Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 158 Zhu Di's Iron-Blooded Suppression of Jiangnan

Zheng Shiyuan looked at Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, and spoke.

His expression appeared very serious.

With much concern and deep worry.

Zhao Zheng, that bastard, should have been executed on the spot when he was caught.

He shouldn't have been allowed to live, only to utter so many insane ramblings at the moment of his execution.

That bastard's words were truly despicable.

Every word and action strikes deep into the hearts of people.

Zheng Shiyuan was genuinely afraid that the Prince of Yan would take these words to heart.

This leads to the formation of thoughts about other people in one's mind.

This subsequently affected His Highness Prince Yan, and the relationship between His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince.

This would consequently affect the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office and the subsequent construction of state-owned enterprises.

However, generally speaking, no one would dare to say these things to Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.

After all, this matter involves the emperor, the crown prince, and the Prince of Yan.

The implications are far too great.

If you're not careful, you might get yourself into trouble and cause a lot of problems.

The treacherous Zhao Zheng even went so far as to sow discord between the emperor and his sons, and between the brothers.

These things are like a hornet's nest; it's hard to say anything about them properly.

For outsiders like them, the best course of action is to pretend they don't know and ignore the issue.

However, after careful consideration, Zheng Shiyuan did not make this wisest choice.

They still made this response, which many people consider foolish.

He took the initiative to find His Highness the Prince of Yan, and then said the following words to the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di.

They also tried to persuade Zhu Di.

He reminded Zhu Di not to be influenced by the words spoken by the traitor on his deathbed.

"Shiyuan".

Zhu Di nodded to Zheng Shiyuan.

"You've put your heart into it, coming to see me at this time and saying these words to me."

This is enough to show your sincerity.

I appreciate your kind intentions, and you don't need to worry that what you've said to me will cause me any misunderstandings.

"I am not the kind of person who cannot distinguish right from wrong."

Zhu Di smiled and personally poured Zheng Shiyuan a cup of tea.

"I understand what you're saying."

I know very well how my father treated me and how my elder brother treated me.

My father is the best father, and my elder brother is the best elder brother in the whole world.

They certainly wouldn't do that, and they would never do what these scoundrels say—use me and then discard me.

Only we ourselves know the truth about the matters between us, my son, and my brothers.
That scoundrel Zhao Zheng is trying to sow discord between us, father and son, brothers, with such despicable means and a few words.

They're trying to plant a thorn in my heart.

He's overthinking it!
I dare to punish him severely without silencing him, so I have no fear of what he might say.

I'm not a three-year-old child who can't distinguish right from wrong.

They can be easily mobilized by just a few words from someone.

Such a despicable scheme is doomed to fail.

He thought that by saying these things, he could make me doubt my father and elder brother.
That will prevent me from being as aggressive and diligent as I am now when doing things in the future.

That would make me hesitant and timid, unable to move forward?
He's wrong!

I, Zhu Di, am not that kind of person!
My father drove out the Tartars, restored China, and reclaimed the land of the Han people!

We are determined to make China take off again!
We must accomplish something truly extraordinary.

As the emperor's son, I cannot bring shame upon him.

Whatever Father Emperor wants to do, I, as his son, will wait and fight for him!

Charge ahead!

Brothers fighting tigers, father and son go into battle.

If even I, as a son and brother, am faced with such a complex situation, with these corrupt officials and these rebels, I am truly ashamed.

Even so, one must still have doubts and calculate all sorts of consequences.

Thinking about protecting oneself, considering this and that.

How could the Emperor's dream of making China soar again ever succeed?

And how could I, Zhu Di, be worthy to be my father's son?
Wouldn't that make them a case of a tiger father and a dog son?

Zheng Shiyuan was deeply moved by what Zhu Di said.

I felt my heart surging with emotion.

"Okay! Well said!"

He disregarded etiquette and clapped his hands in praise.

"It was I who judged you with the mind of a petty person."

I was overthinking it.

His Majesty has a good son like Your Highness, and His Highness the Crown Prince has a good brother like Your Highness.

The Ming Dynasty is truly fortunate to have such a good father and son as Your Majesty and Your Highness!
Your Majesty and Your Highness, despite your high positions, have not been blinded by the allure of the world or by wealth and glory.

On the contrary, they are courageous and diligent, and they are thinking of doing more for the people of the world and for China.

Truly admirable and praiseworthy.

The world has never lacked those who scheme and plot, nor has it ever lacked those who are selfish and self-serving.

They always like to look at and speculate about everyone with their despicable eyes and dark thoughts.

They assumed everyone would be like them.

Little did they know that there are many people in this world who are completely different from them.

There will always be someone who can abandon so much petty scheming and despicable behavior.

There will always be people who take the world as their responsibility and are willing to sacrifice their lives for righteousness.

When danger strikes, there are always people who will step forward.

When trouble comes, there are always people who will risk their lives to save the day!
Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will have no regrets!
Are they afraid? Of course they are.

But they did it anyway!
Fear is neither terrible nor shameful.

I was terrified, but being in this world, I still dared to do it in this situation.

That is the bravest and most praiseworthy.

That's the real hero!
And it is precisely because of this that China has been able to overcome countless calamities time and time again, becoming stronger and stronger!

During the Western Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu were rampant and bullied the Chinese people.

The army was torn apart by the generals and marquises sent by Emperor Wu.

The Five Barbarian Invasions were the darkest of times in Chinese history.

But won't China take off again?
Sweeping away the gloom, we ushered in the golden age of the Tang Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty was weak and incompetent, losing cities and territories.

Eventually, the entire country was taken over by the Tartars.

But where is the Yuan Dynasty now?

It wasn't until His Majesty led countless righteous people to rise up and fight back.

To destroy it completely and return it to a state of utter destitution?
Those scoundrels always hide in dark corners.

Try to understand everyone by using their own thoughts.

They felt that everyone was just like them.

If everyone were as selfish and shameless as them, it would be a terrible situation.

My Chinese nation perished and our race was wiped out long ago!

How can one survive hardships and emerge stronger from calamities time and time again?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di grasped Zheng Shiyuan's hand.

"Shiyuan, well said!"
My father once said, "The prosperity of the world depends on his actions."

Let us see what we do.

The rise and fall, everyone is responsible.

Don't even mention my father and elder brother; they wouldn't do something like that—using me and then discarding me.

Even if we assume that they were truly forced by circumstances and did this after using it,

I, Zhu Di, still have no regrets!
I'm willing to do these things; I'm happy to contribute.

I am happy to do my best and use my talents.

I am willing to contribute to the prosperity of China and do my best to accomplish something.

Even with all our efforts, we can only make things slightly better for China.

It was all worth it.

This proves that I, Zhu Di, have not lived in vain.

I have not disgraced my father's name.

When future generations talk about me, they won't say "tiger father, dog son," and that will be enough.

There's no need to pay too much attention to those scheming and despicable people.

If they can keep quiet and not hinder China's prosperous future, then it's fine if they cause some trouble.

If they truly affect the overall situation, kill as many of these treacherous villains as there are!

Wipe them all out, one by one!

As Zhu Di spoke, his hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist, radiating a palpable killing intent.

Zheng Shiyuan genuinely believed what he said at that time.

His Highness has killed quite a few people this time he came here.

First came the rebellious maritime merchants, followed by the numerous officials here.

The investigation and execution of officials is not yet over.

Furthermore, many officials were also implicated in the crime of treason during this process.

Some were beheaded, and some were wiped out as a whole family.

Moreover, the investigation into these officials has not yet stopped.

And they shifted more of their energy to investigating and punishing officials.

This time, His Highness the Prince of Yan is truly determined to thoroughly clean up the gentry and officials in Jiangnan.

When His Majesty defeated Zhang Shicheng, he conducted a campaign to clean up areas such as eastern Zhejiang.

However, because it was wartime, there were many things to do.

Many of the methods used appear rather crude.

The cleanup improved the situation somewhat, but it wasn't thorough or detailed enough.

As time went on, by this point, many places began to revert to their old ways.

This time, the maritime merchants' rebellion was well done.

His Highness Prince Yan and his men thoroughly plowed it up.

In particular, taking action against the numerous officials involved with maritime merchants was a particularly good and correct move.

These numerous clerks appeared to be of low status, even inferior to officials.

However, they were often local tyrants and gentry, local bullies.

It is the most difficult to deal with, deeply rooted and intricately intertwined.

Many officials, when they go down to the lower levels, have to be mindful of their moods.

Many things are difficult to accomplish if they insist on sabotaging or refusing to cooperate.

The situation in Jiangnan is complicated; it only involves cracking down on maritime merchants and taking action against numerous officials.

It cannot be solved well.

To resolve this issue properly, the officials involved in this matter also need to be thoroughly investigated and dealt with.

Break down, smash, and clean up many of the existing things.

On this basis, the Maritime Trade Office was established to reorganize industries and build numerous state-owned enterprises.

Only in this way can we prevent these enterprises and the Maritime Trade Office from being hampered by these local people in their future development.

It will facilitate the success of the project and further win over the hearts of people in the Jiangnan region.

Zheng Shiyuan also believes that after these measures,

The next step is to maintain control over the Maritime Trade Office and state-owned enterprises, and prevent any major problems from arising in these areas.

From now on, the Jiangnan region will become very obedient.

They could be well controlled by the imperial court.

Why are so many people in Jiangnan so unruly and defiant of the imperial court?

One major reason for this is that these places are too wealthy.

With thriving commerce, maritime smuggling was rampant.

Many people have money and can use it to secretly win over many people.

They formed their network of relationships.

Now Your Majesty has established the Maritime Trade Office to regulate and manage maritime trade.

Crack down on maritime smuggling.

At the same time, state-owned enterprises should be established.

The imperial court replaced the merchants in these places.

The imperial court controlled many industries.

This is tantamount to severing the roots of these people.

Under such circumstances, it would be impossible for these people to continue to act as lawlessly as before.

Your Majesty truly lives up to your reputation!

That was a really impressive move!
It can be said that this is a one-time solution that completely solves the problem here!

With His Highness the Prince of Yan also on the scene, they were engaged in a bloody massacre, working together to achieve their goals.

It's now a foregone conclusion that the people of Jiangnan will completely submit to the government.

This is how we should treat the Jiangnan region!
Many times, you have to be assertive when necessary, and you have to kill when necessary!
Without being forceful and resorting to violence, the problem cannot be solved at all.

Those people aren't afraid at all!
Only by killing people can one become powerful.

Only then will they become honest.

Zheng Shiyuan left Zhu Di's side, arriving with a heavy heart but departing with joy.

All my worries have vanished.

I was worrying too much.

They underestimated His Highness the Prince of Yan.

What does it mean to have a tiger father and no dog son?
Your Highness Prince Yan, this is truly a case of like father, like son!

With His Highness the Prince of Yan acting in this way, there is no worry in Jiangnan.

Perhaps in the future, His Majesty will assign His Highness Prince Yan other important tasks.

He also believed that His Highness the Prince of Yan would live up to His Majesty's expectations and do a very good job...

……

The prefect of Hangzhou, and the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture.

He was beheaded by Zhu Di in one fell swoop.

The positions of prefect in such important places could not possibly be left vacant.

Someone needs to fill in.

Within five days of Zhu Di beheading the two prefects involved in the rebellion, new prefects had been appointed for Hangzhou and Songjiang.

The prefect of Hangzhou was named Zeng Tai.

The prefect of Songjiang Prefecture was named Li Wen.

Both of them are talented individuals.

Of course, besides these, the two also share a common characteristic.

That is, they had previously held positions in Zhu Biao's Eastern Palace.

With these two people serving as prefects of Hangzhou and Songjiang, respectively, the situation became clear.

Then many things will become easier to do.

Not only those two, but the vacancies left by the other officials who were executed by Zhu Di were also quickly filled by the court.

The same supplement was also made to include officials and clerks.

It can be said that this time, the officials in these places have undergone a major reshuffle.

With such a major operation underway, the officialdom here will surely be able to remain stable for a while.

At least in the future, the government will not hold back the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office and the creation of state-owned enterprises.

After such a series of battles, even some scholars who were usually fond of whining and pointing fingers at the court were affected.

This time they all became very well-behaved.

No one dared to speak out and say anything bad.

No one came forward to accuse the imperial court of competing with the people for profit.

But one can imagine that some of the people involved will write many short essays in the future, recording this event.

To launch an attack.

Numerous unofficial histories have been passed down.

For these people, using obscure writing techniques, distorting facts, and even fabricating stories is commonplace.

That's what I'm best at.

For example, when the Imperial Guards were arresting fleeing rebels, some fugitives panicked and ran into civilian houses.

The Imperial Guards pursued them and entered the residences to make the arrests.

In the hands of those people, it became a tragic case of the Imperial Guards destroying families, wiping out innocent people, and harming the innocent.

Of course, the reason these people became so obedient was that Zhu Di was truly ruthless this time, killing like a madman.

They've killed a ton of people here.

It scared a lot of people.

Aside from not daring to make any irresponsible remarks about this matter.

Another major reason is that the imperial court's Da Ming Daily has been publishing supplements every few days recently.

The frequency of each issue has been reduced from about seven days to one every two days.

The Daming Daily has recently been focusing its reporting on events in Hangzhou and surrounding areas.

They vehemently criticized the rebels and primarily targeted innocent maritime merchants.

They applauded many of the things Zhu Di had done.

And he praised state-owned enterprises, etc.

It also provided a detailed introduction to state-owned enterprises, explaining their nature and the benefits they would bring to the country and its people after their establishment.

Not only that, but they also specially dispatched some people to go deep into the countryside and spread the word to the local people.

This has made it impossible for some of them to secretly deceive the foolish people and tell them the truth.

We could only watch helplessly as the imperial court distorted the facts.

Looking at these ignorant people, being fooled by the distorted facts presented by the imperial court.

This feeling is truly heartbreaking.

……

"Haha, Mr. Oobuchi, we've finally found you!"

In the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at an elderly man who appeared to be around sixty years old, being led in by a eunuch, and spoke with a smile.

He stood up personally to greet them.

They were very polite in their words.

The elderly are treated with the utmost respect.

The person who arrived was none other than Wang Dayuan.

This Wang Dayuan is quite an extraordinary person.

Zhu Yuanzhang only learned in modern times that there was such a talented person as Wang Dayuan in his Ming Dynasty.

Wang Dayuan has great insight into maritime transport.

Born in the Yuan Dynasty, he traveled to many places on merchant ships during that time.

After leaving Southeast Asia, they also went to the West.

They have reached as far as Africa.

He knows a great deal about many things happening overseas.

Furthermore, he wrote a book to record his experiences abroad.

It is called "The Records of the Island Barbarians".

It was through this book that Wang Dayuan's name was able to be passed down to future generations.

Only then can people know that as early as the Yuan Dynasty, Chinese fleets had already traveled to such distant places to conduct business.

The documents left by Wang Dayuan have given people a better understanding of what was happening overseas at that time.

Now Zhu Yuanzhang wants to establish a Maritime Trade Office to conduct foreign trade.

How could we miss out on a talent like Wang Dayuan?
This is a living nautical chart!
Then they should naturally be treated with courtesy.

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Wang Dayuan, who was already nervous, immediately knelt down before Zhu Yuanzhang.

I was trembling all over, feeling like I was going to die today.

Even the whole family is at risk!

(End of this chapter)