Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 479 The First Price of Industrialization, Old Zhu's Question!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan froze, as if bound by an invisible pressure.

The new policies are a governing strategy personally devised by the current emperor, and they concern the rise and fall of the nation.

The Emperor's inquiry into the merits and demerits of the new policies appeared casual on the surface, but it actually concealed a deeper meaning.

How could Jiang Huan dare to comment on such a sensitive matter so easily?
Whether he praises the grand vision of the new policies or points out their minor flaws, he will likely find it difficult to escape criticism.

If we rashly adopt an ambiguous, fence-sitting approach, we risk being seen by Old Zhu as indecisive and of questionable character.

Jiang Huan was no ordinary person to have risen to the high position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Faced with this seemingly unsolvable question, his mind raced, but his face remained calm and composed, as steady as a rock.

He bowed slightly and said humbly, "Please forgive me, sir. I am but a commoner, only capable of guarding, and have no talent to govern the world."

"The success or failure of the new policy needs time to settle, and perhaps ten or twenty years will be enough to reveal its true nature. I am a foolish and short-sighted commoner, and it is really difficult for me to see the whole picture."

"All things in nature have their own uses, and people in the world each have their own strengths."

"In my humble opinion, the most important thing in life is to be conscientious and do one's duty well."

"As a guard, I only know to do my best to protect you, sir. As for important matters of state, I am not knowledgeable enough to make any judgments."

Old Zhu laughed loudly: "What a fine word, 'keeping to one's duty'! If everyone in the world could be like you, content with their responsibilities, not overstepping boundaries, and not harboring improper thoughts, how could the Ming Dynasty not have a long reign, and how could the world not be at peace?"

After speaking, Old Zhu lowered his gaze slightly, casually closed the carriage window, and the curtain fell, blocking out the sounds and sights inside and outside the carriage.

The carriage moved slowly forward amidst the creaking of its wheels and axles.

The cold wind outside the car was biting, howling like knives.

Jiang Huan sat upright on his horse, his upper body ramrod straight, his expression unwavering. Only the fine beads of sweat that quietly seeped from his forehead betrayed the turmoil he had just experienced.

Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger.

Serving Old Zhu was always like walking on thin ice; one had to be on high alert at all times and deal with things with utmost care.

A slight misstep or improper handling could ruin one's future, ranging from losing one's position to being beheaded.

Thinking about it carefully, serving His Majesty the present is much more reassuring than serving the supreme emperor with trepidation.

His Majesty is kind-hearted and tolerant. Even if he is dissatisfied with someone, as long as they do not commit a heinous crime, they will only be demoted or dismissed from office, and their lives will not be in danger.

The Supreme Emperor, however, was different. He hated evil and was strict with those around him, tolerating no mistakes whatsoever, keeping everyone on edge at all times.

However, the threads of fate had already bound him and Old Zhu tightly together, making it impossible to sever their ties.

As a veteran minister promoted by the supreme emperor, His Majesty's trust in him was always somewhat reserved, far less than the reliance that Emperor Zhu placed on him.

What good is kindness if he is not given an important position?
That's it, the only way to gain favor is to follow the Supreme Emperor.

Jiang Huan was in turmoil, but his steed kept moving, closely following the slowly advancing carriage.

……

For this trip, Old Zhu's carriage was quite elaborate, equipped with newly developed rubber tires, and the original shock-absorbing springs were also improved once again.

Compared to the horse-drawn carriages of the past, this new type of carriage was as smooth as flowing water. Although Old Zhu was old and his health was gradually declining, he did not feel any discomfort from the bumps and jolting as he sat in the carriage on the cement road.

Their caravan consisted of eight carriages and a dozen or so mounted guards, disguised as ordinary merchants, and they traveled north in a grand procession.

They traveled along the national highway, passing through Xuzhou, but instead of continuing north to Shandong, they changed course and headed west, following another official road leading west, passing through Kaifeng and Luoyang, and finally arriving in Xi'an.

Along the way, the convoy stopped frequently. Old Zhu would sometimes get out of the car to check on the hardships of the people, and sometimes chat with the people on the roadside, asking about the harvest and the prices in the market.

Under Zhu Yunwen's rule, although other parts of the Ming Dynasty were not as prosperous as Yingtian Prefecture, they were still well-ordered and the people lived in peace and contentment.

In the fields, farmers work diligently, their faces showing less worry.

In the bustling streets and alleys, the shouts of vendors rise and fall, exuding vitality.

In major cities, commerce and trade are much more prosperous than before.

Looking around, the signs of a prosperous era are already beginning to emerge.

No one went hungry, no one slept on the streets, and even in the dead of winter, no one froze to death.

Especially in the shops of Daming Department Store, people came and went in droves, shoulder to shoulder.

This is largely due to the rapid development of industrialized production and the remarkable efficiency of centralized procurement and sales.

The department store has countless goods.

From delicate porcelain bowls to sturdy ironware, from soft fabrics to everyday necessities like salt…

Their prices are far lower than similar products sold by street vendors in the past, and their quality is superior.

Good quality and low price!

The people naturally flocked to the scene.

Among these are many products that ordinary people had never thought of buying before.

For example, shoes meticulously crafted with rubber soles.

Slightly more expensive than traditional straw sandals, they are sturdy and durable, with one pair lasting as long as several or even dozens of pairs of straw sandals.

Upon closer examination, this expense is actually quite worthwhile.

In the past, ordinary people liked to weave their own straw sandals, which took a long time and a lot of hard work, but they were not very durable.

Even if they were sold, they would only fetch a few coins.

Nowadays, with the implementation of various projects by the imperial court, more and more people are working outside the capital.

In the same amount of time, working outside can earn several times more money than weaving straw sandals at home.

People naturally preferred to work and then use their earnings to buy shoes.

Another example is fire-starting materials.

In the past, people relied heavily on tinderboxes sold by fire vendors to start fires.

Not only were those tinderboxes expensive, but they also often had various problems, making them difficult to light, which was always very frustrating.

Today, the factory production lines in the Ming Dynasty are producing a novel kind of "match" in an astonishingly low price. With just a light touch, it can produce a reliable flame.

It's convenient and quick, and countless times better than the old tinderbox.

……

Countless new items like these have changed the lives of many people.

However, this has led to a growing dependence on money among the general public.

In the past, poor families rarely dealt with money throughout the year, and relied on self-sufficiency for all their necessities.

Men tilled the fields, and women wove cloth.

Most of the items needed in the home are made by hand.

No money is required. Occasionally, when there is a shortage, it is usually resolved by neighbors exchanging goods or bartering.

The most distinctive feature of small-scale peasant economy is its self-sufficiency.

Even markets are not necessary.

However, without anyone noticing, this agricultural tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years has been completely eroded by the tides of time.

People gradually abandoned their old habits of working at home and instead used the copper coins they had painstakingly saved to exchange for various goods produced on the assembly line in factories.

This transformation undoubtedly ignited the city's commercial prosperity.

The market was bustling with activity, shops were piled high with goods, and the sounds of trading filled the air, creating a vibrant and prosperous scene.

However, behind the prosperity, the idea of ​​money worship has spread like wildfire among the people.

Traditional Confucian ideals—benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness—still resonate in rural ancestral halls, yet they are unable to resist the allure of money.

People began to measure social status by wealth, and conversations among ordinary people in the city revolved primarily around money.

The old principles of valuing righteousness over profit seem to be quietly eroded by this new trend.

In bustling cities, the spoiled sons of wealthy families are increasingly indulging in a life of pleasure and debauchery.

At the same time, with the booming development of the commodity economy, various entertainment industries sprang up like mushrooms after rain, quickly sweeping across every corner of the city.

The storyteller's melodious and rhythmic singing, the performers' exquisite and unparalleled acting, the humor and wit of the slapstick comedy, the dazzling skills of the acrobats, and even the song and dance performances openly staged in the streets and alleys, all make people linger and forget to leave.

In major cities like Kaifeng and Xi'an, dedicated theaters sprang up one after another, filled with the sounds of gongs and drums and the melodious strains of string and wind instruments, attracting countless people eager to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.

As for brothels and taverns, they were scattered everywhere, with bright lights, clinking glasses, and noisy chatter that lasted all night.

Zhu Yuanzhang came from a poor family and was a man who rose from humble beginnings through hardship.

His early years of wandering and displacement instilled in him a deep belief that only through hard work could ordinary people earn enough to eat and live a stable life.

In his view, if one does not work hard for even a day, but instead indulges in play and pleasure, it is an unforgivable depravity.

Whenever he slacked off even slightly, he would deeply blame himself and secretly admonish himself: he must never indulge himself again and must be diligent and self-disciplined.

This belief was not only deeply ingrained in his heart, but also transformed into his daily actions.

As an emperor, he set an example by his own conduct and was a model of diligence in governance.

However, during his travels, he witnessed too many people abandoning their farming duties to linger in theaters and taverns, indulging in song, dance, and entertainment.

Some people do this every day, squandering their time.

This scene ignited an uncontrollable resentment in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

His heart, weathered by life's storms, seemed to be pierced by invisible thorns, causing a dull ache.

If it were him in his younger days, he would have been furious and issued an order without hesitation to shut down these noisy theaters, arrest all those who indulged in debauchery, give each of them dozens of lashes, and force them to return to the way of work.

Anyone who dares to linger in these frivolous places again will be severely punished as a warning to others.

But now, Zhu Yuanzhang had already gained a basic understanding of economics through his exchanges with Zhu Yunwen, and he understood that these seemingly extravagant expenditures were actually like trickles of water that converged into a powerful force driving the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty's economy.

Those extravagant and wasteful spending not only maintained the liveliness of the city, but also allowed merchants' goods to circulate, and taxes to continuously fill the national treasury.

If a complete ban is implemented, it may rectify social customs, but it will inevitably harm the economy and may even shake the foundation of the country.

Before leaving Beijing, Zhu Yunwen had told his father that once the basic needs of the people to have enough to eat were met, entertainment, consumption, extravagance, and the desire to keep up with the Joneses would become the driving force for economic development.

If it weren't for building new houses, buying new clothes, comparing themselves with others, and proving that they are not inferior to others, what reason would ordinary people have to work hard?
Once you've filled your stomach, can't you just lie down and relax for the rest of the time?
To get them to work, to make the Ming Dynasty's economy prosperous, and to ensure the continued development of its industry, we must get them to "consume," to compete to buy new clothes and all kinds of new goods, and to spend money in various consumer venues.

Only in this way can the products manufactured in the factories be sold, and only then can the economy of the Ming Dynasty flourish.

Zhu Yunwen told Old Zhu that after entering the industrial age, people no longer worked for survival, but for consumption, and consumption drove economic development.

Therefore, although officials at all levels still outwardly urge the people to stay away from extravagance and be thrifty.

However, the imperial court secretly restrained local officials, forbidding them from interfering rashly and prohibiting the government from regulating the operation of these entertainment venues.

Such an attitude is, in effect, tacitly approving the booming development of these industries, even allowing them to spread like wildfire.

Of course, if the extravagance in some places becomes too outrageous and arouses strong public dissatisfaction, the government will step in at the right time to make some adjustments in the name of upholding morality and quell public anger.

However, such interventions are often superficial and merely for show, unable to conceal the underlying indulgence of economic interests.

Standing in front of the most magnificent opera stage in Xi'an, Zhu Yuanzhang observed the bustling crowds.

They came in small groups or with their families, their faces beaming with anticipation, eagerly rushing into the bustling theater to chase after a moment of pleasure.

Old Zhu sighed and asked, "Tell me, is the advent of the steam engine a blessing or a curse for our Great Ming Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan and Jiang Huan, who were standing beside him, both lowered their heads and remained silent, as if they had not heard anything.

They knew the emperor's temperament well and understood that remaining silent at this moment was far more prudent than responding rashly.

A somber atmosphere hung in the air, broken only by the faint sounds of string and wind instruments emanating from inside the theater, mingled with the laughter of the crowd.

Old Zhu's gaze slowly swept across the streets and alleys, his voice heavy: "A steam engine, with the power to pump water, is comparable to a hundred people treading a waterwheel day and night. Its efficiency is astonishing."

"However, if the fields rely entirely on this for irrigation, the farmers will no longer be burdened with heavy labor. Without the watering of sweat, won't people's hearts gradually slacken, and a lazy trend quietly arise?"

He paused, then lowered his voice, as if asking himself or speaking: "All ills stem from laziness. Without the steam engine, farmers would have to toil in the fields every day, rising early and retiring late. How could they have the leisure to linger in this theater and indulge in singing and dancing?"

Old Zhu turned around, pointed to the ornately decorated entrance of the opera house, and said with a hint of indignation in his voice: "Look at these decadent sounds, these scenes of living a life of debauchery!"

"They erode people's will like poison, making them forget the hardship of farming and the essence of diligence."

"If everyone does this, indulging in pleasure and squandering time, how can the foundation of my Great Ming Dynasty be secure?"

He shook his head, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. "Only by working from sunrise to sunset, toiling diligently year after year, can one truly live like a human being!"

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang's tone became increasingly impassioned, as if the resentment that had been building up in his chest for a long time was finally bursting forth.

Throughout his life, he rose from an impoverished peasant to the emperor, relying on his indomitable tenacity and endless diligence.

More than sixty years of trials and tribulations have long since etched the belief that "labor is virtue" into his very being.

Old Zhu could not tolerate those extravagant scenes and those dissolute faces; they were like thorns in his side.

Only when Old Zhu saw farmers sweating profusely in the fields, scholars engrossed in their books, and street sweepers working diligently, would his tightly furrowed brows relax slightly and a smile of satisfaction appear on his lips.

Conversely, he disliked those who went to the theater, or those who wandered the streets doing nothing.

"Well said! This steam engine is the root of all evil!" A clear voice suddenly rang out from the side, interrupting Old Zhu's thoughts.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young scholar in a blue robe, his eyes shining with approval.

The scholar bowed to him and said loudly, "Sir, your words are truly enlightening and resonate deeply with me!"

"If everyone indulges in pleasure, where will the pillars of the nation be? Where will the backbone of the people be?"

……

(End of this chapter)