Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 5: Is Imperial Censor Zhang's approach really that unconventional? [New book, please add to your collection]

You say a country cannot be without a crown prince for even a day?

Old Zhu spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice like a knife, scraping inch by inch against Lü Ping's trembling back.

Then, he slowly rose from the dragon throne, his bright yellow dragon robe fluttering even without wind: "The Crown Prince's body is barely cold, and our empire is already eager to find a new master?"

"We dare not—!"

All the civil and military officials in the court apologized in unison.

Cold sweat broke out on my back.

Only Zhang Biao stood calmly in place, expressionless, not flustered at all.

He even mocked his ministers in his heart.

You dare not? Everyone knows what you old foxes are thinking.
Lü Ping was just a scout stone you guys threw out!

In fact, according to the course of history, Zhu Yuanzhang would indeed have established a crown prince next.

However, the process of establishing a crown prince will certainly not be smooth.

Because Old Zhu's feelings for Zhu Biao were just too deep.

It can be said that in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, only Zhu Biao was his son, and the other sons were just princes.

The other person's son's body is barely cold, and you're already telling them to replace the old person with a new one. Anyone would be furious in that situation.

Therefore, even knowing that proposing to establish an heir would enrage Zhu Yuanzhang to kill him, Zhang Biao did not bring it up again.

After all, compared to his predecessor, his moral values ​​are still quite upright.

But Brother Lü, your actions have taken my self-destructive endeavors to a whole new level!
Just as all the officials were trembling with fear at the thought of Zhu Yuanzhang, a slightly younger voice, filled with urgency, rang out. It was Qi Tai, the Left Vice Minister of War:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Although Lord Lü's intentions were earnest and his words inappropriate, he truly had the country in mind. Currently, the remnants of the Mongol Yuan dynasty in the north are stirring up trouble, and Liaodong also requires constant vigilance! Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state. When the Crown Prince was alive, he could share the burden with you, but now that the Crown Prince has been gone for three months, the affairs of state have not decreased but increased. We are worried."

"What are you worried about? Are you worried we'll work ourselves to death? What a fine way of thinking about the country! Do you think our Ming Dynasty will perish if we don't listen to you?!"

Before Qi Tai could finish speaking, Old Zhu interrupted him in a fit of rage.

Qi Tai, originally named Qi De, was an official who had not committed any wrongdoing in nine years.

In the Hongwu reign, this was practically harder than climbing to heaven.

Therefore, Zhu Biao greatly admired this official named Qi De and renamed him Qi Tai, intending to cultivate him into a key minister of Zhu Biao.

Although Qi Tai was a scholar and had never led troops, Zhu Yuanzhang still appointed him as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, which shows his status in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

However, at this moment, Qi Tai also stepped forward to propose establishing an heir, which directly stung Zhu Yuanzhang's nerves: "How did our Biao'er treat you back then, that you would abandon him so heartlessly?! Guards! Seize them!"

"emperor--!"

Just as Lao Zhu was about to unleash a massacre, Zhang Biao decisively stepped forward.

Given Zhu's nature, if he killed others today, there's a high probability he wouldn't kill him next. Therefore, he had no choice but to stand up and "die in protest" at this moment.

"Minister of Revenue Zhao's proposal to increase taxes in Jiangnan by 30% is a policy that will lead to the downfall of the country! It must not be allowed!"

Boom!

The whole audience was shocked!

The entire hall's attention, which had just been drawn away by the "establishment of an heir," immediately focused on Zhang Biao again.

Zhao Qian, the Minister of Revenue, turned deathly pale.

Old Zhu stared at Zhang Biao with bloodshot eyes, like a ferocious beast whose meal had been disturbed, his voice hoarse as if sandpaper rubbing: "You also think our Great Ming Dynasty is doomed?" "Uh, well..."

Despite the almost tangible killing intent emanating from him, Zhang Biao forced a pained and patriotic expression onto his face as he held his scepter and said:
"Whether the Ming Dynasty will fall or not, I do not know. Even if it does fall, I will be the one who dies first. The key issue is that what Lord Zhao just proposed is to increase the tax on Jiangnan by 30% to fund the army. This proposal may seem to be for the good of the country, but in reality, it will bring endless disasters. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

"!!!"

Zhao Qian, the Minister of Revenue, suddenly had three black exclamation marks appear on his forehead.

Thank you so much! You're dragging me down with you on your deathbed?!

"Your Majesty must not readily believe Imperial Censor Zhang's one-sided account; he... he knows nothing."

Zhao Qian tried his best to defend himself, but Old Zhu's eyes became even fiercer.

Zhang Biao, however, continued nonchalantly, "Your Majesty, please consider! The floods in Jiangnan have just subsided, and the people are exhausted, like patients recovering from a serious illness. To add another 30% to the tax at this time would be like adding insult to injury! At best, it would cause widespread resentment; at worst, it would incite a popular uprising."

He took a deep breath, his true intentions revealed, and unleashed his ultimate weapon: "With internal unrest still unresolved, external threats from the Northern Yuan lingering, and the position of crown prince still undecided, these three combined are omens of national ruin, Your Majesty!!"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Chaos, utter chaos, the situation was slipping out of control.

Some people, as if their tails had been stepped on, started cursing loudly.

For some, it was like a sudden enlightenment, a moment of clarity and understanding.

Zhang Biao's decisive bundle was truly earth-shattering, binding together all the problems currently facing the Ming Dynasty, catching everyone completely off guard.

However, he hadn't finished speaking.

"Oh, right."

As if remembering something, Zhang Biao turned to look at Zhao Qian and said, "Lord Lü and Lord Qi, you both deserve to die for speaking ill of the Crown Prince! But treacherous officials like Lord Zhao, who do not care about the people, are even more harmful than those who speak ill of the Crown Prince!"

"You're spouting nonsense!"

Minister of Revenue Zhao Qian was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Zhang Biao and could not even speak properly.

As for Old Zhu, he narrowed his eyes slightly, and the way he looked at Zhang Biao began to change.

That's exactly the effect Zhang Biao wanted.

He immediately straightened his back, faced the dragon throne, and uttered a final, resounding cry filled with fearless spirit: "Your Majesty! I risk my life today to offer my remonstrance, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and its people! For the sake of lasting peace!"

"If Your Majesty feels that I am speaking alarmistly, sowing discord between the ruler and his ministers, and am therefore disrespectful or even disrupting the order of the court."

He paused, glanced at the trembling, vacant Imperial Censor Shen in the corner, raised his face, and adopted a tragic expression of 'the wind howls and the Yi River is cold,' before resounding:

"Then I beg Your Majesty to follow the example of Lord Lü, Lord Qi, and Lord Zhao and give me a swift end! Of course, if Your Majesty feels that giving me a swift end is too lenient, you may skin me alive! I don't care! I only ask that Your Majesty not impose any more taxes on Jiangnan and to consider the livelihood of the common people!"

"I, your subject, will die without regret!"

The moment the words were spoken, everyone in the room stared in disbelief.

Especially Imperial Censor Shen, who had greeted Zhang Biao that morning, really wanted to give him a thumbs up.

Brother Zhang is awesome!

quiet!
Deathly silence!

All the civil and military officials in the hall were stunned by Zhang Biao's bizarre move of "bundling sales" and "actively asking to be skinned alive"!

Is this censor's approach really that unconventional?
(End of this chapter)