Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 159 Crazy Qingliu! The Broken Princess!
Princess Ningguo's Mansion.

Zhu Yuanzhang had many children, but the children born to Empress Ma were naturally different from those born to other concubines.

Queen Ma gave birth to five sons and two daughters.

The eldest daughter was named Princess Ningguo and the second daughter was named Princess Anqing.

At this time, Princess Anqing was sitting opposite Princess Ningguo, crying as she talked.

"It's hard for us women to be like this. The prince's annual salary is 50,000 dan of rice and 25,000 guan of banknotes."

"But our princess only has one farm, and earns 1,500 dan of rice and 2,000 guan of banknotes every year."

"There are so many people in the mansion, how can this little money be enough?"

"Your brother-in-law has no other choice but to start a business to supplement the family income."

"But he was arrested and imprisoned by the tax commissioner on the charge of evading imperial taxes and bribing officials."

Princess Anqing cried and wiped her tears with her sleeves.

"Is the Ming Dynasty still our father's kingdom?"

"Why is it that our father's son-in-law, doing some business, has to be oppressed like this?"

"How despicable is Fourth Brother's son Zhu Gaoxu, who has no mercy at all."

"He has imprisoned his uncle and has not released him yet."

"I begged him in every possible way, almost kneeling down to kowtow to him, but he just refused to let me go."

"Right now, my father is in seclusion and won't see outsiders. I don't know where the crown prince has gone. Sister, you must help me!"

Princess Anqing and her husband Ouyang Lun have always had a deep relationship.

When Ouyang Lun was arrested and imprisoned, she of course rushed around, determined to rescue her husband.

These days, the person making the most noise in the Taxation Bureau's office is Princess Anqing.

"Don't worry, sister." Princess Ningguo looked at her lovingly.

They are sisters from the same mother and have a very good relationship.

"I will definitely take care of this matter for you." Princess Ningguo took her hand and used her other hand to help wipe away the tears on her face.

"However, since my father is in seclusion, you can't see him. I'm afraid I won't be able to see him if I go."

"What should we do then?" asked Princess Anqing.

Princess Ningguo smiled and said, "I heard that this matter has caused a great uproar in the court. Many officials are going to report to the tax commissioner and demand the release of the imprisoned royal relatives without charge."

Princess Anqing looked depressed and said, "What's the point of them reporting it? The crown prince is hiding away, and Zhu Gaoxu is like a stone in a toilet, hard and smelly."

"If he doesn't release them, no matter how many memorials the officials submit, it will be useless."

Princess Ningguo shook her head: "No."

"The court is in turmoil. Even my father has to be cautious."

"They think they can arrest people at will under the pretext of tax inspection and tax collection. But if all the civil and military officials in the court object, then their reasons will not hold water."

"In this case, isn't it just a matter of letting him go?"

Princess Anqing's heart moved.

As a royal princess, she was not completely ignorant of court affairs.

She was just too concerned and confused, thinking that her husband was still in prison, and she was too lazy to pay attention to the political situation outside.

When I heard what my sister said and thought about it carefully, it seemed to make sense.

Zhu Gaoxu refused to release the prisoners because he thought he was in the right.

However, the officials in the court may not necessarily support the idea of increasing commercial taxes and setting up a tax commissioner.

Everyone rose up in opposition.

That reason no longer holds.

Princess Ningguo added: "Your brother-in-law is an official in the court. He is well-respected in the court. I will ask him to take the lead in writing a petition, and he will definitely be able to rescue your brother-in-law."

Princess Ningguo's husband was Mei Yin, the son of Mei Sizu, Marquis of Runan.

As the son of a noble family, Mei Yin was not only skilled in riding and archery, rich in planning and strategy, but also proficient in literature and history.

This is extremely rare among the children of nobles.

Outsiders even gave him the title of "Confucian Master".

Among the many princes-in-law, Mei Yin was the most favored by Zhu Yuanzhang.

If he were to show up, his appeal would be considerable.

"Thank you very much, sister!" Princess Anqing stood up and bowed.

Princess Ningguo quickly supported her and said, "We are sisters. You are being too polite."

While the two were talking, someone came from outside to report that the prince consort had returned home.

Princess Ningguo asked Princess Anqing to rest in the room first, and she went to see Mei Yin.

As soon as Mei Yin returned home, he went straight to the study.

Princess Ningguo walked in and was about to speak when Mei Yin said, "But your sister Princess Anqing came to ask you to save her husband?"

Princess Ningguo smiled and nodded.

"The tax commissioner was wrong in the first place. How can one treat one's own family like this?"

"After arresting so many royal relatives, they must be released eventually."

"I think you should write a petition asking the court to release him."

Unexpectedly, Mei Yin shook his head and said, "No!"

Princess Ningguo was startled when she heard this.

The prince consort always obeyed his words.

What's going on today?

"Take a look for yourself." Mei Yin handed over a copy of the Ming Daily.

Although Princess Anqing was a woman, she was a royal princess after all, so she could naturally read and write.

She glanced at the newspaper and her expression suddenly changed.

"As soon as these articles came out, the public opinion in the entire Jinling City exploded!"

Mei Yin said: "The common people are cursing the royal relatives who evaded and resisted taxes, and the court officials who were corrupt and perverted the law, fearing power and allowing the royal relatives to break the law without doing anything."

"Think about it, what those upright censors like to do most is to seek fame and be honest."

"I have to find something to do when I have nothing to do on weekdays."

"Now that we have such a good opportunity, whoever stands up to attack the royal relatives who evade or resist tax will immediately become a great and upright official who is not afraid of power in the eyes of the people of Jinling City."

"Could they miss such a good opportunity?"

"In addition, the Ming Daily also published which officials had submitted memorials to impeach the emperor's relatives."

"Then what about the officials who didn't submit memorials?"

"I'm afraid that tomorrow, all the civil and military officials in the court will have to submit memorials to impeach the arrested royal relatives."

"At this time, you asked me to write a petition to the court to release them."

"That's what puts me in the crosshairs."

Princess Ningguo was stunned and said, "It's not that serious. I heard that many officials opposed the increase in commercial taxes and the actions of the tax commissioner, and supported the acquittal of the royal family."

Mei Yin smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "Those people are fence-sitters. They will go whichever way the wind blows."

"Before, the court was full of voices opposing the increase in commercial taxes, so it was natural for them to say that."

"There is a huge public outcry right now, so how could they do that?"

He pointed to the memorial published in the newspaper and said, "This official who submitted a memorial requesting the court to severely punish the imperial family members who evaded and resisted tax was just shouting at the tax commissioner to release them not long ago."

"In the blink of an eye, he became an honest official who upheld the laws of the country, was not afraid of power, and took the lead in attacking the royal family."

Princess Ningguo was stunned for a moment, and after a while she said, "Can my brother-in-law Ouyang Lun really not be released?"

"Let Princess Anqing persuade Prince Consort Ouyang to write a letter of apology." Mei Yin said, "This is the only way at the moment."

"Let him take the initiative to plead guilty and pay back the commercial taxes he evaded before. His Royal Highness will definitely give him a lighter sentence."

"Otherwise, public opinion will surge, and they might even pick out a few royal relatives to serve as an example to others."

Princess Ningguo trembled, her eyes flickered, and she said, "Our family also has some business..."

Mei Yin sighed, "I know, but it's not a big deal. I've asked the housekeeper to pay the business tax."

Princess Ningguo was unwilling to accept this and asked again, "Has it really come to this?"

Mei Yin smiled bitterly and said, "Not only that! Today I will also write a memorial to request the court to severely punish the royal relatives who evaded taxes!"

…………

……

"I am deeply terrified and bow my head to say:"

"I humbly wish that your majesty will enlighten the people and bring them blessings. However, the foundation of a country lies in its finances; the collection of finances is of vital importance to the national economy and the people's livelihood."

"Recently, I have heard that some of the royal family members have taken advantage of their noble status to violate the law, privately hoard wealth, evade taxes, and cause the national treasury to be empty and people's livelihood to suffer. This trend must not be allowed to continue."

"I have heard that the king has no relatives and the law is enforced impartially."

"Since ancient times, sage kings have governed the country based on the rule of law, regardless of relatives and nobles, and rewards and punishments must be credible!"

"Law is a public instrument for the whole world, and must be enforced with justice; punishment is a sharp weapon for punishing evil, and must be applied with severity."

"As royal relatives, we should be role models for the people, abide by the laws of the country and set an example for all officials. However, we are now rebelling against the law, evading taxes and damaging the national treasury. Such evil deeds are intolerable by the laws of the country and are the outrage of the people."

"Tax evasion and tax resistance not only undermine the government, but also hurt your majesty's virtue and damage the reputation of the royal family. It is indeed a crime of great disrespect."

"I think that if this matter is not severely punished, it will spread from top to bottom, and the law and order will be completely destroyed. If this continues, the country will no longer be a country."

"I dare to ask Your Majesty not to bend the law for personal reasons, but to punish severely according to the law."

"To show your Majesty's selfless heart and to satisfy the hopes of the people of the world."

"In this way, the law and order will be upheld, the foundation of the country will be stabilized, and your Majesty's holy name will be recorded in history forever."

"I am fully aware that this proposal may be offensive, but my heart is only concerned with the safety of the country and the well-being of the people."

"Therefore, I risk my life to make this statement. I hope Your Majesty will look into my heart and accept my humble opinion. It will be a blessing for the country and the people!"

"I bow again to report this matter even though I am afraid of death!"

……

Memorials flew into the Ministry of Public Security like snowflakes.

Without exception, they all requested the court to severely punish royal relatives who evaded or resisted taxes.

There was not even a single petition asking for mercy for them.

Only seven officials submitted reports on the first day.

After their names were published in the Daming Daily, they immediately attracted the admiration and countless praises from the people of Jinling.

The next day, more than fifty officials submitted memorials.

On the third day, the number surged to more than three hundred.

On the fourth day, the number of people who submitted memorials requesting the court to severely punish officials who evaded and resisted taxes had exceeded one thousand.

Not only officials from Jinling City, but also officials from nearby states and counties heard the news and submitted memorials.

From the six ministers to the city gate guards, everyone was submitting petitions.

The sentiment is indignant.

Almost everyone wanted to punish the royal relatives who evaded or resisted taxes, and everyone asked the court to punish them severely.

What's more, some upright censors were no longer satisfied with simply submitting memorials.

After all, His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince who was the Regent never gave any instructions on their memorials.

Therefore, the Qingliu people gathered together in front of the imperial palace and requested an imperial decree to severely punish the royal relatives who evaded or resisted tax.

Some upright people even knelt in front of the palace gate for a long time and refused to get up, swearing to resist until death without an imperial decree.

Although His Majesty is clearly not in the palace.

All the officials knew that they were just pretending to gain fame and reputation.

But at this time, whoever made the most vigorous remonstration would be regarded as an upright official who was not afraid of power and dared to speak out in the eyes of the people of Jinling City!

How can the upright people miss such an opportunity?

In the past, similar opportunities to become famous required exchanging lives for lives!
If you offend the superior, you will be beheaded and your family will be killed.

But this time is different.

The establishment of the Department of Taxation was the decision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Your Majesty also agrees.

Zhu Gaoxu arrested the royal relatives and no matter how the princess cried, His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not say anything and did not release them. Their intentions were very clear.

At this time, risking one's life to give advice will not anger His Majesty and the Crown Prince at all.

It's nothing more than offending the royal relatives who are imprisoned.

Compared to being beheaded and having one's property confiscated immediately, the risk is so low that it's not worth mentioning!
But now, the people of the entire Jinling City and even the whole world are paying close attention to this matter.

Every move is known to the world.

The risk is low and the return is high.

The Qingliu people immediately pounced out like cats smelling blood.

The competition now is not about who dares to report those royal relatives.

It’s about who can attack the most fiercely!
"Such serious tax evasion has never been heard of since the founding of the country. If it is not severely punished, how can the country's laws be established?"

"Princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as common people. Moreover, they not only evaded taxes, but also refused to repent after being caught. How can the court tolerate them?"

"This dynasty has always severely punished corruption and bribery. They openly bribed the head of the tax department and ignored the law. They should be sentenced to death!"

"After these people were imprisoned, they didn't even pay the taxes immediately. Their families even went to the Taxation Department and made a scene, causing unrest in the taxation office. This is simply lawless and they really deserve to be killed!"

"Although the court has a system of discussing relatives and nobles, even if the royal family members break the law, they can be given a lighter sentence. But what they have done is too serious, their crimes are unforgivable, and they must not be forgiven lightly!"

……

Princess Anqing's Mansion.

An Qing, who was rejected by his sister, returned home in despair.

She couldn't figure it out.

My sister clearly promised it before.

But after meeting the Prince Consort Mei Yin, her attitude suddenly changed.

Not only did he reject her request, he also advised her to let Ouyang Lun plead guilty and pay the taxes he had evaded before.

For Anqing, this is like a bucket of cold water poured over its head.

Do those few articles in the Da Ming Daily really have such a great influence?

Anqing still didn't believe it.

But just now when she was riding in the carriage back home, she vaguely heard some discussions outside, which seemed to be scolding the royal relatives who evaded taxes.

This immediately made her feel uneasy.

Actually, Prince Consort Ouyang Lun is the main culprit in this incident.

If it gets out and the people know about it...

Wherever you go, people will point fingers at you behind your back.

Where would she, a princess of the Ming Dynasty, put her face?

"Princess!"

At this time, the personal maid came running over and said, "It's bad, it's bad. An official is outside the palace, asking Your Majesty to severely punish the royal relatives who evaded taxes."

"What?" Princess Anqing's face suddenly changed. She stood up suddenly and said angrily, "How dare they... How dare they? Send someone to check who they are. I will settle accounts with them one by one in the future."

The personal maid lowered her head and whispered, "I heard that all the upright officials in the court are here, and they are all packed with officials..."

"Snapped!"

Princess Anqing sat down weakly. She murmured, "They...are they digging their own graves like this?"

"I don't believe it. Will they not allow their family members to do business in the future?"

The maid whispered, "I heard that all the officials in the court who had family members doing business took the initiative to pay the taxes, and also promised to strictly control their families in the future and never evade taxes again."

Princess Anqing felt a black screen before her eyes and she almost fainted.

As a princess, His Majesty's biological daughter, she was not worried about her own safety.

But what about the prince consort?

Those officials are shouting so loudly, maybe the emperor will really kill the prince consort to set an example!

half an hour.

Princess Anqing sighed and said weakly, "Go prepare some money and we will pay the tax."

"Also, send someone to the prison to pass a message and ask the prince consort to plead guilty."

……

(End of this chapter)