Chapter 130 adds a regent minister, who is of the first rank and is granted a seat in Fengtian Hall. The minister is Duke Hanguo.

“Eliminate monopolies and return everything they control to the people.”

"In this way, even if there are still powerful gentry in this world, they will not be able to oppress the people."

"To put it bluntly, there is no way to achieve true fairness and justice in the world."

"But there's an old saying that goes, judge by deeds, not by heart, and no one is perfect if you judge by heart."

"As long as we have no regrets about what we do and do not let the people down."

"As long as this turmoil never affects the people, as long as everything remains in our hands."

"The gentry and the powerful are nothing but chickens and dogs. In the blink of an eye, they can be reduced to ashes."

Zhu Gang still spoke indifferently to Zhu Yuanzhang's sigh.

"According to what you said, it is still the means used by all dynasties, suppression and restriction."

Zhu Biao raised his head thoughtfully.

"But every dynasty has been trying to fool and deceive the people."

"And they are unable to share youth with the people. They simply don't understand that having enough food to eat and exploiting them are two completely different things."

"But my Great Ming is different. Your Majesty comes from a poor family, and all the nobles also come from poor families, so they can naturally understand."

Zhu Gang shook his head.

"But if the people know everything, and if they develop dissenting ideas, wouldn't it overthrow the dynasty's rule?"

Li Shanchang spoke softly at this time.

It’s not that he thinks what Zhu Gang said is unreasonable, but as a person in power, the first thing he should consider is the dynasty, not the people.

“A family is not the home of one person, and the world is not the world of one person.”

"If you can have enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear, and no longer wander around and die in a foreign land, who would put their head on the belt and rebel?"

"You think the people don't understand, and you think if you restrict them, they won't rebel?"

"You are wrong. If one day they can no longer survive, at the end of the dynasty, the people's resentment will be amplified and they will still rebel."

"Uncle Li, look at the past dynasties. From ancient times to the present, even in prosperous times, there are always rich people enjoying wine and meat, while there are people freezing to death on the streets."

"There are still many people who can't afford to eat, so why don't they rebel?"

"Because how can one incite a massive rebellion by himself?"

"As for the few hundred people, it is just a small part of the armed uprising, which can be suppressed in a snap of a finger."

“So the dynasty is still considering the general trend, but it doesn’t consider the problem fundamentally.”

"Because in their hearts, as long as the majority of the people can survive and have enough food to eat, they will not have the heart to rebel."

“This is what is called a prosperous age.”

"After all, I have read the history books to pieces. Even in prosperous times, there will be small disturbances in various places, and a small number of people will revolt, but they are just splashes of water and are not harmful at all."

"As for letting them acquire knowledge and understand the truth, they will be dissatisfied with the status quo and want to make further progress. This is also human nature."

"But the world's population will increase. Even if there is only one talent among ten thousand, if the Ming Dynasty has a population of 40 million, then there will be 40,000 geniuses."

"The competition among 40,000 people is already bloody, not to mention the one in a hundred thousand or one in a million talents."

"So if you can become a third-rank official in the imperial court, you are already a talent among talents, and this will form a threshold."

"But people are destined to live. Even if they lament their fate, they still have to work hard to make a living because of this national policy."

"The true genius will only be loyal to the court and do great things. How can the rest of the people dare to rebel?"

"How can we rebel?"

"In the end, the point is that being rich and having fields is not the reason for rebellion, but being poor and having no place to live is the root of rebellion."

“So, this is also the general trend.”

"That's right, the cycle of heaven and earth, the change of dynasties, is just like this over and over again."

As soon as Zhu Gang finished speaking, he picked up the wine cup beside him and drank the wine in the cup.

"It may seem like sophistry, but in fact every word makes sense and touches people's hearts."

"Your Highness Prince Jin is the greatest talent in the world."

Li Shanchang slowly stood up and bowed slightly.

"Our son has been eloquent since he was young."

Zhu Yuanzhang also smiled proudly.

"That doesn't sound like you're complimenting me."

Zhu Gang simply rolled his eyes.

"Let's continue with the topic just now."

"The next emperors to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai were Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji."

"There is no need to discuss the merits and demerits of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. He can be said to be a classic example of a young genius who became confused in his later years."

"Then let's talk about this Tang Gaozong Li Zhi."

"He destroyed the Western Turks, pacified Goguryeo and Baekje, and thus expanded the territory of the Tang Dynasty. He should have the merit of expanding the territory."

"As for domestic affairs, they were impeccable. The Yonghui reign of the Tang Dynasty was a continuation of the clean government during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin."

"So whether it's internal or external, there's no reason to criticize this person."

"Of course, from a personal moral point of view, Emperor Gaozong of Tang married his stepmother, and this stepmother became the only female emperor in the history of Chinese dynasties to ascend the throne."

"This is indeed worth criticizing, but I still say that this is an inevitable trend that cannot be reversed by human power."

"The Emperor Gaozong of Tang's Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai not only demonstrated his own achievements, but also reflected the influence of his father, Li Shimin. His virtue was worthy of his position."

"As for the last one, it was Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng."

"In terms of the achievements of Emperor Zhenzong of Song in the early period, the Xianping Reign also stabilized the country and it was considered to be thriving."

"It's just that everyone knows why this person is not worthy of being enthroned on Mount Tai. The Alliance of Shanyuan is a shame for China."

"In the later period, the harem interfered in government affairs, which led to economic and political decline. In addition, Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty granted titles to emperors in many places and sacrificed sacrifices to the gods, which wasted money and manpower, and the military of the Song Dynasty was extremely weak."

"So this is why, since Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng, no one has gone to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

"After winning the war, he paid compensation to the enemy country, calling it peace, and shamelessly went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods to show off his achievements."

"He has no achievements at all, just a peaceful reign, but that was his responsibility, not an achievement."

"Moreover, in the later period, the harem interfered seriously in politics, and the political and economic situation declined, so he had no achievements at all."

"As for the outside world, he can be called the shame of China."

"The Weishui Alliance made Emperor Taizong of Tang feel ashamed, and he vowed not to be a human being if he did not avenge it."

"A few years later, Jie Li Khan of the Eastern Turks was captured and brought to Chang'an to dance, along with Tian Khan."

"But even so, Li Shimin never went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. Instead, it was his son Emperor Gaozong of Tang who went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

"From this, we can see how shameless this Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng, is."

"So no matter how great your achievements are, as long as you go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, you will be linked to Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng."

"Then are you still going to attend the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai?"

After saying this, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a half-smile.

"No, no, no." Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even hesitate, but just shook his head repeatedly.

Are you kidding me? The great Hongwu Emperor, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, expelled the Tartars and recovered the Central Plains. What a great feat this was.

How can it be linked to Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng?

Isn't that humiliating the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang?
"However, Hu Weiyong's proposal is not without reason. With your achievements, you deserve to be enthroned."

"It's just that Taishan can't be chosen as this place."

Zhu Biao raised his head, which was rare.

These words seem to be speaking for Hu Weiyong.

After all, it was the right prime minister Hu Weiyong who proposed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

"But besides Mount Tai, where else can we perform Fengshan?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly.

Mount Tai has been the first of the Five Great Mountains since ancient times and has profound cultural and religious beliefs.

Especially in ancient feudal dynasties, the East represented spring, life and beginning, and Mount Tai was located in the East, so it was regarded as a symbol of the renewal of all things and the alternation of yin and yang, and a sacred place for communicating with heaven.

Furthermore, Mount Tai is located near the Central Plains, making it easy for ancient emperors and their entourage to reach.

At the same time, its relatively high position is also consistent with the ancients' understanding of mountains as a medium of communication between heaven and man.

In addition, ancient emperors called themselves "Son of Heaven", that is, the representative chosen by Heaven to rule the world. Fengshan on Mount Tai was an important means for them to show their political achievements to Heaven and strengthen the concept of divine right of kings.

This is to declare to the world the sanctity and legitimacy of its rule.

To put it bluntly, it is political propaganda and strengthening of legitimacy. Through the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, the emperor not only prays for blessings from heaven, but also shows his subjects that he is good at governing the country and that the country is strong, thereby strengthening internal cohesion.

At the same time, it shows the power of the Central Plains dynasty to neighboring countries and has great political propaganda value.

Therefore, any emperor who had made contributions would go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, as a ritual to demonstrate the legitimacy of his rule and to pray for peace and prosperity for the country and the people.

"You started from humble beginnings, so why should you be so obsessed with achieving great things?"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

The biggest reason and the greatest value of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai was to demonstrate the legitimacy of one's rule, and to pray for peace and prosperity for the country and political influence.

Zhu Yuanzhang is the emperor, the only emperor in the Central Plains at that time.

As long as these three points can be demonstrated, as long as these three points can be recognized by everyone, and as long as the Ming Dynasty is strong enough, all nations will come to pay tribute.

Then where can't be Mount Tai?

To put it bluntly, the bigger the fist, the more powerful it is. As long as you can exert your power over the whole country and conquer the whole world, you will make all the nations submit to you.

Zijin Mountain in Yingtian Prefecture can also be used as a place for Fengshan.

After these words were spoken, not to mention Zhu Yuanzhang, even the shrewd Li Shanchang fell into deep thought.

What a good idea. Why should we be so rigid?

This is the emperor. As long as you have enough power, as long as you have the strength to intimidate all the countries in the world, anywhere can be a mountain.
It is similar to Zhao Gao of the Qin Dynasty, who called a deer a horse, just because of power, power above millions of people.

"Brother is right. Strength is the foundation. Otherwise, we will be like Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng, who was enthroned on Mount Tai and became a laughing stock."

Zhu Gang also nodded in agreement.

"Then let's wait a little longer. We are not in a hurry."

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, with a smile on his face.

For an emperor who has made great achievements, if he cannot be enfeoffed as a god, it will become a lifelong regret.

But he couldn't go to Mount Tai, which made Zhu Yuanzhang very distressed.

To this day, the two brothers' words can be said to have opened Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes and made him understand everything in an instant.

"And as long as your achievements surpass those of all the emperors in ancient and modern times, what does it matter even if you go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods?"

"Because your achievements are unparalleled throughout the ages, and there is only one Emperor Hongwu in the universe."

"That would also greatly change the reputation of Mount Tai, and would become the nightmare of all future emperors, because only those who surpass your achievements can go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

"Then the Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng rain forest will form a sharp contrast and will only become your stepping stone to set off your greatness."

As Zhu Gang finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with passion again, and he became more and more eager to act.

even
"Can we do it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said with some trepidation again.

Such an unprecedented achievement, who has ever achieved it since ancient times?
Anyone would be nervous when faced with this problem, let alone Zhu Yuanzhang.

"It will definitely work out."

The three Zhu Gang brothers stood up, knelt on one knee, and clasped their fists and said, "I am willing to assist Your Majesty in creating unprecedented achievements."

"I, your Majesty, will do my best to assist you and create unprecedented achievements!"

The young people had all expressed their opinions, so naturally, these old officials knelt down on one knee, unwilling to be outdone.

Even the aging Duke of Korea, Li Shanchang, had the idea of ​​returning to officialdom.

After all, if he really assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in creating unprecedented achievements, then he, Li Shanchang, would be remembered forever and reach the pinnacle of human officials.

"Your Majesty, I wonder if the court still needs me to contribute a little?"

Li Shanchang thought about it, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with some complexity and knelt down.

"nature."

Zhu Yuanzhang helped Li Shanchang up, then raised his hand and signaled all the dukes to stand up.

Then he patted the back of Li Shanchang's hand again and said with a smile: "I never think you are old. If you are willing, all the official positions in the court are up and down for you to choose."

Li Shanchang is not a mediocre person. Although he is old, he is still wise and even more experienced.

So Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally happy that Li Shanchang took up the official post, but he was also troubled about this official position, which is why he let Li Shanchang choose by himself.

After all, no matter where Li Shanchang is placed, it will not be appropriate.

Since the Secretariat would inevitably be abolished, letting Li Shanchang go would involve him in it.

"Your Majesty, please give me a sinecure so that I can stay in Fengtian Palace and assist in the administration."

Li Shanchang certainly understood what Zhu Yuanzhang meant, and the current Secretariat was the biggest mess, so Li Shanchang didn't want to get involved and just spoke.

"deliver an imperial order."

"The court has appointed a new regent minister to assist the crown prince in governing the country, and the Duke of Korea, Li Shanchang, will be in this position."

Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed Li Shanchang's hand and looked at Wang Jinghong beside him, thinking: "Rank him as the first rank in the court, grant him a seat in Fengtian Hall, and enter the court to assist the country."

Wow, Li Shanchang’s future title will include an additional first-rank regent minister, and he will be granted a seat in the Fengtian Hall. What an honor this is.

Even Duke Wei Xu Da and others opened their mouths wide, with disbelief in their eyes.

After all, this was definitely a big move by Zhu Yuanzhang.

With a wave of his hand, he was demoted to the first rank and became the regent minister. Wow!
Li Shanchang was a high-ranking official until he was old, and he held the highest position among the ministers. It seemed that this position definitely possessed a certain amount of power.

"I, your Majesty, thank you. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Li Shanchang, who knew Zhu Yuanzhang well, did not refuse. Instead, he bowed his head and accepted the order.

(End of this chapter)