King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

in the hall.

As the question was asked, everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to the two of them.

Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji looked at each other, their expressions revealing a complex mix of emotions.

The atmosphere in the room became extremely heavy at that moment; you could hear a pin drop.

This is not a good job at all!

Whether one stands up or remains silent, it's the same as choosing to acknowledge and accept the situation, as if there's no objection whatsoever.

However, by standing up and directly stating their opposition to this matter, and frankly understanding the hidden meaning behind it, and knowing who was involved, even if they had a thousand times the courage, they wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

If they really dared to do so, then despite their current safety in the court, the question is whether they could remain unscathed after opposing it, or even leave the palace gates. No one can guarantee that.

You have to understand, how many of the officials in the court had a good relationship with them when so many were dealt with at once?

Although they maintained their integrity in dealing with land annexation during their many years in office and did not participate blindly, this does not mean that they were truly incorruptible officials who did nothing wrong or had any leverage against them.

So many people have been arrested. If Zhu Gaoxu or anyone else were to mention anything to those arrested, even the slightest bit of evidence, what would await them?
The answer is self-evident.

It can be said that this inquiry is currently underway.

Zhu Gaochi's actions undoubtedly forced the two of them to choose sides. Not only did they have to choose sides, but they also had to honestly choose to stand on the side of promoting the new learning. This is probably why, out of so many corrupt officials investigated, only the two of them were left out.

It's not about what they said, but simply that neither of them was involved in anything like annexing land.

As they pondered, Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji exchanged another glance, both seeing the gravity and entanglement in each other's expressions. Deep down, neither of them wanted to get involved in this matter or become a driving force behind it.

However, they are all intelligent people, and they see things more clearly than anyone else.

This matter seems to be asking for the opinions of the two men, and it seems to be asking what they think, but in terms of the deeper meaning behind the words, the moment Prince Zhu Gaochi of Han called out their names, he completely ignored them, or rather, gave them the power to choose.

They either become pawns in the hands of the court to promote and spread new doctrines, or they become victims of this struggle, just like those officials who were directly arrested.

Because when those in power promote new doctrines, they cannot and do not want to see those who hold old doctrines still in high positions in the court, or become stumbling blocks for those in power at certain times.

Faced with this situation, neither Jin Zhong nor Xia Yuanji could do anything about it.

If the Crown Prince had stood up to oppose it, they would still have had a chance to fight back and win. But the current situation is that the Crown Prince has chosen to feign illness and not participate in the current affairs, and the timing is so ingenious.

In a sense, this action also expressed the Crown Prince's attitude, indicating that the Crown Prince, in a certain sense, also admired and approved of Zhu Gaoxu's current behavior.

After a brief silence, Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji exchanged a glance, both showing a look of utter helplessness. They took a deep breath, slowly stepped forward from the ranks, and bowed slightly to Zhu Gaoxu on the platform, saying:
"Reporting to Your Highness..."

"We have no objections."

"Everything is up to Your Highness."

"We, your subjects, will do our utmost to cooperate."

This statement was made.

Like a thunderclap, it instantly resounded in the imperial court.

Compared to Zhu Gaochi's announcement earlier, the court officials were even more astonished when the decision was announced, all looking at Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji, who were standing at the front of the line, with blank expressions.

Without him.

It should be noted that Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji are both pillars of the court, influential figures, and confidants of the current emperor.

The two's actions now are certainly giving rise to a lot of speculation.

An eerie silence fell over the entire hall. No one spoke, no one made any unnecessary movements, and time seemed to stand still.

They received a sincere reply from both of them.

Standing on the high platform, Zhu Gaochi's previously somber face finally broke into a long-absent smile. His lips curled slightly upward, and he nodded in satisfaction. Then, turning his gaze to the silent assembled officials, he broke the awkward atmosphere by speaking:

"Well"

"And you gentlemen?" "Do you have any objections, or any other differing opinions?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers' thoughts were abruptly pulled back. They couldn't help but exchange glances, looking at Jin Zhong and Xia Yuanji in front of the platform, and then at Zhu Gaoxu sitting high above. At this moment, everyone's heart sank to the bottom.

We are all smart people.

Things have developed to this point. If these old hands still don't understand Zhu Gaochi's true purpose today, then they have truly lived in vain.

At the same time, everyone knew that, given the current situation, while it seemed like they were being asked for their opinions, they were all intelligent people. How could they not know that Zhu Gaochi's actions had not given them any extra options?

There was no other way but to agree and agree.

After all, the Thunder's methods set a precedent!
After so many years in office, who can guarantee that they haven't had any scandals?
What will happen to them if they dare to have different ideas or take different actions?
Judging from Zhu Gaoxu's confident demeanor on the high platform, they had no doubt that Zhu Gaoxu might possess evidence capable of killing some of them.

Compared to profit, nothing can compare to life.

to this end.

Whether they like it or not.

They could only reluctantly agree.

After a brief silence, the assembled officials bowed in perfect unison and began to speak:

"Reporting to Your Highness..."

"We have no objections; we leave everything to Your Highness's decision."

That's it.

Today's court proceedings ended with the agreement of the assembled officials.

After three months of power transitions and a series of reorganizations and mergers, the faculty was finally established and expanded rapidly downwards. During this period, many students objected, but to no avail.

In two years, the department has begun to see results in adhering to Zhu Gaoxu's ideas, allowing many poor and low-income people to enjoy tangible benefits. Many of the previous dissenting voices have been gradually suppressed by the voices of praise and have slowly disappeared.

After the academic departments were properly managed, some talented individuals from the lower levels gradually rose to higher positions.

Nationwide land clearing and land surveying.

It was also implemented with lightning speed and great fanfare.

Immediately following this was a flurry of land transfers and the implementation of household tax reforms – a rapid and efficient process.

However, with the rise of talented individuals from the lower classes, this matter was much simpler than the previous implementation by the Ministry of Education. Although there was still resistance and considerable protest, the court was no longer what it used to be, and there were no longer so many concerns and reservations. As a result, many people dared not speak out against it and could only obediently accept it.

Meanwhile, after several years of conquest, Zhu Di led the Ming army to completely subdue the nomadic tribes of the grasslands, bringing them under Ming control. The vast grasslands were successfully incorporated into the Ming territory, setting a historical precedent.

The golden age of the Ming Dynasty arrived quietly.

Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui gathered together to discuss the matter of their departure.

After several rounds of debate and negotiation, and with mutual compromise, Zhu Di, though unwilling, ultimately did not force them to stay and agreed to the request of his two brothers, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, to leave the Ming Dynasty at this point in time to expand their territory and become kings and ancestors.

no way.

The prosperous era that had finally arrived was something that Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji all knew very well. With Zhu Gaoxu having presided over the government and the political situation for so many years, if they dared to forcibly detain him, what would be the consequences for them?

No one wants, or even desires, to see the current situation descend into turmoil again.

Zhu Gaochi's willingness to retire gracefully and leave without taking any drastic action was already the best possible outcome.

here.

Amidst a turbulent undercurrent, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui made their preparations methodically.

The eighteenth year of the Yongle reign.

After all preparations were complete, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui led their troops onto warships, set sail, and headed towards the other side of the ocean, their destination the fertile lands of the Americas and Europe. (End of Chapter)