Chapter 143: My Empire, My Decision

Regarding the actions of Zheng He and Li Jinglong, Zhu Yunwen was unaware. The distant distance made information transmission particularly slow.

The so-called “urgent delivery of eight hundred miles” was just an exaggerated expression in ancient times.

In reality, an urgent delivery of eight hundred miles often meant covering only around five hundred miles.

If Zheng He wrote an urgent report and arranged for the post officials in Funing Prefecture to deliver it urgently over eight hundred miles to the capital.

When the post officials looked at the map, they would find that it was only about one thousand five hundred miles, quite manageable.

Carrying a bag on your back, with food and drink prepared, you mount the horse, shout “I’m off,” and then swiftly ride away.

Before covering a hundred miles, the road suddenly becomes muddy and impassable. There’s no way around it; when it rains, no one can do anything about it. Take it easy, and remember to go slow. In case you fall off the horse and break your neck, it can only be said that you’re unlucky.

If you’re going over a mountain, be cautious. Falling rocks pose a danger. Travel quickly, and just in case…

Well, okay, safely pass through the dangerous area. Suddenly, you see rocks blocking the road ahead. There’s no choice but to leave the horse here, climb the mountain on your own, and wait for the next relay station to find another horse.

If the bridge over the river is broken, and coincidentally there is no boat nearby, then you can only take the long way around. It’s not far, just a bit longer, an additional two hundred or so miles. That’s how it is; who said that in our Great Ming, there are vast lands with few bridges and fewer official roads…

When you arrive in the capital, exhausted and at the brink of life and death, after calculating the time, well, the route that was originally planned to take three days ended up taking six days.

The urgent matter turned into regular mail; this…

The Emperor can’t blame you too much; after all, the roads in Fujian are not easy to travel.

Rest for now; in two days, the Emperor will write a reply. And you could deliver it back.

Going back was a familiar route, smooth sailing all the way, no rain, no road closures, and the bridge was repaired. It took four days to reach Fujian. Excitedly arriving at the seaside and taking a look, a dumbfounded expression appeared:

Where are Zheng He’s ships?

Inquiring with locals, they set sail eight days ago.

What to do?

What else can be done? As a courier, no matter how far away, the recipient must sign for it.

Only one option, chase.

Chasing along the coastline, inquiring along the way, by the time Zheng He was found, he had been on the road for more than twenty days.

The timely delivery of information is crucial.

If it’s the wind in July, and you in August, that would be troublesome.

Knowing that even if the message was sent, it wouldn’t reach in time, and even if it did, what was meant to happen would have already occurred, so Zhu Yunwen chose not to act, chose to wait.

On May 3rd, Zhu Yunwen held a family banquet at the Shenggong Palace to entertain the kings, royal relatives, and other imperial family members who had come from afar to commemorate the death anniversary of the founding emperor.

Not long after the banquet began, the King of Zhou, Zhu Su stopped his cup, sighed, and began to cry with sorrow.

When Zhu Su started crying, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the other princes not to cry. Even though it was a family banquet, they were commemorating the anniversary of the founding emperor’s death, so what was supposed to be a joyful occasion turned into a scene of collective sorrow.

Zhu Yunwen furrowed his brow and said to Zhu Su, “Uncle, it’s a family banquet today. There’s no need for such sorrow, right? If Taizu were here, he wouldn’t want us to be overly sad.”

Zhu Su wiped his eyes, and the cries of others also subsided.

“If Taizu were here, how could Your Majesty act so recklessly? Now, both inside and outside the court, there are grievances everywhere. Today, my tears are shed for Taizu’s system, and for the sake of our Great Ming.”

After saying this, Zhu Su continued to wail.

Zhu Yunwen’s expression was a bit gloomy. It turns out that he was just using Taizu to suppress himself. Crying was just a way to evoke sympathy, telling all the vassal kings that he was in a weak position and needed help.

Sure enough, Zhu Zhen, the King of Chu, quickly stood on the side of Zhu Su, saying, “Your Majesty, not even a year since the founding of Taizu, and our Great Ming has already undergone drastic changes. The ancestral system of Taizu is completely ignored. If this continues, how can the prosperity of the Great Ming last for generations? If we repeat the mistakes of the fallen Qin Dynasty, what will be the outcome?”

Zhu Yunwen stared at Zhu Zhen, a cold expression in his eyes.

Whatever you said earlier is fine, but the last sentence really shouldn’t have been added.

The path of the fallen Qin?

Perished in the second generation!

This is likening oneself to Hu Hai.

Since I reigned these days, how many significant matters have I accomplished? All you know is to listen to officials babbling, but have you ever thought to step out of the king’s residence and see how the common people outside talk?

By the way, how did you come all the way through different provinces and prefectures?

The entire journey, sitting in the carriage, turning a deaf ear?

When passing by farmlands, didn’t you think to ask an old farmer?

Even if you didn’t ask, you should at least have eyes to see whether the common people are crying or laughing, shouldn’t you?

Just because it goes against the ancestral system, you criticize me like this; it’s really too much.

Just as Zhu Yunwen was about to get angry, the King of Yan, Zhu Di, suddenly stood up and said, “What are you all doing? His majesty is working hard for the prosperity of the Great Ming, and if there are flaws in the ancestral system of Taizu, it’s only right to make changes to follow the right path.”

“Taizu imposed heavy taxes on Jiangnan. His Majesty is correcting it. What’s wrong with that? The people there are also citizens of the Great Ming. As for other ancestral systems, as long as it benefits the prosperity of our Great Ming, they should be changed!”

Zhu Di’s words left the other kings in shock.

Nowadays, Zhu Di is extraordinary. Not only is he the leader of the Kings, but he is also a key figure in the restructuring of the capital’s army, being one of the founders of the Three Great Camps and bearing the responsibility of training the capital’s army.

Although he doesn’t hold military power, he possesses considerable influence.

His words carry significant weight.

“Fourth Brother is absolutely right.”

King of Dai, Zhu Gui, stood up and addressed Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, and others, saying, “The ancestral system was established by Taizu, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is suitable. Fifth Brother’s remarks about grievances within and outside the court are somewhat exaggerated. As far as I know, the common people in the capital have no complaints, and there is no injustice in the dealings of merchants. Where is this talk of grievances coming from?”

Zhu Su glared, about to speak, but Zhu Gui turned the focus onto Zhu Zhen, “Great Ming has undergone drastic changes? Where is Sixth Brother getting at? Just because His Majesty took away your two million mu of land, the entire Great Ming has undergone drastic changes?”

“Thirteenth, you’re being insolent!”

Zhu Zhen angrily rebuked.

“I think it’s you being insolent!”

Zhu Gui refused to back down.

He understands Zhu Yunwen’s well-intentioned efforts and the direction behind Zhu Yunwen’s restructuring.

The Emperor is working for the prosperity of the Great Ming, for the well-being of the people, and for the eternal stability of the state!

And these people?

They know nothing and instead use the ancestral system to suppress the Emperor!

You guys can endure it, I, Zhu Gui can’t endure it!

“Enough!”

Zhu Yunwen slapped the table and said, “You are all kings, my close relatives. We finally gather, and all we do is argue. What’s the point?”

“Uncle Zhou, Uncle Chu, whether the ancestral system can be violated, whether it’s good or bad to violate it, I don’t need to tell you. Just step out of Zhengyang Gate and ask the scholars and common people in the capital. If they speak favorably, make a note; if they speak unfavorably, make another note. Ask thousands and tens of thousands of people. Can’t you get an answer?”

“I am not Hu Hai, and the Great Ming is not the same as the fallen Qin Dynasty! Let me tell you, there is no ancestral system that cannot be broken! No established law that lasts forever! As long as it benefits the people and the Great Ming. You have a reason, come directly to me, don’t stand there pointing fingers and crying!”

“If I don’t respect the ancestral system, am I unfilial? Unloyal? Kings and royal relatives, if you think I am wrong in planning the eternal foundation of the Great Ming, fine, I’ll show you my mistake! Look at this country, is it in ruins or thriving? Is it impoverished or prosperous?”

“I am the Emperor of the Great Ming. Do I have to follow the framework of Taizu even in governance? Am I ruling the Great Ming, or is Taizu in Xiaoling ruling it, or are you, the kings?”

“My Empire, my decisions! Do any of you still have objections?!”

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