Chapter 19: Uncle's Talent Jiang Qingzhi returned home dejectedly, where a man who looked like a manager had been waiting for him for a long time. "Your Highness said that the young master must have many things that he is not used to when he first arrived in the capital. Your Highness asked me to bring you a booklet..." Jiang Qingzhi took it and took a look, and found that it was a list of the powerful circles in Beijing. What a good thing! When Jiang Qing first arrived in Beijing, he was completely in the dark. "This can be considered as a list of heroes in the capital." Jiang Qingzhi was quite happy. The future Emperor Longqing was indeed kind. At this moment, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty was still alive, but Jiang Qingzhi remembered that this crown prince would not live long, and Jiajing never appointed another crown prince after that. This also gave Zhu Zaigui's brother, Prince Jing Zhu Zaizhen, the ambition and opportunity to seize the throne. In fact, Emperor Jiajing disliked the dull and weak Zhu Zai'ao and preferred the clever Zhu Zaizhen. So he let the two princes stand side by side and treated them equally.
This kid is very nice to me, his cousin. Moreover, it would be so difficult to restore the Ming Dynasty's national destiny that Jiang Qingzhi would inevitably offend countless people. He had no choice but to continue to expand his power so that he could compete with those people after the death of Emperor Jiajing. But if I become friends with the future Emperor Longqing... What the hell! Looking at it from this angle, Jiang Qingzhi suddenly realized that he seemed to have missed something. Zhu Zaigui was also a kind person. After he ascended the throne, he gave important positions to his old servants in the palace, such as Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng. At this moment, Zhu Zaigui was still a cold stove, with no one to heat it. Jiang Qingzhi smiled bitterly, "Your Highness is so kind...Fucheng." "I have prepared gifts." Fu Cheng's eyes were clear. He is indeed a smart man who can work hard in the palace for many years and still leave the palace alive... Jiang Qingzhi secretly praised him in his heart, and no longer had any doubts about letting Fucheng be the first steward of the Jiang family. After Zhu Zaigui was crowned king, he still lived in the palace. At this moment he was talking to his trusted eunuch Yang Xi. In the study, Yang Xi stood beside the desk, slightly bent over. The weather was not too hot at the moment, but Yang Xi was white and fat and sweaty. He wiped the sweat off his face and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to send King Jing an inkstone, and His Majesty sent someone to reward King Jing with a set of books. This is to praise King Jing for his love of reading and progress! Your Highness should at least visit the Crown Prince more often." The crown prince Zhu Zaizhen was only thirteen years old this year, but his behavior was highly praised by Emperor Jiajing. And Zhu Zaizhen was the beloved son of Emperor Jiajing. Only Zhu Zaigui was never favored by Emperor Jiajing. Zhu Zaigui said woodenly, "King Jing's mother is favored, but my mother is neglected. How can I compete with her?" "Ah!" Yang Xi sighed, with more sadness in his eyes, "Your Highness, don't be discouraged, let's... take it slow!" "Your Highness." Someone announced, "Mr. Jiang is here to visit."
"Oh!" Zhu Zai's eyes lit up as he thought of that interesting cousin. "Please come." Jiang Qingzhi came in and saluted. "No need to be polite, cousin." Zhu Zaigui said with a smile, and then asked everyone to prepare a seat for Jiang Qingzhi and serve tea. Tea leaves... ordinary. Jiang Qingzhi took a sip and understood Zhu Zaigui's situation. This is a poor little thing who is not loved by his father and his brother. After thanking Zhu Zaigui for his kindness, Jiang Qingzhi asked casually, "What book are you reading now, Your Highness?" "Just some classics and historical books." Zhu Zaigui's teachers were also ordinary. It was not until he got married and moved out of the palace that he had famous scholars such as Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and Zhang Juzheng as his lecturers. Zhu Zaigui suddenly had an idea and said, "I read a leisure book recently..." This is a temptation. Jiang Qingzhi said with a smile: "Classics and historical books were also written by people. Do we have to treat them as treasures and kneel down to read them? The way to study is to relax and work hard. Don't just study hard. That's what bookworms do, and wise people don't do that!" My cousin doesn’t seem to be a pedantic person! Jiang Qingzhi looked at him and asked, "Do you think that my cousin is a scholar when he was young? Must he be rigid?" Zhu Zaigui was still a teenager at the time, and blushed when he heard this, "They say my uncle is very good at studying." Zhu Zaigui continued his question, "The book says that Japanese pirates are a serious threat. We should strictly enforce the maritime ban and move all the fishermen along the coast to inland areas to prevent the Japanese pirates from plundering. In this way, the Japanese pirates will naturally retreat after losing their supplies." The customs in the Ming Dynasty were very strange. In the early days, people were very serious. For example, if you talked nonsense about the emperor and were reported, you would be beaten with a stick. During the Jiajing period, as Emperor Jiajing retired to the Western Garden, social atmosphere suddenly brightened up. In Suzhou Prefecture, the common people dared to tell jokes about Emperor Jiajing... and they were even lewd. As for the various rumors about the important officials, they unfortunately became delicacies for the common people to eat. The literati were even more unscrupulous, making up all sorts of metaphors about court affairs and even daring to ridicule the emperor and his ministers. Everyone was waiting for Thunder's wrath, but unexpectedly, no one cared? What are you waiting for? As a result, the cultural undertakings of the Ming Dynasty were "flourishing" Various travel notes, various leisure books... Writers are proud of publishing books and publishing collections of essays. Jiang Qingzhi glanced at the desk. There was an open book on it, with a paperweight pressing it down. Zhu Zaigui subconsciously took the paperweight away, but then he felt that this was an attempt to cover up his own faults, and for a moment he was quite embarrassed. Poor baby! Jiang Qingzhi sighed, "Bullshit!" How could you be so rude? Yang Xi's eyes widened, then he looked at his master, waiting for Zhu Zai's instructions. Snapped! Zhu Zaigui slammed the table. Get rid of people! Yang Xi stood up straight. I felt sorry for my master... If I could make friends with Jiang Qingzhi, such a good supporter, and ask him to say good things about Zhu Zaigui to Emperor Jiajing, at least his situation would be improved.
"well said!" There was more joy in Zhu Zaigui's eyes. It was like finding a long-lost comrade. Jiang Qingzhi made that vulgar remark on purpose. A twelve-year-old child is considered rebellious in later generations. Who the hell is willing to pretend to be a gentleman all day long? Jiang Qingzhi raised his eyebrows, "Your Highness also thinks it's inappropriate?" "This is absolutely inappropriate!" Zhu Zaigui realized that he had lost his composure and glared at Yang Xi. "Can we just drink tea? Go get some snacks for your uncle." He wanted to get Yang Xi away. As long as Your Highness doesn't chase us away... Yang Xi left with a smile on his face. After he left, Zhu Zaigui scratched his head and said, "I think this is too much of a sign of weakness. Why would the great Ming Dynasty show weakness to such a small country? It's shameful!" It is rare for a twelve-year-old child to have such a stance. Since Jiang Qingzhi wanted to make friends with Zhu Zaigui, he expressed some of his own opinions. "Many people are terrified of the Japanese pirates and think that a ban on sea trade will solve everything. This is stupid." "Appreciate further details." The two heads were getting closer. "If you have a headache, cut off your head; if you have a foot pain, cut off your foot." "Great theory!" Yang Xi took the wooden tray with several plates of snacks, and the servant smiled apologetically, "Let me carry it!" Yang Xi sneered, "You guys can get close to the study?" He carried the wooden tray to the outside of the study, and just as he was about to go in, he heard Zhu Zaigui's voice. "Please give me some advice, uncle." Being intimate is good! Yang Xi was happy. "What should you do first before making a decision?" Jiang Qingzhi said slowly, "Investigate!" Zhu Zaigui was startled, then he slapped his forehead, "Yes, that's what those scholars like to say the most... Scholars know everything about the world without leaving home." "They know nothing!" Jiang Qingzhi lit up the incense and then said to Zhu Zaigui apologetically, "I have a lung disease. This is the prescription the imperial physician gave me." "Uncle, just keep smoking." Zhu Zaigui was itching to listen to his uncle's brilliant ideas, but he was too embarrassed to ask for more. The same thing happened to Yang Xi outside the door.
The two of them cursed in their hearts: Why don’t you just say it quickly! Jiang Qingzhi exhaled a puff of medicine smoke, "Where did the Japanese pirates come from? At first, they were some frustrated warriors in Japan. After being forced to go to sea, they gathered in Ming Dynasty to plunder. It was originally a small problem, but the officers and soldiers were incompetent and could not wipe out the holes, so they were allowed to grow stronger." "I see!" Zhu Zai's eyes lit up, "Uncle, please continue." You really think you are listening to a book... Jiang Qingzhi smiled and looked at the accumulated cigarette ash. Zhu Zaigui pushed the inkstone over without hesitation. Jiang Qingzhi shook off the ashes from his cigarette and said, "Your Highness, do you think farming is hard?" "Hmm...bitter!" Fortunately, he is not one of those idiots who just want to eat meat. "There are some greedy people in the coastal areas of Ming Dynasty who like to gain something without working, so they joined the Japanese pirates..." "what?" Zhu Zaigui was astonished, "There are Ming people among the Japanese pirates?" "Very strange?" Jiang Qingzhi felt that many people in the court were deaf and blind. He said sarcastically, "At least half of them are Ming people now. In a few years, I dare say that most of the so-called Japanese pirates are Ming people." Zhu Zaigui was shocked by the news. He was silent for a long time and said, "It turns out that the so-called Japanese pirates are actually domestic thieves." Later, the great pirate Wang Zhi and others caused trouble for a long time, making the officials and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty terrified. This kid is really sharp and has a future... Jiang Qingzhi looked at his cousin with a gratified look and said, "I know that there are people in the court who agree with the maritime ban. Your Highness, do you know that once the maritime ban is issued, the livelihood of the people along the coast will be affected, not to mention the Japanese pirates, won't they come ashore?" Historically, after Zhu Zaigui ascended the throne, he lifted the maritime ban and allowed merchants to go out to sea for trade. This move brought endless silver to the Ming Dynasty. The Jiangnan area also became rich because of this. It is known in history as the Longqing Opening. At this moment, Jiang Qingzhi had already sown the seeds in advance. "My cousin is saying..." Zhu Zaigui frowned. "Japan is poor and barren!" Jiang Qingzhi sighed. "The coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty have fertile fields. If the poor people in Japan hear about this, and some of the pirates encourage them..." Outside the door, Yang Xi understood everything and murmured in a low voice, "Once the Japanese swarm ashore like ants and see the fertile fields, they will be ecstatic and regard the coast of the Ming Dynasty as their own land. By then, the Japanese pirates will become even more ferocious... The Ming Dynasty is in danger!" He stamped his feet and said, "Sea ban, sea ban, let those idiots listen to what Mr. Jiang has to say." Zhu Zaigui's face turned pale with horror. "My cousin is so talented!" "I was just saying it casually." Jiang Qingzhi took a puff of the medicinal smoke, and his lungs felt cool and extremely comfortable. He looked at his nephew with a smile, "These are just the tip of the iceberg." No wonder he could pass the imperial examination at the age of thirteen. My cousin is indeed a talented person... Zhu Zaigui saluted without hesitation. "Please teach me, uncle." Outside the door, Yang Xi's eyes were filled with tears.
In the study room. Jiang Qingzhi was stunned. He came here just to get in touch with Zhu Zaigui and lay the foundation for the future. That is to say, after talking about the Japanese pirates and the maritime ban, how come the future Emperor Longqing was shocked? He forgot that he had integrated countless information from later generations, the general trend of the Ming Dynasty, the development of the Japanese pirates...all of them were in his mind. If all the knowledge in his mind were brought out, Zhu Zaigui would exclaim, "God bless you." But he would more likely shout, "Come on, catch the evildoer!" Thinking of this, Jiang Qingzhi felt relieved. Then, he said gently, "No problem." …… Asking for votes. (End of this chapter)
