Jingming

Chapter 254 Unreasonable

In the world of adults, especially on the political stage, occasions with more people are actually mostly dramas.

Needless to say, the etiquette process, the positions and attitudes of different characters are full of temptations, momentum, and standing in line.

But for the feudal lord who has already entered the capital, he has no choice but to listen carefully.

Zhu Houcong asked, "What is the elder's opinion?"

Yang Tinghe said with emotion: "Your Majesty has a long life today, and all the kings and relatives came to Beijing to congratulate them. The clan is in harmony, the monarch and his ministers are united, and the veterans are happy. According to the weekly system, men are crowned at twenty. Your Majesty has just reached the year of the crown. He is very talented. He is unparalleled in wisdom, and he looks into the universe, and no one in the world dares not to follow."

There was a burst of dragon farts, as if the current rebellion did not exist.

Then there is the serious content: "However, after the kingdom of the vassal kings has no purpose, they will not enter the capital, and they must not leave the vassal land without authorization. Clan relatives are not allowed to be officials, businessmen, etc., for ten thousand years, so as to avoid the worry of fighting with each other. If the kings live in the capital for a long time, the children of the clan Being able to become an official is indeed very involved. With Your Majesty's sageness, Jiajing will naturally have no worries, and veterans may have new disasters in a hundred years, so we must guard against it!"

The purpose of blowing Zhu Houcong is to show that you have no problems when you are in power, but what about in the future?

The vassals stayed in the capital, and it was better for these former vassals to be far away from the throne.But what about your own sons?

What kind of person was Zhu Yuanzhang in the past?When the prince Zhu Biao was there, many brothers were convinced by everyone, but after Zhu Biao died and Zhu Yuanzhang died, there was Taizong Jingnan.And when Zhu Di was there, there were Han kings eyeing the throne covetously, and when Zhu Zhanji succeeded to the throne, there was another Han king rebelling.

This is because the kings are not in the capital.

Imagine if all the kings were in the capital when Emperor Zhengde was in the capital, and Zhu Houzhao had no children, the battle for the throne of the Ming Dynasty would be many times more tragic. If King Ning wanted to rebel, how would it be so difficult?
Even Zhu Houcong himself, if many vassal kings were in the capital, when his determination to implement the new law was confirmed, he would not be in the current situation: the interests of so many people are involved, can't they support a nearby monarch who supports the old system?
In the Qianqing palace, the kings listened to Yang Tinghe's words, and some of them were smart enough to understand these things.

Is the emperor trying to appease the kings, or is he taking the opportunity to treat the vassal king's clan more strictly, as if they were under house arrest in Beijing?

Zhu Houcong only said: "The vassal kings are entrusted to the localities, and the vassal kings have not lost the chaos for many years. Isn't it happening right now?"

All the kings trembled in their hearts: Don't say it, don't say it, we are good.

Yang Tinghe retorted: "If the sons and daughters of the clan can be appointed as officials, in ten or twenty years, both the civil and military classes of the government and the field will have their old stories; if there is a change of power, I am afraid there will be hidden worries every time. Another example is the former emperor's northern expedition. When the Son of Heaven leaves the capital, he must protect the capital from danger. I really don’t know any good strategy to solve this worry, please let your Majesty express it.”

After explaining the disadvantages thoroughly, he only showed the appearance of "you teach me" at this time.

Zhu Houcong looked at the vassal kings, smiled and said: "For the kings, the vassals are in the fiefdom. Although they cannot leave without authorization, they are at ease. If they enter the capital, the kings will be the most uncomfortable. I worry about it every day, not to mention the vastness of the palace, and everyone in the fief respects it. It's just that there are more and more children in the clan, and the arrears of the clan's salary in various places happen from time to time. I plan for my descendants, and all the kings must also It is the plan of future generations."

"...Your Majesty is holy."

It's right to admit that you are good!

Zhu Houcong finished his opening remarks, and then said: "All the kings are here today, and the counselors and relatives are also face to face. I will talk about my thoughts, and you will also help to discuss in detail."

Then, the feudal prince and his relatives, who had never experienced it in the capital, heard with their own ears that the emperor had a class.

It is now called a preliminary idea, but it has obviously been discussed many times.

Among the kings, the smarter ones had to struggle to understand that the reform of the vassal king's clan system this time was far from a single matter.

The emperor wanted many things.

The first is the land property of the kings in the world - together with the huge Huangzhuang in the clan, the clan mansion will follow the example of Huangmingji to manage it. Zhu Houcong wants to set up a special Huangming grain storage number.While holding tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land, it can also lease official land from various places.The payable grain and taxes were paid as usual, and the proceeds were used to store, transfer, adjust grain prices in various places, and deal with war needs in addition to distributing the royal family's salary according to its true nature.

Then there are the palaces of the princes in various places—as branches of Huangming University, which are used to train and select talents from all over the world.Now it is only distributed in a few provinces, but because it is located in the hinterland, it is convenient for students from all provinces to go there.

Finally, there are the children of the feudal vassals - after the quelling of the chaos, when the new law is implemented throughout the country, a large number of talents will be needed.Although most of the clan's children are ignorant, they were not given a way out before.Now there are still two or three years before the implementation of the new law. During this time, the children of the clan can already start tutoring for homework to prepare for the exam.

"Although I have a clan status, I have no intention of directly appointing high-ranking officials. Instead, I want to start from the eighth and ninth grades like a student." Zhu Houcong said quietly, "They are all descendants of the Zhu family in the Ming Dynasty. People are responsible. Compared with other people, there is always another salary after the clan. To become an official, you only need to be selected by me. It is easier for ordinary scholars to become officials."

Zhu Houcong paused and said: "It's better than after the clan has multiplied, the descendants of the branch will ask you for salary."

The kings were silent - you took away all the property and palace, and all we can get is the real salary and less restrictions for future generations?
But this is not over yet, Zhu Houcong continued: "Nowadays, the clan's titles are all eighth-class, and if they are innocent, they will not be revoked, and they will all be granted by blood. If the clan is to make contributions to the country, it must be rewarded. In addition to promotion, then in the future In addition to grace, there will also be merit. A lieutenant can be a general, and a general can also be named a county king or even a prince because of merit. If there is an increase, there must be a decrease. It is a prince. It will be tested every ten years. If there is still no merit in 30 years country, it will be lowered. My sons and heirs will also follow this law."

Cui Yuan silently watched the reactions of the vassal kings, and the relatives naturally listened to it—even the clan was like this, could the future relatives still be hereditary successors?

"The living water is endless." Zhu Houcong said calmly, "If you don't seek changes, the pool of water and silt in Daming will become more and more muddy. If any disaster occurs, it may dry up. I know that the kings are not willing at this moment. There is no hope for a great position, and you can't be a leisurely rich man. However, living in a vassal state, you can't express your ambitions, and you can't use your talents. Is it possible that people spend their lives in such a muddle?"

Feeding this chicken soup is only useful to a few people.

The key issue lies in the current background of the vassal rebellion.

They didn't dare to open their mouths to object, but Yang Tinghe still didn't hear how the emperor would prevent the hidden danger of rebellion after the prince in Beijing and his clan's children could become officials and form forces in the future.

After he asked the question again, Zhu Houcong replied: "There is no need to worry about this matter at all. The elder Ge also said that I will be the crown in my age. After ten or twenty years, Ming Dynasty will definitely not be what it is today. Many old systems will no longer exist. It is suitable for the needs of the future. It is fundamental for thousands of clan children to have a life with more hope and to serve Ming Dynasty. As for whether my sons and the kings in Beijing will fight against each other in the future..."

Zhu Houcong looked at Zhu Zaihuang, who had completed some "etiquette" under the encouragement and teaching, and was now listening in a daze. He smiled and said, "I will be fussy in the future."

System design is of course important, but there is no need to bring up many things now, and it is impossible to explain them.

Under the leadership of Zhu Houcong, Ming Dynasty is bound to experience far more drastic changes than previous dynasties.

This kind of change will touch people's thoughts and concepts.

Now Zhu Houcong only needs to pinch one point: he is still young, if he is still in power, there will be no big waves underneath.

Just like this rebellion.

Then the kings heard another big event from the emperor: the city of Beijing was going to be expanded.

Since the construction was completed during the Yongle period, there have been plans to expand Beijing City.

Nowadays, a large number of people and even officials live outside the city walls in the southeast and northwest.

But the expansion of Beijing City is really a huge project, and the money, food and manpower that needs to be spent will be a huge burden.

In the old concept, you can only do these things if you have money.

But Zhu Houcong explained this to the counselors from another angle: After the new law is implemented nationwide, there will be Huangmingji in Guangdong and the southeast coast to stimulate foreign maritime trade, and there will be a large increase in money and taxes. What about the north that belongs to the center?
Starting from the expansion of Beijing City, coupled with this round of large-scale projects starting from the cleaning of water conservancy, these infrastructure constructions will also have a stimulating effect.

Under the new system, if the required money and food can be distributed, the craftsmen, laborers’ homes, and merchants who undertake projects and supply materials will eventually have to spend the money—at least in the clearing of land across the country and strict review of land sales in the short term during this time.

Zhu Houcong didn't need to explain the idea of ​​several carriages too clearly.

What the kings are concerned about is that in the new city of Beijing that is currently being planned, the newly built palaces of the kings are all located in the outer city of Beijing outside Zhengyangmen—if they want to cause chaos in the future, they need to be able to enter the inner city first and then enter the imperial city , Miyagi.

There is a lot of information, and there is a risk of being charged with reverse charges if you oppose it.

The Emperor's Longevity Day doesn't look like a festival at all, such a big event is thrown out suddenly.

They will temporarily live in the capital, and after the rebellion is put down, they will be "escorted" back to the vassal land. Under the auspices of the "supervisor" sent by the imperial court, they will call the children of the sect and its branches to take tuition and prepare for the examination.

Undoubtedly, most clans below the county king will be welcome-the salary and food can be distributed in their own way, and they can become officials in the future without being trapped in the vassal land.As for the palace and property, they are only related to the prince. How much can they get?

Whether the vassal king wants to agree or not, he must consider the consequences of the current situation.

And after the banquet was over, Zhu Houcong came to the corridor behind the throne.

Here, there are two people kneeling: Zhu Jianjun and Zhu Youbin.

At the beginning, it took Zhu Houcong 22 days to rush from Anlu to Beijing to ascend the throne, which was due to the large number of people.

Zhu Jianjun was captured on August 27, and was escorted to the capital as quickly as possible, while Zhu Youbin was "escorted" to Beijing earlier by someone arranged by Wang Shouren.

After someone took them to Fengxian Hall, Zhu Houcong stood aside and looked at the two kneeling in front of the ancestors.

"Did you hear the roll call before? Now, apart from Prince Rui who was held hostage by Pu Zitong, Prince Rong's mansion who was burned to death by Zhan Huabi, and the Chu and Liao clans who are not allowed to enter Beijing, all other kings have arrived in Beijing." Zhu Houcong Looking at Zhu Jianjun, "After raising the flag, the vassal kings of the world have the idea of ​​being rebellious. How dare you lose your head and do such a big thing? Except for Changsha Wei and Hengzhou Wei, where is the confidence?"

Zhu Jianjun gritted his teeth and did not speak.

During their observation, this kid will ask the feudal vassals to give away the land and the palace in the future, but he will only bring his sons and relatives to Beijing.After being forced to this point, so many people still dare not resist like chickens waiting to be slaughtered?
Zhu Houcong's eyes turned cold: "If you don't tell me, Fu Rongzhong can't survive Jin Yiwei's methods. After you become a clan, you will die if you rise up to rebel, and your relatives and grandchildren will be imprisoned by the high wall of Fengyang for the common people. You tell me."

"Son of widowhood!" Zhu Jianjun smashed the pot, "You are succeeding as a vassal king, and you are ruining the ancestors' precepts! The act of bullying the clan, so far as to seize the property and seize the title, how serious is the jealousy? I just don't want to sit and wait for death , Taizong face to face, should understand our helpless situation!"

Zhu Houcong didn't come to listen to scolding, and he didn't bother to reason with him.

Bringing them here is nothing more than going through the procedures of clan etiquette, and on the other hand, it is to say something in front of the ancestors without the presence of the ministers.

The gate of Fengxian Hall was opened, and only then did Zhu Jianjun and Zhu Youbin see—the kings who were "sent away" after the banquet in Qianqing Palace before, now all appeared here again.

Zhu Houcong stood at the door, looking at the kings standing in the open space outside.

"No matter how you think I am leading snakes out of their holes, jealous of kings, and taking advantage of you, I will only say three points."

In the darkness of night, the shadows in the attic of the Forbidden Palace are heavy.The emperor spoke bluntly, and the kings only felt that the atmosphere was oppressive and heavy.

Zhu Houcong looked over calmly: "First of all, I promise that Paul and the others will have a full salary and food, and that they will be honored and rich, and that Kaier and the others will be the first to show their talents and ambitions in the future."

Zhu Jianjun had already been held down by Lu Song and others on the shoulders and gagged, he only shouted in his heart: You didn't say this before you ordered us to enter Beijing!
"Second point, the people of Ming Dynasty can't live longer. The clan invaded the fields, the officials and gentry invaded the fields, and the guards invaded the fields. If I don't make up my mind, after a hundred years, Daming will not be able to collect taxes. Where are the feudal clans? Five years after Jiajing, all the feudal clans began to pay for their land, so who else dares to say anything?"

Zhu Houcong blatantly stated that the purpose of his request was to set an example for his clan relatives.But the first point was said first, it seems that the interests of the feudal vassals have not been robbed of anything, except that they can live freely in the vassal land and secretly have a lot of income.

"The third point is that I innovated learning, practiced new methods, and rebuilt the Ming Dynasty. What I always thought in my heart was that the clan can be used, not that the clan needs to be eliminated. Now that the central government of the court is united, I am young and strong, and my power is growing day by day. In three to fifty years, you How to proceed, I will think carefully after today. In front of my ancestors, my heart can be learned from day to day. This great Ming Dynasty was laid down by the Zhu family. If I rebuild the Ming Dynasty, I will rely on the Zhu family again. I am afraid that the Zhu family has become like that Kong It's just like the ignorant children ridicule, it's just petty."

"If you only know how to seize the people's interests and don't think about keeping the business and creating a new foundation, then what is the meaning of Taizu entrusting the kings to protect the Ming Dynasty? Now, in order to avoid fighting with each other, the vassal kings have no guards; There is no need to go through life and death and go to battle to kill the enemy. But there are many places where the clan can contribute, and there are many ways to contribute to the country! In the past, the Taizu expelled the Tartars and rebuilt China. Now I, Zhu Houcong, also hope that my Zhu family can make another great contribution to the country. China."

"In this way, even in the future, even if our Emperor Ming will eventually perish, the people of later generations will be able to say a word when they think of the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty, the importance of new learning, the efficacy of the new law, and the vision of our Ming Dynasty to open up the world. The Zhu family has made great contributions to our Chinese clans! With my ambition, why worry about the instability of the position, why should I be jealous? I have worked hard for several years, I hope you will go back and think carefully, and encourage your children to be of the same clan!"

It was only then that the kings saw the young emperor with their own eyes, and had a clear impression of him in person.

Although the name of the emperor is noble and supreme, it is another matter to be a human being with speech, demeanor, and temperament.

Now the emperor who has just reached the age of the weak crown has only grown a little beard, but when he said these words bluntly and later explained his ambitions, what he showed was after all the momentum of looking down on the world and the state of mind with abnormal confidence.

When I was far away in the vassal land, I only felt that the court was about a bloody and youthful emperor and a group of high-ranking officials who only wanted to be famous. They were eager for quick success and quick success. Pushing it forward step by step to the extent that even the vassal kings and gentry can hardly feel at ease, the world is facing tremendous changes.

In the face of change, people instinctively feel insecure.

Now they find that the monarchs and ministers leading this change, for some reason, lack the kind of fear that they are walking on thin ice and are worried that the situation in the world will become uncontrollable.

Such confidence does not seem to be justified at all.

But what they had to admit was that the young emperor in front of them made them feel that Yang Tinghe had really chosen a hero and hero.

Although he talked about the supreme achievements, at this moment the new learning is being questioned, the new law is still being blocked, there is a severe drought in the south, and there is a rebellion.

Judging from the emperor's eyes, he seemed to think that these things were not too serious.

In Jinyiwei Prison, Wang Zuo came to Fu Rongzhong again, and asked with a smile: "Fu 'Shangshu', you still refuse to confess? With your level of talent, you dare to plan a major rebellion? Who has promised you that as long as you write a letter?" Once it’s released, there must be crowds of people? Look at it now, it’s been almost two months since the call to action was issued, where else is there any movement in the world except Huguang Sanwei?”

Fu Rongzhong just looked in one direction with disbelief in his eyes.

Because when he was brought here before, he saw Kong Wenshao living in a cell over there.

This emperor is really crazy!

Before the proclamation was issued, it was only known that Zhang Fujing was appointed as the governor of Shandong, and there was a controversy over the Confucian ceremony.

Now that there is already a rebellion in the world, how dare you directly arrest Yan Shenggong to the capital?
Does the emperor feel that the current drought is not chaotic enough in the world?

He laughed crazily a lot, then gritted his teeth while enduring the severe pain and said, "You want me to confess? If I admit it, have you done it all?"

Wang Zuo smiled and said, "That's the best. How can I do meritorious service if I don't handle major cases?"

At this point, Fu Rongzhong's eyes lit up instead.

Although captured, this is only the beginning.In such a situation, if the emperor still wants to handle such a big case that affects countless officials and gentry across the country, the world will definitely be in chaos.

The day when the chaos is rectified is the time when he, the "martyr", Fu Rongzhong, has been wronged and left his name in history!
"Okay, then you have to prepare pen, ink and paper!" He had the kind of expression that watching the excitement is not a big deal.

Wang Zuo was very happy and nodded repeatedly.

Sure enough, he is a person who is so foolish as to rebel, and his mind is somewhat unclear.

To recruit or not is one thing, but to do it or not is another.

The emperor is the most skillful, and the bones of officials and gentry are far softer than many people imagined.

Those who are really smart know how to choose when the emperor stands in front of him with a fist the size of a sandbag.

The new law will lose a lot of benefits, but compared to losing one's life and exterminating the family, isn't it better to live?
Knowing that Zhu Jianjun, Kong Wenshao, and Fu Rongzhong have all been arrested, those who are naive will be "forced to take risks", and those who are smart will wait and see.

While they were waiting and watching, news from the capital came out.

After the Shuo Ri court meeting on the first day of October, the emperor made a southern tour!

On the southern tour with the emperor, Cui Yuan and Zhen Guogong commanded the five thousand troops of the Beijing camp.

Those in charge of supplying food and salaries were Zhang Fujing, governor of Shandong, and the three kings of Shandong who "understood righteousness" and donated a lot of money and food.

The tax in Shandong is so heavy, and this year we have to support the disaster relief food in Nanzhili. How can there be so much money and food?
Looking at Zhang Fujing's memorial in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Houcong could only sigh with emotion: "This is the descendant of the master? Is it fake?"

(End of this chapter)