The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 160 The imperial power does not extend to the county?
Why is Zhu Yuanzhang so concerned about Lan Yu's heirs?

Logically speaking, wouldn't it be better for a distinguished noble to have no heirs?

With the death of the Lord, there is one less constraint.

However, this is not the case. Although the existence of nobles will restrict the imperial power to a certain extent, it is also the most powerful weapon of the imperial power.

Zhu Yuanzhang still mainly focused on wooing the military power group.

Xu Da's daughter married Zhu Di, not to mention Chang Yuchun.

Li Shanchang's eldest son Li Qi is the consort of Princess Lin'an.

Fu Youde's eldest son married Princess Shouchun, and his daughter married Zhu Fan's son Zhu Jixi.

One of Feng Sheng's daughters married Zhou Wang Zhu Ji, and another daughter married Chang Mao.

Mei Sizu's nephew Mei Yin was the consort of Princess Ningguo.

Lan Yu's only daughter married Zhu Chun, King of Shu.

The royal concubines of all kings were basically the daughters of nobles.

There are also marriages between nobles and nobles - many of them are granted marriages presided over by Zhu Yuanzhang.

It can be said that Zhu Yuanzhang firmly bound the royal family and the meritorious group together through marriage.

It not only appeased the meritorious groups, but also ensured the stability of the country.

Lan Yu has no son, which is an unstable factor.
In the concept of the ancients, without a son, there is no future.

No matter how rich you are, every time you stretch your legs, they belong to others.

Sapphire was often laughed at because of this.

Are you brave and good at fighting and have great achievements in battle?

But you have no son.

It is terrible when a person has no future.

He will act more recklessly.

Lan Yu is becoming more and more arrogant, which has a lot to do with not having a son.

For Zhu Yuanzhang, Lan Yu, who has no son, is an unstable factor that is difficult to control.

If Lan Yu has a son, given how much he values ​​his children, this child will be his biggest weakness.

At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang can use this child to manipulate Lan Jade at will.

And with Lan Yu in the future, she will be more motivated to fight.

Create greater value for Daming.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang hoped that he could have children.

Lao Zhu's idea and layout are not unpractical.

However, people are not as good as heaven.

Zhu Biao is gone.

All Zhu Yuanzhang's plans and layouts were made around Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao's death can be said to have completely disrupted all his plans.

All the previous arrangements have become hidden dangers.

Zhu Yunwen did not have enough prestige to suppress the people below him.

Feng Sheng is the father-in-law of King Zhou, Lan Yu is Zhu Chun's father-in-law, Fu Youde and Zhu Fan are in-laws...

The father-in-laws of many feudal kings were generals in the army.

Once the situation changes, you know what the consequences will be.

Why not let Zhu Yunwen become the grandson and pass the throne to his son?
to whom?

Zhu Xi? Pull him down, Lao Zhu is not crazy.

Zhu Fan? He is indeed talented, but his personality is too arrogant and he is not suitable for being an emperor.

Although he has restrained himself after Zhu Biao's persuasion, the arrogance in his heart cannot be changed so easily.

Zhu Di? It was indeed not bad, but neither Zhu Xi nor Zhu Fan were convinced by him.

Especially Zhu Fan, it is estimated that he can rebel in seconds.

Another son?

Stop making trouble, except for the three of them, whoever you choose will rebel.

As long as Zhu Biao's son Zhu Yunwen is chosen, no one else will say anything.

What's more, Zhu Yunwen performed really well at that time.

But the disadvantage of Zhu Yunwen becoming the grandson is that the relationship network established through marriage has become a hidden danger.

How to do?
It can only be cleaned up one by one.

Prioritize the elimination of generals who are married to the feudal king.

On the contrary, someone who has no marriage relationship and usually keeps a low profile managed to save his life.

It's just that Lao Zhu miscalculated again.

He helped Zhu Yunwen create a favorable condition, but he couldn't resist the fact that his grandson was not a human being.

He risked his life to tell the world how Fei Long Qi Lian lost.

After some coquettish maneuvers, the throne was given to Zhu Laosi.

But no matter what you say, in the end the throne belongs to his family, Lao Zhu.

I just feel sorry for those old ministers who conquer the world.

But on the other hand, Zhu Yuanzhang actually hopes that he can start and end well with everyone.

He also didn't want to bear the infamy of "we can share adversity together, but we cannot share wealth and honor".

This can be seen from the intricate in-law relationship he specially arranged.

However, nothing can be done by anyone.

Zhu Biao's death not only disrupted his plan, but also completely pushed him into the abyss.

But in this life, the eldest grandson Zhu Xiongying did not die, and Queen Ma was still alive.

Zhu Biao... Well, although he has some 'minor' health problems, he is generally doing well.

In this case, Zhu Yuanzhang can rest assured and make bold plans.

No more worrying about the problems you encountered in your previous life.

Therefore, he very much hopes that Lan Yu can have an heir, and he is very concerned about this matter.

Chen Jingke was told several times that he must find a way to help Yongchang Hou.

"Given the importance Lan Yu attaches to his children, if he can really give birth to a son, he will definitely regard you as a great benefactor."

Chen Jingke said jokingly: "His great benefactor should be his great-grandson. After all, his great-grandson used his national destiny and dragon energy to block the punishment of heaven for him."

Speaking of that operation, Zhu Xiongying was also very proud.

He didn't think much about it at the time and said those words subconsciously.

Thinking about it now, it was indeed a stroke of genius.

Seeing the two triumphant people, Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased.

At such a young age, if they can join forces and make a fool of a tough guy like Lan Yu, there will be someone to succeed the Ming Dynasty.

Especially the relationship between the two made him even more satisfied.

This couldn't help but remind him of Xu Da and Chang Yuchun.

Xu Da is handsome and talented, knows how to advance and retreat, and can understand his own mind.

Many times, two people can understand each other's meaning with just one look.

This is also the reason why he trusts Xu Da the most.

This kind of trust includes two aspects, one is loyalty and the other is ability.

I believe that he will not betray me, and I believe that there is nothing he can't do.

Chang Yuchun is his favorite subordinate.

Be ambitious, straightforward, and never change your original intention.

After many people become successful and famous, they tend to become more self-conscious.

Only Chang Yuchun, even though he was in a high position, still took the lead in every battle.

And he also doesn't fight or grab, and rarely causes trouble.

Speaking of which, the process of the two getting acquainted can be considered an interesting thing.

Chang Yuchun came to invest with his wife and brother-in-law Lan Yu. Zhu Yuanzhang felt that his rebellious attitude was not correct when he saw that this guy was dragging his family with him.

Rebellion is a business of wearing your head in your belt. You should arrange your wife and brother-in-law before you come.

Now you can tell at a glance that he came here just to make a living.

In addition, Chang Yuchun was a bandit before, so he was even more disdainful.

I, Lao Zhu, don’t want this kind of person.

Chang Yuchun is not an ordinary person. Even if you don’t want him, I have to follow you. He just followed Zhu Yuanzhang in vain.

It was also the first time for Lao Zhu to encounter this kind of dog-skin plaster.

They can't drive them away, they won't listen to their words, and they are afraid of disturbing people's hearts if they kill them.

That's really helpless.

Not long after, Zhu Yuanzhang launched a cross-river campaign. When he attacked Caishiji, he was repulsed several times by the heavily defended Yuan army.

At this time, Chang Yuchun drove a small boat into the enemy's position and gained a foothold on his own, creating conditions for the subsequent landing of the army.

Lao Zhu saw all this and immediately knew that he had made a mistake.

So Chang Yuchun successfully joined the gang.

And this misunderstanding made the relationship between the two grow faster.

It's just a pity that things are different and people are different.

Chang Yuchun died of illness early.

Xu Da did not want to participate in the imperial struggle and chose to go out to lead troops.

Li Shanchang was originally considered a close friend, but because of Hu Weiyong's incident, he became alienated.

Now we are too...

Oh, no, we also have a queen, so we are not alone.

Thinking of his wife, Zhu Yuanzhang felt happy.

A little sadness disappeared in an instant.

Looking at Chen Jingke and Zhu Xiongying again, I just hope that you can be consistent and start well and end well.

Don’t learn from us…

However, I do miss Tiande a bit.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered something and asked quickly:

"Jing Ke, military reform is a very dangerous matter. It requires a general to be in charge of the capital. What do you think of bringing Tiande back?"

"All the military generals obey him, and he himself is well versed in government affairs and knows how to cooperate with the imperial reform."

Chen Jingke thought to himself, you have already said so, what else can I say.

What's more, on such a big matter, do you really need to ask me for my humble opinion?

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's considerations are indeed reasonable. Although the military prefers the military merit system in theory, it is not afraid of ten thousand, just in case.

For such a big matter, it's better to play it safe.

Xu Da is the number one in the military. With him in charge, he can ensure that there will be no problems.

"Your Majesty is wise, and I also believe that with Duke Wei here, everything will be safe."

"I just don't know what the situation is like in Beiping and whether he can get away."

Seeing that he also supported it, Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy and said:
"The fourth child has been studying with Tiande for several years. Even a pig should learn to find food on his own."

"We will issue an order right now for Tiande to return to Beijing as soon as possible."

???

Chen Jingke and Zhu Xiongying looked at each other, something was wrong with Lao Zhu.

Is that what you said about your son?
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang said again: "Jing Ke, you guessed it right. The gentry clans in the countryside of Luoyang are very resistant to our move to resettle military households."

"It's only been a few days, and there have already been several frictions in private."

Chen Jingke sighed: "Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been difficult for the imperial court's influence to penetrate into areas below the county level."

“The Song Dynasty was not so much about the emperor and scholar-bureaucrats co-ruling the world as it was about the imperial power and local clans co-ruling the world.”

"If it hadn't been for the troubled times of the late Yuan Dynasty, the power of the gentry clan would have been greater than it is now."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. He didn't like this situation very much, but he didn't have any good solution.

Zhu Xiongying discovered the mystery in these words and asked:
"Why did it start from the Tang Dynasty? Before the Tang Dynasty, could the imperial court manage down to the county level?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, yes, why is it divided into two parts? Could it be that it was different before the Tang Dynasty?
Chen Jingke nodded and said: "To be precise, it was during the Zhenguan period that the imperial court began to shrink its power below the county level."

"By the middle and late Tang Dynasty, the imperial court's governance at the county level and below was close to being lost."

"By the time the Song Dynasty was established, the power of the imperial court had completely retreated to the county level."

"Under the county, the world has become dominated by the gentry clan."

"Although Wang Anshi adopted systems such as the Baojia Law, he was unable to reverse the overall situation."

Seeing that he really had research, Zhu Yuanzhang asked quickly:
"Come on, tell us carefully what's going on."

"Tang Taizong was also a wise king. Why did he do such an irrational thing?"

Zhu Xiongying thought to himself, the familiar part has come, Teacher Chen's class has started.

Chen Jingke thought for a while, sorting out the entire line of knowledge, and then said:
"Let's first talk about how the court managed people below the county level before the Tang Dynasty."

"It's actually very simple. The imperial court established yamen at the township and pavilion levels, and officials were appointed by the central government."

"A mischievous man in a village is equivalent to being the head of a village. There is a pavilion every ten miles away, and one pavilion is the head of the pavilion."

"Whoever the power comes from, listen to whoever says it."

"Whether you are a local mistress or a pavilion chief, you are all appointed by the court. You receive a salary from the court, and your promotion is determined by the court."

"So they naturally obey the court's orders."

"Their existence can effectively divide the power of the clan."

Of course, there are also supporting measures.

Taking the Qin, Han, Wei and Jin Dynasties as an example, the number of rural cadres is staggering.

The officials in the township include Xiang Fu, Xiang Zuo, Xiang Sanlao, Xiang Gan, Xiang Si, You You, Li Zheng, Li Xu, Li Wei, Li Kui, Li Zhizhong, Li Fulao, Li Jijiu and Li Ji Zun. , li chief history, president, pavilion chief, drum history, etc.

There are also cadres at the village group level such as neighborhood chiefs and corps chiefs.

Zhu Xiongying was stunned when he heard this. There must be too many officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang also felt his scalp numb after hearing this: "You have to support so many officials. You can imagine how miserable the people's lives are."

Chen Jingke followed his words and said: "Tang Taizong thought just like His Majesty. He also believed that so many officials were too bloated, so he ordered layoffs."

"But unfortunately, he cut the wrong target."

"For example, Li Kui, Li Zhi Zhong, Li Fu Lao, Li Ji Jiu, Li Ji Zun, etc., there is really no need to exist."

"But the village mistress is in charge of the government affairs of the township for the imperial court, and Youyou and Liwei are responsible for the township's security and theft prevention. It is necessary to exist."

"And they are also equivalent to the arms of the imperial court, managing one side for the imperial court."

"Taizong of the Tang Dynasty also laid off all of them, retaining only the chief of staff and other minor officials."

"It's a pity that these minor officials are not appointed by the court, but elected by the local government."

"You can only imagine who the gentry clan will recommend."

"So, from then on, the imperial court gradually lost control at the county level."

Zhu Yuanzhang showed a thoughtful expression, as if he had received some inspiration.

Zhu Xiongying said with regret: "I didn't expect that a wise man like Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty would make such a mistake."

Chen Jingke shook his head and said, "It's not entirely his fault. The methods of population management at that time were very detailed."

"Even if he laid off so many officials, there would be no problems for a hundred years before the Tang Dynasty."

"The Tang court was still able to effectively control the countryside. Problems would not arise until the middle and late Tang Dynasty."

Zhu Xiongying asked in surprise: "Why? Does he have other ways to attack the gentry and clans?"

Zhu Yuanzhang also listened again. It would be great if there was such a method.

Chen Jingke replied: "Before the Song Dynasty, the court strictly prohibited people from living together on a large scale based on blood ties and surnames."

"Only nobles from aristocratic families can live together on a large scale."

"The purpose is to prevent the emergence of clan power and weaken the rule of the imperial court."

"At this point, the interests of both the imperial court and the noble families are the same."

"They will artificially adjust the distribution of people and disperse families with large populations into different villages."

"A village of hundreds of households often has more than ten or twenty different surnames."

"Under such circumstances, it is natural that clan power cannot be formed."

"It's just a pity that the country was in turmoil in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, and it was no longer able to implement such a policy."

"People began to live together based on blood and surnames, and gradually formed clan forces."

Zhu Xiongying suddenly realized, and then asked doubtfully:

"What about the gentry? Where are they?"

　"The Marvel Journey Begins with Psychosis"

　　Author: Duo Ruo
　　The title of the book is the introduction, and it’s a must-read for fans of the Marvel Universe.

　　Well, the author is an author who focuses on Marvel fandom, and his quality is guaranteed.

　　Also: According to the author himself, this is adapted from his personal experience.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)