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

"fart!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table:
The dragon throne trembled three times. "What do you mean by turning a blind eye? Corruption has been a taboo since ancient times! I wish I could skin these worms alive, how can I tolerate them?!"

Zhu Tan shrank his neck. His father's temper really came out at any time.

Zhu Tan smiled and pushed a glass of wine in front of him:
"Father, calm down, calm down. I am trying to find a solution for you. Think about it, which of those officials doesn't have a family to support? What can they do with that little salary?"

Zhu Biao has always been kind and at this time he couldn't help but speak:

"Tenth brother, you can't say that. Father has governed the country with diligence and frugality over the years, and the salary standards are set according to the law. How can you change it just like that?"

"Brother, you don't understand this, do you?"

Zhu Tan shook his head, looking like an experienced person:
"The salary has to follow the price of goods! Think about it, how much does pork cost per pound now? How much does rice cost per stone? Is that little salary enough for them to make ends meet?"

Zhu Tan picked up the wine jug and poured himself a full cup:
"Look at those officials. When they go out, they are always surrounded by people and have a grand ceremony. Do you think they want to do this? Isn't it to maintain the face of the court? This will cost money, right?"

Zhu Tan drank the glass of wine in one gulp, burped, and continued:
"You always say that officials should be incorruptible, but think about it, can a paper crotch fit under this iron door?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face couldn't be described simply as "black" anymore, his beard was twitching with anger.

He pointed at Zhu Tan for a long time without saying a word.

Of course Zhu Tan knew that this sentence touched his sore spot.

Back then, when my father was still a poor boy, didn’t he run around in torn pants?

Now that he is the emperor, he naturally cannot stand those officials who are greedy for enjoyment.

"Father, please don't be angry. I am just thinking about you."

Zhu Tan quickly put on a fawning smile:

"Think about it, if you increase the salaries of officials, they will have money in their hands, and naturally they will no longer engage in corruption and bribery. What do you call this? This is called "it is better to loosen up than to block!"

"You are just a smooth talker, kid!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Tan in anger, "Increase salary? Where does the money in the treasury come from? Tell me about it, kid!"

Zhu Tan chuckled:
"Father, you don't understand, right? Money is like water. It can create wealth only when it flows. If you pile up all the money in the treasury, it will just be a pile of dead things. Only when it flows can it play a role."

"Oh? Then tell me, how does it flow?"

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested and motioned Zhu Tan to continue.

I cleared my throat and began to talk about my "economic theory": "Just think about it, if those officials have money in their hands, what will they do?"

Zhu Tan stretched out a finger:

"First, they will improve their lives, buy houses, buy land, buy all kinds of things. In this way, won't it stimulate consumption and drive economic development?"

Zhu Tan extended his second finger:
"Second, they will deposit the money in the bank. The bank can lend money to merchants. Merchants can expand production and make more money. In this way, doesn't it form a virtuous circle?"

Zhu Tan became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had become an economist:
"So, Father, please don't be stingy anymore! You have to spend the money that needs to be spent. Only in this way can the country become rich and the people become strong!"

"you……"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry at Zhu Tan's fallacies and heresies that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He pointed at Zhu Tan for a long time and couldn't say a word.

Zhu Biao also shook his head helplessly. This old man, he really never stops until he says something shocking...

"Father, please don't be so angry! Please give me a definite answer. Will the salary increase or not?"

Zhu Tan asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses from Zhu Tan’s “theory”.

He wanted to curse "ridiculous", but then he thought, this kid is used to talking nonsense on a daily basis.

Why are you suddenly concerned about the national economy and people's livelihood today?

Is he up to some evil plan again?

He narrowed his eyes, stared at Zhu Tan, and asked tentatively:

"Don't act so pretentiously in front of me, kid. Tell me, what bad things are you planning?"

Zhu Tan chuckled and waved his hand:

"Father, what you said is true. Isn't this my son's job to help the country? Look at you, you look so sad every day. If you don't know better, you might think the treasury is empty!"

"It's not like the treasury is empty," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "but we can't let you brats do whatever you want!"

"Who is talking nonsense?" Zhu Tan was unhappy and said with his neck stiff, "Son, this is a serious suggestion! Besides, not raising salaries is not fair to those officials!"

"unfair?"

This time, not only Zhu Yuanzhang, but even Zhu Biao showed a look of surprise.

What nonsense is this kid talking about?
Seeing that everyone was puzzled, Zhu Tan cleared his throat and said seriously:

"Father, think about it, what were the rules you set in the first place? As long as the descendants of our Zhu family entered the clan residence, they would be well fed and well-fed, without having to work, and would receive a good salary, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, feeling vaguely that something was wrong.

Zhu Tan seemed not to notice and continued:
"But what about those officials? They work diligently for the Ming Dynasty, toiling day and night! What's the result? Their salaries are meager, unable to even support their families, and yet they have to take risks to embezzle and accept bribes. Is this fair?"

"You kid! You are a traitor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and shouted angrily, "You don't support your own family, but you support those outsiders? Do you still have me as your father and this family in your eyes?!"

"Why did I set that rule in the first place? It was for the prosperity of our Zhu family and for future generations to live a good life!"

As he spoke, his tone was a little more sad, "Thinking back to when I was a poor boy, my family suffered from drought, and my parents, elder brother, and nephew all starved to death. I was the only one left..."

"At that time, I swore that I would make a name for myself and never let my family suffer again! That's why I set up that rule so that the descendants of our Zhu family would have enough food and clothing and no longer have to live that hard life!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice gradually became low, as if he was lost in memories. Seeing this, Zhu Biao stepped forward and comforted him: "Father, calm down. Tenth brother just spoke hastily. Don't take it to heart."

A concubine at the side also said: "Yes, Your Majesty, the Tenth Master is just outspoken, don't take it personally."

Zhu Tan glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"Your Majesty, what you said, aren't those officials flesh and blood people? Don't they have parents, wives and children to support? They have devoted themselves to the Ming Dynasty, but in the end they can't even support their families and are forced to embezzle. Is this what you, Your Majesty, want to see?"

"You! You are using strong words!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Zhu Tan's nose and cursing, "Those corrupt officials, who don't talk about morality and justice, but are full of thieves and prostitutes? They take the court's salary, but instead of serving the country, they enrich themselves and exploit the people. I wish I could chop them into pieces!"

"Father, please calm down," Zhu Biao quickly stood up and advised, "Tenth brother is also outspoken, he didn't mean to contradict you."

Zhu Tan sneered and refused to give in:
"Brother, you said that as if I was deliberately looking for trouble. I am just telling the truth."

"Father keeps saying that this is for the good of the Zhu family, but are we the only ones in this world who are considered human? The whole country is using its strength to support us, the princes and grandchildren. What's the difference between this and those blood-sucking insects?"

"How dare you!" Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. He pointed at Zhu Tan and trembled with anger. "You... you rebellious son! How dare you say such treasonous words!"

One of the concubines couldn't help but speak up, with a tone of reproach in her voice:

"Your Highness, how can you talk to your father like that? Your father is doing this for your own good. How can you say such hurtful words?"

Zhu Tan was not moved at all, still sneered and said:

"For my own good? Mother, you said that as if I didn't appreciate it. But have you ever thought about how many people there are in our Zhu family now? How many more people will there be in the future?"

"There will be no end to the descendants of this family. Do they all have to be supported by the imperial court? If this continues, the imperial court will be dragged down sooner or later!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed out of anger, pointed at Zhu Tan, and was speechless for a long time.

Zhu Biao also frowned and said in a deep voice:
"Tenth brother, you are going too far."

"Father established the Imperial Clan House to ensure that the descendants of our Zhu family can live a good life. This is not wrong. Besides, our Zhu family does not have a large population, so the court can afford to support them."

"Can we afford it?" Zhu Tan sneered, "Brother, you are talking as if our Zhu family will never have children in the future. Believe it or not, in a few hundred years, our Zhu family's descendants will be all over the Ming Dynasty! By then, what in this world will still belong to our Zhu family? By then, will the world still have the surname Zhu?"

Zhu Tan's words were like thunder, exploding in Zhu Yuanzhang's ears. He pointed at Zhu Tan, his fingers trembling, and after a long while he managed to utter a sentence:

"Rebellious son! You...you..."

Zhu Biao hurried forward to support Zhu Yuanzhang, and worriedly advised: "Father, please calm down, Tenth Brother also didn't mean it."

Zhu Tan shook off Zhu Biao's hand and said with his neck stiff:
"Brother, what do you mean by unintentional words? Isn't what I said true? Please ask everyone here, what did I say wrong?"

He looked around with sharp eyes and a provocative tone. Zhu Biao was startled by his gaze and was speechless.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a few deep breaths and tried to calm the anger in his heart.

He knew that Zhu Tan was right.

Over the years, the Zhu family has had more and more descendants, and the burden on the court has become heavier.

Those royal family members, relying on their royal status, act tyrannically and bully the common people, which has long been a thorn in the hearts of the people.

One of the concubines saw that Zhu Yuanzhang's expression had eased a little, so she gently advised:
"Your Majesty, although what the Tenth Prince said is unpleasant, it is not entirely unreasonable. We can't really let our descendants become a burden to the country, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, obviously moved by his concubine's words.

He looked at Zhu Tan, the anger in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a deep thought.

"Old Ten."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was low and tired:
"You are right. I cannot just focus on the present, I also have to think about future generations. Tell me, what should I do about this?"

Zhu Tan was delighted to see that Zhu Yuanzhang was finally willing to listen to him, but he did not show it on his face. He just said calmly:
"Father, do you still remember those old brothers who followed you to conquer the world in the early years of Hongwu?"

"Of course I remember," Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with a trace of reminiscence, "They are all my good brothers. Without them, there would be no Ming Dynasty today."

"But father," Zhu Tan's voice became sharp, "look at the descendants of those founding heroes now, how many of them can still hold high positions? How many of them can still enjoy wealth and glory?"

"This……"

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless for a moment. He certainly knew that in order to consolidate the imperial power, he had been suppressing meritorious officials and veterans over the years, and many founding heroes had died under his butcher knife.

"Father," Zhu Tan pressed on, "Why did you kill so decisively? Wasn't it for the stability of the Ming Dynasty? For the country of the Zhu family?"

"Now, our Zhu family is growing in number. If things continue like this, they will become parasites of the Ming Dynasty! Rather than waiting until they become too big to be removed, it is better to prepare for a rainy day now and solve the problem from the root!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent.

He knew that what Zhu Tan said was true, but he simply couldn't bring himself to treat his descendants the same way he treated those founding heroes.

"Tenth brother, how could the emperor not know what you said?" Zhu Biao saw Zhu Yuanzhang's gloomy face and hurriedly came out to smooth things over. "It's just that the royal family members are the bloodline of our Zhu family after all. We can't..."

"Big brother!"

Zhu Tan suddenly interrupted Zhu Biao:

"You make it sound like I'm a cold-blooded person. Of course I know that they are the bloodline of our Zhu family, but if we let them go on like this, how many people in our Zhu family will have a good ending in the future?"

Zhu Tan paused, glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, and said in a grim tone: "By then, I'm afraid it won't be as simple as reducing the power of the vassal states! Who knows, it may even..."

"enough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, interrupting Zhu Tan's words. He stood up suddenly, paced back and forth in the hall, his face changing from gloomy to bright.

Zhu Tan’s words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart, and he couldn’t calm down for a long time.

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave, leaving the entire hall filled with depression and silence.

The dinner ended in a bad mood.

Zhu Tan bowed and left with a nonchalant look on his face. (End of this chapter)