It seems that the old man has a clear conscience, but he just doesn't talk about it.
The greatest threats to imperial power often come from within.
And those frontier fortress kings with heavy troops are the threat to Zhu Yunxi in the future.
Who let him be too young and grow up in a deep palace, while those vassal kings galloped on the battlefield and killed decisively.
The enfeoffment in the early Ming Dynasty was essentially different from that later in the Ming Dynasty, as it was divided into Sai kings and Nei kings.
The first task of the kings of Sai was to prevent the invasion of the barbarians from the north and establish a military stronghold based on the dangerous terrain of the border. The kings of Sai left the country along the Great Wall line, which was divided into outer lines and inner lines.
The outer line crosses Yuguan in the east and crosses Liaodong. It borders Goryeo in the south and Kaiyuan in the north. It can control Hezhen and frighten the Jurchen Mongolian and other tribes in Liaodong.
It starts from Guangning (today's Liaoning area), passes through Yuyang (Jixian County, Hebei Province), Lulong, and exits Xifengkou. It also starts from Daning (Chifeng), connects to Peiping, exits Juyongguan, and shelters Yanmen.
These are strategic military locations that have been fought over and over again by the Central Plains and Northern regimes since ancient times. The first line outside the Great Wall, the King of Yan, the King of Ning, the King of Dai, the King of Gu, etc.
Across the west of the Yellow River, it protects Ningxia in the north, relies on Helan Mountain, and controls the Hexi Corridor in the west. Jiayuguan Pass protects the Western Regions. It stretches from Kaiyuan in the east to Guasha in the west, and is directly connected to the second line of Sewang, the land of the Qin and Jin Dynasties.
The old man's idea was very simple. When fighting against brothers, when father and son go into battle, and when guarding the border, it is still the family that can be relied upon. The vassals in these strategic places can not only prevent the north from going south, but also serve as outposts for the Ming Dynasty's expedition.
After the Sai King, there is the Inner King. The Inner King is the big town in the world such as Kaifeng, Wuchang, Changsha, Chengdu, etc., and its purpose is to manage the internal military.
At the time of the enfeoffment, Beiyuan was still the most powerful enemy of the Ming Dynasty, but now that the Yuan Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty have changed their offensive and defensive positions, the old man also saw that the vassal kings he had granted were actually potential threats.
Therefore, the old man issued edicts year after year. Both the king of Sai and the king of the inner city only had military power and no power to govern the local area. They only had the army, but the wealth and population were still under the control of the court.
But again, Zhu Yunxi is too young. He is only fifteen years old this year. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang lives another ten years, he will only be twenty-five.
Can the young emperor who grew up in the deep palace suppress the kings of Sai who fought in the blood and fire?
Zhu Yuanzhang was a man of war all his life, so how could he not anticipate such a problem.
If the prince was still here, he wouldn't have to worry about these things at all. But now that the prince is dead, the chosen heir is still young.
But today, at the banquet in the main hall, the adult prince pretended to be humble and steady, and the young vassal king deliberately showed off his martial arts on the frontier. Zhu Yuanzhang saw everything and was worried in his heart.
He was very conflicted in his heart. On the one hand, he saw the sorrow, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to suppress his sons who had made great contributions for no reason because of his grandson.
Grandpa, are you talking about your grandson's uncles? Zhu Yunxi smiled lightly and said, each of them has heavy troops, are you afraid that I won't be able to suppress them in the future?
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. If they really become a threat to you in the future, what will you do?
The state has national laws, and the family has family rules! Zhu Yunxi did not hesitate, and his grandchildren would respect them and treat them with courtesy. But if they have evil intentions, they will be punished according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Although they have heavy troops, the central government has more soldiers and generals.
. Moreover, the imperial court has a great reputation and righteousness, and inexhaustible financial resources and soldiers. If they also accept the courtesy, they will naturally be a barrier for the Ming Dynasty. If they have second thoughts, my grandson will bring millions of soldiers to conquer the unfavorable ministers.
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, will you kill them?
Zhu Yunxi thought about it, if they join forces to deal with his grandson, he might do it. But from his perspective, the kings are actually not in harmony with each other and will not join forces at all. Besides, the Qin and Jin vassals are my close relatives of flesh and blood and will not rebel.
.
If there is a real threat, it is only one or two people. After clearing them out, we can find a peaceful place to confine them and let them live the rest of their lives in wealth. After saying that, Zhu Yunxi smiled, Grandpa, I will not touch our Zhu family members.
blood!
Good boy! Zhu Yuanzhang nodded happily, then smiled and said, do you know what your father said back then?
My father? Zhu Yunxi said, my father is very kind to these uncles!
Good is one thing, but bad is also the same thing! Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, your father told us back then that if they didn’t know what was good and kept jumping around, he would not only ignore them, but also incite those who had second thoughts.
It's so exciting.
Your dad said, wait for them to jump, dig a hole under their feet, and then let them fall to their death!
Hoo! Zhu Yunxi felt happy. Beneath Zhu Biao's caring and benevolent appearance, it turned out that he also had a sinister side.
You are more promising than your father! Zhu Yuanzhang continued, his ideas are too sinister, but you are good and upright!
Looking at the old man's happy smile, Zhu Yunxi actually felt quite uncomfortable.
Because he lied just now. He said that his hands would not be stained with the blood of the Zhu family, but there was a prerequisite. That is, his uncles must know their own tastes.
We must not give them military power, nor can we raise them like pigs ourselves, so that they can cause harm to the people and become a burden to the country.
Think about the Ming Dynasty in later generations. The royal family's expenditure alone accounted for more than 40% of the country's fiscal revenue every year.
And the Ming Dynasty could not collect taxes. To be precise, it could not collect taxes on the businesses and large estates controlled by officials and scholars, so it could only transfer state finances to the poor people.
This led to increasing internal instability and people embarked on the path of rebellion.
Zhu Yunxi looked at the old man with a smile, but was thinking in his heart.
Old man, I disappoint you. In the future, I will definitely reduce the vassal status!
Not only do I want to reduce the vassal state, I also want to overturn some of the policies you formulated.
The Ming Dynasty needed a high degree of centralization, efficient and honest officials, victorious tigers, sailing, and maritime trade.
In the past few days, you should take a good rest and get close to your uncles to see which of them is sincere to you and which of them is perfunctory with you! Zhu Yuanzhang said again, after the names are decided, they will all be your ministers.
The Tian family's family ties are weak, and you won't have much chance to get close to them in the future!
The grandson understands! Zhu Yunxi walked up behind the old man and squeezed his shoulders. He knew in his heart that the old man was letting him win people's hearts.
The night talks between grandparents and grandchildren in the Forbidden City are about state affairs, family affairs, and world affairs.
In the mansion of the vassal prince, King Zhu Di of Yan had a cup of tea, waiting for his help from the capital.
Sandalwood scent lingered in the room, Zhu Di closed his eyes and meditated, his face expressionless.
A voice slowly sounded outside the door, "Your Majesty, someone is here!"
Please! Zhu Di opened his eyes and sat up straight.
Later, a burly man strode in, bowed his head and said, Your Highness!
We are still doing this in vain! Zhu Di laughed and looked affectionate. There are many people in Beijing. If I were not afraid of criticism, I would go directly to your house. Why is there no need to do this? It's like being a thief?
The man sat down, the light illuminated his honest and simple face, and said with a smile, "My girl is pretty good?"
Look at what you said, she is a princess, is that okay? Zhu Di smiled and made tea for her with her own hands. She was not feeling well this time, otherwise he would have brought her to Beijing with him. He said, and said with a smile, if you
Missing her, I will ask my father to order her to return to her parents' home for a few days.
No, no, no! That man waved his hands repeatedly, which was against the rules!
What are the rules? Our family members don’t talk about it that much! Zhu Di smiled and said, drink tea!
After saying that, Zhu Di shouted to the outside, "Go, let the boss, second, and third get up, and come over and kowtow to your uncle!"