OBS Chapter 1121 This official can't even handle you, you black sesame dumpling?
Chapter 1121 This official can't even handle you, you black sesame dumpling?
"Business, imperial examinations."
"Using the money earned from business, they supported their children to study and participate in the imperial examinations, and then used their power to seize even greater profits to support even more children to study."
Before Yang Shaofeng could finish speaking, Zhu Biao said with a dark face, "Those cowards of the Zhao Song emperors, and those idiots of the Hu Yuan dynasty who only know how to collect taxes, will never know what kind of monster they have created."
Yang Shaofeng nodded and said, "Your Highness is right. These people only care about their own interests and have no regard for their country."
"After the Song Dynasty lost its land-based rule, it began to strengthen its naval forces, so these people betrayed the Song Dynasty."
"With the invasion of the Hu Yuan dynasty, these people finally ushered in the good days they had dreamed of. They could finally boldly bare their fangs, open their bloody mouths, and indulge in sucking the marrow from the bones of the people."
"The insatiable greed of these people has finally driven the people to revolt."
"Of course, for these people, it doesn't really matter whether the people rebel or not, whether the world is in chaos or not, or who becomes emperor."
"In times of chaos, they can actually take advantage of the chaos to seize more benefits."
"Unfortunately, these people did not expect that after the Ming Dynasty destroyed the Yuan Dynasty, it would abolish the tax farming system, so these people began to miss the Yuan Dynasty again."
Zhu Biao's face darkened further, and he remained silent for a long while before speaking: "That's why we had the previous big cases such as the plow case, the blank seal case, and the tax collector case."
"Because these people need to collect ironware, grain, medicine and even armor through various means, and then sell these things to Hu Yuan."
"If Hu Yuan can't hold on, they might turn around and support the Japanese, or they might choose another worthy candidate to support in the Liaodong area."
"These people are still hoping for another small court like Hu Yuan's, one that only knows how to collect taxes and doesn't care what they do, right?"
Yang Shaofeng nodded.
This is obvious.
Hu Yuan was able to withstand the attacks of a whole host of famous generals, including Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, Fu Youde, Hu Dahai, Deng Yu, and Tang He, for so long. Even after he died, he was able to split into the Tatars and the Oirats. The Tatars and the Oirats were able to withstand the fourth prince's five personal campaigns. Esen, who was supported by the returned students, was even able to cause the Tumu Crisis. This is abnormal in itself.
What was even more unusual was the later use of artillery by the Qing army.
First of all, given how poor Liaodong was at the time, how could the Jianyi have developed artillery that was more advanced than that of the Ming army?
Secondly, since the Jianyi's artillery was more powerful than that of the Ming army, why did they begin to blockade firearms after entering the pass?
Even more absurd was the Ming army—
As is well known, the Ming army suffered from severe corruption, resulting in low combat effectiveness. The problem of embezzling funds meant that the actual number of soldiers was less than one-hundredth, and the equipment was so bad that even dogs wouldn't use it.
The key is to actually apply these three well-known historical records to the Ming army's actual battle record... Could any human possibly achieve that?
More importantly, the fact that soldiers could be dragged out to be beaten like dogs after three years without pay, and that some of them were so starved that "one person would be whipped and then lie down again," yet they still participated in the defense of the capital, is a surreal scene. If Li Erfeng, who personally led the expedition against Goguryeo and had to reward his soldiers with extravagant gifts to appease them after a Goguryeo city surrendered in exchange for them not looting or massacring the city, would see this, he would probably be shocked on the spot and then exclaim that it is surreal!
Similarly, if Wu Sangui hadn't opened the Shanhaiguan Pass, the Qing army wouldn't have been able to avenge Emperor Chongzhen. Just what kind of monster was the Qing army?
Then, the Qing army will be able to sweep across the world?
Yang Shaofeng barely managed to suppress the jumbled thoughts in his head and said, "Anyway, that's my guess. The rest is up to Your Highness to figure out."
What?
Zhu Biao sat up straight, pointed at himself, and shouted angrily, "What do you mean the rest we have to figure out?"
Yang Shaofeng put down his teacup, grinned, and asked in return, "Otherwise what? Your Highness just said that the mess in Fujian has little to do with you. Your Highness has to take care of the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince, and you really don't have time to deal with the mess in Fujian."
"I think Your Highness is right. Those messy things in the countryside really don't have much to do with Your Highness. If you have a headache, it should be your father-in-law, the Duke of Han, the Marquis of Chengyi, and the Fujian Provincial Administration Commissioner."
"But..."
Yang Shaofeng changed the subject, saying, "This matter involving aristocratic families, officials, and maritime merchants must be related to Your Highness, right?"
Zhu Biao slumped back into his deck chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
What crime have I committed?
If I am guilty, I should be punished by the Imperial Clan Court and the Great Ming Law, not be tormented like this by my brother-in-law!
It must have been really kind of my brother-in-law to make such a huge pot of dumplings just for me to have this dish of vinegar...
Seeing Zhu Biao's utterly hopeless expression, Yang Shaofeng felt a sense of relief.
I can't even handle a black sesame dumpling like you?
If you're so capable, try saying "It has nothing to do with you" to me again.
It wasn't until quite a while later that Zhu Biao got up from the recliner again, and then, in a very obsequious manner, picked up the kettle and refilled Yang Shaofeng's teacup with water.
With a fawning grin, Hei Sesame Tang Yuan chuckled twice and looked at Yang Shaofeng, saying, "Brother-in-law, don't be angry. It's all my fault, I admit defeat."
"It's about the aristocratic families, officials, and maritime merchants. It affects not only me, but also not just our Great Ming Dynasty, but the entire world and millions of ordinary people."
"I know that my brother-in-law is always soft-hearted and can't stand seeing people suffer."
So...
Zhu Biao chuckled dryly twice again, and then tentatively said, "As for me, I'm willing to be beaten or punished as I please, as long as my brother-in-law can vent his anger."
"As for the aristocratic families, officials, and maritime merchants, I need my brother-in-law to help me think of a way, not for my own sake, but for the sake of the common people under heaven."
"We must stop this unhealthy trend no matter what."
Yang Shaofeng picked up the small dragon ball and took a sip.
You know what, you really have to admit, the water that comes with these black sesame dumplings is sweet!
"The solution Your Highness seeks is actually not too difficult."
Yang Shaofeng said with a smile, "I once heard a gentleman say that the more people oppose us doing certain things, the more it proves that we are doing the right thing—so Your Highness might as well think about what exactly they are opposing?"
As Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, Zhu Biao fell into deep thought.
What did the officials, gentry, scholars, and merchants in Jiangnan, or rather the coastal areas, oppose?
That's way too much!