Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 89: The Soul-Searching Question from His Son, the Hongwu Emperor Filled with Regret!

"Old man."

"Why did you call me here? I'm very busy."

Zhu Di swaggered into the Qianqing Palace, spotted Zhu Biao immediately, and greeted him, "Oh, my elder brother is here too."

Fourth brother.

Zhu Biao watched him go out and still find himself with the same unruly nature, which gave him a headache.

Throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, only Prince Yan, Zhu Di, dared to call Zhu Yuanzhang "old man" to his face.

"you busy?"

"Are you busy killing people?"

"Kill someone's son and then send his head over."

"What are you trying to do? Zhu Liangzu is, after all, an old brother who has gone through thick and thin with me."

Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally aware of Zhu Di's actions within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and stared at him with displeasure.

"Oh my, old man, how could you say something like that?"

"In the sixteenth year of the Zhizheng era (1356), you conquered Ningguo and captured Zhu Liangzu. You put him back in his original position. Did he even listen to you?"

Within a few months, they rebelled and surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty. When you sent troops to quell the rebellion, you were soundly defeated.

"In the seventeenth year of the Zhizheng era (1357), Uncle Xu led his army to besiege Ningguo and attack Zhu Liangzu. Even Uncle Chang was injured by him."

"If you hadn't personally supervised the battle at the front, how could Zhu Liangzu have been captured?"

"These two things alone are enough to get him beheaded ten times over."

"After the founding of the country, you also enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Yongjia, with a stipend of 1,500 shi of grain, and granted him an iron certificate, which his descendants could inherit."

"And what was the result? He committed so many evil deeds over the years, even daring to intercept and kill the emperor's son."

"You feel sorry for his son, but does he feel sorry for your son?"

"If it weren't for Zhu Xian, the deputy commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, informing him of my whereabouts, how would these bastards, who have no ruler or father, have known to ambush me in Anqing Prefecture and needlessly lost so many of my men?"

Zhu Di showed no respect to Zhu Yuanzhang, resorting to sarcasm and ridicule.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious with this conversation.

"Alright, fourth brother."

"Since this matter has been entrusted to you, neither my father nor I will interfere."

"I called you here today because there's something more important to discuss."

Zhu Biao dismissed the matter with a casual remark, smoothing things over for Zhu Yuanzhang.

"it is good."

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang but did not continue speaking.

"Come on, get the picture."

Zhu Biao shouted loudly.

"Yes."

A eunuch serving the emperor spread a huge map on the ground; it was a map of the current territory of the Ming Dynasty.

That's interesting!

Zhu Di rested his chin on his hand, observing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao with great interest.

If he wasn't mistaken, his purpose in being here was probably to discuss the future system of the Ming Dynasty, essentially playing the role of the chief architect of the Ming Dynasty.

"Fourth brother."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Di on the shoulder and encouraged him, saying, "I've heard that you've made great achievements in governing the army and managing affairs in the northern deserts and Beiting."

"Your elder brother insists that you come up with some ideas on how to govern this world."

Fourth brother.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Di with hopeful eyes.

"You want me to come up with ideas?"

Pointing to himself, Zhu Di said with a playful tone, "Old man, elder brother."

"Are you familiar with the northern deserts and Beiting?"

"Ugh!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were slightly taken aback. What was the difference between the two?

"The northern desert region promotes nomadic life as the primary mode of life, supplemented by agriculture."

"Among the ten guards, Qianzhou Guard, Chenghai Guard, Mulun Guard, and Anbei Guard were responsible for land reclamation and supplying grain and fodder."

"Juxu Guard is responsible for guarding the vast grasslands in the eastern part of the Gobi Desert and monitoring the remnants of the Yuan forces in Liaodong."

"The Five Guards of Helin are the only truly mobile force that the Northern Protectorate can mobilize, consisting of 28000 infantry and cavalry."

"Beiting promotes agriculture as the primary mode of development, supplemented by nomadic pastoralism."

"The Tingzhou Guard, Hami Guard, Gaochang Guard, Yanqi Guard, and Loulan Guard were all located in oasis cities and were in charge of land reclamation."

"The Five Guards of Luntai are responsible for military defense, including deterring Mughalstein and Yarkand."

According to statistics, the population of northern Mongolia is about 540,000, and the maximum amount of arable farmland is no more than 100,000 hectares, with an annual grain output of no more than 600,000 shi.

"More than two million cattle and sheep were grazed, inheriting the pastures established by the Yuan Dynasty, such as Zhelianqiedaier (Eastern Mongolia), Halamulian (Central Mongolia), and Alahuqi (Western Mongolia), and extending to the hinterland of Wujinchuan and Achatobuhan, and breeding no less than one hundred thousand horses."

"Beiting has a population of about 300,000. In addition to grains such as wheat, millet, and sorghum, it also produces crops such as hemp, sesame, cotton, black beans, mung beans, and alfalfa. There are about 400,000 cattle and sheep grazing in the Tianshan Mountains, and tens of thousands of horses are raised."

"A trade route was established between the northern desert and the northern court, and the northern court sent grain, cloth and oil to the grasslands in exchange for livestock and ironware."

"brush!!!"

After listening to Zhu Di's explanation, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's expressions changed.

The population of the Mongol Empire at its peak did not exceed 150 million, and the northern desert region could support a maximum population of one million.

Beiting is located in the eastern part of the Western Regions. Compared with Mughalistan, which controls the northern border, and Yarkand, which controls the southern border, the Hami-Turpan Basin has limited carrying capacity and cannot support a larger population unless external forces are involved.

Currently, Beiting and Mobei have formed a virtuous cycle, with both sides exchanging resources and acting almost as a single entity.

However, such a structure could not serve as a reference for the Ming Dynasty, and it could not be adopted by the Central Plains, Hexi, Liaodong, Bashu and other regions.

"Old man, elder brother."

"Actually, the problems of the Ming Dynasty are both simple and complex."

"It's up to you what you want to do."

With his arms crossed, Zhu Di scrutinized Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, you little brat, still keeping your old man in suspense."

Seeing his smug look, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to take off his boots and hit him again.

"!"

"Old man, if you keep this up, I'm not going to serve you anymore."

Zhu Di was completely unthreatened by Zhu Yuanzhang's threats and instead threatened him instead.

"father."

"Let the fourth brother finish speaking."

Zhu Biao hurriedly tried to dissuade Zhu Yuanzhang, knowing that Zhu Di must have many ideas in his mind, ideas that were absolutely related to the future of the Ming Dynasty.

After all, Zhu Di even controlled the northern deserts and Beiting, frontier regions that previous dynasties of the Central Plains had never truly ruled.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, as long as the court does not encounter major problems, the northern deserts and the northern court can achieve at least fifty years of stability, which is something that no one else can do.

"Speak up, let's hear what wise words this brat has to say about governing the country."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared fiercely at Zhu Di, feeling that his authority as a father was constantly eroding whenever he met Zhu Di.

"Fourth brother."

"Don't hide anything, it's just me and Dad here."

"If you have any suggestions, feel free to speak up, and we can discuss them together."

Zhu Biao encouraged him.

"Then I'll tell you."

Zhu Di gave Zhu Yuanzhang a special look, and Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sense of unease.

"explain."

Zhu Biao gave him a supportive look.

"The problems facing the Ming Dynasty at present are nothing more than two: first, the military; second, the administration."

"The old man's garrison system was modeled after the military system of the Sui and Tang dynasties, as well as the garrison system of the Song dynasty."

"In my opinion, that's neither fish nor fowl."

"Smack!!!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang threw the dragon boots he was holding away, his face contorted with rage.

"Father, Father."

Zhu Biao quickly pulled Zhu Yuanzhang away.

"You're getting anxious, look at you, why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhu Di dodged the attack from the dragon boots with a quick movement and taunted, "Old man."

"Although both were a combination of soldiers and farmers, the Fubing system of the Sui and Tang dynasties recruited sons of nobles and wealthy farmers from Guanzhong, who were well-off and had a strong sense of honor."

"Your garrison system forces people to serve in the military hereditarily. Once one person joins the army, the next generation will be soldiers. The produce from the garrison farms must be handed over to the garrison officials; it doesn't belong to them."

"To maintain an army of a million without costing the people a single grain of rice sounds nice, but isn't it just a disguised form of exploitation of the people?"

"If there are no problems now, but fifty or a hundred years from now, these hereditary commanders, chiliarchs, and centurions of the garrison will treat the military farms as their private property, and the soldiers as tenant farmers or even slaves. With no one organizing or training the army, will the Ming Dynasty still have any usable soldiers?"

In fact, by the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, the desertion rate of soldiers was as high as 70%-80%, and the court had to switch to a conscription system.

The true function of the garrison system was to develop the frontier. Many of the Han Chinese in the Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan regions were descendants of early Ming dynasty garrison migrants, similar to later production and construction corps, integrating soldiers and farmers, and spreading Han culture to the remote and undeveloped areas.

""

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought.

He was an emperor who had fought his way up through countless battles, so he naturally understood the meaning behind Zhu Di's words.

That's why he felt lingering fear, because what Zhu Di said was precisely the most likely scenario.

"Fourth brother."

"You deliberately promoted two different types of garrisons in the northern deserts and the northern court."

"Local garrison posts were used for farming, while directly administered garrison posts were only responsible for combat, which could meet the needs of frontier defense while ensuring local peace."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao immediately thought of the Ten Guards under the jurisdiction of the Northern Protectorate and the Northern Court Protectorate.

"Big brother is the smartest."

Zhu Di gave Zhu Biao a thumbs up.

"Fourth brother..."

Zhu Biao was both amused and exasperated.

"If not garrisons, then what?"

"How many troops would be needed for such a vast frontier? Hundreds of thousands, even millions."

"How much grain does the imperial court spend in a year?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was ashen as he questioned Zhu Di.

"Old man."

"Is this a suggestion from Master Liu?"

"Establish military defense laws and establish military garrisons throughout the country to control key strategic points."

"Military households serve for generations. In times of war, they are led by generals to lead troops into battle, and in daily life, they support themselves by farming."

"The central government managed military registers through the Grand Military Commission, while the Ministry of War was responsible for deployment, forming a system of separation of command and control."

"Indeed, this prevented the regional separatism that had plagued the Sui and Tang dynasties, concentrating military power in the hands of the emperor and creating checks and balances among the lower-level military commanders."

"But let me ask you, the situation of regional warlordism had already disappeared by the Song Dynasty. The root cause of the Yuan Dynasty's collapse was the Han Chinese hereditary lords' refusal to cooperate."

"Is the approach you're learning now suitable for the current situation?"

"Have you ever considered whether the garrison troops, who have enjoyed peace for so long, still possess considerable fighting power?"

"Why were the 150,000 elite troops sent on the northern expedition stationed in the northern deserts and Beiting, preventing the Ming Dynasty from launching another major war?"

"If the garrison system is really as good as you say, then why don't you immediately mobilize a large army to recover Liaodong, Yunnan, Annam and other places?"

Zhu Di gave a cold laugh and asked in return.

"You brat!"

'

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed, unable to refute Zhu Di at all.

This is a predicament that the Ming Dynasty is currently facing. Almost all of the Ming army's elite troops have been exhausted in the northern expedition, and there is simply no way to mobilize more usable troops.

Those garrison soldiers who had never experienced battle were of no use other than farming.

"Furthermore, regarding local administration, the Yuan Dynasty implemented the provincial system, establishing provincial-level administrative regions, which was equivalent to treating each region as a small imperial court."

"These small courts were jointly controlled by the Yuan people, Semu people, and Han people, and they didn't even obey the orders of the Yuan court."

"Your placement of garrisons in every strategic location has indeed ensured local stability."

"However, the chronic problems that have existed since the Yuan Dynasty have not been resolved at all. Those powerful Han people still occupy the local areas, like a malignant tumor that is difficult to remove."

"The nobles of Huaixi have become the new ruling class, a larger and more powerful force, replacing the Mongol nobles in oppressing the local people."

"You keep saying you love the people like your own children, but in reality you condone lawlessness and make the people's lives worse than during the Yuan Dynasty."

Zhu Di showed no respect for Zhu Yuanzhang, and every word he uttered was like a knife stabbing into the softest spot in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

"Fourth brother."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's constantly changing expression, Zhu Biao couldn't bear it and quickly stopped Zhu Di.

"Boss, let him speak."

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out to stop Zhu Biao, and said self-deprecatingly, "I never thought that becoming emperor would turn me into the person I dislike the most."

"We were wrong. By indulging and condoning our old brothers, we have made the people hate us to the bone."

"If our Great Ming is no different from the former Yuan, how can it be worthy of being the ruler of China?"

"Truly worthy of being called the Hongwu Emperor!"

Seeing how quickly Zhu Yuanzhang came to his senses, Zhu Di secretly praised him.

These words would be unacceptable to any emperor, except for Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor who rose from humble beginnings to establish the Ming Dynasty. You may question whether he was a qualified emperor, but you cannot question his concern for the people.

The Ming Dynasty was the only Central Plains dynasty that allowed commoners to bring the "Great Proclamation" to the capital to file complaints. During the reign of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, the efforts to supervise officials and punish corruption were unparalleled in thousands of years of Chinese history.

The Great Proclamation differs from the Great Ming Code; it primarily targets corrupt officials and local tyrants, with about 70% of its provisions dedicated to rectifying official corruption. Zhu Yuanzhang required every peasant household to receive a copy, ensuring everyone was familiar with it so they could report any violations by officials.

A monarch who has never received imperial education is indeed unable to achieve the perfection of Qin Shi Huang or Emperor Wu of Han to some extent.

Zhu Yuanzhang's greatest strength was his continuous learning and improvement, which is why he ranked among the top five emperors in history.

Unfortunately, Crown Prince Zhu Biao died young, and his grandson Zhu Xiong Ying died young, failing to cultivate a qualified successor. As a result, Zhu Yunwen, who hastily ascended the throne, was unable to control this vast empire.

If Zhu Di had not launched the Jingnan Campaign, the Ming Dynasty probably wouldn't have lasted until later generations and would have perished much earlier.

The pioneering work of the three emperors Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji laid the foundation for the Yongle Prosperity and the Renxuan Era, making unparalleled contributions to the continuation of the Ming Dynasty.