Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 31 Old Zhu: If he doesn't attend court, can he still turn the world upside down? [Seeking monthly votes]

After abolishing the position of prime minister, Zhu Yuanzhang personally handled almost every matter, big or small, in the court.

He handles over two hundred documents and nearly four hundred tasks daily, making him arguably the most hardworking person in the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps it was because Old Zhu worked too hard that his descendants, knowing they couldn't compete, became as lazy as dogs.

Even more extreme, he had not attended court for twenty-eight years.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was handling government affairs in the Huagai Hall behind the Fengtian Hall.

"emperor."

The young eunuch Yunming quietly entered and saw that Old Zhu was reviewing memorials behind his desk, so he simply called out softly.

"Any news?"

Old Zhu was still reviewing memorials when he snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Tell me, how did he spend that fifty taels of silver? Did he hire maids? Did he squander it recklessly? Did he redeem the jade pendant for that Imperial Censor Shen and buy him pig's head?"

Yunming gave an awkward laugh twice before truthfully reporting:

"Your Majesty, when Imperial Censor Zhang left the Fengtian Hall, he was surrounded by a group of seventh and eighth-rank officials in the capital. He said a lot, but mostly he praised Your Majesty's great benevolence. He did not hire any maids, nor did he squander the fifty taels. Instead, he gave Imperial Censor Shen twenty taels to treat the group of seventh and eighth-rank officials to pig's head meat."

"Heh, so that bastard is actually quite righteous?"

Old Zhu sneered, then put down his imperial brush, his withered fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Although Zhang Biao was determined to die, it doesn't mean he was a heartless person.

A person with feelings, once bound by bonds, is unlikely to die easily.

After all, everyone experiences the pain of 'decluttering'.

Thinking of this, Old Zhu vividly recalled every word and expression of Zhang Biao in the Fengtian Hall.

From the initial sharp and straightforward warnings of national subjugation, to the self-righteous indignation of a minister starving to death while demanding unpaid wages, and finally to the listless demeanor while holding the imperial gift of clear soup noodles.

"A loyal minister's innocence cannot save the Ming Dynasty!"

That angry roar still echoes in my ears.

"But perhaps a clear-headed censor who would die for his principles could!"

Is that arrogant? Yes, it is!

But after careful consideration, Old Zhu discerned some flawed logic in it.

He, Zhu Yuanzhang, was a ruthless hero who crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

He understood one principle very well.

A peaceful and prosperous era needs capable and honest officials, but to break through this deep-rooted and intractable disease, sometimes, we really need unconventional, fearless, and even somewhat reckless "tough guys" and "hotheads" like Zhang Biao!
Those ministers and officials are too 'clever'.

They know how to read the superior's mind, how to weigh the pros and cons, and how to protect themselves wisely.

Are we to let them stir up a hornet's nest like the salary system? To mess with the powerful princes? To wade into the bottomless murky waters of the succession?
They only know how to quote classics and talk about other things, and in the end they submit a bunch of bland and useless memorials!

But Zhang Biao is different.

He's like an unsharpened but exceptionally sharp awl, without much detours, just stabbing straight at the most painful spot.

Low salary? He dared to pull out that tattered account book titled "Give Me Back My Hard-Earned Money" and settle accounts with the emperor in the Fengtian Hall!
A potential threat from regional princes? He dared to point his finger at him and say, "Your Majesty! You are sowing the seeds of disaster!"
Empty storage space? He dares to 'bundle sales + actively seek to exploit people'!
Although the methods were extreme and the language was harsh.

But Zhu De had to admit that the wound inflicted by this "awl" had shown him pus and blood, causing him excruciating pain. It also forced him to re-examine his governance.

"wanna die?"

Old Zhu couldn't help but pick up the white porcelain teacup on the table, take a sip of the strong, bitter tea, and a glint of almost cold shrewdness flashed in his cloudy old eyes: "It's not that easy!"

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in an extremely rare manner, forming a cold yet expectant arc: "Let's see how deep you can poke this festering sore in the Ming Dynasty and how clean you can scrape it out!"

"Even if we die, we'll squeeze every last drop out of you with your silver tongue!"

The study was warm and cozy.

Yunming stood like a shadow beside the dragon table, listening intently to every word of Old Zhu's self-talk, which was filled with the coldness of an emperor and full of calculation.

He held his breath, not daring to utter a sound.

Until Old Zhu asked him again, "Anything else?"

But then Yunming cautiously added, "Furthermore, the matter of Imperial Censor Zhang demanding his salary at the Fengtian Hall has caused quite a stir. The Ministry of Rites considers it improper and treasonous, and is planning to impeach Imperial Censor Zhang."

"It's alright, as long as he doesn't attend court, he won't cause much trouble."

Old Zhu said nonchalantly, seemingly not taking the matter to heart, and then casually changed the subject, asking, "Is there any movement from the Tenth Prince's residence?"

"Your Majesty, after Prince Qin returned from the funeral, he made a fuss for a while, but then quieted down. Prince Jin, though quiet, had his subordinates frequently entering and leaving his residence, their intentions unclear. As for Prince Yan, he has remained secluded since returning, except for his third son, Zhu Gaosui, who occasionally goes to the Embroidered Uniform Guard office for work."

Yunming recounted the situation of the Tenth Prince's Mansion in great detail, and Old Zhu listened very carefully.

Before they knew it, the only sounds in the entire study of the Huagai Hall were Yunming's voice and Old Zhu's breathing.

"The above is a summary of the activities of the Tenth Prince's residence over the past two days. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly."

"Hmm." Old Zhu responded expressionlessly, giving neither instructions nor expressing his opinion. He remained silent for a moment before continuing, "How is the situation at the Eastern Palace?"

"Your Majesty..."

Yunming bowed again and said, "After returning from the funeral, Crown Princess Lü lost her appetite and often cried in the mourning hall. When she went to the mourning hall to pay respects to the Crown Prince, she also brought the Crown Prince's children with her."

That's not what we're asking!

Old Zhu interrupted him somewhat displeased.

Yunming's face paled, and he quickly changed his words, saying, "Besides accompanying the Crown Princess Lü to pay respects to the Crown Prince, His Highness the Second Grandson of the Emperor also studies diligently. Every day, he studies with Huang Zicheng, the tutor of the Crown Prince, and asks questions. He has never slacked off in the slightest."

"Hmm." Old Zhu's expression softened slightly, then he asked, "Anything else?"

"Uh, this."

Yunming hesitated for a moment, then immediately understood: "His Highness the Third Prince, although he also accompanies the Crown Princess Lü to pay respects to the Crown Prince, often leaves early, either to take his two elder sisters out for food and drink, or to play with the eunuchs and palace maids. As for his studies, he also frequently leaves the school early to eat, drink, and have fun."

"Enough!" Old Zhu couldn't help but get irritated. "You good-for-nothing! Get out of here!!"

"Yes, yes, yes, this servant will leave right away, right away!"

Yunming was used to Lao Zhu's unpredictable temper, so he immediately scrambled away.

Not long after seeing Yunming off, Old Zhu glanced at the memorials on the dragon desk, no longer in the mood to review them. He slowly left the desk, looked at the sky outside the door, and frowned, saying, "Summon Jiang Huan, we need to go see our Biao!"

(End of this chapter)