The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 703 Parents’ Order
Dongfang Zhu glanced over the congratulatory letter in his hand, feeling increasingly frightened, his fingers unable to stop trembling.

The congratulatory letter written by Emperor Guangde to the retired emperor did not contain any trace of celebration, and the words between the lines were mostly filled with treasonous remarks.

Dongfang Zhu was surprised. Why did Emperor Guangde, who was usually timid and cowardly and could be bullied, suddenly attack his father? Could it be that he wanted to take advantage of the emperor's eastern expedition to force him to abdicate?

Dongfang Zhu hesitated for a moment, then finally began to read the congratulatory message (Modern Chinese translation follows):
It's Father's birthday, and the whole world is celebrating, wishing him a long life and eternal prosperity. Our dynasty governs the world with filial piety, and the elders of the country are treated with favor. As the eldest son of the retired emperor, how dare I, your son, neglect such a momentous event as Father's birthday?
The presence of the Emperor in the court of the Great Qi Dynasty is like the sun in the sky and a hungry baby having parents.

Father, you are the ruler of all the people and all things under heaven. Precisely because you are the ruler of all the people and all things under heaven, your responsibility is the greatest.

Listening to both sides will lead to enlightenment, while heeding only one side will lead to ignorance. Only when ministers can speak freely and the people do not suffer disasters can the ruler be competent.

Dongfang Zhu's voice became lower and lower.

"Keep reading. I want you all to hear how Emperor Guangde views me and his father!"

Francisco stroked his big nose and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, please calm down. God will not be angry."

"Really?" the Emperor retorted. "Don't speak nonsense against your conscience. I've also read the Book of Exodus. Your European God is even more irritable and kills more people."

Francisco's face flushed crimson and he didn't dare to say anything more.

Liu Zhaosun added: "Gods can also get angry and kill people, and when they get angry, they kill many people."

After saying that, he waved towards Dongfang Zhu.

Dongfang Zhu continued reading:
"In the past, ministers tried every possible means to please the emperor, flattering him and obeying him, which ultimately led to the issuance of such harsh policies as the 'Qi Dynasty Land System'..."

"The imperial court exploited the people, demanding labor service from children as young as fourteen to men as old as fifty. The war raged from the first year of Wuding to the fourth year of Guangde, a period of twenty years in which fighting was almost constant. This resulted in endless disasters and resentment from both heaven and people."

Dongfang Zhu's voice trembled, and it was unclear whether he was worried about Emperor Guangde or himself.

"Continue reading," the retired emperor remained expressionless, sitting cross-legged on the dragon throne like a lazy dragon.

Dongfang Zhu wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to the next page of the congratulatory letter with gritted teeth.

"In order to gain Sweden's support in Europe, my father arranged for me to marry King Gustav's daughter and to make this Swedish princess the Queen of Daqi. I believe this is inappropriate."

The Emperor laughed and said, "It seems that Emperor Guangde is waiting for me here. He does not agree with this marriage."

"He doesn't want to follow the path I've paved for him. Once we destroy Japan, conquering Europe will be quick. He's still saying such foolish things now. I'm a little disappointed in him."

Dongfang Zhu paused for a moment before finishing reading the congratulatory letter and continued:

"I am not interested in European affairs, nor do I wish to exhaust the treasury of the nation in continuing the war. Your Majesty chose the reign title of Guangde for you, implying that the Great Qi would extend its benevolence to the entire world. However, your Majesty is now resorting to excessive military spending, mobilizing elite troops from around the world and wasting all its resources just to attack a tiny nation like Japan. I'm afraid the gains will outweigh the losses..."

The Emperor gave a light cough, and Dongfang Zhu stopped talking. "Emperor Guangde doesn't want to marry the Swedish princess, but does he have someone he loves?"

After saying that, he looked towards Dongfang Zhu and Francisco.

"Your Majesty, I really don't know. Please calm down, Your Majesty."

Francisco shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands, indicating that he didn't know who Emperor Guangde's lover was.

"It's his parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. He's the Son of Heaven, and getting married requires all the formalities and red tape, not a single one of them can be omitted."

The emperor signaled Dongfang Zhu to continue.

"Father, how do you think you compare to Emperor Wu of Han? Your father is gifted with wisdom and decisiveness, far surpassing all others. He can surpass wise rulers like Yao and Shun, and even wise rulers like Yu the Great, Tang of Shang, King Wen of Zhou, and King Wu of Zhou. Under them, like Emperor Xuan of Han, who was diligent in governing the country, Emperor Guangwu, who was magnanimous and generous, Emperor Taizong of Tang, who was invincible in his bravery, Emperor Xianzong of Tang, who was determined to quell separatist rebellions, and Emperor Renzong of Song, who was benevolent and forgiving, all fell short of your father. Yet, your father has been a warlike ruler. Since ascending the throne, the Qi army has been engaged in ceaseless warfare and massive construction projects. If your father could fully exercise his benevolent nature, reduce expenses, show sympathy for the people, and not exhaust their energy, so that the granaries are full and the money and grain are piled up like mountains for a long time, and the people live a life of comfort and prosperity, then you would be remembered in history as a wise ruler."

The emperor sighed deeply, and Dongfang Zhu stopped immediately, feeling extremely terrified.

Pei Dahu whispered beside him, "Your Majesty, Emperor Guangde must have been bewitched by a traitor, which is why he said such treasonous words. Please be tolerant, Your Majesty, and don't..."

"I know my son best. He grew up with the Empress Dowager Dong and the Empress Dowager Cisheng. Born by a woman, it's inevitable that he will be pedantic."

Liu Zhaosun thought of all the experiences since the first year of Wuding, from Zhang Chun's rebellion to the Wanggongchang explosion, from Du Du's rebellion to the invasion of Japanese pirates. For more than 20 years, Da Qi had hardly ever had a peaceful day.

Twenty years is enough to change everything.

The retired emperor also transformed from the ambitious and ambitious dragon-slaying young man who took the world as his responsibility into a tyrant who killed people without restraint and engaged in excessive military spending.

He knew that many people would betray him, but he never dreamed that his son, Emperor Guangde Liu Kan, would be the first to jump out.

"Since Emperor Guangde mentioned Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, isn't he afraid of bringing himself the scourge of witchcraft?"

The retired emperor said this calmly, but the courtiers beside him were terrified.

Emperor Wu of Han's eldest son, Crown Prince Liu Ju, did not have a good end.

Dongfang Zhu thought the emperor had murderous intentions and quickly knelt down to plead for Liu Kan: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Emperor Guangde is a pure and filial son. He has always scoffed at witchcraft and would never practice it."

The Emperor said coldly, "My son, of course I know. Please continue reading this congratulatory letter."

"Father should have been a wise ruler like Yao and Shun, but once the country was somewhat stable, you devoted yourself to spiritual cultivation. You built Taoist temples and engaged in large-scale construction projects. You haven't attended court for over two years, leaving all affairs to your son. How can I handle so much?"

"Now that the rules of the Great Qi Dynasty are beginning to fall apart, and the oppression of the people is almost coming to an end, I heard that the interest on the sale of houses in Jiangnan Prefecture has been collected. Seventy years later, I heard that a private school teacher in Jinzhou, southern Liaoning, was beaten to death by the pacification soldiers because he turned the portrait of my father upside down in his classroom."

(End of this chapter)