I have to say that in less than half a day's exchange, Li Zicheng has won the initial recognition of everyone, which can be seen from their attentive expressions.

As Li Zicheng slowly narrated, everyone's mind seemed to be a slideshow, uncovering the dusty and familiar memories, combining history, recalling Li Zicheng's words, his eyes flashed, he became more and more interested, and he was attracted by Li Zicheng's views.

Yes, throughout history, every time in the heyday, it was mostly the first two emperors who were created by the founding emperor or succeeded by him. Even the rule of Wenjing in the Han Dynasty, and the rule of Zhenguan, the prosperity of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, etc., have a common feature, that is, the emperors have experienced the hardships of the people, have been humiliated, have tribulations, know that it is not easy to come up from the river, and know the importance of the people's hearts.

Just as these people thought in their hearts, Li Zicheng changed his words and began to tell such a point of view, eloquently. Although they are all vernacular, not like the literati and ink writers, but they are reasonable, and when you think about it, they must be very shaken, which fits a certain subconscious in your heart, giving people a sense of empowerment, and your chest is suddenly open, and your body is suddenly loosened, and your body and mind are very comfortable.

Li Zicheng grasped the timing just right, and did not continue to tell, leaving everyone enough time to digest and reminisce about those views, and he pretended to be thirsty, picked up the good dragon well on the coffee table on one side, and tasted it carefully, looking very enjoyable.

However, Li Zicheng's soul is a ruffian hooligan, how can he know how to taste tea? In contrast, if he could, he would prefer to have a glass of cold cola or juice and drink it all, in this hot summer, like a furnace in Nanjing, it is absolutely cold and his heart is flying!

Gently shaking the lid of the teacup and slowly sucking the tea, Li Zicheng's eyes narrowed slightly, the thief turned around, secretly looked at everyone's demeanor, and saw that everyone was shocked by his words, he couldn't help but loosen his body, and secretly rejoiced: "Made, fortunately, Lao Tzu's memory is not bad, I have read so many books in the late Ming Dynasty, especially the book "Rise in the Ming Dynasty" I remember most clearly." Otherwise, it's hard to get through today. Hey... Directly take some of the ideas in it, apply it directly, and fool these scholars. ”

Gently putting down the teacup, Li Zicheng began to calm down, sort out his thoughts, and recall the preparations of this period, just to make a splash at the Jinling Conference, say a shocking point of view, and gain the recognition of these young scholars, so as to gradually and imperceptibly, while recruiting scientific talents, he is also reserving talents who can govern a county, a state, and a government.

However, it didn't take long for Zhang Ruocai, who has always admired vernacular literature, that is, Jin Shengsi, although he didn't have that kind of arrogance at this time, he still seemed a little frivolous, and couldn't wait to ask: "Brother Li, from your point of view, what should you do to change the history like a curse?" What about getting rid of the cycle of prosperity, decay, prosperity, and destruction? After all, no matter who owns the world, once there is a war or the court is corrupt, it is the people of the world who are unlucky in the end. ”

In an instant, everyone who was thinking deeply suddenly woke up, and when they heard Zhang Ruocai's words, they all looked at Li Zicheng expectantly.

Obviously, Li Zicheng had already thought of this. Although things have deviated a little, they are still within his control. As soon as Zhang Ruocai's words fell, he felt the many eyes cast on him, and spoke calmly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you may wish to think that throughout history, throughout the ages, there are only two reasons why the country has begun to decline when the prosperity is no longer there. One is on the emperor, and the other is on those officials. ”

No one interjected, all listening with bated breath, waiting for the next words.

"Let's talk about one of the reasons first, the emperor. If a mediocre emperor is in power, as long as hundreds of officials submit and perform their duties, even if the country cannot continue to prosper, the world can still maintain peace and stability, and the people will not suffer much, and there is no problem in life, such as the Wanli Emperor of the current dynasty. ”

"However, if you meet an emperor with great ambitions and talents, it will be the greatest misfortune of a country. Because, no matter how good the official system is, it can't withstand the toss of such an emperor, blindly commanding, and often dismissing important positions of civil and military generals, and is eager for quick success. As for the examples, I won't talk about them below. ”

Li Zicheng's tone was stunned, and he looked at everyone one by one with deep meaning, with an inexplicable smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Second, officials. No matter how wise a king is, there will be a day when he will be old, and there will be a time when he will faint. If officials attack each other and harm each other at this time, it will only make the country become chaotic, continue to suffer internal friction, and when the national strength is exhausted, the chaos in the world is not far away, and it also means that the country is about to perish. ”

"Of course, if you want to change the reincarnation that Zhang Gongzi just said and get rid of the fate of a country going to ruin, it is not impossible, that is, to establish a perfect system. This system includes not only the selection, appointment and dismissal of officials, but also the selection of emperors. The two are indispensable and complement each other. ”

For a while, the sound of swallowing in the room was inaudible, and everyone stared at Li Zicheng with wide eyes, looking directly at Li Zicheng, with Gu Yanwu being the youngest, he couldn't hold back his curiosity and desire for knowledge in his heart, and couldn't help but ask.

"What kind of system is it?"

However, Li Zicheng did not answer immediately, but sold a pass.

"In all dynasties, except for the first generation of emperors, almost all emperors are small flowers in the greenhouse, and they have lived in brocade clothes and jade food since they were children, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, and almost all they hear are compliments. No one dared to speak harshly to them, except their father. Otherwise, once they grow up and ascend to the throne, they will inevitably suffer bloody revenge. ”

Although some of Li Zicheng's words are very modern, everyone can roughly understand the meaning according to the preface and afterword. The grotesqueness and novelty of the words only increased Li Zicheng's mystery, but did not affect him to continue to talk eloquently.

"The emperor who grew up in such an environment, even if he was brilliantly written, had qualifications, experience and knowledgeable teachers to impart knowledge and teach how to behave. However, all this is only on paper, and these princes and grandsons have never been able to understand the suffering of the people and how difficult it is to be fed. ”

From beginning to end, Xu Xiake didn't speak, he kept listening, although his face was calm, his heart was stirring up, like a stormy wave. In any case, I never thought that the boss would have such a unique opinion. For the analysis of history, it is remote and reasonable, and I can't help but echo it.

"Yes, the emperor who grew up in such an environment may be elegant, but he lacks the domineering that an emperor should have, as well as the tenacity and composure in the face of crisis. In times of peace, these character flaws are not obvious. Once it is a troubled time, for an empire, it will be a catastrophe of destruction, and it will also be the beginning of a national disaster. ”

After Xu Xiake finished speaking, Li Zicheng added: "Yes, what Mr. Xu said is good. Putting aside the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, from the beginning of the Qin Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the style of martial arts continued unabated, and reached its peak in the Tang Dynasty. During this period, in the early Han Dynasty and the early Tang Dynasty, it was invaded by the northern barbarians, and throughout the process, the Han nationality was always at the head of the hundred ethnic groups, and the other ethnic groups were all subservient and did not dare to harass. ”

"However, every time there is a great chaos in Guanzhong, it is invaded by the barbarian clan, the descendants of Yan and Huang are slaughtered by foreign tribes, and there is a danger of extermination, which time is not because the imperial court is heavy on literature and light on military force, and the armament is lax, and it is negligent in prevention? The comfortable life brought by the peaceful and prosperous era not only wiped out the blood of my Chinese children, but also made the emperor lose his wisdom, and the hundred officials became confused, only knew how to attack each other, engage in power schemes, forgot the threat brought by the barbarian tribes around them, and always peeked at the wealth of the Central Plains. ”

At this time, Huang Zongxi, who was familiar with history books, said with emotion: "Yes, Sage Kong has always advocated the six arts, etiquette, music, archery, royalty, calligraphy, and mathematics. However, today's scholars only care about the Four Books and Five Classics, how to write the Eight Strands of Literature, and once they are in the middle of the book, they are famous all over the world, but they have forgotten the catechesis of both civil and military affairs. ”

For a while, others nodded yes and said yes. After everyone quieted down, Li Zicheng continued: "After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty ruled the Central Plains, and the style of emphasizing literature over military force became even worse, which made the iron bones of the descendants of Yan and Huang gradually corroded. In the end, the small court of the Southern Song Dynasty also fell into a corner of peace, the wind and bones were not there, and all kinds of traitorous ministers were in charge, and after their demise, no one missed them. ”

Hearing this, a trace of gloom appeared in everyone's eyes, the Song Dynasty was definitely the last existence that literati were willing to mention in the past dynasties. Although the literary style prevailed at that time, scholars were reused. However, the Song Dynasty was an existence without the slightest backbone, lingering, groveling, and actually smiling at his enemy, Jin Guonu, without any shame.

These thoughts only lasted in everyone's minds for a moment, Chen Zhenhui came to her senses, showed a puzzled expression, and asked: "But, Li Gongzi, after saying so much, does this have anything to do with the system you talked about?" ”

Li Zicheng didn't continue to sell Guanzi, and he began to go straight to the point and slowly talk about the system.

"The ancient emperors, the harem beauties are 3,000, and there are countless heirs, in this case, before those princes and grandchildren come of age, they will focus on teaching the subset of scriptures and history, arranging troops, and strengthening their bodies, practicing martial arts, and laying the foundation."

"When they reach adulthood, they will be sent to the army, so that they can experience the cruelty of war and develop a resolute and resolute character. Even in the face of a crisis, it can be calm and calm. When he stayed in the army until he was established, if he had military merits, he would be sent to various places as officials to govern a county, a county, a state, and a government. When the throne is inherited, choose from these princes, and be able to govern a place in an orderly manner. ”

One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and everyone was shocked, their mouths were slightly open, and their eyes were big. That looks like it is saying, this benevolent brother is too daring to think about it~!

Sending the imperial family and nobles into the army is still the first line, and after the baptism of war, the qualification to compete for the throne is reserved. Subsequently, only by governing one county, one county, one state, and one government can you enter the list of succession to the throne!

This is not only daring to think, but also very bold, but also provoking the belief of Confucianism for thousands of years, the primogeniture inheritance system.

Some people were excited, and they were inexplicably excited by Li Zicheng's proposal; Some people have mixed feelings, and this view is subversive and contrary to Confucianism.

However, it is undeniable that the emperor who has been selected through such layers is absolutely heroic and extraordinary, and he is absolutely capable of the throne. And, more than enough.

Everyone was still in excitement and shock, Li Zicheng did not stop, he was still continuing, and the next words were even more shocking, with the meaning of not being shocking and dying.

"Not only that, but those eliminated princes and grandsons can no longer be crowned vassal kings. If you want to become an official, you must be like other scholars, and you must pass the imperial examination, and you cannot give the slightest special care. Moreover, the length of each emperor's reign must be limited, up to sixty years of age. ”

Quiet, death-like silence, no matter how prepared I was in my heart, no matter how much I experienced the shock and impact just now, I was so shocked by Li Zicheng's words that I almost forgot to breathe.

Since ancient times, except for the period of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, I have never heard of the emperor abdicating during his lifetime. It's just a matter of treating those princes and grandsons as civilians, and everyone can still understand it. After all, this strengthened the imperial power.

However, what really brought them a huge impact was that the emperor's reign was actually limited, which completely subverted their concept and what they had always known.

The emperor, that is the supreme of a country, that is the existence of looking up. With the power of life and death in hand, who you want to die, it is a matter of one sentence, and you can't complain, at least you can't complain on the surface.

Of course, whether it is the qualifications and selection of the successor to the throne, or the length of the emperor's reign, everyone understands that if these two items can be implemented, the existence of mediocre and incompetent emperors will be greatly reduced, and the country will be able to maintain more long-term peace and stability.

Li Zicheng was very calm, and his expression was calm, as if the series of shocking words did not come from his mouth, but from others. The corner of his eye looked left and right, pretending to be careless, his expression was narrow, and he turned to talk about the problem of governance.

"In all dynasties, the reason why there are many factions of officials in the imperial court, party disputes are endless, and corrupt officials emerge in an endless stream, is because the appointment and dismissal of officials will not be in the hands of the emperor, and there are also the big officials of the dynasty."

Therefore, if you want officials to be prosperous and have a smooth career, you have to make friends with those high-ranking officials and dignitaries, so as to fight for the capital of your career, get the attention of your boss, and get promoted. However, if you want to make friends with dignitaries, no matter which method you use, you can't do without the word money when you return to the essence. If the family is wealthy and has some savings, of course, there is no need to embezzle and squeeze the people's fat and cream. But how many such officials can there be? ”

"Moreover, if there is input, there must be output, and if there is no corruption and bribery, those officials who spend money to take care of it, no matter how rich their family resources are, will not be able to support such expenses. Therefore, it is inevitable that officials will be corrupt and take bribes. Otherwise, you will suffer from poverty. ”

At this moment, the scholars on both sides had a feeling of relief, discussing the imperial system and how to improve the imperial system, this topic was so heavy that people were almost out of breath. If Li Zicheng continues to talk about it, even if he has a big nerve like Zhang Ruocai (Jin Shengsigh), he will be a little unbearable, but fortunately, this Li Gongzi suddenly changed the topic and made the atmosphere a little lighter.

Gu Yanwu's eyes flickered, and he asked excitedly, "That... Brother Li, since this is the case, how can we rectify the rule of officials and change this status quo? ”

The spirit was shocked, and everyone pricked up their ears again, listened, and waited for Li Zicheng's shocking words.

"It's very simple, since the problem lies in the selection of officials, let's start with the selection of officials, and the system I said cannot fundamentally solve the problem, but it can also be greatly improved."

"First, the emperor no longer has the power to promote officials, but can be removed if there is a good reason to do so. Second, the top-down customary selection system should be weakened, and the power to select and retain some officials should be delegated to the common people and the officials, officials, and generals around them......"