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

The guards outside the palace responded and entered, grabbing Xie Jin, who was still furious, and dragging him out. Xie Jin struggled and tried to shout angrily, but the guards, who had recently become much more experienced, held him down firmly, preventing him from making a sound.

Zhu Di, still furious, said in a deep voice, "This meeting is adjourned. All of you may leave!"

The cabinet members looked at each other in bewilderment, and the three princes, seeing this, dared not say anything more and bowed to take their leave.

As Lin Yue followed the others out of the Wenhua Hall, he heard soft footsteps behind him.

A young eunuch hurried after them, bowing and saying, "Remonstrator Lin, please wait! His Majesty has summoned you to the Qianqing Palace. Please accompany me, Scholar."

Lin Yue paused, a look of speechlessness immediately appearing on his face.

He was summoned to Zuoshun Gate halfway through the court session, and then summoned to Qianqing Palace after the cabinet meeting ended. Was Zhu Di playing a game of nested dolls here and there?

He clicked his tongue, but there was nothing he could do. He could only turn around and follow the eunuch deeper into the palace.

What exactly was going on with Zhu Di? If you say he was lenient, then why did he imprison Xie Jin after he only made a few remarks?

You could say he was harsh, but Lin Yue had been relentlessly criticizing him, even sending him to the imperial prison several times, and yet nothing happened to him.

It's really baffling.

The door to the Qianqing Palace was ajar. A young eunuch bowed and withdrew, and Lin Yue pushed the door open and entered.

Zhu Di sat upright on his throne, while Yao Guangxiao sat silently to the side, his monk's robe hanging down, his eyes closed.

"Your Majesty," Lin Yue bowed.

Zhu Di got straight to the point, his tone deep and serious.

"Lin Yue, what you just said about exempting all land taxes for twenty years—was that just empty talk, or are you truly confident?"

Lin Yue felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that this was a crucial turning point. He immediately raised his head and spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty, what I say is not an exaggeration!"

My plan is meticulous and step-by-step. The benefits of maritime trade, the taxes from vassal states, and the profits from government factories are all interconnected. As long as the court provides strong support, success can be expected within twenty years!

If I fail to achieve my goal by then, I am willing to offer my head as atonement and submit to Your Majesty's judgment!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di slowly rose to his feet, his dragon robe sweeping across the brocade cushion of his throne.

Emperor Yongle walked up to Lin Yue, looked at him intently, and spoke after a long while.

"In my life, I have seen too many cowardly and timid people. When faced with a problem, ordinary ministers either dare to speak in a roundabout way or make alarmist statements, and they often shout for violence, as if I am a foolish and incompetent ruler if I do not kill such a person."

But you are different. You speak your mind frankly, daring to say things that others consider absurd in front of the entire court.

Zhu Di patted Lin Yue's shoulder gently and said with a smile, "I like your reckless and wild spirit. You're willing to risk your life at the drop of a hat. You're much better than those cynics."

As soon as the words of praise were spoken, Emperor Yongle immediately sensed something was amiss and fell into deep thought.

It seems that Lin Yue had previously rebuked Yao Guangxiao, saying something like "the evil monk has misled the country and should be executed," but he didn't seem to punish Lin Yue.

Emperor Yongle's gaze swept over Yao Guangxiao, who was sitting quietly to the side, and he suddenly began to reflect.

Xie Jin was imprisoned for his harsh words, while Lin Yue, who was ten times more arrogant, seemed to have escaped unscathed.

Why is this happening?

A hint of confusion crept onto Zhu Di's face. He pondered for a moment, considering many possible reasons.

"Perhaps I truly cherish talent. Although Xie Jin is renowned for his literary talent, he is trapped by the views of a pedantic scholar, his vision limited to the ancestral system of his small plot of land."

Although Lin Yue was arrogant, he could come up with all sorts of ingenious strategies; this vision and courage were far beyond what Xie Jin could match.

Emperor Yongle was somewhat certain; there was no problem with that, it must be for this reason.

That's what they said, but in reality, Zhu Di was just used to it.

At first, Emperor Yongle was also very angry when Lin Yue berated him, feeling that this madman was too presumptuous. But after it happened many times, Emperor Yongle gradually got used to it.

He was used to Lin Yue's outspokenness, his shocking remarks, and his constant criticism of others in court.

Habits are a terrible thing; they can numb people and make them subconsciously apply double standards.

Lin Yue, who won over the Yongle Emperor, tragic.jpg

Zhu Di pulled himself out of his reverie, turned his gaze back to Lin Yue, and spoke with a slightly heavier tone.

"I don't need your brain, but I need you to turn those outrageous words into reality."

Twenty years, thirty years, fifty years, a hundred years—what does it matter?

Zhu Di's voice was not loud, but it possessed an unwavering determination that could not be swayed.

"As long as there is even a slight possibility, the Ming Dynasty should continue to do it."

If I do not live to see that day, there is still the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson, and all things will be carried on by successors.

What the Ming Dynasty needs is not your brain, but your ability to bring prosperity to the people.

Emperor Yongle looked at Lin Yue and said solemnly.

"Any support you need, I will give you."

I don't think there's any need to postpone the Treasure Ship Academy. Tomorrow, I'll have the Ministry of Works select a site, and you can submit a memorial directly regarding the necessary teachers, funding, and craftsmen.

"The three major official factories in Beiping, Suzhou, and Jingdezhen should have their artisans treated according to the regulations of the Maritime Trade Office. You should also draft the regulations as soon as possible for my personal review."

As he spoke, Zhu Di slowly reached out and grasped Lin Yue's hand.

"I treat you this way, hoping you will not fail the world."

Lin Yue was startled and didn't know how to react.

It would be a lie to say I didn't feel awkward being held hands by a decrepit old man nearing fifty.

But Zhu Di's words, "I hope you will not fail the world," coupled with the undisguised expectation in Zhu Di's eyes, shook him to his core, leaving him speechless for a moment.

As I stepped out of the Qianqing Palace, the setting sun was already casting its last rays upon the vermilion palace gates, making the palace shine brilliantly.

Lin Yue staggered out of the palace gate and onto the stone-paved streets of Nanjing, feeling a buzzing in his head.

The streets were bustling with activity. Peddlers carrying their wares along the way called out their wares, and the sounds of drinking games echoed from the taverns. People in short clothes and scholars in long gowns filled the air, creating a vibrant and prosperous scene.

Lin Yue walked aimlessly, his mind still blank.

He has a very subtle feeling right now, like when you and your best buddy get drunk and brag about marrying her, only to wake up one day and find out that your best buddy is actually a tomboy with a great figure, and you even have a child together – it's absurd.

Heaven have mercy! Lin Yue just wanted to brag a bit, think about attacking a few interest groups, and then casually behead a few corrupt officials to provoke the bureaucracy so he could die inexplicably in the course of national affairs. He really didn't intend to carry out any twenty-year major reforms.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the noise around me gradually faded away, replaced by the clattering of wood being struck and the shouts of craftsmen.

Lin Yue arrived at Longjiang Shipyard.

A gentle breeze from the river, carrying the scent of moisture and sawdust, brushed against Lin Yue's face. Looking at the bustling construction site, Lin Yue suddenly grinned.

How can we know we won't succeed in twenty years if we don't even try?

Lin Yue suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter: "Ten thousand is too long, seize the day!"

The world lost a remonstrating official who was determined to die, but gained a spirited and ambitious Lin Yue, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Works of the Ming Dynasty.

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