Chapter 65: The Rise of Hongwu’s National Destiny, Wrath of Thunder!

“Alright, let’s count twenty-five each.” Zhu Youjian paused for a moment. “Even so, the number of grandsons who are princes is still over a hundred, and the great-grandsons who are generals of the State are already several hundred. Then there are countless generals of the Assistant State and the Honored State. By the reigns of Jiajing and Wanli, the lowest rank of Honored State Lieutenant numbered more than four hundred thousand!”

Over four hundred thousand imperial relatives!

If a few more generations pass, wouldn’t there be millions of imperial kin? Would the whole realm bear the surname Zhu?

Old Zhu’s eyelids twitched incessantly; he finally realized how terrifying this number was.

“And according to the rules set by the Grand Ancestor, the lowest Honored State Lieutenant receives an annual salary of two hundred bushels. By Jiajing’s reign, the court’s yearly expenses for imperial stipends alone accounted for sixty to seventy percent of the treasury. The grain of an entire province was not enough to supply even half the stipends required by the lowest-ranking relatives.”

In the Hongwu era, a top-ranking official received a monthly salary of eighty-seven bushels, a mid-ranking official sixteen, and a yearly total of one hundred eighty-two. Even the lowest imperial kin received more than officials of Hongwu’s time!

Zhu Youjian shook his head and sighed:

“Moreover, this system forbids inheritors of noble titles from participating in the imperial examinations or engaging in commerce. So, when the court cannot afford stipends, some kin eat only once every several days, enduring immense hardship. There are those over thirty who never marry, corpses left unburied for ten years, and imperial kin begging in the streets—noble in name, yet suffering more than commoners.”

And some descendants have taken up our old trade again?

“This…”

Zhu Yuanzhang could not remain calm. His face burned with shame, and he whispered, “I never imagined this system would make my descendants suffer so much!”

“It’s not only the lowest kin who suffer—the common folk suffer even more.”

Zhu Youjian shook his head and continued, “Because in the twenty-eighth year of Hongwu, Grand Ancestor issued the Imperial Ming Precepts, declaring that imperial princes are not subject to ordinary laws or local government control; offenders are to be arrested only by their own retainers and handed over to the royal family to avoid suspicion of sowing discord among imperial kin.”

“This led to many imperial relatives acting openly as local strongmen’s protectors, meddling in all affairs, oppressing the people, and plundering wealth. How could the royal family have enough manpower to judge tens of thousands of imperial kin?”

“The lowest kin are like this, and the princes even worse. Some princes are not satisfied with claiming an entire province, and their lands are tax-exempt. Meanwhile, ministers and gentry of every dynasty fence off land for themselves as well.”

“With such cycles, how could the people have any livelihood left? In the Chongzhen era, the national treasury was sometimes less abundant than the fortunes of the gentry in Jiangnan.”

“These scoundrels! Grandson, are you saying I should abolish this system?”

Old Zhu slammed the table, his expression darkening. He hadn’t realized how immense the hidden dangers of the imperial kin system were!

“I think eight generations of noble titles are too many, and the Honored State Lieutenant system is a flaw. Grand Ancestor could consider eliminating a few titles and abolishing the base system—for example, after five generations, kin return to being commoners, keeping the imperial relatives to a reasonable number.”

Zhu Youjian offered his suggestion and added, “Of course, I’m only giving advice; the details are for Grand Ancestor to decide.”

Asking Old Zhu to stop supporting imperial kin?

That’s a dream!

Even if Zhu Bailiu, the Old Ancestor, were reborn, Old Zhu wouldn’t give in!

Moreover, the real issue with this system is not the stipends. Old Zhu fixed the total stipend amount, but the number of people couldn’t be controlled.

Tens of thousands of Honored State Lieutenants!

How many Japanese silver mines would it take to feed them all?

And when lawlessness occurs, the local government can’t intervene, and the royal family lacks manpower—this is a walking, breathing immunity token!

Such matters require Old Zhu to weigh them himself. If a descendant truly tried to command Old Zhu, no matter how much he doted on you, he’d still turn stern.

If you’re told to eat, you can’t actually eat!

Besides, if everything is decided by one emperor and subsequent emperors only follow suit, it would bind their judgment in unseen ways.

What would that make other emperors?

Just crown princes doing the work.

Other emperors might tolerate it, but when it comes to Zhu the Fat, he’d be bewildered. After enduring twenty years to ascend the throne, the dragon seat isn’t even warm before he feels like he’s back to being a prince again!

“Grandson, your words are right. I will be extremely cautious with this matter.” Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression softened, and he spoke gravely.

[Hongwu's national fortune increases; current reward: ‘Thunder Punishment’]

Thunder Punishment?

Zhu Youjian sensed it. Within his line of sight, a mere thought would summon thunderbolts, crushing anything to dust!

It was still weak now—enough to kill one or two people if focused, or stun a few dozen if spread out, paralyze hundreds for a few minutes, or make thousands tremble.

Perfect for motivating ministers.

Serve diligently for me, or you’ll feel the sting of paralysis.

Zhu Youjian was very pleased.

It seemed Old Zhu was truly determined to revise the system. No wonder a founding dynasty’s improvement in national fortune is so difficult; the rewards are correspondingly generous.

Just like in the Hongxi era, it’s a skill-based reward.

With Thunder Punishment, when wayward vassal states come to court, they’ll witness firsthand the wrath of true thunder!

Zhu Youjian’s spirits soared. He smiled, “Since that’s so, Grand Ancestor, let’s take this time to visit the reigns of Jianwen and Yongle together.”

“My personal troops from the Chongzhen era have already reached Shanhai Pass. I’ve ordered them straight to Ningyuan. Soon, three dynasties’ armies will display their might.”

“Good… Grandson, wait a moment.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then said, “Summon the Crown Prince to the hall.”

“Yes!”

Soon after.

The Crown Prince, Zhu Biao, hurried into the Hall of Supreme Harmony. He smiled at Zhu Youjian and asked,

“Father, for what reason have you summoned your son?”

Zhu Yuanzhang commanded, “The imperial kin system I established must be changed. All ranks below the fifth-generation General of the Honored State will be abolished. After five generations, collateral relatives become commoners, with no titles. They may take the imperial exams or engage in commerce as they wish…”

“Work out the details with Li Shanchang and Song Lian, draft a regulation for me to review.”

Since Zhu Biao’s earlier act of rebellion and his broadening vision after glimpsing the future, Old Zhu had pardoned both men.

Because so many officials died in the case against Hu Weiyong, these two retirees were temporarily kept in the capital to assist the Crown Prince, reducing his workload.

Especially Song Lian, who had retired many years ago. Because his grandson, Song Shen, was inadvertently implicated in the Hu Weiyong case, Song Lian, despite his age—half dead already—was dragged to the capital for interrogation.

He always claimed to be a loyalist of the Yuan, and no matter how talented, he could not keep courting disaster!

If not for Crown Prince Zhu Biao’s repeated protection, his grave would have sprouted three feet of grass by now!

“I will see to it at once.”

Upon hearing the harm, Zhu Biao considered for a moment and thought that this would at least spare future dynasties a great deal of trouble.

“Go then. Grandson, it’s time we set off. Let’s take a look at the Jianwen era first.” Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and rose.

Halfway out, Zhu Biao felt a pang of envy: I wish I could wander through the future as well.

Alas, official duties never end, not even for a day.

No use thinking about it—better to take a break and go beat up little Yunwen to vent my frustration.

…