Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 449 The Iron Dragon Shakes the World, A New Treaty!

The news of Zheng He's triumphant return with his fleet was like a thunderclap, sweeping through Nanjing and instantly igniting a burning passion in the hearts of the people.

Over the years, the Ming Dynasty's enthusiasm for going global has spread like wildfire, growing ever stronger.

Traveling to Japan and Southeast Asia is no longer a novelty; visiting Taiwan is as common as visiting relatives and friends.

However, the far reaches of the ocean are always shrouded in mystery, inspiring both longing and hesitation.

Today, Zheng He's return is like a dazzling ray of dawn, piercing through the fog of the unknown and sparking heated discussions in the streets and alleys.

People gathered in small groups at teahouses and taverns, speculating excitedly: Did this mean that the sea route to that vast new continent had been completely opened?
The city of Nanjing was like a pot of boiling soup, where noise, excitement, and anticipation intertwined to create a stirring melody that filled every inch of the air and lingered for a long time.

In contrast, the construction of new factories by the Steam Engine Company, the special production of large steam locomotives, and the imperial court's announcement of plans to build the nation's first railway failed to generate much excitement among the people.

In recent years, many strange and wonderful things have emerged in the Ming Dynasty, leaving people dazzled.

From wide roads paved with cement to steam-powered mechanical wonders, the people have long been accustomed to these earth-shattering changes, and their attitude has changed from initial amazement to taking it for granted.

In their eyes, railways are just a special kind of road, not much different from cement roads, and far less fascinating than the legendary stories of overseas exploration.

However, the situation was quite different in the imperial court.

The civil and military officials were stunned into silence by the astronomical figures required for the railway construction.

It is estimated that this huge sum of money is enough to build dozens of cement roads.

If Zhu Yunwen hadn't used his imperial power to forcefully implement this order, it's likely that no one in the entire court would have dared to agree.

After all, many veteran officials thought it was too crazy to spend such a huge amount of money to build a road.

They discussed it privately, filled with worry, fearing that if this ambitious plan went wrong, it would drain the national treasury and shake the foundations of the nation.

The route of the first railway in the Ming Dynasty had already been personally selected and meticulously planned by Zhu Yunwen: starting from Nanjing, passing through Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Wuxi, and Suzhou, and reaching Shanghai.

Then they headed south, passing through Jiaxing to Hangzhou, then turning towards Huzhou, and then to Xuanzhou, crossing Fuhu and Ma'anshan within the territory of Taiping Prefecture, before finally returning to Jinling.

This route, like a giant dragon, winds and coils, outlining a magnificent ring-shaped area covering the Yangtze River Delta.

It not only encompassed the most prosperous cities, but also cleverly included several important towns rich in mineral resources, laying a solid foundation for the future use of railways to transport mineral resources.

Without a doubt, once this railway is completed, it will be like a vital artery, injecting boundless vitality into the economic take-off of the Ming Dynasty. Its far-reaching impact will be immeasurable.

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance in the Imperial Palace.

A royal council meeting is underway.

The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated the solemn figures of the assembled officials, and a heavy atmosphere permeated the air.

Since the implementation of the new policy, the overall momentum has been smooth, but it has not been without its setbacks.

After all, as long as there are people, conflicts and struggles over interests are inevitable.

Even after some people have pocketed most of the benefits, they are still greedy and wish to keep all the advantages for themselves, not wanting anyone else to have even a penny.

This naked desire is deeply rooted in human nature and is difficult to eradicate.

Human hearts are complex, far more complex than chess pieces on a board that can move along a predetermined path.

Even a policy that benefits both the government and the people can be obstructed and difficult to implement due to selfish motives.

Therefore, during the implementation of the new policies, it was not uncommon for officials to be dismissed or even punished by Zhu Yunwen for secretly resisting or outwardly complying but inwardly defying him.

These people's overt or covert "soft resistance" is like a trickle of water; although it has not stirred up a huge wave, it still creates ripples beneath the calm surface of the court.

Fortunately, as long as the overall interests were not greatly harmed and the political situation remained stable, these sporadic dissenting voices ultimately failed to gain momentum and did not cause any major upheaval.

Under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule, the promotion and demotion of officials was a common occurrence in the court. They were either promoted for their merits or punished for their mistakes, and their rise and fall were unpredictable.

Now, Zhu Yunwen has inherited the throne and continues this iron-fisted style.

He not only continued the secret agent system established by the Taizu Emperor, sending spies to all corners of the country to investigate the true situation in various places, but also cleverly utilized the correspondence network of the Ministry of Posts and Communications to open a new chapter of "national supervision".

Letters from the common people poured into various departments in the capital, either pleading grievances or exposing abuses, making the methods of supervision more direct and incisive than those of the past.

In addition, Zhu Yunwen established a secret memorial system, which allowed a small number of trusted ministers to bypass the Office of Transmission and the Ministry of State Affairs in the event of an emergency or major incident, and submit secret memorials directly to the emperor in a sealed manner, which he would then personally open and read.

The contents of the secret memorial were known only to the emperor and the person who submitted it; no one else knew them.

This absolute secrecy not only ensured the authenticity and reliability of the information, but also instilled awe in the court officials, who feared that others would report the secrets to the emperor and dared not harbor any disloyal thoughts.

This series of interconnected systems is like an invisible net, firmly covering every inch of the Ming Dynasty's land.

Whether it was the subtle movements in a remote border town or the undercurrents in the imperial court, nothing escaped Zhu Yunwen's notice.

His grasp of the world situation was precise and profound, like a master chess player holding the board, making every move with complete confidence.

This is precisely why the new policy has been able to move forward steadily and gradually show results.

To this day, many of the former feudal landlords have transformed into new types of industrial capitalists who hold a large number of company shares.

Once your stance changes, your perspective will naturally change as well.

Many changes didn't even require Zhu Yunwen to actively promote them.

At this moment, the assembled officials stood solemnly in the hall, looking at the young emperor on the throne. They felt both respect and fear, knowing that this monarch, though seemingly carefree and romantic, was actually insightful and ruthless, and was not someone who could be easily fooled.

"Sit down, everyone, sit down and let's talk."

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand gently, his tone mild.

A group of eunuchs entered the hall silently, their movements perfectly synchronized, and placed an exquisite but low nanmu stool behind each minister.

Although the stool is small, the carving is exquisite, exuding a simple nobility that complements the solemnity of the Golden Palace.

The ministers looked at each other, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes, exchanging puzzled glances.

Such an arrangement was unprecedented in the imperial court. They couldn't fathom the young emperor's intentions, and a sense of caution settled in the air.

Zhu Yunwen's gaze slowly swept across the hall. He cleared his throat and spoke in a low but clear voice that echoed in every corner of the hall: "From this day forward, whenever a court assembly lasts more than an hour, all officials who are qualified to enter the hall to discuss state affairs will be granted a seat."

"I do not wish for you to waste your energy on the fatigue of standing, secretly hoping to return home after court, but rather to devote all your energy to devising strategies for the country and relieving the people's worries."

Zhu Yunwen understood the thoughts of these court officials all too well.

Those ministers who stood in the court for a long time were not fundamentally different from the ordinary people he remembered from his previous life who were tormented by long meetings.

Standing for a long time makes my back ache and my legs go numb. My thoughts have already wandered away, and all I can think about is when the meeting will end. How can I have any energy left to think about national affairs?
In my past life, some meetings that required lower-class workers to stand up were purely for obedience tests, with form far outweighing substance.

However, when the emperor and his ministers discuss state affairs in the imperial court, they need real wisdom and strategy.

Overemphasizing the obedience of subjects may demonstrate the supreme power of the emperor, but if it exhausts the subjects and causes them to neglect the fundamentals of governing the country, how can the country last long?

Therefore, after careful consideration, Zhu Yunwen decided that for short meetings, the officials should remain standing to demonstrate the majesty of the emperor and remind them of the proper etiquette between ruler and subject. However, if the meetings lasted too long, he would grant them seats as a sign of favor, allowing them to catch their breath and focus wholeheartedly on formulating national policies.

This is not only out of consideration for the subjects, but also to allow them to concentrate on how to govern the country.

"I know that all of you officials are loyal to the country and work diligently day and night."

Zhu Yunwen's eyes softened with warmth: "The Ming Dynasty is now thriving, with its industry booming, people's livelihoods improving daily, and national affairs becoming increasingly complex."

“In the past, in the agricultural world, following the rules and regulations could ensure a peaceful life. But now, with the rise of industry and the prosperity of trade, we need all of you to pool your wisdom and do your utmost to deal with this complex situation.”

"I do not wish to see my officials distracted by physical exhaustion. By offering you seats, I express my care and my expectations. I hope that you will dedicate yourselves to building a lasting foundation for the Ming Dynasty with renewed vigor."

These words were like a gentle spring breeze, and all the ministers were deeply moved upon hearing them.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" The ministers all knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.

Zhu Yunwen slightly raised his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.

One by one, the ministers carefully rose and sat down on the low stools.

"There are two matters to be discussed at today's court assembly."

Yang Shiqi stood up and announced the agenda for the meeting.

"Firstly, the Goryeo delegation came to our Great Ming to conclude a peace treaty; secondly, the Zheng He fleet's return from its voyage to the Ming court."

Zhu Yunwen sat upright on the dragon throne, his face calm.

Since ascending the throne, he has established an ironclad rule: court assemblies shall only discuss established matters, and irrelevant topics shall not be mentioned.

If a minister needs to report on other matters, he may request an audience alone or submit a memorial. He must never speak out in the court without authorization, or he will be punished for disrupting the order of the court.

Zhu Yunwen was well aware that there were many treacherous individuals in history who would take advantage of the large number of people in court to raise unexpected issues, incite public opinion, and secretly hinder imperial power.

In the imperial court, with a gathering of officials, if someone secretly plots and then suddenly launches an attack, the emperor may be forced to compromise due to the circumstances.

In private, when the emperor meets with his ministers, it is a one-on-one confrontation between the emperor and his ministers, making it easier for the emperor to control the situation.

How could Zhu Yunwen allow such a hidden danger to grow?
A simple ban would cut off the root cause of the chaos.

On the surface, he was sometimes lazy and quite lenient with his subjects, unlike his father, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was hands-on in everything and had no threatening power to lash out at the slightest provocation.

However, the court officials knew very well that this young emperor, though seemingly mild-mannered, actually controlled the power of the court very tightly, and his degree of centralization of power far exceeded that of the old Zhu Yuanzhang.

The Office of Government Affairs was described as a decentralized "Prime Minister," and the Ministers of Government Affairs were privately referred to as "Chief Ministers" by officials, but in reality, they only had power when Zhu Yunwen was not involved in affairs.

Once the emperor intervened, the ministers of state affairs could only kneel and accept the written record.

"The Goryeo delegation has been in Beijing for nearly a year. We have been ordered to consult with them repeatedly, but we have been unable to reach a consensus."

The newly appointed Minister of Rites, Shen Moshu, rose and bowed deeply, saying, "We are incompetent; please punish us, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunwen glanced at him indifferently and asked, "I asked you to draft the treaty first. Is it all done?"

Shen Moshu was slightly taken aback.

The Ministry of Rites had, of course, already finalized the treaty.

But Goryeo kept disagreeing, and it was no use.

Actually, he wanted to make some changes. Negotiation is about both sides bargaining.

Although the Ming Dynasty held the advantage, Goryeo was unwilling to sign even with the agreement unchanged.

However, his several revisions were rejected by the administrative office.

This put Shen Moshu in a dilemma.

Goryeo would not agree to the treaty unless it was amended.

The treaty was amended, but the administrative office refused to approve it.

Therefore, the negotiations between the two sides have been deadlocked for almost a year.

Today, His Majesty has finally allowed this matter to be discussed in the court.

"It's been drafted. Please take a look, Your Majesty." After a moment's thought, Shen Moshu took out the treaty that had been drafted long ago from his sleeve.

The eunuch quickly came over, took it, and handed it to Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen unfolded the draft and saw that it contained several articles.

Firstly, Goryeo should submit to the Ming Dynasty and follow the old system of Japan, respecting the Ming Dynasty as its suzerain.

From then on, the Goryeo throne was forever passed down through the Yi family.

However, each successor to the throne must be officially recognized by the Ming Dynasty court to be considered legitimate.

This clause not only demonstrated the majesty of the Ming Dynasty but also provided protection for the Goryeo royal family, ensuring the continuation of its dynasty.

Secondly, at Goryeo's request, the Ming Dynasty will dispatch elite troops to its territory to protect its land and the safety of the Yi royal family.

All expenses for stationing troops will be borne by Goryeo as a sign of its sincerity.

The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty traveled to foreign lands, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting their allies.

Thirdly, the Ming Dynasty will devote all its efforts to assisting Goryeo in revitalizing its economy, including building a cement road from Beiping directly to the Goryeo capital and a large seaport to facilitate trade and benefit the people.

The section of the cement road within the Ming Dynasty's territory was to be constructed by the Ming Dynasty itself; as for the section within Goryeo, due to the lack of high-quality cement and concrete technology, the Ming Dynasty would dispatch skilled craftsmen to assist in its construction.

All related expenses were paid by Korea to ensure fairness in the cooperation.

This avenue is not only a vital trade route, but also a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

Once completed, it will attract merchants and goods, leading to more frequent exchanges among the people and an increase in their well-being.

The same applies to seaports; the Ming Dynasty sent skilled workers to assist in their construction, with the costs borne by Goryeo.

Fourth, based on the principle of good neighborliness, both sides pledged to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity and to exchange goods and services.

The Ming Dynasty and Goryeo will open their markets to each other, exempting each other from all tariffs on import and export trade, and prohibiting the establishment of any targeted barriers within their respective countries to ensure smooth trade.

Goryeo welcomes merchants from the Ming Dynasty to invest and start businesses. Whether it is financial services of the Ming Bank, cultural dissemination of the Ming Daily, or various commodities of the Ming Department Store, they can operate freely.

This move aimed to allow Goryeo to also purchase goods from the Ming Dynasty and share in its prosperity.

……

P.S.: I recommend a friend's new book, "The Ming Dynasty: I Really Don't Want to Be Lan Yu," a novel about a man who transmigrates into the body of Lan Yu. It's quite good!

(End of this chapter)