Chapter 49: Reading the Books of Sages

  "My dear subject, would you be so kind as to explain this passage to me?" Tianqi Emperor looked at Zhou Jiamou with a strange expression and smiled.

  "Your Majesty, I believe that with your wisdom, you must have already understood the meaning of this sentence." Zhou Jiamou was not stupid either. After experiencing many ups and downs in his official career, he had become very cunning. The ambition to serve the country that he had when he was young had been worn away a lot, but after talking with Emperor Tianqi, the desire for revenge in his heart seemed to be reignited once again, and the dreams of his youth also seemed to have awakened once more. Although this was the case, he still maintained the reserve of a middle-aged man and continued to play Tai Chi with Emperor Tianqi.

  The meaning of Zhou Jiamou's words was naturally understood by Emperor Tianqi, who was simply telling himself that he had already understood his own words. What's the point of beating around the bush like this?

  He nodded slowly and the Tianqi Emperor said in a low voice, "To borrow a phrase from Zhuge Liang, Yi Province is exhausted, this is truly a matter of life and death. The Shu state is also exhausted, but there was also Zhuge Wuhou who worked tirelessly until his death. Now our great Ming dynasty can be said to be on the verge of collapse, the country is also full of holes, but what are these ministers doing at this time?" At this moment, the anger that had been suppressed in the Tianqi Emperor's heart seemed to have found a place to vent, and the Tianqi Emperor's voice kept echoing in the empty and spacious hall. It shocked not only the hall, but also Zhou Jiamo's mind and body, his body was slightly trembling. To encounter a wise and talented ruler, then one can die without regret.

  "They are fighting for power and profit, digging at the corners of the Great Wall. Have they ever thought that under the overturned nest, is there a complete egg? Or for them, it's just a change of masters, but where have all these years of reading sacred books gone? They are full of lofty words every day, but who can't take a little less. It's exactly as the saying goes, 'A thousand words under the pen, but no strategy in the heart.' Wen Tianxiang said before his death, 'What is the point of reading sacred books?' The Tianqi Emperor suddenly looked like a mad demon, his eyes rapidly filling with blood due to anger, and he quickly drew out the precious sword from his waist."

  The Tianqi Emperor pointed his sword at Zhou Jiamou, staring at him with wide eyes and loudly asked: "Are you a senior minister of the Ming Dynasty? Are you willing to revive the Ming Dynasty with me? If you are not sincere, I will destroy your nine clans. If you tell me now that you cannot do it, I will let you retire." At this time, the Tianqi Emperor had already placed his sword on Zhou Jiamou's neck. For ministers who were not sure of their abilities, they would have to undergo a test, and Zhou Jiamou was the first person the Tianqi Emperor wanted to test. The Tianqi Emperor had high hopes for such capable ministers, but if they were deeply embroiled in factional struggles, it was hard to say whether they could even maintain their integrity, let alone accomplish anything.

  Zhou Jiamou did not expect that the Tianqi Emperor would do such a thing, and he involuntarily raised his head to look at the Tianqi Emperor. However, what he saw was the Tianqi Emperor's angry eyes. Although they were angry eyes, Zhou Jiamou saw a glimmer of trust, more than that, it was expectation. At this moment, he couldn't help but think of his youthful dreams, and recalled the grand ambitions he had once proclaimed to govern the country and bring peace to the world. Suddenly, something in his chest wanted to burst out.

  He heavily knocked his head on the ground, his voice trembling: "Confucius said to be benevolent and righteous, Mencius said to take righteousness. I am willing to be a vanguard for Your Majesty, even if I die, I will not regret it."

  The Tianqi Emperor put away the treasured sword, and slowly helped Zhou Jiamou up, patting his shoulder and saying: "You have not disappointed me, I will certainly not disappoint you. If the Great Ming dynasty falls in the future, I hope that you can be by my side."

  "If it really comes to that time, I will not be by Your Majesty's side. Although I am not good at martial arts and cannot conquer the world with literature, but Your Majesty has treated me as a national scholar, and I must repay you as a national scholar. When that time comes, I am willing to take up my three-foot-long sword and die for Your Majesty on the battlefield." Zhou Jiamou's heart had already developed the conviction of dying for his lord, who was worth serving. He did not mind sacrificing his life for such a worthy king. This is perhaps the integrity of scholars, the backbone of scholars, the spine of scholars.

  He patted Zhou Jiamou's shoulder heavily and said, "If you have any ideas, just let me know and I'll take charge."

  "Your Majesty, many officials in the court are forming cliques and pursuing personal interests. To clarify the officialdom, the first step is to clarify the imperial court, and drive out all those who form cliques and pursue personal interests from the imperial court. Then, select the virtuous and appoint them to office, so as to quickly clarify the officialdom." Zhou Jiamou put forward his own opinion, which was the experience of his many years in office. He had great confidence in the emperor before him, and spoke naturally without any reserve.

  "I have always wanted to sweep away party strife and clarify official affairs, but it's not easy. The powers in the imperial court are intertwined, and pulling one thread can move the whole body. After you take office, you can first select a batch of capable and talented officials, record their abilities and send them to me. When the time is ripe, I will solve the party strife and clarify official affairs at once." Zhou Jiamou's opinion was naturally good, but it's easy to say and hard to do! The Ming dynasty has accumulated evil for a long time, and it can be said that it's difficult to return to normal. Wanting to achieve everything in one step is naturally impossible.

  "Yes, I obey the edict." Although the Tianqi Emperor did not approve of his own method, Zhou Jiamou's heart was even more at ease, because the emperor's words were wise and strategic. At this time, he felt even more at ease, and his energy was even more abundant.

  With a heart full of joy and hope for the future, Zhou Jiamou left the Palace of Heavenly Purity, at this moment he seemed to have seen the revival of the Great Ming. A powerful dynasty, a wise ruler, and himself as a great minister of his generation, will surely leave their names in history.

  After leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhou Jiamou met two people at the gate of the Forbidden City, perhaps they were waiting for him, and these two people were Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou.

  "Brother Zhou, I don't know what the Emperor has summoned you for?" Zuo Guangdou's temperament was rather impatient, and upon seeing Zhou Jiamou, he hastily asked.

  Zhou Jiamou knew that the Tianqi Emperor's words were confidential and absolutely could not be told to others, but he also couldn't bear to deceive his good friend, so he simply said: "Your Majesty asked me two questions."

  "What's wrong?" Zuo Guangdou hastily asked, his eyes filled with anticipation, but also a hint of worry.

  "The first question is what does it mean to read the books of saints? The second question is why do we read books?" After saying that, Zhou Jiamou walked away without looking back, leaving behind a bewildered Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou.

  After exchanging a glance, Zuo Guangdou still had a face full of mist and water, while Yang Lian on the other side had a hint of enlightenment, and thoughtfully said: "Yes! Reading the books of sages, what is it all about!" After finishing speaking, he didn't pay attention to Zuo Guangdou's pursuit, and quickly followed in Zhou Jiamou's footsteps.

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