, a little puzzled.

"Your Highness, what this means is: to make and promulgate laws to tell the people what should be done and what should not be done. As soon as the law is promulgated, the monarch must be aware of the actions of the people. For he is powerful enough to punish those who break the law and reward those who keep the law. In this way, they will be able to rule over the people, no matter how many they are. Yi Cheng explained in detail: "The monarch uses the law and power to govern the people in this way. He doesn't need to have special talents and high morals. Nor does it need to set one's own example or rule through one's own influence, as Confucianism advocates. ”

"I see." Zhu Yongxing nodded, "I think it is more appropriate for the monarch to set an example, and the law enforcement agencies must also be honest and fair, so as not to make the law a mere formality, or become a means for some people to take advantage of loopholes and seek benefits." ”

"Your Highness is smart, in one fell swoop." Yi Cheng sincerely appreciated.

Between the questions and answers, the atmosphere was very harmonious. Zhu Yongxing's questions are sometimes mixed with the views of later generations. In addition to surprising Yi Cheng, he tried his best to solve his doubts.

In ancient times, when all virtues were the first, due to the emperor's respect for the teacher, the status of the emperor was very high, even if some emperors were not officials in the court, they were also very respected among the people, because the fact of becoming an emperor was an affirmation of his ability.

And the government's "king division" from an abstract concept. It is embodied as a real title, with a rank and rank: above the hundred officials. and written into the canon. Although the past dynasties have undergone the Ding Revolution, it is the same as the old practice. This is a kind of respect and affirmation of intellectuals' morality and talent, and it is also a kind of expectation, making it their political pursuit and personality goal.

This expectation has endowed intellectuals with great enthusiasm for participating in politics, which has made intellectuals not only full of minds on the occasion of their accession to the WTO; And when it is hidden and low, the hidden dragon should not be used, and it will be made on standby. I hope that there will be a water encounter, and from then on the monarch and the minister will get along, the wind and clouds will meet, and the dragon will fly in the sky.

Yi Cheng is very knowledgeable and knowledgeable. But for the businessman's family, after all, it is contrary to the original purpose of his study. And Zhu Yongxing's appearance, as well as a series of performances, made him look forward to Yin, and did not hesitate to take great risks to plan for Zhu Yongxing's future future.

Fame and fortune are tempting, the greedy are good for money, and the scholars are good for fame, and this has been the case since ancient times. And the little people are usually the most unscrupulous in order to turn over, and Yi Cheng, who has a lot of talent, is like this.

"If the son of Min Shizi does not make miraculous achievements, sits on the throne of the Ming Dynasty, or becomes the king overseas, he will be above the history, and he will remember today's events in a strong and colorful way. Although he is not a formal emperor, he can also get involved. Yi Cheng thought so in his heart, how could he let go of the opportunity of Professor Zhu Yongxing, and showed his talents in his chest.

Zhu Yongxing, who judged and evaluated Legalism from the perspective of the world, not only gained unexpected gains, but also discovered many things with limitations, which also benefited a lot.

Hard power, with their own advanced vision, there is a way to enhance it; As for soft power, you can't relax, Zhu Yongxing was thoughtful.

Now should be a good time to establish a system, the bureaucracy is small, but it has small advantages, at least the inherent faults of the Ming Dynasty civil officials are much less.

In the Ming Dynasty, what the civil officials wanted to do, even if you didn't let them do it, they would eventually do it. If these civil officials don't approve of what they don't want to do, no matter how harshly you reply to the instructions and let them do it, they will still give you a top up there, soft and hard, and you won't do it. Moreover, what civil officials are best at is ripping off, and even regard ripping as their duty.

Abolishing state affairs for the sake of false fame, this is Zhu Yongxing's evaluation of these people. The Ming Dynasty can be said to be the feudal dynasty in Chinese history that emphasized freedom of speech. The Ming Dynasty implemented the official system, and the ministers could let go of their opinions, from national affairs to harem trivial matters, as long as you have ideas, you can say it, don't be afraid of offending the emperor. No matter how brutal the monarch of the Ming Dynasty was, he didn't want to bear the infamy of "fainting king" and "killing officials", so he was really angry, and at most he was just a "court staff" and beat the official's buttocks.

Because of this, the general style of officials in the Ming Dynasty was to make arguments without being extreme, and to make statements without exaggeration. The concern is not whether what is said is true, but whether it can be sensationalized and sensational with caustic words, and become famous in one fell swoop. By scolding the emperor and scolding the ministers, he proves the value of his existence in order to gain political capital.

During the Chongzhen period, the Ming Dynasty was in crisis, but the scolding continued. After the Qing army entered the customs, the small dynasty of the Southern Ming Dynasty still had hundreds of thousands of troops, and there was still half of the country, but those officials were not concentrating on dealing with the menacing enemy, and they continued to "scold" and continue to "infighting".

Now, most of the court officials with this kind of problem are in Burma, and most of the newly promoted are young and backward, not based on merit, but only on solid work. Although there are also discordant voices, there is not much resistance, which is a very favorable condition for Zhu Yongxing.

You can focus your energy on the military, but you can entrust political affairs to officials like Yi Cheng. As for the resistance to reform, it is the smallest now, and he will not come out first, let Yi Cheng and others take the lead.

Zhu Yongxing's thinking gradually took shape, and he temporarily positioned himself as a judge, encouraging officials to have the courage to give advice and fulfill their responsibilities, but also secretly taking sides to avoid and prevent attacks and slanders and interference with the normal operation of the state apparatus. (To be continued......)