BSI Chapter 34 Zhu Yuanzhang: That was a really satisfying show of bravado today!
Chapter 34 Zhu Yuanzhang: That was a really satisfying show of bravado today!
Hu Weiyong stood there, completely dumbfounded. His pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with shock. He muttered to himself, "The Single Whip Law... merging taxes, collecting taxes in cash... and these measures are so much better than what I proposed. They're so comprehensive!"
He felt a burning sensation on his face, as if he had been slapped hard several times. His previous confidence and pride vanished instantly, leaving only shame and awe.
He never expected that His Majesty would have such a groundbreaking strategy; his own ideas were utterly insignificant in the face of His Majesty's tactics.
Coming to his senses, Hu Weiyong immediately bowed and knelt, his tone extremely respectful: "Your Majesty is wise!"
"Your Majesty's strategy is incisive and meticulous, leaving me ashamed of my own shortcomings. My previous thoughts were far too shallow; I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
"Your Majesty's decree will be fully implemented to carry out the Single Whip Law and other measures. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly, even unto death, and will never fail Your Majesty's trust and expectations!"
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said in a calm tone, "Get up. It's good that you know your shortcomings. Implement them well and don't let us down."
"I obey your decree!"
Hu Weiyong quickly stood up, bowed, and left. When he walked out of Fengtian Hall, his back was soaked with cold sweat. He was filled with shame and awe, and his previous smugness was gone.
After Hu Weiyong left, only Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao remained in the Fengtian Hall. Zhu Yuanzhang slowly stepped down from the dragon throne, patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Biao'er, you must remember that when you are an emperor, you must make the prime minister your tool, use him for your own purposes, and assist you in governing the country, rather than letting the prime minister hold great power, ride on your head, and restrain the imperial power."
Zhu Biao quickly bowed and nodded: "Your subject will remember your father's teachings."
Looking at Zhu Biao's respectful demeanor, Zhu Yuanzhang felt incredibly pleased, and a slight smile crept onto his lips as he secretly gloated.
Haha, that was a really fun performance today!
Hu Weiyong was rendered speechless by our rebuttal. The things Yao'er taught us are indeed useful. They not only suppressed Hu Weiyong's arrogance but also established our authority. It's perfect!
.....
Inside a side hall of the Korean Duke's Mansion, Li Shanchang leaned back in a grand chair, looking relaxed, while his steward and trusted confidant stood respectfully to one side.
After a long silence, Li Shanchang slowly spoke, his tone full of certainty: "Weiyong's entry into the palace this time will surely win His Majesty's favor. His policy strategies are comprehensive and sound, hitting the nail on the head for the Ming Dynasty. His Majesty has always valued politics, and he will surely be pleased to see them."
The steward's trusted confidant immediately bowed and echoed, "Your Excellency's insight is brilliant. Prime Minister Hu is exceptionally talented, and with Your Excellency's support behind him, he will surely be highly valued by His Majesty during this audience."
The tone shifted abruptly, and the steward's confidant, his face showing some worry, said in a low voice, "But sir, there is something I am concerned about. Prime Minister Hu is now the Left Prime Minister, wielding considerable power. If he rises to a higher position and greater power in the future, will he... will he break free from your control and no longer obey your orders?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang paused in his actions, a barely perceptible hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
The steward's words struck a nerve with him. Hu Weiyong, though talented, was also ambitious. Today he might be willing to submit to him, but if he gained the Emperor's favor tomorrow, he might not be so willing to remain subservient.
But he didn't show his worry on his face. He quickly regained his composure and a confident smile appeared on his lips: "Don't worry, he got to where he is today entirely because of my promotion. Without me, he would be nothing."
"Moreover, although he is arrogant, he is deeply grateful and meticulous. He understands that only by relying on me can he gain a foothold in the court and will not easily do anything ungrateful."
He spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of confidence: "Back then, he was an official in Hezhou, but his political achievements were mediocre. It was I who recommended him for a position in the central government."
"Later, he quelled local rebellions and made many military achievements. It was because I spoke well of him before His Majesty that he achieved his current position. He dares not and cannot forget these favors."
"Furthermore, in the imperial court, if I were not backing him up, he would not be able to defeat those old ministers on his own. He knows this very well and would not be foolish enough to break free from my control."
Upon hearing this, the steward's confidant felt his worries ease slightly and bowed, saying, "Master's considerations are thorough; I was overthinking it."
Just then, the sound of a servant's footsteps came from outside the door. The servant bowed and entered, saying respectfully, "Master, Prime Minister Hu has returned and is currently outside the gate, requesting an audience."
A smile instantly appeared on Li Shanchang's face, and he raised his hand to signal the servant: "Quickly, invite him in."
After the servants left, he proudly raised his chin to his steward confidant: "See? What did I tell you? He came here immediately after seeing His Majesty, which shows that he still respects me very much and has no ulterior motives."
Before long, Hu Weiyong entered the side hall. However, his appearance at this moment was completely different from when he entered the palace. There was no trace of smugness on his face. Instead, he was pale, dejected, and looked like an eggplant that had been hit by frost, unable to even straighten his back.
Seeing this, Li Shanchang was slightly taken aback, then smiled and stood up, stepping forward to pat him on the shoulder: "Weiyong, congratulations! His Majesty must be very satisfied with your policies during your visit to the palace, and must have praised you highly, right?"
"Tell me quickly, what did His Majesty praise you for? Has he already decreed that those measures you have implemented?"
His tone was urgent, his eyes full of expectation, waiting to hear the good news from Hu Weiyong.
Upon hearing this, Hu Weiyong trembled slightly, a look of shame and bitterness appearing on his face. He slowly raised his head and said in a low voice, "Teacher, no... His Majesty did not praise me. On the contrary... on the contrary, he pointed out many shortcomings in my governance strategies."
Li Shanchang's smile froze instantly, his face full of doubt: "Insufficient? How could there be any shortcomings? I have read your strategy; it is comprehensive and meticulous, every word hitting the nail on the head. How could Your Majesty say there are shortcomings?"
Hu Weiyong took a deep breath and slowly recounted everything that had happened after he entered the palace.
From his own eloquent report on his strategies, to His Majesty's expressionless face, to His Majesty's series of questions that left him speechless, and finally to the strategies and the Single Whip Law that His Majesty proposed that far exceeded his understanding.
He spoke in great detail, his tone filled with shame and awe, not daring to lift his head for fear of seeing the disappointment in Li Shanchang's eyes.
Li Shanchang stood there, completely dumbfounded, his eyes wide open, his face full of disbelief.
He muttered to himself, his voice filled with shock and disbelief: "Impossible...this is impossible!"
"How can Your Majesty possess such meticulous political strategies? Those measures, and what about the Single Whip Law? They far exceed the understanding of ordinary court officials. When did Your Majesty become so capable in political affairs?"
The side hall fell into an instant, deathly silence...