Zhu Yuanzhang already knew about it before the prince and He Xi arrived.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two booklets in his hands. The ink handwriting inside was written by He Xi, and the vermilion handwriting was annotated by Zhu Yuanzhang. At a glance, the vermilion and ink colors were mixed, but there were a lot of papers mixed in this booklet.
There are vermilion writings on these papers.
This is Zhu Yuanzhang's comment in the booklet that he couldn't write down. He could only write it on the paper and then sandwich it in the middle.
If you count these.
Zhu Yuanzhang's annotations far exceed those written by He Xi.
Zhu Yuanzhang could not say that he knew the contents of He Xi's two pamphlets by heart, but he was very familiar with them. It can be said that he had a complete grasp of them.
Because I have completely mastered it.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sense of tearing.
Zhu Yuanzhang figured out the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties very well. Although many things were not clear, in his opinion, the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties was not essentially different from the history of the previous dynasties. What really made Zhu Yuanzhang feel uncomfortable
Similarly, what is fresh is the late Qing Dynasty, the so-called great changes unseen in three thousand years.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the brochure about science and technology, which answered the reason why the Western Yi ships were strong and powerful. However, as for the weapons that He Xi said could hit the whole world and destroy the city of Nanjing within an hour or two.
, but didn’t say it at all.
Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more curious about what He Xi didn't say.
Zhu Yuanzhang called Xu Zheng over and gave him these instructions.
Xu Zheng was taken aback and said rarely, "Your Majesty, this is not good."
Xu Zheng had always obeyed Zhu Yuanzhang's advice, but it was rare for him to lose his composure and actually dare to ask questions. It can be seen how surprised Zhu Yuanzhang was by what he said.
Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "Just do it."
Xu Zheng immediately said: "I obey my orders."
Then Xu Zheng went out to do errands.
While Xu Zheng was going out, the prince came in with He Xi.
Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the two of them to sit down. Zhu Yuanzhang asked He Xi: "What do you think about going to Hangzhou?"
He Xi was already ready, how to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang to be more liberal. After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's question, he was silent for a while, then reorganized his words and said: "The people are too miserable. The people in Jiangnan are considered the richest in the world, but the people are just free from famine."
, Jiangnan people rarely have dozens of acres per family, and at most only a dozen acres, with a family of seven or eight. The maximum harvest in a year is less than thirty dan, rations require nearly ten dan, taxes and duties require nearly three to five dan, clothing, etc.
Expenses cost several stones. After a year, almost nothing is left. But in fact, most household expenses are not like this. Because disasters occur once every three years, and if the climate is bad, disasters twice every three years are possible.
Many times, people live frugally, and would rather go hungry than save some food. Only in this way can they avoid starving to death in famine years. There are also weddings and funerals, building new houses, and educating children, etc., which may take a year
Come down, even if it’s just some chores, you’ll still be hungry.”
"This is still the situation today. However, Zhejiang officials actually increased the money and grain several times, which deprived the people of the little surplus grain they had. If it is always a good year, it will be fine. If there is a bad year, I am afraid that the whole land will be starved to death."
During this period of time, He Xi made a real inspection in the rural areas of Jiangnan.
It can only be said that rural areas without industrialization are really miserable. Jiangnan is already the least bitter place. In He Xi's view, it is still soaked in bitter water.
The people in Jiangnan can only have enough to eat.
You know, this made the people of the Ming Dynasty miss the three hundred years of Emperor Gao. Facts have proved that, as far as the entire Ming Dynasty is concerned, the period when the people at the bottom lived the best was not any other time, but the Hongwu period.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with He Xi's words and said to the prince: "Prince, please listen to this. This is what you should know. Xiaoren is the thief of Daren. Those around you have always advised you to be a benevolent king and let others kill less
Kill with caution, but don’t know that if this person violates laws and disciplines, how can he treat the people of the world if he doesn’t deal with it severely? If he doesn’t deal with this person severely and set an example, how can he treat the people of the world. Can these people forgive these corrupt officials? You let them go.
They are generous to others."
"Didn't Confucius say, repay grievances directly. This is the right thing to do."
The prince said: "What my father said is absolutely true."
The prince could not object to this. But the practical problem still existed. The prince paused slightly and said, "Father, the Minister of Staff is in a hurry. It is absolutely impossible to recruit so many officials at once."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "The old rule is to let those who are guilty of crimes that are not worthy of death be made meritorious."
The performance of meritorious services for crimes in other dynasties is completely different from that of the Hongwu Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang invented a way to let the officials who committed crimes wear shackles to work in the court. It was simply not polite. At the same time, he humiliated them mentally and carried them with him.
Heavy yoke. In addition, let them control the power and handle the government affairs.
One can imagine what the consequences will be.
This is not the first time that this has happened. Zhu Yuanzhang has done this before when officials were vacant after several major cases.
The prince has advised Zhu Yuanzhang on many things. He said that scholars can be killed but not humiliated. But here, I prefer to humiliate Zhu Yuanzhang. What do you think of him?
Not really.
Perhaps Zhu Yuanzhang saw correctly that most people have the guts to say no. Those who would rather die than surrender are only a minority. The vast majority will be humiliated if they are humiliated. They will not do anything at all, and will even kneel and lick them.
It's just that many things need to be cultivated. The same is true for scholarly conduct. Zhu Yuanzhang looked down on these people and destroyed them wantonly. The seeds for the poor scholarly conduct of the Ming Dynasty were sown.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head, looked at He Xi and said, "He Xi, what should we do about this case?"
He Xi took a deep breath and said, "We will do it according to the law."
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little strange and said: "Do it according to the law? What should I do?"
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty Law has been drafted since the first year of Wu Dynasty, and it has been revised three times. This law is based on the laws of the Tang and Song Dynasties, and conflicts with contemporary laws. It is almost perfect and can be passed down to future generations. It is regarded as the most important code for the country. The case of Guo Huan,
Just do it according to the law."
The prince's heart moved, and he immediately understood what He Xi said, and said: "Yes. Yes. Yes. Father, it is most appropriate to follow the laws of the Ming Dynasty at this moment."
The Ming Code is Zhu Yuanzhang's pursuit of eternal law. Although the penalties in the Ming Code are heavier than those of the Tang Code and Song Code, the severity is limited. At least, there are not many cruel punishments. It can be said that although Zhu Yuanzhang formulated the Ming Code
, but when he handles big cases, he never uses Ming law.
Rather, it is extrajudicial punishment.
Because of this, the four major cases in the early Ming Dynasty were particularly cruel.
If all were handled according to Ming law, many cases would not be like this.
Therefore, as soon as He Xi spoke out, the prince accurately grasped He Xi's intention. He felt that He Xi's method was very good. Even if Tang Shengzong decided that Guo Huan's case was rebellion, he could avoid it as long as it was handled in accordance with Ming law.
The death penalty for many people.
How could Zhu Yuanzhang not understand what the prince could understand? He did not get angry immediately, but asked: "You all think so."
He Xi said: "Your Majesty is a saint. I believe that the laws of the Ming Dynasty were established by your majesty, so I should follow the laws of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's stupid. The laws of the Ming Dynasty are the laws for governing the world. They should not be used in troubled times. In troubled times, heavy codes should be used. And who are the people in the Ming Dynasty? Prince, don't you know? There are those who rely on power and act recklessly. I am deceived by the superiors.
In my name, those who violate the law will be blamed on me, and those who have merit will do it themselves. Everything they do is intended to kill someone, but they will not realize it until they die. Officials in the world often inherit the shortcomings of the old Yuan, and when they are in power
, sit with hands high, and the plans are made by the officials. There are officials in the world, and they are either guilty or mediocre. Even the censor threatens everyone with the intention of corruption. As for the place, it is even more unspeakable. As soon as a person without talent and status arrives,
When I take office, I collude with the officials, scoundrels, and the like. I only work for corruption and do not care about the people's livelihood. I regard my destiny as normal and regard it as a precaution. I cleverly set up names to attract the people. I falsely report disasters and famines, and reduce relief. I live in seclusion.
Land tax, fake public wealth, manipulation of lawsuits, disregard of human life, etc., the list goes on and on."
"Do you really think that I don't know the sufferings of the people in Jiuzhong?"
"This generation is greedy for money but not afraid of death, and those who seek power are not afraid of me. How can I restore the power of the emperor if I don't deal with it seriously? The laws of the Ming Dynasty are not enough to deter this generation, and illegal and extra punishment is not allowed."
In fact, when Zhu Yuanzhang just started, it was just the beginning of the founding of the country, and everything was undecided. At that time, he emphasized the rule of law. But soon Zhu Yuanzhang discovered a problem, are officials not afraid of death? No matter how Zhu Yuanzhang increased the punishment, corruption cases continued one after another.
This made Zhu Yuanzhang feel that the reason for this was that he did not kill hard enough to prevent these people from being afraid.
Therefore, the punishment was repeatedly increased.
In the end it became what it is today.
Even the Ming Dynasty Law itself is much heavier than the Tang Law. As for Zhu Yuanzhang's additional punishments, it is even more terrible.
However, what disappointed Zhu Yuanzhang was that even so, he could not stop the wave of corruption in the Ming Dynasty. It should be noted that the Kongyin case only passed a few years ago, and now there is the Guo Huan case. It really costs money rather than life.
Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that he should not be soft-hearted. If he was not soft-hearted, what would it be like to be soft-hearted?
The prince couldn't help it anymore and said: "Father, I understand my father's intentions. Then when a big case comes out, tens of thousands of people will be implicated. There must be love and evil in it. And the law does not blame everyone----"
Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted the prince and said: "What kind of law does not punish everyone? Anyone who violates my laws, no matter how many tens of millions of people, I will punish them. Moreover, in a major case, there will certainly be a few unjust people. But Lanzhi is in charge, and I will not hesitate to do so."
.Since the emperor feels that there is love cheating, what he needs to do is to find out the love cheating, rather than to persuade me not to punish him more severely."
"It's the opposite direction."
For a moment the prince was speechless.
He Xi understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts. Zhu Yuanzhang had a peasant's simple hatred for corrupt officials. How could he let them go? He Xi even had some approval. But He Xi felt that Zhu Yuanzhang's method was wrong.
