King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

In addition to ruining Zhu Tan's reputation among the people.

Hu Weiyong also planned to win over officials in the court who were dissatisfied with Zhu Tan.

Secretly sow discord, create conflicts, and gradually weaken Zhu Tan's power.

"Although Zhu Tan is young and hot-tempered, he is not a fool. We must proceed step by step and act carefully. We must not act too hastily and alert the enemy."

Kujo Masataka broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. He had never imagined that bringing down a person would require such complicated and cruel means.

But he changed his mind and thought, he was already a stray dog, what was there to be afraid of?

As long as he can get revenge, he would even make a deal with the devil!

"Don't worry, Master Hu. I will fully cooperate with your plan! As long as Zhu Tan can be eliminated, my life will be yours!"

Kujo Masataka said this through gritted teeth, with a crazy flame of revenge flashing in his eyes.

"very good."

Hu Weiyong nodded with satisfaction, "I will arrange for someone to contact you, and you can discuss the specific matters later."

……

The next day.

In the study room of Hu Weiyong's mansion, the atmosphere was not as calm as usual, but instead revealed a sense of heat.

"Master Chen, do you know why I asked you to come here today?"

Hu Weiyong sat on the armchair, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand, but had no intention of pouring tea.

"I am a stupid person, please explain clearly to me, Left Prime Minister."

Chen Ning bowed slightly, but thought to himself——

This prime minister has great power in the court.

Inviting myself here today may not be a good thing.

Chen Ning, Imperial Censor of the Secretariat.

It is Hu Weiyong's party.

He is a talented and courageous person, but his character is too harsh and cruel.

This is how he treats his own son.

In the past, when taxes were collected in Suzhou, they were very strict, and the people's skin was burned red.

Officials and civilians suffered greatly.

Even his son tried to dissuade him many times, but he was beaten to death by the humiliated and angry Chen Ning.

After Zhu Yuanzhang learned about this, he commented on Chen Ning: He is not kind to his family.

It's unkind to everyone.

Then he became disgusted with Chen Ning.

With nowhere else to go, Chen Ning had no choice but to throw himself into the arms of Hu Weiyong.

Hu Weiyong placed the teapot heavily on the table, making a dull sound:
"Sir Chen, you and I have served in the same court for many years, and there is no need for us to beat around the bush. Do we still have the right to speak in this court?"

Chen Ning was shocked, but pretended to be calm:
"Left Prime Minister, you are joking. You are in a high position of power, second only to the emperor and above all others. Who dares not to speak for you?"

"Humph, second only to one person and above ten thousand people?"

Hu Weiyong sneered:
"What about Zhu Tan? Who does he think he is? He just relies on the emperor's favor to act recklessly in the court! He doesn't even take me, the prime minister, seriously!"

Chen Ning's eyes rolled and he understood.

It turned out that Hu Weiyong was going to attack Zhu Tan. He pretended to be indignant:

"Zhu Tan is arrogant and domineering, and has no regard for the emperor or his subjects. It's time for someone to punish him!"

"Well said!" Hu Weiyong slammed the table, a fierce look flashing in his eyes:
"I have decided to jointly impeach Zhu Tan! Sir Chen, you and Zhu Tan have always been at odds with each other. This matter still requires your help!"

Chen Ning sneered in his heart. This was exactly what he wanted. On the surface, he pretended to be embarrassed:

"Of course I have no choice but to do so, but..."

"Just what?"

"But Zhu Tan is a prince after all, and he has the emperor's support. If we act rashly, I'm afraid..."

"Hmph, don't worry. Since I dare to take action, I am naturally fully prepared."

Hu Weiyong took out a list from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Ning:

"These people are all officials who are dissatisfied with Zhu Tan. You just need to contact them secretly, and when the time is right, we will jointly write a letter of impeachment!"

Chen Ning took the list and felt ecstatic.

With this list, he can take the opportunity to win people's hearts and expand his power.

By then, even if Zhu Tan cannot be brought down, he will be made to pay the price!
……

Thousands of miles away in Japan, the port of Hakata is bustling with people.

At the dock, huge ships were ready to set sail, with the Ming Dynasty's sun, moon and dragon flag embroidered on their sails, fluttering in the sea breeze.

Zhu Tan was dressed in military uniform, with a sword on his waist. He stood at the bow, gazing into the distance with deep eyes.

After half a month, he is finally going back to his hometown.

"Your Highness, do you really want to take so many Japanese children away?"

A burly general beside him asked.

"Yes."

Zhu Tan nodded:
"These children are all from Japan. I want to bring them back to Ming and teach them to read and write, and learn Ming culture and etiquette."

"When they grow up and return to Japan, there will be no one left to carry on the Japanese culture."

To destroy a country, we must start with the children.

Isn't that what colonization is all about?

The general sighed. He knew Zhu Tan’s determination and stopped trying to dissuade him.

Although Zhu Tan's "three, six, nine levels" policy implemented in Japan was controversial, it also achieved remarkable results.

More and more Japanese people began to learn Chinese and accept the culture of the Ming Dynasty, and trade between the two countries became increasingly frequent.

"Your Highness, the imperial edict has arrived!"

A Jinyiwei dressed in Feiyu uniform quickly walked to the bow of the boat, knelt down respectfully, and held a bright yellow imperial edict in both hands.

Zhu Tan took the imperial edict and slowly unfolded it. It read:

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: My son has traveled to Japan, pacified the Japanese pirates, and comforted the people. His meritorious service is outstanding, and I am very pleased."

"Now that the Japanese pirates have been pacified and Japan is stable, I order you to return to the court immediately without delay. I decree this!"

Zhu Tan closed the imperial edict, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

He understood that this imperial edict meant that he would return to the court full of intrigue.

"set sail!"

Following Zhu Tan's order, the huge ship slowly left the port and headed east.

The mighty fleet broke through the vast blue waves and headed towards the Ming Dynasty.

……

Half a month later, they arrived at the Yangtze River wharf outside Yingtianfu. Zhu Tan was dressed in military uniform, followed by hundreds of soldiers in the same distinctive armor.

What is even more eye-catching is that there are hundreds of Japanese teenagers in the team. Although they are still young, they are in neat formation, with firm eyes, and a bit of heroic spirit can be vaguely seen.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard the news, he was very pleased and went out of the city ten miles away to welcome him personally with the Crown Prince Zhu Biao and all the civil and military officials in the court.

"Hahaha, good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Tan, who was full of vigor and vitality, and said three good words in a row. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to be smoothed out.

Zhu Tan dismounted from his horse and bowed:
"I have fulfilled my mission and lived up to my father's trust. Now that Japan has been settled, I have come to report to my father!"

"Hahaha, Old Ten, you've done a great deed this time!" Zhu Yuanzhang helped Zhu Tan up, looked him up and down, and said with satisfaction, "Yes, yes, this is my son, Zhu Yuanzhang!"

That night, the Fengtian Hall of the Yingtianfu Imperial Palace was brightly lit, with singing and dancing in the air, creating a festive and peaceful scene.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, with the dignified and virtuous Empress Ma beside him.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao and a group of princes and princesses were all present, drinking and chatting happily.

"Come on, Old Ten, you've worked hard this time. Come on, drink this cup!" Zhu Yuanzhang raised his glass and said to Zhu Tan.

"Thank you, Father!"

Zhu Tan took the wine glass and drank it all.

"Tenth Master, tell me, how are the customs and practices of Japan different from those of our Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was very interested and obviously very much in what his son brought back.

"Reply to Father,"

Zhu Tan put down his wine glass and pondered for a moment:
"The land of Japan is mostly mountainous and has little land, so its products are far less abundant than those of the Ming Dynasty."

"The people's lives are also quite hard. There are many people who are poorly clothed and hungry. However..."

He paused:

"The Japanese are very ruthless and fearless. The Japanese pirates caused the Ming Dynasty a lot of trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, obviously still remembering the Japanese pirates. "Humph, if they hadn't repeatedly invaded our Ming territory, why would I send troops to conquer them?"

"Father said so."

Zhu Tan followed Zhu Yuanzhang's words and said:
"But now that Japan has been decided, I will implement the 'three, six, nine levels' policy in Japan, which is to thoroughly educate the people of Japan, let them know the power of our Ming Dynasty, and dare not have any dissenting thoughts."

"Oh? The 'three, six, nine, and three levels' strategy? Tell me about it." Zhu Yuanzhang became interested.

"I divide the Japanese people into nine classes. The top three classes learn Chinese, accept the culture of our Ming Dynasty, and enjoy many privileges; the middle three classes need to pay taxes and provide labor for our Ming Dynasty; the bottom three classes are pariahs and will never be able to rise up."

Zhu Tan spoke in a calm tone, as if he was talking about something very ordinary.

Zhu Biao had been silent all this time, but suddenly asked:
"Tenth brother, this 'three, six, nine' strategy is nothing more than dividing the Japanese people and ruling them. If this continues, they will surely be filled with resentment, and it will not last long."

Zhu Tan glanced at Zhu Biao and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Brother, you are wrong. The people of Japan are fierce and unruly. How can we make them submit if we don't use thundering measures? Only by making them understand that those who obey me will prosper, and those who disobey me will perish, can we eliminate future troubles."

"Um……"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and nodded:
"Old Ten's words make sense. To treat these barbarians, we should use both kindness and force, so that they will submit willingly."

"Father, please understand."

Zhu Tan explained calmly:

"My son's move is not to permanently classify them, but to motivate them to study and make progress."

"As long as they are willing to learn Chinese and accept Ming culture, they will have the opportunity to upgrade their rank and enjoy better treatment."

"In this way, in time, Japan can be completely integrated into the cultural circle of our Ming Dynasty and become a vassal state of our Ming Dynasty, without any worries!"

"Okay! Well said!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was delighted:
"Old Ten, you really did not disappoint my expectations. You are brave and resourceful, and you will become a great man in the future!"

The crown prince Zhu Biao, who was sitting next to him, also raised his glass and said to Zhu Tan: "Tenth brother, you have made such a great contribution during your trip to Japan. I'll toast to you!"

Zhu Tan quickly raised his glass in response:

"Big brother, you are too kind. This is what I should do."

Zhu Biao's gaze stayed on Zhu Tan for a moment, with an ambiguous smile on his lips, and he slowly said:
"Tenth brother, you and I have been brothers for many years and are as close as brothers. Father has been busy with state affairs for many years. Now that you are back, you should share his worries."

Zhu Tan's heart trembled. He knew that Zhu Biao's words were not as simple as they seemed, but he replied calmly:
"Brother is right. I will do my best to help my father and serve the Ming Dynasty."

……

The next morning, golden sunlight filled the square in front of Yingtian Gate.

It also shines on the newly established "Eastern Japan School" on one side of the square.

Zhu Tan was wearing a green robe and a white jade pendant on his waist, which made him look even more handsome and majestic.

He stood at the school door with his hands behind his back.

Looking at the Japanese teenagers who were walking into the school one after another, there was a gratified smile on his lips.

These young men, most of whom were no more than twelve or thirteen years old, had their signature topknots shaved off and were dressed in the attire of Ming Dynasty Confucian scholars.

Although there was still some uneasiness and confusion on their faces, their eyes were full of desire for a new life and thirst for knowledge.

"Your Highness, the school you set up is truly unprecedented!"

An old scholar with gray hair walked up to Zhu Tan, stroked his beard, and said with admiration:

"I have been teaching for decades, but this is the first time I have seen a prince attach so much importance to educating barbarians. Your Highness is truly a blessing to our Ming Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Tan just smiled faintly and said:
"Sir, you are too kind. I just hope that they can understand that only knowledge and culture can truly change the destiny of a nation."

After saying that, he walked into the school.

Inside the school, dozens of Japanese teenagers sat upright, listening attentively to an old man explaining the "Three Character Classic".

The sound of reading aloud echoed in the classroom, like pleasant notes, striking Zhu Tan's heart.

However, Zhu Tan didn't know.

At this moment, in the magnificent Fengtian Palace, a storm against him was quietly brewing.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan to tell you!"

A minister in a scarlet robe walked out from the queue, knelt down on the throne, and spoke loudly.

"Approved." Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, scanning the ministers below with a majestic gaze.

"Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty has set up a school in the east of the city to recruit Japanese teenagers and teach them the culture of the Ming Dynasty. This is really a disgrace to the civility. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

The minister said indignantly.

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the court.

Some conservative ministers echoed this view, believing that the Japanese were barbarians and that asking them to learn Ming culture would be a desecration of the teachings of sages.

"Your Majesty, I think this is absolutely unacceptable!"

An old minister stood up tremblingly and said:

"The Japanese have evil ambitions. The threat of Japanese pirates is still vivid in our memory."

"If we let them learn the culture of the Ming Dynasty now, wouldn't that be raising a tiger to harm us? If we let them learn the essence of the Ming Dynasty and turn against the Ming Dynasty in the future, what should we do?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and must not be taken lightly!" (End of this chapter)