Chapter 626 Speech Topic: The Sun Never Sets! [Epilogue 2]

The transfer of power often happens in an instant.

The top-down crushing of power made the officials of the Ming Dynasty feel the pressure brought by imperial power and centralization again after 200 years at the end of the Longqing period, as well as... the fear that kept looming in people's eyes.

however.

When the first year of Wanli arrived.

The first changes came from the Forbidden City.

There were no warnings or warnings.

Around the Taiye Pond in Xiyuan, a circle of nets were suddenly set up overnight on the waterside, extending ten feet out of the water from the shore.

Then, water tanks were added to various palaces.

The entire structure is filled with water, inside and out, which is used for sweeping the floor every day. In addition, it is used for storage and a lid is placed on the water tank to prevent accidents.

Although nothing was said.

But this series of sudden changes were all warnings to the ministers of the previous dynasty.

Don't even think about staging any more drowning or accidental fire scenes.

Although neither the palace nor the central cabinet gave an explanation for this, the meaning was already very clear.

Even if some people were slandering in their hearts that the emperor and the central government were too cautious and extremely disgraceful in their vigilance against traitors, they had nothing to say about it.

You can't say this is absurd, right?
If someone really drowns or there is a fire in the palace, who will be responsible for the crime?
However, this move did indeed shock some people who already had some ideas in their minds.

Immediately afterwards, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot began to carry out a series of reforms.

The Ming Dynasty has lasted for two hundred years.

Starting from Emperor Taizu Gao, the children of meritorious service or important officials had the opportunity to be admitted into the Imperial Guard based on their merits or the emperor's grace, and receive a hereditary salary.

This resulted in the Jinyiwei, which had only one guard at the beginning of the country, but now has tens of thousands of registered members.

Although this reform did not deprive these people of their official positions.

But the Jinyiwei was divided into two sequences.

All those who hold positions under the imperial seal will be selected with great care, and 99% of the Jinyiwei who are on duty are selected from the self-defense units and local areas.

After finishing the work of the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang, it was the turn of the Tengxiang Four Guards under the Imperial Stables.

Ever since Teng Xiang and others were dismissed and sent to Nanjing to guard the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Feng Bao has taken control of the inner court. He checked the empty pay of Teng Xiang's Four Guards, dismissed the old and young soldiers and sent them to the imperial farms in the capital, and recruited good families in the capital to serve as soldiers of the Four Guards.

After a series of operations, it was naturally the turn of the Beijing Camp with a force of 200,000 soldiers.

The Beijing Camp is different from the Jinyiwei, the Eastern Factory, and the Tengxiang Four Guards, and is more involved.

All the meritorious families in the capital have basically been involved in the Beijing army for many years.

When the campaign was launched to recover Hetao a few years ago, Yan Shaoting only trained the Beijing camp with Gu Huan, and did not make any major adjustments to the number of soldiers and empty salaries.

Things became a mess when Yan Shaoting began to lead the cabinet to rectify the empty pay of the Beijing camp.

Countless nobles rushed into the palace one after another.

It’s not to threaten or scare the little emperor.

The Ming Dynasty has been around for 200 years, and they no longer dare to do this.

But this group of nobles all ran with their families to cry to Concubine Li, who had been promoted to Empress Dowager.

In short, he never mentioned the savings of their family over the years. He only said that there were many people in the family and if there was no salary from the court, the family would definitely not be able to make ends meet.

Princess Li was a little hesitant.

He even asked the little emperor personally.

but……

The ending is destined.

"Mother...mother..."

Zhu Yijun was invited to the front of his mother, shrank his head, stood properly, bowed his head and clasped his hands: "Mother, you know that I have so much homework that I can't sleep at night. I have entrusted all the affairs of the previous dynasty to the teacher and the cabinet."

Hearing the emperor's son say this, Concubine Li frowned, but she couldn't lose her temper.

After all, she knew how much schoolwork the emperor's son had.

But Empress Dowager Li said in a deep voice: "Since Emperor Taizu, my family has lived together with the meritorious officials. The ancestors of each family have sacrificed a lot for our dynasty. If we are too harsh, I am afraid that it will be said that my family treats the descendants of meritorious officials harshly."

Zhu Yijun's eyes moved quietly, and he took a step forward and whispered, "Mother...I heard you and Lord Zhang talk about something a few days ago."

Empress Dowager Li's face darkened: "What did the two ministers talk about?"

"Sir and Lord Zhang said that our meritorious officials and relatives have become...rich over the years! People have been slandering them a lot, and resentment has been building for a long time..."

Speaking of this, Zhu Yijun began to silently recall what his teacher had mentioned to him about the benefits his mother's family had enjoyed over the years.

Empress Dowager Li was immediately anxious: "The people have been resentful for a long time? How could this happen?"

Zhu Yijun coughed lightly, and imitated his teacher's usual manner, saying solemnly: "The Wang family, the maternal family of Empress Xiaoyuanjing, has owned more than 20,000 hectares of land over the years. The Zhou family, the maternal family of Empress Xiaosu, has nearly 5,000 hectares of land. The maternal families of Empress Xiaokangjing, the Marquis of Shouning and the Earl of Jianchang, have invaded more than 20,000 hectares of land in the past. The maternal family of Empress Xiaojingxia obtained nearly 20,000 hectares of land during the Martial Temple. In addition to these families, all the meritorious officials and noble families of our dynasty have thousands of hectares of land..."

Empress Dowager Li's face changed a little, and she was a little confused, so she turned her head and said, "That was before your royal grandfather passed away. It's not the same now. Your maternal grandfather's family didn't have so much land. Even if there is resentment among the people, it can't be blamed on you, the emperor."

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "My mother just said that my family and those nobles and relatives outside are one and the same. How can this resentment not fall on me?"

Empress Dowager Li paused for a moment.

The young empress dowager frowned slightly.

Her son's words reminded her of someone at the time.

He speaks so bluntly that it is hard for people to start talking.

This is the time.

Feng Bao rushed in from outside in a hurry: "Your Highness, Queen Mother, there is an accident up ahead."

……

In front of the gate.

This was because the central cabinet wanted to thoroughly reorganize the Beijing camp in the first year of the new dynasty, and the meritorious officials and nobles in the capital had nowhere to turn to.

It finally broke out.

All the meritorious officials and nobles in Beijing finally connected together today and gathered in front of Huiji Gate to denounce the cabinet for its harsh treatment of meritorious officials.

Huiji Gate was the only way for civil and military officials in the court to go to the cabinet to report on matters.

Now blocked by this group of nobles, officials who want to enter the palace to do business can only be stopped outside and watch the fun.

There were even people who were curious and spread the news.

More and more officials flocked into the palace, wanting to see how the central cabinet would pass the test of these nobles who shared the same destiny with the country this time.

Yan Shaoting, who had been in the cabinet today discussing with Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji, Gao Yi and the main officials of the six ministries to rectify the mineral problems in Huguang, Yunnan and other places, was surprised to hear about this.

Originally, the nobles in the court were suppressed by Duke Cheng, Duke Ying, Duke Ding, and others. When he reorganized the Beijing camp, he did not leave a way out for these people. As long as the children of each family were willing to serve in the army, he would not stop them. If anyone wanted to benefit, they could take the benefits of the sea route according to their ability after paying taxes.

The policy has been issued and preferential treatment for the future has also been given.

But now they are still causing trouble.

This is a determination to take the benefits of empty salary without any risk!

Su Yu, the former secretary of the Imperial Secretariat who had been promoted to the Imperial Academy's Bachelor of Attending Academician, looked at his teacher's gloomy face.

The newly promoted Imperial Scholar whispered, "Prime Minister, the nobles are blocking the Huiji Gate, and the former officials can't come in to report. If the blockage lasts too long, I'm afraid all the civil and military officials will come to watch the fun."

He was reminding me intentionally.

Now that my master is in power and is in charge of national affairs, if this matter gets out of hand and makes the relatives dissatisfied, then I will have no one to rely on. Not only will the civil officials scold me, but my relatives will also scold me.

The difference between the nobles and the civil officials of the previous dynasty is that they live and work with the country and are naturally with the royal family. They can also ask for permission to enter the palace and talk to the nobles in the harem at will.

If these people were allowed to gossip and throw dirty water in front of the Empress Dowager every day, it would inevitably affect the little emperor, and then cause the royal family and the gentleman to become alienated.

Zhang Juzheng frowned and looked at the silent Yan Shaoting. He was now facing the same headache as Gao Gong.

Originally, he and Gao Gong both thought that they were the radical reformers in the Ming Dynasty.

But now he put himself in front of Yan Shaoting.

Just like a new recruit.

Instead, he became a conservative reformer.

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and said softly: "Why not..."

It is also at this time.

Yan Shaoting glanced at Lao Zhang and said, "Uncle, why don't you give them the profit?"

Zhang Juzheng shut up immediately.

Gao Yi, however, tried to persuade them: "After all, the nobles are different from the civil officials of the previous dynasty. If the situation gets out of control, it will inevitably make the emperor lose face. This is not what the prime minister and I want to see."

Yan Shaoting ignored the two's persuasion and looked at Su Yu who had just come in to report the news: "How many people are outside?"

Su Yu hurriedly replied: "Most of the nobles and relatives in Beijing who are not interested in serving have come, and many officials from various departments have also come, and more are on the way."

Yan Shaoting nodded, then took out several copies of the manuscript from the locked drawer under his desk, placed them on the desk, and looked at Su Yu: "Distribute them to the elders."

Su Yu stepped forward, glanced down at the question book, was shocked, and then he distributed it to Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji and Gao Yi in an orderly manner.

Yan Shaoting began by saying, "Originally, I was planning to wait until the issue of the country's mineral resources was finalized before bringing this up, but now I think I should tell them right away. If..."

Zhang Juzheng and the other two quickly read the contents of the petition, and then all looked towards the Prime Minister.

Yan Shaoting said coldly: "If they still don't want to recognize the current situation in the country and are unwilling to give in, I would like to break this rule of resting together with the country!"

Zhang Juzheng stood up immediately and said: "This method must not be broken! Otherwise, you will be cursed for eternity! Why bother to have your grave dug up after your death because of state affairs?"

Faced with Zhang Juzheng's obvious concern.

Yan Shaoting turned a deaf ear to him and just stood up and picked up a wooden box behind him that was also locked.

The box is not small and requires both hands to hold.

Seeing this, Su Yu hurried forward to do the job for the gentleman.

Yan Shaoting looked at Zhang Juzheng and others: "Even if they don't dare, they will accept the conditions I offer."

After saying this, he walked out to meet the great Ming nobles who were gathered in large numbers today.

Not long.

Yan Shaoting stood at the gate of Huiji under countless curses.

Without waiting for him to speak, nor waiting for the Jinyiwei Dongchang to come and isolate the crowd.

Then a nobleman from an unknown family rushed out, approached within three steps, pointed his finger at Yan Shaoting's nose, and shouted angrily: "Yan Shaoting! Do you want to die?"

An angry roar came towards me.

However, Yan Shaoting did not even blink, but stepped forward in public, looking at the other party with pity: "I will be here..."

Bang.

He snatched the sword of a factory guard who was running towards him and threw it at the man's feet.

"The knife and you."

"Kill me if you dare!"

Say it.

Yan Shaoting waved his arm and pointed at the knife on the ground.

The man was frightened by Yan Shaoting's appearance and took several steps back. Fortunately, he was supported by other people behind him and avoided being humiliated.

At this time, Su Yu also arrived with the locked wooden box and put it on the ground at Yan Shaoting's signal.

Yan Shaoting picked up the knife on the ground and chopped it on the lock.

Due to external force, the lock was broken and the box rolled to the ground, causing the thick books inside to fall to the ground.

Everyone looked at him sideways, wondering what Yan Shaoting was up to.

Yan Shaoting had already raised his head and looked at the huge crowd outside Huiji Gate.

There are noble relatives of the Ming Dynasty who died together with the country, as well as officials from various ministries and departments, too numerous to count.

Yan Shaoting watched it coldly.

But he never dropped the knife in his hand.

Everyone saw the young and energetic Prime Minister holding a long sword and speaking in a loud voice.

"I have read a lot of books in the past few years. The Book of Changes says: When you are poor, you must change. When you change, you will be able to get through. When you get through, you will last long. I and the cabinet are observing the general situation of the world. The barbarians in the West are riding huge ships to break through the waves, just to seek benefits from the Central Plains to govern the country. The French are occupying the trenches, and the red-haired barbarians are spying on Penghu. This is not a disaster from heaven, but an opportunity for a sea change!"

The latest report from the Southeast.

As the Ming Dynasty opened its seas, more and more Europeans came. They had also long coveted Ming's overseas territories, such as the Penghu Islands, and wanted to occupy them.

These are all the effects of the sea-opening reform.

Yan Shaoting added: "In the past, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty opened up the Western Regions and established four counties in Hexi, so the Ferghana horses came into the pass; Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty sent Wang Xuance to India to borrow Tibetan soldiers to capture Arahat Shun and show off his power in the Ganges. At that time, the Chinese did not refuse to conquer because of the distance, nor did they confine themselves to the barbarians. Now that the Ming Dynasty has been peaceful for 200 years, how can we curl up like a silkworm?"

"The roc spreads its wings for 90,000 miles, and then it knows the vastness of the universe; the summer insect cannot talk about ice, and will eventually be trapped in the narrowness of the well. Today, Western countries operate ships as if they were walking on flat ground, and use sharp cannons to split rocks and collapse mountains. Their ambition is not to conquer tiny islands, but to conquer the vast universe. In contrast, since the reign of Emperor Xuande, not a single ship has been allowed to go to sea, and our ears and eyes have been cut off from the world. We are still closing our eyes and seeking a way out. Isn't this as dangerous as eggs on a pile of stone?"

Two rhetorical questions in succession.

The crowd was already extremely shocked, but the nobles, civil and military officials remained silent.

Yan Shaoting swung his sword again and slashed diagonally: "The Guanzi says: If you don't know the importance of things, you can't use it as a cage to protect the people; if you don't know how to balance the supply and demand, you can't use tactics to rule the world. Now Luzon has thousands of acres of fertile land, and Java has mountains of gold mines. If you follow the example of King Mu of Zhou who visited Kunlun and sent soldiers and civilians to cultivate the land, the problem of overcrowding in the southeast can be solved. In the past, the old system of Chengzu's voyages to the West was established, and merchant ships were allowed to compete to set out, which has doubled the annual income of Taicang. In the past, Daqin and Anxi sent envoys to ask for silk, and the price of a piece of silk was equal to that of gold. Now the Spanish and Dutch reds buy countless silks every year. Isn't this a good thing from heaven? Don't you need to give it up?"

"What is even more worrying is that the Western barbarian calendar is more sophisticated than the Datong calendar, and their firearms are more powerful than the three-barreled gun. The Portuguese in Macau built artillery forts and trained gunners, which is no match for Wu Ping and Zeng Yiben during the reign of Emperor Shizong. If we still stick to the "Hua-Yi debate" and refuse to study the mind through investigation of things, I am really afraid that the disaster of the Five Barbarians' invasion of China will repeat itself! In the past, King Wuling of Zhao wore Hu clothing and rode and shot arrows, which was ridiculed at the time, but his achievements were passed down for thousands of years. The changes in the world today are even worse than those in the Warring States period!"

"For our Ming Dynasty, this is the biggest change that has not happened in a thousand years!"

Yan Shaoting blinked and let out a breath.

"The Book of Changes says: The sun wanes when it is at its zenith, and the moon waxes when it is full. The waxing and waning of heaven and earth change with the times. The ban on the sea in the past was a temporary measure during the Hongwu reign, but it is no longer a permanent rule. We should take advantage of this chaotic war among Western countries to open Yuegang and recover Shuangyu. With silk and porcelain as the chain and guns and treasure ships as the key, we can regain control of the East-West Sea Route. We will make the Japanese dare not covet Korea, the Reds will have difficulty occupying Taiwan, and the French will hand over the trenches."

"But if we don't maintain our weapons and armour, and manage our internal affairs, we won't have money and food to pay for our soldiers, and the people won't have enough food to eat."

"This official and the Cabinet have been granted the power of the emperor to govern the country and manipulate the military and political affairs both inside and outside the country. If we don't repair the Beijing camp and the garrisons, where will the weapons come from? Where will the weapons come from?"

"Without weapons and armor, they will be defeated if they resist. I am afraid that by then, I and the other honored relatives, both civil and military, will have to listen to the ridicule of the Western children."

"Some say: Although there are saints in the East, they are just like rotten wood and withered stumps!"

This is a bit difficult to understand.

But the civil servants present blushed, looked ashamed, and then angry.

If those Westerners really said to me that I was just a rotten tree or a withered stump, I would commit suicide on the spot.

The nobles present were whispering to each other and they understood Yan Shaoting's speech, but they were still somewhat dissatisfied and a little sarcastic.

Yan Shaoting sighed and raised the long sword in his hand.

His eyes turned into murderous intent and he shouted loudly.

"The construction of the Beijing Garrison is not for my own personal gain, but for the eternal Ming Dynasty. If you all bow down, I will repair the Beijing Garrison, and I will be able to mobilize 100,000 soldiers and thousands of ships to sail out to sea, pacify the four seas, and point my sword directly at the Western countries. By then..."

"but……"

"Holding the staff of authority, driving the ship, I will seek out the slaves of Kunlun in the Black Ocean, and the Qilin beasts in the extreme south, so that the power and virtue of our dynasty will spread to all corners of the world, and the imperial Ming dynasty will shine forever in the vast lands!"

"Wherever the Ming dragon flag points, wherever the star ship reaches, it is the king's land!"

"Everywhere the sun and the moon shine, there is great brightness!"

"As long as the sun rises and sets, the Ming Dynasty will last forever!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)