Ming Dynasty: The Jingnan Rebellion has just been successful, and Zhu Yuanzhang has been resurrected

Chapter 120: In the court, Fang Xiaoru slashed himself with a sword
Tang He looked embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, that's not what I meant."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of bitterness. He said, "Okay, don't force yourself to laugh. Laugh if you want to. We did do something wrong in this matter."

"Your Majesty, you really misunderstood." Tang He said with a firm expression.

If he wanted to laugh, he had to wait until he got home and there was no one around. He didn't have the courage to laugh in front of Zhu Yuanzhang. Although Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be indifferent, he was a notoriously cautious person. How could he make such a low-level mistake!

Maybe Zhu Yuanzhang really doesn’t care at this moment, but who can guarantee that Zhu Yuanzhang won’t care in the future?
If he laughed now, Zhu Yuanzhang would feel more and more uncomfortable when he thought about it later, and then he would be in trouble.

So, to be safe, never laugh!
"Forget it, it's up to you!" Zhu Yuanzhang didn't think too much about it.

"By the way, why do you think Yunhu insisted on abolishing the preferential treatment for gentry?" Zhu Yuanzhang thought of another thing and said to Tang He.

Giving preferential treatment to the gentry is a difficult matter to handle. If it is not done well, it will cause a big mess.

First of all, the enthusiasm of Ming Dynasty scholars will decline, which may lead to a shortage of grassroots officials in the future.

Secondly, the "gentry" were very powerful. Although Zhu Yunhuan was the emperor, they would never easily compromise if their interests were affected.

This matter is bound to cause a stir.

"I don't know!" Tang He shook his head.

"This is a very difficult matter!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a wry smile.

Tang He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, I think since the Emperor Yunhu has done this, he must have made corresponding plans."

"It is not a wise move for Yunhu to be so eager to take action against the court officials." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

He had been on the throne for nearly thirty years and knew the court officials too well.

Zhu Yunhuan now needs help from court officials in many areas, so it is not a wise move to act so hastily against them.

In this world, the only thing that is eternal is interest.

Abolishing the preferential treatment for gentry would be taking the interests of court officials into consideration. How could they possibly agree to this?

Tang He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, could it be that the preferential treatment given to the gentry has some hidden dangers? That's why Emperor Yunhu is so eager to abolish this measure."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard this, and said in astonishment, "That shouldn't be possible, right? After we issued the preferential treatment for the gentry, both the court and the people praised it highly. Moreover, the shortage of grassroots management personnel in our Ming Dynasty has indeed been greatly alleviated."

"Anyway, I think there must be a reason why Emperor Yunhu did this," said Tang He.

Spending every day together in Fengyang gave him a better understanding of Zhu Yunhuan. It seemed that every decision Zhu Yunhuan made was without any mistakes.

After so many times, he habitually trusted Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Tang He with a strange look in his eyes and asked, "Tang He, do you trust Yun Hu so much?"

Tang He hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "Yes, so far, everything that Emperor Yunxun has done has been correct."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while.

If Zhu Yunhuan is not wrong, then the reason for this matter may have to be found in him.

"Could it be that there is really something wrong with the preferential treatment we have issued to the gentry?" At the beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang was very confident, but after seeing Tang He's attitude, he began to doubt himself.

He knew very well who Tang He was.

The reason why Zhu Yunhuan was able to receive such a high evaluation in Tang He's heart must be the result of repeated experiments.

Hall of Supreme Harmony!
The banquet had ended, and Fang Xiaoru, Tie Xuan, Xia Yuanji, Xie Jin, Li Jinglong and others had all left.

Zhu Yunhuan kept Zhu Di, Zhu Gang and others.

"Swish, swish, swish!" Ma Sanbao came with a group of palace maids and served sobering soup to the princes.

"Yunhuan, we are the only family members left here. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly." Zhu Gang waved his hand and said carelessly.

Things went unexpectedly smoothly at tonight's banquet.

Although Zhu Di stole a lot of his limelight, overall he achieved his goal and was quite satisfied.

"That's right, Yunxun, if you have anything to say, just let me know."

"Yunxun, we were wrong before, but now we realize it. If you have anything to say, just say it directly."

"Yunxun, Uncle Wang won't say anything else. Now I submit to you!"

"."

Zhu Zhen, Zhu Zhi, Zhu Yu and others spoke out one after another.

When people drink too much, they tend to talk too much.

Of course, the princes' words at this time were all sincere from the bottom of their hearts. Zhu Yunhuan was too powerful, and they dared not be insincere.

"My dear uncles, I have kept you all here mainly to discuss the matter of the land under your names." Zhu Yunheng said softly.

In ancient dynasties, problems basically started from the most basic land.

Land is the foundation of people's survival.

However, there is always a group of people who are extremely greedy and try every possible means to seize the land from the hands of the common people.

A little bit is not a big problem and cannot shake the foundation of the dynasty.

But in this world, there is never any such thing as moderation, and most people are greedy beyond measure.

One acre was seized today, three mu tomorrow. Over time, the land was taken up, and the people were forced to become refugees step by step.

At this point, the problem has already emerged, and it only needs an opportunity to become a prairie fire.

This opportunity is a natural disaster.

Natural disasters are uncertain and may occur at any time, but they all have one thing in common, which is that they are extremely harmful.

The harm is great, representing great persecution of the lower-class people.

The people in the Central Plains are the most lovely group of people. As long as they have something to eat, they will not think of rebelling.

After all, rebellion is punishable by death.

But when there is no food to eat, someone will step forward.

Prince and general, would you rather have a kind?
Although Chen Sheng and Wu Guang died, their slogans have been passed down.

Since starving to death is death anyway, I might as well give it a try.

Therefore, land is of paramount importance!
Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce.

Farmers are ranked below officials.

Farming is tiring and the income is low.

However, the people are the foundation of the dynasty.

Therefore, in order to allow the people to farm with peace of mind, the emperor improved the social status of the people.

In the feudal dynasties, every founding emperor knew the importance of the people. Whether it was Zhu Yuanzhang who came from the lower class, or Li Shimin who rose up from the nobility and ascended the throne, each of them knew the importance of the people.

But the problem is that the status of the people is a bit too weak, and it all depends on the attitude of the court or the emperor.

One generation, two generations, three generations. Throughout the dynasties, which dynasty has always been able to produce wise monarchs?

Just one collapse.

Things changed dramatically immediately.

Officials, gentry, and nobles began to show their fangs and search for wealth. In their eyes, the helpless people were just a bunch of fat sheep to be slaughtered.

The land was taken over and the number of refugees increased dramatically.

This is almost inevitable.

Immediately afterwards, the mountains and rivers changed color and the country collapsed.

"Land?" The princes were stunned when they heard Zhu Yunhuan's words.

They originally thought that Zhu Yunhuan kept them to discuss some important matter, but they didn't expect that he was actually targeting the land under their names.

Although land can generate wealth continuously, for them, that little money is really not worth their while.

"Yunhuan, all the land under my name will be given to you." Zhu Di said.

Although he didn't know what Zhu Yunhuan's purpose was, there was absolutely no harm in making friends with Zhu Yunhuan at this time.

At that time, as long as Zhu Yunhuan took care of him a little, he would be able to get more benefits.

Moreover, he had decided to go out and fight for fiefdoms. No matter how much land the Ming Dynasty had, it didn't seem to be of much use.

"Yunhuan, I will give you the land under my name as well!" Zhu Gang followed closely behind. Although he felt a little heartbroken, Zhu Di had already rushed forward, so how could he fall behind?

"Yunxun, I'll give you the land under my name too!"

"Yunxun, it's just some fields, you can take it."

"."

A group of princes spoke up one after another.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gang both handed over their land, so how could they not hand it over?

Zhu Yunhuan might not be able to remember who of them had handed over the land, but he would definitely know who had not.

What if something happens to them then?
They knew very well that the only reason they could sit here was because Zhu Yunhuan still recognized them as his uncle. If Zhu Yunhuan did not recognize them, they would all be prisoners now.

Zhu Yunhuan looked a little surprised, then smiled and said, "My dear uncles, you are so polite."

"It should, it should!"

"Yun Hun, you can forgive us. We are only giving you some land now. In this matter, we are really getting a great deal."

"That's right, Yunxun, please don't be polite."

The princes spoke one after another.

What land? That’s their life-saving money!

"My dear uncles, since you all say so, I won't be polite with you. These lands are indeed of great use to me." Zhu Yunhuan said.

Taking back the land of the princes was only the first step. Gradually, he wanted to take back all the land in the world to the court.

His ability is not very good.

But, he can copy homework!
"Yunhuan, didn't you say it? We are all family, don't be polite." Zhu Di said.

"That's right, Yunhuan, please don't be polite to us. If you are polite, it will become alienating." Zhu Gang said.

"Yes, yes, there's no need to be so polite among family members."

"Yunxun, are these fields enough? Do you want us to help you get some more?"

"Yunxun, if there's anything you need our help with, just let us know."

"."

Zhu Zhen, Zhu Zhi, Zhu Yu and others spoke out.

Zhu Yunhuan waved his hand and said, "These are enough for now. I'll take care of the rest later."

"This Yunxun looks like he needs a lot of land. What is he going to do?"

When the vassal king heard Zhu Yunhuan's words, he was extremely confused.

Zhu Yunhuan did not explain anything. He took away the land from the princes just because it was convenient for him to do so. The main reason was that the timing was right.

For now, he has no plans to touch the land.

On the official road!

Zhu Gaosui was heading towards Yingtian Prefecture with his troops from Peking.

He rode on his warhorse, his expression somewhat lost in thought: "I don't know what the situation will be like when I arrive in Yingtian Prefecture."

Zhu Yunhuan had already taken action against Zhu Gang, Zhu Yu and others. His father was so anxious that he left the main force behind and headed straight for Yingtian Prefecture.

Although he didn't know the current situation in Yingtian Prefecture, he could guess that the current situation was probably not optimistic.

"Alas," Zhu Gaosui came back to his senses and shook his head.

"drive!"

"Shut up!"

Yuan Gong rode his horse to Zhu Gaosui's side.

"Hmm?" Zhu Gaoxu turned his head and looked at Yuan Gong with a puzzled look.

Yuan Gong handed a letter to Zhu Gaosui and said, "Third Master, the prince has sent a letter."

"Huh? A letter from my father?" Zhu Gaoxu was stunned. He then reached out and took the letter from Yuan Gong, quickly opened it, and read the contents: "This withdrawal of troops? What the hell?"

He was a little confused. The content of the letter was very brief. Zhu Di asked him to stop advancing immediately and return to Beiping after receiving the letter.

"Retreat?" Yuan Gong was stunned when he heard Zhu Gaosui's words.

After calming himself down, he looked at Zhu Gaosui and said, "Third Master, what did the prince write in the letter?"

"Huh..." Zhu Gaosui came back to his senses, shook his head, and said with a wry smile: "Mr. Yuan, my father asked us to withdraw our troops and return to Beiping."

"Ah? They really are retreating. I didn't hear it wrong!" Yuan Gong was a little confused.

Everything is fine, why do you suddenly want to withdraw the troops?

He was filled with doubts.

Zhu Gaosui hesitated for a moment and said to the guards beside him: "Pass the order down. We will not go to Yingtian Prefecture. Let's return to Beiping."

The guards were a little surprised when they heard this.

Zhu Gaoxu frowned and said, "Why, didn't you hear what I said? Withdraw the troops and return to Beiping!"

"Yes, Third Young Master!" the guard nodded.

"Wait a moment!" Yuan Gong called out to the guards, turned his head and looked at Zhu Gaosui, saying, "Third Master, shouldn't we be more cautious? What if this letter isn't written by the prince? Then, things will be very troublesome."

Zhu Gaosui waved his hand and said, "No need, I know my father's handwriting, this letter is real!"

After saying that, he waved his hand at the guards: "Don't stand there like an idiot, go and pass the message!"

"Yes!" The guard nodded and took another step forward.

"This..." Yuan Gong opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Yuan Gong and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Yuan, don't you understand yet? The negotiations in Yingtian Prefecture are over. My father has bowed to Hun'er!"

Yuan Gong was stunned for a moment, and then a hint of bitterness appeared on his face.

"Tell me, how did Hun Ge'er do it?" Zhu Gaosui's face was full of curiosity.

He didn't know about the others, but he knew his father very well. He was definitely not someone who would surrender easily. Moreover, he surrendered in this situation where they had never fought before. This was simply unbelievable!
"I don't know!" Yuan Gong shook his head.

The matter was too unbelievable and he couldn't figure it out.

Zhu Gaosui shook his head and said, "To be honest, this is all the Emperor's fault. If he had passed the throne to Hun Ge'er, there wouldn't be so many problems now. I really can't understand what he was thinking. He gave up Hun Ge'er and chose the useless Zhu Yunwen."

Yuan Gong's eyelids twitched and he didn't dare to respond to Zhu Gaosui.

"I really admire my second brother more and more now. He has a very sharp vision. After arriving in Fengyang, he soon clung to Hun Ge'er's thigh. He even turned against my father for this. He is so decisive!" Zhu Gaosui sighed.

When he first heard that Zhu Gaoxu had followed Zhu Yunhuan, he was very puzzled. He didn't understand what was wrong with his second brother that he actually defected to Zhu Yunhuan.

Now it seems that it is not that his second brother is stupid, but that these people do not know how outstanding Zhu Yunhuan is.

Yuan Gong smiled wryly, nodded in agreement, and said, "Second Young Master's vision is indeed good!"

After arriving in Fengyang, they immediately and decisively surrendered to Zhu Yunhuan and cut off ties with Beiping. At that time, they did not understand why Zhu Gaoxu did this, and even thought that Zhu Gaoxu was stupid, but now the facts before them told them that they were the clowns.

"Mr. Yuan, Third Young Master, what exactly happened? Didn't the prince ask us to advance towards Yingtian Prefecture? Why are we returning to Peking now?" Qiu Fu walked over and frowned.

Zhu Gaosui didn't waste any words and directly threw Zhu Di's letter to Qiu Fu, saying, "General Qiu, take a look at this."

"What is this?" Qiu Fu reached out to take the letter, a little surprised.

"My father's letter just arrived." Zhu Gaoxu said.

"Is this the prince's letter?" Qiu Fu looked hesitant.

Taking a deep breath, he lowered his head to look at the letter in his hand, and his expression suddenly changed: "What's going on with this Third Young Master?"

"I don't know either, but according to my analysis, it should be my father who surrendered to Hun Ge'er." Zhu Gaosui shrugged.

"It's impossible for the prince to surrender to the grandson of Emperor Yunhu!" Qiu Fu frowned and shook his head repeatedly.

Zhu Di surrendered before even fighting?

This is not Zhu Di’s character!
"Nothing is impossible. It may be that the Third Prince and the others have surrendered. In this case, what else can my father do if he doesn't surrender? Can he fight against Hun Ge'er with the power of Beiping alone?" Zhu Gaosui said.

Qiu Fu's expression changed from gloomy to bright, and finally he became dejected, muttering: "We prepared for so long, but in the end we didn't even fight a decent battle. How could this happen?"

Zhu Gaoxu and Yuan Gong looked bitter upon hearing this.

"No way, I encountered a monster!"

In Fengtian Palace!

Zhu Yunhuan sat on the dragon throne with a lazy look.

The atmosphere in the hall was a little weird.

All the ministers had received the news in advance and knew that today's court meeting might discuss the abolition of preferential treatment for gentry.

"Your Majesty must not abolish the preferential treatment for the gentry!"

"This court meeting is crucial. We must unite and force His Majesty to make some concessions."

"Preferential treatment of the gentry was a measure established by Taizu. How can it be easily changed?"

"."

Some court officials had obtained the promise of the gentry and had made up their minds that as soon as Zhu Yunhuan mentioned the preferential treatment for the gentry, they would start crying and wailing. In short, they would never let Zhu Yunhuan abolish the preferential treatment for the gentry.

Zhu Yunhuan felt that the time was almost up, so he opened his eyes, twisted his neck, and said lightly: "My dear ministers, today's court meeting..."

Fang Xiaoru took a deep breath, stepped out of the line, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

"Hmm? Fang Xiaoru? Good!"

"Fang Xiaoru is truly the leader of the world's scholars. He truly stood up!"

"With Lord Fang taking the lead, we are even more confident!"

"."

When the ministers saw Fang Xiaoru stand up, they were stunned at first, and then they all showed joy on their faces.

Li Jinglong looked at Fang Xiaoru and sighed in his heart: "Alas"

Zhu Yunxun frowned and said, "Speak!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fang Xiaoru nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that the preferential treatment measures for gentry issued by Taizu are extremely inappropriate. We in the Ming Dynasty should treat everyone equally. Even gentry must pay taxes and tribute!"

(End of this chapter)