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

"Brother, my idea is to try out the 'parliament' system in my fiefdom..."

"parliament?"

Zhu Biao felt very unfamiliar with this word. He frowned and asked in confusion.

"Yes, the Parliament."

Zhu Tan explained, "We can divide the fiefdom into several regions, each region will elect several representatives, these representatives will form a parliament, and jointly discuss all matters of the fiefdom."

"Elect representatives? How do we elect them? Few people can read, how can they participate in politics?"

Zhu Biao raised his own questions.

Zhu Tan was well prepared and answered confidently: "Brother, it is not necessary to be literate to participate in the election. We can adopt a verbal recommendation method, where the respected people in each village nominate candidates, and then the people will vote to decide."

He continued:

"As for the problem of the people's illiteracy, we can organize some literate gentlemen to regularly explain policies and laws to the people. We can also draw some important policy pictures and post them on the bulletin board so that the people can understand them at a glance."

"As for the supervision mechanism, we can set up a special supervision agency, and the parliament will elect upright and selfless people to serve as supervisors to supervise the behavior of officials and parliamentarians. Once corruption or illegal behavior is discovered, they will be impeached and investigated immediately, and no leniency will be shown!"

The more Zhu Biao listened, the more incredible it seemed to him. This idea, which seemed to be unorthodox to him, was described by Zhu Tan in such a concrete and feasible way.

"But...will this make the people feel that the monarch's authority has been challenged? Will it cause them to rebel and disrespect their monarch?"

Zhu Biao asked worriedly.

Zhu Tan shook his head and explained:

"Brother, this 'democracy' is not about overthrowing the monarch's rule, but about giving the people the right to participate in the governance of the country, so that they can feel that they are also part of the country, and thus support the monarch more and love the country more."

He paused and continued:
"Moreover, the people have sharp eyes. What they hate most is corrupt officials. If we can let them participate in the team that supervises officials, then corrupt officials will have nowhere to hide. This is also a good thing for the court!"

Zhu Biao was attracted by Zhu Tan's grand blueprint, but he was still full of doubts deep in his heart.

The education he received since childhood told him that the monarch is the monarch, the subjects are the subjects, the father is the father, and the son is the son. The monarch's authority cannot be challenged, and the people only need to obey.

"Tenth brother, what you said is too shocking..."

Zhu Biao said hesitantly, "Will the emperor...will he agree?"

Zhu Tan knew Zhu Biao's concerns. He walked up to Zhu Biao, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly:

"Brother, I know what you are worried about. But the times are changing and society is progressing. We can't always stick to the old ways. We must dare to break the old ideas and explore new paths!"

Zhu Tan's words also deeply moved Zhu Biao.

"Brother, please help me this time!"

Zhu Tan pleaded:
"As long as my father can give me more fiefdoms and let me work freely, I will definitely be able to make some achievements and prove to the world that 'democracy' is not a scourge, but a good policy that can benefit the people and strengthen the country!"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Tan's expectant eyes, and the hesitation and uneasiness in his heart gradually dissipated.

Instead, there was an inexplicable excitement and anticipation.

Maybe, you can really give it a try...

"Okay, Tenth Brother, I promise you."

Zhu Biao finally gave in:
"I will find an opportunity to mention this to my father and try my best to win more fiefdoms for you."

Zhu Tan was overjoyed when he heard this.

"Thank you, big brother!"

……

When Zhu Biao walked out of Prince Lu's Palace, he felt his steps were light, as if he was walking on clouds.

He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear his mind.

"What's wrong with me? What kind of magic potion did Old Ten give me?"

Zhu Biao said to himself. He clearly came to persuade Old Ten to behave himself and not to have those unorthodox ideas.

How come in the end, I became Lao Shi's "lobbyist"?
But every word that Lao Shi said made sense and touched his heart, which made him yearn for it.

If the people can really be allowed to participate in the governance of the country, wouldn't corrupt officials have to keep their tails between their legs and behave themselves?
"Forget it, Old Ten has always been full of ideas. Since he has this intention, it's okay for him to give it a try."

Zhu Biao sighed, but a hint of anticipation arose in his heart.

He looked up at the sky. The sun was setting and the sunset glow was like fire.

Zhu Biao calmed himself down and walked towards the palace.

……

In the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials. When he heard the eunuch report that the prince wanted to see him, he put down the red brush in his hand and raised his eyebrows.

"What is this kid doing here again?"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang said this, there was a hint of a smile on his face.

"Xuan."

Zhu Biao walked into the imperial study and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father."

"Get up." Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to a chair beside him, "Have you persuaded your tenth brother?"

Zhu Biao's face flashed with embarrassment, and he stammered:
"Father, son and minister..."

"What? Old Ten still refuses to listen to you?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Zhu Yuanzhang's tone.

"Tenth brother..."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, "Father, I think what my tenth brother said makes sense."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, a hint of surprise and some anger flashed in his eyes.

He put down the teacup in his hand and stared at Zhu Biao sharply:

"Oh? Tell me, what did he say?"

Zhu Biao organized his words and repeated verbatim Zhu Tan's idea of ​​"constitutional monarchy" and his specific ideas on the people's participation in politics and supervision of officials.

There was silence in the imperial study, with only Zhu Biao's voice echoing.

After listening to this, Zhu Yuanzhang did not express his opinion immediately, but remained silent for a long time, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Zhu Biao lowered his head and dared not breathe.

He felt uneasy, not knowing whether his words would anger his father.

After a long while, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly in a low voice:

"Biao'er, do you know what you are talking about?"

"I know." Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang firmly. "I know that this is a very treasonous statement, but after thinking it over again and again, I still think that what you said is not completely unreasonable."

"How outrageous!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Old Ten's idea is simply heretical and absurd!"

"He is ignorant, and you are following his lead?"

Zhu Biao was shocked by Zhu Yuanzhang's anger:
"Father, please calm down. I have no intention of disobeying you. I just feel that my tenth brother has grown up and we should let him grow up on his own!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed out of anger:

"Let the people govern the country? Then what is the use of me as an emperor?"

"Father, I am not trying to overthrow the monarch's rule, but to allow the people to have the right to participate in the governance of the country, so that they can feel that they are also part of the country, and thus support the monarch more and love the country more."

Zhu Biao argued vigorously.

"Humph, that's a nice thing to say!" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, "Do you think I can't see that Old Ten just wants to take this opportunity to get away from under our noses and leave him alone?"

Zhu Biao was shocked when he heard this and immediately knelt down on the ground:
"Father, please understand. I, your tenth brother, have absolutely no such intention!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his eldest son kneeling in front of him, and his anger subsided a little, but he was still angry:
"Get up. I will handle this matter myself. You don't need to interfere."

Zhu Biao sighed softly. He knew that his father was angry and that the idea of ​​constitutional monarchy was too shocking. But since he had promised his tenth brother, he had to persuade him.

He calmed down and said:

"Father, you will have to let the Tenth Prince return to his fiefdom sooner or later. By then, given his character, he will pretend to obey your new policies even if you disagree. You might as well...you might as well agree to his request and preserve the father-son relationship."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his head and stared at Zhu Biao with hawk-like eyes, as if he could see through him.

Zhu Biao withstood the pressure and continued:
"Look how angry Old Ten was when he left yesterday. Are you...are you really unmoved?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang became even more furious. He slammed the table hard, and the tea bowl broke, splashing tea all over the table. He pointed at Zhu Biao and looked at him for a long time, but could not utter a word.

"The traitor! The traitor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gasped and shouted angrily.

The atmosphere in the imperial study was extremely depressing. The palace maids and eunuchs were all silent, not daring to make a sound for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.

Zhu Biao lowered his head. He knew his father's temper. It was best not to say anything at this time and wait until he calmed down. The imperial study was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Only Zhu Yuanzhang's heavy breathing echoed.

I don't know how long it took, but Zhu Yuanzhang's breathing gradually stabilized. He leaned dejectedly on the back of the chair, as if he had aged a lot in an instant.

He sighed, his tone full of fatigue and helplessness:
"I...I can't control you, a bunch of rebellious sons."

Zhu Biao was delighted when he heard this, knowing that his persuasion had succeeded, and he quickly said:

"Father..."

"do not talk."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand:

"I promise you."

"You go and draft an imperial decree, granting Lao Shi... another piece of land near Shandong, and let him do what he wants."

"My dear father, thank you!"

Zhu Biao was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

……

There was a festive atmosphere in Prince Lu's mansion.

The imperial edict came faster than Zhu Tan had imagined, almost as Zhu Biao stepped out of the imperial study.

The eunuchs immediately arrived at the gate of Prince Lu's mansion, holding the bright yellow scroll and beating drums and gongs.

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims... that the Prince of Lu shall be granted the Dongchang Prefecture in Shandong and other places as his fiefdom. He may go there from today..."

Zhu Tan listened to the shrill voice reading out the imperial edict word by word, and his face was filled with joy.

"Hahaha, great, I'm going to Shandong!"

He took the imperial edict in one hand, not caring whether the eunuch who announced it looked confused or not.

He threw it directly to the guard beside him.

Then he suddenly picked up Princess Lu who was watching at the side and started spinning around like a child.

"My dear, we have a new fiefdom in Shandong. We are going to Shandong!"

Princess Lu was startled by his sudden action.

When she reacted, her pretty face suddenly turned red with embarrassment.

"Your Highness, please...please put me down quickly. It would be disgraceful if someone saw us..."

"Haha, if you see it, then you see it. What are you afraid of?"

Zhu Tan said this excitedly, hugging Princess Lu and spinning around several times.

Only then did he let her go with a sense of reluctance.

"My beloved, this time it's all thanks to my elder brother. If it weren't for him, how could my father so easily agree to give me an extra piece of fiefdom!"

Zhu Tan said, his eyes rolled, as if he had thought of a good idea, he slapped his thigh and said:

"By the way, I just made a new thing two days ago, and I'll give it to you as a gift to show my gratitude!"

After saying that, he hurried towards the study.

Princess Lu looked at Zhu Tan's impetuous back.

He shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of doting smiles.

Ever since she married the Tenth Prince.

She had witnessed all the wonderful ideas of this prince.

Sometimes he was tinkering with some strange gadgets, and sometimes he was going to fight. In short, he never had a moment of peace.

However, Princess Lu did not hate Zhu Tan's "quirks".

On the contrary, she found this kind of life very interesting.

She is a hundred times better than those princesses who are trapped in the backyard all day and engaged in intrigue.

……

Zhu Tan came to the study and rummaged through a pile of drawings and parts for a while.

Finally he found what he was looking for - an exquisitely crafted pocket watch.

In addition to the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand on the dial, there is also a small window that displays the date, which is truly a work of art.

Zhu Tan took the watch and played with it for a while, unable to let it go.

Only then did he put it into the brocade box with satisfaction and walked towards the East Palace with his guards.

"Brother, my tenth brother is here to give you a gift!"

As soon as Zhu Tan entered the East Palace, he shouted at the top of his voice.

Zhu Biao was reviewing memorials in his study. When he heard Zhu Tan's voice, he shook his head helplessly.

"This kid, can't he just be quiet for a while..."

He put down the brush in his hand and said to the outside:

"come in."

Zhu Tan pushed the door open excitedly, holding an exquisite brocade box in his hand.

"Brother, look what good things I brought you!"

As he spoke, he handed the brocade box to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao took the brocade box curiously, opened it and was stunned.

"This...this is..."

He picked up the pocket watch from the brocade box, looked at it carefully, his eyes full of surprise.

"This is what I made myself. How about it, do you like it?"

Zhu Tan said with a smug look on his face.

"I like it, of course I do!"

Zhu Biao came back to his senses, smiled and nodded, his eyes full of admiration.

As the tenth brother, he has no other talents, but he has a lot of brilliant ideas.

"As long as you like it, big brother. I have one more thing to tell you this time."

Zhu Tan said, restraining the smile on his face, and said seriously:
"I plan to move the laboratory to Shandong as well."

"Oh? Why?"

Zhu Biao asked with some surprise after hearing this.

"Brother, you know that my research requires a lot of experiments and practice. In Beijing, many things are inconvenient. When I go to Shandong, I can let go and do a great job!"

Zhu Tan's eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke in a firm tone.

"Well, what you said makes sense."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and nodded:
"In that case, I will write a letter and order the Shandong local government to fully cooperate with your actions."

"Thank you, brother!"

Zhu Tan was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.

"There's no need to be so polite between you and me, brothers."

Zhu Biao smiled and waved his hand, motioning Zhu Tan to sit down.

"By the way, when do you plan to leave for the fiefdom?"

he asked.

"The sooner the better. I can't wait to go to Shandong and show my talents!"

Zhu Tan said excitedly.

"Okay, then I'll have the Ministry of Rites draw up the rules as soon as possible and arrange a trip for you."

Zhu Biao nodded.

……

A few days later, Zhu Tan, along with the Princess of Lu, a group of guards and craftsmen, left the capital in a mighty procession and headed for his fiefdom in Shandong. (End of this chapter)