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

Zhu Biao's face suddenly turned ugly when he heard this. How could he not understand this?
However, he never expected that his father would gamble with the stability of the entire world in order to weaken the nobles!
"Your Highness, His Majesty went to Shandong and agreed to His Highness Prince Lu's system."

Shao Zhanshi dropped another bombshell, "This is a bit disadvantageous to you."

Zhu Biao stood up suddenly, his face livid, and shouted sternly: "Shut up!"

The Shao Zhanshi was so frightened that his whole body trembled. He quickly knelt on the ground and said tremblingly: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I... I am just worried..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Zhu Biao walked up to him angrily and asked, "Are you worried that my position as crown prince will be lost?"

"Your Highness, I would never dare to have such an idea!"

The Junior Secretary kowtowed and apologized, "I just..."

"Just what?" Zhu Biao asked.

"It's just... I'm just worried that Your Majesty will be deceived by King Lu and make the wrong decision!"

Shao Zhanshi said boldly:

"After all, His Royal Highness Prince Lu is young and energetic, and tends to act impulsively. If this 'One Whip Law' fails in Shandong, it may shake the foundation of the country!"

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and tried hard to suppress the anger in his heart.

He stared coldly at the young official kneeling on the ground and said word by word:

"You mean, Father and Tenth Brother were deceived, and only you can see clearly?"

The young secretary was so frightened that he kowtowed and said:
"Your Highness, please understand. I have absolutely no such intention! I just..."

"Just what? Are you just worried that I, your master, will be outdone, and that I, your master, will not be able to hold on to the position of Crown Prince?"

Zhu Biao laughed out of anger, but there was a chill in his voice.

Shao Zhanshi was trembling all over, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.

He understood that his remarks had angered the crown prince. If he did not find a way to remedy the situation, he would probably lose his head today.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! My loyalty to you is evident to all! Everything I have done is for Your Highness and for the Ming Dynasty!"

Shao Zhanshi burst into tears and tried desperately to defend himself.

"Oh? For me? For the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Biao snorted coldly and looked down at him, "Then tell me, what harm does this 'One Whip Method' have that makes you so panicked?"

Seeing that Zhu Biao's attitude had softened, Shao Zhanshi felt relieved and said quickly:

"Your Highness, this 'One Whip Law' may seem fair, but it is actually undermining the foundation of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Since ancient times, our Ming Dynasty has always been based on agriculture, and the scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, the gentry are the pillars of the country."

"This 'One Whip Law' combines land tax, corvée and miscellaneous taxes. It seems to have reduced the burden on the people, but in fact it has put all the burdens on the gentry!"

"Which of those powerful landlords is not extremely wealthy? It is no problem for them to pay more taxes. But those small and medium-sized landlords, and even poor scholars, have meager incomes to begin with. If they have to bear such heavy taxes, I am afraid their families will be ruined!"

The Shao Zhanshi became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had seen the chaos in the world and the people's miserable lives:
"By then, the people will be full of complaints, the gentry will be disunited, and the Ming Dynasty will be in danger! And Your Highness, as the crown prince, will also be implicated!"

Zhu Biao was silent. How could he not understand this truth?
However, he has always regarded himself as a benevolent monarch and believed that he should seek the welfare of the people and reduce their burdens.

The implementation of the "Single Whip Law" was undoubtedly damaging the interests of the gentry, which made him very conflicted.

"Your Highness, I know you care about the people and do not want to add to their burden."

"But have you ever thought about this? If you sacrifice the long-term stability of the country for the sake of immediate interests, then it will be a loss!"

Seeing that Zhu Biao was touched, Shao Zhanshi quickly struck while the iron was hot, "As the ancients said, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The people are important, but the gentry are also an indispensable part!"

Zhu Biao paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back.

He frowned, obviously thinking seriously about what Shao Zhanshi said.

"Your Highness, you are the future king. Every decision you make is related to the future of Ming Dynasty."

"I beg Your Highness to think twice before you act, and not be blinded by the immediate benefits!"

The words of the Junior Secretary were like heavy hammers, striking Zhu Biao's heart.

He began to think seriously about the possible consequences of the "single whip law" and how he should deal with it.

"Okay, back off."

Zhu Biao waved his hand and said to the Shao Zhanshi.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Junior Chancellor left the Eastern Palace trembling with fear, and Zhu Biao paced back and forth in the study alone.

The words of the young minister kept echoing in his mind, like a devil's sound filling his ears, which could not be shaken off.

"Your Highness, this 'One Whip Law' may seem fair, but it is actually undermining the foundation of the Ming Dynasty!"

Although Zhu Biao was the crown prince, he was influenced by Confucianism since childhood and had a kind and righteous heart. He did not want to see the people suffer, and even more so did not want to see the country in turmoil.

But now, he was caught between the common people and the gentry, and was in a dilemma.

"Do we really have to sacrifice the welfare of the people in order to protect the interests of those gentry?"

Zhu Biao's heart was filled with bitterness.

Once the "Single Whip Law" is implemented, it will inevitably affect the interests of the gentry and even cause a strong backlash from them.

"But if the new law is not implemented, the burden on the people will only become heavier in the long run, and it will eventually lead to a civil uprising!"

"No, I have to ask my father!"

Zhu Biao raised his head suddenly.

……

Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials in the imperial study. When he saw Zhu Biao walk in with a serious look on his face, he put down his red brush and asked:

"Biao'er, is there anything bothering you?"

Zhu Biao bowed and told Zhu Yuanzhang everything about what the Junior Secretary had just said and his own concerns.

After listening to this, Zhu Yuanzhang did not express his opinion immediately. Instead, he stood up and walked to the window, looking at the towering palace in the distance, remaining silent.

After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth and said:

"Biao'er, do you know why I am going to visit Shandong incognito?"

Zhu Biao was stunned and shook his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his eyes gleaming with wisdom:
"This 'One Whip Law' is of great importance. How can I easily draw a conclusion? I am going to visit incognito just to see with my own eyes whether this new law has more advantages than disadvantages, or more disadvantages than advantages!"

"I went to see your tenth brother. To be honest, I was still a little surprised."

Zhu Biao was immediately alerted when he heard this, and asked hurriedly, "What did the emperor see?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said slowly:

"I have seen that after the implementation of the new law, the burdens of the poor people have indeed been reduced a lot, and they have more smiles on their faces."

“The town has also seen that fields that were previously barren have now been reclaimed and planted with crops.”

"This shows that the 'single whip system' has indeed reduced the burden on the people and is conducive to the development of agricultural production."

Zhu Biao continued.

"That's right." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "But I also saw that some gentry have complaints about the new law. They think the new law harms their interests, and some even secretly obstruct the implementation of the new law."

Zhu Biao's brows knitted together again. He understood that what Zhu Yuanzhang said was exactly what he was worried about. "Biao'er," Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Any reform will affect the interests of some people. The implementation of the 'One Whip Law' will inevitably be opposed by some people. This is inevitable."

"So what does father mean is..." Zhu Biao asked hesitantly.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer directly, but asked in return: "Who do you think this world belongs to?"

Zhu Biao answered without hesitation: "Of course it belongs to the people!"

"In this case, we should put the interests of the people first!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was firm and powerful. "Although the 'One Whip Law' touched the interests of some gentry, in the long run, it is beneficial to the development of the country and the lives of the people. Why don't we do it?"

Zhu Biao was silent. He knew that what Zhu Yuanzhang said was right, but he still had some concerns in his heart.

"Father, I understand this principle, but..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that... after all, those gentry are the foundation of our Ming Dynasty. If they..."

"Biao'er!" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted Zhu Biao and said sternly, "Remember, the masters of this world are always the people! If those gentry are sincere in serving the country and the people, they will naturally understand the court's painstaking efforts."

"If they are stubborn and only care about their own interests, then don't blame me for being rude!"

Zhu Biao's heart trembled.

"My son, I understand!"

……

The news spread quickly across the country like a spring breeze, and reached Shandong, the crossroads of nine provinces.

At this moment, in the Shandong Prince Lu's Mansion, in the magnificent study with carved beams and painted rafters, there was not a trace of scholarly atmosphere.

Zhu Tan was lazily lying in a rocking chair, holding a picture album in his hands and reading it with great interest.

"Your Highness, Your Highness! What a great joy, what a great joy!"

The old butler stumbled in, his face flushed with excitement, like a carp that had just jumped out of the water.

"What's going on? Why are you so flustered? How can you be so flustered?"

Zhu Tan said nonchalantly without even raising his eyelids.

"Your Highness, there is a letter from the capital. The Emperor, the Emperor..."

The old butler was out of breath and couldn't explain what was going on for a long time.

"What happened to our father? Did he pass away?"

Zhu Tan finally showed some interest, put down the album in his hand and sat up straight.

"Pfft! Your Highness, please be careful with your words! The Emperor is in good health and doing very well!"

The old butler quickly spat a few times, fearing that he would offend the emperor's body.

"Then what on earth is the matter that you have been talking about for so long?"

Zhu Tan was getting a little impatient.

"Yes, it's about the slave system! The emperor issued an imperial decree to abolish the slave system! From now on, all people in the world will be treated equally!"

The old butler finally spoke out this earth-shattering event.

"Oh? Has the old man, the Emperor, finally come to his senses?"

Zhu Tan raised his eyebrows and a playful smile appeared on his face.

Now, my father has finally taken this crucial step, which is undoubtedly a great thing for the Ming Dynasty.

"Come here, change your clothes!"

Zhu Tan stood up suddenly, his eyes gleaming with brilliance.

"Your Highness, where are you going?"

Seeing this, the old butler asked hurriedly.

"Go to the Governor's Mansion!"

……

The Shandong Provincial Administration Office, located in the center of Jinan City, is a magnificent complex of buildings.

At this time, the Governor Wang was handling official business in his study, with a frown on his face and a worried look on his face.

"Sir, Prince Lu is here to visit!"

The lawyer came in hurriedly and reported in a low voice.

"What? What is he doing here?"

When Lord Wang heard this, he was startled and the brush in his hand fell on the table, and the ink immediately stained the documents on the table black.

Your Highness Prince Lu is a veritable god of death.

At the beginning, in order to protect his own interests, he strongly opposed the new law and even said a lot of bad things about His Royal Highness the Prince of Lu.

Now, His Royal Highness Prince Lu suddenly came to visit, could it be that he came to call for punishment?
Thinking of this, Lord Wang couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and felt a chill on his back.

"Quickly, please invite Your Highness to the main hall to serve tea. I will be there soon!"

Lord Wang did not dare to be negligent and gave orders immediately.

After a while, Lord Wang straightened his clothes and came to the main hall.

Zhu Tan was seen dressed in gorgeous clothes, sitting upright, sipping tea with a meaningful smile on his face.

"Your humble servant pays respect to His Royal Highness Prince Lu. I did not know that Your Highness was coming, and I am sorry for not coming to greet you. I hope you will forgive me!"

Lord Wang hurried forward and saluted, his tone respectful, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Zhu Tan looked at him with a smile, without saying a word. He just slowly picked up the teacup, gently blew on the tea leaves floating on the water, and then took a sip.

Lord Wang lowered his head, not daring to breathe, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Sir," Zhu Tan put down his teacup and said with a smile, "I heard that my father recently issued an edict to abolish the slave system?"

Lord Wang was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Your Highness, it is true! I have received the order of His Majesty, and will..."

"No need," Zhu Tan waved his hand, interrupting him and said with a smile, "I came here today just for this matter."

Lord Wang was startled and asked cautiously:
"I wonder what your Highness wants me to do?"

"Starting tomorrow," Zhu Tan put away his smile and said seriously, "Shandong will start the small imperial examination!"

Lord Wang was stunned and didn't react for a long time.

Small imperial examination? What is that?
Zhu Tan chuckled, a sly light flashed in his eyes, "Lord Wang, this imperial examination system has been in place for thousands of years. To put it nicely, it is to select talents, but to put it bluntly, it is to stand still! Now that my father is wise and powerful, he wants to break the old rules and bad habits, and naturally he has to start with the imperial examination system!"

Lord Wang broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. He was a Jinshi (imperial examination) graduate. Now Prince Lu was saying that the imperial examination system was conservative. Wasn't that like pointing at a monk and scolding a bald donkey?

But even if he had ten times the courage he wouldn't dare to refute and could only respond meekly.

"Your Highness is wise, what you said is absolutely right!"

Zhu Tan ignored his flattery and continued to talk to himself:

"I believe that there are many talents in this world. Those who are good at literature and martial arts, singing and dancing are all talents! Therefore, from now on, the imperial examination will include new assessment items!" (End of this chapter)