Princesses and their husbands were paid 2,000 shi (a unit of grain), princesses of the prefecture and their ceremonial guests 800 shi, princesses of the county, ladies of the prefecture and their ceremonial guests 200 shi each, and ladies of the county, ladies of the township and their ceremonial guests 100 shi each.
This is naturally a significant reduction. Previously, the princes of the Ming Dynasty received 50,000 shi of rice, 25,000 guan of paper money, and 40 bolts of brocade annually. Various silk fabrics, cloths, even salt permits and horse feed were all paid for by the imperial court.
However, when Zhu Yuanzhang reduced the benefits for members of the imperial clan, he also made it clear that all members of the imperial clan would only be able to live on the normal imperial clan stipend, and would not be granted any position or allowed to work.
This isn't actually stingy; the salary of a lieutenant in Fengguo is roughly equivalent to that of fifty farming households. After all, nowadays each mu (unit of land area) only yields about five or six hundred jin (unit of weight) of crops, and one shi (unit of weight) here is about one hundred and twenty jin (unit of weight).
This is not good. The financial pressure is one issue. Even worse, because Emperor Zhu decreed that not only could members of the imperial clan not hold official positions in the court, but it was also illegal for them to run their own businesses. Unable to do any work, these members of the imperial clan could only indulge in sensual pleasures and strive to increase their offspring's numbers.
Zhu Yunwen's life of leisure and complacency is understandable; he probably really enjoys it—a life of a spoiled brat and a wealthy prince. But other members of the imperial clan might feel useless or utterly insignificant.
These things made Old Zhu a little upset, probably because although his grandson was sensible and reasonable, and seemed like a very good and wise ruler, Old Zhu also felt that his grandson was too opinionated and quite troublesome in some matters.
"Then come up with a plan, and we can discuss it in detail." Old Zhu had no choice but to speak up. "Ying'er, we think you're thinking too far ahead, and that's exhausting!"
Zhu Yunying was also amused and said to his grandfather, "Grandpa, you have a long-term vision. I have just thought of some things based on your ideas."
This made Zhu Yunying chuckle, and he pointed at Zhu Yunying and said, "Alright, the world we conquered should be governed by you. Although we have some ability, we are not capable of doing everything well."
Zhu Yunying disagreed, saying half-jokingly, "Grandfather established the 'Imperial Ancestral Regulations of the Ming Dynasty,' and two years ago he also established that the stipends for the imperial clan would be permanent. Grandfather has set everything in place, and he just wants his descendants to follow the rules he set so that they can become good emperors!"
Old Zhu could naturally tell that his troublesome grandson was being sarcastic and encouraging, which annoyed him.
"We have suffered hardships, after all. We've farmed the land, been monks, and even begged for food back in our hometown!" Old Zhu was both furious and proud. "But we conquered this empire. Looking back through history, who else has achieved what we have?! The ancestral rules we established, as long as our descendants follow them, even if they're a bit dull, they'll still be good rulers who maintain the status quo!"
Zhu Yunying was about to speak, and his reasons were quite valid: "Grandfather, the rules you have set now are certainly not wrong, and they are suitable for the Ming Dynasty now. But what about a hundred years from now, two hundred years from now? Who can say for sure what the situation will be like then?"
Old Zhu was unconvinced and tried to argue until Young Zhu was speechless. "So, are our descendants, your descendants, really that stupid? Incompetent? Unable to do anything right?"
"Grandfather, the ancestral rules cannot be violated!" Zhu Yunying said helplessly, spreading his hands. "Even if I were to do something now, I would have to consider whether it would conflict with the ancestral rules. If future generations dare to act recklessly, it could cause a great mess."
Seeing that Zhu Yunying remained silent, Zhu Yunying said, "Why don't we discuss this? There are some ancestral rules that we certainly cannot violate. But there are some ancestral rules that we need to reconsider, so as not to cause headaches for future generations."
Old Zhu thought it made sense and agreed, "Then you can stay here tonight and we can discuss it some more. We have too many rules, which might make people feel a bit restricted."
With Old Zhu making such a statement, Zhu Yunying could be considered very happy and satisfied.
He didn't expect to achieve everything at once; it would be good enough if things were done slowly. There was no need to try to get everything done at once, which was unrealistic.
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