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

After hearing this, Zhu Tan burst into laughter and reached out to pat Zhu Yuanzhang on the shoulder, but the latter glared at him and he drew his hand back.

"Father, Father, you are old, why are you still angry with those local rich people? In my opinion, they are just relying on their numbers to show off in front of you."

"You are the emperor, are you worthy of being on the same level as them?"

"What do you know, kid!"

Zhu Yuanzhang blew his beard, causing his long white beard to tremble. "They are lawless and oppress the people. Do they really think that we are just a decoration?"

"Yes, yes, Father, you are right."

Zhu Tan smiled and poured Zhu Yuanzhang a cup of tea.

"However, Father, you have to think about this. Those local tyrants have been entrenched for generations and are deeply rooted. How can they be removed just like that? You killed the chicken to scare the monkeys this time, but what about next time? You can't always go incognito and deal with these trivial matters in person, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the teacup but did not drink it. A hint of thought flashed across his cloudy old eyes.

Although Zhu Tan's words were spoken lightly, they were not without reason. He couldn't just kill all the corrupt officials in the world, so he had to think of a way to cure the root cause.

"Old Ten, do you have any good ideas?"

Zhu Yuanzhang put down the teacup and stared at Zhu Tan with burning eyes.

Zhu Tan chuckled. He knew that although his father had a bad temper, he was not an unreasonable person.

Moreover, he seemed to have more patience with his son, who had never been doing his job properly.

"Father, in my opinion, governing a country cannot be done by relying solely on harsh laws and punishments."

"Oh? Then tell me, how should I treat it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested, leaned back in his chair, and looked like he was listening attentively.

"Well..."

Zhu Tan thought for a moment and said, "The way to govern a country is simple and difficult. To put it simply, it is to make the people live and work in peace and contentment, and to make officials honest and incorruptible. The difficulty lies in how to achieve these two points?"

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the point!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, puffing his beard and glaring.

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Zhu Tan waved his hand, "Father, think about it, why do those corrupt officials dare to bully the people so blatantly? Isn't it because they have power and are fearless? Therefore, we must find a way to weaken their power, so that they dare not, cannot, and do not want to be corrupt and abuse the law!"

"Weaken their power? How? Should we follow the example of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, rise up in rebellion, or stage another uprising like the one that killed the white snake?"

Zhu Yuanzhang puffed his beard and glared, almost throwing the teacup in his hand away.

This kid always comes up with bad ideas!

"Dad, you are wronging me! I don't have the guts to do that. Besides, the world belongs to our Zhu family now. Who can I rebel against?"

Zhu Tan quickly waved his hands, looking innocent.

"Father, think about it, after all, the affairs of this world are the people's affairs, right?"

Zhu Tan was so excited that he simply sat down on the chair next to him, crossed his legs, and looked like he was about to give orders.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not stop him from sitting in such an unrighteous manner, but just frowned, obviously thinking seriously about Zhu Tan's words.

"Look, those corrupt officials, they take bribes, pervert the law, and enrich themselves, and in the end, aren't the common people the ones who suffer? They oppress the good people and exploit the people, and in the end, aren't the common people the ones who suffer?"

As Zhu Tan spoke, he paused deliberately, observing Zhu Yuanzhang's expression.

"So, we have to let the people speak for themselves and let them elect good officials who can do practical things for them! In this way, those corrupt officials will have no market and naturally won't be able to cause any big trouble!"

“Let the people choose their own officials?”

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured to himself, seemingly shocked by Zhu Tan's bold idea.

"Yes, Father, think about it, who owns this world? It belongs to our Zhu family, and even more so to the common people!"

Zhu Tan became more and more excited as he spoke. He stood up and paced back and forth in the study.
"We must let the people understand that they are the masters of this world! Only when they are in charge can the world be peaceful and have long-term stability!"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak, but just stared at Zhu Tan closely, with a complex light flashing in his turbid old eyes.

He knew that what Zhu Tan said was simply treasonous and heretical to many people!

However, he felt that Zhu Tan's words made some sense...

Over the years, he has worked hard to govern the country and severely punished corrupt officials.

But this trend of corruption is like weeds, no matter how hard you cut it, it can never be eradicated.

It’s not that he hadn’t thought about the reason, but he had always placed his hopes on those scholars, those so-called “gentlemen”.

He thought that as long as enough honest and upright officials were selected, the country could be governed well.

However, reality dealt him heavy blows time and time again.

Once those scholars become officials, they immediately become extremely greedy, even more hateful than those ruffians!

"Father, do you remember that I told you before that we should abolish the system of slavery?"

Zhu Tan's voice brought Zhu Yuanzhang back from his thoughts.

"Yeah." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. Of course he remembered this matter.

When Zhu Tan first proposed this idea, he scolded Zhu Tan severely.

In his opinion, the system of slavery has existed since ancient times. How can it be abolished just like that?
"Father, think about it, those corrupt officials dare to act so recklessly, isn't it because they think that those ordinary people are lowly people, and they allow them to bully them?"

Zhu Tan walked to Zhu Yuanzhang and lowered his voice.
"But what is the reality? The common people are hardworking and kind. They are the real backbone of this country!"

"Father, think about it. Are the farmers who work hard in the fields and the craftsmen who sweat in the workshops inferior to the scholars who can only recite poems and talk about morality?"

"You are right. This world belongs to the common people!" Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, as if he had made a major decision. "It is time to change this system of slavery!"

"Father, you are wise!" Zhu Tan said with a smile, "I will draft a rule right away and strive to abolish this slave system as soon as possible!"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, as if he wanted to absorb all the air in the study.

"Okay, Old Ten, I'll do as you say." He said slowly, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice, "It's time for this world to change."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Tan's face suddenly broke into a bright smile.

"Father, don't worry, I will live up to your expectations!"

"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes, but was quickly covered up, "Tomorrow, I will respond to the sky."

"Your son respectfully bids farewell to your father." Zhu Tan bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, said nothing more, turned around and left the study.

……

The next morning, just after dawn, Zhu Yuanzhang left his fiefdom with a team of light cavalry and set out on the road to Yingtian. Ten days later, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the palace.

On the second day, the atmosphere in the Golden Palace was extremely solemn.

Civil and military officials arrived outside the hall early to wait. They all had a vague feeling that something big was going to happen today.

"The Emperor has arrived——"

As the eunuch's shrill voice sounded, Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing a dragon robe, walked into the Golden Throne Hall with the gait of a dragon and a tiger. An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

Civil and military officials all knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor".

"Everyone is safe."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down on the dragon throne, his eyes swept across the dark crowd below, and finally fixed on the Minister of Revenue Liu Sanwu.

"My dear Liu, tell me, who owns this world?"

Liu Sanwu was startled and quickly stepped out of the line, bowing and answering: "Your Majesty, this world is naturally yours."

"Oh? Then let me ask you, are the people of this world my people or your people?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly rose a few notches.

Liu Sanwu's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He knew that the emperor was going to get angry, so he knelt down quickly and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I know my crime and I have spoken out of turn."

"Humph!" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, "I tell you, this world belongs to the common people! Without the common people, there would be no me, let alone you so-called important officials of the court!"

"I summoned you here today to announce something!" Zhu Yuanzhang stood up suddenly, his voice booming like thunder in the Golden Throne Hall, "From today on, the slave system will be abolished! All people will be equal!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Golden Palace was in an uproar.

Civil and military officials looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed!"

In the crowd, the assistant of the Ministry of Industry suddenly stood up and said loudly: "This system of slavery has existed since ancient times. How can it be abolished just like that? If the system of slavery is abolished, wouldn't it be a mess?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please think twice!"

"Your Majesty, you must not do this!"

Other officials also spoke up to advise against it. For a moment, the entire Golden Palace was filled with voices of opposition.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned pale and he glanced coldly at the officials who opposed him, with anger burning in his heart.

"Why, are you guys planning a rebellion?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang roared, his eyes wide open, and his voice was like a loud bell, shaking the entire hall.

The ministers were so frightened by this sudden anger that they trembled all over. The original noisy voices suddenly disappeared without a trace. Everyone was silent, and no one dared to offend the emperor at this time.

Liu Sanwu was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and crawled on the ground, not even daring to raise his head.

He knew in his heart that the emperor was determined to abolish the slave system today. Anyone who dared to stop him at this time would be going against the emperor and endangering his own life!
"Good, very good!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in anger, his eyes sweeping across the ministers like a knife, "Since none of you say anything, that means you agree! Come, draft the decree!"

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: Since the Qin and Han dynasties, the slave system has plagued the world, and the people have suffered terribly. Since I ascended the throne, I have been worried day and night, and now I am determined to abolish the slave system. All people are equal and are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty! Those who violate the rules will be executed immediately! I decree this!"

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed in the hall and spread outside the hall, lasting for a long time.

On that day, the imperial edict abolishing the slave system was posted in the streets and alleys of the capital, attracting countless people to watch.

"Dad, look, the emperor is going to abolish the slave system. We will no longer be slaves!"

"Great, this is great! We can finally live a normal life!"

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

For a moment, the whole capital was in an uproar. People ran around telling each other and cheering, as if it was as lively as New Year's Day.

Those people who had been slaves for generations were so excited that their eyes filled with tears. They had never dreamed that they would be able to see such a prosperous era in their lifetime!
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, holding a secret report just delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his hand, with a gratified smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, the people strongly support your decision to abolish the slave system. Now the whole capital is cheering for your wisdom!" Jinyiwei commander Mao Xiang said with a bow.

"Good, good, good!" Zhu Yuanzhang said three good words in a row, in a very good mood, "I am relieved that the people are happy. This slave system should have been abolished long ago! I want to make sure that there is no distinction between high and low in this world, and all the people can live a good life!"

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have forgotten everything.

Who was it that made the Emperor so furious when Zhu Tan proposed abolishing the slave system?

"Your Majesty!"

Mao Xiang quickly flattered him.

……

East Palace, Prince's Study Room.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the window lattice, onto the desk, illuminating a handsome face that is slightly pale.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao sat upright, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hands, his brows furrowed, as if the words on it were some difficult puzzle.

"Your Highness, you have been staring at this memorial for half an hour."

The Crown Prince's Junior Secretary walked in quietly and placed a cup of hot tea on the desk. "But what's the problem?"

Zhu Biao put down the bamboo slips, rubbed his brows, and sighed: "I will see that my tenth brother is trying out a new tax system in Shandong."

"Oh? What kind of tax system makes Your Highness so worried?"

Shao Zhanshi asked curiously.

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "What else could it be? Of course it is the 'One Whip Law'! The land tax, corvée and miscellaneous taxes are collected together, converted into silver, and collected uniformly according to the amount of land."

"It sounds simple, but once it is implemented, will those big landlords and tyrants pay taxes obediently? By then, I'm afraid there will be complaints and chaos in the world!"

Shao Zhanshi hesitated for a moment and said cautiously:
"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, your Majesty's move may have other ulterior motives."

Zhu Biao glanced at him and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Your Highness, think about it, if this 'One Whip Law' is implemented, who will benefit the most?"

The Junior Secretary lowered his voice and leaned close to Zhu Biao's ear:

"Of course it's the common people! The interests of the bureaucrats and gentry who have enjoyed privileges for generations will be harmed."

"Your Majesty's move is ostensibly to increase the revenue of the treasury, but in reality, it is to weaken the power of the nobles!" (End of this chapter)