In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 752 The Emperor and the People Share the World

As July approaches, the sun hangs high in the sky.
The entire Southern Zhili region was shrouded in sweltering heat.

The sun shone down generously, baking the earth until it was scorching hot.

In Jiangning County, the wheat fields on both sides of the official road are lush and green.
A gentle breeze rustled through the air, bringing a touch of coolness to the summer day.

Looking out from the official road, one could see countless people in the fields, wearing straw hats and sweating profusely.

Bending over to clear weeds and straighten the wheat ears.

The crops are planted in the spring and there is always work to be done until the autumn harvest.

During this period, farmers will squeeze every last drop of energy from their bones to ensure a good harvest this year.

On the official road, a grand caravan headed towards Yingtian City.

There were also some horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and ordinary people mixed in.

Li Zhigang, a councilor from Henan, was among the crowd in his carriage returning to Beijing.

After arriving in Jiangning County

He climbed out of the carriage and sat down with the driver.
Squinting at the silvery-white lines on both sides of the road
These silk threads, like a large net, closely connected the nearby villages with the official road.

From there, you can see people riding bicycles at high speed.

There were also scenes of tricycles struggling to move forward, fully loaded with goods.
This scene left countless people in shock.

A slight smile appeared on Li Zhigang's lips.

He deserves credit for these newly paved roads and the pedestrians coming and going.

Whenever he sees such a scene, he feels relaxed and happy, as if all his troubles have disappeared.

Noon arrived quickly.

The sunlight is even more intense at this time.
The heat emanating from the earth distorted and blurred the road ahead.
After rounding a sharp bend, at the end of the road...
A majestic, orderly, silver-white town suddenly appeared before my eyes!
"Wow"

Everyone who sees this silvery-white town gasps in amazement.
Caravans, horse caravans, and pedestrians would all involuntarily slow down, staring blankly ahead.
Most of the people in Li Zhigang's convoy had already witnessed this scene before.

His expression remained unchanged, though there was a hint of emotion in it.

Meanwhile, the soldiers from the Henan garrison were guarding the front and rear.

Staring at the town before him, he was speechless, stunned.

The warhorse seemed to sense the somber scene and slowed its pace.

Tianfu Village, Jiangning County!

Because Yingtian Trading Company won a big prize when it opened.

This village, which was originally destined to decline and eventually disappear, has had its fate completely altered!
Today, Tianfu Village boasts the sturdiest houses, the flattest courtyards, the widest and most accessible roads in the entire Yingtian County, as well as the largest workshop in the entire Jiangning County!

Handcarts are produced here every day.

Then, they were transported by special tricycles to Yingtian Trading Company for sale.

The once sparsely populated Tianfu Village suddenly became lively.

Even many young people working in Beijing have chosen to return home.

Although the wages are lower than in the capital,
But being able to stay at home, with a wife, children, and a warm bed...
Who would want to go to the capital city, a place where they know no one?

Everyone on the official road could feel the vibrant life and flourishing of all things in Tianfu Village.

There were even dozens of people leading several richly dressed wealthy men as they walked around the village.

He pointed at the houses, as if he were introducing something.

Li Zhigang knew that starting anything was always incredibly difficult.
Once a finished product is created, everyone else will follow suit.

When he left Beijing, several wealthy villages came to see him, and their desire to renovate their villages was very clear!

Unfortunately, despite their wealth and connections,

However, the capital city changed its usual practice and suspended all construction work by Yingtian Construction Company, leaving everyone puzzled.

Originally, Li Zhigang was also ambiguous about this and didn't understand why.

But during his trip to Henan, he already knew...
Why is the atmosphere in Beijing so heavy lately?

They also learned why rebellions frequently occurred in the usually peaceful capital region.

"Let's hurry up and go," Li Zhigang said, turning his head to look at the driver.

"Yes, my lord."

The group staggered, because of the thriving commerce of Yingtian.

It took them a full hour to travel a mere ten miles.

Looking at the imposing Yingtian City Gate ahead, Li Zhigang's face showed emotion.
I thought this trip would last at least five years, but I didn't expect to have to return after only a few months.

The family members in the convoy looked rather grim, and the atmosphere was extremely somber.

In just over ten days, they were able to figure out what had happened.

My family isn't going back to the capital to ask for help.

Instead, he suffered a regrettable defeat in the struggle and had no choice but to return to the capital.

This time, his career prospects are completely ruined.

Even the usually lively and energetic Shen Zao seemed somewhat listless.
Looking at the bustling capital city, I felt listless.

After the guards presented the tokens from the Henan Provincial Administration Commission and the Henan Military Command,

The convoy made no obstacles along the way and entered the city smoothly.

They wisely refrained from entering the city.

I watched silently as Li Zhigang's convoy slowly departed through the dark, deep city gate.
After the convoy disappeared from sight,

The group then turned back, feeling extremely happy.

The convoy entering the city grew increasingly listless, even their voices fading, standing out starkly from the bustling surroundings.

On the contrary, Li Zhigang, who had been silent the whole way, smiled—a rare occurrence.

She even hummed a little tune.
Shen Zao, who was leading the way, kept turning back, not understanding what was happening.

Just as he was thinking about leading the team back to the Li residence, Li Zhigang suddenly spoke:
"Go to the Prince's Mansion."

Shen Zao turned around in surprise, then quickly nodded and instructed the coachman beside her:

"Take the ladies back first."

"No need, let's go together."

Li Zhigang's voice interrupted Shen Zao's instructions, making him even more astonished.
"Sir, isn't it rather inappropriate to bring your whole family along like this?"

"It's alright, go ahead."

Shen Zao turned around, somewhat bewildered.
However, since the superior had already given the order, he waved his hand.

So the convoy continued on its way.

Amidst the group's bewilderment, the convoy drove in a grand procession into the street where the Crown Prince's residence was located.

Their appearance immediately attracted the attention of the guards of the Crown Prince's residence.

More than a hundred men drew their long swords and rushed forward to block their path.
One of them stepped forward and shouted:

"This is the Crown Prince's residence, a restricted area! Entry is prohibited!"

Li Zhigang slowly stepped down from the carriage, cupped his hands in greeting to his personal guards, and said:

"I am Li Zhigang, a councilor from Henan. I have important matters to discuss with His Highness the Crown Prince. I hope you will inform him."

"Master Li?"

The guards looked at him with some surprise.

If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince personally came to see Li Zhigang off when he left the capital.
How come they're back in less than three months?

The guard's expression turned serious, and he immediately sent someone to report.

Before long, led by several guards,
Li Zhigang entered the Crown Prince's residence and met Crown Prince Zhu Biao in the most secluded and safest study.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao paced back and forth in the study with a grave expression.

Upon seeing Li Zhigang enter, the first question was asked:

"Why are you back?"

Upon seeing the Crown Prince, Li Zhigang finally felt relieved.

He immediately bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, I have met you. I am returning to the capital on behalf of someone who has been entrusted to escort someone!"

As he spoke, Li Zhigang carefully took out a document from his pocket.

The head eunuch, who had been standing to the side, quickly came over.

He stepped in front of the crown prince and took the letter.

After carefully checking and confirming that everything was correct, he turned and handed it to the Crown Prince.

The crown prince took the letter with some suspicion and opened it. The words that came into view...

He looked up in surprise, somewhat shocked:

"Is Mei Yi in your hands?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the head eunuch, who had been calm, suddenly changed his expression.
He quickly retreated, leaving the study and even closing the door behind him.

Once the study was completely quiet, Li Zhi spoke in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, I encountered Chen Jingyi of the Beiping Military Command in Kaifeng."

He was the one responsible for transporting the Marquis of Runan and Xu Cheng, the commander of the 30,000 guards.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao frowned and asked in a deep voice:
"He handed the person over to you?"

Li Zhigang replied:
"Chen Jingyi approached me, hoping I could escort the Marquis of Runan, and I agreed."

"Why are you here?" the Crown Prince pressed. "The pursuers are fierce, and Lord Chen isn't confident he can safely deliver the person to Yingtian."

Therefore, they adopted the strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the king.

They, a group of over a hundred, will act as bait to lure the pursuers, while I, your humble servant, will carry out the surprise attack.

Li Zhigang's face remained calm, but his expression showed a hint of emotion.

He still remembers it to this day.
Chen Jingyi said that their calm demeanor when facing death was as if they were talking about something completely unrelated to themselves.

"Where is he?" Crown Prince Zhu Biao pressed.

“The motorcade at the gate is being personally supervised by my wife,” Li Zhigang replied.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao sized up Li Zhigang:
"You went to Henan to control the floods, and returned in such a hurry, how could you possibly arrive in Yingtian safely?"

Li Zhigang's expression turned strange, and his voice carried a hint of regret:
"Your Highness, upon arriving in Kaifeng, I learned that the local authorities had already colluded with each other, working together both inside and outside the city."

For local powerful families, water management was merely a means to make money.

Your humble servant brought materials from the construction company to Kaifeng.
It's like cutting off someone's livelihood or killing their parents.

They frequently attacked me.
Just then, the Yellow River breached its banks.

They wanted me to return to the capital to seek help, thereby preventing me from interfering in the flood control efforts.

I know that the matter of the Marquis of Runan is of great importance, so I took the opportunity to back down and return to Yingtian.

They were even escorted by officers from the Henan Military Commandery throughout the journey, without any obstacles.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao's brows furrowed into a deep frown, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, and he let out a cold snort:
"The whole country is in rebellion now, and all the troops that the capital can send have been dispatched."
The fighting was fierce across the land, and incessant disputes raged in the imperial court.

This gave these people an opportunity, which is wrong of the imperial court.

"but."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao abruptly changed the subject, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"You don't need to worry. Now that the person has been returned, the matter will be settled soon."

Since the imperial court has already decided to build the dikes and reservoirs along both banks of the Yellow River, there is absolutely no reason for it to be abandoned halfway.

You should go to Henan again in a few days.
This time, the imperial court is able to spare the resources to give you its full support, and no one can hinder you.

Li Zhigang's heart pounded, and a blush rose on his thin, dark face.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am willing to die for the court."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao waved his hand:

"Alright, hand the person over to the Imperial Guards. You can go back now."

"Don't stand out during this period, lest you attract attention. Once the storm has passed, the court will generously reward those who have rendered meritorious service."

"Yes, His Royal Highness!"

The imperial city stands majestically, its red walls and yellow tiles gleaming brilliantly under the scorching sun, proclaiming the majesty of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Biao, accompanied by the Imperial Guards and an unremarkable carriage, slowly proceeded along the wide imperial road.

The palace walls stand tall on both sides of the imperial road.
At regular intervals, a squad of imperial guards stood tall and straight like pine trees.
Their eyes were wary, and the long spears in their hands gleamed coldly in the sunlight, inspiring awe in those who saw them.

As Zhu Biao stepped into the Meridian Gate, he felt a chilling aura wash over him.

The Meridian Gate is tall and majestic, resembling a sleeping behemoth, exuding a chilling aura.

After passing through the Meridian Gate, you will reach the Inner Golden Water River.

The river water glistens, and five white marble bridges span it, their bodies carved with exquisite cloud and dragon patterns, lifelike in appearance.

The river flows gently beneath the bridge, making a clear, melodious sound.

However, in this solemn and majestic imperial city, the sound only added to the cold and lonely atmosphere.

Further ahead is Fengtian Gate.

Fengtian Gate is magnificent, its vermilion gates tightly closed, the copper studs on them gleaming in the sunlight.
The stone lions on both sides of the gate are majestic and fierce.

Zhu Biao led his men through Fengtian Gate and headed towards Fengtian Hall.

Fengtian Hall is the most magnificent and spectacular palace in the imperial palace.

It was also the place where the emperor held grand ceremonies and received his officials!

After Li Cunyi and his son were captured, chaos and turmoil broke out throughout the land.
Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, left the Wuying Hall where he had always been and came to the Fengtian Hall, which symbolized imperial power.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao also left the palace, leaving father and son, ruler and subject, one inside and one outside.

All this turmoil will soon come to a conclusion.

Zhu Biao walked heavily up the steps, one by one.
With each step, you could feel the chill emanating from the stone slabs beneath your feet.

When he finally stepped onto the plaza in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the sight before him filled him with a sense of vastness and openness.

The square was incredibly spacious, with the ground paved with huge bluestone slabs, smooth as a mirror.

Stepping into the Fengtian Hall, the interior is spacious and bright.

Huge golden nanmu pillars supported the high dome, which was painted with colorful patterns.
With auspicious dragons and phoenixes and swirling clouds and mist, it resembles a fairyland.

Inside the hall, Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, sat upright on the dragon throne.

He was dressed in a bright red dragon robe and wore a jade crown. His face was stern as he quietly looked at the memorial in his hand.

The eunuchs and palace maids around him dared not utter a sound.

Zhu Biao stepped forward quickly and bowed in greeting:
"My son, please see your father!"

Beside him, a person wearing a black hood, dressed in a simple long coat, with his arms tied behind his back, was pinned to the ground.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze swept coldly across the area below.

Finally, the voice landed on Mei Yi, deep and authoritative:

"who?"

Zhu Biao waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards stepped forward.
He abruptly removed the black hood from the man's head, revealing a haggard, thin, and calm face.

It was Mei Yi, the General Commander of Liaodong, the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, and the Marquis of Runan.

Mei Yi raised his head and looked into Zhu Yuanzhang's cold eyes. His heart trembled for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

Now that things have come to this, he's willing to accept defeat.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Mei Yi, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. After a long silence, he slowly spoke:
"Meisizu died on the battlefield and you were only given a title in return, and you're just going to squander it like this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly rose, and a surge of anger rose in his heart for no reason!

A flash of sorrow crossed Mei Yi's face.

Regret? Maybe, but it's too late now.

“Your Majesty, I have done right by my father and by the court. It is you who have changed,” Mei Yi replied calmly.

"Have I changed?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up, glaring angrily:

"I haven't changed, it's you who have!!"

"Since raising the army, I have overcome numerous obstacles and swept away all rivals."
After the founding of the nation, he worked tirelessly day and night, starting anew with the people.

The Ming Dynasty established the Great Law to rectify the laws and regulations, aiming to make all people in the world know propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, and to make all officials uphold integrity and honesty!
You, as nobles, have received great favors from the nation, yet instead of repaying them, you harbor disloyal thoughts and secretly collude with rebels.
This is an act of disloyalty, filial impiety, inhumanity, and injustice; how dare you claim that I have changed my ways?

Upon hearing this, all the hundred or so palace maids and eunuchs in the Fengtian Hall immediately knelt down.
Even Zhu Biao lowered his head.
Mei Yi remained calm, standing below the throne, quietly looking at the person above him:

"Your Majesty, our fathers followed you in battles across the land, risking their lives, and we thought we could enjoy peace and wealth."

However, after Your Majesty ascended the throne, you imposed harsh laws and severe punishments, and were extremely critical of your officials, who were easily punished for the slightest offense.

Although we hold high positions, we tread on thin ice.

The slightest misstep could lead to the extermination of our entire clan; how could we, your subjects, not harbor resentment?

Mei Yi continued speaking in a calm voice:
"Your Majesty, it wasn't just you who conquered the world, but also my father, and many other fathers."

You became emperor, and we became nobles.

This world belongs to you and to us. How can it be bound by the laws of the Ming Dynasty?
In that case, wouldn't we be no different from ordinary people?
Your Majesty, it is you who are abandoning those who have served their purpose; it is you who have changed.

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry he laughed:

"How could I not feel resentment in my heart! I raised an army for a peaceful and prosperous world."

Every article of the Ming Dynasty law was for the benefit of all the people of the land.

"You, as nobles, do not set an example, but instead break the law and disregard discipline, treating the law as nothing. How can I tolerate this?"

"Furthermore, I share the world with the people, not with the scholar-officials!" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice resounded.

Mei Yi abruptly raised his head and stared directly at the person above him, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse and strained:

"A single husband!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly calmed down and gently waved his hand.
Mei Yi was taken away, along with over a hundred eunuchs and palace maids.

Only the father and son remained in the vast Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, a rare look of weariness on his face, his hollow voice booming:

"Everyone in the world says that when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked."

“Even if I don’t kill these brothers and meritorious officials, they will still leave me, each following their own will, and it will be difficult for them to stay together for long. This is the nature of human nature.”

Zhu Biao stood at the lower end, silent, his lips tightly pressed together.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes gradually sharpened:

"They say I'm ungrateful and dismantling them after I've served my purpose. Order Lan Yu and Tang He to begin."

Zhu Biao's gaze sharpened as well, and he bowed deeply.
"Yes, Father."

(End of this chapter)