Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 367 Zhu Yunwen's Wrath! Inquiry! March!
His voice resounded like a great bell throughout the hall, making the entire hall vibrate.

After a passionate speech, the hall fell silent instantly, with only the echoes lingering in the air.

Soon, another minister stepped forward, his expression respectful yet tinged with worry. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, as Sun Tzu's Art of War says: 'A ruler should not raise an army out of anger, nor should a general wage war out of resentment.'"

"The actions of Siam and Bagan are truly infuriating."

"However, especially under such circumstances, Your Majesty should remain calm and must not rashly launch a large-scale military campaign out of momentary anger."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and then said, "Although the Northern Yuan and Jurchen are powerful, our Great Ming has fought against them frequently in the past and knows their internal situation very well."

“Before sending troops, one can make plans and arrangements in advance.”

As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

"However, the court had very limited information about places like Siam and Bagan."

"To rashly send troops into battle without knowing the true extent of the danger is a cardinal sin in military strategy."

"Furthermore, as far as I know, although Siam and Bagan are small countries, they are hot and scorching all year round, which is unbearable."

“The mountains there are high and the forests are dense, making marching extremely difficult. Moreover, the area is filled with miasma and countless insects, mosquitoes, and poisonous ants.”

"In the past, when the Yuan Dynasty was powerful, it had launched many expeditions to the southern barbarian lands, but all of them failed due to the soldiers' inability to adapt to the local climate and the rampant spread of disease."

"It is clear that a strong military is far from sufficient to launch expeditions to these places."

"Your Majesty must consider this matter very carefully!"

These words sounded reasonable and well-founded, but the military general and nobleman who had just been furious instantly flew into a rage.

He suddenly stretched out his finger, pointing it straight at the minister's nose, his face turning red, and shouted, "Where did all these fallacies and heresies come from?"

"What do you know about fighting, all this chatter on and on?"

When is war ever easy?

"When fighting against the Northern Yuan, we have to worry about them migrating and escaping, making it difficult for our army to directly attack the royal court. The vast grasslands are boundless and we can't find any trace of the enemy. We can mobilize a large army but return empty-handed."

"We also have to worry about the weather suddenly turning cold, which the soldiers will find unbearable."

“It is not easy to transport food and supplies to the front when we are deep behind enemy lines, and there is always the risk of being attacked by enemy cavalry.”

"The same principle applies to fighting the Jurchens."

"Going to sea to attack Japan is even more dangerous, with strong winds and high waves."

Which war wasn't fraught with difficulties?

"But didn't my Great Ming Dynasty still manage to conquer them all?"

"If everything were done as you say, this wouldn't work, that wouldn't work, this is dangerous, that is dangerous, then our Great Ming might as well just stay huddled at home forever and never go out to fight!"

He was agitated, his chest heaving violently. He turned to Zhu Yunwen on the dragon throne, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, do not believe his nonsense."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the vanguard into battle and wipe out those villains in one fell swoop, and save the people of my Great Ming."

"Let Siam and Bagan witness the might of the Great Ming Dynasty, and let them treat the people of the Great Ming Dynasty as honored guests from now on!"

The civil official who had spoken up earlier was now being angrily rebuked by the military general, his face turning deathly pale before flushing red. He snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain, and said, "Ignorant fool, so rude and uncouth!"

Immediately, he straightened his clothes, cupped his hands and bowed to Zhu Yunwen on the dragon throne, saying, "Your Majesty, I still stand by my previous opinion and humbly request Your Majesty to reconsider before acting."

Zhu Yunwen's face was ashen; he simply watched everything coldly, neither expressing approval nor disapproval.

Just then, another minister stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that tens of thousands of people of our Great Ming are imprisoned overseas, and every day people are being tortured and dying."

"Saving lives is as urgent as putting out a fire!"

"Siam and Bagan are far from the Ming Dynasty, and it takes a very long time to travel between them."

"If the court merely sends envoys without making any preparations for war, and if Siam and Pagan, fearing the might of the emperor, take the initiative to wipe out and capture the villains, that would be the best outcome."

"But if they refuse to cooperate and disobey orders, the envoys will return empty-handed. If they then return to prepare for war, it will take too much time, and the imprisoned people will suffer more and die in vain."

"Therefore, the court should make two preparations: send envoys to negotiate on one hand, and send a large army to the border to intimidate on the other, taking a two-pronged approach."

"In this way, Siam and Bagan will not dare to disobey the great army's might because they fear it. If the negotiations fail, troops can be dispatched immediately so as not to delay the battle."

These words resonated with many people.

Several ministers immediately stepped forward and said, "We second that proposal!"

Zhu Yunwen had just cleared his throat and was about to speak when another minister quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe that the people who were tricked into going to Siam and Bagan are not all good people. The court must be extremely cautious in rescuing them."

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court turned their heads, their gazes fixed intently on the minister.

The minister paused slightly, then continued clearly, "According to what everyone just said, after being tricked into going to Siam and Bagan, these people, under the coercion and threats of villains, actually wrote letters to deceive their own relatives and friends."

"Although there was a reason for it, and it was a helpless act under duress from the criminals, the law does not tolerate leniency, and such behavior is also a crime."

His words were forceful and resounding.

"Even if the imperial court sends troops to rescue them, these people should still be tried and punished in order to uphold the law and clarify the principles of governance."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another minister stepped forward, his face full of disapproval, and retorted without hesitation: "That is incorrect!"

"Since you just admitted that they had no choice but to write to their relatives and friends, then it is understandable."

"They were imprisoned in a dark and desolate place in a foreign land, suffering humiliation and torture. Instead of showing them any pity for their suffering, the court wanted to hold them accountable for their crimes. This is simply unreasonable!"

The minister who insisted on punishing the perpetrator straightened up and replied solemnly, "To be humiliated and tortured by villains is to die in order to preserve one's integrity!"

"How can one betray one's own family and friends, writing letters to deceive them in exchange for temporary peace?"

"Does being in danger justify betraying family and friends without any moral boundaries in order to escape?"

"If such behavior can be forgiven, then I ask those who are captured by the enemy on the battlefield, can they also openly betray their country and reveal military secrets to the enemy just to ensure their own safety, or even wealth and honor?"

"These people would betray even their closest relatives to avoid torture, so it's only natural that they would betray their country, right?"

"If such people are not severely punished, where is the moral order and ethical norms of our Great Ming Dynasty? Where is the dignity of the national law?"

These words struck the hearts of everyone like heavy hammer blows, and the court fell silent.

The officials looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Admittedly, there is some truth to what he said, and it is hard to refute.

Just then, another minister stepped forward steadily, his expression respectful, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, if the court intends to use this as an opportunity to wage war against Siam and Pagan in order to demonstrate the power of our Great Ming Dynasty and expand our territory, I have no objection."

"Since His Majesty began training the new army, our Ming army has been unstoppable, invincible in every battle and every attack."

"Your Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler who can win over those far away with his virtue."

"I have no doubt about Your Majesty's vision and ability."

He paused slightly, then changed the subject, his tone becoming earnest and worried: "However, if Your Majesty intends to send troops overseas to rescue the people of the Ming Dynasty out of mere momentary indignation, I implore Your Majesty to consider this carefully."

"According to what was just reported, tens of thousands of Ming subjects have been imprisoned and enslaved."

"However, the proportion of those who were kidnapped is extremely small. The vast majority of people went to Siam and Bagan on their own initiative because they believed the get-rich-quick dreams described by the villains."

"Or perhaps they were deceived by their own relatives and friends."

“These people are all adults, not ignorant three-year-old children. They should have their own ability to discern.”

"Since you were the one who was deceived, how can you blame others?"

"The imperial court can't bail them out in everything."

"If any bandits openly kidnap people within the territory of our Great Ming, then the imperial court will naturally have no choice but to do its utmost to govern and protect the people."

"But now it is their own fault for trusting others and being abducted overseas. The court really can't, has no way to, and shouldn't interfere."

"Therefore, I believe that the court only needs to publish this matter in the Da Ming Daily and order all government offices to post notices to remind the people to be wary of such scams."

"As for capturing criminals and rescuing the people, we should act according to our capabilities." "Your Majesty has the world in your heart and is compassionate and benevolent. Even the most famous rulers throughout history are not as good as you. Naturally, you do not want to see the people of the Ming Dynasty suffer such a calamity."

"However, human strength has its limits, and ultimately, the people themselves must be responsible for their own affairs."

"If those villains dare to set foot on the territory of our Great Ming, the government will certainly arrest them and bring them to justice."

"But they are far overseas. It is really unnecessary for the court to raise a large army for something that it shouldn't be involved in."

"Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a minister beside him immediately questioned, "According to you, the court is just going to sit idly by and watch those people who are imprisoned and forced into slavery, leaving them to fend for themselves?"

"This is their fate; they have no one to blame but themselves." The minister said coldly and indifferently.

"The imperial court can take this opportunity to teach the people a lesson."

He slightly raised his eyes, glanced around, and continued, "If the imperial court interferes in everything, the people will become dependent on the court and become like a child who never grows up."

"But there are always places the imperial court can't cover, and there are always times when it can't reach them."

"At that time, the people will complain about the court."

"Therefore, the court should leave it alone and let them learn from this bloody lesson so that they can learn to be more vigilant. This is the best long-term solution."

Upon hearing this, the court fell silent, and all the officials fell into deep thought.

In this feudal society, the concept of "governing by doing nothing" was always upheld.

If the people don't promote it, the officials won't investigate it.

Let alone adults being deceived, even if a child is abducted by human traffickers, unless the victim can catch the traffickers and hand them over to the authorities, the authorities will only send out officers to conduct a token search in the vicinity, and then let the matter drop.

If adults are kidnapped or swindled by bandits in other places, the government will not care.

After all, given the limitations of information dissemination and transportation, it was simply impractical to send yamen runners to other places to handle cases.

Discussing the rescue of people who have been abducted and imprisoned overseas in the imperial court as we are doing today would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

"I have heard that the villains who abduct the people of my Great Ming are all subjects of my Great Ming?"

Just as the ministers remained silent, Zhu Yunwen, who had been sitting on the dragon throne without saying a word, finally spoke, his voice deep yet full of authority.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case." Yao Guangxiao bowed respectfully.

At this moment, he was dressed in court robes, but not in a cassock, and referred to himself as "臣" (chen, meaning "your subject").

"I have investigated and found that most of the criminals who abduct people come from the Fujian area, especially Qingxi and other places in Fujian."

"These people have made their fortunes through such evil deeds, earning a lot of money through blood and tears."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's expression changed drastically, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. He coldly asked, "What are the officials in Fujian doing?"

"Are they just going to let the thugs under their jurisdiction commit such illegal acts without doing anything about it?"

"This matter has been ongoing since the court lifted the sea ban, and several years have passed since then. Yet, not a single official in Fujian, or even any civil or military official in the court, has reported it to me!"

"I refuse to believe that so many people have been deceived, and not a single official in the court has heard of it?"

"Why has no one reported this matter to me?"

"If it weren't for the intelligence bureau and the intelligence division reporting the information, I would still be kept in the dark, thinking that the world was at peace and the seas were calm!"

"As subjects who receive the emperor's bounty, is this how you deceive the emperor, reporting only good news and concealing bad news?"

The emperor was furious, and all the civil and military officials were terrified, turning pale and kneeling down in unison, crying out, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Outside the main hall, the lower-ranking officials, who were standing in neat rows in the square waiting for the court session to end, did not know what had happened inside the hall. However, when they heard the ministers inside shouting in unison, "Your Majesty, please calm down," they also knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Zhu Yunwen suddenly stood up, his gaze sweeping coldly over the officials below like sharp blades, and said loudly, "You are all ministers of my Great Ming, and the people's parents and officials."

"But what is a 'parent official'?"

"A true official who loves the people like his own children, puts them first in everything, and regards their suffering as the suffering of his own children, is truly worthy of the title 'parent official'!"

"Otherwise, what right do you have to call yourselves public officials?"

"Even if these deceived people have committed wrongdoings, even if they have cheated their relatives and friends and aided and abetted evildoers, they should be tried by the officials of our Great Ming in accordance with the law. How can we let them be enslaved overseas without any action?"

"I would like to ask you, if your own sons were tricked overseas by villains and imprisoned as slaves, would you say that we don't need to care or rescue them?"

"Would you say that he brought this on himself, and that as his parents, you shouldn't intervene?"

"Of course you wouldn't!"

Zhu Yuntong's voice grew increasingly loud.

"But why do you say that we don't need to care or rescue people's children when they are abducted or kidnapped by criminals?"

"You say the words 'love the people like your own children' every day, you've said them your whole lives, but have you really lived up to them?"

"We are guilty!" The ministers below, seeing the emperor's rage, trembled with fear and prostrated themselves on the ground.

Zhu Yunwen let out a long sigh, tried to calm himself down, and said in a slightly gentler tone, "Although the imprisonment of my people and the forced enslavement of them occurred in Siam and Bagan, the root cause lies within the territory of my Ming Dynasty."

"The government affairs office immediately issued a letter ordering the Fujian governor and the imperial inspector to thoroughly investigate the matter."

"If any wicked individuals from other provinces are involved, they will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished once verified!"

"Any official at any level who neglects their duties, fails to report known cases, makes excuses to shirk responsibility, or even colludes with local criminals will be severely punished!"

He glanced around and then called out loudly, "Where is Gao Shijie, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice?"

Since Zhu Gaochi was convicted because of Zhu Gaoxu's case, the Ministry of Justice has been temporarily managed by Gao Shijie, which is why Zhu Yunwen summoned him at this moment.

Gao Shijie immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here!"

Zhu Yunwen stared intently at him, his gaze sharp and unwavering, and declared in a loud voice, "This case is being personally supervised by the Ministry of Justice. Every three days, the Ministry of Justice must report on the progress of the case to the Administrative Office. It must be investigated thoroughly!"

"Report to me every two weeks, detailing the progress, until all the criminals are apprehended, all the imprisoned people are rescued, and the case is closed!"

"Furthermore, by imperial decree, Ji Gang of the Bureau of Suppressing Thieves is to immediately proceed to Fujian to thoroughly investigate this case!"

Ji Gang was in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice, wielding immense power and enjoying a widespread reputation in the martial arts world. Countless legends about him circulated among the people.

But this is just the opinion of ordinary people, because his position has a direct connection with the people.

Therefore, the common people viewed him differently than they viewed other officials.

In the eyes of the common people, Ji Gang was like the "King of Hell," in charge of life and death, and capturing "demons and monsters."

In reality, compared to the real bigwigs in the Ming Dynasty court, Ji Gang was just a minor official. At this moment, he was still waiting outside the hall, not yet qualified to enter the hall for discussions.

Upon hearing His Majesty's order, Gao Shijie's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed and said, "Your subject obeys!"

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, his anger still lingering, and said, "We must thoroughly investigate the root cause internally, and we must also hunt down the criminals and rescue the imprisoned people externally."

"The government affairs office shall immediately select envoys to go to Siam and Bagan to demand an explanation!"

"The Political Affairs Department, together with the Military Affairs Department, simultaneously formulated a rescue plan."

"Mobilize a large army and divide it into two routes."

"We traveled by sea, heading straight for Siam and Bagan."

"The other route is by land, heading from the Yunnan area towards Siam and Bagan."

"If Siam and Bagan disobey orders and fail to apprehend the criminals or rescue the imprisoned Ming people, then the Ming army of our Great Ming Dynasty will take care of it!"

……

(End of this chapter)