What with so many colleagues waving their flags and shouting, what with so many more people, isn't that just forming a clique
He was really both a hypocrite and an arrogant person. Zhu Ping'an curled the corner of his mouth imperceptibly, and was secretly complaining in his heart.
"Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes. Where there are rivers and lakes, there are fights. The court is no exception, especially nowadays, when people's hearts are vicious and people's hearts are treacherous. In the court, it is hard to guard against the open and hidden attacks. If we don't unite, we can't protect ourselves. So, Ah Zihou, it's not that we want to unite, but we have to. Uniting is not for personal gain, but for self-protection. Only by preserving ourselves can we have a promising future. Otherwise, the future is just a cemetery and a tombstone."
Zhao Wenhua tapped the table gently while speaking to Zhu Ping'an in a gentle and persuasive manner, laying the groundwork for everything.
Zhu Ping'an picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, covering the corners of his mouth that were uncontrollably drooping.
"History is developing and the times are progressing. Zihou, one-on-one political duels are outdated. Even the three heroes fighting Lu Bu is outdated. The current trend is the confrontation between political groups. Well, you can also call it a party. It's just a name."
Zhao Wenhua continued, his words full of the flavor of an elder and teacher, enthusiastically guiding the younger generation.
After hearing this, Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but take a deep breath. Development? Progress? You call this development and progress?!
Factions! Factional strife! Is this development and progress?!
What is a party dispute? Don't talk about self-preservation. This is you fighting for the interests of the group. This is infighting and internal consumption. If this continues for a long time, it is the country and the people who will be hurt in the end.
The struggle between the Niu and Li factions at the end of the Tang Dynasty lasted for nearly 40 years, and eventually brought down the powerful Tang Dynasty!
In the Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang led the struggle between the old and new parties. From political disagreements to the elimination of dissidents, the struggle lasted for decades. The Northern Song Dynasty continued to decline in the internal struggle. The Northern Song Dynasty, which was already weak in martial virtue, was destroyed after a long period of consumption!
According to the trajectory of history, a few decades later, the Yan Party began to develop and evolve, and it was the turn of the Donglin Party in the Ming Dynasty. The ministers formed factions and fought among themselves, opposing for the sake of opposition. Internal friction continued, and they were unable to concentrate all their efforts on eliminating internal troubles and dealing with the threat from the Manchus outside the Great Wall. Then the Ming Dynasty perished.
Party strife is a political virus that Zhu Ping'an hates and is determined to eradicate, so how could he join in it
"Zihou, when I first saw you during the provincial examination, I knew you were a smart and capable person. Afterwards, as expected, you won the first place in the imperial examination at the age of twenty, and were promoted three levels in the Hanlin Academy within half a year. Even after being exiled to Jiangnan, you jumped from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank deputy envoy in just half a year. You are the most promising and talented young man I have seen in all these years. You have a promising future and unlimited prospects."
Zhao Wenhua was generous in praising Zhu Ping'an, and Zhu Ping'an even blushed a little.
At this time, Zhao Wenhua changed the subject and said leisurely: "A man who knows the current affairs is a hero. Zihou, you are such a hero. I believe you will know the current affairs and follow the development. You need to join a political group to protect yourself and to make your future career more stable, convenient and faster."
Finally, the truth was revealed and Zhu Ping'an put down his teacup.
"Zihou, you are a smart man. You must understand what I mean after hearing this. Yes, it is just as you thought. Come on, Zihou, join our political group, which is what outsiders call the Yan Party."
Zhao Wenhua finally stopped beating around the bush and stated his purpose directly, extending an olive branch to Zhu Ping'an.
"Thank you for your appreciation, teacher. I can only decline your kindness."
Zhu Ping'an sat upright and without hesitation rejected the olive branch extended by Zhao Wenhua and refused to join the Yan Party.
Zhao Wenhua frowned when he heard this.
"Please forgive me, teacher. After Yang Jisheng impeached Lord Yan, I have cut myself off from Yan's party," Zhu Ping'an explained.
"Haha, if it's because of this, Zihou doesn't have to do this. Although this matter is serious and has a serious impact. But don't worry, with the teacher endorsing you, advocating for you, and speaking for you, your adoptive father will definitely forgive you. Zihou, you don't know that your adoptive father cherishes talents the most and is most willing to appreciate and support young people. Your adoptive father has expressed his intention to recruit you for his own use many times, but due to various reasons, he has not been able to do so."
"Back then, Yang Ni impeached my adoptive father for five treacherous crimes and ten major crimes, and you were involved in the case. Brother Donglou, Maoqing, Longwen and others urged the old man not to keep a tiger as a trouble, saying that you could not be kept, and insisted on getting rid of you to prevent future troubles. I was there at the time, and my adoptive father asked me what I thought. I added to what Donglou and the others said that you can't stay in the capital. My adoptive father appreciated your talent and accepted my opinion, and then you were exiled to Jingnan."
"You were banished to Jingnan, where you were punished and taught a lesson. You also suffered as you should. If you are willing to turn back and come to your senses, your adoptive father will not only forgive you, but will also be very happy and relieved. I am sure of this, teacher. Everyone has a time when they are young and full of energy, and everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect."
"A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold, and a prime minister who is tolerant will be remembered as a good story for generations to come."
When Yang Jisheng was impeached, Zhao Wenhua laughed, stood up, patted Zhu Pingan on the shoulder, and said very confidently.
Seeing Zhu Ping'an remained silent, Zhao Wenhua added fuel to the fire and continued:
"Haha, Zihou, your master Xu Jie is now one of us. He serves his adoptive father very respectfully and stands by him in the court. In private, he also gets along well with Brother Donglou and us. He even betrothed his granddaughter to Brother Donglou's son as a concubine.
The Qin and Jin dynasties became friends. "
"Back then, Xu Jie and my adoptive father had quite a few gaps and conflicts. Xu Jie's teacher Xia Yan took advantage of his power to bully others and do evil things. He repeatedly oppressed my adoptive father and almost killed him. Finally, my adoptive father could no longer bear it and joined forces with Lord Lu of the Imperial Guard to impeach Xia Yan. Fortunately, the emperor was wise and discerning, and he put Xia Yan back on the spot. Therefore, Xu Jie had a deep misunderstanding of my adoptive father and was not on good terms with him. He repeatedly opposed my adoptive father and ruined our good deeds. However, my adoptive father was magnanimous. After Xu Jie came to his senses, he not only opened his heart to accept Xu Jie, but also promoted him to the position of the second assistant of the cabinet and married his children to him, making the relationship even closer."
"If your foster father can even accept Xu Jie, what do you have to worry about, Zihou?"
"You and I have a teacher-student relationship, and Xu Jie and you also have a teacher-student relationship. You and my Yan Party have a deep connection. Your fate with my Yan Party is destined. It is hard to break it and it is hard to sort it out. You joining my Yan Party can be said to be in accordance with fate."
Chapter 1663 Hua An Q&A (Part 2)