Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 16 The Common Ideal of the Ming Dynasty

"The Yuan Dynasty has no way of governing the world, and the Hu people have no chance of lasting a hundred years.

The policies implemented are indeed too rough.

Especially the tax-farming system, it’s pure nonsense!
Cough cough cough... I don't know how many people have been fattened up by this, and I don't know how many people have become picky eaters and have bigger appetites.

Your Majesty... you drove out the Tartars and restored China. Now it is the Ming Dynasty, but the traces left by the barbarians are not so easy to erase.

It takes time to change...

Ahem..."

Liu Bowen considered his words carefully and spoke cautiously.

We have to be cautious, as the questions the emperor asked were indeed too sensitive.

He was afraid of being cheated by the emperor, and was afraid that if he was not careful, he would fall into the big trap dug by the emperor again.

The emperor before him could definitely do such a thing.

"Mr. Liu, we know what you are talking about.

We are not asking about the officials of the Yuan Dynasty.

We are talking about the many people who followed us to conquer the world, drive out the Tartars, and restore China.

How many of these people have not suffered from the harsh policies of the Yuan Dynasty?
How many people have not suffered in the Yuan Dynasty?

Following us, they are clearly anti-Tartar.

Nor did he take any food or wages from the Tartars.

How come it has become like this now?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Liu Bowen coughed a few times, not knowing whether he wanted to cough or coughed subconsciously after hearing the emperor's words.

This emperor is really difficult to deal with!
If you want to fool someone, I won't give you any chance.

I know that this call for a higher position cannot be in vain!

Liu Bowen felt somewhat resentful and helpless.

Analyzing why many people who conquered the world have changed is not an easy job.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty, the influence of the environment on people is subtle and insidious.

Living in a room full of orchids for a long time, one will not smell their fragrance; living in a store selling abalone for a long time, one will not feel their stench.

When the First Emperor went on a tour, Emperor Gaozu of Han saw him and said, "A real man should be like this."

The actions of the Yuan Dynasty officials at that time must have been deeply engraved in the hearts of these people.

It’s not uncommon for people to express this sentiment: a real man should.

That’s why I said before that the traces left by the Yuan Dynasty are too deep to be completely erased in a short period of time…”

Liu Bowen is really good at talking, he can even make up for it!

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and motioned Liu Bowen to continue.

“Beyond that, it’s about humanity.

To be lazy and hate work, to be arrogant and extravagant, to seek profit and avoid harm... this is human nature.

For example, many people are suffering and working hard.

Is this because they love to endure hardship and work hard?

it's not true.

It’s because if you don’t endure hardship and work hard, you won’t be able to survive.

If there is a chance to live a good life without suffering or working, many people will definitely not choose to suffer.

Nowadays, many people who cannot survive in troubled times follow the superiors to conquer the world, and their status and position have changed dramatically compared with the past.

They have more choices and the ability to stop suffering..."

Listening to Liu Bowen's words, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly had a sentence rolling back and forth in his mind - I have fought wars all my life, can't I just enjoy myself? Keep playing the music, keep dancing!
"But they themselves have not suffered. We have given preferential treatment to those who have conquered the world.

We gave them extremely high status, the rewards they deserved, and salaries that were sufficient to cover their expenses.

These are enough to make them live a rich life.

Why do you ignore my instructions and put your hands where they shouldn't be?"

Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted.

Liu Bowen waited quietly for Zhu Yuanzhang to finish speaking, then continued, "This is what I mean by human nature.

People are not enough to swallow elephants.

After having some, you still want more.

In response to this situation, we need to use rules and laws to restrain and teach... cough cough cough..." "But, we have already established the rules, and the iron list is standing in the Fengtian Temple Square.

This is so that they can see it every time they go to court.

We even asked them to memorize all nine rules, but it was of no use.

Even though we have dealt with Liao Yongzhong recently, we believe that it still will not have a very good effect of killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

When we first conquered the world, we had that kind of energy and unity, but now it’s gone…”

Liu Bowen was silent for a moment.

These matters are too big and too deep.

Moreover, what the emperor said was true.

“When we were fighting for the world, we had a common enemy, and many people knew that it was not yet time to enjoy ourselves.

So I will try my best to do things.

Now that the world is at peace and my original wish has been fulfilled, then naturally... cough cough cough..."

Liu Bowen did not continue speaking, but what he wanted to express was already very clear.

This is the difference between conquering the world and ruling the world.

"I think what you said makes sense, Mr. Liu."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, confirming Liu Bowen's words.

Liu Bowen was very pleased.

The emperor's current behavior reminded him of the time when he conquered the world and His Majesty humbly asked him for advice on many issues.

"Then Mr. Liu, do you have any good ideas to solve this problem?"

Liu Bowen fell into deep thought, frowning slightly and coughing from time to time.

Of course there are ways, such as enacting laws and strictly enforcing the law...

These are all methods that are on the tip of your tongue and can be said casually.

But Liu Bowen naturally knew that the emperor had said so much to him, but this was certainly not what he wanted.

If I just use these to get by and get it over with.

The emperor must be dissatisfied, as it is also an insult to himself.

But how could other effective and far-sighted methods be so easy to come up with?
"We have an idea. What do you think, Mr. Liu?"

After waiting for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke to break the silence.

Liu Bowen raised his head, curious about what the emperor would say.

This emperor was truly creative at many times.

This is especially true when it comes to setting rules and playing tricks on people!

“We believe there are many reasons for this outcome.

But the most fundamental and impactful one is the lack of a common goal.

When we were fighting the Tartars, we had a unified ideal, which was to drive out the Tartars, restore China, establish rules and regulations, and save the people.

The guys know what to do.

So it is easy to focus your efforts.

Now that these have been completed, there is no common goal.

What we want is to make the Ming Dynasty strong, but more people are already lying on the laurels, doing whatever they want.

Laws and regulations are certainly important, but we believe that the most important thing now is to once again come up with a common goal.

Tell them that things are far from over at this point and they need to keep working hard.

Let people know what to do next and where to put their energy.

Let's gather everyone's energy together again and get things done!"

Liu Bowen's body straightened up unconsciously, and even the cough that was about to come out was suppressed by him.

At this moment, the long-lost wonderful feeling of being asked for advice by the emperor had disappeared.

He finally realized that the emperor had gone through so much trouble to ask for his advice.
It was obvious that he had already gained something from these things.

This is to teach yourself in return!
This operation was undoubtedly done by the emperor.

Still a familiar smell!
"Then... has the Highness achieved anything regarding this common goal?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Yes!"

After that, he paused, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled: "This common goal, let's call it the common ideal of the Ming Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)