Chapter 852 Compilation of 'History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty'
In fact, as expected, the position of president of the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty" was held by the chief minister of the cabinet, Zhao Shu.
Among the important ministers of the country, there is no one more suitable than him.
Leaving a name in history, especially writing history books, is the greatest honor in life for a literati.
The emperor also wanted to use this official position to reward Zhao Shu for his contribution.
Similarly, it is precisely because Zhao Shu is in tune with him and knows his thoughts that it is the most suitable.
In addition to the president, there are also a large number of official positions such as supervisor, editor, historian, etc., which are all attractive fruits, making the literati of both the government and the public excited, even more exaggerated than a chicken blood shot.
However, let me add a word here. The "History of the Ming Dynasty" compiled by the Qing Dynasty went through three revisions for ninety-five years. During this period, there were countless smear incidents. But again, compared with the "History of the Yuan Dynasty", the "History of the Former Tang Dynasty"
"Book" and other historical books are of higher value.
After all, it is a historical practice to discredit the previous dynasty, and it is understandable for the Manchu and Qing Dynasties to do so. After all, if it is not written that the Ming Dynasty is almost exhausted, how can it highlight the clear destiny of the Qing Dynasty?
Therefore, the greatest value of "History of the Ming Dynasty" is twofold: first, it is detailed and cautious in collecting materials; second, it is more objective and fair in its evaluation of the characters of the Ming Dynasty.
After all, the biggest tampering with history is nine truths and one falsehood.
Historians, including novelists, generally agree that "History of the Yuan Dynasty" was written in one year and is the worst among the Twenty-Four Histories.
Of course, it is precisely because of this that many people in the Ming Dynasty revised the "History of the Yuan Dynasty". For more than two hundred years in the Ming Dynasty, many people continued to write letters requesting that the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" be re-edited. However, because it was compiled by Emperor Taizu, it has been
It won't work.
Many great Confucian scholars who had no desire for official positions but eager for fame went to Beijing one after another, hoping to occupy a place in the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty".
This trend quickly spread throughout the world.
However, the emperor understood that this was like a bait to catch celebrities, such as a large number of veteran officials and profound scholars, so that they could support the prestige of the Shaowu court and achieve mutual benefit.
Just like Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Han Dynasty, recruited Sihao from Shangshan, and Sima Yan, Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty, recruited Li Mi, the voice of Zhaofang's new dynasty served as the icing on the cake, thus strengthening the emperor's reputation.
What it follows is the people's admiration for virtuous kings and famous ministers.
A wise king is paired with a famous minister, a wealthy family is paired with a star player, it's nothing more than that.
The most typical person who used this trick to perfection was Sima Rui, the king of Langya in the late Western Jin Dynasty. Because he asked the famous celebrities Wang Dao and Wang Dun brothers to lift the chair, his worthless reputation instantly soared, and he united with the Jiangnan clan.
In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang went to beg the old officials in a low voice, but he was scorned one by one and tried to support the Tatars, which really made him very angry.
Zhao Shu also understood the emperor's thoughts. After becoming the president, the first person he recommended to the emperor was Zhu Zhiyu, a native of Shaoxing and Yuyao County.
"Oh?" Zhu Yixi was a little surprised. He had always looked down upon those rural celebrities.
In his view, these people are like big Vs on the Internet and self-media, who have a large number of fans and have the right to speak among the people. They are a mixed bag and cannot be counted.
He has always looked down upon him.
"I'm afraid there are no officials of the fifth rank or above in the imperial court like this person, right?"
The emperor slightly guessed: "There should be no famous officials who have become officials."
"But a member of the clan?"
"Your Majesty, this man is a man of the people."
Zhao Shu said softly: "This man has no official position and lives in the countryside, but he is famous in Jiangnan. He can be said to know everything."
"They are just people who are looking for fame and reputation. Sir, you praise them too much!" There was a hint of disdain in the emperor's tone.
"Your Majesty, please do not underestimate him. This person is not one of those people who takes the shortcut to the south, but a person with real talent and learning."
Zhao Shu smiled slightly. He knew that the emperor liked those who were practical, not those who were vain and incompetent, so he explained softly.
It turns out that the reason why Zhu Zhiyu became famous in Jiangnan was because of his amazing actions.
Because he refused the imperial edict and became an official in the court, he not only established himself as a strong man, but also impressed all the gentry among the people.
The first time he refused was in the eleventh year of Chongzhen (1638). Emperor Chongzhen recommended him to the Ministry of Rites for his "number one in civil and military talents."
If you get it, government is achieved through bribery." If the government is in chaos and you cannot be tolerated by the customs, you will give up your official career and focus on learning.
The second time, in the first month of the eighteenth year of Chongzhen (1645), King Fu ordered him to be recruited again, but he still refused to take office.
The third time he was called up, he still didn't take office.
The fourth time, in April, Jing Guogong Fang Guoan bit the bullet and recommended him again, but he still refused to take office.
He refused to be called up three times within one year, and was jealous of him. The following year, he was wanted for the crime of "rejecting orders from the court and having no courtiers."
Zhu Zhiyu actually fled to Zhoushan overnight, using his business as a cover.
Hearing this, Zhu Yixi's butt decided her head, and she immediately felt that this person was rebellious and was definitely an out-and-out traitor.
Good guy, King Fu is just that, half of the country is lame, and the court is lame. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, King Chuang's reputation had plummeted. Sun Chuanting and Hong Chengchou were roaming the Central Plains. At this time, he dared to refuse the imperial edict. It was absolutely audacious.
Seeing the emperor frowning and displeased, Zhao Shu excused him and said: "The Chongzhen Dynasty was turbid and the party disputes were fierce, so Zhu Zhiyu refused to enter the court; King Fu's destiny was not there, and treacherous ministers were in power, so he did not enter."
"Nowadays, the government is harmonious and the people live and work in peace and contentment. Although they don't know the way, don't pick up lost things, and don't close their homes at night, they are still the same."
"It is the right time to recruit Zhu Zhiyu to the court to highlight His Majesty's moral integrity."
Hearing this, Zhu Yixi's brows relaxed a lot.
That's right, Chongzhen and King Fu. They were both recruited many times, but neither of them was an official. As a result, when they were recruited by themselves, people came running like crazy.
By comparing the two, doesn’t this just illustrate his greatness?
However, he hesitated and said: "If this Zhu Zhiyu still ignores everything and refuses my call, wouldn't this put me in the same league with Chongzhen and Prince Fu?"
When Zhao Shu heard this, he couldn't help but laugh. Only then did he realize that the emperor had always been face-saving, but at this time he had forgotten it.
"Don't worry, before the imperial edict is called, the veteran can write a letter to test a few things."
"If it works, just issue an imperial edict; if it doesn't work, then let it go."
The emperor nodded and showed a smile.
"Besides this, is there anyone else?"
"There was a man whose original name was Gu Jishen and whose given name was Zhongqing. Later he changed his name to Yanwu and whose given name was Ningren. He also gained great fame among the people."
Zhao Shu continued to recommend: "He once served in Nanjing and wrote "On Military System", "On Situation", "On Field Gong", "On Qian Fa", which became the 'Four Treatises on Yi and You', which attracted the attention of the government and the public."
"In the early years of Shaowu, after the world was peaceful, he resigned from office and traveled north and south, teaching and learning. He seemed to be searching for the reason for the death of the previous Ming Dynasty, and he broke through countless cloth shoes."
"Because of this, he actually has the style of Wang Yangming, who seems to be creating a new school, and there are endless debates among the people..."
Compared to Zhu Zhiyu, Zhu Yixi is too familiar with Gu Yanwu.
Together with Wang Fuzhi and Huang Zongxi, he was listed as the three major thinkers in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
"Rituals, justice, integrity and shame are the four dimensions"
"The rise and fall, everyone is responsible"
"Practice for the world"
These slogans are catchy and speak directly to people's hearts.
It can be said that Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism prevailed for four hundred years, while Yangming's philosophy of mind declined, and these thoughts of Gu Yanwu were of great use value to the imperial court.
That's right, in the eyes of the imperial court, Yangming's philosophy of studying things and seeking knowledge was completely useless for governing the country, and was inferior to the increasingly decadent Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.
But these ideas of Gu Yanwu can be used by the country.
Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. Isn't this calling on the people to defend the court and the Zhu family?
Isn't it to cultivate talents and govern the world to manage the world for practical purposes?
"Okay!" Zhu Yixi said excitedly: "Let's recruit Gu Yanwu first."
"I have been famous for him for a long time. Since I have such a great talent, I should compile a history book so that it is not wasted."
Zhao Shu was surprised.
In his opinion, Zhu Zhiyu has profound literary skills and is upright and selfless, much better than people like Gu Yanwu who are more famous than real.
The reason why Gu Yanwu was recruited was to take care of his reputation.
"yes--"
Zhao Shu sighed and continued to recommend...
At this time, I was in Shaoxing, Zhejiang.
Zhu Zhiyu studies calligraphy and paintings at home, which can be said to be leisurely and extremely comfortable.
At fifty-six years old, he was already very old. He originally wanted to restore the country passionately, but after Emperor Shaowu unified the world again, he immediately stopped and began to spend his leisure time.
Even if there were people in the officialdom who wanted to recommend him to the court from time to time, they were all rejected one by one.
Over the years, like other great scholars, he regarded the Jiashen Rebellion as a great shame, and he even had lingering fears about the Manchus entering the Qing Dynasty.
Over the years, continuous research has finally yielded the following results:
To govern a country, we must apply what we have learned.
"The most important thing about learning is practice, and all the learning of sages depends on practice."
But he didn't know that if in history, in order to preserve solar terms, he would live in exile in Japan and stay there for more than 20 years, teaching and imparting China's advanced agriculture, medicine, architecture, and craftsmanship to Japan.
The "Edo School" based on Shunsui's theory was established.
"Zhiyu, Zhiyu——"
Suddenly, an old shout brought Zhu Zhiyu out of his calligraphy. He hurriedly put down his pen and walked out of the room.
Taking three steps and two steps together, he helped the old man walking by.
This is his eldest brother, Zhu Qiming.
After his father died when he was eight years old, his eldest brother raised him like a father, which was a lot of hard work.
It was extremely hard work to support him in his studies with the military officer's salary, so he always felt respected.
"Brother, you are so old, why are you still acting like this?" Zhu Zhiyu scolded: "Sit down quickly."
"Speak slowly if you have something to do."
"Hey, isn't this some good news?"
Zhu Qiming is tall and tall, but he uses a cane. At the age of seventy, there is wind at his feet.
"You don't know that the imperial court is planning to recruit you as an official!"
Zhu Qiming had a smile on his face and held Zhu Zhiyu's hand without letting go.
"Brother, why do you come to persuade me?" Zhu Zhiyu said helplessly: "The officialdom is turbid. I am not suitable for being an official, so don't recommend me anymore."
"This time is extraordinary -" Zhu Qiming's voice suddenly became loud. He stared at his younger brother and said seriously: "The imperial court is going to compile the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty" and wants to recruit you as a historian. This is a good opportunity to leave your name in history.
ah!"
"I don't care about your celebrity status, but you cannot shirk this opportunity to honor your ancestors."
"What?" Zhu Zhiyu was stunned.
He never expected that such an opportunity would fall on his head.
Over the past few days, he had heard that many people braved the cold and wanted to go north to make a name for themselves. He never thought that they would be recruited by the imperial court while they were at home.
After thinking for a long time, he opened his mouth and was about to refuse, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by his elder brother.
"Zhiyu, the youngest, you have been willful for decades and have been studying since you were a child. Your eldest brother, I have worked hard to support you, but in the end you are no longer an official."
Zhu Qiming said sternly: "I will let you do whatever you want, as long as you are happy."
"But now that I am old and have many children, I can no longer allow you to act arrogantly. Clean it up for me immediately and leave for Beijing the day after tomorrow."
"No, just tomorrow -"
Hearing this, Zhu Zhiyu could only bow with a wry smile: "Alas——"
This time the imperial court really hit him seven inches.
At this time, at the foot of Huashan Mountain in Shaanxi Province, there was a lively indoor lecture in Huashan Town.
The bonfire was burning brightly, and everyone was sitting on the ground, wearing thick clothes, but their faces were full of excitement.
In front of everyone, sat a man about fifty years old.
He was wearing a black cotton coat, sitting upright, with his back straight, his rough face glowing with a dark luster, and the thick bags under his eyes showing that he had been tired for a long time.
A pair of inverted eyebrows are raised, creating a majestic image.
"Since the Wanli era, there have been long-standing disadvantages. Dozens of villages have been raised and merged with Haoyou. This has happened everywhere. There have even been cases where there are fields and streets, but the rice per household is not enough to fight for stones;
By……"
"Therefore, at the end of Wanli, when slaves were established in Liaodong, between Tianqi, civil unrest arose, and before internal and external attacks, how could the imperial court be invincible?"
Gu Yanwu talked eloquently and fluently described the shortcomings of the imperial court:
"Those who are superior to others only seek their own benefits, and collude with the evil gentry to plunder and plunder, causing the people's livelihood to become poorer, and the national economy to become more embarrassed. They raise troops but lack them, and take wealth but lack the people. The more they seek it, the more money they will lack..."
"So much so that we had to levy new taxes and drink poison to quench our thirst, which led to the Jiashen Rebellion."
"Sir, I wonder how we can make the country prosperous without disturbing the people?"
Suddenly, a scholar sitting down couldn't help raising his hand and asked.
Gu Yanwu smiled faintly: "Without him, wealth is hidden among the people——"
"Those who serve the country well must hide it from the people. Only in this way can we truly know the root and cause of it."
"In ancient times, rulers never talked about wealth. If the people benefit from it, the wealth will flow and benefit the officials; if the officials only benefit from it, the wealth will be blocked and it will harm the people."
"The imperial court is now frivolous in corvee and reducing taxes, exempting and exempting three taxes, clarifying taxes, and dividing the world's money and food into three classes. This is how to hide wealth among the people."
"In order to transfer the wealth from the mines to the people, open up canals to help travel north and south, and promote sea transportation to save manpower, it can also be used to promote wealth."
Gu Yanwu smiled and said: "If we re-levy commercial taxes at this time and rely on the profits of those merchants for official use, all the people will be happy. Who dares to say no?"
The questions and answers were so well-founded that they had to be admired.
After the class, everyone stood up and prepared to leave.
At this time, a government official suddenly broke in, surprising everyone.
Gu Yanwu remained calm.
Although he failed in the provincial examination, he was still a scholar, and even the county magistrate could not do anything to him.
Sure enough, the magistrate of Huayin County came with a smile on his face: "Mr. Tinglin, I would like to express my congratulations to you."
"I have seen the county magistrate -" Gu Yanwu said in confusion: "I am giving a lecture here, where does the joy come from?"
"Your Majesty heard that Mr. Wang has solid knowledge and summoned you to Beijing to compile the "History of the Pre-Ming Dynasty"!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall was shocked.