Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 17 Everyone is responsible
"The common ideal of the Ming Dynasty?"

Liu Bowen was stunned for a moment, obviously surprised by the new word that came out of the emperor's mouth.

I couldn't help but repeat it.

Then chew it repeatedly, and the more you chew, the more you feel the taste is unusual.

Faintly, it seemed like I had caught something.

But it seems like there are many things between us and I can't see clearly.

"Yes, it is the common ideal of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his voice becoming firm.

This is something he has felt deeply during his fifteen years of modern life.

He saw that after China experienced changes unseen in a thousand years, it was reborn from the ashes and developed stronger vitality.

See how, in just a few decades, we have caught up with the times and made rapid progress.

For this reason, he habitually thought of his own Ming Dynasty.

Think about your own Ming Dynasty. Why are there so many corrupt officials after the founding of the country? They can never be killed off.

Why was it that in the middle and late stages of the Ming Dynasty, several emperors began to become corrupt, especially Wanli, who did not even fill the vacancies in the government, which seriously affected the operation of the Ming Dynasty?

Why did the Shanxi merchants collaborate with the enemy and sell out their country, and why did the gentry frantically annex land?

From high-ranking officials in the court to local clerks to businessmen... they were all frantically eroding the interests of the Ming Dynasty, completely disregarding the life and death of the Ming Dynasty.

I just want to get as much benefits as possible while Daming is still alive.

Then they joyfully waited for the Ming Dynasty to fall and the new dynasty to be established. With the flesh and blood they had ripped from the Ming Dynasty, they quickly rose to prominence and lived a stable and prosperous life.

As a result, the Ming Dynasty collapsed, and many of them did not usher in the good days they had been looking forward to.

What we waited for was the Qing army entering the pass, the Ten Days of Yangzhou, the Three Massacres of Jiading, the Eighty-one Days of Jiangyin... the butcher's knife!

There are many reasons for this situation: the emperor is incompetent, the civil servants are powerful, corruption is rampant, military pay is withheld, natural disasters and man-made disasters...

But after combining his experience and in-depth analysis of many things he has seen in modern times, he feels that the biggest reason is the loss of a common goal that can bring together the majority of people from all walks of life.

Coincidentally, the northern woolly bear known in modern times, a giant creature that was full of vitality at the beginning, also collapsed in an instant in the end.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, the biggest reason was the loss of a common goal, which led to people's unrest and a lack of cohesion.

Now that he has returned to the eighth year of Hongwu, he naturally needs to apply some of the things he has gained in combination with the current actual situation of the Ming Dynasty.

Combined with the killing methods of the previous life, in order to make the Ming Dynasty better.

History has proven that some of the methods he used in his previous life were useful, but overall, some were failures.

Now that we are starting over, there will naturally be some changes.

"This goal must encompass all classes of our Ming Dynasty.

Find out the long-term demands of all classes in the Ming Dynasty and make them concrete.

This will improve cohesion and centripetal force.

Inspire a sense of ownership among all classes.

In other words, people from all walks of life must realize that the Ming Dynasty is not just the Ming Dynasty of Zhu Yuanzhang, but also the world of my Zhu family.

It is also the Ming Dynasty for the rest of the people.

Let them consciously protect and love the Ming Dynasty.

Let them deeply realize that as the Ming Dynasty becomes stronger, their lives will also improve.

The Ming Dynasty became weak, and their lives would be seriously affected.

Let everyone understand that every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country!
Ultimately, everyone will spontaneously protect this country.

Once it is discovered that someone is destroying the Ming Dynasty, damaging the overall situation, and encroaching on interests, it will arouse hostility from all classes.

Although our Ming Dynasty is now in a state of territorial expansion, we have completed the task of expelling the Tartars, restoring China, and unifying the north and the south.

However, in terms of ideology and culture, unity has not yet been achieved.

The cracks are still there, and they are particularly difficult to smooth out!

Merely regional unification is not enough and is not reliable.

There needs to be unity in ideology and culture as well.

Only in this way can we integrate China again and make it unbreakable!

To achieve these, a common goal is essential!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said so much in one breath and felt a little thirsty, so he picked up the tea bowl and drank two sips of warm water.

Liu Bowen was stunned on the spot and even forgot to cough.

He looked up at the emperor, lost in thought.

Is this still the emperor who started learning after he rose to power and needed to ask others for advice on many things?

Is this still the emperor who was secretly criticized by many self-righteous people for having no vision and being just a cowherd after all?
These words, this insight, this far-sighted vision, even he, who is known as one of the four great talents in Jiangnan, is not as good as him!

When did it reach such a height?! The common ideal of the Ming Dynasty?
The common ideal of the Ming Dynasty!
OK!

The common ideal of the Ming Dynasty is really good!
It comes out of nowhere and clears the clouds for people to see the light!

Although there were many new words in the superior's words that he had never heard before, it did not affect his understanding.

Moreover, many of the new words in it may seem awkward when you first hear them, but if you savor them carefully, you will find them very memorable.

Like the spirit of ownership, like the rise and fall of the country, every man has his share of responsibility, like cohesion, centripetal force...

Liu Bowen was greatly shocked!
"Cough cough cough..."

A burst of uncontrollable coughing broke the silence in Wuying Hall.

Liu Bowen was also awakened in shock.

"Your Excellency is far-sighted and your words are truly enlightening. I am grateful for your guidance!"

Liu Bowen expressed his admiration from the bottom of his heart, and stood up and bowed deeply to Zhu Yuanzhang.

This ceremony was no longer a ceremony of bowing to each other between the emperor and his subjects, but a courtesy for scholars to meet each other.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at this scene and a smile appeared on his face.

In his previous life, his attitude towards Liu Bowen was extremely twisted.

He admired Liu Bowen's knowledge and talents and was grateful for his help.

However, because Liu Bowen was too smart and knowledgeable, people would unconsciously feel inferior when facing Liu Bowen.

He also felt that Liu Bowen was too aloof. Even though he knelt in front of him, kowtowed to him, and said words of submission, he actually still looked down on him, a cowherd boy.

But now, this inferiority complex is gone.

In modern times, Zhu Yuanzhang was also a person who went to school seriously and received a systematic and serious education.

Even at a young age, he has already become an associate professor.

In terms of academic qualifications, he is no longer afraid of Liu Bowen.

Moreover, knowing more than 600 years of history, and having seen and personally experienced the modern life of the Ming Dynasty, no one today can imagine it, no matter how hard they try.

The horizons have been greatly broadened, breaking the historical limitations.

Even Liu Bowen, who was said to be a miraculous person and wrote the "Shaobing Song", could not compare to this!
Therefore, when facing Liu Bowen again, that invisible inferiority complex was gone.

Instead, it gave me a strong sense of self-confidence.

This is the most fundamental reason for Zhu Yuanzhang's change of attitude when facing Liu Bowen.

"Then... what are the specific contents of the Ming Dynasty's common ideal?"

After Liu Bowen paid his respects, he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked sincerely.

My heart is full of anticipation.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said: "This matter is serious, and I haven't thought about the details yet. This is also the task I give to you, Mr. Liu.

It must be realistic and practical, yet simple, understandable, and catchy, and condensed into just a few sentences.

To the point where even an old lady making pancakes in a Shaanxi cave dwelling can understand it after hearing it, and after listening to it a few times, she can remember it."

The person in charge hasn't thought about everything yet?
This task just fell on me like this?
Liu Bowen was stunned for a moment.

"That is what I wish for, I dare not refuse!"

Liu Bowen, who had always been slow to agree on many things, agreed this time very readily.

He had been attracted by the common ideal of the Ming Dynasty depicted by Zhu Yuanzhang.

And believe that this is an extremely great thing.

Once it is accomplished, not to mention the fame in history, just for the huge benefits to the Ming Dynasty, he will be involved!

And be proud of it!
“But, superior, this thing can’t be left hanging in the air, with only goals but no corresponding actions.

Otherwise, no matter how good the words are, they will be like flowers in the mirror and the moon in the water, and will not have the desired effect."

Liu Bowen hesitated for a moment and then spoke.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded vigorously in appreciation. Liu Bowen was indeed Liu Bowen. He had caught up with his ideas so quickly.

"Mr. Liu is right. We need to take corresponding practical actions!"

He said, putting his hands behind his back and straightening his back.

"If I can't greatly improve the lives of the people and enhance the national strength in the future, then my position as the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty will be in vain!
Just run into it headfirst and die!"

Liu Bowen took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and bowed solemnly to Zhu Yuanzhang again.

"This is a serious matter and needs to be carefully polished. It's not too late to tell us later.

There’s no need to rush things.”

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out to support Liu Bowen and gave him some instructions.

After saying this, as if he suddenly remembered something, he looked at Liu Bowen and said, "By the way, Mr. Liu and Luo Guanzhong are quite familiar with each other?"

(End of this chapter)