Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

One day, Zhu Kai was processing documents in his office when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door. A guard hurried in with a nervous look on his face: "Master Zhu, it's bad. There has been a civil uprising outside the south gate of the capital. The situation is very critical!"

Zhu Kai immediately put down the work at hand and asked for details: "What is the specific situation? How many people are involved?"

The guard briefly reported: "It is reported that several hundred people have gathered to protest against the high price of food and demand a price reduction."

Zhu Kai frowned and thought for a moment: "Notify the imperial guards immediately to maintain order. In addition, I want to go to the scene in person to understand the situation."

Arriving at the scene, Zhu Kai saw a chaotic scene, with people agitated and shouting out their demands. He immediately stepped forward to appease them: "Fellow villagers, I am Zhu Kai, the Minister of Revenue. If you have any questions, you can tell me directly."

An old man stepped out from the crowd, his face full of anger: "Sir, food prices are skyrocketing now, how can poor people like us survive?"

Zhu Kai patiently explained: "I understand everyone's difficulties. This is also a problem I have been working hard to solve. Please believe that the government will definitely take measures to ensure everyone's basic living."

After some communication, Zhu Kai promised to lower food prices as soon as possible and set up relief granaries to help poor families tide over the difficulties.

After quelling the civil unrest, Zhu Kai deeply realized that the food problem was the root cause of social stability. He was determined to solve the problem fundamentally, not only to temporarily alleviate the plight of the people, but also to establish a long-term mechanism to prevent similar incidents from happening again. To this end, he decided to lower food prices and set up relief granaries in case of emergency.

After returning to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Kai immediately called a meeting of officials to discuss the specific plan. In the meeting room, all the officials sat upright, waiting for Zhu Kai to speak.

Zhu Kai cleared his throat and glanced at everyone: "Although today's incident has been settled, the problems behind it cannot be ignored. We must introduce effective policies and measures as soon as possible to stabilize food prices and reduce the burden on the people."

An official from the Ministry of Revenue expressed his doubts: "Sir, lowering grain prices can certainly appease the people, but if the price is too much lower than the market level, it may dampen the enthusiasm of grain merchants and lead to insufficient grain supply."

Zhu Kai nodded in agreement with the official's opinion: "That makes sense. So we need to find a balance point, which not only benefits the people but also ensures that grain merchants can make a profit. I suggest that we refer to the experience of Jiangnan and implement the government's guidance price."

Another official added: "At the same time, we can also cooperate directly with farmers through government procurement of grain, reducing the number of intermediaries, which can ensure the quality of grain and control costs."

Zhu Kai nodded in agreement: "Okay, this is a very good suggestion. In addition, I would like to propose a plan - to set up relief granaries. Whenever there is a famine or a large fluctuation in food prices, we can activate these granaries and supply food to the needy at a low price or even for free."

"Your Excellency is wise!" The officials echoed one after another, obviously holding a positive attitude towards this plan.

Zhu Kai was reviewing the latest work report when an aide came in hurriedly to report: "Sir, the site selection for the relief granary has been completed, and now you need to go and inspect it in person."

Zhu Kai put down his pen and stood up: "Let's go, let's go and take a look."

The group came to an open space in the south of the city, which had been fenced off and workers were busy building a granary. Zhu Kai carefully checked the progress of the project, asked the relevant person in charge about design, safety and other issues, and personally checked whether the storage facilities met the standards.

“Sir,” the official in charge of the project said, “We have designed a ventilation and moisture-proof system in accordance with your instructions to ensure that the grain will not be damaged due to improper storage.”

Zhu Kai nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, you have worked hard. However, we cannot stop here. Food security is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and every detail cannot be sloppy."

Back at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Kai convened another meeting to discuss the next work plan. He stressed: "Our top priority now is to ensure that there is enough food, while also paying attention to the quality of the food. In addition, the management of the relief granaries is also very important. We must ensure that they can effectively serve those who really need help."

A young official made a suggestion: "Sir, perhaps we can set up a registration system for families in need of assistance to register, so that we can better track the distribution of food."

Zhu Kai looked at the young man with appreciation: "This is a good idea. We also need an open and transparent channel to let the people know the distribution of relief food and enhance their confidence."

Zhu Kai was inspecting the relief granary when he saw several families coming to collect food. He took the initiative to ask, "Fellow villagers, is this enough for your family? Do you have any other needs?"

An old man said gratefully: "Sir, you are really our living Bodhisattva! With these grains, we can spend this winter in peace."

Zhu Kai smiled and comforted them: "Don't worry, as long as I am here, no one will go hungry. If you have any other difficulties, just tell me."

One day, Zhu Kai accidentally discovered some clues while sorting out documents, which pointed to a powerful minister, Hu Weiyong. Hu Weiyong was ambitious because of his power and intended to manipulate the government by tampering with important decrees, and even had the intention of treason.

Zhu Kai knew that this matter was of great importance. If he succeeded, it would not only endanger the imperial power, but also cause unrest in the court and the country. But he also knew that it was not easy to directly expose Hu Weiyong, and the slightest mistake would bring disaster upon himself. Therefore, he decided to collect more evidence first, and then find a suitable opportunity to report to Zhu Yuanzhang.

A few days later, one morning, Zhu Kai arrived outside the imperial study with the carefully collected evidence. Just as he was about to ask for an audience, he suddenly heard a conversation between Hu Weiyong and a eunuch coming from the crack of the door.

"Sir, please look at this secret letter..." The eunuch's voice sounded a little nervous.

"Don't worry, everything is going according to plan." Hu Weiyong's voice was cold and ruthless. "As for Zhu Yuanzhang, I will find a way to make him believe that this is a threat from the enemy troops on the border."

Zhu Kai held his breath, secretly thanking himself for not acting rashly. He decided to take advantage of this opportunity to tell Zhu Yuanzhang the truth.

Soon after, Zhu Kai had the opportunity to report to Zhu Yuanzhang alone. He knelt in front of the dragon throne and said firmly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report. It concerns the safety of the country. Please understand your majesty."

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang was obviously interested in Zhu Kai's words, "What's the important matter, please tell me, my dear."

"When I was examining the documents, I found that Lord Hu Weiyong seemed to be colluding with some unscrupulous people and intended to endanger our Ming Dynasty."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Kai then presented all the evidence he had collected and explained in detail the secrets hidden behind each document. As the evidence was presented one by one, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became more and more solemn.

"Hu Weiyong, do you have anything else to say?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at the pale-faced Hu Weiyong, his voice full of anger.

At this time, Hu Weiyong was no longer able to defend himself and could only kneel down and beg for mercy: "Your Majesty, please spare my life. I was confused for a moment!"

"Confused?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "How can one be so confused? Come, arrest Hu Weiyong and hand him over to the Dali Temple for trial!"

After Hu Weiyong was arrested, the court was in uproar. Zhu Kai's actions were widely praised, but some people privately discussed whether he could withstand the subsequent storm. However, Zhu Kai did not care about this. He knew that as long as he had justice in his heart, he would not be afraid of any challenge.

A few days later, when Zhu Kai was handling official business, an old minister came to visit him. "Master Zhu," the old minister whispered, "Your exposure of Hu Weiyong's deeds is really admirable. But you should also be careful. There are still many people in the court who are closely related to him. They may take the opportunity to retaliate." Zhu Kai smiled and replied, "Thank you for your reminder, old sir, but as a minister, how can I give up justice because of fear?"

The old minister nodded in approval: "That makes sense, but please be more careful."

After sending off the old minister, Zhu Kai returned to his desk, and the expression of Zhu Yuanzhang in the imperial study appeared in his mind. He knew that this success was inseparable from Zhu Yuanzhang's wise decision. So he decided to meet the emperor again and elaborate on the follow-up plan.

When Zhu Kai appeared in the imperial study again, Zhu Yuanzhang had been waiting for a long time. "My dear," Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I heard that someone warned you to be careful of revenge. What do you think about this?"

Zhu Kai replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I believe that as long as we act uprightly, those with ill intentions will naturally be exposed."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Well said. So, what do you think of the vacancy left by Hu Weiyong?"

Zhu Kai thought for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I think that the Hu Weiyong case has exposed some loopholes in our system. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to rectify the administration and select talented people."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Kai with appreciation: "My dear minister, you have indeed thought it through. So, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

"I am willing to recommend several honest, impartial and talented colleagues to fill the vacancies."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, I'll do as you suggest."

Zhu Kai worked day and night, drafting a series of memorials on the reform of official administration with like-minded colleagues. Whenever he encountered a problem, he would always think of the conversation in the imperial study that morning, and that firm belief would arise spontaneously.

One evening, Zhu Kai had just returned from the palace when he received an urgent letter. When he opened it, it turned out to be a message from an old official: someone was trying to sabotage the reform process, and he hoped Zhu Kai would be alert.

After reading the letter, Zhu Kai fell into deep thought. He knew that the road to reform would never be smooth, but he would not back down no matter what. That night, he called together several confidants to discuss countermeasures.

"Everyone," Zhu Kai said, "the situation we are facing now is quite serious. Someone is trying to obstruct our reforms. We must find the mastermind as soon as possible."

A colleague said, "Master Zhu, we have found some clues, but the other party is very cautious and it is difficult to find conclusive evidence."

Zhu Kai was reading an ancient book in his study when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He put down the book in his hand and looked up at the door.

The door slowly opened, and a young scholar walked in, bowing and saying, "Master Zhu, I am your student Zhang Wenyuan, who has come to see you."

Zhu Kai smiled slightly and said, "Brother Zhang, please take a seat. What can I do for you?"

After Zhang Wenyuan sat down, he looked a little nervous: "Master Zhu, I heard that you advocate reforming the civil service system, and I admire you very much. I have been determined to be a good official who is honest and upright since I was a child, so I came to ask you for advice."

Zhu Kai nodded in approval when he heard this: "Brother Zhang has such an ambition, which is a blessing for the country. However, being an official is not a one-day job, it takes years of hard work to achieve success."

"The students understand, but..." Zhang Wenyuan hesitated to speak.

"Just say it." Zhu Kai encouraged.

"But I come from a poor family. Although I am fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination, I have no foundation in the court and I am afraid it will be difficult for me to achieve anything." Zhang Wenyuan expressed his concerns frankly.

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Zhang is right. But you must know that although there are many powerful people in the court, there are also many knowledgeable people. As long as you are dedicated to serving the people and persevere, there will always be people who appreciate you."

Zhang Wenyuan nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will definitely keep it in mind."

During the conversation, Zhu Kai suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Brother Zhang, have you heard about any unusual developments in the court recently?"

Zhang Wenyuan thought for a moment and said, "I have heard that recently some people have been secretly working to obstruct the reform."

Zhu Kai frowned: "Is that true?"

"I don't dare to say anything nonsense, I just heard it." Zhang Wenyuan answered cautiously.

Zhu Kai stood up and paced a few steps in the room: "It seems that this matter is very serious. Brother Zhang, if you have the chance, you need to pay more attention to it. If you have any clues, please inform me in time."

"Student understands." Zhang Wenyuan replied solemnly.

A few days later, Zhu Kai received a secret report from Zhang Wenyuan, saying that a secret club was found, and it was suspected that someone was planning to oppose the reform. Zhu Kai immediately took people to investigate, and indeed found a lot of evidence proving that someone was indeed secretly active.

That night, Zhu Kai urgently summoned several of his confidants and informed them of the incident. "Everyone, today's incident is of great importance. We must act quickly and bring these people to justice."

A colleague asked, "Sir, is there any solid evidence?"

"The evidence is conclusive, but..." Zhu Kai paused, "It's just that the power behind these people is huge, so we need to be cautious."

Another colleague said: "Your Excellency is right. We can't alert the enemy."

Zhu Kai nodded: "So, I plan to personally lead people to raid this place."

"Sir, this is too dangerous!" everyone dissuaded him in unison.

Zhu Kai waved his hand: "It doesn't matter. This matter concerns the success or failure of the reform. I must do it myself."

Late at night, the capital was silent, with only the occasional sound of the night watchman beating the gong breaking the tranquility. Zhu Kai stood in front of the gate of the mansion, looking firmly into the darkness in the distance. Tonight, he will lead a team of elite soldiers to a secret club in the south of the city, where a secret organization is hiding that is trying to sabotage the reform plan. (End of this chapter)