My aunt is Queen Ma

Chapter 95 The Sudden Collapse

The wrong path has led to a reactionary attitude; the more knowledge one has, the more reactionary one becomes.

This statement can be rephrased; the underlying idea is wrong: the more advanced technology becomes, the lower people's social status becomes.

In agrarian societies, most wealth comes from land.

Agriculture is a labor-intensive industry, and as long as there is labor, there is value in it.

Even slaves, as long as they can create wealth through labor, will be given food by their slave owners.

However, in the industrial age, there was a large surplus of labor. No matter how skilled you were, you might starve to death because you couldn't find work.

The early stages of the Industrial Revolution in Europe are a prime example.

A large number of laborers were driven from the land into factories to do the most arduous work, but could only receive meager wages.

Not want to do it? There are plenty of people who will.

Even children have to work as cogs in the machine on the assembly line.

When you're a farmer, you can rest when you're tired, and you can even take a nap.

Once you become a cog in the machine, a moment's inattention and your life is over.

For them, industrialization brought only pain and no benefits.

This is also why Ma Yu was unwilling to start with cutting-edge technology.

If we don't change our mindset and rush into industrialization, it will be an even greater disaster for the people.

So he had been lecturing Zhu Yuanzhang and others, and had been emphasizing the Song Dynasty's abolition of the status of "lowly" and the protection of human rights.

After a year of classes, Zhu Yuanzhang and his classmates did indeed change.

The policies currently promulgated by the Ming Dynasty are relatively lenient.

He thought it was time to develop some cutting-edge technology to accelerate the industrialization process.

Unexpectedly, at the critical moment, Zhu Yuanzhang still subconsciously chose to send the person into the mine.

This caused Ma Yu, who already lacked a sense of belonging and was constantly feeling uneasy since her transmigration, to lose control of her emotions on the spot.

Enraged by the mockery, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a cold voice:
"Oh? Then please tell me, Young Master Ma, what is an emperor?"

Zhu Biao and the others looked over worriedly, fearing that Zhu Yuanzhang would kill Ma Yu in a fit of anger.

Ma Yu, unfazed, glared at him and said:
"Your mission is to enable everyone to live like human beings."

"If it weren't for this ideal, why would I have said so much to you? Why would I have served your Ming Dynasty like a slave?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Such noble character, but don't underestimate the people of the world."

"If we send those surplus laborers to mine, aren't we giving them a job so they can support their families?"

Ma Yu scoffed, "Why not let your descendants go and mine?"

"Because mining is hard work, and there's a high chance of death, you can't bear to let your descendants suffer this hardship."

"So other people's children deserve to suffer like this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang angrily said, "You..."

Empress Ma took a deep breath and shouted, "That's enough, you two!"

Both of them shut their mouths in embarrassment.

Empress Ma looked at Ma Yu and said, "Your original intention was to benefit the people and let them live more like human beings."

He then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "You want to give the people a job so they can earn more money to support their families."

"You two are both doing this for the good of the country and the people."

"It's just a disagreement on some things. Why not just discuss it and resolve it? What's there to argue about?"

Ma Yu said stiffly, "Nobody wants to do mining if there's any chance of survival."

"I study the way of investigating things so that the Chinese people will not have to suffer this hardship."

"If sending people into the mines is necessary to increase productivity, then it's better not to do it at all."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Naive. Even hardship is better than starving to death."

"Besides, someone has to do these dirty and tiring jobs. If you're not willing to let them do them, are you going to do them yourself?"

Ma Yu retorted, "I can still tell who's on my side and who's the enemy."

"The dirty and hard work should be done by the enemy, while our own people should do the more respectable work."

"Unlike some people, who forget their true nature after being monarchs for a few days."

Do you really think that bestowing honorary titles upon your ancestors will change your true nature?

"What is shameful is not having a lowly status, but achieving great things despite humble origins; that is an honor."

"What is tragic is that people forget their origins, achieve great things, and then turn around and exploit poor people who have the same origins as themselves even more.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face had turned ashen.

"You really think we wouldn't dare kill you?"

Empress Ma, Zhu Biao, and others were also shocked, angry, and worried.

What surprised people was why Ma Yu suddenly lost control; what angered them was that he shouldn't have humiliated his elders like that; and what worried them was how this matter would end.

Ma Yu's eyes had become bloodshot without him noticing, and he sneered:
"I'm already dead, what am I afraid of?"

"I just wanted to do my part to make life a little easier for the people."

"But now I understand, I don't belong to this world, so what do I care about the lives and deaths of the people here?"

"It's clearly for your own good, so why should we have to act like your grandson and beg you to teach us our skills?"

"If you, as the ruler of this land, don't care, why should I care?"

"I'm not that noble; I'm just an ordinary person."

"Now I'm telling you, I'm quitting."

Zhu Yuanzhang was beyond furious: "Fine, fine, I didn't realize you were such a tough nut to crack."

"Since you're so eager to die, then we'll grant your wish. Men, drag him out and beat him to death with clubs."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch who was resenting his parents for giving him two ears rushed over and restrained Ma Yu.

Then he turned his gaze to Empress Ma, after all, this was her cousin.

Empress Ma's face was also ashen. She said, "Put Ma Yu in the death row and await His Majesty's decision."

Zhu Biao quickly added, "Yes, without my father's order, no one is allowed to visit."

The eunuchs looked at Zhu Yuanzhang again, and seeing that he did not say anything, they quickly dragged Ma Yu away.

Ma Yu did not struggle or beg for mercy, and was taken away as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

After the farce ended, Empress Ma was about to comfort Zhu Yuanzhang when she saw him kick the still-running steam train away.

Then he angrily said, "You've taken good care of your nephew."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Empress Ma reached out as if to stop him, but opened her mouth and then hesitated, unsure of what to say. In the end, she simply watched him leave.

Watching his father's retreating figure, Zhu Biao walked over and whispered:
"I thought my cousin had overcome his prejudice against our father, but I didn't expect it to be so deep. What should we do next?"

Empress Ma was also very angry: "I have spoiled him too much. Let him reflect on his actions in prison."

"We'll consider releasing him only when he admits his mistake."

"Remember, this time, no one is to take care of him."

In fact, Zhu Biao was also a little angry, as he believed that his family owed Ma Yu nothing.

To humiliate his father to his face is intolerable.

Therefore, he also strongly agreed with Empress Ma's words:

"Yes, I'll have someone keep a close eye on him and not let anyone get close."

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di were not so angry; they were more puzzled.

Why does my cousin seem like a completely different person? What happened?
Or is there something they don't know?
Zhu Su was the most confused. He had promised to become an apprentice and learn martial arts. What should he do now?
But now that things have come to this point, he knows it's best not to speak.

Consort Chang was more worried; Ma Yu was really in danger this time.

Xu Miaoyun felt fortunate and had even greater respect for her father.

It was incredibly prescient of me not to have too much involvement with Ma Yu.

Otherwise, we might get implicated this time.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Consort Chang with sympathy.

She must be the most anxious person right now.

At this time, there was no Jinyiwei prison; the so-called death row was just a few cells in the inner part of the Yingtian Prefecture prison.

The jailer and guards all knew Ma Yu and were very curious to see him thrown in again.

But they didn't dare ask too many questions, much less offend Ma Yu, in case this kid went out again in the future.

After thinking it over, they cleaned up the cell where Ma Yu had previously lived and locked him up again.

Returning to the same place, Ma Yu felt no emotion whatsoever.

Even the expression on his face didn't change; he just lay there on the tattered mattress, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. His mind was filled with memories of his past life.

These memories were painful things he had never dared to touch before.

At this moment, however, it is so clear, and even many forgotten details have surfaced.

Gradually, the memory settled on two kind, aged faces.

The two elders seemed to be smiling at him, as if they were comforting him, or as if they were asking him when he would come home.

His eyes immediately reddened, and tears slid down his cheeks.

Chinese people generally have a strong attachment to their hometown; whether they are doing well or not, they all hope to return to their roots in the end.

That's why there are sayings like "Returning home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night."

What's more, his parents are still alive.

Although the family's relationship wasn't dramatic, it was filled with a quiet warmth.

Traveling to an unfamiliar era, far from his family and friends, left his heart in a constant state of uncertainty.

His fear of class society led him to do many hysterical things.

For example, in order to increase his own leverage, he chose the most radical and controversial approach: befriending Chang Yuchun.

For example, he often acts neurotically and makes himself look like a clown.

All of this was to mask his inner unease.

In the past, if he was unhappy about something, he could go out with friends for a barbecue and a few beers, and they would vent their frustrations and it would all pass.

But now, he dares not open his heart to anyone.

All the negative emotions gradually accumulated, and eventually, due to some seemingly inexplicable things, they were completely overwhelmed.

At that moment, he truly felt that time travel was meaningless.

In this world, he might be able to manipulate events and live a life full of ups and downs.

But so what?
He wanted to go back to his past life and live a simple, ordinary life.

Simply because everything he knew and cherished was there.

Death allows me to travel through time; perhaps if I die again, I can go back.

As he thought this, he slowly closed his eyes.
-
Ma Yu's sudden imprisonment in a death row cell shocked the court and the public.

A few days ago, he was the most favored among the court officials, and even went out of the city for a stroll with the Empress and the Crown Prince.
His small group gained increasing importance, and his status became increasingly detached.

During this trip, he also invented many new technologies, which even changed the Confucian scholars' impression of him.

It seems that everyone can see a new star rising.

However, he was suddenly imprisoned on death row.

In the end what happened?
However, this matter was too serious, and Zhu Yuanzhang blocked all news, so they couldn't get any information at all.

The less information you can get, the more speculations arise.

The general feeling is that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

Then... someone mocked Ma Yu, saying, "You were so flamboyant before, now you know you regret it, right?"

For example, Li Shanchang laughed heartily.

This little beggar has finally reaped what he sowed.

Do you think that having a little bit of unique knowledge will allow you to navigate the officialdom with ease?

To become an official, one needs brains, not academic knowledge.

Some people lamented, such as Song Lian and Liu Bowen, that it was a pity such great talents were wasted.

However, their subsequent actions were quite different.

This time, Song Lian chose to remain on the sidelines.

On the contrary, Liu Bowen tried to rescue him, but was directly driven out by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Before he could take any further action, he received a message from Empress Ma.

Tell him not to worry about anything.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he still trusted Empress Ma quite a bit.

Since she had already said that, we could only choose to observe.

Those with the most complicated feelings are those connected to Ma Yu.

For example, members of the small group were worried about both Ma Yu's safety and whether they themselves would be implicated.

As a result, many people no longer dared to go to Majialou.

The privileged children who used to desperately want to get in have all vanished in an instant.

Zhu Shuang looked at the deserted Ma family mansion with a very gloomy expression.

How many people are still willing to come here?

Without even looking at the ledger, Wu Gao said, "There are twenty-one people with waist tokens and nine people without waist tokens."

Zhu Shuang said, "Write down all thirty of these people; they'll all be on our side from now on."

Wu Gao hesitated for a moment before asking, "Should those people's waist tags be taken back?"

He was referring to those who didn't come.

Zhu Shuang took a deep breath, shook his head and said, "No need, they are also the Crown Prince's people."

Wu Gao was startled and understood the meaning behind his words.

We're all part of the Crown Prince's faction, but even within the Crown Prince's party, there's a distinction between "you," "me," and "him."

Those who are still willing to come to Majialou to share the hardships are our own people.

Those who don't want to come, we won't offend them, but from now on we'll just be colleagues.

He had no objection to this; on the contrary, he supported Zhu Shuang's decision.

Entering politics is a very dangerous time, and those who are unwilling to share hardships in critical moments are certainly not trustworthy.

Even if you have no feelings for anyone and just want to place a bet.

If you don't even dare to place a bet, it means you have no confidence in small organizations.

Such people can only be considered colleagues or allies, not as one of our own.

However, he was more concerned about Ma Yu than this matter:

"How is Brother Ma?"

Wu Gao had already gained Zhu Shuang's trust, so Zhu Shuang didn't hide anything and shook his head, saying:

"My father forbids all visitors, but I don't know the specifics."

"However, the fact that my mother still acknowledges him as her nephew means that things haven't reached the point of no return."

Wu Gao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good."

If he were truly doomed to die, Empress Ma would certainly remove him from the family register immediately.

The fact that they didn't do that shows they still acknowledge this nephew.

As long as she still acknowledges it, things will be easier to handle.

After this information was sent out, all thirty members inside the building breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that there's still room for maneuver.

Upon receiving the news, Chang Yuchun immediately prepared to enter the palace to meet Zhu Yuanzhang.

But Zhu Yuanzhang had anticipated his arrival and refused to let him into the palace.

He wanted to go to the prison to see Ma Yu, but he was prevented from doing so.

Just as he was about to force his way in, Empress Ma sent a eunuch to tell him to go home and wait without doing anything.

Chang Yuchun heeded the advice, but before returning home, he sent a message to Empress Ma through a eunuch:

“Ma Yu saved my life, and I am willing to exchange all my merits for his life.”

"If that's not enough, then let me die in his place."

Upon hearing the eunuch's account, Empress Ma sighed:

"Bo Ren is truly a man of both loyalty and righteousness."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Chang Yuchun's words, he simply snorted coldly and remained silent.

Then he asked the craftsman in front of him, "How is it? Can you build a practical steam engine?"

The craftsmen replied tremblingly, "Your Majesty, this item was made entirely by a horse... He directed its production, and we have no idea how it was made."

The implication is that it's difficult.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he said, "Useless trash, go back and study this carefully. If you can't make it, I'll skin you alive."

The craftsmen were terrified and scrambled away.

Just then, a member of the Imperial Guard appeared and said:
"Your Majesty, the criminal Ma... has not eaten a single grain of rice today, and it seems he is about to starve himself."

(End of this chapter)