activa-t Chapter 51 Zheng He's Nautical Charts!
Chapter 51 Zheng He's Nautical Charts!
After returning to the West Depot and East Depot, Yu Huatian and Cao Zhengchun immediately began to carry out Zhu Houzhao's orders.
The eunuchs guarding various garrisons received orders from Yu Huatian immediately.
While overseeing the nation's finances and grain, they also monitored commercial activities in various regions.
Cao Zhengchun selected clever and loyal agents from the Eastern Depot to form the initial core of the Ming Dynasty's Tax Supervisory Office.
At the same time, the cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue also received Zhu Houzhao's order to re-survey the land throughout the country.
The officials in the capital were immediately shocked.
Zhu Houzhao's decision to investigate all the land in the country shocked them, angered them, and even frightened them!
Some things may not weigh more than four ounces on the scale, but once you put them on, they can weigh a ton!
If Zhu Houzhao were to seriously investigate the amount of land in the country, he would be making an enemy of the gentry!
Has His Majesty truly made preparations?!
Inside the cabinet, Grand Secretary Li Dongyang held the imperial edict in his hand, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness.
He was unaware of Zhu Houzhao's intention to reform the tax system, but his years of experience in officialdom had made him keenly aware that the nationwide land survey was merely the first step in a larger plan.
The future situation will become increasingly uncontrollable.
But what can you do once you realize it?
As the Grand Secretary, he was no longer able to stop any of Zhu Houzhao's orders.
Although he was the Grand Secretary, he rarely went to the Qianqing Palace. On the contrary, Zhou Jing, who was the Second Grand Secretary, was often summoned to the Qianqing Palace by Zhu Houzhao to discuss matters.
This is enough to show that Zhu Houzhao never trusted him as the chief minister.
Li Dongyang sighed and took the initiative to discuss with Zhou Jing the matter of surveying and registering all the land in the country, and made arrangements accordingly.
……
Duoyan Mountain Area, Chuoer River.
The Ming Dynasty's iron cavalry crushed the last Uriyangkhai tribe hiding here.
Thus, the Uriyangkhai Three Guards became a thing of the past.
Emperor Taizong Zhu Di settled the Uriyangkhai here and established three guards: Doyan Guard, Fuyu Guard, and Taining Guard.
The purpose was to have them serve as a bulwark for the Ming Dynasty, resisting the southward incursions of the Northern Yuan.
However, as things have developed to this point, the Uriyangkhai have repeatedly rebelled and attacked the Ming Dynasty, thus losing their original purpose.
Since that was the case, Zhu Houzhao could no longer spare them, and he specifically ordered Wang Shouren to thoroughly eliminate the Uriyangkhai.
Now, Wang Shouren drank from the Chuoer River, and the Uriyangkhai have completely disappeared into the long river of history.
"Your Excellency, the Uriyangkhai have been completely wiped out; not a single one, regardless of age or gender, has been spared!"
Wang Shouren sat on his horse, his gaze calmly fixed on the tragic scene of humanity under the vast snow.
Red blood mingled with white snow, and the corpses on the ground still carried a faint warmth, melting the snow off their bodies only to be covered by even deeper layers of snow.
"Very good, pass on my orders."
"Everyone, return home in triumph!"
Wang Shouren pulled on the reins, turned his horse around, and headed south.
Behind him, commands echoed throughout the entire army.
"The governor has ordered the troops to return to the capital!"
"Returning in triumph!"
"Returning in triumph!"
"..."
……
Forbidden City.
Fengtian Hall Square.
"Woo! Woo! Woo!"
A deep horn sounded, and civil and military officials stood respectfully on both sides of the imperial road, their hands at their sides.
Liu Jin stood beneath the Fengtian Gate, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Summon Wang Shouren, the Governor of Liaodong, to come to the capital for an audience!"
Wang Shouren crossed the Jinshui Bridge and, at Zhu Houzhao's signal, slowly approached the imperial road and respectfully knelt before Zhu Houzhao.
"Your humble servant Wang Shouren greets Your Majesty!"
"Your humble servant has fulfilled his mission and has completely annihilated the Uriyangkhai!"
"Sweep away the entire place, leaving no one alive!"
Zhu Houzhao clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! Good! Good! Rise quickly!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After expressing his gratitude, Wang Shouren stood up respectfully.
"General Wang is indeed a pillar of the state; he deserves to be rewarded, and I will reward him handsomely!"
Zhu Houzhao smiled as he looked at Wang Shouren, but his gaze lingered on Liu Daxia, the Minister of War, behind him.
"I hereby appoint you as... Minister of War, and grant you the title of Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, to participate in cabinet discussions!"
"ah?!"
Zhu Houzhao's words shocked everyone present!
All the civil and military officials in the court looked up in surprise at Zhu Houzhao, wondering if he had simply lost his mind or misspoke.
The position of Minister of War was held by only one person in every dynasty.
If Wang Shouren was the Minister of War, then who is the current Minister of War, Liu Daxia?
Is he about to get promoted?
But before that, Zhu Houzhao had already recruited several people into the cabinet, and Liu Daxia's name was not among them.
Does this mean His Majesty is going to demote and transfer Liu Daxia?
But Liu Daxia is a veteran official who has served four dynasties and has a reputation for integrity. Why would he use a young man instead of such an experienced veteran?
What is Your Majesty really thinking?
The officials in the imperial court all looked at Liu Daxia in the procession, their faces full of doubt.
Liu Daxia himself was extremely shocked, and a chill ran down his spine.
He lowered his head and pondered, but he couldn't understand what Zhu Houzhao meant by those words.
Especially after watching the executions of Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Ma Wensheng some time ago, he had a bad feeling.
Wang Shouren, who was standing in front of Zhu Houzhao, was also startled and quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Minister of War and Lord Liu Daxia are both in office."
"How can a country have two Ministers of War? Your Majesty is terrified and begs Your Majesty to rescind your decree."
Zhu Houzhao sneered: "How can I possibly take back an order I have issued?"
"A country cannot have two Ministers of War. It's simple, I'll just kill one, won't I?"
"Guards, seize Liu Daxia and dismiss him from his post for investigation!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Without any warning, Zhu Houzhao ordered Liu Daxia to be arrested!
Immediately, the entire court was in an uproar!
Once again, a minister was publicly stripped of his position. The body of the previous Minister of War, Ma Wensheng, was barely cold when the current Minister of War, Liu Daxia, followed suit.
The position of Minister of War is no easy task!
Two Imperial Guards stepped forward and immediately arrested Liu Daxia.
Liu Daxia was filled with fear. He was pinned to the ground, his mind frantically trying to recall what he had done during this time.
But no matter what, Liu Daxia couldn't figure out why he had been arrested by Zhu Houzhao.
Liu Daxia struggled desperately, shouting his innocence: "Your Majesty, I don't know what I've done wrong to warrant such military force!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you enlighten me. Even if I die, please let me die knowing the truth!"
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, and the two Imperial Guards immediately released their grip.
Zhu Houzhao looked down at Liu Daxia and said coldly, "Since you want to die knowing the truth, I will grant your wish."
"I ask you, where did you hide the blueprints for Zheng He's voyages?!"