The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Inside the palace.

It is said that the method of smallpox inoculation was actually devised by the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying.

The ministers looked on in surprise!

Xu Da, Lan Yu, Feng Sheng, Guo Ying, and other military generals from Huaixi were the first to react, and all of them showed joy, sharing the honor and disgrace.

The eldest grandson of the emperor is indeed worthy of being raised by the emperor and empress. His intelligence and benevolence are a blessing to the country!

The emperor's public revelation of the mystery was clearly intended to consolidate the position of the Crown Prince's lineage and accumulate political and social capital for the third generation of the royal family's eldest son!

As the foremost military general among the founding emperors, Duke Xu Da of Wei was the first to rise, adjust his jade belt, and, facing the dragon throne, bowed slowly and deliberately, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince, at such a young age, has found a cure for the world's suffering from smallpox, ending a thousand-year-old plague. This is truly a blessing for the nation!"

"Your subject Xu Da offers his congratulations to Your Majesty! Congratulations to all the people!"

Xu Da finished speaking.

As Zhu Xiong Ying's maternal uncle, Duke Lan Yu of Liang could no longer contain himself. After glancing to his left and right, he stepped forward and said, "Your subject Lan Yu congratulates Your Majesty!"

"The actions of the eldest grandson of the emperor are a meritorious deed for the present and a benefit for future generations!"

"Not only will it spare countless people from the suffering of broken homes and death, but it will also protect our border troops from the scourge of disease..."

The other generals followed suit, offering their praise.

Only the civil officials had complicated expressions and were filled with anxiety!

Starting with the grain theft case in March, the once-powerful civil service group, including the gentry of Jiangnan, suffered a severe blow!

Seeing a group of thugs riding on your head... how can you feel good about that?

What worries them even more is that the emperor possesses smallpox vaccines and bestows favors upon the common people. With the people's hearts attached to him, who can stop the investigation into corruption?

It should be noted that from the beginning of March, when the case of Guo Huan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came to light, to today, in just two months, the number of people arrested has exceeded 30,000, from the imperial court to local prefectures and counties.

This group included the heads of the six ministries, lower-level officials, grain officials, wealthy households, and related individuals.

In the past two weeks alone, more than a thousand officials have been executed in the capital, turning the Qinhuai River red with blood...

Now, we have to admit that all those good days are completely over!

These scholars and officials, as if they had lost their parents and were distracted, finished their congratulations.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao took a step forward.

His voice was loud and clear as he reported, "Father! I have another matter to report! Since the grain theft case, the large number of people apprehending suspects across the country has led to overcrowding in the prisons, and outbreaks of disease have occurred, which may harm innocent people..."

"Your Majesty, I have received Your Majesty's decree to establish detailed rules for 'atonement debts,' thereby granting leniency to those implicated in minor offenses. I hereby submit this memorial for Your Majesty's wise judgment!"

But look how quickly he's done what he was asked to do.

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned forward, glanced at his ministers, and said in a deep voice, "Let Biao speak! Let them hear it too!"

Zhu Biao bowed slightly and said, "Yes!"

"This debt of atonement is not for the purpose of absolving oneself of sin, but rather for reducing one's punishment by one degree!"

"Furthermore, only three categories of people will be allowed to pay silver to reduce their sentences; all others will be denied!"

"First, those who were unaware beforehand, forced into involvement, and who did not share in the spoils or personally harm the people, such as yamen servants, scribes, warehouse workers, and post station workers."

"Second, those village chiefs, grain chiefs, wealthy villagers, and others who were implicated but whose corruption was not substantiated, and who did not embezzle public funds."

"Third, in counties and townships, for first-time offenders or those who commit crimes by mistake, the punishment is limited to caning or imprisonment, and there are no officials outside the county who have the intention to harm the people."

"Furthermore, anyone who commits a crime punishable by beheading or hanging, regardless of whether they are an official or a commoner, or whether they are a ringleader or an accomplice, shall not be allowed to pay a silver ransom; they shall be executed according to the law!"

"Anyone above the rank of Assistant Minister or Vice Minister in the Six Ministries, or any provincial governor, prefect, magistrate, or county magistrate appointed by the imperial court, regardless of the severity of their crime, is strictly prohibited from doing so..."

The courtiers upon first hearing about "atonement debts".

Thinking of the students and former officials who pleaded for him, they couldn't help but feel a surge of joy and admire the Crown Prince's benevolence.

But then, upon hearing the specific details, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over my head, and I instantly felt chilled to the bone!

How could I not have noticed?

Is the emperor and the crown prince playing the good cop and the bad cop respectively?

Furthermore, by using fines to grant the quota for redemption or commutation of sentences to ordinary officials and wealthy people, not only can the base of support be stabilized, but the national treasury can also be replenished.

On the other hand, by keeping the punishment of officials unchanged, it gained widespread public support.

This plan achieves four goals at once.

That was a brilliant plan, truly ingenious!

If it weren't for the fact that Liu Bowen, the Earl of Chengyi, had already died ten years earlier.

Some even suspected that the idea might have come from the emperor's chief strategist...

No one could have imagined that this was the method suggested by the wise and virtuous Zhu Xiong Ying!

Just as the court officials were lost in thought, Zhu Biao said again: "According to the severity of the crime, the amount of silver for redemption is set at three levels. After paying the silver, the crime will be reduced by one level, but it cannot be reduced any further!"

"For those originally sentenced to exile for 3,000 li or 2,000 li, the penalty is 500 taels of silver. The 3,000 li penalty is reduced to 2,000 li, and the 2,000 li penalty is reduced to 1,000 li!"

"For the second category, those originally sentenced to three, two and a half, or two years of penal servitude, shall pay two hundred taels of silver, and their penal servitude shall be reduced by one degree according to the law. For example, those originally sentenced to three years of penal servitude shall be reduced to two years, and so on. No one shall be exempt from punishment!"

"The third category, originally punishable by 100, 80, or 60 strokes of the cane, requires a payment of 50 taels of silver. The punishment is reduced by one degree according to the law, so 100 strokes is reduced to 80 strokes..."

"The aforementioned individuals will only have their sentences reduced; all embezzled funds to be recovered must be turned over to the imperial treasury. There is absolutely no reason for them to be exempted from punishment!"

"Anyone who dares to conceal information will be punished more severely once verified, and no redemption will be permitted..."

The detailed rules set by the Crown Prince were comprehensive and plugged all loopholes.

Upon hearing this, regardless of their stance, all the ministers praised the Crown Prince for his meticulousness and experience!

Snapped!

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze turned cold and sharp. He slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne and declared in a resounding voice, "The rules set by Biao'er are exactly what we want!"

"We've said it before: the people can be lenient, but the officials cannot!"

"This debt of atonement was originally intended to provide a way out for the implicated people, not a backdoor for corrupt officials!"

"And let me say this upfront: anyone who dares to plead for a convicted official in the future, don't blame us for turning against you!"

At this point, Old Zhu looked at Ren Ang, who was temporarily in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and his tone softened considerably, saying, "As for the promotion of smallpox vaccination, let's start with a pilot program in Yingtian Prefecture, from children to adults!"

"This matter will be handled by Bo Yong..."

Ren Ang, courtesy name Boyong, was a native of Heyin County.

Three years ago, he served as Minister of Rites, and participated in many reforms of various systems, including the imperial robes, the imperial examination, and the tribute system. He later resigned and returned to his hometown.

Having been recommended by the Crown Prince, Zhu Yuanzhang already trusted him, so he summoned him back to the capital and appointed him to oversee all affairs of the Ministry of Revenue in a time of crisis.

"Your humble servant obeys!"

Ren Ang stood up to receive the decree.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the ministers at the very end of the left side.

It was Wu Chen, a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and the imperial pen holder of Emperor Zhu, who was over fifty years old.

He stroked his beard and said, "Junzhong! As the Crown Prince just mentioned, regarding the atonement of sins, you shall draft the edict and inform all levels of government and all the people of the land!"

Wu Chen, son of the scholar Wu Shidao, was renowned for his scholarship and character. He had a long beard, bowed respectfully, and said, "Yes!"