First Minister of Ming Dynasty

It's logical, it's a matter of course, this matter is not ahead of schedule, but just right.

But if we look at history again, we will find that instead of taking this seemingly natural path, we chose another path.

Since the Song Dynasty, especially after the Southern Song Dynasty, Confucianism has gradually emerged, and the defense between men and women has become more and more serious... In the Northern Song Dynasty, women's bound feet have been referred to as wonders in the world along with the gorgeous peonies in Luoyang and the fragrant tea in Jianzhou!

In the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Lingshi wrote the poem "Huanxisha", one of which reads: "Three-inch shoes with small bows." Since then, "three-inch golden lotus" has become a synonym for women's feet.By the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, it was common for women to bind their feet.In the Yuan Dynasty, women were ashamed of not binding their feet.

Of course, at this time, foot binding was only a choice of the upper class in society, and there were not many ordinary women with foot binding, but the general trend was that more and more people bound their feet, and the binding became more and more serious.

When the emperor of the past sages came to court, there was no such thing as a foolish emperor. Women not only bound half of their feet, but their bones were broken, and their feet were deformed, as if they were disabled.

If you follow this line of thought, you will come to a very cruel conclusion.

The improvement of agricultural technology, the increase of labor efficiency, and the increase of agricultural output... did not release more labor force. On the contrary, someone came up with another strange solution to the problem, completely chaining women at home and abolishing half of them. labor force.

And once a woman cannot leave the house, the man has to stay at home to take care of his wife and children.

In this way, a large number of laborers are firmly locked on the land, leaving them no choice but to deliver land rent steadily.

Obviously there are better jobs that can create more wealth, but there is no way to break free.

And what endorses and supports this choice is the Neo-Confucianism that rose in the Southern Song Dynasty... Starving to death is a small matter, while injustice is a big matter, preserving the principles of nature, destroying human desires, general ethics, and obedience to the patriarchal clan... No matter how you interpret it, in fact this A whole set of things is like layers of shackles, locking people in, cutting off the room for choice, and turning a person into a farm animal.

Lifeless, there is no possibility of any progress.

Continuing to think about it this way, it seems that policies such as closing the door to the outside world make sense.

Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is people's thinking, it is the superstructure, men farm and women weave, land lease is the economic form, and it is the foundation of Neo-Confucianism...the two are the exterior and interior of each other, cooperate with each other, and are intimate.

In this system, it is the gentry group that benefits the most, and it is the gentry who defend this system the most... So far, Zhang Ximeng's proposition has been completely logical and self-consistent.

Improving the status of women, giving women property rights, allowing women to go to school, and even more choices are not too advanced ideas. In fact, if the Southern Song Dynasty can do this and release the labor force of women, perhaps the Southern Song Dynasty can have more Wealth can mobilize more men to join the army.

The Mongolian iron cavalry is good, but with 50 people armed, 100 million people, 200 million people... you can always win.

From this point of view, Zhang Ximeng is just a remedy for the dead.

If we don't do it now, the inertia of history will continue, and the land equalization system will collapse in a few decades, the land will be annexed, and the gentry and landlords will control the land. In order to tie up the labor force, they may bind their feet everywhere and prevent women from leaving the house.

Lock up a woman, tie up a man, press the whole family on the chopping block, and you can get whatever you want.

Which reform is the biggest and which reform is the most fundamental, there is no doubt that it can promote the development of production... Is the purpose of land equalization just to let people have a piece of land of their own?

Of course it's not that simple... Allocating a piece of land to the common people is for the family to have the most basic security and survive.

As a member of the family, whether male or female, you can have more choices.

Men can be allowed to plow the fields at home, and women can go to the workshop to weave.

It is also possible to let women look after the house, and men can go to the city to work during the slack season to earn money to subsidize the family.

Even the husband and wife go out altogether, rent the land to others, and collect a share of the land rent.

Only in this way can there be a sufficient supply of labor and a solid foundation for developing the handicraft industry and engaging in overseas trade.

Otherwise, the powerful landlords will still be retained, and they will still be in the state of renting and planting land, so there will be no room for choice.

Don’t think that renting and planting land is enough to pay rent to the landlord on a regular basis. In fact, the landlord’s family still has so many jobs, long-term labor and short-term labor... If you don’t work for the landlord, you probably won’t be able to rent the land.

And there will be a very bad situation, that is, the cost of workshop workers will increase, and it will increase greatly.

According to Zhang Ximeng's method, no matter whether it is a man or a woman, after leaving home, earning a sum of money, no matter how much it is, can subsidize the family and improve their lives.

But in a family of tenant farmers, if someone wants to go out to work, the landlord may not rent you the land, and then the whole family will live with you, so your wages must be able to support the whole family.There is no doubt that this money is to be counted on the cost of the workshop.

Conversely, after owning the land, the family can live at home with peace of mind, and you can sell your labor with peace of mind.The cost of the workshop will come down, and the competitiveness will come.

Zhang Ximeng was full of confidence, so he stood in front of the Yamen of Yingtian Mansion, and directly settled the accounts with the people of Yingtian... Is it good or bad to let women come out to do things?

For any family, it is an irresistible temptation to accumulate wealth as soon as possible, whether it is a man or a woman, to earn more money and live a more comfortable life.

"I know that the big guy may still be worried. He thinks that letting a woman come out will cause all kinds of bad things, such as immorality, and corruption... In fact, I want to tell everyone that there are some things that can be solved, such as asking everyone to come out. The high-level yamen should properly protect women, and whoever dares to mess around will be severely punished! As for some simple prejudices, women are not allowed to come out to do things, I would like to ask the big guys, some people will not let you live a good life, and you will not be allowed to get rich , as your stumbling block, what are you going to do?"

How to do?

Zhang Ximeng's questioning was resounding, the people looked at me and I looked at you, all of them blushed, and suddenly someone yelled, "Smash their dog's heads!"

"Yes, smash them all, leaving no one behind!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and nodded, then looked back at the seniors and celebrities in the hall, they were already sweating profusely and trembling all over...

Chapter 258 Quick Knife

"Li Xiang, as we said, there are two layers to this matter. I've talked superficially. I'm afraid I will trouble Li Xiang for the rest."

Zhang Ximeng returned to his seat calmly, and cupped his hands at Li Shanchang.

Seeing Zhang Ximeng salute, Li Shanchang hurriedly stood up. Surprisingly, Li Xi and Xia Yu also stood up, leaning their upper bodies slightly, respectfully, treating them like teachers and saints.

That's right, they felt that there was indeed a Bodhisattva-like halo behind Zhang Ximeng's head. As for why he didn't reach the realm of Buddha, it depended on whether Zhang Ximeng could stand up in the future.

But there is no doubt that so far, the changes brought about by Zhang Ximeng can be said to be earth-shaking.

So when Zhang Ximeng sat down, the two of them just stood behind them, like the second general humming.

Don't think it's tiring to stand, how many people want to stand here, soaked in fairy spirit, but they don't have that blessing!

Li Shanchang is also sincerely convinced. Although words and reason cannot solve practical problems, powerful reason can increase the power of action by ten times and a hundred times. .

At this moment, Li Shanchang is enough to defecate freely on the moral high ground.

"Wei Han, Huang Xiu, Li Tianbo, Sui Zhiyuan... you are all old Confucian scholars in Jinling City, you are quite famous, and you all oppose letting women come out to do things. At this moment, what do you think?"

These people's backs are already not so straight, and most of their momentum has disappeared, but they are still unwilling to admit defeat.

"Zhang Xiang bewitches people's hearts. It is really rare in the world. But we uphold the principles of Confucius and Mencius, the principles of sages, and die for Confucius and Mencius. I will die without regret!"

"Take it!"

Li Shanchang was not afraid at all, and said directly: "Take down old Wei Han!"

As soon as he gave the order, a soldier rushed up and directly held Wei Han down, "Kneel down!"

How could the old man bear the pressure of the soldiers, so he could only kneel on one knee. He tried his best to hold his neck high, and said in grief and indignation: "It's an insult to gentleness, gentleness sweeps the floor! Prime Minister Li, you are also a scholar! And Li Shangshu, you are not afraid of scholars Poke your spine?"

Hearing someone calling him by name, Li Xi puffed up his chest and laughed loudly, "Just now, Zhang Xiang has already explained what he said clearly, and he explained the truth thoroughly. If there is something wrong, please ask Zhang Xiang to point it out."

Zhang Ximeng smiled at Li Xi, indicating that he could continue.

Li Xi seemed to be inspired, and a wave of strength surged from his body.

"Ms. Zhang said that it is good for ordinary people to let women come out to do things. Who would not want to? These are the people!" Li Xi pointed to a few seniors with his finger, and then said: "Why don't they agree? That's right. The hype is falling, after all, it is still for self-interest!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Sui Zhiyuan roared angrily, "Li Xi, you, you study with me and have a fellowship. If you talk nonsense like this, aren't you afraid of deceiving your master and destroying your ancestors, and being struck by lightning?"

Li Xi laughed loudly, "I was really afraid in the past, but today, I am not afraid anymore, because I know that the law of heaven is on our side! The last time Zhang Xiang talked with us about ancient and modern times, he talked about the Qin, Han, Tang and Song Dynasties, more than 1000 years ago Come on, the road of sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats has come to an end. Now to rejuvenate China, we must find a new road. And this new road is to share the world with all people, so the new master of the world must uphold the destiny, Allocating acres... At that time, I was still a little hesitant and didn't understand the reason. But today, I also have a little understanding. It's not that any of you is a bad person, it's your choice, yes This world is not good, what you think is not good for all people!"

"Li Xi, you, you are getting more and more crazy!" Panting heavily, Sui Zhiyuan asked, "Do you also think women should be indulged? Let the rooster rule the morning, the king guides his ministers, the father guides his son, and the husband guides his wife." ...Where did you put Gangchang? What do you think?"

Li Xi is not afraid, "Thank you for mentioning the word Gangchang. The three cardinal guides and five constant rules originated from Dong Zhongshu, which is the beginning of the king and scholar bureaucrats sharing the world. Since this road is broken and a new road is to be taken, Gangchang should be re-determined." , the old, outdated ones should also be changed!"

Li Xi turned his head, the two prime ministers were sitting upright, Zhang Ximeng looked normal, and Li Shanchang nodded frequently, seemingly appreciative.

Li Xi immediately said: "Li Xiang, once upon a time, from the county yamen to the criminal department, everyone thought that this case was difficult and difficult to handle. But now that I think about it, it is nothing more than Gangchang locked hands and feet, trapped my head... we are the cocoon that binds us , The painting is a prison. Now that Zhang Xiang has released the cage, we have nothing to fear!"

"From the point of view of the lower officials, it is still necessary to redefine the rules and regulations, or to fall on the decree. In the final analysis, it is still the responsibility of the Ministry of Punishment. New decrees should be drafted as soon as possible to avoid situations of being at a loss again."

Hearing this, Li Shanchang nodded repeatedly.

"Sure enough, Li Shangshu mentioned the crucial point. Since this is the case, let me say a few words." Li Shanchang sneered and said, "Wei Han, you encouraged the Han family couple to disrupt the military uniform workshop because of your own selfish interests. This is your first order." The first major crime. You bought the clerks of the yamen to support you, which is the second major crime. Then you formed gangs, talked nonsense, disrupted the government, and used despicable methods. You can be punished!"

"With these three crimes, no one can save you! Immediately put you in jail and beheaded!"

Li Shanchang raised the murderous knife without hesitation.

"Song Gui, you are the county magistrate of Jiangning. You should be able to distinguish right from wrong and make decisions for the people, but you are incompetent and incompetent. You listen to one side and believe in another, and do nothing. Immediately remove your official position and put you in prison. Your corruption will be thoroughly investigated. , deal with it together!"

After Li Shanchang finished speaking, his eyes fell on Li Xi and Xia Yu again.

"In this case, Ying Tianfu and the Ministry of Punishment acted slowly and did nothing. After investigation, you two yamen also have people who are colluding with each other, talking nonsense and interfering with government affairs. Let's investigate now and bring these people to justice. Law. After the investigation is clear, you are allowed to take the crime and make meritorious service, but if the investigation is not clear, you will be charged together!"

"Your subordinate knows!" The two agreed in unison.

Then Li Shanchang said: "Jiangning County Yamen, all the clerks and servants who have been in contact with Wei Han will be imprisoned and await a thorough investigation... As for the others, whoever worked in the Yamen 15 years ago will be dismissed immediately. Within seven days, the civil servant examination will be held to fill the vacancies."

Li Shanchang's hair fell in a big circle, and finally he set his sights on a few senior scholars, with a slight sneer on his face, "You are famous, your family has property, you have no worries about food and clothing, you don't have to worry about food and drink, and you make friends with powerful people." , swaying scholastic debates, even daring to contend with great politics... Is this world yours?"

Li Shanchang yelled suddenly, "Take it down, and investigate thoroughly! Never condone and raise rape!"

……

Merchants, petty officials, Confucian scholars, officials... From top to bottom, Li Shanchang never let go of them.When the people in the hall heard this, they all cheered and praised Master Qingtian in unison!

Ma Shi, who was listening beside him, also stood up and nodded at Li Shanchang with a smile, his appreciation was beyond words.

At this point in the case, Mrs. Ma could see clearly.

This is not a simple question of whether women can enter the workshop to do things, but a habit of more than 1000 years.

In the old habits, Confucian scholars in Shilin, officials in the imperial court, and wealthy businessmen with wealth in their hands, they are all the most profitable group of people.

Not surprisingly, this group of people is united in resisting change.

Fortunately, it was Zhang Ximeng who was able to see through the fire and dragged out this group of people.

Knowing where the problem is, it is convenient to cut the knife.

What I am most afraid of is a mess. Everyone says that there are many difficulties, the resistance is too great, and there is no way to start, and then nothing will happen. This is the worst thing.

Now that Li Shanchang has taken out the momentum of cutting the mess with a sharp knife, he can finally make people feel at ease.

"Girl, what are you afraid of this time?"

Mrs. Ma smiled and looked at Han Xiuniang next to her. This girl's face was flushed. When had she seen such a big scene? When she thought that because of herself, she brought out such a thing, so many arguments, and even some people were awarded because of it. Sin was killed, and her heart was beating wildly, uneasy.

But she still has worries, that is, so many people have dealt with it, but her parents, what should I do?

Mrs. Ma saw her worry, and took the initiative to say: "Don't be afraid, they are just two bastards, and they are not worthy of being sent down with this group of people. Don't worry, at most, you will suffer a little bit, understand some truths, and you will not lose your age. Still confused!"

Han Xiuniang nodded vigorously, her heart finally relaxed.

"Husband, madam, when will the workshop start?"

Ma Shi couldn't help laughing, "What's going on, can't wait?"

Han Xiuniang blushed and said: "Well, these days, the family is not at peace, and I have been sick for a while. Start work earlier and earn more money, so that the family can live better."

The family she mentioned naturally refers to her husband's family. The parents-in-law have suffered a lot of criticism because of her affairs, and the old couple don't talk about it, but they know it in their hearts.

Having been an honest and good person all his life, at this age, no one can bear to be pointed at.

She doesn't have anything in return, she just wants to make more money, eat better, wear better clothes, and only by living a better life can those people who chew their tongues shut up!

Mrs. Ma nodded, "I know what you're thinking, but you have to do what you can, go home and rest for a few days, recover your body, and come back later. Don't worry, there will be many good days from now on! No one can prevent us from getting rich and living a good life, don't you think?"

"Yeah!" Han Xiuniang nodded vigorously, her worries all gone, and her face was full of smiles.

For Han Xiuniang, the case that has troubled her for a long time is finally resolved, and she can start a new life with peace of mind.

But the impact of this case has only just begun.

After Li Shanchang returned to Zhongshu Province, he immediately invited Zhang Ximeng. The two sat opposite each other, and Lao Li was very enthusiastic.

"Zhang Xiang, I won't say anything else. I want to ask you to help me write down these truths and distribute them to all the officials, including me. They should study them carefully and understand them carefully!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "Thank you Brother Li for being considerate, but I want to say, should I send it to the lord first, and the lord nods before we can do anything?"

Li Shanchang said without hesitation, "Yes, for such a big matter, of course we have to tell the superior."

Chapter 259 Master Zhang

Zhang Ximeng wrote vigorously and told Zhu Yuanzhang all his thoughts.In fact, the official version has not yet come out, and the preemptive version has spread rapidly among the people.

The common people who participated in the trial, especially those who were close, could hear what Zhang Xiang said, and they were all hooked and saw the sun behind the clouds.

If the common people really understood what Zhang Ximeng said, it would be difficult for them. After all, these things, even Li Shanchang and others, sounded very laborious.

It is necessary to master enough historical knowledge and have enough vision to be able to connect everything together and master it well, and it also involves many blind spots in knowledge.

This is why Li Shanchang wanted Zhang Ximeng to write it out and they studied it carefully.

But it doesn't matter if you don't understand, the big guy can at least understand one thing, Zhang Xiang is for the good of the big guy. .

That's enough.