King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the motion and request to retire and return home."

In an instant, one after another, court officials stood up and waved their flags and cheered in support, directly staging a drama in which the ministers huddled together for warmth and collectively resigned.

This situation is the first time in history.

In one day, a grand court meeting was held twice in a row, with ministers huddling together for warmth and kneeling to make remonstrations.

Seeing the scene and hearing the voices and words, Zhu Gaoxu seemed to have expected it, and his expression did not show the slightest emotion fluctuation.

Collective resignation is a collective skill of civil officials since ancient times. It is also the last resort and ability of these individuals, and the only capital to confront and fight against the imperial power.

After all, although the whole world seems to belong to the emperor, it is impossible for the emperor to do everything personally, nor is it possible for him to manage such a large territory alone. It is simply impossible for him to handle it all.

It is bound to require these ministers who kneel down and give advice to govern the people and the world for the emperor.

It is precisely because of this that the ministers knelt down and requested to resign. This kind of mutual support could become the capital for the civil officials to check and balance the imperial power and to confront and fight against the imperial power. Of course, it is also because of this that it could become the confidence for the civil officials.

Because the civil officials understand it better than anyone else.

The emperor and imperial power need them, not they need the emperor and imperial power. The relationship between the two is mutually beneficial, not that one is necessarily greater than the other.

At the same time, they were not afraid at all that the emperor or the imperial power would really do anything to these individuals. They also expected that the emperor or the imperial power would not really drive them all away. Because if those who knew how to govern the country were really driven away or ran away, who would govern the world for the emperor? At that time, without these civil officials to help govern the world, the world would surely be in chaos.

Compared to Zhu Gaoxu's calmness and indifference, the crown prince standing aside had a sullen face at this moment, and his expression was almost gloomy to the extreme. His eyes stared coldly at the so-called loyal ministers who huddled together for warmth and were stubborn.

The series of events that happened today made him deeply realize and feel that the shameless faces of these individuals really made Zhu Gaochi sick. At the same time, he was extremely disappointed with these people.

First, you can't tell right from wrong.

The court's statutes and laws were regarded as meaningless, and even cases with solid evidence were tried to be torn open and the conclusions overturned.

This was followed by questioning and opposition to the court's later governance, its crackdown on untrue practices, and its policy of breaking the habit of not distinguishing right from wrong.

This shows what?
Are these individuals really doing this for the imperial court, for the Ming Dynasty and its people?
In the past, when Zhu Gaochi heard these people shouting high-sounding words about benevolence, righteousness, morality, Confucian teachings, and good policies for governing the country, he might have thought that these people were capable and could be considered his loyal ministers.

But looking at what happened today, the prince is naturally not a fool, and he sees it more clearly than anyone else.

These individuals
Deep down, I have never really cared about things like so-called benevolence, righteousness, morality, or the Confucian teachings.

To put it bluntly, those high-sounding pretexts and banners they used in the past were just banners they used to protect their own interests, or to restrain and check the imperial power and the emperor's behavior.

Once their interests are affected and their pain points are touched, they will raise such banners and flags as the current ones.

The two things that happened today are the best proof.

It can be said to be.
The four words "double standard, disgusting" are interpreted so vividly that people are completely speechless, or it can be said that it is truly "astonishing".

Seeing the current situation and facing what was happening, the prince, who had been standing by like a spectator, could no longer sit still. He stood up from his chair, looking furious, and shouted:

"Bastard thing."

"What exactly do you want to do?"

"You guys have been doing this over and over again, constantly obstructing us."

"Ask yourselves, what are you thinking?"

"Is this how you, the so-called right-hand men, should behave?"

"Or"

"The so-called right-hand minister, or the premise of becoming a right-hand minister, is to guarantee your interests. If the court touches and affects your interests, then you will no longer be a right-hand minister, but a traitor who will bring disaster to the court!"

"Can you explain to me why this is happening?"

This statement is not harsh enough.

The series of harsh questions shocked the ministers who were kneeling and protesting against Zhu Gaochi, and they turned pale and had no idea how to answer his questions.

It’s not that they don’t want to, but they don’t dare to give a real answer.

How can I answer this question?
What is the reason for them to do this?
In fact, in a sense, the real reason and cause were directly pointed out to them in Zhu Gaochi's question just now, or in other words, the fig leaf they had covered their faces was directly torn off.

That's exactly what it is.
Even though it was pointed out, even though it was said directly and without any hesitation.

But saying it out loud is one thing. The problem is that even after saying it out loud, these individuals dare not admit it, because once they admit it, this issue or this matter will become a big deal.

No, no, no. It should be said that it is not just a big deal, but the current situation is definitely seeking death.

to this end.

When facing Zhu Gaochi's harsh questioning, all the ministers could do was to remain silent. They had no idea how to face Zhu Gaochi.

Because just as Zhu Gaochi questioned them, what they did had nothing to do with the Confucian teachings or what was recorded in the books on state governance in recent years. They were purely for their own interests and rights.

Seeing that no one answered, Zhu Gaochi half-closed his eyes and coldly glanced at everyone in the field. When the kneeling ministers felt the gazes falling on them, they all lowered their heads subconsciously.

Feeling the atmosphere in the field, Zhu Gaochi's mood at this moment was extremely complicated. At the same time, what happened today almost made him completely give up on these ministers of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

At the same time, it also made him determined to promote the new theory as quickly as possible together with Zhu Gaoxu.

Because there is competition, there is pressure. With pressure, it is no longer a single or indispensable situation. Then these ministers will never dare to be so fearless and do such things as collectively resigning and forcing the emperor to abdicate.

Then the result will definitely not be as difficult as it is now. The imperial power will not be bound and restricted, and it will have more autonomy and be able to better control and manage the entire Ming Dynasty.

It will really make some officials who are not doing their job restrain themselves a little, so that the people can live a better life than they do now.

"Humph"

Seeing that no one responded for a long time, Zhu Gaochi could not help but snorted coldly and was about to open his mouth to say something.

However, before he could finish his words, he heard Zhu Gaoxu's meaningful cough, which attracted the prince's attention. At the same time, he understood that Zhu Gaoxu's move was to deliberately interrupt his words.

This also made the Crown Prince curious about what Zhu Gaoxu wanted to do, so he couldn't help but cast a questioning look at him.

Feeling the gazes and attention on him, Zhu Gaoxu gave him a stoppering look, and then he no longer cared what the crown prince thought, and spoke to the ministers who were kneeling to make a remonstrance, "Yo huh?"

"What?"

"Did I hit your sore spot?"

"Or is it that my king's punishment here has touched upon your real interests?"

"Well, not bad, not bad, let us take a good look at it, let us think about it carefully!"

"Ohhh, sure!"

"It seems that you care about fame and preferential treatment, right?"

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu paused for a moment, his expression gradually turned cold, and he continued:
"So what benefits have the fame and preferential treatment brought you?"

"Right."

"I have heard in the past that the scholars of our Ming Dynasty, relying on the preferential treatment and privileges granted by the court, seem to be annexing land and colluding with local merchants and gentry to evade the court's taxes and tax system, sucking the people's blood and sweat, and instead putting all the taxes and levies that were originally borne by some people in Gaius on the heads of the people."

"I wonder if that's the case?"

"That is why you dare to threaten me with resignation."

"Since you are so capable and confident, why don't you use your own fame and preferential treatment to pressure us?"

"Yes or no"

"Do you think that as long as you have honors and preferential treatment, you can still live a good life, even if you don't hold an official position, and live a very comfortable and comfortable life?"

"So you don't care about your official positions and can easily threaten the court with resignation."

"sure!"

"Since you are so confident, capable and courageous, how about resigning your positions and your fame and privileges at the same time?"

"What do you think?"

Hear this.

Zhu Gaoxu pointed out the little thoughts of himself and others without reservation.

The ministers who were kneeling and making remonstration in the arena were so shocked that their faces suddenly changed drastically. They were instantly panicked, as if their vital points had been caught. They stammered and didn't know how to answer the question or how to start the conversation.

Have no idea!

Zhu Gaoxu's move was too cruel.

Let them give up their honors and privileges, and let them not use resignation as an excuse.

This, this, this... instantly made them lose their confidence, because why did they dare to kneel down and protest in groups, why did they dare to say they would resign at any time? It was because of their merits and preferential treatment. They knew that even if they resigned, their lives would not be too bad thanks to their merits and preferential treatment.

That's why I dare to be so bold and confident.

If Zhu Gaoxu asked them not only to resign from their official positions but also to give up their honors and preferential treatment, how could this work?

Doesn't that mean that their good days will be gone in an instant? How can they have the confidence? After all, it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. If they really lose their fame and privileges, it would be more painful than killing them.

"Your Highness"

"This, this, this."

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness"

Seeing the guilty and frightened ministers, who had lost their pride and composure, Zhu Gaoxu's calm face flashed a cold smile and continued to ask:

"What?"

"Such a simple question, why don't you answer me?"

"You don't know how to answer, or you don't dare to answer?"

"Didn't you think you were very capable and powerful before?"

"at this time."

"But they are all dumb!"

"Or is it that what I said right now is wrong or incorrect?"

"Is it true that there are no people in the entire Ming Dynasty who, relying on the preferential treatment and privileges granted by the court, commit crimes in the world?"

"If this is true, why has the Ming Dynasty's tax collection not stagnated over the years? Instead, it has been decreasing to varying degrees every year. From the time of Taizu to now, the amount has been decreasing by almost a full third every year."

"Where did all the missing amounts go?"

"The population is constantly growing, but taxes are constantly decreasing. You are all smart people, no one is stupid. Don't tell me that you can't understand and guess the unusualness and abnormality here."

As he spoke, Zhu Gaoxu set his eyes on Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, and asked with a sneer:

"Ministry of Revenue."

"In the past, people always said that the treasury was empty. The Ministry of Revenue has never found out the reason why the tax revenue is decreasing every year."

"Is the matter here a case where the Ministry of Revenue neglected its duties and did not take this matter seriously at all, or did the Ministry of Revenue personally look for the reasons and causes, but because of some things or some reasons, it finally did not dare to report it?"

"The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the taxation of the whole country. Shouldn't the Ministry of Revenue give me an explanation for the comparison of the two data I just mentioned?"

The words are over.

This immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the field, and all the attention was focused on Xia Yuanji, who was named.

Xia Yuanji was such a smart man, how could he not know that Zhu Gaoxu was deliberately throwing this difficult problem to him, forcing him to make a choice: to protect himself and serve as a gun, or to willingly take the blame and bear the guilt and charge of dereliction of duty.

This scene really disgusted Xia Yuanji so much that he almost couldn't help cursing. (End of this chapter)