Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 615: Even the merchants and common people will be rewarded (Please subscribe!!)
Zhu Yuanzhang no longer worried about the matter of Lan Yu. He just followed Ouyang Lun's advice and let the court and private newspapers report on it, and then he would deal with it as he saw fit!

As for what Ouyang Lun just mentioned, a portion of the spoils of this expedition against the Northern Yuan Dynasty will be distributed to the people and merchants!
Zhu Yuanzhang still felt something was wrong.

This time the Ming Dynasty won the battle and distributed the spoils to the people and merchants, but what about next time?

Do I have to give it every time from now on?
If it is not given, will the people become resentful and become alienated from the court?

They will even try to spoil the common people and businessmen and treat the Ming court and the army as tools to make money for them. How can this be allowed!
Zhu Yuanzhang certainly hopes that the people can live a good life, but he also doesn't want them to live too well. If people are idle, something bad will happen. As Zhu Yuanzhang, who rose from an ordinary citizen to an emperor, knew this very well.

"Ouyang Lun, this matter is too risky!"

"Besides, when you called on the people to deliver supplies to the army, didn't your Ministry of Revenue already reward the merchants and people involved?"

"Since they have already been rewarded, why do we need to reward them again and even give them credit for their achievements? Isn't this unnecessary?"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke with some confusion.

Zhu Biao also looked puzzled at this moment, not understanding the deep meaning of Ouyang Lun's actions.

"Brother-in-law, you should explain to my father and me the specific reasons why we have to do this. After all, if we really want to reward the people, there will be many people involved, and it will be a huge expense for the court!"

Zhu Biao said.

"Humph! Those merchants and common people who delivered supplies to the army before, weren't they doing it for the imperial court's reward?! This is essentially a transaction!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again and completely rejected Ouyang Lun's suggestion to commend the merchants and civilians who participated in transporting supplies and share the spoils.

Ouyang Lun had long anticipated Zhu Yuanzhang's opposition, but since he had already spoken about the matter, he naturally had to make it happen.

"Your Majesty, maybe you don't know yet."

"In fact, before the transportation of materials began, not many merchants and people responded. But after a period of time, more and more merchants and people participated, but there was no obvious change in the reward system of the Ministry of Revenue!"

"Then why are there more merchants and people?"

Ouyang Lun spoke slowly.

"Of course it's because you, Ouyang Lun, are good at fooling people and make them listen to you!" Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily.

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Ouyang Lun rolled his eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, I am indeed somewhat famous among the people, but this little fame is of no use at all when it comes to life and death. The people and merchants have a scale in their hearts. The reason why the merchants and the people can actively participate is not because of how much benefit the court has given them, but because they recognize the Ming Dynasty and know that if the Ming Dynasty falls, their good days will be over and they will return to the chaotic times!"

"If the Northern Yuan army breaks through the Great Wall and rushes into the interior, the Northern Yuan cavalry will surely trample the vast mountains and rivers of the Ming Dynasty. By then, they will live in misery! The stable life they have finally gained will also be broken!"

"Under such circumstances, merchants and common people are trying their best to deliver supplies to the invading army!"

"Is this just a deal? Obviously not!"

"In addition, rewarding the merchants and common people who participated in this event will also be of great benefit to the Ming Dynasty!"

benefit!?
Upon hearing these two words, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were both stunned. What benefit could they see from giving money and honor?
"Ouyang Lun, you are probably fooling us, right? Giving so many honors to the people is fine, at most it's just a waste of paper and manpower, but giving rewards, those are all real money. If you give too little, the people will say that the court is stingy, and if you give too much, the current treasury of the Ming Dynasty can't support it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang expressed deep doubt about Ouyang Lun's words!
Zhu Biao thought for a while and then said, "Brother-in-law Ouyang, what you mean is that we gave honor and rewards to the merchants and the people this time. If the same thing happens again, even if we don't mobilize, the people and merchants will contribute money and effort like this time!"

"If this is really possible, it will be beneficial to our Ming Dynasty!"

Hearing Zhu Biao's words, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, looked at Zhu Biao with some surprise, and then looked at Ouyang Lun.

Ouyang Lun smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This is exactly what I meant. This is not just a simple reward for merchants and common people, but also a way to cultivate their trust in the Ming Dynasty court."

Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao stared at Ouyang Lun, as if expecting Ouyang Lun to continue speaking.

Ouyang Lun did not disappoint their expectations and continued to speak, "The Ming Dynasty has been established for less than 30 years. The common people and merchants do not have a strong sense of identity with the entire Ming Dynasty. Therefore, letting them participate more in national affairs can effectively increase their identification with the Ming Dynasty!"

"When they think about how the Ming Dynasty became what it is today because they pushed wheelbarrows and carried supplies to the front lines, it's hard for them not to identify with the Ming Dynasty, right?"

"This is just one reason. Second, as your majesty said, if the people are honored and rewarded in the process of participating this time, they will be self-affirming of what they have done this time! With this success, it will be much easier for the Ming Dynasty court to gain the help of the people and merchants again!"

“If the same thing happens in the future, we don’t even need to ask, merchants and people will take the initiative to provide help. With the support of merchants and people, it will be difficult to get things done!”

"Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus, should be able to imagine how stable the Ming Dynasty will be once the people and merchants all support it!"

"To keep the country stable, it's not too much to spend some money, right?"

After hearing Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Biao was the first to react. Previously, Zhu Biao believed that the people of the Ming Dynasty were the true subjects of the Ming Dynasty. It was not until now that he realized that the people of the Ming Dynasty were not necessarily the true subjects of the Ming Dynasty, because they did not truly recognize the Ming Dynasty!

This is the sense of identity proposed by Ouyang Lun!
This is indeed the case. Even though the Ming Dynasty has developed quite well today and people's lives have become much better, the Ming Dynasty was established too short a time after all, only a mere twenty years. It is indeed too difficult to expect people to have a deep sense of identity with the Ming Dynasty in just twenty years.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but be shocked. The apparent prosperity of the Ming Dynasty gave Zhu Biao an illusion. This really shouldn't be the case!

Fortunately, after Ouyang Lun's reminder, Zhu Biao reacted and the solution is ready now.

"What my brother-in-law said is absolutely right. I fully agree with it!"

After understanding Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Biao began to praise him directly.

At the same time, Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh in his heart. His brother-in-law was simply the Zhuge Liang of the modern age. No, no, his wisdom was probably better than Zhuge Liang's! Having Ouyang Lun as his brother-in-law was definitely an honor for Zhu Biao and the Ming Dynasty!

I was even more envious in my heart. The ideas in Ouyang Lun's mind were like the ocean, inexhaustible!

If Zhu Yuanzhang had not yet expressed his opinion, Zhu Biao would have immediately ordered the Ming court to implement Ouyang Lun's suggestion!
It is extremely important to enhance people's sense of identity with the Ming Dynasty!

"Father, I think what brother-in-law Ouyang Lun said is very good. Why don't we give honor and rewards to the merchants and civilians who participated in the war against the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"

After hearing Zhu Biao's words, Zhu Yuanzhang gradually understood. It's not that Zhu Yuanzhang was not as smart as Zhu Biao, but it was extremely difficult to change such conceptual things in a short time, especially for an older person like Zhu Yuanzhang!
Isn’t this just winning people’s hearts?
Moreover, it is a very clever method that leaves no trace!

When it comes to seeing into people's hearts, Zhu Yuanzhang is an expert! "Haha! Biao'er, you are absolutely right!"

"We have to listen to Ouyang Lun!"

"Ouyang Lunni's method is good. After all, I am old! My brain is not as flexible as you young people!"

"The common people and merchants have made great contributions in the war against the Northern Yuan Dynasty. We cannot ignore their contributions to the entire campaign just because we have paid them. We have also paid salaries to the soldiers and generals! Don't they still need rewards and honors?"

"The meaning is the same. I have finally figured it out! Haha!"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned as he spoke, "However, what rewards should we give to the people and merchants? There is no such precedent in all dynasties, and the division of the barbaric tribes is of no reference value."

Let’s talk. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ouyang Lun with a smile on his face, his eyes full of expectation and tenderness.

Seeing this, Ouyang Lun rolled his eyes inwardly.

This Old Zhu is the same as this woman, changing his expression faster than turning the pages of a book. You know, Old Zhu just looked at him coldly and denied him in all kinds of ways.

However, Ouyang Lun was already accustomed to Zhu Yuanzhang's temper and personality, and he was too lazy to care about it. Instead, he slowly said, "Your Majesty, this matter is actually very simple. The Ministry of Revenue has experience in providing benefits to the people before. Let's leave this matter to the Ministry of Revenue. They will definitely get it done."

"Yes, Ouyang, we are naturally confident in your work, but what about the cost? You know that the Ming Dynasty first built the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway and then fought with the Northern Yuan Dynasty. The national treasury is really tight. As the Minister of Revenue, you have to spend more time on it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Hearing this, Ouyang Lun rolled his eyes to the sky in his heart, Old Zhu, Old Zhu, you are such a coward!

You want to win people's hearts, but you don't want to spend money!
Even Zhou Pa Pi is not as cruel as you!
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This matter actually doesn't cost much. We only need to give some symbolic rewards to the people and merchants. There are many ways to do it, such as honorary plaques, some daily necessities, or directly reward cash!"

"This is the first time, so it's not appropriate to give too much or too high, otherwise it will be difficult to give next time!"

After listening to Ouyang Lun's proposal, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly. Although he still felt bad about giving out the money, when he thought that after spending the money, the people of the Ming Dynasty would be able to get closer to the Ming Dynasty and increase their sense of identity, it was well worth it.

"Since you have thought it through, let's not say any more. You can arrange the rest!"

"You should also arrange the rewards for the generals and soldiers. As for the matters of Lan Yu and the nine vassal kings, we and the emperor will personally determine them, so you don't have to worry about it."

Zhu Yuanzhang finally made the decision.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy from the bottom of his heart after returning victorious from this expedition against the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Although he felt a little regretful that he failed to completely destroy the Northern Yuan Dynasty, he was also dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. After this battle, the Northern Yuan Dynasty would completely lose the offensive threat to the Ming Dynasty!

But when Zhu Yuanzhang thought of the things that Lan Yu did during the battle that violated military regulations and discipline, his face immediately fell again!

When Zhu Biao saw his father's expression, he couldn't help but feel worried. He didn't want a celebration banquet to turn into a banquet of slaughter.

Because he had several things on his plate, Ouyang Lun rushed to the cabinet immediately after leaving Taile Palace.

"Go, invite the two ministers from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites."

"Yes!"

Soon, Minister of War Tang Duo and Minister of Rites Lu Chang arrived.

"Meet Prime Minister Ouyang."

"I've met the Prince Consort!"

Minister of Rites Lu Chang and Minister of War Tang Duo saluted Ouyang Lun respectively.

"Both of you are older than me, so there is no need to perform formalities. Just a simple greeting will be enough."

Ouyang Lun looked at the two people bowing to him at a 90-degree angle and quickly spoke.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Ouyang (Prince Consort!)"

"I wonder why the Prince Consort called us here at this time?"

"I didn't want to bother you two, but I just came from the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty. They gave me a task, which is to reward the soldiers of the three armies, as well as the merchants and common people who helped this time, except for Lan Yu and the nine princes!"

"The three of us need to discuss this carefully and come up with a reward list as soon as possible."

Ouyang Lun said slowly.

"So that's what happened."

"Since it was arranged by His Majesty, the Emperor, we will naturally cooperate with him to the fullest!"

"We are only setting rewards for the soldiers of the three armies. What does this have to do with merchants and ordinary people?"

Minister of War Tang Duo and Minister of Rites Lu Chang immediately looked at Ouyang Lun with confusion.

"This is what happened." Ouyang Lun had to take some time to recount his conversation with Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

After listening to Ouyang Lun's explanation, the two finally understood.

"Prime Minister Ouyang, since it is something that the Emperor and His Majesty have agreed to, we should have implemented it. However, I am worried about how to distribute the honors and rewards to the people and merchants. If we let the lower-level government distribute them on their own, I am afraid there will be many mistakes."

The Minister of Rites, Lu Chang, had gray hair and beard and a worried look on his face.

Hearing what Lu Chang said, Ouyang Lun immediately understood what Lu Chang meant and said with a smile: "Old Lu, you are not worried about other things, but you are worried that some officials below will embezzle this money and it will not be distributed to the people at all, right?"

(End of this chapter)