Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 68 Slaughtering Nine Counties Out of Ten

These words were spoken without a trace of emotion.

This made Sun Chuanting, who was kneeling on the ground, feel as if he were kneeling on a red-hot iron plate.

From the perspective of what is in the best interest of the country, the members of the imperial clan in Shaanxi should indeed be dealt with.
After all, he had just visited Shaanxi a few days ago.

I once witnessed a concubine of the Prince of Qin's mansion going on an outing, followed by more than a hundred attendants.

These attendants were all dressed in fine silks and brocades, clothes that even poor people couldn't afford after half a year of farming.

This is only the servant's doing.
But are the issues concerning the royal family something that a mere resigned scholar like him can presume to comment on?!

Sun Chuanting was momentarily confused about the emperor's meaning and did not know how to answer.

Deep down, he wanted to answer "He deserves to die."

However, this move seems far too shocking and unconventional given the prevailing principles of the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues.

Just as Sun Chuanting was so thirsty he couldn't speak, he heard a voice in his ear again.

"I asked this question, so whatever you say, I will not blame you. There is no need to panic."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting's mind raced, and he roughly understood that this was a test from the emperor.

Which is more important, the imperial family or the people's livelihood?

The emperor's words stirred a surge of passion in Sun Chuanting.

At the same time, Sun Chuanting roughly guessed why the emperor was able to achieve this in such a short time.

Given this straightforward sense of responsibility, how could any subject with even a modicum of ambition not be willing to die for the emperor?

Sun Chuanting took a deep breath, composed himself, and answered loudly:
"Your Majesty, if we consider the interests of the country and its people, those members of the imperial clan within Shaanxi should indeed all be executed!"

Sun Chuanting wanted to give a more tactful answer, but the emperor's question was whether members of the imperial clan should be killed.

If he were to try to escape anything at this point, it would likely severely damage his image in the emperor's mind.

Sun Chuanting did not want to see this happen, because for him...

This is not only a crucial opportunity to save Shaanxi and the Ming Dynasty, but also an opportunity for Sun Chuanting himself to make a name for himself.

Therefore, in front of the emperor, he uttered such disrespectful words towards imperial authority.

Because he understood that a wise and ambitious emperor would not punish a subject for saying something that was in the best interests of the country.

Hearing Sun Chuanting's answer, Zhu Youjian slowly nodded.

For Zhu Youjian

The common people can drive the empire forward on a macro level, while the royal family can only drag the empire down on a micro level.

Therefore, if the officials he chooses have fundamental problems with their thinking, then even if they have strong administrative abilities, it will be meaningless.

If your attitude is wrong, the greater your ability, the more reactionary you become.

He was very satisfied with Sun Chuanting's ideas.

For Zhu Youjian, the concept of imperial power was completely unimportant.

A leader who is single-mindedly devoted to advancing the empire, willing to sacrifice everything for the empire, including his own life.

Power was merely a necessary tool for him to advance the empire.

Facing Sun Chuanting, who was kneeling on the ground, Zhu Youjian said calmly, "Get up and tell me about your experiences in Shaanxi."

Immediately, a young eunuch brought Sun Chuanting an embroidered stool.

Sun Chuanting knew he had passed the first hurdle.

But instead of feeling relieved, he became increasingly nervous.

While adjusting his mindset, Sun Chuanting began to carefully recount to His Majesty what he had seen and heard in Shaanxi.

Zhu Youjian listened to Sun Chuanting's account and nodded slightly.

Judging from the conversation, Sun Chuanting was indeed knowledgeable about various parts of the Ming Dynasty, especially the Shaanxi and Shanxi regions.

In particular, Sun Chuanting offered some unique insights on how to effectively govern the grassroots level.

However, these are ultimately just theoretical discussions; Sun Chuanting's true abilities can only be seen through specific events.

For a patriotic middle-aged man like Sun Chuanting.

Zhu Youjian was willing to give him a chance to prove his abilities.

After chatting for a while, Zhu Youjian said to Sun Chuanting, "Go and rest for today. I have a task for you to handle tomorrow."

With the emperor speaking, Sun Chuanting naturally dared not say anything more and immediately knelt down, kowtowed, and took his leave.

After returning.

Sun Chuanting took a long time to catch his breath before letting out a long sigh. Originally...

Sun Chuanting believed that he had passed the imperial examination, served as a government official in the capital, worked at the grassroots level, and even resigned from his post, so he felt he had some experience and pride.

But just now, facing the young new emperor, he truly understood what it meant to be walking on thin ice, trembling with fear.

Although the emperor's attitude towards him was relatively mild, the invisible aura he exuded made it difficult for him to breathe.

After splashing cold water on his face several times, Sun Chuanting gradually calmed down.

After calming down, he couldn't help but feel excited about the task the emperor had just mentioned.

His decision to follow the emperor to Shaanxi was indeed the right one.

Next.

Whether for the sake of the Ming Dynasty or for one's own sake, one must do one's best to fulfill the duties assigned by the Emperor.

at the same time.

More than thirty counties within Xi'an Prefecture.

Apart from the dozen or so counties that received the news yesterday, the rest of the counties also hurriedly and frantically began working after receiving the imperial edict.

The heads of my colleagues aren't even rotten yet! Besides, the emperor is right here in Shaanxi; who would dare to act recklessly?!
However, after completing the task of gathering the refugees, the county magistrates couldn't help but have their own ulterior motives.

Although the gathering of refugees was only temporary, the imperial edict stated that they would be given enough rations and sent back to their places of origin.

The problem is that a large portion of those refugees were originally from various counties fleeing famine.

This way.

Isn't it the same as you returning the refugees you have with me, and me sending the refugees I have with you back to me?
The displaced people have no land to cultivate and are entirely dependent on government relief; it's simply impossible to support so many people.
Ever since.

The county magistrates, who lived not too far away, spontaneously gathered together late that night to discuss the matter.

There's no way to support all the refugees, and once the food runs out, even the emperor is helpless.

If the emperor becomes unreasonable, we will all die.

So we need to think of a way to save our lives.

This suggestion was met with widespread approval, since nobody wants to die.

In this situation, the officials of Xi'an Prefecture began to brainstorm ideas.

Didn't the emperor tell us to gather the refugees?

Okay! Let's do it!
Not only do the job, but do it well!
But after I finish my job, I can at least report on the county's grain reserves, right?
When the time comes, all thirty-odd counties in the prefecture will submit a joint memorial, all saying that the collection of refugees has led to a critical shortage of grain. What can Your Majesty do then?
Shouldn't we also take the reality into consideration?

Moreover, other prefectures within Shaanxi Province, seeing the situation in Xi'an Prefecture, would certainly not sit idly by and would definitely submit a joint memorial explaining the situation.

At that time, with the combined strength of all the colleagues in the province, even the emperor would not be able to contend with them.

It's not that we don't want to do it, the conditions are what they are, what can we do?
The policy of gathering refugees will surely fall apart at that time, and the refugees can go wherever they want, as long as they don't stay here.

It's not that we don't want to save you; if we had a hundred taels, we would be willing to give up one tael to save you.

But right now we only have fifty taels or even thirty taels!

How can we save you?
Don't blame us, blame God for being blind and letting Shaanxi suffer from drought for several years in a row!
After figuring out this crucial point, the county magistrates, who had been terrified, calmed down a bit and went home to sleep.

Ultimately, it's better for imperial power not to extend to the counties.

The next day.

early morning.

After Sun Chuanting finished washing up, a member of the Imperial Guard came to him with an imperial decree that the Emperor summoned him.

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting knew that this was the errand His Majesty had mentioned yesterday, so he quickly tidied his appearance and followed the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Throughout the journey, Sun Chuanting kept pondering what the emperor would ask him to do.

Is it to go elsewhere to gather refugees and investigate official corruption, or to have someone dredge the waterways and even transport some grain from Shanxi?
To Sun Chuanting's surprise, after he met the emperor and paid his respects, the so-called task the emperor assigned him was far more important than he had imagined.

"From this day forward, you will be in charge of supervising Xi'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province."

Commander-in-Chief of Xi'an Prefecture.

There is no official position in name only, but the emperor said there is.

Then yes, there is.

However, just as Sun Chuanting was about to bow in gratitude, the emperor's next words left him completely dumbfounded.

"Xi'an Prefecture governs 31 counties, excluding Tongguan, there are still 30 counties remaining."

"Of the remaining thirty counties, take nine out of every ten, and kill all the officials and gentry among them."

　To avoid any breaks in the story, these two chapters are also 2 words long. I sincerely ask everyone to help read on later.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)