Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 735 Wuwei!

When dealing with the privileged groups of gentry and scholars, we cannot abolish their privileges right away, as this will only lead to unrest in the whole world.

From the moment power was born, privileges appeared along with it. Be it power or privilege, tracing back to its source, it is the control over various resources!
No matter how a dynasty develops, flourishes, or declines, it cannot change the fact that all resources will gradually be concentrated in the hands of a small group of people over time.

If we want to carry out a thorough internal reform in order to properly solve the problems faced by the country, which is facing serious problems, numerous bad policies, class antagonism, and uncontrolled mergers, we must pay attention to methods and approaches.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youxiao certainly knew how huge the number of gentry and scholars were under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. They owned a considerable amount of land under the jurisdiction of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, secretly concealed a large number of people, had a large number of workshops, and stored huge amounts of gold and silver... If he did not use proper methods and just screened all the gentry and scholars right away, there would be no need to think about it, as many riots and unrest would inevitably break out in various parts of the Ming Dynasty!

After all, this group is too special. They can come into contact with officials above and connect with merchants below. It is true that the Ming Dynasty advocated emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce. The Ming Dynasty had the hierarchical concept of "scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans", but this was only on the poker table, and there were too many tricks hidden under the poker table.

Therefore, in order to properly resolve this matter, Zhu Youxiao's method of dealing with the gentry and scholars was very clear, which was to use the laws of the Ming Dynasty to punish and deter them. Anyone who violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty would have their fame and honor taken away, their property confiscated, and their background destroyed. It was impossible to screen them all at once, so he would screen them in batches and kill them over and over again!

When governing a country, one cannot resort to unscrupulous means; one must be upright and aboveboard. Rules are rules and no one can break them. Only in this way can one ensure that the foundation of one's rule is solid.

"Your Majesty, Cui Chengxiu and his men have arrested so many people in Zhejiang. Aren't they afraid of chaos in Zhejiang?" In the East Warm Pavilion, Zhu Changxun frowned slightly, raised the secret report in his hand, and expressed his doubts.

"The number of people captured is not just one or two hundred, but thousands. If we really count all their nine clans, the number of people is huge!"

"Yes."

Zhu Youdong followed closely and said, "You mentioned before that there were many people fanning the flames behind the Zhejiang tax resistance. If the Integrity Bureau really wants to do this, will they just sit back and do nothing?"

"I will definitely not sit idly by."

Zhu Shihong frowned and said, "So many people have been arrested. If someone lets go and gives some information, the Integrity Bureau will definitely conduct a thorough investigation."

"After all, through the Zhejiang tax resistance incident, the Integrity Commission was able to uncover a lot of problems in the grain transport industry. This is no small matter. If it really involves a lot of people, some people will definitely be restless."

Listening to what Zhu Changxun and the others said, Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly.

"Look at this secret letter."

Zhu Youxiao pointed to a corner of the imperial desk and said, "After reading this, your doubts will be resolved. I would like to remind you that this secret memorial was submitted a few days earlier than the one from the Integrity Bureau."

Ok?
When everyone heard this, they looked at each other with puzzled expressions on their faces. Under some gazes, Zhu Changxun walked forward and picked up the secret memorial on the imperial desk with both hands.

Zhu Changxun, with all kinds of thoughts in his mind, opened the secret letter and just glanced at the contents, and his expression changed completely.

"Oh my god!"

Zhu Changxun's exclamation was heard in the East Warm Pavilion.

"what happened?"

Zhu Shugui lifted his robe and ran over, leaning his head to look at the secret report held by Zhu Changxun, but because he was too short, he still couldn't see it even if he stood on tiptoe.

After hearing Zhu Shugui's commotion, everyone came running over in surprise and confusion.

"This……"

"Oh my God."

"Ruthless enough!"

Zhu Youdong and the others' shocked expressions made Zhu Shugui even more curious. "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Zhu Shugui pushed everyone away, ran to Zhu Youxiao, and said with a puzzled look on his face.

"It's nothing."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and patted Zhu Shugui on the shoulder. "After the New Year's Day holiday, Qi Jin, who was ordered to go to Nanjing, led his troops and arrested some people with the help of the Xiaoling Guards."

"Ok?"

Zhu Shugui was even more puzzled. "That's not right, Your Majesty. When Pinglu Bo Qi Jin was ordered to go south, after completing the rectification of the mausoleum guards in Lianghuai, wasn't he supposed to rectify the Xiaoling guards?"

"It's just an excuse."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Although Xiaoling Guard is far away from the central government, there are no major problems inside. The real purpose of Qi Jin's trip to Nanjing is to solve some problems."

“That’s it.”

Zhu Shugui now showed an expression of understanding, but he did not notice the expressions on Zhu Changxun and the others' faces at all.

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Arrested some people?

Tens of thousands of people were arrested in Nanjing. Is this considered arresting a few people?!

Among those captured by Qi Jin and his troops were nobles, eunuchs, upright officials, officials, gentry, scholars, merchants... all of them were captured along with their families.

No wonder there was no trouble in Zhejiang even though Cui Chengxiu and his team arrested so many people.

"Your Majesty, this is not right."

Zhu Changxun, holding the memorial in his hand, suppressed his fear and suddenly looked up and asked, "Qi Jin made such a big fuss in Nanjing, why didn't the capital city have any disturbance before?"

"The mausoleum guards stationed in Lianghuai and Xingdu are not vegetarians either." Zhu Youxiao said calmly, "All groups heading north will be strictly checked at the checkpoints, tax checkpoints, and industrial checkpoints along the way. Their travel permits and household registration certificates will be strictly examined, which will help control a lot of people."

"But speaking of it, some news should have been reported back from the capital at this time. After all, no matter how strict the investigation is, there will be fish that slip through the net."

Speaking of this, Zhu Youxiao actually had a certain favorable impression of the Ming Dynasty's household registration system. In this world, people who could leave the place where they were born and raised and go to other places were counted as bankrupt self-cultivating farmers, fleeing military households and artisans, and refugees from disasters. The lower-class people would not do these things, so the scale of this system would be much smaller.

Therefore, if you want to block some information in a targeted manner during a special period, it can be done as long as the cost is high enough.

"Your Majesty, is this what you mean?"

Zhu Youdong heard something else and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.

"That's what I meant."

Zhu Youxiao did not deny it. "I want people in the southeastern provinces to know about the power of our dynasty! What Qi Jin, Cui Chengxiu and others did was also my intention. Calculating the time, the imperial edict of Liaodong's victory has spread to the southeastern provinces by now."

"When I first ascended the throne, I chose to temporarily tolerate some dirty things due to some considerations, but this does not mean that I will not take action. Since some people have gone too far, I will let them know what price they will pay for daring to do so!!"

(End of this chapter)