Chapter 31 Zhu Yuanzhang’s plan!

Chapter 31 Zhu Yuanzhang's Plan

When this light cough was heard, all the ministers in the hall couldn't help but shiver.

In particular, Yang Xian and Li Shanchang, who were arguing fiercely, immediately knelt down before Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, the heads of the people involved in the Empty Seal Case were still lying in front of Caishikou, and no minister dared to offend Zhu Yuanzhang at this time.

Yang Xian and Li Shanchang knelt down and kowtowed, burying their heads deeply and saying in unison:
"I have violated the rules. Your Majesty, please punish me!"

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang just chuckled, and did not get furious and cause blood to splatter five steps away as some people thought.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two of them and criticized them with a smile:
"One of you is the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat, and the other is the Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat. You can be said to be the heads of all officials and the pillars of the Ming Dynasty. But you actually quarreled in front of me during the court meeting like two shrews. Don't you think it's ridiculous?"

"This... I feel guilty!" Yang Xian said.

"Your Majesty is right. This is ridiculous."

Li Shanchang was obviously much more tactful, and immediately followed Zhu Yuanzhang's words and laughed at himself, "I have lived for most of my life but still can't change my childish temper. Thanks to the emperor's constant warnings, otherwise I don't know how much of a joke I would have caused."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter if I make a fool of myself. I made a lot of fools of myself when I first started the rebellion."

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject and became stern: "I am afraid that you will sacrifice public interests for personal interests. That would not only ruin my great Ming Dynasty, but also my country!"

When these words were spoken, all the ministers were terrified!

"I am guilty, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Everyone said in unison.

However, the ministers lowered their heads and did not see the slightly raised corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth.

Go ahead and quarrel! The more you quarrel, the more relieved I will be.

Since ancient times, no emperor has been willing to see his subjects being friendly and respectful to each other.

That's not called unity of the people, that's called forming a clique for personal gain!

As the saying goes, where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and where there are rivers and lakes, there will be conflicts and fights.

The fights in the court will only be bloodier and more intense than those in the martial arts world!
If these bureaucrats stopped arguing that day, it would only prove one thing, that is, a kind of community of interests had been formed among these bureaucrats.

Usually this kind of community of interests is called a political party!
Once these parties become too powerful to be eliminated, they may even undermine the imperial power and use the emperor to control the other lords!
Compared to that situation, having disputes is actually a good thing for Zhu Yuanzhang!
But then again, seeing these important officials of the Ming Dynasty scolding like shrews still affects my mood a little.

There was nothing else to do, so Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand to signal the end of the court.

On the way back to the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said to his personal eunuch Yunqi: "Yunqi, I heard that the left chancellor Yang Xian is quite popular. Are you friends with him?"

Yun Qi was walking peacefully, but upon hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, he was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and stammered, "Your Majesty has repeatedly ordered us eunuchs not to make friends with outsiders to prevent collusion between insiders and outsiders and causing cholera. Your Majesty, even if you give me a few more guts, I would not dare to do it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed with satisfaction, then stroked his beard and said, "But I heard that Lord Yang has a lot of golden beans in his sleeves. Anyone who is willing to make friends with him can get a share. If you don't deal with him, you will suffer a loss!"

Although Yunqi was young, he had served Zhu Yuanzhang very early, and he was very smart. When he heard what Zhu Yuanzhang said, he immediately understood what he meant. "I have heard of Lord Yang's golden beans, but I eat and drink the royal food, so there is no use for golden beans!" Yunqi said, while looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's happy face, she boldly said, "But I heard that many people in the palace have taken Lord Yang's golden beans."

Yunqi thought Zhu Yuanzhang would be furious after hearing this, but unexpectedly Zhu Yuanzhang just said "hmm" lightly.

However, Yun Qi soon understood that Zhu Yuanzhang asked this question proactively, which must mean that he knew about Yang Xian's intention to win over the eunuchs in the inner court, otherwise he would not have mentioned the golden beans right away.

As for how Zhu Yuanzhang knew it?
Needless to say?
The Jinyiwei's fierce reputation was not earned through fighting.

Inside the sedan chair, Zhu Yuanzhang leaned against the chair and whispered in a somewhat bored tone, "Yang Xian's friends are not just eunuchs like you. Many people in the court and the country like these golden beans! Who doesn't like them? I like them too."

Outside the chariot, Yun Qi could not hear clearly, "Your Majesty, what did you say?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer, but said calmly: "Let Mao Xiang come to see me."

Forbidden City and Wuying Hall.

"I am Mao Xiang, the commander of the Imperial Guard, and I am here to see Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial in his hand and called Mao Xiang, saying, "You are here. How have you been doing your work as Jinyiwei recently? If you have any difficulties, please feel free to tell me."

Mao Xiang was flattered and said, "Except for the remnants of the empty seal case a while ago, there is nothing else that is difficult to deal with."

Then, fearing that Zhu Yuanzhang would be dissatisfied, he hastily added: "But please rest assured, Your Majesty, I am already doing my best to arrest the remnants of the empty seal case."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hands and suddenly said, "Speaking of the Empty Seal Case, I remembered a boy named Ye Xuan. He is very young and promising. The leaders of your Jinyiwei are not as capable as this young man!"

Mao Xiang was such an intelligent man that it was not easy for him to become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

At least he was good at guessing people's minds. Upon hearing this, he immediately followed Zhu Yuanzhang's words and said:
"Your Majesty is teaching that Ye Xuan is indeed a young and impressive young man. I often chat with him and I admire him very much."

Mao Xiang said this, but in fact he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's appreciation for Ye Xuan, so he just followed the emperor's wishes.

At the same time, he felt a little jealous in his heart. Being praised by the emperor at such a young age, it seemed that his future was limitless. Perhaps his position as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be passed on to him in the future.

"Oh, do you have some personal relationship with Ye Xuan?" Zhu Yuanzhang said with an ambiguous smile.

In fact, Mao Xiang had no personal relationship with a small centurion. He only said that to win Zhu Yuanzhang's favor.

But seeing the emperor’s attitude towards Ye Xuan today… I don’t know, I really have to make friends with him in the future.

Mao Xiang nodded and said, "It's always good to make friends with young and promising people."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said meaningfully: "Since you have some personal relationship, it would be even better. You can also do better for the Ming Dynasty."

"How about this, go find that boy, I just happen to have a job for him!"

(End of this chapter)