The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 206 Miao Jinrang asked

After seeing off the envoys, Chen Jingke began to search for all information about human sacrifice.

He also used Du Tongli's men to investigate the matter.

It was found that there was indeed no dynasty and legislation prohibited the matter.

At most, a certain emperor would issue a decree saying that he would not advocate such cruel behavior and take the lead in resisting it.

If his heirs abide by this order, it will become a custom and be followed.

If the heir fails to comply, the situation will be in jeopardy.

But even in the Han and Tang Dynasties, which did not advocate human sacrifice, many people practiced it secretly in private.

Favored concubines, beautiful maids, and satisfactory slaves have become the most common burial companions.

There are also boys and girls, commonly known as golden boys and girls, who lead the way.

These children are usually purchased through human traffickers.

Because of the leading role of the Han and Tang royal families, human sacrifice in the Central Plains was regarded as tyranny, and it was once suppressed and almost disappeared.

However, in barbarian tribes outside the Central Plains, the practice of burial is still prevalent.

It's just that the Central Plains were powerful at that time, and the Central Plains dynasty, which was full of self-confidence under the idea of ​​​​the Celestial Empire, naturally did not bother to learn from them.

However, after the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Liao Kingdom possessed the sixteen states of Yanyun, and China began a period of confrontation between the north and the south that lasted for more than 300 years.

In the Liao, Jin and Yuan dynasties, people practiced the custom of martyrdom, and the practice of martyrdom and burial became more and more popular.

Especially after the unification of the Yuan Dynasty, human sacrifice became popular throughout the country.

After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, although the law did not support human sacrifice, it did not prohibit it either.

This trend continues to this day.

In addition, when Lu died, everyone around her was buried.

After the death of King Zhu Su of Qi, more than 30 of his childless wives, concubines, slaves and maids were buried, which further fueled this trend.

Although according to the rules, human sacrifice can only be used by the emperor and princes.

However, among the people, big families are also following suit privately.

How dare he resist his own slave and let him die?

People from the yamen came to inquire and dismissed him with the words "loyal servant martyred for his lord".

After some concubines were killed for love, the master's family would even take the initiative to report to the government, saying that she was killed for love.

Maybe she can even get the reputation of a chaste and martyr woman.

As for the boys and girls bought from human traffickers, even their household registration could not be checked, so they were not considered human beings in the eyes of the Yamen.

At the same time, Chen Jingke also learned about another problem, ghost marriage.

Ghost marriages are nothing in the first place, but providing ghost marriages to men and women who died unmarried can be regarded as fulfilling the parents' wish.

Let them not be alone underground.

However, when human sacrifice is rampant, many families directly use living people to marry underworld.

These are all human tragedies.

Chen Jingke watched with a heavy heart. He had always thought that human sacrifice had been abolished as early as the Han Dynasty, but he did not expect that it had always existed.

And it was still so rampant in the Ming Dynasty.

No, we must find a way to stop it.

If you can't stop this cruel thing, how can you change the world?

However, he was not in a hurry to lobby Zhu Yuanzhang.

Before lobbying someone, it's best to know what they think about the matter.

At the moment, he didn't know Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude towards human sacrifice.

Solid support? Or is it optional?

If you don't understand and rush to lobby, you may be self-defeating.

So how to understand Zhu Yuanzhang’s thoughts?

It's simple, just find an opportunity to test it out.

Pretending to accidentally learn about the death of a man, mention it and see what Zhu Yuanzhang will say.

Just when he was looking for the right time to test, something unexpected happened in the court.

In the early morning of the day, Zhu Yuanzhang, without any warning, severely criticized the incident of human sacrifice.

He also took out a thick stack of paper, which recorded the investigation of the people who died in the Ming Dynasty.

Then he dealt with more than thirty civil and military ministers in one go, on the grounds that they would use human sacrifices.

Seven or eight of them, who were of bad nature, were directly executed by the whole family.

For a time, the civil and military officials in the court were trembling, but many people showed joy.

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed bitterly: "You think you are a disciple of Confucianism. Mencius's things hurt others, and you can't bear to see him die when you hear the sound. Have you learned from the dog's belly?"

"Fang Xiaoru said that you are a group of beasts dressed in Confucian clothes. I thought he was going too far before."

"Now it seems that his scolding was not harsh enough, you are simply worse than animals."

"Tang Duo, add an article to the Ming Dynasty Law to abolish the system of human sacrifice from today."

"If someone is killed again, the mastermind will be executed and the entire clan will be exiled for three thousand miles."

"As for those who are worthy of underworld marriage, those who dare to use a living person will also be treated accordingly."

The new Minister of Punishment, Tang Duo, immediately came out and said: "Yes..."

Before he could finish speaking, an old minister danced excitedly, choked with sobs and roared:

"Your Majesty is holy."

This person came from a poor family. His biological daughter was only five or six years old in the late Yuan Dynasty. She was kidnapped and buried by a local wealthy family.

Many more people praised: "Your Majesty is wise."

Others also praised: "Your Majesty is wise."

There are many opponents of such cruel things as human sacrifice, but no one dared to mention it before.

Chen Jingke was also stunned when he heard what happened in the court.

Then there was joy. This inhumane system was finally abolished, and the abolition was written into the Ming Law.

In the end I was deeply moved.

Why did Zhu Yuanzhang commit suicide without any warning? Are you still making such a big fanfare?

Could it be that he suddenly felt kindhearted?

There is only one reason why I am paying attention to this matter.

Again, Lao Zhu's people are always watching around him, and his every move cannot escape his eyes.

What Fang Xiaoru said before leaving was that he had been investigating human sacrifices recently, so it was impossible for him not to know.

Maybe he had been waiting for him to persuade him.

Seeing that he was hesitant, he couldn't wait any longer, so he settled the matter in the court.

If an emperor could do this, how could he not be moved?

So he found Zhu Yuanzhang, bowed down and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I can only repay him with death."

The corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth turned up slightly, then immediately changed to a disdainful expression, and said:

"What do you look like? If it were really good governance, would we disagree?"

"If you delay it for one more day, I don't know how many people will suffer from it."

"If anything happens in the future, just tell us directly, don't let your mother-in-law look forward and backward."

Chen Jingke's eyes were so moved that his eyes became moist, and he said: "Yes, I understand."

After sending Chen Jingke away, Zhu Yuanzhang finally couldn't help laughing loudly.

He was so proud that he couldn't help but want to find someone to show off to.

So I went to Kunning Palace and found Queen Ma.

"Sister, sister, haha... you didn't see it, Chen Jingke was moved to tears..."

Empress Ma smiled and said: "With this matter, I am afraid that if you want his life now, he will not hesitate." Zhu Yuanzhang said proudly: "The matter of human sacrifice has not yet been put in our eyes, so as to It’s so worth it in exchange for Chen Jingke’s complete return of heart.”

Empress Ma nodded and said, "He didn't come to you directly for advice, which shows that he is still wary of you."

"Speaking of which, you still have to blame yourself. You kill too many people too cruelly. How can anyone not be afraid?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not refute, because this was his purpose.

He builds his prestige by killing people and scares everyone to see if anyone dares to break the law or violate discipline.

Queen Ma also knew his thoughts and difficulties, so she didn't dwell too much on it and continued:

"After this incident, he should be able to completely let go of his worries and fully display his talents to serve the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's no surprise that this is the case... By the way, they have been married for a few months. Please ask Fuqing if there is any news."

Queen Ma naturally knew what he was referring to, so she shook her head and said:

"Don't ask, Jing Ke said they won't have children until Fuqing is eighteen."

Zhu Yuanzhang said in surprise: "Why? Their family has only three generations, so they are not in a hurry to have children?"

Empress Ma said: "That's what I asked too. Jing Ke said that Fuqing is still a child herself, and it would be bad for her health to have a child when she is still growing."

"When she turns 18, her body will be almost fully grown. Then we need to keep the child safe."

Zhu Yuanzhang had no doubt about this. When it came to physical health, Chen Jingke was the greatest authority in the world.

Besides, being born three years later doesn't hinder anything.

On the contrary, he was very happy and said:

"Yes, yes, Jing Ke is also a man who cares about his wife, so I feel more at ease."

"Speaking of which, the Chen family is just like our family. The men feel sorry for their wives."

Chen Yuan has been a daughter-in-law all his life. Although the couple quarreled over certain differences, they never really became red-faced.

After Chen Jingke married Fuqing, it was obvious to all how loving the couple was.

According to the agreement, Fuqing brought four maids as dowry, but he has not touched any of them so far.

Empress Ma even hinted that these maids could accompany Fuqing when he was inconvenient.

Chen Jingke said he understood every time, but then there was nothing more to say.

This couldn't help but remind her of what Chen Jingke said back then. He didn't have any special interest in women. It was enough to find a close friend.

At that time, she thought Chen Jingke was just talking.

Now I really believe that these words may be true.

If the royal family hadn't pushed four women over, he would really only have Fuqing and would not touch other women.

Chen Yuan was married to Feng for the first time in his life, and the couple were loving and harmonious.

Perhaps Chen Jingke was also influenced by his parents and has a different understanding of marriage.

But even if what Chen Jingke said was true, the four dowry maids would still take care of him.

The purpose is simple, to help the princess become a pet.

At the same time, it was also just in case, what if Chen Jingke changed his mind?

If such a day comes, the royal family will also have something to say.

In short, the royal family's perspective on things is different from that of normal people.

Of course, only Chen Jingke received such treatment.

If other concubines want to take a concubine, they first weigh how much they have.

On the other hand, when he returned to his room, Chen Jingke was still very excited.

He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang might have done it on purpose and wanted to bribe him.

But so what, if an emperor can do this, what else can he say?

Zhu Xiongying slipped in without knowing when and asked:

"What's wrong with you?"

Chen Jingke told the whole story.

Zhu Xiongying said disdainfully: "The old man obviously did it on purpose. You can't even see it. Can you be bribed by him?"

Chen Jingke was a little speechless: "You know how to disgrace the scenery. What was originally a pleasant talk has completely changed its taste in your mouth."

Zhu Xiongying muttered: "A dog biting Lu Dongbin doesn't know a good heart. I'm reminding you that the old man is not a good person. Be careful of being sold and counting the money for him."

Chen Jingke was completely moved and complained: "Your Majesty is really unlucky for eight lifetimes to have a grandson like you."

"By the way, you even called out the old man? Isn't it because you are rebellious?"

"Do you want to ask King Thunder and Lightning to help you heal?"

Zhu Xiongying asked curiously: "Which kind of immortal is King Thunder and Lightning?"

Chen Jingke made nonsense: "The evil god specializes in dealing with rebellious boys and girls and uses thunder and lightning to give them electrotherapy."

Zhu Xiongying rolled his eyes and said, "When you lie, you don't even blink your eyes. You have a thick face and a dark heart."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Why don't you cultivate a relationship with the future dowager? What are you doing here here?"

Zhu Xiongying blushed and said, "Don't talk nonsense. What's the point of cultivating feelings for a little brat?"

This means that she has recognized the identity of Xu Miaojin's grandson, and the young man is quite discerning.

"Ahem, stop joking, I have something serious to ask you."

Chen Jingke smiled and said, "If you have any questions, just ask."

Zhu Xiongying said seriously: "I went to the Sage Temple a few days ago, and a question suddenly arose."

"The Yellow Emperor was the first person to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor, but why was Dayu the first to establish the Xia Dynasty?"

Is this the problem?

Chen Jingke was about to answer when he suddenly noticed Zhu Xiongying's eyes flickering.

The two of them had lived and ate together for so long, and they knew each other very well.

Just by looking at his expression, you can tell that there must be something hidden behind this matter.

I can't help but feel curious, what secret is Zhu Xiongying hiding?

And looking at this guy, he seems to be a little guilty.

No, I have to inquire carefully.

So he pretended to be difficult and said: "This question is quite complicated. I will answer you after I think it through for some time."

As expected, Zhu Xiongying was anxious: "Ah, how long will it take?"

Chen Jingke said casually: "It could be three to five days, or it could be three to five months. I'll tell you when I figure it out."

Zhu Xiongying said quickly: "No, no, you have to think about it now."

Chen Jingke frowned and said, "This is not in line with our agreement, and you have never urged me like this before."

"You are so anxious this time. Could it be that someone asked you to ask?"

Zhu Xiongying's expression became even more unnatural, but he forced himself to be calm and said:

"No way, don't make random guesses, I just thought of it by accident."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Since it's not the case, then why worry? It won't be too late to tell you when I think about it slowly."

Zhu Xiongying didn't know that he had exposed his flaw, and he was deliberately trying to take advantage of him.

Then he gritted his teeth and said, "You bastard, just wait for me. One day you will beg me for help and see how I can embarrass you."

Chen Jingke spread his hands and said without fear: "We'll wait until that day. You're begging me now."

"Tell me who is so proud that you can ask me this question."

He was really curious about who could instigate Zhu Xiongying and make him so interested.

Zhu Xiongying hesitated for a while, then said coyly:

"Miaojin asked me."

Chen Jingke said in surprise: "Ah, how is that possible?"

(End of this chapter)