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

Chapter 319 Let Huaixi see the true grandeur of the world! To conquer the world, how magnificent!
"Alright, no need for formalities." Zhu Ying casually raised his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone immediately thanked him.

Lan Yu and Chang Mao exchanged a glance, then Lan Yu stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, did something happen in the palace today? The Crown Prince summoned me and ordered me and Duke Cao, Li Jinglong, to select a group of generals, saying that they would go to the vassal states to command the army. Is this to weaken the power of the vassal states?"

Lan Yu's words were naturally full of probing.

"Reducing the power of the regional military governors is the first step," Zhu Ying said slowly.

But his gaze turned sharply to Lan Yu and the others: "You didn't come here for this matter of weakening the power of the feudal lords, did you?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince also instructed the Minister of Revenue to thoroughly investigate all the land in the country. This matter... this matter..." Lan Yu asked again with some hesitation.

Hear this.

Zhu Ying sneered: "It seems you've also used some tricks to seize farmland from the people."

"That prince."

"We do indeed own a considerable amount of land, but it's not just us; most people in the court do too," Lan Yu replied somewhat nervously.

now.

The same was true of all the Huaixi generals inside the hall.

"Your Majesty."

"There's nothing we can do about it."

"The salary given by the imperial court is really not much. Although I have some land, it is not enough to support the whole family in the mansion."

"So...so we..."

Chang Mao then spoke up, his words filled with helplessness.

In this regard.

Zhu Ying did not show any expression, but he was very clear about the salary situation of officials in the Hongwu period.

indeed.

For ministers with few family members, their salary might be enough to support their families. But for large families with some expenses, the salary during the Hongwu reign was indeed pitifully small.

After all, this was personally spearheaded by Zhu Yuanzhang. In Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, being an official meant having power, and that meant having responsibilities. As for salary, enough to live on was sufficient. In other words, he believed that every official and minister should work beyond their capacity without regard for their own workload, as that was what made a good official.

However, he overlooked the actual situation.

"The Crown Prince's survey of land acreage is to prepare for the implementation of national policies after I am enacted."

"I can also tell you definitively."

"This land survey, and even the subsequent accountability process, is imperative."

"Whether they are princes or nobles, anyone who seizes the land of the common people will be severely punished without exception."

"If you truly desire a stable future and to retain everything you have now, then report the land that originally did not belong to you to the Ministry of Revenue, and have the Ministry register it. As for how it will be handled afterward, you will be treated with kindness," Zhu Ying said slowly.

However, after hearing Zhu Yingming's instruction to Lan Yu and the others to hand over the land they had encroached upon,

Blue jade, evergreen.

Furthermore, all the generals from Huaixi wore expressions of reluctance.

In this era.

Farmland is a source of income, since grain is the most valuable commodity.

The most stable industry is also the land.

"Your Majesty."

"Without these fields, our whole family would not be able to survive," Lan Yu said anxiously.

"Yes, Your Highness."

“If the government’s salary were sufficient, we wouldn’t have done these things that encroached on land.”

"But the salary is too little. Although we have titles and seem to be nobles, those lowly merchants live better than us."

"These fields are our lifeline..."

One by one, the generals of Huaixi also spoke up, their voices filled with pleading.

"Regarding salary."

"I will petition His Majesty to increase the salaries of all officials."

"In addition to the salary, I will also create a silver reward for all officials of the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who serves the country will receive a silver reward every year. Once implemented, this silver reward will not be less than your salary, and may even be more."

"As for the land."

"The foundation of the nation."

"This time, I am determined to rectify the situation, otherwise my Great Ming will become another Yuan Dynasty and perish within a hundred years."

"If you all still wish for the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty and hope that your descendants will flourish in the Ming Dynasty, then I hope that you can set an example," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice, scanning the crowd.

Land survey!

This wasn't actually on Zhu Ying's agenda, but Zhu Biao was already making preparations.

From today's discussion at Wenyuan Pavilion.

Zhu Biao naturally understood Zhu Ying's intention: first deal with the vassal kings, then with the powerful and influential.

This is the first step in making a change.

Zhu Ying's words were neither calm nor indifferent.

But in reality, it carries an undeniable air of authority.

Hear this!

The generals from Huaixi inside the hall fell silent.

Perhaps everyone is struggling.

Giving up the land they controlled meant giving up a large sum of money, but the salary and bonus Zhu Ying mentioned seemed to be just a pipe dream for now.

After a while.

"Your Majesty."

"I believe you."

finally.

Lan Yu spoke up: "After I return, I will submit the land register to the Ministry of Revenue for statistics. The amount of land not under my name will also be handled by the court."

This sound.

Like thunder.

For these generals in Huaixi, it was all a choice.

Unknowingly.

The decision has been made.

The choice is to comply with the court's changes to the land policy, or to continue occupying the land they have seized through trickery and deception, thus defying the court.

To defy the imperial court.

Now they are faced with the challenge of defying Zhu Yuanzhang and his two grandsons.

And conform.

Naturally, the goal was to bring them completely under the control of the imperial court.

If Huaixi were to serve as a model, it would obviously be of great help to the Ministry of Revenue's subsequent statistics, since Huaixi itself was a tough nut to crack.

They all complied, so one can imagine how the nobles in the court and across the land would dare to oppose them.

Lan Yu was the backbone of these fierce generals of Huaixi. Seeing his statement, the generals of Huaixi gritted their teeth and said one after another, "Your subject agrees. Your subject will report the land ownership to the Ministry of Revenue."

"I would never dare to deceive Your Highness."

……

The generals of Huaixi finally made their choice: they trusted Lan Yu, but even more so, they trusted Zhu Ying.

because.

Their future lies with Zhu Ying.

See this.

A satisfied smile appeared on Zhu Ying's face.

This time.

The choice made by the General of Huaixi naturally satisfied him.

"very good."

Zhu Ying nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry."

"As long as you are loyal to the court, neither I, nor even the Emperor and the Crown Prince will treat you poorly."

"The key lies in this loyalty, the loyalty that sustains the Ming Empire," Zhu Ying said slowly, revealing a sense of satisfaction.

"I understand."

The generals of Huaixi immediately replied and bowed in respect.

Although Zhu Yingnian was only twenty years old, he possessed a fierce aura that he had developed in the military, as well as the majesty that had been bestowed upon him by the imperial family.

This made Lan Yu and the others feel a sense of pressure when facing Zhu Yingshi.

Naturally, they dared not show any disrespect, much less act like elders.

"All right."

"Everyone, stand up."

Zhu Ying smiled and then slowly stood up from the chair.

"Your Majesty."

"The Emperor actually agreed to this reduction of the power of the princes?" Lan Yu asked with some curiosity.

"The emperor is naturally aware that the vassal kings are causing trouble in politics."

“It could be easily resolved when he was in power, but it will be much more difficult when it comes to the Crown Prince and me.” Zhu Ying smiled faintly. “Your Highness is wise.”

“This vassal state should have been abolished long ago,” Lan Yu nodded in agreement.

"Yes."

"Throughout history, powerful regional kings have inevitably brought chaos to the land."

“We have been trying to persuade the Crown Prince, but he has never been able to make up his mind, saying that he will do it later.”

"Now that the prince has returned, this is a crucial step forward."

"We swear to serve the Crown Prince and the Prince to the death."

“If these vassal kings dare to disobey or cause chaos, we will certainly lead troops to suppress them.”

The generals of Huaixi all spoke up, expressing their full agreement with the policy of weakening the power of the feudal lords.

"Duke Liang."

"The fact that the Crown Prince has entrusted you with the selection of generals demonstrates the trust that both the Crown Prince and I place in Huaixi."

"These generals will all be going to their respective fiefdoms to lead troops. You must select the most reliable and wise ones, and don't make any mistakes," Zhu Ying said solemnly to Lan Yu.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

“There will absolutely be no mistakes in this matter,” Lan Yu assured him immediately.

With the generals selecting the best, Zhu Ying naturally didn't need to worry too much. The Huaixi faction was destined to stand behind him; to leave them meant certain death.

"All right."

"The important business is over."

"You've all come today too."

"I also want to talk about some other things, concerning your future, and even more so, the future of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Ying suddenly changed the subject and looked at the generals of Huaixi.

"Your Highness, we people from Huaixi are all on the same side."

"We'll listen to whatever you say," Lan Yu said with a smile.

"Yes."

“Your Highness, please speak,” Chang Mao replied immediately.

"How big do you think this world is?" Zhu Ying smiled and asked, looking at the crowd.

Hear this question.

All the generals of Huaixi looked completely bewildered.

It's obvious they don't know why Zhu Ying suddenly asked this question.

"With the strength of my Great Ming Dynasty, and the vastness of the world, my Great Ming Dynasty's territory must occupy half of the world," Lan Yu said with great confidence.

"Yes."

"Of all the world's vastness, our Great Ming Dynasty will surely occupy half of it."

"The territory of my Great Ming is the true Central Plains; all outside the Great Ming are barbarians."

"Originally, there was the Northern Yuan in the north, which was a great enemy of our Great Ming. But now their emperor has been captured by the prince, and our Great Ming is now the number one power in the world."

"The remaining barbarian tribes are not worth worrying about," many Huaixi generals echoed.

In their view, the Ming Dynasty had a vast territory, covering half of the world, and was the most powerful country in the world.

This was a consensus among them all, and perhaps also a consensus among countless citizens of the Ming Dynasty.

Even the current emperor would think so.

After all, with the technology of this era, it is difficult for one person to truly travel all over the world of the Ming Dynasty in a lifetime.

"These past few days."

"There is something I prepared that I originally intended to show to the Emperor and the Crown Prince first."

"But your timing is perfect."

"I will show you what the real world is, what the real world is."

Zhu Ying stood up, his face solemn.

immediately.

A clap.

Liu Lei, who was serving nearby, immediately understood.

"Bring it up," Liu Lei shouted.

Suddenly.

Two guards carried a huge long sail to the scene, but it was not unfurled.

All the generals of Huaixi looked puzzled.

"Hang it up, unfold it."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Ying immediately spoke.

The guards immediately understood.

They took down two ropes that had been prepared beforehand from the main hall and hung up the huge banner.

As the two guards released their grip, the massive object plummeted, followed by a tightening of the rope as it rose again.

The huge cloth was fully unfurled and came into view of the generals of Huaixi.

"map?"

Lan Yu stared intently as the giant cloth unfolded, revealing itself to be a large map.

Those who are engaged in military campaigns are naturally very familiar with this map.

only.

The map that was now in front of them was much larger than they had imagined.

"This...this part, could it be part of my Great Ming Dynasty?"

Chang Mao stepped forward, pointed to the territory where the Ming Dynasty was located, and exclaimed in surprise.

All eyes turned to them, and everyone was greatly surprised.

"How could the territory of my Great Ming Dynasty be so small?"

"Isn't this possible?"

"This map is so magnificent, could it be a real map of the world?"

"Our Great Ming territory occupies less than 20% of this map, no, it's less than 10%."

"How could this happen?"

……

Looking at the map in front of me.

The generals of Huaixi, who had previously claimed that the Ming Dynasty's territory occupied half of the country, were now completely stunned.

This was completely different from the Ming Dynasty they envisioned.

"Just as you see with your own eyes."

"This is the real world map; the land we stand on is fully displayed on this map."

"And this area is the territory of my Great Ming Dynasty."

"Isn't this quite different from what you expected?"

Zhu Ying stepped forward and calmly addressed the generals of Huaixi.

"Your Majesty."

"Is...is this really a world map?"

"Who could have drawn this?" Lan Yu asked, looking astonished.

"You may consider this picture to be a gift from the gods."

"It doesn't matter where it comes from."

"Through this diagram, I have only one message for you all."

"That is what the true landscape of the world is all about."

"I want you to know what the world is like, and not to be limited to the narrow-mindedness of a frog in a well."

"I must tell you even more."

"The world is vast, and awaits you all."

"The enemies of our Great Ming are not only the already destroyed Northern Yuan, but also all the foreign tribes and ethnic groups in the world."

"them……"

Zhu Ying stared intently at the enormous map, his ambition undisguised, as he pointed across the map, tracing the names of various countries.

"They are all waiting for my Great Ming to conquer them."

"This far west, this far north, this western land."

"Our Great Ming cavalry treads upon it, standing atop the entire world. How magnificent is that?"

"Someday."

"I, along with my generals, will crush all the rebellious subjects and make our Great Ming Dynasty stand at the pinnacle of the world, the pinnacle of all nations, trampling all nations under our feet. How magnificent would that be?"

Zhu Ying's voice carried a sense of grandeur, and even more so, a sense of ambition.

The sound resounded throughout the entire East Palace Hall.

And this moment.

Lan Yu and the other generals from Huaixi were completely absorbed in the map and in Zhu Ying's words.

……

(End of this chapter)