The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 349: Politics is the product of compromise
The Jinyiwei was originally named Yiluansi, and was the emperor's personal guard and ceremonial guard.

It was later reorganized into the Jinyiwei, whose main functions were to guard ceremonial guards, detect court crimes, and conduct external intelligence, and to engage in activities such as reconnaissance, arrest, and interrogation.

Many people believe that the most important function of the Jinyiwei is to engage in espionage activities.

That's too impressive.

Its truly important duty is to guard the ceremonial guards, that is, the emperor's personal army.

They represent the emperor's face. To touch them is to slap the emperor in the face and is regarded as treason.

Therefore, no matter how much people hated the Jinyiwei, they would only impeach them, and no one dared to take action against them privately.

Not to mention setting fire to the Jinyiwei’s yamen.

It was beyond everyone's expectation that those people on Temasek Island were so brazen as to dare to do such a heinous act.

Now it is no longer a question of whether Zhu Chong is cruel or not, but what exactly happened in Temasek.

They actually let those people risk the world's condemnation and burn down the Jinyiwei Yamen to destroy the evidence.

Even the powerful people with vested interests had expressions filled with astonishment, shock, and...fear.

They knew that something was wrong at Temasek, but they didn't understand it very clearly.

After all, that place is far away from the Ming Dynasty, and it is difficult to get the detailed situation.

In their opinion, it is nothing more than bullying and market domination. How big a deal can it be?
If the imperial envoy goes to investigate, the worst that can happen is that there will be some fuss.

This is what they have done in the past. As long as there is a commotion, they can make a fuss in the court and attack the imperial envoy.

In order to avoid making things worse, the imperial envoy often chooses to give in.

At that time, they will hand over a few scapegoats so that the imperial envoy can complete his mission. It will be good for everyone, how perfect.

However, what happened this time was beyond their expectations.

First of all, the imperial envoy sent by the court to deal with the matter was Prince of Qin Zhu Chong, and he brought more than 20,000 prince guards with him.

The methods they used to deal with other imperial envoys were completely useless against Zhu Chong.

Secondly, those white gloves were so cruel that they dared to burn down the Jinyiwei Yamen in order to destroy evidence.

So...what on earth were they hiding from us?
Everyone's eyes were focused on the row of boxes placed in the center of the hall.

Then, those who impeached Zhu Chong split into two groups.

Some of the clean officials, with the idea that if they did not do anything wrong, they would not be afraid of ghosts knocking on their doors, strongly demanded that the boxes be opened and everyone be liquidated.

Another part of them suddenly became speechless and stood aside for a long time without saying a word.

At this moment, Li Shanchang suddenly stood up and said:
"Your Majesty, I think these boxes cannot be opened."

When these words were spoken, all the ministers were surprised. How could he object?
Could it be that he has assets in Temasek? Many people have legitimate doubts about him.

Many people even began to gear up and prepare to take this opportunity to impeach Li Shanchang.

If he could be driven out of the court, there would be many benefits.

Zhu Biao was surprised and asked, "Oh, why?"

Li Shanchang said, "Your Majesty, this matter involves many officials. If the box is opened, I am afraid that half of the court officials will be affected."

"Unrest in the imperial court will affect the stability of the country and will also affect the new policies."

Zhu Biao showed a thoughtful expression and said, "What the Duke of Korea said makes sense."

Seeing that he seemed to be wavering, the Qingliu people became unwilling and stood up to oppose him.

"Burning down the Jinyiwei Yamen is tantamount to treason. If we don't investigate where is the emperor's majesty..."

"To eradicate all evil is unacceptable. To turn a blind eye to the corrupt officials in power is not what a wise ruler would do."

"The Hu Weiyong case, the empty seal case, the Zhao Mao case, each of them implicated half of the court officials. Did the emperor tolerate the traitors?"

"Your Majesty, I impeached the Duke of Korea, perhaps he was involved in the Temasek incident..."

Zhu Biao had been listening to their opinions seriously, but when he heard someone impeach Li Shanchang, his face suddenly darkened:

"My dear ministers, be careful with your words and do not attack me without reason."

"The evidence is right here. If you open it, it will prove Mr. Han Guo's innocence and he will be charged with false accusations."

As soon as these words were spoken, those who tried to slander Li Shanchang suddenly fell silent.

No one dares to bet their political life on this.

The key point is that even if you win the bet, the biggest benefit will not fall on you.

Li Shanchang was moved and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful."

Zhu Biao nodded and asked, "Does Han Guogong still insist on not opening the box?"

Li Shanchang said solemnly: "It is precisely because your majesty trusts me that I think the box cannot be opened."

You trust me, so I have to repay you. Opening the box will cause unrest and be detrimental to the country, so I must insist on my opinion.

Zhu Biao said with emotion: "Duke Han is truly the backbone of the country, but the people are so angry, what can we do?"

Seeing that the emperor was really shaken, the bureaucrats with relevant interests came out to support Li Shanchang and said that the box could not be opened.

The country’s good situation cannot be broken.

Although the Qingliu faction did not dare to attack Li Shanchang again, it did not mean that they would give up, and they all stood up to oppose.

It seemed that the two sides were about to engage in a war of words.

As for Zhu Chong's massacre of 90,000 people, no one mentioned it anymore.

The Jinyiwei Yamen was burned down, and Zhu Chong was too soft-hearted to kill them all.

Anyone who dares to hold on to this matter again and eventually brings the emperor back will be in big trouble.

Just when the ministers didn't notice, Chen Jingke and Qiu Guangan made eye contact.

Qiu Guangan straightened his appearance, considered his words in his mind, and then walked out slowly and said:
"Your Majesty, I cannot agree with what Duke Han said."

Is this the big guy coming out to fight? Many people are excited.

Thinking more deeply, Li Shanchang and Qiu Guang'an were both staunch reformists. Could it be that there were disagreements within the reformists?
Zhu Biao frowned slightly and asked, "Oh, what do you think, Mr. Qiu?"

Qiu Guangan replied: "I understand the concerns of the Duke of Han. The Temasek issue involves a lot of people."

"If we wantonly punish everyone involved, it will be detrimental to national stability, and it will also be detrimental to the implementation of new policies."

"However, the actions of those behind the scenes have in fact obstructed the implementation of the new policy, and destroyed the court's several years of operation in Temasek."

"If there is no severe punishment, how can we deter people and who will take the new policy to heart?"

"If everyone follows this example, the country will no longer be a country."

When this statement was made, many people in the Qingliu clan agreed with it and came out to support it.

Zhu Biao frowned even more tightly, and seemed to be in a dilemma:

"What do the Koreans think?"

Li Shanchang replied: "What Qiu Xueshi said is not without reason, but it is too one-sided."

“It is true that many court officials have properties in Temasek.”

"However, Temasek is far away from home, and they don't know exactly what happened there. They may have been deceived by the manager they hired."

"So, strictly speaking, you are also victims."

"If Your Majesty can give them a chance, they will surely be grateful for His Majesty's grace and serve the country wholeheartedly in the future to make up for their mistakes."

"Isn't this better than killing people?"

Stakeholder groups have come out in support.

Mr. Han Guo is right, we...bah, those people were also deceived.

If Your Majesty could forgive them, they would surely devote themselves to the cause until their death.

Qiu Guangan questioned: "What the Korean government said is not without reason, but the new policy can no longer withstand the turmoil." "If it continues, not only will it waste time, but a good policy will become a policy that harms the people."

“If the people misunderstand the new policy, the consequences will be disastrous.”

Qingliu: Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Qiu is simply our mouthpiece, he must be severely punished.

The stakeholders looked at Li Shanchang expectantly, and said, "It's your turn to speak for us."

Li Shanchang retorted: "You have purchased properties in Temasek, which is also a support for the new policies of the imperial court."

"I believe that they will continue to support the new policy as always."

"And with this lesson learned, they will know better how to support the new policy."

"As the saying goes, knowing one's mistakes is the best way to improve. Your Majesty, why don't you give them another chance?"

"If they do it again, no matter how Your Majesty punishes them, I believe they will not have any complaints."

Stakeholder groups: Mr. Han is absolutely right. We...those people will definitely continue to support the new policy.

Your Majesty, please believe in them and give them a chance.

After some debate, Zhu Biao's attitude gradually tended towards Li Shanchang.

Finally, he issued an order: "Take all the evidence outside the palace and burn it in public..."

Then he looked at his ministers and said sternly: "I hope you will remember what I said today. If I find anyone obstructing the implementation of the new policy again, I will punish them severely."

Qingliu was very reluctant, but he had no choice.

The stakeholders were overjoyed and expressed that they would remember the emperor's grace and support the new policy.

The Temasek matter has come to an end, and it can be said that it has been handled with care.

Next, Zhu Biao ordered the establishment of a special zone in Temasek and briefly explained the nature of the special zone.

In the past, setting up a completely new administrative region and granting it so many privileges would have inevitably been opposed by the ministers.

Even reformists thought it was a bit radical.

But today, only a few upright people stood out against it, while the majority expressed their support.

As for the reason... just look at the evidence being burned outside and you'll understand.

The appointment of officials for the Special Administrative Region was also confirmed on the spot.

Fu An served as the governor of the Special Administrative Region, and there were five cabinet ministers who held different important positions.

The establishment of the special administrative region and the appointment of officials such as the governor made the officials realize the importance the court attached to Temasek.

In fact, this is just nonsense. In order to clear the obstacles for the Special Administrative Region, 90,000 people were killed in one go, which has proved how much the court attaches importance to this matter.

When the morning court session ended, all those large boxes of evidence were reduced to ashes.

As for whether the emperor had left a backup, no one was worried. Even if it didn't burn, what would happen?
This attitude means that bygones are bygones.

If later on evidence is produced to argue that the Temasek issue needs to be liquidated, even the clean-minded will stand up and oppose it.

The consequences of the emperor's breach of trust were very serious.

What are the golden words and what are the words that are as good as gold?

It doesn't just mean that the emperor has great power, but that he can change a lot of things with just one word.

Another meaning is that once the emperor speaks, he cannot go back on his words.

There are some things you can choose not to say, or even say something specious to mislead, but you must never lie directly.

Unless the emperor is particularly absurd, he would not go back on his word and gain wealth.

Of course, this does not apply to enemy countries.
-
Qianqing Palace.

After the court was dismissed, Zhu Biao, Zhu Xiongying, Chen Jingke, Li Shanchang and others gathered together.

Li Shanchang and Qiu Guangan were whispering to each other, without any sign of confrontation as they did in the court.

Zhu Xiongying said with emotion: "Mr. Han Guo and Mr. Qiu put on a great show. If I didn't know the truth, I would have thought that the two of them were incompatible."

Chen Jingke smiled and said, "This is what they call old ginger is still spicy."

Everyone burst into laughter.

The two of them were indeed acting in the court just now. Their purpose was naturally to bring the topic to the new policy and force those stakeholders to express their support for the new policy.

After laughing, Zhu Biao said helplessly: "We are still lacking in talent, otherwise why would we perform this play?"

Several years of hard work were destroyed in an instant, and everyone wanted to confiscate the property of those people and exterminate their entire clan.

Chen Jingke consoled him, “Those who can go to Temasek to set up businesses are basically those who support the New Deal.”

"If we purge them, most of the officials left in the court will be conservative, which is really not conducive to the implementation of the new policy."

"And after this incident, I believe they won't dare to mess around again."

Do those people who insisted on opening the boxes in the court today really have no selfish motives?

If you observe carefully, you will find that those who ask to open the box are basically conservative.

Is their purpose really to combat crime, and is the court in a clean and honest position?

If you really think so, you are too naive.

Their real purpose is to eliminate those officials who are inclined towards reform and willing to purchase properties in Temasek.

By then, there will be no one available in the court, and reforms will naturally be difficult to sustain.

And one thing we have to admit is that most of the rich people these days are from the bureaucratic gentry class.

If they did not go out to sea and do business and invest in Temasek, the court's various plans would take several times longer.

Therefore, appropriate compromise becomes inevitable.

Politics is the product of compromise, and the longer Chen Jingke stays in the top leadership, the deeper his understanding of this becomes.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who was decisive and ruthless, would compromise in many cases.

However, compromise is different from compromise. Some compromises are simply out of weakness, while some compromises are made to better achieve a goal.

Zhu Biao's current compromise is for the latter.

In fact, this was not a compromise made by Zhu Biao himself, but a decision made by everyone together.

The Temasek incident has passed, but the impact it brought is far-reaching.

The imperial court used 90,000 lives to tell the world that reform is still the main direction, and anyone or anything that dares to obstruct reform will be eliminated.

And this determination has indeed changed the attitudes of many conservatives.

After all, most people become officials just to get ahead, and the so-called political inclination is not that important.

The court is committed to reform, so I am a reformer.

After that, the progress of deepening the reform was indeed much smoother.

A few days later, Fu An and others boarded a ship to Temasek to start their new political career.

There were also many merchant ships from big families going with them.

It was both to please the court and for money.

Only those who have invested in Temasek know how great the benefits are.

Ninety thousand lives could not scare away their desire for money.

At worst, we will strictly abide by local laws and make money honestly.

This scene reminded Chen Jingke of a sentence:

When the profit reaches 100%, some people dare to take risks;
When profits reached 200%, they dared to risk the guillotine;
And when the profits reach 300%, they will trample on all human laws.

(End of this chapter)