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

Chapter 141 The Real Emperor, Elementary School Student Zhu Yuanzhang
For Zhu Yuanzhang, in the current situation, the fact that Zhu Yunhuan could bring his newly married wife to see him, the emperor, was already something that made him very happy.

But the problem is that this granddaughter-in-law is called Xu Miaojin, which makes him feel a little complicated.

Three years ago, he personally rejected the marriage between Zhu Yunhuan and Xu Miaojin, but now the two of them are married, and Zhu Yunhuan even brought people to meet him, the emperor.

Are you here to see him? Clearly, you're here to show off your power!
"Ah," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, a wry smile on his face: "This is all his retribution."

Shaking his head, he slowly calmed down.

The relationship is already over.

He also knew Xu Miaojin, a very good girl.

The Zhu family will not suffer any loss!

Of course, the most important thing is that he can no longer take care of these things.

Moreover, the guilt he felt towards Zhu Yunhuan prevented him from saying much.

"Swish!" Xu Miaojin stepped into the house.

"Miao Jin girl!" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and took the initiative to greet Xu Miao Jin.

"Ah? This His Majesty?" Xu Miaojin was stunned, her eyes filled with horror.

Subconsciously, she held Zhu Yunhuan's hand tightly.

A person who was supposed to be dead suddenly appears before your eyes. Who wouldn't be scared in this situation?
Especially, Xu Miaojin is a woman.

"Don't be afraid, I am alive. I was just pretending to be dead before." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and explained.

"Fake death? This..." Xu Miaojin was completely confused, not knowing what was going on.

She turned her head and looked at Zhu Yunhuan beside her.

Zhu Yunxun touched Xu Miaojin's head with a smile on his face.

"What is going on?" Xu Miaojin calmed down and accepted the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang was not dead.

At the same time, she also knew why Zhu Yunhuan did not bring Zhao Rou and Zhang Yan with him.

What is happening right now really cannot be known to too many people, so as to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble.

"Miao Jin girl, this is a long story, so let me tell you briefly." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Xu Miaojin nodded.

"Sit down!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Zhu Yunhuan pulled Xu Miaojin to sit down.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and slowly began to recount his story: "It all started last year. One day, I suddenly had the urge to test Yunwen's abilities. After testing him, Yunwen responded very satisfactorily. However, I always felt a little uneasy. After all, with me as a backup, some things were unclear. In order to truly see Yunwen's abilities, I thought of faking my own death."

A past event was slowly told by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang did not mention Zhu Yunhun throughout the process, Zhu Yunhun did accurately capture some information. What he said to Zhu Yuanzhang three years ago was the main reason for Zhu Yuanzhang's fake death.

This is also quite normal.

Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts were clear. He had fought so hard to conquer the country, and he really wanted to hold it in his arms all day long.

This can be seen from the fact that he abolished the prime minister system.

Such a person would naturally worry about the problem of having no successor, especially after Zhu Yunhuan reminded him of it.

Maybe Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care at the time, but as he got older, he would one day start to worry.

Whenever he has concerns, he will want to verify them.

"This..." After hearing what happened, Xu Miaojin was dumbfounded and asked subconsciously: "Your Majesty, have you ever considered standing up?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled bitterly when he heard this.

Of course he was ready to reappear, and he was ready.

But who could blame Zhu Yunhuan for rebelling later, and he even fought his way into Yingtian Prefecture?

It was he who gave Zhu Yunwen the throne, and he also made a lot of preparations. In this situation, if he stood up, he might be able to stabilize the situation.

But Zhu Yunhuan was not like that. He had fought his way to Yingtian Prefecture by himself. If he stood out, there was no way the generals under his command would recognize him.

Recognizing him is equivalent to admitting that he and others are rebels. Who can do that?

Xu Miaojin also realized that he had said the wrong thing, and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Grandpa Emperor, you have toiled for the Ming Dynasty your entire life. Now that you are old, it is time for you to have a good rest. The affairs of the court can be left to His Majesty. Now, you only need to guide His Majesty and help check things."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Miaojin girl, don't worry, I have let it go now."

"Oh!" Xu Miaojin nodded.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said, "You've come at the perfect time. I was just about to ask Jiang Li to call you."

"Is it about increasing the salaries of officials, or about trade reform?" Zhu Yunhuan looked extremely calm.

"Both things!" Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Increase the salaries of officials!"

"Trade reform!"

Xu Miaojin raised her little face and looked at Zhu Yunhuan in surprise.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled at Xu Miaojin.

Xu Miaojin blushed and quickly turned her head back.

Zhu Yuanzhang noticed the two men's little tricks, but pretended not to see them. He hesitated and said, "Let's talk about the salary increase first. The salary we assign to Ming officials is enough for their daily expenses. Besides, they haven't made any noise. Why should we take out this money for no reason? You should know that there is not much money in the treasury right now."

"Before answering this question, I would like to ask a question first." Zhu Yunhuan said calmly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "You say!"

"Does our Ming Dynasty produce many corrupt officials? Or is it that once someone who wasn't originally corrupt becomes an official in our Ming Dynasty, their character changes drastically and they become corrupt?"

"Moreover, none of these corrupt officials are afraid of death. They would rather risk being beheaded than continue to embezzle."

Zhu Yunxi said with a smile.

"This..." Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

Did the Ming Dynasty produce many corrupt officials? Would someone who wasn't originally corrupt become a corrupt official after becoming an official in the Ming Dynasty?
What nonsense is this!
There are also honest officials in the Ming Dynasty who are not corrupt, okay?
"The Ming Dynasty naturally does not produce corrupt officials, but there are always some corrupt officials in a big forest. We just have a little more of them in the Ming Dynasty." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a sullen face.

When it comes to the issue of corruption, he is also very troubled.

He instituted harsh sentences, some of which were horrific.

However, the problem of corruption has not been solved and even tends to get worse.

Sometimes he was very puzzled and couldn't understand what was going on with those corrupt officials. Why did they all seem to be fearless of death?

"Have you found the reason?" Zhu Yunhuan asked.

"Of course we have looked for them, but they all said that the salary was too little. This is simply nonsense. The salary we pay them is obviously enough!" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

After saying this, his face was still full of anger.

Those corrupt officials would rather die than tell the reason, which means he has no choice but to increase the severity of punishment, but the problem of corruption still cannot be fundamentally solved.

Zhu Yunhuan shrugged and said, "Is it possible that the salary is indeed too low?"

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. The salary we give is not low." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Then this question is contradictory. Since there is enough money, why should we risk being beheaded to engage in corruption? So, we are back to the original point. Is our Ming Dynasty full of corrupt officials?" Zhu Yunhuan said.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and lowered his head in deep thought.

The matter is so simple. Since the salaries of Ming Dynasty officials are sufficient, why would Ming Dynasty officials risk being beheaded to engage in corruption?
There seems to be only one explanation for this result: Ming officials simply loved corruption, and the Ming Dynasty simply attracted these corrupt officials and produced such bad people. But is this possible?
There are all kinds of birds in a big forest, but it is obviously wrong to say that all the birds in a big forest are bad birds.

If this is true, the problem is even more serious.

There was no other reason. Seven or eight out of ten officials in the Ming Dynasty were corrupt. It was obvious that the Ming Dynasty had made a serious mistake.

"Don't think about it. Is it because the salary is too low? Just increase the salary for a period of time and see if the corruption problem has been improved. Isn't that enough?" Zhu Yunhuan waved his hand and said softly.

"Okay, let's see!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and continued, "Let's talk about the second issue, trade reform. Do you know that the foundation of our Ming Dynasty is the farmland? If you open up trade now, you may make more money, but it may lead to everyone wanting to do business, causing the farmland to be abandoned."

"Did Jiang Li tell you about increasing officials' salaries and reforming commerce?" Zhu Yunhuan suddenly asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard this, then nodded and said, "Yes, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Since Jiang Li has told you these two things, he shouldn't have missed the other one, right?" Zhu Yunhuan said lightly.

"You really want to exempt the people from taxes and give them money?" Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of disbelief.

He came from a lower-class background and thought he had been good enough to the people, but even so, he had never thought of giving tax exemptions to the people of the world. As for giving money to the people, he had never even had the slightest thought about it.

"What's wrong? Is it not possible?" Zhu Yunhuan asked back.

Zhu Yuanzhang said solemnly, "Yun Hu, stop fooling around. Give..."

"Please call me Your Majesty, Taizu!" Zhu Yunhuan said lightly.

"what?"

Xu Miaojin was stunned when she heard this. The next second, she reached out and tugged at Zhu Yunxun's clothes, then smiled at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Grandpa Emperor, His Majesty is just joking with you."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then continued, "Taxation is a major source of revenue for the imperial court. Besides, didn't you say before that there is no one in the Ming Dynasty who doesn't pay taxes or grain?"

Zhu Yunhuan looked up at Zhu Yuanzhang, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Isn't it possible to make the lives of the people a little better? They work so hard to support the Ming Dynasty, so shouldn't their lives be a little better?"

“Should good people be exploited?”

The common people at the bottom may also have their own calculations and little thoughts of their own.

However, from the perspective of a country, most of the people in the Central Plains are simple and honest people. All they want is three meals a day, a wife and children, and a warm bed. That's all.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent. He didn't know how to respond to Zhu Yunhuan's words.

Once upon a time, he was also a commoner living at the bottom of society. He knew the sadness and difficulties of the common people, he knew the feeling of being hungry every day, and he also knew the simple and plain pursuits of the common people.

Once upon a time, that was what he had been longing for!
If he could have three meals a day and a warm bed with his wife and children, he would never think about cooking. He would even report to the government if anyone tried to rebel against him!

"Your Majesty." Xu Miaojin looked up and stared at Zhu Yunhuan in a daze.

At this moment, she felt an infinite charm from Zhu Yunhuan. In fact, a thought even popped up in her mind: "This is the attitude that an emperor should have!"

The emperor sits in the sky.

Looking down at the mountains and rivers, millions of people died in his rage, but the emperor's tenderness and glory could also fall evenly on every citizen.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and continued, "Do you know why I want to carry out trade reforms? The purpose is to reduce the burden on the people and make their lives a little better. Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce sounds good, but what benefits will it actually bring to the people?"

"High status? Haha, for a powerless commoner, what good is it to give him a high status? Can it fill his stomach? Or can it bring him any benefits?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face remained calm as he spoke in a deep voice, "You've always said before that I didn't consider myself an emperor. However, when it comes to the people, I do consider myself one. Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce doesn't really benefit the people. I know they're suffering, but there's nothing I can do about it. After all, farmland is the foundation of our country."

"So, why not make the people suffer? Draw a big pie for them with a high status." Zhu Yunhuan said.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "It's not a big deal. We have indeed improved the status of the people. They have a say."

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "You are right. You have elevated the status of the people and given them a voice. However, can you guarantee that every emperor of the Ming Dynasty will elevate the status of the people? If one emperor forgets the people, then what about the people's right to speak?"

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth. He really wanted to say that the people’s right to speak was given by the court. However, apart from the emperor, would the officials in the court give the people a say?

Most likely not. After all, who would be willing to hand a knife to the enemy?

Once the people have a say, officials will have to accept their supervision. If they make a mistake, they will be tied up and sent to the capital.

Which official would be so stupid?

Even if there are one or two such people, they will soon be ostracized by others and lose their official positions and titles.

"Therefore, the status given to the people by emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is a lie. That is why the last years of all dynasties in history have been the same situation, that is, the people can no longer survive and begin to rebel." Zhu Yunhuan continued.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yunhuan in a daze.

At this moment, he no longer felt upset, but was looking forward to Zhu Yunhuan continuing to speak.

In his eyes, Zhu Yunhuan's words at this moment were all famous sayings on governing the country.

The little knowledge he had seemed so insignificant in front of Zhu Yunhuan.

"What if we can't collect money from commercial trade?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little worried.

He came from a peasant family and had no idea how money flowed in business.

He just saw that when the Yuan Dynasty fell, overseas trade was still extremely prosperous, so he subconsciously thought that the demise of the Yuan Dynasty was related to trade, so he directly killed it with one blow.

History also records it clearly.

There is no doubt that Zhu Yuanzhang was a very powerful person, but he did not seem to have any outstanding skills in making money.

Of course, it is undeniable that this is partly due to the policy of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce.

However, if Zhu Yuanzhang was really good at making money, the Ming Dynasty Hongwu would never be short of money. Even if the imperial court was short of money, the emperor's treasury would definitely not be short of money.

Compared with Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di was obviously better at making money.

Although Zhu Di's more outstanding ability lies in fighting wars, his ability to make money is also very strong. Although there are various factors such as Yao Guangxiao, Zhu Gaochi, Ma Sanbao, etc., Zhu Di's ability to make money is still obvious.

History has always been judged by results. It is an indisputable fact that during Zhu Di's reign, the financial resources of the Ming Dynasty were visibly abundant.

You said Zhu Di doesn't know how to make money?

You have to understand one thing: Zhu Di was the emperor. No matter how much you say, during his reign, the Ming Dynasty's treasury was full, and Zhu Di was definitely the biggest factor.

In addition, the sound of a cannon is worth a fortune.

Is the war really a war? It's money!
Zhu Di was an emperor on horseback, fighting wars all year round. How could he not know the importance of money?
He was able to fight wars all over the country because he had huge financial support behind him.

Moreover, during the Yongle period in history, the lives of the people of the Ming Dynasty were visibly good.

Not only does he have money to fight wars everywhere, but he can also develop people's livelihood. His ability to make money is definitely not weak.

"Hahaha!" Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but burst into laughter when he heard Zhu Yuanzhang's question.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked puzzled.

However, although he was very confused, he knew that what he said must be very ignorant.

"Your Majesty!" Xu Miaojin couldn't bear it anymore and reached out to pull Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Yunhuan stopped laughing, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, and said, "There's one thing. Those merchants claim to be as wealthy as a country, but you can't see it, right?"

In any dynasty, the best way to develop the economy is always to do business.

As long as you can create a good business environment and a good business district, you can generate money continuously.

In comparison, the tax money is not even a drop in the bucket when it comes to business.

In an era where agriculture was emphasized and commerce was suppressed, why were there so many businessmen who claimed to be as rich as a country? To put it bluntly, they monopolized the industry and made huge profits from it.

Think about it another way, what if business flourishes?

Throughout history, the most explosive period of culture was the Hundred Schools of Thought.

(End of this chapter)