Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

The political discussion in the Wenhua Hall ended, and the three cabinet ministers bowed and withdrew.

Only Gao Hongtu, the Minister of Revenue, stood alone in front of the "Jiyi" screen to the east of the throne, his face ashen, as if rooted to the spot.

"Gao Qing?"

Zhu Cilang found it strange.

"But are there still unreported matters to be discussed?"

Gao Hongtu's body trembled violently, as if he had been awakened from a nightmare.

His lips parted as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat, but in the end, they turned into a suppressed sigh, and he swallowed them down.

Zhu Cilang frowned slightly, noticing the unusual expression on Gao Hongtu's face, and his tone became somewhat urgent:

"In the imperial court, when the emperor and his ministers are exchanging views, how can they hesitate to speak? If you have something to say, speak it at once!"

This urging shattered Gao Hongtu's last defenses.

"Your Majesty! I...I deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

He screamed hoarsely, his voice filled with despair.

"Those 'fundraising receipts' are treated like worn-out shoes by nobles and avoided like the plague by wealthy merchants! Those who subscribe... less than one in a hundred! The national treasury... the national treasury is about to run dry!"

"You've been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for many years, yet you're troubled by this matter?"

Zhu Cilang remained calm and composed, looking at the nearly collapsed old minister without immediately reprimanding him.

Gao Hongtu suddenly knelt down, lifting his robe:

"I...I have no other way out!"

"Disputes at court are boiling over. Now, the court is resorting to asking relatives of the emperor for money to raise funds. This is tantamount to..."

His Adam's apple bobbed, but he swallowed the word "beg" back down.

"This act, akin to merchants haggling over prices, truly damages the imperial dignity!"

In desperation, he made a near-mad suggestion.

"I dare to suggest that rather than sit idly by and watch the country crumble, haggling with commoners, we should emulate the ruthless methods of the founding emperor."

He grasped at the last straw and said urgently:

"There is a man named Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi, who last month privately purchased thirty boatloads of rare stones from Taihu Lake. The shipping cost alone was equivalent to half a year's tax from Yingtian Prefecture."

"His Majesty!"

He practically screamed it out.

"We request that the Emperor arrest these people and confiscate their property to fund the army! Let's make an example of them and see which powerful figures in the land dare to defy the Emperor's authority again!"

After speaking, Gao Hongtu kowtowed heavily, his forehead turning bright red in an instant, with fine beads of sweat constantly seeping out.

The hall was deathly silent.

Zhu Cilang's face suddenly turned cold, his gaze piercing the prostrate old minister:

"Gao Hongtu!"

His voice was cold and carried an invisible pressure.

"Your Excellency, do you wish for me to emulate the Taizu Emperor's execution of Shen Xiu (Shen Wansan)? To repeat that act of confiscating property and exiling him?"

His thoughts were instantly drawn back to the early years of the Hongwu reign—

Shen Wansan, whose real name was Shen Xiu, courtesy name Zhongrong, and sobriquet Wanshan, was a man of many talents.

His father, Shen You, led the clan to cultivate Zhouzhuang and started their business through agriculture.

Wan San inherited the family business, extensively acquiring land and properties, and also received financial assistance from Lu Deyuan, a wealthy and powerful figure in Suzhou.

He then used Zhouzhuang as his base to engage in various businesses, including money lending, pawnbroking, and overseas trade, amassing a fortune of hundreds of millions.

People at the time all said that he had obtained the Persian treasure, the "Treasure Bowl".

At the end of the Zhizheng era, Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang besieged Zhang Shicheng in Suzhou.

Zhang Shicheng proclaimed himself King of Wu and, with the financial support of the Shen family, held out for eight months.

After the city fell, Emperor Taizu imposed heavy taxes and severe punishments on the people of Suzhou.

In order to protect himself, Shen Wansan volunteered to build the Nanjing city wall, which cost more than 30% of the total expenditure for the construction of the city wall in Yingtian Prefecture.

Emperor Taizu deeply feared that his wealth could be used to buy off the army's morale, and the thought of killing him arose immediately.

Fortunately, Empress Ma repeatedly advised against it.

He was spared death by saying, "Shen Wansan was indeed incredibly wealthy, but he never committed any illegal acts." In the end, he was exiled to Yunnan after his family's property was confiscated.

As the memories faded, Zhu Cilang's gaze grew even more somber.

Gao Hongtu's body stiffened, his body trembling slightly as he lay on the ground, yet he still insisted:

"I know this proposal goes against His Majesty's wishes, but the Emperor Taizu's exile of Shen Xiushi was a swift and decisive move."

"At that time, the wealthy families of Jiangnan were richer than a country, yet they refused to pay a single penny. If Your Majesty continues to indulge them..."

"Emperor Taizu was wise and powerful, opening up new horizons and creating new worlds. I dare not even look up to him."

Zhu Cilang interrupted him, his tone suddenly changing, revealing a wisdom beyond his years.

"But I still remember the words of Empress Taizu, who was kind and virtuous: 'Although you are as rich as a country, you have never done anything illegal.'"

"Since no illegal acts have been committed, how can I impose a forced taxation?"

"However—"

He got straight to the heart of the problem.

"When Emperor Taizu confiscated Shen Wansan's property, did it resolve the century-old problems plaguing our Ming Dynasty? Did it prevent the subsequent annexation by powerful clans and the depletion of the national treasury?"

He gently stroked the memorial on the table and continued:

"If I were to follow the example of Emperor Taizu today, the nobles would tremble with fear at the sight of the blade, and the national treasury might be temporarily full."

"However, this is like draining the pond to catch all the fish, or killing the goose that lays the golden eggs!"

"Having chilled the hearts of wealthy households and severed the will of merchants to trade, is our Great Ming, this weary carriage, drinking poison to quench its thirst, or can it travel steadily and far?"

He looked at Gao Hongtu.

"Looking at the situation today, the powerful and wealthy are richer than a country, while the common people are suffering terribly."

"The root cause lies in the deterioration of regulations and laws, and the unchecked collection of taxes. If this continues, the rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer, the foundation of the nation will be shaken, and that will be the greatest danger."

The cinnabar-stained imperial brushstrokes pointed directly at Gao Hongtu.

"My mind is made up. I will implement new policies to reform long-standing abuses and get to the root of the problem!"

"This method is neither about seizing by trickery nor about groveling."

His voice was resolute.

"It is taken from the law, reason, and power, in a righteous and upright manner, and in the best interests of the country and its people."

Gao Hongtu frowned deeply, and after a long while, he softly uttered a single word:

"this……"

Zhu Cilang saw the confusion in Gao Hongtu's heart.

"Raising funds is merely a temporary measure, and it is not something you are usually responsible for. I understand your confusion."

"I have a plan that can resolve our current predicament. Please listen carefully—"

Just as Gao Hongtu was feeling extremely anxious and at his wit's end, he suddenly heard these words, and like a drowning man seeing a piece of driftwood, his eyes instantly lit up with hope:

"Your subject respectfully listens to Your Majesty's instructions!"

Zhu Cilang leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:

"This method of mine is called—"

The emperor spoke very quickly, but his voice grew softer and softer.

Gao Hongtu's brows furrowed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Upon hearing the most exquisite part, a bright light suddenly appeared in his eyes, and the scepter he had been gripping tightly relaxed.

When he finished speaking, even the silver beard under his chin trembled slightly, and a smile gradually appeared on his face.

......

Several days later, in Nanjing.

The setting sun casts golden rays, illuminating the vermilion gate.

Stone lions guarded the front of the house. A minor official from the Ministry of Revenue arrived in a hurry and gently knocked on the door knocker.

The door opened, and the junior official respectfully handed over a plain note, saying to the steward inside:

"My lord has been observing a vegetarian diet to pray for blessings recently. Tomorrow, I will host a small banquet at Zuixianlou Restaurant to enjoy the lanterns on the Qinhuai River. I hope to discuss national affairs with you, Xuntai."

At that time, Gao Hongtu, the Minister of Revenue, was in the study of the ministry office.

While preparing to issue the "fundraising document", he also frequently met secretly with several key figures in the city.

After each private meeting, his eyes revealed a scheming intent.

......

The following day, in the evening.

Zuixianlou, majestically situated atop the Yuntai Sluice Gate of the West Water Gate in Nanjing's Shuiximen area.

The flying eaves and brackets resemble a soaring eagle spreading its wings, standing by the river.

The lights are still bright tonight, but an unusually somber atmosphere prevails at the door:

The usual ornate carriages and lavish servants were nowhere to be seen; only a young servant in blue robes stood with his head bowed, holding a plain gauze lantern.

Gao Hongtu specially chose this place to host a banquet for the nobles and powerful figures of Nanjing.

Tonight, he intends to implement his "fundraising receipts" plan.

He stood alone by the window, gazing at the Qinhuai River in the twilight, and once again went through the secret instructions given to him by the emperor.

Before long, dignitaries and gentry from all over Nanjing arrived according to the invitation and gradually gathered at Zuixianlou.

The nobleman was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with python and qilin patterns, with jade pendants jingling at his waist. He had an arrogant expression, walked with square steps, and bowed to each other with his hands clasped.

The wealthy merchants, adorned with jewels and draped in silk and brocade, gathered in small groups, whispering about the changing political landscape.

Scholars, holding folding fans and dressed in elegant long gowns, exuded charm, sometimes appreciating the calligraphy and paintings in the building, and sometimes composing poems with acquaintances.