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

Chapter 340 The Diversity of Zhu Yuanzhang's Sons! Some were Brutal and Bloodthirsty!

Upon hearing Zhu Ying's question...

Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that this matter would not end so easily.

but.

Thinking about the actions of his sons, Zhu Yuanzhang felt helpless. They were so rampant while he was alive; if he were really gone, one can imagine how much more chaos they would cause.

If it were Zhu Biao, perhaps he would have treated them kindly, but his own grandson, alas, Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well Zhu Ying's methods.

But now...

Zhu Yuanzhang was also put on a pedestal, with no other choice.

"nature."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly.

The expressions of the vassal kings kneeling in the main hall changed drastically, and they all stared in utter astonishment.

"it is good."

Zhu Ying nodded, slowly walked to the center of the hall, and looked at the eight vassal kings kneeling on the ground.

"Originally, out of respect for the Emperor and the Crown Prince..."

"Even if it means weakening the power of the princes or reducing the support for the imperial family, I am prepared to give you sufficient autonomy."

"But now it seems that you are not worthy, not worthy at all."

"If that's the case, then we'll proceed according to the laws and regulations of the imperial court."

Zhu Ying spoke slowly, his voice carrying a chill.

With Zhu Yuanzhang present, these vassal kings dared not utter another word of retort.

and.

Zhu Di kept assassins and even colluded with the enemy to betray the country.

This is something that cannot be changed.

They originally wanted to use the tiger's skin as a banner, but in reality, they dug their own grave.

"first."

"Abolish the power of princes to maintain their private armies."

"From now on, the soldiers protecting the princes will be directly dispatched by the Ministry of War and rotated."

"Secondly, abolish the power of the vassal kings to govern."

"From now on, princes shall not participate in military or political affairs."

"Thirdly, after the royal properties were transferred to the various feudal states, the princes only had the right to receive dividends, not the right to govern them." Zhu Ying turned his head, seemingly speaking to the princes, but in reality speaking to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The princes all raised their heads, looking at Zhu Ying with resentment and dissatisfaction, but their gazes eventually fell on Zhu Yuanzhang.

The real power of decision-making still rested with their father, the emperor.

If Zhu Ying's wishes really come true.

Then they would become mere mascots with the title of king in name only.

Powerless and without influence.

Even the royal guards of the Prince's Palace are gone.

Originally, Zhu Ying planned to deal with these vassal kings step by step to avoid them becoming desperate. But now that they have come to him of their own accord, he can't blame Zhu Ying.

After hearing Zhu Ying's words.

Zhu Yuanzhang had no reason to refuse, and after a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Granted!"

"Father."

"Your subject knows he was wrong."

"Please, Father, rescind your decree."

"Father..."

The eight vassal kings, kneeling on the ground, pleaded in utter fear.

this moment.

They seemed genuinely afraid.

of course!

The root cause is that they knew they had lost, and lost completely.

"original."

"We intend to cover up the matter concerning the fourth prince to avoid bringing shame upon our royal family."

"But because of you, things have gotten so out of hand."

"It's beyond repair."

"Biao'er."

"Draft an imperial edict to be proclaimed to Yingtian: Prince Yan, Zhu Di, has been raising assassins with the intention of rebelling. He is hereby imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, stripped of his princely title, and all his descendants are demoted to commoners and removed from the clan genealogy," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Your subject obeys the decree," Zhu Biao said calmly.

As these words fell.

The princes all lowered their heads, not daring to say anything more.

Xu Miaoyun's face turned extremely ugly.

After struggling for a moment.

"Father."

"I beg you to let me be imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court as well." Xu Miaoyun knelt down and kowtowed.

Hear this.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze softened for a moment, but then he said, "Miaoyun! You are a good daughter-in-law and a good wife. It is my blessing that my fourth son was able to marry you."

"But this time he went too far."

"We cannot forgive him."

"From now on, you should live a good life away from home with your children and grandchildren."

"The Ming Dynasty is vast; you may go anywhere, but do not stay in Yingtian."

With tears in her eyes, Xu Miaoyun said loudly, "The world is indeed vast, but if a daughter-in-law leaves her husband, what life will she have?"

“The daughter-in-law knows that her husband has done something wrong this time, and it is an unforgivable sin.”

“If it weren’t for Father’s grace, our whole family would have been implicated. This punishment is already an extraordinary act of mercy from Father.”

"But the daughter-in-law still wanted to stay in Yingtian, to be with her husband, to live and die together."

"Please grant me permission, Father Emperor."

Xu Miaoyun kowtowed to Zhu Yuanzhang once again.

See this.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Ying out of the corner of his eye, and finally waved his hand: "Expel him from the palace."

"Yes."

Without hesitation, the imperial guards waiting outside stepped forward.

They carried Xu Miaoyun and her three children out.

"Yongying."

"Besides these three points, is there anything else you want to say?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Ying.

Obviously.

This is also the choice that awaits Zhu Ying.

Are these three enough, or are there others?

"As I just said, he will be punished according to the law."

"What happens next."

"Evidence is naturally required."

"I trouble Your Majesty to summon the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with the files of the various vassal kings, and details of the foolish things they have done over the years," Zhu Ying said coldly, glancing at the vassal kings.

They heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was to be summoned, and that they also needed to bring the case files.

Several of the vassal kings' expressions changed drastically in an instant.

Within the fiefdoms, some people were law-abiding, while others were cruel and tyrannical.

"Father."

"Father..."

The faces of the several vassal kings changed drastically, and they looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with pleading expressions.

"Send word to Jiang Huan."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed inwardly, but did not object.

He knew Zhu Ying's personality all too well.

Anger will be repaid.

an eye for an eye.

Zhu Ying had already been tolerant enough of these vassal kings, and had even arranged for them to be supported and have a way out. But they were not satisfied and still wanted to provoke Zhu Ying, and even wanted to implicate Zhu Ying in the unjust name of harming his own uncle.

"today."

"They led their troops to surround the mansion."

"The people of Yingtian were even injured by their own royal guards in their efforts to protect me."

"It was precisely because of this incident that I truly saw the hearts of the people."

"If you treat them well, they will remember it in their hearts."

"Today, I will use the records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to judge the guilty princes, which is my way of repaying the people."

"same."

"They also believe in revenge."

"So that no one can come and cause trouble in front of my residence, as if they really think I'm made of clay," Zhu Ying said slowly.

The meaning was revealed in the words.

This time.

He had to deal with these vassal kings, making an example of them to deter others.

"it is good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say much, and he no longer defended his sons.

Although he had his own selfish motives, he was also very clear that Zhu Ying was right.

In Yingtian City, right under the emperor's nose, while he was still alive, his sons dared to act recklessly. If they weren't properly suppressed, the future would be truly uncontrollable.

While he's still alive, he can clean up the mess and at least save their lives.

To avoid falling into Zhu Ying's hands later, which would probably mean certain death.

Zhu Yuanzhang also realized that Zhu Ying didn't care about any reputation for injustice or any historical records.

This is undoubtedly very frightening.

But Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice; Zhu Ying was his grandson, and Zhu Ying was exceptionally talented. With Zhu Yuanzhang's approval...

The vassal kings kneeling in the main hall became uneasy, especially those who had truly committed heinous acts.

An eerie silence fell over the main hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his two grandsons waited quietly.

The eight vassal kings knelt on the ground.

Even Zhu Biao.

He used to be very protective of his younger brothers, but after the Zhu Di incident, Zhu Biao became disheartened. Even his own brother Zhu Di, whom he had raised since childhood, had the intention to rebel, let alone the others.

Zhu Biao's state of mind at this moment could be described as that of a heartless emperor, having come to understand the fragility of the so-called brotherhood among royal relatives.

and so.

He wouldn't stop it.

soon.

"My lord, please see your Majesty."

"See the prince."

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Jiang Huan quickly arrived at the main hall and respectfully knelt down to pay his respects.

Several imperial guards followed behind him, carrying a box.

"No gift."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand.

When the vassal kings inside the palace saw Jiang Huan arrive, their expressions changed drastically.

"Yongying."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his gaze directly to Zhu Ying.

"I would like to trouble Commander Jiang Huan."

"Of these eight princes, how many have committed murder within their fiefdoms? And how many have squandered resources and caused hardship to the people through extortion and plunder?" Zhu Ying asked Jiang Huan directly.

Hear this.

Without any hesitation, Jiang Huan stood up and looked at the princes. First, his gaze fell on Prince Qi, Zhu Fu.

“King Zhu Fu of Qi,” Jiang Huan announced loudly.

Zhu Fu's face changed, and his whole body trembled.

Obviously.

He was well aware of the outrageous things he had done within the country.

"In the fifteenth year of Hongwu, he seized land extensively within his fiefdom and allowed his soldiers to commit atrocities. As many as thirteen civilians died as a result of his military calamities, and dozens more were reduced to slavery."

"In the sixteenth year of the Hongwu reign, merchants' properties were seized, and women were forced into prostitution, resulting in the deaths of more than fifteen people."

"The seventeenth year of the Hongwu reign..."

Jiang Huan picked up a scroll and began to read it aloud.

With each line read aloud, Zhu Fu's face paled further.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's faces also turned ashen.

After it was read out.

Zhu Fu had no fewer than a hundred lives on his hands, causing more than a hundred families to be torn apart.

And this moment.

Zhu Fu lowered his head, not daring to raise it; he simply could not face Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Jiang Huan."

"Why don't we know about these things?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Jiang Huan with a cold face, filled with suppressed anger.

"emperor."

"Over the years, His Majesty has been lenient with the princes. These files have been piling up for many years. Each time they were reported to His Majesty, he would only glance at them and then ignore them."

"Over time, I dared not submit any more memorials," Jiang Huan said with a sense of helplessness.

Hear this.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

Thinking back on his favoritism towards his sons, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he had always turned a blind eye to their behavior.

"before."

"We have indeed spoiled them too much."

"We really made a mistake."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, looking even older.

"Zhu Fu, is there anything else you want to say?"

Zhu Ying then looked at Zhu Fu and said coldly.

"It is not your place to judge me."

Zhu Fu stood up and looked at Zhu Ying with an angry expression.

Subsequently.

Zhu Fu looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a panicked expression: "Father, I know I was wrong, please forgive me."

"Yongying."

"You decide what to do," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

"it is good."

Without any hesitation, Zhu Ying immediately said, "Pass on my order."

“Strip Qi King Zhu Fu of his royal title, demote him to a commoner, imprison him in the Imperial Clan Court, and keep him in prison for life.”

"The title of Prince of Qi is abolished, and all of Zhu Fu's sons are demoted to commoners."

These words were spoken.

Zhu Fu's face turned deathly pale.

"Father."

"No, I only killed some lowly people."

"Why do you treat your son like this?" Zhu Fu looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a look of fear and panic.

“Decades ago, we were also the lowly people you spoke of, even worse than the lowly people you spoke of, just a beggar,” Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly.

He then looked at Yun Qi beside him and said, "As for Xiong Ying's words, draft an imperial edict and send it to the Imperial Clan Court."

"Take this rebellious son away and imprison him for eternity."

echoed.

Guo Zhen led the Imperial Guards in and captured Zhu Fu immediately.

"Father."

"It's unfair, you're being unfair!"

……

After being taken down.

Zhu Fu shouted angrily and unwillingly.

Unfortunately, no one paid any attention.

"Jiang Huan".

"continue."

Zhu Ying continued, his gaze falling on the remaining seven vassal kings.

now.

Having witnessed Zhu Fu's example and seen Zhu Yingzhen's ruthless methods, how could they not panic?

"Prince Zhu Gui of Dai".

Jiang Huan shouted loudly again.

My name was called.

Zhu Gui's face turned deathly pale.

But Jiang Huan didn't care at all.

Because he knew very well who would be the prefect and whose subjects in the future.

"In the seventeenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Gui forcibly seized one hundred civilians and used archery for amusement, killing more than thirty civilians."

"The eighteenth year of the Hongwu reign..."

Holding the case file, Jiang Huan did not hesitate at all and exposed Zhu Gui's crimes to the public.

His methods were even more cruel and domineering than Zhu Fu's.

Listen to this.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face grew even colder. He had never imagined that his sons would be so cruel, surpassing even their master.

"Send my order."

"Like Zhu Fu, he was stripped of his princely title, imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, and condemned to eternal confinement."

"At the same time, abolish the title of Prince of Dai, demote his sons to commoners, and remove them from the family genealogy." Zhu Ying did not hesitate at all, dealing with Zhu Gui in the same way as Zhu Fu.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

The Imperial Guards immediately arrested the man and took him away.

"continue."

Zhu Ying added.

"King Zhu of Yi".

"In the twentieth year of Hongwu's reign, he was cruel and tyrannical, taking pleasure in torturing and killing soldiers and civilians..." Jiang Huan shouted again.

This twenty-five sons were equally unforgivable and extremely cruel.

And after the announcement.

Zhu's fate was naturally the same as his two older brothers; Zhu Ying stripped him of his princely title and demoted all his descendants to commoners.

The remaining princes, compared to the three who were tyrannical, did not commit any major crimes.

This offered Zhu Yuanzhang some solace.

At least.

Not all sons are that kind of scoundrel.

“You five are not bad. At least you didn’t kill anyone, and at least you weren’t as cruel as those three beasts.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his five sons kneeling in the hall and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

……

(End of this chapter)