The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 111 Li Xianmu Asks His Ministers
The vast blue sky casts golden rays that shimmer and dance in the sunlight that streams into the Fengtian Hall. The chirping of birds soaring high in the sky drifts into the hall, bringing a gentle spring breeze, yet it cannot dispel the somber atmosphere within.

The pillars in the hall are carved with dragons and phoenixes, and the roof is engraved with images of ancient sage emperors. On the left and right are the words of sages from ancient times to the present. Under heaven, where is there a place more sacred and more filthy than this place?
Almost everyone in the hall had their heads bowed, except for the Crown Prince, the Prince of Han, the Prince of Zhao, and Li Xianmu, who held their heads high and looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Di walked up to these people and said in a low voice:

"What happened today has shocked me greatly. I originally thought that the ministers opposed moving the capital simply because they had different views on national affairs, like Li Shimian, who believed that moving the capital would do more harm than good."

Although they are short-sighted, they are still wholeheartedly loyal to the country. Even if their ideas differ from mine, at most I will only demote them.

But to everyone's surprise, so many ministers had such dirty motives that they disregarded the fate of the nation and the lives of its people for petty gains.

As I sat on my high throne, I was increasingly shocked and restless as I listened.

I was first angry, then fearful. If all the ministers of my Great Ming are like this, where will my Great Ming dynasty go?

What use is it if I'm the only one maintaining order in this realm? Do you really think I can single-handedly control the affairs of these two capitals and thirteen provinces?

The emperor's words sent shivers down the spines of the ministers in the hall; they were filled with deep disappointment and sighs.

Li Shimian couldn't hold back any longer and kowtowed, weeping, "Your Majesty, there are still many loyal ministers in the world, such as Hanlin Li, the cabinet ministers, and officials of all ranks in the Six Ministries. I, though foolish, am truly loyal. You must not give up on yourselves!"

"His Majesty!"

A cacophony of voices echoed through the hall. The ministers who had been called upon by Li Xianmu and the emperor were prostrate on the ground, drenched in sweat. This was not only the end of their political lives, but also a social death.

Opposing matters of state for petty gains is something worthy of being recorded in a book like "The Anecdotes of the Laughing Forest." It's utterly shameful, and if it were recorded in history, it would be a classic example of a treacherous minister.

Zhu Di's feelings were very complicated. Although he knew that the decision to move the capital would be made today, he did not expect the process to be so dramatic. Today's scene was almost comparable to the interrogation before the palace.

Li Xianmu's skill in setting up a stage is no less than that of his father, but the situation today is very different from when he attacked Yingtian.

As the leader of the Jingnan Campaign, he faced the officials of the realm and all those watching him. He had to make the most vehement response, and the interrogation before the palace was the time to vent his anger.

And now.

The proposal to move the capital has not yet been put on the table. Today, it is more about Li Shimian and Li Xianmu arguing here, while the ministers are just taking sides and making moves. This is a struggle between ministers, and it would be inappropriate for him to directly intervene.

This is Li Xianmu's stage.

Zhu Di turned around and glanced at Li Xianmu, noticing that he also had a complicated expression on his face.

"I have countless things I want to say, but looking at you all, I don't know what to say. These things were discovered by Li Xianmu. I know he has always been loyal and reliable, so let him speak."

The emperor's words caused a change in the atmosphere of the hall. Xie Jin, Chen Ying, and the others looked up in shock and frantically winked at Li Xianmu.

Even the Crown Prince showed a hint of worry on his face, and secretly winked at Li Xianmu, signaling him to refuse the matter.

After all, this matter was too offensive. If the emperor reprimanded them, they would be in the wrong and would not dare to talk back. But if Li Xianmu did this, it would be different. How could a mere child who had gained some favor dare to treat a minister like this?

As for the reason, it's very easy to find; just say you're too young.

Only Wang Gen gently shook his head. He had a deep conversation with Li Xianmu and knew Li Xianmu's ambitions. Li Xianmu would not let go of such a great opportunity.

Li Xianmu was taken aback at first, but then he instantly realized what was happening and became very excited.

The emperor wanted him to give these ministers a severe dressing down.

Given his current position and status, doing this would certainly cause dissatisfaction among many ministers.

This was a complete manipulation of Li Xianmu, directing the anger of the ministers onto him.

But this isn't all bad; punishing his ministers can greatly enhance his prestige!

To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy, they were like the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot and the commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who handled the emperor's dirty business.

After a bloody case that shocked the entire government and the public.

They have certainly become a thorn in everyone's side, but who can deny that their power is so immense that everyone fears them?
Li Xianmu was not positioned as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but rather more like a divine sword used by the emperor to check and balance his ministers!
Just like his father's position during the Hongwu era.

But Li Xianmu's future is much brighter, because the Li clan has now shed its criminal past and more people are willing to join its ranks.

Just as Wang Gen had thought, he would never let such a good opportunity slip by. A thousand years is too long; seize the day!
If we hesitate even in the face of such a little wind and rain, how will we carry the entire world forward in the future, and how will we face the tens of thousands of Ming Dynasty officials under the heavens!

Therefore, he stepped forward without hesitation and declared loudly, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Xie Jin and the others suddenly felt a darkness before their eyes.

Zhu Gaochi first frowned, then slowly relaxed. He suddenly thought of his deceased uncle. His uncle's most outstanding child must have had this kind of indomitable spirit.

Besides, those rules are for mediocre people, while his cousin is a true genius.

Upon seeing the vigorous Li Xianmu, Zhu Di couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile. Without saying anything more, he turned and headed towards the throne.

The atmosphere in the hall changed again after Li Xianmu responded.

Light streamed in through the pre-drilled holes, illuminating every speck of dust in the hall. In the beams of light, the floating dust particles resembled invisible specks of light, unpredictable and stagnant.

Zhu Di walked upwards, holding onto the jade belt around his waist.

Li Xianmu walked down, holding the imperial edict in his hands.

They passed each other by.

The emperor sat back on his throne, overlooking the entire land.

Li Xianmu walked down the steps and stood before the assembled officials. Although he was young, he was extremely tall, almost a head taller than most of the officials from the south.

"His Majesty trusts me and has given me the opportunity to speak with my colleagues here."

Li Xianmu's first words were stern.

Among his five characteristics is maturity, which is why most people don't treat him too much like a young person. However, this characteristic cannot distort reality; he is still young after all.

A balanced and peaceful demeanor is a posture that only those in high positions can adopt.

The saying "a prime minister's belly can hold a boat" describes the prime minister's great magnanimity. But if it were an ordinary person, they would only be said to be weak and easy to bully!
"The decision to move the capital was not made by His Majesty, so my colleagues need not criticize him. This was a suggestion my father made to His Majesty as early as the first year of the Yongle reign. In recent years, the construction of the Grand Canal connecting the north and south and the extensive renovation of Beijing have been for this purpose."

The first year of the Yongle reign!

Everyone knows that the first year of the Yongle reign lasted only two or three months. In other words, His Majesty had not been in Yingtian for long when Li Zhongwen had already proposed moving the capital.

The ministers were all somewhat bewildered. If they remembered correctly, at that time, the kings of the various border regions had not yet moved south to the interior, and there was not such great military pressure from the north.

Li Zhongwen was born in Huaixi and grew up in Yingtian. Even though he later became a leader of the northerners, the north was vast and had no connection with Beiping in any way.

Even so, he still advised moving the capital. Could it be that moving the capital to Beiping was really that important to the country?
Zhu Gaochi was somewhat bewildered. He was a person who deeply admired Li Qi, but after living in Beiping for so many years, he had not realized the importance of Beiping.

Seeing that the attention of all the officials had been drawn, Li Xianmu continued with great emotion: "Before my late father passed away, he spoke to me again about the matter of moving the capital, and asked me to carry on his last wish. Therefore, when I heard that some people in the court wanted to oppose the relocation of the capital, I immediately took the late emperor's decree and rushed back to the capital overnight."

As for why I am able to control so many officials' affairs in the court today, it is because my late father once asserted that those who oppose moving the capital either do not understand the situation of the world or are eager for their own selfish interests!
After I returned to the capital, I investigated those whose ancestral home was in Nanjing (Yingtian) and who opposed moving the capital. Sure enough, just as my father had said, eight or nine out of ten people who owned property in the capital opposed the move!

Li Xianmu's words caused Li Shimian, who was already prostrate on the ground, to slump even further. The faces of the court officials also looked grim. It seemed that officials from the capital were about to undergo a major purge.

The Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) are likely to be the ones carrying out this purge. How can one prove their innocence in this purge, and in the hands of the ruthless Jinyiwei?
"Why did I not report to His Majesty when I knew these criminals were taking advantage of the situation to move the capital? Why did I insist on revealing the late emperor's decree at this grand court assembly when I clearly have it in my possession?"

Li Xianmu asked a question that surprised everyone.

Yes.

You have the late emperor's decree in your hands, and you also have leverage over these people. Why take this risk in court? What if something unexpected happens? What if the emperor can't withstand the pressure and abandons the plan to move the capital?
Facing everyone's gaze, Li Xianmu shouted loudly: "Because some things cannot be stopped from rotting unless they are exposed to the world!"

Because some people cannot be exposed to the public unless their evil deeds are made public!

If I merely report to His Majesty and then order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to take action, who knows what kind of rumors will spread throughout the land.

Such a despicable person should even be listed as a loyal and upright person. How can such a scheming and despicable person be allowed to live so peacefully?

Now it seems that this is indeed the case!
Li Shimian, what do you think?

(End of this chapter)