Chapter 8: Devouring without Spitting Out the Bones - Emperor Zhengde

I do not trust the ministers

Zhu Houzhao had a rather indifferent view of Zhu Gaochi. During the late Ming Dynasty, factional struggles were severe, and the literati brought disaster to the country and its people. He must bear part of the blame; had he not been overly lenient towards the literati, those who were incapable of even tying up a chicken would not have become so rampant as to form factions and societies, even to the point of rebellion and regicide, betraying their sovereign and the nation.

It is important to understand that as a Minister of State, in addition to capability, one must also possess significant prestige. Those who are able to enter the cabinet are all individuals of great renown in the scholarly community. To send such powerful and esteemed individuals to engage in farming is a task of considerable difficulty.

My father, the Hongzhi Emperor, passed away early. I ascended the throne at a young age, and my actions were inevitably a bit extreme. I hope that my great-grandfather will not take offense.

After listening to Zhu Di's account, Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction. Although Zhu Di's act of seizing his grandnephew's throne was indeed rather unscrupulous, as an emperor, Zhu Di had already earned the right to be compared with Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu.

We remember that from the very beginning of our nation's founding, Fusang was designated as a non-aggressive nation. Why do you choose to go against our ancestral teachings and take action against Fusang

Zhu Houzhao continued, "Moreover, I did not kill them; I merely sent them to Liaodong to farm, so that they would learn to be obedient"

Zhu Houzhao was unconcerned. Initially, when Liu Jian and Xie Qian planned to go to Liao and the eastern regions to cultivate the land, there were many opponents. However, when it was heard that they would be going to Liaodong together, everyone fell silent, as if they had never known about the matter.

During my tenure, I reformed the bureaucracy, launched campaigns against the northern deserts, explored the Western seas, and compiled the Yongle Encyclopedia. The Ming Dynasty's prestige was felt far and wide, with nations coming to pay their respects, achieving unprecedented prosperity

Old Zhu is indifferent to the lives and deaths of the literati during the Zhengde era, but instead inquires about another seemingly trivial matter that concerns his reputation.

We do not trust the ministers either

Therefore, in order to consolidate my power, I appointed the Eight Tigers of the inner court to frame my father's regent ministers, Liu Jian and Xie Qian, as soon as I ascended to the throne, and had them demoted to Liaodong to farm.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji had only recently ascended to their positions in their world and had not yet had the opportunity to achieve any notable accomplishments. At this moment, they were at a loss for words, staring at each other in silence, becoming like two people in the air.

Upon hearing this, the previously distrustful Zhu became furious and shouted: "You have driven away the chancellor your father left for you; how can you govern the court? How can the Ming dynasty's realm remain stable?"

It is perhaps inappropriate to send the Chancellor to cultivate land in Liaodong

Zhu Di stated that appointing eunuchs is not a significant matter. Although eunuchs have a bad reputation, they are indeed very useful, whether it is to deal with disobedient ministers or to take the blame for oneself.

Of the numerous preferential policies for scholars and literati that were abolished by Zhu Houzhao, two-thirds originated from his own hand

Zhu Zhanji pointed out the discrepancies; since Zhu Di established the cabinet, the position of the cabinet ministers has subtly surpassed that of the Six Ministries. Sending the cabinet ministers to farm, especially in a remote place like Liaodong, is there really no one to oppose this

I also employed eunuchs, and it was I who established the Eastern Depot

Upon hearing Zhu Houzhao's words, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di felt that Zhu Houzhao was quite capable, yet they sensed that something was amiss.

Zhu Di naturally avoided the period of the Jingnan campaign, and with an expression of immense pride, he stated that the greatest achievement of his life was to spread the prestige of the Ming Dynasty both domestically and internationally, making the Ming Dynasty command respect from various tribes and issuing orders across the land

What is inappropriate about this? Is there really someone who intends to rebel?

Not bad

In the early period of the Ming Dynasty, scholars had very little status; the emperor could order their execution at will. This is in stark contrast to the later period of the Ming Dynasty, where scholars became exceedingly rampant, to the point of being utterly detestable and loathsome.

I appoint eunuchs

The Wokou from Japan have repeatedly invaded the coastal territories of the Ming Dynasty. If they are not eradicated, what purpose does it serve to leave them be? Furthermore, Japan possesses a large silver mine in Iwami, which is a matter of life and death.

Our dynasty's national power is supreme, surpassing that of ancient times. It commands the northern barbarians, the western tribes, the southern islands, and the western seas without the need for the Han dynasty's marriage alliances, the Tang dynasty's treaties, the Song dynasty's tribute payments, or the courtesies extended to brotherly enemy states

Zhu Houzhao indifferently remarked that while his destruction of Fusang was certainly due to the incursions of the Wokou along the coastal territories, the greater reason was that this clan deserved to perish; he intended to ensure that this clan would never rise again.

"Grandfather, one cannot speak in such a manner. It is difficult to find a three-legged toad, yet are there not enough two-legged ministers? Liu Jian and Xie Qian have taken advantage of my youth and seized control of the court. If I do not drive them away, how can I hope to govern the world?"

Old Zhu did not pay much attention to the matter of Zhu Houzhao exiling the ministers and treating the literati with disdain. After all, compared to Zhu Houzhao, his methods were much more intense and brutal, often involving the confiscation of property and extermination of entire families. Zhu Houzhao's act of merely sending people to Liaodong to farm was already considered quite merciful.

A good minister is one who knows how to be obedient; otherwise, even if he possesses great abilities, he will still be a source of calamity

In order to take revenge on the Japanese pirates, he cast all the remnants of Japan into the deepest part of Liaodong, in the frozen land near Siberia, allowing the lowly Japanese to struggle in the icy wilderness, in despair, until they perished.

Zhu Di similarly maintained a philosophy of utilizing literati when possible and executing them when not. He executed Fang Xiaoru, who was renowned as the seed of scholars throughout the realm, along with his entire clan. The exceptionally talented and outspoken scholar, Jie Jin, was instructed by him to be frozen to death in the snow by the Jinyiwei. This illustrates the severity of his methods

Zhu Di was more direct, urging Zhu Houzhao not to keep them in suspense

After driving away Liu Jian and Xie Qian, I subsequently dealt with several unyielding individuals, completely taking control of the court. Internally, I suppressed the gentry of Jiangnan and the powerful families of Linhai, while externally, I pacified the grasslands and conquered Fusang. Although there were some twists and turns, I managed to suppress them all single-handedly

Zhu Yuanzhang stated that he is familiar with this

Zhu Gaochi stated that his being revered as "Ren Zong" is not only due to his exceptional abilities and his kindness towards the people, but also largely because of his special favor towards scholars and literati

Such treatment of scholars and gentlemen will make no one in the world willing to work for you

It is just a minor matter, no need to discuss it too much

Swallowing the Fusang Stone and seeing the Silver Mountain, he obtained silver worth hundreds of millions of taels, and aimed to completely annihilate the Fusang people. Many secretly cursed Zhu Houzhao for being ruthless, but Zhu Houzhao did not care; all he wanted was for Fusang to disappear forever, and everything else was of no consequence.

Say!

There are many people willing to hold official positions; if one does not work out, another can be replaced.

Scholars are merely a group of petty individuals; give them a bit of face, and they think they can turn the world upside down; deny them face, and they are nothing at all

What happens next

Upon hearing that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted each of them to speak about their own achievements, Zhu Di stepped forward without hesitation. He aimed to prove to his father that his ascension to the throne was well-deserved, and that he was far superior to that little brat Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen had an awkward expression on his face; he certainly could not admit that he was preparing to reduce the feudal lords' power. If he were to speak honestly, given his understanding of Old Zhu, he would most likely be subjected to a severe beating.

As long as the filthy and despicable race of Fusang exists in this world for even a single day, he will not feel any relief. This is a profound and boundless hatred deeply embedded in his bones and inscribed in his soul, one that cannot be erased by the passage of time or the shifting of space.

Zhu Houzhao's words piqued the interest of Old Zhu, who wanted to know what this tenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty had done that could be described as "extreme"