The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 406 Parents’ Beloved Son

Next to Dujiangyan in Guan County, Chengdu, Sichuan.

Tens of thousands of people surrounded the place, and all Sichuan officials above the rank of county magistrate were also present.

Even many of the generals stationed in Sichuan were present.

For example, Fu Youde sat below Zhu Yuanzhang.

Everyone gathered here not to organize any activities, but to watch the execution.

More than 600 people in prison uniforms knelt on the Dujiangyan embankment, with the Jinyiwei holding swords standing behind them.

These people were all corrupt officials caught by Zhu Yuanzhang during his inspection tour of Sichuan.

Small characters like local bullies are not qualified to kneel here.

The people were very excited when they saw these prisoners and shouted "corrupt officials".

The officials felt extremely complicated because these people were their colleagues not long ago.

He is usually so powerful and influential, but now he is about to be killed by the sword.

The shock they felt when someone close to them was executed was incomparable.

It makes them feel restless all the time.

What's more, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting in the center of the platform, was looking back and forth at them with cold eyes.

It seemed possible that at any time one of them would be caught and executed on the spot.

Who wouldn't feel terrified in this situation?

Even Fu Youde became much quieter and was unwilling to say a word unless Zhu Yuanzhang spoke.

Time passed by little by little, and soon Jiang Li came over to report:

"Your Majesty, it is three quarters past noon."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he grabbed a handful of command arrows and threw them out:
"cut."

With his order, more than 600 heads fell to the ground, and the blood splattered and dyed the embankment red.

The officials at the scene were so frightened that they broke out in cold sweats, and many of them needed help to stand steadily.

The attitude of the people was the opposite. Instead of being afraid of so many people being killed, they were very excited.

Every time a head falls to the ground, there will be cheers.

'It's a good thing to kill him', 'Corrupt officials should be killed'.

After all the prisoners were executed, Zhu Yuanzhang called many officials and scolded them:
"Are you glad that none of you were killed?"

The ministers were silent. No one dared to say anything about this matter.

"Don't be too happy too soon. We know exactly what you did."

"You are allowed to live because you have done something real."

"For your past merits, we will give you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious contributions."

"If you do your best in the future, we can forgive you for the past."

"If we find any evidence against you again, these people will end up like you."

After hearing this, the officials finally felt relieved and said in unison:
"Thank you, Your Majesty. We will serve you till our death."

Zhu Yuanzhang reprimanded everyone again before letting them go back to their homes and work hard.

Fu Youde also ordered his generals to return to the military camp, while he stayed behind to accompany the king.

When the people saw that the fun was over, they dispersed one after another.

Zhu Yuanzhang led everyone to the upper reaches of Dujiangyan.

There is a statue of Li Bing and Li Erlang here, and the incense is very popular.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally lit a stick of incense and prayed to the father and son to bless Sichuan with good weather and good harvests.

After that, he began to tour this thousand-year-old miracle.

Since the day it was built, Dujiangyan has been valued by successive dynasties.

All the separatist forces occupying Shuzhong also regarded this place as a strategic location.

A special army was deployed here to protect it, and a special government office was responsible for maintenance.

The Ming Dynasty was no exception and set up a thousand households here.

The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang chose this place for the execution was, firstly, because this place was important, and secondly, because someone dared to embezzle the funds for maintaining the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

After being influenced by Chen Jingke for so long, he also realized the importance of controlling public opinion.

Killing so many people at one time would still be criticized, even if they were all corrupt officials.

How to avoid being scolded?
In Sichuan, the best way is to get involved with Dujiangyan.

Just tell the people on the Chengdu Plain that these corrupt officials embezzled the money and grain used to maintain the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

The anger of the people can be brought out in seconds.

Not to mention killing hundreds of people, even if their entire clan was executed, the people would only cheer.

It turned out that his approach was correct.

Today, tens of thousands of people came to watch the execution, and no one accused the emperor of being cruel.

Everyone thinks those people deserved it.

Old Zhu was so happy that he was praised for killing someone.

While walking on the road, he said to Fu Youde who was somewhat silent:
"Is it because we killed too cruelly?"

Fu Youde said subconsciously: "In troubled times, severe punishments should be used..."

"Hey... what a mess." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and cursed:
"The Ming Dynasty has been established for 25 years. If it is still a chaotic time, we are too incompetent."

Fu Youde felt a little embarrassed, he was really used to it.

But he soon said seriously: "Although the chaotic times have ended, the changes in the Ming Dynasty are no less drastic than those in the chaotic times."

"In order to safeguard the reform, it is necessary to use severe punishment to deter people."

"Besides, these people really deserved to die."

"I'm just a little curious. Given your temper, these shouldn't be the only people executed today."

Zhu Yuanzhang then showed a satisfied expression and said:
"We would like to kill more people, but if we kill more people, who will do the work? We can't let such a good situation be ruined in our hands."

"So we'll just kill the typical ones. For those whose crimes are less serious and who are willing to do practical things, we'll just spare them this time."

Fu Youde nodded and half-jokingly said, "It's not like you to not execute all nine clans this time."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing: "I really want to... well, in Chen Jingke's words, kill them all one by one with the family tree."

Chen Jingke often said some nonsense, such as "the family tree is too thick" and "the family tree is dead".

Thinking about it now, it is indeed quite interesting. I wonder what the situation is in the capital.

Fu Youde couldn't help but sigh again that Chen Bandu was truly the most favored one in the world.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang continued:
"But there is no other way. The Ming Dynasty is short of people."

"Twenty more vassal states will soon be established in the South Seas, and at least three to four million people will need to be relocated there."

"We are now worrying about how to get so many people. We wish our daughters and daughters-in-law could give birth to one every day."

"How can I bear to kill someone with the family tree?"

"The relatives of these criminal officials total more than 10,000 people. It would be a pity to kill them all. It would be better to send them all to Southeast Asia."

Hearing him take the initiative to mention the matter of enfeoffment, Fu Youde also took the opportunity to inquire:
"The Emperor said that there will be a large-scale enfeoffment this year. I dare to ask, but I don't know..."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not hide anything and said, "Don't worry, there are twenty vassal states in Nanyang, five principalities, five marquisates, and ten earldoms."

Hearing this, even Fu Youde, who was very shrewd, couldn't help but show some joy:

"Now the nobles can put their minds at ease."

I'm afraid it's not just others who feel relieved, but himself as well.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not expose his little thoughts, but said:

"You are a duke, and you are not among the first batch of fiefs. You don't blame me, right?" Fu Youde said quickly, "I dare not. Your Majesty has his reasons for this. I will obey your Majesty's orders."

This is indeed the truth. There are more than a dozen dukes in the Ming Dynasty. If some are conferred titles and some are not, those who are not conferred titles will definitely be unhappy.

But since no one blocked it, naturally no one said anything.

As for why the imperial court did not confer the title of Duke, that is not so important.

In other words, the court will definitely give a reason, so just wait.

As expected, Zhu Yuanzhang then explained why he did not confer the title of Duke.

"Each of the Dukes is the pillar of the Ming Dynasty. Now the court cannot do without you."

"Moreover, Nanyang will be the heartland of the Ming Dynasty in the future, and will not allow particularly strong forces to exist."

"If the principality is sealed here, the court will be uncomfortable and you will be restricted in your actions."

"It would be most appropriate to confer a few marquisates and earldoms."

"In the future, the court will choose another suitable place to establish a principality for you."

"By then, without the constraints of the imperial court, you can fully display your talents."

Upon hearing this answer, Fu Youde showed an expression of "as expected".

He guessed this when he learned that there was no principality in Southeast Asia.

He could also guess that the future principality would definitely be far away from the Ming mainland.

The King of Qin was enfeoffed in Anxi, the King of Jin had already been confirmed to be enfeoffed in Suiyechuan, and the King of Yan went to Tianzhu.

The three great kings of the frontiers were like this, let alone the dukes like them.

As for whether he would feel uncomfortable because of this...

Again, the three great kings of the frontier were all sealed off so far away, what else can they say?

After resolving this small conflict, the atmosphere of the subsequent conversation became more relaxed.

The two exchanged views in more detail on the issue of the great division.

There are only four levels of feudal fiefdom: king, duke, marquis and earl.

As for viscounts and barons, I'm sorry, their ranks are too low and they are not included in the enfeoffment.

Of course, the reason why the viscount and baron titles were not conferred was not really because their titles were low, nor was it because there was no land to be conferred.

Rather, the Ming Dynasty needed a group of nobles to balance the group of civil servants.

However, the power of kings, dukes, and earls is too great, and it is easy for them to become too powerful to be controlled. Viscounts and barons do not have this concern.

Moreover, keeping the titles of baron and viscount unconferred is also a kind of incentive for them.

Are you envious of closing the country? Do you want it?
Then let’s work hard to expand our territory.

It can also prevent some people from being awarded titles due to their lucky military achievements and then starting to live a lazy life.

The two chatted for a long time, and when they were about to leave, Fu Youde suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, my health is getting worse day by day. If I continue to stay in Shu, I am afraid I will miss important matters of the court."

"And Shu has been relatively stable in recent years. Why not send another general to take charge?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and said, "You want to give up as well, don't you?"

"Ever since I abdicated, Feng Sheng has been staying in Luoyang pretending to be sick, and Tang He has simply resigned from all his positions... Now you want to rest again."

"Is Biaoer afraid of you, or is someone else unable to tolerate you?"

These words were a bit harsh, and Fu Youde quickly apologized, tears streaming down his face:

"I dare not... I am already sixty-nine years old and often feel that I am running out of energy..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said impatiently: "Okay, okay, okay, you are using the same excuse again. Can't you change your words?"

Fu Youde was a little speechless. From the tone of their voice, it seemed that Feng Sheng, Tang He and the others were also using the same excuse when they left?
Oh, those people are really something, can’t they use other excuses?

How could you snatch my words in advance?

Since this excuse was no longer valid, he could only tell his true plan:

"Your Majesty, I recently read the Strategies of the Warring States and was deeply moved when I read Chu Long's Talk to the Queen Mother of Zhao."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh? What made you want to retire?"

Fu Youde said: "Parents who love their children will have far-reaching plans for them."

Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled at first, what is the relationship between your retirement and caring for your descendants?
But he was the Hongwu Emperor after all, and he immediately figured out the whole thing.

"Do you want to give way to Fu Zhong?"

Fu Youde said: "Your Majesty is wise."

The Ming Dynasty had its own rules for employing people, and it was impossible for a father, son, or brother to hold important positions at the same time.

Even if Fu Zhong was the prince consort, he could not break this rule.

As long as Fu Youde doesn't step down, Fu Zhong will never be able to take charge.

For a 69-year-old man to give way to his son, this is a very sufficient reason.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know how to refute for a moment.

However, Fu Youde had been guarding Shu for many years, and the local barbarians all obeyed him. Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally unwilling to transfer him away at this time.

Fu Youde said sincerely: "Your Majesty, at my age, even if I don't retire, how many years can I stay in Shu?"

"Rather than waiting until I'm too old to move and then hastily find a replacement, it's better to take the initiative now."

"Even if the new generals cannot adapt for a while, the court still has room to deal with it."

"Besides, I am old now and I am not going to be a feudal lord anymore. I want to die in the Ming Dynasty."

"To be disrespectful, I would like to be buried with the emperor in the mausoleum."

This burial object was not a sacrificial death, but his own tomb was placed next to the emperor's tomb.

It is a very honorable thing for a meritorious official to be buried with the emperor in the mausoleum.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard him say he would be buried with him, he also laughed.

At his age, he is no longer taboo about funerals, especially since the person who said this was Fu Youde.

"I love to hear that. When we are alive, we conquer the world together. Even after we die, we will do great things together."

Fu Youde followed up on this and said, "So, the title of king was actually given to Fu Zhong."

"But this kid has never been on his own before, so how can he manage a country?"

"So I want to let him exercise while there is still some time."

Zhu Yuanzhang was finally persuaded and said, "Okay, I promise you."

"But not now. We have to go back to Beijing and discuss with Biaoer who will replace you. I will give you specific information by early next year at the latest."

Fu Youde said happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After that, Zhu Yuanzhang did not delay any further and set off back to Luoyang.

Nanyang has been pacified, and the next step is to divide the land. As the emperor emeritus, he must stay in the capital to take charge.

It was not that he was afraid of opposition from the civil servants. He believed that Zhu Biao would definitely be able to suppress the civil servant group.

What he was really worried about was the noble group.

What is worrying is not the scarcity but the inequality. Why are others given titles but not me?
Why is my fiefdom not as good as his?
Why...

If these problems are not handled properly, they may turn good things into bad things.

Zhu Biao did have prestige, but when facing nobles, his words were more effective.

He believed that as long as he sat there, no noble would dare to make a noise.

And he believed that at this critical moment, Zhu Biao would definitely want him to go back.

In fact, this is indeed the case. Zhu Biao, Zhu Xiongying, Chen Jingke and others are looking forward to it.

Because he didn't come back, everyone kept dragging their feet on the big division and didn't dare to announce it.

(End of this chapter)