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

Chapter 383: Even a tiny country like Goryeo dares to question us. How can the Ming cavalry be afraid of it?

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, his eyes shining like torches, as if they could penetrate people's hearts.

He said in a deep voice: "Humph! What my son said does make some sense.

But this matter must be implemented quickly, and our Ming Dynasty must be as stable as Mount Tai for thousands of years to come."

Queen Ma stood aside, her gentle eyes flowing like spring water, watching the father and son quietly.

Her eyes were full of concern and wisdom, which was the calmness that came from years of experience.

Empress Ma walked gently to Zhu Yuanzhang, stretched out her slender fingers, and straightened his collar.

Then Empress Ma said softly, "Chongba, what Jian'er said makes sense.

This is a newly established country, and we must pay attention to the suffering of the people."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly moved. He held Empress Ma's hand tightly, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

At that moment, it seemed as if time had stood still, and only the deep affection between them flowed in the air.

Zhu Gang watched the interaction between his parents and felt a warm feeling in his heart, but he also felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

He took a step forward and said solemnly, "Dad, do you know that we Ming people have three mountains on our shoulders?"

Just then, the new Minister of Works, Li Min, rushed in.

He looked flustered, with beads of sweat on his forehead, and reported in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I just received the news.

Goryeo questioned the Ming Dynasty's large-scale construction of the Yingtianfu city wall, believing that we were expansionist and was afraid that we would send troops to invade. "

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were wide open, like an enraged lion.

He waved his hand and said sternly, "How dare you!
How dare that tiny country question our Ming Dynasty?

How could my Ming cavalry be afraid of him?
The city wall of Yingtian Prefecture is built upright and majestically.

Anyone who dares to attack us will be killed without a chance to return!"

Zhu Gang looked solemn and said earnestly, "Father, this matter cannot be taken lightly.

If not handled properly, it may cause more trouble.”

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyebrows were tightly furrowed together, like two thunders about to roar.

But when he saw Zhu Gang's determined eyes, his anger subsided a little.

Zhu Yuanzhang then fell into deep thought again, "I am the emperor, the country is in my hands.

However, the current situation puts us in a dilemma.

How can we tolerate that small northern country's audacity to provoke us?
But if the war starts, the people will suffer again, what should we do?"

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was full of contradictions and anxiety.

He paced back and forth, as if looking for an answer to solve the problem.

Then he seemed to have thought of something, "We have always cared about the people. If you mention the three mountains...

It was really those corrupt officials who did this, they must all be dealt with!"

After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand violently, showing his decisiveness and determination, like a strong wind sweeping away the clouds.

Zhu Gang shook his head slightly and said solemnly: "Father, it is not like that.

These three mountains are the lijia labor service, the equal labor service, and the miscellaneous labor service.”

Zhu Yuanzhang tilted his head slightly and looked at Zhu Gang intently.

His tone was questioning, but also a little confused. "Old Third, can you tell us about this Lijia match?"

Zhu Gang thought for a moment and replied with a serious expression: "As the name suggests, Lijia Yi is labor organized by Lijia as a unit, mainly used for local public affairs, such as repairing roads and water conservancy.

Dad, think about it, people work hard every day just to have a full meal.

But once the labor service came, they not only had to put aside their farm work, but also had to work for the government, which made their lives very difficult.”

At this time, Zhu Gang's eyes revealed sympathy for the people.

Queen Ma turned her head slightly and her eyes fell on him gently.

There was a faint smile on her lips, and her eyes were full of relief and pride.

That look was like the warm sunshine of spring, gently shining on Zhu Gang's heart, instantly filling him with strength. At this moment, Li Min, the Minister of Works, stood up, his eyes revealing determination and worry.

“Your Majesty, I believe that appropriate labor is necessary to ensure national construction.

As the Minister of Works, I should focus on engineering construction.

If we reduce labor service due to the suffering of the people, many projects of the Ministry of Works may not be completed on time, and our official positions will be unstable.

Think about when Emperor Qin built the Great Wall. Although the people suffered, it ensured peace and stability for China for hundreds of years.

Today, our Great Ming should also do the same and not lose the big picture for the sake of small gains.

Now that we are surrounded by foreign enemies, how can we defend ourselves if we don’t repair the city walls?”

There was a glimmer of stubbornness in Zhu Gang's eyes, and he refused to give in.

He said with great vigor, "Minister Li, what you said is wrong!

How can we ignore the suffering of the people?
I, the king, must find a good plan to both protect national development and alleviate the worries of the people.

The Qin Emperor built the Great Wall to resist foreign invasion.

But now in our Ming Dynasty, building city walls is not the only option.

We can strengthen military training and improve the combat effectiveness of our soldiers.

At the same time, we can also establish friendly relations with neighboring countries through diplomatic means and jointly resist foreign enemies.”

Li Min was in a dilemma and said, "According to what His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin said, the people are burdened too heavily and are full of resentment.

If this continues for a long time, it will inevitably endanger the stability of the Ming Dynasty.

However, if the labor is reduced, the project progress will be slow and the war opportunity may be delayed.

Where can we find other alternatives at that moment? "

Zhu Gang paused and replied, "Although there is a threat from Goryeo now, it is not impossible to alleviate it through diplomatic means.

Excessive use of people's power will only make the people disappointed in the court.

When civil unrest breaks out, that will be the real crisis.

As for Goryeo, we can send envoys to negotiate with them.

It shows that the purpose of building the city wall is not to expand, but to protect the safety of the Ming Dynasty and the people.

At the same time, we can also invite Goryeo envoys to visit Ming Dynasty, so that they can understand Ming Dynasty’s culture and strength, and dispel Goryeo’s doubts.”

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, fell into deep thought, and pondered secretly in his heart.

“What Li Min said makes sense.

However, my son's concerns cannot be ignored. How can we strike a balance between the two?"

He looked at Queen Ma and asked, "Sister, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Empress Ma thought for a moment and said gently, "Your Majesty, the people are the foundation of the country, but the construction of the Ming Dynasty cannot be abandoned.

Perhaps we can find a compromise that can both ensure the progress of the project and reduce the burden on the people.

I think we can first send envoys to negotiate with Goryeo to temporarily avoid the dilemma of fighting on two fronts.

At the same time, regarding the issue of labor, Biaoer, who is in charge of supervising the country, can convene ministers to discuss it together.

Formulate a plan that can both ensure national construction and reduce the burden on the people. "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and after Li Min, the Minister of Works, left, he continued, "Third brother, continue to tell us about these labor services."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment and replied with a serious expression: "In addition to the lijia service, there is also the equal labor service which is equally heavy.

It includes many kinds of duties, including daily chores of government, transportation of materials, etc., and the burden is relatively heavy.

Odd jobs are usually recruited on a temporary basis to deal with special situations, such as large-scale construction projects.

Dad, think about it, the people have been suffocated by the Lijia labor service and the equal labor service.

They are really miserable now that this errand has come."

(End of this chapter)