Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 347: The reason why people rushed to buy food was just to earn extra money by working as purchasing agents?
Zhu Gang's face was solemn and his heart was surging like waves.

"I know full well that my father is the supreme ruler of the Ming Dynasty and holds the power.

In this Ming Dynasty, every decision made by the emperor affects the fate of the country."

Zhu Gang looked solemn, his brows filled with worry.

He has always been resolute, thoughtful and able to deal calmly with complex situations.

Supervisory Censor Yuan Kai nodded slightly and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right.

If Your Majesty admits his mistakes in front of his subjects, he will be regarded as incompetent and his authority will be undermined."

Zhu Gang frowned and said in a deep voice: "In order to maintain the stability of his rule and his own dignity, how could the emperor bow his head so easily?"

He knew his father's temperament and way of doing things very well, and his eyes revealed his insight into the checks and balances of power.

In addition, although Zhu Gang respected rites and morals, he was also able to see through reality, and therefore often fell into contradictions.

Xiaoqi Sheren Guo Decheng cupped his hands and agreed, "Your Highness is right.

Your Majesty's decision is related to the stability of the country. Any mistake will cause turmoil."

Zhu Gang was worried and his tone was heavy.

"If Father easily admits his mistakes, his subjects will doubt his ability to rule, and the consequences will be disastrous!"

He clenched his fists slightly, his anxiety evident.

Zhu Gang is loyal and righteous, and cares about everyone around him.

At this moment, faced with a situation that could affect many people, I suddenly became extremely anxious.

The Censor Yuan Kai said solemnly, "So your Majesty will definitely try his best to avoid publicly admitting his mistakes and maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty's political situation."

Zhu Gang sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"After all, under the feudal system, the power of the emperor was subject to many constraints."

As he spoke, he looked into the distance helplessly, his eyes filled with fear about the future.

Of course, Zhu Gang had a strong character and was trying hard to find a solution to the problem in his mind.

At this moment, Guo Decheng immediately responded: "Your Highness is right.

Your Majesty is regarded as the Son of Heaven, representing Heaven, and his decisions are regarded as Heaven’s will.”

Zhu Gang's face was filled with worry. "Under this deeply rooted concept, my father's admission of his mistakes might be seen as going against God's will. The pressure is overwhelming."

He frowned and fell into deep thought.

Zhu Gang was upright and incorruptible, and he hated bad practices, but he also knew that it was difficult to change the world by himself.

Yuan Kai lowered his voice, "There is another key point. For their own benefit, the officials in the court do not want to see Your Majesty admit his mistakes."

Guo Decheng looked nervous, "They will definitely try their best to defend or cover up your Majesty's mistakes, so as not to affect your career."

Zhu Gang slowly shook his head, "This officialdom is so complicated and intricate, it's really worrying!"

His eyes were filled with anger and helplessness as he spoke.

At this time, the conversation between Xu Xiang, deputy commander of the personal guard of the Prince of Jin's Mansion in Taiyuan, and Sun Ke was heard, which attracted the attention of Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Gang and others.

Xu Xiang cleared his throat and said solemnly: "Although the rank of the Censor-in-Chief in the Ming Dynasty is not high, his power should not be underestimated.

They can monitor all officials, impeach them in person or through memorials.

He could even tour the country on behalf of the emperor, make requests for important matters, and make decisions on minor matters.”

Sun Ke, who was standing not far away, asked curiously, "How powerful is it?"

Xu Xiang paused for a moment and then continued, "Honest officials like Hai Rui have all held this position.

If Guo Decheng hadn’t pretended to be crazy, Yuan Kai would have been questioned again.”

Sun Ke exclaimed: "This can't be blamed on Yuan Kai's cowardice. The 'Hu Weiyong case' has far-reaching implications!"

Xu Xiang's face was heavy. "General Zheng was a general who founded the Ming Dynasty. His Majesty's fellow countryman was not spared."

Sun Ke was a little bit unbelievable, "General Zheng Yuchun? He has a very special relationship with Your Majesty!"

Xu Xiang nodded, "In the fifteenth year of Zhizheng, General Zheng followed Your Majesty across the river to fight.

When his brother died in battle, he took over command of the troops.

His subordinates were brave and had outstanding achievements, so he was awarded the title of Left Wing Marshal.

Later, he participated in the suppression of Chen Youliang, and General Zheng was always at the forefront. He also accompanied Your Majesty in conquering many places and participated in many major battles such as the Battle of Poyang Lake. "

Sun Ke couldn't help but exclaimed: "General Zheng has made great achievements in battle!"

Xu Xiang continued, "After he and Marquis Dingyuan conquered Lu'an, General Zheng became the deputy commander of the Lu'an Guard, and later followed Duke Wei in the Northern Expedition.

After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, General Zheng captured Huazhou in the first year of Hongwu, and in September he captured Taiyuan.

In the second year of Hongwu, General Zheng followed Fu Youde to station troops in many places.

In March of the third year of Hongwu, Your Majesty established the Shuozhou Guard, and General Zheng was appointed as the deputy commander of the Shuozhou Guard.

In November, he was promoted to the position of Co-director of the Grand Marshal's Office, and was given titles such as the Founding Military Minister who Assisted the Nation with Loyalty and Support, Honorable Doctor, Pillar of the State, and Co-director of the Grand Marshal's Office.

Later, General Zheng was granted the title of Marquis of Xingyang, with an official salary of 900 dan, which could be inherited by his descendants.

In the fourth year of Hongwu, General Zheng was stationed in Linhao and established the Grand Military Governor's Office.

In the fifth year of Hongwu, he garrisoned Shuozhou.

Because of his involvement, his title was stripped.

In the sixth year of Hongwu, His Majesty asked him and Wang Zhen to take charge of the city of Jingxian County.

General Zheng reported to the emperor that Shuozhou was a strategic point on the frontier and could not be left without permission.

Your Majesty allowed him to continue to guard the city and conferred him the title of Marquis of Xingyang.

Together with Zhang Long and Chen Huan, he also served as the commander of the personal guard of the Prince of Jin's Mansion in Taiyuan, and I, Sun Ke and Ma Yi were deputy commanders.

Your Majesty thinks that we are brave, wise, and steady, and can serve as their arms.

But in August of the ninth year of Hongwu, His Majesty ordered Zheng Yuchun and other princes to respond to Tianfu.

Soon he was implicated in the 'Hu Weiyong case' and his title was stripped again."

Zhu Gang originally wanted to use Xu Xiang and Sun Ke to get Zheng Yuchun pardoned by Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, in August of the 17th year of Hongwu, he and Hu Hai supervised the construction of 180 seagoing ships, showing his true talent in shipbuilding.

As the commander of the personal guard of Prince Jin's palace, Zhu Gang had already lost Zhao Hu and did not want to lose Zheng Yuchun.

But now looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, he understood that this matter might be difficult to progress.

"What kind of official is Hai Rui? How come we have never heard of him?

Are there still such honest officials in the Ming Dynasty?

Also, why didn't you tell us about Zheng Yuchun's achievements during the Hongwu period earlier?"

In order to help his men escape from the disaster, Zhu Gang began to change the subject.

"Father, I already have the answer to the question you wanted to ask me before."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Xu Xiang, Sun Ke and the others, "Third Brother, if your answer does not satisfy me...

Sun Ke, the eldest son of Sun Xingzu, Marquis of Yanshan, should forget about inheriting the title.

He will continue to be the commander of the Wude Guards, and he will no longer be responsible for the security of the Prince Jin's Mansion."

Zhu Gang couldn't help feeling bitter, secretly cursing himself for losing both his wife and his army.

His face remained calm and composed, with no sign of anything unusual on his face.

"Father, in fact, the series of serious economic problems you mentioned earlier will never happen."

Zhu Yuanzhang, still furious, pointed at the people rushing to buy food in the distance and said, "Third Brother, the facts are right in front of you. Do you still dare to make excuses?"

Zhu Gang frowned and said, "Dad, have you ever thought that the reason these people are rushing to buy food is probably to make some extra money as a part-time purchasing agent?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked puzzled, "I want to earn some extra money by doing purchasing on behalf of others part-time. What do you mean by that?"

In order to prove that what he said was true, Zhu Gang called over a citizen who was rushing to buy food.

He asked in a gentle tone, "Old man, you are so old, and you ran out to grab food with the young people.

Is it because there is not enough food at home that you are working so hard?"

Although the citizen of Yingtian Prefecture looked a little anxious, he saw that Zhu Yuanzhang and others were dressed in extraordinary clothes and had extraordinary manners.

He could only patiently reply, "The envoys from the sixty-two Southeast Yi nations have posted notices on every street in Shangyuan County. You will know if you go and take a look."

(End of this chapter)