Chapter 919 Give me a pillow when you feel sleepy
Jiang Qingzhi stood on the top of the city wall of the capital and looked to the north.
Lu Bing was right beside him.
"My Jinyiwei secret agents suffered heavy losses because of this, and that's how we got this news." Lu Binggang told Jiang Qingzhi that the situation on the grassland had changed at this moment.
"Altan is a hero. Now he seems to have stabilized the situation, but there are still undercurrents underneath. It may erupt at any time." Jiang Qingzhi said calmly with his hands behind his back.
"I once heard Long Wilbur say that when your opponent is facing internal conflicts, don't send troops. It's like brothers fighting within the walls, but you should defend yourself from external threats. Once there is an external threat, those conflicts will be temporarily suppressed, which will actually help your opponent a lot."
"Old Lu has also started to learn the art of war?" Jiang Qingzhi glanced at Lu Bing with a half-smile, "But this news is very important."
"I'm leaving." Lu Bing bowed.
Walking down the stairs, Zhu Hao, who was waiting below, whispered, "I think those people's analysis is unreliable. Jiang Qingzhi is in big trouble right now, but he can stop the new policy and march north to completely eliminate the threat of Altan Khan... Regardless of whether this idea is right or wrong, isn't Jiang Qingzhi worried that those people will attack him right after he sends out his troops?"
Lu Bing stood at the foot of the city, looking at the busy streets ahead. "The Guangxi Wolf Soldiers became a special force in Jiang Qingzhi's hands during the Northern Expedition. Those people made such a judgment because the Wolf Soldiers were stranded in the capital. Your Majesty promoted Hua Yan to a thousand households. In their opinion, this was Jiang Qingzhi's instigation, and the purpose was to hold on to this fierce Wolf Soldiers to deal with possible changes. This possibility... may be to go out of the border to destroy Altan."
"What can we do if Altan is destroyed?" Zhu Hao sighed, "Those people took advantage of the lull in the new policy to join forces. When Jiang Qingzhi returned, they were already united. If we want to take action again... I'm afraid it will be even more difficult."
"Now that Altan has been destroyed, there will be no more threats from the north. What's the use of border troops?" Lu Bing said grimly.
He told Xu Jie about Jiang Qingzhi's deliberate lifting of the maritime ban, but his purpose was not to oppose the new policy.
"The border troops are useless... withdraw them back to Beijing. Oh my God, suppress them?!" Zhu Hao's body shook.
"Using swords and guns to force the Confucians to bow their heads is Jiang Qingzhi's only solution!" Lu Bing's eyes were filled with melancholy, "But he doesn't know that once the swords and guns are used, the Ming Dynasty will be completely in chaos. Those Confucian disciples will regard Your Majesty and the new policies as mortal enemies. They will pretend to obey, stab you in the back, and stir up trouble in the local area... The chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty will be repeated."
At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang of Sui stubbornly launched repeated expeditions against Goguryeo, which led to public resentment and wars all over the country, ultimately destroying himself and his country.
"Once the local gentry join forces, they will become local tyrants. From now on, your Majesty's edict will become worthless once it leaves the capital, no, even outside the Western Garden!"
Lu Bing stood up straight and said in a deep voice: "This scene should not happen."
On the top of the city wall, Jiang Qingzhi suddenly smiled, "Lu Bing's sudden show of goodwill is a bit like a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken."
Xu Wei looked back and saw that Lu Bing had just mounted his horse, so he smiled and said, "This commander may have some plans of his own."
"What Lao Hu said last night seems to be consistent with what some people have guessed about me. Lu Bing is hinting that now is not the right time to invade the grassland."
"Could there be someone else's spy in the house?" Xu Wei suddenly thought of a spy.
"Don't underestimate those people." Jiang Qingzhi warned: "Lü Song and others are outstanding people. There are countless such outstanding people in Confucianism."
It's just suppressed or buried by various rules.
Xu Wei said: "The so-called Confucians are actually the people of the world."
Jiang Qingzhi nodded, "This Confucianism has long been integrated with the world. A single move can affect the entire body. Cutting flesh is actually cutting the flesh of the Ming Dynasty."
Before Jiang Qingzhi's men arrived at Zhilu, the news that he intended to lift the maritime ban had spread throughout the capital.
"Lift the sea ban?"
Concubine Lu was stunned.
"Yes, it's all going viral outside now."
Lu Wei's eyes lit up, "My Lady, this is a rare opportunity. I heard from wealthy merchants in the south that those merchants who secretly went out to sea and were lucky enough not to die in the storm could earn dozens of times the profit in one trip."
"Dozens of times the interest, that would drive people crazy." Concubine Lu Jingfei said: "Chang Wei Bo gave those powerful people a blow, this is a backhanded benefit to them."
It has to be said that it makes sense that the Taoist priest took a fancy to Concubine Lu and let her take charge of the harem.
"My lady, do you mean this is a consolation for Long Wilbur?"
"It must be."
"But..." Lu Wei was stunned, "The rich and powerful may be happy, but the scholars and officials..."
"This is alienation, but also winning over!" Concubine Lu Jing is a bit like a female Zhuge Liang, squinting her eyes, "To pull the powerful over, this method... is amazing."
"Madam, what about the Lu family..." Lu Wei asked cautiously: "Should we join those dignitaries, or keep calm?"
Concubine Lu's eyes dimmed: "Brother, the new generation replaces the old, and the current powerful people... should be prepared to step down."
"Isn't Chang Wei willing to let go?" Lu Wei was stunned.
"It's not that he won't let go, but your majesty." "Why is your majesty so determined?" Lu Wei felt that the loyalty of the dignitaries was beyond doubt. "Giving some benefits can earn their loyalty. Your Majesty, these dignitaries have great magical powers. Once they join forces, they will be a great help to the new policy!"
"It is helpful, but if it gets out of hand, it will cause serious harm." Lu Jingfei's eyes slowly became clear, "In fact, the most important reason is not this."
"what is that?"
"I said, new people replace old people. Most of these dignitaries come from the time of Emperor Taizu Gao and Emperor Chengzu. To Your Majesty, they are not your own people. Do you understand?"
Concubine Lu Jing said meaningfully: "In addition, if the new policy is to be implemented, there must be people to charge into the battle. Why did those people take the risk of being regarded as a mortal enemy by Confucianism? Think about Zhang Cong."
"Zhang Cong took advantage of the Great Ceremony Controversy and supported Your Majesty. He then rose rapidly to prominence...hiss!" Lu Wei took a breath of cold air, "Your Majesty is asking those old people to make room for the upstarts in advance!"
"Why not replace those dignitaries who are not our own people?" Concubine Lu Jing took a deep breath and stared at Lu Wei, "Brother, the Lu family must take the lead in obeying the arrangements of Chang Wei Bo."
"But..." Lu Wei was unwilling to give up. "Does it mean that from now on, the Lu family can only become wealthy? Madam, that path won't last long!"
"What Lord Changwei wants is not to last forever." Concubine Lu Jing said softly, "When the fourth son came back from studying in Xin'an Lane, I heard him say that the so-called gentleman's grace will be cut off after several generations. After several generations, he still relies on the people's blood and sweat to become rich and powerful. That is not a reward for merit, but a pit for the country."
These words of his nephew, which were actually Jiang Qingzhi's words, made Lu Wei stunned.
"The Ministry of Revenue complains of poverty every year, and a lot of money is wasted on rewards and honors. The powerful people... should step down." Concubine Lu's tone suddenly became firm, "When you go home, tell those old people about this matter first."
"What the Queen meant..."
"Please ask the best teachers to teach the children of the clan. I heard that the clan's education is quite lax. They have all been tightened. Anyone who doesn't want to study will be sent out to sea. For those who are willing to study, don't be stingy with money and food, it will be free. Keep an eye on those with talent and show them kindness, big brother..."
Concubine Lu stared at her brother. "This is an unprecedented change. Whoever can respond correctly first will have the upper hand. The Lu family cannot sit back and watch. Sitting back and watching is like sitting on the fence. Long Wilbur will not tolerate any injustice. He will not think of the Lu family when there is any benefit in the future."
"Your Majesty, what you mean is... that the Lu family will follow the path of literature from now on?"
"That's about what I mean!" Concubine Lu Jing pondered as Lu Wei secretly calculated the future of the Lu family.
There were eunuchs outside the palace ready to ask for a meeting, but Chen Yan waved his hand, indicating that it should be put aside for now if it was not an urgent matter.
After an unknown amount of time, Concubine Lu spoke, "Brother."
Lu Wei looked up.
"When you go back, select the most intelligent young man from the clan, and take him to Xin'an Lane to ask to see Chang Wei Bo." Concubine Lu Jing's eyes were filled with majesty that could not be refused. "Let them study in Mohism and bring Mohism back to the Lu family."
Lu Wei shuddered, "But what if the new policy fails?"
"When the nest is overturned, no egg is left unbroken. If the new policy fails, do you think the Lu family can please you?" Concubine Lu Jing sneered, "If that's the case, then let's go all out. I bet that the new policy will succeed!"
The Empress's ambition is greater than that of this uncle... Chen Yan said to herself. She thought of Jiang Qingzhi and thought that Chang Wei's layout was more ambitious, but didn't he worry about the consequences of the collapse of the new policy if he lost control?
Jiang Qingzhi arrived at Zhilu and sent someone to question Yan Song.
"What's the matter, Long Wilbur?"
Sun Bu Tong glanced quickly at everyone in the duty room with a seemingly respectful look.
Yan Song looked very steady, while Yan Shifan was sneering.
"The south has sounded the alarm, the Japanese pirates have landed," said Yan Shifan.
"Is this confidential?" A voice came from outside the duty room, and then Xu Wei came in, "Greetings to Yuan Fu and Yan Siqing."
"This is a serious matter. If the South is corrupted by this, how can the new policy be implemented?" Yan Shifan said coldly: "I will send someone to Xin'an Lane after asking questions. What does Chang Wei Bo mean by this?"
"Minister Yan, if you have anything to say, just report it. Let Lord Bo come to Zhilu... Are you summoning your subordinates?" Xu Wei put away his smile. "Maybe Minister Yan is not used to Lord Bo being his superior! I think he will get used to it slowly in the future."
This fellow's sharp words made Yan Shifan so angry that his face turned red. Then he shook his fan and left.
In the duty room behind him, Yan Shifan calmed down and said, "We have done what we should do. The rest has nothing to do with us."
Yan Song nodded, "As for the rest, let Jiang Qingzhi fend for himself!"
"Japanese pirates have landed?" Jiang Qingzhi was stunned at first, then said, "Isn't this timing too coincidental?"
Xu Wei put the fan behind his neck, sat down and said: "I think this is a means of containment. If the Japanese pirates land and the Ministry of Revenue insists on checking the land in the south, the local area will be in chaos... The Japanese pirates will take advantage of the situation to cause trouble... Once the south is corrupted, the new policy will inevitably come to an abrupt end."
Jiang Qingzhi said calmly: "It's not a bad thing."
"If that's the case..." Xu Wei probed, "It's going to be quite troublesome."
"I was just looking for an excuse to go south and take charge of the south." Jiang Qingzhi narrowed his eyes, "This is like sending a pillow when you are sleepy!"
(End of this chapter)
