Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 300 Lao Zhu: We won’t die, we will just join hands with you to put on a big show!
The noise outside the house became more and more intense.

It seemed that even Yang Shiqi, Yao Guangxiao, Yang Rong and others were unable to stop the angry ministers.

They were exchanging sharp words and were almost about to come to blows.

Old Zhu couldn't help but laugh and said, "It seems that your subordinates are still not good enough to control the ministers."

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but look slightly embarrassed.

If Lan Yu was there and stood at the door, no minister would dare to rush in, and they wouldn't even be able to start a quarrel.

However, Yang Shiqi, Yao Guangxiao, Yang Rong and others were all too inexperienced and were all civil servants. They usually relied on Zhu Yunhuan's power and prestige and held important departments in the court. They could make the court tremble with just a stomp of their feet.

All the officials were afraid of them.

However, once faced with major changes, their shallow foundations were immediately exposed.

The most important point is that they are not military generals and have no military power.

The intelligence department headed by Yao Guangxiao was considered to have some military power. After all, in order to gather intelligence from overseas and wild areas, personnel had to undergo certain military training.

Most of the time, intelligence officers also need to be equipped with weapons.

In extreme cases, there may even be armed conflicts with local tribes.

But intelligence personnel are not regular troops after all, and Yao Guangxiao did not bring any troops with him when he came to the Eastern Palace.

The real problem lies with the guards of the Eastern Palace.

They seemed indifferent and adopted a neutral attitude of not helping either side.

Logically speaking, they should be the ones who most firmly support Zhu Yunhuan.

But at the critical moment, he just stood by and watched.

This made Zhu Yunhuan feel a little ashamed.

Prior to this, under Yang Shiqi's repeated reminders, he had reorganized the guards around him and increased the selection of those with greater ability and loyalty.

But now it seems that there are still some big problems.

Since ancient times, beautiful jade has been hard to find, and good talents have been hard to find.

A true talent must have great ambitions and aspirations, and will not be content to be a guard in the palace all his life.

Normally, there is no problem with the guards' loyalty.

The selection process is very strict.

But when faced with a choice between His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the question of loyalty arises.

Unlike Yang Shiqi, Yao Guangxiao, Yang Rong and others, they were not selected by Zhu Yunhuan.

They are royal guards themselves, and they were just sent to guard the Eastern Palace and protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

From this perspective, the object of their loyalty is first His Majesty the Emperor, and then His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The current situation puts them in a dilemma, and not helping either side is a helpless choice.

But in any case, this was, to a certain extent, Zhu Yunhuan’s “failure”.

After all, they are the guards of the Eastern Palace!

Not being "loyal" to him would naturally be a failure for him as the crown prince.

However, there is an advantage to this.

At least in front of Zhu, he showed that he was open and honest and never had the intention of seizing power.

Otherwise, he should have secretly trained the East Palace guards to become "death warriors".

At this moment, these guards will firmly stand with him.

He guarded the gate and did not let the ministers in.

Old Zhu did not continue to laugh at him on this issue, and asked instead: "Hu'er, you asked Fang Xiaoru to preach the new learning, and you also asked people to measure the mountains, rivers, and land in the world, and you also ordered people to find ways to get the nobles to sell their land. Do you want to divide the land in the world equally?"

As he spoke, two rays of light suddenly shot out from Old Zhu's dragon eyes and fell directly on Zhu Yunhuan's face.

He had already guessed about this, but since the matter was of great importance, he still needed a definite answer.

Zhu Yunxun thought for a moment before saying, "Grandpa Emperor, I also know that this matter is of great importance."

"Therefore, Fang Xiaoru was never instructed on what to do specifically. What he did had nothing to do with his grandson."

Old Zhu was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly with a smile on his face.

"Directly and forcibly dividing up the land in the world will only cause unrest in the world."

"My grandson is thinking of taking a step-by-step approach."

"Ideological propaganda, this is the first step."

“It’s also a crucial step.”

"We need to allow society to build up public opinion pressure."

"Fang Xiaoru is a seed."

Zhu Yunxun took a breath and then told his plan:
"The second step is to exchange overseas land for land within the Ming Dynasty."

"The nobles have obtained a large amount of land overseas, which can help the Ming Dynasty protect its overseas interests. It is only natural for them to hand over the land within the Ming Dynasty."

"They will get more land overseas, which will help Ming expand its territory and make it an unprecedented prosperous empire."

"The third step is to redeem it. However, you don't have to redeem it directly with money. You can also redeem it by buying shares."

Lao Zhu asked doubtfully: "Investment?"

Although there was no concept of joint-stock system in this era, it was not uncommon to invest in a business.

For example, investing in building a kiln.

Those who provide money own a portion of the shares, and those who provide land also own a portion of the shares.

For example, some businesses will give shares to the shopkeepers and clerks who are responsible for the business, also known as "body shares."

In short, it means selling labor and obtaining "dividend rights" in return.

Zhu Yunhuan nodded and said, "My grandson, I plan to let them invest in the factory of the Daming Manufacturing Bureau. First, it will raise more funds for the factory to expand production. Second, it will also be a good opportunity to take over the land in their hands and make it the property of the court."

This was a solution he had already thought of.

They wanted to open a stock market in the Ming Dynasty and convert the landlords' land into silver and stocks.

In this way, the landlords were successfully transformed into capitalists.

The land was then transferred to the state.

This is the least risky option.

After all, simply "fighting the local tyrants and dividing the land" and revolutionizing oneself is difficult to implement.

The reason why New China was able to do that after its founding was because it was a brand new regime.

The leaders themselves are proletarians.

From the Opium War, to the May Fourth Movement, the spread of communist ideas, and then to the founding of New China, society has been engaged in ideological construction for a long time.

It brings together a large number of people with common beliefs and like-minded people.

But what situation is the Ming Dynasty facing?
Apart from Zhu Yunhuan himself, no one in the court could understand this, let alone support it.

It would not be possible for him to become emperor just because he was the grandson of a single person.

The emperor must be the representative of the entire interest group and the head of the interest group, and cannot be a lone individual.

Although capitalists are also hateful, they are still progressive compared to feudal landlords.

Moreover, since the relationship between workers and capitalists is one of free employment rather than personal dependence, it is actually very easy for the state to restrict and crack down on capitalists.

The only worry is that this will affect economic development.

If it were not for this concern, it would be much easier for the state to deal with capitalists than feudal landlords.

Even if the Ming Dynasty fully enters the industrial society, land will always be the most important wealth.

Only when everyone has land and houses can the people truly live a good life.

However, the concept of stocks is still a bit too complicated for Lao Zhu.

It’s not that, with Mr. Zhu’s intelligence, he really can’t understand it.

Just explaining it clearly takes a lot of words and time.

As time was running out, Zhu Yunhuan did not mention the issuance of stocks.

When Old Zhu heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up and he said, "This is a good idea." "Let them all buy shares, and the debt burden of the court can be greatly reduced."

“We can also take advantage of the situation to reclaim their land.”

"Not bad!"

Old Zhu looked towards the door again, where the noise was still going on.

"Your methods are all good, but this is, after all, an earth-shattering event."

"If you want to accomplish this, you must start a war."

"Remember, as long as the Ming Dynasty continues to win battles outside and does not lose money, there will be a steady flow of money coming in."

"Then no matter what you do, it will be difficult for the government and the opposition to oppose it."

Resolve internal conflicts through external expansion?
Old Zhu is worthy of being Old Zhu.

Hit the nail on the head.

This one coincides with what Zhu Yunhuan was thinking.

Moreover, for the Ming Dynasty's industry to develop, it needs a vast market and a large amount of raw materials.

All of these require overseas support.

Although the Central Plains is vast and rich in resources, it is actually a region with very scarce resources.

For example, natural rubber is used to make tires.

Natural rubber was already widely used when petrochemical technology had not yet been mastered.

However, the Central Plains lacks trees that can produce natural rubber, and the climate is not suitable for the growth of such trees.

Not to mention other resources.

Even silver, which was commonly used before the Ming Dynasty, was extremely scarce.

Heavily dependent on inflows from overseas.

It’s just that the feudal court’s management ability was too weak and it was completely unaware of this.

The government had no records of how much silver flowed in and out each year, leaving the imperial court completely in the dark.

Not to mention the market.

After the technological advancement of the Ming Manufacturing Bureau, the efficiency of large-scale production increased many times.

The goods produced need to be sold.

Compared with the domestic market of Ming Dynasty, the entire Blue Star world is undoubtedly a vast market.

"Grandpa Emperor, your grandson will remember this." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Grandpa Emperor, you are no longer against the Ming Dynasty going to war and conquering overseas?"

Old Zhu laughed and said, "In the past, we didn't want to go on expeditions overseas because those places were separated by mountains and rivers, and it was impossible to transport supplies back."

"The army has gone through a long and arduous expedition, and has spent countless manpower, material resources, and financial resources. The number of casualties has been huge, and the blood has flowed like a river, and the lives of the people have been devastated."

"It is useless except for giving the king a good reputation for expanding territory. Of course, we oppose it."

"In fact, because the distance is too far, the cost of stationing troops is high and it is difficult to defend."

"Even if we take it down, it will be lost again in a few years."

"Thousands of people died, countless resources were spent, and in the end, it was all for nothing."

"Of course we must oppose it!"

"You said before that the Shang and Zhou dynasties were just a small area in the past. Later, through feudal fiefdoms, they continued to expand their territory and eventually formed the Central Plains of today."

"This is indeed the result of outward conquest and expansion."

"Otherwise, the descendants of Yan and Huang would probably still be trapped in a small piece of land by the Yellow River. How could the Ming Dynasty have the vast territory it has today?"

"But you should also have thought about why we didn't continue to expand outwards in the next few thousand years?"

"It's because there's nowhere else to go!"

"To the west, there are high mountains and deserts. The mountains are high and the roads are long. There is no one for thousands of miles. It is extremely difficult to transport food. The barren land itself cannot grow any food."

"To the north is the grassland, an extremely cold place. Although every dynasty has wanted to conquer the grassland, they have never succeeded. That extremely cold place is even less suitable for the common people to live in."

"To the south is a wild and hot land, full of miasma and mosquitoes. The army may suffer from an epidemic at any time."

"To the east, there is a vast and boundless ocean with dangerous waves. If the army goes out to fight, if they are not careful and encounter a typhoon, they may be wiped out."

"We have occupied all the places that can be occupied and the places that are easy to occupy. There is no point in expanding outwards!"

Old Zhu sighed and then smiled:
"But now, everything has changed."

"The Ming Manufacturing Bureau produced so many ironware, countless cannons, guns, and gunpowder..."

"With these, our Ming army will surely be invincible."

"We have also seen in Shencheng that the ships can smoothly transport silver and grain from overseas to our Ming Dynasty."

"Even if there are occasional typhoons, the damage caused is still within the acceptable range."

"Then why do we still object?"

"Just do it with your hands."

Zhu Yunhuan bowed and said, "Thank you, Grandfather Emperor! Grandfather Emperor is wise!"

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Don't be so quick to flatter me. Next, you are going to withdraw all the vassal kings and then divide them overseas, right?"

Zhu Yunhuan said, "Grandpa Emperor, this is what you promised your grandson. As long as the army pacifies the Northern Yuan Dynasty, you will agree to withdraw the feudal system. Your words are not joking."

Old Zhu rolled his eyes at him and said, "I didn't say I regretted it, why are you so anxious?"

At this point, he sighed again and said, "The place where the third brother went must be very dangerous, right?"

Zhu Yunhuan's smiling face froze, and he said with a sluggish expression: "Grandpa Emperor, I really have no other choice."

He did not obtain Lao Zhu's consent for this matter and made the decision on his own. He was afraid that Lao Zhu would blame him.

Old Zhu smiled, looked at him kindly and said, "I know, I don't blame you, this is all Old Third's own fault."

Although he said this, under the smile on his face, one could actually see a hint of worry and helplessness.

The third brother was his proud son, Prince Jin of the Ming Dynasty.

He guarded the border for the Ming Dynasty and made great military achievements.

But now... alas, the child has grown up and is no longer under the control of his father.

When children grow up, they have their own ideas and are not as obedient as they were when they were young!

"Grandpa Emperor, you don't have to worry too much." Zhu Yunhuan said, "Although the place where Third Uncle went is very far away, it is indeed a treasure land."

"If Third Uncle can gain a foothold there, the lineage of King Jin will surely be able to establish a vast territory for the Ming Dynasty in the future."

"Uncle San's achievements will also be recorded in the history books and will be immortalized forever!"

Old Zhu nodded slightly: "Well said! This is what the descendants of my Zhu family should do."

"It might not be a bad idea to let the third child hone his skills."

"Regarding the removal of feudal fiefs and the division of fiefdoms overseas, you can do whatever you want. We will definitely support you."

After saying that, Old Zhu reached out and touched Zhu Yunhuan's head again.

"Okay, we've asked everything we need to ask and explained."

"I leave the affairs of state to you. I don't want to ask about other matters."

"Wait a moment, and call in a doctor."

"Let him announce to the public that the Emperor has passed away due to a serious illness!"

"There is no edict of succession, nor any will."

Zhu Yunhuan was startled: "Grandpa Emperor?"

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Silly child, the emperor will not really die."

"I'm just teaming up with you to put on a show!"

"A grand drama to ensure the stability of the Ming Dynasty!"

……

(End of this chapter)