The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 28 Zhu Yunwen's Psychological Trauma
Upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, the entire court of officials changed color.

The reason is simple, just four words: Never add a course!

This was Emperor Hongwu's 'promise' regarding taxes when he founded the Ming Dynasty, and it was also what all the people of the Ming Dynasty thought about every day as they worked hard with their heads down!

Now, Zhu Yunwen's idea regarding disaster relief is actually to increase taxes?

Yang Siyi said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, His Majesty Hongwu once said that he would never impose additional taxes on the people. Now Your Highness is advising that taxes should be increased."

"Wouldn't this turn the system established by His Majesty Hongwu into a joke?"

"How will the people of the world view my Great Ming Dynasty?"

He spoke without any politeness.

Yang Siyi was just that kind of person; otherwise, how could the Ming Dynasty's treasury have been protected all these years of rampant military campaigns?

To put it bluntly, this old man is completely unyielding; he only cares about where the money and grain are spent, whether it's actually necessary or not.

If it needs to be used, then without hesitation, we will do our utmost to arrange it, making sure every aspect is used efficiently and avoiding any waste.

It's a bad idea to use him. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang held a knife to Yang Siyi's throat, he would still stubbornly shout, "The national treasury is empty. Your Majesty can kill me first, then choose someone else to serve as Minister of Revenue."

Li Shanchang was leisurely watching the play, wanting to see Zhu Xiong Ying's embarrassment when faced with the difficult question he posed.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunwen arrived, and he was so foolish that his expression changed slightly.

"Yunwen!"

On the high platform, Zhu Xiong Ying's face darkened, and he rebuked, "My aunt wanted to see me so that you could enter the court to observe politics and learn from the abilities of the officials of our Great Ming Dynasty."

"You can observe politics, but you cannot participate in it!"

"You're spouting nonsense! I order you to copy the Great Ming Code ten times!"

These words caused the assembled officials to pause for a moment in surprise.

His Highness the Crown Prince's words revealed two things.

Firstly, the reason why Zhu Yunwen, the grandson of the emperor, entered the court was because of the invitation of the crown prince's concubine, Lady Lü, which means that she had her own ideas.
Secondly, there is Zhu Xiong Ying's attitude towards his younger brother.

He could observe politics, but he could not participate in politics. This statement had already declared that Zhu Yunwen had no say in the court.

The Huai Xi warriors, who were known for their bravery, instantly showed signs of rage.

They don't think about all that; they only know one thing: the Crown Prince is the grandson of the eldest brother, so where did you, Zhu Yunwen, come from?
He actually has opinions about court politics?

Zhu Yunwen, who had originally intended to show off his 'intelligence', was immediately frightened after being reprimanded and then suddenly seeing the angry eyes of the Huaixi general!

Ultimately, he was just a nine-year-old child; he had never seen anything like this before!
The imperial court is truly terrifying!
Even Xiong Ying, the brother in the imperial court, is terrifying!
"Ugh!"

Immediately, Zhu Yunwen couldn't hold back and burst into tears.

The unseen battleground of power in the entire empire, with its invisible clashes and intrigues, must have placed immense psychological pressure on a nine-year-old child.

"Don't cry!"

The shouts rose again.

Zhu Yunwen's tears streamed down his face, but on the high platform, Xiong Ying's eyes were terrifying, instantly stunning him!

Don't cry!
I dare not cry anymore!
His shoulders trembled, tears streamed down his face, but he dared not utter a sound.

Zhu Yunwen only wanted to return to the Eastern Palace and find his mother.

There were no obsequious servants here, no gentle guidance from her mother, and no freedom to do whatever she wanted.

Only the angry glares and shouts of the group of old men, and the loud rebuke of the usually gentle elder brother.

He was scared!
The first time he stepped into the imperial court, he was terrified of the place.

This was a fear he had never experienced before in his life.

Seeing the fear in Zhu Yunwen's eyes, Zhu Xiong Ying knew he had achieved his goal. "You good-for-nothing! If I don't leave you with some psychological trauma, do you really think you can handle the Ming Dynasty's court?"
The civil and military officials looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with ever-changing expressions.

That's how people see everything; with comparison, things become clearer.

Compared to Zhu Yunwen's brainlessness and cowardice, this Crown Prince, who was only a year older, had Yang Xian skinned alive on his first day as regent.

However, they still held their own against the officials secretly guided by Li Shanchang of the Secretariat.

This is the gap!

Lan Yu laughed so hard that her back teeth were showing.

He held Zhu Yunwen in even greater contempt.

Do you really think that you can control things in the imperial court with just a few "hello uncles and elders"?

"Your Highness, please advise on how to handle the snow disaster in Shanxi."

Li Shanchang's eyes flickered, and he spoke in a deep voice.

At this moment, even Prime Minister Li was dissatisfied with Zhu Yunwen on many occasions.

The grandson of the emperor jumped out to interrupt, and the difficult problem he had originally set for Zhu Xiong Ying was suddenly made much easier to solve.

Zhu Xiong Ying tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, making a 'tap tap tap' sound, her mind racing with thoughts.

To put it bluntly, it's a matter of money.

Our own emperor grandfather is resting and recuperating with the people, but the national treasury is short of silver.

"I have already made a plan for this matter."

"Let's adjourn the court for today."

"The Duke of Han, the Duke of Wei, the Duke of Liang, Yang Siyi, Minister of Revenue, and Hu Weiyong, Vice Minister of the Secretariat, will accompany me to the Wenhua Hall."

After much deliberation, Zhu Xiong Ying spoke, then got up and left.

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court were dumbfounded.

Is Your Highness holding a private meeting?

How come he's so adept at using the Hongwu Emperor's methods, deciding everything from big decisions to small ones?
Hu Weiyong was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with ecstatic joy.

He never imagined that he would be qualified to join the small meeting.
It should be noted that in the past, Emperor Hongwu's small meetings were only open to the most core officials of the Ming Dynasty.

To put it bluntly, although he was a second-rank official in the Secretariat, he was really no match for this group of dukes!

Li Shanchang smiled and glanced at Hu Weiyong.

He already understood what the Crown Prince meant.

Inviting Hu Weiyong to the small meeting is a way of showing goodwill, or perhaps an apology for yesterday.
Since this problem was thrown out by Li Shanchang, Zhu Xiong Ying wanted Li Shanchang to solve it, so shouldn't he at least "do something" for him?
And the phrase "to say something" was used to refer to Hu Weiyong.

"Come with me to the Wenhua Hall."

Li Shanchang smiled and walked towards the Wenhua Hall.

Seeing the smug looks on the teacher and students' faces, Yang Siyi knew exactly why, but he was helpless and could only blame himself. It was all his fault for not saving more silver from the national treasury, which made the Crown Prince bow his head!
Lan Yu's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

He really wanted to rush up and punch Li Shanchang twice.

"Let's go."

Xu Da spoke calmly and patted Lan Yu on the shoulder.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Xiong Ying pointed at Hu Weiyong and said, "Hey you, go and approve this memorial. If you don't approve it well, I'll break your legs."

(End of this chapter)