Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 135 Zhu Yuanzhang, the First Mouth-Splitter of the Ming Dynasty, Verbally Kills His Ministers

"Your Majesty, the Secretariat has completed about 70-80% of its work. In another two or three days, it will surely be fully completed."

Hu Weiyong spoke with respect.

But deep down, he was extremely dissatisfied.

This is not only because the tasks of the Secretariat have suddenly become much heavier since the emperor started to conduct performance evaluations.

Things are complicated.

In the past, if I didn't want to do something, I could put it off or postpone it.

None of this matters.

But ever since the emperor suddenly decided to conduct performance evaluations, for reasons unknown, the system has been in place.

Those good days are gone forever.

Once many tasks are assigned, deadlines are set, and progress is checked regularly.

This thing is like a death warrant, chasing after you and making you never dare to relax.

That string was always taut.

Since the implementation of the performance evaluation system, the speed of work in the Central Secretariat has increased by at least 30% compared to the past.

However, this 30% comes at a great cost.

These are the people who are working harder and harder.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was a man of many deeds, and he was known for his decisive and efficient actions.

They seem to have inexhaustible energy every day, constantly making arrangements for this and that.

They made their subordinates work non-stop.

With the added benefit of the performance evaluation system, they became even busier and dared not slack off.

These days, it's simply unbearable.

If the performance evaluation system were to give the prime minister full authority, and through it he could control the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and local governments, that would be acceptable.

But Zhu Yuanzhang, in a strange way, made himself do the work but didn't give himself, as prime minister, the power he was supposed to have.

The performance evaluation records of the Secretariat, the Six Ministries, and the Censorate were all ultimately sent to the emperor for review.

The final decision rests with the emperor.

This means that the emperor, through this move, directly transferred a lot of power away from his own Secretariat.

Not only was the power of the Secretariat divided, but it was also brought under the emperor's personal inspection and supervision.

This situation was extremely difficult for someone like Hu Weiyong, who had an insatiable thirst for power and always wanted to act arbitrarily.

Hu Weiyong harbored deep resentment towards the performance evaluation system.

I just felt like I was putting in a lot of effort but getting no appreciation.

It's unclear who came up with the idea for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Let him use the performance evaluation method.

This matter has truly caused a great deal of harm.

"Thank you for your hard work, Prime Minister Hu."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and praised him.

"This matter must be completed as soon as possible, but it cannot be done carelessly."

With the year-end approaching, we've already prepared our money well in advance.

The plan is to distribute performance bonuses based on the exam results.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, many people are looking forward to this money to bring joy to their families and improve their lives.

We can't let it cause any problems.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will expedite the process upon my return and ensure that it is delivered to you within two days."

And we guarantee that all the exam results are true and accurate, and that no one has been wronged.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's smile widened.

"Prime Minister Hu, we trust you to handle things."

The Ming Dynasty cannot do without Prime Minister Hu.

Hu Weiyong, who was full of complaints, suddenly felt much more energetic after hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

"Oh, by the way, after the New Year, we will send Wang Guangyang back to the Central Secretariat to serve as the Right Chancellor."

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have thought of something, and looked at Hu Weiyong and spoke.

Wang Guangyang followed Zhu Yuanzhang very early on.

In the fifteenth year of the Zhizheng era, when Zhu Yuanzhang crossed the Yangtze River to attack Caishiji, Wang Guangyang was already by Zhu Yuanzhang's side.

He served as a clerk in the Marshal's Office, a chief investigator in the Privy Council, and a chief investigator in the Jiangnan Province.

In the twenty-fourth year of the Zhizheng era, the Central Secretariat was established, and he was appointed as the Right Secretary.

Soon after, he was appointed as the Commander of the Cavalry Guard.

When Chang Yuchun attacked Ganzhou, he appointed Wang Guangyang as his military advisor.

After capturing Ganzhou, Wang Guangyang was ordered to remain in charge, and later served as the Provincial Councilor of Jiangxi Province.

In the twelfth month of the first year of the Hongwu reign, he was summoned from the provinces to the capital by Zhu Yuanzhang and appointed as a councilor of the Central Secretariat.

In the third year of the Hongwu reign, Li Shanchang, who was in charge of the Secretariat, fell ill.

There were no high-ranking officials in the Secretariat.

Therefore, he promoted Wang Guangyang to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Secretariat.

Yang Xian was then promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat.

They were put in charge of the actual administration of the Secretariat.

Yang Xian is a capable man, but he is arrogant, willful, and autocratic, and he excludes his colleagues.

After Wang Guangyang, he instigated the censors to impeach him.

The pretext was that he was extremely unfilial to his mother. Even after he demoted Wang Guangyang to a local post, Yang Xian was still not at ease and continued to have people impeach him again.

Wang Guangyang should be exiled to Hainan.

However, Yang Xian was later exposed and executed.

He summoned Wang Guangyang to the Secretariat again.

Yang Xian is a man with a truly flamboyant and domineering personality, and a very strong individual.

In order to seize power, they will do anything.

Hu Weiyong was a very strong-willed person.

However, compared to Yang Xian, he is still a notch below.

Hu Weiyong was missing a front tooth, making him a gap-toothed person.

This tooth didn't fall out on its own, nor was it knocked out by something it was eating. It was knocked out by Yang Xian when they were both in the Secretariat.

Given Hu Weiyong's personality, he still suffered such a great loss when facing Yang Xian.

This gives a glimpse into Yang Xian's temperament.

He then bestowed upon Wang Guangyang the title of Earl of Zhongqin.

At the founding of the Ming Dynasty, only three civil officials were granted titles.

Li Shanchang was granted the title of Duke of Han and was designated as the most meritorious official.

The next two were granted the title of Earl.

One is Liu Bowen, and the other is Wang Guangyang.

Actually, I was a bit willful in the matter of Liu Bowen bestowing the title of Earl upon me.

At that time, I had a great prejudice against Liu Bowen.

He believed that Liu Bowen was never on his side.

In addition, there's the matter of Little Ming King.

Otherwise, based on Liu Bowen's merits, he would have been able to be ennobled as a marquis.

The fact that he himself bestowed upon him the title of Earl of Chengyi speaks volumes.

It's all about sincerity and righteous intentions.

In the fifth year of the Hongwu reign, Li Shanchang resigned due to illness and returned to his hometown. He appointed Wang Guangyang as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat and Hu Weiyong as the Left Chancellor of the Secretariat.

The Left Chancellor is naturally not as powerful as the Chancellor.

The position of Left Chancellor is vacant.

In other words, at this time, the person who held the reins of the Secretariat was Chancellor Wang Guangyang, who was the top leader of the Secretariat.

As a result, Wang Guangyang was sidelined by Hu Weiyong, the Left Chancellor.

Nothing has been accomplished.

The order came from Hu Weiyong, not from Wang Guangyang, who held a higher official position.

It can only be said that Wang Guangyang has a bad personality; he would be better suited to a position elsewhere.

However, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to take charge of the central leadership.

His weaknesses were further exposed when he encountered Yang Xian and Hu Weiyong, two very capable and strong-willed individuals.

He himself quickly demoted Wang Guangyang and removed him from the Secretariat.

Hu Weiyong was appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat...

Wang Guangyang is now serving as the Left Censor-in-Chief.

But now, Zhu Yuanzhang is preparing to send Wang Guangyang back to the Secretariat to serve as Right Chancellor.

According to the original history, Wang Guangyang was transferred back to the Secretariat and became the Right Chancellor in the tenth year of the Hongwu reign.

Now, it's more than a year ahead of the original timeline.

This was certainly not because Wang Guangyang, after experiencing such a thing, became very competent in his work after serving as Right Chancellor again in his previous life, and suddenly realized his mistakes.

The facts are just the opposite.

After returning to the Secretariat, Wang Guangyang was very incompetent in his work, frequently falling ill and taking leave.

He slacks off at work, indulges in wine, women, and chess, and ignores politics.

My intention in bringing him back to the central government was largely to have him check and balance Hu Weiyong.

But in the end, he completely gave up.

They blindly obeyed Hu Weiyong, watching him act recklessly without doing anything.

He knew about many of the things Hu Weiyong had done.

But they never paid any attention to it or reported it.

Later, Imperial Censor Tu Jie said that Hu Weiyong poisoned Liu Bowen, and Wang Guangyang knew about it but did not report it.

He was furious and demoted him.

He then recalled how Zhu Wenzheng had been protected and how Yang Xian and others had been indulged.

He then issued an imperial edict, ordering someone to catch up with Wang Guangyang and give him a good scolding.

Wang Guangyang committed suicide after being verbally abused by himself.

Now that Zhu Yuanzhang has allowed Wang Guangyang to return to the Secretariat, he naturally will no longer consider using Wang Guangyang to restrain Hu Weiyong.

His thinking has changed. He wants to take advantage of Wang Guangyang's weak character and his irresponsible attitude to secure a position in the Secretariat.

This was to embolden Hu Weiyong and allow him to go even further in some matters.

It would be best to start your own rebellion as soon as possible.

In this way, he could easily get rid of Hu Weiyong.

The Secretariat and the position of Chancellor were completely abolished.

This was also to reassure Hu Weiyong.

Now that I have been reborn, many things have changed drastically.

For example, Li Shanchang, whose weakness he had exploited, is now a lone minister.

They're incredibly capable of charging into battle and taking the blame for others.

Especially recently, she arranged for her daughter to marry his son, making them in-laws.

Many people can interpret a lot from this.

I feel that Li Shanchang's favor with the emperor has not diminished.

Liu Bowen, on the other hand, was wary of Hu Weiyong and prevented Hu Weiyong from succeeding in poisoning him to death.

The estrangement between himself and Liu Bowen has been completely eliminated.

Anyone with eyes can see that Liu Bowen is currently enjoying great favor with the emperor.

Both of them, in terms of qualifications, abilities, and contributions, were fully qualified to enter the Secretariat.

Furthermore, once he enters the Secretariat, he can become the Left Chancellor, surpassing Hu Weiyong.

Despite having a superior like Wang Guangyang, Hu Weiyong was able to defy his superior and work against him.

But facing the two of them, it's really not easy to resist.

This is also why Hu Weiyong had repeatedly tried to harm the two of them before.

I just don't want the two of them to come to the Central Secretariat.

With those two around, Hu Weiyong couldn't relax.

Now, in order to free Hu Weiyong, I have brought Wang Guangyang into the Central Secretariat to serve as Right Chancellor.

This was tantamount to telling Hu Weiyong that Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen would not enter the Secretariat and would not seize power.

Under these circumstances, Hu Weiyong's audacity will inevitably grow even greater.

It would be best to start your own rebellion as soon as possible.

As Zhu Yuanzhang had predicted, Hu Weiyong was taken aback after he said those words.

Then, a surge of ecstasy rose within him.

Even though he was cunning and shrewd, he couldn't help but let out an uncontrollable smile in the face of this incredible surprise.

"If you ascend to the throne, then... what will become of your subject?"

Although he was certain that this was after Wang Guangyang entered the Secretariat and became the Right Chancellor.

I am certain that I will become the Left Chancellor.

But he still had to ask that question. Only after the emperor personally acknowledged it and announced its implementation could it be considered acceptable.

We can't leave it like this, without any clear explanation.

Such an important matter requires a definitive answer.

"Prime Minister Hu, you are destined to become the Left Prime Minister."

The Secretariat cannot function without Prime Minister Hu.

"Your subject bows in gratitude to Your Majesty for Your Majesty's grace."

I am deeply grateful that my humble servant has been so remembered and given such a high position by the Emperor.

I dare not say anything else, but I will be even more loyal and devoted to my duties in the future.

He fulfilled his duty as a good minister.

For the prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty, for the revival of our Chinese nation, and to make the dream of a prosperous and powerful Ming Dynasty come true, we will do our utmost.

Even if it means sacrificing one's life, one would not hesitate!

Hu Weiyong knelt on the ground, tears welling in his eyes.

"Minister Hu, get your job done."

We acknowledge your abilities, Xiao Hu.

He then spoke with Hu Weiyong for a while, and left the Wuying Hall at Zhu Yuanzhang's signal.

Back at the Secretariat, sitting at his mahogany desk, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Just as he had thought, the emperor could not do without him, and the Ming Dynasty could not do without him either.

Don't be fooled by the fact that you may have made some serious mistakes before.

The emperor fined them a huge sum of money for their maritime affairs.

However, one's position is irreplaceable by others.

Even Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen could not replace him.

Steady!

It's completely under control!

Now I don't have to worry about someone coming to the Secretariat as Prime Minister and surpassing me!

Whether it's Liu Bowen or Li Shanchang.

These people are all old and useless.

Even the emperor didn't think much of it.

Ultimately, it comes down to having strong personal abilities; that's what the emperor values ​​most...

……

"Your Majesty, the manuscript is finished. Please take a look."

Less than a quarter of an hour after Hu Weiyong left, Luo Guanzhong arrived.

Here is a manuscript.

Luo Guanzhong's quick wit is truly remarkable.

Writing manuscripts is as easy as eating and drinking.

In the Propaganda Department, Luo Guanzhong was always the one to write the important documents.

However, once written, it had to be sent to Zhu Yuanzhang for his personal review and approval.

To avoid causing any unnecessary trouble.

Zhu Yuanzhang took it and read it; the opening text was in familiar vernacular Chinese.

However, it is still well-written and makes for a very pleasant reading experience.

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly finished reading it and couldn't help but applaud it.

Luo Guanzhong was practically his own mouthpiece.

In short, the article states that the emperor himself gathered many maritime merchants together for the sake of the Maritime Trade Office.

At first, many maritime merchants were reluctant.

But after he appealed to their emotions and reasoned with them, these people were all moved by him, the emperor.

I've come to understand a principle: the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen.

Even these maritime merchants belong to a country.

You can't just think about yourself.

While pursuing one's own interests, one should also benefit the country and its people.

As a result, they signed agreements to support the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office and agreed to reduce maritime merchant taxes to 60%.

Some maritime merchants even stated on the spot that they hoped the emperor would receive eight out of ten taxes.

They say that even with 80% tax, they still make a profit.

However, the emperor, being a man of great principle, was unwilling to do so and politely declined.

The maritime merchants were deeply moved and applied for maritime business licenses on the spot...

Moreover, the article also references the words of a maritime merchant.

It provides a detailed overview of the profitability of ocean shipping.

I carefully calculated the costs and profits of ocean freight.

It can be said that they have thoroughly exposed the truth about how maritime merchants make a profit.

"Haha, Mr. Luo wrote well. We will print and distribute according to Mr. Luo's writing."

Zhu Yuanzhang examined it carefully and was very satisfied, giving it a thumbs up on the spot.

It has to be Luo Guanzhong, because he understood both his own intentions and the intentions of maritime merchants.

I know how to write this.

I imagine these maritime merchants will be incredibly moved after seeing the newspaper.

People from all walks of life who see this will surely be deeply moved and will greatly admire the profound righteousness of the maritime merchants.

Upon receiving the praise, Luo Guanzhong humbly adjusted his glasses...

……

The next morning, after handling some government affairs, the court session began.

Zhu Yuanzhang announced the decision to appoint Hu Weiyong as the Left Chancellor and Wang Guangyang as the Right Chancellor in the Secretariat.

Many people's gazes toward Hu Weiyong have changed.

That Hu Weiyong is really something!

It is said that Li Shanchang was highly regarded by the emperor, but now it seems that he only got his life spared by betraying his colleagues.

Compared to Hu Cheng, he is still far behind.

Hu Weiyong has recently committed numerous offenses, and the emperor has punished him, but punishment is one thing, it cannot stop him from being promoted.

Wang Guangyang's entry into the Secretariat as Right Chancellor seemed to indicate that the emperor wanted to check Hu Weiyong.

However, some discerning people know in their hearts that things are not like that.

Given Wang Guangyang's personality, he couldn't even handle Hu Weiyong when Hu was his subordinate.

Not to mention now, he's become Hu Weiyong's deputy.

That makes it even more impossible to share Hu Weiyong's power.

The emperor's move not only did not diminish Hu Weiyong's power, but also eliminated Hu Weiyong's worries about the future.

Now, the positions of the left and right prime ministers in the Secretariat have been clearly filled.

Therefore, neither Li Shanchang nor Liu Bowen could enter the Secretariat as prime minister.

For Hu Weiyong, this was the best news.

After the morning court session ended, even more people greeted Hu Weiyong.

Some nobles from Huaixi also took the initiative to speak with Hu Weiyong.

Congratulations to Hu Weiyong.

Hu Weiyong was all smiles and very amiable as he spoke to each person.

He was riding high on his success.

Li Shanchang glanced at Hu Weiyong, then walked away without saying a word.

Hu Weiyong watched Li Shanchang walk away alone, and felt even more delighted...

……

"Pah! Shameless, utterly shameless! I've never seen anyone more shameless than Zhu Hongwu!"
Look at this Ming Daily, what kind of nonsense is it?

What does it mean to move someone with emotion and reason?

It was clearly that scoundrel Emperor who was utterly shameless and went too far, completely disregarding the rules.

Abuse of punishment, wantonly killing loyal and righteous people.

Mr. Yushan was just doing something normal, haggling a bit, and that's why he was killed by that dog of an emperor!
Even if we agree to his demand of 60% tax, it won't work; he won't show any leniency.

Shameless! Utterly shameless!

"Yes, and they even say that the rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen."

There's no responsibility whatsoever.

This was the empire ruled by Zhu Yuanzhang's family, the Zhu family's empire.

What does this have to do with us?
Whoever becomes emperor, we still have to live our own lives.

Whether you live a good or bad life doesn't depend entirely on your own efforts.

What difference does it make who becomes emperor?
Zhu Yuanzhang is truly shameless; he can even write such things.

What does it mean to be deeply moved? What does it mean to be so touched that everyone is moved to tears?

They were clearly frightened by the emperor and were worried about how much money they had, which was all going to be taken away by the emperor in the future. That's why they acted this way.

The emperor is truly shameless; how could he so blatantly distort the truth?

"Where did this bastard get the idea that shipping is profitable and how much profit it generates?"

How come all of this was written in the newspaper and published?

This...this is fucking amazing!

Some people were so angry that they were trembling as they read in the newspapers about how profitable their shipping business was.

This is tantamount to revealing all their secrets to the world.

Many people originally thought that they would use the unprecedentedly high tax of 60% to justify themselves and gain people's sympathy.

But now, the emperor has exposed everything about him.

Gaining people's sympathy again will not be so easy.

Gaining the support of the Shihlin community is especially difficult.

"The Da Ming Daily should be abolished. It is a scourge that spreads rumors and harms the country and its people!"

Luo Guanzhong deserves to die!

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang had predicted, the article, personally written by Luo Guanzhong, immediately struck a nerve with the maritime merchants when it was published in the Daming Daily.

This caused immense distress to numerous maritime merchants.

Many people were so angry they were jumping up and down, cursing and swearing.

How can the facts be distorted like this?
Why are you writing everything out in the open?
The key point is that now, the Da Ming Daily also has a particularly large influence.

Countless people eagerly awaited the release of the new edition of the Da Ming Daily before purchasing it.

The extent of its spread is simply appalling.

Today, the Daming Daily has become popular in many places, including Jiangnan.

For them, the impact of such an article is simply fatal.

They struck directly at their weak point, leaving them with no way to defend themselves.

Even if they tried their best to defend themselves, it would be a drop in the ocean compared to the impact of the Da Ming Daily.

This Da Ming Daily is truly a terrible thing.

They shouldn't exist in this world.

"Gentlemen, don't be intimidated by the emperor. Even so, what can be done?"
We cannot simply surrender.

The dog emperor's attempt to force us to submit through these methods is utterly futile.

"Six out of ten taxes—even if the King of Heaven himself came, he couldn't collect that much!"

The person who spoke was Li Sanshi, a prominent figure in Hangzhou.

"This...this agreement has been signed, the business license for the Maritime Trade Office has been applied for, and now the Emperor has published this article in the Daming Daily."

There's also...there's something the emperor has on him.

"What else can we do now that things have come to this?"

Someone couldn't help but speak out.

Upon hearing this, many people nodded heavily in agreement.

They expressed their agreement and shared similar sentiments.

I feel that what this person said expressed their true feelings.

The emperor was too shameless and too domineering.

Now, they really have no other good way to make the emperor bow down except to obediently submit.

We can turn the tide again.

They've run out of cards to play.

Li Sanshi clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention.

"Don't be too pessimistic, everyone. We still have bigger cards to play."

Is there an even bigger hand?

How come our own people don't know?
Li Sanshi raised his voice: "Those many peasants who rely on us for their livelihood are our biggest asset."

"We could totally get some of these peasants to rebel here!"

(End of this chapter)