My Brother-in-law is the Prince - Chapter 367

  Chapter 367 Don’t be ignorant of flattery

  Zhang Anshi is not actually worried about Gao Xiang, he is a mature old official, acting prudently, but cautiously.

  The most important thing is that all the officials in the Right Governor’s Mansion have hope.

  For lower-level officials, with the achievements of the New Deal, their future will surely rise. With the motivation for promotion, everyone has exerted their best efforts.

  As far as Gao Xiang is concerned, what he is pursuing now is to go down in history.

  The thing of being famous in history seems to be illusory, but for people of this era, it is a huge temptation.

  The success or failure of the New Deal determines the merits and demerits of a person thousands of years later. If it succeeds, future generations will admire it, and if it fails, it will be infamous for thousands of years. What is related to it is not only the value of one’s posthumous name?

In fact, this is actually the value of the family concept in this era. The ancients valued the family, and valued their children and grandchildren even more. If the reputation is not good, the children and grandchildren would be ashamed to speak. You must know that the descendants of the ancient famous families were willing to talk about their ancestors side, and thus the reputation of the ancestors, is of paramount importance.

  Zhang Anshi actually doesn’t care about these vain things. For the people of two generations, the only thing Zhang Anshi thinks about is to leave something behind. As for how people comment on the traces left, it doesn’t matter.

After all, there are too many cognitive reversals of human beings. Even Qin Hui can be washed from black to white. Most of the so-called glorious images in history can find black spots with a microscope, and those thugs who frequently slaughter cities, people But most of them will not be too harsh, but find some so-called true temperament from their words and deeds.

   It can be seen that the so-called posthumous name is just a joke.

  The next day, Qixia had a guest.

  This guest actually comes here often, once every two months, but in the past, he brought the imperial guards of the Eastern Palace with him, but now he brings the young army.

  Xia Xuan and Jin Dazhou led a group of captains to accompany the grandson of the emperor. They were happy to come to Qixia, not only to feel the excitement here, but most importantly, they were always planning to do some business.

  Those not-so-intelligent people like the Three Fiends in the capital can get rich, but there’s no reason why people like them with good blood can’t.

  As for Zhu Zhanji, at first he came here to see the style again and again, trying to be lively.

   Later, I just wanted to go out to relax and meet my uncle.

  Uncle and nephew meet.

  Zhang Anshi was very happy as always, and said happily: “My dear Zhanji, you are here. I heard that you have been distracted by reading recently, is it?”

  Zhu Zhanji nodded and said: “I have been reading “Zi Zhi Tong Jian” all day long, and I have read it through, but it is really hateful that you insist on teaching me to recite it backwards.”

Zhang Anshi said with emotion: “Those who can achieve great things have always been good at reading without seeking deep understanding. In this way, those who only memorize by force, nine out of ten, are taught to be pedantic talents. Zhan Ji, after a few days, I will find a way to speak in front of His Majesty. A few words. What’s the name of your new master?”

   “The surname is Wang, and the name is Wang Tong. Uncle must sue him for black complaints.”

  Zhang Anshi lowered his face: “What are you talking about? I’m just telling the truth. What do you mean by going high and black? It seems that I am a sycophant when I say this.”

  Zhu Zhanji frowned and said: “But…”

  Zhang Anshi quickly covered his mouth: “Okay, when Qixia is here, talk less and watch more.”

   When Zhang Anshi let go, Zhu Zhanji responded obediently: “Oh.”

  Zhang Anshi turned back to that warm and amiable uncle, and said with a smile, “Where do you want to go to watch the excitement today?”

   “I… I want to go to the school to have a look.”

“Ok?”

  Zhu Zhanji said: “I heard that many children in Qixia study. I want to see how they go to school.”

  Zhang Anshi also simply said: “This is easy to handle, Uncle arranges.”

  Zhang Anshi is always happy to meet any reasonable request made by Zhu Zhanji.

   It’s never a bad thing to let him know more.

   Not long after, the uncle and nephew came to a school together.

   This school is very ordinary, located in a busy city.

   Zhu Zhanji asked curiously: “Uncle, why is the location of the school so noisy?”

  Zhang Anshi shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s no wonder they are here. When this elementary school was built, it was still very remote. But who would have known, after only two years, this place has become lively.”

  The sound of reading aloud came from inside, because it was a primary school, it was just reciting some arithmetic formulas.

  Zhu Zhanji said: “What they taught is really simple.”

Zhang Anshi and Zhu Zhanji stood in front of the window, with their hands behind their backs. The head of the school and other teachers had already been invited by the school captains to ‘drink tea’. The desks are full, and there are seventy or eighty children, who are crowded in this not spacious classroom and continue to read aloud.

  Zhang Anshi lowered his voice and said: “At this age, you haven’t learned arithmetic seriously yet! When they reach your age, they will have to learn deeper knowledge, the principles of algebra and geometry, do you know?”

  Zhu Zhanji said: “What I learned is different from them.”

  Zhang Anshi smiled and said: “There is a specialization in surgery, so don’t underestimate people.”

  Zhu Zhanji looked at it for a while, and then followed Zhang Anshi to the small school yard outside the classroom.

  Zhu Zhanji stepped on the gravel in the small school yard, and said abruptly: “Uncle…I heard people say that you don’t know how to learn…”

   Seeing Zhang Anshi fly into a rage.

  Zhu Zhanji said again: “But Master Yang Pu also said that under Uncle’s rule, many children are studying. Bachelor Yang Pu said that only saints can do such things, but I look at Uncle…not like a saint.”

  Zhang Anshi was pleasantly surprised: “Scholar Yang really said that?”

  Zhu Zhanji nodded to confirm.

  Zhang Anshi said with emotion: “This guy, why does he keep exposing me.”

  Zhu Zhanji said: “Master Yang Pu also said that only people with benevolence and righteousness can do such a thing. They are people who care about the common people and have compassion…”

  Zhang Anshi waved his hand: “Okay, okay, that’s enough, I have a headache listening to it.”

  Zhu Zhanji looked at him with his head tilted and said, “This is Mr. Yang Pu praising Uncle.”

  Zhang An Shidao: “It doesn’t hurt him to boast, but…you can’t believe these nonsense.”

  Zhu Zhanji said in surprise: “Uncle, did he say something wrong?”

   “It’s a big mistake.” Zhang Anshi said solemnly: “It’s not about mercy and benevolence that make people read.”

  Zhu Zhanji was very curious, and said, “What does that depend on?”

   “Benefits!” Zhang Anshi said.

  If it were Yang Pu who came here in person and saw Zhang Anshi instilling this in Zhu Zhanji, I’m afraid he would be blindsided.

  Zhu Zhanji seems to be particularly interested in such strange talks.

  So he urged Zhang Anshi to say, “Uncle, why is it profit?”

  Zhang Anshidao: “Because people read books, they can engage in finer work and have greater value. Because of this, I do everything possible to encourage them to study.”

  Zhu Zhanji said: “Uncle means…they study…uncle is good for you?”

“That’s right.” Zhang Anshi said without hesitation: “The so-called benevolence and righteousness, or relying on sympathy and compassion, or even the so-called enlightenment of the saints, it is impossible for people to persevere in letting the children of the most ordinary people enter the school. .”

  Paused, he continued: “Look, how many children of ordinary people in the world can study for thousands of years? Aren’t all the people who study are children of those aristocratic families?”

  After Zhu Zhanji listened, his expression became serious, looking thoughtful.

Zhang Anshi went on to say: “The so-called benevolence and righteousness are nothing more than sympathy. It’s like a rich man sees someone else’s clothes and feels pity for him, so he gives him some food and clothing. But can encouraging the rich to be kind and charitable make the world peaceful?” ? If you can rely on this, then the world will live and work in peace and contentment long ago.”

  Zhu Zhanji nodded and said: “Uncle is right, so… how can I do it?”

Zhang Anshi said: “Only when people feel that they are noble will they give charity to others. Charity can’t last long. Looking at the past dynasties, there are also people with compassion, or gentlemen who know benevolence, righteousness and shame, but how many people can they benefit? What? There may be ten or a hundred households they helped, but how many people are hiding in places where he can’t see, with no clothing and no food to eat?”

As he said that, Zhang Anshi touched Zhu Zhanji’s head, and continued earnestly: “But the benefits are different. The benefits are long-lasting. If you engage in education with the attitude of charity, then this will always be a dream. But If you have a utilitarian mentality, there is hope for success in this matter.”

Zhang Anshi looked at him deeply and said: “It’s like you kid, if you think about it in the future, the common people are so pitiful, their children can’t study, and you must let all the children of the world study, then this matter will definitely end up as a joke. But you might as well think about it, so many people are not educated, and the output is low. If this continues, how much tax can Daming rely on these people? How many people can the goods produced by Qixia’s business be sold to? After you think this way , then there is hope of success in this matter.”

  Zhu Zhanji looked at him fixedly and asked, “Uncle, why is this?”

Zhang Anshidao: “It’s very simple, because…these people don’t actually need charity. Apart from satisfying the so-called self-spirit of some rich people, charity is not of great benefit to the whole world. You go to it with a utilitarian heart. Look at this matter and create opportunities for them to change their fate and improve their lives by reading books, then you don’t need to urge these people, even if they save money, they still have to provide for their children to study.”

“The so-called heart of benevolence and righteousness is nothing more than seeing oneself as a sage and a gentleman, and treating the people as worthless, because they are like cattle and horses, and they must be treated because of their own compassion, or some kind of morality in their own sage learning. , can improve the situation of the common people. This is nothing more than the tricks of the princes and generals, but you have to know that in fact, these ordinary people, except for their bad background and poor family background, are actually not the same as the so-called ministers in the court. no difference.”

Speaking of this, Zhang Anshi raised his hand, pointed to Xia Xuan and Jin Dazhou who were standing in the distance, and said, “Did you see those two idiots? If they weren’t the sons of Duke Xia and Duke Jin, I’m afraid they would be the same as the one here.” Compared with the children of ordinary people, it is far inferior.”

“So, if you want to do anything, the first thing to do is not to hold the so-called charity mentality. If you want to accomplish something, the first thing to do is nothing else. You just treat them as a person, and you put yourself in their shoes. Think, these people like you, after you promulgate a decree, what will these people who seek advantages and avoid disadvantages think and have any concerns, then for these, try to solve these concerns as much as possible, and then use utilitarianism to spur them, Naturally, they flock to them, so what you want to do will be unfavorable.”

  Zhu Zhanji listened carefully, and said: “I seem to understand that the reason why Qixia is like this is because it is beneficial to Uncle, and it is also beneficial to these people. Because of this, everything will come naturally.”

   “Smart!” Zhang Anshi praised without hesitation, looked at him with relief and said, “As expected of my nephew, he is the seed of my Zhang family.”

  Zhu Zhanji continued to ask: “But uncle, is this kindness, righteousness and shame really useless?”

Zhang Anshi immediately shook his head and said: “Benevolence, righteousness, and shame are of course good, but benevolence, righteousness, and shame are only for self-regulation, and are internal things. But if you talk about benevolence, justice, and shame to restrain others, then this person… must have no benevolence and righteousness.” , and nine out of ten have no shame.”

  Zhu Zhanji said: “But my uncle taught me every day to be filial…”

  Zhang Anshi suddenly became angry, and raised his voice: “We are talking about benevolence, righteousness and shame, but not loyalty and filial piety. Can loyalty and filial piety be the same as benevolence, righteousness and shame? Zhanji, you are confused…”

   Zhu Zhanji drooped his head hurriedly and said, “Okay, okay, uncle, don’t be angry.”

  Zhang Anshi was relieved when he saw that he was subdued.

  Other matters can be discussed, but filial piety comes first, which cannot be discussed anyway.

   This is the traditional virtue of the Han family. If this is gone, then the millennium context will be cut off.

   When Mid-Autumn Festival came, the collection of the summer tax finally took shape.

  At this time, Shu King Zhu Chun returned to Beijing from Suzhou, passing through Qixia, and made a special visit.

  Zhang Anshi and Zhu Chun don’t actually have much personal friendship, but they just saw each other.

  But because they advance together and retreat together, the relationship is closer than ordinary people.

  Zhang Anshi invited Zhu Chun to the back office, Zhu Chun looked dusty, with obvious tiredness on his face.

  Zhang Anshi said: “How about going to Suzhou this time?”

Zhu Chun was tired, but he was still full of energy. Hearing Zhang Anshi’s words, he didn’t answer immediately. His thoughts were deeper than ordinary people. Reasons that cannot be resolved.”

Zhang Anshidao: “There are a lot of gentry in the Susong area. People say that this place is where the cultural context is. The so-called cultural context is just that there are more scholars. It is precisely because of this that there is great resistance. On the contrary, my right governor’s mansion, On the contrary, they are more leisurely, and among the states and counties they lead, they are said to be gentry, but compared with Su Song’s scholars, they are nothing more than a small witch.”

  Zhu Chun said with a smile: “At the beginning, someone invited me to be the governor of the left, to govern Yingtianfu, Suzhou, Songjiang and other places. I think this is the purpose of coming.”

  Hearing this, Zhang Anshi couldn’t help laughing, and said, “It’s a pity they miscalculated.”

  Zhu Chun just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

  At that moment, Zhang Anshi asked someone to prepare a table banquet. After he had a drink with Zhang Anshi, he said: “This king still needs to preside over the Xia tax, so I will take my leave.”

  Zhang Anshidao: “This time the Zuo Dudu’s Mansion, the summer tax should be collected a lot.”

  Zhu Chun laughed loudly: “Where… a rough estimate, there are indeed quite a few.”

  But Zhu Chun didn’t say anything in depth, so he said goodbye to Zhang Anshi.

  After coming out of Youdu Dudu’s Mansion, he had to go to the ferry, but Zhu Chun didn’t get in the car, but walked directly.

  He was walking in the streets of Qixia, Qixia at this time was different from before.

   Halfway through the journey, he couldn’t help feeling: “When Yingtian and Suzhou are like this, this king will be able to retire.

  One of the retinues was Chen Qiang, the commander of Chengdu Left Guard.

  Chen Qiang said: “Your Highness, these gentlemen in Suzhou have pleaded so politely this time. It can be seen that they are at the end of the road. With His Highness suppressing them, how could they dare to make a mistake? It will not take long for Your Highness to succeed.”

  Shu King Zhu Chun smiled and said, “How many years have you been with me?”

  Chen Qiang said respectfully and authentically: “Since His Royal Highness the King of Shu has been a vassal, and if he is humble, he will follow His Highness.”

  Zhu Chun said: “After following this king for so many years, I’m still so confused. You… still can’t see through.”

  Chen Qiang said in surprise: “Your Highness, please show me.”

  Zhu Chun stopped, and stopped in front of a peddler’s stall. The peddler sold sugar figurines, surrounded by many children, but they had no money, so they just watched “Wang Mei Quen Thirst” from afar.

  Zhu Chun said: “Buy some and give them to the children. Don’t buy too much. It’s not good to eat too much of anything. Give one to each person.”

  The entourage at the back responded.

  Zhu Chun had already walked away first, and Chen Qiang continued to follow in step.

At this moment, Zhu Chun said: “You only saw them kneeling at the king’s feet and weeping bitterly. You saw them wailing and weeping one by one in disregard of politeness and sweeping the floor. But have you ever thought about it? If a decent person loses face, he will Such a servile face. Such a person is the scariest.”

  Chen Qiang said in surprise, “Really?”

  Zhu Chun said: “They can do this today, but they dare to kill people tomorrow. It is precisely because of this that this king returned to Beijing urgently, because he felt that something was wrong.”

  Chen Qiang said disapprovingly: “What else can they do, they are just fish on the chopping board.”

Zhu Chun pursed her lips and did not speak for a while, before she said after a long time: “What this king is thinking about now is how to deal with it. As for you, a fool, you don’t need to mention what they dare to do. Such nonsense It’s useless to talk too much, to deal with those people, you need to treat them with 120,000 points of spirit.”

   “When I met Wei Guogong today, there was a saying that was true at the time. Compared with these people under the left governor’s mansion, the gentry in their right capital governor’s mansion are nothing compared to the people under the left capital governor’s mansion. They are not worth mentioning at all.”

  Chen Qiang hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, Your Highness… how do you plan to deal with it?”

  Zhu Chun smiled, his eyes flickered, and in the blink of an eye, murderous intent suddenly appeared.

  When the eyes fell on Chen Qiang, the eyes became gentle again, and said softly: “I hope they won’t be ignorant of flattery!”

  (end of this chapter)