The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 82 Japanese Pirates and the Reassigned Feudal Kings (Seeking Further Subscriptions)

When Lin Ding looked closely, he was disappointed.

The newcomer was dressed in coarse cloth shorts, had a dark face, and tattoos on his neck. It turned out to be Zhao Hu, the camp leader who had worked with him on flood control in Jiangnan.

"Lord Lin!" Zhao Hu's face was full of excitement, and his voice choked with emotion.

"Heaven has eyes! You've finally recovered!"

Lin Yue quickly stepped forward to help him up and said gently.

"Zhao Hu, did you travel all the way from Jiangnan? You look travel-worn."

Zhao Hu stood up, bowed, and replied, "My lord has shown me great kindness!"

During the great flood in Jiangnan, my hometown was submerged, and the elderly and children in my family were in imminent danger. It was the adults who opened the granary and distributed food, saving my life and even finding me a job in the flood control camp.

"My life originally belonged to you, so what does this matter?"

Lin Yue waved his hand, deciding to skip these mushy words and ask some questions about the floods in Jiangnan.

He asked, "Zhao Hu, while I've been recuperating, how is the flooding in Jiangnan progressing?"

Zhao Hu said, "My lord, please rest assured, the flood situation in Jiangnan has greatly improved!"

When you were alive, you executed corrupt officials who embezzled river works, purged powerful figures who had encroached on the river channels, and personally led people to survey the terrain and dredge the main channels of the Wusong River and Huangpu River. The situation has greatly improved.

Later, the imperial court sent Minister Xia south. Following your original strategy, he mobilized 100,000 laborers to open the Fanjiabang Canal and dredge the Baimao and Liuhe Rivers. Now, the waters of Taihu Lake can flow smoothly into the sea, and the flooding of fields will never happen again as in previous years.

"The people's lives are much better than before." A smile appeared on Zhao Hu's face. "When I left Jiangnan, I replanted yellow rice and green beans in the fields."

The villagers all said that if it weren't for the adults' efforts to turn the tide, severely punish the wicked and build water conservancy projects despite pressure from all sides, and the court's attention, Jiangnan would have suffered many more disasters, and many families would have been destroyed.

"Sir, you have truly saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue couldn't help but feel a little smug.

He devoted himself wholeheartedly to flood control in Jiangnan, working day and night. Now, hearing that the floods have been dealt with better and more thoroughly than in the past, and that the people are able to live in peace, he feels a great sense of accomplishment.

Lin Yue nodded slightly, his tone tinged with emotion: "It's good that the people can be spared the suffering of floods."

What I did was merely my duty; in the end, I did not fail His Majesty's trust or the expectations of the people of Jiangnan.

"You're too modest, sir," Zhao Hu quickly said. "This is not something that can be summed up simply by saying it's my duty!"

Many officials who came to Jiangnan only knew how to exploit the people, caring nothing for their lives. Only you, sir, truly cared for the people.

Lin Yue smiled and said, "Why does Zhao Hu keep praising me? I'm just an ordinary person who's greedy for money and lustful."

Let me ask you, now that the floods have subsided, how are the people doing?

"What pressing difficulties remain regarding taxes and livelihoods? Tell me everything you've seen and heard along the way."

The joy on Zhao Hu's face gradually faded, his brows furrowed tightly, and his tone became much heavier.

"Your Excellency is indeed insightful. Although the floods in Jiangnan have subsided, the Japanese pirates are becoming increasingly rampant."

He gritted his teeth and said, "The coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian have been plundered by Japanese pirates for many years. Those bandits burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of evil deeds."

Now that the Jiangnan region has just suffered from floods, many of the coastal defense facilities have been damaged, and the defense has been slightly relaxed. These Japanese pirates have taken advantage of the situation and become even more unscrupulous!

Not only did the coastal prefectures and counties suffer, but their presence was also seen in Taicang and Jiading areas within Suzhou Prefecture. Small groups of Japanese pirates even sailed up the river, plundering villages and towns. The people, barely recovering from the floods, were struck by this calamity, their suffering unbearable!

"What? Japanese pirates?" Lin Yue's expression changed drastically, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He roared, "You audacious Japanese pirates! Our Great Ming Dynasty is a land of propriety and etiquette. How can we allow these barbarians to run rampant like this!"

"The floods have just been quelled, and the people are already suffering. Yet they dare to take advantage of the chaos and loot and harm the people of our Great Ming Dynasty. They deserve to die a thousand deaths."

In the early Yongle period, Japanese pirate raids were frequent. These pirate groups, which were formed by Japanese samurai, ronin and coastal merchants (mainly large coastal merchants), harassed the southeast coast for a long time. Later, during the Jiajing period, they even attacked the city of Nanjing.

Lin Yue immediately said in a deep voice, "This matter must not be tolerated! Once I return home, I will draft a memorial and submit it to His Majesty, requesting the court to pay close attention to coastal defenses, deploy troops, and strengthen the coastal defenses."

"Select capable generals to guard the southeast, and ensure that these Japanese pirates are severely punished and exterminated, restoring peace and tranquility to the coastal people!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu looked at Lin Yue with even greater respect and admiration.

He followed Lin Yue because Lord Tulin always had the people in his heart. Whether it was flood control and disaster relief or severely punishing corruption, he was always dedicated to serving the people and never had any selfish motives.

Now that he has heard that the floods have been quelled, the official's first concern is still the people's plight. Upon learning of the rampant Japanese pirates, he immediately wants to plead for the people. Such an upright and just official is a wise ruler worthy of his life-or-death loyalty.

Zhao Hu immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times, his forehead hitting the bluestone slab with a dull thud.

"Your Excellency!" He raised his head and said loudly, "You are wholeheartedly devoted to the people and have the world in your heart. You are truly a rare and good official throughout the ages!"

I have traveled all over Jiangnan and have never seen an official as genuinely concerned for the people as you, sir.

Now, I have no other wish but to follow you, my lord, for the rest of my life, to be your servant, to be your beast of burden, to obey your every command, to continue to serve you, and to share the burdens of the people!

Although the Ming Dynasty had regulations prohibiting the keeping of slaves, many gentry and officials used the names of "family members," "adopted sons," and "servants" to recruit confidants. Zhao Hu's behavior was, in effect, entrusting his life and fortune entirely to Lin Yue.

Seeing Zhao Hu kneeling on the ground with a resolute expression, Lin Yue quickly bent down to help him up: "Zhao Hu, get up quickly!"

At the beginning of the founding of our Great Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu abolished the slave system and clearly stipulated that all four classes of people are equal. How can there be any reason to make people slaves for life?

We are both citizens of the Ming Dynasty, earning our living through our own abilities and acting with conscience. Why should we distinguish between master and slave?

Zhao Hu, however, stubbornly refused to rise, saying, "My lord, I can only find peace of mind by following you. If you do not take me in, I will have no choice but to kneel here forever!"

Lin Yue sighed helplessly and could only persuade him, "It's not that I don't want you to follow me, but I don't want to be called a servant. Why don't we address each other as comrades?"

Comrades, if we share the same aspirations, we will be of the same mind and work together. We are all willing to seek the well-being of the people and to do our best for the Ming Dynasty. This is our common aspiration.

"Let us become comrades, and from now on work together, without distinction of master and servant, only of righteousness. What do you say?"

Zhao Hu was taken aback: "Comrade...does serving the people transcend the distinction between master and servant?"

"Exactly." Lin patted him on the shoulder. "Let's treat each other as comrades. In the future, when I have errands to run, I'll call you. We're both dedicated to the people, why bother with master and servant?"

Zhao Hu wanted to say something more, but Lin Yue waved his hand to interrupt: "This matter is settled. I have important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

Looking at his retreating figure, Zhao Hu's admiration for him grew even stronger: "Lord Lin is indeed a man of noble character, not attached to his private servants, but only to righteousness. I truly did not misjudge him!"

"We are comrades, sharing the same ideals and goals. How fortunate I am to travel with Lord Lin."

When Lin Yue returned to his bare house, he found that Zhao Hu had already taken him to his doorstep and had built a thatched hut there, looking like a gatekeeper.

Lin Yue had no choice but to let it go.

Pushing open the door and entering the room, Lin Yue picked up his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and began to draft a memorial regarding the Japanese pirate threat.

Lin Yue spread out the Xuan paper, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote.

"A Memorial on the Japanese Pirates of Jiangnan"

Your subject, Lin Yue, respectfully reports:

I believe that overseas trade is indeed the source of national wealth, and the prosperity of the Song and Yuan dynasties all depended on it.

During the Song Dynasty, maritime trade offices were established in ports such as Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Mingzhou. In the Southern Song Dynasty, the annual revenue from maritime trade reached as high as two million strings of cash, accounting for nearly 10% of the national treasury's annual revenue. In Quanzhou port alone, each merchant ship carrying goods was worth as much as 70,000 strings of cash, with a net profit margin as high as 150%. If such profits were transferred to the imperial court, it would be sufficient to replenish the national treasury and benefit the people.

First, Lin Yue boasted to Zhu Di about the profits from maritime trade, then changed the subject and began to talk about the Japanese pirates.

"However, since the beginning of this year, the threat of Japanese pirates along the coast has been rampant, especially in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. The root of the trouble lies not only with the overseas pirates, but also with the unscrupulous merchants within the country."

Wealthy merchants from the coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang amassed fortunes through overseas trade, but their greed was insatiable. They secretly colluded with Japanese pirates... They regarded the coastal areas as their private property and the people as mere pawns. They shared the spoils of the Japanese pirates' plunder with them, truly parasites that brought disaster to the country and its people.

"6

Looking at his memorial written in a flowing, elegant style, Lin Yue was very satisfied.

I've been sick for a month, but my health has actually improved. I don't know why, but I feel like I have inexhaustible energy, and I'm much more energetic when writing memorials and spitting out witty remarks.

The following day, Lin Yue once again came to Fengtian Gate to attend the court assembly he was loyal to.

Inside Fengtian Gate, incense smoke wafted through the air. Officials, arranged according to rank, stood on either side of the steps, their court robes a striking mix of crimson and purple, all in quiet hushed tones.

Zhu Di sat high on the dragon throne, his imperial robes gleaming.

He glanced at the assembled officials below and said in a loud voice: "I have received the mandate of Heaven to ascend the throne. Since the establishment of the dynasty in the autumn of the thirty-fifth year of Hongwu, I have worked day and night, fearing that I may fail the legacy of the founding emperor and the expectations of the people."

Emperor Taizu braved wind and rain to establish his dynasty, all for the sake of the people's well-being and to solidify the foundation of the nation.

Today, I hereby issue an edict granting a general amnesty, exempting all taxes levied before the thirty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign (1389), and granting leniency to all crimes except those of the ten heinous crimes, robbery, and treason.

From this day forward, I will faithfully uphold the laws established by the Hongwu Emperor, diligently govern and cherish the people, be close to virtuous ministers and keep away from treacherous officials, so that the Ming Dynasty may enjoy a long and prosperous reign and once again display the grandeur of the Hongwu era!

The officials below the steps all knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" Their voices shook the palace.

After everyone stood up, Liu Rui, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Justice, stepped forward, holding a memorial of impeachment, and bowed.

"Your subject has a memorial to present, concerning the peace and security of the northern frontier!"

During his time stationed in Daning, Prince Zhu Quan of Ning was incorruptible and committed thirty-two crimes.

They forcibly seized over three thousand hectares of farmland, levied horse taxes to oppress border residents, arbitrarily killed soldiers in garrisons, condoned the plundering of merchants by their guards, secretly colluded with Mongol tribes, and secretly gifted them armor and bows. Their crimes are too numerous to list. We earnestly request Your Majesty to punish them severely to uphold the law!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di feigned surprise, leaned forward slightly, and said in a deep voice.

"How could this be? Prince Ning is my own brother. When Emperor Taizu was alive, he often praised him for his wisdom and virtue. How could he have done such a rebellious thing?"

He frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said with a look of reluctance: "As the sages said, there is affection between father and son, righteousness between ruler and subject, distinction between husband and wife, order between elder and junior, and trust between friends."

I have a deep brotherly bond with Prince Ning and cannot bear to punish him. Moreover, the land of Daming has suffered greatly from the Jingnan Rebellion, and its people and resources are depleted. It is not advisable for any changes to occur here.

If Prince Ning remains here, he may be misled by treacherous people and cause trouble again. It would be better to change his fief to Nanchang Prefecture, which would both ensure his safety and preserve the brotherly bond.

"The entire territory spans a thousand miles, where the people reside. Nanchang is a land of plenty, a place of plenty. Let him stay away from the border conflicts, to cultivate his character, and to avoid committing even greater mistakes in the future, forcing me to do something I cannot bear to do."

Having said that, the Yongle Emperor waved his hand and issued an edict: "The Ministry of Rites is to immediately draft an edict to enfeoff Prince Zhu Quan of Ning in Nanchang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. He shall depart within three days without delay!"

Once the decree was issued, none of the officials raised any objections.

Zhu Di then changed the subject, discussing border military affairs, his tone becoming increasingly solemn.

"The border garrisons are the shield of the country. Emperor Taizu established the system of guarding cities and cultivating land in order to combine soldiers and farmers and consolidate our territory."

The three guards of Ningwang Moxia Prefecture—the Left, Right, and Central Guards—are all elite troops and must be used to defend the territory. They should not be moved arbitrarily. Therefore, they are hereby brought under the control of the court and reorganized into the Longqing Left Guard, Longqing Right Guard, and Kuanhe Guard, and transferred to Liaodong to guard the border, under the command of the Liaodong Regional Military Commission.

After a brief pause, Zhu Di continued, "The leaders of the Doyan Three Guards, including Tuoluhuchaer, led their troops to the aid during the Jingnan Campaign, fighting across thousands of miles and making outstanding contributions. Their loyalty is commendable."

If distant peoples do not submit, then we will cultivate virtue and culture to win them over. Those who have made contributions will surely be rewarded. Now, we hereby confer titles such as commander, centurion, and other official positions upon the leaders of the three guards, bestow upon them imperial edicts, official hats and belts, and colored coins, and grant them the privilege of paying tribute twice a year, so that they may forever serve as a bulwark for the Great Ming.

I treated them with sincerity, and they reciprocated with loyalty. This is the way of safeguarding the four barbarian tribes that Emperor Taizu spoke of.

After making a series of adjustments to the garrisons, Zhu Di added further details.

"The soldiers and civilians of the garrisons under the jurisdiction of the Da Ning Commandery have long lived in the border areas, where transporting supplies is difficult and they are often harassed by the Tatars, making life miserable for the people."

Emperor Taizu also relocated border residents to the interior in the past to consolidate the foundation.

"Now, the entire Da Ning Military Command will be relocated to Baoding Prefecture, and over 50,000 mu of farmland will be allocated for military farming and city defense. This will ensure the safety of both the military and civilians, and strengthen the defenses of the capital region. This is a win-win solution."

At first, Lin stood calmly in the classroom.

It's just a matter of changing the title to Prince Ning, a normal procedure. It's common practice to strip a prince of his military power. It's not surprising that the Three Guards of Doyan are being rewarded for their meritorious service.

Upon hearing the news of the relocation of the Daming Commandery, Lin Yue's expression changed drastically.

The Da Ning Commandery is an important town in the northern frontier, connecting Liaodong to the east, Xuanfu to the west, and controlling Mongolia to the north. It is a strategic location for defending against the Tatars and Oirats. Now, it is going to be abandoned and the surrendered Doyan Three Guards will be made into a vassal state.

Zhu Di is really making a mess of things. He threw out the Doyan Three Guards and still wanted to move the capital to Beiping. Isn't that just asking to be attacked and harassed in the capital?!

Lin Yue could no longer contain himself. He strode out of the court and pointed at Zhu Di, shouting angrily.

"What exactly is Your Majesty's intention in doing this? Are you going to violate the ancestral precepts of the founding emperor and abandon territories?!"