The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 559

[559. Chapter 546 What a great victory]

Liu Yi shook his head first, and then read out the original text of Zi Lu Wenqiang.

Then he began to express his own opinions, saying: “Zilu asked Confucius what is strong. The sage’s answer was incisive. The so-called strong can be divided into north and south. I educate people with a tolerant and gentle spirit. I won’t be rude to others. Revenge, this is the strength of the south, and people with noble moral character have this strength.

But if they use weapons and shields as pillows and die, this is the strength of the north, and those who are brave and aggressive have this kind of strength. A person with high moral character is really strong when he is accommodating and does not follow the crowd! He is really strong when he remains neutral and unbiased! He is really strong when the country’s politics is peaceful and he does not change his aspirations! Integrity, you would rather die than change, this is how strong you are!”

When Liu Yi said this, many people nodded secretly.

Yes, it is already obvious which one is stronger, the South or the North.

The strength of the north is just that of being brave and aggressive. Is such strength really strong? No, this is wrong. A truly strong man should have noble moral character, be fair and just, and stick to his beliefs. Only such people are the strong men respected by saints.

Liu Yi said: “Just like today’s world, the Hu people have always been tyrannical and brave, and the land of kings in the pass is far inferior to the Hu people. But in our Ming Dynasty, the righteous people use loyalty as their armor, and etiquette and justice as their oars. , Act with benevolence and act with righteousness. No matter how powerful the barbarians are, the Han will not change their positions.”

All the officials nodded.

Yes, the strength of the Hu people is only temporary, but I, the Ming Dynasty, am strong in loyalty, propriety, etiquette, and justice. This saint said that strength is strong even if the Hu people are rampant for a while, but loyalty, propriety, etiquette, and justice are still spread, right? What does this mean?

Emperor Hongzhi listened and nodded secretly.

He agrees with this. After all, he has been taught by Confucianism since he was a child, and these four words of loyalty, trust, etiquette, and justice have long been engraved in his bones.

Liu Yi said: “Now that the Tatars are attacking Datong, Datong is in danger. Your Majesty must be worried, but there is no need to worry too much. Even if the Hulu enter the pass, it will only be the end of their strong crossbows. When the time comes, your Majesty will issue an edict to King Qin, and the troops of the world will surely gather in Yan.” “Yun, these are all loyal and righteous people, and the Tatars are not in danger.”

Many Hanlin still nodded, feeling that it made sense.

But Emperor Hongzhi frowned slightly.

To be honest, the strength between the north and the south just now makes sense.

But Liu Yi applied this theory to the current practical problems. As the emperor, Emperor Hongzhi was not a fool. If the armor of loyalty and the oars of etiquette were so useful, why did the Yuan Dynasty destroy the Song Dynasty in the first place? How could people defeat hundreds of thousands of Ming troops in Tumubao and even capture the late Emperor Yingzong?

The situation in Datong is not optimistic. It is really inappropriate to do this blindly at this time.

Emperor Hongzhi was worried, but with a smile on his face: “There are some things about Liu Qing’s family that make sense…”

In some places…

Liu Yi blushed and chewed the words carefully. On the other hand, isn’t it? Doesn’t something make sense?

Your Majesty… This is scolding, but even though he is scolding, it still saves Liu Yi some face. Liu Yi’s old face turned red with embarrassment: “I don’t know where there are any mistakes or omissions in what I just said. Your Majesty is wise and sees everything clearly. Please correct me.”

He was serious.

For a Hanlin, there are some things that make sense but just destroy the signboard, so Liu Yi is a little unconvinced.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled: “The words of the sage are very reasonable, but the actual situation cannot be generalized. The war in Datong is a big event. There are 100,000 soldiers and civilians in Datong Pass. Once the city is broken, life will be ruined. The Tatars Once Datong Pass is broken, the land of Yanyun in Hebei will no longer be safe, and countless people will fall into the tiger’s mouth. I also hope that they can be useful for the armor of loyalty and the oars of etiquette, but I think that we need more soldiers. Take your life.”

Liu Yi wanted to say something, but then he lost his temper: “Yes, your Majesty’s words are reasonable, but… Your Majesty, governing a country lies in cultivating virtues, not…”

Emperor Hongzhi pressed his hands, as if he didn’t want to. Continue to argue with him: “Liu Qing’s family has worked hard.”

Liu Yi had no choice but to prostrate, nodded, and returned to the class obediently.

Emperor Hongzhi was not in the mood at all at this time and wanted to get up: “Do you have any other teachings?”

Shen Wen looked at the Hanlin.

He is actually the most difficult person to be a Hanlin bachelor, because the Hanlin Academy, like the Imperial Academy, has many thorns and is difficult to restrain and discipline.

All the officials were silent, and some people secretly mourned for His Majesty. His Majesty’s latest temperament has changed, and he no longer has the same trust in the saint’s teachings as before. This is not a blessing to the country.

Emperor Hongzhi then smiled and said: “That being the case, then today…”

“Your Majesty.” Yang Tinghe stood up and said, “I have something to say.”

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Yang Tinghe. Regarding Zhan Shifu of Zhan Shifu, He was familiar with him. This person was the prince’s teacher. Emperor Hongzhi attached great importance to the prince’s education. Speaking of which, Yang Tinghe was personally selected by Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi asked: “Do you have anything to say, Qing Yang?”

Yang Tinghe said seriously: “Your Majesty is worried about the affairs of Datong. It is understandable. The war of Datong has a bearing on the safety of countless people. Your Majesty has a kind heart, and this is what should be done. That’s right. However, I think that what your Majesty should pay more attention to is the prince’s studies. The prince is the foundation of the country. If the foundation of the country is lost, shouldn’t your majesty be worried? The prince has stopped studying in the past two years. , I’m worried about Zhan, but I can’t teach the prince. What’s worse, now the prince doesn’t even come to attend the lectures. If this continues, I’m afraid…”

He did not continue.

Emperor Hongzhi stared deeply at Yang Tinghe.

He could see that Yang Tinghe was extremely disappointed with the prince.

Naturally, Yang Tinghe cannot be the same person. What he represents may be the views of many Hanlin officials.

If you don’t study, how can you succeed?

Emperor Hongzhi was silent for a moment and did not speak. Outside, a eunuch came in a hurry: “Your Majesty, His Royal Highness, broke into the palace…”

The eunuch had not finished speaking.

Outside, there were hurried footsteps, and Zhu Houzhao said: “Get out of the way.”

The domineering words fell, and Zhu Houzhao had entered the Chongwen Hall.

Behind him was Fang Jifan. Fang Jifan felt that he was quite stupid. He followed Zhu Houzhao back and forth. Sooner or later, he would not end well.

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned and looked at the beaming Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao looked around and saw Yang Tinghe kneeling on the ground.

There were also stunned Hanlins.

Zhu Houzhao clasped his hands behind his back, probably understanding what was going on.

He said loudly: “Father, I… have something to report.”

“…”

This is a bit unruly.

Emperor Hongzhi was silent.

He actually felt that his son, sometimes, although he was unruly, had done nothing wrong.

In the past, he would have been furious, but now, he was mostly silent.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince…” All the ministers saluted Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao said: “Master Yang, are you suing me?”

Zhu Houzhao was a man who couldn’t hide things in his heart.

This is a bit embarrassing.

Yang Tinghe was silent for a moment and said: “I am a minister of the Ming Dynasty. I am a minister of the Ming Dynasty. I am well fed by the king and I work for the peace of the country…”

“Why the country?” Zhu Houzhao was a little angry. He was angry a few days ago and his anger has not subsided: “Move it. Is it just for the sake of Sheji?”

This time, it hit a big person.

The Hanlins felt like they were suffocating.

What are these words?

When we read the books of sages and establish meritorious deeds, virtues, and reputations, why do we end up talking nonsense?

“The Tatars attacked Datong, and you are still shaking your head here. Is this appropriate?”

Zhu Houzhao rebuked Yang Tinghe unceremoniously in front of all the officials.

Yang Tinghe became angry.

He is Qingliu, and Qingliu should not be afraid of the emperor and the prince, otherwise… he will be criticized by thousands of people.

He said solemnly and seriously: “Your Highness, please be careful. I am waiting here to teach etiquette for the sake of the people of the world…”

Zhu Houzhao was happy: “Then the barbarians are here, what are your plans?”

Yang Tinghe couldn’t help but said: ” “I… I am… I am not an ordinary person…”

“You are not an ordinary person, then who is an ordinary person?”

This is a bit confusing.

Yang Tinghe seemed to be forced into a corner, while the officials looked at Yang Tinghe with sorrow.

Zhu Houzhao said again: “I am worried about the army and people of Datong, and the war in Datong, but you are speaking ill of me behind my back. What’s the point of this?”

Yang Tinghe said solemnly: “Your Highness, you can’t resist the Tatars by relying on Worry, but to cultivate virtue. If the king does not cultivate virtue, how can he resist the Tatars? “

Zhu Houzhao was a little confused.

These words… are very familiar. When I heard them before, I thought they made some sense, but now they sound really ironic.

Zhu Houzhao said: “No, to defend against the Tatars, you need flying balls.”

“Flying… flying balls…”

Everyone was in an uproar.

When people talk about cultivating virtue, what they are cultivating is the virtue of Confucius and Saints.

And His Highness the Prince actually said that it is not necessary to cultivate virtue, not to be a saint, but to fly balls… This… is this ridiculous?

Yang Ting was so angry that he wanted to vomit blood: “Where did your highness hear the evil talk? Flying ball… what a thing.”

Zhu Houzhao shouted: “Flying ball has been saved and you are sitting here talking!” He took out the note from his sleeve: “It’s coming from Datong. Urgent report, the flying team raided the Tatar camp outside the city, a great victory! “

A great victory…

Suddenly, the Chongwen Hall became quiet.

Datong… actually achieved a great victory.

Yang Tinghe’s face turned pale. He suddenly understood why His Highness the Crown Prince was so confident today.

He didn’t believe it. The Tatar cavalry was just outside Datong City. Even if it was a great victory, it couldn’t be possible in just a few days… This was incredible.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face darkened, and the word “great victory” seemed to resonate with his heart. Just now, he was still watching the quarrel between them silently, but now, Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t sit still: “Where is the victory report? Take a look at it!”

Zhu Houzhao handed over the note himself without hesitation.

In the eyes of Emperor Hongzhi, these six words were clearly visible: “Fortunately, it is a great victory!”

…

The fifth update arrived on the eighty-fifth day.

(End of chapter)