The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

"Zhongba, calm down. You're not young anymore. Getting angry will only harm your health."

Empress Ma handed Zhu Yuanzhang a cup of tea: "Won't the court descend into chaos?"

"You know Biao'er's personality. Didn't you come back to the past to visit us, mother and son?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, still furious, accepted the tea offered to him and snorted coldly.

"To see him? We don't miss him at all. We've come back to see you."

"I didn't come to see this little brat!"

"Girl, you have no idea, ever since you left, this kid has been arguing with us every few days."

"During the Guo Huan case, we were so angry that we almost stabbed him with a knife."

"Are we killing corrupt officials and recovering embezzled funds for our own benefit? If we don't recover the losses, where will we get the money to send Lan Yu to lead the Northern Expedition?"

"If we don't recover the embezzled funds, how will we have the money to wipe out the Yuan court?"

"He actually said something like, 'Our methods are too radical?!'"

Corrupt officials caused the country to lose 24 million shi of grain, while their personal wealth was not worth that much.

This embezzled money was naturally recovered from the major landowners and gentry.

This tax is something they should have paid, but they concealed it and refused to pay it.

What's wrong with making up the payment?

Although the methods are radical, if we don't take them seriously, why would they cooperate?

It should be noted that he only managed to recover seven million shi of grain by resorting to both killing and threats.

He didn't pursue the remaining 17 million koku.

Otherwise, it wouldn't just be wealthy families in Zhejiang who go bankrupt.

Zhu Biao and he often argued because of their different methods.

only.

In Zhu Biao's view, his methods for recovering the embezzled funds were too radical.

Because the recovery of embezzled funds was not carried out by the Embroidered Uniform Guards themselves, but rather by going to the homes of wealthy landlords.

The Guo Huan case involves not just one place, but multiple regions.

It involves Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shandong, and other provinces.

Therefore, the recovery of embezzled funds is a joint effort undertaken by various local governments.

However, because the amount to be recovered was too large, the landlords and wealthy households could not produce so much grain in a short time.

If local officials fail to meet the quota for recovering embezzled funds assigned by the imperial court...

They will also be punished.

Therefore, they distributed the missing portion of the embezzled funds to the people.

The annual tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty was only 29 million shi (a unit of dry measure).

Suddenly, the imperial court demanded the collection of 24 million shi of grain, which was tantamount to doubling the tax revenue.

This has caused widespread discontent among the people.

This is also the reason why the father and son quarreled.

Later, he did realize the seriousness of the situation.

Because his methods were too radical, local officials resorted to any means necessary to recover the embezzled funds.

Therefore, only innocent civilians suffer.

Over time, public resentment boiled over.

Afterwards, he listened to Zhu Biao's advice and stopped.

However, public resentment is difficult to quell.

He could only quell public resentment by killing Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Guo Huan case, which lasted for four months, finally came to an end.

However, he naturally didn't tell the girl the second half of the story.

In response, Empress Ma slowly said, "Although I don't know the specifics, I believe that Biao'er wouldn't oppose you without a reason."

"You must be hiding something from me."

"Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask."

"However, isn't it a good thing that Biao'er dares to speak frankly to you?"

"Do you really want Biao to be a submissive person who does whatever you say?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent.

This is naturally something we don't want.

A son should naturally be obedient, but a crown prince cannot.

To be an emperor, it's better to have a strong personality.

That way, you won't be manipulated by the officials.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had calmed down, Empress Ma continued, "Alright, Chongba, you came back to reunite with us."

"You certainly don't want to start arguing so fiercely the moment you meet."

"I'll go and talk to Biao'er, have him apologize to you, and then this matter will be over."

Zhu Yuanzhang crossed his arms and remained silent.

That is the default.

Empress Ma immediately got up and prepared to go outside to look for Zhu Biao.

She believed that Zhu Biao would not go far.

After asking the maid at the door, Empress Ma walked in the direction Zhu Biao had left.

……

at the same time.

Zhu Biao, who escaped from Kunning Palace, did not actually leave.

Instead, they hid in the garden outside Kunning Palace.

He hid here with Zhu Biao.

There are also Jiang Huan and Lan Chen.

Zhu Biao looked at Lan Chen, who was clinging to Jiang Huan's back, and slowly said, "I didn't expect you to be so bold."

"Aren't you afraid that Father will punish you?"

Lan Chen echoing his words was something he hadn't expected.

Lan Chen said calmly, "Of course I'm afraid, but His Highness the Crown Prince has set up this group for me. If I don't join, wouldn't I be incredibly heartless?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao calmly waved his hand: "I am not doing this for you. I simply do not want the national humiliation of the Song Dynasty to be repeated in the Ming Dynasty."

The Song Dynasty overly restricted its military generals.

This led to a lack of ambition in the Song Dynasty's military.

If young people no longer yearn for military achievements and to make a name for themselves, but instead want to become officials, then the country is not far from its demise.

Lan Chen replied softly, "The Crown Prince's intentions are not in my best interest, but his actions are."

"What use is it if the Crown Prince has a thousand ways to save me, but never puts them into practice?"

These words startled Zhu Biao slightly.

He then burst into laughter: "Hahaha, it seems I misjudged you. You are no ordinary person; your mind is exceptionally clear."

"It's a pity I'm not destined to be an emperor, otherwise I would definitely give you an important position."

His thoughts were the same as Lan Chen's.

What you think in your heart is not important; what you do is what matters.

Empty talk will only harm the country, while hard work will bring prosperity.

During the conversation.

Zhu Biao saw his mother walking towards him.

"Biao'er, can't you see your father's head is full of white hair? Why are you still making him so angry?" Empress Ma sighed softly, feeling helpless.

Zhu Biao was deep in thought.

He didn't really want to back down, but his mother persuaded him, and his father was indeed getting old.

It would be better to back down.

"Your Majesty, I did not mean it. I hope you will forgive me. I will apologize to Father Emperor once he has calmed down."

The voice just fell.

Empress Ma shook her head: "Biao'er, I hope you won't give in to your father this time."

These words surprised Zhu Biao, Lan Chen, and Jiang Huan.

Don't back down?

Is this an attempt to infuriate Zhu Yuanzhang to death?

Zhu Biao was somewhat puzzled: "Why is that?"

He wanted to apologize, but his mother wouldn't let him.

This left Zhu Biao somewhat puzzled.

Empress Ma looked at Lan Chen beside her and asked, "May I ask you some questions?"

"no problem."

"Thank you. Is there a price for your time-traveling technique?" Empress Ma asked softly.

Lan Chen nodded: "Using bloodline as an anchor, drawing symbols with blood, connecting the past, present, and future."

"It requires blood as a medium, and the time required depends on the blood."

There was indeed a price to pay.

However, she didn't expect the price to be blood.

"You'll also pay the price, won't you?"

Lan Chen nodded: "Just exhausted."

"Mother, what does this have to do with my not apologizing to Father?"