First Minister of Ming Dynasty

"Sir, what happened to that Liu Ji? Is he willing to change his ways?"

Zhang Ximeng pondered for a while, seeing that Mrs. Ma was here, he was relieved, and he might be able to say something.

"My lord, Liu Ji has served Yuan Ting for more than 20 years, what should my lord think he should do?"

"What else can I do? I'm sorry! Is he still going to serve Yuan Ting?"

"Ahem!" Ma suddenly coughed: "Chongba, why are you making such a loud noise? Don't scare the child. For more than 20 years, let alone a human being, even a dog or a cat is also emotional. If Liu Ji never missed Yuan Ting, wouldn't that be ungrateful?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyelids, and said angrily: "You say that you have long hair and short knowledge, what is ungrateful? Grace can be big or small, but benevolence and righteousness can be serious. What Yuan Ting gave him is a personal favor. Restoring the Central Plains and taking back our territory is a great righteousness." ! If you can't even tell the priority, this person is a fool, and it would be no pity to kill him!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang uttered a few words, Zhang Ximeng showed a look of surprise. It was so unexpected. This is what he really wanted to tell Zhu Yuanzhang. Unexpectedly, Lao Zhu figured it out by himself, so the next thing will be easy to talk about.

"My lord, our territory is getting bigger and bigger, and we need more and more people. Many old people from the Yuan court have joined our team. How to treat these people urgently needs to be adjusted by the lord, so as to calm people's hearts. , to stabilize order."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said in a low voice, "Speak clearly."

"That's right, my lord, please think about it. People like Liu Ji have served the Yuan Dynasty for more than 20 years. In order to avoid gossip, they will definitely show some memories of the Yuan Dynasty. It is good to say that they really think so. Whether it's good to deal with outsiders' pointing, they have to put on a show."

"However, this matter has come to the lord again. Of course, the lord doesn't like them to miss Yuan Ting, and asks them to serve the lord wholeheartedly. But the question is, if they really abandon Yuan Ting completely, will they become villains again? Isn't that true?" It becomes a father and son riding a donkey, and there is no way to advance or retreat!"

As Zhang Ximeng analyzed, he gradually realized the embarrassment of Liu Bowen and others.They show nostalgia for Yuan Ting, that is disloyalty, and not being nostalgic, that is unrighteous.Jumping back and forth in the middle is disloyalty and injustice!

And this is the case with Liu Bowen and others in history. Even when they arrived in Yingtian, they were also apprehensive, and they said "you can't be indifferent." He cared, and Zhu Yuanzhang cared even more.

When Emperor Yuan Shun died, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally celebrated with great fanfare, and Liu Bowen and other courtiers who had served the Yuan Dynasty also wanted to flatter Lao Zhu. As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang directly warned them that they were not allowed to celebrate when they served Yuan.It directly hit Liu Bowen's old face on the ground.

Was Liu Bowen wronged?

Not at all!

After all, he also wrote the poem "Birth life is not guaranteed, and you dare to speak out about your merits". You feel sorry for your life experience and are apprehensive about your own merits. Doesn't it mean that you miss the previous dynasty and are dissatisfied with this dynasty!

After figuring this out, you will understand why Liu Bowen only conferred the title of Boss Chengyi, and you will also understand why the literati in eastern Zhejiang can't compete with the nobles in Huaixi...Even Li Shanchang and others didn't contribute much, and Liu Bowen fell down.

The difference between closeness and distance, the psychological barrier, is far from being able to make up for it.

Two and a half of the four major cases in the early Ming Dynasty were Zhu Yuanzhang's attempt to erase the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty. If you cannot be convinced, then I will send you to the underground to serve the Yuan Dynasty well!

Zhu Yuanzhang's logic is simple and rude, is he wrong?

Obviously not.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang, Liu Bowen and others must have a higher level of identification, unify their thinking, and eliminate barriers.

But unfortunately, in the original history, it was impossible to find this thing, so the result is needless to say.

But this time Zhang Ximeng wanted to try.

His layout has not been in a day or two, and it can even be said that Zheng Sixiao, Mo Lantu, and Zhang Ximeng have been subtly influencing Lao Zhu since the beginning.

Until today, Zhu Yuanzhang said that being loyal to Dayuan is a personal favor, and restoring the homeland is the righteousness!

Zhang Ximeng was so moved that he almost cried, my good student!The hard work of being a teacher is really not in vain!

Now that Lao Zhu has figured it out, it will be easier for Liu Bowen.

Otherwise, both sides will be suspicious, and the gods will have nothing to do.

"Sir, why are you immersed in it and can't jump out?" Old Zhu asked in a deep voice. He thought Zhang Ximeng should see it more clearly than himself!

"My lord, the key to this matter is for Liu Bowen and others to figure it out."

"If they can't figure it out!"

"Then continue to reform!" Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Actually, the lord can be more optimistic... Those who can distinguish the priorities will naturally stand on the lord's side. You, the lord can hold the butcher knife high, kill a person with a head rolling, and the blood will flow like a river, and I will help the lord to investigate thoroughly!"

Mr. Zhang is willing to help himself!

The corners of Lao Zhu's mouth could not help but upturned, the two of them still maintained a high degree of consistency after all!

Mrs. Ma looked at the words and saw the smiles on the faces of the two people, and they were talking together. She finally breathed a sigh of relief. She deliberately said angrily: "You know how to fight and kill. I am a woman and I am too lazy to listen." Already!"

Mrs. Ma turned and left. Lao Zhu smiled awkwardly, and then said to Zhang Ximeng seriously: "Sir, we haven't talked carefully for a long time, so let's take this opportunity to have a long talk and talk about this matter thoroughly!"

Zhang Ximeng also agrees quite a bit. Indeed, it is the critical moment again. There must be a conclusion on which direction the Zhu family army should go. Otherwise, if it develops further, different factions will definitely be split. It's hard to be monolithic.

Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang talked all night, but Liu Bowen was devastated.

The POW camp was too unfriendly for him.

The last thing he wants to see is not only there, but also super doubled!

First, Timur, Tuotuo's two sons, Fushou, Tujian, Xuexue, Nahachu... are all high officials in Mongolia, and everyone has a higher status than him.

Even Gong Bosui's influence is far from what he can compare.

And such a group of people have already surrendered obediently, without hope, even looking forward to the early demise of the Yuan court, but they are not afraid of danger, came to investigate the enemy's situation, and want to be loyal to the Yuan Dynasty, it is really unnecessary.

"Let me tell you what you think, what good will it do you to live a few more years in the Yuan Dynasty? You also want to be sent to Yunnan and die in a foreign land? Are you worthy?"

Also first Timur unceremoniously ridiculed!

Xuexue next to him coughed and said, "Let me tell you first, our Great Yuan Dynasty's hearts are not dead after all, maybe there is still a glimmer of life, you don't want to be weird, this is a loyal minister!"

"Bah!" Yexian Timur snorted coldly: "You envy loyal ministers, why don't you be loyal ministers, you died for the Yuan Dynasty!"

Xuexue grinned, "Forget it, I still want to live for two more years... I reviewed the test papers for the superior this time, and I don't think it is too difficult. Let us go out later, and I can also test a scribe. With my own ability, I can eat a portion of the imperial rations, and live in peace and stability, so I can spend the rest of my life...By the way, who did you say was the imperial rations at that time? Could it be?"

"Anyway, it's not the Yuan Dynasty!"

Also, Timur said another sentence, which immediately left everyone speechless.

What else can we say about such a "big yuan life black" at the booth!

Liu Bowen's life in the POW camp was like sitting on pins and needles, and every moment was torture.As a Han, he always couldn't let go of the past of the Yuan Dynasty...and a group of Mongolian nobles wished that the Yuan Dynasty would come to an end as soon as possible. This contrast was too great.

It's completely unreasonable. How can I explain it?

On the third day, Zhang Ximeng came, not only him, but also Zhu Yuanzhang, even Zhu Sheng, Jia Lu and others followed.

After they arrived, they called everyone in the prisoner-of-war camp over, and in front of the big guys, there were sixteen words posted: expulsion of the barbarians, restoration of China; equal distribution of land, relief of the people.

Seeing these sixteen characters, Zhu Sheng couldn't help being excited, and sat up straight.

Liu Ji at the end of the prisoner-of-war team stared straight at him, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Zhang Ximeng stood up at this moment, and said with a smile: "We have different identities, so we won't talk too much. Let's just discuss some small issues... such as the defeat of the Yuan court, such as our uprising, what is the reason for it? Please speak freely now Bar!"

Chapter 181 Who agrees?Who is against?

This meeting, I am afraid that many people will never imagine in this life, one side is the winner, the other side is the loser, sitting together to discuss a problem.

Don't talk about discussing, this can directly fight!

Now that you have won the battle and won, what are you doing listening to the losers?

We are already miserable enough, don't feel guilty about killing people, let people have a way out!

So in Liu Bowen's opinion, he would rather commit suicide than come to participate.

But unexpectedly, Timur was also very interested.

He was the first to stand up, "I would like to talk about the defeat of the Yuan court... If I want to say, the Yuan court was defeated by employing people, who were extravagant and greedy, listened to slander, and reused villains. Governing the country like this, it is unreasonable not to perish !"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "That's very good, but I still heard some resentment!"

He also shook his head vigorously first, and corrected: "It's not resentment, it's a painful pain that penetrates into the bone marrow!"

Zhang Ximeng actually followed the good, "Okay, it's really painful. I still want to ask the big guys, and I will also talk about the problems that Muer talked about first. Extravagance and greed, reuse of villains, and even listening to slander, dismissing loyal officials... This matter is Da Song. Did you do it?"

In a word, everyone at the scene looked sideways, what else are you asking?

Not only has he done it, he has done it harder than others in Mongolia!

In front of Yuewang Temple, there are still several kneeling!

Zhang Ximeng saw that everyone felt something, but he didn't want to speak up, so he simply took the question one step further, "So, the Song Dynasty should also be a country that should perish?"

Now everyone showed a look of embarrassment, should they die?

Zhu Sheng coughed lightly, and said after deliberation: "I still can't say that. Although the Great Song Dynasty is benevolent and weak, it is a Chinese dress, and it treats the people generously. The people's livelihood and government are far above the Mongols, and they are not useless! "

When he said this, several people immediately nodded in agreement. Tao An and Li Xi were among them. Tao An even said: "Nowadays in the red scarf, there is talk of restoring the Great Song Dynasty. I think the Great Song Dynasty is still good. .”

Zhang Ximeng kept smiling, and continued to ask: "Since the Great Song Dynasty was good, why did the country fall? Is the king fatuous, or the courtiers incompetent? Or are the soldiers cowardly?"

Zhang Ximeng glanced at everyone, and he smiled slightly, "You can't say that the fate is not there, the dragon is going north, right?"

Everyone was stunned, this matter is really difficult to explain, it seems that it is the most secure to say the destiny!But Zhang Ximeng was blocked ahead of time, who has a better argument?

At this time, Liu Ji, who was at the back of the crowd, frowned wildly, feeling terrified in his heart. He could hear that Zhang Ximeng not only despised the Yuan Dynasty, but also looked down on the Song Dynasty, and even ridiculed the theory of destiny, which touched the foundation of the Confucian relationship between heaven and man.

Liu Bowen felt that he had to speak, and even if he spoke happily, he was willing to die.

Thinking of this, Liu Bowen plucked up his courage, stood up proudly, and said righteously: "Zhao Song Jiangshan, after more than three hundred years, the rituals have been broken and the music has collapsed, and the destiny is not there. The dragon's spirit flies north, the saint was born in the desert, and the Mongolian army is invincible and rampant. , the attack must be taken, and the battle must be won! Is this not the destiny? Could it be that if you become a rebellious thief, you will not even fear the heavens?"

Lao Liu directly scolded Zhang Ximeng as a thief, and naturally Zhu Yuanzhang was also a thief.

But Zhang Ximeng kept smiling and didn't care, he even turned his head to Timur first.

"He said that Genghis Khan was the destiny of God, and that he could sweep the world and start the great Yuan Dynasty. As Mongolians, what do you think?"

"This..." Ye Timur gritted his teeth and struggled for a long time before he sighed: "Zhang Jing, I look down on the current emperor of the Yuan court, but you want me to scold Genghis Khan, this one can't do it! Think about it back then. , We Mongolia started at the end of the century, destroyed the Jin Kingdom, flattened Xixia, destroyed countless countries in the west, and conquered the Song Dynasty, and unified the world. Now that I think about it, it is really destiny!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled slightly, and this time he set his sights on Zhu Yuanzhang, "My lord, Liu Ji is a scholar of Han nationality. He said that the Yuan court had a destiny, and Timur also said that Genghis Khan had a destiny. Naturally, my knowledge is I don’t know what destiny is, but I’m a little curious why the two of them have the same views!”

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized that he had talked with Zhang Ximeng at night, and he had already explained many things clearly.Why do they think so, the reason is very simple, because they have common interests!

Mongolian aristocrats and Han literati, they are all a group of high-ranking people. Although their ranks are obvious and the differences are very different, they are all unattainable for ordinary people.

First, Timur respected Genghis Khan, which can be said to be a simple emotion. When it comes to Liu Ji, the situation is a bit complicated.

Therefore, Zhang Ximeng was also the first to ask him.

"Liu Bowen, since you are talking about destiny, let me ask you one more question. Where do you think Yuan Ting's destiny is now? Has it been lost?"

"This..." Liu Bowen was speechless for a moment, firmly believing that the Great Yuan Dynasty was as stable as Mount Tai and could put down all rebellions?He was able to say this, but several important Mongolian ministers did not believe it.

But if it is said that the destiny is not there, does it belong to Zhu Yuanzhang?Do you want to obey the destiny?

Liu Bowen was caught in a dilemma, "I, I have little knowledge, I don't know anything about destiny!"

"If you don't understand, how can you tell me Genghis Khan is destiny?" Zhang Ximeng asked with a smile.

Old Liu only felt that his face was hot, and Zhang Ximeng's smile was as hateful as a kid baring his teeth!This person is not very old, but what he said and the questions he asked were all tricky and weird, and his thoughts were so clear that he was completely helpless.

"I, I am familiar with the scriptures and history, so I naturally know the fate of Long Xing in the Yuan Dynasty. Now whether the fate is still there, I have to ask the descendants."

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "This is also a rhetoric... But once you say it like this, it shows that only when it is written into the history books and becomes a history book, can future generations understand the change of destiny. People in the world don't understand the change of destiny at all. The country governs the people? How can we talk about the relationship between heaven and man, how can we talk about the response of heaven and man?"

Those present are either high-ranking officials or old Confucian scholars. Although Zhang Ximeng's question is very subversive, it is subtle and thought-provoking, but unfortunately, no one can grasp Zhang Ximeng's real thoughts, so he can only fall into silence, a long silence.

Zhu Yuanzhang was already impatient to hear this, he was eager to uncover the mystery, "Mr. Zhang, you should speak out what is in your heart, and then everyone will discuss it together. Let's be honest and honest today. Say anything!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "Since this is the case, I can only be presumptuous... In fact, according to the destiny, the Lord can rise up in the future, expel the Mongols, and rule the world. When the time comes, it comes down to the destiny and has been blessed by God. The Lord and Genghis Khan is the same. At that time, the lord must respect Yuan Ting as Zhengshuo. You must also admit that Yuan Ting has been in charge of the Central Plains for decades. If the destiny is not here, the king will be slandered and the ministers will be fooled, and the country will be lost."

When Zhang Ximeng said this, he just pointed out some of Lao Zhu's attitudes towards the Yuan Dynasty after he became the throne.

"Master, dare to ask for advice, are you convinced?"

"this!"

Lao Zhu pondered, are you convinced?Naturally unconvinced?

But you are not convinced, do you still not recognize the destiny?

"Mr. Zhang, you are very clear about our experience. Parents, parents, brothers, died one after another, displaced, wives and children separated... Today, only my sister-in-law and nephew, brother-in-law and nephew are still alive... We lost almost ten relatives If we say that our parents rely on Yuan Ting to give birth, is that how they treat us? We are not convinced!"

It was true, but when Lao Zhu said this with grief and indignation, Zhang Ximeng knew that he had really succeeded.

Zhu Yuanzhang's treatment of the Yuan Dynasty in history was very complicated. Of course he hated the Yuan Dynasty, but after he became the throne, he couldn't avoid the Yuan Dynasty. That's why he respected the Yuan Dynasty as Zhengshuo and said a lot of good things about the Yuan Dynasty.

Of course, this is only one side of Lao Zhu, and the other side is that Zhu Yuanzhang continued to send troops to the Northern Expedition, and he went out to the Northern Expedition more times than Zhu Di.

Throughout the Hongwu Dynasty, they continued to pursue the remaining forces of the Yuan court, and they never relented.

Up to now, it can be concluded that Zhu Yuanzhang undoubtedly hates the Yuan Dynasty, but for the sake of orthodoxy, he has to recognize the Yuan Dynasty, that's all.

But today's Zhang Ximeng wants to break this concept of destiny, thoroughly, and reshape the three views for Lao Zhu!

"My lord, I'm not convinced either. My parents died at the hands of Yuan soldiers, and I almost died too! There are too many people who have had the same experience as me. The Yuan court has indeed occupied the Central Plains for decades. The previous page, but just because of this, let me say good things about the Yuan Dynasty, admit the destiny, even say good things for Yuan Ting, put on rouge and powder, I still can't do it!"

Zhang Ximeng raised his head suddenly, and his eyes fell on the sixteen words hanging on the wall.

"Expel the barbarians and restore China. In fact, this is the destiny, where the dragon spirit is, and God blesses. My lord raises the three-foot sword, sweeps the world, and beats the Yuan court. Sooner or later, the Han family will be restored!"