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

Chapter 315 Zhu Yuanzhang: Xiong Ying is right, the imperial clan will really drag down the Ming Dynasty!
Apparently!

This can also be seen from this moment.

Between Zhu Yuanzhang's other sons and Zhu Ying, who was more important?

"Biao'er."

"In the end, Xiong Ying is our eldest grandson, and you are our eldest son."

"When it comes to valuing something, no one else can compare."

"Perhaps we want all our descendants to have enough to eat and wear, but your lineage is the most important."

"Therefore, we cannot abandon Xiong Ying, much less you." Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and said to Zhu Biao very solemnly.

This also indicates an intention.

Those princes who were enfeoffed in the provinces might be their descendants, and Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to bestow favors upon them, but he still wanted to prioritize Zhu Biao's lineage.

"Then why didn't you try to stop Xiong Ying just now, Father?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

"We also want to know an answer: will this policy of supporting the imperial family affect the fate of the Ming Dynasty? If what Xiong Ying said is true."

"Then whatever policies he implements in the future that benefit the Ming Dynasty, we will trust him," Zhu Yuanzhang replied solemnly.

Obviously.

Zhu Yuanzhang summoned his ministers to verify whether Zhu Ying's proposal to support the imperial clan was truly a disastrous policy.

“What if Xiong Ying is wrong?” Zhu Biao countered.

"Then we can properly lecture and instruct him in the future," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smug smile.

Obviously.

Zhu Yuanzhang was more hopeful about the latter outcome.

If that's really the case, then Zhu Ying will have to behave himself in front of him.

"Father, you really are a cunning old fox."

After listening to so much, Zhu Biao spoke with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).

“Your father isn’t cunning; it’s that kid Xiong Ying who is.”

Zhu Yuanzhang did not agree with Zhu Biao's claim of being cunning and calculating.

"What makes you say that?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

“From the moment U.A. came here today, he began to test us, and to test the future.”

"It's obvious."

"This is the purpose of U.A.'s visit today."

"Whether it's reducing the power of the princes, cutting off the support for the imperial clan, or demonstrating his abilities, these are all tests of us."

"He wanted to test whether we really wanted to give him the future throne, and more importantly, to test our attitude towards his policies toward the Ming Dynasty."

"These tests are also Xiong Ying's way of deciding whether to stay in the Ming Dynasty, whether to realize his ambitions in the Ming Dynasty, or to go out and create a country outside the Ming Dynasty as he said."

"The common people really do nurture talent. Xiong Ying is so intelligent; he certainly has the air of an emperor," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, showing great satisfaction.

Obviously.

The intentions that Zhu Ying has shown today.

Naturally, it couldn't be hidden from Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry about this intention; on the contrary, he was pleased.

At least.

My grandson is truly ambitious and has a strong will.

Not that kind of idiot!

"father."

"Putting everything else aside, if Xiong Ying doesn't achieve what he expects this time, he might really leave the Ming Dynasty."

“He was serious about what he said,” Zhu Biao said solemnly.

"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said nothing more.

They simply waited quietly here.

They awaited the final answer regarding the support provided by the Zhu Ying clan.

And this time!
"emperor."

"Commander Jiang Huan of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is already waiting outside," Yun Qi said respectfully.

"Xuan."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

next moment.

Jiang Huan then strode into the main hall.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

"Your subject pays respects to the Crown Prince."

Jiang Huan knelt respectfully on the ground.

"When the Crown Prince dealt with Lü Ben today, it seemed that Lü Ben had a backup plan. Go and investigate."

"Don't let this really cause any chaos." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and then, without any further words, gave the order loudly.

"Your subject accepts the decree." Jiang Huan respectfully accepted the decree.

"Go then," Zhu Yuanzhang said without further ado.

Jiang Huan also respectfully withdrew.

"Lu Ben."

What other tricks will they have up their sleeves?

Zhu Yuanzhang looked thoughtful, clearly not having figured it out yet.

"The entire Lü family has been wiped out, and now we can only investigate further."

"As for the rest, there's no need to worry," Zhu Biao said.

The father and son.

They didn't dwell on the matter too much, after all, this time, they were also distracted by Zhu Ying's sudden memorial to reduce the power of the princes and the support for the imperial clan.

It caught us completely off guard.

After waiting for a while.

"Let's start playing, Your Majesty."

"All the ministers have arrived and are waiting outside the hall."

Yunqi then respectfully reported.

And this moment.

Inside the main hall of Wenyuan Pavilion.

Grand Academician of the Three Halls.

The six ministers.

They have all gathered.

The dozen or so ministers were all important officials of the Ming Dynasty.

Such a gathering of all people is almost unprecedented, except for court discussions.

"I wonder what important matter His Majesty has summoned me for? I didn't even have time to change out of my official robes," Song Ne asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Scholar Song."

"If even you don't know what happened, then we certainly don't know either."

"The Emperor has summoned all three palaces and six ministries this time, so this matter is probably not trivial."

"Could it be related to the Lü family?"

"impossible."

"Today, King Yu Huai personally oversaw the execution, and the entire Lü family, including nine generations of relatives, has been exterminated."

"It must be for something else."

"What exactly is the reason for this?"

"Now that the Northern Yuan has been destroyed, the various tribes of the Northern Yuan were fighting fiercely for territory. The calamity on the northern border of our Great Ming has been temporarily resolved, and the country is peaceful and prosperous. What else could possibly happen?"

……

The assembled officials were all quite puzzled.

In reality, none of them could have imagined that Zhu Yuanzhang's summons could be for any major event.

I never expected that.

"The Emperor has a decree."

"Summon all ministers to the palace for an audience."

Yun Qi walked outside the hall and shouted loudly.

echoed.

The crowd stopped discussing and headed towards the main hall of the Wenyuan Pavilion.

As they went inside.

one look.

Everyone was stunned.

The first thing you see is a broken and collapsed beam, with many rubble on the ground.

only.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained seated firmly on the dragon throne, with Zhu Biao standing to the side.

The collapsed beams and pillars seemed to be handled with great calm, as if it were not a big deal.

but.

The ministers dared not be negligent. After entering the hall, they all bowed and said, "Your subjects pay their respects to the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Everyone is free of charge."

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was slightly serious as he raised his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The ministers thanked them in unison, straightened their postures, and glanced at the collapsed beams and pillars while waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang to speak.

"Today," "The eldest grandson of the emperor submitted a memorial regarding a problem that is also a national policy we have decided upon."

"He said that if this national policy continues, the fate of our Great Ming Dynasty will not last more than a hundred years, and it will eventually perish." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the ministers in front of him and slowly said.

But there was no sign of calm or anger in his tone.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the officials changed drastically.

"May I ask, Your Majesty?"

"What national policy has the eldest grandson of the emperor proposed?" Song Ne asked with a hint of trepidation.

The officials all watched with respect.

"Policies for supporting members of the imperial family."

He said that if this policy continued, the Ming Dynasty would perish within a hundred years.

"The reason I summoned you all here today is to ask you, to let you think about whether there is really a problem with this national policy," Zhu Yuanzhang asked loudly, staring at his ministers.

now.

Zhu Biao didn't say anything; he just watched quietly.

Judging from Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's perspective today, this policy of supporting the imperial clan had no impact and had a negligible effect on the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

but.

Pooling wisdom and ideas.

This was also Zhu Yuanzhang's true purpose in summoning his ministers.

"We know very well who the eldest grandson of the emperor is."

“He wouldn’t say that without a reason; there must be something more to it.”

"Therefore, we must find out."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again, his voice filled with deep thought.

This also gives the courtiers a chance to make their mark.

Let them speak.

only.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking.

The many ministers in the hall looked at each other, but none of them dared to speak.

all the time.

Matters involving the royal family are always serious matters, and the slightest carelessness can lead to reprimands or even severe punishment.

These things have all been verified by the ministers before.

In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang enfeoffed princes throughout the land.

Many ministers who submitted memorials were reprimanded, fined, or even dismissed and exiled.

These things are still vivid in my memory.

so.

The matter concerning the imperial family was decided by Zhu Yuanzhang himself, so it was virtually impossible to change. Naturally, none of the ministers in the hall spoke up.

See this.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and glanced around: "Why are they all mute?"

Under his gaze, all the ministers lowered their heads.

"Zhao Mian."

"You are in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, which has direct access to the national treasury."

"Tell me exactly how much it costs to support the imperial family and clan? How much does it affect the national treasury?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked directly at Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

“The detailed figures from before are all recorded, but I still remember the total amount of silver provided to the royal family last year.”

"The total is two million taels of silver," Zhao Mian reported respectfully.

Hear this number.

Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked: "What did you say? The cost of supporting him was two million taels of silver?"

"Do you remember that the total tax revenue of the national treasury last year was 20.5 million taels of silver?"

"The cost of providing for them alone was two million taels?"

now.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also somewhat unsettled.

"How could it have taken so much time?" Zhu Biao asked, somewhat stunned.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"There are quite a few members of the royal family now."

"Not to mention the more than twenty princes who were enfeoffed by the royal family, but also the county princes under them, and the princesses, etc."

"And their offspring."

"Almost every branch has at least five or six descendants."

"Last year, we provided two million taels of silver, and next year and the year after, that number will be even higher."

"Moreover, the Emperor has issued a special decree that the support for the imperial clan must not be interrupted, and there is no need for the Emperor and the Crown Prince to review it personally; the Ministry of Revenue can allocate the funds directly."

“The emperor’s descendants will be endless in the future, and the amount of money and grain consumed will be even greater,” Zhao Mian said with a helpless expression.

And this episode.

It was like thunder, as if it exploded above Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's heads, making their ears ring.

this moment.

The two almost simultaneously realized that Zhu's strategy of supporting the imperial clan would ultimately lead to the Ming Dynasty's fate not lasting more than a hundred years.

How many years has it been?

How many years has the Ming Dynasty been established?

The current allowance for the royal family and clan members has reached two million taels of silver.

What about next year?
What about the year after next?
What about ten years from now?
If this kind of bottomless support continues, eventually half, or even the entire, of the national treasury will be used to support the royal family.

The end result was an empty treasury. Faced with natural disasters and man-made calamities, there was no support from the national treasury. In the end, the court had to increase taxes on the people, and eventually the court forced the people to rebel. They used every means possible, and another Yuan Dynasty emerged.

While previous dynasties might have needed a hundred, two hundred, or even several hundred years to be brought down, the Ming Dynasty would accomplish the task of land annexation in just a few decades.

"Sons and grandsons, endlessly."

"Yongying."

"Is this the deeper meaning you're trying to convey?"

"The support provided to members of the imperial family has such a serious drawback."

"If this continues, within ten years our national treasury will become a place where the royal family extracts silver."

"There is no money left for the common people, or for natural disasters and man-made calamities."

"Ultimately, taxes increased, and the people suffered greatly."

"Another Yuan dynasty, another dynasty's demise."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became extremely solemn at this moment.

Zhao Mian's words, "May your descendants be endless," instantly made Zhu Yuanzhang realize the truth.

This is the fundamental reason why I wanted to tell him but didn't directly state it.

This was the real drawback of the imperial family's support system, and the root cause of the Ming Dynasty's downfall.

Inside the hall.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly turn extremely cold, the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly became oppressive.

Zhu Biao's expression was the same; he was completely stunned.

The problem they didn't take seriously has now become a real problem.

The officials in the hall dared not speak.

But at the moment.

They seemed to have figured something out as well.

"and many more."

"Just now, His Majesty said that the support of the imperial clan is a major problem for the country, as mentioned by the eldest grandson of the emperor. He also said that the support of the imperial clan will greatly damage the country's fortune and lead to its demise within a century!"

"Could it be that the eldest grandson of the emperor has already seen the major flaws in this policy of supporting members of the imperial clan?"

"No, that's not right. Their descendants will never be able to support the imperial family. They've already spent two million taels of silver on supporting them. What if it's a few years or ten years from now? Wouldn't the entire national treasury have to support the imperial family?"

"If that day really comes, won't my Great Ming Dynasty truly perish?"

"in this case."

"This practice of supporting the royal family and clan is a major drawback, a hazard that could ruin the nation's future."

"Based on this reasoning, the Ming Dynasty was indeed doomed to perish within a century. According to this, the imperial family and clan were like termites, devouring the Ming Dynasty whole."

"..."

now.

After seeing the extremely solemn expressions on Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's faces.

Zhao Mian had initially claimed to be unintentional and hadn't thought that far ahead. After all, while the amount of silver used to support the imperial family was considerable, it was enough to sustain them. But now, Zhao Mian suddenly understood.

Their descendants will never end!
This will deplete the entire national treasury.

The royal family and clan will become parasites that devour the entire country.

And this moment.

Not only Zhao Mian, but all the other ministers from the Three Palaces and Six Ministries who entered the hall also figured it out.

They gained a deeper understanding of the true essence of what Zhu Yuanzhang had just said.

Inside the main hall of Wenyuan Pavilion.

An eerie silence descended.

Even though they had figured it out, none of them dared to say anything.

They couldn't possibly discuss matters concerning the imperial family and clan in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.

……

(End of this chapter)