……

……

Xiao Wenruan's answer is "upward and downward effect".

According to Xiao Wenruan's view, the character and style of lower-level officials are determined by upper-level officials, as long as the emperor himself is wise and resolute, and reuses virtuous ministers, the virtuous ministers who are reused by the virtuous emperor will also follow the reuse of honest and hard-working lower-level officials, and finally can change the atmosphere of the court from top to bottom.

Xiao Wenruan has served as the crown prince and prince for many years, and Zhu Heyu's character and concepts have been deeply affected, and he has always acted according to Xiao Wenruan's teachings in the past.

But the end result is that everything is unsuccessful.

Zhao Shancai's answer is "use it well".

According to Zhao Shancai, there are both corrupt officials and virtuous ministers in the court, which is the emperor's trade-off technique, blindly reusing virtuous ministers is not advisable, blindly reusing corrupt officials is not feasible, some things must be done by those corrupt officials who do not compromise means and have no bottom line, a wise emperor should put the strengths of the ministers and suppress the harms of the courtiers, so as to create a prosperous dynasty, which is beneficial to the country and the people!

After Xiao Wenruan's death, Zhu Heyu fell into a period of confusion, and Zhao Shancai's appearance seemed to let him find a guiding light, and his thoughts and behaviors were gradually influenced and changed by Zhao Shancai, which was a little slow, but it continued.

The end result of this change is that people have rebelled and lost their power.

After reaching an alliance with Zhao Junchen, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but ask Zhao Junchen the same question.

However, Zhao Junchen's answer was completely different from Xiao Wenruan and Zhao Shancai.

Zhao Junchen's answer is very pessimistic, he believes that it is impossible to change the appearance of corrupt officials in the officialdom, this is not only a problem of official governance, but also a problem of human nature, regardless of the system and national conditions, ancient and modern China and foreign countries are the same!

However, Zhao Junchen also said that the Ming Dynasty did a very poor job in ideological education, selection channels, and official discipline supervision, and although it was impossible to completely eradicate the malpractice of official governance, there was still a chance to improve it.

In terms of education, the scholars of the Ming Dynasty only read the four books and the five classics, and the historical books and pens only recorded the merits and deeds of the emperors of the past dynasties, and the readers in this education mode did not know whether they learned loyalty, filial piety and shame, but they certainly did not learn to love the people, when they served as court officials, it was impossible to expect them to love the people like children, even if there were occasionally a few good officials who pity the people, it was only because their conscience still existed, not because of their concept developed since childhood, but "conscience" The word is often the most difficult to withstand.

In the final analysis, even those scholars who were born in ordinary people's families, their goal of entering the officialdom through the imperial examination was not to benefit the people from the beginning, but to completely get rid of their identity as ordinary people and can't wait to go to the opposite side of ordinary people.

Next, Zhao Junchen briefly explained to Zhu Heyu the various shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty in terms of official promotion channels and supervision system, but it was not exhaustive, saying that these things were not what Zhu Heyu should consider now.

On the day Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen met to form an alliance, the two spent nearly half of their time discussing this issue.

Hearing Zhao Junchen's explanations, Zhu Heyu was both dazed, shocked, and a little vigilant.

is at a loss because Zhao Junchen's statement is too far from Zhao Shancai and Xiao Wenruan, even if Zhao Shancai and Xiao Wenruan's statements are a little different, they both attach great importance to the role of the emperor, but Zhao Junchen does not think that the emperor can play a key role in the governance of officials from beginning to end, even if it is occasional, it must be short-lived.

The shock is because Zhao Junchen is full of enthusiasm and clarity when he talks about these things, and his insights are quite unique and profound, and he must have seriously considered the relevant issues for a long time...... Zhu Heyu didn't expect that Zhao Junchen, as the most famous corrupt official in the Manchu Dynasty, would think about such a thing in detail.

As for vigilance, it is because Zhu Heyu is keenly aware that Zhao Junchen does not think about these issues from the perspective of a courtier, or even from the perspective of a ruler, Zhao Junchen's position on this issue is higher than that of the emperor, but what kind of position is higher than that of the king of a country? Zhu Heyu has never been able to figure it out.

However, after experiencing the teachings of Xiao Wenruan and Zhao Shancai, Zhu Heyu will no longer blindly believe anyone's opinions, even if many of Zhao Junchen's statements sound very reasonable, but Zhu Heyu will not believe them all.

What's more, Zhao Junchen also has many statements that sound absurd - for example, Zhao Junchen believes that hundreds of years later, in order to put an end to the illegal behavior of official corruption and bribery, some countries will even legalize corruption, and only need to change to a nice name, such as "political donations", and the corruption and bribery of officials will not be considered illegal, and this problem will no longer exist.

This statement naturally makes it difficult for Zhu Heyu to accept.

Zhu Heyu is no longer as stubborn and black and white as before, but he still adheres to certain bottom lines and ideals.

As a result, Zhu Heyu decided to think for himself, and Zhu Heyu believed that he should have his own concept of governance.

On the night of Chinese New Year's Eve, being alone is also a good environment for Zhu Heyu to think independently.

In this way, Zhu Heyu sat alone in the lobby of the mansion arranged for him by Luoyang Mansion, coldly watching the lights and bustle of Luoyang City, holding a pot of warm wine, but thinking about some metaphysical things in his mind.

But the reality is cruel, Zhu Heyu thought about it for most of the hour, but found that he had gained nothing, but his thinking became more and more confused, all kinds of thoughts seemed to be imprisoned, and what he thought could not get around the circle drawn by Xiao Wenruan, Zhao Shancai, and Zhao Junchen no matter what.

Zhu Heyu was very frustrated and had some self-doubt: "Could it be that I am really not suitable to be an emperor?" I have always disagreed with what my father did, but I must admit that my father's philosophy of governance has always been complete and clear, and I will not be easily influenced by others, and I only have one unattainable goal, but I don't know how to achieve it...... In this way, even if I really ascend the throne as the emperor, how can it be considered a good thing for the country? ”

But after a short period of self-doubt, Zhu Heyu quickly shook his head, immediately put aside this thought, and thought again: "I just don't have a clue for the time being, how can I give up on myself?" The seventh brother is even more unlikely to be a good candidate to inherit the unification, let alone ...... I'm not reconciled! ”

Thinking of this, Zhu Heyu's expression can be described as uncertain and changing.

And at this time, a brocade-clothed guard Baihu entered the room and reported to Zhu Heyu in a low voice: "His Royal Highness the Prince, the eldest son of the King of Fuwang's Mansion secretly asks to see you. ”

After hearing the report, Zhu Heyu first breathed a long sigh of relief, then showed surprise on his face, and then changed to a calm expression, nodded and said, "Invite him in!" ”

After speaking, Zhu Heyu stood up and tidied up his clothes, not daring to think about the question just now.

In fact, Zhu Heyu also understands that his position as the prince has long been shaky, but it is precisely because of this situation that he thinks about these issues of concern for the country and the people, so that he can stand firm and imply that all his insistence is legitimate and valuable.

But in the final analysis, all thoughts are self-deception, and Zhu Heyu is just unwilling now.

Therefore, when he found that this kind of thinking could not make him firm up, but his position was shaken, he was very frightened in his heart, and he only felt that the eldest son of King Fu had come at the right time, so that he didn't have to think about it anymore.

*

In the Ming Dynasty, if the eldest son of the princes was a concubine, he would be called the prince and the successor to the throne; If the eldest son of the prince is a concubine, he is called the eldest son of the king, but it is difficult to have the opportunity to inherit the throne, even if he wants to have a higher title, it depends on the preference of the prince and the mood of the emperor when he was canonized.

And today's eldest son of King Fu, named Zhu Hezeng, is the same generation as Zhu Heyu, but he is a concubine, so he has no right to inherit the throne and is called the eldest son of the king.

After Zhu Heyu arrived in Luoyang to investigate King Fu's chaos and violation of discipline, he found that he felt that he could not move an inch, and it seemed that there was a force delaying the process of his investigation.

If it was according to Zhu Heyu's previous temperament, in such a situation, it would inevitably be to forcibly investigate the case and break through the south wall, but now Zhu Heyu has grown a lot, and his methods are much more slick, when he found that he encountered great resistance, he did not forcibly break through the front, but did not move, secretly investigated and prepared.

Then, perhaps because of his current situation, Zhu Heyu quickly found a breakthrough in the investigation of King Fu, that is, Zhu Hezeng, the eldest son of King Fu!

As the eldest son of King Fu, Zhu Hezeng must be very familiar with many secrets of King Fu, and Zhu Hezeng's personality is quite shrewd and capable, and he has always been deeply valued by King Fu, and many things will be entrusted to him to be responsible, and Zhu Hezeng has not lived up to King Fu's attention, and has made many achievements over the years, which has added a lot of income to King Fu's mansion.

But the problem is that he is only the eldest son of the king, not the prince of the king, he does not have the right to inherit the throne, and everything he does is to make a wedding dress for the second son of King Fu, that is, Zhu Hejun, the son of King Fu!

In this case, can Zhu Hezeng be willing?

Zhu Heyu pushes himself and others, thinking that Zhu Hezeng must be unwilling!

Therefore, Zhu Heyu secretly contacted Zhu Hezeng and made his own conditions, saying that as long as Zhu Hezeng "killed his relatives with righteousness" and came forward to report the chaos and illegal things of King Fu over the years, then he would be willing to protect Zhu Hezeng to inherit the throne of King Fu!

However, after Zhu Hezeng sent the news to Zhu Hezeng, Zhu Hezeng did not respond, Zhu Heyu originally thought that his plan had miscalculated, but he did not expect that Zhu Hezeng would choose to secretly ask to see him late at night on Chinese New Year's Eve.

From this point of view, Zhu Hezeng is really unwilling.

When Zhu Heyu tidied up his clothes and appearance, he saw Zhu Hezeng being led into the room by the Jinyi Wei Baihu just now.

Zhu Hezeng is a few years younger than Zhu Heyu, but the two have similar appearances and somewhat similar personalities, and they are both unrestrained and smiling on weekdays.

After seeing Zhu Heyu, Zhu Hezeng first greeted him with a proper salute, and Zhu Heyu supported him with a kind attitude, and asked with a smile: "I am really happy to learn that Brother Zeng is visiting!" Brother Zeng, have you figured it out? Are you willing to stand up and report the evil deeds of King Fu? Brother Zeng, you must not have any pressure and burden, what you do is by no means betraying your father, but for the righteousness of the court, but also to keep the throne of your lineage, and King Fu is surnamed Zhu after all, even if the crime is exposed, it will never endanger his life! ”

Seeing Zhu Heyu's urgent inquiry, Zhu Hezeng did not answer immediately, but asked rhetorically: "I heard...... Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, before you left the capital, you had already become friends and allies with Zhao Junchen and Zhao Ge, but this news is true? ”

Hearing Zhu Hezeng's inquiry, Zhu Heyu was suddenly stunned.

It turned out that Zhu Hezeng did not respond to Zhu Heyu's message in time in the past few days, not because he was hesitant, unwilling to betray his father King Fu, and had no desire to covet the throne, but because Zhu Hezeng thought that Zhu Heyu's position as the prince was already crumbling and was disgusted and alienated by Emperor Deqing, so naturally he had no ability to guarantee that he could inherit the throne smoothly!

In the final analysis, it is to look down on Zhu Heyu's ability.

But when Zhu Hezeng arrived in the capital, he found that Zhu Heyu had received strong assistance from a powerful minister like Zhao Junchen, and maybe he could keep the position of the prince, at least in a short period of time, and naturally had the ability to guarantee Zhu Hezeng's succession to the position of King Fu, so Zhu Hezeng would meet Zhu Heyu on Chinese New Year's Eve.

After understanding Zhu Hezeng's change of mind, Zhu Heyu was a little unhappy in his heart, but on the surface, his smile remained unchanged, and he nodded: "That's right!" Brother Zeng, the news you received is true, Zhao Gechen and I have now abandoned our previous suspicions and worked together. ”

Zhu Hezeng asked again: "So, is Zhao Ge Lao willing to contribute to my inheritance of the throne?" ”

Compared with Zhu Heyu, a righteous gentleman who keeps his promises, Zhu Hezeng trusts Zhao Junchen more in the exchange of interests of powerful ministers like Zhao Junchen.

This situation made Zhu Heyu quite helpless, and suddenly had more ideas about the problem he was thinking about just now.

But on the surface, Zhu Heyu still didn't move, nodded and said: "Zhao Gechen and I have already advanced and retreated together, and we will definitely support it when the time comes!" ”

Zhu Hezeng hesitated, and then asked: "How successful is this matter?" Don't let me get nothing by then, just become a disloyal and unfilial person......"

Zhu Heyu understood that success or failure was in this move, and hurriedly nodded solemnly and said, "This matter is very certain!" Father Emperor He has the heart to rectify the vassal kings in various places, and King Fu must be guilty of it! But after my father rectified the feudal kings in various places, he will inevitably have to be gentle, and as long as you actively cooperate, you will be the best candidate for your father to appease Huairou, coupled with the full strength of me and Zhao Ge Lao, my father and he will finally let you inherit the throne of King Fu! ”

After Zhu Hezeng's expression changed for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and said: "If this is the case, as long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince keeps his promise, I am willing to stand up and expose the violations of discipline and government by the vassal kings...... Not only about my father, King Fu, but also about the liaison between the palaces of various places, and I also have some evidence of the crimes of King Lu, King Su, and Acting King! ”

Hearing Zhu Hezeng's statement, Zhu Heyu was suddenly overjoyed!

Originally, he only wanted to deal with King Fu first, and then gradually investigate the remaining feudal kings, which seemed to be a safe choice, but the pressure and resistance he faced in the future would inevitably increase, and sooner or later the investigation would end without a problem.

But if you can find the exact evidence of the crimes of the other vassal kings from King Fu, maybe you can finish the battle!

After Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen formed an alliance, Zhao Junchen believed that Zhu Heyu must be put to death in the future, otherwise it would be impossible to inherit the unification, Zhu Heyu ostensibly agreed with Zhao Junchen's statement, but he had always hesitated in his heart.

Now, Zhu Heyu has got an unexpected gain, maybe he can complete this difficult case involving many vassal kings beautifully, not only with outstanding achievements, but also to show his ability to the government and the opposition, maybe it will make Emperor Deqing change his mind, and he doesn't have to take risks to adopt Zhao Junchen's desperate strategy, wouldn't it be a better choice?

Thinking of this, Zhu Heyu was quite excited in his heart, and the previous confusion and vacillation suddenly dissipated!

He decided he wanted to give it a go!

……

……