Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 38 Don't ask what the people of the empire can do for it.

P.S.: This does not involve any historical figures, so please do not make unfounded connections.
……

A sea of ​​people kneeling in submission.

Looking at the dragon banner and the valiant emperor guarded in the center, a burning passion welled up in my heart.

Although some of them had already caught a glimpse of the emperor from afar yesterday.

But facing the emperor at such close range was a first for all of them.

Why did the Emperor suddenly come here? Was it to inspect the executions?

This simple question lingered in everyone's mind.

But no one dared to look up for more than a second.

For the vast majority of Beijing residents...

When I'm bored on weekdays, the only way I kill time is by chatting about the deeds of various important figures.

During this period, the emperor's deeds were the most talked about.

In addition, there are all sorts of things I've witnessed in the past two days.

People have developed a genuine sense of awe for the young emperor who has only recently ascended the throne of the Ming Dynasty.

Just as the people kneeling on the ground were experiencing a mixture of anxiety and fervor.

A loud voice suddenly rang in their ears: "A decree has been issued!"

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Some of them had lived most of their lives and this was the first time they had ever faced the legendary imperial edict so closely.

Therefore, everyone lowered their heads even further, afraid of making any inappropriate moves that might displease the emperor.

Meanwhile, everyone's ears perked up with intense curiosity, eagerly awaiting what would happen next.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"Anyone who commits crimes and disrupts people's livelihoods in the future will be executed without mercy!"

After these words were spoken, everyone suddenly felt a strange, indescribable feeling.

It was as if the emperor had come to them specifically to tell them this, which was strange—because they were ordinary people.

The emperor shouldn't have come before them just to say this.

These things could simply be conveyed by the local gentry or officials.

But the next sentence turned everyone's indescribable feelings into utter shock.

"The capital city and surrounding county towns and villages shall be exempted from the Liaodong tax for three years. This is an imperial decree!"

The words fell.

Before anyone could react, they heard the rapid sound of horses' hooves disappearing into the distance.

Everyone hurriedly looked up and realized that the tall dragon banner had already left.

Exemption from Liaodong tax
These four words echoed in everyone's ears, and even now, some people still feel that what just happened was somewhat unreal.

Of all the taxes levied today, the Liaodong tax is the heaviest.

If the Liaodong military pay were waived, a large portion of them might be able to have enough to eat.

But is this really true?!
The crowd exchanged glances, none daring to be the first to speak, for fear of shattering this beautiful illusion.

Just as everyone fell silent, a young man suddenly shouted from the crowd: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The crowd was startled to realize that it was not a dream, and shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" immediately rang out from the crowd.

This day.

The shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed continuously in Beijing, deeply moving everyone.

Also on this day.

Hundreds of fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boys spontaneously gathered in front of the Five Military Governor's Office, voluntarily requesting to join the Beijing Garrison and protect the Imperial City.

This move naturally caused a sensation in the Five Military Commands, which had been silent for many years.

Even some military officers and nobles who had long since become mascots were wide-eyed at this extremely unusual scene. Having lived for decades, they had never truly seen anyone voluntarily join the army.

At this moment, the mentality of military officers and nobles also underwent a subtle change.

In this regard.

Zhang Weixian, the commander of the Beijing garrison, hid inside the government office, not daring to show his face.

The main reason was that the Emperor had not yet given him instructions on what to do next, so he dared not make any unnecessary moves, for fear of disrupting His Majesty's plans.

to be frank.

If Your Majesty had achieved this in three years or even one year...

He directly took the initiative to include these people in the Beijing Garrison, which was one of his powers and responsibilities as the Commander of the Beijing Garrison.

But His Majesty only took a month.

Therefore, Zhang Weixian felt that he should just obediently listen to what His Majesty asked him to do, and act as an execution machine.

then.

Zhang Weixian had no choice but to send his men to properly send away these young men who had volunteered to join the army.

I know you're in a hurry, but I'm actually even more anxious than you!
Everyone, please wait a little longer, this day should be coming soon!
On the day.

After having the imperial edict read aloud in several places where people had gathered, Zhu Youjian, surrounded by guards, returned to the Qianqing Palace in the imperial city.

He has already completed the initial phase of what he was supposed to do.

Simply plant a seed in the hearts of the empire's people, and then let it slowly take root and sprout.

This process cannot be rushed.

Because what Zhu Youjian wanted to do was lead the Ming Dynasty to its true peak, not some false prosperity.

Therefore, he had to make the Ming Dynasty so powerful that even after his death, it could continue to crush any other country.

To achieve this, the Ming Dynasty of this era must possess a level of technological advancement that surpasses its time.

And this absolutely cannot be achieved without the power of the people.

This is why he announced the exemption of taxes for the area surrounding the capital.

If the people of the empire can't even get enough to eat.

Then it would be impossible to propel this vast country forward step by step until it reaches its peak.

Don't ask what the people of the empire can do for the empire; first think about what the empire can offer its people.

You must first solve the problems of the empire's people before you can get them to follow you.

As a seasoned politician, Zhu Youjian was naturally well aware of this.

At the same time, after he returned to the palace.

A rumor also slowly spread among the common people:
The eldest daughter of Marquis Li Guorui of Wuqing, her pair of jade earrings alone were worth over a thousand taels of silver.

This is the amount of money that ten farmers could not earn even if they worked day and night for ten years.

This matter was spread by the Embroidered Uniform Guard at Zhu Youjian's behest.

Similarly, under Zhu Youjian's guidance, this event will become the first drop of water to nourish the seed in the hearts of the people.

Just as Zhu Youjian was pondering the future, Wang Chengen bowed and entered the side room, saying, "Your Majesty, the spies we sent to Shaanxi a few days ago have returned."

Zhu Youjian immediately cleared his mind of all distractions and stopped thinking: "Bring them here."

A moment later, the eunuchs who had secretly gone on their visit were led to a secluded room where all eyes and ears had been kept away.

Facing the travel-worn group, Zhu Youjian didn't waste any words and spoke directly:

"What is Shaanxi like now? Tell me everything you know, and I will not blame you for whatever you say."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the leading eunuch clenched his fists, knelt down, and wailed, "Your Majesty, Shaanxi of our Great Ming is in grave danger!"

(End of this chapter)