Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

Du Renjie looked from afar at Chu Ze, who was standing on the podium with high spirits.

He finally understood why this young prince was so popular among the people.

This courage, this responsibility, and this determination to benefit the people are truly invaluable!

"Prince Chu, if you can remain true to your original aspiration of serving the people, you will surely leave your name in history and be remembered forever!" Du Renjie was filled with emotion.

The final ended successfully, but Chu Ze did not relax at all.

He knew very well that Fengyang's road to transformation had just begun.

There is still a lot of work to be done and the road ahead is long and arduous.

After comforting the winning contestants and participating citizens, Chu Ze immediately devoted himself to government affairs.

"Commander Zhao, how is the training of the Fengyang garrison going? Are they slacking off?"

"Your Majesty, the defenders are all full of fighting spirit and swear to be loyal until death! We promise to live up to your trust!" Zhao Si bowed and reported.

"Very good! The country's most important weapons are all in the army!" Chu Ze nodded and said, "Deputy General Li, are there any needs among the people? We should start preparing."

"Your Highness, there is a strong demand from the people to set up a few more free schools so that more children can go to school." Li Xing said respectfully.

Chu Ze was overjoyed when he heard this, and after a moment's silence, he said, "That's right! We must grasp both civil and military affairs! Now that the people's hearts are stable, it is a good time to promote culture and education! Let's build a few more charity schools according to the wishes of the people."

"promise!"

Chu Ze put aside his official duties, came to the back garden of the palace, and strolled around.

He wanted to take advantage of this rare leisure time to think carefully.

Since taking office, he has done several major things in Fengyang.

A number of corrupt officials were cleared out, and the people were appeased;
The new policy was implemented to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, thus resuming production;
Build schools, popularize education, and improve people's wisdom;
Reorganize armaments, strengthen training, and deter border threats.

However, this is far from enough to completely govern a place.

The most important thing is to prescribe the right medicine and change the entire social atmosphere.

For example, we should vigorously promote talented people and severely punish corrupt officials;
We must eliminate injustice, strictly enforce the law, and establish the authority of the rule of law;
We should pay attention to education, emphasize morality, and shape pure folk customs;
We should emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce, impose light taxes, and enrich the people and strengthen the country.

In short, we must be determined to eliminate malpractices, innovate, and break old conventions and bad habits.

Only in this way can Fengyang usher in earth-shaking changes!

Chu Ze secretly made up his mind to do his best to pave a smooth road for the people during his lifetime.

Just as Chu Ze was deep in thought, a guard came to report that Du Renjie wanted to see him.

"Please come in!" Chu Ze quickly put aside his thoughts and went out to greet him in person.

Du Renjie was dressed in a long silk gown, looking elegant but with a serious expression on his face.

"Sir Du, is there a letter from the capital?" Chu Ze stepped forward and asked with concern.

Du Renjie sighed and said, "Your Majesty is indeed very good at predicting things! The powerful officials in the court have quite a few complaints about what you did in Fengyang."

"Oh?" Chu Ze frowned slightly, "What are they clamoring about?"

Du Renjie looked around and whispered, "The Minister of Personnel submitted a memorial saying that the prince abused his favors and made friends with his cronies. The Vice Minister of War also said that the prince had ulterior motives in training troops for war. The Vice Minister of Rites also said that the prince was abusing bad habits and committing treason."

Chu Ze couldn't help but sneer when he heard this.

"Oh, it's true that 'the higher the virtue, the higher the evil'! I'm afraid those parasites will swallow up this plate of fat meat for themselves!"

He stood with his hands behind his back, staring into the distance, and said solemnly: "Lord Du, I am the governor of Fengyang with a clear conscience. Even if I offend the civil and military officials of the court, I will never regret it! If I want to go against the will of the people and help the tyrant to commit atrocities, I, Chu Ze, would rather not be this prince!"

Du Renjie felt his heart surge when he heard this.

He clasped his fists and said loudly: "Your Majesty's ambition makes me extremely impressed! Your Majesty is wise and will not misjudge Your Majesty's loyalty!"

Chu Ze smiled back and patted Du Renjie on the shoulder: "With what Lord Du said, I feel more at ease. There is a long way to go, and with unity, we will surely be able to uphold justice and clean up the government!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a large group of people suddenly rushed into the yard.

Looking closely, they turned out to be the folks from Fengyang!
They were all kneeling on the ground with tears in their eyes.

The old man in the lead raised his head tremblingly and choked up, "Your Highness! The people have heard that someone in the court wants to frame you! We really can't bear it!" "That's right! Your Highness has devoted his life to Fengyang! If it weren't for you, we, the rough people, don't know how much bullying we would have to endure!"

"Your Majesty! You must make the decision for us! Anyone who dares to bully you is bullying all of us Fengyang people!"

For a moment, tears flowed like rain and cries of grief were heard everywhere.

Chu Ze and Du Renjie looked at each other and were both shocked.

The will of the people is so powerful!
Chu Ze took two steps at a time and went forward to help everyone up.

"Fellow villagers, thank you for your trust in me! All my policies in Fengyang are designed to help you live a good life."

"Even if there are obstacles from the powerful officials in the court, I will never back down! I have always enforced the law impartially and I have a clear conscience!"

Chu Ze's words were loud and powerful.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty! We are here to back you up. Anyone who dares to bully you will be the enemy of all the people of Fengyang!"

"That's right! If those bad officials dare to come and make trouble, we will be the first to say no!"

"Your Majesty! As long as you are still here, we will follow you!"

The people's support surged like a tide, and Chu Ze's eyes couldn't help but become moist.

Du Renjie was overwhelmed with emotion and sighed, "Your Majesty, you have such popular support, why should you be afraid of the villains in the court?"

Chu Ze took a deep breath, his face as firm as a rock and his eyes as sharp as torches.

"Master Du is absolutely right! I will go to fight for the people even if there are tens of thousands of people against me!"

"Come here! Pass my order, write a letter immediately and go to the capital as soon as possible!"

After the people dispersed, Chu Ze immediately picked up his pen and wrote a memorial overnight.

He spoke frankly about the accumulated problems in the government, lamented the sufferings of the people in Fengyang, and strongly advocated the urgency of political reform.

The words were sincere and shocked everyone!

Du Renjie personally escorted the memorial to the capital, while Chu Ze was ready to report to the capital at any time.

Sure enough, within three days, the imperial edict was issued, summoning Chu Ze to the capital for an audience!

Chu Ze accepted the order and thanked him. Before leaving, he comforted his people again:
"Everyone! I am going to the capital to plead for Fengyang and for the people!"

"Fengyang's reform cause cannot afford any mistakes!"

"If I can make sense, His Majesty will approve my words; if I am killed for my words, I will have no regrets!"

"Please work together to face the national crisis!"

The words were sonorous and touching, and touched people's hearts.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty! Even though we are insignificant, we will definitely help you!"

"Your Highness! Fengyang is handed over to us! Just go and spread the will of the people!"

"If anything happens to the prince, we are willing to die with him!"

The vows were as heavy as a mountain and the atmosphere was deeply moving.

Chu Ze was extremely moved and felt tears welling up in his eyes.

This is the power of the people! This is the meaning of pleading for the people!
Capital City, Imperial Palace.

Chu Ze, dressed in red court robes, strode into the Golden Palace with his head held high.

Sitting on the dragon throne in the hall was a burly middle-aged man wearing a dragon robe.

It is the current emperor Zhu Di.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"

Chu Ze bowed and fell to the ground. (End of this chapter)