Chapter 224: Scholars would rather die than be Ming officials, Zheng Keyuan offers to buy horse bones for a fortune
There is a popular saying among the people in later generations: "There are 360 ​​professions, and every profession has its top talent."

In other words, as long as you can achieve results in the field you are good at, then you are a model of success.

However, this was not the case in ancient times when feudal ideas were prevalent. The ancients believed that only when one became an official and had power could one be considered truly successful.

For example, the four great joys in life in ancient times are: rain after a long drought, the wedding night, passing the imperial examination, and meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

It can be seen from the phrase "getting one's name on the golden list" that ancient scholars attached great importance to the imperial examination.

In addition, the ancients used these words to describe successful people, such as bring honor to the ancestors, be the top scorer in the imperial examination, and bring glory to the family.

It can also be seen from these words that the ancients did not regard personal success as success.

They generally believe that success is not just a personal matter, but also concerns the entire family and future generations.

Most importantly, in ancient times, people from various industries were divided into different levels, namely scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants.

In the Zhou Li, it is written: "Those who sit and discuss the Dao are called Wang Gong.

Those who sit and walk are called scholars and officials. "

The literati here refers to scholars. In short, studying is for the purpose of becoming an official.

In addition, there are many other reasons why the ancients were keen on being officials. After Zhu Gang’s summary, he believes that they mainly include the following eight points.

㈠Being an official can bring both fame and profit.

In terms of reputation, officials can serve the society and win flowers and applause.

As long as your social status is high, you will naturally be more respected.

In terms of interests, officials control the distribution of social wealth.

They can obtain better living materials and at least ensure that they and their families have enough food and clothing.

2. Influence of Confucian culture

Confucian culture emphasizes ennobling wives and children, and many people regard it as their goal and ideal in life.

㈢Expectations of family and household

Making profits for oneself and the family has become the lifelong goal of many people. For this established goal, the ancients would go through life and death.

㈣It can satisfy one’s pursuit of fame and fortune
The success or failure of one's life depends on how much social wealth one possesses, and becoming an official just fits people's desire for wealth.

With both fame and fortune, why not?
㈤ Holding an official position means an improvement in social status.

Officials in ancient times not only had a noble status, but also enjoyed many privileges.

For example, being given priority in social activities, being respected in social etiquette, and enjoying hidden benefits such as high salaries and generous treatment.

㈥Official positions provide generous economic income.

Except for the Ming Dynasty, the salaries and welfare benefits of ancient officials were quite generous.

In addition, some ancient officials would obtain extra wealth through abuse of power, corruption and bribery.

㈦In ancient times, the importance of being an official was stipulated from an ethical perspective.

As we all know, the most important ethics in ancient times were the "Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues".

Among them, "the relationship between the ruler and his subjects" refers to the officialdom.

In other words, in ancient times, the "officialdom" was the most important thing for the country, not the "farm" or "business field".

㈧Pursuit of fame and fortune.

Ancient scholars attached great importance to the imperial examination, believing that only by studying hard, obtaining fame and becoming an official could one become a superior person respected by others.

When Crown Prince Zhu Biao announced that the imperial examination qualifications would be deprived in eastern Zhejiang and its surrounding areas, it almost caused a civil uprising.

If remedial measures had not been taken later to establish the Yingtianfu School to accept the sons of the Ming people.

In addition, if the military officers were encouraged to join politics and the Imperial College was opened to them, the consequences would be disastrous. Zhu Gang was also facing a similar problem. Lu Feng took the list of those who had made meritorious contributions to the country and went to find those officials who had committed crimes.

Who knew that except for a very small number of people, most of the selected prisoners refused to serve King Jin.

There were even two prisoners with strong personalities who bit off their own fingers in front of Lu Feng.

"In my humble opinion, it would be better to leave this matter to your majesty for decision."

Zhu Gang thought about Shang Hao's suggestion for a while and then shook his head and said, "For scholars, 'in the morning you are a farmer, and in the evening you are in the emperor's palace.'

It is not only a lifelong dream, but also the expectation of several generations of a family.

However, my father’s Emperor’s Palace is both a place of wealth and luxury and a place of punishment.

If you are not careful, your head and body will be separated and you will end up dying.

As far as I know, Li Zhengchen, a former Hanlin of the Yuan Dynasty, refused to serve as an official until his death.

As a result, his entire family was killed and he himself was exiled to Ningxia.

The uncle and nephew Xia Boqi, scholars from Guixi, cut off their left thumbs and vowed never to become officials.

As a result, he was convicted and executed, and his property was confiscated.

Now those criminals are already behind bars, even if the news reaches the emperor, I'm afraid there won't be any better solution."

According to the Biographies of the Founding Ministers of the Ming Dynasty, the scholar Tao Kai lived in seclusion and it was difficult for the court to find his whereabouts.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and said, "If Tao Kai doesn't come, you can take the heads of all his clan members."

Tao Kai's relatives were terrified and looked for him everywhere. They soon found him and sent him to the capital.

In order to deter and punish those who refused to enter the government, Zhu Yuanzhang even issued a decree that "the scholars and officials in the world shall not be punished by the emperor."

He once issued an edict to the world: "All the people in the land are subjects of the king.

The scholars and officials in the world are not employed by the king, which means they are outside the teachings.

It is not wrong to punish him and confiscate his family! "

In short, if the scholars and officials of the world do not accept the king's call, they will be cutting themselves off from the court.

Even if they were beheaded and their property was confiscated, it would not be considered excessive.

In fact, the promulgation of "The scholars and officials in the world shall not be punished for the sake of the emperor" did not play its due role except to provide topics for Ming haters to talk about in later generations.

Besides, Zhu Gang never wanted to become a "dictator" like in history.

In this situation, he would rather solve the problem himself than hand it over to Zhu Yuanzhang to commit more murder.

Fortunately, Zheng Keyuan proposed a solution, "We can adopt the strategy of 'buying horse bones with a thousand gold coins', so that Fang Keqin, a well-known capable official, can be reused.

As long as we can fully play the role of role models, it will definitely make some people sway.”

Zhu Gang said calmly: "As the saying goes, one should not avoid relatives when selecting talents, you and Fang Keqin have been in a similar situation.

I can understand the feeling of empathy.

But you must tell me what Fang Keqin has good qualities, otherwise I don't mind charging you with the crime of 'abuse of power and perverting the law'."

Zheng Keyuan recalled solemnly, “That year, Zhu Liangzu, the Marquis of Yongjia, who led the navy to Beiping, wanted to recruit 5,000 farmers to dredge the river.

Fang Keqin, who came after hearing the news, tried his best to dissuade them, but to no avail. He could only stand by the river and cry.

Perhaps the cry went straight into the sky, and the sky, which had been clear for many days, suddenly became windy and cloudy, and then a heavy rain fell.

The river, which had been dry for months, became a flood because of the rain, carrying Zhu Liangzu's boat.

Not only did it save the grief-stricken Fang Keqin, but it also exempted the five thousand peasant families from corvée labor."

(End of this chapter)