Chapter Ten: Encounter with Assassins

  Zhong Jinwei smiled and said, "This problem, I have thought about it in my past life and this life. Borrowing from history, there are still ways to solve it, but it's easy to say, and actually doing it will still be very difficult."

  Wang Chengen and Wen Tiren both fell silent, quietly watching Zhong Jinwei, waiting for what came next.

  Zhong Jinwei continued: "Now the Ming dynasty has many problems, if we want to start from scratch and govern it fundamentally, maybe before any results can be achieved, it will already be too late. But we also cannot just deal with whatever happens, a cough and fever have many causes, if we don't treat the symptoms, things will only get worse and worse. In history, this is how it went, more than ten years later, the Ming dynasty was destroyed."

  Wen Ti Ren had never heard of this before, and as soon as he did, he immediately stood up and shouted: "How dare you speak nonsense!" On the other hand, Wang Cheng En was already used to it and stood up to comfort Wen Ti Ren.

  Zhong Jinwei actually knew that his words were shocking, but if he didn't say them, he feared that some drastic measures would not be taken by anyone, so it's better to just speak the truth. Besides, he had already spoken many times in front of Emperor Chongzhen, what was there to fear?

  After the warm body calmed down, Zhong Jinwei said: "Lord Wen, please listen to me continue speaking. We are mainly discussing ways to solve problems, not discussing whether the problem is serious or extremely serious. The current situation of the Ming Dynasty, Lord Wen has already spoken about it. I'll talk about my own solution."

  Zhong Jinwei finally got to the point: "The current situation is actually still a good time, and there are still many loyal ministers and generals. As for the Liaodong Jurchen problem, I think Sun Chengzong should replace Yuan Chonghuan, be in charge of the Shanhai Pass, Ningyuan, and Jinzhou direction battles, mainly using infantry and cavalry, advancing steadily, but not necessarily using the method of building fortifications to advance, which is too costly. In addition, the Dongjiang Garrison has its own system, with Lu Xiangsheng as the commander, and together with Shanhai Pass, it will use water troops and cavalry as the main force, and harassment and raids as the key. With a two-pronged approach, the Jurchen strategy is too shallow, and they have no room to retreat, their numbers are too small, and losing one soldier means losing one soldier. Sun Chengzong is steady, Lu Xiangsheng is brave, and they complement each other well, so the Jurchens will not be a problem."

  Zhong Jinwei said this, looking at the two listeners in front of him. Wang Chengen seemed to have gained something, but Wen Ti-ren nodded slightly and then shook his head; Zhong Jinwei smiled and said: "Lord Wen, wait until I finish speaking before commenting."

  Wen Ti Ren stroked his long mustache under his forehead with his hand, but didn't say a word.

  Zhong Jinwei continued: "Dispatch some of the Guanning Iron Cavalry to the northwest disaster area to quell the rebellion, I recommend Cao Wenzhao. With a force of a thousand pounds, strike them down, like a hawk swooping down on a rabbit, not giving the bandits any chance to breathe or counterattack, minimizing the destruction brought by the bandits; at the same time, dispatch Wen Chen, escorting grain and disaster relief while advancing, this person I recommend Hong Chengchou. One hand holding a big stick and the other holding a carrot, killing the leading bandits, cutting off the soil that breeds bandits. The unrest caused by the disaster in the northwest will not only be pacified soon, but at least it will no longer cause trouble."

  Zhong Jinwei said, pointing to the southwest of the Ming Dynasty on the blackboard: "The rebellion in the southwestern Tusi region is difficult due to its terrain and transportation. It's hard for us Han people to adapt. Therefore, I recommend a famous female national heroine from history - Qin Liangyu. The White Stick Army she led was an excellent mountain warfare unit. Using her would be enough to pacify the southwest."

  After the southwest, everyone's attention turned to the southeast of the Ming Dynasty. Zhong Jinwei continued to explain: "As for the pirates along the southeastern coast of the Ming Dynasty, apart from recruiting Zheng Zhilong to control the thieves with thieves, the most important thing is to gather shipbuilders, build a real fleet for the Ming Dynasty, and train hard to take advantage of the struggle between the oyster and the mussel, and let the fishermen benefit."

  Looking at the southeast and northwest, Wen Ti-ren no longer stroked his long beard and asked Zhong Jin-wei: "Is everything done?"

  Zhong Jinwei took a sip of tea and cleared his throat: "Of course not, the most important thing has not been said yet, these are just temporary measures."

  He said, "This is the most crucial and also the most difficult part. As for how to deal with those greedy officials who love money and generals who are afraid of death..."

  Here is the translation:

  "Up to here, Zhong Jinwei glanced at Wen Ti-ren and smiled: "Wen sir, this depends on you, because you're good at this." Wen Ti-ren was both laughing and crying, was this praise or sarcasm?!"

  Zhong Jinwei's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly: "Of course, everything depends on Your Majesty's determination, whether you have the courage to break with tradition and resist the pressure brought by the reform process. Many things in the ancestral system are no longer suitable for the current era. For example, the military guard system, tax collection system, official system, etc. If Your Majesty has the determination to break through the old framework and start anew, you can make the Great Ming dynasty prosperous again, stand tall among the nations of the world, and truly achieve the goal of 'all nations coming to pay homage'."

  This is not just something that Zhong Jinwei blows off the top of his head. With a reasonable system, and with the human and material resources of the Ming dynasty, it would be possible to rival small countries like England or Spain.

  Zhong Jinwei said, "Actually, everything now was already sown as a seed of trouble when our dynasty was founded. I'll analyze it for you later, let's take a rest first."

  Wen Tianren was shocked, to speak of the Taizu Emperor of this dynasty in such a way is truly reckless. He wanted to advise against it, but looking at Zhong Jinwei, he seemed nonchalant. Looking at Wang Cheng'en, he also didn't seem to mind, so he could only keep it hidden in his heart and not say anything.

  Wen Ti Ren stood up, walked to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk and looked at it, then tried writing on the blackboard. It felt awkward, but his handwriting was still fine.

  He had long noticed the benefits of blackboard and chalk for teaching. Those who have read books, especially those who have been teachers, are particularly sensitive to this. (Emperor Chongzhen didn't care much because his teaching was not teacher-centered but centered on him, one-on-one instruction, and being wealthy, he wouldn't care about the cost of paper, pens, blackboards, and chalk, so naturally, he wasn't sensitive to their functions.)

  Wang Chengen sat there motionless, his eyes staring at a spot in front of his own feet, apparently lost in thought.

  He was actually recalling Zhong Jinwei's speech, trying to remember every word, not easy, Zhong Jinwei this modern person said a lot of words that he had never heard before, very refreshing, yet easy to understand.

  Zhong Jinwei has a mobile phone syndrome like most people in his previous life. He can't help but feel itchy hands if he doesn't touch his phone.

  While resting, he took out his mobile phone again to see if it could be turned on. Unexpectedly, with a press, the screen lit up, and then a familiar startup ringtone sounded. Zhong Jinwei excitedly shouted "Yes!"

  Others were immediately drawn to the movement in Zhong Jinwei's hands, Wen Tiren walked over, Wang Chengen looked up and even Ah Qi, who was standing at the edge, quietly took a few steps towards Zhong Jinwei.

  The mobile phone didn't actually get much water in it, it was put into the pocket of the shorts after falling into the water and then immediately taken out when coming ashore. After being left for more than a day in the dry north and under the scorching June weather, the moisture had already evaporated.

  Zhong Jinwei played with it skillfully. Suddenly, he thought of something and quickly opened the photo album on his phone, only to find that many of the photos he took had characteristics of the era. Upon closer inspection, he really wanted to scold himself - why didn't he charge his phone before crossing over? Now it showed only one grid of electricity left.

  He then hastily told Wang Chengen, "Hurry up and tell His Majesty to come over, saying that the mobile phone can be used now. Let His Majesty hurry over to see things of later generations, otherwise he won't be able to see them, and will never be able to see them again."

  Wang Cheng'en blinked his eyes, what does it mean, can't look anymore?

  Zhong Jinwei said urgently: "The mobile phone only has one grid of electricity left, it's really stupid, if there is no energy, then there is no way."

  Finally, Wang Chengen understood and quickly turned around and ran out.

  Neither of them noticed that it would be more reasonable for Zhong Jingwei to go see Emperor Chongzhen. If this were the past, a minister would say, "Who's that? Go and summon the emperor to see me." That would truly be seeking death.

  Zhong Jinwei saw Wang Chengen running out, so he quickly turned off his phone and said "use it a little less". Wen Tiaren asked beside him: "What is this? You're in such a hurry, dare to let His Majesty come over to see you?"

  Zhong Jinwei suddenly realized that he hadn't been paying attention, and every time it was Emperor Chongzhen who came to see him, so he had gotten used to it. This seemed to be a clear breach of etiquette. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly. He quickly explained to Wen Tiren what this thing was, diverting his attention.

  Jianjidian (changed to Baohe Hall in the Qing dynasty), located in the center and facing backwards, is situated on top of a white jade stone balustrade opposite Qianqing Gate. The gate is called Yuntai Gate, with two gates behind it: Dong (East) being Houzuomen (Left Rear Gate) and Xi (West) being Hoyoumen (Right Rear Gate), also known as the "Platform Gates". All officials stand solemnly, while Emperor Chongzhen sits there to discuss state affairs.

  At this time, Emperor Chongzhen saw Wang Chengen hurrying over. He knew that he must have come to disturb him with urgent business, and it was definitely related to Zhong Jingwei. His heart couldn't help but feel a little tense, and he immediately summoned Wang Chengen to come forward.

  Wang Chengen quietly told him about the mobile phone and said that Zhong Jinwei's mobile phone was running out of power, asking Your Majesty to go and take a look as soon as possible.

  The Chongzhen Emperor, upon hearing this, immediately cast aside the group of ministers and hastily departed. The group of ministers discussing matters looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what to do, so they just stood there, whispering to each other in small groups of three or five people.

  As soon as Emperor Chongzhen arrived, Wen Tiren stepped aside and was about to kneel down to pay his respects. However, Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand and said, "Wen Gong, no need for excessive courtesy." He then ignored Wen Tiren and directly asked Zhong Jinwei, "Is the mobile phone usable? Bring it here for me to take a look."

  Then Zhong Jinwei opened his mobile phone and handed it over to Emperor Chongzhen.

  Chongzhen Emperor looked at the phone's startup screen while flipping it over to look at the back, then flipped it back again. After the boot was complete, Chongzhen Emperor took a look but didn't dare move, fearing he would damage the object in his hand, so he used his eyes to signal to Zhong Xuewei.

  Zhong Jinwei took the phone back from Emperor Chongzhen, opened the photo album and showed him pictures of high-rise buildings, airplanes, clouds taken from an airplane (taken secretly after the plane had stabilized), and majestic mountains. Emperor Chongzhen was extremely curious, staring at the screen, when suddenly he pointed to a picture and asked: "Can people fly?" Wang Chengen and Wen Tiren were very curious, stretching their necks as long as possible, hoping to catch a glimpse.

  Zhong Jinwei looked and said embarrassedly: "This is not, it's a movie, just an opera, Iron Man, fake."

  Just then, Archie suddenly let out a sharp cry: "Look out!"

  Zhong Jingwei looked up and saw that behind Emperor Chongzhen, an old eunuch was holding a dagger emitting blue light, stabbing towards the back of Emperor Chongzhen.

  In the midst of the electric light, Zhong Xian pushed Emperor Chongzhen violently. The dagger pierced through Emperor Chongzhen's left sleeve and stabbed into Zhong Xian's right arm.