Ming Dynasty: Traveling through the harem, Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded

Chapter 120 Zhu Di was the first prince to go on an expedition
As the drama began to unfold, Zhu Yuanzhang saw someone jump out as he wished.

Tang Shengzong knew that this guy was a fool.

During the period of rewarding meritorious service in Poyang Lake during the founding war, this fellow often boasted to a few friends about how great his military exploits were.

Under the influence of alcohol, he also told friends that his reward was totally inadequate.

From the moment Zhu Yuanzhang heard about this incident, he was judged by him to be just a general.

He is totally incapable of handling a higher position, which is why Zhu Yuanzhang was unwilling to reward him.

He doesn't have much ability to begin with, and after drinking some horse urine he doesn't know who he is.

If it weren't for the fact that the other party had followed him for many years, Lao Zhu would have arranged for someone to find the other party and clear him of the charges.

The reason he stayed was to see how many reasons this guy could create for him to govern Hu Weiyong while he was with Hu Weiyong.

Now it seems that my decision was not wrong.

Look, he jumps out as soon as he gets the chance.

Discussions at court have never been as rigorous as ordinary people imagine.

In the final analysis, it's just a group of people getting together to chat and talk, the only difference is that the content is quite large.

Once people get angry, it is normal for them to resort to violence.

Zhao Kuangyin once broke a minister's teeth with the handle of an axe in the court. The reason was that the minister told him something that could be considered a big deal or a small matter. For Zhao Kuangyin, it was a complete waste of time.

There was also the conflict between Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda in the Tang Dynasty. The two of them started fighting among the ministers because of their disagreement. Li Shimin wanted to watch the show, but he was accidentally injured. In the end, Li Shimin arranged for both of them to go home and reflect on their mistakes.

Sometimes, conflicts in the imperial court are what people look forward to, just to see what these two people will argue about.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Yang Chen silently to see how this young guy would react.

Tang Shengzong walked out of the crowd and soon stood in the center of civil and military officials. His position was higher than Yang Chen, so he was naturally closer to Zhu.

He bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang for instructions, then looked around and finally exchanged a glance with Hu Weiyong.

"Everyone!
I am a straightforward person and my words can easily offend people.

Who taught this guy? Does he know that the royal family should be like a fist and be equal?
Your Majesty has fought for many years and led us to kill countless people and go through countless hardships before we re-established a Han dynasty in this chaotic Central Plains.

Now there are some problems with the vassal kings, and you don't think of a solution for Your Majesty, but want to make the vassal kings go to other places. I think you have bad intentions! You are suspected of splitting the Ming Dynasty!

The people have finally had a chance to recuperate, but if you start a war again.

Wouldn't it make people's lives even more difficult? What's the meaning of the Ming Dynasty that Your Majesty and I have jointly established? "

As soon as Tang Shengzong opened his mouth, he put a big hat on Yang Chen.

This instantly aroused the support of many civil and military officials.

Seeing his good son-in-law being embarrassed, Mu Ying couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to stand up.

As soon as he raised his foot, Xu Da knocked him back.

"General Xu! Why are you doing this?"

He looked at Xu Da in confusion and asked.

"Mu family kid, listen to me, this guy is not someone who will suffer any loss. Don't you know how Lan Yu was defeated by him before?
Your Majesty asked him to attend the court today, but his purpose is not so simple. Tang Shengzong jumped out on his own, and we should just watch quietly. There is no need to get involved in the rest of the matter. "

Mu Ying, who was originally anxious, immediately understood after Xu Da's explanation. Yes!
His good son-in-law has never been one to suffer a loss, not to mention that the other party had said many times that unless it was profitable for him to be an official, he would not be willing to take up any ordinary official position.

Gradually understanding what was happening, Mu Ying returned to his position.

The Zhu family members on the stage all looked at Yang Chen, wanting to know how he would answer.

Yang Chen did not expect that a young man would actually stand up in front of him. It really proved the saying that logic is unnecessary.

If it had not really happened, no one would believe that someone could hike across the daunting Qinling Mountains alone without relying on professional equipment or even bringing supplies.

As the discussion became more heated, many people began pointing at Yang Chen.

"General Tang is right! You, a brat, just want to make the people of the Ming Dynasty live a miserable life!"

"That's right! Your Majesty! The person in front of us must have some plan in mind, otherwise why would he propose to let the vassal king be granted a title outside the country? This is simply splitting the country!"

"I suggest that this person be stripped of his official position and demoted to a civilian."

"I think he should be imprisoned and tortured to find out who made him do this!"

Faced with these accusations that were widely condemned, Yang Chen just smiled and then faced Tang Shengzong directly.

"Just now you said that I was suspected of splitting the Ming Dynasty. Then let me ask, General, do you know the son of your uncle's father and the son of your eldest brother's younger brother?"

Everyone thought that under such accusations from them, Yang Chen would definitely quickly deny what he had just said and apologize humbly.

Unexpectedly, this guy didn't buy it at all and asked them questions instead.

Everyone was stunned, except Tang Shengzong, who looked thoughtful.

The son of his uncle's father's son's elder brother's younger brother's son? Such a complicated question quickly confused his thoughts.

"Does the General deny it?"

When Yang Chen asked him further, he could only say that he didn't recognize her.

This time it is Yang Chen's turn to have the final say.

"Since you can't recognize me, then what right do you have to accuse me of splitting up the Ming Dynasty?
Even you are like this, let alone the Ming Dynasty decades or hundreds of years later!
The territory of the Ming Dynasty is currently very small. If we do not invade other countries to seize land, there will be internal strife and disputes among the vassal kings in the future.

Do you think the people can still be so harmonious?

You said I split the Ming Dynasty, but I think you are the one who wants to split the Ming Dynasty!"

"You little brat! You are so brave!"

"I'm just that brave! So what?"

"you!"

"What do you mean by 'you'? You are a military officer, why don't you get involved in the affairs of our civil officials? I think you are just meddling in other people's business, trying to show off your presence in front of His Majesty, and want to use this to make a profit when you retire and return home in the future!
You are the one who is really causing trouble for the Ming Dynasty! You are the one who is qualified to say that I am making the people of the Ming Dynasty live in unrest.

Who knows if you will return to your hometown in the future, annex the land, exploit the local people, and make their lives miserable."

Yang Chen's words were sharp and hit people's hearts, leaving Tang Shengzong speechless in an instant.

The reason was very simple. Not long ago, he had just used some tricks to buy the good farmland of the people in his hometown at a low price, totaling more than 3,000 acres.

He had collaborated with local officials on this matter, but he didn't expect that Yang Chen's random guess would turn out to be correct.

Tang Shengzong was so angry that he was shaking all over, and in the end he could only return to his team of generals muttering to himself.

"Your Majesty! I think General Tang is right! Even if this man is not suspected of splitting up the Ming Dynasty, he is suspected of deliberately making life difficult for the people.

When a vassal king is appointed to a new post, the soldiers must go out together. At that time, the ones who will suffer are the soldiers who have finally had a chance to recuperate and the common people who are just thinking of going home to warm their beds.

Just now this new colleague said that the military officers cannot manage the affairs of the civil officials. So I want to ask, as the Minister of State Affairs of the Central Secretariat, can I manage this matter?"

The man looked to be about 40 or 50 years old, with a crane patch on his chest. He was obviously a first-rank official, but it was not known whether he was a first-rank official or a descendant of the first rank.

The position of Pingzhang Zhengshi was very awkward. It was located in the Secretariat and assisted the prime minister in handling imperial affairs.

A bit like a secretary.

Under normal circumstances, if a low-level official was refuted by such a senior official, he would definitely admit his mistake immediately.

On the stage, Zhu's expression became more and more exciting, and even Wang Jinglue jumped out, which was enough to show that Hu Weiyong really wanted to know what he was thinking.

At the same time, Zhu Di's palms were sweating.

Some people argued that they would definitely know, but they did not expect that even a first-rank official would be implicated.

If Yang Chen can't handle it, then won't he be able to go out and divide the fiefdoms?
"Brother! The Prime Minister has come out. What if Yang Chen becomes weak later?"

Unsure, he had to ask his elder brother.

On the other hand, Zhu Biao seemed much calmer. He responded calmly:

"Fourth Brother, just relax. With Yang Chen's personality, do you think anyone would let him suffer? Not to mention Wang Jinglue, even if Hu Weiyong came in person, he might not fall.

Think about how much this guy has hurt you before."

Sure enough, after being reminded by Zhu Biao, Zhu Di thought of the bad things that had happened to him at Yang Chen's hands before.

The whole person couldn't help but shiver, and then Yang Chen spoke again from below.

"Your Excellency, as the Minister of State Affairs of the Secretariat, you are naturally in charge of the affairs of the civil servants.

But sir, I have a question, should I ask it?"

Wang Jinglue, who thought Yang Chen had already known his mistake, ignored him and snorted, saying:

"For your piety, I will give you this opportunity, so that His Majesty won't accuse me of not managing my subordinates well."

While speaking, he also complimented Zhu Yuanzhang for a while.

But Lao Zhu did not give any response, not even his eyes or nose moved.

"Okay, today the Lord asked me to speak, so let me ask, just now you said that the vassal kings I recommended made the people live a miserable life, so let me ask you, Lord, you are so knowledgeable, don't you know that many despicable deeds are done in the name of the people?"

"What a sharp mouth!"

How could Wang Jinglue not know that Yang Chen had found the only loophole in his righteousness.

He stared at Yang Chen vigilantly, with an unfriendly look in his eyes.

"You are such a sharp-tongued young man! Do you know how many innocent people and soldiers will die once the war starts? Their resentful spirits will not let you go even after ten or a hundred years!"

Faced with this responsibility, a crowd of people immediately agreed and many voices were heard.

Yang Chen, however, sneered and looked around before responding.

"Great! Great for innocent civilians and innocent soldiers!

Let me ask you, one by one, look through the historical records of thousands of years and see which dynasty's court struggles, external conquests, and internal resistance were not accompanied by the glare of swords and sabers.

Look at which emperor who has gone down in history has no blood on his hands!
Such things have happened in the past, exist now, and will happen in the future!
Intrigue, fighting for power, if I don't kill him, he will kill me! Those who are not of my race must have different hearts, don't you know the truth that one general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers! "

Wang Jinglue never thought that Yang Chen would still have something to say even after he had criticized him so much. He was a little dazed for a moment.

Suddenly he heard a low voice in his ear, and he looked to Hu Weiyong on his left.

The other party whispered to him how to answer.

He was a confidant of Hu Weiyong who was promoted by him. The two of them talked in perfect harmony, and within five breaths, Wang Jinglue regained his composure.

"Absurd! This is nonsense! It is a fact that the people are hungry and cold when the princes are exiled, and it is also a fact that the people are complaining!

None of what you are talking about exists!"

Yang Chen laughed out loud.

"It's ridiculous! It's really ridiculous! You say what I said is nonsense, then let me ask you, which of the mansions you live in was not built by the people? Did they have no complaints during the construction of the mansions?

Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're a first-rank official. Don't forget, I'm the Imperial Censor! I have the power to accuse people! This is granted by His Majesty.

As a first-rank official, are the fine clothes and delicious food you enjoy all provided by the people voluntarily?
You say that I made the people cry out in hunger and cold, that I caused the people to complain, then why don't you look at the people now! How many of the people's lands have been annexed by you gentry at low prices! "

"You!" Wang Jinglue was shocked and furious. Just as Yang Chen said, the Censorate was independent of the Secretariat and as long as one worked there, one had the qualification to be a member of the committee.

At least that's what the Ming Dynasty laws said.

Wang Jinglue, who was full of doubt, kept thinking about it, and soon thought of another reason, and he was immediately delighted.

“Once the vassal kings are appointed outside the capital, it will go against your majesty’s original wishes and make the Ming Dynasty become militaristic and cause many harms!

This will cause the Ming Dynasty to follow in the footsteps of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty!"

With a powerful wave of his hands, his sleeves drew a perfect arc in the air. Yang Chen's aura instantly suppressed those who wanted to follow Wang Jinglue to bully him.

"I think you have been living in peace for too long, and your ambitions have long been worn out!

Did the Ming Dynasty’s peace come from praying to its enemies?
Just ask, which country, when it becomes strong, will not use force against a weak country! Which woman, when she becomes beautiful, will not be coveted by men?

With a sharp knife in hand, it is easy to be murderous. With unlimited power, corruption is inevitable. With a large number of soldiers and generals and sophisticated weapons, if you don't start a war, is it good to keep them?

Since there is an opportunity to expand the territory, why not make Ming Dynasty the most powerful country in the world!
No! Not the most powerful! But the only one! Whatever Jurchen, Northern Yuan, and Turkestan, they are not qualified to be called a country. If they want to survive, there is only one way!

That is to become a part of the Ming Dynasty.

You say that my warmongering will lead the Ming Dynasty to follow in the footsteps of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty. Look into your heart and look at the past.

Once the Central Plains dynasty weakened, the surrounding tigers, leopards, jackals and wolves would immediately pounce on it and devour it.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has money, soldiers, generals, and commanders, everything is ready. If we don't take this opportunity to destroy them directly, what's the point of keeping them around?"

After a heated exchange of words, Wang Jinglue could only stare at Yang Chen, unable to think of a single point to refute the other party.

In the end, I could only stand there in a daze, my head buzzing and I had no idea what state I was in.

On the high platform, Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with the show, and he appreciated everything Yang Chen said.

'This kid, why didn't I realize before that he can still speak eloquently even if he follows the rhetoric of scholars? I thought he could only speak in vernacular.

Now it seems that I really underestimated him before. It seems that I still have to continue to dig out unknown things from him.'

As Old Zhu was thinking in his heart, Wang Jinglue's voice came again from below.

This time he did not confront Yang Chen but complained to Lao Zhu.

"Your Majesty! This man's words are radical, he is disrespectful to his superiors, and he has no regard for his superiors. I think that his position as the Censor should be removed. Otherwise, if he is appointed as the Censor of the Capital, I am afraid that the officials of the court will be in a state of panic all day long, and they will not be able to work wholeheartedly for Your Majesty!"

Looking at his back, Yang Chen sighed and shook his head.

If most of the officials in the capital were like this, then it was only natural that the Ming Dynasty would eventually fall into destruction.

Powerful officials banding together has always been a characteristic of organizations, but if these powers are not imprisoned, then power will become a runaway wild horse, which will inevitably cause many unfavorable factors.

Wang Jinglue is the epitome of such a representative. He dare not imagine that if other people were like this, the morale of officials in the capital would deteriorate into what it would be like.

"Okay, please step back."

Old Zhu had no intention of paying any attention to him. Wang Jing was slightly stunned. He did not expect to get such an answer. He was unwilling to accept it and wanted to continue fighting for it.

"His Majesty!"

"Let's say! Back off!"

Old Zhu frowned slightly, his tone was very serious, and he seemed to be angry.

It’s no wonder that after he said that, Wang Jinglue was sweating profusely and dared not speak. He retreated and lowered his head.

Returning to the civil service team, Lao Zhu looked at Yang Chen with satisfaction, and then looked around.

"I think what he said makes sense. The peace of the Ming Dynasty today is not achieved through courtesy, kindness, courtesy, frugality and modesty, but through the swords and blades stained with the blood of the enemy in the hands of millions of Ming Dynasty generals.

I wonder if there is a prince who is willing to take the lead and set an example if he is given a title of vassal king?"

Yang Chen came in July, and now it is almost September, and there are less than twenty days left until the Mid-Autumn Festival. Therefore, except for Zhu Di, the rest of the princes, whether they have left the capital or are in the capital, are basically present.

Zhu Di was rather special in that he was brought to the stage by Zhu Biao himself.

The moment these words were spoken, everyone had different thoughts in their minds.

The civil officials were wondering where Yang Chen came from. You know, in the past, no one could give an answer that would satisfy Old Zhu at once.

This needs at least several days of discussion. Now with this happening, no one will be able to understand it.

"Father! I am willing to be the first to go to war for the Ming Dynasty! I want to set an example for what a prince should do! I ask for your approval!"

In a trance, Zhu Di next to Zhu Biao received affirmation, and immediately stood up and spoke in a loud voice.

(End of this chapter)