The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 95 The Imperial Court is a Product of Contradictions (Second Update, Afternoon)

As Zhu Di leaned back on his throne, he suddenly remembered something and casually asked, "Lin Yue, how are things going at the shipyard lately?"

"You'll be going to Korea next month as an envoy. You're currently holding the position of Director of the Treasury of Paper Money, a fourth-rank official. Are you fully prepared for this mission?"

Lin Yue's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and he replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have been diligently inspecting the shipyard, including the carpentry and ironwork..."

Each of the crew members performed their duties, and the hastily constructed envoy ship was nearing completion. Its hull was sturdy, and its sails and ropes were complete, making it well-suited to handle the winds and waves at sea.

As for the mission to Korea, I have long been prepared and will certainly handle it properly and fulfill my mission without failing.

Zhu Gaochi sat to the side and casually said a few kind words: "Scholar Lin has always been reliable in his work. This mission concerns the diplomatic relations between the Ming Dynasty and Korea. With the scholar in charge, there should be no problem."

Zhu Di raised an eyebrow and smiled, putting down his teacup and saying, "Oh? I'd like to hear how you plan to handle this."

"Embassies are traditionally sent on missions to exchange goods, give generously in return, and demonstrate national power. You have never liked this approach. This time, on your trip to Korea, do you intend to follow the old custom, or will you devise a different plan?"

Lin Yue's heart stirred, and he pondered to himself.

You can't exactly tell Zhu Di that he's going to Korea to implement a Han Chinese military strategy.

It's best not to tell Zhu Di about such a radical plan directly.

After a moment's thought, he said loudly, "I believe that Korea is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. We must not only demonstrate the majesty of the Celestial Empire, but also understand its national conditions and solidify its loyalty."

Your subject intends to first establish rules and regulations based on the rites and ceremonies of our dynasty, strictly adhering to the established order in matters such as receiving imperial edicts and holding banquets. This will allow the Joseon monarch and his officials to be aware of the might of the Great Ming Dynasty. Afterward, I will secretly contact and befriend loyal and wise officials in Joseon, carefully investigating important matters to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

"Hahaha!" Zhu Di clapped his hands and laughed upon hearing this. "You cunning fellow! The method you told me is different from what Zheng He said."

Lin Yue suddenly felt embarrassed, realizing that Zheng He would report to Zhu Di. This was not very clever of him, and he didn't know how to respond.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaochi quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Scholar Lin has put in a lot of effort; it's always good to make preparations in private."

Zhu Di didn't seem to blame him. He waved his hand and turned his gaze to Yao Guangxiao: "Daoyan, you seem to have something to ask from the beginning. Now that there are only a few of you here, you might as well speak frankly."

Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao paused in his prayer beads, his deep eyes fixed on Lin Yue, his tone calm yet tinged with inquiry.

"Scholar Lin, I wonder if it is just my imagination, but when you spoke of the Jurchens of Liaodong and the Japanese pirates, your words were full of hatred, as if you had a blood feud."

"May I be so bold as to ask, do these two tribes perhaps have some personal grudge against you?"

Upon hearing this, the relaxed atmosphere in the hall froze slightly.

Zhu Di also stopped smiling and looked at Lin Yue, waiting for his response.

Did the Liaodong Jurchens and the Japanese pirates have a deep-seated blood feud?

Of course it exists, and it's quite unique. But how should we answer this question?

You can't exactly say you're from the future and know that cannibal tribes would destroy the Ming Dynasty, that Japanese pirates would harass the coast for centuries, causing countless people to be displaced, and that they would eventually invade China.

Lin Yue thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Master is joking. I have no personal grudges with the Jurchens or the Japanese pirates."

However, after reviewing the records of previous dynasties and the reports of this dynasty, I learned that among the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong, some tribes still have the barbaric custom of cannibalism. In years of famine, they plunder border people and cook and eat women and children. Their behavior is worse than that of beasts.

The Japanese pirates were equally ruthless, repeatedly raiding the coastal prefectures and counties of our Great Ming Dynasty, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities. Wherever they went, corpses littered the fields, houses were reduced to ruins, and countless people lost their homes and families, becoming homeless and destitute.

"What's worse, I've heard that wealthy coastal merchants are colluding with Japanese pirates to harass coastal defenses and carry out attacks against dissidents. I fear that the Japanese pirates will become a major threat to our Great Ming Dynasty in the future."

"I cannot bear to see the people of the Ming Dynasty ravaged by barbarians and suffer such undeserved calamities. As an official of the court, receiving the emperor's salary, I should strive for the well-being of all people, eliminate these sources of chaos, and allow the people to live in peace and prosperity."

As Lin Yue spoke, he became genuinely angry.

The Japanese pirates and cannibal tribes in the ditch have already committed so many evils during the Yongle reign. Lin Yue will personally exterminate you all!

Zhu Gaochi was filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this: "Scholar Lin is absolutely right!"

The atrocities committed by the Japanese pirates and the Jurchens are utterly heinous. I have long heard of the immense suffering inflicted upon the coastal people, but I have yet to find a good way to eradicate them. If, as Scholar Lin says, there is indeed collusion between insiders and outsiders, then this is an even greater threat!

Zhu Di nodded slightly, continuing to listen.

Yao Guangxiao remained noncommittal, but continued to press, "Does the old man understand Scholar Lin's sincere intentions?"

But I wonder, in your opinion, what level of action would be needed to vent this resentment in my heart?

Lin Yue was taken aback by what he heard and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Before he could figure it out, Yao Guangxiao continued speaking rapidly, yet his tone remained calm.

"Is it enough to simply repel them and drive them out of the Ming territory?"

Or should we send troops deep into their territory, inflict heavy damage, and deter them from ever attacking again?

Or should we simply sweep them away, capture their leader, and destroy their stronghold? Or perhaps...

"7

Yao Guangxiao paused, his gaze sharp, and stared at Lin Yue, saying each word clearly: "Flatten the islands occupied by the Japanese pirates, eradicate them completely, and eliminate future troubles forever."

"Should we scatter all the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong, eradicate their names, and exterminate them completely?"

When the words "annihilate them all" were finally uttered, Yao Guangxiao saw Lin Yue's eyebrows twitch slightly and suddenly smiled with relief.

Lin Yue was bewildered by his series of questions, and when Yao Guangxiao suddenly laughed, she became even more confused.

So he asked, "Why is the master laughing?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao, holding his prayer beads, burst into uncontrollable laughter, his loud, layered laughter echoing throughout the hall.

He laughed for a long time before gradually stopping, pointing at Lin Yue, then at himself, his tone filled with excitement and understanding.

"I'm laughing at you and me, for we're so alike! We're the same kind of people!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di looked thoughtfully at Yao Guangxiao and Lin Yue.

Lin Yue frowned.

What does that mean? He's 1.85 meters tall, a handsome government official in his early twenties. How could he possibly look the same as you, you old bald monk?

Lin Yue said she was starting to lose her composure, and her tone became less than pleasant.

"Master, you might as well speak frankly and clearly."

Zhu Gaochi also looked puzzled and asked Yao Guangxiao, "Master, your words are quite abrupt. Please enlighten me."

"Scholar Lin and I are both people who cannot bear loneliness," Yao Guangxiao said, as he softly recited Buddhist scriptures.

In Yao Guangxiao's view, he and Lin Yue were the two most incompatible people in the world.

Yao Guangxiao became a monk at a young age but devoted himself to the study of military strategy and tactics. Unwilling to spend the rest of his life with only a Buddhist lamp and a Buddha, he did not retreat to the world to cultivate himself during the chaotic end of the Yuan Dynasty. Instead, he made friends with heroes everywhere and waited for the right opportunity. When he met Zhu Di in Beiping, he invited him with the title of "King in a White Hat" and strongly urged him to raise an army to quell the rebellion. He personally planned the Jingnan Campaign.

His ambition was simple and clear: he wanted to accomplish something extraordinary. Peaceful and prosperous times were too dull for him, far less exciting than a dramatic upheaval.

For Yao Guangxiao, who was obsessed with chaos, rebellion was not a means, but an end.

As for Lin Yue, Yao Guangxiao believed he had seen through him.

Lin Yue claimed to be concerned about the country and its people, and that he couldn't bear to see the people being ravaged by barbarians. His words revealed his deep hatred for the Jurchens and Japanese pirates in Liaodong. However, all of this was just a means for him to stir up trouble in order to avoid being alone.

Whether it was the radical monetary policies, the swift and decisive measures taken to deal with the floods in Jiangnan, or the shocking proposal of establishing vassal states overseas, the desire to expand territory was ten or even a hundred times stronger than that of the Yongle Emperor.

This is hardly the concern for the country and its people of an ordinary courtier; this is clearly the ambition of a ruthless warlord.

Lin Yue, is he trying to become a lonely and isolated person?

Although their purposes differed, how similar were they in essence?

Thinking of this, Yao Guangxiao wore a warm smile, and the speed at which the prayer beads in his hand turned became even slower, with a sense of relief that he was not alone on his path.

Lin Yue was unaware of Yao Guangxiao's fatal overthinking; all Lin Yue knew was that he had encountered a strange and extremely repulsive riddle-maker.

So Lin Yue tried to steer the conversation back to his area of ​​expertise, making some shocking remarks, then using his extensive forensic experience to defeat Yao Guangxiao, and finally using the riddle-maker's approach to win back some ground.

Having made up his mind, Lin Yue cleared his throat and said loudly, "Master just said with a smile that we are the same. This junior is dull and cannot fathom the mystery behind it."

However, regarding the previous discussion in court about the origins of the dynasty's formation, I feel there is a deeper meaning, which I haven't had a chance to elaborate on yet. I wonder if the Master would be interested in hearing it?

A hint of surprise flashed in Yao Guangxiao's eyes, but he didn't seem to care. He casually asked, "Oh? Scholar Lin previously said that the court's actions stemmed from the desire of the people to overcome difficulties together. Is there perhaps a deeper reason behind this?"

"Of course." Lin Yue stood up straight.

"The previous statement about overcoming difficulties together was merely a superficial reason given by the imperial court."

For example, when there is a great flood or a foreign invasion, all people need to work together to deal with it. Only then can they establish a common leader and set up institutions. This is a visible phenomenon for the world.

But even the most difficult floods must eventually be overcome, and the reason why the imperial court was able to rise and endure is by no means solely due to this.

Lin Yue's gaze swept over the three people in the hall. Zhu Di had already put down his teacup, and Zhu Gaochi was also sitting upright, clearly wanting to hear what other insights he had to offer.

Lin Yue continued, "In ancient times, there were many tribes. The strong seized the weak, and the rich bullied the poor. There were constant struggles for land and resources..."

Tribal conflicts occur daily.

As productivity gradually increased and granaries filled, people began to accumulate private savings. With the growth of these savings, bandits rose up, and social classes gradually separated. The wealthy owned vast fields, while the lowly had nowhere to stand. Resentment grew daily, and the situation became deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse.

"Just like the ancient Shennong, during Shennong's time, the world unanimously elected Shennong as the leader of the tribal alliance. However, in the end times, the tribes invaded and tyrannized each other, and Shennong was unable to subdue them."

Lin Yue continued, "At that time, powerful tribes were annexing weak tribes, chieftains were plundering commoners, and the generations of feuds and sharp conflicts between tribes had reached a point where the loose tribal alliance could not resolve them at all!"

Shennong, though possessing the title of supreme ruler, lacked a powerful system to govern the world. He could neither control the rebellious feudal lords nor protect the suffering people. The world had already fallen apart, and war raged on endlessly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but frown and asked with a puzzled look, "Scholar Lin, there is something I don't understand about what you said."

Ancient texts all say that Shennong's later generations lost virtue, leading to the alienation of the feudal lords and widespread chaos. But according to scholars, Shennong was not without benevolence, but simply lacked the means of governance?

Zhu Gaochi had been well-versed in Confucian classics since childhood, and his understanding of the ancient sage kings was already deeply ingrained. So when he heard Lin Yue's completely subversive assertion, he couldn't help but feel surprised.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue turned to look at Zhu Gaochi and said, "Your Highness hit the nail on the head."

In my opinion, whether Shennong was virtuous or not is not the key issue. Rather, the loose tribal alliance system he relied on was no longer suitable for the environment of the world at that time and the increasingly sophisticated agricultural production.

As grain yields per mu increased year by year, private land and private property proliferated and spread. Resource boundaries between tribes and disputes over interests between ethnic groups became increasingly acute and difficult to resolve. The old system had neither strict laws to restrain mergers nor the power to govern all parties.

Even with a benevolent heart to protect all people, Shennong was utterly helpless in the face of rebellious feudal lords and the suffering of the common people.

Zhu Di found this very interesting and agreed with Lin Yue's statement that he did not value Shennong's virtues.

That's absolutely right, Lin Yue. The moral character of those in power is completely unimportant. If you can talk, then talk more!

Emperor Yongle nodded in deep agreement and said, "Lin Yue, what you said does have some novel ideas."

The court officials all talk about the virtues of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and their benevolent rule, but it's all just empty rhetoric. You, on the other hand, have some insight.

"Go on, tell me, what happened to Shennong afterward?"

Lin Yue raised his head and said loudly: "In this chaotic world where the old system has collapsed and the world is in disorder, Shennong was replaced by the Yellow Emperor. The Yellow Emperor completely shattered the old rules of the loose tribal alliance and established a brand-new ruling order for the world that could adapt to the times."

He demarcated borders, allocated land, and clearly defined the territorial boundaries of each tribe, using explicit regulations to stop the endless annexation and plunder. He also established the Cloud Master and appointed officials, with five officials—Azure Cloud, Golden Cloud, White Cloud, Black Cloud, and Yellow Cloud—to be in charge of celestial affairs, civil affairs, and military affairs, respectively.

In matters of construction and justice, a comprehensive system of functions was established to govern all affairs of the realm.

He also established the well-field system to ensure agricultural stability, adjusted laws and calendars and standardized weights and measures to facilitate commerce, clarified the five punishments and strictly enforced rewards and punishments to prohibit tyranny, and truly built a governing framework that transcended all individual tribes, bringing the world from the chaos of "each pursuing their own interests and fighting their own battles" under a unified legal system.

People praise him as the progenitor of the Chinese nation, but in reality, it was the Yellow Emperor who established order and brought peace to the people.

At this point, Yao Guangxiao, who had been silently counting prayer beads, suddenly stopped what he was doing and asked a question.

"In essence, the system of governance that Scholar Lin speaks of is simply replacing moral persuasion with laws and regulations, and using the command of unification to quell the conflicts of the world?"

Lin Yue turned to meet Yao Guangxiao's gaze, and sneered inwardly, "Finally, you've taken the bait. I'll give you a long, hard talk later, and then give you a vague answer, so you can experience what a despicable riddle-maker you are."

Lin Yue said, "Master's insight is profound, pointing directly to the root of the matter."

The Yellow Emperor's unification of the world was a major reform of the Chinese system. Faced with new contradictions and problems, the Yellow Emperor completely replaced the old tribal alliance system with a new one.

The Yellow Emperor then established laws for governance, which quelled chaos, brought peace to the people, and centralized the power of all nations under the common ruler.

"Looking at the changes in systems from Yao and Shun's flood control, Xia Qi's passing down of family traditions, to Qin's establishment of prefectures and counties, and our dynasty's establishment of the official system, the changes in systems throughout history are all due to the difficulty of old laws in controlling new problems. The rise and fall of systems is not merely to solve temporary difficulties, but is actually the product of the stimulation of contradictions."

A glint flashed in Yao Guangxiao's eyes, and he immediately grasped the key point.

"In your opinion, scholar, could it be that the dynasties of all dynasties were born of contradictions?"

"Exactly!" Lin Yue said decisively. "The Shang dynasty destroyed the Xia dynasty because Jie of Xia was tyrannical and the people's resentment was deep. King Wu of Shang attacked Zhou because Zhou was tyrannical and the people were disaffected. Qin unified the six states because of the centuries of war during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, with states attacking each other and the people suffering. Only when the conflict reached its extreme did a dynasty emerge that unified the world..."

>