Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 139: The status of feudal vassals changed

The seventh day of September.

early morning.

"I have read the memorials submitted by the ministers, and I feel that the issue of the vassals changing their vassal status overseas and establishing vassal states is very involved."

Zhu Di sat on the golden platform, looked at the princes and ministers in the hall, and spoke loudly.

"Officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Industry jointly submitted a petition, suggesting that the privileges of overseas clans that are different from civilians, ministers and even relatives should be abolished, so that 'princes who commit crimes are guilty of the same crime as common people' is no longer an empty phrase."

"I'm very surprised by this."

Zhu Di changed the topic, looked at the officials of the six ministries, and asked: "In our Ming Dynasty, which vassal king violated the laws and regulations, and Emperor Taizu and I tolerated it? In our Ming Dynasty, princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as the common people!"

All the officials were well aware of his remarks, but they did not dare to stand up and refute them on the spot.

"As for the system of inheritance of clan titles, Emperor Taizu revised the old system in his later years and added it to the "Ancestral Instructions". Ministers who don't understand can apply for a copy from the General Affairs Department and go back and read it. On this point, Emperor Taizu has already considered it, so I won’t elaborate further.”

Zhu Di continued.

The officials of the Six Departments were all a little surprised when they heard this.

The vast majority of them had read the "Huang Ming Ancestor Instructions" and did not find that Emperor Taizu had made any adjustments to the old clan system.

As the second legitimate emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di was even less likely to use such words to deceive ministers.

It can be seen that Zhu Yuanzhang really revised the old clan system in his later years, but he did not have time to inform his ministers.

Zhu Di relied on his memory and continued: "The ministers suggested that the clan members should be allowed to study and cultivate themselves, and be allowed to participate in the imperial examination, so as to select useful talents for the imperial court. I think this is feasible."

"My Emperor Shengming!"

All the sect kings headed by King Zhou bowed and shouted.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yan, the Minister of Civil Service, spoke up quickly.

"Why not?" Zhu Di asked.

Zhang Dao said: "Taizu did not allow the descendants of the clan to participate in the business of the four peoples, not only for the sake of the dignity of the royal family, but also to prevent the descendants of the clan from participating in the military and politics, thereby influencing the country."

Zhu Di is so smart. He chatted with Zhu Gaoxu late into the night last night about the change of feudal vassals. He had long expected that there would be officials who would oppose the clan's participation in politics or the military this morning.

After all, if the clan becomes an official through the imperial examination, for most civil servants, they will be potential competitors and will usurp the power they finally obtained from the emperor.

Even low-level clans are still of the bloodline of Taizu and are naturally close to the imperial power.

There are two officials with similar abilities, one is from a low-level clan and the other is an ordinary civilian. According to human nature, the emperor of the current dynasty will definitely reuse the official who comes from the lower-level clan.

In this case, how can those civil servants with different surnames still hold power and play their role?

In other words, allowing lower-ranking clan members to participate in politics is tantamount to robbing the power of these civil servants.

"Your Majesty, I think that if the clan is allowed to serve as an official, I have no objection to serving as an official in an overseas vassal. However, I will never agree to serving as an official in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhang Yan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please think twice."

Many officials in the hall agreed: "Your Majesty, please think again."

"I dare to ask Zhang Shangshu, the descendants of the clans of overseas vassals are also my subjects of the Ming Dynasty, why should we treat them differently?"

At this moment, the fast-talking Cao Guogong Li Jinglong suddenly walked out of the class and asked.

Zhu Di wanted to say, "This matter can be discussed later," but he didn't expect Li Jinglong to ask a rhetorical question before him.

Yesterday morning, he stated in court that he would entrust some of the heroes with different surnames to build a country overseas in the future. The military attaches and generals, like the kings, were also divided into several groups. They jointly submitted a memorial and made many suggestions.

The feudal king wanted to plan for his descendants, and the military meritorious ministers who would enjoy the power of enfeoffing land and establishing a country in the future also wanted to plan for their descendants.

If a military hero established a country overseas, he would naturally belong to the Ming vassal state. He would naturally wear the same pants as the vassal kings and actively strive for power for the vassal state or clan.

"Does Duke Cao dare to violate the rules set by Emperor Taizu?"

Zhang Yan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, retorted without any sign of weakness.

Li Jinglong was suddenly speechless.

"This matter is related to the clan system. We can't come up with a solution for a while. You don't need to argue anymore. We can discuss it later."

When Zhu Di saw this, he had to speak loudly.

"The ministers obey the order."

Li Jinglong, Zhang Yan and others bowed.

Zhu Di continued: "Officials from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Punishment jointly submitted a petition, suggesting that during the national mourning period, all overseas princes and adult princes should return to Beijing to pay homage and other ritual matters. I think it is feasible."

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Officials from the Ministry of Personnel and other four departments bowed and bowed.

Zhu Di glanced at Prince Ning and others, and said: "When a vassal king proclaims himself emperor, he is committing rebellion and treason. I think so whether all the ministers have made suggestions or not!"

"My brother (my nephew) and others will never dare!"

All the feudal kings who were attracted by Zhu Di hurriedly knelt down and said respectfully.

"I know you don't dare, just get up."

Zhu Di raised his hand with great confidence and signaled the kings to level up.

After the kings stood up, he continued: "After you establish your country overseas, the court cannot sit idly by and ignore it. I have decided that in addition to providing human and material support, I will also transfer some of the guards and officials who were originally under your control. Give it to you, let these people follow you to build a country overseas to ensure your safety."

"My Emperor Shengming!"

All the sect kings headed by King Zhou bowed and shouted.

Zhu Di added: "You must remember that after the establishment of a country overseas, the vassal states are not allowed to conquer each other. If they encounter foreign enemies, they must unite as one and unify the foreign affairs."

"My brother (my nephew) and others will obey the Holy Order!"

All the vassal kings said respectfully.

“Special matters such as paying tribute, paying taxes, trade, mining, minting coins, recruiting troops, conferring nobility, and fighting wars all involve the relationship between the vassal state and the court. They are too involved. If not handled well, it will alienate the court and the vassal state. ."

Zhu Di continued: "This matter is of great importance, and a detailed charter must be drawn up, otherwise there will be endless troubles. Prince?"

"My son is here." Zhu Gaoxu bowed and walked out of the queue.

Zhu Di ordered: "I order you to join the six ministers, ministers, ministers, princes and princes in Beijing to discuss the detailed regulations on the transfer of various vassals to overseas at Wuying Hall."

Having said this, he stood with his hands behind his hands, looked around at the princes and ministers in the court, and said: "I name this regulation the "Regulations of the Suzerains and Vassals". I will give you three days. After three days, I will see the first draft of the "Regulations". .”

"My son, I will obey the Holy Order!"

Zhu Gaoxu took the lead and bowed respectfully.

"I obey the order!" The princes, princes and ministers followed closely behind Zhu Gaoxu and bowed.

After half an hour.

Hall of Martial Arts.

"Changsheng, I will show you seats and tea for all the kings and ministers."

Zhu Gaoxu was also unambiguous. After entering the Wuying Hall first, he went straight to the dragon chair behind the imperial table and sat down. Then he gave instructions to the eunuch Changsheng who was standing at the door of the hall.

"Yes." Changsheng bowed into the hall and bowed in salute.

When King Zhou, King Ning and other vassal princes and officials of the six departments saw this, they did not feel it was inappropriate. It was as if it was natural for Zhu Gaoxu to sit on the dragon throne now, just like how Prince Yiwen presided over the small court meeting in place of Emperor Taizu.

"I am waiting to thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The six ministers, ministers, ministers, princes in Beijing, and princes all sat in groups in order.

"The "Song and Vassal Regulations" are of great importance and have far-reaching influence. For this reason, His Majesty the Father has asked me to discuss a charter with you. I ask you to put aside your selfishness and make impartial suggestions."

Zhu Gaoxu looked around at the ministers sitting on the left and right sides of the hall, and said loudly: "In order to speed up the progress, this meeting will discuss different topics one by one, and form a preliminary draft of suggestions, which will be compiled into one after the meeting, and the final draft will be drawn up. This is the first draft of the charter. Do you have any objections?"

"I will obey His Highness's instructions."

The princes and ministers said in unison.

"Okay, let's discuss the first issue now, which is also the most fundamental and core issue, that is, the status of the vassal state."

Zhu Gaoxu took out a memorial from his sleeve pocket and spread it flat on the royal table. He glanced at the contents of the memorial, then looked up at the ministers in the palace and said: "The countries established by the kings overseas are independent after all. A kingdom, a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty? Or a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty?"

As the saying goes, "As soon as an expert makes a move, he will know whether there is something wrong." As soon as he said this, most people at the scene instantly understood the essence of the "Regulations on Duties and Vassals" - naming names!

In Confucianism, the relationship between monarch and minister, father and son, and husband and wife is called "name", and the corresponding responsibilities and obligations are called "fen".

Under the doctrine of title, the human ethics value is judged, and the human ethics value is called "great righteousness".

Since ancient times, there have been basic value judgments about "Hua Yi and inside" and "right and wrong, good and evil".

Confucianism believes that as long as everyone abides by this value, the world can achieve stability and harmony without the need for kings to govern.

Similarly, if no one abides by the "righteousness", even if the king devotes his efforts to governing, it is impossible to maintain a stable and effective rule.

The vassal and genus are two completely different concepts.

Fan means a town or a fence, and gen means attachment or belonging.

Although the Ming vassal state was said to be a barrier of the imperial court and served to protect the central government, it was more independent than the prefectures and counties under the direct administration of the imperial court. It was like the tentacles of the Ming Dynasty's external expansion.

Although the vassal state has a country name, it only has administrative power, partial military power, and taxation power. It does not have local vassal towns to exercise national sovereignty. Its territory still belongs to the imperial court in name.

The dependent countries of the Ming Dynasty were essentially the "little brothers" of the Ming Dynasty. The succession of their new kings must be recognized by the Ming Dynasty court, and they must pay tribute regularly. The court basically does not interfere in their internal affairs.

In name, the subject country fully enjoyed independent powers such as legislation, justice, administration, taxation, coinage, military recruitment, and territory. However, in fact, the politics, military, and diplomacy of the subject country were all subject to the intervention of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Gaoxu talks about status first, regardless of interests and disadvantages, Gaoming lies in Gaoming.

As long as the names of the vassal states established by the vassal states overseas are determined, the respective responsibilities, obligations, powers, etc. of the court and the vassal state will basically have a rough scope.

"Dear princes and ministers, the first round of voting will now begin. Anyone who is in favor of establishing the country as an independent kingdom, please raise your hands."

Cheng Changsheng, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, shouted loudly under Zhu Gaoxu's instructions.

Zhu Gaoxu scanned the audience and found that no one raised their hands.

Some of the ministers of the royal family had participated in special meetings hosted by Zhu Gaoxu, and they knew that Zhu Gaoxu could not only take into account the opinions of everyone in meetings, but also be calm and orderly, so that the participants would not feel too tired.

Raising hands is the most concise, clear and shortest way to express personal attitude.

Then Changsheng said loudly: "Now for the second round of voting, anyone who supports the founding of the country as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, please raise your hands."

Zhu Gaoxu scanned the audience again, but still didn't see anyone raising their hands.

"Now for the third round of voting, anyone who supports the founding of the Ming Dynasty as a vassal state, please raise your hands." Changsheng shouted.

This time, the vast majority of people present raised their hands.

"Okay, now that the status is established, the next issues will be much simpler."

Zhu Gaoxu breathed a sigh of relief. He was actually worried that some people would be ignorant of current affairs and jump out to support the countries established by the kings overseas as vassal states or independent kingdoms.

Of course, the real situation is that no one here is an idiot. They all understand that Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu, the father and son, cannot agree to the kings going overseas to establish an independent kingdom or a Ming vassal state, because doing so is not much different from open rebellion.

"Since the country established was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, it was an integral part of the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the second issue is whether the status of the vassal state is the same as that of the imperial envoys directly under the imperial court, or the same as that of the imperial envoys. Zhili Prefecture?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked next.

When the ministers at the scene heard this question, they couldn't help but be surprised again.

They marveled at Prince Zhu Gaoxu's vision. Every issue could always get to the core of the problem - status.

The subordinate relationship between the vassal state and the imperial court has just been determined, and now it is a matter of course to further determine the vassal state's position under the imperial court's administrative management system.

However, this move seemed to be a matter of course, but once established, the limitations of the vassal state were also determined.

Because the vassal state was the local administrative region of the Ming Dynasty, in terms of territory, even if the vassal state expanded its territory, it could not exceed the area of ​​the largest province or the largest Zhili prefecture in the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a violation or trespass?

If the status of a vassal state is equivalent to that of a province or Zhili Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty, then the status of the future leader of the vassal state will be similar to that of the chief official of a province or Zhili Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty.

From this, we can start from the responsibilities, rights, and benefits of the chief official of a province or Zhili government to formulate the most basic responsibilities, rights, and benefits of the lord of the vassal state.

Responsibility is the responsibility that should be borne, the obligations that correspond to the position, and the things that should be done within the scope of one's duties.

Quan is power, the power at one's disposal within the scope of one's responsibilities.

Profit is benefit, that is, the benefits obtained, both material and spiritual.

Of course, the leader of the vassal state is the Ming Dynasty King, and he also has additional privileges that belong exclusively to the clan. This is something that no one can deny, but the basic "responsibilities and rights" of being the leader of the vassal state require a large framework.

After all, in the eyes of the Ming Emperor, the lord of a vassal state and the chief official of a province or Zhili Prefecture are all ministers. Since they are ministers, they must have the duty of a minister!

As for the autonomy possessed by the lord of the vassal state, it must be ranked after the status of monarch and ministers, simply because no matter how great this autonomy is, it cannot be greater than the power of the emperor!

"Dear ministers of the clan, the first round of voting will now begin. Anyone who agrees that the status of the vassal state is equivalent to the recognition of the official envoy, please raise your hands."

Cheng Changsheng, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, shouted loudly under Zhu Gaoxu's instructions.

So, except for King Ning, King Zhou, and King Chu, the other kings raised their hands to express their approval.

Among the officials of the six ministries, only a few raised their hands to express their approval.

Zhu Gaoxu asked: "Fifth uncle, sixth uncle, and seventeenth uncle, do you think the status of the vassal state is low?"

PS: This is a [-]-word chapter. Please give me recommendations, monthly votes, check-in for this chapter, and all kinds of support!

(End of this chapter)