Chapter 31 Let’s try
With Zhu Yuanzhang's original temperament, loyalty is either absolute or absolutely disloyal.
Zhu Yuanzhang believed that these people were loyal to him. But Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe in unconditional loyalty, and Zhu Yuanzhang fought his way out of troubled times. Even my nephew doesn't believe it. He has seen too many cases where ministers kill kings and kings kill ministers. Didn’t his biggest rival Chen Youliang kill his own master?
Zhu Yuanzhang believed that all loyalty has conditions attached.
In other words, loyalty and surrender are themselves one. It is a secondary option that cannot be replaced.
When he was there, these people were obedient. With him gone, what will these arrogant and powerful generals with grievances do to the young master?
"This disgraceful man is not a young master." Zhu Yuanzhang immediately thought of this sentence, which was the judgment of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty on Zhou Yafu, so Zhou Yafu wanted to rebel underground.
However, at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang remembered the history that He Xi had told him.
Suddenly there were some changes in my mind.
If historical development is followed, Zhu Yuanzhang would have to clean up these unhappy ministers. But after all, they are old brothers for many years. Really no emotion at all? Not to mention anything else, it’s Lu Zhongheng who just mentioned. Zhu Yuanzhang remembered it clearly. He was in rags then. He didn't even have the clothes to meet people. He only had a bucket of rice with him, which was the last possession of his family. After eating it, it would be gone.
It was up to Queen Ma to tidy up his clothes and mend his clothes. Just like that.
He first served as a personal soldier by his side, and then when he saw that he had promise, he was released to lead the army.
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang sent many such people. Zhu Yuanzhang had more than thirty adopted sons. But now, the only active person around him is Mu She. I think of the days when we shared joys and sorrows, and of the old brothers who died on the battlefield.
Think again of the fate of these people in history. Zhu Yuanzhang still felt that they were themselves to blame.
But his iron heart is also a little tender at the moment.
If possible, Zhu Yuanzhang may not be willing to start and end well with his old brothers. Therefore, although he scolded Tang He for being slippery, he was also thinking about Tang He's idea.
Zhu Yuanzhang also understood that there were huge benefits.
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang also understood. Now his team is not as good as his entrepreneurial team. Apart from anything else, if you invite Li Shanchang back, even if you don't do anything, if you stop at the center, the situation below will be completely different.
Most of Zhu Yuanzhang's civil service system was brought about by Li Shanchang. Even why Zhu Yuanzhang promoted the Zhejiang West Group. It means sharing Li Shanchang's power.
After Zhan Ding and He Xi's plan. Zhu Yuanzhang also understood one thing. That's when it's at sea. It's impossible to be like on land, where everything is in the hands of the court. In this case, these maritime benefits will have to be shared sooner or later. If these people are bought off with these benefits.
Many things will be easier to handle.
Especially reform.
Zhu Yuanzhang was reluctant to take action and just instructed He Xi to do his homework piecemeal. There are many reasons. On the one hand, if the big ship of the Ming Dynasty suddenly turned 180 degrees, there would be problems. You should also take your time when making a U-turn.
Secondly, interest groups have not been balanced.
In fact, the civil servants are the easiest to deal with. They were raised by Zhu Yuanzhang. During the Hongwu period, it was impossible to compete with the Xungui Group. Zhu Yuanzhang was most worried about changes in the army. And noble people are capable of doing such things.
If he can get the support of the Huaixi Group, Zhu Yuanzhang can do many things with twice the result with half the effort.
Yes, the benefits on the ocean are great. But in order for many policies to be implemented smoothly. This deal is not a bad idea either.
But Zhu Yuanzhang still felt aggrieved.
Because of his background, Zhu Yuanzhang actually had a sense of inferiority deep in his heart. Before Zhu Yuanzhang succeeded, his posture was very soft. When problems arise, they can be quickly adjusted. For example, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that there were many problems with recommendation, but in order for Ming Dynasty to quickly establish rule in the occupied areas. Used without hesitation. It can be regarded as a compromise with the local powerful.
But the Zhu Yuanzhang of today is not the Zhu Yuanzhang of the past.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang is supreme. He is already an emperor. He never wanted to bow his head for anything else. Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang was very afraid of the Huaixi Group. He was worried that if he bowed his head today, they would go one step further tomorrow.
Zhu Yuanzhang secretly thought: "I cannot come forward in this matter."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and called the prince over. Without saying much, he handed the two letters from He Xi and Tang He to the prince and said, "What do you think?"
The prince took part in all major world affairs, and he understood the conflicts between Zhu Yuanzhang and his uncles.
This matter is very sensitive. The prince didn't dare to get involved too much. But deep down in his heart, the prince also hoped that the two parties could reconcile as before. After all, the prince was also looked upon by these old ministers. Moreover, these veterans also have a good relationship with Queen Ma, which is an important help in stabilizing the prince's position.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak. The prince did not dare to speak nonsense.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang did not say it directly, letting him see this secret letter was a statement in itself.
The prince was excited and said: "Father, I think Uncle Tang has the overall situation in mind, and his idea is also excellent. You might as well give it a try."
In fact, as far as the prince himself is concerned, he doesn't have much interest in overseas affairs. After all, different positions mean different interests. As the future emperor, the prince is Zhu Yuanzhang's assistant. The prince inherently aligned himself with the Ming bureaucracy and was not interested in things beyond his control. Without him, the imperial court can share the interests of Nanyang with the nobles and the feudal princes. It was impossible to share it with the prince. Prince Gein's interests lie in the imperial court.
Moreover, the prince has not yet seen the benefits at sea. But the risks at sea have been seen. Hundreds of thousands of taels were given to a few dozen noble families, which was a lot of money, but to the imperial court, it was small money. There is also the risk of failure.
But if this matter is related to resolving the knot between Zhu Yuanzhang and Uncle Huaixi. Then the importance of this matter is highlighted.
The prince has one hundred and ten thousand support.
This is the art of politics, the art of dividing the cake. It's divided. Hello, hello, everyone, the situation is developing in your own favor, if the situation is not good. It is not impossible for disaster to occur within Xiao Qiang.
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Since you think so, then give it a try. However, don't lose the dignity of the royal family."
The prince said: "My son understands."
After the prince received the mission, he immediately started preparations.
However, the prince also knew that getting on the pole was not a business. He was intentional and couldn't show too much eagerness. And too eager. This thing may not be possible. The first thing he has to do is to test. Send a signal over there.
Based on this signal, let’s see what to do next.
And who should be the person delivering this signal?
The prince thought for a while. He told the people around him: "Go and invite all the princes-in-law to come over. I want to entertain them."
Only this time, the prince invited several more consorts.
Because there were many happy events in Hongwu's fifteen years. Princess Anqing, who had always been in trouble, got married, and the princesses behind Princess Anqing also got married one after another. There are also several princesses who are engaged.
Fu Zhong should also have performed well in Yunnan. While guarding Yunnan, he also led troops to pacify several chieftains independently, so that he could go up the mountain in person, enter the camp alone, and make many chieftains surrender. He has made a lot of contributions. Zhu Yuanzhang was especially kind and arranged the marriage of his Princess Shouchun.
However, Princess Shouchun is a little small. I still have to wait a year before I can get married.
Therefore, the person invited by the prince this time is Princess Lin'an's consort Li Qi, which is also the prince's main goal. After all, it is absolutely impossible to ignore Li Shanchang regarding the Huaixi Group. Most of the others are accompanying guests. Just like Mei Yin, the consort of Princess Ningguo, Niucheng, the consort of Princess Chongning, Lu Xian, the consort of Princess Runing, and as mentioned above, Lu Zhongheng's son. Li Jian, the consort of the famous princess, and so on.
By the way, Fu Zhong was also invited. Although Fu Zhong has not yet married the princess, according to Zhu Yuanzhang's rules, it has been settled. That is a done deal and there can be no further changes.
