Father can be an enemy to the country

In the 29th year of Hongwu, March.

As the heavily guarded official ship loaded the last batch of yellow books into Xuanwu Lake, the second national yellow book compiled by the Ming Dynasty was finally stored.

Ten years ago, the Ming Dynasty had completed a national yellow book compilation, but the population and land rights would change every year. In order to always grasp the true situation of the land population in the country, Boss Zhu ordered to recompile the yellow book every ten years.

As the saying goes, the first time is new, the second time is familiar, and the central and local officials of the Ming Dynasty have accumulated rich experience. Moreover, 80% of the political and administrative officials of the Ming Dynasty are college graduates, and their comprehensive quality is far superior to the past. Therefore, this time, the compilation of the yellow book, from the beginning of last spring to the completion of all the delivery to Beijing, only took one year.

It took a full six years to compile the yellow book for the first time. Although it cannot be said that the administrative capacity of the Ming Dynasty officials has increased sixfold, the huge progress is also obvious.

Just because the yellow books were transported to Houhu doesn't mean that everything is fine. They still have to be checked by the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and confirmed to be correct before they can be put into the warehouse.

Of course, there are 60,000 or 70,000 yellow books in the world. Even if all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were brought in, it would take until the end of the year to check them, and the Ministry would have nothing else to do.

So the students of Guozi University are actually responsible for checking. Now accounting has become a compulsory course for all majors in Guozi University, and these college students are young and strong, just right for recruiting men.

They check the old management, dismissal, new collection, and actual four-column increase and decrease from the department register to the prefecture register, state register, and county register. Then they compile the problems found into a book and submit it to the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue then instructs the relevant government offices to verify and revise within half a year, submit it twice, and then send it to the yellow book warehouse for storage after verification.

So when all the yellow books are checked and compiled into a general book, it will be the end of August half a year later.

When Xia Yuanji, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, presented the general book to Wenhua Hall, the prince immediately rushed to Wuying Hall to report. He knew that his father had been waiting for the yellow book.

~~

Wuying Hall.

Mr. Zhu, who was about to turn seventy, had white hair and deep wrinkles, but his facial features were much softer than when he was young, and he was much fatter, and he looked a little kind.

The prince was also over forty, with gray hair on his temples and crow's feet on his forehead and eyes. While presenting the Yellow Book, he reported in a deep voice:

"…The number of households in the country is 11,652,789, the population is 65,545,812, and the cultivated land area in the country has reached 9,846,236 mu, which can harvest 5,691,520 dan of summer wheat and 33,729,450 dan of autumn rice!"

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes slightly, held his gray beard, and nodded repeatedly: "Good, compared with the population ten years ago, Tens of millions more, grain production has doubled!"

"Yes!" The prince was also happy and said: "Now the population is three times that of the beginning of the country, and the grain production is dozens of times that of the beginning of the country. My Ming Dynasty has finally brought China into a prosperous era again! "

"It's still too early." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said: "Although the treasury is full now, the people of the world are just well-fed and clothed. Isn't the standard of this prosperous era too low?"

"It may not be as good as Kaiyuan, but compared with other so-called prosperous eras, it is not much worse." The prince smiled.

"If you want to compare, compare Kaiyuan. Not only must it be stronger than Kaiyuan, but it is absolutely not allowed to have Tianbao!" Zhu Yuanzhang blew his beard and glared.

"Yes, yes." The prince hurriedly smiled and agreed, and he just agreed to whatever his old father said.

"Write it down, we have to issue an edict." Zhu Yuanzhang was not talking casually.

"Yes." The prince quickly picked up the red pen and pretended to listen.

Then he heard his father say in a deep voice: "The world is peaceful today, and the military and national needs are sufficient. The fields and mulberry and jujube in various provinces in the country, except for those that have been taxed, will not be taxed no matter how many mulberry and jujube trees are planted after the 26th year and the newly reclaimed fields after the 27th year!"

When Zhu Biao finished writing and stopped writing, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and asked: "Do you have the confidence to do this?"

"This..." Zhu Biao did not nod immediately. His father only needed to make a decision. He had too many things to consider.

"With the cultivated land currently controlled by the court, the tax is indeed enough for national expenses, and there are millions of stones of surplus every year." Zhu Biao said carefully: "Add to that the 20 million taels paid by the Maritime Administration every year, even in the most surprising situation, it must be enough."

"Then it's okay?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.

"Okay." The prince gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.

"Okay, that's it." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his eldest son meaningfully.

"Yes, I will tell you now." The prince responded.

"No hurry." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "This decree is issued in your name."

"I am just the crown prince, and I am not legitimate..." The crown prince smiled bitterly, not knowing what his father was going to do next.

"Then I will make you legitimate." Then Zhu Yuanzhang said in a shocking voice, "I have decided to abdicate the throne to you."

"Ah?" The crown prince was dumbfounded and said, "Father, this kind of joke is not allowed!"

"Of course I know this kind of joke is not allowed." Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice, "This is my decision after careful consideration."

"Father, I am not ready..." The crown prince said in a panic.

"You are already in your forties, and you have been the crown prince for thirty years. It is too long. It is time to become the crown prince." Zhu Yuanzhang said firmly.

"Father is in good health and energetic. There is really no need for you to be the crown prince!" Zhu Biao naturally could not agree.

"Dad will be seventy next month at the age of eighteen. Seventy years of life are rare in ancient times. A minister at seventy can still become an official and beg for his body. How can you bear to let us continue to work?" Zhu Yuanzhang said: "That is too unfilial."

"The state affairs can be left to my son and ministers. My father only needs to continue to take charge. This way, my sons and ministers will feel at ease and my father will not have to worry about it," the prince advised.

"If the name is not justified, the words will not go well, and if the words are not right, the results will not be achieved." Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, held the prince's shoulders and said: "You have been overseeing the regency for many years, and you still don't understand such a simple truth? It's time for you to take over. Let Dad live a peaceful life for a few days."

"Father..." The prince wanted to persuade him again, but Zhu Yuanzhang said firmly:

"Stop talking about it, it's settled! When my brothers come back to celebrate their birthdays next month, we will tell them in person and let everyone be prepared. Next year, which is the New Year's Day of Hongwu's 30th year, we will officially announce The world, surrender!”

"Yes, Father..." The prince knew that his father had made up his mind, so he had no choice but to agree in a low voice.

After the death of his mother four years ago, his father became very depressed. He has been living in seclusion for the past few years, and all state affairs have been left to him. Now that my father has decided to take the Zen position, it is obviously the result of careful consideration. His objections are ineffective and he can only comply with the decree.

~~

In September, the princes who were enthroning vassals all over the country returned to Nanjing with their families. Because the 18th of this month is Boss Zhu’s 70th birthday. Seventieth birthday is also an important day in ordinary people's homes. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty naturally celebrates his seventieth birthday as his children and grandchildren celebrate.

On the seventh day of the lunar month, the old twenty-old Han Wangsong came from Goryeo, and the eleventh old Shu Wang Chun came from Kyushu and returned to Jinling by boat.

On the ninth day of the lunar month, the fourteenth-old Su Wangwang returned from Shaanxi, and the sixteenth-old Qingwang Zhuan returned from Yinchuan.

On the eleventh day, the old seventeenth king of Ning returned from Daning, the eighteenth king of Min came from Datong, and the old nineteenth king of Gu returned from Xuanfu.

On the 13th, the fifteenth-old Liao Wangzhi came from western Liaoning, and the twenty-first-year-old Shen Wangmo returned from Shenyang.

On the 15th, the sixth oldest king of Chu Hai and Dian Wang Zhen came from Yunnan, the second oldest king of Qin came from Sumatra, the third oldest king Wang Fan of Jin came from Java, the fourth oldest king of Yan Wang Di came from Luzon, the twelfth oldest king of Xiang Bai came from Annan, and the thirteenth oldest Dai Wanggui came from Borneo and arrived at Jinling by boat.

So far, all of Boss Zhu's sons who have joined the feudal clan have returned.

On the night of the 15th, Zhu Yuanzhang held a banquet in the Qianqing Palace to welcome his sons. Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were red with joy as he looked at the dozen or so tall men walking into the palace, looking either mighty, calm, or excited.

She said in her heart that it would be great if Xiuying was still alive...

"My son, I pay homage to my father. I wish my father as long as the flowing water in the East China Sea and as long as the immortal pines in the Southern Mountains!" The sons kowtowed to their father together.

"Okay, everyone, get up, get up." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hands happily and said to his sons: "You have worked hard for the country and guarding the border."

"Thank you, father. It's not hard for me." All the princes thanked him and stood up and sat down at two tables in order.

Boss Zhu ordered the banquet to begin. After his sons toasted him three times, Zhu Yuanzhang put down his wine glass and said seriously: "Let me tell you something serious first, otherwise I won't be able to talk about it when I get drunk later."

"Yes." Your Highnesses quickly put down their chopsticks and sat upright.

I just heard Zhu Yuanzhang say in a deep voice: "We have already discussed with your eldest brother to abdicate the throne to him, and he will officially abdicate the throne on New Year's Day next year!"

"What?" The princes were stunned for a while, not expecting that their father would take the initiative to abdicate. But then I felt that it was natural. Over the years, the entire country has been run by my eldest brother, and my father's abdication of the throne was justified by my eldest brother.

"Lao Liu, you are Da Zongzheng, what do you think?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked the leader of the kings.

"I don't dare to say anything." Zhu Zhen, already thirty-six years old, was sitting there as calm as a mountain. Hearing this, he stood up quickly and said: "I will naturally obey my father's decision unconditionally. If my eldest brother inherits the throne in the future, I will naturally do the same unconditionally." obey."

"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction and asked King Qin: "Second brother, you are the oldest, what do you think?"

"Me, it's the same for me." Zhu Ping said in a loud voice. He was building up his troops in Sumatra, preparing to send troops to conquer Tianzhu, and was not interested in domestic affairs at all. Besides, what difference does it make whether the eldest brother is the emperor or not? Didn’t he have the final say long ago?

"Where are you two, third and fourth?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked at King Jin and King Yan again.

"My son, I will resolutely obey my father's will and resolutely support my eldest brother!" Zhu Fan and Zhu Di hurriedly expressed their opinions. These two guys have just subdued the natives of Java and Luzon, and are eagerly preparing to enter Australia.

The Shipping Department has already explored the map of the entire Nanyang and knows that in the south of Nanyang, there is a continent with conditions far superior to those of the islands in Nanyang. Lao Liu named it Australia.

The third and fourth elders all want to capture Australia before the other party does, as a foundation for their own family. They had not taken any fancy to the previous Annan, Borneo, Java and Luzon, so they had captured them and packed them up, leaving them to their younger brothers to settle down. They continued their conquest and would not stop until they found the best territory.

So domestic affairs are also far away from both of them. They don't have any objection to who should be the emperor, as long as it doesn't affect their expansion of territory.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked all the vassal kings one by one. Of course, he was not asking for their opinions. Except for Lao Liu, they were not qualified to express their opinions. But they must show their support, no one is missing.

After all the kings expressed their firm support for his father's decision and his eldest brother's rule, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled reassuringly and said: "Okay, you are all good children. Don't go back after the Holy Birthday Festival. I will spend more time with you in Beijing." My mother-in-law is waiting for the Zen Ceremony on New Year's Day, so as not to have to come back just now."

"Yes, I obey the order." The princes responded loudly. When the throne was passed on, all the feudal princes who were leading troops on the border were left in the capital just in case, which was exactly what the title meant.

~~

After the Holy Birthday Festival, it has become an open secret that the throne will be abdicated. Zhu Yuanzhang also instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare ritual notes for the abdication ceremony.

Jian Yi Queshangshu, the Minister of Rites, said, "Since ancient times, emperors' internal meditation has not been idle at the time, but because of the abundance of time, the ceremony has been hastily given and received, and the etiquette has not been appreciated." ’

It means that the reason for the internal Zen of the previous emperors was either that the old emperor neglected his administration and was unpopular and resigned, or that the world was undergoing great changes and the people were resentful and was forced to abdicate. Like now, the founding emperor was civilized and martial, and the country prospered despite all the failures. , I have never taken the initiative to retire after success when I am prosperous, so there is no appropriate etiquette to refer to.

Zhu Yuanzhang meant that it would be a simple matter, but the prince asked the ministers to discuss the etiquette process in detail without any sloppiness, and to hold a grand retirement celebration for his father.

Jian Yi had no choice but to work with officials from the Hanlin Academy of the Ministry of Rites to collect ancient books, agree on the etiquette of the Zen ceremony, and formulate detailed procedures. Finally, everything is ready before the end of the year.

The first day of the first lunar month of the 30th year of Hongwu.

On the first day of the dynasty, the elderly eunuch Wu read out Boss Zhu's Zen edict to the princes, ministers and envoys who came to congratulate him:

"I am a commoner, blessed by heaven on my lotus, the spirit of my ancestors. When the world was in chaos and the people were in dire straits, I raised my three-foot sword and kicked up Huaiyou. In less than ten years, I wiped out the heroes, unified the Central Plains, drove out the Tartars, and restored China! The world worships Zhengshuo. , Jishou Queting, so the people were returned to their homeland and had a common master, thus creating the foundation of the Ming Dynasty for all generations!"

"Since I came to the throne in the first year of Hongwu, I have made rituals and music, revised canons, promoted and abolished rituals. I have designated suburbs for worship, built schools, respected Confucius, respected Confucianism, educated talented people, noted Hong's norms, classified the nine categories, deposed heretics, and expressed seals. The scriptures are the title of the One Hundred Gods and the ritual of strict sacrifices!”

"He also observed astronomy, calculated calendar numbers, established feudalism, observed laws, paid careful attention to rewards and punishments, and cared for the barbarians. All the countries far away overseas sent their children to school. The Antarctic is scorching hot, the north is covered with ice, and the sun and the moon are everywhere between the east and west. Be convinced!”

"In the past thirty years, I have come to court with a clear mind. I forget to eat every day, and I ask questions with an open mind. I denounce extravagance, never travel luckily, but smell strange smells, stop enjoying meals, and have nothing to do with it. I practice frugality and think that I am the best in the world! Instructions The descendants, ministers, and concubines have written books that will serve as a guide for all generations. They will be responsible for the administration of palaces and palaces, guard the temples, and avoid visits by relatives. The family laws will be upright, and the rules and regulations will be clear and clear! "

"During this period, we should keep the old age, promote the filial brother, encourage the farmers and mulberry trees, be stubborn, forgive the death penalty, burn prison tools, promote integrity and ability, depose the greedy and cruel, destroy the violent and violent, protect the good, be merciful and loving, and specialize in moral transformation. This is Thirty years of peace have been achieved with my body! Now the people are safe and their jobs are fulfilled, and the country is prosperous. All blessings have come to pass, and the merits and deeds are as magnificent as ever!"

"Now that I am seventy years old, I am too old to take on the heavy responsibility. Prince Zhu Biao has been in the position of crown prince for thirty years. He is a noble character and is highly regarded by everyone. He is well equipped in both civil and military affairs. I bow to you deeply and will be able to succeed to the throne. The so-called 'Yao and Shun Nei' Zen is the embodiment of literature and virtue. I am determined to pass on the throne to the crown prince and return to power. "

While the ministers were shouting long live the prince, the prince made three concessions. Under Zhu Yuanzhang's "force", Fang knelt down and sobbed to receive the order.

Immediately, Zhu Yuanzhang sent a prince to offer sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple of Heaven and Earth, and held a concession ceremony on the same day.

As soon as the auspicious time came, the successor emperor Zhu Biao, dressed in court clothes, and the Supreme Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang got up in the imperial chariot and headed to Fengtian Hall.

At this time, the bells and drums of the Meridian Gate were ringing, and the Supreme Emperor arrived at Fengtian Hall, but he did not come to court. Instead, he lowered his shoulder carriage to the back of Fengtian Hall and ascended to the throne in the Huagai Hall behind Fengtian Hall. The successor emperor Zhu Biao also stood on the west side of the Huagai Hall.

When the civil and military officials of the outer dynasties were in their respective positions, Zhonghe Shao music was played and Yuan Pingzhang was played, and the ceremony of abdicating the throne officially began.

At this time, Zhu Biaofang supported the Supreme Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang into the Fengtian Hall and ascended his throne, while the later emperor was still standing on the west side of the hall.

The music stopped, and after three crisp whistles, Danbi's great music was played to celebrate Pingzhang.

Zhu Biao then worshiped and stood in the hall. The princes, emperors, grandsons, and public officials stood above Danqi, and all civil and military officials and envoys from foreign countries stood under Danqi.

The official of the Ministry of Rites praised: "Kneel down!"

The successor emperor Zhu Biao led his ministers to kneel down.

The singing officer praised again: "Declaration!"

The proclaimer took the imperial edict and went to the eaves of Fengtian Palace to read the imperial edict!

After the edict was announced, the salute officer praised and said: "Xing!"

Zhu Biao then led his ministers to stand up.

Then Shang Baoqing took out the imperial seal and knelt down to worship the Supreme Emperor. Zhu Yuanzhang personally awarded the jade seal to Zhu Biao, and Zhu Biao knelt down to receive the emperor's treasure, thus completing the most important step of the imperial throne ceremony.

Zhu Biao, who had become the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, once again led his ministers to pay four obeisances to the Supreme Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang amid the sound of Shao music.

The music stopped, the four worships were carried out, and the Zen ceremony was completed.

The Chao whip sounded three times again, and the Zhonghe Shao music played the peace chapter. The Supreme Emperor stepped down from the throne and gave way to the new monarch.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao, sitting firmly on the dragon chair, smiled happily, and then returned to the palace in the royal chariot without any nostalgia.

And he did not return to Qianqing Palace, but returned to Wanshou Palace for a temporary stay. Zhu Biao wanted to build another palace for him in the Forbidden City to retire, but Zhu Yuanzhang also rejected it. He said that since he had abdicated, he would no longer be a hindrance in the Forbidden City.

The emperor was so determined that he could only let him go.

Zhu Biao sent his father to the Wanshou Palace, where Concubine Hu led the concubines and princesses to welcome the emperor.

Then Zhu Biao returned to hold the coronation ceremony and announced that the eldest son Zhu Xiongying would be the crown prince. The next year, the reign was changed to Xingzhi!