The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 256 The Problem of Feudal Kings Taking Up Their Posts

The court officials knew very well that Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been a farmer all his life, hoped to leave something for his descendants.

However, the door to granting titles of kings must never be opened. Once that door is opened, who knows how many more kings will be granted titles in the future.

The Rebellion of the Eight Princes in the Jin Dynasty was imminent.

Zhu Yuanzhang angrily flung his sleeves and left, leaving the entire banquet scene in an extremely awkward state.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao had no choice but to step forward and address the ministers.

"My lords, please don't be offended. His Majesty is just like this. I will actually try to persuade my father properly later!"

Hearing this, everyone felt relieved and praised the Crown Prince for his benevolence.

After returning, Crown Prince Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and said.

"I know your grandfather's temper best. Once he's made up his mind about something, nothing can change it. What do you think about the matter of bestowing a title upon him?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pursed her lips.

"Let them seal it off then. Anyway, many places in our Great Ming are difficult to stabilize. Rather than letting those generals hold heavy troops in the border areas, it's better to let our own people lead the troops!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stared at Zhu Xiong Ying with a dark expression.

"Are you doing this on purpose, kid? Tell the truth, what's the deal?"

"How can someone so old act like a child!"

Zhu Xiong Ying pursed her lips.

"But I am a child!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao: "..."

Well, Zhu Xiong Ying has accomplished a lot during this period, especially leading troops north this time. In his opinion, he is already capable of handling things on his own. I really didn't expect that Zhu Xiong Ying is still a child.

"This isn't something I'm joking about, so what's the real story?"

At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying glanced at Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

"To be honest, if we oppose the enfeoffment, what should Grandfather do, given his personality? And how should Father face those uncles?"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao lowered his head and paused for a moment in surprise.

He had raised all his brothers from a young age, and they all had a very good relationship with him and respected him greatly.

If I were in that position, nothing would happen. But if I were to leave my descendants one day, would I really be able to suppress the descendants of these vassal kings? If these vassal kings were to rebel, it would be another catastrophe for the Ming Dynasty.

Even Crown Prince Zhu Biao found it difficult to make a decision in this regard.

At this moment, Erhu walked over and said.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Grandson, His Majesty requests your presence!"

When the two arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely angry.

"These old scoundrels oppose everything at the slightest thing. They think the imperial court belongs to their family. They're courting death!"

"Boss, Xiong Ying, you guys need to think of a way to get these old guys to agree to our plan!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiong Ying exchanged a glance.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was standing to the side, stared at the two men and said.

"Could it be that neither of you are willing to grant them fiefdoms?" Crown Prince Zhu Biao asked, though he was in a difficult position.

“Father, it was the same during the War of the Eight Princes in the Jin Dynasty. Although I can guarantee that my brothers will not rebel during my reign, it is hard to guarantee what will happen in the future!”

After all, no one could control what would happen next, and Zhu Yuanzhang's future actions would be rather unpleasant.

“Boss, you’re wrong to think like that. If you have such an unworthy descendant on your side, and you can’t even solve the problem of the vassal king, how will you face the other tribes?”

"It's his own fault if his throne is taken away. In the end, it's all the descendants of the Zhu family who will rule the country. It's better for the flesh to rot in one pot than for outsiders to eat it!"

Moreover, those remote areas are difficult for us to govern. We can only send heavy troops to defend them, and other generals might rebel. It's more reliable to rely on our own people!

"Don't you trust your younger brothers? Or do you not believe in U.A.'s abilities?!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao shook his head. He had no doubt about either of these matters. To put it bluntly, as long as he remained in this position, none of his brothers would dare to rebel.

This was the source of his confidence as the first crown prince of the Ming Dynasty. He had no worries about Zhu Xiong Ying's abilities. At such a young age, he possessed such skill and strength, and his power in the court was extremely stable.

At least among the dukes in the court now, Duke Cao Li Wenzhong, Duke Wei Xu Da, Duke Zheng Chang Mao, and Duke Liang Lan Yu all support Zhu Xiong Ying.

Moreover, he has already won over most of the younger generation.

It can be said that as long as Zhu Xiong Ying succeeds to the throne, his power will be extremely stable. But what will happen next? No one can guarantee what will happen next. If, as they say, an unworthy descendant appears, the Ming Dynasty will fall into internal strife, and the hard-won stable Ming Dynasty will be impacted again.

"Whatever Father says, I will do. I will obey Father's orders!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao, he remained silent, nodded in satisfaction, and then turned his gaze to Zhu Xiong Ying.

"What do you think about Xiong Ying's situation? Anyway, the country will eventually be handed over to you!"

Zhu Xiong Ying thought for a moment and then said.

"Grandfather, in my opinion, the imperial court can indeed grant fiefdoms to princes, but not all of them can be granted fiefdoms!"

"Some vassal kings are capable of guarding the borders, and it is indeed appropriate to let them protect the region. However, there are other vassal kings who are not very capable, and putting them in those positions would only harm them!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said smugly, "Don't worry, we've considered all the issues you've thought of. We've raised our second, third, and fourth sons ourselves, so they certainly have some ability!"

“I plan to have them stationed in key locations. For example, the second son will be enfeoffed in Shaanxi, the third son in Shanxi, and the fourth son in Dadu.”

Those who had little ability were enfeoffed in the Central Plains.

"It's safe there; nothing bad will happen!"

"For example, the fifth son was weak from childhood and could not lead troops. He was only interested in medicine, so we appointed him as the King of Zhou and let him govern the Henan region."

However, military and political power remained in the hands of the state.

how do you feel? "

"It's not scarcity we're worried about, but inequality. If we only grant titles to a few of our sons and leave the rest unrewarded, some people will inevitably feel resentful!"

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to treat everyone equally, but how could such a thing be done perfectly?

Especially those princes living in the interior, many of whom did not do anything good.

The Emperor needed to consider many factors regarding whether these vassal kings could be granted fiefdoms.

Why not have the Emperor set the questions to test them, and only those who pass the test can be enfeoffed?

(End of this chapter)