Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 65 The sky has really changed
"Xue Xiang is a talented person."

In response to the prince's question, Zhu Yuanzhang did not hesitate to praise Xue Xiang.

"He is a man of both civil and military abilities, and is particularly adept at dredging rivers, transporting grain, and governing the local area.

In the first year of Hongwu, he was transporting food and money in Henan when some desperate criminals gathered together and prepared to intercept the food and money.

After he spoke, those desperate criminals actually dispersed on their own, and the crisis was resolved without any soldiers.

Later, we will let him be the chief of the grain transport in the capital, in charge of the Changhuai, Dahe and other garrisons, and the branch office in Huai'an.

At that time, from Yangzhou to Caizhou, and all the way to Jizhou, hundreds of miles away, all the sand banks collapsed.

Xue Xiang led people to clear the blockage and carry out repairs, working day and night.

Moreover, the corvée labor was evenly distributed, and the people had no complaints.

Xue Xiang, who had made great contributions, immediately reported it to the court, and everyone was willing to follow him to work.

Therefore, it didn't take too long to repair the area of ​​several hundred miles.

The progress is fast and the quality is excellent.

Later, Tiande conquered Yuan Dadu and moved many people there to the south.

When passing through Huai'an, Xue Xiang took the initiative to comfort the people in many ways. Not only did he provide them with food, but he also gave them a lot of clothes when the weather was cold.

When someone dies, they ask others to help bury them...

They both used forced labor. Li Shanchang built Zhongdu, but in order to rush the work, he treated people as if they were not human beings, which resulted in the loss of many lives. This caused public outrage, and the Ming Cult was about to take the opportunity to cause trouble.

Xue Xiang did a great job when he was in charge of dredging the river and repairing the dam.

This is the gap.

This also shows that the main responsibility for the fall of Zhongdu City lies with Li Shanchang, not Xue Xiang.

This person is relatively pure, and he likes various constructions and water conservancy projects, and he is quite talented in this area.

He can be said to be a technical official.”

Zhu Biao was a little surprised when he heard his father's answer, but not that surprised.

He also knew what kind of person Xue Xiang was, and he had recently received clear information that Xue Xiang had persuaded Li Shanchang more than once.

Let him slow down and not be so anxious.

But Li Shanchang didn't listen.

If he already knows it, then his father must know it too.

But it was precisely because of this that Zhu Biao felt even more strange.

"Then... why didn't Father deal with Xue Xiang's matter quickly?
He seemed to have aged several years during this period.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed when he heard this: "He can't sleep, right?
It’s okay to not be able to sleep!

We just want to make him unable to eat, unable to sleep, and worried all day long!

The main responsibility for this incident does not lie with him, and we know he has difficulties.

But between Li Shanchang and me, he still chose Li Shanchang and did not secretly report the true situation of Zhongdu City to me.

It's only right that we make him feel anxious for a while.

It’s a punishment for him.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry for a moment.

This... He really deserves to be called the father, he always makes people suffer.

No wonder a smart person like Uncle Chengyi was almost ruined by the emperor when he met him...

However, after learning about his father's true attitude towards Xue Xiang, Zhu Biao felt relieved.

He was really afraid that his father would get so angry that he would kill Xue Xiang as well.

There were many officials in the Ming Dynasty, but not many of them knew how to control floods.

If a talent like Xue Xiang really died because of this, it would be a real big loss for the Ming Dynasty.

As for Zhu Xiang, the former Fengyang prefect who was just found guilty and beheaded today, he is their relative.

If you kill, you will kill.

He had no talent, but was promoted to the position of Fengyang prefect because of his family connections.

As a result, after becoming the prefect, he was not in agreement with his father. Instead, he followed Li Shanchang's lead and did many evil things.

I can only say that he deserved to die...

……

"Dad, you are doing the right thing.

Given the temperament of the current emperor, if you had not done so at the time, the many officials who followed you would have been killed by the emperor.

You saved everyone.

Everyone is only grateful to you and has absolutely no other opinions."

Zhan Hui looked at the food that remained untouched, and a look of worry flashed in his eyes.

Finally, he couldn't help but speak out to persuade her.

Ever since yesterday, when his father brought people to rescue the Minister of Rites Niu Liang, but was forced by the emperor to not even say a word about rescue, he changed his mind when the time came.

After returning from there, it was just like now.

I don't eat, drink or sleep, I just sit here in a daze.

As a son, Zhan Hui naturally cares about his father and understands him.

My father is a man who cares a lot about his reputation. This time, the loss of face for my father is huge.

It's normal that he can't turn around for a while.

But things are just as Zhan Hui said. Under such circumstances, facing the emperor in that state, it was the wisest and most normal choice for his father to make such a choice.

If his father didn't change his words, not only would he fail to save Minister Niu, but he would also cause more people to be killed.

This is truly unwise.

No one would laugh at his own father.

Many times, taking a step back is more difficult and requires more effort than taking a step forward.

"If it weren't for this, do you really think your father and I are some inexperienced brat who values ​​face above all else?

Your father is not the kind of person who cares about face."

Zhan Tong, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.

Zhan Hui was stunned. You are not that kind of person who cares about face? Why don't I believe this?

"Then Dad, what are you doing..."

Zhan Tong said seriously, "I think His Majesty has changed."

Zhan Hui was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting his father to say such words.

"What's changed? Isn't His Majesty like this?

In the fifth year of Hongwu, he severely warned the nobles and erected an iron tablet, forcing them to act according to the rules written on the tablet.

All the things that happened before the iron monument was erected will be wiped out, and anyone who commits the same offense again after the iron monument is erected will not be forgiven.

He has never concealed his hatred for corrupt officials and his concern for the people.

This time, although it was a bit excessive, it is not without basis..."

Zhan Tong shook his head: “It just changed.

Although emperors in the past cared about the people, they would never shout "Long live the people."

Although the emperors of the past were of humble origins, they were very particular about rules, especially etiquette.

But now, when he was offering sacrifices to heaven and issuing an edict of repentance, he publicly offered sacrifices to the people and performed such a great ceremony for the deceased people.

Although emperors in the past would regulate the nobles, they would not take such harsh measures against them.

This time, the emperor's actions could be described as directly tearing off the Duke of Korea's face in front of the people of the world and throwing it into the toilet.

It has changed, it has really changed!"

Hearing his father say this, Zhan Hui became more serious.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt that my father was right, and the more I thought about it, the more frightened I became.

He was shocked by the emperor's sudden change and the huge gap between himself and his father.

While I was still stuck on the surface, my father had already seen something deeper.

"Then... Dad, do you know why His Majesty has undergone such a drastic change?"

Zhan Hui's attitude became more serious.

Zhan Tong shook his head again: "I don't know, I can't figure it out."

After that, he paused and continued, “I thought of many reasons, but I always feel that these are not the real reasons.

The Sacred Heart has always been unpredictable, and now His Majesty's thoughts are even more serious...

However, there is one thing you must remember: when you serve as an official in the future, you need to do more for the people and consider the people more in everything you do.

It can't be the same as before.

From now on, this cannot be wrong.

At least it won’t be wrong while His Majesty is in power.”

He said this very seriously, as if he was warning his son, or himself.

After saying this, he stopped sitting still, opened the food box sent by Zhan Hui, took out a pancake from it and started eating.

He chewed very slowly, as if what he was eating was not food but life.

Zhan Hui could see that his father was lost in thought again.

He did not interrupt and was thinking about what his father had just said.

I don’t know how long it took, but Zhan Tong finished the cake in his hand and looked up at the sky outside which was covered with leaden clouds.

"This day has really changed!"

He spoke slowly.

Zhan Hui, who was in deep thought, was shocked and looked at the sky outside the window.

The sky has indeed changed without me noticing.

I just don't know how many people have noticed this...

……

On the 22nd day of the first lunar month, Zhu Yuanzhang, accompanied by several sons and a group of officials and guards, left Zhongdu City and came to the imperial mausoleum in Linhuai to begin offering sacrifices to his ancestors.

Inside the innermost imperial city of the imperial mausoleum, Zhu Yuanzhang and his four sons were waiting in the Golden Palace.

It was still dark, and under the dim light of lanterns outside, the Ministry of Rites, the Taichang Temple, and the people stationed at the imperial mausoleum had already started working.

To prepare for the emperor's upcoming ancestor worship.

Everyone moved very quietly, and even when talking, they tried to use gestures whenever possible.

When I had to speak, I spoke in a low voice.

They were afraid that the slightest noise would disturb the sleeping beings within the imperial mausoleum. After all, sacrifice was a major event, especially since the one performing the sacrifice was the emperor, so they naturally had to be extremely cautious.

Of course, the fear of disturbing the sleeping person was not true. The real fear was that they would cause a noise and have their entire family beheaded by the emperor.

The people buried in the imperial mausoleum are ordinary poor people.

When he was alive, he couldn't even get a full meal, was looked down upon by others, and didn't even have a coffin when he was buried.

They simply wrapped the body in old clothes and buried it without any offerings for sacrifice.

How noble can it be?
But who can blame him for having a son who is so promising to him?
Thanks to his son, he was able to live in the imperial mausoleum.

Then your status and position will naturally rise accordingly.

This is a typical example of a mother's status being determined by her son and her son's respect for her father.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood in front of the Golden Palace, looking at his parents' tombs and the many buildings in the imperial mausoleum in the hazy night.

My thoughts fly far away.

The imperial mausoleum that he built for his father has not yet reached its most glorious period.

In his previous life, he quickly asked Wu Liang to supervise the renovation of the imperial mausoleum, which was completed in the 12th year of Hongwu.

After the fourth son became emperor, he repaired the imperial mausoleum three times.

After this beast Zhu Qizhen became emperor, he also repaired the imperial mausoleum many times.

When Zhu Jianshen was emperor, he carried out a large-scale renovation.

Zhu Houcong repaired it several times.

These are things that make Zhu Yuanzhang happy.

But in the eighth year of Chongzhen's reign, catastrophe struck. Zhang Xianzhong captured Fengyang and burned the imperial mausoleum. The Xiandian and other buildings were burned down...

During the reign of the Qing Dynasty's Tartars, the people were allowed to demolish other houses. By the time of the ridiculous Emperor Shiquan, all the buildings in the imperial mausoleum were destroyed, leaving only two steles and a stone horse.

In modern times, he visited this place, known as the Ming Emperor's Mausoleum, more than once to pay tribute to his parents, but things had already changed...

"After this memorial service, we will add some burial materials to your grandparents' graves.

From now on, this place will remain as it is, with no large-scale renovations or expansions."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at it for a long time before looking away.

He looked at Zhu Biao and his other sons and said.

"What's wrong, Father?"

Zhu Biao seemed a little surprised.

He clearly remembered that his father had told him clearly that he would repair and expand the imperial tomb of his grandparents in the next few years.

Zhu Biao also knew that the death of his grandparents when his father was young was a lifelong trauma for his father.

My father always felt regretful that even though he was the emperor, his grandparents never got to enjoy a single day of happiness with him.

That is why my father attached great importance to the affairs after the death of my grandparents.

I want to give my grandparents the best things in the world possible.

Among them, the most important way is to build imperial tombs.

But now, I suddenly heard these words from my father...

“We think that one imperial mausoleum is enough, and there is no need to pursue excessive grandeur.

The best way to repair the imperial mausoleum is not to expand its size, but to make the descendants proud and rule the country.

We have managed our Ming Dynasty in an orderly manner, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.

Then the sacrifices at your grandparents’ mausoleum will never stop.

No matter how ordinary this place is, no one dares to look down on it.

This is the most sacred place in my Ming Dynasty.

If the descendants are not up to the task and the people suffer, what good will it be if the city is built well?

It cannot escape the fate of being burned down and destroyed crazily.

If we build less now, we can actually save people from destroying it in the future..."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, the expressions of Zhu Biao and others changed. No one had expected that their father would say such words.

"Whoever dares to do this, I will bring people to chop him to death!"

Zhu Di spoke first, with murderous intent.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Prince of Jin Zhu Gang also wanted to speak in a hurry, but Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling them not to say more.

“There’s no point getting angry about this right now.

Even as powerful as Zulong, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was burned down just a few years after his death.

When the Jin invaded south, how many of the Song Dynasty's imperial tombs remained intact? The bones were dug up and discarded in the wilderness, to be gnawed by wild dogs.

After the death of Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song Dynasty, his skull was made into a wine cup by Mongolian monks and was played with for a hundred years.

It was after the general conquered Dadu that he found it and we had it reburied."

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang scanned the faces of his sons one by one.

He raised his voice and said, "That's why we say that the best way to repair the imperial mausoleum is to make our Ming Dynasty prosperous and strong.

Only when the Ming Dynasty becomes rich and powerful will we not let our ancestors suffer such humiliation!"

"Yes, I understand!"

Zhu Biao responded seriously.

Zhu Chong, Zhu Gang and Zhu Di all responded in agreement.

After the father and son waited for a while, when it was almost dawn, the Minister of Taichang Temple came to invite them.

It is said that everything is ready and the sacrifice can be carried out.

Zhu Yuanzhang took his sons and left the Golden Palace and headed outside...

In a solemn and sad atmosphere, Zhu Yuanzhang, along with his four sons and hundreds of civil and military officials, meticulously performed a sacrifice to his parents amid the singing of the internal officials.

Burn incense and perform four prostrations...

This time, there was no trace of anything out of the ordinary.

After the sacrifices at the imperial mausoleum were over, Zhu Yuanzhang and his four sons changed into soft-soled, silent shoes.

Each of them carried a load of loess and climbed up the imperial tomb with Zhu Yuanzhang.

He came to the top of the imperial mausoleum, poured out the loess in the basket, and patted it hard to make it firm.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his companions took this matter extremely seriously.

"Dad, Mom, let's bring our grandchildren to visit you and help you fix up your house..."

As soon as he said this, the tough guy's voice became choked.

I can't go on.

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed what was in his heart and said nothing more.

Just patting the dirt here seriously.

He was afraid that if he continued, he would cry in front of his sons.

After adding the soil, Zhu Yuanzhang stayed here for a while and slowly went down the imperial tomb with gentle movements, as if he was afraid of disturbing his parents.

"You all go wait outside, I'll talk to your grandparents for a while."

After leaving the imperial mausoleum, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao and others.

Zhu Biao nodded, took his brothers outside, and took everyone here away.

He just stood guard at the gate outside the imperial city from a distance.

After everyone left, Zhu Yuanzhang squatted in front of the imperial tomb.

"Dad, Mom, we're back to see you.

Your son has become successful and has become the emperor.

But you two can’t see it anymore…”

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was low and nasal.

Countless images echoed in my mind.

After a long pause, he continued, "Your son has embarrassed himself greatly this time!

I was badly cheated.

These people who followed us to conquer the world have changed so quickly!

We all think that we come from poor backgrounds and have all gone through hard times where we couldn't even open our eyes.

Once you are in a high position, you must always be different from the corrupt officials of the Yuan Dynasty.

But damn...these beasts, we overestimate them...

Your son is so stupid!

So stupid!
They ganged up on me, fooled me like idiots, and killed so many people... wuwuwu..."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't continue talking.

I squatted here, holding my head and crying.

He couldn't let go in other places, but with his parents, he didn't have to worry so much.

At this time, the iron-blooded Emperor Hongwu, who frightened countless people and was secretly envied by countless people, disappeared.

Only Zhu Yuanzhang was left, an ordinary son in front of his parents.

Here, he can take off all his disguises, does not have to shoulder the responsibility of the world, does not have to be so tired, can open his heart, have a good talk, and vent the suppressed emotions in his heart.

In the distance, Zhu Biao, who was looking over here with some concern at the gate of the imperial city, saw his father squatting in front of the tall imperial mausoleum with his head buried between his knees. It seemed as if something deeply touched his heart.

I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes.

Father is really too tired, it’s not easy!
Zhu Yuanzhang cried for a quarter of an hour before he stopped crying.

He wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his robe and said with a nasal voice: "Dad, Mom, you can rest assured. Your son has had an adventure. This world will get better and better in your son's hands!
Towards a brand new Ming Dynasty!
Surpass the Han and Tang Dynasties!

Next, your son plans to clean up the corrupt officials in the world and kill them all.

If you two knew about this in the afterlife, please don't think that your son is cruel and heartless.

We don't want to do this, but if we don't use a knife, these people won't be afraid!

Killing a corrupt official can save the lives of many poor people.

Therefore, your son must be killed next!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang said these words, he knelt down and kowtowed to the imperial mausoleum several times, then stood up and walked away step by step.

As he walked, Zhu Yuanzhang's shadow became shorter and shorter, while the shadow of Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang became taller and taller.

When he walked out of the imperial city and met with the officials, Zhu Yuanzhang's shadow was completely hidden in the shadow of Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, and no trace of him could be seen anymore.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at everyone with dignity and announced his decision...

(End of this chapter)