Even Zhu Yunwen now only has deep feelings for Zhao Qingzhu.
If the main members of the royal family are like this, then it seems reasonable to expect other princes, dukes, and other descendants to also practice monogamy.
Zhu Yuanzhang then said:
"Alright, since that's the case, let's settle this matter. By the way, didn't you say there were two methods? Marrying only one wife is one method, although it can effectively reduce the number of sons born due to the issue of marriage."
But the number of offspring will continue to increase. After all, a wife can have several children. Can your second method solve this problem?
Zhu Yunwen replied:
"My second method is to start with the titles of nobility. Aren't their treatment and status already very high? Then let's reduce their treatment and status."
Even titles of nobility cannot be inherited indefinitely.
Our previous rule was that the eldest son of a prince could inherit the prince's title, while other sons would be demoted to the rank of duke.
I disagree with this. I think the eldest son should not directly inherit the original title, and the title he inherits should be downgraded.
This ensures that the number of princes remains within the current dynasty and does not accumulate over subsequent dynasties.
Zhu Yunwen's meaning was also very clear: according to the previous regulations, the eldest son of each prince could inherit the title of prince.
Then the title of prince will be passed down in this family.
However, every emperor in every dynasty had brothers, and they would also bestow upon these brothers the title of new princes.
So, with each dynasty, many more princes will emerge, and these princes will continue to be inherited, so their numbers will continue to increase.
According to Zhu Yunwen's idea, the eldest son of a prince should not be a prince, but should be demoted to a duke.
The prince's son then became a general who protected the country.
This process continues generation after generation until all the noble titles are gone, at which point they become commoners.
After listening to Zhu Yunwen's words, Zhu Yuanzhang said:
"If the prince's eldest son becomes a duke, then what about the prince's other sons?"
Zhu Yunwen said, "Of course, it is, the General Who Guards the Nation. The eldest son of a Prince becomes a Prince of the Second Rank, and the eldest son of a Prince of the Second Rank becomes the General Who Guards the Nation. The other brothers of a Prince of the Second Rank are also Generals Who Guard the Nation."
In this way, the rank was reduced by one level with each generation. Eventually, princes could only appear in each dynasty, and the number of a few dukes was kept under control.
Other titles of nobility are also controlled and will never be increased.
If things continue like this, no matter how many sons they have, no matter how many descendants the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty has, the number of noble titles will only be a few hundred, and it is impossible to increase them.
The monogamous system might even reduce the number of people. Furthermore, with the diminishing returns of titles, the population can be controlled and will not expand indefinitely.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. After carefully considering the matter, he finally said:
"Alright, let's follow this method. In this way, we can control the number of members and titles of the Ming imperial family."
That way it won't harm the court, and it won't affect the interests of the people.
The number of members of the royal family is always limited, making their management much easier.
Zhu Yunwen said with a smile:
"Since Your Majesty has no objection, then this matter shall be handed over to the Imperial Clan Court for implementation."
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally had no objections:
"Let the Imperial Clan Court handle this matter, including implementing monogamy."
"We must vigorously implement these two systems while we, grandfather and grandson, are still alive. Otherwise, if we don't do it, it will be a hundred times more difficult for other emperors in the future."
Zhu Yunwen thought it made sense, so after leaving Zhu Yuanzhang, he immediately issued the order.
After these regulations were issued, the local vassal kings naturally had objections at first.
But even if they had opinions, they didn't dare to voice them. Whether it was Zhu Yuanzhang or Zhu Yunwen, they only had fear to express, so how could they dare to have any opinions?
Must they all end up like the three Zhu brothers, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, who opposed Zhu Yunwen and suffered the same fate of imprisonment?
So after this policy was implemented, although the local princes had their opinions, they all took the initiative to express their willingness to support the court's policy.
They really do keep their mouths shut.
In addition to this policy, the cabinet soon came up with a system for the distribution of power between local princes and local officials.
After going through the process, it was implemented quickly.
This policy made the local princes even more dissatisfied, as it was tantamount to pulling out their tiger teeth.
They were merely given a pair of eyes to keep an eye on the local officials in charge of politics, military affairs, and the judiciary.
Of course, as the saying goes, despite their dissatisfaction, they dared not say anything or do anything; they could only obediently follow the court's arrangements.
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