The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 118 Zhu Yuanzhang: My eldest grandson has brought another treasure?

Zhu Xiong Ying reached out and took it, carefully reviewing the draft.

They saw that Lao Luo and others divided this "Awakening the World and Punishing the Greedy" into four volumes and sixty chapters.

The first thirty chapters recount the entire story of the grain theft case.

Furthermore, Guo Huan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, colluded with officials from the Six Ministries and conspired with grain officials in various regions to resell autumn grain as a pretext.

Then, the people suffered from crop failure, forced to sell their children, and starved corpses littered the fields.

Upon hearing the news, the emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. He also ordered the corrupt official to be skinned alive and severely punished to demonstrate his commitment to protecting the people.

The last thirty chapters are adapted from real cases of commoners kidnapping officials and bringing them to the capital. Each chapter corresponds to a specific law, breaking down the difficult and obscure provisions into clear and understandable details.

As for the text, it is all in plain language, without a single obscure classical Chinese sentence.

In terms of character portrayal, every word is penetrating and insightful.

For example, when writing about corrupt officials colluding with each other, their ugly faces leap off the page.

When ordinary people are driven to desperation, their families are destroyed and their lives are lost, those who witness this feel heartbroken and condemn it.

The censors were discerning and thorough, punishing corruption and promoting good, their uprightness was awe-inspiring and admirable.

After reading it aloud, you don't need to ask to know that it was written by Lao Luo.

Zhu Xiong Ying praised, and after regaining his composure, said, "Sir, what excellent writing! In just a few hundred words at the beginning, you have vividly depicted the cruelty of corrupt officials!"

"What follows further clarifies the original intention of the Great Proclamation to protect the people!"

"We're actually looking forward to the day this book is completed!"

Luo Guanzhong, with a mature demeanor, bowed and said, "Your Highness flatters me!"

"This humble subject merely followed orders, incorporating the cold legal statutes into the text, vividly depicting the consequences of corrupt officials' evil deeds, and clearly explaining the court's rules for protecting the people, so that the common folk could understand, remember, and spread the word!"

"The language used here is not intended to be ornate, but simply easy to understand."

Zhu Xiong Ying sat at the head table, looked around at everyone, and clapped his hands in praise, saying, "Mr. Luo's words are excellent!"

"The purpose of inviting you all here is precisely this: to use popular stories and dramas to deliver the Emperor's true intentions and the laws of the court to the ears and hearts of the people. This is the true power of education, a hundred times more effective than empty talk and literature."

After hearing the words of the imperial grandson, everyone nodded in agreement.

He saw Jia Zhongming and several others, looking hesitant and wanting to speak.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said, "Mr. Jia, and gentlemen all, have you also achieved results in opera and variety shows?"

Jia Zhongming took out the script, bowed, and presented it, saying loudly, "Please take a look, Your Highness. I have followed Your Highness's instructions and, using the grain theft case as the core, have written three plays, titled 'The Legend of Punishing Corruption,' 'The Iron-Faced Censor,' and 'The Chronicle of Peace'—"

"In addition, Mr. Song and others worked together to write twelve excerpts of opera and twenty-four short poems and lyrics —"

"We, the common people, have deliberately incorporated legal provisions into our lyrics, so that they don't have to be dry and boring to read. They can be both entertaining and educational, and will be easily understood and internalized. We just need the imperial court to promote them!"

Although Zhu Xiong Ying was not a professional opera performer.

But after reading it and seeing the description, I couldn't help but nod.

The promise I made to Lao Zhu last time has finally been fulfilled!

In addition to publishing, compiling, and interpreting.

Once the imperial court officially establishes newspapers, the articles can be published there for wider dissemination!

Zhu Xiong Ying put down the scroll in his hand and said, "Thank you all for your trouble!"

"Furthermore, once Mr. Luo's 'Awakening the World and Punishing Corruption' is officially completed, it can be submitted to the Imperial Academy for review, then published as a book, and thus spread throughout the world."

"But once the plays and excerpts created by Mr. Jia and others are approved by the palace, more troupes can be recruited to perform them, not only in Yingtian Prefecture, but also to Jiangbei and the Northwest!"

But one can see the ambition of the eldest grandson of the emperor.

Luo Guanzhong, Jia Zhongming, and their ilk were all invigorated and bowed in unison, saying, "We humble subjects obey Your Highness's decree and will certainly do our utmost to fulfill the task entrusted to us!"

Half an hour later, Zhu Xiong Ying took all of Lao Luo's and others' manuscripts with him and then boarded a carriage to head towards the palace.

Along the way, they encountered a group of constables guarding many prisoners.

Thinking back to what Old Zhu said a few days ago.

He ordered Sanbao to investigate.

As expected, these people were all involved with the White Lotus Sect's henchmen and officials!

Since they were escorted to the capital, they were shockingly sentenced to death by Zhu Yuanzhang!

According to yesterday afternoon...

Inside the Wenhua Hall, during a meeting with Biao'er's father, the cheap old man revealed something.

Zhu Yuanzhang used the White Lotus Rebellion not only to punish officials and military generals, but also to rectify the temples throughout the land.

This is ultimately a good thing for both the government and the public!

As for Zhu Yuanzhang's grasp of timing and application of imperial tactics, he still has much to learn!

The Hall of Literary Glory.

Two incense sticks later, Xu Da and the others who had been summoned for the meeting had just left.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang still held the military report sent by his adopted son, Mu Ying.

He rubbed his temples as he carefully flipped through the pages.

However, since the beginning of the year, the Ming army has been preparing for war for a long time in order to punish the Luchuan tribes.

The methods for preventing malaria provided by the Imperial Medical Academy were sent to the southwest last month.

In the end, it was all thanks to my eldest grandson!

Thinking of his eldest grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang had just put down the military report when he heard footsteps outside.

"Grandpa Emperor!"

She saw her eldest grandson tiptoeing in, carrying a package.

Zhu Yuanzhang's weariness vanished, and he smiled, saying, "Our grandson is beaming! He spent the whole day at Zhongshan Academy today, did he acquire some treasure? Did he come here especially to present it to us?"

Wow, Old Zhu's got some good information!

Clearly, they had received notification from the university long before this!

Zhu Xiong Ying placed the package on the imperial desk and spread it out, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. I have indeed acquired some fine items today, and I brought them here for your perusal as soon as possible!"

After handing the longbow to Old Zhu.

Zhu Yuanzhang tried it briefly and immediately fell in love with it.

As an emperor who rose from the ashes, he spent his entire life dealing with weapons.

At first glance, he could tell this bow was different. After pulling it slightly, he smiled and exclaimed, "What a fine bow!"

"Let's talk about this, Grandson. What's the inside story?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying quickly explained the inside secret.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes brightened slightly. He placed his gaze on the table and exclaimed, "Brilliant! So that's the reason behind it!"

""

"With this bow, military campaigns will be greatly benefited!"

"We've remembered the contributions of our eldest grandson, as well as Liu An and the others!"

"Guards, relay our order: reward Liu An and the others with twenty bolts of cloth—"

"This servant obeys the decree!"

The eunuch retreated and left, and Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze fell upon the manuscript.

He raised an eyebrow and casually flipped through the pages.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood aside and explained softly.

Old Zhu did not directly comment on the content.

After all, he was always cautious when it came to matters of education, such as writing.

Seeing that there were no major problems, he nodded and said, "What is written here is just as our eldest grandson said, all in plain language, and it's well-written. Even we can understand it. However, there are some details that still need more thought!"

"As for Luo Guanzhong, since he is wholeheartedly dedicated to this matter, we can let his past transgressions be forgiven for now!"