Chapter 23: The emperor sits in the central hall, and the clan members fight against the barbarians (Please read, vote for the monthly ticket, and recommend!)
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's brows tightened and his eyes flashed with complex light, as if he was recalling the difficult years in his early years.

From the bitter wind and rain in Guzhuang Village, Taiping Township, to the lonely lamp and shadow of Huangjue Temple, to the mendicant monks on the Huaixi Road.

From the swordplay in Chuzhou City to the huge waves and flames on Poyang Lake.

Zhu Yuanzhang, a former cowherd, farmer, monk, and beggar, walked all the way to Yingtian Prefecture.

Ascended the supreme emperor throne!

Therefore, Lao Zhu understands that every step is full of blood, sweat and tears.

And precisely because of his poor background, Zhu Yuanzhang hated corrupt officials so much and understood the people's desire and expectation for a prosperous dynasty.

If even Zhu Yuanzhang's son didn't know the sufferings of the people, how could he become a pillar of the Ming Dynasty?

Even Zhu Biao nodded as if he sensed something.

Because when Zhu Biao was born, Zhu was still starting his own business, so Zhu Biao was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he could also understand the sufferings of the people. What does this mean?
How could his brothers, who had never experienced the calcination of fire, become steel? How could they become the backbone of the Ming Dynasty and defend the Ming Dynasty?
"Dad, what the third brother said is right. Studying blindly will only make them more bored. So we need to let them understand that the Ming Dynasty today is not easy to come by."

"Even though the Mongols were driven out, the country was still in ruins and the people were still poorly clothed and hungry."

"So my son thinks that it would be better to send all the older princes out of the palace for a year of training."

"During this year, the court only gave them one acre of thin land to support the princes. Apart from that, the court would not give them any more help."

Then Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang in a very serious manner.

As Zhu Biao finished speaking, Zhu Gang raised his eyes in surprise. How come Zhu Biao was so much smarter today?

This statement really hits the nail on the head and is almost identical to what Zhu Gang said.

After all, only by experiencing suffering can one know how to cherish more.

Especially as children of the royal family, they cannot always be in comfort, otherwise how can they grow in the future? How can they become the true king of the Ming Dynasty?
"This is a good idea, but what if they do nothing and just wait for us to soften our hearts?"

A hint of contemplation also flashed across Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, but after thinking about it, he raised his head and looked at Zhu Biao and Zhu Gang and asked.

Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs, and they are still Zhu Yuanzhang's own sons. So even if they do nothing, waste their land, and have no ambition to make progress, Zhu can't just watch them starve to death, right?
"Dad, if you think like this, if they do nothing and do not make progress, even if you make them all kings, what contribution will they make to the Ming Dynasty? They are nothing but parasites of the country, harming the people."

"So if you really want them to grow, you have to be ruthless. Issue an imperial decree that the older princes must undergo a year of training, and no one can interfere without authorization. Even if you have to beg for food, you have to last a year."

"And if there are princes who dare to disobey your wishes, you will directly depose their royal titles and keep them in Yingtian Prefecture. The court will provide them with food and clothing, but they will not be rich and powerful, just enough to eat and wear. There will be no money for them to spend on wine and women."

"In this way, they can clearly distinguish between the important and the unimportant."

A gleam of determination flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes.

If a prince wants to become a vassal king of the Ming Dynasty, he must go through a year of training, and the training must start from scratch, with no help except an acre of thin land.

Moreover, the princes can withdraw, but the price is to abolish the title of prince. But you are the biological son of Zhu, so the court will support you, but it is only to provide food and clothing. After all, you are useless to the country. It is the emperor's grace to support you. "The third brother is right. If you indulge and are soft-hearted, the princes will not be able to achieve anything. Even if you insist on sending them to the vassal states, they will not achieve anything. So it is better to be ruthless and let the princes know that if they dare to pretend to obey, they will be disobeyed."

Zhu Biao immediately understood what Zhu Gang meant, and turned to look at Zhu Yuanzhang, nodding without any hesitation and saying, "The only way is to abolish the title."

But a hint of hesitation still flashed across Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

But think about it, it makes sense. Zhu Yuanzhang was born in a poor family, and he finally conquered this empire. Naturally, he didn't want his descendants to suffer, let alone his own sons.

"Old man, we didn't ask you to kill them, did we?"

"After all, our original intention is just to make them better. But if they are really hopeless, the royal family will give them food. They won't have to go out and beg for food."

"But if we really go through this year of training, it will only bring infinite benefits to the prince and the Ming Dynasty, without any harm at all."

Faced with Zhu Yuanzhang's hesitation, Zhu Gang said with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Imperial families have been ruthless since ancient times, but in Zhu's case, even the supreme power in his hands cannot compare to family affection. This is not wrong, but being too doting and soft-hearted is just pampering the prince.

"We understand."

"Then it's up to you."

After a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly and nodded, agreeing to the proposal of the Zhu Gang brothers to let all the princes go to the people for a year of training.

Even though Old Zhu was extremely reluctant, when it came to the issue of right and wrong, and between his two most trusted sons, he had no choice but to agree. After all, the Ming Dynasty did not belong to one person, but to everyone in the world.

Therefore, for the sake of the world, Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to do this. Especially since Zhu Biao could understand such a simple truth, how could Zhu Yuanzhang, who had risen to power from a commoner, not understand it?

"Finally I've dealt with Lao Zhu."

At the same time, Zhu Gang also breathed a sigh of relief. The big stone in his heart finally fell. To be honest, Zhu Biao played an indispensable role in convincing Old Zhu today. If it weren't for the help of this old man, it would not have been so easy.

As for why it is necessary to let these princes gain experience?

In fact, it is very simple. It is like Zhu Gang wanted to make a bet with Zhu Yuanzhang, betting that he could conquer the grassland within a year and the national strength would far surpass that of the Ming Dynasty within three years. There is naturally some bragging in this, but not much.

Because Zhu Gang could really conquer the grassland within a year, but as for whether the national strength would far surpass that of the Ming Dynasty within three years, it was really hard to say.

After all, just wanting to build a dynasty on the grassland would require enormous cost and it would not be feasible without ten years.

But Zhu Gang was also certain that Old Zhu would never gamble with him, so he made the bold statement.

So what does this have to do with the princes’ one year of training?
Of course there is a connection, because when the Ming Dynasty becomes rich and powerful in the future, Zhu Gang will petition Zhu Yuanzhang to start the system of external enfeoffment, and divide the lands in the neighboring countries and overseas to enfeoff kings, thus opening up the great Ming Dynasty where the emperor sits in the central hall and the clan members fight against the barbarians!
"By the way, I have something else to discuss with you."

While Zhu Gang was thinking, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao again, smiled and said, "It is about the future salary of the princes."

(End of this chapter)