Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 60 Zhu Biao Demands Power (Subscription Request)

'The teacher is famous. The teacher is famous'

After Zhu Yunfeng left, Zhu Yuanzhang sat in the chair in the study and pondered for a long time.

In the room, Zhu Biao just looked at Zhu Yuanzhang quietly without saying a word.

Both of them were thinking about the question Zhu Yunfeng had just raised.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang also understood the principle of having a legitimate reason to fight.
Otherwise, he would not have had any concerns about the Jianzhou Jurchen issue.

However, he only realized that the indiscriminate killing of the Jurchens would cause the surrounding forces to become alienated from the Ming Dynasty and throw themselves into the arms of Northern Liao.

However, he did not realize that his indiscriminate killing of Han people would cause Han officials and people to become alienated from the Ming Dynasty, and eventually leave the Ming Dynasty when it was about to perish.

It seems that my historical self was too impatient.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself.

After listening to Zhu Yunfeng's story, he gradually understood what he meant.

When one gets impatient, he fabricates a crime and starts killing people, and that really makes everyone unhappy.

Even if he admits defeat verbally, he is probably not convinced in his heart.

The key point is that he did not just kill a few people on the charge of rebellion, but killed the majority of people, causing too many people to be implicated and affecting the general public.

The common people are the ones who speak the truth, and the literati in ancient times were also the main force in controlling the discourse power of public opinion.

Unless everyone is killed, the news will get out.

This is why the generals, officials, gentry and even the common people in the early Ming Dynasty gradually lost their sense of belonging to the Ming Dynasty.

And Zhu Yunfeng's method is indeed the best method.

We must uphold justice and integrity.

That is to say, take action for a legitimate reason.

We cannot fabricate cases using such reasons that can be seen as true or false at a glance.

After all, it is somewhat credible to say that Lan Yu rebelled, but it is indeed a bit far-fetched to say that someone like Hu Weiyong, who had no military power, rebelled.

Only when there is solid evidence and factual basis can there be a reason to use a knife to kill someone.

"Father, this is the truth!"

After a moment of silence, Zhu Biao spoke up, "What Yunfeng has always wanted to say is that we cannot act irrationally. When an emperor does something, it must be fair to everyone. After all, the emperor represents the Ming Dynasty!"

"Okay, I know."

Zhu Yuanzhang was rarely angry. If Zhu Biao had dared to use such a preaching tone in the past, he would have definitely gotten angry.

Because he knew that what Zhu Biao said was correct.

It is said that if the monarch treats his subjects like dogs and horses, then the subjects will treat the monarch like a fellow countryman; if the monarch treats his subjects like dirt, then the subjects will treat the monarch like an enemy.

The emperor represents the Ming Dynasty. If you, the emperor, are unfair and unreasonable, then why should I, a subject, work diligently and risk my life for the Ming Dynasty?

This is the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di were so talented and wise.

In addition, the later Ming Renzong and Ming Xuanzong allowed the country to recuperate and the people to live in peace and prosperity, otherwise chaos would have occurred in the early Ming Dynasty.

So after Zhu Yunfeng pointed out these problems, Zhu Yuanzhang actually understood the key.

Zhu Biao continued to advise him: "The Ming Dynasty should learn from the following events. Father, I hope you will not act arbitrarily in this matter."

"Okay, I said I know."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand slightly impatiently, signaling Zhu Biao to stop talking.

After a while, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, are you planning to join forces with Yunfeng to control me?"

"Don't you dare!"

Zhu Biao looked calm. If any other prince was questioned like this by the emperor, he would have been terrified and uneasy.

But he was not panicked at all, and said seriously: "History has long proved that some of the things my father did were wrong. I just want Ming Dynasty to go on the right path, not the wrong one."

"Well"

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then asked, "How do you know that the path you follow is the right one?"

Zhu Biao said, "We can connect with future generations, so we can learn advanced experience from them. Even though Yunfeng can only talk about it on paper, I believe there is no shortage of capable people in the future. The computer has all kinds of information, and it is easy to check anything. There must be a way for the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty among them."

"That computer is indeed magical, and contains everything, but it also contains so much information that it is difficult to tell true from false."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

These days, in addition to reading historical materials on the computer, he also slowly learned to use search engines to search for information with the help of Zhu Biao and Zhu Di.

But there was too much information, including all kinds of messy news, and even rumors online that he was a male prostitute, which made him a little nervous.

If it were not difficult for him to reach the modern times, he really wanted to capture the unofficial history communicator with the ID "yyyyzzzz" on Bihu, exterminate his entire clan, and demote him to a male prostitute to let him taste his power.

Therefore, in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, the so-called Internet is full of true and false, real and fake, and many things are just exaggerations. If he really listened to those people, he didn't know whether the Ming Dynasty could last for three hundred years.

"How will you know if you don't try?"

Zhu Biao said calmly: "Both my son and Yunfeng have the ability to distinguish. Besides, the general direction of increasing food and developing industry is always right. As long as the general direction is right, other systems can be changed at any time even if there are deviations."

"Well"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered in silence. The general direction was indeed correct, but the key was whether his son was really capable of doing that?
Zhu Biao continued, "Father, the Ming Dynasty needs reform. We can't let it go as Yunfeng said, causing people to lose their morale and making everyone extremely disappointed in the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, thought for a long time, and then said softly: "Okay, since my son wants to do something big, there is no reason for me as a father to stop him. But national affairs are not to be taken lightly, and there must be three rules between father and son."

"Please let me know, father."

Zhu Biao's expression remained unchanged. He naturally knew that it was not that easy to take power.

He saw that people in later generations said that he was the prince with the most stable position and the greatest power in history, but he didn't know that many things were ultimately just the imagination of later generations.

Only he himself knows what the truth is.

It is true that it has the most stable position.

The best proof of this is that even though my father knew the uncertainty of his future and knew that if the fourth son came to power the Ming Dynasty would have at least another three hundred years of national fortune, he still would not depose him and enthrone the fourth son.

But to say that power is the greatest is a fallacy.

Because even though he could be regent, the father and son shared the same set of civil and military officials, which meant that the civil and military officials would definitely listen to his father and not him.

He was able to appoint and dismiss officials at will, and was in charge of their promotions and rewards and punishments. This was not power he himself possessed, but power given to him by his father.

In simple terms, he can only do what his father approves of, and he will never disobey his father if his father doesn't allow it.

Just like in history, he jumped into the lake to save Song Lian.

If he really had such great power, how could a mere Song Lian not be able to protect him?

Ultimately, we don't have that power.

So to some extent, it can be said that Zhu Biao was the most powerful prince in history, as long as Zhu Biao was willing to give up power.

But once Zhu Yuanzhang was unwilling to give up power, he would be the prince with the least power and could do nothing.

And now is the time for Zhu Biao to fight for power for himself!
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally knew what his son was thinking.

Some people in later generations said that if Zhu Biao rebelled, Zhu Yuanzhang would only be happy and would even ask whether Zhu Biao had enough troops.

This is of course nonsense.

But if we talk about decentralization, that's certainly not impossible.

There is no father who doesn't want his children to grow up and be able to stand on their own.

If his son could grow up and understand the principles of governing a country, Zhu Yuanzhang would still be willing to provide help.

Of course, the premise of all this is that you have your own protection.

"Governing a country is not an ordinary thing. If you want to govern the country, as a father, I will only be relieved. However, national affairs can be turned upside down if you are not careful. Therefore, you cannot give up power immediately. You need to act with caution."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "As Yunfeng said, in some matters, it is indeed necessary to have a legitimate reason, so I plan to let you handle Hu Weiyong's matter."

"Shall I do it?"

Zhu Biao frowned slightly.

He actually didn't want to launch a purge unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Yes, Not Bad."

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "This can be regarded as a test for you. You know that as a ruler, you must not be soft-hearted. Sometimes you don't want to kill others, but the people below may come to kill you. Aren't there enough cases of rulers and subjects in the Northern Dynasties?"

"I am not forcing you to kill anyone this time, but I want to ask you, those people below are no longer listening to us, what should we do?"

"You often say that you want to implement benevolent policies and benefit the people of the world. But these officials deceive their superiors and subordinates, and the policies you issued are distorted. The tax cuts you exempted have all gone into their pockets. You want to govern the country well, but the country is getting worse and worse."

"When the people were in trouble, these people owned mansions, countless acres of land, and a large number of slaves. They have told me that Your Majesty should just sit back and let them rule the world."

"Now they dare not even report the affairs of the world to me, and make decisions on their own."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked seriously at his eldest son, who was known as the benevolent and righteous crown prince, and asked softly, "Tell me, what should we do?"

Zhu Biao suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with coldness as he said, "The Ming Dynasty was conquered by my father. It is not a world where people like them can bully the people and do whatever they want. I am willing to eradicate these cancers for my father!"

"it is good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and said, "If you can really do as Yunfeng said, and all parties are convinced, and achieve your father's goal of consolidating the imperial power, it will prove that you have the ability to govern the country. If you want to govern the country in the future, your father will not stop you."

"of course."

He paused and said, "Even if you can do something big in the future, the national system that will be introduced still needs to be confirmed by your father. What do you think?"

"."

Zhu Biao did not agree immediately. Instead, he pretended to think for a few seconds, then stood up, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "I understand. I will do as you say, father!"

The meaning of this statement is actually very clear.

That is, if you can deal with Hu Weiyong well and help his father solve the issue of strengthening the imperial power, then he will be given the right to govern.

But this power of administration is also relative.

For example, Zhu Biao wanted to implement a relaxed policy, reduce corvée and taxes, and give the people a rest.

It was understandable that after reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that it was inappropriate at the moment and rejected it outright.

So the final decision still lies in Zhu Yuanzhang's hands.

However, compared to the previous situation where my suggestions were completely ignored, this is actually a big improvement.

Therefore, Zhu Biao also thought it was worth a try.

"Ah."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "I will not care about Hu Weiyong's matter. I just want to tell you that you must do a good job on this matter and don't let your father down."

As he spoke, his tone became extremely serious, which made Zhu Biao feel a chill in his heart.

In fact, he understood that even if he really messed up this matter, his father would most likely not destroy him, but he would still be very disappointed in him.

I'm afraid that before my father dies, I won't be able to get power again, and I will probably only be able to supervise the country for the rest of my life.

So for him, it was also a gamble.

The bet was won.

He will be able to truly have power.

The bet was lost.

All things come to an end.

However, it was not that Zhu Biao was unable to make up his mind.

Because he has been able to understand these principles very clearly.

Hu Weiyong ultimately stood in the way of imperial power.

If he does not die, he will continue to abuse his power with his cronies and make decisions on national affairs without reporting them.

This is something that is intolerable for an emperor.

Although Zhu Biao is not the emperor at present.

But since Zhu Yuanzhang gave him the power of an emperor, Hu Weiyong was also an obstacle standing in his way, Zhu Biao.

Even if he wanted to govern in the future, it would be nothing but a castle in the air if he didn't deal with Hu Weiyong.

If he doesn't die, who will?
Therefore Zhu Biao knew clearly.

"Please rest assured, father. I will give you a satisfactory answer to this matter."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice.

"Well, that's fine. I know you want to discuss this with Yunfeng. Just tell Yunfeng and ask him to assist you as the King of Wu of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "But what I want to say is that if you can't do it, I will do it myself, understand?"

"Yes."

Zhu Biao responded solemnly, and then said, "Then I will take my leave first."

"Well, you go."

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he was most likely going to the modern world to find Zhu Yunfeng, so he did not stop him.

Zhu Biao then left the study and went out of the Qianqing Palace.

Looking at his son's departing back, Zhu Yuanzhang's mood was not very good, but it was not heavy either.

This matter naturally had to be done because Zhu Yuanzhang needed Hu Weiyong to die.

But it’s not impossible to let my son do it.

If he doesn't do a good job, I will step in personally and launch a major purge.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang could let Zhu Biao deal with Hu Weiyong.

The key lies in Zhu Yunfeng's participation in politics.

Zhu Biao's intention was very simple. He wanted to join forces with Zhu Yunfeng to seize power from Zhu and realize his political ambitions.

After all, Zhu Biao also saw his own future in Zhu Yunfeng. He served as regent for more than 20 years but achieved nothing. In the end, he could not survive the old man and died first.

So it’s normal to have some thoughts at the moment.

As a person of later generations, Zhu Yunfeng can help him realize his political demands.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang could allow his eldest son to interfere with his power, but he could not allow outsiders to do so.

Isn’t this the reason why Hu Weiyong died?
Even if that person is his descendant, he is still so far away from him.

"Forget it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. It would be good to let Biaoer and Yunfeng have more contact. It will at least help them gain more experience."

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and thought to himself.

Although he didn't want Zhu Yunfeng to get his power, he would not turn against Zhu Yunfeng. After all, the matter was still within his control.

As long as he is alive, he can intervene at any time, so there is no need to worry too much.

As for the future, let's take it one step at a time.

(End of this chapter)