Chapter 24: Awakening from a dream, drinking from the golden cup

Zhu Yijun's words were sincere. Once he ascended the throne, incompetence was a kind of original sin.

Gao Yi quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yijun interrupted Gao Yi and said, "Please take a seat, sir. This is what I really think."

"Today, I was talking about Zizai, and I agree with what the lecturers said."

Zhu Yijun picked up a pair of chopsticks and tapped the edge of the bowl without paying attention to his manners.

ding... ding...

He recited slowly: "No one should kill or abuse others. As for respecting widows and women, they should be tolerant."

"Your Majesty, please follow the example of the ruler of your country and govern the country. What is your mission? To lead a healthy and peaceful life."

After reciting these two lines, Zhu Yijun put down his chopsticks without waiting for Gao Yi to speak.

He continued, "Tanhua Yu explained it best. The so-called guidance and tranquility is to make the people grow up and live in peace."

"Since I am a king and father, how can I not keep the people in my heart?"

"Sir, I don't want to be the Jin Emperor Hui who said 'Why don't you eat meat porridge?'"

Gao Yi was silent, his thoughts drifting away.

He stared at the crown prince in a daze, and a line of poetry suddenly emerged in his mind - I was born when you were not yet born, and you were born when I was already old.

At this moment, Gao Yi seemed to have returned to the age of 20. He saw the simple school in Qiantang County when he was studying, and saw himself at that time, full of vigor and ambition.

At that time, he was just thinking about what he would do if he became an official one day.

At that time, he was just thinking that if he could gain entry to the mainstream, he would be able to achieve great things.

As a student, I spent the whole day analyzing court reports and planning for the world with my classmates.

At that most ridiculous and also most passionate age, he was also full of vigor and vitality.

Looking back, I am already over fifty years old and very old.

He almost forgot when and why his blood cooled.

Oh... it was the officialdom and court where corruption was rampant and factions were formed for personal gain; it was Emperor Shizong who supported Yan Song in making money and ignored the common people; it was the late emperor who curled up in the harem all day long, drinking poisonous drugs and demanding beauties.

To this day, it really feels like a dream.

At this moment, when he looked at the Crown Prince, it was as if he was looking at himself at that time - a man with the world in his heart and a passionate youth.

Gao Yi suddenly understood why the teacher who had resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown to give lectures had that look in his eyes when he was watching them discussing state affairs from outside the window.

He looked at Zhu Yijun quietly, his heart was churning and his nose was gradually becoming sore.

Alas, who are the parents of my people, who are suffering and have no one to turn to...

Gao Yi repeated these words in his mind again, and he could hardly hold back his tears.

What is a ruler and father? What is a parent official? Who are the subjects?
This question, which does not require further explanation, has become a castle in the air and a mirage in the sea in today's world.

As a result, the people are also confused. Where are their rulers and fathers? Where are their parents and officials? Who can they turn to for help in their difficulties?
It is said that children speak without restraint and have pure hearts. The Crown Prince's revelation of his true heart was even more kind and honest than he had imagined, like a piece of unpolished jade, full of divine brilliance and dazzling.

As a king and a father, he always cared about the people. He served two dynasties with great dignity. Did he finally meet a sage king?
Gao Yi couldn't stop sobbing and bowed sincerely: "Your Highness is kind and virtuous, and it is a blessing for our country."

"I only hope that Your Highness will not Don't forget what you have gained today, and will provide for the people and rest with them in the future."

These words are somewhat impolite. How can I tell Your Majesty not to Don't forget what I said today?

But Gao Yi considered himself a scholar and could not suppress this impulse.

This is not a subject's exhortation to his king, nor a teacher's request to his disciples. This is just a scholar's encouragement to his confidant after hearing the words of a like-minded person.

Zhu Yijun quickly reached out his hand to support Gao Yi, feeling deeply moved.

The destructive power of rituals is too strong for these old-fashioned scholars.

Even if he just acted a little like a competent emperor, the old man was deeply moved.

Thousands of years of cultural inertia are rooted in people's hearts and are truly unstoppable.

Unfortunately, everything has two sides. He can use it easily now, but when he implements new laws in the future, the etiquette system will become a stumbling block, which is both stubborn and rigid.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and threw the random thoughts out of his mind.

She continued to persuade him: "Your Majesty, you are not kidding. I dare not forget it. I will definitely take care of you and make you peaceful in the future."

"But now, I am young and inexperienced, so I still have to rely on you for preaching, governing, and supporting the people."

Facing the Crown Prince's eager expectation, Gao Yi felt that his gaze was as heavy as a thousand pounds: "I have little knowledge and talent, but I am just using my humble status to steal a high position."

"Your Highness is naturally intelligent and wise. Given time, your abilities will surely surpass those of this humble minister."

Gao Yi is both a humble expression and a self-deprecating one.

He is now in the cabinet, with great influence, and can be said to be above everyone else, with major policies in his hands.

But what did he do?

did nothing.

He neither fulfilled his youthful aspirations nor followed the moral principles of a scholar who wanted to benefit the world.

The second half of his life can really be described as just a figurehead.

Zhu Yijun shook his head, with a trace of sorrow in his heart: "Before my father passed away, I entrusted the government to you three, please don't be modest."

"The Yuanfu was my father's teacher. At that time, my father held the Yuanfu's hand and said with tears in his eyes, 'I will burden you with the world.'"

"Now, I, Deliang Youchong, my master, don't you want to be a burden to me?"

Zhu Yijun held the people of the world in his left hand and the late emperor's will in his right hand, and with the decree of a sage monarch, he repeatedly shook Gao Yi's mind.

Gao Yi stammered, obviously feeling a little overwhelmed.

His expression was moved, and he was filled with emotion: "The grace of heaven is so great that I will never dare to fail you."

Zhu Yijun then smiled.

He sat down gracefully and said, "Sir, please sit down quickly. The lunch is getting cold. Don't waste it. Every grain of rice is hard-earned."

Gao Yi was unable to control his emotions for a moment, so he just sat down without saying a word.

During the meal, Zhu Yijun asked some academic questions in a casual manner, showing an attitude of eagerness to learn.

Gao Yi's itchy spots were tickled several times, causing him to lose all control of his manners and spit everywhere.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Zhu Yijun said unobtrusively: "Sir, you have interpreted the word filial piety very well. I will practice it well."

After saying this, he sighed softly.

Gao Yi asked in confusion, "Why is your highness sighing?"

Zhu Yijun said: "Sir, you don't know, the late emperor asked me to be filial to the two palaces, but I often do not do it well."

"Recently, I have seen my mother looking restless and irritable. She must be worried about something. But when I asked her about it, she said it was political affairs and she didn't want to disturb my studies, so she didn't let me know."

"My mother is worried, but I can't help her. Sir, can I still be considered filial?"

When the Crown Prince mentioned this, Gao Yi immediately understood what he was talking about.

Recently, the court has been discussing two major difficulties, one is the performance evaluation, and the other is the internal treasury. Both have caused unpleasantness with Concubine Li, and there seems to be a stalemate.

But now that the Crown Prince mentioned it, Gao Yi felt a little embarrassed.

It is said that it is a taboo to respect the respected, and it involves insidious things such as internal and external power struggles. It is not good to tell children about it.

Seeing his hesitation, Zhu Yijun asked innocently, "Sir, what happened in the court that angered my mother? Could you please tell me in private here, out of filial piety?"

Gao Yi didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Zhu Yijun quickly advised: "Sir, my mother was deeply bewitched by Feng Bao. I am afraid that she was deceived by the upper and lower officials, which is why she is unhappy with the court officials."

"Sir, let me tell you what you think. I can also mediate between them. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

Gao Yi paused for a moment and felt that there seemed to be some truth in his words. Apart from the Crown Prince's filial piety, Li lived in the deep palace and outsiders could only make suggestions through memorials. On the contrary, he, as a student, was serving the emperor. If he had this intention, he could really reconcile the internal and external affairs.

He thought about it and quickly convinced himself.

"Your Highness, you may not know that there are two issues both inside and outside the country that are causing endless troubles..."

Gao Yi told the whole story in detail. He thought Zhu Yijun knew nothing about it, so he explained it in great detail.

After hearing this, Zhu Yijun frowned and asked, "Isn't the Prime Minister going to transfer this 100,000 taels into the imperial treasury?"

he asked knowingly.

Gao Yi quickly explained, "Of course not. Right now, the Ministry of Rites is holding a grand ceremony, the Ministry of Works is repairing the mausoleum, and the Yellow River is flooding in summer. They have all urgently taken out a batch of silver, and the Ministry of Revenue is stretched to the limit." "The cabinet means that the silver will be transferred to the treasury after the summer tax revenue comes in."

Zhu Yijun said "oh".

Very reasonable: "Since there is a reason for this, I can persuade my mother. Now is the time to endure for the sake of the country and overcome the difficulties together."

Gao Yi was once again deeply moved by the kindness of the new emperor.

After Zhu Yijun finished speaking, he hesitated and said, "This method of evaluating performance is a little difficult to implement... It seems to be quite damaging to the emperor's virtue."

To hurt one's holiness is to offend people.

There was a hint of surprise in Gao Yi's eyes, and he couldn't help but admire his disciple's keen political sense and understanding of human nature.

Just by listening to his brief explanation, I immediately sensed his resistance.

He hesitated for a moment, but in the end he didn't pretend and could only nod helplessly: "It is indeed a bit difficult."

This is the disadvantage of being the regent from the harem, there is no such responsibility.

Lao Tzu said, "To bear the blame of the country is to be the master of the country, and to bear the misfortune of the country is to be the king of the world."

There is no ruler in the world who does not offend people.

Emperor Guangwu of Han did not offend anyone and appeared to be very glorious in history books, which just proves that he did not do anything that would offend people.

Zigong asked Confucius: "Everyone in the village likes it, what do you think?"

Confucius said: "Not yet. It is better to like the good people in the village and hate the bad people."

Everyone saying that he is a good person is not as good as good people saying that he is good and bad people saying that he is bad.

Unfortunately, Concubine Li did not understand this principle.

This also led to the fact that the performance evaluation system could not be implemented, unless someone could take on the bad reputation for her - Gao Gong was preparing to do so.

Unfortunately, out of respect for the emperor, Gao Yi could not say these words to the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment, and looked at Gao Yi with pure and flawless eyes: "Sir, the performance evaluation system is a good policy for governing the country, right?"

Gao Yi nodded without hesitation: "Your Highness, the current administration is perfunctory, sluggish, and corruption is rampant. We must put an end to it!"

He had carefully studied Zhang Juzheng's performance evaluation system, and once implemented, it would certainly be able to effectively clarify the administration of officials.

As for how effective it will be, it depends on whether all parties can work together.

After hearing Gao Yi's words, Zhu Yijun nodded vigorously and said firmly: "Since you said so, it must be correct. For the sake of Ming Dynasty, I will definitely convince my mother!"

As he spoke, he smiled shyly and said, "It's just that this method of evaluation is too radical. If I can get the Prime Minister and my mother to take a step back, then I will be more confident."

Gao Yi was deeply moved, but also felt a little ashamed for inadvertently using the crown prince to influence the harem.

He took a deep breath and said confidently: "If Your Highness knows what the Imperial Concubine thinks, I will be able to convince the Prime Minister."

As a regent, his words carry a lot of weight.

No matter how tough Gao Gong is and how much Zhang Juzheng insists, it would be a lack of understanding of the overall situation. Although he is noble, he is not without his sharp edge!

Zhu Yijun was overjoyed.

He said, "In that case, I will go and persuade my mother after lunch, and then send someone to inform you when there is a result."

"In order to convince my mother, there may be some changes."

"I will have to bear with you for a while at Yuanfu and Zhangge Lao's place."

Gao Yi raised his head and nodded.

……

Until Gao Yi finished his shift today, he was still thinking about the meal he had shared with the Crown Prince and the conversation they had with him.

As soon as he got home, he couldn't wait to go into the study, sit at the desk, and write down what happened today.

He either recalls or expresses himself.

"To show one's sincerity with righteousness..."

He sat down at his desk and wrote quickly, as if inspired by God.

He wrote it in one go, until the end, when Gao Yi paused, thinking about how to start writing.

I can't think of the most appropriate way to end it.

Benedict! Benedict! Benedict!
Gao Yi was lost in thought when he was suddenly startled back to his senses by a knock on the door.

"Master, someone from the palace is here." said the old servant outside the door.

Gao Yi quickly stood up and went out to greet him.

When I arrived at the door, I saw that it was the Crown Prince's close companion, Zhang Hong, who came in person.

There was a young eunuch following behind him, holding something.

Gao Yi hurriedly said, "Zhang Dayong, please come in."

Zhang Hong took two steps inside and stopped in the courtyard. He smiled and said, "Greetings, Lord."

"Recently, Yunnan sent us lychees. This afternoon, the Crown Prince also asked the Imperial Concubine for grace to reward all the officials above the third rank in various ministries and departments."

"We have other places to go, so we won't bother you any more."

After saying this, he made a gesture and the young eunuch held the plate and handed it over.

Gao Yi quickly thanked him.

He watched the old servant take it, and then he saw that there were ice cubes on the plate, which gave off a cold feeling.

Plump and round lychees are placed in a golden cup.

Gao Yi ordered the old servant to change the utensils and take them out.

Zhang Hong quickly stopped him: "Lord, this cup belongs to the Crown Prince. When the Ciqing Palace was cleaned yesterday, the Crown Prince said it was too extravagant and wanted to seal it up."

"Today, I changed my mind and said that hiding the wealth in the palace would be a waste of natural resources."

"The prince is kind and benevolent, so he asked the imperial concubine to nod and give this item to the elder to help supplement the family income."

Gao Yi was stunned and was about to speak.

Zhang Hong greeted them with a smile and led the young eunuch out.

Gao Yi looked at Zhang Hong's departing figure, raised his hand, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

After a moment, he still didn't speak.

It seemed to be frozen in the courtyard.

The old servant didn't dare to disturb him and was about to put the plate away and put it in the study.

Gao Yi finally spoke.

He put down his raised hand and sighed, "Let me do it."

The old servant knew that this was how his master acted when he was thinking about something, so he responded and retreated.

Gao Yi silently brought the plate into the house and placed it on the desk.

He fumbled with the plate of lychees and took out a short note from under the cloth.

It said something like "pilot" and "performance" written on it.

But he didn't look at it carefully, he just glanced at it and put it aside.

Instead, he stared at the golden cup with burning eyes and fell into silence for a long time.

In a trance, he seemed to see the face of the crown prince.

That disciple of his own was raising his glass to him with a serious look on his face.

"Sir, let's drink from the golden cup." The crown prince seemed to say so.

The Crown Prince...is he quoting the first half of Taizu's story to express his feelings to him?

He is a man of high character. Can they really get along well with each other as a ruler and his subject in this life?
After a long silence, he looked at the inscription that he had not yet finished writing and the ink that had not yet dried.

As if something moved his mind, Gao Yi finally took action.

He slowly picked up the pen and stared at the end of the inscription.

He held up his sleeves, wrote down the last sentence slowly and carefully: "…Therefore, the heart of heaven only cares for saints, and famous officials must wait for God."

(End of this chapter)