Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 480 Destroy the Steam Engine and the Factory? The Old Farmer's Curses!
In a quaint and elegant tavern in Xi'an, Old Zhu invited the scholar in the blue robe to sit down and drink together.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and wine. The two men clinked glasses and chatted animatedly.

When the topic turned to the new policies of the current dynasty, a layer of worry and indignation suddenly appeared between the scholar's brows, his hand holding the wine cup tightened slightly, and his voice revealed an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

"Your Majesty has worked diligently to govern the country and implemented new policies, aiming to ensure that all people in the land can have enough to eat and live in peace. This is a benevolent act that benefits all people and is truly admirable!"

At this point, the scholar's tone softened slightly, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes: "His Majesty personally oversaw the creation of novel machines such as the steam engine, which far surpasses human power in tasks such as pumping water for irrigation and grinding grains."

"These tools allow people to have enough to eat and wear with just a little effort."

"In the short term, such benevolent governance is truly praiseworthy."

The scholar paused, his gaze gradually becoming heavy, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.

After a long pause, he sighed softly, his tone turning low: "However, as the ancients said, 'He who does not plan for the long term is not fit to plan for the short term.'"

"Everyone in the world has their own destiny."

"Farmers should till the fields, laborers should carry heavy loads, and sedan chair carriers should run around carrying bridges every day."

"When all living beings perform their respective duties, the world can be in good order."

"But since the invention of the steam engine, the need for manpower has been greatly reduced, while income has increased considerably. If we allow them to be idle and have nothing to do, I fear that endless troubles may arise."

The scholar picked up his wine cup, stared at the amber liquid inside, and a trace of worry flashed across his eyes: "Once people have free time, they will find their own ways to pass the time."

"If it is just listening to music and watching plays, although it may lead people to indulge in frivolous pursuits and lose their ambition, it is not a big problem."

"But what worries me is that people have never been satisfied since ancient times. Once the desire for pleasure arises, will they stop here?"

The scholar's voice suddenly rose, tinged with sorrow: "Nowadays in Xi'an, cockfighting, dog racing, drunkenness, and gambling are becoming increasingly rampant."

"There is also a game called 'Leaf Game' that is popular in the streets and alleys."

"This game is played by four people sitting around a table, using bamboo tiles to gamble. Although the amount of money involved is small, it has become quite popular."

"What is heartbreaking is that not only men in the city are addicted to it, but even women in their boudoirs and virtuous ladies are also enjoying it."

"The morals of our Great Ming Dynasty have degenerated to such a state; how can one not feel deep regret and sigh with sorrow!"

The scholar grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his chest heaving slightly as if anger was surging within him.

He suddenly raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp. The burning sensation in his throat mirrored his deep sorrow and indignation.

He put down his wine glass, his gaze intense, and continued, "What worries me even more is that those idle people, who gather together to chat every day, may very well harbor evil intentions."

"If anyone takes this opportunity to incite unrest, spread misleading rumors, or even harbors disloyal intentions to harm the court, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"If this trend continues, the people's hearts will surely be in turmoil; if the people's hearts are in turmoil, how can the Ming Dynasty's empire remain secure for long?"

As he finished speaking, tears welled up in his eyes, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned slightly white.

The clamor in the tavern seemed to quiet down at that moment, leaving only his long sigh echoing between the two of them.

Old Zhu picked up his wine glass, the liquid inside swirling slightly in the candlelight.

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, feeling the burning heat of the strong liquor in his throat. He then put down the cup, picked up the wine pot, and the porcelain pot lightly touched the rim of the cup, making a crisp sound. The liquor gurgled and flowed, exuding a faint aroma.

As he poured the wine, he asked, "In your opinion, how should the court respond to the current situation in order to stabilize the foundation of the nation?"

The scholar straightened his expression slightly, and said in a clear and solemn voice: "The national policies implemented by Your Majesty are all excellent."

"If the lowly status is abolished, the land in the country is measured and brought under the management of the government to curb the land annexation by powerful families, and land rent is reduced and taxes are waived, each of these measures are benevolent policies that benefit the people and are worthy of being recorded in history."

He then changed his tone: "However, in my humble opinion, there are two strategies that are quite inappropriate."

"Firstly, abolishing the corvée labor system was a mistake." The scholar's tone gradually changed: "Besides the important tasks of building water conservancy, constructing city walls, and transporting grain, the deeper purpose of the court's corvée labor system was to prevent the people from having time to cause trouble."

As an ancient saying goes, "When people are weary, they think; when they think, good intentions arise. When they are idle, they become licentious; when they are licentious, they forget goodness; when they forget goodness, evil intentions arise."

"Only by making the people work hard every day, their clothes soaked with sweat, and having no time to gossip and chat, can we prevent the trouble from arising."

He spoke fluently, as if he had a thousand words in his heart that he could finally express today.

"Imagine if the people were idle and had nothing to do, spending their days gathering in the streets and alleys, sitting and chatting idly. Rumors would surely spread, and they might even have unrealistic ideas. Wouldn't the foundation of the nation be in grave danger?"

"Therefore, the most urgent task is for the court to immediately reinstate corvée labor so that the people can return to the normal course of labor and not have time for leisure. Only in this way can the people's hearts be stabilized and the country be secure."

"Secondly, all steam engines and various machines in factories should be destroyed and strictly prohibited from being used again."

The scholar spoke with sharp words and intense emotion: "A single steam engine can be as effective as the work of dozens or even hundreds of people."

"If the imperial court promotes this product on a large scale, how will the people who originally relied on manual labor make a living?"

"Moreover, the introduction of numerous machines into the factory, coupled with the assembly line method, has greatly increased production efficiency."

"It is said that a craftsman at the Great Ming Steelworks can now produce more than fifty times the amount of steel in a single day compared to the old days!"

"The cloth spun by one loom in a textile factory in one day is equivalent to the cloth woven by an ordinary woman in a hundred days."

“If this continues, blacksmiths, weavers and other craftspeople will likely lose their livelihoods and become homeless.”

He took a deep breath and said, "If we blindly pursue the benefits of machinery and allow factories to spring up everywhere, where will the people find a place to live and make a living?"

“In the streets and alleys, the unemployed will surely complain, and social unrest is foreseeable.”

"Only by ordering the destruction of all steam engines, closing newly built factories, and strictly prohibiting the manufacture of new engines and the construction of new factories can people have something to do, regain their livelihood, and rebuild the foundation of people's livelihood."

The scholar softened his tone slightly: "Indeed, abandoning the steam engine and shutting down factories may temporarily damage the Ming Dynasty's finances and strain the national treasury."

"However, for the sake of the nation's enduring foundation and to prevent people's hearts from becoming corrupt and decadent due to complacency, what is there to regret in such sacrifices?"

"A virtuous person remains steadfast in poverty, and so should a nation."

He raised his head, his face resolute, and said in a deep voice: "If the court only pursues profit and focuses solely on economic development, and newspapers constantly tout the scene of prosperity, and the country still prioritizes money above all else, how can we blame the people for being greedy, forgetting morality, and indulging in pleasure?"

"The state should take the lead in setting an example, upholding the way of the sages, and demonstrating that morality is far more important than the benefits of money. Only in this way can the people be educated, and all people be guided to follow the right path."

"In my opinion, the destruction of the steam engines and the closure of the factory should be done without delay."

"Although this move is painful, it is for the long-term benefit of the Ming Dynasty and for the benefit of all people. We must not hesitate because of temporary gains or losses."

The scholar had barely finished his impassioned speech when a deafening slam of his hand came from the next table.

An old man suddenly stood up, his hair and beard bristling, his eyes blazing like torches. He glared fiercely at the scholar in the blue robe and roared, "Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit! It stinks to high heaven!"

The extremely rude and abusive rebuke exploded like thunder, instantly silencing the tavern as everyone turned to look at it.

The old man strode up to the scholar's desk, pointed his calloused finger at the scholar, and said in a booming voice, "Ask yourself honestly, what do the common people toil for all day long?" Before the scholar could speak, the old man raised his head and replied, "Nothing more than seeking a meal and a coat to cover their bodies!"

"Besides, if one can drink a cup of light wine after a busy day and get a moment's respite, that would be a great comfort."

His tone was filled with grief and indignation: "But in your mouth, the people taking a short rest is considered an unforgivable and heinous crime? What absurd logic this is!"

The old man took another step forward, the dust on his clothes still faintly visible. He said angrily, "I want to ask you, how do you have the leisure to sit here, raising your cups, talking about everything under the sun, and discussing national affairs?"

Why not go to the fields and sweat profusely, or carry heavy loads under the scorching sun, and personally experience the taste of hardship?

"When you criticize others, why don't you set an example by your own actions first?"

Caught off guard, the scholar was subjected to such a scathing rebuke, and his handsome face flushed red with shame and anger.

He also stood up, pointed at the old man, his slender fingers trembling slightly, and said angrily, "You old man, how can you be so rude and uncouth, insulting others with your first words? You've brought shame upon yourself!"

As a scholar, he was well-versed in the teachings of sages and virtuous men. Even when he was burning with anger, he would not stoop to utter vulgar words. He could only repeat himself in this way, his tone full of indignation and helplessness.

After calming down for a moment, the scholar suppressed his anger, straightened his back, and tried to regain the demeanor of a scholar, saying loudly, "All things in nature are different."

"People are also divided into different classes, noble and lowly."

"I am a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the county level. I studied the classics and the knowledge of governing the country, bringing peace to the people, and managing the world."

"It is our duty to comment on the government's affairs, analyze the current problems, and offer suggestions to the court."

His gaze sharpened, tinged with a hint of self-confidence: "If I were to abandon my books, bury myself in the fields, and do that kind of menial labor, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse and wasting my talents?"

"As the ancients said, 'Those who labor with their minds govern others; those who labor with their bodies are governed by others.' This is a matter of course!"

“Those arduous tasks of plowing and carrying heavy loads should naturally be undertaken by you hardworking people. How can we scholars be expected to stoop down and labor in the fields?”

Upon hearing the scholar's words, the old man flew into a rage, slammed his hand on the table, causing the wine cup to tremble slightly and make a crisp clinking sound.

His beard and hair stood on end, and he shouted sternly, "It really is a fart, it stinks to high heaven!"

His voice was rough and powerful, with a hint of sparks, as if it would ignite every inch of air in the tavern.

He leaned forward, his calloused hands clenched tightly, and questioned, "Why can you sit here comfortably, raising your cup to drink and discussing world affairs, while demanding that others toil day and night, not even allowed a moment's respite?"

"You call yourself a scholar, spouting the teachings of sages and saints, but have you never heard Confucius say, 'In education, there should be no discrimination'?"

"If you can hold a book and study it, how can the children of commoners and farmers not be able to?"

The old man looked around, his gaze sweeping over the tense crowd in the tavern, and his tone became increasingly impassioned: "Nowadays, factories in the Ming Dynasty recruit craftsmen who are literate."

"His Majesty promoted education and built tutoring classes in many places, requiring everyone to read and write."

"If that is the case, then everyone in the world can be a student, and everyone has the right to enjoy a cup of tea and discuss national affairs after a day's work."

"What merit or ability do you have to condemn others for taking a break?"

He sneered, his tone a mixture of mockery and indignation: "The way of the sages teaches people to be kind and equal, and has never taught you such arrogance!"

"Our Great Ming Emperor Taizu Gao was poor from childhood. In your opinion, he should have spent his whole life working with hoes, illiterate, and should not have been able to rule the world?"

"Are your words perhaps harboring malicious intent, questioning the legitimacy of our dynasty's rise to power?"

The scholar was immediately rendered speechless, his handsome face turning bright red as if scorched by flames.

He could only glare angrily at the old man to express his dissatisfaction.

The old man did not back down and continued, "Scholars study diligently and pay attention to rules and methods; farmers and craftsmen also have wisdom in their labor."

"In the past, farmers tilled the fields with their bare hands, but later hoes and curved plows came into being."

"Carpenters initially lacked sophisticated tools, but gradually they developed the use of chisels and axes."

"The spinning wheel used by the Weaver Girl and the waterwheel with a dragon bone for pumping water were both gradually figured out later."

"The steam engine of today, as well as all kinds of machinery in the factory, are divine instruments created by His Majesty's personal wisdom and the hard work of craftsmen to help the people."

"It can both reduce the burden on the people and double the efficiency of labor. To abandon it would be foolish and stubborn."

The old man's eyes widened in anger, and his voice boomed like a bell: "According to your utterly absurd fallacy, wouldn't we have to destroy even the old spinning wheel, the water-powered sled, and even the plow for tilling the fields?"

"Are we supposed to expect the people to bare their hands and beg for food by digging in the soil?"

"You call yourself a well-read scholar, yet you don't even understand this simple truth?"

"I have truly failed to live up to the teachings of the sages!"

"Your reading of books has gone to waste."

The old man snorted coldly and began cursing again, his disdain evident.

"You just criticized the people for being idle and complacent. Although I haven't studied the classics and history extensively, I have heard Wei Zheng's words in the plays when he advised Emperor Taizong of Tang: 'Never in history has a country fallen because the people were idle and complacent. Why then do you fear their arrogance and complacency?'"

"Emperor Taizu of this dynasty also clearly instructed: 'If the people are poor, the country will not be rich alone; if the people are rich, the country will not be poor alone.'"

"Only when the people are well-off can the nation be prosperous; only when the people are at ease can the nation be secure. There has never been a case where the people were impoverished and the nation was rich and secure on its own."

His voice grew increasingly resounding: "When the people live in peace and prosperity, with plenty of food and clothing, that is the true picture of a peaceful and prosperous world. All the people under heaven praise Your Majesty's achievements in governing the country."

"Yet you insist on going against the will of Heaven and advocating the way of suffering. Such perversion is truly chilling!"

He suddenly raised his voice, his questioning booming: "If we're talking about extravagance and debauchery, throughout history, which one hasn't been a wealthy and powerful family like yours who neither till the land nor weave, but live off the wealth and power?"

"Ordinary people, after a hard day's work, can only steal a moment of leisure and enjoy a little peace and quiet while catching their breath!"

"Now that the imperial court has exempted people from corvée labor and replaced it with hiring laborers, which commoner isn't eager to apply?"

"On the contrary, it is you self-righteous 'carnivores' who linger in brothels and indulge in the pleasures of wine, meat, and sensual delights. Is there even one of you who would voluntarily go and do some work?"

"How dare they criticize the people for being complacent?"

The old man looked at the scholar with disdain and said, "If I were you, I would have been so ashamed that I would have found a rope and hanged myself to end it all."

"How dare they stand here and spout such nonsense!"

"They slander the government's policies and belittle the working people."

"Your very existence is a waste of food and a disgrace to society!"

……

(End of this chapter)