mtl008 Chapter 641 The dead cannot defend themselves.
Chapter 641 The dead cannot defend themselves.
Was Zhang Juzheng a smart man?
Yes!
A young genius, who suddenly gained power.
He doesn't even need to do anything; he just needs to follow the steps.
A position second only to the emperor, which might be unattainable for most people, was easily attainable for him.
There is no shortage of intelligent people like him in this world.
He was not the only one who saw the flaws in the Ming Dynasty.
Those who were able to rise to positions in the imperial court were all intelligent and shrewd individuals. They clearly understood the extent of the problems plaguing the Ming Dynasty at that time, and that if these problems were not addressed, they would inevitably lead to disaster sooner or later.
But who among them would do it?
The word "reform" is easy to say, but to actually carry it out, it would cost countless lives!
Although the people in the court were intelligent enough to see these problems and knew that reforms were needed, they were all shrewd and calculating. How could they possibly be willing to risk their lives to fill the pit of reform?
To embark on this path, one needs not only intelligence, to clearly understand each step of the journey, but also a certain degree of ruthlessness.
So foolish as to be willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's transformation!
We must not hesitate to use ourselves as fuel to light the way forward for the Ming Dynasty!
"Zhang Juzheng was extremely intelligent, but also incredibly foolish. So, standing before this dead end where he could see the end from the front, he walked forward without hesitation."
"It's hard to imagine how lonely he must have felt when he made that decision."
"Perhaps only Hai Rui could understand this feeling?"
Hai Rui was worldly-wise but not cynical; Zhang Juzheng knew the road to ruin but still chose to walk it.
While Zhu Youjian was filled with emotion, he also guessed that some people in later generations might think that Hai Rui was far inferior to Zhang Juzheng.
However, those who think this way in later generations probably do not understand that Hai Rui's memorial on maintaining order and Zhang Juzheng's reforms are almost identical in purpose.
If these two could join hands, they might truly be able to create a completely different and glorious Ming Dynasty.
Unfortunately, Zhang Juzheng did not trust Hai Rui.
He only used his trusted confidants, even if they lacked some ability and character, but at least he could trust them.
By using his own students and his own people, he could at least ensure that the entire process of the reform was under his control!
"A genius like Shang Yang."
"I can understand what he said."
It's not right, it's not right!
Without such domineering power, how could the reform process be pushed forward?
It should be understood that once this matter was initiated, it meant standing on the opposite side of the vast majority of civil officials, gentry, and members of the Donglin Party!
These people usually act independently, and may even look down on each other.
But Zhang Juzheng's initiation of reforms forced them into a situation where they were all in the same boat.
Only such domineering power could forcefully push forward the reform despite the opposition of these people!
"High-ranking officials often fail to encounter wise rulers, you ignorant people."
"If you read more history books, you'll know that how many of the wise rulers in the traditional sense were not powerful?"
"Could a powerful emperor tolerate such an important minister?"
"Furthermore, if a powerful and capable emperor discovers the ills of the court, would he really need someone like Zhang Juzheng to push for reforms?"
Emperor Sun curled his lip.
In his view, without the emperor's incompetence, there would be no Zhang Juzheng who was so powerful!
"Useless trash, shut up. Ignorance is not your fault, but showing off your ignorance is."
Ying Zheng said irritably.
"The more enlightened the ruler, the more he needs people like Zhang Juzheng!"
Why do you think Zhang Juzheng knew that this path would ultimately lead to a dead end?
"Could it be that he thought the reform would ultimately fail?"
Sun Quan: "?"
"No, what else?"
"This reform has affected the interests of too many parties at once, so it was impossible for it to succeed!"
"Useless trash, shut up! Don't embarrass us in the late Han Dynasty!"
Mr. Cao could no longer tolerate it.
As the First Emperor just said, ignorance is not a mistake, but to use ignorance as a way to show off is utter stupidity!
"Even the immortals say that Zhang Juzheng's reforms have already shown initial results, and most of the key departments in the court are staffed by his people. Why can't he succeed?"
"You really think everyone is some kind of lowly Jiangdong rat?"
It affected the interests of too many parties?
Or are there other difficulties?
These were not things Zhang Juzheng was worried about; he hadn't even considered them.
From beginning to end, the only dead end he saw was that after the reform succeeded, someone would be needed to appease the public anger!
The anger of those whose interests have been cut needs to be quelled.
At that time, the emperor only needs to behead him and display his head to the public, and then appoint some people and dismiss others. This will not affect the reform and will restore the balance of the court. This matter will then be considered a success.
Failure to reform was never an option for him!
Does it affect the interests of all parties?
Wouldn't it be better to just suppress all parties from the very beginning?
Even the Grand Eunuch Feng Bao became his ally. At that time, anything that tried to obstruct the implementation of the new policies was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!
Zhang Juzheng had already gone this far, so why would the reform fail?
Unless the emperor intervenes!
Did the emperor who stopped him make a mistake? Was he a complete tyrant?
That doesn't seem to be the case.
Emperor Shenzong of Ming, Zhu Yijun, was an emperor personally trained by Zhang Juzheng.
What he said was not "to be a minister" but "to assist the emperor," which meant to help this emperor.
From a young age, he taught the emperor to cherish the people, to be frugal, and not to live an excessively extravagant life.
Zhu Yijun was also a very good student.
He kept Zhang Juzheng's teachings in mind, and even after Zhang Juzheng's death and when he truly came to power, he still kept the word "frugality" in his heart.
He also wholeheartedly supported the reform of the single whip method promoted by his teacher.
Clearly, the root of the problem does not lie in the relationship between the emperor and the powerful minister.
"...We really were confused."
"Didn't the immortal say before that it was the emperor who overthrew the reforms promoted by Zhang Juzheng?"
"But how come now they're portraying this master and apprentice as a perfect match?"
Old Zhu said that after seeing this handwriting, his CPU started smoking.
This seems contradictory!
"not necessarily."
"Perhaps when he first came to power, Emperor Shenzong of Ming supported Zhang Juzheng's reforms and still cherished the teacher-student relationship."
"But the problem arose after his death."
"Although his students and his successors were kept in confidential departments, those people ultimately did not have his abilities or his domineering deterrent power."
"When Zhang Juzheng was alive, perhaps no one dared to say a single unnecessary word in front of the emperor, but what about after he died?"
"The dead cannot defend themselves."