Chapter 293: Heart Demon: Privilege and Corruption

Bai Qingqi said, "Aren't the Joseon court and Pidao supposed to be allied forces?"

Mao Wenlong snorted coldly, "Allied forces my ass!"

He then recounted everything since the establishment of the Dongjiang garrison. Though Pidao was a barren island, it was nominally still Joseon territory.

When the Dongjiang garrison was first established, the Joseon court could still tolerate it.

But as the war dragged on, the garrison's soldiers and civilians grew ever more numerous, and Pidao's farmland proved insufficient. Mao Wenlong had no choice but to go ashore to farm military land, occupying part of the wasteland in Joseon's Tieshan Commandery.

That was like poking a hornet's nest. Within Joseon, impeachments against Mao Wenlong never ceased, and they constantly lodged complaints with the Great Ming, calling Mao Wenlong the "Mao plague," saying his soldiers forcibly requisitioned grain in Joseon, plundered the people, and seized civilian homes. This bred great dissatisfaction with Mao Wenlong even within the Ming court——

"Wait." Bai Qing interrupted, "You mean to say, Joseon made false accusations?"

Mao Wenlong said with utter confidence, "No false accusations — most of those things I did myself. What else was I supposed to do? Not plunder, and let the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang starve to death?

You don't actually think those maggots in Joseon are any good, do you?

They allowed me to occupy Pidao and permitted me ashore to farm military land — was that out of proper vassal courtesy? To repay some bullshit debt of gratitude for the Imjin War restoration?

Bullshit!

The Jianzhou barbarians and the Great Ming are separated by the Guangning-Ningyuan-Jinzhou defense line, but from Joseon they're separated by nothing but the Yalu River, which freezes over in winter — not a shred of natural defense.

They keep me around to use Dongjiang's soldiers and civilians as a blade-catcher against the Jianzhou barbarians! I've been locked in struggle with the Jianzhou barbarians for years, lost so many men — I'm only collecting a little interest from them!

Ah——my men, even in death, must not die as starving ghosts——"

Mao Wenlong sighed and spoke of the Dongjiang garrison's awkward position.

Dongjiang was far from the Great Ming and enjoyed no trust from the court; to Joseon it was an alien race, guarded against at every turn; and the Jianzhou barbarians regarded it as a thorn in their eye, a splinter in their flesh.

Unwelcome on all three sides, Mao Wenlong could only resort to every means imaginable to survive.

Bai Qing and the others sat in silence — they all knew what the court was like, and could empathize.

Mao Wenlong continued, "Originally, between maritime trade, plundering, and military farming, we could just barely get by.

But after the Yichou Rebellion, all the military farmland in Tieshan Commandery was burned to the ground, and my forces could only fall back to defend Pidao.

And everyone up and down Joseon felt I had brought the calamity of national ruin upon them, so their hostility toward Dongjiang grew even worse — they strictly ordered that not a single ship or grain of rice might cross the sea.

Pidao produces very little grain, and doesn't produce cotton cloth or medicine at all — fuel, salt, iron tools, and gunpowder are all in short supply as well.

Just last winter alone, over a thousand people froze to death on the island.

Among the soldiers and civilians, some said that rather than starve on Pidao, better to surrender to the barbarians and at least stay alive. So in recent years, soldiers and civilians of the Dongjiang garrison have been fleeing Pidao back to Liaodong — over ten thousand in total, one after another."

Bai Qing said, "That doesn't add up. How come I hear from the islanders that your officers hoarded grain, resold it at inflated prices, and seized land?"

At this point Mao Wenlong no longer hid anything, and frankly nodded in admission: "That is indeed true — I tacitly permitted it. Those Vice Regional Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, and Brigade Commanders — for all that they hold high rank, they live worse than a Battalion Commander on the shore. If I governed the army too strictly, could the Dongjiang garrison even hold out?

Do you think I don't know the harm in letting soldiers run wild and plunder? Think I don't want to forge the Dongjiang troops into an iron army?

Think I don't want to emulate Battalion Commander He, win merit and glory, sailing this great cannon ship to blast the Jianzhou barbarians and Joseon to smithereens? I dream of it!

I am the dignified Regional Commander of the Dongjiang garrison! Stationed on this lonely island for nearly ten years! What do you think I did it all for?"

By the end, Mao Wenlong was nearly roaring, and Bailangzai couldn't help but grip his great Miao blade tightly.

Mao Wenlong let out a bitter laugh, then continued, "When I first arrived on Pidao, my sole thought was to repay the emperor's grace — I cast life and death to the wind.

But who would have thought that, by a twist of fate, I ended up taking credit for Battalion Commander He's great achievement. From that moment on, one wrong step led to another, until I ended up in today's sorry state.

Fate toys with men — truly, fate toys with men——"

He let out a long sigh and said, "In my ten years running this island, I've taken in countless adopted sons and foster grandsons. When I accepted each of them, they all swore oaths that they would never share the same sky as the Jianzhou barbarians, that they would serve the court and cherish the people, and so on and so forth.

But in Tieshan Commandery, it was precisely these trusted men of mine who occupied the most military farmland.

Before they came to the island, everyone wanted to be Battalion Commander He; once they held office, everyone became another Mao Wenlong, hahaha——

Be Battalion Commander He? Hah——as if it were that easy!"

Mao Wenlong vented years of pent-up resentment, relaxed, leaned back in his chair, and gazing at the cabin ceiling, said slowly, "Pidao was founded single-handedly by Battalion Commander He. The location was chosen by Battalion Commander He. The first tens of thousands of islanders were ferried over from Liaodong by Battalion Commander He, ship by ship.

What the islanders remember with gratitude is Battalion Commander He's life-saving grace. I usurped his great achievement, and I've had no shortage of people stabbing me in the back over it.

Now I return Pidao to Battalion Commander He, and I place myself at your disposal. After this, debts are settled — do what you will with me."

Bai Qing and the other two exchanged glances. According to Lin Qian's original plan, Nan'ao was only to take Shenmi Island and Jiao Island, and leave Pidao untouched.

Because first, Shenmi Island could serve to monitor and restrain Pidao, and could also act as a forward outpost for raiding the Jianzhou barbarians.

Second, Pidao held special strategic significance. No matter how much the Ming court internally harassed and distrusted Pidao, if Nan'ao so much as touched Pidao, the Ming court would surely make an issue of it — the great hat of "colluding with the Jianzhou barbarians from north and south" would come crashing down firmly on their heads.

Third, having suffered repeated defeats in naval battles, the Jianzhou barbarians had already issued orders to evacuate the coast and ban the sea, abandoning all coastal lands.

And pushing deep inland was something Nan'ao was neither skilled at nor safe doing — they knew nothing of the terrain or the situation, completely in the dark.

Whereas Pidao's soldiers and civilians had fought the Jianzhou barbarians for years and knew their deployments well. Having them go ashore to fight, with Nan'ao providing weapons and pay and provisions, was clearly the wiser choice.

Who could have guessed that Battalion Commander He's name carried such weight — Bai Qing landed on the island with a single ship and took Pidao outright. Now Pidao and Mao Wenlong had become a hot potato instead.

The safest course would naturally be to request instructions from the Helmsman.

But Pidao was over four thousand li from Nan'ao — even with fair winds and smooth seas, a round trip would take the better part of half a month.

What to do with Mao Wenlong in the meantime?

Put him back on the island, and that's releasing a tiger back to the mountain; keep him confined on the ship, and there's no guarantee Pidao stays stable — Mao Wenlong's adopted sons and foster grandsons still need Mao Wenlong to control them.

Moreover, Mao Wenlong had run Pidao for ten years and enjoyed a certain measure of popular support. If he were detained without clear cause, the soldiers and civilians would grow suspicious.

Bai Qing suddenly had an idea, and asked, "Regional Commander Mao, do the Jianzhou barbarians still have any forts or walled stockades along the Liaodong coast?"

Mao Wenlong answered without hesitation, "The big walled stockades have all been demolished. But Zhenjiang City at the mouth of the Yalu River still stands."

"The Zhenjiang from the great victory at Zhenjiang back then?"

A trace of guilt surfaced on Mao Wenlong's face as he said, "Yes. Back then Battalion Commander He used ship cannons to destroy most of Zhenjiang, but the city walls remained.

After the Yichou Rebellion, the Jianzhou barbarians and Joseon opened a frontier trade market on Zhongjiang Island in the Yalu River. As a major city at the river mouth, Zhenjiang was rebuilt to protect that trade, and its defenses are even stronger now.

The current garrison commander of Zhenjiang is called Leng'eli — an old nemesis of the Dongjiang garrison. During the Yichou Rebellion, that Tartar dog was the vanguard, and he's the one who destroyed the military farmland in Tieshan Commandery."

Bai Qing lowered his head in thought. Before coming to Liaodong, the Helmsman had granted him discretion to act as circumstances warranted. Besides the main mission, there was also a side mission: to seize opportunities to raid the Jianzhou barbarians' rear.

In the Jiangxi Report run by Yuan Chonghuan, there were page after page of slander accusing Nan'ao of colluding with the Jianzhou barbarians.

What better way to slap down absurd claims than with a raid?

For this raid, Lin Qian's requirement was not heavy kills, but that the momentum be big enough, loud enough, for all the world to know.

Surely, hitting Zhenjiang again and recreating the Zhenjiang Victory would achieve the momentum the Helmsman demanded.

At that thought, Bai Qing was about to speak, but then recalled the Helmsman's teaching: a commander must learn to fathom the opponent's mind, to stand in the enemy's shoes — knowing both self and foe, one can fight a hundred battles without peril.

Bai Qing thought: "Mao Wenlong's obsession all stems from the false credit claimed after the Zhenjiang Victory. If I promise him the——

Er——that Leng-something Tartar dog's head, he may not be that pleased. But what if I put it differently?"

So Bai Qing asked: "If you were given another chance to take Zhenjiang, would you want it?"

Mao Wenlong instantly sat up straight, fixed his gaze on Bai Qing, and asked cautiously: "What do you mean?"

"This time the Nan'ao fleet provides artillery cover, and you lead the Dongjiang troops in — win the victory you've been dreaming of, with your own hands."

"Is that——true?" Mao Wenlong's breathing grew heavy, killing intent rolling off him in waves, his eyes sharp as he stared hard at Bai Qing.

To hit Zhenjiang again — Mao Wenlong wanted it desperately, dreamed of it!

If he could fight it once more, be a hero fair and square, he would give anything — even die content!

Bai Qing looked straight into Mao Wenlong's eyes and said with conviction: "I will propose it to the Helmsman. Sending messages back and forth on the road takes about half a month. Within that half month——"

Mao Wenlong abruptly rose from his seat, dropped to one knee, and clasped his fists: "This officer is willing to follow the General's command!"

Bai Qing stood, helped Mao Wenlong up, and declared with soaring boldness: "Good! Then in this half month, go to Pidao and muster your troops for battle.

The fleet can carry at most a thousand-plus soldiers, so only elites go on this campaign.

Also, restrain your men — return the seized farmlands and hoarded grain to the people.

Before long, Nan'ao transport ships will come to take Pidao's folk to Dongning. When parting comes, don't let the people leave with cold hearts."

"This officer obeys!" Mao Wenlong declared in a ringing voice, flames seeming to burn in both eyes.

That night, Mao Wenlong returned to Pidao.

Bai Qing ordered the ship's scribe to write up a detailed military dispatch overnight, covering recent battle conditions, the situation on Pidao, and his conversation with Mao Wenlong.

The next morning, the military dispatch set sail toward Nan'ao aboard a hawk ship.

Guangzhou city, Yuexiu Mountain.

Just into the fourth month, with fine weather, Lin Qian came to Zhenhai Tower to lean on the railing and gaze into the distance.

Yuexiu Mountain was already Guangzhou's highest point, and Zhenhai Tower stood nearly nine zhang tall — from its top, dozens of li in every direction lay spread before one's eyes, a refreshing sight for heart and mind.

In early summer, vegetation flourished; far to the north, the green silhouette of Baiyun Mountain was faintly visible. Along the Baiyun Mountain official road stretching south, paddy fields, fish ponds, and villages dotted the landscape.

On the official road, sedan chairs, carts and horses, porters, courier runners, and merchants came and went without end.

Nearby, Yuexiu Mountain's woods were lush and verdant. Along Guangzhou's northern city wall, cannons, crenellations, and watchtowers stood in orderly array; by the moat spread the Garrison Commander's drill grounds, where soldiers were training with firearms.

Looking further south, the bustling splendor of Guangzhou's inner and outer twin cities lay fully in view — roads crisscrossing, streets and alleys densely woven.

The red-walled, black-tiled offices of the Provincial Administration Commissioner and Provincial Surveillance Commissioner were grand in scale, occupying the north of the city.

Beyond the outer city lay the Pearl River, its broad surface spread out, large and small vessels shuttling like shuttles on a loom, sails dotting the water. One could also see a lone island standing mid-river, its ancient trees towering to the sky.

Looking further still, the Pearl River flowed on, merging into the horizon.

Ye Yifan pointed at the skyline and said: "Helmsman, that's the Humen Fortress over there."

Ever since Guangdong was taken, Humen had become the key river-defense barrier. It had now been built into a fortress with over thirty cannons, surrounded by several smaller artillery batteries — enough to seal off the river.

Even if the current Nan'ao fleet attacked it, recreating the surprise strike on Guangzhou would be impossible.

But the batteries were too far — even straining his eyes, Lin Qian could only see the great river flowing south, mist and vapor crisscrossing, nothing but rolling waters.

Lin Qian then pulled out a telescope, and the Humen batteries immediately floated into view.

Wang Hao, Director of the Civil Household Bureau, seized the moment to chime in with an introduction: Guangdong's economic hinterland was vast, the Pearl River broad with superb navigability. Since Nan'ao took it, opening maritime trade had driven explosive economic growth — it had now surpassed Yuegang to become the Southeast's number-one port.

Ye Yifan nodded repeatedly, citing data on Guangzhou's registered households and tax revenue, then pointed south.

"Helmsman, look — over there is Foshan, and that is the Guang'ao Road."

Lin Qian looked and saw, far to Guangzhou's southwest, a massive town dimly visible. Its surrounding vegetation was clearly sparser, with faint smoke and dust hanging overhead — that was Foshan.

From Foshan stretching north ran a straight, blue-gray grand road lined with roadside trees, its overall form identical to the Tingyue Road. Tiny carriage-and-horse shapes, the size of grains of sand, could be faintly seen moving along it.

Ye Yifan said: "The Guang'ao Road runs south all the way to Macao. Along its length, thirty-seven bridges of various sizes were built, totaling over two hundred and seventy li. The Foshan-to-Guangzhou section was made with cement — no more trouble of the road becoming impassable whenever it rains.

Construction began in the sixth month of the eighth year of Tianqi, and it was fully completed and opened for use last month."

Of course, considering construction costs, engineering difficulty, and navigability, no bridge was built across the Pearl River's main channel — the Guang'ao Road still relies on ferries to cross the main waterway.

Lin Qian nodded. The Guang'ao Road and the investment in Foye were both part of the economic recovery plan launched after the typhoon of the eighth year of Tianqi.

As the saying goes — to get rich, build roads first. With this road completed, the Pearl River Delta's economy should surely climb another rung.

Behind Lin Qian, besides Ye Yifan and Wang Hao, stood the senior officials of Guangzhou Prefecture and Guangdong Province, along with the Director of the Construction Bureau and Zheng Zhilong, Deputy Director of the Government Affairs Hall.

Lin Qian hadn't come to Guangzhou for sightseeing — he was here to survey the city as a candidate for the new capital.

As things stood, Guangzhou was a suitable capital by every measure — transportation, military, and economy alike.

Moreover, the Pearl River Delta's economic potential was immense, with great prospects ahead.

Zheng Zhilong took the opportunity to say: "Helmsman, I've heard that Zhenhai Tower was built in the thirteenth year of Hongwu by the Marquis of Yongjia.

Because it sits atop Yuexiu Mountain, overlooking the Zhuhai (the Pearl River's ancient name), it was named Zhenhai Tower, taking the meaning of 'majestically guarding the sea frontier, commanding mountain and sea.'

I imagine Guangzhou will serve Nan'ao the same way — commanding mountain and sea."

Everyone present understood the meaning of "commanding mountain and sea" — naturally, controlling the Changbai Mountains to the north and the South China Sea to the south. All felt the omen was excellent.

Fang Ju, Director of the Construction Bureau, seeing Lin Qian in good spirits, seized the moment: "Helmsman, the Construction Bureau has selected sites for the Government Affairs Hall, the General Staff Headquarters, and the Helmsman's residence. Please allow me to present them."

Lin Qian nodded in agreement.

Fang Ju had an enormous map unrolled, held at either end by two men, displayed to one side. Lin Qian compared it against the plans, taking in the full layout of the future Guangzhou city at a glance.

Fang Ju pointed at the map: "The Nan'ao central government complex uses North Straight Street as its central axis, running from Yuexiu Mountain in the north to Huiai Street in the south, two li in total length, gathering the central offices and official residences in one place.

Most of the land involved consists of government offices and yamen buildings — only a few wards like Dangui Ward, Dezheng Ward, and Taojia Ward will be affected."

Among them, the Administration Hall is at—"

Lin Qian frowned slightly: "Wait, aren't the official office lands in the North City and East City large enough? Why do we still need to expropriate more land?"

Fang Ju said: "According to the Rites of Zhou, a capital must follow the system of ancestral temple on the left, altar of soil and grain on the right, central axis symmetry, and court in front, residence in back.

The existing offices are surrounded on all four sides by civilian homes, with no contiguous land available—it cannot conform to ritual propriety, and with too many eyes about, it is also inconvenient for guarding against spies.

Our office has already submitted the budget above, and we will certainly give the people ample relocation silver, as well as allocate them new land within the city to rebuild their homes."

Lin Qian looked toward Ye Yifan.

Ye Yifan said: "By ritual propriety, this is indeed how it should be. Since Guangzhou is to be the seat of our foundation, it ought to have a new bearing."

Zheng Zhilong said: "Helmsman, the Administration Hall has calculated it—the affected wards and markets together come to just over a Battalion Commander, totaling fewer than seven thousand people. For a city as large as Guangzhou, this is no great impact."

Ye Yifan leaned in and said in a low voice: "Helmsman, it's fine for our current government offices to be a bit disorderly, but once we proclaim kingship and establish our institutions, we must follow ritual propriety—the proper pomp cannot be lacking."

Lin Qian looked at the other senior officials; most gave similar arguments.

Lin Qian did not refute them, but walked to the table, sat down, and then said: "Gentlemen, let us all sit together."

After they sat, servants brought up fine tea. Warm breezes drifted through Zhenhai Tower, and the scent of flowers mingled with tea fragrance, pleasing to the spirit—yet everyone knew Lin Qian had something to say, so they all focused their attention in wait.

Lin Qian used the cup lid to stir the tea leaves, pondering how to broach the subject.

What worried him was not the matter of expropriating land to build government offices itself—given Nan'ao's current financial situation and administrative efficiency, the people should receive proper resettlement.

Previously, when establishing the Guang'ao Road and Tingyue Road, large amounts of farmland and civilian homes had also been occupied, and no fierce conflicts had arisen.

But this was the first time people were being relocated for the sake of so-called ritual propriety and pomp.

Lin Qian worried that countless such incidents would occur in the future—his travels would require fixed numbers of carriages and attendants, his meals would require fixed quantities, with pomp and ceremony everywhere. When those above behave, those below follow suit; the Ming Dynasty's decadent, extravagant, and competitive atmosphere would soon replay itself in Nan'ao.

In history, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was the best cautionary example.

After Hong Xiuquan entered Nanjing, within a month he demolished the Ming imperial palace and several thousand civilian homes to build the Heavenly King's Mansion, with regulations exceeding even those of the Forbidden City. For travel he rode a sixty-four-man palanquin; his crown, dragon robe, buttons, and even his chamber pot were all crafted from gold, and all other ceremonial trappings surpassed those of the Qing emperors.

With those above behaving thus, those below followed suit—the Eastern King, Northern King, and Yan King all lived in extravagance. With strict hierarchies, complex rituals, and numerous regulations, the entire ruling class indulged in privilege and rapidly degenerated, losing all strength for further advancement.

From establishing the capital at Nanjing to the Tianjing Incident that shattered their vitality—how long did it take?

A mere three years.

"Thriving in hardship, perishing in comfort"—these words still ring in the ears. Lin Qian would never dare commit such a grave error.

Just then, a personal guard came up from below and handed Lin Qian an official document: "Helmsman, a military dispatch from the Liaodong front."

This matter was important. Lin Qian immediately took it, read it carefully, and revealed a faint smile—Bai Qing was handling things more and more properly.

The idea of exploiting Mao Wenlong's inner demons was quite in his style.

Whatever Mao Wenlong's merits or faults, for now recovering Pidao without shedding a drop of blood was politically the best outcome.

In Lin Qian's view, Mao Wenlong was a typical late-Ming border warlord—and even among the many warlords, he belonged to the slightly better tier.

He harbored thoughts of holding troops to assert his power and carving out his own territory, but he would absolutely never surrender to the Jianzhou barbarians or fight in league with them—there was no need to fear him turning traitor mid-battle.

Moreover, in the attack on Zhenjiang, the fleet provided artillery support while Mao Wenlong led his men in the charge—he had no room to defect.

So Lin Qian wrote the character "Approved" on the document, then after a moment's thought added a passage, instructing that Mao Wenlong's adopted sons and foster grandsons be kept under close watch. If Mao Wenlong remained, he could keep these men in check; if something happened to him, none of them would be easy to deal with.

He also instructed to keep a close watch on the Joseon court, and if necessary, they could capture Ganghwa Island to force Joseon into submission.

After finishing, Lin Qian returned the document to the guard.

The eagle ship was waiting in Guangzhou harbor—military intelligence was urgent, and a reply must be sent immediately.

After the guard left, Lin Qian recounted the document's contents. Hearing of the great victory at the front, everyone felt excited.

After letting them celebrate for a moment, Lin Qian said: "By all accounts, Mao Wenlong has been on the island for ten years, spending far more time with Pidao's soldiers and civilians than I have. Why then, the moment the islanders saw the He banner, did they stop obeying Mao Wenlong's commands?"

Someone offered a few flattering remarks; Lin Qian did not respond.

Zheng Zhilong said: "Life on the island is hard—the people lack food and clothing. Presumably they hope the Helmsman will lead them out of their suffering."

Ye Yifan shook his head and said: "When the Helmsman first set foot on Nan'ao Island, the islanders couldn't even live in shacks—they had to build shelters day and night without rest to avoid people freezing to death in winter. If we speak of hardship, the islanders back then were hardly better off than those on Pidao, yet not a single person left.

In the first year of Tianqi, when the Helmsman rescued Liaodong refugees onto Pidao, the island was destitute—no houses, no farmland—and still no one was heard of who couldn't bear the hardship and wanted to flee back to Liaodong."

Lin Qian nodded: "Correct. And in the third year of Tianqi, on the eve of the Fuzhou campaign, I once visited the island to see Pidao's soldiers and civilians—the people then were only marginally better off than now.

But Pidao's people were all Liaodong folk who wanted to be closer to home, hoping that one day Mao Wenlong would lead them to fight their way back. So not one of them said they wanted to follow me.

What exactly did Mao Wenlong do wrong to bring about the current situation?"

Lin Qian's gaze swept across the face of everyone present. After a moment of silence, he answered himself: "Corruption and privilege.

Mao Wenlong and his men were not stupid. At first, it may have been just an extra bowl of rice, an extra foot of cloth—later it grew to an extra mu of farmland, an extra twenty taels of military pay.

By the time Mao Wenlong realized the people had grown resentful, he could no longer do without his subordinates and could only indulge them further. Privilege and corruption grew heavier, the people grew more alienated, until finally reaching today's situation.

Pidao is thus; the Great Ming is thus. If we do not take this as a warning, Nan'ao will be thus as well."

Silence fell over Zhenhai Tower, broken only by the faint sound of wind passing through.

Lin Qian spoke with deep earnestness: "The Hongwu Emperor of the Great Ming rose from obscurity, drove out the northern barbarians, and restored Chinese civilization—not by revering heaven and honoring ancestors, not by ritual propriety and pomp, and not by military might alone, but by a founding heart set on rescuing the people from fire and water.

Even after his ascension, his daily meals were extremely simple. When building the Jinling imperial palace, he required only that it be secure and sturdy, not ornate—all decorations were kept minimal, and the empty grounds within the palace were all turned into vegetable gardens.

When his subordinates advised him otherwise, the Hongwu Emperor said, 'If one speaks of frugality yet does not lead by example, how can one command those below?' From this was laid the foundation of the Great Ming's dynastic fortune.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last. The Yongle Emperor launched the Jingnan Campaign and moved the capital to Beijing. Though he earned the fine reputation of 'the Son of Heaven guarding the nation's gate,' the construction of the imperial palace exhausted the people and drained the treasury, causing tremendous losses.

In the three stages alone of timber harvesting, stone transport, and construction, countless laborers died, exhausting the accumulated wealth of two reigns—the palace's grandeur far exceeded ancestral regulations.

He also used privilege to forcibly expropriate land in the capital without compensation. Some people were even forcibly relocated three or four times, wailing and crying through bitter winters and scorching summers, left without a place to stand.

With a single imperial palace, he opened the floodgates of privilege, extravagance, and ostentatious competition in the Great Ming, and successive Zhu emperors only intensified it—until finally today's Great Ming has lost the people's hearts entirely and is engulfed in flames of war.

By contrast, in Nan'ao's development to this day, though we have built roads and bridges and undertaken great construction, not a single project was built for luxury or pleasure.

Now that our seat of foundation has moved to Guangzhou, we are about to demolish over a thousand civilian homes—clearly about to repeat the Yongle Emperor's mistake. This will not do.

Even if silver compensation is fully paid, it is still a severe depletion and waste of productive capacity.

If ritual propriety truly cannot be violated, then let the land be trimmed from my own residence—remove the courtyards, the side chambers, the entrance halls entirely, and save that land for the people.

And if that is still not enough, then this Guangzhou—we need not come at all!"

Yahei

Pink Round

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