Volume One, Chapter 20: No Nurturing of the Useless, No Harboring of Parasites

“Oh? What did you say?” Zhu Biao raised his eyebrows, a faint smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.

Zhu Xiongying blinked innocently and said, “Grandfather once said that matters of money and grain are always difficult because when silver and provisions reach the lower levels…”

“It's like pouring water onto sand; you never know which layer has absorbed it all.”

Zhu Biao was momentarily stunned by this, then he chuckled lightly. “You child, you remember your grandfather’s words so clearly.”

Seeing Zhu Biao smile, Zhu Xiongying seized the opportunity to continue, “Father, have you ever wondered why the silver and grain disappear like that?”

“Could it be because the people below… use it improperly?”

Zhu Biao’s expression shifted slightly, his smile fading just a little, and a meaningful glint appeared in his eyes. He looked at Zhu Xiongying and softly asked, “Do you think it’s because the officials down below are embezzling the disaster relief funds?”

Zhu Xiongying immediately waved his hand, putting on a childlike innocence. “How could I say such things recklessly? But…”

“There are many people down there, and surely some would harbor dishonest intentions, right?”

Zhu Biao quietly studied his son, the initial suspicion in his gaze gradually turning into satisfaction.

He rose and walked over to Zhu Xiongying, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

In a gentle tone filled with deep meaning, he said, “Xiongying, though you are young, you already see many things clearly.”

“I often worry about these matters, but your words today have helped me understand something.”

“Understand what?” Zhu Xiongying looked up at Zhu Biao, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes, though his heart already knew.

Zhu Biao smiled faintly. “You’re right. If water seeps into the sand, then we must see which layer of sand is the problem.”

“The more officials the court sends, the fewer may truly care for the people.”

“If disaster relief funds are pocketed layer by layer, and the people suffer unbearably, then what face does the court have?”

“Though I cannot immediately uncover all the problems, I will not allow this to continue.”

Feigning innocence, Zhu Xiongying nodded. “Since Father understands, there must be a way to solve this. I believe Father is the most capable!”

Zhu Biao looked down at his son, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He lightly ruffled Zhu Xiongying’s hair with a tone of praise, “Xiongying, though you are still young, your mind is clearer than many adults.”

“In the future, if you can maintain such sharpness, both your grandfather and I will be proud of you.”

“Thank you for your praise, Father!” Zhu Xiongying smiled obediently, bowing respectfully.

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction, then straightened his robes and said to Zhu Xiongying, “Enough for now. I have other matters to attend to. Rest well, and I shall visit you again in a few days.”

“Farewell, Father,” Zhu Xiongying said respectfully, watching Zhu Biao leave.

Only after his figure disappeared beyond the palace gate did Zhu Xiongying slowly stand upright, a look of contemplation passing over his eyes.

The next morning, at the early court session in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the Golden Hall.

Ministers lined up in neat rows, but each wore an uneasy expression.

The cold winter wind blew in from the main gate, chilling them despite their thick court robes.

Because before them sat the emperor, his face grave.

His eyes, filled with frost, fixed on them like a lion ready to roar at any moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, dressed in bright yellow robes embroidered with lifelike dragons shimmering in the golden light.

His gaze swept over the assembled civil and military officials, piercing straight into their hearts.

On the dragon table lay a thick stack of memorials, some even curled at the edges from being slammed down.

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke coldly, his voice sharp as cracking ice, “Yesterday we had the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works investigate the disaster relief grain and silver.”

“Who among you can explain why thirty percent of the relief silver for Huguang, Shandong, and Shanxi ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials? Thirty percent!”

His words thundered through the hall, silencing all the ministers, who bowed their heads in fear.

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the dragon table, anger ringing in his voice, “We fought hard to establish the Ming dynasty so the people could live in peace and prosperity, not for you parasites to gnaw away at the foundation of the realm!”

“The relief grain hasn’t even reached the displaced yet, and it’s already feeding the mouths of corrupt officials—thirty percent!”

“I want to hear from the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works. Are you two also taking a share?”

The Minister of Revenue, kneeling nearby, broke into cold sweat, repeatedly kowtowing, “Your Majesty! I am innocent! I would never be disloyal!”

“It’s the local officials who are blinded by greed and corruption. I have already dispatched people to thoroughly investigate!”

“Investigate?” Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, his low voice making everyone’s hair stand on end.

“If I didn’t push for this, would you have continued to cover it up?”

“The roster delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard last night includes your own Ministry of Revenue officials. Do you still have the nerve to say you’re investigating?”

As his words fell, the Minister of Revenue’s face turned pale, forehead pressed to the ground, unable to raise his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood, towering and fierce, raising his voice sharply, “Not a single one of these scoundrels and parasites will escape!”

“Let me make this clear—any official involved in embezzling disaster relief funds in Huguang, Shandong, or Shanxi will have their homes confiscated, be banished to the frontier, their male kin conscripted, and their female relatives sold into slavery!”

“If anyone dares to continue their corrupt deeds locally, I will exhume their ancestors’ graves and hang their heads at the city gate!”

Empress Ma, standing behind the throne, frowned lightly and was about to intercede.

But Zhu Yuanzhang shot her a fierce glare, silencing her.

She sighed and turned to the ministers, her eyes filled with complexity.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s fury was fully ignited. He turned toward Chang Mao, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and commanded coldly, “Chang Mao, I have already given you orders: arrest all officials found embezzling disaster relief funds, regardless of rank, overnight!”

“In three days, I want to see every name on the list—and their heads!”

Chang Mao knelt and kowtowed, responding with resolute strength, “I obey, Your Majesty!”

The ministers remained kneeling, no one daring to speak, even the Minister of Works silently knelt, fearing implication.

Zhu Yuanzhang swept the trembling ministers with a cold gaze, his anger far from quelled.

Supporting himself on the dragon table, his eyes as cold as blades, he said, “I never fear corrupt officials! But what I hate most are those who hold power yet accomplish nothing worthwhile!”

“The people starve, refugees roam the land, and you sit here in the Ming court—do you still have the face for it?!”

“I will kill them all who embezzle disaster relief funds, and kill even more if I must!” He slammed the dragon table again, shaking the beams of the hall. “Those who do this well will be rewarded; those who fail will have their entire families destroyed!”

“The Ming court does not tolerate incompetence or parasites!”

The Golden Hall fell into a deadly silence.