The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang killed Xia Qi's uncle and nephew was because he was worried that letting them go would make everyone in the world follow suit.

However, he still lacked an understanding of the nature of the literati, and the death of Xia Qi's uncle and nephew became the so-called 'killing and becoming benevolent', but his reputation became more and more prominent, causing the world's corporal to follow suit.

Later, there were Suzhou celebrities Yao Run, Wang Mo, etc., who successively refused the call of the imperial court, and would rather die than be an official in the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang was not used to them, so he sent them to Jiuquan to accompany Gao Qi and Xia Qi's uncles and nephews to set an example.

However, one day, when listening to the lecturer and telling the story of Yan Guang, a hermit in the Eastern Han Dynasty, who refused Liu Xiu's personal invitation and was unwilling to enter the court as an official, the lecturer said meaningfully through the mouth of Yan Ziling:

"Xi Tang Yao is virtuous, and the nest father washes his ears. If a scholar has ambitions, why should he be compelled to do so? ”

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he came up angrily. What are you doing, what is the 'reason why you have ambitions, why do you have to be compelled to do so'? Think we can't hear it?

We gave you an official position, did you let you put it here to ridicule us?

What do you mean by 'ambition'? Isn't it what Confucius said, 'If there is a way in the world, it will appear, and if there is no way, it will be hidden', do you think we are kings without Tao?!

In a fit of rage, he wrote a "Treatise on Strict Light" and ordered it to be published all over the world, so that all levels of schools from the national school to the school needed to recite the full text.

It is to the effect that there are all kinds of evildoers, not only those who do evil, but also those who do not do things sincerely, and those who have the opportunity to do things but do nothing, are also evildoers.'

At that time, at the beginning of the country's rejuvenation, people's livelihood was withering, and available talents were scarce. Emperor Guangwu sincerely asked Yan Guang to come out as an official, but he shirked it in every possible way, which was a contempt and insult to the emperor's grace, and it made people think that the emperor was unreasonable!

He thought he had the freedom to live in seclusion. In fact, it is not, it is not that Emperor Guangwu has pacified the world, and there is chaos everywhere, can he have the conditions to travel leisurely? To enjoy the benefits brought by the state, one should serve the emperor so that the country can recover as soon as possible.

In fact, Yan Guang, these people who retreated to the mountains and forests, are just selling their fame and reputation, and they are still fishing for the emperor's grace, and they are not in the office, it is just that the emperor's grace is not big enough.

But if the emperor himself is weak in virtue and talented, and he is incapable of governing the world, and Yan Guang and other capable people still refuse to enter the office, resulting in the people's misery and the country falling back into war, are these people really at ease living in seclusion?

Therefore, people like Yan Guang receive the favor of the king and are repaid without knowing what they do. He is the biggest sinner if he has great talents, but he does not come out to help the people and benefit the country when the country is most in dire need of talents! ’

~~

Boss Zhu thought that as soon as his eloquent article came out, those celebrities and scholars would not dare to stay at home anymore, and they would all have to come out obediently to be officials.

Unexpectedly, it aroused the greater disgust of the readers.

Because Yan Guang has always been famous for his indifference to fame and fortune and refusing the emperor's personal invitation, he represents the backbone of a scholar. It is the idol of generations of readers. It was repeatedly praised and praised by scholars.

When Boss Lingzhu came to power, he directly criticized our idols, and we scholars didn't even have the right to say 'no'?

The more he persecuted in this way, the more rebellious the scholars became. Not to mention the tricks of avoiding the recommendation of the local government, he also deliberately touted some milky and undried boys together, or bullshit winter baking, so that they became famous for a while, and then recommended them to the imperial court in a grand manner.

As a result, the level of talents recommended over the years is naturally Wang Xiaoer's New Year, and every year is not as good as a year......

Some people even couldn't even recognize all the words, and made a big joke when Zhu Yuanzhang inspected the court.

~~

Yufu study.

"Now that the recommendation has become a joke, let's strangle the school to death again, and the emperor can only count on the imperial examination." Chen Qianfu said to Yu Xi in a deep voice: "Otherwise, who will rule the world for him?" ”

"Alas, it's ridiculous, the imperial examination is a plan for the Son of Heaven, and it is a fair and righteous thing, why is it so difficult to come to this dynasty?" Yu Xi sighed.

"There is no way, when today's prejudice against scholars and Confucianism is higher than the mountain. But if there is a way, he will change to the path of the Legalist. So this is not only a matter of the future of the world's scholars, but also related to the survival of my Confucian incense! Chen Qianfu sighed and said:

"If it weren't for the status quo, why would Taishi Gongdu be a scholar and come to the capital every year to pay homage to the emperor? Isn't it just that you can't rest assured? He often said to us, if the foundation of Confucianism is destroyed in the hands of our people, then we are all sinners through the ages, how can we see Confucius and Mencius after death?! ”

"Kong said Chengren, Meng said to take righteousness." Saying that, he fell heavily and said: "So we have no choice but to use this flesh and blood to block all the forks in the road in front of the emperor, so that he has no choice but to take our Confucius and Mencius Avenue!" It's my duty to do it, Momoto! ”

"Yes, Teacher." Yu Xi hurriedly hugged his fists, and then began to count the reinforcements: "But for such a big matter, we should try to win support as much as possible." The crown prince was taught by Taishi Gong, so he should also be regarded as the protector of Confucianism, right? ”

"Of course, the crown prince supports Confucianism, but don't look at the emperor letting him supervise the country, but the major policies are still in the hands of the emperor." Chen Qianfu sighed.

"What about the King of Chu? Our eastern Zhejiang is his vassal country, and those big households in the south of the Yangtze River also look to him as the leader. Yu Xi asked again, "Can you ask him to help us talk?" ”

"I can't." Chen Qianfu shook his head and said, "In this matter, the King of Chu is on the emperor's side. ”

"That's it......" Yu Xi's heart sank.

"Alas, this matter is indeed difficult, but no matter how difficult it is, it must be difficult." Chen Qianfu finally cheered him up and said: "Remember, the entire Shilin, as well as the hearts of the people in the world, are on our side!" Confucianism will win! ”

"Hmm. Confucianism will win! Yu Xi nodded heavily.

~~

Qianqing Palace.

After reading the monitoring record, Zhu Zhen was shocked.

Although the records may not be so detailed, they are enough to outline the plans of this group of scholars......

"Now, do you know why we keep Hu Weiyong all the time?" Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with his expression and asked leisurely.

"Got it." Zhu Zhen nodded and said, "Because he is not a scholar." ”

"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "It has been the twelfth year of Hongwu now, and there are fewer and fewer civil officials who are not scholars. Even if he has, he can't convince the public, and he can't replace him. ”

"So, if you change the prime minister again, you can only use a scholar?" Zhu Zhen asked softly.

"Hmm." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and said with a sad face: "But look at them, they all regard us as enemies, how can we let an enemy be the prime minister?" All these years of hard work will be ruined by him. ”

"Do you know why they're so upset? Because they think that since ancient times, they have been 'kings and scholars share the world', but we don't share the world with them, and of course they are not satisfied. Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly:

"Now you understand why we want to protect Song Ne, right?"

"Understood." Zhu Zhen nodded and said: "Because Song Ne is not a person from the same road as them, he is the main general that his father used to fight against the scholars." ”

"That's right, this big enemy is now, how can we do that kind of stupid thing like changing generals in battle?" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

(End of chapter)