Chapter 13: The Emperor's Wrath

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's unusual expression, Zhu Gang became even more complacent: "The so-called gentle reduction of the vassal states is equivalent to letting the princes become rich and not have to bear the responsibility of defending the country. Although the princes are dissatisfied, they have to accept it, and the emperor has no worries. But father, is this really the case?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's complexion became worse and worse at this moment. He stroked the imperial desk, looking anxious.

Zhu Gang continued, "The princes that my father appointed were granted a large amount of land and a large amount of royal salary. Such a large amount of money and food was not only used to support the prince's family. It also included a large amount of expenses for the prince's officials and guards! In fact, the money and food that my father gave to each prince was actually the salary of an army, right?"

This is the crux of the problem. Many people in later generations, looking at the history of the Ming Dynasty, always believed that the Ming Dynasty implemented a pig-raising strategy towards the princes. Almost every prince was given appalling land and salaries.

But in fact, when this system was first designed, at least for an emperor as wise and capable as Zhu Yuanzhang, this was not the cost of supporting the royal family at all, because every vassal king theoretically had an army in the form of guards, so... in a sense, these land and salaries were actually military expenses.

Zhu Gang, however, pointed out the problem. The emperors of later generations would certainly reduce the power of the princes, and the key to reducing the power of the princes was to eliminate the army, that is, to dismiss the guards of the princes. But... if the guards and the army were gone, what about the military expenditure? Should it be recovered?
Obviously... unless you want to force the princes to rebel, how can you remove their guards and troops, and also cut off the land and salaries given by Emperor Taizu Gao? Are you still a human being if you do this?
The essence of what Zhu Gang called redemption and the so-called mild reduction of the power of the feudal lords lies here.

"Think about it, Father. A hundred years from now, the princes will have their guards cut off, but each of them will have a large amount of royal land and a very high salary. The emperors of later generations will also have their own descendants, and their descendants will also be canonized as kings. Since your sons have so much land and salaries, can the salaries of the princes canonized in the future be lower than those of other princes? As a result, there will be more and more princes in the world, and the land to support the princes will also increase. The annual salary payment for the princes will be unimaginable. A hundred or two hundred years from now, will the court be able to cope with this expenditure?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, shock flashed across his eyes.

According to Zhu Yuanzhang's knowledge, this inference is almost flawless, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is almost correct.

The current treatment of the princes includes military expenses, but one day, when the guards are disbanded, the princes will have less responsibility for supporting the army, but the money and food they should receive has not decreased. Moreover, as more and more princes are enthroned, this meaningless expenditure is increasing day by day for the court.

Then, in a few generations, half of the world's financial resources would be used to support the princes, and the imperial court, having cut its guards from the princes, would have to support this part of the army itself, which would increase the burden even more. Not only would it increase fiscal expenditure, but it would also greatly reduce fiscal revenue. The combination of addition and subtraction would lead to a dead end.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought about what might happen in the future from the perspective of reducing the power of the princes, but... he did not consider the financial problem. This huge loophole might even endanger the foundation of the entire Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Yuanzhang thought of this, he suddenly felt like a thorn in his back.

Zhu Gang was overjoyed to see his father like this.

Deng Qianqiu is simply amazing. How did he think of things that my father didn’t think of?
Haha... now father is scared. Later, I will report to father and tell him that this is a brilliant idea that I found casually, so that father, a country bumpkin, can open his eyes.

The pride on Zhu Gang's face could no longer be concealed.

At this time, the silent Zhu Yuanzhang had stood up with his hands behind his back. He walked down the Golden Palace step by step, and then paced back and forth in the palace. His face was gloomy and uncertain, as if he was thinking about various possibilities.

He has been worrying about this world, and now that he has thought of a huge system loophole, he has become even more worried.

In a flash, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes seemed to become congested and bloodshot.

Then, he suddenly walked in front of Zhu Gang, stood still, stared at Zhu Gang with bloodshot eyes, and suddenly asked word by word: "What you just said may not be unreasonable, but... I want to ask you, since you always say that the princes will have different intentions. What about you? Zhu Gang, will you also have different intentions and want to rebel in the future?"

"..."

This question is eye-opening.

You could hear a pin drop in the hall.

Zhu Gang suddenly felt that the air was suffocating him.

His small eyes, somewhat panickedly, met the fierce eyes of his father, and when their eyes met, Zhu Gang's mouth opened wide and could hardly close.
Yes, will this king rebel?
If I say that I am absolutely loyal to the court, doesn't that mean that what I just said was all a bunch of nonsense?
If even I will not rebel, how can my relatives kill each other? Why should the court reduce the power of the princes?

Once you deny it, doesn't it prove that everything I said is false?

But if you say that I will rebel... have other intentions...

Thinking of this, looking at his father's unfriendly gaze, Zhu Gang couldn't help but shiver.

In that split second, Zhu Gang felt like he was almost suffocating. He even wondered in his heart, why did I come here to show off all this to my father?

I am a pig!
Zhu Yuanzhang continued to ask: "Tell me, will you rebel?"

Zhu Gang's eyes began to wander and dodge. In his eyes, there was regret, fear, and...

And persist!

This is an adherence to the truth.

This king can't be wrong, right...

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Gang said timidly, "Yes, yes... yes, I think."

"What?" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened and he roared, "Do you still have the intention to rebel?"

Zhu Gang was about to cry. He was trembling with fear, his legs shaking, and hesitantly said, "Father, you know me well. If you and elder brother were here, I... I wouldn't dare. But if it was anyone else, it's hard to say. Can any Tom, Dick or Harry be the emperor? He can do it, and I am also your son... so what... why can't I do it? Of course... your son... your son is just assuming, just assuming..."

Zhu Gang tried hard to curl up the corners of his mouth and gave a flattering smile to Zhu Yuanzhang who was standing so close to him.

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and said, "So, you really will rebel?"

Zhu Fan: "..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "Speak, speak!"

Zhu Gang tilted his head, thought for a moment, and said in a very serious tone: "Father, I will!"

Zhu Gang then saw a huge hand like a palm-leaf fan falling from the sky.

Snapped……

Zhu Gang's eyes were full of stars. He covered his cheek and screamed in pain.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "You are really powerful now, you dare to rebel?"

(End of this chapter)