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

Chapter 331 The Princes' Audience! The Difference Between Zhu Chongba's Sons and Zhu Yuanzhang's Sons!
Inside Wenyuan Pavilion!

"Absolutely amazing!"

"Biao'er."

"How exactly does Xiong Ying's brain work?"

"It's astonishing that they could come up with such a method of monetary control."

"The Royal Bank gathers the wealth of the world, and it also distributes the wealth of the world. It has brought the entire wealth of my Ming Dynasty to life in an instant." Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned as he looked at the bank establishment register written by Zhu Ying in his hand, which was of course a copy.

With his insight and vision as the founding emperor, he naturally saw through the fundamental truth immediately.

This bank, like the land tax reform, is definitely beneficial to the Ming Dynasty.

If the "equalization of land tax and poll tax" brought fairness and justice to all people in terms of grain tax, it also enabled the imperial court to collect grain tax accurately.

The existence of banks is to promote the economy.

"Yes."

"Absolutely amazing."

"father."

"Our choice was right to let U.A. High School take the lead in implementing national policy."

"Compared to Xiong Ying's vision and ability, my son seems far inferior."

"No wonder Zhao Mian, at such an age, had to resign from his position as Minister to become the first head of this bank. If he can succeed in this, he will surely be remembered in history."

"Zhao Mian also sees things very clearly," Zhu Biao said with great emotion.

"The right to be exempt from taxes."

“Supported by the vassal kings.”

"Eliminating the poll tax into the land tax."

"Now it's the Royal Bank's strategy again."

"We feel that Xiong Ying is playing a big game, changing the Ming Dynasty step by step. Although it seems like a lot, it is actually a gradual process."

"Now we are increasingly looking forward to seeing what kind of changes Xiong Ying will bring to the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Yuanzhang said with great emotion.

"This is all thanks to your full support, Father. Otherwise, with just me and Xiong Ying, I'm afraid it would have been very difficult to carry it out so smoothly," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Hear this.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed: "You little rascal, you're starting to flatter me."

"That's the truth."

"The reason why Xiong Ying was able to proceed without any obstacles is also thanks to Father's divine power," Zhu Biao said solemnly.

"Don't say it."

"We're increasingly glad we fully supported U.A.'s decision. Otherwise, given U.A.'s methods, I reckon all your younger brothers would have suffered."

"This is a fact."

"Moreover, if Xiong Ying were to leave the Ming Dynasty, we dare not even imagine the consequences," Zhu Yuanzhang said with immense relief.

"correct."

"Now, Miaojin, Ya'er, and the Korean princess are all pregnant."

"Yu'er is about to give birth."

“This time, Xiong Ying will have even more offspring,” Zhu Biao suddenly said with a smile.

"Anyway, U.A. already has an eldest son, so we'll be happy whether the rest are boys or girls."

"Have the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court prepare so that the baby is immediately entered into the family genealogy and registered," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

“That’s natural.” Zhu Biao nodded.

At this moment!
"emperor."

"Zheng Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, requests an audience."

Yun Qi, who was outside the hall, entered the hall and respectfully reported.

"It seems everyone has arrived."

Upon hearing that Zheng Yi was requesting an audience, Zhu Yuanzhang already knew what it was about.

"Summon them." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

next moment.

Zheng Yi strode into the hall and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, all the vassal kings who were enfeoffed throughout the land have entered Yingtian and are all present. I have come to ask Your Majesty whether you may summon the vassal kings?"

This time, the vassal king came to pay his respects.

Clearly, Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of meeting them one by one, so he waited until all his sons who had been enfeoffed were present before meeting them all at once.

"Let them enter the palace for an audience at noon," Zhu Yuanzhang said after a moment's thought.

"I accept the decree."

Zheng Yi respectfully accepted the imperial decree.

He then withdrew.

"Do you think we should let Xiong Ying meet his uncles?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and asked Zhu Biao.

"Father, you can decide for yourself," Zhu Biao smiled.

“Most of your younger brothers are troublesome. Xiong Ying is quite upright and holds grudges. If his uncles offend him, we’re really afraid he might not be able to resist taking action,” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the beam that Zhu Ying had smashed with a single punch that had already been repaired.

The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang fully supported Zhu Ying's national policies was not only because they were correct, but more importantly because of Zhu Ying's terrifying military strength.

He was the founding emperor.

They have never been suppressed by anyone.

However, he suffered a setback in front of his own grandson. If it weren't for this invisible deterrent, it would obviously not have been possible to implement it so smoothly.

Moreover, deep down, Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed concerned about the safety of his son.

He was very clear about one thing: Zhu Ying was absolutely a man of his word.

Many things were resolved at that moment, thus preventing fratricide and bloodshed.

If he were in Zhu Ying's hands, he would truly be a man of his word, and those who oppose him would likely meet a terrible end.

"father."

"You can rest assured."

"After all, we're still here. As long as they don't cause trouble, U.A. will be very polite."

"Now that the vassal king has come to the capital, it is only right and proper that Xiong Ying should meet him."

"Moreover, the matter of supporting the imperial family has been resolved within the family, so there's no need to make a fool of ourselves outside," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

"That is indeed true." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

immediately.

He looked at Yun Qi and said, "Pass on our decree that Xiong Ying be invited to the palace for a banquet at noon."

"This old servant obeys the decree." Yun Qi respectfully accepted the order.

……

Prince Yu Huai's Mansion!

"Your Majesty."

"A decree has just arrived from the palace, inviting Your Highness to dine at the palace at noon," Liu Lei reported respectfully as he entered the main hall.

Hear this!

Zhu Ying raised his head and said calmly, "It seems that all the vassal kings have already entered Yingtian."

"Your Majesty."

"This time, Your Highness has implemented many national policies, abolished the tax exemption rights of the vassal kings, and now you want to take away their royal support. I'm afraid they will be very hostile to Your Highness."

"Will there be any unexpected events during this trip to the palace?" Liu Lei asked with great concern.

"Do you think a palace can confine me?" Zhu Ying turned his head, looked at Liu Lei with a smile, which also carried a sense of pride in his own strength.

"That's true."

"No one in the world can keep the Lord."

"If those vassal kings really dare to attack our lord, then we can no longer stay in the Ming Dynasty. We, your subordinates, swear to follow you to the death and fight our way out of the Ming Dynasty." Liu Lei bowed to Zhu Ying without any hesitation.

Zhu Ying smiled and waved his hand: "Now the emperor and the crown prince are on my side, so there is no need to think too much. If they really want to deal with me, I am not a lamb to the slaughter. On the contrary, those vassal kings are the lambs in my eyes now."

"The reason why I was allowed to enter the palace this time is perhaps because the Emperor and the Crown Prince wanted to resolve the issue of supporting the clan within the palace, so as not to cause turmoil outside."

"only."

"Most of these vassal kings are not honest."

Liu Lei nodded knowingly: "My lord, you suspected that the Prince of Yan had tricked us in the northern frontier, causing our military intelligence to be leaked and almost leading to our encirclement by the Yuan army. Shouldn't we also seek justice for this matter?"

"Over the past year or so."

"His Majesty ordered the Black Guards to investigate in secret, and now almost everything that needed to be investigated has been verified."

"Moreover, the departure of the Prince of Yan from Beiping has given the Black Guards an opportunity. A key figure secretly cultivated by the Prince of Yan has already been captured by the Black Guards." "Now that he has arrived, it is the perfect opportunity to deal with him. After all, he once wanted to take the life of the Lord and even wanted to bury 50,000 brothers of the Daning Border Army."

Liu Lei reported with a serious expression.

For this matter.

As Zhu Yingzhen's confidant, Liu Lei was naturally aware of this.

If this grudge is not avenged, it would not only be unfair to Zhu Ying, but also to the soldiers who fought their way into the northern frontier and deep into enemy territory for the sake of the country.

"This matter."

"It will come to an end."

"Bring all the evidence the Black Guard has found, along with the living leader, to the palace with me later. We'll keep them under guard for now."

"When the opportunity arises, I will make Zhu Di pay the price," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with coldness.

As Liu Lei said.

What Zhu Di did back then was an irreconcilable feud.

Zhu Di wanted to remain in the northern frontier forever, to die in that foreign land, and not only that, he also wanted to have his 50,000 soldiers die with him.

This is no longer just a personal grudge.

"Lord."

"I still don't understand."

"Why did Zhu Di target the emperor in such a way?"

"In fact, the Lord has no grudge against him at all, so this shouldn't be the case?" Liu Lei said, somewhat puzzled.

“Because he already knew my identity,” Zhu Ying said coldly.

Hear this!

Liu Lei's expression changed: "He already knew that the Emperor was the eldest grandson of the Emperor?"

"If that's really the case, then everything makes sense."

"Zhu Di was ambitious and secretly raised more than two thousand assassins. He was well aware of his lord's abilities. If his lord were to come to Yingtian to acknowledge his ancestors, Zhu Di knew that he was no match for his lord. Therefore, he wanted to use someone else to kill him in the northern frontier."

"That's really ruthless."

this moment.

Liu Lei suddenly realized what was going on.

I understand completely now.

"Get the vehicle ready."

"We will enter the palace at noon."

"I also want to meet these feudal lords."

“Especially Zhu Di.” Zhu Ying sneered.

"Yes."

Liu Lei respectfully accepted the order.

After a while.

Inside the main hall of Wenyuan Pavilion!

A dozen or so people dressed in royal robes and everyday clothes stood in the main hall, divided into legitimate and illegitimate sons, and according to age.

Fifteen people.

There should have been sixteen, but the second son, Zhu Shuang, has been placed under house arrest in the Imperial Clan Court.

And here.

Each of them was not very old, they were all in their prime, the eldest being three-year-old Leso.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"Your humble servant greets you, elder brother."

The fifteen princes were arranged in three rows and respectfully bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, who sat on the dragon throne, and Zhu Biao, who stood to the side.

They all knelt down to pay their respects.

When facing Zhu Yuanzhang, everyone was extremely respectful and dared not overstep their bounds in the slightest.

Looking across the entire Ming Empire, the only son who could freely stand before Zhu Yuanzhang was Zhu Biao.

Because he was Zhu Chongba's son, and moreover, his eldest legitimate son.

The others were all sons of Zhu Yuanzhang, but not Zhu Chongba.

The meanings are completely different.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, looking at his many sons before him without showing much affection. He remained dignified and imposing, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

Zhu Biao, on the other hand, wore a smile and was very kind; perhaps this was the kind of temperament one would expect from an elder brother.

"All right."

"Stop kneeling, everyone."

"Get up."

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a calm and indifferent tone.

"Thank you, Father."

"Thank you, brother."

Many of the vassal kings stood up and stood respectfully.

When they were enfeoffed, they were kings, but in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, they were like tigers with their teeth pulled out, and dared not go too far.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at them, seemingly taking in all his sons, and then asked with some concern, "You must be tired after such a long journey?"

"Go back to Father."

"Your subjects are not tired."

Zhu Gang, being the third son and the eldest among the many princes, replied respectfully.

Compared to the second son, Zhu Shuang, the third son was much better. Although he was also somewhat domineering, he was not as cruel or bloodthirsty. Moreover, he was originally a capable leader of troops on the border.

"As long as you're not tired."

"The reason I have summoned you to Yingtian is for two things."

"The first one, for U.A. High."

'We've found him. We'll let him rejoin his family and restore his identity. You all need to witness this.'

"After all, he is the eldest son of the third generation of our Ming Dynasty, and the future crown prince." Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his many sons and slowly spoke.

His tone appeared calm, but it carried an undeniable authority.

There are no outsiders here today.

“My brothers, there’s no need to be so reserved. Just say whatever you want,” Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Hear this.

Zhu Gang raised his head, looking displeased, and said, "Father, now that there are no outsiders here, I have one question and many other things I don't understand."

The words fell.

All the princes looked at Zhu Gang, while Zhu Di, who was closest to him, seemed to be thinking about something, but he didn't speak up, much less become the first to speak out.

Among the many princes, Zhu Di's ambitions were undoubtedly the greatest.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze fell on Zhu Gang, without showing any emotion. Under his gaze, Zhu Gang was nervous, but he still gritted his teeth and endured it.

After a moment.

"Speak," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Father Emperor issued an edict stripping his son and other vassal kings of their military power over their fiefdoms, and also stripping them of their power to appoint and dismiss officials."

"Why?"

"Back then, my father said that the foundation of the Ming Empire should be forever in the hands of my Zhu family. To this end, my father overruled the objections of many and enfeoffed princes, so that we princes could guard the borders and defend the territory."

"But how many years has it been?"

Why did Father Emperor change his mind? He even issued an edict of self-reproach to the entire nation, acknowledging that the enfeoffment of princes was a mistake.

"Is Father Emperor trying to use this edict of self-reproach to tell his sons and others his determination to reduce the power of the princes, and to tell them not to have any objections?" Zhu Gang said loudly with a face full of dissatisfaction.

The words fell.

Zhu Gang was trembling all over.

However, most of the other princes lowered their heads and dared not look directly at him. Apart from Zhu Di, who was the legitimate son, the rest were born to concubines and dared not speak to Zhu Yuanzhang in such a way. They were terrified.

But Zhu Gang's words also expressed their true feelings.

……

　P.S.: Happy New Year! Thank you for your support, muah!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)