Because the night was dark, Zhu Yuanzhang did not meet Fang Congzhe in the main hall, but met in a private room.

The red candle in the room has a high fever, and it is as bright as day.

Fang Congzhe stood up, looked at it with his eyes, and saw a man in brocade clothes in prime of life sitting behind the case, accompanied by Chen Yuxiang.

Fang Congzhe is a messenger and a guest, and he can't look at the host for a long time, but just a glance, he can't help but admire in his heart, and secretly thinks: "I have long heard that Wu Guogong is a great talent, with a cloth body, rising recklessly, and prospering in Haozhou, since the army of Chu and He crossed the river to the south, first went down to Jinling, and then opened up the territory, between the two powers, and the enemy of the two heroes, to outnumber, but the battle was invincible, and laid a huge foundation. Sure enough, it is better to meet than to be famous, and look at its bearing, it is really majestic! ……，

"But it's strange that the lord once called Wu Guogong's name after drinking and called him 'Zhu Mazi'. I don't know where the lord heard it, looking at the face of this Wu Guogong, it is clear that there is no half pockmark! ”

The history books record Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance, and there are eight words: "The appearance is majestic, and the bones are strange." The so-called "strange bones" is actually talking about the face of the emperor. What do you mean by "strange bones"? It's not that there is a bone protruding straight to the top of the head, but that it talks about "sun-horned dragon face", which means similar to "sun-horned phase".

The forehead of ordinary people is mostly round. The forehead is square, and according to the photo book, the forehead of a noble person is naturally different and square. If there is a square protruding bone in the heavenly court, it will be more and more wonderful, in terms of physiognomy, this is called "Fuxi bone", that is, "sun angle".

The bigger this bone in the heavenly court is, the more noble it is. If it goes up to Baihui, down to Zhongzheng, shaped like a ribbon, it is even more "unspeakably expensive", physiognomy is called "Chaotian Fuxi bone", it is the product of the founding emperor, and it is the best "sun angle phase". It is also one of the manifestations of "strange bones".

Fang Congzhe is not proficient in physiognomy, but just looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance, he really meets the word "Xiongjie". He was looking at Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Yuanzhang was also looking at him. The two finished looking, and Fang Congzhe knelt down and saluted. Zhu Yuanzhang is the Duke of Wu of the Imperial Song Dynasty, and this kneeling ritual is a must.

"Your Excellency, please."

After the salute, Fang Congzhe got up.

"I heard that King Yan has a letter to me? Bring it to me and let me see it. ”

Chen Yu took the letter and forwarded it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was born as a monk, once wandered around, originally did not know how to read, but he was very diligent, in addition to marching and fighting, every place, he would definitely search for local Confucianism and well-educated people, or "stay under the curtain, have doubts to ask", or ask "the province of food, the score of the history of the scriptures", so far, he has not only been literate, but also has been able to write some simple articles, and even poems and songs.

Opening Deng She's letter, Zhu Yuanzhang watched it, and saw that there were not many words on it, so he roughly said:

"Jin Ji Chahan, trap me Bianliang. The enmity of the monarch's father, the Buddha and the heavens. The enemy of life and death, even for this. Today, Lone is under the edict of the Son of Heaven, commanding millions of soldiers and thousands of generals, wanting to attack Jining, pacify Henan, and welcome His Majesty back to Beijing. ……。 "Yunyun.

If these few sentences are still "high-sounding", they are raising the banner of King Xiaoming to invite Zhu Yuanzhang to participate in the war, then at the end of the letter, there is a sentence that directly refers to the selfish interests of Yidu and Jinling. Or in other words, it is the benefit that Deng She promised to Zhu Yuanzhang. It reads:

"It's also all Bianliang, and it will be immortal, and you can repay the emperor's grace. Cut down the pass, save the people from fire and water, and save the people. On the day of success, when the mountains and rivers are divided, it will always be a good alliance. Fortunately, don't wait and see, and hear back quickly. ”

"When the mountains and rivers are divided, it will always be good for the alliance?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, his eyelids jumped, he glanced at Fang Congzhe quietly, refolded the letter, and put it on the case, but he didn't start a topic about the letter, but diverted the conversation, and said slowly: "Su Wenzun made the name of Su Wenzun, compared to Su Qin and Zhang Yi, is there such a thing?" ”

"Su Qin, Zhang Yi, and the debater. From the philosopher, I am willing to follow the ambition of Zigong. ”

"Who is Zigong?"

"The Spring and Autumn Patriots, the name Duanmu Ci, the word Zigong. Seventy-two sages of Confucius, one of the ten philosophers. ”

"Oh? I don't know what kind of excellence this person has, he can enter the ten philosophers of Confucius, and make the Venerable Envoy willing to follow his will? ”

"Zigong is good at arguing, the ancestor of the Zongheng family, this is also one of them." It can be said that "poetry", literature is outstanding, and this is the second. 'Ci Yeda', Zigong is reasonable and has extraordinary political talents, and the third is also. In terms of financial management and business, he also has an outstanding talent, and these four are also.

"Zigong's good argument, sent an envoy to the state of Chu, and saved Confucius from Chen and Cai's misfortune; Zigong's words and poems, 'tell the past and know the future'; Zigong's politics, 'Changxianglu and Wei'; Zigong's financial management, 'the family has a lot of money'. So that 'the knot and the horse, the coin of the silk, and the princes are hired. As far as he went, the kings all served in the court. The husband made Confucius's name spread in the world, and Zigong was also successive. ’

"People think that Confucius is seventy-two sages, and Yan Hui is the most sage, but Congzhe thinks that Zigong is the well-deserved head of the 'Ten Sages'. Why? When the Spring and Autumn Period was chaotic, the countries were in dispute, and Yan Hui was virtuous, but it was not beneficial to the people. And the sage of Zigong, 'in line with the times', uses it to prosper the country and make the people rich, and if it is not used, the country will die and the people will be poor.

"Great! Isn't it a good husband! ”

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly moved, put his hands together, and said: "Such a person can indeed be called a 'big husband'!" ”

Through correspondence with Fang Xizhe, Fang Congzhe has long understood Zhu Yuanzhang's temper, personality, and preferences. Unlike Zhang Shicheng's preferential treatment of scholars for fame, Zhu Yuanzhang is a typical "pragmatist". Most of the courtiers who were reused by him were doers, and in Fang Congzhe's words, it can also be said that these people were all handsome men who "knew the times". Therefore, with Zhu Yuanzhang's question, Fang Congzhe is ostensibly telling about his ambitions, but in fact, he is euphemistically voting for Zhu Yuanzhang's favor.

Therefore, his explanation of Zigong this time was very different from the last time he went to Songjiang.

The first premise of going to another country is not to let the lord of another country hate you.

For example, during the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Song in Shu sent an envoy to Xuchang, because of his ugly appearance, after Cao Cao saw it, "the seer Zhang Song's character was obscene, and he didn't like it." If you don't want to talk to this person when you see him in the first place, then it's a bad dish, what else to do? Sure enough, and then because of the "collision of words", Cao Cao got up with his sleeves and turned into the back hall. Needless to say, Zhang Song's mission will definitely not be completed, and he will run in vain.

Of course, Fang Congzhe would not make such a low-level mistake, he was already handsome, and his words were deliberately favored, no matter whether his task could be completed or not, at least one of them could be guaranteed now, and he had slightly gained Zhu Yuanzhang's favor. In the rest of the conversation, it should not be too difficult.

"The envoy came a few days ago, but because I am busy with official business, I will not be able to meet until tonight. Please also ask the envoy not to be held accountable. ”

"Congzhe came this time, not only for my lord, but also for the people of the world. Waiting a few more days is nothing. ”

"It's also for the people of the world?"

"In the sinking of the former Song Dynasty Yashan, Meng Yuan entered the Central Plains and messed with China for a long time. Fortunately, my emperor dragon Xing in Yingshang, Liu Taibao raised troops from Henan, and then the Ming Duke was initiated by Haozhou, and my lord turned to fight in Liaodong. Because of this, the heroes of Unai have followed, and the heroes of the north and south are all flocking to him. The people's hearts are excited, and they all want to take 'driving out the Tartars and restoring China' as their own responsibility. The raging fire, in fact, originated from seedlings, and today, it has long become a prairie fire.

"Congzhe came to Jinling this time to ask to see Ming Gong, although it was on the order of my lord, but in fact, it was also to conform to the will of the people. Therefore, from the philosopher, I am also here for the people of the world. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and said, "The envoy is very true. ......, the envoy traveled thousands of miles to come to my Jinling, and worked the road. Many years ago, I went to Shandong once. At that time, it had just passed the flood, and the bones were all over the field. I have heard for a long time that King Yan's talent is world-famous, but I don't know what the terroir of Shandong is today? ”

"Shandong, the land of Qilu in the Spring and Autumn Period, was Qingzhou in ancient times. The mountain has the male of Daizong, and the Qin and Han dynasties are the place where the Zen is sealed. The water is at risk of the Yellow River, and it is enough to block it to stand alone in the Central Plains. 'There is Mount Tai in the south, Langya in the east, Qinghe in the west, and the Bohai Sea in the north. 'The canal connects the north and the south, and the thoroughfare connects the east and west. The land is thousands of miles wide and densely populated. Since I came to power, I have been lightly taxed and the people are happy to be subdued. ”

"How are the characters in Shandong?"

"In the hometown of Confucius and Meng, the folk customs are simple. Out of the north, out of the Central Plains, the state of etiquette. ”

"The envoy just said that Zigong is 'in line with the times', so he can be called the most virtuous. Now it is also a troubled era like the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, standing in the midst of the troubled times, but paying attention to 'etiquette'? Isn't that a bit out of place? ”

"The one who is a celebrant is the great handle of the king; Etiquette, so that the top and bottom order. The state of etiquette, honesty and faith. Govern the country with etiquette, and the people will live and work in peace and contentment; Conduct the princes with etiquette, and the princes will not doubt it. ”

"Etiquette? Good faith? Your explanation is interesting. ”

"Our lord is known for his magnanimity and faithfulness. May I ask Ming Gong, you have also read the letter of my father-in-law, I don't know what you think about it? ”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, did not answer the rhetorical question, and said: "How many envoys are there under King Yan?" ”

"From the philosophical wisdom is not as good as Hong Jixun, and the practice is not as good as Yao Haogu; Political affairs are not as good as Wu Henian, and Geng Zhi is not as good as Fang Buzhen; Literature is far inferior to Yan Zhixi, and the economy is difficult to compare with Luo Lilang. The country is full of Confucianism, and Pan Xianer responds to the situation. Both civil and military have Luo Guoqi, Yang Xingjian, Ju Sheng, Li Yi, and Zhiyong are equipped with Wenhuaguo, Chen Hu, Zhao Guo, and Qing Qianxing. Ji Zongzhou is skillful in rhetoric; Wang Zongzhe is well versed in etiquette. Others, such as Tong Shengyang, Deng Chengzhi, Chen Yutou, Bi Qianniu, Zhang Jier, Li Zifan, Yang Wanhu, Liu Yang, Chen Paizi, Gao Yanshi, Guo Conglong, Fu Youde, Liu Sanlang, etc., are loyal and generous. ......, if you are not talented from philosophy, you can't win. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang bowed his head and said: "The envoy is originally from Zhejiang, he is from Zhejiang, and now he is in charge of Haidong, far away from his hometown." Your brother Hirzer has told me that your father is old, and your mother is alone at home. I haven't read much, but I've heard that 'parents are here, not far away'. As the envoy said, King Yan's subordinates are full of talents, and you are not one behind, so why not stay in Jinling? First, I am the same Song minister as King Yan, and you are not considered to vote for another master; Second, Zhejiang is very close to Jinling, and you can often go home to visit relatives, or even bring your parents. Best of both worlds. As for King Yan, I can write a letter to him, King Yan has the grace of a gentleman, and he will not object. What does Zhonghan think? ”

But it was Zhu Yuanzhang who loved talent.

But when he suddenly asked, it was also a big surprise to Fang Congzhe. He was stunned at first, then calmed down, and said: "Congzhe has already agreed with King Yan as the chief minister, where the morality lies, although he is loved by the Ming Gong, please forgive Congzhe for not daring to agree." Just as Congzhe's brother Xizhe is now in the Ming Gong shogunate, Congzhe's does not stay, just like Xizhe's does not go. Although it is said that 'parents are here, not far away', but Dayu controls the water, and does not enter the house three times. In these troubled times, for the survival of the people and the establishment of peace for the world, it is also the teaching of the saints. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "King Yan wins people, even Yusi!" ”

The night is dark, and it is already five watches.

The rain fell on the court, and the wind was as cool as water. Because it was gradually falling, the sound of the rain was no longer a little bit, but a sound, as if it was coming from a distance, and it seemed to be close at hand. The tea on the desk in the room is cold. Chen Yu motioned for the maid to splash it and replace it with new tea. Celadon tea bowl, red lacquered table. In the tea bowl, the tea leaves stand upright, floating in the water, steaming, and mixed with the candlelight.

Except for the sound of rain, there was silence in the mansion of Wu Guogong.

Fang Congzhe calmly replied: "My lord has the ambition to drive out the Tartars and restore the clothes of the Han family, so everyone admires him. This is the same reason that Ming Gong was able to get the investment of Jiangnan and Huaisi talents. ”

This sentence is a very appropriate answer, not only praising his own father-in-law, but also quietly praising Zhu Yuanzhang. And brought the topic back to the original intention of his mission.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't feel it, but he still refused to get to the point, and said with a smile: "'Drive out the Tartars and restore the clothes of the Han family'? To tell you the truth, I've been known to you for a long time, but unfortunately I haven't had a chance to meet you yet. May I ask the honorable envoy, what is the personality and ambition of King Yan? ”

"My lord King Yan has jurisdiction over the land of thousands of miles and the people of billions of trillions. Every move is like the journey of the sun and the moon, for everyone to look up to. Every decision will be related to the blessings and misfortunes of the people of the province. Therefore, King Yan's personality is magnanimous, and he always thinks of the common people. And King Yan's ambition is naturally to call his position, so as not to be ashamed of the people and lose the trust of the court. Therefore, every small mistake must be corrected. ”

The answer to this sentence is more appropriate. On the one hand, it points out Deng She's personality and ambition, and he wants to be a competent person; On the other hand, he also said frankly that "no one is perfect", and sometimes Dunshe will make small mistakes, but he will inevitably "change" soon. This is more acceptable and believable than simple praise, not only does not damage the image of Dunshe, but in fact gives humanity, on the contrary, it beautifies it.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Yu glanced at each other, praised each other, and said: "The Venerable Envoy wants to follow Zigong's ambition, and he really has Zigong's talent." "Zigong is the seventy-two sages of Confucius. Zhu Yuanzhang's words are praising Fang Congzhe, and he is also praising Deng She. He sat down and said, "The envoy came to my Jinling, what can he teach me?" ”

Starting from his meeting with Fang Congzhe, he first tested Fang Congzhe's true talents, then inquired about the characters and customs of Shandong, and finally asked Deng She about his ambitions. After some understanding and foreshadowing, the topic will finally get back to business.

Fang Congzhe suddenly perked up, and in the first sentence of the opening chapter, he said: "Ming Gong sits in Jinling, the land where this tiger is far away from the dragon. "The sound of the wind and rain, the starlight of the night. The quiet room dialogue has just gotten to the point.