I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

Zhu Houcong's gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Jingting and Xu Anmo.

I never expected these two would be wearing the same pair of pants.

In the drama, Xu Anmo initially allied himself with Prince Yu, but now he has changed allegiance.

However, he didn't care about these petty schemes.

Zhu Houcong was naturally well aware of the two men's malicious remarks.

If it were an ordinary emperor, he might actually be moved by these words that struck at the heart.

However, Zhu Houcong knew that Southern Chu had just been pacified and everything needed to be rebuilt. Only with Hu Ruzhen in charge could the villains be deterred.

Summoning the commander-in-chief back to the capital at this juncture would be tantamount to destroying one's own Great Wall.

This adds uncertainty to the stability of Southern Chu.

"This matter should not be mentioned again."

Zhu Houcong spoke calmly, "I am not King Goujian of Yue, nor is Hu Ruzhen Wen Zhong."

His words were so straightforward that the others naturally understood what he meant.

After King Goujian of Yue destroyed Wu, he executed Wen Zhong, a meritorious official.

The idiom "when the birds are all gone, the bow is put away; when the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked" originates from this.

Zhu Houcong used historical allegory to comment on the present, almost explicitly stating that he wouldn't discard someone after they've served their purpose.

Upon hearing this, Xu Anmo had no choice but to join the ranks.

Zhu Houcong leaned against the couch and continued speaking.

"The imperial court cannot be without the southeast for a single day, and the southeast cannot be without Hu Ruzhen for a single day."

"We need him to suppress bandits, and we also need him to keep the people from rebelling."

"We can't let him work himself to death, and we can't let him worry himself to death."

[Recite a classic quote from Emperor Jiajing, play Emperor Jiajing +2, and receive a Rejuvenating Pill as a reward]

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The next second, Lou Zhijing quickly bowed and echoed, taking a light lick.

Zhu Houcong waved his hand, saying that only he knew what was going on in his own family.

Although he appeared wise and capable on the surface, he knew that Xiao Jingting and Xu Anmo's words had taken deep to heart.

This is a veiled attack on the heart; as long as you are the emperor, you cannot escape such suspicion.

He immediately made a decision: Hu Ruzhen should not be touched, but Prince Yu must be recalled.

As a prince, he could not remain in the southeast.

Chapter 158 King Xiao Jingke of Chu

Under Zhu Houcong's strong intervention, Xiao Jingting's scheme ultimately failed.

His expression was also quite unpleasant at this moment.

During this period, he had truly tasted the power of authority, but once Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, returned to the capital, the two would inevitably engage in another fierce battle.

From then on, he would be hindered by the other party in everything he did.

This is exactly what Zhu Houcong wanted.

The subsequent proceedings returned to normal.

The six high-ranking officials stepped forward one after another.

The heated debate over taxes and troop deployment strategies in the southern Chu region lasted for two full hours.

Ultimately, with Zhu Houcong's approval, a complete strategy for the management of Southern Chu was roughly formed.

It mainly consists of three aspects.

The first is to appease the people through civil affairs.

First, the imperial court issued a decree granting amnesty to the entire nation.

With the Yuwen clan at its head, everyone from the court officials to the common people could enjoy the emperor's favor.

Those who commit serious crimes will have their sentences reduced or be pardoned, while those who commit minor crimes will be pardoned.

In any case, the direct descendants of the Yuwen clan have long since been wiped out by Qinglong and others.

What remains are nothing more than insignificant collateral branches.

Issuing a pardon at this time would neither shake Southern Chu nor prevent the world from witnessing the benevolence of the "loyal and filial emperor."

Why not do it.

Secondly, taxes and levies were light.

The people of Luozhou, who suffered from the floods, were exempted from taxes for three years.

Next up are the Tern clan.

He bestowed favors upon the scholars of the former Southern Chu, preserving all of Southern Chu's quota for Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) this year, with the top three directly entering the Hanlin Academy.

Yan Donglou, formerly the Grand Secretary of the Southern Chu State, was appointed Minister of Works and entered the cabinet to participate in state affairs.

Officials of the fifth rank and below from the former Southern Chu who did not participate in the war to destroy Chu were all retained in their original positions.

At the same time, each prefecture established a governor's office, which was governed by officials dispatched by the Liang Dynasty.

Second, promote cultural unification and abolish the old system.

First, the use of previous dynasties' reign titles for dating was prohibited.

All official and private documents, inscriptions, and books must conform to the current dynasty's calendar; those who violate this rule will be punished as traitors.

Throughout the empire, all rites, official systems, and customs concerning marriage, funerals, and other important matters must be conducted in accordance with the system established by the Great Liang Dynasty.

Secondly, they instigated numerous literary inquisitions to suppress dissenting opinions.

Scholars and commoners are strictly forbidden from discussing the previous dynasty. Any books, essays, or notes concerning the history of the previous dynasty that are discovered shall be burned.

Those who privately possess poems, lyrics, and songs praising the Southern Chu state are considered guilty of "cherishing the false dynasty," and may be exiled or even have their entire clan executed.

The government offered a reward to encourage the public to report such incidents; anyone whose report was verified would be rewarded with ten taels of silver.

Next, they followed the example of the Qin Dynasty, standardizing the written language and the gauge of carts.

Third, reorganize the military and political system.

Mi Prefecture, originally one of the three prefectures of Yunnan, was merged with Yue Prefecture of Southern Chu, and was still called Yue Prefecture.

The Yuezhou Protectorate was established, stationed with 30,000 elite troops to guard the strategic southeast.

At the same time, a naval camp was established in Luozhou, which is known as the "throat of southern Chu," and defenses were deployed along the natural barrier of the Luo River.

It has 20,000 elite troops and 100 warships stationed there.

By controlling the Luo River, the entire heartland of Southern Chu would be under our control.

Even if there are any unusual movements, they can be suppressed in an instant.

As for the important capital region of Southern Chu, it was renamed Chuzhou Protectorate and stationed with 30,000 troops.

The southern Chu prefecture and counties were redefined, breaking down the old boundaries.

In this way, not only can the power of the old nobles of Southern Chu be dismantled.

By dismantling their territories that they have occupied for generations, it makes it difficult for them to muster the strength to resist.

It can also weaken the military power and territory of the Muwang Mansion in Yunnan.

With the Southern Chu pacified, there was no longer any need for the Mu King's Palace to guard Yunnan.

Taking advantage of the adjustment of prefectures and counties, we can gradually reduce their power.

In addition, the cabinet meeting also agreed on a number of detailed rules and regulations.

Although these strategies have been initially determined, the specific implementation measures still need to be carefully considered by the six ministries.

"After you have left, my dear ministers, you should immediately begin the work of managing the Southern Chu."

Zhu Houcong said calmly.

"Each ministry must submit a detailed report as soon as possible; I will review them one by one."

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

The six high-ranking officials, led by Lou Zhijing, responded in unison.

Just as the officials were about to bow and leave, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

It was accompanied by the eunuch's ecstatic voice.

"His Majesty is overjoyed!!!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong frowned slightly, stood up, and strode towards the palace gate.

Outside, a young eunuch was seen kneeling below the jade steps, holding a tray aloft.

"Come in."

The young eunuch then hurriedly entered the hall and knelt before Zhu Houcong once more.

"Your Majesty is overjoyed!"

A knowing glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Has Consort Xi given birth to a child?"

The eunuch exclaimed excitedly, "Heaven has blessed our Great Liang Dynasty with a prince!"

Upon hearing this, the senior officials exchanged a meaningful glance.

The birth of this prince was indeed extraordinary.

His mother, Consort Xi, was a noblewoman from the royal family of Southern Chu. The child she gave birth to now carries the blood of both the Great Liang and Southern Chu dynasties.

It can be said that from birth, he was born with the goodwill of the former officials of Southern Chu.

These people will become an extremely powerful force in the imperial court in the future.

Yan Song reacted quickly, stepping forward to take the tray, kneeling down with a fawning smile on his face.

"The master is overjoyed."

Upon seeing this, Lou Zhijing and the others also knelt down and congratulated His Majesty in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, we, your subjects, congratulate you."

Zhu Houcong finally stopped hiding his true feelings, his face beaming with delight, and the wrinkles around his eyes relaxed into a smile.

He gestured to Yan Song with his hands behind his back.

"Yan Song, raise the tray higher."

Yan Song quickly raised his arms even higher.

Zhu Houcong slowly took out two items from the sleeve of his Taoist robe.

A jujube and a chestnut.

Gently place it on a plate.

"this…"

Yan Song was taken aback at first, then his smile became even brighter.

At this moment, Zhu Houcong stroked his beard with an air of profound mystery.

"What's the public's opinion on these two things I've prepared?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song immediately praised it exaggeratedly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the common people call it 'early establishment of a son'."

"We are convinced by our master. How did Your Majesty know that such a joyous occasion would happen today?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong stood with his hands behind his back and said smugly.