Chapter 23: Reducing the Power of the Lords? No, That’s Not What I Ever Intended

“Your Highness, we have wronged you,” said Feng Sheng and Tang He earnestly as they tried to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang. Unexpectedly, Ren Taiheng stepped forward and bowed to Zhu Yunzhuo, admitting his previous mistake.

Though sometimes rigid and overly bound by ancestral doctrines, they were not blind to such glaring flaws. The vulnerabilities in Zhu Yuanzhang’s policy regarding the princes were far more extensive than this. Prompted by Zhu Yunzhuo’s insight, the three men began to realize many more issues.

For instance, the prohibition of all royal family members from engaging in commerce or taking civil service examinations to become officials. At first glance, these rules seemed harmless, but over time—hundreds of years later—they would become enormous problems.

Princes were already wealthy, some even governing entire territories with privileges. If greedy royals exploited their status to amass wealth locally or seize all the land within their domain, the court would not only fail to collect taxes but might also have to support these nobles. With such shifts, how long could the Ming dynasty endure?

Moreover, among the princes’ descendants were undoubtedly many learned men. Yet under Zhu Yuanzhang’s policies, they were barred from serving in the court, representing a tremendous loss to the empire.

Behind the curtain, a gradually composed Zhu Yuanzhang also contemplated these points, breaking out in a cold sweat. He had never imagined that his desire to let his descendants enjoy the kingdom he fought so hard to build would eventually become the very cause of its demise. Even an emperor as capable as the Hongwu Emperor now regretted his momentary strategy.

Although somewhat dejected, Zhu Yuanzhang sank back into his chair, his eyes bright and fixed intently on the upright figure of Zhu Yunzhuo within the Qianqing Palace, as if yearning for a definitive solution.

Yet this hope was doomed to disappointment.

Zhu Yunzhuo did not pursue the topic further; his initial intention was merely to unsettle Ren Taiheng and the others, not to offer a complete remedy. Besides, even if he wished to propose a solution now, Liu Sanwu, Su Boheng, and Ren Taiheng’s temperaments would preclude acceptance. They would inevitably accuse him of being a “tyrant” or “warmonger.”

Zhu Yunzhuo had no masochistic tendencies, so he was naturally reluctant to waste breath explaining further.

Seeing Liu Sanwu and Su Boheng’s faces flush with shame, Zhu Yunzhuo knew it was the right moment. He smiled lightly and said, “Gentlemen, in truth, I was compelled to stand for this position. Otherwise, I could have lived peacefully as a carefree prince.”

“What do you mean by that, Your Highness?” Su Boheng asked, puzzled and skeptical. Everyone desires to be emperor; countless people have fought fiercely for this supreme position. How could Zhu Yunzhuo be so indifferent?

Liu Sanwu and Ren Taiheng shared his doubts but remained silent.

Zhu Yunzhuo smiled at Su Boheng and shook his head. “May I ask, who among you would be the most likely to inherit the emperor’s position if I did not step forward?”

“Zhu Yunwen,” Ren Taiheng answered immediately.

He spoke the name without disrespect, knowing that Zhu Yunwen’s status as the eldest grandson had been usurped by the Lü family through machinations, and he would inevitably be demoted to commoner, thus unworthy of honor.

Zhu Yunzhuo continued, “And if Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, what do you believe would be his first act?”

The three fell silent, unsure how to respond. They could hardly say that Zhu Yunwen’s first move would be to eradicate all threats, starting with me.

Yet Zhu Yunzhuo pressed on as if speaking to himself, “If I were Zhu Yunwen, my first order after taking the throne would be to imprison myself and then move against all the influential nobles in Huai West, removing anyone who might threaten my position.”

“And after eliminating the nobles of Huai West, how many generals capable of leading armies would the court still have?”

“None. Though the court seems brimming with talent, only the nobles of Huai West command troops capable of fighting and winning. Until a new generation of generals emerges, this remains true.”

“I have another question for you. If you were princes commanding powerful armies, would you submit to such an emperor and court?”

Ren Taiheng and the others fell silent again, their expressions turning to horror.

Behind the curtain, Zhu Yuanzhang snorted and sneered, “Hmph! If I were a prince commanding great forces, I would naturally rebel against an empty court and find any excuse to raise my troops and replace it!”

Feng Sheng and Tang He said nothing, fully aware that Zhu Yuanzhang spoke candidly.

Within the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunzhuo’s voice continued.

“Of course, my uncles might not show discontent immediately, but what if young Zhu Yunwen, wielding great power and feeling threatened by the princes, acts?”

“He will curtail the princes! That is inevitable.”

“If so, can the princes remain stable?”

“I cannot speak for others, but my fourth and eighteenth uncles would not remain idle. Among all the princes, they command the most troops and generals, and the emperor himself once praised them as most resembling himself. If they were to rise under the pretext of pacifying rebellion, could a leaderless court withstand them?”

...

“But Your Highness, you just mentioned the threat of the princes. Do you not intend to curtail them?”

Ren Taiheng immediately seized the contradiction in Zhu Yunzhuo’s words, his face full of confusion.

“Curtailed?” Zhu Yunzhuo laughed and shook his head. “Why would I curtail the princes? The policy has many flaws, but would curtailing them solve the root problem?”

“Even if I truly curtailed the princes, how many of my uncles would dare oppose it? Remember, my mother is from the Chang family, and behind me stand all the nobles of Huai West.”

“Besides, I have never planned to curtail the princes. Doing so would only add burdens to the court. Idle royals would cause more chaos than the current nobles ever could.”

...

Hearing Zhu Yunzhuo’s somewhat contradictory words, Liu Sanwu and the others frowned. Since he did not reveal how he intended to address the policy’s flaws, they refrained from pressing further.

By now, they fully endorsed Zhu Yunzhuo’s approach, sincerely believing that only with him on the throne could the Ming dynasty stabilize and flourish.

Yet an unspoken question lingered in their hearts, like a bone stuck in the throat, and they exchanged glances silently.

...