Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

The establishment of systems is very important.

As the founding emperor, he undoubtedly had the greatest impact on the country.

Many of the fundamental principles were set by the founding emperor.

Although some things may change in the subsequent process.

But some things are not so easily changed.

Therefore, now that he's starting over, some things are natural, and he should try his best to do them perfectly.

He is a practical person who knows a lot of things and can't just talk the talk.

If you want to make it happen, and if you want to improve it, you need to put it into action.

Show your true abilities.

Only in this way can a country prosper.

As the saying goes, empty talk harms the country, while hard work builds it up.

Therefore, we should naturally give more consideration to the nation's top talents.

The most important thing is to select people who are truly talented and capable, and put them in high positions.

Top-level design is very important.

Next, we should proceed according to this line of thought.

In the future, once things stabilize, anyone wishing to join the cabinet will have to serve in a local government position for at least six years.

Otherwise, there's no point in discussing it.

As long as this is strictly defined, even if some people later try to use connections to deceive others in other places, that will prevent such situations from happening again.

He'd have to fool them for six years.

Even if you just fool around for six years, you can still get something out of it.

Moreover, as long as the emperor isn't too blind, he wouldn't let such a person into the cabinet.

Once these things are determined, the next step is to determine the cabinet members.

The Grand Secretary is the heir apparent; there's no need to elaborate on that.

In addition to the Vice Minister of the Cabinet, Zhu Yuanzhang planned to add three more cabinet members.

In other words, there are a total of five people.

He sat there for a long time, pondering, and finally wrote down the corresponding name.

Li Wenzhong, Fan Min, Liu Bowen, and Liu Tai.

Without exception, all of these people have served or are currently serving as high-ranking officials in the Six Ministries or other high-ranking positions.

Originally, Zhu Yuanzhang did not intend to let Liu Bowen join the cabinet.

However, after some deliberation, Liu Bowen was ultimately allowed to join the cabinet.

Furthermore, he served as the Second Grand Secretary.

Liu Bowen was quite capable, and his health had improved significantly in the last year or two.

There was no longer any connection between them and the literati in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

It would be quite appropriate to appoint someone as the second-in-command, someone experienced in handling affairs and who can keep up with him in many matters of governance, to assist Biao'er in dealing with some matters.

It can help set up the framework and lay a solid foundation at the beginning of the cabinet.

After serving for two years, his future will be decided based on the situation.

As for Fan Min and Liu Tai, they were all high-ranking officials in the Six Ministries.

Fan Min is now the Minister of Revenue, and Liu Tai is now the Vice Minister of Rites.

The cabinet is not a particularly formal institution.

Therefore, after joining the cabinet, one does not need to resign from their original position and can continue to do their original work.

As for bringing his eldest nephew, Li Wenzhong, who was in charge of the Five Military Commands, into the cabinet.

This was a decision made by Zhu Yuanzhang after careful consideration.

Similarly, we should learn from past mistakes and take preventative measures.

During the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, military affairs were valued more than civil affairs.

But as time went on, generation after generation, the atmosphere changed.

The emphasis has shifted from literary pursuits to martial arts.

This was especially true after Zhu Qizhen's reign, when the war severely damaged the foundation of the nobility.

Later on, the status of military generals declined further and further, and it became increasingly difficult for the emperor to control any troops.

The warrior was trampled into the mud.

Even a famous general like Qi Jiguang, who fought against Japanese pirates, had to call himself a lackey of a civil official and do all sorts of obsequious things.

Only then could they gain the support of civil officials and fight for the country.

The fate of Qi Jiguang's army, in particular, is infuriating.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation from happening again in the future, Zhu Yuanzhang had to take precautions from the top-level design.

One member of the cabinet must have a military background.

At the very least, the military must have a place!
It is neither acceptable to use civil administration to control military affairs nor to use military administration to control civil administration.

Neither civil officials nor military generals can hold absolute power anymore.

It's not good to have a dominant position.

Therefore, it was particularly necessary to include Li Wenzhong, the eldest nephew, in this cabinet.

He cannot allow the Ming Dynasty to repeat the same mistakes.

When a country forgets to strengthen its military, looks down on its soldiers, and tramples them into the mud.

The soldiers were called "bandit conscripts" because they couldn't even receive enough pay, or sometimes they couldn't receive any at all.

That country will inevitably decline.

And in the future, there will inevitably be many things that will make people angry.

Zhu Yuanzhang would never allow such a thing to happen again.

Moreover, the problem with civil servants is particularly serious.

According to the history of the Ming Dynasty he had seen, they seized power step by step, gradually ruining the Ming Dynasty.

The most serious problem lies in the fact that the civil service group, whether intentionally or unintentionally, seized power in the country and took control of many government functions.

Yet they lacked even the slightest sense of ownership, continuing to frantically cling to the nation, constantly sucking its blood and devouring its flesh.

Ultimately, this led to the complete collapse of the Ming Dynasty.

This is the most important question.

He needs to take appropriate precautions against these things.

……

Three days later, Zhu Yuanzhang announced the specific candidates for the cabinet in the Huagai Hall.

Let them join the cabinet.

Subsequently, there were some transfers of civil officials and other personnel.

In a short period of time, the cabinet was initially set up.

Liu Bowen seemed somewhat surprised that he was able to enter the cabinet and even serve as the second-in-command.

To be honest, he really didn't want to be the second-in-command.

But after his superiors spoke with him specifically and explained the deeper meaning behind this arrangement, he had no choice but to accept it.

Li Shanchang felt somewhat resentful that he hadn't been admitted to the cabinet while Liu Bowen had.

If Liu Bowen hadn't been admitted, that would have been fine; he wouldn't have had much to say.

As it turns out, it was Liu Bowen who got in, but he didn't.

This is upsetting.

In the past, he would never have tolerated this situation.

We definitely need to speak to the emperor about it.

Or it might cause some emotional outbursts.

However, for now, he only muttered about it to himself for a moment, and that was it.

They haven't shown it to the outside world at all.

His previous experiences had already made him realize a certain fact.

That means you shouldn't think that because you have made great contributions or are very capable, you should think about how to do this or that.

Never go against your superiors!
Going against those in power will never end well!

……

Taking advantage of the turmoil caused by Hu Weiyong's rebellion, Zhu Yuanzhang successfully and seemingly peacefully abolished the positions of Chancellor and Secretary.

Furthermore, a cabinet was established to replace the original Secretariat, and it operated smoothly without any major problems.

This is far more peaceful than in his previous life, after he abolished the positions of Prime Minister and Chancellor. In his previous life, after abolishing the positions of Prime Minister and Chancellor, his responsibilities suddenly increased.

I'm fine, though; I don't feel it's too hard.

But it kept me so busy with my own goals.

Although Biao'er is now the Grand Secretary, he has set rules for Biao'er, telling him to act within his capabilities.

Don't let him overwork.

He wasn't the only one in the cabinet; there were four other people who were equally capable.

Compared to when Hu Weiyong and others were still around, when he had Biao listen to their reports and they would report to Biao, Biao's workload had not increased at all.

It's almost the same as it was back then.

However, compared to that time, Biao'er is receiving more intense training now.

Make sure your child gets the skills and abilities developed without being overworked.

Just like in his previous life, his health was worn down, and he died young...

In his previous life, after abolishing the Secretariat and the position of Prime Minister...

In order to do things well, we have also made many attempts.

For example, a system of four assistant officials was established to assist in governance.

But as it turns out, it's far inferior to the methods currently in use.

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with what had been done this time.

After this experience of studying abroad, I finally realized I hadn't wasted my life.

……

"Little Hu, come here and see how our Great Ming Dynasty is doing now."

Have you realized that you were wrong before?

We think you're capable and efficient, so we can't do without you.

But as it turns out, Xiao Hu can manage just as well without you.

The world will not stop without anyone.

Things have actually gotten better since you, Xiao Hu, left.

Zhu Yuanzhang once met Hu Weiyong and spoke to him.

In just a few days, Hu Weiyong had become extremely thin.

She looked incredibly haggard.

Where is the former high spirits and vigor he once possessed as prime minister?

Hu Weiyong listened to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, lying there motionless and without any reaction.

He seemed completely dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said no more.
He waved and left.

Today is the day Hu Weiyong will be executed.

In fact, he also wanted to arrange a punishment that Hu Weiyong particularly liked, just like in his previous life.

It made Hu Weiyong itch to death.

In my past life, I tied him up in the mountains and marshes, in places where mosquitoes were buzzing like thunder, and let them bite him relentlessly.

It itched so badly it killed me.

But now that the weather has turned cooler, mosquitoes have decreased significantly.

It's unlikely that he'll die from mosquito bites.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang reluctantly granted Hu Weiyong, who was ticklish, a leniency, and sentenced him to the punishment of being skinned alive.

The things Hu Weiyong did deserve his current punishment.

Even peeling the daylily buds was somewhat too cheap for him.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left, a jailer brought Hu Weiyong his last meal before his execution.

Hu Weiyong remained motionless, showing no intention of eating whatsoever.

He hasn't eaten or drunk anything for the past few days.

Fearing he would starve to death and it would be difficult to explain, prison guards have been forcibly feeding Hu Weiyong a bowl of rice porridge every day using a funnel.

The previous attack by Zhu Yuanzhang against Hu Weiyong involved killing him out of his will.

The effect is incredibly powerful.

It was so strong that it completely broke his heart...

On the same day, Zhu Liangzu and others were also skinned and stuffed with straw.

These people, after being sent to the capital, were immediately dealt with severely...

"Good! Good! This traitor dares to rebel! He deserves to die!"

"Chop them up and feed them to the dogs!"

As Hu Yong, Zhu Liangzu, and others were skinned alive, cheers erupted from the crowd of onlookers.

Some people gritted their teeth and cursed loudly.

I was extremely angry with Hu Weiyong and his associates.

Their anger is justified.

These people all lived through the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, which is not too far removed from the present.

It's only been a little over ten years.

The memories of how people survived during those chaotic times are still vivid.

Life only started to improve day by day after the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Especially in the last two years, life has become even better.

The emperor built various schools, and many people's children enrolled in them.

There are more places to work compared to before.

And the wages paid are now guaranteed at a minimum.

They will not be arbitrarily exploited.

Life was thriving and full of hope.

How could they not be grateful for His Majesty's kindness?
If it weren't for His Majesty, they wouldn't know how their lives would have turned out.

How tragic it will be.

As a result, such a good emperor, Hu Weiyong and his ilk actually wanted to rebel against him and kill him.

How can anyone tolerate this?

If these bastards don't die, then who will?
I really wish I could devour his flesh!

Even peeling daylilies felt too light to handle!

They finally have this good life and hope after a long and difficult journey.

What are those beasts like Hu Weiyong trying to do?
After he became emperor, could he really do all of these things?
impossible!

Only His Majesty the present treats these poor people as human beings!

Extreme pain surged through his body, and Zhu Liangzu screamed in agony.

At that moment, he was filled with deep regret.

It's no longer about regretting why I was so blinded by Hu Weiyong's nonsense and followed him in preparing to rebel against the emperor.

It wasn't that he regretted being so naive as to believe Hu Weiyong's words that if things didn't go well, he and the others wouldn't be implicated, and he would take the blame alone.

Instead, they began to regret why they hadn't taken immediate action to end their own lives after the incident.

He insisted on keeping his life, waiting for them to escort him back to the capital.

At that time, I ended my own life, and I no longer had to endure such extreme pain.

What were I thinking before? I actually harbored some illusions about Zhu Yuanzhang's side, and I was just afraid of death.

After the incident, I didn't dare to die immediately.

To endure such extreme punishment at this time.

Peeling daylilies, this form of torture, is truly a craft!

It tests the executioner, but it is also an immense torment for the person being executed.

You'll have time to regret, but you won't have the chance to regret...

When the punishment was completed, the bodies of Hu Weiyong, Zhu Liangzu, and others were stuffed with straw and hung outside the city gate for display.

Countless people cheered.

Many people threw excrement and dung at it to express their resentment and dissatisfaction...

……

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang made another decision… (End of Chapter)