First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Ximeng's thoughts were flying, and someone behind him put a cloak on his shoulders, and put a Tang lady in Zhang Ximeng's arms.

"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Nan asked softly.

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just thinking, what is our Northern Expedition doing to the people?"

"People?" Jiang Nan mused slightly, "Didn't your ancestors say that the prosperity of the people is suffering, and the death of the people is suffering. Everyone understands the suffering of a subjugated country, and the cause of prosperity is suffering. Ordinary people probably don't know. They only know that they are constantly fighting. , confiscating food and grass, delaying the farming season, killing and injuring relatives every time they fight, the family is broken and miserable. There are so many poems complaining about the bitter battle on the frontier and the endless use of soldiers by the emperor in the Tang Dynasty... This master knows it best! "

Zhang Ximeng nodded, "I do know, but I don't think that's the way to think about it, and I can't think about it that way!"

Jiang Nan blinked, "Why, Mr. Zhang wants to care what the big guy thinks again?"

Zhang Ximeng paused, and said in a deep voice: "It's not about me, but I want to tell the big guys the truth, tell everyone that the fate of the country and the fate of individuals are linked together, we share weal and woe, we live and die together. To become better is also a matter of honor for the vast majority of people. And our campaigns and development are also for the people on this land to live better! The family, the country, and the world are all one. of!"

When Zhang Ximeng got excited, he stood up, put Mrs. Tang aside, and waved his hands very forcefully.

He laughed and said, "I'm afraid I don't have much time to knit sweaters this time in the Northern Expedition. You have to work hard for our son's clothes."

Jiang Nan laughed and said, "I already knew that as the commander-in-chief of the three armies, can you really do nothing?" She stretched out her hand to grab the knitting needle, and said with a smile: "Just because of your craftsmanship, our son still doesn't like it. It doesn’t matter if I work harder, as long as you do something that benefits the country and the people.”

Zhang Ximeng laughed and said: "Madam understands righteousness, she is indeed a good wife, don't worry, I will take care of all the family affairs after I finish my busy work."

After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, he couldn't wait to issue an order, and immediately issued an order to all ministries, requesting officials from all over the country to cooperate with the propaganda, and to clearly explain the story of the Northern Expedition to the people.

Zhang Ximeng felt that it was not authoritative enough to just order by himself, so he immediately asked Zhu Yuanzhang to see him.

After Zhang Ximeng told Lao Zhu what he was going to do, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately cheered up, and the little unhappiness in front had disappeared long ago.

"Mr. thinks about the long-term, and it really is well-intentioned!"

Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, we are writing history now, and it's not just the emperor and generals who are writing together, but all the people, all the people in the world. This Northern Expedition is the best material for us to educate the people. In fact, It's just this time, it's the same in every previous battle. It's just that we didn't work hard in the past. We just sacrificed Zong Ze, Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang and others. The impact is still limited. There are still many people in the previous test of hundreds of officials How can people expect people to understand these things?"

"This time we have to really put our heart into it, and all the places are mobilized, from top to bottom, to explain the meaning of the Northern Expedition to the people clearly, to truly gain the support of the people, and to complete the great cause of the Northern Expedition! Our battle is not only for the present, but also for the benefit of the people." In Qianqiu. Everyone who participates in the battle is a hero, enough to boast for a lifetime."

Zhang Ximeng said excitedly, he could clearly feel that Lao Zhu's eyes lit up, and his fists gradually clenched.

Could it be that Zhu Yuanzhang had some idea?

"My lord, why don't you go to the royal conquest this time?"

Old Zhu stared, suddenly slammed the table hard, and said angrily: "How can you take back what has already been decreed!" Then Lao Zhu said again: "Sir, such a big prize is given to you, you leave it to us." Is there anything?"

"Yes! Of course there is!"

Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, in fact, what I have thought about is that besides the Northern Expedition, there will be all nations coming to court, conferring vassal states, and rebuilding the order in China... There are too many things waiting for the lord! As long as the lord is not too tired !"

Lao Zhu took a deep breath and finally nodded.

"Okay, sir, just let it go and do it this time!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded, "My lord can also find officials, so if we do well this time, will the court set up another department to take charge of this matter?"

Lao Zhu thought for a while, then suddenly slapped the table, "That's right! Why didn't we think of that! This kind of thing should be done by a new yamen, not by those trash from the Ministry of Rites! A female ring, After cultivating it like that, we were scolded by our sister for several days..."

Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly shut up, Zhang Ximeng just didn't know, so he left quickly, I have no interest in the matter of you two.

Zhang Ximeng came out of the palace and went to see Li Shanchang again.

During this meeting, I could clearly feel that Li Shanchang was full of sorrow and misery.

He misunderstood the matter again. At first, Li Shanchang thought that Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial conquest would be personally conscripted. If something happened, he would be involved in the follow-up. He hoped that Zhang Ximeng would help resolve it.

But in fact Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have a personal conquest at all, this time it's all right, don't wait for the emperor to come back, something may happen at any time now.

Li Shanchang needs Zhang Ximeng's help too much.

"Zhang Xiang, don't worry, the old man will definitely give an order and treat this matter as a top priority."

Zhang Ximeng could only smile wryly, "Brother Li, this is to cooperate with the Northern Expedition. In order to make the battlefield smoother, it would be bad if the guest takes the lead and messes up the order."

Li Shanchang thought for a while and said: "Well, you write a detailed document and I will let them strictly follow it. We have done such a big thing, it is impossible not to publicize it!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded reluctantly, as he recognized Li Shanchang's words.

But obviously, relying on Lao Li, something might go wrong... Zhang Ximeng then went to see Zhu Sheng, and then Song Lian and others.

After all this busy work, I finally got an idea.

After discussion among the big guys, it was decided that Song Lian would go to Luling, before Wen Tianxiang's temple, to read out the call for the Northern Expedition, to comfort the predecessors, and to inspire morale...

"Don't worry Zhang Xiang, I must handle this matter well."

Before Song Lian took action, he specially invited several newspaper writers... Although Daming had a newspaper for a long time, it generally continued the style of Di Bao, which was a collection of news from various sources. As a bachelor in charge of the academy, it was the first time for her to accept an interview and directly promote the national policy, and still be a big girl on a sedan chair.

Facing Song Lian, these writers were also trembling, fearing that they would annoy this powerful scholar Song.

However, as the exchanges unfolded, Song Lian was elegant and easy-going, and was still very popular.

They kept talking about the second watch. After returning, these few wrote articles all night and didn't even dare to sleep... On the second day, all the newspapers had banner headlines: Prime Minister Wen, the spirit in heaven, you can comfort yourself!

Chapter 548 Vigorous sacrificial action

The emergence of newspapers has greatly enriched the lives of the people, at least they have something to talk about after dinner.Especially the common people in the city, even if they are illiterate, they still like to go to teahouses and tea stalls when they have time, looking for those who have newspapers read.

Order a pot of tea and listen to a newspaper, which quenches your thirst and refreshes your spirits. You can go home and sleep with double satisfaction.

In fact, for quite a long period of time, the channels for ordinary people to obtain information were quite limited.Or simply put, almost zero.

First of all, books are very expensive, and secondly, miscellaneous books other than the Four Books and Five Classics are more expensive due to the scarcity of printing, or they are simply priceless.

I searched all over the world, but couldn't buy one.

So it's not surprising that many poor scholars only know what to do and don't know anything useful.

Ordinary people know the history and the outside world. Apart from the storytelling by the elders, there are some rivers and lakes entertainers who tell stories and sing operas.

How much can be learned from the family depends on the elders. Usually, how much can families who have been farming for generations know?

As for the Jianghu entertainers, they are eloquent, but if you listen carefully, you will know that what they are talking about is very different from history, and it is not the case at all.

In hard-hit areas like the Three Kingdoms, artists just pick up the lively talk... Even after the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is written, in most cases, it will not end, even before going to Maicheng, or Baidicheng Tuogu, it will be over. .

After all, it gets more and more sad later on, and ordinary people probably have the same appetite as readers. I read for fun, so why write those sad parts and give us a happy ending?

If you make us sad, we won't watch it, don't spend any money, let you drink the Northwest Wind!

As a result of doing so, over time, a very interesting folk historiography will be formed... In folk historiography, the Tang Dynasty was built by the heroes of Wagang Mountain, and Li Shimin is a very weak decoration.

The descendants of Yue Fei inherited his behest and sent troops to the Northern Expedition. The Golden Wushu that made people gnash their teeth was captured by Niu Gao. There are also jokes about Jin Wushu who died of anger, and Niu Gao who laughed to death... In the universe of folk history , The Great Song Dynasty was naturally rejuvenated.

Of course we cannot deny the value of folk stories, which of course represent a kind of good wish of the people. They are popular and widely spread, and there is nothing wrong with them.

It's just that outside of the folk system, it seems that there should be a real history education, so that the people can learn more about the truth, shape common memories, and cultivate common values.

This cultural accumulation is the source of Chinese civilization.

But today's Daming is taking advantage of the excellent opportunity of the Northern Expedition to decisively start making up lessons.

After the propaganda in the newspapers, many people knew Wen Tianxiang for the first time, that the Great Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Mongols, that Yashan was defeated, and that Shenzhou land was sinking.

Going back further, there is the shame of Jingkang, the injustice of Yue Fei...it makes people unbearable to read.

In the past, when Zhang Ximeng wrote articles, the main scope of publicity was scholars, various schools, including military officers and soldiers. There is still a long way to go before it can be truly popularized by the whole people.

This time is quite different, at least for the citizens, it is the first time to have a relatively complete contact with history, and it is also the first time to know what Mr. Zhang has been tinkering with these years...

I am ashamed to say that I used to think that Zhang Xiang was the kind of living god who could pinch and count, sent from heaven to assist Zuo Mingjun and the Holy Lord.

Now the big guy is making it clear that Zhang Xiang is speaking for the big guy. Instead of doing any tricks to fool the people, on the contrary, he advocates educating the people and letting more people read and understand, all for the good of the people matter.

God is sorry, it took more than ten years before Zhang Ximeng's ideas finally spread to the people and became familiar to many citizens... Is it very slow?

Not only is it not slow, it is even so amazing.

After all, after only ten years of work, it is possible to get the support of so many people. If it is given another 30 to [-] years, it is not impossible to change the whole world.

Understand history, remember Prime Minister Wen, know shame and be brave.

Sixteen prefectures of Yanyun, the capital of the Northern Expedition, regained their homeland.

In restaurants, restaurants, and in the streets and alleys, the common people talked about these things more and more, and they became more and more aware of the meaning of the Northern Expedition.

The Mongols took the world and turned us into slaves.

Today, we are going to conquer the Central Plains, expel the Hulu, and take back the land that belongs to us!

What are you doing with it?

Neither eat nor drink.

There is also an increase in taxation and corvee, hard work, and death on the battlefield. Is there any need for it?

Have!

Of course!

We are all people in this country, who doesn't want to live a prosperous life?Don't want to buy a chair today and a bed tomorrow?

If the family is to prosper more and more, the country must become bigger and bigger. We must hold on to the land that our ancestors did not lose.

The land lost by the ancestors must be brought back.

The land that the ancestors did not occupy must find a way to get it.

Green out of blue is better than blue, and the days are getting better every day.

Only in this way can we be worthy of our ancestors and future generations.

This kind of simple view quickly spread among the people.

The family and the country are one, longing for the Ming Dynasty to be better and better, and looking forward to the prosperity of the land of China... The people's support is so natural.

Among them, the Fudan School in Shandong took the initiative to raise money and bought a Wanshi grain ship, which was donated to the imperial court for grain transportation.

The actions of Fudan School made Jimin School feel extremely embarrassed. This school, which was established the first time, boasted that it was the most sacred place in the world, but it fell behind, and it was almost impossible to face the world.

The Jimin Academy had to mobilize urgently. Together with teachers and students, they donated [-] coins for military expenses.

In addition, people from all over the country provided food and cloth, volunteered to work, and helped transport food and grass.

The craftsmen of the military workshop took advantage of the rest time to speed up the production of weapons, and made [-] more weapons, all of which were sent to the front of the army and handed over to the soldiers for use.

From top to bottom, compared to previous mobilizations, this time the people are more active.

In the past, it was based on the equalization of land. In case of war, the common people should actively serve to help win the war and keep the land.

But this time more citizens were mobilized.

For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, to make the country better... a kind of glory, responsibility, and mission based on the Chinese people is rapidly brewing and sprouting.

There is no doubt that the former Genghis Khan inspired the Mongols to be ferocious and good at fighting. In the days that followed, the worlds of the East and the West trembled, trembled, panicked, and knelt down under the iron hooves of Mongolia.

But now in the Central Plains, there are tens of millions of Chinese people, even Zhang Ximeng can't predict what they can bring to the world after they wake up.

He just knows that the power from the people is getting bigger and bigger.

People are not only satisfied with paying homage to Prime Minister Wen... The tomb of Zongze in Zhenjiang and the tomb of Yue Fei in Hangzhou are places where Zhu Yuanzhang once visited.

People gathered here, recited the old sacrificial rites, raised their arms and shouted together to expel the barbarians and restore China.

Both the elderly and children are immersed in the strong excitement.

It turns out that this time they used troops to fight wars, collected taxes, and mobilized civilians... It wasn't that the court was bleeding into sea water, and Zhu Huang had no intention of opening the border, but to regain the homeland and take back the ancestral land.

As a Chinese citizen, Yanhuang Miao descendant, it is time to make a contribution.

In Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, countless people gathered beside Lu You's tomb, among them were more than a dozen descendants of the Lu family.

Holding the articles in their hands, they knelt down in front of their ancestors' graves and wept loudly.

"Look quickly! Master Wang is about to make a northern expedition!"

"Wang Shi not only wants to recover the Central Plains, but also to conquer the capital in the north."

"The land of Yanyun will also be brought back! What the Song Dynasty failed to do, we have done!"

"Long live Daming! Long live my emperor!"

The voices of the people came and went, one after another.

Wang Shibei set the Central Plains Day, and the family sacrifices will never be forgotten to tell Nai Weng!

It is a pity that it has been more than 150 years since Lu You passed away.

The Song Dynasty, which he had hoped for, suffered a crushing defeat after decades, not to mention recovering the Central Plains, even himself.

Today's Great Yuan Dynasty has passed nearly a hundred years.