Therefore, there was no possibility of helping anyone rebel.
Such a talented general can therefore be retained.
Therefore, after thinking about this, Zhu Yunwen finally spoke to Zhu Yuanzhang:
“Grandfather, I know what you’re worried about, but I have a different opinion.”
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a puzzled look, "Oh? Then tell me about it."
Zhu Yunwen said, "Although Fu Youde is greedy, such a person is not uncontrollable with a little discipline. In the end, a military general is still a military general. He is much easier to deal with than those quick-witted civil officials."
Therefore, I believe that as long as the future crown prince, the future emperor, has sufficient ability, he can completely suppress these facial features. For example, wasn't my father, Zhu Biao, able to do so perfectly?
Upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time.
He immediately said, "We're just afraid the future emperor won't be able to control the situation."
He was looking at Zhu Yunwen when he said this.
What he was actually expressing was his concern that Zhu Yunwen would not be able to control the military officers in the future.
Zhu Yunwen said, "There will always be a way. If one cannot even control a mere military general, how can one rule the world? If that is the case, then the person sitting on the throne is far too incompetent."
Even if you pave the way for him, it might still end in failure. In the end, instead of paving the way for someone, it's better to let them have the ability to forge their own path.
After all, the future is ever-changing, and only by truly possessing one's own abilities can one forge a path forward. Relying on elders to pave the way is clearly not a sustainable way to go.
These words struck a chord with Zhu Yuanzhang. He looked at Zhu Yunwen with excitement, wanting to say that Zhu Yunwen was right.
Because after reading the history books, he realized that Zhu Yunwen had ended up exactly as Zhu Yunwen had described.
In history books, Zhu Yuanzhang paved the way for Zhu Yunwen, but what about Zhu Yunwen?
Because of his own foolish actions, he went astray and destroyed everything that Zhu Yuanzhang had built for him, handing it all over to others.
This made Zhu Yuanzhang incredibly angry every time he thought about it.
After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded solemnly and said:
"You're right, our perspective is still too narrow. We can pave this road wide and smooth, but we can't pave it all the way to the end! In the end, we still have to walk it ourselves..."
If one is used to walking on smooth and wide roads, and then faces a pathless, thorny road that one has to forge one's own way, wouldn't one be at a loss?
Zhu Yuanzhang spoke as if answering his own question, then he stood up and put his hands behind his back:
"In that case, we will spare Fu Youde. But in your opinion, how should we deal with him?"
Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment and said, "Since this person is greedy and vain, then let's give him a warning and teach him a lesson."
Zhu Yuanzhang was quite concerned about Zhu Yunwen's opinion at this moment, after all, what Zhu Yunwen had just said did make sense to him.
Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish; helping someone open up a path is not as good as teaching them how to forge one.
It's better to teach your descendants how to subdue a capable general than to kill one.
Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang was eager to know how Zhu Yunwen would advise him on how to deal with Fu Youde.
Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment before speaking seriously:
"Rewards and punishments should be combined. First, reward him according to his merits, and then punish him for the bad things he did. Since he is vain and greedy for pleasure, let him go to the cold and harsh land to do the mission."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "To do missions in a harsh, cold place?"
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "That's right. Although the war in the north has been quelled, the troops under Prince Yan, Zhu Di, must have suffered heavy losses. How about this, let Fu Youde go to the harsh northern lands to recruit soldiers and train them."
In such a harsh and cold place, it was clearly unrealistic for him to seek pleasure. Moreover, his grandfather also had a task for him: to train an army capable of defending the northern border.
This would make his life even harder, serving as a warning and punishment. At the same time, having him recruit and train soldiers in the north would effectively curb the expansion of Prince Yan's power.
Since you intend to choose an heir from among your grandsons, you must be wary of these regional princes. Although Prince Yan, Zhu Di, is still somewhat inexperienced, his military talent is truly remarkable.
If he were to recruit and train soldiers on his own territory, he would create a force that would be loyal only to him. This would undoubtedly pose a potential threat to the future emperor.
If Fu Youde were to recruit and train soldiers, Prince Yan Zhu Di would be unable to make this army his own trusted army, and this army would belong only to the imperial court in the future.
This means that they took away the actual power to command the army from Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.
After Zhu Yunwen finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely shocked.
He carefully considered what Zhu Yunwen had said and was shocked to discover that Zhu Yunwen's plan was actually a triple win.
This not only effectively suppressed and punished Fu Youde, but also allowed Fu Youde to train a powerful army on the border, an army that did not belong to Prince Yan, Zhu Di.
It was highly unlikely that Zhu Di could gain control of it.
This can be seen as a further weakening of the power of Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan in the north.
After reading historical records, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Zhu Di had the intention and potential to rebel.
Zhu Yunwen's actions now undoubtedly weaken Zhu Di, killing three birds with one stone.
So he immediately nodded and said:
"Good, good plan, Yuntong, you have surprised us again. Well then, we will do as you say. Tomorrow morning at court, we will give him a fair reward and punishment."
Zhu Yunwen smiled, and seeing that there was nothing else, he got up to take his leave and left Zhu Yuanzhang's study.
Zhu Yunwen hesitated for a moment, then left the palace and went directly to Fu Youde's residence, the Duke of Ying's mansion.
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