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

"Yes, yes, you are the founding emperor, and even more so the emperor emeritus. Of course you can eat to your heart's content. You can eat whatever you want, and no one can stop you!"

"But, I'm saying that your Majesty's brother-in-law and I won't compete with you for it. You can eat slowly. Eating too fast is not good for your health, according to my medical school's research!"

Ouyang Lun said.

"You want us to chew slowly? Like a woman?" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hands, "No, it won't taste good that way!"

"We have always eaten like this, why haven't we seen any problems?"

Forehead.
Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang say this, Ouyang Lun was too lazy to say anything more, "Okay, okay, just treat it as nothing I said, you can do whatever you want, I won't say any more."

Zhu Yuanzhang was a stubborn person.

If you want to change Zhu Yuanzhang's point of view, unless he can figure it out himself, even ten oxen can't change it.

Just when Ouyang Lun was speechless, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said to Ouyang Lun: "Ouyang, thank you for your hard work over the years."

Um! ?

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Ouyang Lun was stunned at first, and then became extremely alert.

"That old Zhu is not the emperor. If I have offended you in any way, just tell me directly. I can explain to you even if you want to kill me. But please don't do this. I'm getting nervous!" Ouyang Lun said hurriedly.

Forehead.
Seeing Ouyang Lun like this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned dark.

"Ouyang Lun, aren't you fearless? Why? Are you scared by what I said?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was also quite speechless. He really just wanted to thank Ouyang Lun. After all, he, Zhu Yuanzhang, was not a fool. If it weren't for Ouyang Lun in the past few years, the Ming Dynasty would definitely not have changed so much. Zhu Yuanzhang's original goal was to enable the people of the world to have enough food to eat and have their own fields to farm. To put it further, every household would have surplus food, and even if they encountered a major disaster, they would not starve, and there would be no such thing as selling daughters for survival or exchanging children for food.

All of this has now been achieved.

Even more than that, the people not only had enough food to eat, but also had their own fields and houses!
In today's Ming Dynasty, even if you have nothing, as long as you are not lazy, you can make your life better bit by bit!

Although Zhu Yuanzhang seldom went out incognito in these years, the Jinyiwei, as Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, constantly reported all the situations of the people in various parts of the Ming Dynasty to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang paid attention to the changes in the Ming Dynasty every year!

Of course, as he grew older, he began to worry more and more about what would happen after his death, and he was most worried about Ouyang Lun.

Ouyang Lun rolled his eyes immediately, "Old Zhu! Look at what you said. We have known each other for so many years, how could we not know what kind of personality you have?"

"Your thanking me like this is more frightening than scolding me. At this moment, I only have one thought in my mind, that is, Lao Zhu, do you think that the Ming Dynasty has developed well enough now? Our Ouyang Lun is no longer that important. That's fine. Well, anyway, you know what I mean."

Ouyang Lun was almost about to say the words "When the birds are all gone, the good bows are put away" and "When the don't work, kill the donkey."

However, even if Ouyang Lun didn't say it, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally understood what Ouyang Lun wanted to express.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry about Ouyang Lun's words.

Hasn’t Ouyang Lun said enough “treasonous” words over the years?
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry, he frightened Zhu Biao who was standing next to him. He was ready to plead for Ouyang Lun as soon as Zhu Yuanzhang started to blame him.

But what surprised Zhu Biao was that Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry at all.

Instead, he smiled slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang could also understand Ouyang Lun. From the founding of the Ming Dynasty to the present, most of the founding heroes, except those who died of natural causes or in battle, were killed by Zhu Yuanzhang. The reasons behind this were quite complicated.

There is no doubt that Zhu Yuanzhang believed that those founding heroes he killed were people who deserved to be killed!

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang also knew what people outside said about him. It was nothing more than saying that he killed meritorious officials. It was precisely because of this that all officials were very afraid of him. Every time they looked at him, there was fear in their eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a clear mind about all these.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not want to explain anything, because this was the effect he wanted. He wanted all civil and military officials to be afraid of him!
Only in this way would no one dare to challenge his throne.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude towards Ouyang Lun was different.

"Are you trying to say that I'm going to turn my back on you?"

"It seems that you have some self-awareness. You know what, I have actually thought about this before."

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "You, Ouyang Lun, have all the factors to become a powerful official. More importantly, you are still young. You are so young but have made so many contributions. The sum of your contributions has even exceeded that of the founding dukes!"

"If we really talk about your achievements, you can be made a duke, or even a king!"

"But if you are really given a title, then what will the court and the emperor use to confer a title on you after a few decades? It is a taboo for a minister to have no title!"

"Of course, if killing you could solve all the problems, we would have done it long ago."

Gulong——

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he drank a large bowl of wine.

"Good old Zhu, you really want to cross the river and destroy the bridge!"

Ouyang Lun didn't care about that and said directly.

"If we really want to cross the river and destroy the bridge, are you still here?" Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes, "I've already said that, that was before!"

"Now, my mind has changed!"

"Change of mind? Old Zhu, please tell me in detail. Just saying you changed your mind made me feel unsure at all!" Ouyang Lun asked hurriedly.

"Why do I feel like you're not afraid at all?" Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ouyang Lun. Now he had a strong feeling that perhaps he had underestimated Ouyang Lun. Even if he really wanted to get rid of this kid Ouyang Lun, he probably had already thought of a way out.

Forget it.

Since I have changed my mind, it is obviously not important whether this kid has any backup plan or escape route.

"I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. I've thought about this matter for you for a long time, and I only made up my mind recently."

"The fact that the Ming Dynasty can develop into what it is today is largely due to you, Ouyang Lun. We have to admit this. Even if we don't admit it, the people will recognize you, Ouyang Lun. If we really take action against you, the people will probably call me a tyrant!" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Old Zhu, are you afraid that others will say you are a tyrant? This shouldn't be the case!" Ouyang Lun was quite surprised and said, "You have killed many officials, many of whom are good officials in the eyes of the people. For example, how come you are afraid of Liu Bowen when he comes to me?"

"Tell me the truth, Lao Zhu. Is this just a way for you to appease me?"

"You told me all this today just to stabilize me. If I can be safe and sound, you will most likely let me go. If it's really useless, at most you will put me under house arrest. But if I make trouble, you will still deal with me. Even if you don't deal with me, you will let my brother-in-law, the emperor, deal with me!"

"Although what I'm saying now sounds like I have paranoia, it may not be untrue!"

"Since you've opened up to me, I can't hide my guesses."

Hearing Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched immediately, "It seems that you are just taking advantage of others!"

"Let's consider the long term. The Ming Dynasty has been developing at this point and cannot be stopped. If it really stops, there will inevitably be a serious setback, which will surely be a disaster for our Ming Dynasty."

"Although I don't want to admit it, I have to admit that if Ming wants to maintain its current pace of development and have a very good result, you, Ouyang Lun, are indispensable."

"If we kill you, who will take over everything you have done? Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, there is no second choice at all."

"No matter how smart a genius child is, even if he successfully completes college according to your plan, he is still not even a fraction as good as you, Ouyang Lun."

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"I've also figured it out. After all, you, Ouyang Lun, are the emperor's brother-in-law. We are a family. If you don't help your own family, who else can you help? The future Ming Dynasty does need a capable person."

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang just couldn't bear to part with Ouyang Lun.

During this period, Zhu Yuanzhang looked through the situations of previous dynasties, especially some biographies of powerful officials, such as Shang Yang of the Qin Dynasty, Huo Guang of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao of the late Han Dynasty, Zhuge Liang of Shu Han, Sima Yi of Wei, Zhangsun Wuji of the Tang Dynasty, etc. All of these people were extremely capable and had strong personalities.

Of course, these powerful officials had different fates and received mixed historical evaluations.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not find anyone similar to Ouyang Lun. You could say that Ouyang Lun was Shang Yang. He did have achievements in reform, but he also took the lead in breaking the rules. You could say that Ouyang Lun was Huo Guang. He had a party and liked to promote people close to him, but his desire for power was pitifully small. If Zhu Yuanzhang had not forced him, Ouyang Lun would have gone out to sea to become the owner of an island.

Cao Cao? Zhuge Liang? Sima Yi? Zhangsun Wuji?
They are all different.

He is as cunning as Cao Cao, but smarter than Cao Cao.

He has the wisdom of Zhuge Liang, but is much lazier than Zhuge Liang.

In short, Zhu Yuanzhang was becoming more and more confused about Ouyang Lun.

"Ouyang, you should work hard for the Ming Dynasty. We promise that you will not be in any danger!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang seemed very sincere when he said this, Ouyang Lun did not intend to take it seriously at all.

The emperor's words?

If you take it seriously, you will be close to death.

Especially Zhu Yuanzhang.

This old guy has a lot of bad intentions. It's like Zhu Yuanzhang gave many founding heroes a golden medal of immunity from death, which could exempt them from death penalty three times. But what happened? In the end, he took back these golden medals of immunity from death, and executed them after committing crimes. There was no ambiguity at all!

That golden medal of immunity from death is a joke.

When Zhu Yuanzhang made his promise to his founding heroes, he at least gave them a golden medal of immunity from death as proof. However, Ouyang Lun's promise to Ouyang Lun was completely based on words. Unless Ouyang Lun was a fool, he would choose to believe it!

Of course, it was not easy for Zhu Yuanzhang to say this at this time. At least he should not be attacked now, and Ouyang Lun could not expose it directly.

He nodded perfunctorily, "The Emperor is wise!"

Then Ouyang Lun turned to look at Zhu Biao, "Your Majesty, I see that you seem to want to talk. If you have anything to say, just say it directly."

Seeing Zhu Biao taking the initiative to ask, Zhu Biao no longer remained silent, but said: "Brother-in-law, Ming Dynasty is really lucky to have you, but I have been thinking about a question, that is, if... I just said if one day we are all gone, the development of Ming Dynasty lacks the guidance of brother-in-law, then can Ming Dynasty continue to move forward?"

"Will the Ming Dynasty change? Or even be replaced by a new dynasty?"

When Ouyang Lun heard Zhu Biao ask this question, he immediately understood.

This father and son came together today to test his thoughts!
"Your Majesty, I know what you mean. In the final analysis, you are still worried that my power is too great and the reforms are too successful. Are you afraid that I will become a powerful minister in the future?"

"Aren't you thinking too much?"

Ouyang Lun picked up a bowl and started drinking alone.

But Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao remained silent.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke first, "Ouyang, we have many sons. Besides Biao'er, do you have any other sons you like?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not dwell on the previous question directly, but chose to change the way of asking.

"The new feudal system now gives feudal lords everywhere the opportunity to do practical things, and they can also expand their own fiefdoms on their own!"

"The development of the vassal kings will only be faster in the future. Maybe in the future they will also have the ambition to conquer the Central Plains."

"What do you think about this matter?"

"Oh, by the way, we saw that many vassal kings sent people to give you gifts this year."

After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's last words, Ouyang Lun naturally knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had already known about his acceptance of gifts. However, this was also within his expectations. After all, the Jinyiwei under Zhu Yuanzhang were not there to do nothing. Besides, the Taile Palace where Zhu Yuanzhang lived was right next to the Zongrenfu. If there was any movement in the Zongrenfu, the Taile Palace would know it clearly!
Therefore, he never thought about hiding the secret from Zhu Yuanzhang. After all, even if he tried to hide it, he was not sure that he could succeed completely. If Zhu Yuanzhang found out in the end, something terrible would happen.

Perhaps, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao brought me here today just because of this matter.

It turns out that Zhu Yuanzhang was so wary of his princely sons.

Come to think of it, today's vassal kings are all developing rapidly, and even many of their fiefdoms are developing much faster than the imperial court. If these vassal kings rebel in the future and Ouyang Lun gives them advice, it will definitely be a disaster for the central court!
There is no doubt that Ouyang Lun has become the biggest change in the Ming Dynasty. (End of this chapter)