Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 481 Old Zhu's Awakening! Utterly Wrong!

The old man's scathing rebuke was utterly rude, yet sharp and incisive, each word like a knife, piercing the scholar's face until he blushed, his neck throbbing as if it were about to burst, veins bulging, as if a fire of rage was churning beneath his skin.

He clenched his teeth, his eyes wide open, as if he was on the verge of exploding, wishing he could take a knife and kill the old man on the spot, but he was silenced for a moment by the old man's imposing manner.

The air inside the tavern seemed to freeze. Sunlight streamed through the latticed windows, illuminating the scholar's face, which was a mixture of shame and indignation, making him appear even more disheveled.

Old Zhu, standing to the side, seemed to be struck by lightning, suddenly freezing in place, his wine glass tilting slightly, the amber liquid almost spilling out.

His gaze was fixed, his thoughts deeply stirred by the old man's quote: "Only when the people are well-off can the country be prosperous; only when the people are at ease can the country be secure."

This is exactly what Zhu Yuanzhang said in the past, and it was also his admonition to his subjects.

At that moment, those words echoed in his ears like a resounding bell, giving Old Zhu a sudden jolt.

The autumn harvest is over, the cold wind is rising, and the fields are desolate.

The crops have long been harvested, and the land lies dormant, waiting for spring to come before it can be tilled and cultivated again.

In the past, people would either go up the mountain to cut firewood or be busy with miscellaneous tasks. Now, due to the widespread use of honeycomb briquettes, the need for firewood has been greatly reduced, and miscellaneous tasks have also decreased significantly.

Although the imperial court embarked on a massive construction project, building dikes, paving roads, and constructing houses, employing countless laborers.

However, no matter how large the project is, it is impossible to absorb all the unemployed people in the country.

It's already incredible that if you can hire 10% of them, and then help another 10% through related activities, so that a total of 20% to 30% of the people have work to do, you can achieve that.

Most of the remaining people, constrained by the seasonality of farming, had no choice but to stay at home during the winter.

What's wrong with that?
Old Zhu wondered to himself.

Will the complacent people rise up in rebellion?
Absolutely impossible!

With food to eat and clothes to cover them, they could bask in the warm winter sun in their leisure time, and even occasionally visit a teahouse to enjoy a cup of tea or a sip of wine at a tavern. With such a carefree and happy life, who would risk the heinous crime of having their family wiped out and their clan exterminated to plot rebellion?
Old Zhu asked himself, if he had been in this situation back then, with food in his belly and clothes on his body, living a peaceful life, if anyone had instigated him to rebel against the court, he would have handed them over to the authorities without hesitation.

Ultimately, the well-being and prosperity of the people are the bedrock of a stable nation.

The reasoning was so simple that Old Zhu already knew it perfectly well.

However, he came from a poor family and had a turbulent early life. The habits he developed over the years had long ingrained in him the belief that people must be able to endure hardship.

It was this deeply ingrained belief that made him feel uncomfortable whenever he saw people who were idle and had nothing to do.

I just can't believe these people are so lazy, doing nothing all day long.

How can the atmosphere in the Ming Dynasty be so lax?

How can the people be so complacent and indulgent?
However, the old man's resounding rebuttal struck Old Zhu like a heavy hammer, enlightening him and clearing his mind.

In the course of life, we toil and work hard. Who doesn't yearn for a moment of peace and a chance to catch their breath?
Even Zhu himself, known as a "super workaholic" for his diligence, once expressed his feelings in a poem: "I get up before my officials, and I don't sleep when my officials are asleep. I'm not as good as the wealthy old man in Jiangnan, who is still wrapped in a blanket when the sun is high in the sky."

Between the lines, a longing for a leisurely life is revealed.

As an emperor, how could he not want to be relieved of his burdens and steal a moment of leisure?
However, with national affairs pressing, Zhu was forced to work day and night, with little respite.

Nowadays, people are well-fed and clothed, and in their leisure time during the winter, they either gather around a stove to enjoy tea or stroll along the street, basking in the winter sun and chatting happily.

Isn't this clear evidence of the imperial court's efforts to govern diligently?
For ordinary people, isn't the Ming Dynasty a paradise on earth?
Along the way, Old Zhu heard and saw that although many people complained about the decline of morality in the world, no one said that life today was not as good as it used to be.

Everyone praises the court's virtuous governance, and everyone is grateful for the emperor's wisdom.

As an emperor, Zhu knew all too well how difficult it was to win the hearts of the people!
It is known that it is impossible to please everyone, and even the most wise and virtuous monarch cannot escape criticism.

Now, under Zhu Yunwen's rule, the world is full of praise for him. With such achievements, what more could one ask for?

Moreover, as the old man said, people simply take a short rest after a hard day's work, chat idly in the streets and alleys, and bask in the warm sunshine.

Aren't those who truly indulge in a life of debauchery and extravagance the wealthy scions and pampered rich kids who never work the land?

Thinking of this, Old Zhu was startled. He stood up, faced the old man, bowed solemnly, and said, "Your words are a wake-up call, making me realize the truth."

"My thoughts were in disarray before, and I almost went astray. Fortunately, you guided me, and I am extremely grateful!"

The old man had assumed that Old Zhu, who was drinking with the scholar, must be a corrupt and despicable person, and he already held him in contempt.

Unexpectedly, Old Zhu was so open and humble in accepting advice, which immediately filled me with respect. I quickly waved my hand and said, "I dare not accept such praise. I am not very learned. I am just expressing my true feelings."

His words were no longer aggressive and rude; instead, they became incredibly humble.

The scholar standing to the side had long been rendered speechless by the old man's eloquent arguments, and had nowhere to vent his anger.

Seeing that Old Zhu had actually "switched sides" at this moment and thanked the old man, his anger flared even more. His handsome face turned bright red, and he pointed at Old Zhu, stammering, "You...you..."

He could not accept the old man's words, nor could he accept Old Zhu's "rebellion," but in the end he had no way to refute them. He could only angrily flick his blue robe sleeve and turn away in a huff.

Old Zhu stared at the scholar's departing figure, shook his head, and a complex emotion appeared on his face, as if he were sighing or feeling helpless.

Once a person's obsession takes root, it is like a stubborn rock deeply embedded in their heart.

Even with earnest advice from others, it was difficult to sway him in the slightest.

Some people, even when they know their opinions are wrong, often prefer to stick to their own ideas rather than admit their mistakes.

Although the scholar was refuted by the old man, it was absolutely impossible for him to admit his mistake.

In an instant, Old Zhu composed himself, a warm smile appearing on his face. He turned to the old man, cupped his hands, and said, "Sir, your words are sharp and your insights are extraordinary, truly admirable. How about we move to the same table and have a drink together?"

The old man readily agreed.

The two sat facing each other in a corner of the tavern, clinking glasses and chatting idly.

After asking him in detail, Old Zhu learned about the old man's background.

His family was originally well-off, and he had studied writing in a private school for several years, so he had some knowledge of literature.

However, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the world was in turmoil and war broke out everywhere, and his family fortunes declined as a result.

The old man had wandered from Henan to Shaanxi, enduring many hardships before finally settling down in Xi'an.

"Although I have studied for a few years, my knowledge and skills are limited and far from sufficient to open the door to the imperial examinations."

The old man picked up his wine cup and laughed at himself, saying, "Those books and knowledge are nothing but illusions to me, completely useless. I can only rely on my strength to do hard labor to make a living."

He paused, a glint of gratitude flashing in his eyes, and his tone became excited: "Fortunately, His Majesty has implemented new policies, and industries are thriving, merchants are flocking to the scene, and anyone who can read a few words has become a highly sought-after commodity."

"Although I am nearing sixty, I still managed to find a job as an accountant, and my income has increased several times over compared to before, and the work is much easier."

"In my spare time, I can come here for a drink, enjoy tea and chat. Life is quite comfortable and pleasant."

The old man's words were a mixture of lament for the fleeting nature of time and heartfelt praise for the new policies, a satisfied smile spreading across his rough face.

After three rounds of drinking.

The old man put down his wine cup, his gaze sharpening, and brought up the argument again: "That scholar kept saying that the world is going to the dogs and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be, but I dare not agree." "As the ancients said, 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.' This is a timeless truth!"

"Back in the day, when the Supreme Emperor was on the throne, the court set up many rural schools in an attempt to educate the people, but how many people had the resources to send their children to school?"

"Firstly, those people live in poverty, and every household is struggling to make ends meet, so they have no money left to send their children to school?"

"Secondly, even if one can barely read, what use is the knowledge gained from books if one has no chance to pass the imperial examinations and obtain official rank?"

"It's just a waste of time."

The old man picked up his wine cup, took a sip of the turbid wine, and continued to speak eloquently: "Among the scholars in the world, there are countless people, but how many of them can truly pass the imperial examinations and become successful candidates?"

"Passing the imperial examination is certainly a glorious achievement, but those scholars who failed also spent ten years studying diligently, burying themselves in books all day long, neglecting physical exercise, and becoming weak and unable to bear the burden of heavy labor."

"I didn't get into high school, so I'm stuck in a limbo, not good enough for high-level jobs but not good enough for low-level ones. I have some knowledge, but nowhere to put it to use."

"If the world remains the same, it would be better not to study or learn to read."

"In the end, very few people actually pass the high school entrance exam, and most of them don't get official positions."

As he said this, his tone suddenly changed: "But times have changed!"

"His Majesty is implementing new policies, and industry and commerce are booming, attracting merchants from all over the world and making the city prosperous."

"How can you run a business without a literate accountant?"

"The factories in Nanjing had even stricter rules: anyone who entered to work there had to be literate and able to recognize Chinese characters."

"Once you step into the factory, the salary is very generous!"

The old man gently stroked the rim of his cup with his rough hands, his tone revealing his heartfelt admiration for the new policy: "This new policy has suddenly increased the thirst for knowledge."

As people's wealth increased, it became fashionable to educate their children, and every household vied to send their children to school.

"Even men in their thirties and forties are picking up their books again, studying late into the night, all in an effort to find a more respectable job."

"Today, literate people are everywhere, and the fragrance of books from sages permeates the people."

"How can this be described as a decline in social morality and a moral decay?"

"Could reading the words of a sage lead people astray?"

"Such absurd arguments are utterly outrageous!" The old man slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Such statements are pure nonsense!"

"It's just that those rich merchants and gentry can't stand seeing poor people like them, able to relax and have some free time."

"In their eyes, the poor are only fit to work all day long without rest."

"That's why they describe the people's comfortable life as decadence."

The old man picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. After calming his breathing slightly, he said, "Leaving aside everything else, just look at the people under His Majesty's rule; the atmosphere is already quite different."

“In the past, neighbors often quarreled over trivial matters.”

"For example, the neighbor in the east suspects the neighbor in the west of stealing their vegetables, or the neighbor in the west complains that the neighbor in the east cuts down firewood near their field, etc."

"For example, when it comes to irrigating fields, countless conflicts and disputes arise due to the competition for water resources."

"They would often use abusive language, or even resort to physical violence."

"Nowadays, although such disputes have not disappeared, they have been reduced by seven or eight tenths."

"With steam engines for irrigation and the construction of numerous water conservancy facilities, irrigation of the fields was basically worry-free, so people were too lazy to fight over it."

"When people live in peace and contentment, and are kind-hearted, conflicts will naturally disappear."

"Isn't this a testament to His Majesty's virtuous rule and a sign of peace and prosperity throughout the land?"

"To criticize even this as decadence is utterly ridiculous!"

The old man drank as he spoke, as if he had opened a floodgate, and continued to talk: "Let me tell you another old story. You are a merchant, so you must know it well."

“In the past, even in times of peace and prosperity, bandits would still roam the trade routes.”

“There are always some unruly people who disguise themselves as bandits and highwaymen to extort and plunder merchants from other places.”

"Such incidents have been commonplace in the past, and despite being prohibited, they have not been eradicated."

"The reason why merchants' goods are so expensive is that the risks they take during the journey are factored into the cost; otherwise, they would lose everything."

"But nowadays, which merchant from the north or south has ever heard of goods being looted by bandits?"

"I spend my days chatting with people in the tavern and hear all sorts of things, but I have never heard of anything like this before!"

"At most, you might encounter a few villagers begging for alms on the road, or mischievous children playing and asking for some tips. Compared to the dangers of swords and spears blocking the road in the past, it's a world of difference!"

The old man became more and more excited as he spoke, and lightly tapped the table with his hand: "You travel the world selling goods, so you must understand this feeling very well."

"As the saying goes, 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette,' and that is exactly the case with the Ming Dynasty right now."

"In my humble opinion, the world and people's hearts have not only not degenerated, but have become more virtuous and righteous, and propriety and righteousness have flourished!"

Old Zhu listened quietly, and his heart trembled once again.

He had traveled incognito for many days to observe the people's conditions and had already learned about what the old man had said.

He himself strongly advocated for public schools in the past, hoping to educate the people, but the results were minimal.

Now things are very different; schools are overcrowded, and teachers are in extremely short supply.

The improvement in public security is also evident to all.

On the national highway, bandits have disappeared, and merchants and travelers have no worries.

If we only consider these aspects, the atmosphere in the Ming Dynasty was indeed thriving and far surpassed that of the past.

The only difference is that people are more pleasure-seeking and more money-chasing now.

But compared to being a robber or bandit, making money legally is always thousands of times better, right?
However, Old Zhu still harbored a lingering worry.

"What you say, sir, is indeed reasonable and admirable."

"But we are worried about one thing: if everyone in the world indulges in comfort and pleasure, who will be willing to go to the battlefield, overcome obstacles, and shed blood for the country?"

"If this continues, won't the fate of the Ming Dynasty be in grave danger?"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately retorted, "That is utterly wrong!"

……

(End of this chapter)