Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 477 Money and Bones! Old Zhu Listens to the Street Cursing!
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, a warm feeling rising in his heart.

These words stirred up his past memories.

As a wandering monk who begged for alms in all directions, he also experienced the full spectrum of human emotions.

The humiliation of being chased away by the bully's dogs is still vivid in my mind.

But more often it's the kindness of ordinary people.

They opened their wooden gate and offered him the only coarse grains they had in their home, asking for nothing in return.

The same applies to itinerant merchants or traveling craftsmen; they rarely stay at taverns or inns, but rather stay in the homes of villagers, earning their keep through their skills or labor.

The pot mender repaired cooking utensils for farmers, the weaver helped spin thread, and Old Zhu relied on his monk skills to thank the villagers for taking him in by chanting sutras for blessings and exorcising evil spirits.

In those days, silver was scarce in the countryside, and ordinary people could not distinguish the purity of silver. Most households did not have scales that could accurately weigh silver.

There were some copper coins, though.

In the countryside, bartering or exchanging labor is far more common than exchanging money, but it is unheard of for children to stop passing merchants and ask for red envelopes or tips.

“Things are different now!” an old man sighed, his tone tinged with emotion and wistfulness. “Since the new emperor ascended the throne and implemented new policies, the world has taken on a completely new look.”

"In this world, everything is about money. Moral values ​​are declining, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What do you mean by that? Do you two gentlemen think that the current national policy of the court is good or bad?"

“Excellent, of course it is excellent!” Before the old man on the left could speak, the old man on the right with white hair and beard interjected, “Leaving aside everything else, just considering taxes and land rent, it is a world of difference compared to before.”

"Back then, my family rented twenty acres of poor land from a landlord. We worked from dawn till dusk, sweating profusely, but seven or eight tenths of the harvest had to be paid as rent and taxes."

"The little food left is barely enough to survive."

"In a good year, we can still feed our whole family. Even though life is hard, we can still get by."

His voice lowered and became slightly hoarse: "But if a year of famine comes, then you'll be helpless, with no one to turn to for help."

"There wasn't enough food, and people were so hungry they were dizzy and had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure it."

"Anything edible, whether tree bark or grass roots, will be used to fill our stomachs."

"It's not easy for this old man to live to this age; it's half due to his good fortune and half due to the good deeds of his ancestors!" he said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Another old man chimed in: "Ever since His Majesty took power... no, back when he was still the Crown Prince overseeing the country, the court established a land leasing management agency, strictly ordering all landowners in the land not to collect more than 30% of the rent."

"In this way, the burden on the people was immediately reduced by more than half."

"After His Majesty ascended the throne, he implemented new policies with great boldness, not only reducing taxes again, but also putting the land of landlords under the unified management of the government."

"The land rent these days is so low that it's unbelievable, and there's more and more hope for the future."

His words were full of emotion, and his eyes shone with sincere approval of the new policies.

He paused for a moment as he spoke, as if something had stirred his thoughts, and another person immediately chimed in: "If we were to discuss His Majesty's greatest virtuous policy, it would be the complete exemption of corvée labor!"

"Not only that, but trade routes were also opened up, allowing people to go out and make a living and find their own way to survive."

"If you ask me, corvée labor is the heaviest shackle weighing on the shoulders of us ordinary people!"

"Back in the day, when Emperor Taizu was in power, I was young and strong, but I was still conscripted to do a lot of corvée labor. As soon as the autumn harvest was over, the court would summon us to repair river embankments, build city walls, and construct government buildings. It was a miserable experience."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression stiffened slightly, as if a certain chord in his heart had been touched, but he concealed it very well, lowering his eyes and remaining silent.

The old man was completely oblivious, lost in his memories, his tone growing increasingly indignant: "Those overseers, they were all vicious!"

“If we slack off even slightly, we will be whipped, punched, and verbally abused without hesitation. They don’t treat us like human beings at all.”

“But we’re not made of clay!” he sneered. “If they’re unjust, we’ll be unjust too. We’ll sabotage them secretly and make those overseers suffer a bit, that’ll be a way to vent our anger.”

"Hmph, who told them to do that heartless thing first?" he said, his tone still indignant, but also revealing an unyielding pride.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression suddenly darkened, and a shadow fell over his brow.

Memories of building Zhongdu in Fengyang flooded my mind like a tidal wave.

Back then, the craftsmen who were forced to perform corvée labor harbored resentment and secretly performed "cursing spells" on the foundation and beams, attempting to curse him.

Enraged, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to execute tens of thousands of artisans and halt the construction of Zhongdu in Fengyang.

Of course, the real reason for the work stoppage was far more complex than it appeared on the surface; it was a political maneuvering deeply hidden within the imperial court.

The powerful and influential Huaixi nobles in the imperial court were deeply entrenched, and most of them came from the area around Fengyang. If the Ming Dynasty were to move its capital to this place, it would be tantamount to paving the way for their expansion of power, which would likely threaten the stability of the imperial authority.

The craftsmen's "cursed arts" were merely a convenient excuse for Zhu Yuanzhang to conceal his true strategic intentions.

The repercussions of this decision continue to reverberate between the government and the public.

Later, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict admitting that he had overused the people's labor and mistreated them, which was a crime.

It seems that not only the artisans who went to Zhongdu to serve complained about the corvée labor, but probably all the people in the world complained about it.

While they were pondering, another old man said, "When His Majesty first ascended the throne, he issued an edict to provide government-provided meals for those who were forced to perform corvée labor, and he also sent people to inspect and ensure that there were enough meals. Indeed, people were able to eat their fill."

"This measure has greatly lightened the burden on the people's shoulders."

"When the new policies were implemented," he changed his tone, his voice rising with a hint of awe, "His Majesty actually issued an edict to completely abolish corvée labor! From now on, the people will no longer be forced to work, and the court will only hire people with real money, never forcing a single person. Such benevolence has never been seen in a thousand years!"

As he spoke, his calloused hands waved in the air, his emotions running high.

Another old man chimed in, "I've heard people say that even the ancient sage rulers Yao and Shun required their people to pay taxes and perform corvée labor. But what about His Majesty today?"

"He exempted the people from all corvée labor and reduced taxes to a negligible level. Even if Yao and Shun were reborn, they could hardly match such benevolent governance!"

Before he could finish speaking, another old man chimed in, "My two sons are both working on government construction sites. Not only do they not need to provide their own food, but their wages are also quite generous, enough to ensure that the whole family has no worries about food and clothing."

An old man chimed in, "Thanks to the current imperial court for not forcibly conscripting laborers and for not restricting people from going out to make a living. My three sons have all gone to Nanjing and are working in workshops there, earning several times more money than they would from farming!"

When it came to Zhu Yunwen's policies, the elders seemed to have endless things to say. They talked on and on, like pouring out beans, praising Zhu Yunwen's new policies.

Old Zhu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "You all speak so eloquently, as if the current emperor is incomparably wise, and his new policies have benefited all people without any flaws."

“But just now, from what this old man said, he mentioned ‘the world is going downhill, and people’s hearts are no longer what they used to be.’ It seems there’s more to his words than meets the eye.” His gaze fell on the old man who had spoken first.

Just now, several old men were vying to praise the new emperor and his new policies, and this old man was no exception, praising them as well.

But Old Zhu clearly remembered that the man's initial tone was distinctly tinged with complaint and disdain.

This stark contrast left him truly puzzled.

The old man noticed Old Zhu's gaze, met his eyes, and smiled, "You're a merchant who's traveled all over the country. Don't you understand the changing times?"

Old Zhu was taken aback upon hearing this, and was about to speak when the old man took the opportunity to interrupt him, continuing, "Your Majesty's new policies have indeed a thousand benefits and ten thousand wonders. The people are prosperous, commerce is thriving, and the national strength is increasing day by day, far surpassing what it was in the past."

"However, there is only one thing that is regrettable: the world is becoming increasingly decadent and people's hearts are no longer the same."

"I heard that a new stock market has been set up in Jinling City. Landlords all over the country are selling their land to the government's banks, which then turn it into shares of various companies on the stock market."

“Those peasant families transformed into shareholders, each earning a fortune and becoming incredibly wealthy.”

"With money, these people indulged in extravagance and pleasure, frequenting brothels and living a life of debauchery. As a result, social morals declined rapidly."

The old man shook his head, his tone filled with deep helplessness: "In the past, even though every family was poor, they still had pride and knew what propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame meant."

"A gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way; it is a rule ingrained in his bones."

"But what about now?" His voice suddenly rose, filled with indignation: "They've eaten their fill, they have money in their pockets, but they've all become obsessed with money!"

"They'll follow whoever feeds them, throwing all sense of propriety, morality, and shame to the wind!"

"As long as you can make money, regardless of the means or the source, you are a capable person, a strong person, and a hero admired by everyone!"

The old man became even more excited as he spoke: "Take Mr. Kong from our village for example, he was a learned scholar."

"He speaks eloquently and fluently, his words are full of classical Chinese and the wisdom of sages. He can even recite the different ways to write the character '回' in great detail."

"He had passed the imperial examination at the county level in his early years and was highly respected in the village. When the villagers encountered problems, they would ask him for advice and respectfully call him 'Master'."

"But since the new policy was implemented, Mr. Kong has been unwilling to adapt to the times."

The old man sighed, full of regret: "The public schools established by the imperial court not only taught the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, but also added new subjects such as chemistry and physics, and even physiology courses."

“He denounced it as ‘heretical’ and unworthy to be taught alongside the teachings of the sages, as it would dishonor the scholars’ civility. Therefore, he refused to condescend to teach in the school and preferred to remain poor rather than associate with it.”

"He was unwilling to go to Nanjing to find a job."

He said, "Scholars should serve the emperor; how can they stoop to the level of merchants and dishonor the teachings of the sages?"

“He was unwilling to do any of these things, always saying ‘a gentleman is steadfast in poverty,’ preferring to live a life of poverty rather than bow down to worldly customs.”

“In the past, the villagers admired his integrity and regarded him as a role model.”

The old man's voice gradually lowered, and slowly became somewhat desolate: "But what about now? Mr. Kong's house is bare, his long gown is tattered and has not been replaced for a long time, and has long lost its former glory."

"But the villagers gradually prospered and made money."

"Seeing him down on his luck, they began to look down on him and even mock him."

"When major events occur in the village, no one asks him to step forward and uphold justice, simply because he is a 'poor and pedantic scholar,' what merit or ability does he have to make decisions for others?"

"This world is so wretched!" The old man said with resentment and helplessness. "No matter how many classic texts you've read or how much morality you know, if you can't make money, you're a useless person who can be bullied by everyone!"

"Conversely, even if you are illiterate, as long as you are rolling in money, people will fawn over you, flatter you, and elevate you to the heavens!"

He sighed deeply, his eyes dimming: "People's hearts have long since become unrecognizable!"

The old man picked up the teacup beside him and drank the tea in one gulp, like a cow gulping it down.

"Take those kids who asked you for red envelopes just now, for example. They're so young, but they've already been corrupted by the ways of the world."

"At a young age, when they saw merchants passing by on the national highway, they would swarm around them, laughing and begging for tips."

"If all they see is money, what will they become when they grow up?"

He shook his head, his voice low and filled with endless感慨 and worry: "This world has really changed..."

When the old men beside him heard him mention these things, they lost their previous high spirits and their faces were shrouded in a gloomy expression.

One of the old men sighed softly, "These people, once they have a few coins in their pockets, they think they are superior to others."

"The honest and obsequious demeanor of the past has turned into an arrogant and haughty attitude in the blink of an eye."

"In my opinion, this money is probably not a good thing. It will only make people lose their minds and forget their true nature."

Another old man frowned, his white brows furrowed, and said worriedly, "Do you think the court really turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to the changing social customs of the world?"

"As society becomes increasingly materialistic and people's hearts grow ever more greedy, is no one going to do anything about it?"

"The imperial court?" An old man beside him sneered. "My son, who works in Yingtian Prefecture, once mentioned that there are rumors circulating in the capital that the current emperor is encouraging people to buy more new clothes and spend more money in taverns and teahouses, saying it's to stimulate consumption and 'revitalize the market and boost commerce.' What kind of logic is that? It's nothing but decadence!"

"Utterly absurd!" An old man suddenly stood up, his hair and beard bristling, glaring angrily at the speaker. His rough fingers trembled as he pointed at him, his eyes seemingly blazing with fire: "His Majesty is a wise ruler, one in a thousand years, who works diligently to govern and cares for all people. How could he utter such absurd words?"

"Who is this heartless scoundrel who dares to fabricate rumors and slander His Majesty!"

"If I find out, I, Old Wang, will risk my old bones to smash his dog mouth with a hoe!"

Upon hearing this, the other elderly people also couldn't contain their indignation and spoke up as well.

"We can enjoy peace and tranquility today, with plenty of food, basking in the warm sun and chatting idly, all thanks to His Majesty's benevolence. We must have a conscience and repay kindness! Anyone who dares to gossip behind our backs and slander the court, I, Old Zhao, will be the first to not let them off the hook!"

"Indeed! This is absolutely not His Majesty's intention. It must be some treacherous villain spreading rumors and stirring up trouble in an attempt to undermine the people's morale! If I were to find this scoundrel, I would make him taste the pain of being skinned alive, and I would also report him to the court and have his entire family executed!"

"Anyone who dares to slander His Majesty is an enemy of my entire Zhang clan!" An old man gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his anger burning fiercely in his chest: "I swear I will never let him get away with this!"

"I, Old Li, feel the same way! If I find out who spread such vicious rumors, I will personally beat him to a pulp and throw his bones to feed those wild dogs!"

……

(End of this chapter)