Chapter 4 Father, let's go to Taiyuan to have a look (Please read, please vote for the monthly ticket, please vote for the recommendation ticket!)
For a moment, it was as if the whole world had pressed the mute button, and time solidified into a silent picture in the air.

The Kunning Palace, which had originally been somewhat noisy, suddenly fell into a deep and absolute silence.

It was a silence that was deep enough to allow one to hear one's heartbeat, a silence that allowed one's thoughts to resonate in the endless emptiness.

And this silent silence is really deafening!

"Father, you can't govern the country!?"

Zhu Biao and Zhu Chong both looked at Zhu Gang in unison, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Zhu Yuanzhang was able to rise to power from a commoner. If such a hero cannot govern the country, who else can?

"Tian'er, don't talk nonsense. Your father is a man of rare talent. He restored the orthodoxy of the Han people and expelled the Tartars. How can such a hero not govern the country?"

Queen Ma also glared at Zhu Gang fiercely and then spoke.

Empress Ma believed that she understood her husband better than anyone else, and her hatred for corrupt officials and her love for the people were definitely not false.

Therefore, even compared with any other virtuous emperor in history, Zhu Yuanzhang could not be worse!

"Mother, I don't deny the old man's achievements, but that was conquering the world, and how can conquering the world be compared with ruling the world?"

Zhu Gang still shook his head and looked at Queen Ma to refute.

"So you still think we are wrong."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down slowly, and his sharp eyes immediately swept towards Zhu Biao.

As he spoke, a trace of sadness flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, he had been reviewing memorials day and night. He must have exhausted all his energy and worked day and night.

But there are still people who think that Zhu Yuanzhang is not capable of governing the country?

Moreover, this person is Mr. Zhu's most beloved son.

How could this not make Old Zhu feel disheartened?

Even when Lao Zhu spoke, he no longer had the anger he had at the beginning. In fact, he seemed a little heartbroken.

If Zhu Gang cannot explain the reason today, no matter how much Old Zhu loves Zhu Gang, he will not entrust him with important tasks again.

It’s better to go to the fertile land of Jiangnan and be a leisurely prince.

"What makes you think you're right?"

Zhu Gang had been smart since he was young, so he could naturally figure out what Old Zhu was thinking, but he still raised his eyebrows and looked at Old Zhu.

"We work hard every day, day and night, just to make the people live a good life and prevent corrupt officials from persecuting the people. What have we done wrong?"

A cold light flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and he looked at Zhu Gang.

"Third brother, apologize to father!"

Faced with the sudden chill from Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao's expression changed, and he pulled Zhu Gang's sleeve and spoke hurriedly.

"Those court officials don't understand the emperor's painstaking efforts. How can you not understand?"

"Everything Dad did was for the Ming Dynasty and for the people, so Father is not wrong."

Zhu Chong also looked at Zhu Gang anxiously and said, "I can figure it out, but you are the smartest child in our family, why can't you figure it out?"

"Old man, you said that you work hard every day, day and night, for the country and the people?"

"Then let me ask you, why are the lives of the people of the Ming Dynasty still so miserable?"

Zhu Gang was not afraid of Zhu Yuanzhang's momentum or that hint of coldness.

Zhu Gang's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, leaving him speechless for a moment. After a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Gang, feeling mixed emotions.

This is indeed the case. No matter how hard Zhu Yuanzhang worked, or how hard he worked, the people of the Ming Dynasty still lived in dire straits.

But to be honest, Mr. Zhu has tried his best.

"But the Ming Dynasty was founded not long ago, and it is a time when everything needs to be rebuilt. Father also wants the world to be peaceful."

"Compared to the brutal Yuan Dynasty, the people's lives are much better now. We can only take our time to deal with the rest. We can't rush into anything."

Faced with Zhu Yuanzhang's speechlessness, Zhu Biao took a step forward, looked at Zhu Gang and shook his head.

This was not because Zhu Biao wanted to undermine his younger brother Zhu Gang, but because the matter had risen to the level of family and country, so Zhu Biao could only speak for Zhu Yuanzhang, not for Zhu Gang.

After all, if even Zhu Yuanzhang began to doubt himself, how could it be a good thing for the people of the world?
Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty had only been established for a few years, less than ten years. If one wanted to restore the vitality of the Central Plains, how much more would it take?
At the very least, it will take at least thirty years before the people can see a prosperous era, right?
So factually speaking, how could Zhu Yuanzhang be wrong?

"Boss, I have been in Taiyuan for three years. Since I arrived in Taiyuan, I have not used a single ounce of silver from the court. As the crown prince, you should know this, right?"

In response to this, Zhu Gang raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Biao.

"Ah."

Zhu Biao naturally knew it, so he nodded.

"Then let me ask you, how many people are displaced, without complete clothing and food in the suburbs of Yingtian Prefecture?"

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao again and asked.

"Have."

Zhu Biao nodded without even thinking about it.

Although Yingtian Prefecture was the imperial capital of the Ming Dynasty, there were also refugees roaming around, and it was normal for them to not have enough food to eat. After all, they had drifted to Yingtian Prefecture and had not yet established a normal livelihood.

But in the short term, the court had no idea and could only slowly settle them. But if they couldn't hold on, then they could only leave it to fate.

But this is not the Ming Dynasty’s fault, but the world’s fault. Moreover, it has been like this throughout all dynasties. What can the Ming Dynasty do?

After all, even if Zhu Yuanzhang provided relief to the victims without regard for the consequences, it would still be a drop in the bucket. Even if he emptied the national treasury, he would not be able to provide so much food.

Although it hurts, there is nothing I can do about it!
"Go to Taiyuan and see how miserable the people of the Ming Dynasty are today!"

In response to Zhu Biao's nod, Zhu Gang just looked at Zhu Biao coldly.

After saying this, Zhu Gang took a step forward and was about to leave Kunning Palace.

But when he reached the door, he paused slightly, and then turned his head to look at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Father, you have restored the Central Plains and expelled the Tartars, which is like rebuilding China, but you really don't know how to govern the country."

"Taiyuan will prove that what I said is not wrong."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang paused again, and then said seriously: "You have reduced taxes and levies for the people of the world, which is not wrong, but have you ever thought about what use this will be for the people who can't even eat? The truly poor people don't even have land, so who are you helping with your reduced taxes and levies?"

After saying that, Zhu Gang left Kunning Palace without looking back, and what was supposed to be a good family dinner turned out like this.

But facing Zhu Gang's questioning words, Zhu Yuanzhang lost his previous anger. After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the palace gate where Zhu Gang left with a complicated look, with indescribable emotions surging in his heart.

And at this moment, not only Zhu Yuanzhang, but even Empress Ma and Zhu Biao had a complex look in their eyes.

Even Zhu Chong, the silly guy, frowned slightly.

(End of this chapter)