Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 914 Moral Kidnapping
Song Lian held the Book of the People in his hands. On the long piece of cloth, there were dense handwriting and handprints of the people. Zhu did not comment, but asked the ministers below the steps: "The people submitted the Book of the People, asking to build a temple for the founding generals of our dynasty... What do you think, should we approve it or not?"

The civil officials had already received the invitation, so they didn't say a word, but the military heroes... most military men like fame, so how could they refuse this sudden big pie? It is such a great honor to be born and have a temple built. As long as this temple is built, the reputation of these people in the future will be set in stone!
Who would refuse such a good thing that costs nothing? Therefore, among the military honors, no one stood up and said that the self in the story was completely fabricated. They all secretly acknowledged the character setting of "themselves" in the story.

Occasionally, there were some astute people like Feng Sheng who always felt that this matter was a little strange. But how could such a good thing as building a shrine and being admired by the people while alive be encountered by warriors like them? Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, they all chose to turn a blind eye and let it go...

"In that case, we will approve this matter. In the past, Emperor Taizong of Tang had the Lingyan Pavilion to show the merits of his generals. Today, we will build a 'Heroic Temple' to let the people see that the benevolent ministers and generals of our Ming Dynasty are no less than those of previous dynasties!" Old Zhu laughed loudly, and immediately asked the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to come out and allocate funds from the national treasury to build this "Heroic Temple". Now that the national treasury is full of gold and silver, this amount of expenditure is nothing at all, so the two ministers of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue accepted the order very happily, and did not have any objections because it was to build a temple for military merits.

Song Lian was delighted to see that the people's petition was accepted by Zhu Yuanzhang, and he wanted to leave immediately to tell the people that the emperor agreed to their request. Zhu Yuanzhang naturally agreed. At Song Lian's age, coupled with his halo and merits, no one would think it was wrong even if he walked around in the court meeting. It was nothing to say goodbye first.

Song Lian stepped back, and Old Zhu concentrated again. Suddenly he remembered something and said, "I was interrupted by this old man and almost forgot what I was discussing just now... Feng Sheng, what did you say just now? What about 'It is better to kill the wrong person than to let him go?'"

Feng Sheng was startled, and quickly stepped out of the line, bowed and explained: "Your Majesty, I just said that regarding the Shuixi tribes..."

When he said this, he was suddenly stunned.

"Hmm?" Old Zhu asked.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Feng Sheng maintained his bowing posture. The dignified Duke of Song actually began to stutter and it was difficult for him to say the following words.

He was torn between his own conscience and his own desires, but belatedly he realized the treacherous plot of the civil officials: they first debated in the court and classified the southwestern tribes as "the people of the Ming Dynasty". Then, they used the recent public opinion in the market to praise these meritorious generals as "men of benevolence and righteousness", and taught the people to respect them even more and even to build ancestral temples to worship them.

At this time, if some nobles still come forward and want to kill all the "Ming people" in Shuixi, what will happen to the people?
Because of public opinion, the people have regarded them as great and upright heroes who speak up for the people. However, these "heroes" in the court want to raise their knives against the Shuixi tribes who are also "Ming people", and even said the heart-breaking words "It is better to kill the wrong ones than to let them go"... So, what will the people think?
I am afraid that before this "Temple of Heroes" is completed, the golden statue inside will collapse!

As the saying goes, the higher you stand, the harder you fall. The incense offerings in the "Heroes Temple" will no longer be theirs, and their reputation will plummet because of this "living temple", turning into a stinking joke!

Which is more important, a lifetime of reputation or a possible military achievement? Feng Sheng did not dare to judge.

The other military honors didn't dare to do so either.

If Zhu Su were here, he would be able to use a very concise word to describe the method that Zhu Biao was leading behind the scenes. "Moral kidnapping", because of the reputation of this "teacher of benevolence and righteousness", all the military meritorious officials in the court were afraid to act rashly. They were originally aggressive, but now they all looked strange and silent.

"Your Majesty, I want to say that actions like 'Rather kill the wrong person than let him go' are definitely not what our Celestial Empire should do. There may be something behind the incident in Shuixi, and we should investigate it."

Feng Sheng had figured out the key points. If the southwest rebelled, they might have a chance to gain military merit. But this chance was just a "maybe". It was still unknown who His Majesty would send to quell the rebellion.

It's not worth ruining your family's reputation for eternity just for a possible opportunity.

Moreover, if I were hated by the people, who knew whether the imperial court and the royal family would become disloyal to me in the future?

On the contrary, having a good reputation and this extra layer of glory can serve as a safeguard in case of danger in the future...

Feng Sheng changed his position, and other military heroes such as Geng Bingwen did not object. No one was a fool. To them, this good reputation was a real benefit. Who would be willing to give up such a huge benefit for a few possible military merits?
The group of nobles was quickly disintegrated and gave up, and no one harbored any resentment. Instead, they all accepted it with joy.

On the other side, Liu Shuzhen had also sensed the change in the direction of the court meeting, and her face was filled with joy. On the other hand, Zhu's expression was intriguing, and it was hard to tell what was going on. He just raised his hand towards Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, I said before that this matter is up to you to decide. What do you think we should do?"

"…Replying to Your Majesty, I think what Duke Song said is very true. This matter may be suspicious. We should send the Jinyiwei to Guiyang to investigate the matter on the spot. At the same time, summon Madam Shuixi Shezi to the capital to inquire about the inside story before making a decision."

"If Madam Shezi is willing to come to the capital, the Shuixi region is leaderless, so even if they have some intentions, it won't be a big problem."

"That's right, that's all right." Old Zhu nodded and stood up. "In that case, let's do it this way."

"Retreat!"

Zhu Biao made the final decision in a court meeting. It seemed that he made all the decisions, but in fact, the civil officials achieved the goal of not using weapons, the nobles gained the benefit of being remembered for generations, and Zhu Biao drew a red line among the military officials, called "the army of benevolence and righteousness". For this reputation, the military officials would have to be cautious in their actions in the future.

"Haha, I didn't expect that old Master Song's performance was really realistic. When he was young, he was the only one who submitted memorials to impeach those military heroes all day long!" At the rear, Old Zhu and his son Zhu Biao walked in front and behind, while a large group of eunuchs, palace maids and guards lagged far behind, not daring to eavesdrop on their conversation.

In such a private occasion, Old Zhu Fang put away his mysterious look. He smiled happily and looked at Zhu Biao with admiration, saying, "You didn't think of any balance, cutting one and supporting the other, wasting national strength, this is very good."

"I'm very pleased. A few stories and a 'Temple of Heroes' have earned these monkey cubs obedient behavior from now on... This deal is really a good deal, haha, a very good deal!"

(End of this chapter)