Ming Dynasty: Tanks blocked the door and you said to me, "Long live Ming Dynasty"

I gave you a chance, but you didn’t use it!

"Wei Zhongxian, announce the decree!"

"According to the order."

Wei Zhongxian immediately walked out, came before a group of princes, slowly unfolded a gold-plated imperial edict, and began to read it.

"According to the Will of Heaven, the Emperor has decreed:

Today the world is in turmoil, the country is in turmoil, the people have no surplus food to feed themselves, and the country has no surplus finances to support itself.

The vassal states seized billions of acres of people's land and stored up grain like mountains.

The people are in trouble but no one knows how to help them, and the country is in danger but no one thinks of helping them. The imperial court is getting more and more difficult, and the vassal states are getting stronger and stronger. They have become the parasites of the country!

If the feudal lords are not reduced, the Ming Dynasty will perish! "

Pfft!Pfft!Pfft!

When these words were spoken, the kings were terrified and fell to their knees one after another.

The above words alone are enough to put a big hat on them.

Prince Xin exclaimed in his heart, wow, brother, this is such a cruel method!

Even if it is not treason, it is a serious crime to be a pest to the country, and it can be said to be a heart-breaking statement.

The expressions of King Gui, King Zhou and King Tang were all very solemn.

They had a general understanding of the situation of the vassal kings, which was basically the same as what was said in the imperial edict, and was truly harmful to the country with no benefit at all.

Zhu Youxiao looked coldly at the collapsed princes and said to Wei Zhongxian, "Keep reading!"

Wei Zhongxian cleared his throat and continued reading.

"Today, for the sake of the eternal prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, I hereby issue an order to reduce the number of vassal states.

The order is as follows:

First, all princes and their descendants will retain their titles, their palaces and their descendants’ main residences, and they will retain one thousand acres of land and ten thousand taels of silver to settle down their families.

Second, after this order, the monthly salary of a prince will be the same as that of a fourth-rank prefect, and the monthly salary of a crown prince will be the same as that of a seventh-rank county magistrate. Except for the crown prince, other descendants will not receive any salary, and the expenses will be distributed by the prince himself, and he can either engage in business or farming, and live according to his own efforts.

Third, after the reduction of the feudal system, each line of the prince's family was allowed to have two quotas to take the imperial examinations, either civil or military, and those who passed could become officials.

This is an order to reduce the power of the feudal lords.

I hope that all the vassal states will understand my intention and serve the country in the best interests of the country.

admire this

The eighth year of Tianqi, August 28th.

Wei Zhongxian read the imperial edict in one breath.

The princes collapsed, each in a different mood.

Prince Su looked grief-stricken, as if he had lost his parents: "Only 10,000 taels! Only 10,000 taels left for us! I have more than 2 million taels in my family!!!"

Prince Huai also complained bitterly: "I used to receive 10,000 dan of rice per year, but now I am treated like a fourth-rank prefect, with a salary of less than 3,000 taels per year. I have more than a hundred descendants in my family, how am I going to support them?"

King Chong: "My children have no salary! What should I do? What should I do?"

......

Seeing the looks of these princes, Prince Xin simply rolled his eyes at them.

These princes are really exaggerated. Each family has a thousand acres of land, ten thousand taels of silver, and a monthly salary similar to that of a prefect. They really live a good life.

According to their previous assets, which amounted to several million taels of silver and several million dan of grain, they really hid away what they could not use and mainly stockpiled them.

However, the princes such as King Gui and King Zhou were all excited.

Since the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, the princes have been treated like useless pigs in a pen.

It means you are given lots of money and food to support yourself, but you cannot leave your fiefdom and are not allowed to do anything. You cannot engage in politics, farming or business, and the two kings will not meet. Just stay alive.

For princes like Prince Gui who are willing to contribute to the country, having two people in the family who can take the imperial examinations and become officials is a great encouragement!

Most of the princes were very happy that their clansmen could take part in the imperial examinations, but they were so heartbroken after their property was taken away that they could not be happy at all.

Just then, Zhu Youxiao spoke.

"The eight princes, namely, the King of Gui, the King of Zhou, the King of Tang, the King of Jin, the King of Lu, the King of Zhao, the King of Shen, and the King of Lu, have devoted themselves to the public and donated their property to help the people and relieve the worries of the court. They can continue to stay in their fiefdoms."

After he said this, the other princes became a little curious.

"Your Majesty, what about us?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, what about us? Can't we continue to stay in our own fiefdom?"

Zhu Youxiao gave them a kind smile.

"My uncles, please be patient."

"I see that everyone doesn't want to care about the affairs of the country and family, and prefers a leisurely and carefree life. So I specially found a good place for everyone to go."

"I have heard that there is a fairy island overseas, where the weather is good all year round, the products are abundant, and it is like spring all year round."

"My uncles, you can go and enjoy your old age."

"I can play horse riding and fishing when I have nothing to do, and I can also enjoy the sexy beauties in bikinis on the beach. Isn't it more comfortable than staying in the palace every day?"

Prince Su was somewhat curious: "Is there really such a magical place?"

Prince Huai had already forgotten about his more than one hundred descendants: "What is a bikini?"

Prince Chong: "It's just as your majesty said, that feeling is better than staying in the mansion!"

Many princes actually began to look forward to it.

......

Chapter 441 Castration

Look at how longing the princes seem.

Prince Xin couldn't help but reach into his arms again.

Well, there are still a few melon seeds to eat.

Have these princes, who only know how to eat, drink, play and sleep every day, really developed pig brains?

You are all so stingy and unwilling to contribute to the court. How can your royal brother let you live a comfortable life?

What are you thinking?

I'm still looking forward to this place...

Sure enough, Zhu Youxiao smiled secretly when he saw this.

You bunch of useless parasites, I will exile all of you to Ryukyu.

Let you guys fight over there to see the bikinis.

It's a small country like Ryukyu, but with fifteen or sixteen princes and a Ryukyu King, it would be quite lively.

Go ahead and fight!

It would be better if human brains beat out dog brains!

≧???≦

After all, these princes have been trapped in their fiefdoms for decades, so they were extremely happy and excited to hear that there was an overseas fairy island.

After telling them that they would be sent to the fairy island in the near future, Zhu Youxiao returned to the palace.

The princes returned to the hut in joy, each with their own new hopes.

Today, Zhu Youxiao felt guilty and raised their dining standards to the level of Prince Xin.

This made the princes, who had been living on porridge, pickles and steamed buns, very happy, and they believed in the legend of the fairy island even more.

Be grateful!

After all, compared with the four princes who have died, it is much better for them to go to the fairy island to enjoy their old age with the company of bikini beauties.

The next day, Zhu Youxiao sent people to escort the princes and follow Zheng Zhifeng and Ma Pingheng to Taiwan, waiting for Zheng Zhilong to send troops before going to Ryukyu together.

The King of Zhou and the King of Tang returned to their own fiefdoms.

In the afternoon, Zhu Youxiao was about to inspect the resettlement area when he ran into Prince Gui who came to ask for a meeting.

"Uncle, are you here to say goodbye to me? Are you going back to your fiefdom?"

Prince Gui bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask Your Majesty to allow me to move back to the capital with my family. If I can live in the same city with Your Majesty, I am willing to be demoted to a commoner."

"I have already issued an order to reduce the number of vassal states, allowing all the uncles to retain their thrones. Why do you need to do this, uncles?"

This Prince of Gui always touched Zhu Youxiao and he was the first to support him in everything he did.

The King of Gui bowed again and requested: "I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."

"Since the emperor's uncle insists so much, I will agree to your request. Please get up quickly."

Seeing how persistent Zhu Youxiao was, he couldn't bear to refuse him. It would be good to have another relative who supported him in the capital.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace! Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace! Long live the emperor!" Prince Gui bowed again, overjoyed.

"Uncle Huang can finally stand up this time."

Prince Gui smiled widely, said goodbye, and went to look for his son before moving back to Hengzhou.

Watching his departing back, Zhu Youxiao felt a long-lost warmth of family affection lingering in his heart. This was a feeling different from that between himself and Prince Xin, in that it was the concern of an elder for a younger person.

Zhu Youxiao calmed himself down and continued to inspect the construction site.

A few days ago, Wu Chunfu sent several fire bulls, which were used to drill several wells under the command of Cheng Yu, the deputy director of the Dushui Bureau.

The disaster relief work in Taiyuan has become quite stable. I believe that as the work is gradually spread to other places, Shanxi will have no problem getting through this wave of disasters safely.

If Song Yingxing's sweet potato development goes smoothly, it will be promoted to Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces first.

Zhu Youxiao believed that even if the drought in Shanxi and Shaanxi continued in the next few years, the sweet potato production might be lower, but it should not be a problem to feed people.

At worst, we can transfer some from other provinces with good harvests.

The issue of reducing the power of the feudal lords has come to an end, and it is almost time to leave.

at dusk.

Zhu Youxiao hosted a banquet for all his ministers at the Wangqin Tower in the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

Prince Xin, Wen Tihen, Sun Chengzong, Guo Yunhou, as well as Shanxi Governor Liu Zeshen and Taiyuan Prefect Sun Kangzhou were all present.

As it was a disaster relief period, the banquet was not too grand.

On each table, there was only one more dish of Taiyuan stew and a pot of wine, compared to the previous standard of Prince Xin.

"Today I will treat everyone to a simple meal. Please take a seat and be at your leisure."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Several people took their seats happily. Prince Xin and other ministers had not been able to sit at the same table and drink with His Majesty for a long time, and they were all very happy.

For Guo Yunhou, Liu Zeshen and Sun Kangzhou, it was their first time to have dinner with His Majesty. They were very excited and they could brag about it for the rest of their lives.

"Do it yourself. I don't need to say anything. Let's eat and talk at the same time."

Having said that, they are all in the officialdom. Who would dare to pick up food before the emperor starts eating?

Zhu Youxiao was helpless: "Okay, then I'll start eating first, everyone start eating too!"

Seeing him move, the others let go.

After eating a few mouthfuls, he raised his glass and said, "You are all the backbone of the country and the parents of the local area. Recently, the state and civil affairs have been managed by many people. I would like to toast to you all."

After that, drink it all in one gulp.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! We are ashamed!" Everyone toasted.

Zhu Youxiao continued, "The disaster relief work in Taiyuan is already on track. I will be returning to the capital soon. Lord Liu and Lord Sun, I will have to trouble you to take care of the follow-up work of disaster relief in Shanxi and Taiyuan."

"I'll toast you a glass."

The two men were terrified and knelt down together: "Your Majesty, your words are serious. This is our duty and we must do our best."