Chapter 66: Let the People Suffer, Let You Bear the Infamy!
Jianwen Era.
(For the sake of clarity, let’s call it the Jianwen Era, otherwise it gets too awkward.)
Yingtian Prefecture.
Inside the Hall of Heavenly Mandate.
A few cabinet ministers exited the center, while Old Zhu the Fourth busied himself with a map of Japan. He’d seen it once in the miniature world, and upon returning, had sketched out a rough copy, which, after some embellishment, was now almost identical.
Zhu Gaoxu burst in, energetic as ever, and swept his robe to the ground in greeting. “Father…”
“Father!” Old Zhu the Fourth quickly rose.
Zhu Gaoxu abruptly lifted his head, panic-stricken. “You can’t do that!”
“Get lost!”
Old Zhu the Fourth muttered a curse under his breath, then, with utmost respect, approached Zhu Yuanzhang, his demeanor humble and obedient: “Father, when did you arrive? Have you eaten?”
“Save your flattery. Are the troops organized?” Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand dismissively.
Old Zhu the Fourth glanced back, and Zhu Gaoxu hastened to reply, “Reporting to Grand Emperor, our dynasty has prepared forty thousand soldiers across three camps, ready to march at any time!”
“That’s efficient enough.”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression softened. He asked, “Grandson, the cabinet system you mentioned—is that what this era implements?”
He could tell, roughly, that with a cabinet assisting in governance, the machinery of the court operated far more swiftly and precisely; otherwise, mobilizing troops from various regions would take at least a year or more. In a time of rebuilding like the Jianwen Era, it would take even longer.
“Indeed. The cabinet system grants decision-making power to the emperor, divides policy deliberation among cabinet ministers, and distributes administrative duties among the six ministries, thus preventing power from slipping away!”
Zhu Youjian nodded, generous with his praise, which made Old Zhu the Fourth beam with delight.
The innovative cabinet system concentrated imperial power, central authority had reached the point of autocracy, and all other powers were effectively curtailed.
But the prerequisite for this system to be worthy of praise was that the emperor must be wise!
If one encountered an emperor like Baizong, a rarity in five thousand years, the dynasty would be at risk of collapse at the slightest misstep.
“Good, you’ve done something that pleases me!”
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded approvingly, then said, “By the way, my grandson brought you a few varieties of grain. Let the court endorse them later, use them to revive the people’s livelihood.”
Old Zhu patted his shoulder, sighing, “We’ve just quelled chaos and now muster troops again—the people suffer most. But for the sake of Japanese silver, the people must endure some hardship, and you will bear the infamy.”
“...Father, you know that as long as I have your approval, I don’t care about reputation!” Old Zhu the Fourth replied sincerely.
A good son!
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, increasingly pleased with Old Zhu the Fourth, thinking he might equal a tenth of Biao’er.
Zhu Youjian produced several sacks of grain, explaining their traits, yields, and cultivation methods one by one: “Ancestor, here is corn, sweet potato...”
“Hongshu?”
Old Zhu the Fourth paused, then nodded seriously, “My grandson’s naming is excellent. Such an auspicious crop deserves to bear the founding emperor’s era name—it fits perfectly!”
Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a surprised look, feeling deeply satisfied—truly his own blood, just like himself!
“...”
Enough already!
Zhu Youjian paused, inhaling deeply, forcing a strained smile: As long as the ancestors are happy.
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“Only, who should be the first to plant this hongshu?”
Old Zhu the Fourth pondered. In these times, popularizing a new crop was no easy task. His father’s intention for them to lead by example was clear.
But he and his three sons certainly couldn’t do it. Aside from their busy governance, in some remote regions, people didn’t even know the dynasty had changed, let alone anything else.
Old Zhu the Fourth hesitated, “Father, in my opinion, it would be better to have the officials...”
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him, then said blandly, “How is Zhu Yunwen?”
“In the Forbidden City,” Old Zhu the Fourth replied with a bitter smile. He could accept most things, but not this—letting the former emperor till the fields after seizing the throne? In later generations, surely he’d be reviled for this!
“Come, take me to see him.”
With that, Zhu Yuanzhang strode out of the hall.
“Yes!”
Old Zhu the Fourth could only lead the way, bracing himself.
...
Beside the Forbidden City.
Within a secluded estate.
Zhu Yunwen sat cross-legged, bored, surrounded by a dozen beauties attending to him, but unmoved.
Any experienced man would know—
He was in the moment of the sage.
“My ministers have led me astray!”
Zhu Yunwen sighed. By now, he understood that Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, and Fang Xiaoru were pure bookworms, and Li Jinglong was outright performing for him.
How ridiculous that he never noticed before.
Three scholars and one general—how could they compare to the likes of Wolong and Fengchu?
“Uncle Zhu the Fourth is raising pigs here.”
Zhu Yunwen eyed the lunch spread—seventy-two dishes—his eyelids twitching. He pursed his lips and said, “Let’s eat.”
The maidens approached gracefully. Wherever the retired emperor's gaze fell, they would pick up that dish, place it before him, and feed him with tender affection.
Because the maidens varied in height and distance, every feeding was pleasing to the senses.
Suddenly—
Four people strode in.
“Hmph, you know how to enjoy yourself!”
Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing the scene, was instantly furious. Sometimes he himself ate hurried meals, but look at this grandson.
Everything—color, aroma, and flavor—was perfect.
Who wouldn’t envy that?
“Grand Emperor?”
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Zhu Yunwen was stunned, tears welling up, and knelt on the ground, choking, “Grandson greets Grand Emperor!”
“Get up. Was this arranged by Old Zhu the Fourth?”
Zhu Yuanzhang asked impatiently. For this grandson, certified as useless, Old Zhu had no tolerance left.
Zhu Yunwen pleaded, “Grand Emperor, please see clearly. Uncle Zhu the Fourth wants to ruin me, he, he…”
Old Zhu the Fourth chuckled awkwardly, giving him a subtle glance. If you’re so honest, it’s hard for me to let you have an easy life.
“He succeeded. I’ve seen it.”
Zhu Yuanzhang shot him a sidelong glance, snorting coldly.
At this, Zhu Yunwen froze for two seconds, stammering as he tried to explain, “Grandson, grandson was enduring hardship…”
“Fool!”
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head. Whether you endure hardship or resign yourself, you shouldn’t say it before the emperor.
Didn’t you see your uncle’s murderous glare?
“Don’t complain to me. Your uncle has given you a plot of land. First, grow the grain well, then we’ll discuss the rest,” Zhu Yuanzhang said ambiguously.
“Understood! Grandson will obey Grand Emperor! I’ll definitely grow the grain well!” Zhu Yunwen was instantly excited, nodding repeatedly.
Old Zhu the Fourth smiled, saying nothing. Anyone could see Old Zhu was just playing with him. Only Zhu Yunwen, grabbing a lifeline, was foolish enough to believe it.
Achoo!
Far away in the Hongwu timeline, three unlucky farmers sneezed, wiping snot onto the clods of earth.
Farming is your job now.
Once you start, you don’t complain.
“Grand Ancestor, I’ve finished on my end.”
Zhu Youjian’s figure suddenly appeared.
He had already taken the Jianwen Era’s forty thousand soldiers into the miniature world. Combined with the Hongwu Era’s troops, there were now over eighty thousand men.
This didn’t include logistics; he only needed them for a day or two, so supplies were simplified, with no need for full backup.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, hands clasped behind his back, “Let’s go. Bring your good son, and let’s visit the Chongzhen Era together.”
“Yes, Father,” Old Zhu the Fourth replied respectfully.
The group vanished from sight.
A figure in monk’s robes rushed over, panting.
“So fast again!”
Master Daoyan stomped in frustration!
...
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