The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Upon seeing Zhu Di arrive, Lin Yue was not surprised but rather delighted.

Good timing! I just happened to hear him rambling on about Zhu Yuanzhang. That's exactly right, that's how he should be furious.

Lin Yue threw his head back and laughed loudly, the shackles clanging crisply: "Your Majesty, why be so angry? I only know that the innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty!"

"Still dare to argue? Openly slandering the founding emperor, according to the law, you deserve to be executed by slow slicing!" Zhu Di stepped forward, his dragon robe sweeping across the stone slab, his expression malevolent. "Do you really think my blade isn't sharp?"

Lin Yue's expression suddenly changed. Beheading was acceptable, but slow slicing was absolutely unacceptable.

His mind raced, and he quickly came up with a solution. He broke free from the traditional hierarchical thinking and started talking about what it meant to be destined by heaven.

"If you want no one to criticize you, you must be flawless! But is there anything in the world without flaws?"

As the ancients said, the people's hearts are the foundation, and their actions are the result. The mandate of heaven is never determined by a piece of paper or a few minor flaws, but by the support of the people and the loyalty of the common folk!

In the past, our great ancestor, Emperor Gao, rose up in rebellion based on the righteous cause of "driving out the barbarians and restoring China," and on his achievements in relieving the people from their dire straits, restoring the system of clothing, etiquette, and music, and sweeping away the chaos of warlords from all over the world!

At that time, the Yuan Dynasty was tyrannical, and the people suffered greatly. Taizu (Emperor Taizu) commanded overwhelming support and had countless followers, not because he was bestowed the title of "Little Ming King," but because he ensured that the people had land to cultivate, clothes to wear, and life to live!

Lin Yue became more and more excited as he spoke, his voice booming like thunder.

The Book of Documents, in the chapter "Tai Shi", states: "Heaven sees as my people see, and Heaven hears as my people hear!"

In the eyes of the common people, whoever can save them from suffering is the true emperor, and whoever can bring peace and stability to the country is worthy of ruling the nation!

He who bears the nation's disgrace is called the master of the state; he who bears the nation's misfortune is called the king of the world.

Emperor Hongwu swept away the barbarian invaders, rebuilt China, and relieved the people from their suffering. The hearts of the people flowed like a river to the sea; this was truly the mandate of heaven!

Zhu Di stood there, his anger subsiding considerably.

Lin Yue was arrogant and his words often offended others. If it were anyone else, they would have been beheaded long ago!

However, Lin Yue's fearless and resolute spirit always made Emperor Yongle lenient towards him.

Zhu Di stared at Lin Yue's straight spine despite being in shackles, and was suddenly filled with emotion.

This is not a reckless criticism of Emperor Taizu; it is clearly an attempt to advise him by using Emperor Taizu's achievements as a pretext.

Emperor Yongle seized the throne under the pretext of pacifying the rebellion. Three years of war left the land north of the Huai River overgrown with weeds, and the people displaced. Rumors of his usurpation never ceased in the court and among the people.

Lin Yue's statement that the Mandate of Heaven resides in the people was precisely an admonition to himself that if he could not ensure the people's well-being and livelihood, then no matter how many methods he employed, he would still be unable to be a wise ruler.

A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in Zhu Di's heart. His current mood was just like that of a domineering CEO who was attracted to a middle-aged divorced woman who was remarried and had a child. It was a tangled mess, as complicated as a color palette.

He recalled the officials in the court at the beginning of his reign, who were half in awe and half suspicious; he recalled the complex reports he reviewed late at night; he recalled the founding emperor's rise from humble beginnings; he recalled his feigned madness in Beiping; and he recalled his uprising against all odds.

After a long silence, Zhu Di slowly raised his hand, his tone much calmer than before: "I understand what you have said."

"Emperor Taizu Gao rose from humble beginnings to drive out the Tartars and restore China, which is why the people's hearts were with him." Zhu Di turned around, his face no longer showing any anger.

"All nations are guilty, but the guilt lies with me."

Now that I have inherited the throne, after three years of the Jingnan Rebellion, the area north of the Huai River has been overgrown with weeds, and the people have been displaced. This is my responsibility.

If one cannot bring prosperity to the people, and cannot restore farmland and rebuild homes, how can one be worthy of the title of the supreme ruler?

He looked at Lin Yue and said in a broad voice, "Although you are arrogant, you have enlightened me. The people's hearts are not in empty fame, but in the common people."

From now on, I will diligently attend to state affairs, emulate Emperor Taizu in allowing the people to rest and recuperate, abolish oppressive policies, and pacify refugees, thus becoming a truly sage ruler.

Lin Yue looked at Zhu Di with some surprise.

What does this mean? Why are you suddenly starting to reflect on yourself and saying some inexplicable big talk? This isn't a grand assembly, so why are you suddenly talking about values?

Who was he saying this to? Was it to him?

Lin Yue thought for a moment and decided to remain unchanged in the face of all changes. No matter what Zhu Di said, he would refute him first.

Lin Yuezhen said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty is mistaken!"

Light taxes and levies are merely a means to preserve one's life, not a path to a peaceful and healthy life!

If the irrigation canals are not repaired during spring planting and summer cultivation, a flood will wipe out the entire harvest, forcing people to carry loads on their shoulders to make a living. If the roads are cut off, goods will be difficult to transport, leaving them with no means of livelihood.

Children are innocent and ignorant; if education is neglected, the people will remain ignorant and foolish. Craftsmen possess ingenious ideas; if exorbitant taxes are imposed everywhere, commerce and industry will decline, and they will find it difficult to survive!

"Giving the people a break doesn't mean letting them do whatever they want!" Lin Yue said rapidly and fluently.

"The court should be determined to make progress, rather than living a life of complacency. If it can improve itself every day, it will improve itself every day."

Repairing water conservancy projects is essential to prevent droughts and floods and protect agriculture and sericulture; leveling roads is crucial to facilitate commerce and travel and improve people's livelihoods; and promoting education is vital to enlighten the people and rectify social customs.

Encouraging industry and commerce is the only way to increase tax revenue and enrich the people!

"In the past, Emperor Taizu implemented light taxes and levies when the empire was newly established. Now, the Ming Dynasty is like the rising sun; it should seize this opportunity to become a pillar of support for the people, rather than merely a court that avoids trouble and only knows how to arbitrarily collect taxes!"

The smile on Zhu Di's face gradually faded, and his brows furrowed more and more tightly.

This development doesn't seem right. According to the usual way of thinking, when an emperor confides in you about his ideals and future plans, it is actually a very strong political signal.

As a subject, shouldn't you immediately weep and proclaim how fortunate the people are that a wise ruler has been born in our Great Ming Dynasty, bowing down to him and praising him repeatedly?

How come he just started spewing a torrent of abuse after I finished listening to him speak? This is not how the Ming Dynasty court operates!

Emperor Yongle wouldn't accept it!

Although Lin Yue's words were all true, why did they feel so uncomfortable?

Zhu Di was helpless as he looked at Lin Yue, who was speaking eloquently.

Rather than arguing with this madman with a screw loose, it's better to change the subject sooner rather than later.

Zhu Di avoided discussing people's livelihood issues and changed the subject back to the affairs of Korea.

Emperor Yongle, with absolute authority, gave Lin Yue no chance to ramble on, and said firmly.

"I have decided to postpone the investiture ceremony of Joseon for three months."

The Liaodong Military Command will rigorously monitor its border movements, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard spies will also infiltrate to verify the potential threats you mentioned.

He stared at Lin Yue and said in a deep voice, "Although you assert that Li Fangyuan has treacherous ambitions, the court needs to provide concrete evidence to support its actions."

During this time, you should focus on managing the treasure shipyard. The construction of seagoing vessels is of utmost urgency. If the ships can be completed sooner, even if something changes in Korea, I will have a response plan.

Is this going to send him to work at the shipyard? Lin Yue immediately objected.

"Your Majesty..."

Zhu Di immediately interrupted, gritting his teeth and saying, "Shut up! You get out of here and start working at the shipyard. You have two years to build a seagoing vessel!"

During this period, you are not allowed to set foot in the imperial court!

"Stop talking! If you dare to utter another word, don't blame me for not warning you."

What do you mean by "I didn't warn you"? Are you going to take his life?

Lin Yue was overjoyed and immediately rebuked him righteously and sternly: "As an official responsible for remonstrating with the emperor, how can I not attend court? Your Majesty's actions are obstructing the channels of communication, which is not the behavior of a wise ruler!"

Zhu Di remained silent, then turned and left without any intention of lingering.

Zhu Gaoxu followed reluctantly, while Zhu Gaochi looked worried. He glanced back at Lin Yue before quickly leaving.

Ji Gang quickly stepped forward and removed Lin Yue's shackles, secretly marveling at his own skill.

I've never seen such an arrogant minister as Lin Yue. One moment the emperor was warning him, and the next he ignored the warning and immediately retorted. He's incredibly arrogant.

Could it be that Lin Yue is truly a loyal minister who disregards life and death?

Ji Gang waved his hand: "Lin Gejian, please."

Two Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes stepped forward, grabbed Lin Yue's arms without saying a word, and half-pulled, half-dragged him out.

Lin Yue had just escaped the dark and damp prison and hadn't even had a chance to breathe in the fresh air of freedom before being led out of the city.

The Longjiang Pass area in the northwest of Nanjing has a wide river beach.

In the first year of the Yongle reign, before the cold smoke had dissipated, a giant shipyard was beginning to take shape.

Thousands of laborers, all registered households obligated to perform corvée labor, used ropes and ink to mark the boundaries and erect markers. They then used shovels and spades to dig ponds, piling silt and fine sand on both sides. They then covered the ponds with yellow soil, using hundreds of wooden pestles to pound the earth into dikes, making each layer firm and compact.

The river wind was blowing, and the supervisor stood on a high mound with a whip in hand, inspecting the site. It was a scene of bustling activity at the construction site.

The Imperial Guards escorted Lin Yue across the muddy construction site, heading straight for the westernmost high shed.

Under the canopy, Zheng He, dressed in the robes of a eunuch with python patterns, was intently examining a huge blueprint, occasionally whispering to the foreman beside him.

Hearing hurried footsteps, he looked up and saw Lin Yue, dressed in disheveled clothes, being escorted here by the Imperial Guards. He frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

How did this arrogant minister, who had been imprisoned several times, end up at the treasure shipyard?

"Eunuch Zheng, there is an imperial edict from His Majesty."

The lead Imperial Guard stepped forward, his voice ringing out like a bell.

Zheng He immediately bowed in greeting, while Lin Yue stood still, observing coldly from the sidelines.

"His Majesty's oral decree: Lin Yue is hereby specially ordered to assist in the construction of the Longjiang Shipyard, specifically in charge of the improvement of seagoing vessels. He is permitted to consult on all matters concerning the shipyard's materials and the allocation of craftsmen."

"Without my decree, he shall not be allowed to leave the shipyard even a step; Zheng He must keep a close watch on him."

In the Ming Dynasty, when the emperor issued orders or decrees, there was no need for people to kneel to obey. Even eunuchs did not need to kneel; a bow was sufficient.

Unless it is in a public setting and the emperor suddenly and solemnly announces a major personnel appointment or dismissal, the ministers present are likely to immediately kneel down to listen, as a sign of respect.

In general, the higher your status, the less frequently you have to kneel, and the people the emperor usually interacts with are of very high status.

Zheng He bowed respectfully and said, "Your subject Zheng He respectfully obeys your command."

High-ranking eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty did not need to refer to themselves as servants; they were on par with court officials and could simply refer to themselves as subjects.

Zheng He turned to look at Lin Yue and saw that he looked displeased and arrogant. He thought to himself.

His Majesty has entrusted him with important responsibilities while also strictly disciplining him; this is truly strange and remarkable.

The head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard said in a deep voice, "Eunuch Zheng, Lin Cijian is now in your care. His Majesty has ordered that if he makes any rash moves, he may be arrested and brought to justice immediately."

Having said that, he and the other Imperial Guards bowed and retreated, their footsteps quickly drowned out by the sound of tamping earth at the shipyard.