Even if the emperor has said abdication, he is still the ruler with the highest authority in the empire.
Zhu Yuanzhang was just sitting on the uncarved purple wood chair, but a faint murderous aura was already emanating from his body.
"Those people probably want to take this opportunity to criticize the New Deal."
snort.
Zhu Yuanzhang said something with contemptuous eyes, and then snorted coldly, full of disdain and contempt.
Xie Jin nodded, but did not speak immediately.
The emperor's pressure is too heavy, and the cabinet does not want to cause large-scale killings in the government and the public. But for the emperor, killing is always the most direct and effective option.
Especially a founding emperor.
In particular, the emperor's supporters were the meritorious generals who held military power.
The Ming Dynasty has been subject to the emperor's power for twenty-eight years. Everyone knows that as long as the emperor does not die, this situation will never change.
"Um?"
Zhu Yuanzhang made another sound.
Jie Jin's eyebrows twitched: "Your Majesty, it is indeed true."
"Um."
The emperor hummed softly this time and leaned back with a scrutinizing look in his eyes.
Ren Hengtai took a step back. He had already said these things on the way here. He was happy to save himself some words and let Mr. Xie deal with it.
Xie Jin sorted out his thoughts and said softly: "I think that whether it is matters in Zhongdu or Henan Province, if we study them in depth, they may need to be connected and discussed together.
Nowadays, the country is implementing the New Deal, the decrees are in full swing, and the people are responding enthusiastically. Before the Hongwu New Deal, the imperial court had already embarked on the path of implementing the New Deal since the 24th year of Hongwu, when it implemented the restructuring of nearly two thousand post stations across the country.
Over the years, the imperial court has done a lot of things, large and small. How many people's interests were involved? How many people were benefited and how many were harmed?
Although the imperial court was always serious, it was impossible to completely clean up the local area.
Is everything really safe under the sun?
I thought it was just those people hiding deeper.
This time, two urgent reports came to Beijing. Whether it was that the deposed Guangling County Prince was nowhere to be seen, or that the court had spent countless money and food to build the water reduction dam and the dam was destroyed, the ministers and others thought that there must be a black hand behind it.
.”
"Now that you and others have discussed it, where is this black hand?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were cold, and there was a faint light in his eyes.
Xie Jin paused and hesitated for a moment.
A very wrong idea suddenly occurred in his head.
Could it be that His Majesty has already found out the reason behind the urgent report just sent to Beijing today?
No way!
Jie Jin swallowed his saliva and then continued: "In view of the situation in the early days of the country, refer to the current closure of the city of Zhongdu to purge traitors. The cabinet believes that this matter was done by the White Lotus Society and Shanxi Dao Shanxi merchants."
Ah!
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and patted the armrest with his palm: "In the early days of the country, everything was difficult. We drove away the Yuan people and rushed all the way to the north of the Great Wall, but the world was not at peace.
There are still many remnants of the Yuan thieves entrenched everywhere, who are suspected to be the rebels from the early days of the country who were unwilling to surrender.
The court was in a difficult situation. At that time, one dou of grain came into the treasury, but three dou of grain had to be sent out.
There are people everywhere, and there are people watching everywhere.
The imperial court expelled the Yuan thieves from the north of the Great Wall, but the Nine Borders had not yet stabilized.
In the third year of Hongwu's reign, I had to consider the border army and gave the Shanxi merchants a share of the open-center system.
Over the years, they have made themselves rich enough to rival the country!"
It is really difficult to comment on the pros and cons of the implementation of the open-medium system.
It is difficult for Xie Jin to fairly evaluate the merits and demerits of the open-center system at this moment.
But as the emperor said, the benefits of the Kaizhong system are obvious. Under the harsh situation in the early days of the Republic of China, the imperial court and Shanxi merchants on Shanxi Road reached an agreement on the transportation of money and grain for the border army with the Kaizhong system as the core.
.
This agreement completely ensured that the imperial court's hundreds of thousands of border troops could always be stationed inside and outside the Great Wall, blocking the then powerful remnants of the former Yuan Dynasty from outside the Great Wall.
But the disadvantages are equally obvious.
The entire Hedong Salt Pond fell into the hands of Shanxi merchants with the implementation of the Kaizhong system in the third year of Hongwu. In these years, as Shanxi merchants accumulated a lot of wealth, they began to extend their hands to the Jianghuai Saltworks.
The open-to-center system is no longer in line with the current national conditions of the country.
Xie Jin had an idea in his mind to interrupt the suspension.
And Zhu Yuanzhang's voice has continued to penetrate into the ears of the three cabinet ministers in front of him.
"As I get older, I see more things. There are so many things in the world where flies and dogs are hiding behind each other.
These people helped me initially, but they also took advantage of the country's loopholes.
They are rich, but their hands have reached places they shouldn't have gone!
Over the years, I have been holding back, lest the hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the Nine Sides get hungry and fight with the enemy wearing single clothes and holding curled-edged knives.
I endured it again and again, but they tried me step by step!"
The emperor finally vented his anger.
Xie Jin immediately bowed and nodded: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The governance of the country has always been based on assessing the situation. In the early days of the country, it was not easy for the court, so it was natural to use their help. The court has never forgotten this kind of help. It's just that the world has too many vulgar desires and cannot control it, so it will
Will be greedy.
Nowadays, the country's warehouses are abundant, and there are countless money and grains, which increase every year.
Therefore, the imperial court launched the Hongwu New Deal, promoted the reform of post stations, divided the land into acres, integrated officials and gentry, reformed business and taxation, reformed the imperial examination system, and re-implemented Qin laws. In just a few years, the Ming Dynasty expanded its territory and expanded its territory by tens of thousands of miles. Such a prosperous scene
, rarely seen in history.
This is the time for the country to take another look and change its policies.
If there is labor pain in the place and the traitors are trying to bring chaos to the people below, it will always be an opportunity. It is better for the imperial court to see the world clearly and clean up the situation in time."
"Check! Even if the world is going to be in chaos again, I have to stir up these chaos in my hands!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was very calm, but extremely firm.
The emperor's will is extremely firm.
The Duke of Wei, Xu Yungong, who had never spoken before, now spoke up and said: "Your Majesty, the court must be on guard against sudden disturbances in the local area, and more importantly, on guard against court officials being dissatisfied with the New Deal and using the chaos to criticize the New Deal."
Xie Jin immediately took over the words: "I and Wei Guogong have discussed with Ren Chief Assistant and are deeply aware that at present, both inside and outside the court, there may be impeachment of the Governor's Yamen of Hedao and the Yamen of the Third Division of Henan Province.
Since the imperial court established the national policy of regulating the river, it will be called the Yellow River Anlan in this dynasty. This year alone, the imperial court has spent millions of money and food. In addition, under the new policy, it is impossible for everyone to be satisfied. In the past, they just dared not speak out, but this time
But it gives them an opportunity to use the topic to their advantage.
Pan Deshan, the governor-general of the river, has been diligent in regulating the river since he took office. The ministers know that Pan Deshan is hardly on the river every day.
As a third-rank official of the country, he does not wear a red robe and only wears cloth clothes. He is like a river worker in ten days. If such capable ministers and officials bear the criticism of the government and the public for such unreasonable disasters, they will be forced to dismiss from office.
, it is really a national loss.
What's more, it is well known that the implementation of the New Deal started because of His Highness the Emperor Taisun. People like the White Lotus Society and Shanxi merchants who are so rebellious will definitely incite local governments to attack His Highness the Emperor Taisun.
Of.
At that time, the country and the country have been humiliated, and the prince has been defiled, how will the people of the world treat him?"
"Who wants to humiliate the crown prince of Ming Dynasty?"
Just as Xie Jin finished his words and took a breather, a familiar voice came from outside the palace.
Xie Jin and others turned back.
I saw Crown Prince Zhu Biao walking into the palace with a calm expression and a hint of joking, holding a document in his hand.
"I will see you, Your Highness."
Ren Hengtai, Xie Jin and Xu Yungong turned around and saluted.
Zhu Biao was dressed in crimson uniform, with a jade belt around his waist and a feather crown on his head. He stepped into the palace gate, waved his robes with his arms, and arrived in front of the old man.
"My sons and ministers see my father."
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down on the chair, pointed at the prince, and the three of them laughed and said: "This is why I stood up before my son was beaten."
Ren Hengtai and the other three could only smile and say little.
Zhu Biao glanced at the old man and said: "Although the world is in a prosperous age, with my father and emperor here, it is completely different from the early days of the country. The world is changing with each passing day.
Between the sons and ministers, the imperial court now has the ability and confidence to add more strength to the Hongwu New Deal. If the Kaizhong system can be seized, Hedong Yanchi should take it back from the imperial court and hand it over to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
manage.
The imperial court can no longer borrow military supplies for hundreds of thousands of border troops from other people's hands. The lifeblood of the country should be tightly held in the fists of the imperial court.
In the early days of the Republic of China, the situation in the world was chaotic, which had just led to the White Lotus Society and others hiding among the people. Although they have been suppressed for twenty-eight years, they have been repeatedly suppressed. The imperial court should also make this determination and take this opportunity to lure the snake out of its hole and capture them all.
Even at the local level, people who were temporarily dormant due to fear of the power of the imperial court before this incident can also be inspired by this incident, and the imperial court will thoroughly investigate and eliminate them, rectify the government and the public, and purify the people's customs in the world."
After the crown prince arrived, he told all the things that the court knew about today and how to deal with them.
Ren Hengtai couldn't help but look sideways at Zhu Biao in front of him, and asked doubtfully: "Your Highness knows about the affairs of Zhongdu and Henan Road?"
Zhu Biao nodded and delivered the opened document in his hand to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Father, this is the memorial sent back by Yunxi. He is now the most aware of what is happening outside the capital. Together with Gao Yang, the cabinet scholar,
Stop, write a memorial to deal with it, and hope that the imperial court will discuss it and implement it."
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised. He was not surprised that his eldest grandson would write a letter to his family.
It was a surprise that the boy was able to sort out the situation so quickly outside and send the memorial to the sky so quickly.
Ren Hengtai blinked and couldn't help but say: "What Your Highness just said was all played by Taisun?"
Zhu Biao looked back at the chief and assistant minister, nodded, and then said: "Father, I think that the imperial guards should be added. The Beijing army and the direct military guards will select the sons of the good family and examine the martial arts students.
Ruler, because in response to the chaos that may arise in the world, I sneaked out of Yingtian and guarded the place in case of emergencies!"
Long live!
The always kind-hearted Crown Prince actually said that he wanted to expand the size of the Imperial Guard, and even recruit martial arts students from places such as the Military Academy, which cultivated future elite generals of the imperial military, to serve in the Imperial Guard.
Ren Hengtai and Xie Jin have not spoken yet.
Xu Yungong was the first to speak: "Your Highness, I think that if you want to guard the place secretly, you don't have to spend so much effort. It will definitely take a lot of time to add more royal guards, and the soldiers will not know each other. Why not take this opportunity on the grounds that the Beijing army is taking turns?
And promote the defense of the place?"
The Jin Yiwei is subordinate to the Shangzhiqin Military Guard, but the Shangzhiqin Military Guard is directly under the command of the emperor.
Deploying soldiers and horses from the Beijing army to expand the Imperial Guards was a disguised attempt to weaken the power of the Governor-General.
Zhu Biao glanced sideways and gave Xu Yungong a faint look.
Xu Yungong immediately nodded his head.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the eyes of the two men and said casually: "Let's transfer five thousand households from the army directly to Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town. This time the Beijing army takes turns, so we will go down together."
Zhu Biao nodded: "That's appropriate."
Xu Yungong lowered his head and cupped his hands: "I accept your order."
It depends on Jin Yiwei's expansion of the Holy Inquisition, and it is already an irreversible matter.
Xu Yungong and the others couldn't help but think about it, but no one dared to say anything.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and raised the memorial in his hand: "You should also read the memorial written by the emperor's grandson. I read it twice and found that everything was involved. The cabinet will discuss it again, check for any gaps, and then make up for it.
Let’s get things done.”
Ren Hengtai and Xie Jin immediately bowed and clasped their fists.
"I will take your orders."
…
Since the early Song Dynasty, a concept has been popular among the people.
The book has its own golden house.
There are women in the book whose faces are as beautiful as jade.
There are many chariots and horses in the book.
The young gentry in the world spent all their energy on the imperial examination in the first few decades of their lives.
When they become officials or gain fame, they will shelve the sage articles and eight-part essays that they once regarded as treasures.
How to do things, how to engage in politics, how to deal with the country, race, all living beings, etc., are all ignored.
They are content with enjoying themselves and pursuing all the rarest and most extreme enjoyments.
Taking concubines, setting up residences, building gardens and pavilions, eating and drinking lavishly, preparing servants, raising prostitutes and raising maids, all this is not extravagant.
Taiyuan Prefecture, Shanxi Province.
As the seat of the Sansi Yamen Prefecture, Taiyuan Prefecture has concentrated the largest population and resources in the entire Shanxi Province.
And in a place like Shanxi Road with many mountains and deep water, Taiyuan City can only appear to be far smaller than the cities in other places.
But even so, there is still a mansion in a corner of Taiyuan City, occupying a huge area.
Looking from the top of the city, it is obvious that this courtyard has been expanded many times.
The tall courtyard walls suffocate the surrounding houses.
Even compared to the Jin Prince's Mansion in the city, it was only slightly inferior in terms of regulation and height.
But after entering the mansion, in this far north, all that comes into view are the gardens and courtyards in the south of the Yangtze River.
A stream of living water was introduced into the mansion from the Fen River outside Taiyuan City, creating a scene of flowing water.
Deep in the courtyard, there are carved beams and painted buildings.
Inside the house, there are many elegant and wealthy businessmen.
Silk and satin, which was banned by the imperial court, could only be used as a soft object for stepping on the feet.
And yellow and red things that belong exclusively to the royal family can be seen everywhere.
Outside the house, there are servants dressed in brocade standing everywhere, ready to listen to the call.
Inside the house, more than a dozen maids, dressed in skirts and robes, were kneeling at the table, holding tea and burning incense.
A middle-aged man wearing extremely luxurious clothes was leaning on a soft pillow, his eyes scanning the crowd.
"I have called you all together today to discuss again whether this Ming Dynasty is still worthy of our allegiance."