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

Zhu Yuanzhang rode on a tall horse, feeling exhausted from the journey, but his heart was filled with irritation.

He traveled day and night, wishing he could grow wings and fly directly to Zhu Tan to ask him what he wanted to do!

Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial carriage traveled eastward for about seven or eight days and was gradually approaching the border of Shandong.

One day, when the team arrived at a town called Linzi, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly found something wrong.

I don't know when many pedestrians appeared on the originally deserted official road.

Some of these people pushed wheelbarrows loaded with vegetables and fruits; some drove sheep with bells hanging on them, jingling all the way;
There were also some women, carrying children on their backs and holding baskets in their hands, walking on the road talking and laughing.

What is even more strange is that these people, regardless of gender, age or status, all had smiles on their faces that could not be concealed, as if they had encountered some great joy.

"Strange, when did Shandong become so lively?" Zhu Yuanzhang lifted the curtain of his carriage and asked the old eunuch beside him in confusion.

The old eunuch bent over, squinted his eyes and looked for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out:
"Your Majesty, I also find it strange. In the past, the people passing by Shandong Road always had sad faces. What happened today?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, and his doubts grew even stronger. He knew what Lao Shi had done in Shandong.

Although he said before setting off that he wanted to teach the Eleventh Brother a lesson.

But I was actually a little curious.

Could it be that the joy on these people's faces was related to Old Ten?

then.

Zhu Yuanzhang's heart moved.

Then he instructed the eunuch:
"Go ask."

The eunuch was also confused, so he quickly dismounted and stopped a passing farmer to ask.

"Father, may I ask why the road is so busy today? Everyone seems so happy?"

The farmer looked at the eunuch's gorgeous clothes, then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang riding a horse not far away, a trace of panic flashed across his face, and he stammered:
"I...I don't know..."

The eunuch had been in the palace for a long time and was very good at reading people's expressions. He could tell at a glance that the farmer was hiding something, so he took out a silver ingot from his sleeve, stuffed it into the farmer's hand, and said with a smile:
"Don't be afraid, father-in-law. We are just asking about the situation and have no ill intentions."

The farmer looked at the silver in his hand, swallowed his saliva, and then he bravely said:

"My lords, you may not know that we are going to deliver food to Prince Lu!"

"Send food?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. "What food? Why do we need to send food?"

"In reply to your question, sir," the farmer explained, "Prince Lu has recently issued a decree, saying that he will...set the tax rate according to the amount of land he has to live on, and take back the land of the big landlords and big bureaucrats, and distribute it to us poor people!"

"What?!" Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked when he heard this, "He...he actually dared to divide the land privately?!"

The farmer was so frightened when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's face change drastically that he fell to his knees and trembled, saying, "Master, please spare me! Master, please spare me! I... I am only telling the truth..."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and asked in a deep voice: "Go on, what else did he...do?"

The farmer said tremblingly:
"Prince Lu said that the imperial court's taxes are too heavy and the people cannot afford it, so we need to... reduce taxes, and also... we need to build water conservancy projects and encourage farming..."

"He also said that he wanted to... to ensure that all people in the world could have enough food and clothing and live a good life..."

By the end of the farmer's speech, his voice was barely audible, and it was obvious that he was extremely afraid of angering the noble man in front of him.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was completely unable to listen to him at this time. The farmer's words just now kept echoing in his mind:
"The tax is distributed according to the land..."

"Tax reduction..."

"Build water conservancy projects..."

"Let all the people in the world have enough food and warm clothes..."

Aren't these what he has always wanted to do? !
However, due to various reasons, he, as the emperor, was unable to realize his goal.

But Zhu Tan, his son, did it in Shandong without his knowledge!

Zhu Yuanzhang felt mixed emotions and he didn't know what he was feeling.

anger?
Glad?

Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was filled with shock. Everything the Tenth Prince did was against his bottom line.

But these are the things he has always wanted to do but has not been able to do.

He always claimed to be people-oriented, but when it came to touching the interests of the big landlords and bureaucrats, he was afraid to take any action.

"Good, very good!" Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth, not knowing whether he was saying that the Tenth Master did a good job or that he was so bold.

He suddenly jumped off his horse and said to the farmer, "Lead the way, we also want to deliver food to King Lu!"

The farmer was stunned at first, then he was overjoyed, and hurriedly nodded and bowed to lead the way.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his entourage changed into ordinary people's clothes, left the ceremonial guards on the official road, and only took a few trusted guards with them, and then blended into the group of people heading to the Prince of Lu's Palace.

Along the way, Zhu Yuanzhang witnessed the changes in the lives of the people of Shandong.

In the past, most Shandong people were pale and thin, wearing tattered clothes.

But now, although they are not rich, their mental outlook has improved a lot, and everyone's face is filled with a hopeful smile.

The houses are much tidier than before, and the crops in the fields are green and lush and growing well.

Children can be seen chasing and playing on the roadside from time to time, and the scene is full of vitality everywhere.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded secretly as he walked. It seemed that Lao Shi had really done a lot of practical things in Shandong. No wonder the people loved him so much.

On the way, the people were still talking about King Lu with great interest.

"You don't know, Prince Lu is such a good man! After he came, our taxes were reduced by 30% at once, and we can finally live on!"

"That's right! In the past, those corrupt officials wanted to squeeze our blood dry. Now that Prince Lu is here, those corrupt officials have been arrested, and our lives are getting better day by day!"

"Also, Prince Lu has ordered the construction of water conservancy projects, saying that we don't have to worry about droughts and floods anymore. The river in our village used to overflow during the rainy season, but now Prince Lu has sent people to repair it, so we don't have to worry about crops being flooded anymore!"

"Prince Lu still..."

The people praised Zhu Tan to the skies, one after another.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened and nodded secretly. He felt both pleased with Zhu Tan's actions and a bit of complicated emotions.

I am glad that my son has such talent, can sympathize with the people and bring benefit to the local people.

What’s complicated is that what the Tenth Prince did was undoubtedly a challenge to his authority and his dignity as an emperor.

"Old Ten, Old Ten, what exactly do you want to do?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked ahead, thinking secretly in his heart.

Before they knew it, they had arrived outside a city.

"Sir, the city of Yanzhou is ahead. Prince Lu's palace is in the city." The farmer said, pointing ahead.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up and saw the towering city gate and majestic city walls, which was quite impressive.

"Let's go into the city!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and walked towards the city gate.

As soon as he arrived at the city gate, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned by the scene before him.

There was a long queue at the city gate, filled with plain-dressed people carrying grain bags on their shoulders and baskets in their hands, their faces filled with joyful smiles. "This is..." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the guards beside him in confusion.

"Your Majesty, these people are here to deliver food to Prince Lu."

The guard replied in a low voice.

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang became even more confused.

Logically speaking, delivering food should be a sad thing for the people.

But why are these people so happy?
He walked quickly to the front of the team, grabbed a white-haired old man who was about to enter the city, and asked, "Old man, what are you going to do?"

The old man saw that Zhu Yuanzhang was dressed in ordinary clothes and thought he was from another place, so he explained enthusiastically:
"Brother, you don't know that we are going to deliver food to King Lu!"

"Send food?" Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be puzzled, "Why do you want to send food?"

"Hey, isn't it because Prince Lu cares about the people?"

The old man said with a grateful look on his face, "We suffered a disaster this year and the harvest was poor. When Prince Lu found out, he immediately ordered the granaries to be opened and grain to be released. He also said that if anyone couldn't afford food, they could just go to the palace and get it!"

"But..." Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to ask more, but was interrupted by the old man.

"Oh, no more, no more. It will be too late if we don't go now!"

As the old man said this, he picked up the grain bag and hurried into the city.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the old man's back.

He frowned.

The mood is very complicated.

He had wanted to teach this daring son a lesson, but now, he didn't know how to face him.

"Let's go into the city!" Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and walked towards the city gate.

He wanted to see what this Old Ten had done in Shandong!
As soon as he entered the city gate, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned by the scene before him.

There were shops lining both sides of the street, vendors gathered, people coming and going, and it was very lively.

"This..." Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't believe his eyes. Was this still the poor and backward Shandong that he remembered?

How come his appearance changed so much in such a short time?
As Zhu Yuanzhang walked and looked along the way, he felt more and more shocked.

He saw with his own eyes that the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, no one picked up things on the roads, and no one locked their doors at night, which was completely different from the consequences of tax interception he had imagined.

This scene formed a sharp contrast with other places under his rule, and even he, the emperor, couldn't help but feel ashamed.

"This tenth brother... is really capable!" Zhu Yuanzhang sighed inwardly.

Just as he was thinking about it, Zhu Yuanzhang cleared his throat habitually and spat toward the roadside.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the side:
"Hey! Where did you come from, you unruly person? How dare you spit here and there? Do you know your crime?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned and looked up, only to see several soldiers in armor walking towards him aggressively.

The soldier in the lead had a full beard.

He was holding a water and fire stick in his hand and glaring at him fiercely.

"What's going on?" Before Zhu Yuanzhang could react, the soldier grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up like a chicken.

"How dare you! How dare you..."

The guard next to him was shocked when he saw this and was about to reveal his identity, but was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang with a look.

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to see what these soldiers were going to do to him.

"Boy, you are so brave! Do you know where we are? This is Yanzhou City! If you spit anywhere in Yanzhou City, you will be fined! If you know what's good for you, pay the fine quickly, or don't blame me for being rude!"

The soldier said fiercely.

"Fine? What fine?" Zhu
Yuanzhang asked in confusion.

"Stop pretending!"

The soldier pulled out a piece of paper from his bosom. On it were written the following words: "Maintain the city appearance. No spitting anywhere. Violators will be fined one tael of silver."
"Did you see that? This is a decree issued personally by our Lord Prince Lu! Since you dare to hang around in Yanzhou City, you should know this rule!"

"Prince Lu said so?" Zhu Yuanzhang's heart moved, and he asked calmly, "Why did Prince Lu set such a strange rule?"

"Are you deaf, old man?"

The soldier said impatiently:
"Our Lord Lu said that this is called 'patriotic hygiene', which is to let everyone develop good hygiene habits and keep the city clean! Look at you, spitting everywhere, how can you be so shameless? If everyone is like you, then this Yanzhou city will become a spittoon, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned by the soldier's retort.

He had lived for most of his life and had never met anyone who dared to speak to him like that.

What surprised him even more was that the people around him, instead of expressing dissatisfaction with the soldier's behavior, pointed at him with contempt in their eyes.

"This old man has no regard for hygiene, he spits all over the floor!"

"That's right, don't you see where this place is? Yanzhou City is the territory of His Royal Highness Prince Lu, how can we allow him to be so presumptuous!"

"He deserves to be fined. He should learn a lesson!"

The voices of the people's discussions reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears, making him even more surprised.

How come the policies implemented by Lao Shi are so popular among the people?

He secretly looked at the soldiers and saw that they were all straight and energetic, completely different from the lazy officers and soldiers before.

Although the bearded soldier had a somewhat rude attitude, his eyes were clear, without any greed or cunning in them.

"What? Are you still trying to renege on your debt?"

The bearded soldier frowned when he saw that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't take out the money for a long time.

The water and fire stick in his hand slammed heavily on the ground, making a dull "bang" sound, which scared the people around him and made them retreat.

"Ahem..." Zhu Yuanzhang cleared his throat and asked in surprise, "One tael of silver? So much? I don't bring so much money when I go out!"

"No money?" The bearded soldier frowned and looked Zhu Yuanzhang up and down. Seeing that he was dressed simply and did not look like a rich man, he softened his tone and said, "It's okay if you don't have money. Then go sweep the streets! Clean up the streets and the fine will be deducted!"

Zhu Yuanzhang felt amused in his heart. The soldiers under the command of this old man were really interesting and humane.

"Sweep the streets?" Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be embarrassed, "I am an old man with a disabled leg, I am afraid I can't sweep the streets!"

"Stop talking nonsense!" The bearded soldier said impatiently, "You have to sweep even if you can't! Our Prince Lu said that if the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished just like the common people! If you don't sweep the street clean today, don't even think about leaving here!"

The people around also echoed:

"That's right, if you don't have money, just sweep the streets, don't try to evade payment!"

"His Royal Highness Prince Lu said that everyone is equal and no one can be treated specially!"

"Old man, just accept your fate. It's your fault for not paying attention to hygiene and spitting everywhere!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so amused by the constant barrage of comments from this group of people. As an emperor, he was forced to sweep the streets?
He sighed in his heart, this Old Ten really arranged everything for him as a father! (End of this chapter)