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

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the ministers were so enraged that their saliva was almost spitting onto the steps of the Golden Throne Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as the dark clouds before a rainstorm.

His tiger eyes scanned the people below without saying a word, but he made the originally noisy court quiet down instantly.

Everyone felt the emperor's anger and dared not make a sound.

Only the minister who had submitted the memorial earlier was still kneeling in the center, with his neck stiff, as if he was going to go forward even if there were tens of thousands of people against him.

"Biao'er, what do you think?"

After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang finally spoke, but he ignored the minister and turned his gaze to the crown prince Zhu Biao beside him.

Zhu Biao remained silent, as if he was thinking about something.

When he heard his father calling his name, he stepped forward, bowed and replied:

"Father, I think that although my tenth brother's actions are inappropriate, he may have his reasons."

"Although the Japanese are barbarians, if we can educate them and let them learn our Ming culture and submit to us, wouldn't that be better than fighting against us?"

There was a sense of caution in Zhu Biao's words.

He knew his father's temper very well. If he directly refuted him, it would probably backfire.

It would be better to go along with his wishes first and then persuade him slowly.

Sure enough, after hearing Zhu Biao's words, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression eased a little, but his brows were still furrowed. He pondered for a moment and said:

"Biao'er's words make sense, but this matter is of great importance and must be carefully considered."

"How about this, we'll send the Royal Guards to the Dongying Academy to see what this kid is up to!"

……

At Zhu Yuanzhang's order, Jinyiwei commander Mao Xiang personally took the order, took a few capable subordinates, dressed in plain clothes, and went straight to the Dongying School outside the city.

Mao Xiang and his men pretended to be ordinary people going to the market. From afar they could see the hustle and bustle of people coming and going in front of the school, making it very lively.

When I got closer, I found that all the people coming and going were short people with Japanese faces, chattering incomprehensible words, as if they had moved the school of the Ming Dynasty to their country of Japan.

Mao Xiang was secretly puzzled, but he did not show it and just led his men into the school.

Although this school was run by Zhu Tan, he, the tenth prince, was a hands-off manager.

Apart from coming here occasionally, he spends most of his time in his own palace tinkering with strange things.

He recruited all the teachers from the public.

It is said that they are some down-and-out scholars, and some are traveling sorcerers.

In short, it's a mixed bag, with all kinds of people.

Mao Xiang entered the classroom and saw that the Japanese students were sitting in the classroom in an orderly manner.

I followed the teacher while reading, shaking my head.

Mao Xiang quietly walked to the outside of a classroom, listened carefully, and almost laughed out loud.

All I heard was the gentleman shaking his head and reciting:
"…China is a country of etiquette and the source of civilization. You, Japan, are a barbarian land, uninfluenced by the king's rule, and therefore ignorant…"

Mao Xiang frowned as he listened to this. This was not a Confucian classic at all. It was clearly some nonsense copied from some unknown book!

What is the tenth prince up to? Does he really want to teach these Japanese people to rebel?

Mao Xiang did not dare to delay and immediately led his men into the classroom and took control of the teacher and the student.

The gentleman was so frightened that his face turned pale, his legs were shaking, and he stammered:

"Who... who are you? Why... why did you arrest me?"

Mao Xiang sneered and said:
"Jinyiwei is doing business, so outsiders should be asked less questions!"

After saying this, he ordered people to bring the teacher and several students back to the imperial prison.

Mao Xiang returned to the palace and reported to Zhu Yuanzhang everything he had seen and heard at the Dongying School.

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and pondered for a long time before asking:

"Did the gentleman say anything he shouldn't have said?"

Mao Xiang thought for a moment and said:
"The gentleman didn't say anything he shouldn't have said, but..."

He paused, seeming to hesitate.

"Just what? Say it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shouted impatiently.

Mao Xiang had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"It's just that the things that teacher taught, it seems... it seems that they are not Confucian classics, but... but..."

"What is it?"

"But... to preach that our Chinese bloodline is superior to others, and that it is the destiny of heaven and that we should rule over all nations..."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was stunned at first, and then he burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears were about to come out.

"This rebellious son! I thought he was really going to teach those Japanese people to rebel, but it turns out he was just playing this trick on me!"

Mao Xiang was completely confused and asked in confusion:
"Your Majesty, this...what on earth is going on?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped laughing, glanced at Mao Xiang, and said:
"You don't know, this rebellious son has been full of ideas and eccentric since he was a child. What he did seems to be promoting the superiority of Chinese blood, but in fact he is trying to flatter me in various ways!"

Mao Xiang suddenly understood Zhu Tan's intention.

He couldn't help laughing and said:
"The Tenth Prince is truly... truly filial and commendable!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and scolded:

"This rebellious son is just sweet-talking! Well, considering his filial piety, I won't bother with him."

After saying that, he sighed, as if he remembered something, and a look of annoyance appeared on his face.

Just then, Queen Ma came in with a bowl of ginseng soup.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang sighing, she hurried forward and asked with concern:

"What's wrong? Chongba?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said:

"Nothing, I just wrongly blamed Old Ten, and I feel a little guilty."

Upon hearing this, Queen Ma smiled and said:
"Zhongba, do you know that you have wronged Lao Shi? This child has been broad-minded since he was young and never quarreled with others. You know that. Although he opened this Japanese school this time, it was a bit ridiculous, but his starting point was good. I think it was also to relieve the worries of the emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said:
"We all know what Old Ten is thinking. But this kid always does things in a weird way. How can we be at ease with him?"

Empress Ma smiled and consoled him, "Although the Tenth Prince is sometimes a little jumpy, he is kind-hearted, filial and sensible. You can rest assured."

"Oh, I hope so." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "By the way, go and tell the imperial kitchen to prepare a family dinner tonight and ask Lao Shi to come to the palace to eat with me."

Queen Ma smiled and said, "You should have done so long ago."

"I'll make arrangements right away."

After saying this, he turned and left the hall to arrange the family dinner.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone on the dragon throne, looking at the empty hall, with a kind smile on his face.

……

As night fell and the lights came on, the imperial gardens of the palace were filled with singing and dancing, and the sound of stringed instruments created a lively scene.

Empress Ma sat beside Zhu Yuanzhang, looking at her husband and sons with a smile.

He raised his glass from time to time and urged them to eat more food and drink more wine.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood today, so he naturally drank more.

After a few drinks, he started talking more. He put down his glass, turned his gaze towards Zhu Tan, and asked with a smile:

"Old Ten, you came to the palace today. Do you know why I am so happy?"

Zhu Tan put down the chicken leg in his hand and said nonchalantly:
"Your Majesty, you are very pleased today. Could it be because those stubborn old men were jumping up and down during the morning court session and made you happy?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter and pointed at Zhu Tan and said:

"You rebellious son, you only know how to talk nonsense! Am I the kind of person who likes to laugh at others?"

Zhu Tan curled his lips and said nothing, but secretly complained in his heart:
"You don't like to laugh at others, you like to see others suffer misfortune!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, he continued:

"At the morning court today, someone indeed reported you, saying that your Japanese school teaches all kinds of crooked ways, misleads people, and corrupts the morals of China. Tell me, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Tan sneered and said:

"Father, those old stubborn people know nothing! The Japanese school that I went to teaches the great principles of governing a country and maintaining peace! Do they know what cultural output means? What does it mean to influence people imperceptibly? What does it mean to win without fighting?"

Zhu Biao was listening at the side and couldn't help but interrupt:
"Tenth brother, you're going too far. Father knows you have good intentions, but when it comes to doing things, there must be a way and method, don't you think?"

Zhu Tan rolled his eyes at Zhu Biao and said unhappily:

"Brother, you are too old-fashioned! Just like those old stubborn people, you only know how to stick to the rules! In my opinion, when dealing with those Japanese people, you should be simple and rough, and beat them until they surrender!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't listen any longer, and slammed the table, angrily saying:

"Rebellious son! Do you still have any royal demeanor? Fighting and killing, how shameful!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said:

"Old Ten, I know you are a smart kid and you have your own ideas. But governing a country is not a joke and you can't just do it recklessly!"

Zhu Tan didn't care at all.

But he nodded to show that he understood.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then said:

"Old Ten, you know that the national treasury is empty and we are almost unable to sustain the wars year after year."

When Zhu Tan heard this, his eyes lit up and he quickly said:

"Father, are you short of money? That's easy! Let's raid the homes of those corrupt officials, and we'll surely find a lot of silver!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter and pointed at Zhu Tan and said:

"You rebellious son, you really dare to think like that! Confiscate the house? Do you think confiscating the house is so easy?"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang said that it was not easy to confiscate property, he also felt that Zhu Tan’s proposal was a good idea.

After all, the treasury is empty, and if we don’t think of a solution, we won’t be able to continue the war!

He glanced at Zhu Tan. This kid seemed a bit out of touch on weekdays, but he never expected that he could come up with such a "clever idea" at the critical moment.

Under the influence of alcohol, Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to ask casually:
"Old Ten, it's easy for you to say that. How can we confiscate a house so that we can get money and not hurt the people? Tell me about it."

Zhu Tan had an expression that said, "Father, you finally got it," and said with a grin:
"Hey, Father, what's wrong with you today? The sun is rising from the west? You actually asked for my opinion?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to hit him, and cursed with a smile:
"You rebellious son! Stop talking nonsense! Speak now!"

"Got it!"

Zhu Tan said, clearing his throat, and put on an attitude of giving orders:

"Father, think about it, how could this confiscation of property hurt the people's hearts? Those corrupt officials, which one of them is not rich? Their money is all plundered from the people's blood and sweat. We are just enforcing justice and taking back those ill-gotten gains!"

Zhu Biao couldn't stand listening to this anymore and couldn't help but remind him, "Tenth brother, be careful with your words! Don't say such things carelessly!"

Zhu Tan didn't care and continued:
"Brother, you are too cautious! Everyone in the court knows that those officials are so rich. What can they do with their salaries? They just rely on corruption and bribery to enrich themselves! This time, we should kill the chicken to scare the monkey and rectify this evil trend!"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not say anything, but just listened quietly with a changing expression.

He knew in his heart that although Zhu Tan's words were a bit rough, they were not entirely unreasonable.

Although he has been severely punishing corrupt officials over the years, the corruption has always been difficult to eradicate.

"Old Ten, you sound so light! Aren't my laws strict enough? Once found guilty of corruption or bribery, the punishment will be confiscation of property and exile, or even skinning and pulling out of the tendons! Why don't these people know how to be afraid?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, his face furious.

Zhu Tan was not in a hurry. He picked up the wine pot and poured himself a glass of wine. He drank it slowly and said:

"Father, calm down. There is no cat in this world that doesn't steal fish. You pay those officials such low salaries, and you don't allow them to find some extra money on their own? It's like you put a group of wolves in a sheepfold and only feed them grass. Isn't this forcing them to eat meat?"

"You! You are a rebellious son. You compare the court officials to wolves and the people to sheep. You..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry at Zhu Tan's words that he blew his beard and glared, pointing at his nose and unable to speak for a long time.

"Father, don't get excited. I was just making an analogy."

Zhu Tan said with a smile:

"Think about it, which of those officials doesn't have a large family? They have parents and children to take care of, and they have to put on a show when they go out and socialize, which doesn't cost money? With the little salary you give them, they can only support themselves, not to mention their families."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything, his expression eased a little, and it was obvious that he had listened to Zhu Tan's words.

"Father, you also know that money is the hard truth these days!"

"Those officials, if they don't have some money, who will respect them? So, they can only find ways to make money."

Zhu Tan continued:

"Of course, those who are corrupt, take bribes, and exploit the people should be killed! But for those who just make a little extra money occasionally, you should just turn a blind eye."

"After all, you can't really kill all the officials, right?" (End of this chapter)