Chapter 571: Debate in Wenhua Hall, Yan’s Theory of State!
Even Emperor Zhu Zaigui, who had been in power for more than half a year, was frightened by Gao Gong's sudden questioning, and his eyes showed a bit of surprise and nervousness.

The chief minister.

He holds the central position and serves as a role model for all officials.

Since the reigns of Taizu and Chengzu, the chief minister of the cabinet gradually became more powerful and could lead the ministers to refute the emperor's oral orders and even imperial edicts.

Just for a moment.

Countless things that happened during the reign of the previous emperor emerged in Zhu Zaigui's mind.

In the early years of the Jiajing reign, the Ming Dynasty court was in turmoil. Officials, under the leadership of the cabinet chiefs, launched fierce attacks against the emperor time and time again.

That was a long era of debate surrounding the Great Ceremony.

finally.

The emperor gained a certain satisfaction, and the officials also gained enough status, which eventually led to the endless fighting among court officials during the Jiajing period.

Is it possible that his Longqing Dynasty will end up like the Jiajing Dynasty?
It is undeniable that when Zhu Zaigui first ascended the throne, he was ambitious to change the face of the country, but today, facing the sudden attack from the Prime Minister, he immediately became timid.

The nine ministers from the six ministries in the Wenhua Palace also had tense expressions.

Gao Gong suddenly attacked and shouted the words "warmongering", which was undoubtedly a direct rebuttal to the emperor.

This is not a good sign.

Instead, Li Chunfang lowered his head silently with a smile on his face.

Fight!

They all started fighting and arguing.

In this way, he would have more room to preserve the old party.

Gao Gong took a step forward, head held high, chest puffed out, eyes bright, and spoke loudly: "Confucius said in the Analects: If people from afar are not convinced, cultivate culture and virtue to win them over. Laozi said in the Tao Te Ching: Weapons are ominous tools, not tools for gentlemen, and should only be used when necessary."

The hall was completely silent, with only the sound of the sage's words lingering in the air.

Zhu Zaigui's eyes narrowed. He knew very well that when Gao Gong, the former master of the palace, began to debate with him using the words of sages, the other party had already occupied the high ground and taken the initiative.

The emperor remained silent.

Gao Gong sighed, "Your Majesty has read the classics since he was young, so you should know the words of the sages. Now you are in power, in charge of the country, and shoulder the responsibility of the clan, so you should know the harm of military strategists. Your Majesty wants to use all the money and food to strengthen the new border. This is for the sake of peace and security of the people. How could I not know? However, Mencius said that those who have the right way have many supporters, and those who have lost the way have few supporters. The affairs of a country, such as conquering and appeasing foreign countries, cannot be accomplished by military means. If you practice the kingly way of benevolence and righteousness, you will have many helpers."

"The country has been plagued by problems for a long time. Although the Gia Long New Deal was launched, it has not been implemented for long, the national strength has not been awakened, and the national situation is not strong. This time, the Crown Prince and the Junior Guard have recovered the Hetao area. They should retire, let their horses go to the mountains, pacify the people, govern the border, and practice benevolent governance at home."

"When the country is strong and internal troubles are eliminated, our Ming Dynasty will be able to bring benevolence and kingly way, accept surrender from all directions, and realize the honorable title of Heavenly Khan for Your Majesty!"

At the end of his speech, Gao Gong looked at the emperor with deep eyes.

Everyone in the hall was whispering.

"High arch!"

"You've gone too far!"

"How dare you be so presumptuous in front of His Majesty!"

Yan Shifan, who was still the Minister of Justice, immediately stood up and angrily rebuked Gao Gong with a gloomy face.

Although the people around him did not agree, there was some change in the way they looked at Gao Gong.

Although Gao Gong explained why the court could not invest money and grain in the new borders of Hetao and Yinshan, his last words were really too much.

What does the title of Chengtian Khan mean?

Isn't this saying that, although today there are leaders of various Mongolian tribes who surrendered and danced and were awarded the title of Tian Khan, the current Emperor of the Ming Dynasty does not meet the standards for this title.

It is no wonder that Yan Shifan used the word "usurpation" to angrily denounce Gao Gong.

But since Yan Shifan opposed and denounced Gao Gong, naturally there were people who supported him.

Gao Yi, the former Minister of Rites who entered the cabinet because of Gao Gong, immediately walked out.

"Your Majesty, what the Prime Minister just said is absolutely not an act of usurping power over Your Majesty. The Prime Minister also said that our dynasty should first pacify the people and govern the country before engaging in external military affairs. We, the ministers, have read the books of sages and the history books of past dynasties. For example, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the treasury was empty and the people suffered because of years of war. In the end, Emperor Wu regretted it so much in his later years that he personally issued the Luntai Edict to repent."

"Our emperor is wise and sage. He should follow the example of Emperor Tang, improve civil administration at home, learn from history, and avoid the mistakes of Emperor Wu of Han. When the country is strong and the people are prosperous, he should not engage in foreign military affairs again. Then the emperor's reputation as a wise and sage will be known to the people of the world."

As Gao Yi echoed Gao Gong, even Li Chunfang finally raised his head and stood up.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Li Chunfang smiled, bowed and advised: "Your Majesty, the new policy of Jialong is urgent, and the country is busy. The lights in Wenyuan Pavilion are always on, and the officials of the six ministries and five temples are running around. What is the meaning of this? I think this is for the benefit of the people of our Ming Dynasty. If the people are rich, the country will be strong. Now that the Hetao has been recovered, the Yinshan has stationed troops, and the Mongolian Anda tribe used to be the most powerful, but now it has been driven away. Looking ahead to the next three to five years, the north will not rise again. War. The ancients said that to resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the internal affairs. Now that the internal affairs of the country have not been settled, how can we talk about using the military force abroad? I think that the emperor is a wise and intelligent person, and he must understand this. Now, we should quell the war, use the efforts of the central government officials, save the money and grain in the national treasury, and widely implement the new policy at home. Rest for a few years, stabilize the people and stabilize the army, and let the soldiers return to their hometowns to farm and strengthen themselves. After a few years, when the new policies of Gia Long are implemented throughout the country, our dynasty will surely defeat the enemy without fighting. "

Inside the Wenhua Hall.

In a cabinet of only six ministers, half of them asked the emperor to rest and recuperate.

What’s more crucial is that this matter was first initiated by the Prime Minister.

Zhu Zaigui finally showed a trace of confusion on his face, and he didn't know how to respond.

Since he ascended the throne, everything has been so smooth and he has never encountered any setbacks.

And today, this setback came too violently and suddenly.

The emperor had no idea how to make a decision or whether to stick to his will.

He searched the crowd, hoping that someone would stand up and express a different opinion, to echo his will and demands.

Ding dong.

at last.

Just when the emperor was about to bow his head and compromise with his teacher and his prime minister.

The sound of footsteps was heard in Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Zaigui suddenly raised his head.

Yan Shaoting, the newly promoted Prince's Guardian, Minister of Rites, and numerous other honorable official positions, walked out with a smile on his face.

Faced with the opposition voices led by Gao Gong, Zhu Zaigui was like being in a storm, his heart was shocked and his eyes widened.

"Soldier."

“The most important affairs of a country are the matters of life and death, the matters of survival and destruction.”

"Sun Sheng said: It is important to observe this."

A deep but powerful voice began to echo in the Wenhua Hall.

Yan Shaoting looked at Gao Gong, Gao Yi and Li Chunfang, whose face changed slightly, with a smile on his face. He bowed and nodded with a chuckle: "Is what I said wrong?"

There was a smile on his face, but he felt helpless in his heart.

I originally wanted to return to Beijing with a great victory this time, and then hide in Changping to recuperate for a few years, and it would be best if I could give little Fusun a few brothers and sisters.

But the emperor would not let her rest, and Gao Gong and others would not let her go home and have a baby in peace.

So……

Some things can be said now!

Gao Gong's face froze. He had never thought that Yan Shaoting, who had just returned to the capital and had just been promoted and was in the limelight, would choose to stand up and confront him head-on.

But after all, he was already the Prime Minister, so Gao Gong smiled faintly: "This is what Sun Tzu's Art of War said, and it is not wrong."

Yan Shaoting nodded: "Thank you for your advice, I can continue now." "My dear minister, please go on!"

Before Gao Gong could speak, Zhu Zaigui had already taken the lead and shouted with a smile on his face.

The emperor's reaction made everyone feel helpless.

Xinjun doesn’t even act anymore.

Gao Gong became more and more annoyed, but he could only keep it to himself to avoid losing his manners in front of the emperor.

Yan Shaoting smiled and bowed to the emperor, then continued: "In the chapter on strategies in Shangjun's book, it is said that to end a war with war, even if it is war; to end killing with killing, even if it is killing, it is also acceptable."

When the words of Sun Tzu and Shang Yang came out of Yan Shaoting's mouth one after another.

Gao Gong's expression became increasingly solemn.

This is a debate before the Holy Spirit!
The hand hidden under the red robe couldn't help but tighten.

Li Chunfang began to rack his brains, preparing to refute Yan Shaoting's words with the words of sages.

Yan Shaoting spoke calmly: "Han Feizi also wrote about the Five Vermin: In ancient times, people competed in morality, in the Middle Ages, they competed in wisdom, and nowadays, they compete in strength. Although Han Feizi refers to the Warring States period as an era of strong politics, the strength of a country is determined by its military strength. However, what Han Feizi said also means that in the current situation of the country, benevolence and righteousness are secondary. For the country, it is necessary to be pragmatic and avoid empty talk to cope with the current chaos."

Without waiting for Gao Gong and others to speak.

Yan Shaoting said urgently: "Guan Zi said: The reason why a ruler is humble and noble, and the reason why a country is safe and secure, is nothing but the army. Guan Zi said that he would manage domestic affairs and entrust military orders. Military strategists believe that military affairs should be combined with national domestic affairs. Qi accepted his advice and implemented the policy of integrating soldiers with the people, becoming the first hegemon in the Spring and Autumn Period."

After saying that.

Yan Shaoting's eyes were already on Gao Gong.

He smiled and said, "The Prime Minister just mentioned what Confucius said in the Analects: if people from afar are not convinced, then cultivate civil virtues at home to win them over. However, Confucius talked about the interior, not the exterior. Wu Zi said about the state: cultivate civil virtues at home, and manage military preparations abroad. Wu Zi advocated the importance of both civil and military affairs, and believed that abandoning military preparations and relying on benevolent governance would lead to the country's doom. Wu Zi raised powerful soldiers, elite troops and a strong country, and the State of Wei became strong for a time."

Gao Gong frowned. He didn't expect that when he used Confucius' words to refute the emperor, Yan Shaoting would be able to find Wu Zi's words to fill in the gaps in his inner cultivation of virtue.

However, Yan Shaoting continued to speak: "The Confucian sage Xun said in his article on military affairs: The purpose of war is to stop violence and eliminate harm, not to fight for it. Confucianism is benevolence and annexation. The prime minister, Gao Gelao and Li Gelao govern the country based on benevolence and righteousness. Don't they know what the Confucian sage said? Military strategists believe in the use of force, which is also benevolence and righteousness. It can stop violence and chaos, unite the soldiers with courtesy, and unite the people with politics. Military affairs should be consistent with morality!"

There was silence in the Wenhua Hall.

Not long ago, there was only the voice of Prime Minister Gao Gong.

And now there is only Yan Shaoting's voice.

powerful!
too strong!
Everyone knows that Yan Shaoting is gifted in statecraft and has made remarkable achievements.

But no one would have thought that Yan Shaoting, a young man who had only relied on the help of someone else to become an official in the imperial court, would have such a high level of attainment in Confucianism and the moral principles of various classics.

If we use a different metaphor, how would we put it?
It is like a wealthy and pampered young man who has been riding a horse and parading in the streets for decades. Suddenly one day, he passes the imperial examination and becomes the top scorer without even reading any books.

At this moment, Yan Shaoting is the rich and wealthy young man who has passed the imperial examination and become the top scholar!
This is even more terrifying than any god of literature.

This is simply Wenquxing’s biological son!
however.

Yan Shaoting's voice was not completely calmed down.

He is still outputting.

He was still making noises.

Yan Shaoting took a step forward and approached Gao Gong, only a few steps away from the emperor.

"Mozi's seven troubles are: preparation is the most important thing for a country; food is the treasure of a country; weapons are the claws of a country!"

"The Mohists often used universal love and non-aggression to define their own holy doctrine. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, they often did not lead troops, but built equipment to defend the city against enemies. However, they also said that soldiers are the claws of the country. It can be seen that outside of Confucianism, within the Mohists, they also believed that those who do not have military preparations must defend themselves against harm!"

"Cao Cao, the King of Wei, a minister of the Han Dynasty, was briefly explained by Sun Tzu, who recorded the words: Those who rely on military power will perish, and those who rely on culture will perish. Fuchai and King Yan are such examples."

"At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, during the chaotic Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao was the only hegemon who used military force frequently. Why did he also say this? Even Cao Cao, who was so powerful and suppressed the Three Kingdoms, believed that within a country, one should not value culture or militarism, but should use both culture and military force to achieve long-term success. Now that you have just settled the border, you should prepare for border affairs. How can you say that you are militaristic? This is actually using both culture and military force for the country!"

Speaking of which.

Yan Shaoting took another step forward.

He is still outputting.

"It was also the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, during the Three Kingdoms period, when the country was divided into three parts. Zhuge Wuhou of Western Shu wrote in his famous poem "General's Garden of Guarding" that the most important task of a country is to guard itself. If you make a mistake by even a hair's breadth, the consequences will be as great as a thousand miles."

"When Wu Hou lived in Western Shu, he had the idea of ​​being prepared for danger in times of peace. He built crossbows and wooden oxen and flowing horses, strengthened the army and prepared for the unification of the world. Now, although our Ming Dynasty has recovered the old land of Hetao, it can only defeat the enemy temporarily, not for a lifetime, let alone for eternity. How can we not be prepared?"

"The two Song dynasties were in turmoil, the world rose and fell, the common people of the old country, the civil and military officials of the court followed the Song emperor, looking north to the Central Plains. They did not know the scenery of the north. Thousands of miles of ice and snow, looking inside and outside the Great Wall, there was only wilderness; the great rivers had lost their surging scene."

"Fan Gong Wen Zheng, in anger, made a speech and submitted a book on current affairs, saying: Although the world is at peace, forgetting war will lead to danger!"

"If the two Song dynasties were of one mind, not respecting civil arts over military affairs, but using both civil and military affairs, how could they not know the scenery of the northern country with thousands of miles of ice and thousands of miles of snow? How could they not see that only the vast Great Wall remained, and the surging rivers were gone?"

The whole hall was shocked.

No one said anything.

But everyone stared with wide eyes, staring at Yan Shaoting, who was holding his head high and looking very dignified despite being young.

Strong.

Even Gao Gong, who opposed wasting money and national strength on the new border at this time in order to suppress the imperial power, had to admire Yan Shaoting's debate and talent in his heart.

He is really too strong!

In an instant, Gao Gong thought of Changping Academy and a number of great scholars such as Nie Bao, Wang Ji, Qian Dehong, etc. who had worked in the academy for many years.

He began to find excuses for himself and Yan Shaoting.

Perhaps, it is precisely because of the existence of Changping Academy and these great scholars that Yan Shaoting was able to have such a wealth of ideas in the debate in Wenhua Hall today.

Yan Shaoting always had a smile on his face and looked calm.

Finally, he looked at Li Chunfang silently.

The moment Yan Shaoting's eyes fell on her, Li Chunfang trembled all over.

But Yan Shaoting had already spoken.

"If I remember correctly, Lord Li just said that we can defeat the enemy without fighting, and he mentioned a lot beforehand. But I have a different opinion. I wonder if Lord Li is willing to correct me?"

I don’t give a shit about it!

Li Chunfang is not a fool. He also knows that it is impossible to oppose the court's investment in the new border now.

But he didn't dare to speak easily, and could only keep a sullen face and remain silent.

Seeing that Li Chunfang didn't say anything, Yan Shaoting just smiled slightly.

Finally, he turned to look at the emperor and bowed deeply.

"emperor."

"I believe that the purpose of military force is not to expand, but to stop war with force. How can we stop war without force?"

"As for the country, let's talk about the Ming Dynasty today."

"Only by gathering strength with virtue and protecting virtue with strength can we achieve victory without fighting!"

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)