When Xu Da got up after sleeping enough, it was already dark.
His stomach growled, so he went to the kitchen to find something to eat.
Li Zhen dug through the ashes on the stove and pulled out a few lumps of dirt. "This is the beggar's chicken that Guorui left for you."
Xu Da grinned and squatted in the kitchen to break up the mud and start eating.
Li Zhen took out a few warm steamed buns from the pot and said, "Don't get mud on your hands. Do you want to eat the dirt? Wait a minute, I'll pour you some tea."
Xu Da said, "Biao'er must have ordered the steamed buns and tea. It's good enough that the Marshal remembered to save the chicken for me. How could he be so thoughtful?"
Li Zhen laughed: "Then you are wrong. Guo Rui asked him to prepare these as apology for not sleeping well last night."
Xu Da was stunned for a moment, then took a bite of the chicken leg: "That must be because the Marshal was influenced by Biao'er, that's why he became so good."
Li Zhen smiled and poured tea for Xu Da: "That's true."
Zhu Yuanzhang had been displaced since childhood and had been losing important people and things.
After finally settling down with Guo Zixing, Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to be a loyal son-in-law, but because he was too powerful, Guo Zixing not only took away his military power, but also almost starved him to death.
Apart from Ma, who never left him, Zhu Yuanzhang did not fully trust even the poor brothers he recruited from the countryside.
His insecurity is deep-rooted.
But after Chen Biao was born, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became simple and honest. It seemed that all his cruelty and tyranny were smoothed away by his gentle son.
The last trace of insecurity in his heart also disappeared with the baby-voiced roar of his divine son Tiantian, "Marshal Zhu will definitely chop you down when he ascends the throne."
This was so obvious that even Zhu Yuanzhang's only relative of the same generation, Li Zhen, and his best brother and childhood friend, Xu Da, could see it clearly.
Zhu Yuanzhang did not seem to hide this fact.
"Today, the boss joked with me, saying that my achievements surpassed his own, and that he would chop me off, build a cenotaph for me, and have Biao'er smash a pot in my face. I knew that as long as I didn't get into trouble in the future, the boss would never harm me." Xu Da wiped the greasy liquid from his mouth. "He even joked with me about this kind of thing."
Li Zhen said, "What's the big deal about chopping you off? He's going to chop off Chen Guorui's entire family."
Xu Da almost choked from laughing.
…
"A-choo." Zhu Yuanzhang, who finally woke up while holding his son, sneezed loudly.
He rubbed his nose and looked at the darkening sky, feeling very depressed.
How could a day just fly by like this? I haven't done anything yet, and it's already gone?
How could I waste my time like this!
No, I have to call a meeting quickly to discuss the restoration of the well field!
Zhu Yuanzhang took out the "Ming Dynasty's Characteristic Well-Field System" written by Chen Biao from under his pillow and kissed the pile of paper.
Hey, Biao'er said this is the well-field system that revives the words of the sage, so it must be the well-field system that Mencius talked about. I wonder how those scholars can say bad things about me this time!
Zhu Yuanzhang was very proud and was about to stand up when he found a heavy object hanging on his waist.
Chen Biao hugged Zhu Yuanzhang's waist, looking up expressionlessly: "Dad, you won't stay up all night, right?"
Zhu Yuanzhang: "...Yes."
Chen Biao: "Dad, you hesitated."
Zhu Yuanzhang was helpless: "Son, it's not that Dad wants to stay up all night. Dad gave this to the Marshal. If the Marshal wants to stay up all night, Dad can't do anything."
Chen Biao complained: "Then you can give it to him tomorrow."
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "I've been missing for half the day. If I don't show up at the Marshal's place tonight and produce some results, he'll be angry."
Chen Biao pursed his lips and let go of Zhu Yuanzhang's waist: "Then have dinner first and then go. Come back as soon as possible, and it's best not to stay up late. You are already thirty years old, and staying up late is harmful to your health. I don't want to be the one to send you off in the future."
Zhu Yuanzhang was about to say "OK", but just as he uttered half of the word, he immediately felt something was wrong.
He pondered for a moment, then his eyes widened: "Biao'er! What nonsense are you talking about!"
Chen Biao had already jumped to the ground, not even putting on his shoes, and ran on the blue brick ground: "Hahahaha, Dad is an idiot, he just came to his senses now."
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Chen Biao rushing out of the door, Chen Ying suddenly appeared outside the door, grabbed Chen Biao in his arms and ran away, just like a human trafficker snatching a child, and disappeared in an instant. He didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.
Wouldn't Wenying be lingering at the door, waiting for Biaoer to wake up?
This guy is sticking to the label too much.
Zhu Yuanzhang stretched, put the "Ming Dynasty's Characteristic Well-Field System" written by Chen Biao in his arms, put on his shoes and walked out slowly.
Never mind, if I don't want to stay up late, I'll finish work at midnight at the latest. Otherwise, Xu Da will use the excuse of being too sleepy to hit my feet with his hoe tomorrow. Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing when he thought of Xu Da's silly look of dozing off while hoeing the ground today.
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly finished his dinner and took the "midnight snack lunch box" packed for him by Chen Biao. He not only took away Xu Da, but also his three adopted sons Chen Wenzhen, Li Baoer and Chen Ying. He said that this matter was very important and asked them to study hard.
Zhu Yuanzhang scolded them, "Marshal Zhu has dozens of adopted sons, over twenty of whom have adopted the surname Zhu and changed their names to the Wenzi generation! If you don't work harder, how can you succeed?"
Chen Wen Zheng: “…” Ah, yes, yes, Marshal Zhu has many adopted sons named “Zhu Wen”, but I am his only nephew.
Li Baoer: “…” Marshal Zhu only has me as his nephew, so it’s not impossible for him to make a name for himself.
Only Chen Ying was a little nervous.
Zhu Yuanzhang patted Chen Ying on the shoulder and said, "You were my adopted son first, and only after I recommended you did you become the Marshal's adopted son. You must not bring shame to me."
Chen Ying: “...Yes.” The tension disappeared immediately.
Godfather, what are you doing? Why are you suddenly so immersed in the play?
While picking his teeth, Xu Da thought that his boss Zhu's acting skills were becoming more and more mature. When he was disciplining his children at home, he automatically put himself in the shoes of "Chen Guorui". He almost had his soul split apart.
When Zhu Yuanzhang was scolding his child, Chen Biao looked a little resentful.
Xu Da asked, "Biao'er, why are you unhappy?"
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Biao'er, don't worry, I will tell the Marshal tonight that I will definitely not stay up all night."
Xu Da's eyes lit up: "Really?!"
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "If I say I won't stay up late, the Marshal will definitely agree. Whether you stay up late or not depends on what the Marshal thinks."
Xu Da: “…” You command yourself, isn’t that great?
Chen Biao shook his head: "It's not because of this."
He looked up at his three brothers and said with a pout, "I just wonder what's wrong with the Marshal. When he sees a capable young man, he adopts him as his son and even changes his name."
How many adopted sons did Zhu Yuanzhang have? When Chen Biao went out, he would probably call anyone he met who greeted him "Zhu Wenmou".
Whether they have parents or not, or if they are picked up on the street and someone else's family takes a fancy to them, Zhu Yuanzhang would adopt as his adopted son any young man around ten years old who he likes.
Chen Biao suspected that there were far more than dozens of adopted sons whom Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned casually but did not change their names.
Is your son/adopted son any good? Here you go, he's my adopted son now!
Chen Biao looked at his three brothers and became even more worried. "Although Marshal Zhu has many adopted sons named Zhu Wen, my family only has three of them... Dad, does the Marshal value you or is he wary of you? When I grow up, will I also be adopted as his adopted son? Zhu Wenbiao? This name seems better than Chen Biao!"
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…” Your name is Zhu Biao, not Zhu Wenbiao.
Chen Wen Zheng: “…” Oh no, I can’t help laughing!
Li Baoer began to silently recite Buddhist scriptures in his heart, which he had heard from somewhere.
Chen Ying rubbed his precious brother's clever head and said, "You are my adoptive father's eldest son. I won't..."
This is also the godfather, that is also the godfather, Chen Ying was tongue-tied.
He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a pleading look. "Foster father, you haven't told me what my name is now, Chen Guorui."
Xu Da covered his mouth with his hands and his shoulders trembled violently.
Zhu Yuanzhang pressed his forehead and said, "As for adopting sons... the generals of the Red Turban Army all like to adopt sons. Not only the Red Turban Army, but Zhang Shicheng and Xu Shouhui also have dozens of adopted sons. Okay, I admit that this is indeed full of banditry. Look, Marshal Zhu has confiscated them now, right? Marshal Zhu will definitely not adopt you as his adopted son. You won't change your name to Zhu Wenbiao, so don't make a fuss."
Chen Biao folded his short arms and said in a mature manner, "Actually, Zhu Wenbiao sounds pretty good. Now my cousin is Zhu Wenzheng, my cousin is Zhu Wenzhong, and my brother Ying is Zhu Wenying. Only I'm called Chen Biao, which doesn't fit in at all. Dad, why don't you talk to Marshal Zhu and ask him to adopt me as his adopted son as well."
Chen Biao wasn't kidding. He looked at his three adopted sons of Marshal Zhu and remembered something he'd read somewhere: Marshal Zhu was very tolerant of his family.
Is the adopted son who changed his name considered a member of the Zhu family? Should he be considered one?
He humbled himself and became Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son. The heir of the Chen family was Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son. Rounding it off, wouldn't the Chen family be Zhu Yuanzhang's property? Perhaps Zhu Yuanzhang would be less wary of the Chen family.
The more Chen Biao thought about it, the more it made sense, so he told Zhu Yuanzhang about his considerations.
Mr. Li asked me to be the mentor of the second generation of generals. This will definitely attract Zhu Yuanzhang's attention. I want to be Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son! I want to change my name to Zhu Wenbiao!
Xu Da lowered his hand from covering his mouth, his expression grave, his shoulders trembling slightly. "Boss, I agree that what Biao'er said makes sense! Isn't this the hostage from my history books?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said quietly, "Well, a hostage. Remember to give your first son to Marshal Zhu as his godson."
Xu Da said seriously: "That's for sure!"
Zhu Yuanzhang kicked Xu Da first, then picked up his fat son who was ready to sacrifice himself as a hostage and squeezed him hard: "What are you thinking about all day long in your little head? Marshal Zhu has no hobby of stealing other people's sons!"
Chen Biao said seriously: "He has!"
Xu Da said seriously: "He really does."
Zhu Yuanzhang's three adopted sons looked at each other in bewilderment. Did they say yes or no?
Chen Biao shook his head and said, "Poor Marshal Zhu's eldest son, whose name I don't know. He has so many brothers at such a young age. Tsk tsk, when Marshal Zhu becomes emperor, all those adopted sons will be crowned as the King of the Country. Will they be crowned kings? The future crown prince will have to support dozens of non-blood brothers at once. It's too miserable. Fortunately, my father only has Brother Ying as his adopted son. Brother Ying! Don't worry! I will definitely be able to support you in the future!"
Chen Ying: "...No need, I will support you."
No one, including Xu Da, could laugh anymore.
Originally, they were just laughing at Zhu Yuanzhang for targeting relatives of the Chen family to adopt as his adopted sons, which made Chen Biao feel a sense of crisis and wanted to offer himself as a adopted son (hostage).
But Chen Biao's words now made them see a huge crisis.
That’s right, it’s just an ordinary adopted son. For example, Zhang Shicheng had dozens or even hundreds of adopted sons.
But our Marshal Zhu not only adopted his sons, he also changed their names, turning them all into children of the Zhu family's literary generation, so that they could be included in the Zhu family tree.
For now, that's all. When Marshal Zhu becomes emperor in the future, will he really create dozens of non-blood-related princes for Biao'er to raise?
Chen Biao was puzzled: "Why do you all look so ugly all of a sudden?"
Xu Da said, "Biao'er, you did raise a serious issue."
Chen Biao was even more puzzled. "How could Marshal Zhu not have thought of such an obvious problem? He's happy about it, so why are you worried?"
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…” I didn’t think so much when I adopted him as my adopted son.
Chen Biao said, "Besides, if Prince Zhu gets into trouble in the future, what does it have to do with you?"
Everyone: "..." It has something to do with you, Biaoer!
Chen Biao said, "By the way, you always talk about the nameless Prince Zhu. What exactly is Prince Zhu's name? Dad, remember to avoid it when you name your brothers."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "...I don't know. Marshal Zhu kept his son very secret. We don't even know his child's name."
Chen Biao nodded, "Oh." Never mind. They'd already chosen a duplicate name. When the emperor ascended the throne, he would announce to the world how to avoid taboos. If they were to mess around with it themselves, it would only make them seem flattering.
Chen Biao said, "What are you all doing surrounding me? Isn't Marshal Zhu in a meeting? You won't be late, will you? Hurry up and leave! Don't keep Marshal Zhu waiting for you, or he'll be so angry that he'll beat you with a stick!"
Zhu Yuanzhang put Chen Biao down woodenly and left with Xu Da, his old brother, and his three adopted sons.
Chen Biao was extremely puzzled: "Uncle, what happened to my father and the others?"
Li Zhen said in a sad tone, "Biao'er, you hit the nail on the head. When Marshal Zhu ascends the throne in the future, he will definitely not allow dozens of Guoxingye to appear in the Zhu Dynasty. So, Marshal Zhu's adopted son, whose name has been changed, will have a future... Sigh."
Chen Biao was so frightened that the little hair on his head was about to explode. "The future...what can we do in the future? Marshal Zhu can't just kill all his adopted sons, right?"
Li Zhen stroked the frizzy tuft of hair on Chen Biao's head. "That's not going to happen. On the bright side, Marshal Zhu might let his adopted sons restore their original names. On the bad side, Marshal Zhu might find fault with them and strip them of their surnames. I hope it's the former."
Chen Biao stroked his chest and said, "As long as they don't chop him off directly, it's fine. If they deprive him of his power, then so be it. The worst that can happen is a reduction in title and demotion. With me, Chen Biao, here, can my three brothers still have a hard time living because of being punished?"
Li Zhen smiled again: "That's right. With Biao'er here, we don't need Marshal Zhu to support us. Biao'er, it's getting late. Do you want to go to bed right away, or do you want to read for a while before going to bed?"
Chen Biao muttered to himself, "Now that I don't have glasses, there's no medicine to cure my myopia."
"I don't want to read books. I want to exercise." Chen Biao said, "I want to find a martial arts master."
Li Zhen said distressedly: "You are still so young and weak, why do you need to practice martial arts?"
Chen Biao pinched the soft flesh on his belly and said, "It's not martial arts training, it's to make the body stronger and healthier."
Li Zhenxian thought for a moment and said, "It's just about getting healthier... The doctor who treated you should know some exercises to strengthen your body. I'll go find him."
Chen Biao said: "Remember to pay more!" If you hire someone to work late at night, you must pay more!
Li Zhen laughed: "Okay, I'll remember to pay more."
…
Zhu Yuanzhang walked silently in front, Xu Da followed on his right rear side, and behind them were his three adopted sons, looking at each other with anxiety in their hearts.
In fact, Chen Wenzheng and Li Baoer were not very nervous. They were relatives of Zhu Yuanzhang, so it was okay if they were not adopted sons.
But Chen Ying is an orphan whose parents and even ancestral home are unknown, and he is so close to Chen Biao. If he leaves the Chen family... it shouldn't be the case. Biao is also very close to Wenying, and the Marshal will consider Biao'er's feelings.
As they neared the brightly lit meeting hall of the temporary Marshal's residence, Xu Da spoke up, "Marshal, find an excuse to have your adopted sons return home as soon as possible. Otherwise, if you wait until you become emperor to issue an order, I'm afraid your adopted sons, who have already made many contributions, will be dissatisfied."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. "When I promulgated the new well-field system, I also allowed my adopted son to return to his family and continue the family line, under the pretext of seeing many families in Yangzhou City being wiped out and feeling deeply moved."
"Fourth Uncle, what about Wenying?" Chen Wenzheng asked anxiously, "Wenying doesn't remember where he's from!"
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Chen Ying and asked, "You really don't remember?"
Chen Ying immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "I really don't remember!"
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "If you ask along the path you took to beg, you should be able to find out."
Chen Ying kowtowed again: "I am just the child of my adoptive father and mother!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was about to say something when Chen Wenzheng pulled Chen Ying up and complained, "Fourth Uncle, please stop torturing Wenying. Even if you want to push Wenying away, will Biaoer agree? Biaoer is closer to Wenying than even my cousin."
Zhu Yuanzhang was pretending to be deep, but when his nephew interrupted him, he could no longer pretend to be deep: "Then change your surname to Chen first, and then I will give you the surname Zhu after Biaoer ascends the throne. Wenzheng! You need to change your temper..."
Chen Wenzheng: "Yeah, yeah, I'll change my last name back to Chen too. Hey, only Bao'er will have the last name Li from now on, so we can isolate him!"
Li Baoer rolled her eyes at Chen Wenzhen.
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "The Chen family is powerful, so they must at least send a hostage to reassure Marshal Zhu. I think you're a good candidate. Just like Marshal Zhu, you can take the Marshal's surname, Zhu, and be called Zhu Wen."
Chen Wenzheng: “…”
Li Baoer laughed: "Yes, you will replace Biaoer and become the Marshal's hostage."
Chen Ying couldn't help laughing.
Xu Da smiled and said, "Alright, stop messing around. Now that we're here, act like what you're supposed to act like! Especially you, Marshal. It's time to become Zhu Yuanzhang!"
Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, and with his right hand he pressed the sword at his waist, his face darkened, and he walked like a tiger and a dragon;
Xu Da restrained his expression and returned to his calm and composed expressionless face;
The remaining three adopted sons...the young generals who have not yet made any contributions just need to keep their heads down, who will look at them?
In the hall, there are already generals waiting here.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng, as newly joined civil officials, also participated in the meeting and were responsible for taking minutes because there were no people who could write present.
The meeting minutes were something Chen Biao mentioned casually, and Zhu Yuanzhang remembered them. Later, these meeting minutes would become part of history books to prevent future generations from fabricating them.
The three adopted sons joined the ranks of the young generals. Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the top, with Xu Da and Chang Yuchun sitting to his left and right respectively.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng looked at this scene with their lips twitching slightly. They always felt like they had entered the territory of some mountain king.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Now that I have more land, it's time to consider dividing it up."
The generals immediately sat up straight and pricked up their ears.
The generals under Zhu Yuanzhang were basically poor people. Even though they had a lot of gold and silver at home, they were still very eager for land.
If the commander-in-chief wants to distribute land to the common people, he will surely also distribute land to us, the heroes, right?
Song Lian and Ye Zheng were stunned, but they also perked up and were ready to offer suggestions at any time.
The distribution of land is the foundation of the establishment of a regime, and it can basically determine the direction of this regime within a hundred years.
After the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty, apart from the enclosure of land by its own nobles, it did not follow the ruling rules of previous feudal dynasties in China, but instead implemented a tax farming system, similar to the feudal lord system in Europe.
The tax-farming system meant that the central government did not manage the localities, but only collected taxes. They contracted the tax revenue to local tyrants and wealthy merchants, and as long as they paid enough taxes, they did not care what they did in the local area.
The Yuan Dynasty's actions completely destroyed the central government's control over local areas, which had been in place since the Qin and Han dynasties. From then on, royal authority ceased to extend to the countryside, and local tyrants held the final say.
This is also one of the most important reasons why, in the late Yuan Dynasty, the poor Mongols in the north were rebelling against the Yuan Dynasty, while the Han landlords and gentry in the south supported the Yuan Dynasty.
During the Yuan Dynasty, local tyrants were similar to European feudal lords and had actual control over their territories.
This left a lasting legacy of harm. The "Grain Chief System" that Zhu Yuanzhang would implement in the future was intended to reestablish the central government's authority over local governments.
Unfortunately, once the grain chief system lost its wise, brave and sharp emperor, it quickly became corrupt, causing great suffering to the people.
In addition, the emperor continued to deprive the grain chief of his power and gave his power to local officials. The grain chief system existed in name only and could not play a role in suppressing local tyrants. Instead, it became a tool for local tyrants to persecute poor people.
Zhu Yuanzhang in history only instinctively understood that the central government needed to strengthen its management of local governments to curb the exploitation of the people by powerful officials. But he did not understand the core of the problem.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng understood the core of the problem.
Food is the primary need of the people and grain is the foundation of the nation. The core of all problems can be traced back to grain, that is, the land that can produce grain.
Therefore, whether a regime can manage the local area well depends first on having a feasible land policy that allows the central government to intervene in the local area.
Zhu Yuanzhang had only a few years of education, so could he really come up with such a policy?
Song Lian and Ye Zheng looked at Zhu Yuanzhang. In their minds, this was their first "test" for Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting at the head of the group, took out a stack of papers and cleared his throat. "I have decided to implement the well-field system!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was deafening.
But only Song Lian and Ye Zheng were deafened by the noise, their bodies trembling slightly, and they were so shocked that they were speechless.
The other generals were scratching their heads, looking confused.
"General, what is this well-field system you're talking about?" a general asked. "We haven't read as much as you, so we don't understand."
Most of the generals nodded, while a small number of generals pretended to understand.
Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and yelled, "Didn't I tell you to study? Why don't you read Mencius? The Jingtian system is in Mencius!"
Xu Da looked at his nose and then his heart, complaining in his heart. "Oh, right, right, don't you read Mencius? Marshal, you read Mencius, but you still ask what the well-field system is."
The generals shrank their necks after being scolded by Zhu Yuanzhang, and nodded and bowed, patting their chests to make promises.
Read, we must start reading tomorrow! So what the hell is the well-field system?
Zhu Yuanzhang felt ashamed when he saw his generals who looked ferocious on the battlefield but became stupid and foolish when they heard about studying.
He took a few deep breaths, suppressing the urge to kick the generals' butts one by one. He said in a deep voice, "Mr. Song and Mr. Ye should know about the well-field system. Could you explain it to these ignorant fools?"
Song Lian and Ye Zheng looked at each other, and Ye Zheng made a "please" gesture.
The school of thought that Song Lian studied supported the well-field system, and he was very familiar with it.
After observing these generals, Song Lian realized how little knowledge they had, so he explained the well-field system in the simplest terms possible.
After finishing the explanation, Song Lian hesitated for a moment, and then added some of his own thoughts, talking about the advantages and disadvantages of the well-field system.
The advantage of the well-field system was that it curbed land annexation and allowed all people to farm. As for the disadvantage, it was that the rich would certainly not agree.
The generals were dumbfounded.
All the land belongs to the public? We can only farm it, but the land doesn't belong to us?
If we were still poor, this well-field system would be a good choice. We wouldn't have to worry about our fields being taken away by landlords or tyrants one day.
But we are not poor people now, we also want to seize other people’s land!
Although they thought so in their hearts, they certainly didn't dare to say it out loud. They could only speak out, saying that the resistance was too great, and those landlords and gentry would definitely strongly oppose it. They couldn't just cut down everything, right?
After saying this, they looked at Zhu Yuanzhang nervously.
Because based on their understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang, if Zhu Yuanzhang insisted on implementing the well-field system, he might really do something like killing all the landlords and gentry who opposed it.
Song Lian also looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.
The well-field system was his hope, and he believed it was an ideal system that could solve the injustice in the world.
However, despite the promotion of many Confucian sages, this ideal system still could not reappear on the land of China. Its drawbacks and resistance were obviously so great that Song Lian only thought it was an impossible ideal.
Did Zhu Yuanzhang really want to implement the well-field system?
Song Lian clenched his fists, with no hope in his heart.
Zhu Yuanzhang dared to offend the scholars of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, but he absolutely did not dare to offend all the gentry and powerful people in the world. Because the gentry and powerful people had money, food, and people, and when they were forced into a corner, they could all form an army in troubled times.
But Song Lian still had a glimmer of hope in his heart. He thought that if Zhu Yuanzhang dared to implement the well-field system, even if Zhu Yuanzhang was doomed to become the target of public criticism and his future might be hopeless, he would still stay with Zhu Yuanzhang, even if it meant hopeless.
Song Lian's voice trembled: "Marshal, if you implement the well-field system, you will be making enemies with all the rich people in the world. Please... think twice!"
He cupped his hands together, bent down sharply, and his body was almost parallel to the ground.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced around at the anxiously opposing generals, and the words from the heavenly book flashed through his mind.
Why couldn't the peasants overthrow the landlords? Because when they revolted and became powerful, their class would change from peasants to landlords.
He once wondered why the weak would bully the weak after becoming strong, and why human hearts could turn bad so easily.
The heavenly book told him the reason.
Class, ah class. So, in the future revealed by Biaoer, the "Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty" becomes so cruel and ruthless because he has become the largest landlord and is obsessed with protecting his class interests?
But the current Zhu Yuanzhang is not the crazy emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
After he became Chen Guorui, he made a lot of money and had mountains of gold, silver, jewelry, fine clothes and delicious food, but he did not indulge in enjoyment.
Having enough clothes to wear and enough food to eat is enough, and even fancy jewelry gets boring after a while. He wants a greater sense of accomplishment.
He was the emperor before. After reading the heavenly book, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that being an emperor was just like that.
I really want to be a great sage admired by all generations. It would be best if I, a descendant of Zhu Xi, replaced the descendants of Confucius and became the Yanshenggong, the official in charge of worship.
Zhu Zi is Zhu Xi? No, it’s me, Zhu Yuanzhang, or my son Zhu Biao!
Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes, his mind wandering for a moment, and then said sadly, "You all oppose this because you have become powerful people now. Can you seize other people's land like the landlords who once seized our land?"
The noise stopped abruptly and all the generals fell silent.
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "Mr. Song, please sit down first."
Song Lian straightened up, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a dejected face, and recalled Li Shanchang's tearful words.
First, he scolded the scholars for supporting foot binding, then he wanted to use surrendered generals to sacrifice to the people of Yangzhou, and now he wants to implement the well-field system.
Marshal Zhu, not all the right things can be done!
The other generals felt upset when they saw the dejected look on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.
Chang Yuchun clenched his hands.
He always felt that Zhu Yuanzhang's words seemed to be blaming him.
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "Do you remember why you followed me in my uprising? With lofty ambitions? To support the country? No, we didn't have such lofty aspirations. In the beginning, we just couldn't survive."
"I've thought about it. If my family still had land and my parents and brothers hadn't starved to death, I might have been a farmer all my life, or my family might have tightened their belts and sent me to a private school to study for the imperial examinations. In any case, I wouldn't have rebelled."
"Even if the temple I was staying in didn't burn down, I guess I would just be a smooth-talking old monk, at most cheating people out of their incense money. I can't even think of rebelling and living on the edge of a knife."
"I feel that way, and I'm sure you feel the same way." Zhu Yuanzhang once again looked around at his generals. "As long as we have food to eat, not to mention enough to eat, as long as we're not starving to death, who would want to live on the edge of a knife?"
The generals all bowed their heads. That was true, but...
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I'm putting this on hold. Although I haven't become king yet, my future goal is to become emperor. I want to be the emperor! All the heroes present here will become founding heroes!"
The generals looked up suddenly.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, walked back and forth twice with his hands behind his back, and said, "I established this system not to deprive you of your right to be rich. I just want the common people of the world to have enough to eat and not starve to death. This way, our descendants will not be killed by new poor people. Do you understand?"
Xu Da stood up and said with a stern face, "General! When I joined you in the uprising, I said I would obey you in everything! Whatever you say, we'll do it! I believe you will never make life difficult for our brothers!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were red as he held Xu Da's hands with both hands: "Good brother!"
When the generals saw that Xu Da had taken the lead, they immediately followed.
"Ah, Marshal, you know I'm nothing but a pig brain except for fighting... Ah, I'm not talking about you, dog brain, dog brain. I really don't understand. I'll do whatever you say!"
"You're right, Marshal. We were poor people before, so how could we seize the land of other poor people? Let the land be public. We, the heroes, will definitely manage more land in the future, and we will still have something to eat."
"That's right! Isn't the purpose of privately owning land to pass it on to future generations? But children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Why should the benefits we earned among the dead be left to our descendants for free? They earned it themselves!"
"General, I'll do as you say!"
Chang Yuchun was shocked when he saw the generals banging their tables.
This group of people really believed in Zhu Yuanzhang, and believed in Zhu Yuanzhang very blindly.
Why? Because Zhu Yuanzhang led them out of hard times?
Chang Yuchun breathed a long sigh of relief, then stood up and saluted, saying, "Marshal, I still say the same thing. In any battle, I am willing to be your vanguard!"
The other generals looked at Chang Yuchun with contempt.
How can you be so talkative?! Aren't we all illiterate and ignorant?! Are you secretly studying behind our backs?!
"Yes, yes, Marshal, I think so too."
"Just do it, Marshal. I don't know anything, so I'll just follow you."
"So, Marshal, how are we going to implement the well-field system?"
"Should we draw a tic-tac-toe on the ground first?"
"Idiot! Didn't you hear what Mr. Song just said? The meaning of the well-field system is that the fields are shaped like a well!"
"You're the idiot! What's the difference between the field being shaped like a well and me drawing a well on the ground?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's joy and emotion cooled when he heard the content of the quarrel among his generals.
It's just... so embarrassing.
The founding heroes of my future Ming Dynasty emperor are just a bunch of illiterate people?!
I won't allow it!
After Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind to force this group of people to study, he knocked on the table and said, "Quiet."
The generals covered their mouths.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes twitched and Xu Da rolled his eyes.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng looked at each other, and saw a helpless and somewhat... doting (?) smile on each other's face.
The generals under Marshal Zhu are all quite... interesting and seem easy to get along with.
"The public ownership of all land is only the most basic system. If the imperial court could take the land back at any time, the people would not be able to farm it in peace. So I changed it and contracted it to the people for cultivation for a period of thirty years. After thirty years, the land will be cleared again, and those who are still alive will have another thirty years." Now Zhu Yuanzhang explained the specific content of the Ming Dynasty's unique well-field system.
His son said that in order to open the window, he had to tear down the entire roof first.
But he didn't expect that his poor brothers were inspired by him for a while and actually all supported him in demolishing the roof, leaving him speechless.
As Zhu Yuanzhang elaborated on the content of the "Zhu family's unique well-field system", the generals gradually calmed down.
When they first heard that all the land in the world would be owned by the public, they were still very panicked, but they instinctively believed Zhu Yuanzhang.
Now they heard that the contract was for 30 years and could be transferred within the contract period, they breathed a sigh of relief.
During the Song Dynasty, people became adults at the age of 20. After becoming an adult, how many people could live to be 30 years old? This basically means that they owned land for their entire lives.
Furthermore, if they lived to be fifty, their lease term would be extended for another thirty years, effectively passing the land on to their descendants. This would ensure the people treated the elderly well.
Women would also be granted land, so families would no longer kill infants because they couldn't afford to raise them. With more women in the countryside, ordinary villagers would have a greater chance of finding wives.
Wonderful!
The generals' eyes lit up.
Song Lian was having difficulty breathing.
Ye Zheng kept helping Song Lian calm down: "Calm down, calm down!"
Song Lian stood up suddenly. Calm down! How can I calm down?
"General! May I ask which great sage gave you this idea?" Song Lian's voice was hoarse, his eyes red. "Please, General, please introduce me to someone! "
After saying that, Song Lian actually knelt down and kowtowed.
Zhu Yuanzhang: "I was just guessing..."
Ye Zheng sighed, knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "I am willing to serve you, Marshal, and die for you. I beg you to give me a chance to see the great sage!"
Zhu Yuanzhang: "I said it was me..."
Among the foolish generals, someone said in a voice that he thought was quiet, "Marshal, do you believe what you said?"
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…” Then if I say that the great sage is my five-year-old son, do you believe it?