Chapter 127 Putting Power in a Cage
After taking out ten signs that said "The King is here in person", Chen Biao and Yang Xian were finally able to sit down and drink tea.
Yang Xian sighed and said, "I will write to tell my lord about this. Until my lord replies, I will continue to follow your instructions. Biao'er, what do you want me to do?"
Chen Biao quickly put away the ten signs and put them in his arms, which made Yang Xian's eyelids twitch.
He has always been curious about how Chen Biao managed to stuff so many things into his arms and cuffs.
After Chen Biao carefully tucked the ten gold medals into his inner pocket, he personally served tea to Yang Xian. Then, he gathered his energy and roared, "Stop hiding! Get out here! If you want to hear it, come in and listen! Brother Zheng, can you hide your huge body like that?"
Zhu Wenzhen climbed in through the window with a smile on his face.
Yang Xian didn't care. Obviously, he had already discovered Zhu Wenzheng's eavesdropping. Without this ability, how could he be the head of the inspection?
Given Zhu Wenzhen's identity, there was no need to hide these things from him, so Yang Xian did not expose them.
After Zhu Wenzhen climbed in, Chen Chong and Chen Tan climbed in through the window one after another.
Chen Biao: “???”
Yang Xian: “…”
After Chen Chong and Chen Tan climbed in through the window, they stood on tiptoe and pulled Chen Gou'er's arm hard, trying to pull Chen Gou'er in.
Chen Biao: “!!!”
Yang Xian covered his face with his sleeves.
Chen Chong said, "Third brother, go out and push them away."
Chen Tan nodded, went back through the window, picked up Chen Gou'er, and let Chen Tan drag Chen Gou'er into the window.
They did the same thing and brought Chen Maoer in as well.
Chen Tan climbed back into the house through the window again, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Then, the four younger brothers all looked up at Chen Biao with silly expressions, and it was obvious that they were brothers.
Chen Biao covered his chest, feeling like he was having a heart attack.
Yang Xian hid his face with his sleeves and laughed silently for a long time before he said, "Wen Zheng, why did you bring the children with you?"
Zhu Wenzheng folded his arms, smiling as he watched his cousins climb through the windows one by one. Hearing this, he lowered his arms and said, "It involves dealing with their servants, so it's best to let them hear it."
Chen Biao complained: "No, you just think it's fun."
Zhu Wenzheng had chairs brought over and let his cousins climb onto them. Then he sat down next to Chen Biao and said casually, "You've wronged me this time. I really don't think we can hide this from them."
"Okay." Chen Biao nodded.
Zhu Wenzheng was extremely surprised: "You accept this reason? You won't refute me?"
Chen Biao said, "Don't refute it. I think so too. If you don't bring them here, I will also ask someone to call them to attend the trial."
Zhu Wenzheng looked frustrated: "What else is beyond your control? "
Chen Biao said angrily, "You would bring your brothers to eavesdrop from the window, and after being exposed, instead of going through the door, you would foolishly climb through the window one by one. This is definitely beyond my control."
Zhu Wenzhen smiled triumphantly, with an expression that said "I won", which made Yang Xian's head hurt a little.
He discovered that when the Zhu family members were in front of Chen Biao, their behavior was a little strange. The lord was like this, and so was Zhu Wenzhen.
After insulting Zhu Wenzheng, Chen Biao got to the point: "Uncle Yang, I hope you can help me check a few people on the list."
Chen Biao took out a folded piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Yang Xian.
After Yang Xian unfolded it, he said, "Are these the only names? Biao'er, although you may not like to hear this, Uncle Yang knows you are a kind and good child, but sometimes, being soft-hearted will only bring greater harm. You must protect your family, and some bloody means are unavoidable."
Chen Biao glanced at his confused brothers and smiled, "I know. Uncle Yang, do you still remember that I went to the battlefield?"
Yang Xian quipped, "Is that even a question? I, your uncle Yang, don't have Alzheimer's yet."
Chen Biao said, "Whether in Hongdu or Beiping, I commanded the direction and impact of the artillery fire. I knew that most of those climbing the walls in Hongdu were innocent men who had been captured, and I also knew that among the fleeing soldiers were ordinary people who had been dragged along without knowing anything, but I still decisively ordered the attack."
Yang Xian frowned, sighed deeply, and said, "Biao'er..."
Chen Biao interrupted Yang Xian and said, "Before the Battle of Hongdu, I first eliminated the unstable wealthy families. Although I didn't kill them directly, I took their property and weapons and threw them out of the city gates. I'm afraid they wouldn't survive that night. Among those people were many innocent elderly, weak, women and children."
Yang Xian frowned even more tightly.
Zhu Wenzheng couldn't help but say, "Biao'er, they are all to blame..."
Chen Biao raised his hand, stopping Zhu Wenzheng from continuing. He continued, "In Peking, I had even greater power. Whether it was distributing land or implementing new policies, I encountered countless obstacles. I didn't distinguish whether these people were suffering or truly pitiful. I punished them all according to the law."
Chen Biao recalled the resentful looks of those people in his mind and laughed at himself, "I'm a businessman, and businessmen know how to maximize profits. When faced with a one-size-fits-all approach that can maximize profits, I won't be soft-hearted. But that doesn't mean I won't do more when I can break down responsibilities and punishments."
"Dad told me that the Chen family's servants are all veterans who have followed him through thick and thin on the battlefield. Those who were assigned to our side have long been his confidants and have fought alongside him more than once."
"Ever since I was old enough to understand... well, I was a little early. Since I was a little over a year old, these people have been by my side. I taught them to read and write, and gradually trained them to become my capable subordinates, letting them follow their younger brothers around to teach and take care of them."
"Let's not talk about their relationship with my father, let's talk about the relationship I've had with them for so many years. Just because they didn't watch my brother climbing a tree, I killed him just because I said so?"
Chen Biao picked up the tea, took a sip, and continued, "This is a human life. Even if it's just a cat or a dog that has been with me for many years, I can't kill them so indiscriminately. The more power of life and death I have in my hands, the more I should remind myself to put this power in a cage. If I can't even investigate what's happening around me and can only kill everyone in one go, then how can I still manage Peking well?"
Put power in a cage...
This was the first time Yang Xian and Zhu Wenzheng heard this. Zhu Wenzheng was fine, as his cage was occupied by Chen Biao. However, Yang Xian broke out in a cold sweat.
His power was immense. Zhu Yuanzhang had given him the authority to oversee all officials. He reveled in this power, and when he looked down upon the officials, he felt a sense of superiority.
While Yang Xian and Zhu Wenzhen were silent, Chen Biao was also silent for a while.
He was also reflecting on himself when he said this.
The power of life and death held by the nobles in the feudal era was like a poison that could corrode the mind.
Humans are fellow creatures, sentient and intelligent. Killing someone without a compelling reason, simply because "I think they're a threat" or "I'm too lazy to investigate," is a disregard for human beings and a distorted mind.
Chen Biao took another sip of tea and regained his usual sweet smile. "Besides, killing people like this is satisfying, but it's useless. What caused this? My stupid brother disobeyed me again and went climbing trees again. If I kill the people around him, will he stop climbing trees? At their age, they don't understand the value of life."
Chen Biao waved to Chen Tan, and Chen Tan ran over happily and put his head under Chen Biao's hand.
"All they knew was that they climbed a tree and killed a bunch of people, went to the river to play in the water and killed a bunch of people, and then they killed a bunch of people just for being naughty. Oh, in the end, all they knew was that they could kill the people around them at will, instead of reflecting on their own mistakes."
Chen Biao rubbed Chen Tan's head vigorously, then pinched his third brother's cheek.
"I don't blame my brother. Kids his age are very naughty. No matter how many times you tell them, they will relapse. Not to mention children, even adults can't control themselves. Take my dad, for example. I've told him countless times not to stay up late and not to eat only meat and no vegetables. The doctor has also told him so, and he even fell ill from staying up late. Does he listen? He understands everything, but he just doesn't listen."
Adults in later generations drink happy water, milk tea, eat fried foods and desserts, and refuse to go to bed before midnight every night. They all know in their hearts that this is a preparation for sudden death, but who can control themselves?
Also, we should study hard, work diligently, not run red lights, and not cross the road... We all know the principles, but how many people can actually do it?
People are like this, they all understand in their hearts, they cover their faces and shout "Stop scolding, stop scolding", and continue next time. So Chen Biao was not angry with his brothers.
"When I teach you, I don't expect you to do the right things according to what I say, but I hope that when you do the wrong things, you will know that you are making mistakes and bear the consequences yourself." Chen Biao said earnestly.
Chen Jing pursed his lips and nodded.
Chen Biao looked up at Yang Xian again and said, "If they make a mistake, it will be the people around them who will suffer, and they won't learn a lesson. I have the power of life and death now, and when they grow up, they will have it too."
This was the way things were in that era. He and his father had already established a noble family, and even if his younger brothers were useless, they could still enjoy the same power.
"I don't want them to kill the people around them as the first thing they do after making a mistake in the future, and then say to me impatiently, 'Brother, I've already killed that person, and this matter is over!'" Chen Biao pinched Chen Tan's cheek again and pulled hard.
Zhu Wenzhen laughed out loud.
Yang Xian couldn't laugh because many of the impeachments were really like this.
"In this incident, some people tried to please Tan'er, some blindly followed the requests of those who had more power than them, and some helped Mao'er to get reinforcements." Chen Biao waved to Chen Mao'er again, and Chen Mao'er pounced towards Chen Biao.
Chen Biao caught the cat, held it on his lap, and said, "With your short legs, how could you have brought Chu'er here just as Chu'er and Gou'er had just climbed up the tree?"
Chen Xun seemed to be thinking for a moment, then said, "Obviously, someone was finding an excuse to delay Tan'er and Gou'er's actions, while immediately sending someone with Mao'er to look for me. And he knew where I was, so he could find me immediately."
Chen Biao nodded. "That's right. So, are there any of these people who deserve to be killed? If someone is deliberately doing bad things, then of course they can be killed. Kill those who deliberately do bad things, punish those who neglect their duties, and reward those who are resourceful. It's not just me, it applies to you too. Shu'er, within the scope of your control, you must learn to decide the fate of others as meticulously as possible."
Chen Biao was very satisfied with Chen Chong's behavior in taking care of his younger brother in the past few months and thought that he should teach Chen Chong more things.
In the feudal era, children of nobles might have jobs when they were fifteen or sixteen years old. Chen Biao let Chen Chong learn these things earlier so that Chen Chong could achieve greater things.
A person who only kills when faced with an issue cannot hold a high position under the rule of a wise ruler. If he does, it will surely bring disaster to many people. Chen Biao asked Chen Chong to start by managing the people around him, practicing within the scope of his control, so as to minimize the scope of harm.
"Tian'er, you're only two years younger than Tang'er. You should also learn how to manage the people around you." Chen Biao said, "Brother is not forbidding you from making mistakes in the future, but if you do make a mistake, you must know that the responsibility lies first and foremost with you. Because you insist on doing the right thing, even if there are villains around you, they can't instigate you."
"You made a mistake, and your fault is the greatest. Next comes the instigator, then the one who condoned it, and then the one who blindly obeyed. These people will be punished differently. And you will also reward those who dissuaded you and those who flexibly averted the danger. The next time you can't help but make a mistake, someone will dissuade you, and if dissuading you doesn't work, someone will help you clean up the mess."
Chen Zhen nodded: "I understand."
Chen Biao shook his head: "No, you don't understand. You should remember your brother's words first and memorize them in your mind. Then you will slowly understand them later."
Chen Biao put the cat down from his arms and waved to the dog that had been staring at him eagerly.
The dog rushed over impatiently.
Chen Biao said, "Gou'er, you're still young, so it's too early for me to tell you this. But if you can remember, then you should try your best to remember it. I'll continue to teach you, and if you can't remember it once, I'll nag you a hundred times."
Chen Gou'er snorted coldly: "I have a good memory, I can remember it! No need for big brother to nag!"
Chen Biao smiled and said, "That's good."
Chen Biao hugged Chen Gouer and rubbed him. Only after Chen Gouer showed a happy smile did he put Chen Gouer down.
He stood up and bowed to Yang Xian. "Uncle Yang, I'm really sorry for asking you to help me teach my younger brother this time. I will explain it to the lord and will not cause any trouble for Uncle Yang. I will ask... uh, ask my father to prepare an apology. I have to find him something to do!"
If a son is not taught well, it is the fault of his father! You, as a father, have entrusted the task of educating your son to me, so what's wrong with me asking you to apologize?
The corner of Yang Xian's mouth twitched slightly. If Biao'er didn't know his biological father was Zhu Yuanzhang, this would definitely be a threat, a death threat, right?
Zhu Wenzheng was almost laughing so hard that he couldn't straighten his back. "Yes, yes, let Fourth Uncle apologize! He doesn't have time to teach his son, but he should at least apologize on his son's behalf."
Chen Biao nodded vigorously: "That's it."
Chen Chong also complained: "My father, it doesn't matter whether he's at home or not."
Chen Jin crossed his arms and said, "Do we have a father? Do we have one?"
Chen Gou'er wanted to say something, but Chen Mao'er covered his mouth.
Chen Biao smiled and said, "Okay, wait until Dad comes back, then we can complain enough. Now we have to deal with family matters."
He sighed deeply and complained, "If this incident hadn't coincided with the news about Chen Zuren reaching Yingtian, I wouldn't be so nervous. It's just that they're lax in thinking. Making them copy a hundred self-criticisms is enough punishment."
After Zhu Wenzheng had laughed enough, he said, "That's right. Is there anything you, your best and most reliable brother, can help you with?"
Chen Biao said: "Yes. But Brother Ying is not here. Even if I had it, he couldn't help me."
Zhu Wenzheng's smile disappeared, and he said dissatisfiedly: "Me! I'm talking about me!"
Chen Biao spread his hands. "When you talk about the best and most reliable brother, it's of course Brother Ying. Even if you take a step back, it's Brother Zhong. You? You're the one who takes the initiative to get beaten by the lord every other day? Are you embarrassed?"
Zhu Wenzheng lifted Chen Biao up and said, "No, it's me. Tell me, how can I help you?"
Yang Xian quickly snatched Chen Biao back from Zhu Wenzheng's hands and glared at him, "Let's talk it over nicely. Don't touch me."
Chen Biao made a fist gesture to Zhu Wenzheng, then ordered, "There's nothing for you to do, Brother Zheng. If you insist on doing anything, just tell Uncle Liao and have him stand guard at the city gate."
Whether someone will really pay the price of their life in this small incident depends on whether the people on the list will leave the city.
Chen Biao sighed in his heart.
He hoped not.
On that day, Chen Biao prepared the lesson and summoned his servants to attend.
The lesson he was going to teach this time was how the servants should change the way they treated their younger brothers now that they were older and had their own ideas.
Even parents can't deny their children privacy. Younger brothers will have their own secrets, things they won't share with their parents or older siblings. How to strike that balance is what Chen Biao needs to teach them.
When his brothers reached adulthood or started families, Chen Biao would completely let them go and let them manage their own people. He would only ask others for information that everyone else could hear, or let his brothers tell him about things around them.
When Chen Biao was giving a lecture, his younger brothers were also listening.
They also need to understand the limits and scope of their "privacy rights." They need to know what they need to tell their parents and older siblings before a certain age, and after a certain age, they need to make their own decisions about their lives.
Chen Biao also mentioned the problems that might arise from the Chen family's rising status.
When the little master who follows can decide the future of the people around him, it is inevitable that some people will be afraid.
Even if they are not afraid, they may choose to flatter without any bottom line in order to gain more benefits from their young master, thus threatening the rights and interests of the master.
In order to "go one step further", they even stir up trouble among the little masters, instigating them to become hostile to other little masters and fight for power.
Such a person would never be tolerated even if one is kind enough.
"Cong'er, Tang'er, Gou'er, Mao'er, remember this: Dad and Mom will work very hard to ensure that as long as you have talent, you can display it in the fields you love. You will create your own wealth and don't need to steal from your brothers." Chen Biao said with a serious face, "If you are unwilling to work hard and insist on stealing from others, then don't blame me, your big brother, for being ruthless and not recognizing you as your younger brother."
Chen Xun immediately said, "Brother, you know I never fight or compete!"
Chen Jing patted his chest and said, "I only know how to share things with my brothers!"
Chen Gouer thought about it and handed the toy dog in his hand to Chen Maoer.
Chen Maoer said thank you and handed the toy cat in his hand to Chen Gouer.
The behavior of the twin brothers almost made Chen Biao laugh out loud.
Chen Biao coughed dryly and said, "Today's class ends here. I will distribute the courseware, and everyone will copy it today. Those who are with Shu'er, Gou'er, and Mao'er will copy it ten times; those who are with Shu'er will copy it a hundred times."
After Chen Biao finished speaking, the faces of several people in the crowd changed drastically.
Chen Biao didn't explain much, announced the end of get out of class, and then sat down in the study, instructing the servants guarding the door not to inform anyone and to come in directly.
Chen Gou'er and Chen Mao'er were young and felt sleepy after a while. Chen Biao asked his two youngest brothers to go and rest first, and he waited in the study with Chen Chun and Chen Chun.
A quarter of an hour later, someone came to the study and knelt down to apologize.
Half an hour later, the people around Chen Chong came one after another to apologize.
Chen Biao would always ask them, "Do you know where you made a mistake?" and then hear all kinds of strange answers.
Chen Biao would pretend to accept their apologies, then comfort them and let them go, saying that it was just a small matter and the punishment of copying was over.
Chen Xun was puzzled: "Brother, is this enough?"
Chen Biao smiled and said, "Eat something first. I'll tell you about what happened in Peking. When I'm done, this matter will be over."
Although Chen Chong and Chen Tan were very curious, they still obeyed obediently.
Chen Biao was telling the two the story of the Northern Expedition. When he got to the part where Deng Yu and Zhao Desheng captured the fake emperor, Zhu Wenzhen pushed the door open with a murderous look on his face.
"We caught someone." Zhu Wenzheng gritted his teeth and said, "Or should we say, they're a family!"
Chen Biao looked gloomy and sighed deeply.
