Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 313 Zhu Ying Displays His Strength, Zhu Yuanzhang and His Son Are Stunned! Are You Even Human?
Seeing Zhu Ying like this.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a state of extreme rage.

perhaps.

After becoming the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he was never threatened again.

Today, however, he was threatened by his own grandson.

After a moment.

"You're forcing us to make a choice." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and stared at Zhu Ying.

“That’s right.” Zhu Ying nodded directly and clearly.

"Aren't you really afraid that we will choose the majority of our descendants instead of you?" Zhu Yuanzhang continued to stare, his invisible pressure growing stronger.

Under such pressure.

This is Zhu Yuanzhang's experience of rising from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and the oppressive aura of being an emperor for many years.

Even Zhu Biao at this moment was somewhat at a loss, keeping his head down and not daring to speak.

After all, it had been a long time since he had seen Zhu Yuanzhang like this.

but!
What greatly shocked Zhu Biao was...

Zhu Ying showed no panic when facing Zhu Yuanzhang; on the contrary, he remained calm and composed.

The grandfather and grandson looked at each other.

It seems neither side is willing to back down.

If it were an ordinary person, they might have already backed down at this point.

But Zhu Ying clearly wouldn't back down.

After all, if he were to inherit the Ming Dynasty, he would inevitably turn against the vassal kings.

The empire he seeks to rule must be one where power is entirely concentrated in his own hands, not controlled by vassal kings. Even if their existence is meant to protect the court, over time, they will inevitably harbor disloyal thoughts; this is human nature.

While Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor, was still alive, they would behave themselves. However, if they encountered any imperial decrees in the future, they would inevitably resist them, and Zhu should prevent this from happening.

After the grandfather and grandson stared at each other for a long time.

after all!

Zhu Yuanzhang backed down, withdrew his gaze, and sighed, "Alright, you win."

Hear this!

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with surprise, clearly not expecting that his domineering father would actually back down and not get really angry.

To know.

Even if Zhu Biao had different opinions on many important matters, Zhu Yuanzhang would not back down even if he opposed them.

But today.

His son made Zhu Yuanzhang back down.

Regarding the enfeoffment of princes.

Reality.

Zhu Biao also had his own thoughts. After all, the power of the enfeoffed princes was too great. Even though the court sent officials to the princes' fiefdoms, the princes were emperors within their fiefdoms. In the long run, they would inevitably become too powerful.

He can be considered the eldest brother.

Zhu Biao was also quite helpless; he couldn't go too far.

However, the drawbacks of enfeoffing princes will inevitably emerge in the future. In fact, Zhu Biao also had the idea of ​​reducing the power of the princes in the future, but not now, but after he ascended the throne.

"It was indeed you who said we should enfeoff princes."

"No matter how the world changes in the future, as long as members of the Zhu family lead troops abroad, the future world will surely belong to the Zhu family."

"Moreover, the vassal kings who were enfeoffed were also arranged by us. The border kings guarded the northern frontier, while the inner kings protected the central government, and they checked and balanced each other."

"As long as this system is implemented perfectly, they will check and balance each other in the future and will not act recklessly," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said.

Obviously.

At this moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

After all, he was the one who created the system of enfeoffing princes.

“When the Emperor is on the throne, they will naturally be obedient, because you are their father and the founding emperor, which is enough to intimidate them, and they will not dare to act recklessly.”

“After the crown prince ascends the throne, they may behave themselves, but they will also begin to change their minds and become outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant.”

"By the time the third generation ascends the throne, their awe of the emperor will be greatly diminished, and they will not only outwardly comply with but inwardly defy the government's decrees, but will also openly resist them."

"If the court really faces some changes in the future, and some natural disasters or man-made calamities occur in the world, then these vassal kings will have some thoughts. This is not just empty talk, but a lesson learned from the dynastic changes in China over thousands of years." Zhu Ying said slowly, his tone much more gentle at this moment.

"We can tell."

"You seem to genuinely not value the throne of the Ming Dynasty very much."

"We're curious too."

"What exactly do you rely on?" Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Ying and asked.

He was already so old, and he had risen from humble beginnings, seen countless people and witnessed the depths of human nature. Back when he was the Prince of Wu, Zhu Yuanzhang was already confident that he could see through anyone. After becoming emperor, no one dared to be presumptuous in front of him, and he became even more confident that he could see through anyone.

However, after seeing his grandson and returning from his trip to the countryside, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he could no longer understand him.

He could see, and even more clearly sense, that his grandson showed no fear in the face of him, as if he had a great reliance on him, a reliance that allowed him to confront imperial power directly.

This reliance may also be the source of his true confidence.

"My strength lies in having seen the real world and the true power of technology."

"To put it more accurately, I possess the strength to be fearless of any weapon of mass destruction in this era."

Zhu Ying spoke slowly, then turned around.

He looked directly at a pillar standing in the main hall of the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Then he raised his hand and mobilized his internal energy.

He threw a punch at the pillar while still in mid-air.

Under the somewhat surprised gazes of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

Boom!
An invisible force suddenly shook the pillar, and in the next moment, the pillar was covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

It shattered with a crash.

Collapse.

This shout caused the imperial guards stationed outside the palace to rush in.

"Protect the Emperor."

Guo Zhen was still shouting loudly.

But looking inside the hall, there was no one else besides Zhu Yuanzhang and his two grandsons.

There was only one pillar that suddenly broke and collapsed.

All the Imperial Guards were filled with shock and confusion.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was tense, filled with unimaginable shock.

But he had no time to pay attention to the Imperial Guards at that moment. Instead, he waved his hand at Guo Zhen and shouted, "Step back!"

"Yes."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was somewhat off, Guo Zhen immediately bowed and quickly led the imperial guards out, closing the palace doors behind them.

And this moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao stared at Zhu Ying with utter astonishment.

After a moment of shock.

"Xiong Ying, how... how did you do this?" Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was filled with shock.

I've lived to be this old.

Having risen from the lowest ranks to become the supreme emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang believed he had witnessed much of the world, but he truly couldn't understand his grandson's actions today.

This beam is an incredibly sturdy structure; it would be difficult to split even with a knife or axe, and it wouldn't be shattered even if bombarded with cannons of this era.

But Zhu Ying actually threw a punch—no, a punch delivered mid-air.

The beams and pillars were shattered and collapsed from a distance.

What kind of superhuman strength is this?
"I am all alone right now."

"But if I want to, even if the 30,000 imperial guards in the palace come to kill me, I can kill thousands of them and then leave the palace unscathed."

"I wonder if His Majesty and the Crown Prince believe it?" Zhu Ying smiled and asked again.

Hear this.

Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao looked at the pillar that Zhu Ying had smashed with a single punch.

If they had heard Zhu Ying utter such arrogant words before, they would have thought he was talking nonsense, but now, it seems that's not the case.

of course.

Zhu Ying's words did contain some exaggeration.

After all, if the Imperial Guards were all armed with bows and crossbows, including powerful crossbows and ballistae, Zhu Ying would still be unable to fully defend himself.

But once you get close, you'll have no problem dealing with them.

Under all attributes.

Zhu Ying is no longer human.

Before exhausting all his strength and internal energy, if he remains under siege, killing several thousand people is not difficult.

"This is what I rely on."

"One's own strength."

"This is also the reason why I am not afraid of imperial power."

"As Your Majesty said, I do not place too much importance on the position of Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, or even the throne."

"Because I am confident that if I go outside the Ming Dynasty, I can also create my own country. And in the future, if a tyrannical ruler appears in the Ming Dynasty, I can make a comeback from outside the Ming Dynasty without any problem," Zhu Ying said again.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao fell silent again.

Perhaps Zhu Ying exaggerated, but they were already astonished by Zhu Ying's punch that shattered the pillar in mid-air.

Zhu Ying did not convert his internal energy into internal force. This strike in mid-air was achieved by consuming almost a significant portion of his internal energy before it was released. In reality, it was a powerful attack that broke through the air.

However, the effects are also very strong.

Although his identity has now been revealed.

But when facing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, he was a junior. Although he was the successor in terms of etiquette and law, he was ultimately in the future.

If he wants to implement policies to change the Ming Dynasty and carry out reforms now, he must place himself on an equal footing with them, not as a junior or a future emperor, and he must be able to make decisions on an equal footing.

What I can do now is to reveal my trump card, my strength.

"Are you even human anymore?" Zhu Biao couldn't help but ask.

His gaze remained fixed on the beams and pillars that had shattered into many pieces.

"I am not a ghost, but I was spared by Heaven for my death."

"It was only by chance that I was able to obtain the power I have today."

"Moreover, the battles I've fought on have made me even stronger," Zhu Ying replied with a smile.

now.

Zhu Ying was naturally very satisfied with the horrified reaction of Zhu Yuanzhang and his son, as this was the result he wanted.

"indeed."

"Now we understand why you were so invincible on the battlefield."

"perhaps……"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Ying, and seemed to vaguely see the Hegemon-King of Western Chu recorded in history.

"The power of the former overlord is very suitable to be used on you."

"Such power is beyond human capabilities," Zhu Yuanzhang remarked.

"Therefore, Your Majesty."

"You should think carefully about whether you want to hand over the throne to me in the future."

“If you have made a decision, and I truly implement my policies towards the Ming Dynasty, then there is no going back. On the other hand, if you are unwilling to give me an answer, you can give me one now.”

"I can also find time to leave the Ming Dynasty."

"And I can also make promises to the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

"Even if I were to establish a new country outside of the Ming Dynasty during your lifetimes, I would never invade the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Ying said slowly.

now.

This completely put Zhu Yuanzhang in a difficult position, leaving the choice to him.

all in all.

Zhu Ying pointed out two key points.

Firstly, if he is chosen as the crown prince and the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, then his national policies must be implemented. Even if they are not implemented now, he will implement them himself in the future, but the means will be very cruel. Moreover, once he has decided on his position as crown prince, there is no room for regret. He will not waste his efforts to reform the Ming Dynasty.

If he changes his mind later, Zhu Yingke will not admit it and may even take action.

This is number one.

the second.

Even if he is not given the position of crown prince, it doesn't matter. Zhu Ying can leave the Ming Dynasty on his own, and take his subordinates and family with him to establish a country outside the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, even if he establishes a country while Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao are in power, he will not fight against the Ming Dynasty or invade it.

But it also implies another thing: what happens after them is not necessarily the case.

And listening to Zhu Ying's blatant words.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao fell silent again.

If Zhu Ying hadn't just shown off this skill and displayed such confidence, they would have all thought he was talking nonsense. But now they all knew that Zhu Ying was probably serious and wasn't joking at all.

select.

There are only two.

"What you say about the calamity of the vassal kings has brought disaster to the Ming Dynasty and will bring disaster to the whole world in the future."

"My Zhu family will also eventually be destroyed."

“These points do have some merit, but how do you intend to treat your uncles?” Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at Zhu Ying and asked.

As soon as these words fell.

Zhu Ying was certain in his heart.

This time.

He won the unspoken battle with Zhu Yuanzhang.

"First, seize the military power of the vassal kings."

"In any case, one can govern, but not command the army."

“This is the first step,” Zhu Ying said immediately.

"and then?"

"You mentioned the drawbacks of vassal kings holding military power on this paper, but you didn't mention anything else," Zhu Yuanzhang continued to ask.

"The second step is to seize the princes' right to be exempt from taxes," Zhu Ying said without hesitation.

"Why is that?" Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback, and his expression changed.

"emperor."

“You have been in the imperial court for too long. Even with the Embroidered Uniform Guard around, you have been far removed from the common people for too long.”

"If you have the chance in the future, you should go and take a look at the fiefdoms of those vassal kings."

"Especially in the Qin and Jin regions, countless people are already struggling to survive."

"And the same goes for Fengyang," Zhu Ying said with a faint smile, his tone slightly questioning.

Why can't they survive?

"Could it be related to the tax exemption for these vassal kings?" Zhu Yuanzhang's expression also turned grim.

"The rules set by the Emperor."

“The land and property of the princes are exempt from taxes.”

"Even those who passed the imperial examinations, and even many officials and noble families, who held titles, were exempt from paying taxes."

"This is the real drawback."

"What I just said about seizing the tax exemption power of the princes was just a brief statement. The real key is to seize the tax exemption power of everything within the entire Ming Dynasty," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

……

(End of this chapter)