Chapter 269: The shame of Hongwu has not yet been avenged, when will the hatred of the ministers be eliminated?

Since the fifth year of Hongwu, the Ryukyu Kingdom has always used the Ming Dynasty's reign title.

They respected and followed the orthodox Chinese calendar, regarded themselves as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, and were respectful and humble.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Ryukyu Kingdom always maintained its respect and pursuit of Chinese culture.

They continuously sent a large number of outstanding students to the Imperial College in Nanjing and Peking, as well as the Ryukyu Hall in Fuzhou.

Let these young students go far away to study the profound Chinese language in depth.

Because of this, Ryukyuan language has inevitably been deeply influenced by Chinese, Min, and especially Fuzhou dialect.

This influence is like a trickle of water, gradually seeping into every corner of the Ryukyuan language, giving it a unique charm and flavor.

The Ryukyu Kingdom is like a shining pearl, shining in the Chinese character cultural circle.

The upper class elites of the Ryukyu Islands were accustomed to recording events and writing articles in Chinese.

The common people in the lower class used hieroglyphics, a language full of primitive beauty, to communicate.

What is even more amazing is that even the Ryukyu Kingdom’s crucial official documents and solemn and serious diplomatic treaties.

Even the official histories that record the country's history are all written in beautiful and elegant Chinese.

Even the palace of Shuri Castle, the capital city that symbolizes the Ryukyu kingdom, does not face north and south like ordinary buildings, but uniquely faces west.

This unique design layout undoubtedly reflects the Ryukyu people's deep yearning and admiration for the Chinese land.

It is true that there were also frequent trade exchanges between the Ryukyu people and the Japanese who were across the sea.

However, whenever an envoy from China came to Ryukyu, the entire country would immediately issue a ban.

The use of Japanese kana and the chanting of Japanese poems were strictly prohibited, and the circulation of Kan'ei Tsūho (ancient Japanese currency) was stopped.

The people of Ryukyu would also put on gorgeous and exquisite Tang costumes to express their high regard and warm welcome for the arrival of Chinese envoys.

Even in the 36th year of the Jiajing reign, the Ryukyu region far overseas had actively participated in and cooperated with the Ming Dynasty's military operations against Japanese pirates.

Zhu Gang was still puzzled until this moment. Why did Zhu have to endure Japan for such a long time when he had such a loyal and trustworthy natural ally?
To date, my cousin Li Wenzhong and Yang Zai, who serves as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, have clearly expressed their respective positions and attitudes in front of many civil and military officials in the court.

At this moment, Zhu Gang felt that the time was ripe and that it was his turn to make his debut.

However, what was unexpected was that at this critical moment, Yang Zai seemed to suddenly lose his mind.

When he noticed that Crown Prince Zhu Biao had not expressed any opinion, he suddenly showed a tragic and heroic look on his face, and shouted passionately: "The shame we suffered during the Hongwu period has not yet been washed away.

As a minister, how long will it take for my resentment to be eliminated?
Your Highness, can you hear the cries of grief from the bottom of the hearts of the common people living in the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty who have long been harassed and tortured by the Japanese pirates? "

Anyone who has read some historical books will know that the first two sentences of Yang Zai's emotion are derived from the masterpiece "Man Jiang Hong·Xie Huai" by the national hero Yue Fei.

In the long river of history, the heartbreaking "Jingkang Shame" brought humiliation beyond imagination!
Not only was the extremely noble queen, but she also committed suicide in grief and anger after being humiliated.

The three thousand concubines were forced to wear sheepskins and be slaughtered like livestock.

What’s worse, even the two dignified emperors Huizong and Qinzong were not spared and were abducted and kidnapped by the brutal Jin people.

Even though the bizarre "Emperor of Calling the Door" Zhu Qizhen appeared in the Ming Dynasty later, it could not cover up the "Jing Kang Shame" and the infamy and stain left in the history books.

At this moment, Yang Zai dared to tamper with the "Jingkang Shame" to "Hongwu Shame", which was undoubtedly equivalent to trampling on the dignity of Zhu Yuanzhang and his descendants for two generations. Zhu Gang, who originally had a little intention to stand up, immediately retreated quietly.

Faced with such a fool, he felt helpless and had no idea how to save the situation.

As expected, before half an incense stick of time had passed, Zhan Hui, who had been promoted to the first-rank Left Censor-in-Chief, pointed his sharp spear directly at Yang Zai without hesitation.

All he heard was him shouting in a righteous voice: "I, your humble servant, would like to impeach Yang Zai, the Minister of the Honglu Temple, for the crime of deceiving the emperor.

Please, Your Highness, punish him severely according to the law, and use this as a warning to those who have evil intentions!"

Throughout the long course of history, countless dynasties have come and gone.

In the laws enacted by every dynasty, deceiving the emperor and misleading the monarch are regarded as extremely serious and unforgivable crimes.

From another perspective, if Zhan Hui’s impeachment this time is successful.

As for Yang Zai, he is very likely to face extremely severe punishment and may even lose his precious life.

Zhu Gang's mind was as clear as a mirror. If at this critical moment, he still chose to stand by and watch, he would be in vain.

Then all his previous careful planning would probably come to naught, and all his efforts would be wasted.

Zhu Gang then stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, Lord Yang may have just been emotionally unstable for a while.

As a result, I spoke without thinking and said some inappropriate words.

At most, it can only be regarded as a lack of etiquette in the court.

What's more, now, my brother is about to marry Xu Miaoyun, the daughter of Duke of Wei.

The wedding day is just half a month away, and it is really not appropriate for bloodshed to occur at this moment."

Zhu Gang then said earnestly, "I hope that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will show mercy to me and let Lord Yang go this time."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly. He didn't expect Zhu Gang to stand up and plead for Yang Zai at this time.

He looked at Zhu Gang, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Biao knew that the third son was about to marry Xu Miaoyun, and it would be inappropriate to make too much noise at this time.

"Since Third Brother has said so, let Yang Shiqi be spared this time."

In the end, Zhu Biao decided to give Zhu Gang some face, "But Yang Zai's slip of the tongue in the court cannot be let go.

Then let’s fine him three months’ salary as a warning to others.”

Yang Zai, who had luckily escaped the disaster, bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your mercy. I will be careful with my words and actions in the future and will never make the same mistake again."

After the court meeting, Zhu Gang was taken to Kunning Palace by his elder brother Zhu Biao as usual.

"Third brother, I don't quite understand why you keep targeting Japan?"

Zhu Gang said mysteriously: "According to the report from Jinyiwei's peripheral member Xie Xun, Japan has very rich silver resources, and its reserves account for one-third of the world's total output."

(End of this chapter)