Chapter 79: Transfer of Fiefs

Yet the more Chongzhen spoke like this, the harder the assembled princes' hearts pounded: were the Emperor's words sincere or sarcastic? Would he soon smash a cup as a signal? But it didn't look like it, did it?

Ignoring the princes' speculations, Chongzhen continued: "Imperial Grand Uncle has served the dynasty loyally; We are greatly pleased."

After a brief pause, Chongzhen went on: "If Imperial Grand Uncle is willing, We would like to arrange a transfer of fief for you."

Zhu Yujian was baffled, thinking Chongzhen was about to move against him. He immediately knelt and said with a bleak smile, "Thunderclap or sweet rain, all is sovereign grace. Your servant is willing to obey Your Majesty's command."

Chongzhen ignored the sarcasm in Zhu Yujian's tone and continued: "Imperial Grand Uncle may choose Taiwan, or the lands of Malacca, and truly be a feudal prince — as with the Joseon precedent, all military, administrative, fiscal, and grain matters within your domain shall be decided solely by Imperial Grand Uncle!"

At this, not only was Zhu Yujian stunned, but all the other princes were dumbfounded as well.

There could be such a good deal? Why didn't you say so earlier? If you had, this prince would long since have emptied his coffers to raise troops!

For these princes, being unable to do anything on their lands except produce people and manure had long grown unbearably tedious. If a chance truly came to sit facing south and style themselves a solitary sovereign, who among them could truly keep their heart as still as water?

"Clatter!" — a wine cup in some prince's hand had toppled onto the table. Startled awake, the assembled princes hurriedly left their seats to beg forgiveness.

Chongzhen took no offense, waved a hand to indicate it was nothing, and then said to Zhu Yujian: "There are merely a few points We must make clear in advance, lest Imperial Grand Uncle later come to blame Us."

How could Zhu Yujian possibly come to blame Chongzhen now? He said at once: "Pray, Your Majesty, instruct me."

Chongzhen said: "First: the new fief will necessarily be lands beyond the seas, or in Mobei, or Liaodong — Imperial Grand Uncle may choose for himself. As for the fief within the Great Ming realm, it shall naturally revert to the state. Does Imperial Grand Uncle have any objection?"

Zhu Yujian had long since tired of being raised like a pig. As for the domestic lands, let them be reclaimed — so be it. He immediately prostrated himself: "Your servant is willing to exchange."

Chongzhen continued: "Second: the common people within the fief, including commoners from every part of the Great Ming — so long as Imperial Grand Uncle can support them, you may freely recruit them and bring them along.

However, the court will not compel commoners to follow Imperial Grand Uncle to the new territory.

As for how to persuade the commoners, that is Imperial Grand Uncle's own affair. Does Imperial Grand Uncle have any objection?"

Zhu Yujian said: "Your servant has no objection!" What he thought in his heart was: How could recruiting manpower be any problem? How many men could resist the temptation of merit in founding a state?

Besides, isn't it just a remote, bitterly cold fief? If all else fails, just throw money at it — there will always be people willing to go.

The other princes' minds began stirring too. Money — none of them lacked it.

However fine a domestic fief might be, they themselves were still nothing but pigs in a pen. If they exchanged fiefs and styled themselves solitary sovereigns, wouldn't that be pure bliss?

Chongzhen, however, paid no mind to what the princes below were thinking, and went on: "When the time comes, all institutions within Imperial Grand Uncle's enfeoffed state shall be decided solely by Imperial Grand Uncle; the court will absolutely not interfere.

Only, the officials, officers, and soldiers of the state will also need Imperial Grand Uncle to find his own solutions. The court will dispatch no officials or troops there.

Of course, should Imperial Grand Uncle be able to expand his territory outward, any lands conquered shall also belong to your enfeoffed state. How say you?"

Zhu Yujian thought to himself: Damn right, the fewer you send the better. If you sent any, this prince truly wouldn't be able to sleep. As for conquered lands, even if you wanted them, I wouldn't give them to you! He said at once: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has no objection."

Only then did Chongzhen smile and say: "Good. In that case, it is tentatively settled? After the Lantern Festival, we shall discuss it in earnest."

After a moment's thought, he addressed the other princes, whose faces were full of anticipation: "We are all one family; We cannot very well favor some over others.

Hmm, let it be thus: all other imperial clan princes shall also undergo fief transfer, following the precedent of the Tang Prince's grandson."

Without waiting for the assembled princes to accept the decree and express their gratitude, Chongzhen continued: "Since we are speaking as one family behind closed doors, we must speak plainly and thoroughly.

What was the origin of the Hongwu Emperor, our great ancestor? Hmm? Which among you uncles and brothers does not know? Hmm?

Yet do you dare forget it? Are you not afraid of truly driving the common people to the point where they cannot survive, and producing another cowherd boy? Prince of Fu, Uncle, what say you?"

Hearing this, the other princes secretly groaned: This is bad — Chongzhen is here to settle old scores on his father's behalf!

Ignoring the expressions on the faces of the Prince of Fu, Zhu Changxun, and the other princes, which looked as though they had swallowed flies, Chongzhen simply stood up, paced over to Zhu Changxun, and continued: "Uncle, Prince of Fu, do not overthink it.

We merely wish to ask: what use do you have for so much gold, silver, jewels, and treasure? In seizing commoners' fields and forcing them into homelessness, do you feel truly proud of yourself?"

Zhu Changxun was a spineless sort to begin with. Spoken to like this by Chongzhen, he simply collapsed to his knees in terror and kowtowed: "Your servant is guilty. I beg Your Majesty's mercy!"

Chongzhen, however, gave a cold laugh: "We are no heartless, ungrateful fatuous ruler. We just said — behind closed doors, we speak as family.

Let every uncle and brother here take careful note. After the new year, We shall order the Ministry of Revenue to measure each of your landholdings. Any land seized from the common people must be returned to them, without exception!

And do not think of concealing or transferring anything. The fact that We are speaking to you today means the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already thoroughly investigated it all!

Should any of you drive the common people to revolt, stripping your title will be the least of it — We will also take your head to quell the people's fury!"

Seeing that the warning had been sufficient, Chongzhen's expression softened, and he smiled again: "Of course, We are not so unreasonable. After all, we are all one family!"

The princes, however, were cursing inwardly: Only a ghost would want to be one family with you! To be saddled with an emperor like this is truly eight lifetimes of the worst luck! Your brother, that dead carpenter, was better than you!

Yet while they grumbled in their hearts, outwardly they still had to listen respectfully to Chongzhen's lecture: "Of course, for someone like the Tang Prince's heir — once the transfer beyond our Great Ming is complete, Imperial Grand Uncle may deal with those natives who are not subjects of the Great Ming however he pleases.

At worst, the dynasty will simply dispatch troops to suppress any rebellion."

Zhu Yujian, the Tang Prince's grandson, was overjoyed at these words: It looks like this time, I'm set. Exchange, exchange, exchange — this time the fief must be exchanged!

Best to pick some place where the mountains are high and the Emperor far away. Apart from showing a little tribute to you, the boy emperor, behind closed doors, I'll be the emperor of my own domain!

As for provoking the natives to revolt? Won't I just bring more commoners from the interior? You, boy emperor, said yourself you wouldn't obstruct it! I have plenty of money — at worst, I'll recruit a hundred thousand men and bring them over. Let's see who dares to jump up!

The more he thought, the more delighted he became. Zhu Yujian immediately bowed: "Your Majesty loves the people as his own children; your servant is deeply moved with admiration.

Upon returning to my fief this time, I shall certainly cooperate fully with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and handle the handover and restitution properly. Please set Your Majesty's mind at ease."

Zhu Changxun also dared not say anything more. Like the other princes, all he could think of was exchanging his fief for someplace far away. As for within the Great Ming's borders? You, boy emperor, can play by yourself!

Also, a strong recommendation for the great author Jiuhua Jushi's work, "The Demonic Sovereign of the Extreme Path." Heaven and earth are a furnace; human life is but straw. Only killing can stop the killing!

Yesterday... fell asleep holding my phone...

(End of Chapter)