Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 306 I come to the world and destroy the three Jurchen tribes! Queen Ma!

This winter was exceptionally cold.

It even snowed at the end of the year.

It is said that auspicious snow means a good harvest, but if the snow falls too heavily, it will turn into a disaster.

Many poor people's houses were just very simple thatched huts or made of mud bricks that had not been fired in caves. They collapsed under the weight of thick snow.

Of course, the Ming court could not watch the people freeze to death or starve to death because they had no place to sleep, so it quickly organized disaster relief.

According to past practice, the imperial court only built rice mills and cooked porridge and rice to feed the people.

The place to live is a simple tent.

Many people will also seek refuge with their relatives and friends.

Unlike later generations when people became increasingly atomized and relationships between relatives and neighbors became weak after urbanization, relatives and clans in this era usually had strong ties and would help each other when disasters occurred.

The court's main concern was still the problem of food.

After all, people's lives were tight and no one had much surplus food.

What is special about this year is that Zhu Yunhuan had previously built large granaries and collected grain from all over the world, causing many people to store their grain in the official granaries.

These granaries are extremely sturdy concrete buildings that are not only moisture-proof and rat-proof, but also resistant to heavy snow.

The amount of food damaged by the snowstorm was therefore reduced significantly.

This year's disaster relief measures are different from previous years.

Zhu Yunhuan ordered that in addition to building a porridge factory and providing food and accommodation, he also ordered the distribution of extra money.

But this money is not given away for free.

Instead, they needed to sign a document and borrow money from the court.

Although there is no interest, it must be repaid unless there is a special reason.

As for the method of repayment, it can be done by working for the court.

For example, participating in disaster relief together.

If you are unwell due to catching a cold, you can put it aside for now and arrange your work after you feel better.

Workers from the Daming Manufacturing Bureau were also organized to help with disaster relief, clean the streets and set up tents.

Everything is in good order.

Even among the disaster victims, no one cried out in grief or tried to commit suicide. Instead, people kept saying "the emperor's grace is great". The emperor of the day loves his people like his own children, so even if they suffered a disaster, they would not panic as they had the support of the court.

The old emperor's funeral continues.

After the body is placed in the coffin, there are countless funeral ceremonies.

But officials no longer stayed in the mourning hall all day, and began to busy themselves with their official duties.

After the old emperor passed away, the new emperor had to hold the coronation ceremony as soon as possible.

This is the top priority of the court right now and cannot be delayed.

Unfortunately, the Minister of Rites Chen Di, who was supposed to be in charge of this matter, suddenly caught a cold and fell ill.

The Minister of Rites and a number of officials of the Ministry of Rites also fell ill.

The already complicated coronation ceremony was left without anyone to preside over it, and the officials who took over were suddenly in a panic.

However, these seem to have nothing to do with Zhu Yunhuan.

According to the rules, although he was in charge of state affairs at this time, he should not interfere too much and should be a filial grandson in the mourning hall.

If he asked about too many trivial matters, people would think he was not sad enough.

After your grandfather passed away, you still have the mind to ask about other people's affairs. This is unfilial.

is the day.

After attending a complicated and lengthy funeral procedure, Zhu Yunhuan walked into a room next to the mourning hall.

This is a temporary resting place specially arranged by the ministers for the emperor, and it is also convenient for handling some emergency matters when necessary.

As soon as he entered, he heard two voices: "The humble minister Yang Shiqi and the humble minister Yang Rong pay their respects to Your Majesty."

What caught my eye were two figures kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Yunhuan looked slightly dazed.

A few days ago, Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong were still sitting and discussing with him, chatting and laughing.

Now they are much more respectful to him.

The reason for all this, of course, is due to his change in identity.

From the crown prince to the emperor.

From then on, he looked down on the world and ruled the world.

All people will prostrate themselves at his feet.

This feeling is really refreshing and comfortable.

But at the same time, it's also lonely.

Without friends, there is no one to confide in.

All there is is the loneliness of being high above.

The momentary trance was fleeting, and Zhu Yunhuan's heart quickly returned to calm.

"Get up quickly!"

Zhu Yunhuan was still not used to saying things like "My dear minister, please stand up," especially in front of Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong, two people he used to be very familiar with.

I always feel that's too pretentious.

It is no wonder that after being emperor for many years, Zhu Yuanzhang was still accustomed to calling himself "we" instead of "I".

Of course, it is necessary to hold it up occasionally to reflect the majesty of the emperor.

Just like Zhu Yuanzhang sometimes called himself "I".

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi kowtowed again, then respectfully got up from the ground and stood with his hands hanging down.

Zhu Yunhuan sat down on a chair nearby and said, "You two are waiting for me here. Do you have something to say?"

Yang Rong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the previous emperor passed away and the new emperor ascended the throne. According to the rules, a general amnesty must be granted to the people to show the emperor's grace. I have come to ask for your Majesty's permission."

This is a rule that has been formed over thousands of years.

The new emperor's ascension to the throne represents the arrival of a new era.

According to Confucian etiquette and rules, the new emperor ruled the world with benevolence and righteousness, and he was going to express this idea through amnesty, persuading the common people to forgive those who had made mistakes.

The amnesty benefits a wide range of people and is also a good opportunity to win over people's hearts.

The deeper reason lies in the problem of ancient laws themselves.

That is, legislation should be strict and law enforcement should be lenient.

In the words of later generations, it is called "legislation with high standards and high requirements, and selective law enforcement."

In later generations, this practice was criticized by many people.

But there is a practical need. In an era of rapid social development, because the formulation of laws takes time and it is not easy to amend them after they are formulated, legislation is needed in advance.

That is, the "law" should be established in advance according to the requirements ten or twenty years later.

However, social reality has not developed to that level.

Therefore, when enforcing the law, they often adopt the method of raising the bar a step higher and selectively let some people and things go.

With the development of the times, it gradually became stricter.

There is only one reason why people did this in ancient times.

In order to better control the people!
Under the premise of extremely strict legislation, everyone is "breaking the law" every moment.

When the higher-ups want to punish someone, they can immediately find ten thousand legal reasons, and they are all justified.

When it comes to actually enforcing the law, the authorities can show their benevolence, righteousness, and magnanimity by not pursuing many mistakes.

All of this is grace from above, and we should be grateful and serve with loyalty until death.

A perfect logical cycle.

In addition, the new emperor's general amnesty was also to facilitate the re-employment of some ministers who had been suppressed, exiled, or even punished by the old emperor.

Under the guise of a general amnesty, these people were reinstated and given important positions.

In this way, the new emperor can appoint ministers according to his own wishes. Not only will he not be branded as disobedient to the old emperor, but he will also be praised for being filial, because doing so is praying for the old emperor's spirit in heaven.

On the contrary, it would be very troublesome to overturn the old emperor's will and decisions before his death, and it would be easy to be labeled as "unfilial".

Zhu Yunhuan asked: "What is the plan you have drawn up?"

Yang Rong said: "Except for the ten unforgivable crimes, all others will be pardoned."

Zhu Yunhuan frowned immediately.

In fact, some modern countries have also practiced amnesty.

Many countries have laws that provide that the head of state has the power to grant amnesty.

But generally speaking, such amnesty is based on vital national interests, or only pardons a few minor crimes that should be dealt with leniently, rather than pardoning any criminal.

But the amnesty of this era is different. It pardons everyone without asking any questions.

Some people even rob and kill people in the street today, and are released from prison safely tomorrow because of amnesty without any punishment.

People in later generations will find this ridiculous, but this is the way it is in this era.

Robbery and murder are not among the ten evils.

Unless the person killed is a colleague, relative, superior, teacher, or three or more strangers, or the person's body is dismembered after being killed, these are considered among the ten evils.

Suddenly someone attacks in the street, robs a stranger of his belongings, and then kills him with a knife. If you are lucky, there will be an amnesty and you can be acquitted!
This is undoubtedly the imperial power trampling on the law at will.

But the law itself is the imperial law, and the imperial power is naturally above the law.

After a moment's silence, Zhu Yunhuan said, "Grandpa Emperor once said that severe punishments are used in times of chaos. The Ming Dynasty was just established and the world was just beginning to settle down, so the laws were strict to quickly calm people's hearts."

"Now that the world has been at peace for a long time, the harsh laws and punishments of the past must be reduced."

"But I think that a general amnesty cannot be applied arbitrarily."

"Issue an order to urge the Ministry of Justice to urge all levels of subordinates to compile the information of prisoners throughout the country. Those who are indeed worthy of lenient treatment, have recognized their mistakes, and are willing to sincerely repent, and after signing a letter of guarantee, the officials will write a letter to explain the reasons for pardoning the person and his crime, report to the Ministry of Justice for review, and then submit the list to me for pardon."

Yang Rong was slightly startled, and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is not in line with the practice of the past dynasties. I am afraid that it will damage your Majesty's reputation for benevolence and righteousness."

Zhu Yunhuan said loudly: "The sage once said, 'If you complain with virtue, how can you repay virtue? Repay complaints with justice, and repay virtue with virtue'!"

"The majesty of the court's laws cannot be interrupted at will."

"This is the only way to let the people of the world know that they should abide by the law at all times, rather than relying on the fluke mentality of the imperial court granting amnesty to the entire nation."

"However, those who have not committed any serious faults and have been implicated innocently can be pardoned if there are reasons to reduce their crimes."

A serious problem with the laws of this era is that too many people are implicated innocently, and some are charged with inexplicable serious crimes.

Zhu Yunhuan was very clear about this.

But he was only the crown prince before, and even though he was in power, he could not act too recklessly.

Now there are no such worries.

Amnesty is actually very necessary in this era.

Many innocent people were able to save their lives because of the amnesty.

It is an effective correction system under laws that are too harsh.

Abolishing this mechanism altogether would require a radical overhaul of the law.

Obviously not yet.

"I obey your order!" Yang Rong bowed.

Faintly, he felt that Zhu Yunxun had the aura of an emperor.

What you say is what you do and there is no room for doubt.

"The second matter is the reign title for next year, Your Majesty. The ministers have discussed it and have already decided on a few."

Yang Shiqi took out a memorial from his bosom and handed it over: "The ministers all think that the best reign title is "Jianwen", but the specific reign title still needs your majesty's judgment."

Jianwen?

I became Emperor Jianwen?

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but stroke his forehead with his hand.

This may be the powerful repair inertia of history.

Even though Zhu Yunwen was deposed and imprisoned, the ministers still chose an era name "Jianwen" for him.

Of course, he definitely doesn't want it.

Zhu Yunhuan also did not accept Yang Shiqi's memorial, and waved his hand and said: "No need to choose, the Ming Dynasty must change the calendar."

Yang Shiqi looked up, his face full of confusion.

Zhu Yunhuan had already thought about this and said, "Every time an emperor ascends the throne, he changes the reign title. The people are confused by the constant changes, and even the historians have difficulty recording history."

Yang Shiqi asked, "Does Your Majesty want to continue using the reign title of the previous emperor?"

"Your Majesty, the purpose of changing the reign title is to express the new dynasty and new atmosphere, so as to boost the morale of the people."

"It may not be a good idea to continue using the reign title."

Zhu Yunhuan shook his head slightly and said, "That's not necessary."

"We in the Ming Dynasty will use the Ming calendar from now on."

"The first year of the Ming calendar begins on the day my grandfather ascended the throne."

"Based on this, next year will be the 29th year of the Ming calendar."

"Historians also record history in this way, and it is widely used throughout the country."

"As long as the Ming Dynasty survives, future generations will never establish an era name."

He had long been dissatisfied with the reign title.

Each emperor had one reign title, and some emperors even had several reign titles in their lifetime.

If you are in your seventies or eighties, it is very difficult to even calculate your age.

The most convenient and quickest way is to uniformly use the Daming calendar.

With this precedent, even if the Ming Dynasty fell hundreds of years later, the Daming calendar would most likely continue to be used.

People in later generations of the Chinese do not have to use the Western calendar.

The Daming calendar is very simple and practical.

On the other hand, Zhu Yunhuan also intended to bring a new atmosphere to the Ming Dynasty through some new things, rather than following the old habits.

After all, with his promotion, the industrial revolution of Ming Dynasty was just around the corner.

The Industrial Revolution is more than just a technological advancement.

It is also a revolutionary change in social production relations.

Many old rules and habits will inevitably be adjusted, overturned and re-established as social production relations change.

But conservative ideas have strong inertia and require strong impetus to be implemented.

The new calendar is a beginning.

When Yang Shiqi heard this, his eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, this method is very good. I will obey your order!"

In fact, all educated people know that using reign titles to record years is not a good method and is inconvenient in many places.

But no one dared to propose any changes, and no one knew how to change it.

At this time, Zhu Yunhuan took the initiative to propose a modification method, which was exactly what Yang Shiqi wanted.

Zhu Yunxun nodded and said, "Do you have anything else to do?"

"Your Majesty, are you really going to summon all the princes to the capital?" Yang Rong asked respectfully, "Your Majesty, are you going to take advantage of this opportunity to withdraw the princes?"

Zhu Yunxi nodded.

Yang Rong said: "I'm afraid that if the princes come, they will cause a lot of trouble."

"In addition, since the Northern Yuan surrendered, the three Jurchen tribes have been ready to make a move. Your Majesty has summoned all the princes to return to the capital. The northern defense line is empty, and we must be careful against the Jurchens."

Jurchen?

Zhu Yunhuan raised his brows slightly.

"You should go to the Ministry of War now and order them to gather supplies and prepare for war. After the beginning of next spring, the Ming Dynasty will send troops to destroy the three Jurchen tribes."

Yang Rong's heart trembled and he looked at Zhu Yunhuan in surprise.

I didn't expect that we would have to go to war with the Jurchens so soon.

But when he thought of the thunderous momentum with which Zhu Neng and Zhang Fu had destroyed the Northern Yuan Dynasty, he did not have many doubts about this battle.

"Yes, I will immediately work with the Ministry of War to make preparations."

……

Kaifeng.

Prince Zhou's Mansion.

Prince of Zhou Zhu Su was the fifth son of Zhu Yuanzhang and had always been loved by the old Zhu.

Kaifeng is the heartland of the Central Plains, and the fact that he was granted the title of vassal here shows how favored he was.

At this moment in Prince Zhou's Palace, Duke Song Feng Sheng was quietly walking towards the backyard under the guidance of the eunuchs in the Prince Zhou's Palace.

Feng Sheng was one of the six founding dukes of the Ming Dynasty. He had outstanding military achievements and enjoyed a very high prestige in the army.

He had a daughter who married Zhu Su, and was Zhu Su's father-in-law. He also stationed in Henan with Zhu Su.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang had previously warned Feng Sheng not to meet with Zhu Su in private.

I came here secretly today to avoid being seen by others.

We walked forward and entered a small courtyard.

A middle-aged woman in a simple dress appeared in front of me.

Feng Sheng's pupils suddenly dilated, his mouth opened wide, his face full of disbelief: "Ma... Ma... Queen Ma?"

……

(End of this chapter)