Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

As soon as Jian Mingxiao finished speaking, Sun Kewang, Liu Xiyao, and Helan fell silent. Since ancient times, the winner is the king and the loser is the enemy. If you lose on the battlefield, you will be deprived of the right to speak. Seeing that the three of them were silent, Jian Mingxiao took three ropes from the soldiers, gently stroked the ropes with his hands, and his face was very calm, as if he was stroking the old scars on the battlefield. In the surprised eyes of the three, he threw the ropes into their cell. Then, he slowly said: "We warriors should die on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide, that is tragic and heroic, and it is the glory of warriors. Now that you have been captured, you can no longer be allowed to return to the battlefield. In order to let you die decently, I specially prepared ropes. If you want to be loyal, you can hang yourself on the railing; if you don't want to, just sit and listen to me." After speaking, Jian Mingxiao sat on the chair, his eyes were deep, as if he could see through people's hearts.

Sun Kewang and Helan stared at the rope, as if they were thinking about something. There was both unwillingness and helplessness in their eyes. Liu Xiyao picked up the rope, his eyes were a little red. He was not originally Li Zicheng's direct troops. Earlier, he and Ma Shouying, He Yilong, He Jin, and Lin Yangcheng were in a group called the Five Battalions of the Left. At that time, they were very powerful. They were like a gust of wind, sweeping countless battlefields. But later they were trapped by Yang Sichang's ambush, and there were conflicts within the army. In addition, the court recruited them, so they temporarily stopped. When Yang Zhuoran was dismissed, the Five Battalions rose up again and joined forces with Zhang Xianzhong to fight in Huguang. When they heard that Li Zicheng defeated Sun Chuanting, they were so happy that they defected to Li Zicheng and fought for three years, crossing mountains and rivers, fighting bloody battles in many places, and they were loyal to the Dashun Dynasty. But now they are imprisoned here, and all the glory of the past is gone, and only a rope is left. Liu Xiyao sighed and threw the rope on the ground, thinking that dying on the battlefield was the destiny of a warrior, and this rope could not give him that kind of glory. He looked up at the sky, as if he could penetrate the walls of the cell and see the battlefield that once belonged to him.

Sun Kewang and Helan did not touch the rope, but looked at Jian Mingxiao quietly. There was awe and expectation in their eyes. Jian Mingxiao nodded slightly, and was quite satisfied with their attitude. "Everyone!" He said seriously, "Now I give you two choices: one is not to surrender, I will follow orders to escort you to the capital, and I will not be able to control your future affairs; the other is to surrender, I will write to the court, and as for how to deal with you, I don’t know." His voice was low and powerful, as if it could penetrate people's hearts. The three looked at each other and didn't speak. Jian Mingxiao's meaning of resettlement or disposal was very clear. Surrendering would not necessarily lead to pardon. They were all thinking about it in their hearts.

Liu Xiyao hesitated and asked, "General Qin, do you think the court will pardon us?" There was a hint of expectation and uneasiness in his voice. Jian Mingxiao shook his head and said, "I dare not say it before we surrender." There was a hint of helplessness in his eyes. The three of them fell into deep thought again, and they were all weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing that they were a little shaken, Jian Mingxiao stood up with his hands behind his back and said, "You don't think I'm a woman and surrendering to me would be an insult to you, do you?" "No, no!" The three of them shook their heads. Jian Mingxiao was a veteran who had served in four dynasties, with great military exploits and high prestige. Surrendering to him was actually an honorable thing. His figure looked particularly tall under the dim light, as if he was an insurmountable mountain.

Liu Xiyao took a deep breath and said, "I have only one wish. I have heard of General Qin's name for a long time. I hope to serve under the general after surrendering." His eyes were full of expectation and determination. Jian Mingxiao smiled and agreed, "I can ask your majesty about this matter." His smile was filled with a hint of relief and expectation. Liu Xiyao thought that Jian Mingxiao was now a high-ranking official in charge of four provinces, holding both military and political power. How could he not agree to his request? So he stood up, dusted off his body, and knelt down across the railing: "The guilty general Liu Xiyao is willing to surrender to the Ming Dynasty and swear allegiance to General Qin until death. I hope the general will forgive my previous mistakes." After saying this, he kowtowed several times, and his forehead hit the ground with a thumping sound, as if he was saying goodbye to the past.

Helan got anxious when he saw this. He pointed at Liu Xiyao and cursed: "You traitor! You said everything I was thinking!" There was a hint of anger and unwillingness in his voice. For a moment, the cell was so quiet that only Helan's voice could be heard. Except for him, everyone else was holding back their laughter. The jailer hiding in the dark couldn't help laughing. He had never seen such a weird surrender scene in his life. They all laughed in their hearts. This surrender scene was really more lively than a play.

Sun Kewang was also stunned. He thought Liu Xiyao and Helan were both tough guys, but he didn't expect them to surrender so quickly. Those who surrendered didn't feel ashamed, but those who hadn't surrendered felt embarrassed. There was both surprise and helplessness in his eyes, as if he was watching an absurd drama.

Jian Mingxiao ordered the release of Liu Xiyao and Helan, and the soldiers were a little hesitant. Jian Mingxiao glared and said, "They have all surrendered. I treat them as brothers. Why don't you open the door?" There was a hint of majesty and unquestionable in his voice. The soldiers hurried to unlock the door. They knew the temper of this old general and dared not neglect it. Liu Xiyao and Helan came out of the cell and bowed to Jian Mingxiao again. Their eyes were full of gratitude and awe.

Jian Mingxiao helped them up and turned to look at Sun Kewang: "If you are willing to surrender, I have a mission for you." His eyes revealed a hint of expectation and trust. Sun Kewang did not hesitate this time, and knelt down and bowed, saying: "General Qin, please accept my bow!" There was a hint of firmness and determination in his voice.

All three surrendered, and Jian Mingxiao felt a little relieved. In the past, he might have killed them directly to set an example, but now the situation is different. Lin Xiaofeng had warned him that there was trouble in Yunnan. If the Sichuan Army went on an expedition, Sichuan would be empty. In case of a rebellion, they would have to send troops back to support. It is rare to find talented generals. These three people are experienced and can just solve the urgent needs of the Sichuan Army generals. He looked at these three people and seemed to see hope for the future.

Jian Mingxiao helped Sun Kewang up and told him, "Go to Yunmeng County to find Li Dingguo. He is helping the people to farm there." His eyes were full of expectation and trust, as if he was entrusting him with an important task. Sun Kewang nodded. He knew the importance of this task and his responsibility. He turned and left, his back looking particularly determined under the dim light.

In mid-September, the autumn wind was refreshing and the wheat waves were rolling. Sun Kewang rushed to Li Dingguo, exhausted and speechless with surprise. He saw the thousands of elite soldiers under Li Dingguo, busy helping the people to plow the fields. Just as General Jian Mingxiao said, it was a busy and harmonious scene. The wheat seeds were piled up and sown in the soil, just like sowing the hope of a new life for the Ming Dynasty, waiting for them to sprout and grow taller. In the distance, the cavalry who were exploring the way had already told Li Dingguo the news of Sun Kewang's arrival. Li Dingguo came out to greet him in person, dressed in military uniform and heroic.

"Brother, why are you here?" Li Dingguo asked, with a bit of confusion and surprise in his eyes.

"I..." Sun Kewang was speechless for a moment. He looked around at the busy soldiers and civilians, as if he saw the peace of another world. He turned and asked, "Did you receive General Qin's letter?"

"Got it." Li Dingguo replied with a slight frown. He had already guessed in his heart that Sun Kewang had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, and there was a subtle hint of complex emotions in his tone.

Sun Kewang no longer hid his true feelings and said directly: "Brother, I have surrendered to General Qin." His voice was low, as if carrying a hint of helplessness and relief.

"Why? Could it be that... Zhang... King of Daxi has also begun to suspect you?" When Li Dingguo mentioned Zhang Xianzhong, he changed the way he addressed him several times. After all, thinking of his father's kindness in raising him, he did not say anything unpleasant, but his tone revealed a bit of concern and confusion.

"Not yet, but it will be soon." Sun Kewang sighed, his eyes flashing with fatigue and helplessness. "Wang Zhaolin is like a mad dog, flattering in front and biting in the back. I am afraid of following in your footsteps and being driven out by the Dashi Army. Besides, this war is endless, when will it end?"

"What official position did the Ming Dynasty give you?" Li Dingguo asked, with a somewhat indifferent tone, as if he did not care about the answer to this question.

"It hasn't been decided yet." Sun Kewang shook his head, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion and uncertainty.

"Then how many soldiers did you bring?" Li Dingguo asked again, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"Just five people," Sun Kewang pointed to the five followers around him, "that's them." There was a hint of bitter smile and self-mockery in his tone.

Li Dingguo was stunned when he heard this. He stared at Sun Kewang for a while, as if he wanted to see through his heart. Then he slowly said, "Brother, how did you end up like this? The Ming Dynasty treated you so badly, and you surrendered to them?" His tone was filled with confusion and regret.

Sun Kewang shook his head: "As a defeated general, I am convinced. Although the Ming Dynasty treated me badly, General Qin is a rare wise leader, and I am willing to serve him." His eyes revealed firmness and determination.

"Where is the King of the Great West now?" Li Dingguo finally asked this question, with a bit of urgency and concern in his tone.

"He escaped to the mountains and forests." Sun Kewang replied, with a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Li Dingguo nodded and said nothing more. He knew Sun Kewang's difficulties and it was difficult for him to persuade him. He just thought about how to go in the future.

"Brother, are you here this time to persuade me to surrender?" Li Dingguo asked, his eyes sharp and firm.

"Yes," Sun Kewang replied, "General Qin said that you are kind by nature and should not do bad things anymore." There was some sincerity and admonition in his tone.

"A bad thing? How can it be a bad thing if I raise an army to resist?" Li Dingguo asked back, with a bit of unwillingness and stubbornness in his eyes.

"In the past, the imperial court had harsh policies and heavy taxes, so it was a just act for us to rise up in rebellion. But now the imperial court has reduced taxes, and it would be wrong to rise up in rebellion again." Sun Kewang advised, his tone filled with a bit of earnestness and helplessness.

"Stop fighting and give the people a chance to live!" he continued, with a hint of pleading and expectation in his eyes.

Li Dingguo looked up at the sky. The morning light penetrated the mist like a sharp sword, sprinkled on the earth, and brought a touch of warmth. In the fields, the people and soldiers worked together, and their sweat and laughter intertwined and fell on the fertile land. In the thatched cottages in the distance, curls of smoke rose, and the aroma of food drifted with the wind. If there were no war, this place would be a pure land, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Although they were not rich, they were not hungry.

Li Dingguo looked at this scene with mixed feelings. After asking himself, he asked Sun Kewang: "After I surrender, what will General Qin do with me?" His tone was a bit confused and uncertain.

"There are two choices," Sun Kewang replied, "One is to stay and serve General Qin; the other is to go north to the grasslands to fight against the Mongolian invaders." His eyes revealed a bit of expectation and encouragement.

"The Mongols have invaded the border many times this spring, and the court has reached the limit of its tolerance." Li Dingguo pondered, his eyes flashing with anger and determination.

"The people of the Ming Dynasty are suffering, with powerful enemies invading from outside and rebel forces fighting each other inside. Apart from the imperial court, who else can speak for the people?" Sun Kewang continued to persuade, his tone filled with earnestness and expectation.

Li Dingguo stood still, pondered for a moment and finally made up his mind. With food and grass running out and no hope of reinforcements, he had only two choices: surrender or plunder. But he didn't want to plunder, and the soldiers also wanted to become a member of the government army. Under internal and external pressure, Li Dingguo decided to surrender. He knelt three times in the direction of Zhang Xianzhong's escape: "First bow to thank my adoptive father for saving my life; second bow to thank my adoptive father for raising me for fifteen years; third bow to bid farewell to my adoptive father, I will leave here and go north to kill the enemy." His voice was low and firm, as if he was saying goodbye to the past and swearing an oath to the future.

"Take care, foster father!" After saying this, Li Dingguo stood up, his eyes flashing with determination and firmness. He knew that after this bow, he would embark on a brand new road, an unknown but hopeful road.

A few days later, Li Dingguo led his troops to surrender to Jian Mingxiao. They wore neat uniforms, held shining swords and guns, and marched in neat rows on the road to the military camp. People along the way stopped to watch and talked about it. Some people marveled at their bravery and fighting skills, while others expressed confusion and regret for their surrender. But in any case, this once powerful rebel army has now become the official army of the Ming Dynasty.

At the end of September, the good news reached the capital. Lin Xiaofeng was reviewing the list of candidates admitted in the autumn examination. Since the Southern Zhili province was the last to announce the results due to the boycott of the examination, he was very happy when he saw the names of Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu. These three were all outstanding thinkers in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and all of them had passed the examination (Wang Fuzhi had passed the examination when Lin Xiaofeng was fifteen years old).

Lin Xiaofeng was thinking about how to employ people when he suddenly heard Guo Tianyang come to report: "Your Majesty, there is good news from Chengtian Prefecture!" There was a hint of eagerness and excitement in his voice.

"Read it to me." Lin Xiaofeng put down the pen in his hand and sat up straight, with a hint of anticipation and sharpness in his eyes.

"General Jian Mingxiao defeated the main force of the bandit Zhang Xianzhong in Chengtian Prefecture and almost wiped them out. Only two thousand remnants escaped into the mountains. Li Zicheng also lost more than half of his troops and fled to the north. General Jian Mingxiao is leading his troops in pursuit. And captured the bandit generals Liu Xiyao, He Jin and Sun Kewang." Guo Tianyang read out the victory report in one breath, his voice filled with excitement and joy.

"Good!" Lin Xiaofeng almost jumped up, "General Qin is truly a great hero, he should be rewarded generously!" His voice was filled with pride and emotion. This battle caused the Ming army to switch from defense to offense. Although it was only a change of two words, it was actually a world of difference. When the news reached the capital, the people cheered and went to the Martyrs' Shrine to comfort the dead.

"Your Majesty, there are letters." Guo Tianyang took out a letter and handed it to Lin Xiaofeng. There was a bit of mystery and expectation in his eyes.

Lin Xiaofeng opened the envelope, took out the letter and unfolded it. There was only one sentence in the letter: Li Dingguo has surrendered. His eyes flickered with a complex light, with joy, emotion, and a little worry. He knew that this war that lasted for several years was finally coming to an end, but the road ahead was still very long.

"Write a reply to General Qin," Lin Xiaofeng said after pondering for a moment, "If Liu Xiyao, Helan, Sun Kewang and others can be used, then use them. If you don't want to use them, just deal with them yourself. I won't interfere. But be on guard against them rebelling again." There was a calm and decisive tone in his voice.

"In addition, we will allocate 500,000 taels of silver borrowed from the King of Shu to reward the three armies." Lin Xiaofeng continued, "The soldiers have worked hard in this battle, and we must let them feel the care and grace of the court."

"As for Li Dingguo's trip to the north, we can delay it for a while," Lin Xiaofeng said at last. "Let him gain some experience under General Qin's command first. It won't be too late to let him go north to kill the enemy when the time is right." His eyes flashed with a deep and wise light, as if he had already seen the future victory and hope.

The storm
Zhang Xianzhong was like a cunning fox, hiding in the rolling, misty mountains, and Li Zicheng was like a defeated tiger, fleeing back to his old nest in Guanzhong. The Ming Dynasty, this ancient empire, seemed much calmer on the surface, as if everything had returned to peace after a storm. However, Lin Xiaofeng, the young emperor, knew clearly that this was only a temporary peace and that he must not relax his vigilance at all. He knew that once he relaxed, the enemies would take the opportunity to attack like hungry wolves, and disaster would be imminent.

Lin Xiaofeng stood in front of the window of the Qianqing Palace, looking at the peaceful palace outside the window, but his heart was in turmoil. He counted on his fingers and muttered to himself about the potential enemies: "The first is Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, the two thieves, they are like two sharp knives, always hanging on the neck of the Ming Dynasty. Then there are those bandits, they are like locusts, causing chaos everywhere. Not to mention those corrupt officials, gentry and landlords, they are like termites, corroding the body of the Ming Dynasty from the inside."

At this point, he suddenly remembered a thorny matter - the prince issue! This issue was like a huge rock, weighing on his heart. He quickly called Guo Tianyang, the loyal but somewhat slow guard. "Send the order down, and ask the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Revenue to come to the Qianqing Palace to see me. Also, ask Cheng Qinghua to bring the list of the royal family." Lin Xiaofeng's tone was filled with an unquestionable firmness.

Lin Xiaofeng had long wanted to sort out the affairs of the vassal kings. These vassal kings, like blood-sucking leeches, parasitized on the body of the Ming Dynasty and sucked the blood of the empire. They were extremely rich, especially the King of Fu and the King of Shu, whose wealth could even rival that of the country. However, such wealthy princes were a minority after all, and most of the royal family were actually quite poor. They were like fallen leaves, scattered in every corner of the empire.

Although there are many members of the imperial clan, not many of them can actually receive salaries. The Jade Book, a book that records the population of the imperial clan, is like the lifeblood of the imperial clan. If you want to receive money, you must first report to the court and verify it before you can register and receive it. However, from the eighth year of Jiajing to the Wanli period, the number of people on the Jade Book increased, but not many actually received money. After Tianqi, the specific number is even more difficult to test, but it is estimated that the total number will not exceed 300,000. The annual salary consumed by these hundreds of thousands of people is 5 to 6 million taels of silver, and this is still the number "optimized" by the court.

There were also many capable people among the civil officials. Like wise craftsmen, they thought of many ways to change the Zonglu system. At the beginning, it was 70% in kind and 30% in banknotes. Later, it was changed again and again. In the Wanli period, it was unified to 20% in kind and 80% in banknotes. But this banknote was not silver or copper coins, but Ming Baochao. It was still usable at the beginning, but later it was almost like waste paper.

In addition to the clan salary, the clan also had various expenses, such as the prince's wedding, travel expenses to the fiefdom, repairing the city, building the palace, sacrifices, etc. Take Prince Fu for example, his wedding cost 300,000 taels of silver, building the palace cost another 500,000 taels, and he was given 40,000 hectares of fiefdom (later reduced to 20,000 hectares), and Henan, Shandong, Huguang and other places had to help him share. The land that had owners had to be bought by the court and given to him, plus the bricklayers, musicians, livestock farmers, butchers, and ceremonial guards in the palace, all of which were not small expenses.

However, the royal family did not live entirely on clan salary, because sometimes it would be in arrears, and not much was distributed to each person. The real reason why they were rich was because of privilege. This has been the case in all dynasties, and the simplest way was to do business. Although Emperor Taizu strictly prohibited the royal family from doing business, in the middle and late periods, many royal family members secretly got involved in the business world, and they had a share in the profitable business of salt, tea, wine, and fur. Prince Fu once wrote a letter to ask for the monopoly of 3,000 yin of Huai salt, and Emperor Wanli still doted on him. Not only did he not prohibit it, but he acquiesced. He was really stupid.

What's worse, the royal family members colluded with local officials to set up checkpoints to collect taxes, calling it "local tariffs", which was actually squeezing the people and damaging national interests. Lin Xiaofeng absolutely couldn't stand this! He knew very well that if the problem of the vassal kings was not rectified, the Ming Dynasty would sooner or later be sucked dry by these blood-sucking leeches. Not long after, Cheng Qinghua and Shao Shihan arrived, both of them in a hurry. It was already the end of September, Cheng Qinghua was still busy with the spring examination, and Shao Shihan was raising food and grass at the border. After they saluted, Guo Tianyang first asked Cheng Qinghua: "Minister Fan, did you bring your jade book?" Cheng Qinghua smiled and shook his head: "The jade book is too heavy, I didn't bring it. But I have written down the number of people." Guo Tianyang was stunned when he heard it, and just when he was about to blame him, Cheng Qinghua explained first. He explained in detail the content of the jade book and the number of people he recorded, and how to ensure the accuracy of these data. Guo Tianyang was speechless when he heard this, and could only stare at him with wide eyes. In fact, Lin Xiaofeng only wanted the data, not the jade book itself, so Guo Tianyang's question was unnecessary.

However, Cheng Qinghua did not do this intentionally to stir up trouble. He wanted to take this opportunity to make Guo Tianyang look bad in front of Lin Xiaofeng so that he would change his candidate. But Lin Xiaofeng knew that Guo Tianyang was loyal and his ability was not good enough, so he did not change him. He waved his hand and asked Guo Tianyang to leave, and he discussed business with the two ministers.

"Minister Fan, how many members of the royal family are there now?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with a hint of majesty and expectation in his voice.

"Your Majesty, there are more than 274,000 people on the imperial edict list," Cheng Qinghua replied, his voice clear and firm, as if every word was carefully considered. He knew the importance of this issue, and also understood how much Lin Xiaofeng cared about the vassal king issue.

Lin Xiaofeng's heart sank when he heard this number. More than 274,000 people, what a huge number! They were like heavy burdens, weighing on the shoulders of the Ming Dynasty, making this ancient empire stumble. He had to find a way to solve this problem, otherwise the Ming Dynasty would be dragged down by these burdens sooner or later.

He looked at the sky outside the window, with endless thoughts surging in his heart. He knew that rectifying the problem of the vassal kings was not an easy task and that he would have to face many difficulties and obstacles. But he also understood that this was his mission and responsibility as an emperor. He had to face this problem bravely and fight for the future of the Ming Dynasty.

The changing situation and the political dilemma
"How many people are there?" Lin Xiaofeng asked casually, but his eyes revealed a deep light, as if he could see through everything. He knew the answer to this question clearly, but he just wanted to hear how Cheng Qinghua would answer.

The Ming dynasty had been plagued by problems for a long time. From the government offices to the local governments, the numbers on the books and the actual numbers were two completely different things. Cheng Qinghua respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, it's actually not that many. Based on the salaries of the royal family members last year and this year, there are probably only about 200,000 people."

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, and was satisfied with Cheng Qinghua's answer. The 270,000 written in the booklet must have been false, and some members of the royal family were killed by bandits. After subtracting it, the number of 200,000 is quite reasonable.

"Your Majesty, what are you going to do?" Lin Xiaofeng remained silent. Shao Shihan quickly stepped forward and asked softly. Shihan was the Minister of Revenue, and was very sensitive to numbers and money bags. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng summoned them both, most likely because of the princes' unearned gains. No matter what others think, Shihan agrees with it. Spending six million taels of silver every year is not a small amount! Think about it, during the Wanli period, the battle in Ningxia only cost two million, the battle against the Eastern Japanese cost more than seven million, and the battle of Bozhou cost another three million. If we can save these six million, how many battles can the Ming Dynasty fight!
Lin Xiaofeng pretended to be indifferent and said to the two people: "The situation of the vassal kings is getting worse and worse. Not only are the people in the fiefdoms suffering, but the tax revenue of the court is also wasted." There was a hint of helplessness and worry in his tone, and it was obvious that he had thought deeply about this issue. "As the king of a country, I have to find a way to reconcile the relationship between the vassal kings and the people."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Shi Han flattered him hastily, wanting to reassure Lin Xiaofeng first, lest he regret it. As for Cheng Qinghua, he was the second in command of the cabinet, so he didn't rush to follow suit, but first figured out what Lin Xiaofeng meant. After all, he hadn't taken the top job yet, so he had to be careful not to go against Lin Xiaofeng. When he was at the helm one day, he would support when he should, and oppose when he should. This was the principle of "doing his job well".

Seeing that Lin Xiaofeng looked okay, Qinghua spoke: "Your Majesty, the princes and royal family are all descendants of Taizu. If Your Majesty wants to solve their problems, you must first understand the people's sentiments." There was a hint of caution and tentativeness in his tone, and it was obvious that he did not want to express his opinion easily on this issue.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a deep light: "I heard that the common people were tormented badly by the princes, I don't know whether it's true or not." There was a hint of ridicule and teasing in his tone, as if he was testing the reactions of the two.

When Qinghua and Shi Han heard this, they both lowered their heads and kept silent. How to answer this? The prince's surname is Zhu. In a big way, it is a conflict between the court and the prince, and in a small way, it is an internal matter of the royal family. If they take over the conversation, they will have to share the responsibility with Lin Xiaofeng, which is a thankless job. If they do it well, they will offend the prince and local gentry, and if they do it badly, the emperor will be unhappy. So, both of them chose to keep silent.

Seeing their attitude, Lin Xiaofeng felt a little helpless. He regretted not asking Miao Yikui to come along, at least it would be more lively. Seeing that the two were silent, Lin Xiaofeng asked, "My dear ministers, do you have any good ideas?" His tone was full of expectation and urgency, and he obviously hoped that the two could give some constructive suggestions.

Qinghua and Shi Han bowed in unison and said, "Your Majesty, the affairs of the princes and royal families are internal affairs of the royal family. We are not in a position to interfere." There was a hint of helplessness and caution in their tone, and it was obvious that they did not want to express their views easily on this issue.

When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, his face darkened: "I called you here, not to ask you to do it yourself, but to ask you to give me some advice!" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and blame in his tone, and he was obviously disappointed with the attitude of the two.

The two of them still kept their heads down and said nothing. At this time, the more they spoke, the more mistakes they made. Only by speaking less could they stay safe. Lin Xiaofeng got angry, stood up, put his hands behind his back and said, "As ministers of the Ming Dynasty, you should help me solve my problems. Aren't you harming the country and the emperor by making excuses like this?" There was a hint of anger and dissatisfaction in his tone, and he was obviously extremely disappointed with the attitudes of the two.

After saying this, he felt that his words were too harsh. After all, the ministers of the six ministries were the backbone of the country, and he should not use a threatening tone. So he softened his tone: "The affairs of the six ministries all depend on you. I don't want you to take risks. But you have to give me some ideas, and I will send people to implement them." There was a hint of helplessness and compromise in his tone, and he had obviously given up the idea of ​​letting the two men do it themselves.

After hearing this, Qinghua and Shihan felt relieved. Qinghua spoke first: "Your Majesty, there was actually a countermeasure during the Wanli period, but no one implemented it." There was a hint of caution and tentativeness in his tone, and it was obvious that he did not want to express his position easily on this issue.

"Oh?" Lin Xiaofeng became interested. "What countermeasures? Who proposed it?" His eyes revealed a gleam of curiosity and expectation, and he was obviously very interested in this question.

"It was Xu Guangqi, the then Imperial Academy Reviewer, who later became the Minister of Rites, Wenyuan Pavilion Grand Secretary, and Cabinet Vice Minister." Qinghua answered respectfully. Qinghua and Guangqi were of the same generation, but unfortunately Guangqi had passed away six years ago. Speaking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"Let's discuss this later." Lin Xiaofeng turned to Guo Tianyang and said, "Please give your two dear ministers a seat." There was a hint of gentleness and concern in his tone, and it was obvious that he had given up the idea of ​​pursuing the issue any further.

Qinghua and Shi Han thanked him and sat down. Qinghua then said, "Lord Xu Guangqi is mainly concerned with the salaries and land issues of the princes." There was a hint of seriousness and earnestness in his tone, and it was obvious that he attached great importance to this issue.

"There are three types of land properties for princes in our dynasty: one is granted land, which only has the right to use but cannot be bought or sold, and can only be rented out; one is purchased by the princes themselves, which naturally belongs to them; and the other is called maintenance land, such as the land granted by Emperor Shenzong to Prince Fu, Prince Jing, and Prince Lu. The ownership of these lands..." Having said this, Qinghua paused and looked at Shi Han, "Minister Fang, you should talk about the matter of maintenance land." There was a hint of humility and respect in his tone, and he obviously wanted Shi Han to supplement this question.

Although Shi Han was reluctant, he still spoke: "In the early years of Hongwu, the people of Henan were busy reclaiming wasteland. These lands had never been bought and sold, so there were no official deeds, and the court called them 'white land.' When the Yellow River flooded, the river course was changed, and the land became barren. When the people reclaimed it again, it became white land again. It's not only in Henan, but also in the whole country. The ownership of these lands belongs neither to the people nor to the local government, but actually to Your Majesty and the court. As the white land increased, the local government felt that they could not leave it alone without collecting taxes, so they began to collect land rent. The maintenance land of Prince Fu, Prince Jing, and Prince Lu was actually the land rent that should have belonged to the court transferred to them." There was a hint of helplessness and indignation in Shi Han's tone, and it was obvious that he was very dissatisfied with this issue.

After Shi Han finished speaking, he looked at Qinghua. Qinghua continued, "Master Guangqi's idea is to change the fiefdom into land. That is, the court will pay the princes to buy land as their permanent property. After the land is given, the court will no longer give fiefdoms to the princes' descendants, because they have land to support themselves. In this way, the princes can dispose of these lands at will." There was a hint of expectation and longing in his tone, and it was obvious that he agreed with this countermeasure very much.

After listening to the two's explanation, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He understood that this issue involved not only money and land, but also the foundation and stability of the Ming Dynasty. He must handle it carefully and not let this issue become a hidden danger that will shake the Ming Dynasty. After thinking for a moment, he said to the two: "This countermeasure is indeed worth considering. When you go back, study it in detail to see if it is feasible. If it is feasible, draft a memorial and submit it." There was a hint of firmness and determination in his tone, and it was obvious that he was ready to deal with this issue.

When Lin Xiaofeng heard Cheng Qinghua's suggestion, he felt a wave of dissatisfaction towards Xu Guangqi's method. His dissatisfaction was like the drizzle in early spring, not violent but continuous. He frowned slightly, his eyes revealed a bit of worry, and his thoughts were like fallen leaves blown by the wind, drifting unsteadily.

He thought, if it was true as Xu Guangqi said, that the land was given to the princes, but their royal family salaries were cut off, wouldn't this invisibly sever the blood relationship between the princes and the emperor? Wouldn't the majesty and control of the court be weakened? If a few princes with ill intentions united, the great ship of the Ming Dynasty would probably experience another storm.

Furthermore, although the reduction of the power of the vassal kings is imperative, it cannot be done too hastily, and the vassal kings cannot be overthrown and all their privileges cannot be deprived. Otherwise, how can the military generals not feel resentful? They rely on the protection of these nobles to gain a foothold in the court. In their minds, the status of the nobles is not comparable to that of the vassal kings? If the vassal kings are reduced today, the nobles may be the turn tomorrow. By then, will the military generals still be loyal and swear allegiance to them until death? This is obviously a thorny issue.

However, how can the feudal lords be reduced if the land is not distributed? The annual salary given to the feudal lords consumes the silver of the national treasury like water. The huge amount of six million taels accounts for almost one-third of the national treasury. This burden makes Lin Xiaofeng breathless. He must find a way to reduce the feudal lords and reduce the burden on the national treasury.

Lin Xiaofeng sat on the dragon chair, looking a little tired. He tapped the armrests with his hands while pondering this question over and over in his mind. Cheng Qinghua and Shao Shihan stood by, also with worried faces. They were both troubled by this question. Three days seemed to pass in a flash, but also very long, because they still hadn't found a satisfactory answer. Lin Xiaofeng was anxious, and Cheng Qinghua was even more anxious like an ant on a hot pot. The affairs of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works were complicated and they were very busy every day. The government affairs piled up like a mountain. If they continued like this, they would probably be impeached and their reputations would be ruined.

On the third night, the flickering candlelight in the Qianqing Palace illuminated Cheng Qinghua's slightly haggard face. He finally couldn't help it and decided to confess his true feelings to Lin Xiaofeng: "Your Majesty, I have an idea." When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He knew that Cheng Qinghua was going to tell his true thoughts, and those perfunctory words before were just to avoid trouble.

"Fan Qing, have a cup of tea first and talk slowly. I'm not in a hurry." Lin Xiaofeng said with a smile, but the eagerness in his eyes was like a burning flame that could not be concealed.

Cheng Qinghua had no mood to drink tea. He just told his plan: "We can't rush to reduce the power of the feudal lords. We have to do it slowly. It will take ten to eight years."

"Oh?" Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but become interested when he heard that this plan was quite long-term.

"I divided these ten years into two phases. The first five years were mainly about investigation, and the last five years were about cutting down." Cheng Qinghua continued. Although his voice was steady, the firmness contained in it could not be ignored.

"How do we do it specifically?" Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand, signaling Guo Tianyang to step back and not disturb their thoughts.

There were only two of them left in the Qianqing Palace, so Cheng Qinghua said boldly: "The first five years will be divided into two steps, openly and secretly. Openly check their fields to see if there are any cases of encroaching on people's land or evading taxes; secretly, send Jinyiwei to check their treasury to see how much money they have." Lin Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes and asked: "Why check the money and grain?"

Cheng Qinghua said seriously, "To prevent them from rebellion. The army is a major issue for the country, it is related to life and death, we must guard against it. If the princes have ill intentions, they will definitely hoard money and food first."

"What's next?" Lin Xiaofeng personally poured a cup of tea for Cheng Qinghua as a reward.

Cheng Qinghua thanked him but didn't drink. He continued, "The Jinyiwei's mission is not over yet. We still have to investigate the relationship between the gentry, powerful people and the princes. If the princes really raise an army, these people will not only provide them with money and food, but also soldiers."

"I understand. We need to plan ahead and leave them with no way out." Lin Xiaofeng nodded, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

"Fan Qing, what you said makes me feel so comfortable." Lin Xiaofeng said happily, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

Cheng Qinghua sighed and said, "I am just telling the truth. I don't mean anything else." There was a hint of helplessness and fatigue in his tone. It was obvious that the hard work of the past few days had made him feel a little overwhelmed.

Lin Xiaofeng didn't take it seriously and continued to ask, "What about the next five years?" There was a hint of anticipation and eagerness in his tone.

"In the next five years it will be time to start cutting down the power. First, summon the guilty princes to the capital in the name of sacrifice, then investigate and punish them strictly and make them return the land and pay the taxes." Cheng Qinghua said. Although his voice was steady, the majesty contained in it could not be ignored.

"What if they rebel?" Lin Xiaofeng asked again, his eyes revealing a bit of worry.

Cheng Qinghua smiled when he heard this: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have already thought of a countermeasure. If there is really a rebellion by the vassal kings, we will send a large army to quell the rebellion and bring peace to the world!" His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Lin Xiaofeng stood up and walked a few steps, looking at the dark night sky outside the window, his eyes revealing a bit of firmness and determination: "If there is a rebellion, I will personally lead the troops to quell the rebellion and bring peace to the world!" His voice was like thunder, echoing in the Qianqing Palace.

Cheng Qinghua felt relieved when he heard this. He bowed again and said, "Your Majesty is wise. We will start to derogate titles in the next five years. Summon those princes to the capital, and those who are guilty will have their titles stripped, their lands taken away, and they will be required to pay back taxes. There may be rebellions during this period. If everything goes well, the number of royal family members will continue to be reduced. The eldest son of the crown prince will still be a prince, but the other sons will have to be demoted until the fourth generation. As for the other descendants, their titles will be downgraded step by step, and finally they will become ordinary people." There was a sense of ease and relief in his tone, as if he had already seen the future prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.

"What about the existing vassal kings?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, with a bit of concern and worry in his tone.

Cheng Qinghua thought for a while and said, "Except for those princes who were personally appointed by Emperor Taizu and are allowed to inherit the throne, all others will follow this rule, up to the fourth generation." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was ready to face all difficulties.

"What about Zong Lu?" Lin Xiaofeng asked another key question. He knew that if this problem was not handled properly, it would likely cause a bigger disturbance.

"What I mean is that we only give money and grain but not land." Cheng Qinghua said, with a bit of helplessness and compromise in his tone. He also knew that this decision might cause dissatisfaction and opposition from some people, but for the future of Ming Dynasty, he had to do it.

Lin Xiaofeng interrupted him and said, "Wouldn't this increase Zonglu's expenses?" His tone was filled with dissatisfaction and doubt. He knew that this decision required more consideration and weighing. (End of this chapter)