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

Chapter 314 Zhu Biao: Father, you actually have moments of fear!

"Even with the right to be exempt from taxes, why can't they survive?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. Although he had already figured something out, he was still not sure.

"Land consolidation".

Zhu Ying uttered four words directly.

This sentence fell.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's expressions changed drastically.

"After we founded the Ming Dynasty, we strictly prohibited the buying and selling of land."

"Moreover, even the gentry and the princes dare not go too far," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice, clearly somewhat unwilling to believe it.

"Perhaps it was so ten years ago, but now it is the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu."

"The Ming Dynasty has been established for so many years, does Your Majesty really think those gentry will behave themselves?"

“Land annexation, as long as there are enough benefits, can make them take risks.”

"Furthermore, the princes were exempt from taxes and could legally acquire land."

“Those who pass the imperial examination are exempt from taxes and can also legally acquire land.”

"These were all decided by the Emperor. Not to mention their forced annexation of land, many people even voluntarily handed over their land to them without having to pay for it. Instead, they had to pay the princes or scholars money as rent every year."

"The imperial court levies taxes on the whole country, but the first taxes are collected by the gentry and the princes."

“If His Majesty does not believe it, then he may send someone to investigate, or he may personally go among the people to investigate,” Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

These things.

This is certainly not something Zhu Ying made up out of thin air.

Rather, it is the reality that the Ming Dynasty is currently facing.

This was something Zhu Ying witnessed firsthand.

Not only in Beiping Prefecture in the past, but also in Daning Prefecture.

Zhu Yingdu has met him.

"The tax exemption policy was originally intended to benefit the princes and those capable scholars, but it has actually reached this point?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, clearly not expecting things to have come to this.

"so."

"Has His Majesty made a decision yet?"

"Should the power of the regional military governors be reduced or not?"

"Your Majesty, I need an answer from you." Zhu Ying raised his head and stared at Zhu Yuanzhang.

this moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and then looked at Zhu Biao.

"Biao'er."

"Do you think Xiong Ying is right?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"father."

“What Xiong Ying said was all for the sake of the Ming Dynasty.”

"My son seconded it."

"Moreover..." Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then looked up and stared directly at Zhu Yuanzhang: "If we enfeoff princes, they will eventually become too powerful. Even if my son ascends the throne in the future, he will inevitably have to reduce their power!"

These words.

The sound reverberated throughout the hall.

Shocking.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also taken aback, not expecting that Zhu Biao would also mention reducing the power of the princes in the future.

"You and your son cannot accept the enfeoffment of princes?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked tired and aged at this moment.

"It's not unacceptable."

"It's not that the emperor gave the princes too much power."

"If Your Majesty truly desires chaos in the future of the Ming Dynasty, then Your Majesty may simply continue to grant fiefdoms to those outside the capital and observe whether the Ming Dynasty descends into chaos."

"Moreover, it was not only the enfeoffment of princes that was the root of the chaos, but also the support of the imperial family that was the most fundamental problem."

“If this policy of providing for the Ming Dynasty continues, the dynasty’s fate will not last more than a hundred years,” Zhu Ying said solemnly.

But at the moment.

Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were somewhat confused.

Why would supporting the imperial family prevent the Ming Dynasty from lasting more than a century?

"With the national strength of our Great Ming Dynasty, supporting the imperial family is just a drop in the ocean."

"Does Xiong Ying really intend to exterminate your uncles and your clansmen?" Zhu Yuanzhang was genuinely enraged this time, and could no longer contain himself.

"Yongying."

“The power of a prince can be reduced, and even the privilege of tax exemption can be taken away.”

"But the support of the imperial family should be carefully considered. This is a national policy devised by your imperial grandfather for the peace and security of his descendants."

“Your imperial grandfather wants his descendants to have no worries about food and clothing,” Zhu Biao said immediately.

Obviously.

Zhu Biao did not see any drawbacks in this policy of providing for the poor.

The national treasury has sufficient financial resources to support this.

"Perhaps it will bring blessings to future generations."

"But I still maintain that if the support continues, the Ming Dynasty will perish in less than a century."

"There's no need for me to spell anything out here."

"You can handle things yourselves. I will leave the Ming Dynasty in three days," Zhu Ying said slowly, with a resolute air.

If Zhu Ying encounters such resistance every time he tries to make a change, there's no point in him staying in the Ming Dynasty any longer. He might as well build a stronger nation himself.

Done.

Zhu Ying turned around and walked out of the hall.

He didn't say anything more.

If they can understand, they can come to him again; if they are stubborn, then Zhu Ying will not keep them company.

"Yongying."

"Heroes..."

Seeing Zhu Ying turn and leave, Zhu Biao's expression changed drastically, and he shouted loudly.

But Zhu Ying didn't turn around, opened the palace door, and left the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was grim, clearly on the verge of exploding.

"father."

“That’s just Xiong Ying’s temper. I’ll go and talk to him later. He should understand your good intentions for your descendants, Father.” Zhu Biao turned his head and looked at the gloomy Zhu Yuanzhang.

but.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not show any sign of anger.

The atmosphere inside the Wenyuan Pavilion became strange. Zhu Biao had spoken a couple of sentences but received no response from Zhu Yuanzhang, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

After a long silence.

"Convey our will."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke.

Zhu Biao's expression changed, and he was actually quite uneasy inside.

He was genuinely worried that Zhu Yuanzhang might issue some decree targeting Zhu Ying in a fit of rage.

only.

In the end, Zhu Biao was overthinking things.

"Summon the Grand Academician of the Three Halls."

"Ministers of all departments, come to pay your respects!" Zhu Yuanzhang shouted loudly towards the outside of the hall.

The sound faded.

"This old servant obeys the decree," Yun Qi replied loudly.

After this decree is issued.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down on the ground, somewhat lost in thought.

"Biao'er."

"Was it really a mistake to enfeoff princes to guard the borders of the Ming Dynasty?"

"Is there really a downside to being supported by the royal family?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, somewhat absentmindedly.

"Judging from Xiong Ying's memorial, the enfeoffment of princes does indeed have considerable drawbacks."

"They will surely become a scourge to the Ming Dynasty in the future." "After all, each vassal king is equivalent to a governor in the Eastern Han Dynasty, controlling military and political power."

"If the imperial court can remain strong and suppress dissent, that would be fine, but who can guarantee that the imperial court will always remain like this?"

"If a weaker emperor emerges in the future, I don't know if someone like Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao will rise among the officials."

“But there will definitely be some among the princes,” Zhu Biao said in a deep voice.

This is how Zhu Biao and Zhu Ying stood on the same side.

The granting of fiefdoms to vassal kings was, in reality, something they were unwilling to do.

Even if feudal kings are enfeoffed, they should not be given such great power.

Seeing that Zhu Biao had said this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became even more dejected.

"Perhaps this strategy was truly a mistake on our part."

“We thought that our descendants could benefit from this, and that no matter how the world changes in the future, it will not shake the rule of the Zhu family. But we did not really consider whether the future court can really check and balance these dozen or so vassal kings.”

“We have given them far too much power,” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

Listen to this.

Zhu Biao was also slightly surprised.

The father and son have been together for so many years.

When Zhu Yuanzhang enfeoffed princes, many ministers in the court opposed it, such as Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, and even Tang He and Xu Da in the past. However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not care at all and completely rejected them.

He even threatened that anyone who opposed him would be his enemy.

It was precisely for this reason that the policy of appointing vassal kings was ultimately implemented.

And today.

The moment his own son spoke.

They brought up the matter that had been settled more than a decade ago again, and in the most forceful way, they coerced Zhu Yuanzhang. Although he was angry, he did not explode, and now he even admitted his mistake.

This clearly undermines whether the previous practice of enfeoffing princes as feudal lords was truly correct.

Or perhaps he understood the drawbacks of enfeoffing princes, the drawbacks for the court, and for the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"It's good that you could think of that, Father."

“You’re right about that.”

"Moreover, Xiong Ying has been fighting in the army for so many years, and you know his character. If he really ascends the throne in the future, and his uncles and cousins ​​cause trouble, he will not show any mercy," Zhu Biao said immediately.

"That kid, Xiong Ying."

"Ugh."

"We've been threatened by this kid today."

"However, he is right, the vassal kings must be restricted." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

It's unclear whether he was moved by Zhu Ying's outburst or pleased by his grandson's prowess and courage.

"Even my son didn't expect Xiong Ying to perform like this today," Zhu Biao remarked with equal emotion.

"He's definitely better than you, kid."

"They actually dare to talk back to us and threaten us."

"However, the reason why U.A. High School has such strong opinions about the enfeoffment of feudal princes, besides the disadvantages for the future, is probably because of the fourth prince."

"If what Xiong Ying said is true, and the fourth prince colluded with foreign enemies to leak military intelligence and even wanted to kill Xiong Ying, then it's not surprising that Xiong Ying can't tolerate the vassal kings," Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly changed his tone and said coldly.

Mention it.

Zhu Biao didn't speak, but he nodded thoughtfully.

"You said."

"Did the fourth brother really do it?"

"Could it be that all these years since he was enfeoffed have really caused him to have inappropriate thoughts?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.

“If it were my fourth brother who was in Yingtian before, I would be confident that he wouldn’t have any ambitions. But now he has been enfeoffed for more than ten years. In all these years, I have only seen him a few times. If he really has ambitions, I can’t see through him.”

"And if even my younger brother, whom I raised myself, has such inappropriate thoughts, then what about the others..." Zhu Biao said, his face also showing some displeasure.

That's all for now.

In reality, Zhu Biao was disappointed in Zhu Di, and the other princes felt the same way.

"This matter."

"We will definitely find out the truth."

"If the fourth prince really does it, then he should be imprisoned in Yingtian just like the second prince," Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

"father."

"You're not angry about what Xiong Ying did to you just now?" Zhu Biao smiled and suddenly asked.

"Why should we be angry with our own grandson?"

"Again."

"What he mentioned was for the country, not for personal gain."

"Although it violated the decree we once made, it's a good thing that he was able to speak up if we made a mistake." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, his face showing absolute trust and favor towards Zhu Ying.

"However, my son did not see any drawbacks in the royal support proposed by Xiong Ying."

"But this kid only gave us three days. If we don't give him an answer after three days, he might really leave the Ming Dynasty."

"Although I haven't known U.A. for long, I can tell that he absolutely keeps his word."

"How about I go find Xiong Ying later and have a good talk with him to see what the drawbacks are of this policy of supporting the state?" Zhu Biao said worriedly.

Obviously.

Zhu Ying's resolute attitude just now was definitely not a joke.

If Zhu Ying really leaves the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Biao not only lost another son, but the Ming Dynasty also lost a truly capable heir apparent.

and.

Once Zhu Ying establishes a state outside of the Ming Dynasty in the future.

I thought of Zhu Ying's unparalleled bravery in leading his troops, and the superhuman feats he displayed.

Zhu Biao was somewhat uneasy. If Zhu Yingzhen were to establish a state abroad in the future and invade the Ming Dynasty, who would be able to stop him?
"Didn't they give us three days?"

"This kid is deliberately not explaining things clearly, making us guess."

"Once the ministers arrive, they will surely be able to deduce it with their intelligence."

“If Xiong Ying is indeed right, we will personally go to his Duke’s mansion and issue an imperial edict, making him the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty.” Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said immediately.

His tone also carried a sense of determination.

"father."

You're not like yourself today.

“Even Xiong Ying has supported you so much, yet you still want to make him the crown prince.”

"I originally thought you would just throw him in jail in a fit of rage," Zhu Biao said with a sigh, a hint of lingering fear in his voice.

But Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the beam that Zhu Ying had smashed with a single punch.

"Biao'er."

Do you think U.A.'s strength is still that of an ordinary person?

"Do you believe that if we issue an imperial decree to arrest him, he'll break out of the palace in the next step?"

“We can see that he doesn’t have any reverence for our imperial position, or rather, he is very confident in his own strength, so he is not afraid of us.”

“We can see that as long as we issue an order to deal with him, or even arrest him, he will definitely not sit idly by and wait to die. He is the kind of person who will not attack unless attacked.”

"and."

“Everything he just said is true; he wasn’t joking with us,” Zhu Yuanzhang said in a very serious tone.

Hear this.

Zhu Biao's focus, however, was not on that. Instead, he teased, "Dad, even you have times when you're afraid."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not get angry, nor did he try to argue.

“No matter what, Xiong Ying would never lay a hand on us or you.”

"Although he doesn't remember the past, he still cares about family ties, and he knows that we are sincere towards him."

"That's one point."

"besides."

"If I really drive Xiong Ying away, then we, and you, will truly become a laughing stock in the world."

"The hero who sealed the wolf's lair, the eldest grandson of the Ming emperor, was forced by us to establish a country outside the Ming Dynasty. I don't even know how the history books will write how incompetent we were."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with great helplessness.

……

(End of this chapter)