That's exactly the point. These people really don't have much power or special treatment; obediently serving their sentences is their only way out. For them, when they commit crimes, they are destined to have no choice.
Zhu Yunying then added, "Grandfather, after the new year, I plan to ease punishments and reduce prisons, lower taxes, and cut redundant palace staff. Perhaps I will also begin to abolish some of your harsh laws and exorbitant taxes."
Old Zhu waved his hand and said to the people around him, "You all wander around and look around, but don't follow us."
This made some of Zhu Yuanzhang's sons envious. The throne was irrelevant to them, and they had originally hoped to get a little closer to it on New Year's Eve. But now, they were still being driven away because their nephew, Zhu Yunying, had brought up politics.
This is something many princes have become numb to; for them, there are truly few opportunities to discuss politics. They used to focus on their studies and advancement, but now, even becoming a capable prince depends on the emperor's mood.
As for other things, don't think too much about them; it's quite unrealistic for them. And it seems their eldest nephew is rather sensitive and resistant to these matters.
The princes' status was indeed noble, and the position of prince was certainly within their grasp. However, it was clear that they were merely princes.
The princes and princesses have left, leaving only Wang Chengen and Shuangquan by Zhu Yuanzhang's side. These two are clearly his true confidants. They can be considered confidants of both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yuanzhang, as the grandfather and grandson are quite familiar with sharing the same staff.
Seeing that everyone else had left, Old Zhu asked, "Ying'er, tell us what you're really thinking?"
"When my father was alive, he also said that if he were to ascend the throne, he should abolish some of the harsh laws and punishments," Zhu Yunying said slowly. "The Ming Dynasty has been established for thirty years, and the country has indeed been stable in recent years. I think it's okay to use harsh laws in times of chaos. However, this has indeed created many conflicts in various aspects."
Zhu Yuanzhang never objected to this view. People in Suzhou and Zhejiang also missed Zhang Shicheng. The heavy taxes imposed on these places led many to believe, based on hearsay, that Zhu Yuanzhang was retaliating against the people who had helped Zhang Shicheng defend the city.
They were willing to believe that Zhu Yuanzhang was a cruel and petty person, ignoring the fact that these areas were actually the main grain-producing regions of the Ming Dynasty. While other places were still recuperating and relocating people, it was indeed the only place where more taxes could be collected from these areas.
There were conflicts between scholars and imperial power, between gentry and imperial power, and even between some civil and military officials and imperial power.
These are all true facts. Zhu Yunying knew these things, and Old Zhu naturally knew them even better. It's just that Old Zhu couldn't care less in the past because he was the founding emperor. Such a decisive and ruthless emperor could make many people submit to his orders without causing any trouble. They were all incredibly obedient and sensible.
Old Zhu nodded, he understood these principles, "That's the principle, but Ying'er, do you want to be a martial emperor?"
"Then you have to blame my father," Zhu Yunying said with a grin. "It was originally agreed that my grandfather would use strict laws and punishments to stabilize the country, and he would govern the world with benevolence, so our Great Ming would have a prosperous country. At that time, I could also conquer the world. Now that he's gone, I'll have to do some things. These things always need to be done by someone."
Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said, "Ying'er, that would be unfair to you, as your ambitions lie elsewhere."
"What do you mean by 'not interested in this'?" Zhu Yunying smiled, seemingly indifferent. "Your grandson does want to conquer the world and expand our territory, but ultimately we must govern our Great Ming Dynasty well. There are some things that I will have to do now that your father is gone."
Old Zhu smiled with relief and said, "That makes sense. Now that he's gone, there are some things that only you can do."
Zhu Yunying then put his arm around Old Zhu's shoulder and said, "Besides, although your grandson..."
Before he could finish speaking, Old Zhu said with a stern face, "You disrespectful scoundrel! You were a scoundrel when you were young, how come you're still such a scoundrel even after becoming emperor? If others see this, they'll criticize you again."
"Grandfather, would you be happy if your grandson followed Yunwen's example?" Zhu Yunying was not afraid and continued to put his arm around Old Zhu's shoulder. "If anyone finds out about these things, we'll punish Shuangquan and Wang Chengen first. It must be because they were too talkative!"
Old Zhu fell silent, mainly because he couldn't let go of his pride; after all, he was a grandfather. Even among ordinary families, few younger generations were as 'playful and carefree' as Zhu Yunying, let alone the majestic founding emperor.
Seeing Zhu Yunying's discomfiture, Zhu Yunying said smugly, "Grandfather was the founding emperor, but in my opinion, only my grandmother could control him. My father is half a father, but as a grandson, he's about the same. As long as I'm stronger than my father, I've always been thick-skinned."
Old Zhu laughed and grabbed Zhu Yunying's ear, saying, "You know you're shameless? You know we won't punish you, so you act so disrespectfully?"
Zhu Yunying immediately yelled, "Your ears have been pulled off! This won't do!"
Old Zhu ignored Zhu Yunying's strange cries and continued to pull on Zhu Yunying's ear.
"Ying'er, stop entertaining your parents with colorful clothes. You are the emperor after all." Releasing his hand, Old Zhu said, "You've suffered all these years. After your grandmother passed away, you were the one causing trouble in front of us. Even your father didn't do this."
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