The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 73

[73. Chapter 73 Family affairs, state affairs, and world affairs]

Emperor Hongzhi was surprised. He should immediately start to change the situation and return it to the locals. Isn’t this your suggestion from Fang Jifan? Why is it now that it’s not good anymore?

Even Liu Jian and Li Dongyang frowned, looking like they were willing to hear advice.

Fang Jifan smiled: “If we rashly carry out the reform and return to the native land, the native states in Yunnan and Guizhou will definitely rebel again, and the rebellion will inevitably become more massive. Has your Majesty ever thought about it, for thousands of years, the natives have been attached to the chieftains, and These hereditary chieftains have supreme authority in the village. Even if His Majesty implements the reform and gives favor to the natives, will the natives really believe in the imperial court? They will still rebel if the chieftain incites them. “

Emperor Hongzhi frowned and nodded thoughtfully: “That makes sense.”

“So…” Fang Jifan’s eyes flashed with cunning, and he smiled and said, “Before you change your ways, you must keep the news secret. At the same time, after the rebellion was put down, the first thing to do was to notify the natives everywhere that the officers and soldiers who had put down the rebellion were preparing to leave. It was difficult to transport a large amount of military rations. Your Majesty was particularly gracious and distributed the excess rations among rewards. The natives, all the natives, can receive twenty kilograms of grain and one kilogram of salt just based on their status.”

Fang Jifan continued: “As long as the natives come, the garrison will not be allowed. What are you doing, how many people are coming, how much grain and salt are distributed…”

“After a few months, His Majesty issued another decree, saying that he heard that the natives were very happy when they received grain and salt. His Majesty was very happy and thought of the natives. Life is difficult, and food is distributed again…”

“The chieftains only thought that the imperial army was preparing to withdraw, and this was His Majesty’s will, so they would not interfere. After all, the rebellion had just been put down, and many chieftains still had lingering fears and could only hope. Let the imperial army retreat quickly. As for the natives below who have food and salt, why not do it? Naturally, they will not interfere with it.” When

Fang Jifan said this, he smiled: “And next, it will be .

It is time to issue an edict to change the status of Tuguiliu. Your Majesty issued the edict, saying that you sympathize with the hardships of the native people. I also heard that the chieftains own a large amount of land. I heard that the chieftains, like Your Majesty, all love the people as sons. Your Majesty has already joined the chieftains. It was discussed that the land of the chieftains should be taken and distributed among the natives. Since His Majesty commended the chieftains for their righteous deeds, it was natural for them to be promoted to official positions. However, these additional officials were transferred to official positions and needed to be transferred out of the local state. Place them in other places. In this way, the chieftains and local officials must be caught off guard and must object, but… is it useful for them to object?”

“Your Majesty has allowed the natives to bathe in the emperor’s favor by releasing food again and again, and in the end The important thing is to convince the natives that His Majesty will keep his word. If he says to give food, he will give food. If he says to give salt, he will give salt. This is enough to make the natives believe that His Majesty promised to distribute the food. They will definitely stick to their word and never make any compromise. “

At that time, why should these chieftains fight against the government and the army? How can they incite the natives to resist the emperor? “

Divide the land of the natives? Your Majesty, this is the way to long-term peace and stability. If you just use these few steps to change the land, you will be successful. “

This guy… is quite insidious.”

Especially when people are given food and salt first, it is really eye-catching to use such small favors to build trust.

Liu Jian and the others were thoughtful, and seemed to be thinking about whether it was right to return to their hometown in this way.

After all, this is a major national policy of the imperial court towards the southwest. Any negligence may lead to great consequences.

Emperor Hongzhi looked even more anxious. He clasped his hands behind his back and remained silent.

After a long time, Emperor Hongzhi looked at Liu Jian and asked, “What do Liu Qing’s family think?”

Liu Jian was making plans in his mind and was about to talk. At this time, someone said, “I think this is the best.”

Everyone looked at them .

Looking at the source of the sound, it was Zhu Houzhao who spoke.

“…” Emperor Hongzhi was a little angry.

Sir, what’s the matter with your little brat? This is a national policy. You haven’t read a few books yet, yet you still dare to talk nonsense.

Of course, the reason why Emperor Hongzhi was angry was because his son had no position. You are the prince, a dignified prince, and you have no opinion. Just because you have a good relationship with Fang Jifan, you came to join in the fun. How can national affairs be tolerated?

Seeing his father’s face darken, Zhu Houzhao suddenly felt guilty. In recent times, his father had never shown him any good looks. Just now he was just expressing his feelings. Unexpectedly, he aroused his father’s displeasure, so He immediately acted like he was aggrieved, and tried his best to appear harmless, with innocence in his eyes.

Fang Jifan bared his teeth in his heart, considering the self-cultivation of an actor, it would be a pity for His Royal Highness not to join the entertainment industry.

Emperor Hongzhi said coldly: “What, my son, do you have any other high opinions?”

There was clearly a thorn in his words. He was originally going to hit Fang Jifan today, but Fang Jifan was beyond his expectation. , which made Emperor Hongzhi appreciate this boy even more.

But it’s a bit embarrassing to hold the stick high and not hit him. Well, it’s up to you now. If you don’t hit other people’s children, you have to deal with your own son.

Zhu Houzhao had already smelled something bad and said quickly: “My lord… My lord thinks that the transformation of the native land to return to the mainstream will definitely succeed. The reason for this is because, whether they are natives or ordinary people, for them, Who can keep them fed and drink enough, who can give them a full mouth to eat, so that they can thrive, this is a big deal. The chieftains control the natives, and their prestige alone seems to be airtight and united. But the people and the natives only want food and clothing. Whoever feeds and clothes them is the greatest kindness. Therefore, the sons and ministers firmly believe that as long as Fang Jifan’s reform is implemented, the hearts of the natives will be settled. It’s for the imperial court. A group of chieftains can just submit. If they don’t submit, all it takes is an edict, an imperial envoy, and a few warriors to teach them to become prisoners. Father, the hearts of ordinary people are different from ours. “

…”

Suddenly, the Nuan Pavilion became quiet again.

The worried Emperor Hongzhi and the three cabinet bachelors had surprise written all over their faces.

If these words were said by others, they might be very common, but it was really surprising that they came from the prince’s mouth.

Even Emperor Hongzhi could not imagine that his son, who was usually smart but accustomed to pampering, would actually say such a thing.

And this explanation is indeed enough to convince the public.

However, there is no difference between the natives and ordinary people. At least the vast majority of people are grateful enough as long as they are well fed and clothed. Doesn’t the so-called peaceful and prosperous age mean that everyone has food to eat and everyone has clothes to wear?

Emperor Hongzhi understood these principles, and the cabinet ministers should also understand them.

But…the prince…why did he understand?

Zhu Houzhao’s words made Emperor Hongzhi suddenly come out of the gloom in Guizhou, with a happy smile on his face and an indescribable feeling of comfort all over his body.

Although what happened in Guizhou was serious, it did not shake the foundation of the country. The prince is the crown prince of the country and the future of the Ming Dynasty. He has such insight and can actually understand the sufferings of the people. This… is really a great relief.

But immediately, Emperor Hongzhi’s heart sank, something was wrong…

Could it be that Fang Jifan taught Zhu Houzhao to say these words?

He pretended to be nonchalant: “Is this what someone taught you to say?”

(End of Chapter)