First Minister of Ming Dynasty

谷嶒

It is really rare for an official who can always think about the people.

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Luo Furen, what you said is very good, but what do you think is the first step in governing Huguang?"

"Yes...not to kill!"

He raised his head and said: "Master Zhang is above, Huguang is already withered, with a population of only a few million, less than half of Jiangxi. Moreover, there are frequent wars, Chen Youliang searched endlessly, and almost cut down all the trees for the purpose of building ships. After his defeat, in order to regain his strength, he blackmailed the wealthy family and arrested Ding Lafu. He did everything he could. Huguang is now full of uncultivated fields. If things go on like this, I really don't know when people's livelihood will be restored? "

Luo Furen pleaded: "The sinner thinks that the only way to restore Huguang as soon as possible is to not kill people, to cherish people's power, and to recuperate."

Zhang Ximeng listened carefully, nodded and said: "It's good not to kill one! Luo Furen, Daming entered Huguang and wiped out Chen Youliang. He came here to save the people. Naturally, he didn't want to kill people. Except for a few sinful people, we can not kill one or the other. Grasp!"

"Really?" Luo Furen asked hastily.

Zhang Ximeng smiled lightly, "I'll tell you when you meet someone."

Not long after, someone brought an old man.

Luo Furen didn't know yet that the person who came was Chen Youliang's biological father, named Chen Pucai.

Don't look at the word Pu in his name, but he is not Peng Dang.

Moreover, Chen Pucai was determined to make Chen Youliang a good person. When Chen Youliang joined Tianwan, made military exploits and was promoted to marshal, he returned to his hometown, recruited his brothers, and invited his father to enjoy the blessings with him.

But Chen Pucai said, you didn't listen to me and took refuge in the Red Thief.I don't know where you are going to die in the future!

Chen Youliang was angry, but if it wasn't for his own father, he promised to arrange for Chen Pucai to let him know what a professional accountant is!

Facing Chen Pucai, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Although he is Chen Youliang's father, he did not join forces with Chen Youliang. We will not hold him accountable... Also, Chen Shan and Chen Li are too young. Although we have dealt with them a lot Corrupt officials, but we still disdain to kill children, we will save their lives, and when they are older, they will be sent overseas."

Lao Zhu really did not lie. Historically, the descendants of Ming Yuzhen and Chen Youliang were sent to Korea.It is said that these two families are still thriving, and the inheritance is endless.

In fact, if you get to know Zhu Yuanzhang a little bit, you will find that he is quite upright in his actions.

Now Lao Zhu promises that even the Chen family can save their lives, let alone other people.

Luo Furen kowtowed, moved to tears, "Your Majesty is merciful, sinners thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

However, Lao Zhu said indifferently: "Don't kowtow first, as we said, we will not kill anyone except for the heinous... But there is another one, that is, we are not allowed to fight against our laws. Equalizing the land is our fundamental plan. Those aristocratic families , temporarily abandoned Chen Youliang, but don't think that they can escape because of their merits, we will not be polite."

Luo Furen was stunned for a while, but was even more shocked, and kowtowed loudly, "The sinner is on behalf of the poor people, thank you for the grace!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and then went with Zhang Ximeng to look at the soldiers everywhere. After some encouragement, Zhu Yuanzhang knew what he was doing.

"Sir, after this battle, there will be no such person as Chen Youliang. We still want to visit him and see what he has to say."

Zhang Ximeng nodded and said: "Since my lord has such thoughts, I also want to take a look, why not go!"

"Ok!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and turned around, the monarchs and ministers, with their guards, left the barracks to observe the city defense of Wuchang.

It seems that there is a tacit understanding, and on the top of the city, there is actually a dragon flag of the emperor.

Chen Youliang is here!

"Zhu Yuanzhang, you are finally here! But don't be too happy... Just a few years ago, Zhang Shicheng defeated hundreds of thousands of escaped troops at the foot of Gaoyou City! The city of Wuchang is strong, and I'm afraid you will repeat the same mistakes!"

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, "Looking at the top of the city, he said loudly: "Chen Youliang, you are still dreaming, you are too deceitful! "

We are not Tuotuo, and you are not Zhang Shicheng.

Today is not that moment!

Do you also want to copy success?

Stop dreaming!

The city was silent for a long time, just when he thought that Chen Youliang could not speak, he suddenly sighed: "Zhu Chongba! You are no more hero than me! You are just lucky! I, Chen Youliang, have bad luck, and I am in trouble. But you also Don't be too complacent, even if you die, I will bite off a piece of meat from you! If you are smart, it would be better to stop fighting and join the Northern Expedition together?"

"not good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly snorted coldly: "Chen Youliang, since you joined the army, especially since you became emperor, have you ever cared for the people at all? You want to join us in the Northern Expedition, you are not worthy!"

Chapter 431 Zhang Xianggong breaks the city

"You do not deserve!"

These three words deeply hurt Chen Youliang, isn't he worthy?

Although he came from a humble background, just a fisherman, but it's better than Zhu Chongba, you beggar.

He was the latest to join the Red Scarf, but his power developed the fastest. He once held territory in three provinces, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of ships.

If Chen Youliang devoured the master and killed Ni Wenjun and Xu Shouhui in succession, then Guo Zixing's fate would be fine?Are you Zhu Yuanzhang so clean?

"Zhu Chongba, I was just unlucky for a while, and I fell to where I am today. But don't be complacent, one day, you will be [-] times worse than me!"

"No!" Lao Zhu sneered, "No!"

"You are deceiving yourself and others!" Chen Youliang probed his background and said with a smirk, "Zhu Yuanzhang, you are such a hypocrite. At this time, you are still pretending to be stupid! I don't think you will end well!"

Old Zhu hehe said: "Chen Youliang, you are just judging others by yourself now, you have a dirty mind, and you look like this... To be honest, we thought that we would meet a character who was a match for chess, but we didn't expect it. Like a shrew, what a disappointment."

A word of shrew completely broke Chen Youliang's defenses. He was so angry that he wanted to grab a bow and arrow and shoot Zhu Yuanzhang, but he was two hundred steps away and it was too late.

If he wanted to adjust the crossbow arrows, Lao Zhu would not stand there obediently, waiting for him to shoot.

Chen Youliang was left with incompetence and rage, Zhu Yuanzhang turned his horse's head and wanted to leave.

Zhang Ximeng suddenly said: "My lord, you are indeed wasting your energy talking nonsense with this shrew, why don't you tell him a few words!"

Old Zhu paused, nodded and said, "Alright!"

Zhang Ximeng raised his head, looked at Chen Youliang at the crenel, and suddenly smiled, "Chen Youliang, you still think you are unlucky now... This is somewhat similar to Xiang Yu in Gaixia. Incompetent , can only complain about the number of days, but it is a pity that you are not talented. You have written an article long ago, refuting the theory of destiny, and you don’t believe in any connection between heaven and man! Today, when things come to an end, you are still a fool. Smile!"

"You, what are you, worthy of teaching me?"

"Hahaha! I'm really not an expert, but after all, I still have a pen in my hand. You probably asked me to write your eulogy for Chen Youliang. Hundreds of years later, when the coffin is finalized, it is estimated that I will also quote this article." Zhang Ximeng said with a smile, "Chen Youliang, after saying that, do you still dare to underestimate me?"

Chen Youliang's face was livid, staring at Zhang Ximeng, and suddenly said viciously: "So you are Zhu Yuanzhang's lackey, you are the one who deceives people and advises Zhu Chongba, I, I will kill you!"

How could Zhang Ximeng care about the threat of a futures dead man, he just smiled lightly, "Chen Youliang, it's hard for you to be considered a hero, and now, I'll let you be a smart ghost! If anyone talks about destiny, he probably can't answer a few of the simplest ones. The problem."

"Chen Youliang, under the rule of the Ming Dynasty, there were more than 2000 million people, and a total of 850 million shi was expropriated for summer grain. Among them, about 300 million shi was used to raise soldiers and officials, and the rest was used to build roads, water conservancy, and schools... There are more autumn grains than summer grains, and the distribution is basically the same, in addition to relief for victims of disasters, debt relief, etc..."

Chen Youliang gritted his teeth, and was furious when he heard Zhang Ximeng report to him, "You, are you showing off how much food and money you have? At the beginning, the Yuan court had an army of millions, and it would still collapse at the first touch! You can't scare me!"

Zhang Ximeng couldn't help but shook his head and sighed softly, "Chen Youliang, you are so confused...I tell you this number because I want to say that apart from tax collection, take Jiangnan Pingland as an example...a family of five can almost survive. Thirty shi of grain, an average of six shi per person, based on our current standards, one shi is 120 catties, six shi is 720 catties, almost two catties a day for each person.”

Zhang Ximeng laughed and said: "This is the livelihood of the people under our Ming Dynasty... Although the land in some places is barren and the yield per mu is not high, there is also a lot of land correspondingly, so the overall surplus grain is not much different. Calculated on the basis of head count, it takes a year , the worst is three to five hundred catties... Although this figure is incomparable with the prosperous Tang Dynasty, even Zhao and Song Dynasties are not as good. But we eradicated the powerful, and equalized the land and the land, so that the common people no longer need to be exploited. Really."

"In addition to the farmland, there are some mulberry fields, fruit trees, and some fish ponds and ditches, which can be used to raise silkworms and reel silk. In addition, we encourage the prosperity of all kinds of industries in the countryside and make money by handicrafts. Therefore, in Jinling and other places, the first to be taken down The land, the common people can basically eat and wear warm.”

"There is one more thing. I also want to tell you that we have been vigorously developing schools recently. Taking Yingtian as an example, more than [-]% of the students have entered the school and can study. The gaps in other places are not small, but they are also actively advancing. Sooner or later, we will allow more than [-]% of people to read and write."

Speaking of this, Zhang Ximeng's face was full of calm smiles, "Chen Youliang, didn't you say that the destiny is not here, and the fortune is not good? Let me ask you, how much tax can you collect under your rule? Your people can eat How much food is there? How many people can go to school and study hard?"

Chen Youliang remained silent for a long time, and the city was silent.

Zhang Ximeng laughed loudly, "Chen Youliang, you are also the leader of one party, do you know these things? Since you don't know everything, how can you have the face to say destiny? Could it be that God sent food to us?"

"You...you lied!" Chen Youliang was furious, shook his head and said angrily: "Zhang Ximeng, you are wagging your lips and talking sweetly, trying to weaken my prestige, that's why you swollen your face to make you fat. Who else knows?"

谷梥

Hearing this, even Zhang Ximeng couldn't help laughing.

"Chen Youliang, I'm telling you this, not to show off...I just want to tell you that we still have a lot of room for hard work... Food can fill our stomachs, we also need to eat some meat, some chicken, duck, fish eggs, and houses and clothes... ...We never think we are doing well. Since you think we are showing off and swollen our faces to make us fat, it means that you still know in your heart, how is the people's livelihood under your rule? Is it not?"

Chen Youliang was stunned, what else to say?

Yup!

If Chen Han's people's livelihood is far better than under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule, how can he break the defense after listening to Zhang Ximeng's report?

If you can't reach it, you can't reach it.

"Zhang Ximeng, you, you are eloquent! You are insidious and cunning, don't worry, I won't give up easily!"

Zhang Ximeng laughed and said: "Chen Youliang, at this point, you are still stubborn and hopeless. I say this to hope that you can understand that everything depends on the will of the people. Divide the fields, cherish the people, restore the people's livelihood, and make the people have enough food. We have walked along the way without changing our mind. How can the sons of the Ming Dynasty be confident and will not repeat the same mistakes. Because we are different from upstarts like you. You borrow Fortune, jump up and become the overlord of one side."

"If someone scolds you for devouring the Lord continuously, you are not convinced. But if you do well, let alone devouring the Lord, even if you kill your brother and imprison your father, you will still be a famous emperor through the ages! If you can do a good job in people's livelihood and let the people live and work in peace and contentment, kill Ni Wenjun and Xu Shouhui just got rid of two hemorrhoids. The world will only praise you for being wise, wise, and courageous. However, you are still proud and conceited, and you don’t even know where you lost.”

"Chen Youliang, you only need to go to the countryside to see what the people eat, what they wear, and ask them what they think, and you will know how poorly you are doing! Jinghu Lake is the world's granary, and the population is not too dense. How could people starve to death? It’s not you, who don’t care about the livelihood of the people at all, and only think about building buildings and boats and amassing soldiers, thinking that relying on hundreds of thousands of troops and going down the river, we will be wiped out!”

"Chen Youliang, don't you think it's ridiculous? If you are like you, you can squeeze the bones and suck the marrow, and you can't squeeze it. It's not difficult for my Ming Dynasty to win millions of troops! But if we overdraw the people's power and don't want to give benefits to the people, how can we win the support of the people? Like a river, tossing and rolling. You and I are boats on the river, our foundation is solid and we are safe and sound, but you have long been vain and full of loopholes, so naturally you cannot withstand the wind and waves."

"Chen Youliang, to this day, you are just to blame yourself, and your death is imminent. I would like to see how many people are willing to die with you and die together!"

After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, he also turned around and rode his horse away, and returned to the barracks with Zhu Yuanzhang... When the monarchs and ministers returned, the voice of long live was heard endlessly in the barracks.

Zhang Xiang said it so well, Chen Youliang is not even a schoolboy in front of us, Zhang Xiang, and can only be taught by his ears.

The morale of the Ming army is high and the hearts of the people are inspiring.

On the other hand, Chen Youliang's side, especially those soldiers who heard Zhang Ximeng's words, were all shocked. Facing the enemy's prime minister, they couldn't hold their heads up.

Ordinary soldiers are even more stunned... Each person has hundreds of catties of food a year, and an average of one or two catties of rice per day... There is also raw silk and other income.

Being able to eat well and read books... This, I am afraid this is not the day of the gods!

I didn't see our Majesty being so angry, people have already said, if Chen Han's people's livelihood is really good, is there any need to be angry?

Why don't you tell the truth and slap the other person in the face?

No no no no!

This time the two sides were king against king, Chen Youliang was completely defeated and completely defeated.

Chen Youliang also knew about this matter, and he impatiently made an order not to discuss this matter, but the more he was like this, the more he couldn't bear it. tempting.

Even if it's only half, it's much better than it is now.

In the darkness of night, Zhang Ximeng was eating when suddenly Guo Ying came in from outside.

"Sir, you are amazing!"

Zhang Ximeng put down the bowl and chopsticks, and said with a smile, "What's the matter?"

"Sir, you don't know yet? Just now, some soldiers from the city sneaked out and joined us. The superior said that this was what Zhang Xiang said, and opened Wuchang City. Please, sir, go over and discuss the military situation!"

Chapter 432 Chen Han's Fall

Zhang Ximeng often speaks in front of people, but he is full of energy and his voice is like a bell.However, it was a stone's throw away to teach Chen Youliang a lesson, which would hurt his vitality, and his chest was hot and very uncomfortable.

So he didn't say much, but he could understand that the army in the city was shaken, but Chen Youliang couldn't last long.

Although relying on a few words to open Wuchang City is a bit exaggerated, Zhang Ximeng's words were harsh and pointed at Chen Youliang's vitals.Such things as conquering the world naturally depend on luck, otherwise, like Zhou Ziwang, he will become a box as soon as he raises an incident, and no one can help him.

But if you regard winning the world in the end, it is all due to luck.That would be too shallow.

To be able to have the last laugh among the heroes must have done a lot of things right.

Fields, taxes, government officials, decrees, soldiers and horses, money and food, commerce, trade, all kinds of crafts... This is a whole huge system, and only when everything is functioning properly can it explode its due power.

This guy Chen Youliang is absolutely top-notch in terms of military affairs. He is ruthless, dark-hearted, good at seizing opportunities, and can conquer cities... But the problem is that these abilities are far from becoming the founding emperor. It's just a hero.

Zhang Ximeng talked about taxes, wealth distribution, people's livelihood, and the living conditions of ordinary people... For Chen Youliang, it was a blow to reduce dimensionality.

It's not that he doesn't realize the importance of these, but he doesn't know how to do it at all.

Maybe maybe, I'm really not Zhu Yuanzhang's opponent!

Chen Youliang sat paralyzed on the dragon bed made of pure gold, and sighed softly. He took off the crown and threw it aside casually. The white hair on the temples was protruding, which was very dazzling.

He was still in his prime, but he was exhausted physically and mentally, to the point of helplessness.

After another stimulation by Zhang Ximeng, he lost even the last breath.

If the momentum is weak, even if Zhang Shicheng wants to fight for the battle of Gaoyou, fight against the water, and fight to the death, he will not be able to do it.

So what Zhang Ximeng said saved at least the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers.

Who dares to underestimate the power of mouth cannon?

It means that Chen Youliang is in good health, otherwise Zhang Ximeng would have scolded him to death.

"Go, call the prince."

Not long after, the brother Chen Youdang escorted the crown prince Chen Shan and the second son Chen Li to meet Chen Youliang... These two children are not very old, and Wudidu's eyes are full of fear, as timid as a small animal Generally, stand dumbly.

Chen Youliang stretched out his hand to pull the crown prince, but who knew that the little guy took half a step back... Chen Youliang was slightly taken aback, but smiled helplessly, "Take it away! Fourth brother, stay here."