It is precisely because the cabinet in the middle and late Ming Dynasty had a tendency to develop as prime ministers, and the power of individual cabinet auxiliary ministers was as great as the previous prime ministers, and there were successively "power ministers" such as Xia Yan, Yan Song, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, etc., who did not have the name of prime minister but had the power of prime minister.

Therefore, after Zhu Yongxing, a wise, outward, diligent and frugal monarch ascended the throne, most people thought that although the imperial court had a cabinet, it would not have a prime minister similar to the prime minister's assistant, as Taizu did.

Speaking of Zong Shouyi's qualifications, a few years ago he was just a messenger sent to the Mo clan in Annan, and he had only one Xiucai's fame, but now as a feudal official, he is already quite conspicuous, how dare Zong Shouyi attract jealousy again, and be the prime minister under that one person and above ten thousand people?

"What kind of qualifications, do you have to smooth out the edges and corners, and become a conservative and exquisite old man, so that you are worthy of being the first assistant?" Zhu Yongxing snorted and reprimanded: "As for the talent strategy, it is not something that can be represented. The so-called champion talent, in my opinion, is not practical. Get up and listen to me. ”

Zong Shouyi was uneasy, and only sat down with his buttocks obliquely.

"I used the system of righteousness to raise soldiers, and the initial merit order was still strict, and in the following decades, I lost the purpose of our ancestors. The chief secretary wins the official with the current text, and the pawn test is used to win the scholar, and the bidding is new, how to take the origin? Zhu Yongxing's voice echoed in the hall, piercing the eardrums of Zong Shouyi, "The father's son, the teacher's godbrother, hunting for words, burying his head in beep, his name is also called an article, and his merit is also poor, but he takes plagiarism as his work, and takes bruises as his ambition, who knows the righteousness of reading!" If you don't know how to read, you will open the door. Honest and shameful mourning officials get money, and government is bribed, how can you regain the knowledge of loyalty and patriotism, and rule the people! ”

"I use a solid officer, and I like a pioneering and enterprising official. When the Mekong and River were first founded, you were able to work hard and work tirelessly to gain a territory overseas for my Ming Dynasty, which was a great achievement! Zhu Yongxing stepped down from the throne and paced in front of Zong Shouyi as he spoke. Zong Shouyi hurriedly stood up.

"Bow to the prime minister. Is it not your will? Zhu Yongxing looked at Zong Shouyi, and said warmly: "You have been overseas for a long time, not only to expand the land and settle the people, but also to deal with Xiyi Tufan. The horizon is wider than others. I want to build a dynasty that is different from what is written in the history books. You won't help? What I like is your enterprising spirit. It is also necessary to set an example for officials. ”

Zong Shouyi carefully pondered the intention of Zhu Yongxing's words, finally gritted his teeth, and replied in a deep voice: "Weichen is only the order of His Majesty." I am willing to help His Majesty Xià achieve a hard-won cause for eternity. ”

"Okay." Zhu Yongxing stretched out his hand and patted Zong Shouyi's shoulder, and said with a smile: "I didn't misunderstand you. If we have to rise to the challenge in everything, how can we be afraid of slander and ridicule? The affairs of Zhenla must be done well, you speak with actual achievements, and you have my strong support, who dares to make irresponsible remarks? ”

Zong Shouyi knelt on the ground and cried: "Your Majesty is so trustworthy, Weichen has nothing else to say." ”

"Get up." Zhu Yongxing stretched out his hand to support him and said cordially: "I haven't seen you for many years, and you are a little rusty, a little restrained, and even scared, which is also common sense. Summoned today, I came to give you a secret, and secondly, to show you that although I am the honor of the Ninety-Five, I have not changed. ”

"Yes. Long live is still wise and martial, still benevolent and generous......"

"Huh." Zhu Yongxing waved his hand and said with a wry smile: "I haven't changed, but you have all changed." Singing praises to virtue, it's better to talk about it later. You can rest for these two days, or take a walk around the city at will, and then go to Hangzhou with me. Well, I'm on the road to talk to you. ”

Zong Shouyi wanted to ask, but in the end, he kept his mouth shut. What a glory it is to go out on a cruise; What a grace to talk freely.

Seeing Zong Shouyi retreat with gratitude, Zhu Yongxing turned around and left, and went to the prime minister's office to inquire about the preparations for the tour.

There is heaven above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Needless to say, the beautiful scenery of Hangzhou is self-explanatory, but Zhu Yongxing's tour of Hangzhou is not just a public trip with his wife and children, but there are deeper political reasons. Because Hangzhou not only has the beautiful West Lake, but also the Yuewang Temple with "the sun and the moon in the heart".

Historically, there is no controversy about the Chinese literary sage, which is the great sage master Confucius. The martial saints have changed due to different dynasties and political tendencies.

Before the Tang and Song dynasties, Jiang Taigong was posthumously named the martial saint by the emperors of the previous dynasties, and Tang Suzong posthumously named Jiang Taigong as the king of Wucheng, and when the Song Zhenzong was posthumously named Jiang Taigong as the king of Zhaolie Wucheng. During the Three Kingdoms period, after Guan Yu died, he was gradually deified, and was respected as "Guan Gong" by the people, and there were many praises in the imperial courts of previous dynasties. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Zhonglin created the novel "Romance of the Gods", and since then, Jiang Taigong has changed from a human to a god, and the people are widely believed.

But Zhu Yongxing felt that Jiang Ziya and Guan Gong were not suitable to become martial saints, more precisely, they should not get such a respected status, or that there was a national hero who should be admired and respected by all generations. That is King Yue, Yue Wumu.

Turning over the history surrounding the title of Martial Saint, it can be seen that no one respects Guan Yu, who is still martial and attaches importance to foreign enemies, not only does he disrespect him, but he tries to reduce Guan Yu's status as much as possible. But when the state power is relatively stable, and the emperor is the kind of person who has no ambition and only values his own pleasures, he will tout Guan Yu, and the lazier and more inclined the emperor who likes the corner of peace, the more fierce he will tout.

Although Zhao Kuangyin, Taizu of the Song Dynasty, was known for his emphasis on literature and light on martial arts, he tried his best to lower Guan Yu's status and removed his portrait from the Wusheng Temple because he thought Guan Yu was unworthy. Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang is also a famous emperor who does not take Guan Yu seriously, and he took away all the titles that he had previously been posthumously awarded, and returned to the Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion.

The three most energetic emperors who crowned Guan Yu were Zhao Ji of Song Huizong, Zhao Ji of Gaozong, and Zhao Yijun of Mingshenzong. Zhao Ji single-handedly planned the shame of Jingkang, Zhao Gou killed Yue Fei in order to be able to be in a corner of peace, and Zhu Yijun seemed to be angry with the ministers and did not go to court for thirty years.

Of course, these three emperors are unreasonable, but they are not confused, and they can even be said to be smart. They do things that are not good for the country or the people, but they are always self-interested, that is, they satisfy their own desires. They recognized the benefits of elevating Guan Yu's status to their rule, and this was not something that a foolish person could see.

When a person is domesticated to the point that he can only kill a few enemy generals in his life, and the command of the battle is constantly wrong. In the end, when the person who is defeated and dies is a "martial saint", then this person has no wisdom at all, or his ability to think independently has been imprisoned, and such a person is extremely easy to rule.

From this point of view, when the ruler's ruling focus is to deal with foreign enemies, it needs Jiang Shang, a capable minister who governs the world, and Yue Fei, a brave general, and the whole society takes the ability to cultivate and discover such talents as the top priority of the country. The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties were such eras. But when rulers believe that external enemies are not enough and shift the focus of their rule to guarding against their internal people, they do not want to see the emergence of people who have both ability and integrity. The emperor wanted to maintain a strong popular style. Guan Yu was demoted; When the emperor strengthened his internal rule and weakened the people, he improved Guan Yu's status.

Wait until the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Because King Yue fought against the invasion of the Jurchens, who in turn were the ancestors of the Manchus. Therefore, after the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, novels such as "Saying Yue Quanbiography" about Yue Fei were completely banned. The Manchu rulers began to exalt Guan Yu's image with all their might. In order to eliminate the people's anti-Qing consciousness. And in the official gave a clear definition of the martial saint.

Of course, for Jiang Ziya, Guan Gong, and King Yue, Zhu Yongxing admires and admires them. But what a nation wants to advocate and what kind of heroes it wants to respect more, he naturally has a choice in his heart. At the same time, this is also to show a political attitude to China and foreign countries, that is, we will never be partial to peace, we will never negotiate peace, and we will definitely go straight to Huanglong and recover the rivers and mountains. In the final analysis, this is also considered from the political level, and the emperors who either respect Jiang Ziya, or respect Guan Gong, or respect King Yue are similar to the purpose.

The Yue Temple was upgraded to the "Wu Temple", which was placed alongside the Confucian Temple and spent money on renovation; King Feng Yue is "the god of loyalty, righteousness, martial benevolence, bravery, and might, protecting the country and protecting the people, and sincerely praising the Holy Emperor of Yue", and encouraged all localities to build Yue temples and worship incense on time; The decree officially designated King Yue as a martial saint and gave official recognition......

Then, Zhu Yongxing frowned. True, the Prime Minister vetoed one of his requests, or rather temporarily disagreed. From the point of view of an official in the Prime Minister's Office, this is for his good, but Zhu Yongxing is not satisfied.

The emperor cannot be blamed, even if the evil virtue and bad government are unpopular, they are usually defended on the grounds of "being deceived" and "evil villains". Or it is to launch a scapegoat, using a certain "big traitor" as a shield.

It was Qin Hui who unjustly killed King Yue, but who was the biggest mastermind and murderer? Of course, it is Gaozong Zhao Gou, who wants to be in a corner of peace and humiliate and seek peace. Without his approval, Qin Hui had no right to kill Yue Fei. If it is fair, Qin Hui is just welcoming Zhao Gou's idea and is a tool for him to eradicate the main battle faction.

Since Qin Hui is kneeling in the Yuewang Temple, according to Zhu Yongxing's idea, it is not too much to get Zhao Gou in, right? What, the initiator, has no aftermath? , Lao Tzu doesn't want to be the master of mediocrity, are you afraid that there will be such an end behind you? If it's really mediocre, it's self-inflicted, and it deserves to be like this.

In fact, the officials of the Prime Minister's Office vetoed Zhu Yongxing's decision, not because they thought that Zhao Gou was innocent, and the eternal charge of mutilating Zhongliang should be detained on the heads of Qin Hui and others. In their thinking, they are still shackled by the supreme imperial power for thousands of years. "The king told the minister to die, and the minister had to die", Yue Fei was wronged, but Zhao Gou could only say that he made a mistake and was deceived by the traitorous minister, how could he be guilty and kneel down to the minister?

The worship and oppression of power, black and white can be reversed, and truth can be subjugated to the feet of power. Traitors and thieves are hateful, but faint kings are also unforgivable.

"The kneeling statue of Zhao Gou must be erected in the Yuewang Temple, if you don't implement it, I will spend my own money to find someone to do it." Zhu Yongxing's face sank like water, and he lost his temper rarely, "If I become a faint king in the future, I will be spurned like Zhao Gou; If it is a Ming Jun, he is naturally not afraid of this precedent. ”

"Long live-" Zha Rulong hesitated for a moment, and said helplessly: "Long live the wise and martial arts, and he is a generation of Ming Jun." ”

"And what are you worried about?" Zhu Yongxing focused on Wen Jiàn with his fingers, "It seems that such a faint monarch ignores the people trapped in fire and water, and only covets peace and happiness, what kind of face will he be saved?" Yasheng said: 'The king regards the minister as a sibling, and the minister regards the king as the heart.' The monarch regards the minister as a dog and a horse, and the minister regards the monarch as a countryman. The king regards the minister as a mustard, and the minister regards the king as an enemy'. Isn't that right? ”

"This-" Zha Rulong smiled bitterly, if these words were said from the mouths of courtiers, or if there were extenuating circumstances, they could be said from the mouths of emperors, and there had never been any dynasties.

"Well, that's it." Zhu Yongxing softened his tone slightly and paused. He asked, "Among the information sent by the Ministry of State Security, is there anything from Shandong?" ”

"Long live Hui, yes." Cha Rulong hurriedly turned around and took the text from the table, "It has just been delivered, and it has not yet been abridged." ”

"It's okay, I'll take a look." Zhu Yongxing stretched out his hand to take it and unfolded it to read.

Judging from the shape of Shandong, Yu Qi carried out the plan of the General Staff, and although it achieved great results, it did not meet the highest requirements. Zhu Yongxing knew that he was in a hurry. And for now. There is no need to use military action in the Seventh Department to receive the Ming army's landing on the coast of Jiaodong, as long as the Ming army can be assisted in the benefit of the landlord later.

Since half of the country had been recovered by the Ming army, the threat to Shandong forced the Qing court to carry out the old tricks. Zu Zepu, the governor of Shandong, inherited the will of the Qing court and intensified the ban on the sea. It would have been just the abandonment of the coastal islands. Now it has been extended to the states of Deng, Lai. Other words. In the area where the Ming army was going to land. There will be no strong resistance, but there will be no people to be seen within twenty miles.

The new round of military confrontation reduced the Qing army garrison in Shandong, but Yanzhou in Shandong was close to Jiangnan (Jiangsu, Anhui), Jiangxi, and Huguang. However, the role of the material transfer station has become prominent. At the same time, the Qing court also ordered the governors of the provinces directly under the government to still be in charge of military affairs, and each set up two battalions on the left and right, which were under the direct control of the governor.

In other words, with the war in Shandong, the imperial court needed a steady stream of troops and supplies so that the troops in Shandong could withstand the Qing army attacking from all sides. Thus, the military problem again fell to the logistical supply, which, in the present, seems somewhat reluctant.

It is estimated that the first crop harvest in the two provinces of Mae and Hejiang will be harvested in June, and the first harvest will be ushered in in about a month in the Jiangnan region. In this way, the supply of food can be continued. And as long as a solid landing point is established on the coast of Shandong, reinforcements will also come from the sea.

Zhu Yongxing had already made up his mind and went through all the information.

Obviously, the Qing court believed that the overall state of the Ming and Qing wars had reached a balance of power, and did not think that the situation was so bad that it was a failure, and that it would definitely not be possible to negotiate peace and retreat through this pass within the Eight Banners. Although most of the Manchus acknowledged that the war could not be resolved in the short term, and even that they faced great difficulties after losing their fortunes, they still occupied most of China's land and could not accept the humiliating and disadvantaged position of suing for peace.

If the Manchus could be forced to retreat across the Yellow River without a fight, Zhu Yongxing felt that it would be acceptable. Of course, there can be no official recognition, and such agreements will not be strictly adhered to by him. Any treaties and agreements between countries need strength to guarantee, otherwise it is no different from waste paper.

But the Manchu Qing closed the door to peace, and for Zhu Yongxing, it was not a big deal. If you can't take it, take it! Spring ploughing has ended, and there is still some trickery to land in Shandong, so start from Jingxiang and blow the horn of the prelude to the Northern Expedition!

………………

The mountain breeze blew and ruffled Li Yingmei's hair, and she reluctantly withdrew her gaze, the small barracks in the valley were already in a commotion, and hundreds of recruits lined up to start training.

This is the depths of Asan Mountain in Shandong, and this is also her homeland. Out of reluctance to her brother, Li Yingmei followed Li Maolin and Gu Yinghui back to Shandong. Soon after arriving here, she fell in love with the beauty of the surrounding mountains, especially at sunrise.

Thousands of mountains just wake up, towards the clouds, in the green sky, milky white cloud yarn floats on the mountainside, like Xian'e dancing gently. The glow pours over the mountains and endures.

Striding down the hill, Li Yingmei passed by the training team without squinting. In the eyes of Shandong people, Gu Yinghui, Li Maolin, and Li Yingmei and others are all officials sent by the imperial court and have the nature of Qincha.

Although the guns have been smuggled several times, they can only equip these 500 people. However, judging from the number and equipment of the surrounding garrison Qing army, Yu Qi and Gu Yinghui both believed that there was no doubt about capturing the county seat, and with the assistance of other rebel troops, they could defeat the garrison green battalion and even threaten the state city.

But the order of the imperial court still lurked and quietly developed, waiting for the opportunity. Of course, the imperial court also reassured Yu Qi and others. If it was exposed, the Ming army would also take action to aid the Jiaodong Rebels.

Although this place is good, Li Yingmei has some regrets in her heart. I regret that I was too impulsive and offended His Royal Highness, well, now it should be His Majesty, Long Live Close Minister, after understanding the truth, I want to regret it, but I can't pull this face. In fact, there are some reasons for leaving the Guangfu Zone and returning to Shandong.

In the end, he is too young and ignorant. Li Yingmei ignored the sneaking glances of the recruits and walked to a few rooms outside the camp, where she lived. Her eyes froze for a moment, a jujube red horse was bolted to the horse stake, was it someone from outside? Is it my brother?

Just as he was pondering, the door of a house was pushed open, and Yang Yanfeng walked out. Seeing Li Yingmei, she nodded and said hello, "Miss Li, I just arrived here, and there are things that Brother Li brought to you." ”

Li Yingmei smiled faintly, stretched out her hand to take the small burden handed over by Yang Yanfeng, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "How is my brother?" When will I be able to come back? ”

"Brother Li is very good." Yang Yanfeng said with a smile: "He is now on an errand in the post station, and he eats the official food of the Tartars!" As for when I'll be back, that's not a good idea. ”

"Inn?" Li Yingmei was stunned for a moment, and asked tentatively, "Then can I go to see him?" ”

"This-" Yang Yanfeng hesitated, "I'll wait until I ask Master Gu next, and then I'll reply to you, okay?" If you don't feel comfortable in the mountains, you can move to the manor! ”

…………… (To be continued......)