Chapter 26: Taking advantage of the topic, Ke Aikewei

Gao Yi had to go to the regular court today to discuss the performance appraisal system, so he took a leave of absence from the lecture hall and Zhang Siwei was temporarily in charge.

Zhu Yijun did not hesitate to perform just because his main audience was not there.

As I said, development cannot stop.

These lecturers are the most promising young men in the Ming Dynasty. Even if they are just extras, they have to play their characters well.

Therefore, Zhu Yijun continued to meticulously enhance his character, just like he did in the previous days.

In fact, Zhu Yijun's learning progress has far exceeded his daily lectures.

In the past few days, he hardly put down his books after dinner and had already memorized the contents of "The Great Learning" and "The Book of History".

The level of enlightenment in daily lectures was still too simple for him - he was just waiting for the imperial lecture to be held, and then he would give the officials a good brainwashing.

The results of this advanced learning, reflected in his daily lectures, made him, the new king, appear particularly intelligent.

Several tutors were treated like frogs in boiling water and began to get used to it.

Today he understood it in one go without any hindrance, and the lecturers did not think there was anything wrong with it.

After Zhu Yijun deliberately sped up the progress, just after half of the Si hour, the tutors had finished today's content.

"Your Highness, let's stop here today." Zhang Siwei stepped out and said.

These lecturers have their own duties in various government offices, and they have to go back to work after their lectures every day.

However, since Zhu Yijun intended to make time, he naturally did not want to let them finish class early.

He slowly said, "Gentlemen, wait a minute."

Several lecturers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang Siwei hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?"

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "This is a daily lecture. You are all teachers and I am a disciple. How can a disciple give orders to a teacher?"

"It's just that the lecture ended early today, and I still have some spare time. Instead of wasting it, I might as well ask you gentlemen for advice on something else."

Zhang Siwei just felt unlucky.

Among the lecturers, his seniority and rank were second only to Gao Yi. Once Gao Yi left, he would inevitably become the leader.

If not for this, he wouldn't have to be here playing house with the children.

He has a big and deep foundation behind him, and his daily lectures are just to test his qualifications. He has no intention of really teaching.

He rolled his eyes in his heart, but said respectfully, "Your Highness has questions, and we will do our best to answer them."

Zhu Yijun nodded and said casually, "Several gentlemen have been reading and lecturing for several months."

"I have not yet asked you gentlemen about your backgrounds and knowledge. I am sorry for neglecting this."

He glanced at Zhang Siwei and Ma Ziqiang and said, "I remember that Scholar Zhang and Scholar Ma passed the imperial examination in the same year?"

The two looked at each other.

They answered in unison: "We two ministers were both Jinshi in the 32nd year of Jiajing."

Finally, Ma Ziqiang added: "But Minister Zhang is a second-class Jinshi, and I am a third-class Jinshi."

There are three people in the first list of Jinshi, the first class has three people, the second class has eighty to ninety people, and the third class has more than two hundred people, and they are ranked in order.

He is slightly inferior to the other Jinshi candidates.

Zhu Yijun nodded to show that he understood.

Then he turned to look at Tao Dalin: "I remember that Master Tao was an editor in the Hanlin Academy, so he should have won the first place?"

After Emperor Yingzong, it was a custom that those who passed the first-class imperial examination would be appointed as editors of the Hanlin Academy. In addition, those who were young and talented would be selected from the second and third classes to serve as Hanlin Academy students, which was called "Xuanguan".

These two have always been known as the reserve ministers.

Tao Dalin replied respectfully: "I was a Jinshi in the 35th year of Jiajing, and ranked second in the first class."

Zhu Yijun wanted to call him "Bangyan Tao", but when the words came to his lips, he felt that it was too awkward, so he simply continued to call him "Bachelor": "No wonder Bachelor Tao is so knowledgeable."

After that, he looked at Yu Youding again and said, "I know Yu Tanhua. He was ranked third in the first class of Jinshi in the 41st year of Jiajing."

Yu Youding was stunned, not knowing why he was inexplicably in the emperor's heart, and could only bow.

Zhu Yijun passed him by and looked at Chen Dong: "Master Chen is also an editor of the Hanlin Academy?"

Among the many lecturers, Chen Dong is very eye-catching, but he has little presence.

It is eye-catching because he has a very distinctive appearance - thin, extremely thin, not the kind of thinness that comes from being cut by a knife or an axe, but rather the thinness that comes from poor nutrition.

The reason why he has no sense of presence is that Chen Dong is very frugal with words when he lectures. He never says anything extra except for explaining the meaning. He is introverted and deep.

Chen Dong replied: "Your humble servant, I was ranked third in the first class of the imperial examination in the 44th year of the Jiajing reign."

Without waiting for Zhu Yijun to ask one by one, the remaining lecturers reported their backgrounds.

Zhu Yijun listened patiently.

The people before us are the "potential prime ministers" of the Ming Dynasty, or in other words, the leaders of the young and vigorous faction.

Now that he has the protection of the Imperial Guards and the recognition of Grohe, it is time to try to reach out to these core civil servants.

Many lecturers reported their backgrounds one by one, and Zhu Yijun memorized them all.

Then he looked at Ma Ziqiang and Tao Dalin who had taken leave yesterday: "Mr. Ma and Mr. Tao took leave yesterday. I heard that they went to the Ministry of Rites to discuss the posthumous title and temple of my father?"

The two looked at each other and answered in unison: "Your Highness, it is true."

The posthumous title and temple name are the final verdict on an emperor's life and deeds.

Good or bad, there must be an explanation.

Just like the words written on the letter of persuasion to ascend the throne on the first day of June, which read, "The country has prospered for more than two hundred years, and there have been about six or seven wise and virtuous emperors."

The Ming Dynasty has lasted for 200 years and has gone through 12 generations. Among them, there are only about 6 or 7 emperors who can be called good emperors.

As for the other emperors? That's beyond words.

Why are there six or seven good emperors?
It is because the late emperor has not yet been judged, and his virtuousness or not is still ambiguous.

Zhu Yijun hesitated for a moment and said, "Now that we are talking about this..."

"I followed you gentlemen and studied the University and Shangshu, and gradually learned the stories of the ancient sage kings."

"If we look at it from the perspective of the Four Books and the Five Classics, how would the scholars comment on my father?"

From the perspective of your Confucian classics, how would you evaluate the late emperor?
After hearing this, the two men felt their scalps tingling. For such a major matter, after discussion by the ministry and the court, it was the opinion of all the civil officials, so they were not afraid of any discussion.

But now the Crown Prince is asking this question privately, how can I answer?
Who dares to stick his neck out and say that your father neglected state affairs, indulged in women, and died on a woman's belly after taking too many aphrodisiacs?

What else can I say except nice things?
Tao Dalin stepped back quietly.

Ma Ziqiang could only avoid the topic and said, "Your Highness, I was just sorting out the merits and demerits of the late emperor yesterday, and I haven't discussed it properly yet."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "I am not discussing the posthumous title seriously. I am just making a brief comment from the perspective of scholarship."

"After I succeed to the throne, I will choose the good and follow it, and choose the bad and reflect on it."

Ma Ziqiang stood there, sweat gradually appearing on his forehead.

Zhu Yijun looked at him patiently.

Ma Ziqiang pondered for a long while before speaking: "The late emperor is naturally a virtuous ruler."

No matter what the lecturers thought, they all nodded.

Zhu Yijun asked: "Where is the holy virtue?"

He did not intend to interfere with the posthumous title of the previous emperor. He just wanted to take advantage of this question and answer session to familiarize himself with the ecology of the civil service.

To be more precise, he wanted to know from the evaluation of the previous emperor what a good emperor was in the eyes of these young and middle-aged cabinet candidates.

Although several people in the cabinet, including the six ministries, hold great power, they are all old and cannot reflect the thoughts of these young and strong men.

After all, when acting, one still has to first ask the audience what kind of character they like.

Ma Ziqiang said vaguely: "The late emperor was dignified and solemn. He was powerful without killing people. He was quiet and reserved. He was a benevolent monarch."

Zhu Yijun paused, then nodded after a while.

Ma Ziqiang said that the late emperor was an honest man with a good temper and was very calm, and he did not rely on killing people to establish his authority.

Of course, this is also a veiled criticism of Emperor Sejong, who demonstrated his authority by beating court officials to death.

It's good to criticize others, because at least it shows that he is telling the truth. It seems that Ma Ziqiang is very dissatisfied with the emperor who is autocratic and murderous, so he probably likes Emperor Xiaozong.

Zhu Yijun signaled to Tao Dalin with his eyes again.

Seeing that he could not escape, Tao Dalin sighed inwardly and said, "The late emperor is so wise that he cannot be observed. Although he has not issued any orders, his influence is rapid. Although he has not spoken any words, his voice is as loud as a thunder. He is an effective monarch." Zhu Yijun looked up and tried hard not to laugh out loud.

This means that the wisdom of the late emperor is unfathomable. Even before issuing any orders, the people below have already taken action swiftly. Without the need for words to be spoken, the influence is like thunder.

To put it bluntly, he is a bit stupid and doesn't care about things, letting others do as they please.

These literati have a high level of speaking ability, at least when it comes to sarcasm, they are extremely skilled.

It seems that Tao Dalin somewhat looks down on the late emperor, thinking that he did not fulfill his duties as an emperor. Does that mean he hopes the new emperor will work hard to govern the country?

Zhu Yijun pretended not to hear.

Then he looked at Zhang Siwei: "Master Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Siwei did not hide anything and spoke frankly: "The late emperor was able to respect his assistants, trust the experienced, gather the efforts of all people, gather the thoughts of all, abide by the laws of our ancestors, and did not bother to change the rules. He truly had the style of the ancient sage kings and was a sage monarch."

To respect and honor assistants and to trust the experienced and knowledgeable means to entrust government affairs to the ministers and to abide by the laws of the ancestors. This is easy to understand.

Is this a good emperor in the eyes of the Jin Party? No wonder Zhang Siwei's uncle named him "Chonggu".

Zhu Yijun looked confused but sighed in his heart. As expected, the praise from the bad guys made people feel uncomfortable.

The style of the ancient sage kings? Oh, the holy deeds of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors deceived countless passers-by, and now they want to deceive him again?
He was about to continue asking.

Yu Youding took the initiative to take over the conversation: "Your Highness, I think that the late emperor should dismiss Shizong from all responsibility and redress the unjust imprisonment."

"The military preparations were in a state of decline, and Altan paid tribute and quelled the border troubles."

"It also changes with the times, does not stick to the old ways, and lifts the maritime ban."

"Correct the habits of scholars, correct the corruption of officials, rectify the administration of officials, and investigate the estates of the royal family and relatives."

"With such behavior, he deserves to be called a king who reforms the old and establishes the new!"

Zhu Yijun looked at Yu Youding in surprise. He did not expect that Yu Tanhua was actually a supporter of the new policy.

The dead are meant to speak for the living.

It doesn’t matter what kind of person the late emperor is. What matters is what kind of person everyone needs him to be.

Zhang Siwei said that the late emperor ruled the country with ease, followed the laws of his ancestors, and upheld established precedents, showing a style of respecting the past.

Yu Youding immediately opened his eyes and said that the late emperor wanted to reform the old and establish the new.

This is the battle between the old and the new.

Zhu Yijun naturally would not reveal this, he just pretended to be thinking about it.

Ma Ziqiang, on the other hand, gave a timely reminder: "Pay attention to etiquette and do not make irresponsible remarks about Emperor Shizong."

Even if it is for the sake of respecting the elder, you should not say this in front of the new emperor. After all, they are grandfather and grandson, so don't be too obvious.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand generously: "I've already said it's an academic discussion, it's fine."

"No matter what, I can still open up the channels for people to express their opinions. There is no need to worry about being punished for what you say."

From the words of these people, we can still read their tendencies.

Whether it is reform or upholding the ancestral laws, at least the civil servants should be treated well so that everyone will approve of it.

Sejong was slandered for beating a court official to death.

Therefore, regardless of whether Zhu Yijun will suppress the civil servants after taking power, he must now let the word out and show his qualities of being open to all opinions and being kind-hearted.

Several lecturers bowed in unison, "Your Highness is wise and wise."

besides……

Zhu Yijun pretended to have a sudden idea: "Recently I heard that the cabinet is discussing the performance evaluation system?"

Several lecturers were confused.

Foreman Zhang Siwei could not avoid it, so he could only take over the conversation: "Your Highness, it is true."

Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Isn't it like the late emperor's discussion of merits and demerits being like an examination and approval?"

Discussions about temple names and posthumous names are generally based on the merits and demerits.

After discussing the merits and demerits, let’s see whether to give a bad or good posthumous title.

In this sense, it is indeed quite similar, but it only happens once in a lifetime.

But none of the lecturers dared to respond.

Examination results? Civil servants give examination results to the emperor? I dare not admit this idea.

Ma Ziqiang said quickly: "Your Highness, the Book of Rites says that ritual begins with coming of age, is rooted in marriage, and is emphasized in funerals and sacrifices. This is the essence of ritual."

"Posthumous names and temple names are related to funerals and sacrifices. They are not the basis of achievements, but the foundation of great ceremonies."

No wonder these lecturers are so nervous.

The ceremony of posthumous title originated in Zhou Dynasty, but was abolished for a time during Qin Dynasty, because Qin Shihuang believed that posthumous titles were suspected of "sons discussing fathers and ministers discussing monarchs". It was not until the Western Han Dynasty that the practice of posthumous title was restored.

In the Ming Dynasty, although there was a lot of tendency to cover up one's mistakes, it was still a powerful tool for civil officials to control the emperor - few people did not care about their reputation after death.

Now the Crown Prince compares the discussion of posthumous titles to the system of performance evaluation. I don't understand what he is thinking, and it really scares people.

If the posthumous name system were to be destroyed by their discussion today, Ma Ziqiang would probably be criticized by civil servants all over the world.

Zhu Yijun sneered in his heart when he saw Ma Ziqiang's reaction.

He had no intention of changing the posthumous name system. He was still using the topic as an excuse to make his point. Or, in other words, he said so much just to bring up the career evaluation system.

Now that the cabinet is leading the charge, we can’t fall behind.

No matter how hard we fight, we cannot neglect state affairs.

Zhu Yijun said, "I don't need to bother with what Scholar Ma said."

"It's just that seeing you gentlemen commenting on my father's successes and failures, I suddenly feel a little emotional. I will need you, my trusted ministers, to supervise me well in the future."

"If I make a mistake and receive a bad posthumous title, it will not only be a pity for me, but also a dereliction of duty for you gentlemen."

"If I could learn half of my father's achievements and receive a good posthumous title in the future, I could go to the underworld to pay homage to my father."

The lecturers had different thoughts and bowed one after another: "We are terrified."

Zhu Yijun saw that the time was almost right, so he said, "My lords, the so-called unity of knowledge and action, since you all agree with what I said, you must put it into practice."

"How about this, I will let you gentlemen and the two palaces test my daily lectures!"

"Do you think so?"

Zhu Yijun took advantage of his good learning progress and acted as if he wanted to show off.

But in fact, he was openly supporting the performance evaluation system.

I am the emperor who will ascend the throne the day after tomorrow. I have to humble myself and accept the evaluation. What else can those officials who don't want to be evaluated say?
What? More precious than the emperor?
Once this matter gets out, the resistance to the pilot implementation, whether in the cabinet or in the harem, will be much smaller.

For many things, when the leaders take the lead in suffering, the efficiency of implementation can be greatly improved.

As for whether he would fail? All I can say is that in his two lives, he had never failed an exam.

Several lecturers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhu Yijun was not in a hurry either. He smiled and said, "Gentlemen, I am not joking."

"The Analects of Confucius says, 'I examine myself three times a day.' Since I am popular among the people, how can I be lazy? This is also to spur myself on."

"You may as well wait for Mr. Gao to come back and discuss it with him, and then submit a memorial together."

"I will go and talk to the two mothers myself."

Several people were still hesitant.

Chen Dong suddenly stepped out: "I accept your order!"

Zhu Yijun was stunned. It was rare to see this person take the initiative to speak.

Coming back to his senses, he couldn't help but smile slightly, grabbed Chen Dong's hand and shook it gently: "Then I'll trouble you, my dear ministers."

"Okay, let's stop here for today. Gentlemen, please go back to the yamen and take your shift."

After saying that, he turned and went into the warm room.

Until he disappeared completely, Chen Dong didn't say hello to anyone and just walked out of the hall.

The rest of the people then followed out in groups of three or five, with heavy hearts on their shoulders.

Yu Youding glanced back at the direction the crown prince had left, feeling deeply moved - compared to the late emperor, this was the appearance of a sage monarch.

　Note 1: The above-mentioned Jinshi origins are all verified from Records of Jinshi Degree-holders in the Ming Dynasty.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)