Huangming

Chapter 179 The Sword's Edge Tempered Three Times, The Nine Palaces Hear the Admonition

While the eunuchs were summoning Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chuanting, and Chen Qiyu, Zhu Youxiao was not idle. Instead, he carefully reviewed the secret reports on the local achievements of the three men, which were presented by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He first unfolded Yuan Chonghuan's file.

Shaowu is located in northern Fujian. The local people are known for their fierce and aggressive nature, frequent banditry, and heavy taxes.

During the year that Yuan Chonghuan served as county magistrate, he accomplished a great deal.

First, they rectified public order and suppressed bandits.

Bandits were rampant in Shaowu. Yuan Chonghuan personally led local militia to suppress them and established the Baojia system, which brought order to the area.

Secondly, reduce taxes and show compassion for the people.
During the Wanli era, the Liaodong tax caused hardship for the people. Yuan Chonghuan submitted a memorial requesting the reduction or exemption of some of the exorbitant taxes in Shaowu and the severe punishment of corrupt officials.

Furthermore, Yuan Chonghuan valued people's livelihood, promoted water conservancy projects, and developed agriculture.
He oversaw the repair of the irrigation system within Shaowu and the dredging of waterways to alleviate drought and flood disasters.

According to the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) who delivered the secret letter, after interviewing the people of Shaowu, they concluded that Yuan Chonghuan was "kind and benevolent in his governance, and the people were all grateful to him."

It is evident that his approach to governance is commendable.

No wonder this person is remembered in history; his ability can be seen from governing a single county.

Zhu Youxiao then opened the second secret letter.

This was delivered by the Imperial Guards of Yongcheng.

Yongcheng is located in eastern Henan Province, where there is a serious problem of migrant workers and intense land consolidation.

Henan was frequently plagued by famine, and several peasant uprisings broke out around Yongcheng. Sun Chuanting recruited local militia and used harsh laws to suppress the rebellions, while also providing relief to the disaster victims to prevent the conflict from escalating.

Landlords in Yongcheng concealed their land and evaded taxes. Sun Chuanting remeasured the land, forcing the powerful to pay back taxes and easing the burden on poor households.

This move angered local forces, but he implemented it with an iron fist, earning him the nickname "Sun Yama" (a reference to a powerful figure known for his ruthless methods).

As for Chen Qiyu, he served as magistrate in both Luoyang and Kaifeng, and achieved notable political successes in both.

These three people are all quite capable.

He was not only capable of governing local areas, but also of suppressing rebellions, which shows that he had the ability to lead troops.

Upon seeing these three people, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but sigh.

In fact, the imperial court did not lack talented people at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Xiong Tingbi, Hong Chengchou, Lu Xiangshan, Yuan Keli, Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chuanting, Chen Qiyu, Mao Wenlong
These people are all quite capable.

Unfortunately, they encountered Zhu Youxiao, who was obsessed with carpentry, and Zhu Youjian, who had not received a systematic imperial education.

Ultimately, none of these highly capable individuals met a good end:

Xiong Tingbi was imprisoned and executed; Hong Chengchou surrendered to the Manchus; Lu Xiangshan died in battle; Yuan Chonghuan's head was sent to the Nine Garrisons; Sun Chuanting died in battle at Tongguan and his wife and daughters threw themselves into a well; Chen Qiyu was dismissed from his post and exiled; Mao Wenlong was beheaded at Lushunkou. Even the best outcome was that Yuan Keli retired due to a cold heart.

How tragic!

If someone else had been emperor, not to mention Li Shimin or Zhu Yuanzhang, even Cao Mengde might have been able to turn the tide.

As for whether Zhu Youxiao (Emperor Zhu Youxiao) possesses the qualities of a wise ruler, only history will tell.

As the emperor was deep in thought, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the palace.

Wei Chao, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, bowed and entered, whispering, "Your Majesty, the three county magistrates, Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chuanting, and Chen Qiyu, are waiting for your decree outside the hall."

Zhu Youxiao raised his head from his desk, still clutching the several files and secret letters in his hand.

He hesitated for a moment, then closed the secret letter and said calmly, "Send it."

As the eunuch's shrill voice announced the arrival, three officials dressed in blue robes filed in.

The leader, Yuan Chonghuan, was about forty years old, with a lean face and a resolute look between his brows; Sun Chuanting was tall and strong, with a steady gait; Chen Qiyu was somewhat frail, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

The three men approached the emperor and knelt down in unison to pay their respects: "Your Majesty, we, Yuan Chonghuan (Magistrate of Shaowu), Sun Chuanting (Magistrate of Yongcheng), and Chen Qiyu (Magistrate of Kaifeng), respectfully wish Your Majesty good health."

Zhu Youxiao's gaze lingered on the three of them for a moment.

These three men are all capable ministers who can be entrusted with important responsibilities!
The emperor nodded slightly, a smile on his face, and raised his hand, saying, "Greetings, my three beloved ministers. Rise. Guards, bring seats."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

After expressing their gratitude, the three men respectfully took their seats.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at them and slowly said, "I am very pleased with the achievements of the three of you in your local areas. Minister Yuan suppressed bandits and brought peace to the people in Shaowu and reduced taxes; Minister Sun suppressed rebellions and reformed land taxes in Yongcheng; and Minister Chen has also made great achievements in Luoyang and Kaifeng. You are all capable ministers."

When Yuan Chonghuan saw that the emperor knew about his political achievements and affirmed their abilities, he was immediately flattered.

Yuan Chonghuan quickly bowed and said, "I am merely doing my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Sun Chuanting was very excited to be able to see the emperor in person, and humbly said, "I dare not say that I have any political achievements; it is just my duty as an official."

Chen Qiyu was noticeably calmer, and while answering the emperor's question, he didn't forget to flatter him.

"All my actions have relied on Your Majesty's power and virtue, and the cooperation of local officials. My contribution is but a minor one."

Seeing the three men's humble demeanor, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "In front of me, there is no need to be nervous or humble. I want to hear your truth."

Upon seeing this, the three immediately responded loudly, "Your subjects obey!"

Zhu Youxiao rubbed the three secret letters between his fingers and asked:
"My three esteemed ministers have served as local officials for many years. I would like to hear your experiences as county magistrates."

Yuan Chonghuan rose first, cupped his hands, and replied, "Your Majesty, when I served as an official in Shaowu, I deeply felt that governing the people was like controlling water; it's better to dredge than to block. Local bandits were rampant, and if we simply suppressed them, it would only incite more uprisings. Therefore, I both suppressed the bandits and reduced taxes to give the people a way to survive, so that we could achieve long-term stability." Only after becoming a local official did he understand the difficulties of governing a region.

Many of the local bandits were ordinary people who couldn't make a living.

Only when the people can live and work in peace and contentment can bandits disappear on their own. Simply suppressing them will not eliminate the bandit problem at all.

Sun Chuanting was somewhat annoyed that Yuan Chonghuan had taken away his chance to shine.

Therefore, as soon as Yuan Chonghuan stopped speaking, Sun Chuanting quickly said, "What I saw in Yongcheng shows that in chaotic times, severe punishments are necessary. Powerful families are seizing land, and the poor are driven to desperation. If swift and decisive measures are not taken, the chaos will be difficult to stop. However, I also understand that in addition to severe punishments, disaster relief is also necessary; otherwise, it will be a case of officials forcing the people to rebel."

Sun Chuanting also achieved considerable success while serving as an official in local areas.

Thus, he came to understand his own way of being an official and governing the country.

Of the three, Chen Qiyu was the most mature. He bowed slightly, his tone calm yet firm: "Your Majesty, I believe that governing a county is like treating an illness; one must prescribe the right medicine for the illness. The situations in Luoyang and Kaifeng are different; some require benevolence and compassion for the people, while others require reform of the bureaucracy. Officials should adapt to local conditions and not be bound by established rules."

After listening, Zhu Youxiao nodded thoughtfully and sighed softly, "What you three ministers have said are all heartfelt opinions. I have summoned you to the capital today precisely to use your talents to help the Ming Dynasty out of its predicament."

The three men exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "We are willing to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with the performance of the three.

However, it is still necessary to probe their views on certain matters.

The ass decides the head.

If someone's thoughts are not aligned with his, then no matter how capable they are, Zhu Youxiao would not dare to give them an important position.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Have any of you read the Imperial Daily?"

Chen Qiyu immediately said, "Your Majesty, I have read all twenty-four issues of the Huangming Daily after arriving in the capital. I am deeply moved. Your Majesty's actions are all beneficial to the country and the people. It is truly a blessing for all the people of our Great Ming to have Your Majesty."

This guy is definitely a bureaucrat; he can spout auspicious words off the cuff.

Seeing that Chen Qiyu had already said all the nice things, Yuan Chonghuan and Sun Chuanting could only add, "What Magistrate Chen said is exactly what we thought."

They stayed in the post station for several days after arriving in the capital, and they did read the Huangming Daily.

As for why they were able to see the Huangming Daily at the post station, it was because Zhu Youxiao used the post station system of the Ming Dynasty to distribute the Huangming Daily, extending its influence to all the places the post stations could reach.

At the same time, the income from the Huangming Daily can also add to the income of the post station, making their lives a little easier.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty covered a vast area, and by the time the Huangming Daily was delivered to the local areas, its contents were no longer news but had become old news. However, the words in the newspaper could still influence many people.

Most importantly, it allows the whole world to know what this emperor is doing, and that he is thinking of the people of the Ming Dynasty at all times!

"very good."

Seeing that the three men were not affected by the dregs of factional strife, Zhu Youxiao was very pleased and asked, "What do you think of what I did in the Huangming Daily?"

He was doing too much for the Huangming Daily, so Zhu Youxiao limited their scope, saying, "For example, conducting a thorough survey of Beizhili, rectifying official corruption, and making good use of the secret police and imperial guards. What suggestions can you give me?"

There is only one answer to this question.

You can only say nice things, not bad things.

They certainly didn't want to be dismissed from their posts for stepping out of the East Warm Pavilion with their left foot.

Think about it for a long time.

Yuan Chonghuan stepped forward first and cautiously replied, "The matters concerning His Majesty published in the Huangming Daily are all the deeds of a wise ruler! The rectification of officialdom and the land survey are even more so."

Having personally witnessed the harm caused by the corruption of clerks in Shaowu, I believe that thoroughly surveying land and rectifying official conduct are fundamental solutions.

However, Beizhili is a crucial area surrounding the capital, where powerful clans are deeply entrenched. I humbly suggest that we emulate the method I used in northern Fujian—a system of collective responsibility based on the Baojia system combined with land surveys. This would both prevent corruption among officials and deter powerful clans from concealing their land holdings.

He paused and then added, "As for the Imperial Guards, they are indeed His Majesty's eyes and ears, but I believe that clear regulations for their inspection should be established to avoid overcorrection."

If not now, when?

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting immediately clasped his hands and spoke in a booming voice: "I agree with what Magistrate Yuan said, but I advocate even more swift and decisive measures! When the land was surveyed in Yongcheng, I dealt with three gentry who resisted the survey using military law, and since then no one has dared to obstruct it. The land survey in Beizhili should be subject to severe punishment: anyone who conceals ten mu of land shall be stripped of their official rank, and anyone who conceals one hundred mu of land shall be exiled to a border town!"

With his thick eyebrows raised, he offered advice to the emperor, exuding an air of confidence and charisma.

"I have experienced firsthand the effectiveness of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's henchmen. Without their secret reports, I would have had no way of investigating half of the land holdings of the powerful families in Yongcheng!"

His meaning was very clear: he wholeheartedly supported His Majesty's heavy reliance on the Imperial Guard and the secret police.

After the two men finished speaking, Chen Qiyu calmly replied, "What you two colleagues have said are both good ideas. However, when I was in Luoyang, I saw that rushing the land survey forced wealthy households to collude with displaced people to rebel. I request Your Majesty to implement this in three steps: first, send the Imperial Guards to secretly investigate the land registers and accounts; second, order the prefectures and counties to conduct their own investigations and corrections; and finally, send an imperial envoy to review the records. This will not only demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence but also expose the corrupt officials and powerful figures."

"In addition, the rectification of officialdom requires a long-term effort. Short-term efforts are of little use. We should emulate the system of governors in the Han Dynasty and establish a system of dedicated censors to supervise and inspect officials."

He's truly a talented individual!

They all have their own methodologies for handling things.

If Zhu Youxiao did not make good use of such talents, wouldn't that be a waste of their abilities?
"Your words are very much in line with my thoughts!"

The emperor's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the crowd, then said, "I need your talents to offer me advice and share the burdens of the nation!"

"But do you have the guts to serve me?"

……

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(End of this chapter)