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

The night was as thick as insoluble ink, weighing heavily on the towering palace.

The candlelight in the hall trembled in the wind, and the dim light jumped and flickered.

The shadows of the crowd were stretched out at times long and sometimes short, reflecting the solemn faces of the people.

Li Shanchang stood up slowly. His posture was slightly hunched, but he exuded a steadiness that came from years of experience.

Li Shanchang first bowed respectfully, his movements were as smooth as flowing water, and he showed great respect for Emperor Hongwu.

After standing up, he hung his hands neatly in front of him and his eyes were steady.

There was a gleam of wisdom on Li Shanchang's face.

It seems that every wrinkle hides stories and strategies from the past.

He cleared his throat slightly, breaking the slightly oppressive silence in the hall.

Then Li Shanchang said slowly: "Your Majesty, I think the most urgent thing is to find a place suitable for raising horses.

The territory of our Ming Dynasty is vast, like a vast and boundless splendid painting, with many good places for raising horses.

This old minister was thinking that maybe we could send some officials with unique vision and capable actions to conduct a thorough investigation of the northwest area.

Your Majesty, look at the northwest. The vast grassland is like a green velvet carpet, stretching all the way to the horizon.

The lush aquatic plants look like strings of pearls scattered by nature, sparkling with alluring luster in the sun.

Since ancient times, it has been an ideal place for raising horses.

If we can use it properly, we will be able to breed countless fine horses and contribute to the horse policy of our Ming Dynasty.

Besides, the horses there have been galloping freely on the vast grasslands since childhood.

Facing the wind and bathing in the sun.

As far as I know, the war horses here are as strong as the tigers and leopards in the mountains and forests.

His endurance is amazing, as if he has endless energy.

If all of this could be incorporated into the horse administration of the Ming Dynasty, it would be like adding wings to a tiger, and would be of great benefit.”

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his brows slightly furrowed, as if there was a dark cloud hanging between his eyebrows.

He habitually stroked his chin with his right hand, rubbing it gently with his fingers.

His deep eyes were like a bottomless pool, revealing a thoughtful look.

Against the backdrop of the dim candlelight, the light seemed even deeper and more unfathomable.

After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly said: "Although Li Aiqing's idea is good, although there are large tracts of envious grasslands in the northwest, it is very close to the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

At this moment, the Northern Yuan Dynasty is like a vicious wolf lurking in the dark, eyeing our Ming Dynasty covetously and coveting it all the time.

It hopes to find our weakness so that it can take the opportunity to pounce on us, bite us hard, and harass us.

If we raise horses there, it would be tantamount to putting the herd under the clutches of wolves.

What if something goes wrong and the herd of horses suffers?
We can’t let our painstaking efforts in horse administration be ruined in this way. Lord Li needs to think about this again.”

Li Shanchang hurriedly bowed again, bending his body even lower.

He replied sincerely: "Your Majesty is wise, this is indeed a difficult problem.

This old minister has been tossing and turning over this matter for a long time and has been thinking about it carefully.

Your Majesty, in my opinion, we can send a large number of troops to guard it.

Around the horse-raising area, some guard posts were set up according to the terrain.

The walls of the garrison must be built tall and solid, like towering mountains, to block the prying eyes of foreign enemies.

Station more troops there and let the best soldiers patrol day and night.

First of all, we have the powerful army of the Ming Dynasty to protect the herd of horses.

Even if the Northern Yuan Dynasty wanted to attack, seeing the strict security, it would have to weigh its own weight and would not dare to act rashly.

Secondly, the heavy troops stationed there are like erecting a majestic barrier on the border, which can also have a deterrent effect.

Let the Northern Yuan Dynasty know clearly how much importance the Ming Dynasty attaches to the horse policy, and they will not dare to act rashly. In this way, the horses can be kept safe and the horse policy can be smoothly implemented.

What do you think, Your Majesty?"

When Han De, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, heard Li Shanchang finish speaking, he hurried forward.

His steps were light and anxious, and after bowing, he spoke: "Your Majesty, the issue of horse breeding among the people must not be neglected.

The imperial court might as well issue an imperial decree to promise the people some tangible benefits.

For example, reducing taxes and exemptions, and using these tangible benefits to encourage them to raise horses.

Your Majesty, think about it, our Ming Dynasty has a large population, like stars scattered among this vast mountains and rivers.

If every household could raise a few horses, their number would be like rivers gathering together.

It is so powerful that it should not be underestimated.

The number of these war horses can be accumulated into a large number."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly when he heard this, but there was still some doubt on his face.

"Lord Han's suggestion makes some sense, but the quality of horses raised by the people varies greatly. How can we guarantee that those horses can be used in war?
After all, the war horses on the battlefield have to be the best ones picked from hundreds of miles away.

Not only must they be physically strong, but they must also be smart and able to obey the orders of their officers and soldiers. We cannot use old, weak, sick or disabled horses to make up the numbers.

If that happens on the battlefield, it will be a mistake for the country."

Han De hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, I have also considered this.

We can send people to check regularly and select those horses that are strong and suitable for war from those raised by the people.

Then they are gathered together and assigned to specific personnel for unified training.

Let these horses become familiar with the sounds of battle, and listening to the deafening war drums and loud trumpets, it is like hearing the order to charge.

In this way, this worry can be solved.

Moreover, raising horses among the people can make them more familiar with horses.

If there is a war in the future and horses need to be requisitioned, the people will be able to cooperate better.

It is a good thing for the country and the people, Your Majesty."

Everyone was discussing the issue one after another. Although the atmosphere in the hall was still solemn, there was some liveliness as everyone was trying to come up with ideas for solving the horse administration problem.

Various ideas collide with each other, some of which are desirable while others need to be improved.

Everyone hoped that a good plan could be reached in the end to ensure the stability of the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, most of the suggestions are to supplement and improve the solutions proposed by Zhu Gang.

Zhu Gang just stood aside, listening quietly to everyone's discussion.

Occasionally he nodded slightly, as if thinking about something.

The faint light of the candle was reflected in his eyes.

He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons of each proposal in his mind.

Just when the officials from the six ministries were all immersed in the discussion of horse policy, a faint noise suddenly came from outside the hall.

At first the sound was very faint, as if it was carried in intermittently by the wind.

The wind passed through the cracks in the palace wall, whimpering, as if telling some secret.

It seemed as if it was mostly swallowed up by the thick night, vaguely and like a dream.

It was hard to tell whether it was just the rumors or something really unusual was happening.

Everyone was stunned at first, and then they all stopped talking.

They subconsciously pricked up their ears to listen to the sound, with a look of confusion and vigilance on their faces.

(End of this chapter)