Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"Master Yuan."

"Master Zhang."

Seeing Yuan Gong squatting in front of his mansion with a huge wine gourd on his back, the fat black man with a springy face instinctively felt his heart tighten.

It is an open secret that Yuan Gong and Dao Yan are close. The two old men of the same age have known each other for more than 30 years. When Yuan Gong was famous all over the world, Dao Yan was still an unknown monk. Now after the battle of Jingnan, their relationship in the world has changed. The name is the other way around.

But don't let the prime minister in black ask Yuan Gong to come to him.

Zhang Yuchu had a friendly smile on his face, took two steps forward and saluted.

"I wonder what the reason for Master Yuan's visit is?"

Yuan Gong, who was dressed in linen clothes, stood up and said with a smile: "It's nothing serious. It's just that the old monk Daoyan said he had an idea and asked me to come and discuss it with Tianshi Zhang. Tianshi also knows that Daoyan has locked himself up in the Great Heaven Realm recently. The retreat in the temple is like a prison, and if you don't understand it thoroughly, you won't be able to come out, and you won't be able to come out for a while."

The smile on Zhang Yuchu's face became stiffer and stiffer, and it was obvious that he couldn't hold it any longer.

"How about going in and talking."

"Go in and say it, but it's inconvenient outside." Yuan Gong said immediately.

Zhang Yuchu's heart sank more and more.

What on earth is going on that the prime minister in black wants Yuan Gong to discuss with him? Could it be that he wanted to cut off Hu's own destiny and put the matter of the 'fertilizer' elixir on his Buddhist head?

Using yourself to save others, the more Zhang Yuchu thought about it, the more likely it became.

Otherwise, why would you come to me now instead of coming in person and letting Yuan Gong come?

It must be that the old monk Dao Yan still wanted to save his face and didn't want to quarrel directly, so Yuan Gong, who was both his old friend and a Taoist master, came to pass the message.

Damn it, do you want to agree?

I don’t want to agree. This is a revitalization opportunity that the Taoist sect finally got. The elixirs are all made by us. Do you, a Buddhist, know how to make elixirs?

Don’t you want to agree that it’s useful? Although this matter was my own proposal and had the preliminary approval of the eldest prince Zhu Gaochi, the problem was that Dao Yan, the prime minister in black, could go directly to Tianting to find Zhu Di!

Zhang Yuchu brought Yuan Gong into the mansion full of regret.

The two Taoist boys and Qingfeng were squatting next to the several acres of sprouts and vegetables, marveling.

"This is?"

Yuan Gong looked at the sprouts field in surprise, which looked like it had shaved off its yin and yang heads. It had not yet turned around.

Seeing Yuan Gong coming, Qingfeng and others quickly stood up to perform the disciple ceremony.

"Hello, Mr. Yuan!"

Yuan Gong returned the gift seriously and did not look down upon the other party because he was a junior.

"So, what's going on?" Yuan Gong has vaguely thought of the source of the matter, "Is this the part of the 'fertilizer elixir' that you refined at Longhu Mountain?"

Zhang Yuchu watched Yuan Gong's expression change from indifferent to surprised to awakened, and thought to himself: "Pretend, you continue to pretend, isn't it just to stir up this topic?"

Qingfeng and the two Taoist boys didn't know the whole story. They only knew that the master made a batch of elixirs and brought them back, and told them that this was a matter assigned by the emperor and they must be planted separately.

"Cough cough cough."

Zhang Yuchu coughed twice and realized that today's events could not be avoided, so he spoke frankly.

"That's exactly the case. To be honest with Yuan Zhenren, it should be the same for the eldest prince and Xia Shangshu, and they may even be growing better."

Yuan Gong nodded and said, "That's an unexpected surprise, but it's not surprising either."

Zhang Yuchu became alert and asked, "What does Master Yuan mean by this?"

Yuan Gong said with a smile: "Jiang Xinghuo's behavior is so amazing. I'm afraid I won't be surprised if he does something shocking now."

"Daoyan asked me to look for Master Zhang today because of a letter from Jiang Xinghuo."

etc.

The fat black man was a little confused.

From what Yuan Gong said, it seemed that he came today not to snatch the auspicious credit for the fertilizer elixir for Dao Yan, but because of another matter involving "Jiang Xinghuo".

"Who is Jiang Xinghuo?"

Zhang Yuchu blurted out.

"Let's talk about it after entering the room." Yuan Gong looked at Qingfeng and the two Taoist boys and said.

Zhang Yuchu woke up and realized that this meant a secret, so he nodded repeatedly and the three disciples dispersed voluntarily.

There was no one in the room, so Zhang Yuchu earnestly asked for advice.

"Master Yuan, who is Jiang Xinghuo?"

Yuan Gong didn't know how to answer this question for a while. Yuan Gong couldn't tell Zhang Yuchu casually about many things.

After all, for Zhu Di and others, Yuan Gong not only has known Dao Yan for many years, but also has a lot of connections with Zhu Di and others, so he is qualified to know some things, but Zhang Tianshi is different.

"That's the man who gave the instructions on the spot to refine the fertilizer elixir that day in the prison."

Zhang Yuchu frowned slightly and asked repeatedly: "Where is this wild Taoist priest? Why have I never heard of his name? What crime did he commit and he was imprisoned in the imperial edict?"

Yuan Gong was slightly startled, then realized that Zhang Yuchu had misunderstood, so he explained.

"Not some wild Taoist priest, but a banished immortal!"

What?

Zhang Tianshi was stunned for a moment when he heard this.

Immediately he waved his hands and said: "Master Yuan, don't be joking. How can there be any banished immortal in this world?"

"No kidding."

Yuan Gong said seriously: "He is really an immortal."

After hearing this, Zhang Yuchu's expression became serious and he asked in a deep voice: "Does Mr. Yuan really mean what he said?"

"Of course, seriously!"

Yuan Gong pointed to his own eyes and said, "I used my secret method of physiognomy to see them."

"What's the result?" Zhang Yuchu asked eagerly.

Yuan Gong's physiognomy is the best in the world, and the results of his physiognomy are almost infallible.

"Destiny is like a thread, and origins are like a stream."

Zhang Yuchu couldn't sit still at all. He stood up and said, "Zhenren Yuan is saying that his fate cannot be measured, and his life span cannot be measured either?"

Yuan Gong nodded and added: "Dao Yan has forgotten it."

"What is the result calculated by Master Daoyan?"

"It didn't work out. Half of the Heavenly King's Palace was struck by lightning."

Zhang Yuchu was stunned.

In any case, he never thought that the "immortal sending down auspiciousness" that he casually made up to take credit for the Taoist sect might actually be true? ?

Zhang Yuchu still couldn't believe it and just said: "Master Yuan, how can there be an immortal in this world? Lu Zu is not an immortal either!"

"Then how do you explain it?"

Yuan Gong only told a few things about Jiang Xinghuo that he knew and could reveal to Zhang Yuchu.

"You mean, these things were brought up by Jiang Xinghuo?"

Zhang Tianshi felt that his world view was a bit broken. He had been cultivating immortals for generations in Longhu Mountain, but he didn’t know that there were actually no immortals in the world.

But today Yuan Gong not only told himself that there were immortals in the world, but also appeared in front of them and did a series of incredible and unbelievable things.

As if it was the straw that broke the camel's back, Yuan Gong took out another transcribed letter from his arms.

Yuan Gong shook out the letter paper from the envelope and handed it to Zhang Yuchu.

"Metaphysical Critique of the 'Transcendental Theory of Human Nature'"

Although Zhang Yuchu is the leader of the Taoist sect, he is also a famous Confucian scholar in the world. Well, it's not like he can join if he can't beat him. Zhang Tianshi's identity is destined that he can't join the Confucian sect, but this does not delay Zhang Tianshi from studying and understanding his opponent.

Therefore, Zhang Yuchu hurriedly read the letter and understood its precious value.

For anyone who wants to fight against Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, which has become a complete and systematic knowledge, the value of this letter can be said to be priceless.

This letter dug a hole and then dug out a brick from the most solid foundation of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, which originally seemed invincible and irreversible, became defeatable and overthrown.

"This was also written by Jiang Xinghuo?"

Yuan Gong nodded. Zhang Yuchu was a little numb, but Yuan Gong still gave him greater stimulation.

"Daoyan entrusted me to come to you, just to ask you whether the Buddhist and Taoist families want to join forces."

"Join forces?" Zhang Yuchu almost jumped up on the spot: "What does Dao Yan want to do? Is he crazy?!"

"Overturn Neo-Confucianism and strive for greater living space for Buddhism and Taoism."

Hearing Yuan Gong's words, Zhang Yuchu shook his head repeatedly, as if he was afraid of some fear engraved deep in his heart.

"impossible!"

"Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism has been established for hundreds of years, and I have thoroughly studied it. This theory cannot be overturned at all!"

"And don't you know what it means to overthrow this theory?"

"It means being an enemy to the scholars in the world!"

"Daoyan can't bear it, and neither can I!"

"Buddhism and Taoism are still surviving. If such an adventure as Zhang Liang's attack on Qin fails, the Confucians will take revenge and destroy Taoism and Buddhism again!"

"Just this bit of humanistic theory is not enough! There is no chance of anything happening!"

After quietly listening to Zhang Yuchu's almost roaring confession, Yuan Gong only said one sentence.

"Dao Yan said that Jiang Sheng knows more than just this."

Zhang Yuchu frowned and asked, "What does Daoyan call that prisoner?"

"Jiang Sheng."

Before Zhang Yuchu could react, Yuan Gong's words hit his heart like one heavy hammer after another.

"Your Majesty, the eldest prince, and the second prince, please call him Mr. Jiang."

"Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, calls him Master Jiang."

"Cao Guogong Li Jinglong, call him."

"Stop! I believe it! Isn't it okay if I believe it?"

Zhang Yuchu covered his chest and signaled Yuan Gong to stop talking.

"I believe it, but the chance of overthrowing Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is too small. What I have now is not enough, and it is far from enough. Jiang Xinghuo must come up with a complete set of arguments that can completely refute or form a confrontation. , an impeccable new theory, otherwise, I would rather not be this heavenly master than let the Taoist sect's thousand-year foundation be destroyed."

Yuan Gong nodded. As the leader of the Taoist sect, Zhang Yuchu made this decision.

And this decision also revealed from the side that Zhang Yuchu had indeed been dissatisfied with Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism for suppressing Buddhism for a long time.

This is not an isolated case. Just as Daoyan planned to argue with Cheng and Zhu who could not talk back about why he slandered Buddhism, many people from Buddhism and Taoism were concerned about Cheng and Zhu Neo-Confucianism’s suppression of Buddhism and Taoism in books and actual actions. Big, is very dissatisfied.

Just because they didn't have opportunities or confidence before, it doesn't mean that they don't want to join forces to do big things.

Now that Zhang Tianshi's attitude is clear, Yuan Gong, as the middleman, can't force him too much. This matter is considered a preliminary exchange of opinions.

As long as Jiang Xinghuo can put forward a new theory that will not fall behind in the fight against Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism can join forces to fight against Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

Of course, the difficulty here can be imagined.

After all, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is a set of theories that have been gradually constructed and perfected by countless generations of great scholars.

Just one person planned to confront or even overthrow Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism on a theoretical level.

Even someone like Zhang Yuchu, who is known as a "Taoist master", feels that it is impossible for him to do it.

It is precisely because of the in-depth understanding of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism that we understand how impeccable the theory of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is.

However, Jiang Xinghuo's letter brought a glimmer of light after all.

I hope that the existence of this suspected immortal can really put forward a new theory to counter the increasingly rigid Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

Now that the matter was initially settled, the two chatted about other things again.

"You said you proposed the fertilizer elixir as a blessing from the immortals?"

Yuan Gong, a veteran of the Jianghu world, has such a sharp mind. When he thought of Zhang Yuchu's reaction before, he knew that he did not know the existence of Jiang Xinghuo, so the so-called immortal might have hit him by mistake.

Zhang Yuchu said with a bitter smile.

"Fortunately, Master Yuan told me about this person, otherwise it would have been self-defeating."

"It doesn't matter. I'm afraid erecting a statue of Immortal Jiang is something that your Majesty and the eldest prince would like to see happen."

Yuan Gong continued: "Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is the fundamental logic for Jiangnan gentry to have the right to speak. To attack Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is to attack the Jiangnan gentry. His Majesty's promotion of labor sharing is a prelude. It is absolutely impossible to attack Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. It's a successful thing, but Jiang Xinghuo is the only variable in the eyes of all the big shots."

"In other words, only by mastering the right to speak in culture can the new emperor truly feel that he can resist the soft swords of the literati and secure the throne. This is something that the new emperor will definitely do with his vigorous and resolute actions. .”

Zhang Yuchu sighed: "It's true that the wind follows the dragon and the dragon meets the clouds. The wind and cloud meet, and there is nothing better than this."

Imprisonment.

Jiang Xinghuo, who had had a good rest for a few days, finally couldn't continue fishing tonight.

"Mr. Jiang, the results are out!!!"

Zhu Gaoxu's wild laughter was deafening. He took the key and opened Jiang Xinghuo's cell door, waking Jiang Xinghuo up.

"What results came out?"

Jiang Xinghuo rubbed his eyes and turned around from the pile of straw in a daze.

What caught the eye was a handful of bright yellow bean sprouts.

Li Jinglong, who was following Zhu Gaoxu, could guarantee that even Zhu Gaoxu didn't have such an expression when he was holding his pile of golden beans.

After all, to Zhu Gaoxu, golden beans are not much different from gravel on the roadside.

It would take him a long time to pick up the scattered golden beans, and during the time he was bending down, he might have increased his wealth by more than the value of these golden beans.

After four years of fighting in Jingnan, Zhu Gaoxu's personal wealth has increased to an unknown extent with just the spoils of war, not to mention the properties and mansions in his name. I'm afraid he can't even remember how many there are.

But it was different from the ecstatic Zhu Gaoxu and the joyful Li Jinglong.

"oh."

Jiang Xinghuo, who had been confident for a long time, was not surprised at all.

"Aren't you surprised, Mr. Jiang? The yield of sprouts has doubled!"

Seeing the other person's face as if he had never seen the world, Jiang Xinghuo turned around and tried to fall asleep again, muttering.

"This is nothing, let alone a yield of five per mu. Even if there are no alien species, the method I will talk about tomorrow can increase the upper limit of the population that Ming can support by 30% out of thin air."

Zhu Gaoxu and others automatically ignored the first half of the sentence. There is nothing unusual about a yield of 500 kilograms per mu. The Champa rice introduced since the Song Dynasty has already reached this level of yield. It has even far exceeded the yield of five hundred kilograms per mu due to local improvements and intensive farming. One hundred pounds.

What the two of them paid most attention to was the second half of what Jiang Xinghuo said.

——It can increase the upper limit of the population that Ming Dynasty can support by 30% out of thin air!

This news almost made the two of them breathless!

What is the concept of the current Ming Empire by increasing the upper limit of the population that can be supported by 30%?

This means an increase of one-third of Ming Dynasty’s taxes, and an increase of one-third of Ming Dynasty’s total reserve troops!

This is completely different from the growth in the number of clans.

For the country, the fewer the number of clans, the better. The smaller the number, the less money it will cost, because clans are not the tax base but a burden.

And the effective population that increases within the range that can be supported is the most precious wealth for the country!

The two of them were about to continue questioning, after all, this was a follow-up to the previous lesson, but Jiang Xinghuo had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Zhu Gaoxu had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and retreat with Li Jinglong.

"Just now, did I hear you correctly?"

"That's right." Li Jinglong nodded and said, "This is a way to increase the upper limit of the population that Ming can support by 30%."

"Mr. Jiang is really miraculous. Not only does he have magic formulas like chemical fertilizers to increase food production, but he also has methods that can increase the upper limit of the number of people he can support. He came out of thin air. If someone had told me this before, I'm afraid I would have slapped him in the face. , but now I am looking forward to it endlessly." Zhu Gaoxu sighed sincerely.

"We'll find out tomorrow."

Li Jinglong's face also showed a bit of anticipation.

I'll switch back to the main line tomorrow. Please, please give me a monthly ticket~