My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 98: A new track, a new way of playing

"After seeing the essence through the phenomenon and understanding the essence of the contradictions of things, the answer is already very obvious. There is no point in arguing with Confucian scholars!

The working class is already ahead of the aristocratic landlord class, so why should they continue to play by the aristocratic class's rules?

What we need to do is to change to a completely new style of play and establish our own rules of the game!"

Lao Li, you are tall, Lao Li, you are wonderful, Lao Li, you are really tall and wonderful!

Seeing the essence through the phenomenon, this sentence is really well said, we, Old Zhu, have learned it again!

Well, I will use this sentence to teach Xu Da, Li Min and others a lesson from now on.

"Now that we understand the basic contradictions of things, let us analyze the direct causes of the current situation.

It’s very simple, because you, Lao Zhu, do not control public opinion, but now, public opinion is in the hands of the literary world!

If you can’t control public opinion, you lose your voice. No group will speak for the court. Even if the people support the court, they have no channel to speak out.”

Yes, yes, that's right. Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became enlightened. During this period of time, he was almost scolded by the Confucian scholars because they could not make their own voices heard!
With Li Han’s explanation, he suddenly felt everything in front of him became clear!
"To break the current situation, there are two steps. The first step is long-term planning, which is to control the right to speak in the court, or more precisely, in your hands.

The Ming Dynasty cannot have only one voice represented by the literati and scholars of the aristocratic families. What about the literati and students outside the aristocratic families, and the general public?
They need to make their voices heard too!

We must unite all the forces that can be united, including scholars, craftsmen, farmers, and even small merchants and handicraftsmen who have been excluded by the aristocracy. These people are all helpers to the court!"

Unite all forces that can be united. Isn't this a more insightful interpretation of the saying "Those who are righteous have many supporters, while those who are unrighteous have few"?
Lao Li’s interpretation of classics is so insightful!

“As for the control of discourse power, my suggestion is to focus on the court and publish newspapers!

Newspapers are somewhat similar to official gazettes, but they are issued to the general public. Major events that have occurred recently are printed in newspapers to let people know what is happening now.

Of course, no matter how the article is written, Zhu Yuanzhang now has a great talent like Fang Xiaoru under his command. All he needs to control is one thing, that is, the establishment of the Craftsmen Academy and the development of industry, which will be beneficial to the people. However, the literati and scholars from the aristocratic families are firmly opposed to this, which goes against the wishes of the people.

Wouldn't it be enough to leave the question of whether the Academy of Craftsmen should exist to the class that benefits, namely the common people and craftsmen, to discuss themselves?
At the same time, we can also make up some interesting stories to show the people the bright future of factory development and attract more people to read newspapers.”

After seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang finally understood what it meant to unite all the forces that can be united!

This is entirely relying on the people to build momentum for the construction of the academy!
He couldn't help but sigh once again that Lao Li's control over people's hearts had reached an incredible level.

“Not only that, newspapers can also convey the emperor’s will and the court’s various policies to the people of Ming Dynasty in a timely manner, so that the people can understand why the court does this. With understanding, the people will spontaneously support the court and you.

Although not all the people can read and write, this is not a big problem. We can just let the local head of the village or the head of the government send someone to read the newspaper and explain the policies to the people. "

This is indeed a good idea. Zhu Yuanzhang carefully considered the feasibility of publishing a newspaper.

Even without newspapers, every street and village would have one or more scholars or students who had attended private schools and could read and write letters for the illiterate people. These people had read some books, but it was impossible for them to improve themselves in the imperial examinations. Therefore, apart from helping people write and read letters or teaching children, they had no chance to show off their status as scholars.

Letting them read newspapers to the people and interpret the court's policies would probably be a good opportunity for them to show off their knowledge.

Moreover, it was not difficult to publish a newspaper. The imperial court had special bookstores and the printing technology was already very mature. As for papermaking, it was even easier.

"More importantly, it can also allow the vast number of scholars and students to publish articles in newspapers. No matter whether they are scholars affiliated with the gentry or students who are independent of the gentry, they can publish freely. This can show the court and you, Zhu, that you are open to advice and have a broad mind.

I think there would be no scholar who would resist the temptation of having his articles and opinions spread throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, isn't it you, Old Zhu, who has the power to review and decide what viewpoints to adopt in the article? "

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but gasp. This move was too cruel. It was directly dividing them from within the literary world!
It also shifted the conflict from the imperial court and the literary world to that between poor students and the gentry.

It was the first time that he had seen a strategy of sowing discord being used so blatantly. It was really a way of killing people and destroying their hearts!

However, I, Old Zhu, really like this trick!
“The first step of the above plan is to solve the problem of discourse power in the long run, and the second step of the plan, which is also the most important at present, is to solve the current situation.

I have already said that debates are meaningless, but if we want to completely convince the literati, we have to completely defeat them spiritually!

Therefore, since scholars like to argue about the principles of heaven so much, let them go to heaven and see what the principles of heaven are! "

As Zhu Yuanzhang watched, he felt a little surprised. When did Lao Li's group of carefree and easy-going people become so murderous?
It seems that he is also very dissatisfied with that group of sour Confucian scholars!
Letting the Confucian scholars go directly to heaven, isn't it just like letting yourself kill a group of troublemakers first to make an example of them?

Although killing intellectuals is a bad idea, cutting the Gordian knot is indeed the only way to break the deadlock now.

Although he was a little confused, he continued reading and was completely stunned.

"When I say go to heaven, I really mean to go and see them. I don't mean to let them die. Old Zhu, please don't misunderstand me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately slapped his forehead and said, "Okay, I really misunderstood."

Let’s just say that how could a person as free and easy as Lao Li be a murderer? It’s a sin.

Well, after being enlightened by Old Li, Old Zhu no longer has any intention to kill!
Just look up to heaven, how is this possible?
But Lao Li would not speak without a purpose. A godlike figure like him, perhaps he really has a way to get to heaven?

With great anticipation, Zhu Yuanzhang continued reading.

"Given the current technological conditions of the Ming Dynasty, it is still feasible to send people into space. I have a plan called a hot air balloon.

I have attached the specific manufacturing method to the instruction manual that I sent you. Now, let’s take a closer look at what a hot air balloon is!”

Thank you for the support of all book friends. Some book friends asked when the book will be put on the shelves. This depends on the editor's arrangement. I believe it will be put on the shelves soon.
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(End of this chapter)