The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 259 Last Words
After saying this, Zhu Gaochi coughed heavily a few times. Zhu Zhanji and Empress Zhang said worriedly, "Your Majesty, you should rest first..."

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and continued, "Next is the most important person—Li Mingda."

When Li Xianmu was mentioned, Zhu Gaochi hesitated for a moment, as if he did not know how to say it. He pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Xianmu has extraordinary talent. Even if Guan Zhong, Yue Yi, and Zhuge Liang were to be reborn, they would not be any better than him."

He was raised in the palace by Emperor Taizu in his youth, and his advancement was all due to the promotion of the late emperor. He had a loyal heart and a pure character, and was a trusted minister left by Emperor Taizu and the late emperor.

The Ming Dynasty had a group of capable ministers, such as the Three Yangs and the Five Grand Secretaries in the cabinet, as well as Jian Yizhong and Xia Yuanji, who were both cautious. However, these people could only help you maintain the status quo and preserve the current situation.

Xianmu, however, was a pioneer. He had a long-term vision, a firm will, and was good at recognizing and employing people. Look at the ministers around him; they were all capable in practice, and although they were not perfect in morality, they all had aspirations.

He doesn't act in black and white, but he never crosses the line. All the reforms since I ascended the throne have been his doing.

When you become emperor, you must trust and value him as I do. If you have any doubts or questions about others, consult Xianmu; he will give you a satisfactory answer.

Zhu Zhanji was Li Xianmu's student, so he knew how capable Li Xianmu was. Over the years, as a student, he had asked Li Xianmu countless questions, and apart from those questions that had no answer, Li Xianmu could give him convincing answers to all of them.

However, he was still shocked by his father's extremely high praise for Li Xianmu.

Could this be a unique perspective that comes with the emperor's status?
Without time to think, Zhu Zhanji nodded heavily, "Father, I remember this, and I will definitely make good use of you in the future."

Zhu Gaochi's face showed a hint of relief, "Now I will tell you another crucial ability for being an emperor—"

Willing to admit mistakes and able to listen to advice.

Now that it's just the three of us here, I'll give you a modern example: the founding emperor of our dynasty.

Zhu Zhanji was startled. His father really didn't like the ruling style of the Taizu Emperor, and actually used the Taizu Emperor as an example.

"You probably haven't read the Veritable Records of Emperor Taizu, so let me tell you about it."

Around the second year of the Hongwu reign, Emperor Taizu was a completely different person. Before the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu was almost the same as Emperor Taizong of Tang, readily accepting advice.

Thus, he was able to rise from a commoner to become the emperor.

After the second year of the Hongwu reign, Emperor Taizu became increasingly deaf to advice, growing more and more stubborn and self-willed, making arbitrary decisions in everything. Regarding the matter of enfeoffing princes, do you think Emperor Taizu was right or wrong?

Who wouldn't know that?

Don't say that Crown Prince Zhu Biao can control the princes. The first generation is related, the second generation is related, and the third and fourth generations cannot recognize each other. The enfeoffment of princes will inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later.

Because the throne is too tempting.

Li Qi and Li Xianmu were also absolutely opposed to enfeoffing princes. Even when it came to guarding Jiaozhi, they did not send a prince but instead dispatched a Duke to guard the region.

Zhu Zhanji said without hesitation, "No, it is the root of the chaos."

"Yes, everyone knows it's wrong, but someone advised Emperor Taizu against granting the title of king, and Emperor Taizu had that person killed directly."

"A completely innocent remonstrance, offered with utmost loyalty, should be heeded, and the person should simply be banished from the capital. Why go so far as to kill them?"

"Even Emperor Taizong of Tang would have implemented many policies detrimental to the country if Wei Zheng hadn't advised him. How much more so Emperor Taizu?"

"The emperor claims to rule the world alone, but who can truly be so decisive and never make mistakes? If you want to hold onto power without sharing it, you must bear the consequences of harming the Ming Dynasty." Zhu Gaochi shook his head helplessly. "In less than a year since I ascended the throne, how many policies from the time of the Taizu Emperor have I abolished? And that doesn't even include those abolished during the Yongle era."

With so many outdated policies, none of the ministers in the Hongwu reign offered any advice. If this had happened during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, these policies would never have existed!

This is the consequence of Emperor Taizu's refusal to heed advice. You must take this as a warning. The emperor is the highest person in the world, but if he also holds his eyes high, he will not see the suffering of the people or the hardships of the world. Countless bones will pile up beneath his throne!

Zhu Zhanji nodded solemnly. He had truly taken it to heart. No one had ever said these words to him before, because these were not words that a subject could speak; only the emperor could impart them.

"The ability to heed advice is a rare skill."

What I like most about you is your intelligence. Only someone who is intelligent enough can distinguish which advice is correct, and this is the most important ability for an emperor.

After all, being easily swayed is one of the most harmful traits of an emperor.

The difference between the two is just a wall away.

Some people really can't distinguish between being open to advice and being easily swayed.

Being easily swayed means listening to everyone, as the ministers say, "The prime minister's decision depends on who is the last person he speaks to." They find fault with everything, are indecisive, and find it difficult to make a decision.

This kind of personality makes it difficult to succeed in anything, because crucial things, timings, and opportunities are fleeting.

Being open to advice is a sophisticated skill that only a wise emperor can master. He doesn't just listen to advice directly, but makes his own judgments. Of course, such emperors are usually also broad-minded and have a kingly mentality that embraces everything.

As long as political bottom lines are not crossed, the most basic principle is that speech will not be punished.

Seeing that Zhu Zhanji had listened to him, Zhu Gaochi was very happy, but his mental activity made his already weak body even more tired.

Is Xianmu still outside the hall?

Zhu Gaochi looked up and gazed outside the hall. Zhu Zhanji immediately said, "Son, go and summon the teacher? Does Father wish to speak with the teacher about something?"

Zhu Gaochi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "First, summon Xianmu in. Then, send someone to the Wenyuan Pavilion to summon all the Grand Secretaries to the Huagai Hall. They are probably still wondering what to do since they didn't see me today."

The Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet are the emperor's secretaries and naturally accompany him every day, but today no eunuchs led them into the Hall of Literary Glory. Who knows what they are thinking?

Zhu Zhanji placed his father's hand on the couch, then hurriedly went outside the palace. When he arrived, he saw his teacher, Li Xianmu, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the rising sun in the sky.

"teacher."

"Your Highness, how is His Majesty?"

Zhu Zhanji shook his head and said sadly, "It's not good. They've already started making their final arrangements."

Li Xianmu's heart sank. "Your Majesty allows me to enter?"

"Yes!"

Li Xianmu didn't delay and went straight into the hall.

(End of this chapter)