Chapter 294 No, it is a declaration of war
"The Hanlin Academy asked Chang Wei Bo, since you have raised three issues that affect the decline of the dynasty, do you have any solutions?"
Rui Jingxian described the scene vividly, "Those people became very proud."
"Use your spear to attack your shield." Emperor Jiajing put down the Taoist book. "What did he say?"
"Chang Wei Bo said yes!" Rui Jingxian had to admire Jiang Qingzhi's courage, but he looked at him very unfavorably. "I am worried about the follow-up... Those people in the Hanlin Academy said that if Chang Wei Bo was bluffing and what he brought out was not convincing, they would come to his door."
"Abolish all schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone." Emperor Jiajing said sarcastically, "Confucius killed Shao Zhengmao!"
If I can't defeat you, I will destroy you physically.
This is what Confucianism does best.
"Ask Qingzhi, why has the rectification of the Beijing Guards not progressed when I asked him to do so?"
Huang Jin smiled and said, "Chang Wei Bo has been very busy these days, either going north or fighting with others..."
Emperor Jiajing smiled, but his eyes were cold.
Playing with physical destruction?
Don't forget that Jiang Qingzhi once beat up a group of scholars and officials.
With the Beijing guards at their side, would those people dare to take risks?
"Your Majesty, Xia Yan requests to see you."
Emperor Jiajing was startled. "This old man has been away from me since he was released from prison. Why did he come here today?"
Xia Yan entered the hall and saluted.
"You look much more energetic than before." Emperor Jiajing said, "I suddenly envy you for your leisurely life, but I can't..."
"I just stayed away from those disputes, and I felt much more relaxed. Every morning, I like to take a walk near my residence, watching the morning light, looking at those houses, listening to those fireworks. My mind is empty, but I feel very comfortable... I feel that the past petty and petty activities are really not worth it."
"Then why are you here today?" Emperor Jiajing asked sarcastically.
"I am here on behalf of Lord Wei."
"Oh!"
"I just heard about the debate in the Hanlin Academy."
"Qingzhi won a great victory, so what are you worried about?" Emperor Jiajing could see that Xia Yan was worried at a glance.
"I am worried about the 'you' that Chang Wei Bo mentioned." Xia Yan sighed, "Once the word 'you' is spoken, it is a gesture."
"I know." Emperor Jiajing said calmly, "Since he said he has a way to solve those three problems, he will definitely put forward his own theory. And for Confucianists, this is to dig into their corner. Abolish all schools of thought... and respect Confucianism alone."
"Your Majesty, from now on Chang Wei Bo will become the mortal enemy of Confucianism! The fight will not stop until one of us dies!" If Jiang Qingzhi appeared in front of Xia Yan at this moment, the old man swore that he would make him pay.
"I find it very interesting." Emperor Jiajing felt a long-lost excitement. "Huang Ban, go ask Qingzhi if he has any solution."
"Yes!"
"Sit down!" The Taoist pointed to the side, "You and I have been estranged for a long time. I lost my beloved son recently, but you are still free. Tell me what you think about the current situation..."
Xia Yan sat down. "Before now, it was a situation of fighting but not breaking. But after today, unless Your Majesty stands aside and watches, the tacit understanding between the two sides will be broken."
"Hmm!" Emperor Jiajing remained calm.
"Your Majesty, are you ready?" Xia Yan's eyes were sharp. "Those people will launch a crazy counterattack. If Your Majesty..."
"Are you worried that I will retreat like Emperor Renzong of Song, throw Fan Zhongyan out, and let the scholars and officials vent their anger by throwing Qingzhi out as well?"
"Yes!" Xia Yan did not back down under the Taoist's gaze.
"You, Xia Yan, underestimated me!" Dao Ye said calmly, "Ever since I learned that the prince was poisoned, I have no intention of making peace with those people!"
"His Majesty."
The eunuch who went to question him came back.
"What does Qingzhi say?"
"Chang Wei Bo said that just when the Hanlin Academy was in the most chaos, more than ten people spoke up for him! He asked me to tell Your Majesty..."
The eunuch raised his head and said, "I am not alone. There is still hope for the Ming Dynasty!"
"I am not alone!" Xia Yan felt a warm current surging in his chest.
"Am I not alone?" Emperor Jiajing stroked the jade in his hand.
Xia Yan stood up and said goodbye. He needed to find that madman and give him a good beating.
"Hahahaha! Am I not alone?"
After walking a long way, Xia Yan's mind was still filled with the Emperor Jiajing's unbridled laughter.
"An emperor must be as cunning as a fox, as cruel as a wolf, as fierce as a tiger, and as majestic as a dragon. Qingzhi, to be with an emperor is to be with these four qualities. Are you ready?"
Xia Yan met Jiang Qingzhi outside Zhilu, and his words made him smile.
"You underestimate His Majesty!" No one knows the Taoist's character better than Jiang Qingzhi.
From Dao Ye to Wanli and Chongzhen, each emperor seemed to have inherited Dao Ye's stubbornness and would not look back once they had chosen a path.
Wanli had not attended court for many years, and Chongzhen stubbornly believed that all the ministers were a bunch of trash and that only he could revive the Ming Dynasty.
This is fucking genetics!
Genes are an irresistible driving force in humans.
"Once His Majesty has made up his mind about something, he will persist in doing so even before his death, until he brings it underground!"
Xia Yan thought of the wanton laughter of the Taoist priest earlier, "Are you ready?"
Jiang Qingzhi said calmly: "Mr. Xia, from the moment I entered the Hanlin Academy, I have been the emperor of the Ming Dynasty."
"The rise of the Ming Dynasty..."
"I'm excited!"
"If the Ming Dynasty..."
"I will die with you!"
"But you are alone!"
"Mr. Xia, do you know that when those people conspired against His Majesty, more than 20% were against it? Do you know that more than 10% of the people in the Hanlin Academy were cheering for me before..."
Jiang Qingzhi looked at Xia Yan with a sharp gaze, "There are still countless people of noble character and lofty ideals in this Ming Dynasty. I am not alone."
"You are demonstrating against Confucianism!"
"No, it's a declaration of war!"
...Xia Yan sighed for a long time, "What will your majesty do?"
"Your Majesty is using this method to tell those people that since it has started, don't think about ending it." Jiang Qingzhi said.
……
From the Ministry of Personnel, an official hurried into the duty room.
"Minister, someone has sent a message to His Majesty. Here is the document."
The assistant minister took the document and said, "Your Majesty personally promoted a fifth-rank official. Who is this person? Let me see... Zhou Xia?"
The official asked, "Follow the rules?"
The assistant minister shook his head. "There will be a big battle in the Hanlin Academy. His Majesty is watching the capital right now. Anyone who shows up will be beaten. Send him to the Ministry of Rites immediately."
Just as the official was about to leave, the assistant minister stopped him and said after thinking for a moment: "Spread the news!"
"Minister..."
"Your Majesty needs someone to stand up at this moment, and Zhou Xia is the perfect example."
……
Zhou Dong went to Chen's house with gifts.
After receiving the news, Chen Wan, the head of the Chen family, frowned and said, "He still won't give up?"
His wife Yang said: "My dear, we have known each other for many years..."
"You don't know how much trouble Zhou Xia has caused." Chen Wan stood up. "Well, I will settle this matter today and eliminate a disaster for the Chen family."
He went to the front yard.
"Brother Chen!" Zhou Dong bowed and smiled, his smile somewhat humble.
For the sake of their children, let alone humility, parents can even sacrifice their own lives when necessary.
"Old Zhou, what are you doing..." Chen Wan looked embarrassed.
"Our two families have known each other for many years. When the matchmaker proposed the marriage, I agreed without hesitation. The second lady may not be virtuous, but she can manage the household and take care of the children. This marriage..."
Chen Wan sighed, "I did have the intention, but... I won't hide it from you. The day before yesterday I took Dalang's birth date and horoscope to have it calculated. The monk in the temple said that it is not suitable for Dalang to get married this year..."
At this point, Zhou Dong could only smile bitterly. He knew it was an excuse, but who had caused his son to get into trouble... Zhou Dong stood up and bowed, "I will consider the family's dowry. In addition, if we get married, the second lady should have less contact with us in the future."
This was the biggest concession he could make.
That is cutting.
Cut the daughter and her brother apart.
Zhou Dong looked at Chen Wan expectantly, thinking that Chen Wan was quite appreciative of the Second Lady… But when he saw Chen Wan slightly shaking his head, Zhou Dong's heart sank to the bottom.
If he continued to persuade her, it would not be a marriage, but a slavery. The woman's attitude was too low, and even if Chen Wan reluctantly agreed, his daughter's life would not be easy after marrying her.
Zhou Dong thought of this and smiled, "So we are not destined to be together. What a pity. Goodbye."
Chen Wan stood up and asked, "How about eating before leaving?"
"It's ready at home."
"Then... walk slowly."
Both of them knew that from then on the two families became strangers and all their previous friendship was gone.
Zhou Dong walked out of Chen's house, leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Then he walked out with a smile.
The back was slightly bent, and it looked like an old cow staggering along.
He found a tavern and went in and just ordered some drinks.
Just drinking, thinking, and smiling bitterly...
“All life is suffering!”
Zhou Dong got up, paid the bill, and staggered back home.
"Sir, someone is visiting."
"Who?"
Zhou Dong asked casually.
"Brother Zhou!"
Chen Wan walked out of the reception hall and bowed with a smile on his face.
"you……"
Zhou Dong was stunned.
Chen Wan smiled more cordially, "Brother Zhou, I went to the temple in person earlier, and the monk said that although Dalang is not suitable for marriage this year, there is a solution. So... I am here."
At this time, someone knocked on the door. When the door opened, it was Zhou Xia, who still had a bruised face.
"Da Lang." Zhou Dong was just about to ask him about the affairs of the Hanlin Academy when a clerk followed him in.
"The Minister said that Mr. Zhou can rest at home for the next few days, but he must familiarize himself with the affairs of the Ministry as soon as possible. After all, there is no trivial matter in the Ministry of Rites."
Zhou Xia nodded and took the bag handed to him by the clerk.
"Da Lang, what Ministry of Rites?" Zhou Dong asked in confusion, but he did not see Chen Wan's face full of satisfaction as a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law.
Zhou Xia opened the bundle and found a set of official uniform inside.
"Fifth rank." Zhou Dong recognized the official's rank, "My son..."
Zhou Dong was originally a reader in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official.
Seeing this, the clerk smiled and said, "Your Majesty said that Mr. Zhou is steady and has been transferred to be the Deputy Minister of Rites."
Zhou Dong stood there in a daze.
"Congratulations, Brother Zhou!" Chen Wan bowed and smiled, "This is a deputy minister promoted by His Majesty himself. From now on, Dalang has caught the emperor's eye, and his meteoric rise is just around the corner!"
……
Asking for votes.
(End of this chapter)
