Chapter Five Hundred and Twenty-One: Zhang Xiang has a queen
After discussions between Zhang Ximeng, Liu Bowen, and Mao Gui, they finally published a eloquent article of up to 5,000 words, which was later called a masterpiece of diplomatic outline and was born.
As such a document destined to go down in history, it must be said that Mao Gui, who was born as a martial artist, was ranked second, before Liu Bowen.
What kind of brilliant insights can a martial artist have?
Isn't this nonsense?
Zhang Xiang actually also signed the name and promoted it for him, which would have lost Zhang Xiang’s detachment!
People opened the article with various thoughts, wanting to see what was written?
As a result, when I opened it, I found that this article has a clear meaning at the beginning, which is just four words, and there are differences between the inside and outside.
Ethical patriarchal laws and general morality cannot be used externally.
The moral ethics we recognize are limited to our own territory. Scholar-officials in the past dynasties were unwilling to seriously study the situation of the barbarians and understand the situation of the enemy country, so they forced themselves to apply domestic experience and apply it to foreign countries. As a result, various problems acclimatized to the local conditions arose.
.
It greatly harmed the interests of the country. For example, the Maritime Alliance of the Song and Jin Dynasties jointly dealt with the Khitan. As a result, a wolf was sent away and a tiger was welcomed, which directly caused the shame of Jingkang.
The lessons learned from the past cannot be ignored.
Therefore, when dealing with foreign countries, we must always keep the interests of the Ming Dynasty in mind and put the Ming Dynasty first. Whenever we deal with foreign affairs officials, we must keep it in mind and think clearly about what the Ming Dynasty needs.
In fact, this is a criticism of the original officials of the Ministry of Rites.
I don't know what these people were thinking. They accepted Goryeo's rhetoric and excuses without thinking.
Whatever the vassal country wanted, the Ming Dynasty would give it to it?
So who is the vassal state?
Who wants from whom?
What are the interests of Ming Dynasty?
Are you an official of the Ming Dynasty or a lackey of Goryeo?
Just seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang already clapped his hands and praised him greatly.
"Well written! Great insights, worthy of being taught by Mr. Zhang. Of course... Mao Gui is also a rare talent, very good!" After praising Lao Zhu, he turned to ask Guo Ying, "Have you checked, but someone has followed
Is there any communication between the Korean envoys?"
Guo Ying's heart was moved, and there was a slight embarrassment on his face, "I, I only know that there seems to be someone from the Hanlin Academy who went boating on the Qinhuai River and visited Stone City with the Korean envoy."
"check!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said sternly: "Let us find out whoever has private dealings with foreign envoys. If anyone has received any benefits, we will kill them without mercy!"
Lao Zhu picked up this article again. In the article, it was written clearly that external interactions must be handled by specialized yamen. When it comes to internal affairs, there can be multiple yamen arguing with each other.
But when it comes to foreign affairs, they must be handled by specialized yamen. Otherwise, they will be used by barbarians to divide and disintegrate the Ming Dynasty.
Various yamen will also have different interests, causing disagreements and being taken advantage of.
As a superior country, falling into the hands of barbarians and being manipulated is definitely not something to be proud of.
Therefore, a voice to the outside world is very important, and this is a principle that must be adhered to.
Zhu Yuanzhang deeply believed that, in fact, just by seeing this, Lao Zhu had already affirmed the value of the article.
Some people are inciting Lao Zhu to set up a country without conquests. Looking at this nonsense proposal, apart from the fact that some people are really stupid, we cannot rule out the reason why someone has a broken heart.
Zhu Yuanzhang gave an order, and Guo Ying had no choice but to obey. He ordered an investigation, and the results shocked him. After the Goryeo envoys arrived, they treated him dozens of times.
No fewer than a hundred officials from the Ming Dynasty were invited to the banquet, including the Ministry of Rites, Honglu Temple, Hanlin Academy, Imperial College, and even Zhan Shifu.
In order to entertain the officials of the Ming Dynasty, the Goryeo envoys spared no expense, not only eating and drinking, but also giving lavish gifts. Among them, they gave quite a lot of folding fans from the Japanese country, Chengxintang paper from Empress Li, and ginseng from Goryeo.
This result made Lao Zhu furious!
What's going on?
We strictly investigate corrupt officials and are not allowed to accept bribes. What is going on with these people?
Do they think that accepting money from Korea is not considered bribery?
"Catch them all and send them all to prison!"
Following Lao Zhu's order, more than thirty officials were given a set of handcuffs and shackles.
The person who should be happy most at this moment is Qian Yongren.
Fortunately, it was the matter at Fudan Academy that brought him to Shandong. Otherwise, he would have been in trouble if the investigation was carried out this time. After all, he still had two kilograms of top-quality tea in his hands!
Why don't you take the time to give it to Zhang Xiang?
What a lucky escape, God bless you.
However, although Lao Zhu arrested people, he did not actually order the killing.
Without him, it’s not that Lao Zhu is soft-hearted, but that there is no law to deal with them!
They were charged with taking bribes, but it was Gao Li who gave the gifts.
Treating them according to Li Tong foreign countries, Goryeo cannot be considered an enemy of the Ming Dynasty at the moment.
Zhu Yuanzhang likes to act with integrity and he is not afraid of any consequences, but he does not want to kill innocent people indiscriminately, let alone set a bad example for future generations.
Therefore, these Ming officials who had contacts with the Goryeo envoys were still able to survive.
But the more this happens, the more angry he becomes.
"Are the interests of our Ming Dynasty and the people's wealth and support worth just a few knives of paper and a few folding fans? These shameless people are really a disgrace to the Ming Dynasty, a great disgrace and a great disgrace!"
Zhu Yuanzhang cursed loudly and showed no mercy.
Since Zhang Ximeng was still in Shandong, Li Shanchang was the only one left to bear Zhu Yuanzhang's anger. Zhang Ximeng expressed that his mood was stable and he asked for greater efforts.
Zhu Yuanzhang scolded Li Shanchang so much that he sweated profusely and soaked his clothes.
Lao Zhu took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Li, although this matter has nothing to do with you, the Zhongshu Province is not strict in its control. We must set a rule. From now on, no one is allowed to interact with foreign envoys except special yamen."
Exchanges. In addition, envoys from foreign countries must also be restricted. They are not allowed to leave the embassy post unless they have nothing to do. Any exchanges, banquets and travels must be submitted in advance and must be approved, otherwise they will be regarded as violations. In serious cases, they will be expelled.
If it’s more serious, we need to take legal action!”
Li Shanchang agreed repeatedly, but he also heard the key point, "Sir, are you going to add another yamen?"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Let's set up a Ministry of Foreign Affairs! Look, who can be the Minister of Foreign Affairs?"
Li Shanchang was dumbfounded by the question. It would be a good thing for him to recommend the minister, but the question is, who is this Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Who can handle it well?
If you are not up to the task and create a trap again, I guess you won't hesitate the next time you behead someone.
You have to find a suitable person who can handle it.
Who?
In fact, you don’t need to think too much, the three authors of this article already understand it very well.
Naturally, Zhang Ximeng would not condescend to be condescending. Liu Bowen was presiding over government affairs in Shandong and could not escape for a while. After all, only Mao Gui was left.
Although the Ming Dynasty did not have the official position of Pingzhang, it was definitely enough for Mao Gui, a provincial official, to be transferred to a minister.
It's just that this way, Zhang Ximeng has another loyal younger brother. One article has created a minister. Zhang Ximeng, you are really good!
Our old Li is convinced.
With nothing to say, Li Shanchang recommended Mao Gui, and Zhu Yuanzhang nodded immediately.
In this way, the Minister of Foreign Affairs fell on Mao Gui's head.
When the decree was sent to Shandong, Mao Gui, who was still studying hard in school, was stunned... Can you wait a while? I was thinking about a chicken and a rabbit in the same cage!
The teacher couldn't laugh or cry, "Classmate Mao, His Majesty's decree is that if you step back and reach the sky, why do you need to worry about a chicken and a rabbit living in the same cage?"
"That's not possible!" Mao Gui said sternly: "Sir, you must leave some lessons for me. No matter when the time comes, I must understand the book."
The teacher was afraid of delaying the important matter, so he could only nod.
You can go quickly, the imperial edict is more important!
In this way, Mao Gui accepted the order in a daze.
After holding it in his hand, he realized one thing, it was broken... I have become a minister.
It's going to kill you!
I have never done this before, who can help me?
Mao Gui immediately ran to see Zhang Ximeng.
"Sir, help!"
After Zhang Ximeng heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry. He could only comfort Mao Gui, "Actually, it's not that troublesome. You've made it clear what you should do. Just follow what our article says. Do it with your conscience. If you encounter difficulties,
, just look for me."
Zhang Ximeng took over everything and made a promise, which made Mao Gui feel a little relieved.
But Mao Gui said again: "Sir, I just entered school, and I was still looking forward to graduating smoothly, but now the imperial edict came. I, I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and everyone else in the future came from the imperial examination school. I am the only one who is vulgar.
Wu Fu, I’m afraid it’s easy to say but not easy to hear!”
This man is really obsessed with academic qualifications. Zhang Ximeng could only smile and say: "It's okay, you just go to Jinling to find a job. I will prepare the books for you to take the exam, and then I will give you the questions. When we are in Beijing, we will use the school to take the exam.
, if you are not in the capital, just exchange letters. As long as you are willing to learn, I will be willing to help."
Mao Gui nodded repeatedly, overjoyed, and suddenly a thought came to his mind, could he be considered a direct disciple of Prime Minister Zhang?
You must know that so far, the only student Zhang Ximeng has recognized is Prince Zhu Biao, but he has not taught Zhu Biao much. Who would have expected that Mao Gui would take the lead.
Worth celebrating!
Looking back at the three bastards at home, they still dare to pretend to be disrespectful to me, let them know how powerful they are!
Your father is a student of Zhang Xiang!
Good guy, I am even happier to be able to enter Zhangmen than to be a minister.
But think about it, there were many ministers in the Ming Dynasty, but there were only very few students of Zhang Xiang.
Mao Gui made simple arrangements and was ready to leave for Yingtian to meet Zhu Yuanzhang.
Just when Mao Gui was about to leave, Jiang Nan gave birth to a son for Zhang Ximeng.
That's right, I finally gave birth to a baby.
There were not many twists and turns. Jiang Nan was in good health and was well taken care of after her pregnancy. It was just that it took a little longer because it was her first child, but the overall problem was not major.
"I'm a father!"
Zhang Ximeng pinched his thigh hard. It was not a dream!
The child is a bit ugly. If you look closely, it is quite ugly. But you have already given birth to a child. How can you throw it away?
Zhang Ximeng worked hard to step into the role of a father, take care of his wife and children, and put aside all the government affairs at hand.
However, Zhang Ximeng acted calmly, but Ying Tiancheng exploded!
What?
Is Mr. Zhang having a baby?
It's a son!
What a blessing from God!
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and immediately said: "Send someone over quickly and tell Mr. Zhang that this child must be taken to the palace and raised with the prince!"
