Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 256 No... His Majesty is serious?!
Upon hearing the emperor's words and realizing what he intended to do, Luo Guanzhong inwardly wailed.

Finished!

Your Majesty is ruining all your hard work!
Luo Guanzhong knew very well whether his own Romance of the Three Kingdoms was good or not.

In his view, it could be described as impeccable, especially after His Majesty gave some suggestions for modification and corrected the wrong route.

In the past, His Majesty only offered some opinions on these routes without going into more specific details.

It's acceptable to people.

But now, His Majesty has directly proposed to write lyrics for his Three Kingdoms, and even said that he would put them at the beginning of the poem.

He was genuinely panicked by this situation.

Your Majesty is certainly capable of writing lyrics; there is no doubt about that.

His past works, such as the inscription "The mountains are like the sea, the setting sun is like blood" written during the sacrificial ceremony, were truly breathtaking in their grandeur and artistic conception.

But... things are different from things, and only I know the Three Kingdoms I wrote best.

To write a suitable poem to use here, one must find one that fits the mood and is appropriate in every way.

That's really a difficult situation.

The most likely outcome is that it will actually diminish the overall appeal of the Three Kingdoms period.

The content as a whole appears very disjointed.

He was extremely unwilling about this.

His Three Kingdoms period is not subject to any interference from anyone!
No one can do it, not even the emperor.

He had to defend his hard work, and immediately spoke out with righteous indignation.

"Your Majesty, your suggestion is excellent. It is my honor, and even more so for the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, to have you provide the prompts."

With Your Majesty's inscription, the quality of the book *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* will undoubtedly be even better.

It serves as the finishing touch, bringing out the essence of the work.

Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace.

Luo Guanzhong expressed his sincere gratitude.

Teacher Luo is that kind of person, even if she is extremely dissatisfied with it.

But what they said was quite different.

It's really not his fault; he just had to say it like that, and he couldn't control himself.

He didn't know what happened, but the taste of his mouth had completely changed.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, reached out and picked up a piece of paper from the imperial desk, and handed it to Luo Guanzhong.

There are words written on this paper, so it was obviously prepared in advance.

Luo Guanzhong stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the gift with both hands; his heart was bleeding.

His Majesty is serious!
Oh no, what a pity for Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it's become impure!
Suppressing his deep sorrow, he looked down at the sky.

After taking a couple of glances, his eyes couldn't help but widen.

His expression visibly became excited.

At first, he just looked at it and read it silently, but after a while, he couldn't help but read it aloud.

"The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away the heroes of the past."

Right and wrong, success and failure, all vanish in the blink of an eye; the green hills remain, witnessing countless sunsets.

The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river bank are accustomed to seeing the autumn moon and spring breeze.

A pot of wine brings joy to our meeting; how many events, past and present, are all but a subject of laughter and conversation.

His voice grew louder and louder, and towards the end, he began to read aloud.

His expression was one of intense excitement, filled with longing and rapture.

He was momentarily lost in thought.

It took him a while to come to his senses and realize that he had lost his composure in front of the emperor. He hurriedly bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, I...I have lost my composure."

Your Majesty's words are absolutely wonderful!
Placing this poem before my writings on the Three Kingdoms will surely make them even more moving.

It serves to provide a concise overview and add the finishing touch.

Your Majesty, I thank you deeply. This is the greatest favor and reward you have bestowed upon me!

As he spoke, he couldn't help but kneel down and bow to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Holding the words in both hands, his expression remained unsettled.

His Majesty was not lying; I had misunderstood him.

I underestimated Your Majesty's talent. The lyrics Your Majesty wrote were not made up randomly. Your Majesty has truly put a lot of thought into the Three Kingdoms.

This poem seems to have been written specifically for his own Romance of the Three Kingdoms; it's such a perfect match.

Placing this poem before the Three Kingdoms period is truly fitting.

It allows one's own writing of Romance of the Three Kingdoms to achieve a significant elevation.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled as he looked at Luo Guanzhong's reaction.

He knew that once this poem was released, it would be extremely damaging to Luo Guanzhong.

It was something Luo Guanzhong simply couldn't resist or refuse.

Now it seems that it is indeed the case.

In later generations, Romance of the Three Kingdoms became one of the four classic novels that everyone was required to read.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a deep understanding of it.

At first, I thought this poem was written by Luo Guanzhong, but later I found out that it was not.

It was added by later generations.

The author of this poem was Yang Shen, the son of Yang Tinghe, who harbored treacherous intentions and caused Zhu Houzhao, one of the few capable emperors of the Ming Dynasty, to drown. Yang Shen wrote the poem during his exile.

The fact that this poem was placed at the beginning of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is simply a stroke of genius.

Luo Guanzhong did a very good job and worked very hard.

Placing him in the Da Ming Daily matter is the most suitable thing for him; he is simply the top writer in the Ming Dynasty today, with exceptionally strong combat power.

Such people should naturally be rewarded.

This will motivate him to work even harder in the future.

Ordinary rewards were not very effective, so Zhu Yuanzhang thought it best to reward him with this poem.

This is called tailoring to the individual.

The best reward is to do the most with the least amount of money, and to truly touch people's hearts.

Judging from Luo Guanzhong's reaction, it's clear that giving him this poem as a reward was more effective than promoting him or making him rich.

This is what it means to do the most with the least amount of money.

"I'm glad Mr. Luo likes it."

We have seen and remembered Mr. Luo's contributions, and we will never forget the effort he put in.

The land survey, the establishment of the Yellow Register, and the abolition of the poll tax were all major events for the dynasty.

We must manage public opinion carefully and prevent people from distorting the truth and confusing right and wrong.

To portray something good as bad.

It is essential to clearly explain the benefits of these things, as well as the necessity of implementing them.

To prevent those with ulterior motives from causing trouble here.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that after I return, I will write some more articles to explain this matter to others."

I intend to add a section to the Three Kingdoms story, telling how powerful families in the late Eastern Han Dynasty seized land, concealed people, and harmed the common people.

Let me tell you how Lord Xuande and his men conducted the land survey.

How did those powerful figures oppose and obstruct Lord Xuande and his entourage?

And how Duke Xuande and General Yunchang responded won the hearts of the people.

Explain clearly the benefits that the people have gained from this.

"it is good!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang praised him, and his smile widened.

Because this is exactly the result he wanted to see.

Or rather, it could be said that it had exceeded his previous expectations. Originally, when he gave Luo Guanzhong this poem, he felt that Luo Guanzhong was indeed very serious and hardworking, and deserved to be rewarded.

We should encourage him appropriately so that he will work harder in the future.

At the same time, there were also ideas that he could do more in matters such as land surveying and abolishing the poll tax.

However, no one expected that he would add such a plot to the main text of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Luo Guanzhong's surprise was far too great.

Luo Guanzhong's writing ability is beyond question.

The brilliance of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is beyond doubt.

Just looking at the current level of discussion gives you a good understanding.
Given Luo Guanzhong's talent and the current popularity of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The impact of his conception of such a plot in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, followed by its writing and publication, is simply unimaginable.

His actions will undoubtedly give many people a deeper understanding of the land survey and the abolition of the poll tax.

This will ensure that the common people are not misled, or are misled less.

What is the significance of thoroughly surveying and measuring land?

Why was it necessary to conduct a land survey?

Incorporating this into a novel would be far more effective than any related policies issued by the imperial court or any articles published in the Ming Daily.

Newspapers and similar publications are only temporary; many people will quickly forget about them after reading them.

It's far from being widely sung.

However, if it were written into a novel, given the classic status of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it could be passed down for a long time.

Its popularity is absolutely phenomenal.

Luo Guanzhong's idea was absolutely brilliant; no wonder he was the author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms!
He truly deserves the trust and responsibility I placed in him.

I gave myself this poem so generously!

Why didn't I think of having Luo Guanzhong add his own personal touches to this?
Of course, given how much Luo Guanzhong valued Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it wouldn't have been easy for him to add his own interpretations if I hadn't given him the title.

"Mr. Luo's idea is good. After he went back, he carefully conceived it and wrote it down."

With Mr. Luo's talent, he can surely make people understand what this land survey is and what its significance is.

How much benefit would it bring to ordinary people?

This will expose the despicable acts of those who oppose the land survey.

This will prevent them from inciting the people to cause trouble.

"I have Mr. Luo, who is worth 100,000 soldiers!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, with a broad smile, highly praised Luo Guanzhong.

Luo Guanzhong bowed and said, "This is the duty that I should fulfill."

Having received the emperor's bounty, I must share his burdens. Your Majesty treats me so well, how could I not devote myself wholeheartedly to the country and share Your Majesty's burdens?

This is my duty.

Luo Guanzhong has left, but Zhu Yuanzhang's good mood has not disappeared.

For Luo Guanzhong, this move was unexpected and a stroke of genius.

Next, once the corresponding plot is written out and published, it will surely gain a complete advantage in public opinion!
"Your Majesty, the Earl of Chengyi, along with his eldest son Liu Lian, requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Upon hearing the eunuch's report, Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback.

What was Liu Bowen doing here at this time?
After the unexpected event, an idea immediately popped into my head.

Could it be that Liu Bowen and his group are also here to conduct a land survey?
Liu Lian wants to conduct a land survey?
The more Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Suppressing his various thoughts and strange emotions, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Liu Bowen and the others.

Not long after, Liu Bowen and his son Liu Lian arrived at the Wuying Hall.

The father and son bowed respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang, who told them to dispense with the formalities. Then, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Bowen and spoke.

"Lord Chengyi, is there something you and your son have to discuss?"

When he asked this question, his gaze was more focused on Liu Lian.

It's clear that he's different from Liu Bowen, who is someone he knows well and is a seasoned veteran.

When Liu Lian meets him, one should appear rather nervous.

“Your Majesty, my eldest son heard that Your Majesty is going to conduct a land survey. He couldn’t sit still at home and wanted to share the burden with you, so he went to Jiangxi to conduct the land survey.”

it is as expected!
Why did you decide to go there?

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded to Liu Bowen, then looked at Liu Lian and asked a question.

After bowing respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang, Liu Lian said, "Your Majesty once said that every citizen has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation."

The land survey was a matter of national survival and destiny, a matter of fundamental importance.

Therefore, after much thought, I feel that I cannot simply stay at home.

Such actions are contrary to my principles.

He felt even more that I was a useless scholar.

Therefore, I wish to offer my humble assistance in this matter.

Liu Lian's voice was not loud, and his tone was not intense.

But it makes his determination clear.

Liu Lian's determination in this matter had already been proven by his life in his previous life.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally had no doubts.

However, he didn't plan to let Liu Lian handle this matter again.

Judging from Liu Bowen's state, if Liu Lian were to die over there, he would likely be devastated and wouldn't be long before he also dies.

Liu Bowen was a man of great talent.

He didn't want to die from the shock of this incident.

Moreover, Liu Lian was also a very useful person.

Such a person must have already served the Ming Dynasty loyally in their previous life.

This time, he wanted to change Liu Lian's fate.

Liu Bowen sighed inwardly, his heart heavy.

The land survey was a very serious matter, especially since his own status was so unique.

He was already at odds with Hu Weiyong's side, so if he didn't speak up on this, his rise to power shouldn't be too difficult.

But now that she's actively involved in this matter with her son, how could the one in power possibly let go of such a golden opportunity?
They will definitely agree!
My stupid son!
“Your idea is excellent; you are truly a loyal and righteous man.”

You and Cheng Yibo are very similar in this respect; you are both willing to risk your lives for great things.

We admire that he has a clear understanding of right and wrong.

However, this is a very dangerous matter, one that requires risking one's life, so I'll tell you the truth.

If things go wrong, you could lose your life there.

"So, do you still want to go?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Lian and asked.

Liu Lian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I am not afraid of death. When I made this decision, I was already prepared to die."

"If I were afraid of death, I wouldn't have sought an audience with Your Majesty and volunteered for the mission."

"Good!" Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed in approval.

"He truly is the son of the Earl of Chengyi; his demeanor and magnanimity are indeed extraordinary!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen's mood grew even heavier, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

I knew things would turn out this way. The task of surveying and measuring the land in Jiangxi would inevitably fall to my own Lian'er.

"But we're not going to let you go over there."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and spoke.

Ok? !

Liu Bowen was stunned...

(End of this chapter)