The capital was no longer cold at the end of February, and the east warm pavilion of the Ganqing Palace was particularly warm.

The incense burner was burning charcoal, but not for heating, but for incense. A brass hollow incense burner next to the wall was very exquisitely crafted and showed its smoothness. The palace people polished it brightly; the bright yellow color added a lot of luxury to the place.

The indulgence burning in the copper furnace is something that the envoys of Java Island pay tribute, and the smell is slightly spicy; at first it will make people feel uncomfortable, but after getting used to it, it will feel comfortable.

However, Zhu Gaoxu had already ignored the smell in the room, and his attention was distracted by something else. Before the ministers arrived, Miao Jin was talking to him.

The imperial concubine Miaojin did not wear the concubine's clothes, but was wearing a purple collar robe and a matte head on her head.

Zhu Gaoxu had not had time to finish reading the "Daily Records of the King of Han" she wrote, but he appreciated it very much from the content she had read. So Zhu Gaoxu called her here today to discuss the matter, hoping that she could record some more important things and leave them to the princes and grandchildren to read in the future.

Miaojin first raised objections to the thoughts revealed in Zhu Gaoxu's words. She felt that Confucian Neo-Confucianism was a moral code that allowed people to understand morality and distinguish right from wrong; if the emperor recognized other philosophy, it would make people at a loss.

She seemed to care about this kind of thing. Perhaps Zhu Gaoxu's discussion of "filial piety" a long time ago had shaken her thoughts a little. Only when she shakes her original ideas can she be so persistent and ask questions?

Zhu Gaoxu disagreed, saying: "People do not rely solely on one rule to establish morality. People in the world are good at using multiple standards to distinguish things in order to find reasons for themselves. Just like a basic morality, people cannot eat similar ones. But when the Five Barbarians invaded China, some troops regarded the Han people as military rations and found reasons for their behavior: that is, we are two legs - sheep, which belongs to the kind of animal."

Miao Jin widened her almond eyes, and was speechless in surprise.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "And the Han civilization has always been very tolerant, paying great attention to worldly practicality, and believing in whatever is useful. You can see that Taoism, Buddhism, Nestorianism, and Islamic Buddhism have no choice but to do anything to the world. Most people believe in everything, if they can bless them with some benefits.

Confucius, Xunzi, and Mozi are all Chinese philosophy and belong to the same source. I do not believe in these things, and it can disrupt the right and wrong of the world. But this is just my own judgment."

"But..." Miao Jin frowned.

Zhu Gaoxu was so excited that he immediately said: "If Xie Jin had not read "Xunzi", how could he know the name and allusion of the 'Fake Courtyard'?"

When Miao Jin heard this, she finally nodded slowly.

It is obvious that after Xie Jin dabbled in "Xunzi", he did not have any confusion in his thoughts and was still very stubborn.

Perhaps because Miao Jin was a woman in the harem and involved less power, Zhu Gaoxu was more indulgent and casual when speaking. He said directly: "The most wonderful invention of human beings is to enslave the same kind, and he can always find moral reasons for himself.

From the standpoint of a king of a country, I believe that the harvest, business income, and plunder of foreign vassals are a kind of productivity. The domestic system is a kind of production relationship and a distribution of the harvest, and the matter of whoever has more or less.

I don’t know yet how to make the question of amount more fair and reasonable; but at least we must avoid another thing, and other countries come to divide our gains. Therefore, craftsmen’s skills, good at learning, and improve their strength are very important.”

Zhu Gaoxu has his only middle school knowledge, and of course he also remembers the textbook's narrative of modern China: the imperialist colonists and feudal rulers jointly exploit the working people and let the people live in blood, tears and fire. He thought and constructed his own view based on these simple knowledge.

Miao Jin seemed not to understand it very much, and she still thought about it for a while before saying, "The ministers will definitely object."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "Miaojin is right. So, if you step too big, you can easily pull the eggs."

Miao Jin was stunned for a moment, her face turned red immediately, and she gave Zhu Gaoxu a white look.

At this moment, the eunuch walked in and bowed and said, "Emperor, the ministers have arrived, on the slanting corridor."

"Call them in." Zhu Gaoxu said.

The eunuch said: "Sister obeys the order."

Soon, a group of civil and military officials came in one after another. Everyone bowed to the imperial court and bowed to the direction of the imperial court. Someone even mentioned the imperial concubine in his words.

This is not the first time this scene is happening, but Zhu Gaoxu faintly smelled the tension.

After everyone stood up, Xie Jin seemed to be impatient and stood up and said, "Taizu has a ancestral teaching, and the harem and eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in politics! Today, the monarch and ministers discuss politics, why would the imperial concubine be here?"

The ministers looked sideways, and most of them looked at him, as if they were mocking Xie Jin for not knowing the current affairs. Sure enough, Gongping'an of the State of E immediately spoke: "In the 'Strike of Crime', the imperial concubine was often in the central army's tent, so what's wrong?"

Zhu Gaoxu said: "This is the Qianqing Palace (harem), and the imperial concubine can come. Wang Gui is a eunuch, so he often stays in the Dongnuan Pavilion? He will also go to the Fengtian Palace to celebrate the dynasty. Moreover, the imperial concubine did not interfere in politics, but just listened to me and recorded my words in order to teach the prince."

After hearing this, Xie Jin seemed to agree with this explanation. He talked about the claim in the memorial: "The emperor named the yamen office with the word "fake thing" in Xunzi, but should he respect Xunzi's theory? Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Neo-Confucianism has been used to educate the world, people's hearts are transformed, and the country is peaceful. The emperor must observe..."

Zhu Gaoxu thought to himself: It’s a big deal to be peaceful in the country. I just finished two large-scale internal wars. Did you forget so quickly?

But he said, "This year's Entrance exam is about to begin. The exam questions chosen by the examiners are all about Neo-Confucianism? When did I say that I should admire Xunzi?"

When Xie Jin heard this, he seemed a little surprised and bowed: "I am worried about the country's affairs, so I will advise you."

Zhu Gaoxu said kindly: "Xue Xueshi has been thinking too much. Xunzi is one of the Confucian sages, not a strange and evil saying, why can't he use his classics? I borrowed the word to name a college. This matter cannot be inferred, so I want to respect Xunzi?"

Xie Jin's expression suddenly became much lonely. He seemed to be holding back his energy and wanted to argue with Zhu Gaoxu, but Zhu Gaoxu denied it directly; it was like a punching on the cotton, which made Xie Jin feel a little uncomfortable.

Zhu Gaoxu also understood in his heart that Confucian Neo-Confucianism was the mainstream idea at this time.

Neo-Confucianism has had a deep foundation since the Song Dynasty. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial examinations created a large number of scholars, most of whom were supporters of Neo-Confucianism. Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu wanted to let Xie Jin participate in the imperial presidency to discuss politics, at least so large aristocratic tribes had the throat and tongue that could reach the heavenly listening and room to speak in power; at some point, it could also give everyone a vent to the point of view.

However, Zhu Gaoxu's heart was indeed inclined to Xunzi's theory. For example, Xunzi said that people are born with desires and evil. Such a philosophical fundamental makes the idea of ​​governing the country a possible tilt towards the rule of law, and the rule of law is the mainstream concept in later generations... It is easier for Zhu Gaoxu to agree with it.

Xunzi's student Li Si failed in practice, and his result should not be accidental. Zhu Gaoxu was also thinking while reading classics. The ancient rulers did not choose Xunzi, perhaps because of the failure of practice.

The vast territory of ancient China, as well as imperfect transportation, systems and technology, made the rule of law extremely difficult to be practical; Neo-Confucianism focuses on brainwashing and clan moral constraints, which may be more adaptable to the times.

Truth may also have historical limitations.

Zhu Gaoxu was very adventurous, but he saw Xunzi's practical limitations, so he was unwilling to bet on things that lost too much. Sometimes people find it difficult to be consistent inside and outside. He tends toward Xunzi inside, but he has to promote Zhu Cheng outside.

He said, "If you want to have a false academy and go to the West, you just do some practical things, and it has nothing to do with what theory. Don't be too nervous."

Qi Tai and Xia Yuanji seemed to have a look at each other. How did these two get together?

After a moment, everyone bowed: "The Lord is wise!"

Zhu Gaoxu also said: "Everyone is communicating with each other and learning. This is a good way to improve oneself. The Xiongnu method is good, so King Zhao will wear a barbarian and archery; we have created fire-medicine, compass, paper, and printing, and we have learned it. Why should our dynasty refuse to communicate with others? This is common sense, and it has nothing to do with the theory of the saints. The old ways are the source of chaos!

Our monarchs and ministers should work hard to govern, learn humbly, and expand their power; let the country be strong, the people in the world avoid the suffering of hunger and cold, and know etiquette and enlighten the way. The sages said that the great harmony was prosperous, the granaries were rich, and the road was not collected. You can also make famous nations in history and become famous officials of a generation."

Everyone agreed and bowed together.

Miao Jin was looking at Zhu Gaoxu sideways. Her eyes seemed to have a little more admiration than usual, and there was something else mixed in. She was a Taoist priest, and she had Taoist thoughts in her heart, so she was very sensitive to Zhu Gaoxu's ambitious words, after all, the contrast was too big.

However, Zhu Gaoxu felt at this time that she had no meaning of acknowledging her elders.

Xia Yuanji left the list and bowed and said, "I heard that the people in the Java (Manobahei Kingdom) in Yongle accidentally killed the Ming soldiers and wrote a letter to pay 60,000 taels of gold. Several years have passed, but the court has not yet responded. I think that life is at stake and barbarians should pay compensation. Moreover, the need for money and food to pay for the soldiers is also required. The court should accept the request of the King of Java."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu showed a smile on his face that was not easy to detect. Xia Yuanji proposed to ask for money from Manobaxie, which was a major event for voyage to the West. Otherwise, how could the court collect money?

Xia Yuanji should have disagreed with voting to the West, because in the short term, the cost is too high, it will definitely cost the national treasury. However, he obviously compromised and could not oppose the overall major event of voting to the West. Xia Yuanji turned his attention to cash and could soon recover the 60,000 taels of gold.
Chapter completed!