Start by saving Empress Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang honors me as the Emperor of Ming Dynasty

The refugee's name is Zhao Er!

This name doesn't have any special meaning. Zhao Er means the second child in the Zhao family. They used to be a family of five. However, as the Ming Empire wanted to maintain the north-south front, the county government had to increase taxes and labor service!

His family had only a few acres of thin land to make ends meet. Now the eldest and third sons were conscripted for labor service, and because he had a disability in his right leg, he stayed at home to take care of the elderly, and their life was pretty good!

However, the repeated increase in taxes shattered this already shaky family in an instant.

Later, he heard that he could take the "Great Edict" to Zhu Yuanzhang to file a complaint! He wanted to ask Zhu Yuanzhang why Zhu Yuanzhang, who came from a peasant family, began to exploit the peasants after becoming emperor!

At this moment, he was kneeling outside the Meridian Gate of the Imperial Palace, holding the Great Edict high in his hand. The imperial guards who came and went could only watch, not daring to move! Zhu Yuanzhang had issued a strict decree that no one could stop anyone holding the Great Edict!

There was once a governor who persuaded a man holding the "Great Edict" to go back. Zhu Yuanzhang dismissed him from office and even had his legs chopped off! He was left with a lifelong disability!

There were many people watching the excitement around, but they were all far away and watching from afar, so there was no big noise. The only communication was in low voices. After all, it was too sensitive. If they were not careful and let the officers and soldiers notice it, it would be a disaster.

Soon, there was a commotion in the palace. As a large number of Jinyiwei rushed out, a middle-aged man wearing a golden crown and a dragon robe, with an imposing manner, stood with one hand behind his back and slowly walked out!

Even without saying a word, the powerful aura exuded by his every gesture attracted everyone's attention as soon as he appeared!

"Long live my emperor!"

All the onlookers knelt on the ground and shouted Long live!

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his people, and then his eyes fell on Zhao Er who was not far away. He walked over quickly and stood beside Zhao Er, but he did not look down on him. Instead, he reached out and personally helped Zhao Er up!

Zhao Er originally had the heart to die, but seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's approachable demeanor, the determination in his eyes instantly melted away. He trembled and said, "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the "Great Edict" and handed it to the Jinyiwei beside him. Then he said to Zhao Er, "Tell me, what grievances have you suffered?"

"As for your previous insults to me, I will forgive you!"

Zhao Er was somewhat moved, but suddenly he remembered the family that was forced to death by corvee and taxes. The determination in his eyes gathered again, he swallowed his saliva, and said slowly:

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what was your status when you started your rebellion in Fengyang?"

As Zhao Er finished speaking, the huge place became quiet in an instant. Countless eyes were instantly locked on Zhao Er, but the people did not react much.

But some officials who came with him were keenly aware of what this guy wanted to ask, and their faces changed drastically!

Erhu subconsciously clenched the blade. As long as this guy couldn't say a word, he would kill him quickly even if he was a traitor!

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows slightly and said frankly: "I was born into a peasant family. It was the end of the Yuan Dynasty. I couldn't get enough food. The corrupt Yuan court didn't give me a way to survive, so I had to find a way to survive myself!"

Zhao Er took a deep breath, and a trace of sadness appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, you said you were born a farmer!"

"But look, Your Majesty. You sit on the throne, wear the dragon robe, and live in this beautiful palace. Have you ever heard the mournful songs that are now echoing across the Central Plains?"

"Our wish is simple! We just want to have enough food and clothes to eat, but now, those people keep raising taxes, and we have no way to survive. There are five people in my family, and now I am the only one left!"

"Zhu Yuanzhang, you betrayed your origins!"

Originally, the previous words were somewhat sensitive and taboo, which was considered a taboo in the eyes of all the officials. However, the next sentence starting with Zhu Yuanzhang was like thunder, resounding over the palace!

Not only did the people's faces change drastically, but even the officials who were still standing knelt on the ground in fear.

These words are almost the same as pointing at Zhu Yuanzhang's nose and cursing him!

At this moment, the accompanying officials wished that today had not happened. They were all thinking, if you want to die, go find a place to jump into the river. Why do you come to provoke this living devil and drag us into hell together?

Just when everyone thought that Zhu Yuanzhang would be furious, Zhu Yuanzhang did not react much. He looked at the indignant man in front of him, and in a trance, it seemed as if he saw himself decades ago!

There was no anger, only deep guilt and self-blame in his heart at this moment!

After thinking for a moment, he said, "We've already killed all of those people. If you're not satisfied, we can issue an order now to execute their entire clan!"

Zhao Er was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's not what I meant..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "This situation is really forced by the current situation!"

As he spoke, he walked slowly with his hands behind his back, like a teacher giving a lecture to his students!

"When I was a kid, I read some books about Qin Shi Huang!"

"At the time, I didn't understand why Qin Shi Huang spent so much manpower and resources to build the Great Wall and the Qin Straight Road!"

"The world has just been stabilized, shouldn't we rest and recuperate with the people?"

"This confusion persisted until I became emperor!"

"During the reign of Qin Shi Huang, the north was unsettled, and the Xiongnu frequently invaded the Central Plains from the south. If the Xiongnu threat was not quelled, the war would inevitably spread to the interior, thus affecting the fate of the Central Plains dynasty!"

Having said that, he looked at Zhao Er with a complicated expression, took a deep breath, and then said:

"In today's Ming Empire, the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty in the south are always guarding the land of Yunnan. The Yuan court in the north is always a major concern for the court. And the Oirat tribe has also split off and massacred the people of the Central Plains!"

"If we don't start a war now, and the barbarian threat spreads to the interior, the world will be in chaos again, which will definitely not benefit the people!"

"You are right to accuse me!"

As the last word fell, countless shocked eyes fell on Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang.

This emperor came from a humble background.

You actually admitted your mistake?

The emperor actually admitted his mistake?

You know, throughout history, only Emperor Wu of Han had issued the "Luntai Sinner's Edict", but this was just a letter of regret after many rhetorical revisions, the words were tactful, and it was issued from the palace.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang admitted his mistake in front of all the officials and the people!

The people were all a little bit unbelievable at this moment.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, who was full of emotion, and couldn't help but smile. God knows, he hadn't slept for several nights in order to supply military supplies to the northern and southern fronts!

"His Majesty!"

The sound of the ministers wailing loudly sounded very appropriately!

Zhu Yuanzhang ignored those people and whispered to Zhao Er: "I promise you, after we drive out the foreign enemies, we will make all the people of the Ming Dynasty prosperous!"

Having said this, if Zhao Er said anything else, he would be ignorant. However, although he had little education, he also knew that since ancient times, the emperor has been a god in heaven. How could a god admit his mistake? But Zhu Yuanzhang did so, and he was naturally very grateful in his heart!

"Your Majesty! I was rude before, please forgive me!"

Zhao Er's voice was almost choked with sobs.

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out and patted Zhao Er on the shoulder, and suddenly remembered an article, "Zou Ji's Advice to King Qi", in which there is a sentence, "Anyone who can point out my faults to my face will be rewarded!"

He thought for a moment and said, "I'll reward you with 10,000 taels of silver, 100 mu of land, and a house as an encouragement for pointing out my mistakes in front of you today!"

Zhao Er was stunned for a moment, then burst into tears, "Your Majesty..."