Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

After excluding San Yang, a group of ministers from the Chengxuan period, it would be easy to choose which minister should be the first of the heroes of the Purple Pavilion.

Many people think of one name: Yu Qian.

This man's achievements cannot be overstated. After the Tumubao Incident, it was under the leadership of Yu Qian that the Ming Dynasty won the victory in the defense of Beijing, avoiding a catastrophe that might be comparable to the humiliation of Jingkang, and preventing the Ming Dynasty at that time from becoming the Southern Ming Dynasty like the Song Dynasty.

It can be said that Yu Qian is a famous minister with outstanding achievements in the minds of many people. In addition, he died unjustly and was sympathized by many people. The ministers in the Purple Pavilion all thought that the emperor wanted to list Yu Qian at the top of the list of heroes.

Like Yu Qian, he served as the Minister of the Ministry of War, and as the head of the Nine Ministers like Yu Qian back then, Yuan Keli took the lead in saying:
"Since Duke Yu Zhongsu has made great contributions to the country, he should be regarded as a hero of the Purple Pavilion!"

All the officials agreed, thinking that Yu Qian should be the hero of the Purple Pavilion.

Zhu Youjian agreed with this and immediately told the ministers:
"Yu Shaobao has made great contributions to the country, and he should indeed be a hero of the Purple Pavilion."

He also wrote a poem and said to the ministers:

"A country also needs great people to support it. To deify a painting is to draw a picture."

"Thanks to Yue Yu Shuang Shaobao, the world began to realize that the West Lake is important."

"Yu Zhongsu Gong is the Yue Wumu of the Ming Dynasty."

"Shilang Dong, you will paint a portrait of Duke Zhongsu and hang it in the Purple Pavilion."

"I want future generations to remember that Yu Qian is a hero of the country!"

Yu Qian is not without controversy. The main point of controversy is whether Yu Qian is a loyal minister.

After all, after Emperor Yingzong was captured, Yu Qian ignored Wala's threats and asked the Queen Mother to make King Tan the emperor. Therefore, some people believe that Yu Qian was disloyal to Emperor Yingzong.

Then when Emperor Jingtai was seriously ill, Yu Qian held military power, but did nothing during the seizing of the gate and watched Emperor Jingtai be deposed. Some people believe that Yu Qian was disloyal to Emperor Jingtai.

These two incidents caused Yu Qian to receive some criticism, thinking that he was not a loyal minister.

But judging from the fact that Yu Qian tied his hands and died unjustly, Zhu Youjian believed that he was a loyal minister. It's just that his loyalty is not to a certain emperor, but to the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, Zhu Youjian was called a hero of Yu Qian's society and ranked first in Zige. He wanted to use this method to show his attitude.

Most of the officials were convinced that Qian ranked in this position. Even the cabinet bachelor who had previously listed Sanyang at the top could not raise any objection.

After all, Yu Qian's contribution was too great. It is no exaggeration for the emperor to say that he was a great man who helped protect the country.

And because Yu Qian died unjustly, his ending was similar to that of Yue Fei, and he was deeply sympathized by people.

With Yu Qian as the first hero, the reputation of Zige's hero can be quickly established in the world. If there is a Purple Pavilion hero whose name is not well known, just say "He is a Purple Pavilion hero like Yu Qian" to let people know how great this person's achievements are.

For this reason, Zhu Youjian put Yu Qian first. It cannot be like the Zhaoxun Pavilion of the Song Dynasty, which listed a bunch of unknown people but excluded Kou Zhun, Fan Zhongyan, Di Qing, Yue Fei and others——

Facts have proved that Yue Fei's fame is immortal, but few people know about the Zhaoxun Pavilion established by Song Lizong.

Zhu Youjian set up Zige, so of course he couldn't make such a mistake. So he resolutely rejected Sanyang and ranked Yu Qian first.

Moreover, in order to encourage the ministers to perform meritorious service, Zhu Youjian also praised Qian vigorously and let people know his attitude towards the meritorious ministers:

"In the early days of the country, many meritorious officials were given posthumously to the Duke of the country or the Duke of the county."

"I think that because of Yu Qian's achievements, he should be given posthumously to the Duke."

"The decree is intended to posthumously grant Yu Qian the title of Duke of Su, and make his descendants hereditary commanders. He is allowed to open up territories overseas and become hereditary princes." The position of Yu Qian's descendants was officially promoted from the hereditary Hangzhou Wei Deputy Qianhu to hereditary commanders. And allowed to open up territories overseas and become hereditary princes.

This gift greatly surprised the officials. Although there were rumors that the emperor planned to entrust overseas enfeoffments and change his worldly positions into titles, they were always just rumors and never confirmed.

Now the gift to Qian's descendants puts this matter in the open. After confirming that the heroes were allowed to open up territories overseas, they became hereditary princes.

This decision delighted the feudal-loving officials. After all, even their respected Mingjun Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty once said: "Without well fields and feudalism, it is not enough to govern the Three Dynasties."

After the emperor implemented the well-field system outside the Great Wall, he also implemented the feudal system overseas, which made these ministers extremely excited.

Liu Zongzhou and other officials all believed that the emperor was governing according to the laws of the Three Dynasties and practicing the way of Duke Zhou.

Those who oppose feudalism feel that feudalism is a great harm and that the princes may attack each other and the court cannot stop it.

These ministers who want to control everything naturally don't like feudalism. They used Liu Zongyuan's "On Feudalism" to oppose the implementation of feudalism.

They even cited examples such as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, and the Rebellion of the Eight Kings, and some people even vaguely suggested that Chengzu was in trouble.

Zhu Youjian frowned slightly at this, but he had made up his mind early, and his attitude towards this was still not to argue, and said to the ministers:
"Without feudalism, there is no reward for merit."

"I want to ennoble the land with titles, let the heroes establish the vassal state, and share the same feelings with the country for generations."

"The specific methods of feudalism and how to avoid the disadvantages of feudalism can be discussed in detail by the ministers."

"I will explain three points first: First, the land to be sealed must be at least three thousand miles away from the capital."

"Second, officials from vassal states must first be loyal to the emperor and be formally appointed by the court. No more than half of the officials recommended by the vassal states can be local officials."

"The third is to implement a system of counties and counties for important areas, with officials dispatched by the court to directly manage them. Governors are also set up to govern multiple counties."

"The Zhou Dynasty's five kinds of clothes, including the important clothes and the desert clothes, or the nine kinds of clothes, such as the town clothes and the vassal clothes, can be used as a reference. There is also the parallel system of prefectures and states in the Han Dynasty, which can be used as a reference."

"In short, the Daming Rites are different from the Zhou Rites. New rituals and music must be used to formulate a more complete feudal system."

This statement was recognized by the ministers. Many people also realized that the emperor was not ignorant of the disadvantages of feudalism, but just wanted to use feudalism to reward his merits.

None of the ministers would be willing to do this kind of thing. After all, the emperor wanted to enfeoff his ministers and make them princes.

Thinking of the rumor coming from the emperor that the worldly title would be changed to Spylord, the ministers were even more excited, thinking that if they worked hard and made meritorious deeds, they might obtain a fiefdom.

After all, Fang Congzhe, Sun Ruyou, Liu Yishui, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and others were all used by the emperor to protect hundreds of households in Dongning in the name of assisting the late emperor in his ascension.

Those of them who have also made contributions in assisting the current emperor to ascend to the throne are also likely to receive this favor.

Thinking of this, the officials looked at Huang Liji with envy. I think this person is really unlucky. If the emperor conferred titles on his ministers due to his extraordinary achievements, Huang Liji must be a part of it——

Who made him, like Fang Congzhe and Liu Yishui, happen to be the chief assistant when the throne was passed on?

Huang Liji also thought of this and was so happy that his beard almost stood up. The previous reluctance to take the blame for the emperor disappeared in an instant.

Compared with future generations gaining wealth and wealth, what does helping the emperor take the blame?

At this time, he really felt the joy of following a wise king. Especially this wise king is very generous to his ministers.

It can be said that with the emperor's generous reward, the matter of overseas feudalism was recognized by most of the officials. Like the well fields outside the Great Wall, it became a good policy that they all supported. (End of chapter)