The Jinyiwei was the Emperor's monitoring agency for all officials. It was best if it was controlled by the Imperial Family.
Not to mention Zhu Biao, the Second Prince Zhu Xi was publicly acknowledged as a trash that even Zhu Xi couldn't reach. He had been automatically ignored.
Third Prince Zhu Xi and Fourth Prince Zhu Di should have been considered.
However, Zhu Di had already been kicked to the battlefield by the emperor to gain experience.
The only ones who truly had the hope of controlling the Embroidered Uniform Guards were Third and Fifth.
Zhu Biao weighed his options in his heart and realized that other than Lao Wu, no one else was qualified to be the commander of the Brocade Guard.
The reason why it was Zhu Rong was very simple.
Compared to Zhu Xi, Zhu Xi was far inferior.
Strictly speaking, there were only five princes under the emperor who could share the emperor's worries.
However, even Third Brother was not at the level where he could take charge of the situation on his own.
In addition, Zhu Rong's impulsive personality was not suitable for a position like the Embroidered Uniform Guards that needed to deal with ever-changing situations.
On the other hand, Fifth Brother was a dark horse.
Even if it was more than a month ago, the Emperor and Zhu Biao might not have considered him at all.
After he was exposed to so many abilities,
Zhu Xiong's network of connections among the people of all walks of life gradually revealed a corner, and his quick-wittedness in dealing with crises even surpassed his own.
Just like the situation where the officials forced him to abdicate, if it were him, he would definitely have fallen into it.
However, this kid had launched a wonderful counterattack in the Imperial Palace without even putting on a show with his father.
If he couldn't be the Commander of the Brocade Guard, who else could?
"Fifth brother, your elder brother, I, also opposed father establishing the Embroidered Uniform Guards!”
"But Great Ming's current situation is already a bit critical!”
"If you still believe in big brother, then listen to big brother. You will temporarily hold the position of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards!”
"As princes, we have some missions that we can't avoid.
"Just treat it as helping Big Brother!"
Zhu Rong was so choked up by Zhu Biao's words that he couldn't say anything that he wanted to throw a tantrum.
Zhu Biao whispered in Zhu Rong's ear,"
"Think about it, if Imperial Father lets another person be the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards!”
"Do you think he will find someone to keep an eye on you 24 hours a day?”
"Alright!"
Thousands of words were not as lethal as this sentence.
As expected, Big Brother understood him.
Zhu Xiong nodded helplessly and was forced to take the job.
"Don't worry, when you're done with that matter!”
"Big Brother, I suggest to Imperial Father that you remove this position!”
"You're destined to be a saint.”
Zhu Biao patted Zhu Xiong's shoulder, and Zhu Xiong nodded silently.
In the Tian family, the person Zhu Xiong trusted the most was his big brother.
Old Zhu and Zhu Rong understood, but Zhu Rong admired Zhu Biao.
This had nothing to do with who was more awesome or who was more noble. Zhu Biao had all the qualities that a benevolent ruler should have.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about how good it would be if Big Brother didn't die.
After Old Zhu, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Biao, the benevolent ruler, was added.
Perhaps things would not have turned out like they did later, with eunuchs in power, civil officials in power, and endless factional strife.
He could also be at ease as a Prince of Peace and not have to think about how to deal with the conflict between his nephew and Fourth Brother.
However, he was only a small figure in the long river of history. He did not have the ability to make a guarantee.
He wasn't a miracle doctor, and penicillin wasn't a panacea.
Moreover, because of his appearance, history had already changed.
Even if Zhu Biao died in the 21st year of Hongwu, or even earlier…
It was impossible to predict.
Facing Zhu Biao's anticipation, Zhu Xiong could only sigh."
"If I can't win big brother, I'll agree!”
"However, Imperial Father, I can be the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards. I have conditions!”
"Tell me!"
Old Zhu originally wanted to reject Zhu Rong, but he thought that it was already fortunate that this unfilial son was willing to accept the position of Commander of the Brocade Guard.
He held back his temper and asked,
Zhu Rong said,"
"First, I want Shen Wansan!"
"What? No!"
Zhu Yuanzhang flew into a rage. What was this kid trying to do?
Zhu Rong didn't reply. He cupped his fists and turned to leave.
"Come back!"
This stubborn fellow gave Old Zhu a headache.
Old Zhu really didn't want to let Shen Wansan go, mainly because he didn't want to lose face.
Although he knew that Shen Wansan was innocent, how could he step down if he were to release him now?
However, this bastard was overjoyed when he heard that he did not agree. He seemed to be eager for Old Zhu to reject him.
In order to trap this unfilial son, he had no choice but to call Zhu Rong back.
"Tell me, why did you let Shen Wansan go?“
Zhu Rong said,"
"Imperial Father, do you need to bear a grudge for so many years for such a trivial matter in Sesame Valley? You've been very good to those surrendered generals of Dayuan!”
"When he was in the city, he didn't contribute resources to Zhang Shicheng.”
"Didn't you ask me to set up a cement factory? I need his channels!”
Zhu Rong was depressed and could not help but tease Old Zhu.
Just as Old Zhu was about to explode, he revealed his purpose.
Old Zhu was teased by this unfilial son, and there was no kindness in his eyes.
Zhu Biao, who was standing at the side, had long had a hard time holding back his laughter. Only Old Fifth dared to say what the Emperor was thinking.
As expected, this guy was not one to suffer losses.
However, before Old Zhu exploded, Zhu Rong revealed his purpose.
"For something like cement, if it was just a small production, Shen Wansan would not be needed. However, if the government wants to mass produce cement, it has to be him!“
"Besides, does the imperial court have the money to make cement?”
"A cement factory requires a lot of money!”
Zhu Rong gave a rough figure. Old Zhu's face turned green.
According to Zhu Rong, there was a high chance that the imperial court could not afford to build a cement factory.
The Ming Dynasty's treasury did not have that much money.
"As for my father's face, it's actually not difficult to resolve."
"Let Shen Wansan pay for the repair of the cement factory and the city walls.”
"Moreover, after the cement factory is built, can't we just let him build the road for the Ying Tian Prefecture?”
Old Zhu lowered his head and pondered. He did not really want to kill Shen Wansan. After all, this guy did not really make a mistake.
As for the resentment from back then, when he made Shen Wansan bleed, it had almost dissipated.
Moreover, according to Zhu Rong's conditions, Shen Wansan would probably have to peel off a layer of skin after finishing the cement factory.
Moreover, after the cement factory was completed, regarding the road infrastructure of Ying Tian Prefecture...
The richest man in Jiangnan would probably cry.
One had to know that in the Ming Dynasty, there was no such thing as a government project that asked you to repair the road and return you money.
Whether Shen Wansan came to repair the city wall, cement factory, or road,
They had to pay out of their own pockets. If they did not do well, they would be punished by the officials.
Although businessmen earned a lot, their social status was really low.
"Alright, zhen will do as you say!”
Hearing that Old Shen was going to bleed, the narrow-minded Emperor was in a good mood and immediately agreed to Zhu Rong's request.
Zhu Rong said,"
"But you can't just let the cows work and not give people water!”
"You still have to give me the identity of an official businessman!”
"Don't be unconvinced. Trade is the forte of merchants. The Shen family had experience in shipping before your ban. Their trade channels are not something the officials can compare to!“
"Merchants value profit over righteousness. Give them some recognition, and they will work harder for you!”
"Humph!"
Old Zhu wasn't very happy with Zhu Rong's suggestion.
He also understood that the emperor hated the landowners and wealthy merchants. The basic national policy of the Ming Dynasty was to place emphasis on agriculture and suppress commerce.
Merchants had the lowest social status, even lower than farmers.
However, even in such a harsh environment, merchants were still the richest people in the world.
At least on the surface, other than the Prince, no other official could compare to him.
This was also the reason why the imperial court had always sent wealthy merchants out to build infrastructure.
This was a disguised form of suppression and exploitation of merchants.
Zhu Rong didn't think of fighting for the merchant's interests. He didn't have the time.
Moreover, the so-called productivity determined the production relations. Now that the Ming Dynasty had a hundred things to do, recuperating and cultivating wasteland was the most important thing.
If the merchants were not restrained, these people would probably rebel.
However, this was not the way to suppress it.
"Old Fifth, it's not like you don't know how Imperial Father treats merchants!”
"If you want to get Shen Wansan, stop while you are ahead. Don't mention anything about the imperial merchants!”
"Oh!"
Zhu Rong smiled faintly and said,"
"I never knew that father had a prejudice against merchants. I feel that father treats merchants much better than commoners!”
"Unfilial son!"
Zhu Rong's words almost touched Old Zhu's reverse scale. He was furious.
"Zhen believes that our Great Ming Dynasty's taxes on the commoners are already considered very low. We also have all sorts of restrictions on merchants!”
"What do you mean?"
"If you don't explain yourself today, I won't let you off!”
Zhu Rong smiled and said,"
"Father's restriction on merchants is nothing more than their social status being the first point."
"However, they have tens of thousands of assets. Not only do they not need to pay taxes on most of them, but the portion that they pay taxes on is only 30%!”
"The commoners work hard in the fields for a year. Even in a good year, it is very difficult for them to get enough food and clothing!”
"Merchants grab huge wealth, but pay negligible taxes!”
"How is Father mistreating merchants? Father is clearly robbing the poor to help the rich!”
"For a wealthy man like Shen Wansan, it is nothing to him if you ask him to repair the city wall!”
"The light taxes you give to the people may make them suffer from hunger and cold!”
Old Zhu's face turned red from Zhu Rong's words. He said coldly,"
"Then what do you think we should do?"
"Merchants should pay heavy taxes. One out of thirty is too little, and one out of ten is not much!”
"The scope of tax collection should also be expanded!"
"Moreover, small merchants pay light taxes while big merchants pay heavy taxes. That's the right way!”
"In short, your son believes that the taxes of the Imperial Court should be to rob the rich to help the poor!”
"Making these rich people bleed is better than exploiting the commoners!”
"Robbing the rich to help the poor!“
"Good!"
Old Zhu's anger was extinguished by Zhu Xiong's words.
There was no anger in his eyes when he looked at Zhu Rong. Instead, there was gratification.
"The essence of taxation is to rob the rich to help the poor!”
"Hahaha, robbing the rich to help the poor!"
"King Wu, please accept my bow!"
Crown Prince Zhu Biao laughed out loud. He took a step back and solemnly bowed to Zhu Rong.
Zhu Rong was dumbfounded, but he immediately reacted.
Damn it, he was speechless again. If he wanted to save her, then so be it. Why did he say so much?
He looked at Old Zhu and Zhu Biao with an appreciative expression.
Zhu Xiong was so depressed that he vomited blood.
He accidentally exposed himself again.
Zhu Biao bowed to Zhu Rong, full of anticipation.
"Fifth Brother, tell me more?"
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