Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 402: Set the rules, then kill!

The party is over.

As Zhu Yuanzhang left, the military officers also left one after another.

Wuying Palace.

Zhu Biao was beside Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Father, I don't understand why you took the trouble to do this at the banquet instead of just asking the military officers to correct the military discipline."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said earnestly: "Boss, you have to learn this. I know what you are thinking and what you want us to do. As for why we don't do it, it's because we only have ideas in our mind."

"You think we held such a big banquet, but in the end, we only had a few cold words. Letting officials regulate themselves will not be able to correct the bad practices in the army."

Zhu Biao nodded.

He did have this idea.

At first he thought that his father held the banquet just to set rules for the military officers of the Ming Dynasty. But it turned out that this banquet was just a banquet. Although his father talked about many things, they were all like casual conversations. It was difficult to arouse the vigilance of the military officers. He was not very optimistic about asking these burly men to make changes.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said with his hands behind his back: "I did this on purpose."

"Although you have read a lot of books, there are some things that I can't handle. Do you think I am being arrogant? Let me tell you, this is the way to control people. I just set rules for them at this banquet and let them abide by them. If these people still can't abide by them after I have set rules for them, then I will seriously set rules."

"I've set the rules. If you break them again, I won't show mercy."

"We will kill anyone who breaks the rules!"

"This is also the difference between managing military officers and civilian officers. Civil officers don't need to do so many things. We just need them to do their job honestly. But military officers are different. Most of them are a group of rough men. They don't have that much experience and brains. It's harder than climbing to the sky to make them change their minds all of a sudden."

"You have to be polite before you use force."

"First, tell them in an orderly manner what they cannot do, and let them follow the instructions. If no one follows the instructions, then treat them seriously. If they still don't listen to the advice and don't know what's good for them after repeated reminders, then they can die."

Zhu Biao was a little dazed.

After thinking about it for a while, he quickly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's intention.

There are different ways to govern the world. If you don't know how to adapt, or just follow the old ways, it will be easy to get into trouble. Only by prescribing the right medicine can you make these people obedient and leave the military officers speechless.

Zhu Biao bowed respectfully and said, "I am grateful for your advice."

Zhu Biao sneered and said disdainfully, "Learn? I see you haven't learned, and you haven't even listened. I've told you many times before, but when have you really listened? Don't really think of Xia Zhibai as a treasure. In my eyes, he is as naked as a naked person. I can see clearly what he is planning."

"Do you think Xia Zhibai is considerate and caring, kind and righteous, willing to work, and upright?"

Zhu Biao remained silent.

I don’t know how to answer Zhu Yuanzhang.

He didn't think Xia Zhibai was that good, but he did feel that Xia Zhibai was different from ordinary people. At least many of his ideas gave him a refreshing feeling and were very inspiring, which greatly changed and brought him benefits in governing the world.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and said, "There are not so many good people in this world."

"Nor is Xia Zhibai."

"I can tell you that Xia Zhibai is very murderous, and even more murderous than me. I can let you listen to his advice, but I don't like you to follow his ideas. You are my eldest son, the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You need to understand that only the decisions you make count. Anyone else's words have ulterior motives." "Any idea must have your own things and your own gains!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from Zhu Biao. Perhaps because he had drunk some wine or was in a good mood, he actually said a few more words to Zhu Biao. Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Xia Zhibai is a murderous man. If you don't consider his ideas carefully, you will suffer a great loss."

"As for the rectification of military discipline he mentioned, and dealing with local bullies, have you ever really thought about how many people will die?"

Zhu Biao was speechless.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Xia Zhibai doesn't know that our Ming Dynasty is short of people? Doesn't he know that our Ming Dynasty is short of young and strong people? He knows, but he doesn't care, because this world is not his. He just wants to use your hand to fulfill his ambitions, but how many people die in this world and how much the Ming Dynasty will lose, will he care?"

"hehe."

"And the matter of the salt administration in the south."

"Tang He has returned and told us a lot about the south."

"The situation in the south is not very optimistic."

"Many officials, military commanders, gentry, wealthy families, landlords, etc., are more or less involved in the smuggling business, and there is also land annexation. He is waving our banner in the south, showing off his power, which is very impressive, but we are sitting on pins and needles in the palace."

"Each of these things is insignificant, but if they were to explode all at once, even we would be shaken."

“I don’t know how many more people will die in the South.”

Sweat was pouring down Zhu Biao's forehead.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were filled with indifference. He said indifferently: "In this world, I tell you, you can't trust anyone except yourself. Sometimes, you can't even trust me. To trust others is to hand over your fate to others. When I started my army, I told myself that I have to live for myself in this life."

"We want you to remember it, too."

"It was not easy to obtain the Ming Dynasty, and it is equally difficult to maintain it."

Zhu Biao said quickly: "I will remember this."

"I will be more careful in the future and will never make a big mistake because of a momentary impulse."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Okay, I'm a little tired too. You go down first. Don't get involved in the matter of rectifying military discipline for now. Let these generals handle it for a while. When they make some progress, or when they really can't handle it, then you can take action."

"As a ruler, you need to stay behind the scenes and look at the overall situation."

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly: "I understand. I will not get involved. Please rest assured, father."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao, but shook his head, as if he was not convinced by what Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Biao smiled awkwardly and took the initiative to withdraw.

After Zhu Biao walked away, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "The child has grown up. He has his own ideas about some things. But as a prince, his own ideas are often wrong and he is also coerced by others. If you can't see through this, even if I ask you to do more things, it actually has little to do with you."

"Since you are willing to give it a try, we will follow your lead. Sooner or later, our world will be handed over to you."

"We can only help you up to this point."

(End of this chapter)