Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Inescapable fate, recalled to Beijing for the second time

In November of the lunar calendar in 1368, Qingtian County was immersed in the rain.The rain started to fall sparsely when Liu Bowen returned to Qingtian, and it has been falling for more than two months.When Liu Bowen first returned to Qingtian, he received countless flowers and applause.But soon, the flowers were soaked by the rain and rotted, the applause began to be sparse like the light rain, and finally there was nothing.His family thought that Liu Bowen should not disclose the news of his resignation in front of everyone, but Liu Bowen didn't take it seriously.He said that sooner or later, the world will realize that Liu Bowen guided Zhu Yuanzhang for eight years, made great achievements, and finally retired from his old age and returned home with nothing was the most wise choice.

But this is not what Liu Bowen really thinks.His most practical thought after returning to his hometown in 1368 was that he was useless. This kind of thought was out of enthusiasm, and the root cause behind it was that Zhu Yuanzhang abandoned him.When he received respectful visits from local officials, Zhu Yuanzhang's strange face would appear in his mind; when he wandered in front of his wife, Ms. Chen's grave, Zhu Yuanzhang's strange face would also appear in front of his eyes; When he woke up from the nightmare and opened his eyes, what he saw was also Zhu Yuanzhang's ugly face.In his image, this face entered his sight eight years ago, then seeped into his mind, and never receded until his deathbed.

His relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang had been inseparable since 1360.During these eight years, he was like a kindergarten teacher, stimulating Zhu Yuanzhang's wisdom in various ways.He is like Zhu Yuanzhang's life mentor, guiding Zhu Yuanzhang every step of the way.But when Zhu Yuanzhang could walk upright and had reached the age of graduating from kindergarten, on the surface, this older child no longer needed Liu Bowen, the first teacher. Liu Bowen had a long and complicated psychological struggle.Sometimes he would think that Zhu Yuanzhang had indeed abandoned himself; sometimes he thought back that he was useless.For a person like Zhu Yuanzhang who does great things, what's the point of keeping a useless person by his side?

In his hometown in Qingtian, Liu Bowen once expressed his "uselessness" in the form of poetry.He said, "My body is decrepit and all kinds of diseases are added, and my eyes are already blurred before the age of sixty."The medicines I took in the past have no effect, so that now "I have eyes but don't see my eyes, and I have teeth but don't gnaw my teeth".Although he was so seriously ill, Liu Bowen still had some dreams, "It's better to thank guests behind closed doors, have wine and make a lot of noise." Liu Bowen had been ill for a long time, and it was very serious. In 1330, when Liu Bowen was studying the heavenly scriptures in Shimen Cave, he wrote the article "Sending Longmen Fairies to Immortals (with preface)".He said: "Recently, I seem to be suffering from an unexplainable disease. The clinical symptoms are fatigue, indolence and inactivity. I have always thought about becoming a Taoist priest." In 1353, Liu Bowen was convicted and detained by the Yuan government in Shaoxing.One morning, due to excessive grief and anger, he suddenly vomited several liters of blood.What kind of disease is this? Since we lack sufficient data, we cannot make a judgment.But this disease is definitely not a minor disease of a cold. Some people speculate that it may be hepatitis.Liu Bowen's later death may be directly related to liver disease.

In addition to this disease, Liu Bowen has another disease that can be identified.During his detention in Shaoxing, Liu Bowen's mood was extremely depressed. After vomiting several liters of blood, he suffered from "phlegm-qi disease", which is what we call "stroke" today.However, Liu Bowen's "stroke" should be a small stroke, that is, the attack lasted only a few minutes. In the nineteenth century it was widely circulated that creativity and genius were often inseparable from disease.That is to say, a man of great achievement must be a patient.For example, Flaubert had epilepsy; Franz Kafka had tuberculosis;The most representative one is Wang Yangming, the master of mind in the Ming Dynasty and a typical representative of the Three Immortals. This person suffered from severe lung disease since he was a child, and finally died of this disease.

In the winter of 1368, if you were lucky enough to see Liu Bowen in Qingtian, you would see his gray hair, sallow eyes, blurred eyes, and deep wrinkles on his resolute mouth.He locked himself in the room all day, and no one knew what he was doing in the room.His only active activity is to carry a small stool to the gate every evening, and then sit there.He looked at the evening scenery, motionless.Careful people will find that time is reincarnated.Just over forty years ago, Liu Bowen remained lonely in this way. One day when he was sitting at the door in the drizzle, a passer-by broke his loneliness and asked him: "What is Mr. Liu thinking?" Liu Bowen didn't even look at him, and replied: "Wait."

The monk Zhang Er couldn't figure it out, and asked again: "What are you waiting for?" He didn't get an answer.Because Liu Bowen was looking into the distance, where there was a mist of whiteness, which indicated that heavy rain was coming. Decades later, those who studied Liu Bowen bit the bullet and said that it was Zhu Yuanzhang who was waiting in front of Liu Bowen's hometown yard in 1368 while bathing in light rain.As for the reason, the researchers did not give a convincing answer, but there is a reason that skeptics can hardly argue with, that is: Zhu Yuanzhang really came to invite Liu Bowen.

Like eight years ago, it was impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang to come in person.In Zhu Yuanzhang's life, he hardly invited anyone in person, even if this person had the grace of rebuilding him.In the eleventh month of the lunar calendar in 1368, it was Zhu Yuanzhang's edict to invite Liu Bowen, called "The Royal Treasure Edict": This edict printed with the imperial treasure can be described as "the comer is not good".The beginning of the imperial edict set the tone that Liu Bowen must come: I heard that people who are in the same adversity but not rich or noble will not be assisted by others.You and I are suffering together, but after becoming rich, you left. Are you trying to let the world know that I am a bastard with a "different heart"?

This is simply preposterous, and the blind can see that Liu Bowen left Nanjing on the surface because of the loss of his wife, but in fact it was Zhu Yuanzhang's acquiescence.Now he is blaming Liu Bowen, your wife passed away, you went home to attend the funeral, but you didn't come back after three months, what do you mean! As for how he and Liu Bowen shared weal and woe, he counted Liu Bowen's credit on his fingers.These feats are enough to make the sun and the moon dark, but Zhu Yuanzhang added two prerequisites before these feats of illuminating the universe: The first premise is to speak nonsense with your eyes open.When I first liberated Wuzhou, when you heard my reputation, you immediately abandoned your wife and fields, and trotted all the way to my place, asking me to give you a job.This shows that you are a very discerning person, and you can keep an eye on me when all the heroes are competing.When Zhu Yuanzhang lied, his face did not blush and his heart beat, as if he had the shameless charm of careerists of all ages in China.At that time, Song Lian was still alive, and the colleagues who had worked with Liu Bowen for many years were still there. Who didn't know that Liu Bowen was forcibly invited by Zhu Yuanzhang!

The second premise is "Erdo Fuyan".These four words are no small matter, meaning that your great achievements, Liu Bowen, can certainly compete with the sun and the moon, but your great achievements were actually made prominent in the world under my wise leadership.In other words, these credits are actually mine, and you are just an assistant of mine. This is one of the most absurd nightmares in the world.For eight years, Liu Bowen was not assisting Zhu Yuanzhang, but guiding Zhu Yuanzhang.There is a big difference between Liu Bowen and his eponymous Zhuge Liang: Zhuge Liang was an assistant when he followed Liu Bei. After Liu Bei died, Liu Chan succeeded to the throne, and Zhuge Liang's role was still an assistant. Just an aide.Liu Bowen is just the opposite of Zhuge Liang. After he entered Zhu Yuanzhang's government in 1360, he has always played the role of a mentor.

The so-called "mentor" is someone who guides the direction and masters policies in major undertakings and movements.Pointing the direction, many people can do it, Zhuge Liang can do it too, his "Longzhong Dui" is not inferior to Liu Bowen's "Eighteen Strategies for Current Affairs".But "mastery of policy" is the hard indicator for considering whether a person is a mentor or an aide.Zhuge Liang indeed concocted the grand strategy "Longzhong Dui", but unfortunately he did not "master the policy", that is, he was unable to control Liu Bei, so Liu Bei ignored Zhuge Liang's grand strategy and launched a war against Soochow in order to avenge Guan Yu. In the end, he was defeated in the Battle of Yiling, and Zhuge Liang's grand strategy became a child's dream. After Liu Bowen formulated the "Eighteen Strategies for Current Affairs", he always dragged Zhu Yuanzhang to run towards that dream, and never left the track.This is not because Liu Bowen is much wiser than Zhu Yuanzhang, but Liu Bowen has an ability that is different from ordinary people and can firmly control Zhu Yuanzhang on the speeding ideal chariot.This ability that is different from ordinary people is his miraculous divination ability and the fact that he can succeed every time.Even when Zhu Yuanzhang seized the world and the most despicable mechanism of "cooking rabbits and running dogs" in traditional Chinese politics began to operate, the "Eighteen Policies of Current Affairs" was still practiced by Zhu Yuanzhang cautiously. Wait. Zhu Yuanzhang said that Liu Bowen was his aide, I am afraid that even he himself did not believe it.But he has to say this, if at this time, he still regards Liu Bowen as his mentor, then his cheap self-esteem will be hit hard.The reason why he said this is actually the operation of a mechanism in traditional Chinese politics. This operating mechanism comes from the state of Qi in the late Warring States period. It was Tian Dan, King Qi Xiang, and an aide of King Qi Xiang who created this mechanism.Tian Dan was a member of the Qi royal family. In 314 BC, Yan was in turmoil, and Qi took advantage of the fire to attack and destroy Yan.In 284 BC, Yan State, which had been working hard for 30 years, attacked Qi State in an all-round way, and it took only half a year to destroy Qi State.At that time, there were only two cities in Qi State that were not captured by Yan State. One of them was Jimo City, and it was Tian Dan who led the resistance of Jimo City.After resisting for several years, the domestic affairs of Yan changed. Tian Dan counterattacked the field army of Yan State with the Fire Bull Formation and succeeded. The victory of this counterattack produced a chain reaction. Within a month, all Yan people were expelled from Qi, and Tian Dan became a shining figure. The newly appointed king, King Qi Xiang, rewarded Tian Dan with all the honors that the ministers could get. Tian Dan's status in the hearts of the people of Qi State was almost equal to that of King Qi Xiang.King Qi Xiang was extremely unhappy, and Tian Dan did something that made him even more unhappy.One cold night, when Tian Dan patrolled the city, he found an old man in ragged clothes, shivering from the cold. Tian Dan put his coat on the old man. The next day, the whole city praised Tian Dan's mercy.King Xiang of Qi is like an ant on a hot pot, afraid that Tian Dan will force the hearts of the whole country of Qi to force him into the palace.But one of King Qi Xiang's staff made King Qi Xiang put his heart in his stomach. He said: "Tian Dan is certainly talented and merciful, but he is your servant after all. Whatever good he did, it was actually you who did it." You can send a manuscript to reward Tian Dan's virtues, and emphasize that Tian Dan has such virtues under your guidance and influence." King Qi Xiang thought it was a good strategy and quickly made an announcement.The people saw it, oh, it turns out that Tian Dan did good deeds because of our king's usual teachings.From then on, King Qi Xiang lived a peaceful life. This story only tells us one thing, and it is what Zhu Yuanzhang wants to tell Liu Bowen: No matter how much credit you have, but in name, you are my servant, and all your credit is mine. In short, it is just a sentence: You came to me with a pile of books because you had eyesight, and I also have eyesight, and found that you are an assistant talent. With your assistance, I achieved great things, and your credit is still there of. Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I invite you today, I sincerely, don't make me a 'different' person!" This letter of invitation with guns and sticks between the lines made Liu Bowen sweat profusely in the drizzle.His violently trembling dry, veined hands reminded him that going to Nanjing this time would be a turning point in his life.His family reminded him: "Why don't you get a divination?" Liu Bowen sighed and said, "It's not as good as people's calculations." The meaning behind this sentence is that until now, his fate has not been manipulated by heaven, but by Zhu Yuanzhang, a "human being".Perhaps there is another meaning: in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, the demon king of the world, his divinity has disappeared, and divination is meaningless.He can only pray that Zhu Yuanzhang still has a trace of humanity towards him. In the last month of 1368, Liu Bowen walked out of Qingtian to Nanjing in the freezing rain.He went north by boat, and the further north he went, the colder the weather became, the colder his heart became.During his short stay in Suzhou, he saw that after Zhang Shicheng's death, Zhu Yuanzhang made Suzhou City ruined and dilapidated. He wondered whether he would be like this city in the near future, dilapidated and neglected. There was a burst of cold foam, and he just wanted to cry. The walls of Nanjing City are tall and gloomy, standing under the clouds, like Fengdu City in hell. At the beginning of December of the lunar calendar in 1368, Liu Bowen stood under the city, anxious. Liu Bowen seemed to worry too much.At least since Liu Bowen entered Nanjing, all the generous treatment Zhu Yuanzhang gave him can show that his cranky thinking in Qingtian before was indeed a bit neurotic.These generous treatment of Liu Bowen actually has nothing to do with Liu Bowen, mainly Liu Bowen's family.Zhu Yuanzhang named Liu Bowen's grandfather the Duke of Yongjia County, his grandma, Ms. Liang, the wife of Yongjia County, his father, the Duke of Yongjia County, and his mother, Ms. Fu, the wife of Yongjia County.Ms. Fu, Liu Bowen's wife, was also named Mrs. Yongjia County. The title of Duke of the county began with the Cao Wei government. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Duke of the county was the highest title for meritorious officials with different surnames. Before the Ming Dynasty, it was all real.After the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the title of duke of the county became a false title, and there was nothing but the honorary title of "Duke of the county".Although it is an honorary title, it is better than nothing.So when Zhu Yuanzhang awarded this free title to Liu Bowen's family, Liu Bowen was still slightly moved.It is worth mentioning that the county dukedom has since been abolished and has become a historical relic. On the day Liu Bowen first came back, Zhu Yuanzhang specially prepared a reception banquet for him.This was an extraordinary banquet, except for Xu Da who died playing with Wang Baobao in the north, almost all the heroes were present.Liu Bowen was slightly touched again.After the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang called him into his room and repeated the booing and greetings that had been held at the banquet.Liu Bowen was not moved this time. His first feeling was, how did Zhu Yuanzhang become so fake after three months of absence? Of course, it was impossible for Liu Bowen to say that Zhu Yuanzhang was "fake", he could only say: "Your Majesty, you are too polite." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became agitated, held Liu Bowen's hand, and said, "I will spend a day like a year when you are not here." Liu Bowen almost jumped up, because even a three-year-old child couldn't be fooled by such disgusting words.Zhu Yuanzhang may indeed have difficult problems to solve, but it is by no means to the extent that he cannot live without Liu Bowen. Liu Bowen carefully broke away from Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, and slowly knelt down. Zhu Yuanzhang watched, and when Liu Bowen's knee touched the ground, Zhu Yuanzhang exaggeratedly called out: "Sir, no, tell me something, hurry up!" But He didn't help, so Liu Bowen knelt down steadily. This scene was unimaginable a few months ago. Even Liu Bowen himself never thought a few months ago that he would kneel alone in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, giving God a humble impression.Liu Bowen already knew that the history of his close relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang was coming to an end, but it was only when he knelt in front of Zhu Yuanzhang alone that he had a real sense of the end of this history. He knew very well in his heart that what Zhu Yuanzhang wanted was this: Liu Bowen knelt down in front of him honestly, begging himself to save his soul.He wants to pull Liu Bowen from the instructor's podium and become his own follower. If this ideal cannot be realized, Zhu Yuanzhang will be resentful, and even smoke from the seven orifices.When this ideal was realized, Zhu Yuanzhang should have been happy, but his joy was only fleeting, followed by fear.This kind of fear is easy to understand. He found that Liu Bowen had discovered his mind.Before Liu Bowen's arrival, this kind of thinking was not reliable and was in a trance.Now, this kind of thinking is clear: he still can't do without Liu Bowen for the time being, the empire is just formed, the personnel is mixed, and there are still many things that need Liu Bowen's guidance; but he doesn't want Liu Bowen to play the role of guiding him again, at least on the surface, Liu Bowen It should be his staff now, not his mentor.Therefore, he had to suppress Liu Bowen quietly.It was here that frightened him. When Liu Bowen's decayed body gradually dwarfed and finally knelt in front of him, he found that Liu Bowen had already read his mind. After Zhu Yuanzhang was afraid, he suddenly regained his good mood. According to his thinking, it would be best if Liu Bowen had an insight into his thinking. He will continue to maintain his actions of "suppressing" Liu Bowen. The first step is to make Liu Bowen understand: he Liu Bowen is just an aide, and all his credit is actually Zhu Yuanzhang's credit. On that cold afternoon, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Liu Bowen to stand up in a majestic tone, and then asked Liu Bowen in a gentle tone, what title do you want for your outstanding achievements? Liu Bowen was a little disgusted.This is a kind of mentally retarded temptation. Liu Bowen's ancestors were all named county dukes, and even his wife was named county duke and wife. When these people were conferred titles, Zhu Yuanzhang never asked Liu Bowen a word. When Liu Bowen was alone, he unexpectedly asked Liu Bowen what his wishes were.According to our thinking, is this still a question?Liu Bowen's wife has been named the wife of the county duke. Liu Bowen cannot be the duke of the state and the duke of the county, he can only be the duke of the county.It's as if the queen's husband must be the emperor, not the prince.Zhu Yuanzhang's mentally retarded temptation has only one purpose: you, Liu Bowen, are destined to be the false title of Duke of the county, so don't think about anything else.However, although the Duke of the County is a vain title, are you eligible to receive it? Liu Bowen didn't digest the nausea that Zhu Yuanzhang brought to him, but responded immediately.This answer is the best answer Zhu Yuanzhang wanted.Liu Bowen said: "Your majesty, it is the will of heaven that you win the world. How dare I be greedy for the credit of heaven. Your rewards to my family are already immense. I am so satisfied that I cannot sleep at night. Therefore, I don't want any titles!" Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied, almost overjoyed.However, he is a person who behaves when he gets a bargain, or in other words, he is a person whose suspicion is as vast as the ocean.After that, he asked Liu Bowen for his opinion several times and asked him to choose a title.Liu Bowen firmly refused every time, and said: "I am not here for the title, but to solve your problems." He said seriously, "If you have any worries, the emperor, please tell your servants, and I will do my best for you." Wisdom, at your service." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes rolled wildly, and then he frowned.Liu Bowen waited for his "worries", but Zhu Yuanzhang's brows relaxed quickly, and he even smiled, and said: "Mr. has lost his wife, I made one for you on my own initiative." Liu Bowen didn't know what it was. Just as he was thinking about whether this was a new temptation, Zhu Yuanzhang said again: "Sir, don't think about it, you have devoted all your energy to my dynasty, and it is only natural to find a woman for you." Liu Bowen is nervous.He was sure that this was another temptation, and he couldn't determine what the content of this temptation was, but he could determine that this temptation was definitely not lustful.Therefore, he immediately agreed, and imagined thinking about the purpose behind Zhu Yuanzhang's sending his wife this time within a few days. This lady's surname is Zhang, and she has a beautiful appearance, so Liu Bowen soon became inseparable with this lady Zhang, and almost forgot the purpose behind Zhu Yuanzhang's gift to his wife.In fact, he should have forgotten.In this matter, Zhu Yuanzhang had no ulterior purpose. On the contrary, he believed that Liu Bowen was old and frail and needed to be taken care of by himself.This kind of giving a young woman to a decaying old man in ancient times is just like giving a wheelchair to an old man with inflexible legs and feet today.It is a kind of concern in itself, a kind of thoughtfulness, full of human touch. The fact that a cold political machine like Zhu Yuanzhang cares about a person shows that he must have something to ask for.With the advent of a new year and a new atmosphere in 1369, Liu Bowen's official position also had a new atmosphere.He was appointed as Zishan doctor Yushi Zhongcheng (the second grade) and Prince Zanshan doctor. This is old wine in new bottles.In fact, his main role during this period was as an advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang asked Liu Bowen for help.What he asked for was directly related to Li Shanchang. In fact, all the people involved in this matter played a pivotal role in Liu Bowen's final life.Therefore, when this incident happened, it was also the day when the prelude to Liu Bowen's tragic fate was kicked off. Whenever Li Shanchang thought of Liu Bowen, a sulfurous smell rose in his lungs. In November of the lunar calendar in 1368, when Liu Bowen came back into his sight, his nose was almost tilted to the side.In fact, in his heart, Liu Bowen is far less important than others think.He was only angry with Liu Bowen, without jealousy or fear.He was never worried that Liu Bowen would rob him of his chancellor, nor was he ever jealous of Liu Bowen's talent.Because he knows what he wants and he knows what he can get.What he wanted most was power, or enjoyment of power, and he got it, and Liu Bowen couldn't take it away.He is far less aware of Zhu Yuanzhang's darkness than Liu Bowen. He only understands that Zhu Yuanzhang will help him keep his position as prime minister.He just needs to understand that. In Li Shanchang's eyes, Liu Bowen's return was a flashback. He had no evidence to prove his point, but his intuition told him that when Liu Bowen came back this time, he would definitely repeat the scene of leaving in disgrace last time.He had a trouble in 1369 that had nothing to do with Liu Bowen, which was that several people were very dissatisfied with him sitting in the prime minister's office.The names of these people were Yang Xian, Ling Shuo, Gao Jianxian, and Xia Yu. Yang Xian was from Taiyuan, who defected to Zhu Yuanzhang in 1356 and became one of Zhu Yuanzhang's cronies because of his ability in handling affairs.Later, he has been acting as an envoy to Zhang Shicheng and Fang Guozhen's government, and obtained a lot of valuable information. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang's new China was established, and Yang Xian was appointed as the deputy prime minister and became Li Shanchang's assistant. Ling said that like Yang Xian, he soon became Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant after defecting to Zhu Yuanzhang. One of his most notable achievements is that when Zhu Yuanzhang sent him to arrest Zhu Wenzheng, he brought back "undoubtedly" Evidence: Zhu Wen is about to rebel. Gao Jianxian and Xia Yu were almost carved out of the same mold. After they defected to Zhu Yuanzhang, they became Zhu Yuanzhang's confidantes because of their clever minds and ability to handle affairs, and they held important positions in Zhu Yuanzhang's government. On the surface, the four have no connection.But anyone who is a little familiar with the spy politics of the Ming Dynasty can tell at a glance that these four people were all spies. Yang Xian, Ling Shuo, Gao Jianxian, and Xia Yu held official positions before 1368 as "inspectors", which was the predecessor of Jinyiwei, the top spy organization in the Ming Dynasty. In 1359, the year before Liu Bowen came out of the mountain, Zhu Yuanzhang set up a mysterious organization in his grass-roots government. The staff of this organization were called inspectors, but they were actually spies.The preliminary work of the inspection is to infiltrate and detect the enemy.For example, Yang Xian used the identity of an envoy many times to steal information from the governments of Zhang Shicheng and Fang Guozhen.As Zhu Yuanzhang had fewer and fewer enemies and his government became more and more stable, the focus of the work of the inspectors began to shift to the injustice and lawlessness of officials in the big and small yamen in Nanjing. Yang Xian, Ling Shuo, Gao Jianxian, and Xia Yu are outstanding among these inspectors, especially Yang Xian, who has strong observation and associative skills, and is unmatched in cocoon extraction, and never let go of any clues .Zhu Yuanzhang once praised these inspectors in public: "The presence of these people is like having a vicious dog, which can scare people." Let us give but a few examples to illustrate the mystery and horror of these "vicious dogs". In 1359, before Zhu Yuanzhang launched an attack on Yuanzhou (now Yichun, Jiangxi), he sent an inspector to Yuanzhou for investigation.After this person came back, he reported the situation in Yuanzhou City in detail.Zhu Yuanzhang asked him: "What proof do you have that you have been to Yuanzhou?" The inspector replied: "I cut off the tails of the two stone lions in front of the gate of Ou Pingzhang, the guard of Yuanzhou." So I sent someone to check the two stone lions, and it was exactly as the inspector said. Yuan Zhou was heavily guarded at that time, especially the gate of the general's house.That inspector could easily enter and leave Yuanzhou City, and even cut off the tail of the stone lion at the gate of the guard. What does this mean?It shows that Zhu Yuanzhang's spies have great powers. The second example has two things, both about the inspector and detective minister.One thing is that Minister Qian Zai was enlisted to compile the "Mencius Festival", and he recited poems at the end of the court: "It's too late to get up at the Meridian Gate and see you at the Meridian Gate. The next day, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said to Mr. Qian with an ugly face: "I wrote a good poem yesterday, but I didn't dislike it. How about changing it to the word worry?" Qian Zai was almost out of his wits and kowtowed to apologize.The second thing is that Song Na, the son of the country, was sitting alone at home one day and was angry, with an angry look on his face.During the court meeting the next day, Zhu Yuanzhang asked him why he was angry yesterday. Song Na was taken aback and told the truth.Yuanzhang asked someone to show the portrait he had secretly painted for him, and he was almost out of his wits. With the establishment of Jinyiwei, the first spy organization in the Ming Dynasty, the scope of work of the spies was not limited to the capital, and the major and minor affairs of the entire empire were within their responsibilities.Through the omnipresence and pervasiveness of these spies, Zhu Yuanzhang knew many things.In today's Zhejiang and other places, famines occurred, but local officials concealed them and did not report them.In the city of Beijing there was a black monk who went in and out of various officials' mansions. He didn't look like a monk at all, and he often told officials some secular jokes.There is also a monk who was a scholar in old China. Because he was dissatisfied with the establishment of the new China, he spoke counter-revolutionary words in Beijing. Zhu Yuanzhang is complacent about the spy organization he created, thinking it is the crystallization of his own wisdom.Indeed, as Wu Han said in "The Biography of Zhu Yuanzhang": To organize such a force and institution to carry out investigations, registrations, referrals, and cross-examinations on a national scale requires great effort and careful planning, as well as required supervision. All of this needs to be done by people. Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with the performance of Yang Xian and the other four in this respect.Therefore, it is needless to say that they became Zhu Yuanzhang's cronies. Yang Xian is ambitious and capable.What Zhu Yuanzhang focused on was his ability. As for his ambition, Zhu Yuanzhang had said a long time ago, how big can a vicious dog be?So when he put Yang Xian next to Li Shanchang, the purpose was to let him pay attention to Li Shanchang's movements, that is, to be a puppy beside Li Shanchang, but this puppy was loyal to Zhu Yuanzhang. Yang Xian never considered himself to be Zhu Yuanzhang's dog. After he entered the Ministry of Education, he began to contact Ling Shuo, Gao Jianxian, and Xia Yu who were responsible for inspections in various institutions.He encouraged everyone, and people with spy backgrounds can also be prime ministers.If a person who was born as a spy becomes the prime minister, then the future of the spies needless to say, is naturally bright.The three were inspired by Yang Xian's ideals and moved by Yang Xian's generosity.They huddled together, accused Li Shanchang in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, and made an investigation conclusion: Li Shanchang had no prime minister qualifications. What exactly is a prime minister is a long story.The prime minister has two important characteristics: the emperor's chief of staff; directly responsible to the emperor.In fact, there was no official position of prime minister in ancient China. It was called "Xiangguo" before the pre-Qin period, "Prime Minister" during the Qin and Han Dynasties, "Shangshu Ling" during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and "Shangshu Pushe" during the Tang Dynasty. It was called "Tongping Zhangshi" at that time, and in the early Ming Dynasty, the official position of the prime minister was "Prime Minister of the Right".The so-called talent of a prime minister refers to the professional qualities that a prime minister himself should possess.We know that there is an idiom called "the prime minister can pull a boat in his belly", which shows that the prime minister's professionalism should include "open-mindedness".But what kind of professionalism should we have? We should listen to Yang Xian. Yang Xian said that Li Shanchang was not qualified to be a prime minister, of course he had a well-founded basis.First of all, Li Shanchang is a man who is fluent in literature and ink, and has no knowledge of Confucianism. He just used Han Fei's thoughts to make up for it, so he is only a half bottle of vinegar in terms of academics, so he is not worthy of being a prime minister. According to Yang Xian, the professional quality of a prime minister should include rich knowledge, that is, a high degree of education. Yang Xian also said: "Li Shanchang was cruel and mean. Counselor Li Yinbing was slightly dissatisfied with his behavior of exercising power, so he ordered Li Yinbing's breasts to be cut off, causing Li Yinbing to bleed to death on the spot in the execution room." Yang Xian meant that a prime minister should have compassion and a broad mind in his professionalism. When Yang Xian wanted to go on, Zhu Yuanzhang signaled him to stop, and then said to the four spies earnestly: "Li Shanchang really has no talent, but don't you know that he has followed me for many years, and is also my fellow, self-revolutionary. Since then, I have lived and died with me, worked hard, day and night, and I have credit. Since I am the emperor, he must be the prime minister. I hope you can understand this kind of thing. It is a tradition to use old honors from fellow villagers." Yang Xian found himself walking into a dead end, even if he has the wisdom of more than five thousand years, if he doesn't look back, he will hit a wall.Zhu Yuanzhang blocked him completely with the words "I and Li Shanchang are fellow villagers". The most important thing is the confidant or the old honor of the fellow. Now the answer is self-evident. In Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, the old honor of the fellow is the most important. Li Shanchang soon knew about Yang Xian's ambitions, and of course Zhu Yuanzhang told him.At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang reprimanded him to be more compassionate and benevolent in dealing with problems in the future.Li Shanchang was a little unconvinced, he said: "Yang Xian is trying to take my place." Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a meaningful look, and Li Shanchang was standing angrily, his belly bulging and deflated for a while. Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Don't be so nervous, Yang Xian is just doing his job. Besides," he looked at Li Shanchang again, with a bit of coldness in his eyes, "Who doesn't want to sit in the position of Prime Minister?" Li Shanchang was shocked on the spot by these words, judging by his wisdom, Zhu Yuanzhang was going to take him down.His face began to turn pale because of nervousness and excitement, his lips trembled, but he didn't dare to look at Zhu Yuanzhang. It was deadly quiet, and you could hear the insects sighing in the trees.In the end, it was Zhu Yuanzhang who broke the silence, because Li Shanchang was almost unable to stand below.He said: "You go back, don't worry, we are fellow villagers, you have made contributions to the dynasty, and you must try your best to learn from the prime minister in the future." Li Shanchang understood this sentence quite casually. Even when Zhu Yuanzhang said this sentence, he almost entered it from the left ear and came out of the right ear.Not long after, Zhu Yuanzhang discovered that although Li Shanchang was still directly responsible to him as the emperor, he was getting farther and farther away from the duties of "chief of staff".Zhu Yuanzhang said to Liu Bowen: "Elder Li Shan can't offer any good suggestions. He also has a fatal flaw. He is not broad-minded and acts arbitrarily." When Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen said these words, it was the autumn of 1369, the sky was cloudless, and the faint autumn wind made people feel refreshed.Liu Bowen listened to Zhu Yuanzhang's words quietly, and then said cautiously: "Li Shanchang is the founding father of the country, with high prestige, and he can reconcile the generals, so he is the most suitable prime minister." Zhu Yuanzhang was very strange. He asked: "Li Shanchang is a deadly enemy with you, and you still speak for him?" Liu Bowen said: "I know you mean to change the prime minister. But changing the prime minister is like changing the pillars of a building. will fall down immediately." Zhu Yuanzhang was not moved by Liu Bowen's metaphor.The following historical figures emerged in his mind: Huo Guang in the Western Han Dynasty, Cao Cao in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Sima and his sons in Cao Wei, and Huan Wen in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.These people are famous people, they are the pillars of an empire at a certain period of time, and they are all prime ministers.The most terrible thing is that these people have controlled their emperor, turning the role of "chief of staff" into an invincible "mentor". The game between the emperor and the prime minister has always been a striking topic in ancient Chinese political history. When the imperial power was strong, the prime minister was the chief of staff. When the imperial power was weak, the prime minister became the emperor in a real sense.This is because from a political point of view, the prime minister is the closest to the emperor's power, and he can easily turn the imperial power into his own power.Those people in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind are the extreme examples of turning imperial power into prime minister power. 无论是朱元璋还是刘伯温都清醒地意识到这样的问题：李善长在角色转换上没有成功。朱元璋在打天下时，李善长敢于任事、当机独断，这是创业时期作为宰相最大的优点。可在建国后，他仍然如此行事，就不免给人以“独断专行”的感觉。这是任何一个有独立意志的皇帝都不能容忍的。 刘伯温很感觉到，朱元璋对李善长已不能容忍，但朱元璋必须还要忍，因为在他心目中，此时还没有可以完全替代李善长的人。多日以来，他在心里确定了三个人选。现在，他把这三个人一一列举给刘伯温。这是朱元璋的一箭双雕之计，第一，想听听刘伯温这位导师对三个人的看法；第二，只有朱元璋自己知道。 朱元璋的第一个人选就是特务出身的杨宪。刘伯温反对，理由是：杨宪有当丞相的才能，但没有当丞相的器量，当丞相应该像水一样的清澈，做事要以义理权衡，不能掺杂个人的好恶和恩怨，杨宪不是这样的人。 朱元璋“哦”了一声，突然转换话题，问刘伯温：“我听说你和杨宪的关系不错，在朝中，你最好的朋友就是杨宪。按世俗的话来讲，人应该为朋友两肋插刀、说好话才对。” 刘伯温和杨宪的关系的确不错。刘伯温看中的是杨宪处理事务和搜集情报的热情，还有杨宪那分析和总结的超人的能力，这是杨宪多年来从事特务工作锻炼出来的。刘伯温认为，从事这种工作的人都趋于理性，像是搞科学研究，不会有情绪的掺杂，所以和这样的人交往，就如清水一样，是君子之交。杨宪所以和刘伯温很要好，是因为刘伯温当时是朱元璋的导师，刘伯温一句话就胜过他杨宪谄媚朱元璋一年。当然，杨宪对刘伯温是深深敬佩的，刘伯温的学识和他那未卜先知的本领，都让杨宪为之深深敬服。 1368年阴历八月，刘伯温离开南京回青田县时，为刘伯温送行的寥寥可数的几人中就有杨宪，杨宪对刘伯温的离开深表遗憾。在当时的朝堂上，很多人都认为刘伯温是浙东派的首领，而杨宪虽然是太原人，但由于和刘伯温关系很好，而被别人划进了这个派。实际上，根本就没有浙东派一说，这是后人胡编出来的。按这种胡编的思路，就有下面的故事：刘伯温临走前嘱咐杨宪，千万要守护好咱们浙东派的大旗，尽量在朱元璋那孙子面前说我的好话，我才有可能搞个“王者归来”的大戏。 杨宪心领神会，只要一有机会见到朱元璋，就明里暗里地陈说刘伯温超人的能力和无人可比的忠心。按这种故事的脉动，刘伯温被朱元璋请回其实是杨宪的功劳。 但这不符合事实，刘伯温被朱元璋请回，就是因为朱元璋遇到了李善长这个大难题，他希望刘伯温能为他解开这个难题，但现在，他又给刘伯温出了个难题，那就是，你刘伯温和杨宪的关系非常好，为什么不推荐他当宰相？ 刘伯温轻易地解答了这个难题：“杨宪是个好人，但因为多年在特务部门工作，所以有了职业习惯。他对任何人都怀疑，也就是说，特务和警察的人生观是'人性本恶'的，人生观首先就是错的，所以他不可能做到不掺杂个人的好恶和恩怨。” 刘伯温又说：“外面风传我和杨宪的关系好，即使真有，那也是我们个人之间的感情。现在您问我的问题，可是关系帝国命脉的事，我不能把私人感情掺杂到国家事务中来，这是很不负责的。” 朱元璋对这样的解答很满意，于是就说出了他心目中的第二个人选：“汪广洋如何？” 汪广洋是高邮人，平生有两种能力傲视天下，一是书法，二是智谋。1355年跟随朱元璋，屡出奇策，在刘伯温没来之前，他是朱元璋的顶级军事家之一。朱元璋曾说：“汪广洋就是我的张良，我的诸葛亮。”据说朱升提的“高筑墙广积粮”战略其实是汪广洋的思路。《明史》对这个人的评价是：在内，严于律己；在外，宽以待人。 刘伯温对他的评价却相当低：“把十个汪广洋捆一块儿都不如一个杨宪。” 朱元璋着实吃了一大惊，他脱口而出：“您对汪广洋会有如此看法？” 刘伯温说：“皇上您问我，我是照实说。” 朱元璋转动眼珠，突然想到，汪广洋以智谋著称，刘伯温也以智谋为傲，这可能是同行是冤家的心理在搞鬼。但他没有深究这个问题，他又提到了第三个人：“胡惟庸如何？” 按照唐人的思路，胡惟庸是最合适做宰相的人。因为唐人说，宰相必出乎州部，将军必起于行伍。也就是说，无论是宰相还是大将军，都应该是从基层一步步爬上来的。作为朱元璋的老乡，胡惟庸在1367年之前是混得最差的。他投奔朱元璋后，只是做了一年的朱元璋秘书，然后就被打发到了地方上。他做过县长秘书、县长、市长助理，在1367年才正式进入中央当了个掌管礼仪和祭祀的太常卿。朱元璋看上胡惟庸，就是因为胡惟庸在地方上多年，熟悉他的帝国基层，所以每每能提出操作性极强的建议。 但刘伯温把胡惟庸批得体无完肤：“胡惟庸绝对不行。宰相就是车夫，胡惟庸非但驾不好，恐怕还连辕木都会被他毁掉。” 朱元璋搞不清刘伯温对胡惟庸的评价思路是从哪里来的，刘伯温没有解释，朱元璋也没有问。他心目中三个人选都被刘伯温给否定了，这让他很难堪。这正如一个母亲的孩子被人说得一无是处一样。他有点恼火，有点失望，不由自主地，他想到了自己一箭双雕的那一雕：“看来，我的几个宰相人选没有能超过先生您的了。” 一道刺眼的光。刘伯温感觉到脑子一震，像是被人从高处推下来，而他变成了一根羽毛，慢慢地飘了起来。当他发现自己不是在飘浮而是在向下滑落时，他马上就清醒了。 刘伯温迅疾地明白了一件事，朱元璋这话只是闲话，他根本就没有想过要自己当宰相，不然，不会提出那么多人，到最后才提名自己。按刘伯温那富有智慧的头脑和他对朱元璋的了解，朱元璋肯定误会地以为，刘伯温总是不断地否定宰相的人选，其实是自己想做宰相。 其实刘伯温也误会了朱元璋。朱元璋在算计上的能力恐怕是他刘伯温十辈子都无法攀比的。 刘伯温现在处在一个并不危险但极为尴尬的境地，如果他说自己有宰相的素质，那他刚才否定朱元璋心目中宰相人选的事就是有私心。如果他说自己没有宰相的素质，他又有点心不甘，因为宰相这个位置的确让人垂涎欲滴啊。刘伯温他不是神，他只是个希望通过自己的努力而实现人生价值的凡人。如果真的坐到宰相的椅子上，那儒家的“为生民请命”的高调理想不就有实现的基础了吗？ 可问题是，命运告刘伯温，他此生已没有这样的机会了。朱元璋不可能让一个曾做过自己导师的人再来做“一人之下，万人之上”的宰相。 刘伯温必须要表态。他带着无奈的情绪表态：“我还是有自知之明的。我这个人疾恶如仇得过了度，又不喜欢繁杂的行政事务，勉强去做，对国家无益，一定会辜负圣恩。天下何患无才，您何等圣明，只要细心寻求，一定会物色到合适的人选。只是眼下这几位真不太合适。” 朱元璋缓缓地点了点头。但刘伯温发现，朱元璋根本就没有把自己的话放在心上。他突然有个很不好的预感，他可能得罪了很多人。既然朱元璋心里早就有了定见，那他肯定会塑造他心目中的宰相人选，而在塑造时，他会对那些人说：“你呀，有什么缺点要改。你这些缺点可不是我说的，是刘伯温说的。” 一想到这里，刘伯温冷汗直冒。实际上，他的冷汗从他回到南京城后就一直在冒，只是他老了，没有感觉到而已。刘伯温论相，使我们可以追忆春秋时期的管仲论相。管仲是齐桓公的宰相，帮助齐桓公成就霸业，功勋卓著。管仲本人则成为后来历代王朝领导人眼中最理想的宰相。管仲临死前和齐桓公有一段讨论当时宰相的对话，齐桓公问管仲，是否选定了接班人。管仲很遗憾，说没有。但他又说：“这件事的主动权在您手上，因为国君最了解臣下。” 和朱元璋一样，齐桓公就开始列出人选。第一个人就是管仲的好友鲍叔牙。管仲反对。他说：“鲍叔牙是君子，但他善恶过于分明，见人之一恶，终身不忘，这样的人无论如何都不可以当宰相。”鲍叔牙似乎就是刘伯温。 齐桓公又说出第二个人选：“易牙如何？”易牙是姜小白的厨师，曾把亲儿子当原材料烹饪成佳肴送给姜小白吃。管仲的评语是：“这小子没有人性，不宜为相。”齐桓公又说出第三个人选：“卫开方如何？”卫开方是卫国的贵族，千里迢迢跑到齐国来侍奉齐桓公达十五年，他父亲去世，他都没有回去。 管仲几乎想吐这个卫开方一口：“这小子无情无义，没有父子情谊的人，如何能真心忠于国君？况且他的贵族身份是很多人梦寐以求的，他放弃了这样的身份和荣耀来当您的小跟班，说明他心中所求的必定过于千乘之封。您应疏远这种人，当然就更不应该让他当宰相了。” 齐桓公只好心里发虚地列出了第四个人选：“竖刁如何？”竖刁是姜小白的贴身男保姆，曾主动阉割自己到姜小白身边服务。管仲气得直咳嗽，他说：“他更不成。一个不爱惜自己身体的人怎么可能去爱惜别人的身体？”齐桓公这下无所适从，管仲摇头叹息说：“我倒有个人选，这个人就是为人忠厚、不耻下问、居家不忘公事的隰朋。他可以做宰相。” 齐桓公不置可否。管仲去世后，齐桓公自作主张，把易牙等三人任命为宰相。两年后，齐桓公病重。易牙等三人见齐桓公已不久于人世，继续效忠他不能带来利益，于是决定把齐桓公送进天堂去见管仲。三人堵塞宫门，假传君命，不许任何人进去。齐桓公就这样被活活饿死了。 据说临死前，齐桓公仰天长叹：“如死者有知，我有什么面目去见仲父？”说罢，用衣袖遮住脸，懊悔地死去。 管仲对人性的一针见血和刘伯温对人性的明察秋毫异曲同工。齐桓公和朱元璋的定见也不差毫厘，不同的是，齐桓公因此身死，朱元璋只是虚惊一场。 刘伯温论宰相和管仲论宰相，都说明了这样一个问题：宰相的职业素养中，最重要的还是胸怀。但肚里能撑船的宰相还是太少了。至少刘伯温就无法做到，正如他所说，他是个疾恶太甚的人。 不过，自1368年年末刘伯温回到南京后，朱元璋发现，刘伯温疾恶如仇的脾性似乎收敛了很多。朱元璋自以为是地认为，一个人到了六十岁时，性情总会和以前不一样，这是因为人老了。在人间艰难跋涉六十年，连神仙都会老的。 1370年的开头几个月，刘伯温精神恍惚。他知道朱元璋把他拽回来的阴暗心理：他一直是朱元璋的导师，朱元璋看不得别人比他强，在他打天下时当然需要刘伯温这样的导师，可当他的天下稳定后，他那“老子应该天下第一”的流氓气息就暴露无遗。 一年多来，刘伯温开心不起来，因为对朱元璋这种阴暗心理的洞悉使他无法放下思想包袱，来坦然面对他即将到终点的人生。朱元璋给他的信和对他的两次试探都让刘伯温心神不安，他知道，这种事情不可能停止，朱元璋还有下一次。但下一次是否是试探还是不动声色地打压和凌辱，那就是他刘伯温无法预知的了。 1370年阴历二月，朱元璋和群臣在后花园散步，突然看到雀巢里的老麻雀一动不动，于是转身对刘伯温说：“大家都老了，应该回家养老。”刘伯温正要感动，朱元璋马上就把目光移走了。本年阴历四月，朱元璋要刘伯温到弘文馆做学士，并且还特意给刘伯温写了封《弘文馆学士诰》。刘伯温读了之后，心上一凉。他心里说，皇帝老儿果然还在踩他以彰显自己的高尚品格： 朱元璋还在硬着头皮说谎，他说刘伯温是主动来投靠他的，谎言重复再重复，自然就成了真理。朱元璋和刘伯温在1368年之后的主要关系中，就有一个这样的关系：朱元璋重复谎言，刘伯温默默接受。 这道诰命中，朱元璋仍然说，刘伯温有天大的功劳，而且是个出色的儒家知识分子，所以，刘伯温是最有资格进入弘文馆当学士的。 弘文馆的来历并不清白。它诞生于公元621年，由大唐王朝的秦王爷李世民创设。李世民创设弘文馆堂而皇之的理由是，为了弘扬中国文化。实际上，弘文馆里聚集了一大批他的幕僚，这些人在他后来发动玄武门之变的谋划中起到了关键作用。李世民夺取帝位后，弘文馆成了他的秘书处，馆中的学士都是他最得力的秘书。岁月流逝，弘文馆的政治气息逐渐消失，取而代之的是文学气息。元朝时，弘文馆销声匿迹，朱元璋恢复弘文馆不久后又废除，因为文学不是朱元璋喜欢的东西。 弘文馆学士其实是个虚得不能再虚的职务，主要的工作就是责任编辑工作，对古籍进行校对，对中国文化进行梳理。刘伯温不喜欢这一工作，他最喜欢的职务还是御史中丞，但连他自己都不明白，自从1368年年末回到南京后，他在这个职务上没有做什么露脸的事。他总是在办公室里发呆，有时候从早上一直发呆到中午，吃完午饭后，继续发呆，一直到下班。 偶尔有人经过他身旁，看到他微闭着双眼，嘴唇抖动，像是在自言自语。喜欢搞恶作剧的同僚就会对着他的耳朵突然大叫一声，让其失望的是，刘伯温半天才反应过来，他只是睁了睁眼，慢吞吞地说道：“吓了我一跳。” 后来他到弘文馆办公，面对着一大批中国文化书籍，他仍然发呆。和他一起做学士的史学大家危素看到他发呆了几个时辰，就会敲着他的桌子，说：“醒醒，下班啦。”刘伯温马上就站起来，弓着背，一声不响地走出办公室。如果危素要向他请教学术问题，即使把他的桌子敲烂，他也没有一丝反应。弘文馆的学士们说：“刘基老了，才六十岁的人，精神头儿却像九十。” 1370年阴历六月前，刘伯温就是这样的。文武百官们眼中的刘伯温是个对任何事都无动于衷、行将就木的老家伙，不过就在本年阴历六月份，“形如槁木，心如死灰”的刘伯温突然有了反应。因为有件事真的刺痛了他。 这件事是这样的：朱元璋的“解放军”徐达兵团自解放大都后，一直向西北进军，并且取得了辉煌的胜利。妥懽帖睦尔逃回北方后，仍然过着皇帝的生活，但祖宗辛苦创建的家业败在他手上使他抑郁，徐达兵团不停地追击他让他恐慌，在精神疾病的困扰下，他的身体也随之败坏。1370年阴历四月，妥懽帖睦尔在应昌病逝。阴历五月，朱元璋兵团在沙漠里捕捉到了妥懽帖睦尔兵团主力，一举击溃，俘虏了孛儿只斤家族几百人，元帝国遭到了重创，一直向北逃，短时间内，他们已无法再兴风作浪了。 这一消息在阴历六月传到南京城，朱元璋和他的文武百官们欣喜若狂，仿佛他们的帝国已统一全球了一样。 朱元璋在群臣疯狂庆贺时，示意众人先停止发疯，因为他有话要讲。群臣马上安静下来，朱元璋清了清嗓子，在龙椅上坐得笔直，得意扬扬地说：“妥懽帖睦尔在位三十六年，荒淫无度，如今得到这样的下场，也是他的命运。不过这人有个优点，当我们的解放大军逼进大都时，他居然知道天命已定，不战而退，所以我们就给他谥'顺'，称他为元顺帝吧。” 群臣都认为这是朱元璋最高智慧的结晶之一，一个叫刘炳的御史抓住这一千载难逢的拍马屁的机会，从群臣中走出来，正要拍朱元璋，朱元璋突然把脸一沉，像是死了七天准备还魂的人一样，冷冰冰地对刘炳说：“你就不要祝贺了吧，你曾在前朝做过官！” 刘炳大吃一惊，站在那里无所适从。他突然感到杀机四伏，浑身如筛糠，哆嗦了起来。幸运的是，朱元璋只是看了他一眼，随后就开始扫向群臣。他看到了刘伯温在弘文馆的同事危素。危素也是前朝的官，而且来为朱元璋工作才一年。他在元大都被攻破后才投降朱元璋的。在元政府，他曾坐到副宰相的位置。当他和朱元璋的目光一接触时，他看到的不是杀机，而是变态的嘲讽。朱元璋的眼神告诉他，你曾经的主子死了，你怎么不悲伤，还庆贺啊，这是什么人啊！ 刘伯温站在群臣中，特别突出。因为他最近总如行尸走肉，毫无生气。这就如同一片麦地中突然长出一棵向日葵，所以，朱元璋很快就扫到了他身上。 刘伯温的内心很不是滋味。他就是为前朝政府效力的人，而且在位时尽职尽责。他不敢抬头去迎接朱元璋那变态的目光，但他也不能就这样装死。他在心里盘算着如何摆脱这种尴尬的局面，突然就听到朱元璋说：“凡是在元朝工作过的官员，不许庆贺。”然后，又狞笑着，一字一句地说道，“这是命令。” 为前朝政府工作的人不止刘伯温一个，当然也不止刘炳和危素两个。所以刘伯温很快就恢复了平静，在这个时候，朱元璋无论用什么样的方式丑化他，他都已超然度外。 当他在那里胡思乱想时，又听朱元璋大呼小叫起来。朱元璋指着徐达的报捷书，说：“你们看看徐达这报捷书写的，太不像话。把元顺帝和他的政府污蔑得一无是处。凡事都要一分为二地看嘛，蒙古人主宰我们中国百年，我和大家的父母都是在人家的政策上才吃上饭的，没有元政府，怎么能有我们呢？” 群臣叩头，大声称赞皇帝的恢宏气度和真知灼见，深为自己和徐达的褊狭浅薄而感到内疚。朱元璋的虚荣心得到了满足，戏也演得差不多了。于是大手一挥，说：“散朝，欢庆三天。群臣谢恩。”又补充了一句，“在前朝政府工作的人不许庆祝哟！” 时光如果倒流三十年，刘伯温肯定会臭骂朱元璋是个忘恩负义的王八蛋。想当初，他朱元璋死皮赖脸地招揽元政府的官员为他工作，仅以刘伯温为例，他朱元璋派人四次来请。刘伯温几乎是看着朱元璋一步一步成长起来的，指引着他，让他别走岔路，让他走一条最简捷的通往成功之路。种种艰辛和出生入死，最后换来的是他朱元璋对自己明目张胆的嘲弄。 不过在1370年，60岁的刘伯温对这样的事提不起任何激动情绪来。他走出朝堂，看着乌云慢悠悠地遮盖太阳，他想到的唯一一件事是，如何跟朱元璋处理好关系，给自己告老还乡留条路。 ——关于帝王的忘恩负义，刘邦可谓标杆。楚汉战争期间，刘邦采纳张良的建议突袭项羽的大本营彭城（今江苏徐州）。项羽当时正在北方作战，听到这个消息后，带领三万骑兵突击队，回救彭城。凭借精密的作战计划和震惊宇宙的勇气，项羽把刘邦的几十万人马瞬间击败。刘邦在逃跑的途中，被追捕他的项羽大将丁公追上，刘邦跳下马来，厚着脸皮求情说：“我们两个都是一代贤才，为什么不能相容？”丁公这人四肢发达，但头脑简单，而且当时似乎走火入魔了，居然放了刘邦。后来刘邦击败项羽，做了皇帝。丁公想起这位一代贤才，认为自己有恩于他，于是美滋滋地去见刘邦，希望刘邦能偿还那笔恩情债。刘邦果然偿还，他把丁公绑起来，带到军营巡回示众，最后说：“丁公这畜生身为项羽的部下，却不忠于项羽，私自释放了我。使项羽丧失天下的，就是他。”丁公这个时候才有机会瞠目结舌，不过只是一瞬间，因为刘邦马上就砍了他的脑袋。刘邦让人拎着他的脑袋又巡回示众，说：“后世做人家部下的，不可效法丁公。” 司马光曾对这件事作了大段的评论。他说：“刘邦自起兵后，网罗天下豪杰，招降纳叛，数都数不清，等到做了皇帝，却只有丁公一人受到惩罚，这是什么原因？因为进取和守成，形势不同。当群雄血战疆场时，人民并没有固定的领袖。只要前来投奔，就一律接受。有的人因为有才华不来投奔，还要千方百计'赚'上山来，这是理所当然。等到已成了皇帝，四海之内，都是臣民。假如不强调礼教仁义，臣民们仍心怀二志，谋取政治暴利，国家岂能长久安定？是以必须要用大义作为标准，向天下人显示——只要你是叛徒，连领袖都不能容你。用背叛领袖的手段去结私人恩德，虽然饶了自己一命，仍然以不义相待。” 司马光的意思是说，作为君主“忘恩负义”是必需的权术，其目的只是阻吓“后世”的人不要效法被忘恩负义掉的那个人。回过头来看朱元璋，朱元璋在1370年六月那次朝堂上下的那个命令比“忘恩负义”要令人痛恨，甚至使人作呕。他虽然没有杀人，但却深入骨髓地羞辱了那群前朝政府的人，这种羞辱对某些知识分子来说，比死亡还痛苦。 刘伯温正是从这件事上看到了朱元璋那变异的性格，所以他得出了最后的结论：如果还保持从前的“导师”角色和耿直性格，他将死无葬身之地。他也找到了方法：做一个顺着朱元璋的“奴才”角色，改变自己耿直的性格。 有人说，本性难移。那是长远的说法，在短时期内，受到外界压迫时，任何人的性格都可以改变。刘伯温在确定了这一思路后，很快就来了一件事，让他有了精彩的表演机会。 朱元璋一直处在兴奋中。北元的伤筋断骨让他对北方的形势乐观起来，他现在要做的事就是宣传自己是“中国之主”这一重要概念。 他做的第一件事就是颁下诏书，名为《平定沙漠诏》，诏书说：“朕本农家，乐生于有元之世，庚申之君荒淫昏弱、纪纲大败，由是豪杰并起，海内瓜分，虽元兵四出，无救于乱，此天意也。”意思是说，元王朝是正统，我出家要饭的时候虽然苦点，可也是愿意当元朝顺民的，但是天命要元