Chapter seven hundred and seventy-one: accompanying the king like a tiger
Under the imperial steps, when Yang Jie heard the emperor's question, he couldn't help but sweat dripping from his forehead.
Although he had already anticipated the current scene before entering the palace, even though he had thought about the scene of himself standing in the palace playing the duel a long time ago.
However, at this moment, when he was standing in the hall, he was still extremely nervous.
You must know that sitting in front of him is His Majesty the Emperor, who is supreme over the entire Ming Dynasty and has the power of life and death.
Not to mention, Yang Jie has long known that although the emperor is young, his scheming and scheming are very comparable to others.
It is impossible to say that you are not nervous when speaking in front of such people.
Fortunately, when this memorial was handed over, Yang Jie predicted that the emperor would definitely interrogate him personally, if not to him, at least to his father.
Therefore, he had already prepared for the content that should be played in the palace.
Yang Jie said after letting out a breath to ease the tension in his heart.
"Your Majesty, this memorial was written by my father. However, my father is old, so this memorial is indeed written by the grassroots. The words in it, my father also talked a little about the grassroots."
Admitting it is definitely not acceptable.
In fact, when he heard this question, Yang Jie suddenly realized why the emperor "greeted" him so much when he first entered the palace.
That was not a simple random question, but a faint hint of knocking.
The outside world does call Yang Jie the Crown Prince of Changping Hou. In fact, it is not wrong to say so. After all, as Yang Hong's legitimate son, he is destined to inherit the title of Changping Hou in the future.
But the problem is that, strictly speaking, the word Crown Prince has a special context, and it actually belongs to a special title.
According to court regulations, only the heir to the prince who has been canonized by the court can be called the "Crown Son".
This is an exclusive title and cannot be used by other people, even the son of a county prince, let alone the son of a mere marquis.
To put it more seriously, this is a violation of etiquette!
Of course, the etiquette is the etiquette. In the actual scene, everyone is much more casual. Let alone a marquis' mansion, it is just an ordinary earl's mansion. When outsiders see it, they will call him prince, let alone other things.
The Duke's Palace, the Duke's Palace and the Marquis' Palace.
It was just a sedan chair carried by everyone, it was nothing. Even the emperor didn't reprimand him on this matter just now.
However, if these two sentences are taken together, Yang Jie has to be more cautious.
To put it bluntly, the title "eldest son" is just a flattering name given by subordinates, and it does not represent the actual meaning.
In other words, the emperor's words were actually reminding Yang Jie that above the court and in front of the emperor, his status as a kinsman's descendant actually counted for nothing.
To put it into detail, the legitimate son of the Changping Marquis Mansion was no different from an ordinary commoner in the imperial court.
If this is the case, then the following question is misleading.
Yang Hong was the Marquis of Changping granted by the imperial court, and he had the right to submit memorials. However, Yang Jie was just a white man, so how could he dare to submit memorials on behalf of his father and discuss the government affairs with such fierce words?
Therefore, it is impossible to admit, but neither can it be denied.
The emperor called his father and son into the palace together, but only called him into the palace. It was obvious that he had seen something. If he denied it firmly, not to mention whether he was deceiving the emperor, but just refuted the emperor's face, then
It won't end well.
Therefore, in the end, Yang Jie could only choose a relatively safe statement, half admitting and half denying it.
The memorial was ghostwritten by him, so he knew the specific content. Yang Hong had discussed it with him, so it was normal for him to have his own opinions on the content.
In this way, it can not only answer the emperor's subsequent questions, but also avoid the charge of violating the etiquette system.
Zhu Qiyu naturally saw this response in his eyes. In fact, since Yang Jie entered the palace, he did intend to show off his power to see the young man's character.
This current performance should be said to be barely qualified!
So, Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly and said.
"He is a young talent, sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
A chamberlain came forward and brought up the prepared pile. Yang Jie bowed again, sat down half-heartedly, and felt a little relieved.
At the same time, the trace of arrogance that was originally there in my heart also disappeared.
Folks say that accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. However, if you don't really stand in front of the emperor, you can't feel this powerful oppression from the majestic imperial power.
The preface to the palace is correct. One thought is life, another thought is death. No matter how talented you are, if you cannot always keep awe and respect in your heart, and if you make a wrong move for a moment, it will be a disaster.
"Since you wrote this memorial on my father's behalf, I won't call your father to ask questions. You can answer it."
Yang Jie was careful when speaking, but Zhu Qiyu had no such scruples and directly pointed out that this memorial was written by Yang Jie on behalf of his father.
Then, Zhu Qiyu narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Yang Jie below, and said.
"Yang Jie, what do you think of the battle at Yao'erling?"
This is another test.
This memorial begins with describing his views on the Battle of Yao'erling. Now that it has been stated, logically speaking, the emperor does not need to ask any more questions.
However, the emperor still asked, and Yang Jie couldn't help but raise his mind again, which he had just put down. He was a little unsure for a moment, whether he was dissatisfied with the content of the memorial or hoping that he would firm up his attitude.
After hesitating for a moment, Yang Jie decided to tell the truth.
Although he has always been self-respecting, he is not a person who cannot listen to what is said. Even before entering the palace, Yang Hong repeatedly told him to be respectful and sincere in front of the emperor.
Now that we can't figure out what the emperor's intentions are, telling the truth should be the best choice.
Therefore, after thinking for a while, Yang Jie said.
"Your Majesty, since you are on the battlefield, the victory or defeat should be decided by the general. This is beyond reproach. In this regard, the defeat at Yaoerling in the first battle, the first Duke Zhu Yong has an unshirkable responsibility and should be punished.
!”
"But, Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The merits of the court are important, but what is more important is whether it is beneficial to the court!"
"What's more, my father's memorial has already stated that the cause of the battle at Yao'erling was complicated and Zhu Yong was not solely responsible."
Since it is a war, and if it is defeated, the first thing to be held accountable is the general who led the army. This is understandable.
In fact, this was also the reason why everyone in the court quickly came to a conclusion about the battle at Yao'erling after the news of the Civil War was returned to the capital.
It is not that there are discerning people in the court. They naturally know that there were various situations during the battle at Yaoerling. However, since Zhu Yong is the leading general, he should be responsible if something goes wrong!
Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu leaned over, but did not follow up on what Yang Jie said, but asked with a hint of making things difficult.
"So, you think justice is not important?"
This was also difficult to answer, so that after hearing this, Yang Jie felt beads of sweat on his forehead. However, after all, he was not a mediocre person. After thinking about it for a while, he said.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that when the common people were studying, they heard that the dispute between Confucianism and Legalism has lasted for thousands of years. The common people are not talented and have little income. Please forgive me for saying this rashly."
"The Legalists rule the world by law, and the Confucians use virtue to stabilize the country. Everything they do is aimed at stabilizing the world and protecting the country."
"However, the difference between the two lies in the way of governing the country."
"Legalism puts system and laws first. When Shang Yang was reforming, there was a saying that 'princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as the common people.' This is not unfair. However, Qin's laws were harsh and the people's resentment boiled, leading to the death of the second generation.
"
"In the Han Dynasty, during the Qin Dynasty, Huang Lao was first respected, and Confucianism was respected later. As a result, the world prospered. However, in the former Song Dynasty, Confucianism flourished, and literature dominated military affairs. However, there was the humiliation of Chanyuan and the disaster of moving south. What?"
"It's all because the way to govern a country has no eternal law. Legalism seeks justice, while Confucianism values benevolence and forgiveness. Both are splendid and righteous ways. If they are used appropriately, the country will prosper. If they are used inappropriately, they will bring disaster.
"
"Therefore, there are no fixed rules for the use of Confucianism and Legalism. Your Majesty is a sage and a wise king. As a sage through the ages, you should be fair and benevolent. It is in your Majesty's heart. For the sake of the country, Confucianism and Legalism are the right ways of the country. This is the common people's opinion.
, please give me your Majesty’s instruction.”
Obviously, Yang Jie had drafted the manuscript, otherwise, he would not have been able to say these words so clearly and logically in such a short period of time.
However, it doesn't matter whether you have prepared or not.
Zhu Qiyu looked at the young man in front of him with a complicated expression. After a moment, he sighed softly and said.
"That's well said, and it's in my heart. But, Yang Jie, you must understand that if you don't tell me what you said, any other emperor would definitely kill you on the spot!"
You know, the dispute between Confucianism and Legalism has been a very sensitive topic in all dynasties.
Although emperors of all dynasties would inevitably quote Legalist practices and ideas when governing the country, no one would proclaim them verbally.
Because doing it is one thing, saying it is another.
Today, Confucianism has long been the mainstream thought in the court, and facts have proven that the Confucian way of benevolence and forgiveness is indeed the most useful in governing the country.
At least, it is much stronger than the harsh punishments of pure Legalism in maintaining the stability of the country.
But what Yang Jie said overturned this mainstream view.
In his view, regardless of whether Confucianism, Legalism, benevolence, forgiveness, or justice, the ultimate goal is to take the country as its foundation.
In other words, the use of Confucianism depends on the situation. If such remarks are put in the court, they will definitely be attacked by groups.
You know, academic battles are never easier than the two sides on the battlefield.
However, although Yang Jie was nervous about the emperor's "threat", his face remained calm and he held his hands.
"It is precisely because the Emperor is Your Majesty that the common people know that Your Majesty is the Holy Son of Heaven who regards the country as the most important thing in everything. Therefore, you dare to say these heartfelt words. Your Majesty is wise and you should know the hearts of the common people."
These words were a small flattery to Zhu Qiyu.
However, Zhu Qiyu was not moved by Yang Jie's method of relaxing the atmosphere. On the contrary, he still looked at Yang Jie seriously and said.
"No, you didn't understand what I meant. If anyone other than me hears what you said today, you will not be able to escape death penalty!"
Yang Jie had cold sweat on his forehead. He finally realized that he seemed to have said the wrong thing. Although he still hadn't figured out what the problem was, he didn't dare to hesitate and immediately knelt down and said.
"Your Majesty, the common people are aware of their guilt."
Zhu Qiyu shook his head, and said in a serious but calm tone that left no room for doubt.
"No, you don't know!"
"Run a country with benevolence and virtue. This is the word of the sages and the way to prosperity. All the princes in the court follow this. How dare you make such wild and rebellious remarks in your weakest years?"
"Why don't you be better than all the princes in the court?"
These words were so serious that Yang Jie's heart sank and he quickly kowtowed again.
"The common people don't dare!"
Zhu Qiyu sighed again and said.
"Yang Jie, there are many smart people in the court. They don't use all kinds of methods. There is a reason why they don't use all kinds of methods. I won't pursue what I said today, but you must remember that after you come out of this door, you can't say a single word.
Don't mention it again, otherwise it will lead to disaster, and I will not tolerate it!"
"Yes, I would like to thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Yang Jie kowtowed again, finally letting go of his worries. Of course, the doubts in his heart were still unabated, but at this moment, he did not dare to ask any more questions.
Because, just now, he could feel that at a certain moment, the emperor really had murderous intention towards him. However, this murderous intention suddenly stopped, so that Yang Jie almost thought that he felt wrong.
After this episode, Yang Jie did not dare to say anything more, but Zhu Qiyu continued.
"What you said during the battle at Yao'erling is not unreasonable, but what is said in this memorial is not trivial. Do you know that if this memorial spreads, your Changping Marquis Mansion will offend all the officials in the court?"
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You know, the rights and wrongs of the civil war have already been decided.
Yang Hong's memorial starts with the Battle of Yao'erling, but in fact, what it talks about is the attribution to the Battle of Tumu.
At the beginning, the ministers in the court attributed Tumu's defeat to the powerful officials who caused chaos. The generals were timid and the army was weak, which delayed the opportunity to fight and led to a great defeat.
However, in this memorial, Yang Hong put forward a new view.
He directly pointed out that the defeat of Tumu was caused by the weakening of the military system, the failure by the court that emphasized civility over military affairs, and the failure by the court by not cultivating military equipment.
Apparently he was accusing Sanyang of failing to teach the Supreme Emperor, but in essence, he was directly targeting the trend of suppressing military generals in the DPRK and China in recent years.
This is actually easy to understand.
Take the Battle of Yao'erling as an example. If Zhu Yong had absolute leadership and command when he went into battle, then with his strategic qualities, he would have fought steadily and would not have underestimated the enemy and led to such a huge defeat.
To take a step back, even if the imperial court system is in control, it is impossible for a general to be in charge of an army alone. Then, if the ministers and eunuchs who supervise the army can have basic military literacy and do not interfere with the orders of the generals, there will be no such thing.
This disaster.
The root cause of all this, in fact, is that the status of military commanders in the imperial court is gradually declining, and the reason why military commanders are increasingly suppressed by civil servants is actually that since Sanyang came to power, the contempt that has pervaded the court for a long time
The atmosphere of a military commander.
During the Yongle and Xuande dynasties, the military force was so powerful that the army was invincible wherever it went. So, in Sanyang's view, the great power of the Ming Dynasty was not in the army but in the generals.
To put it bluntly, with the Ming Dynasty's millions of officers and soldiers, no matter who the leading generals are, whether they have strategy and intelligence, they can win the battle.
This weird self-confidence led to the entire orthodox era being both full of confidence in side things and full of neglect of side things.
Therefore, when Sanyang taught Zhu Qizhen, he never focused on military strategy, but more on the rule of law. Therefore, civil servants dared to suppress noble generals unscrupulously. Therefore, during the civil war, the whole court thought that although Zhu Qizhen was acting nonsense,
But at most it would be heavy losses and not defeat.
However, the facts taught each of them a harsh lesson!
So in fact, Yang Hong's memorial, the Battle of Yao'erling, is just an introduction. What he wants to do is to rehabilitate many generals in the Battle of Tumu.
Even, to take it a step further, he wants to give the noble generals who have been suppressed for a long time a break and win a victory!
