The food on the table is very ordinary. Not to mention the other princes and ministers, even the rich businessmen who order ordinary food cannot eat simple. After all, as long as they have the conditions, they all pay attention to the fineness of the food and the fineness of the food.
However, the father and son are used to it. Empress Ma is in charge of the affairs of the harem. Throughout the year, whenever there is a natural or man-made disaster in the area, she will issue an edict to order the palace to practice frugality and never be extravagant and wasteful. Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao can still have a meal. Four dishes and one soup, she only had two dishes and one soup. The other concubines in the palace naturally did not dare to violate the rules as the queen set an example.
Zhu Yuanzhang took a bite of the sesame cake and said: "The imperial court has received more than one million shi of food, so there is no need to be so frugal in the palace. I heard that my sister led the concubines to weave clothes and quilts for a day yesterday. This is too hard, let alone you." I don’t eat much on weekdays.”
Empress Ma served him a bowl of duck blood soup and said: "No matter how frugal the palace is, there is no cold or hunger. The concubines and princesses have nothing to do on weekdays. They weave some silk clothes, satin quilts and so on, and then use the royal In the name of giving it to the elderly and lonely elderly people, it can be regarded as saving blessings for yourself."
Zhu Biao swallowed the food in his mouth and said: "The Queen Mother has a kind heart. Who in the government and the public does not know that the Queen is virtuous and generous? I have heard of it several times when my sons and ministers are out of the palace to do business, but my father and sons are rarely praised. ah."
Zhu Yuanzhang said happily: "This is a good thing. It is much better than a family of evil people or a family of good people."
Empress Ma put down the spoon and shook her head and said: "Chongba, I have heard in the harem recently that you have been killing people in both the government and the public, often implicating the whole family and even three clans. Isn't this too much? God has the virtue of good life, even if they are If there is a crime and the chief culprit is killed, then why bother even women and children..."
Zhu Biao suddenly heard Chongba and almost spat out the food in his mouth. He had often heard this call when he was a child. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Empress Ma rarely called her like this.
However, when Empress Ma called her this, it showed that she was serious. Zhu Yuanzhang listened patiently for a while, but after hearing it, he frowned and said: "Sister, you don't understand the important affairs of the country. We have our own sense of these things. Don't forget the harem." There is a law against interfering in politics, and whoever said this in your ears, we must punish you severely!"
Queen Ma is not afraid of him. If there are palace maids and eunuchs, she will naturally not contradict him. After all, she should give her man face, but now they are the only family here.
Empress Ma stretched out her hand and snatched the sesame cake from Zhu Yuanzhang's hand: "At this time, you know that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. Zhu Chongba, you are the emperor, but I am also the empress of the motherland. If these children have made mistakes, you will be punished by their father. Is it right? Isn’t it enough for me, a mother, to beg for mercy and advice?”
Zhu Biao buried his face deeply into his rice bowl. Speaking at this time may be regarded as a goal to divert the couple's internal conflicts. Today's meal is really delicious.
Lao Zhu's face rose: "What kind of children are those corrupt officials? Some of them are older than us. Sister, please stop making excuses. It's not like we haven't told you about the purge of officials. Didn't you say that at the beginning? Okay?"
After Empress Ma expressed her attitude, she said no more. After sitting down, she began to serve her son. Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately angry and had no place to vent his anger. It would be fine if this woman resisted him, but it was nothing to just give up. I could only pick up the duck blood soup and take a big sip.
Seeing this, Zhu Biao had no choice but to say: "Last time, my father didn't pardon the children of the prisoners' families. Although it was suggested by the son-in-law, who can do it if my father doesn't nod? Mother, this corrupt official is violating the law and causing chaos." Ji has killed more innocent people. My father is so ruthless just to punish Chao Gang, so my mother should be more considerate."
Empress Ma sighed and said: "Your father and I also came out of the troubled times. How could we not understand the principle of kindness and not being in charge of the army? However, there should always be more gentleness in the affairs of the court. After all, it is not necessary to kill wantonly." Wang Dao, and I'm afraid that if you continue like this, it will damage the morality of you and your son. Since Lao Jiu, there have been several more children lost in the palace, and the younger ones have been suffering from many illnesses recently..."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned but calmed down and said comfortingly: "Even if there are true virtues and blessings, then God should also count how many people I, Zhu Yuanzhang, have survived. Even if there are still shortcomings after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, on the whole, it is prosperous, and the people It’s better than it was a few decades ago, so you should protect my Zhu family!”
Zhu Biao also advised: "No matter how meticulously you take care of, it is difficult to save all the children. This is also the fate of an individual. Mother, you don't have to think too much. As my father said, the founding of the Ming Dynasty at least protected tens of millions of people. If It is enough to repay your father, the queen, and your mother if you really have some good deeds and become immortals immediately."
Empress Ma covered her reddish eyes with her sleeves and remained silent. The father and son of the Zhu family looked at each other and immediately fell into tears. The food suddenly no longer tasted good. Empress Ma couldn't be crying next to them, even though they were enjoying the meal. She knew this was just her trump card, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Zhu Yuanzhang winked at his prince. He was not too embarrassed to say the cruel words just now. Zhu Biao shook his head simply. His mother knew who was the one who made the final decision. If Zhu Yuanzhang did not promise to curb his murderous nature in the future, then he would have to. So wasteful.
Zhu Biao actually quite agreed. Killing was a means, not an end, and the same was true for the three implicated tribes. The purpose was to warn other officials more deeply that if they went astray, they would be responsible for the consequences.
However, this implication is indeed a bit excessive, not to mention those children and childish people, even if they are relatives, they may be close and distant. Maybe the two people have had conflicts for many years, but they will not listen to this sudden accusation.
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You don't need to look carefully to figure out that there will definitely be some innocent people in the killings during this period. There is nothing that can be done about it. In ancient times, clans suffered both prosperity and loss, but according to Zhu Biao, it was really not appropriate.
However, due to the fact that the purge of officialdom has just begun, the edge must move forward forward. Being able to protect those newborn children is the limit of Zhu Biao. This is also the limit of the prince. If he says more, he will be suspected of disobeying the emperor and his father. That is not kneeling. It can be solved in a few hours.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and thought for a while, he had killed almost all of them recently, and none of the officials in the capital who had serious problems escaped. His determination to clean up the government and his ruthlessness towards corrupt officials were clearly expressed, unless the crime was really heinous and unjust. He was an unforgivable person, but the punishment of implicating him was inappropriate. Killing his whole family would be enough. I don't think those officials would take it lightly.
Comrade Lao Zhu finally said helplessly: "Okay, let us be the bad guys, and you two will be the good guys. Unless the whole family is extremely guilty, otherwise after the chief culprit is killed, his family members will be spared, and they will be exiled to Fengyang to open up wasteland. It will be released in a few years depending on the situation.
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