plumnovel Chapter 9 Father, how could a businessman like you understand the emperor?!
Chapter 9 Father, how could a businessman like you understand the emperor?!
This child is not only intelligent and capable with a keen eye, but also able to see through the emperor's schemes. This insight and vision are far beyond what even the most cunning and calculating ministers in the court can match.
When Liu Bowen saw that Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry but instead fell into deep thought, this was not what he had expected!
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang deep in thought, Zhu Yao said nothing more, but simply sat quietly to the side, picked up his teacup, and slowly sipped his tea.
Zhu Yuanzhang snapped out of his reverie, forced a smile, and said with a hint of probing, "Yao'er, isn't your analysis a bit too much? Perhaps His Majesty didn't even think that way; he simply wanted to punish corrupt officials."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao waved his hand slightly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and a barely perceptible "disdain": "Father, you're a merchant, busy managing your business all year round, how could you possibly understand the Emperor's thoughts?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was instantly stunned, his smile froze, and his mind went blank.
grandma's!
You brat, how dare you say we don't understand the emperor's thoughts?
Even if I were the emperor, how could I not understand my own thoughts?
You little brat, you're not even fully grown yet, and you're already lecturing us?
His chest heaved slightly, and a surge of anger almost welled up inside him. But looking at Zhu Yao's serious expression and remembering that the boy was indeed insightful and had unique perspectives, he finally managed to restrain himself and suppress his anger.
Then, feigning confusion, he asked, "Child, aren't you a merchant too? You're busy managing grain stores, repairing roads, and running schools every day. How do you understand the emperor's thoughts?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao's lips twitched slightly, and he muttered to himself:
I can't exactly tell you that I'm not from this era, that I'm a time traveler who knows future history, knows Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts, and knows the ins and outs of the four major cases in the early Ming Dynasty, can I?
If I were to say that out loud, I'd probably be considered crazy on the spot.
He composed himself, regaining his composure, and slowly said, "Father, although I am a businessman, in recent years, apart from managing my business, I have spent almost all my time studying the emperor."
"Not only His Majesty, but also all the emperors of the past, from Qin Shi Huang to Emperor Shun of Yuan, I have studied them all. I know their lives, personalities, ways of governing the country, and strategies very well. To put it bluntly, I would be an expert on emperors."
"The Ming Dynasty (1566)... Romance of the Three Kingdoms... The Qin Empire... The Reign of Zhenguan... Emperor Wu of Han... Yongzheng... cough cough... I haven't missed a single one of these classic...books!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened in disbelief, his tone tinged with doubt and confusion: "Studying the emperor? Instead of focusing on your business and expanding your empire, why are you studying these things? How can a mere merchant like you possibly understand the emperor's mind? You could lose your head!"
Zhu Yao smiled gently, his tone frank: "Father, you don't know this, but doing business and studying emperors are actually interconnected."
"The business world is like the political arena, even more dangerous. To do business well, you need to understand people's hearts, weigh the pros and cons, and be able to assess the situation."
"As the ruler of the world, the emperor's thoughts and decisions directly affect the situation of the world, the rise and fall of all walks of life, and the livelihoods of us merchants."
"I study emperors not to uncover any secrets, nor to curry favor with the powerful, but simply to understand the situation, to maximize my own interests and minimize my own risks, so that my business can continue smoothly and that I and those around me can live peacefully."
"Furthermore, studying the successes and failures of emperors throughout history can teach me a lot, such as their methods of governing the country and their skills in employing people. These can be applied to my business, helping me to better manage my family business and benefit my neighbors."
After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang's face showed a look of both laughter and tears. He shook his head, his tone full of helplessness but also with a hint of approval: "You child, you certainly know how to find reasons. You can even connect studying the emperor with doing business. It's amazing that you could come up with such a thing."
He secretly admired the child's insightful mind. Even when studying emperors, he maintained a pragmatic attitude, seeking neither fame nor fortune, but only peace and stability. This composure and insight were truly rare.
But we've never heard of any of the books this child is studying.
Liu Bowen, who was standing to the side, was already deeply moved by what he heard, his heart filled with emotion and even a touch of shame.
He had followed Zhu Yuanzhang for many years, spending every day by the emperor's side, and thought he understood the emperor's thoughts and the way of governing the country best. But after listening to Zhu Yao's words today, he realized that he was not as good as a young private merchant.
Zhu Yao was only in his twenties, yet he could not only see through the Emperor's deepest thoughts, but also thoroughly study the emperors of past dynasties. He could even integrate the art of rulership with the way of business. Zhu Yao himself was ashamed of his own lack of such insight and vision.
He stole a glance at Zhu Yuanzhang, then at the composed Zhu Yao, and sighed inwardly:
Looking at himself, as the Earl of Chengyi, he had never been able to truly see through His Majesty's thoughts. Compared to Young Master Zhu, he was far inferior.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but cough twice.
As Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Zhu Yao's words, his desire to strengthen imperial power and weaken the power of the scholar-officials grew stronger. He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Liu Bowen, who was still bowing his head. With a hint of meaning in his voice, he deliberately asked, "Old Liu, what do you think of my son's analysis just now?"
Liu Bowen was startled and quickly raised his head, forcing a respectful expression on his face, but said firmly, "Your Excellency, I cannot agree with Young Master Zhu's opinion."
"The scholar-official class is the foundation of the court. Throughout history, emperors have relied on the assistance of scholar-officials to govern the country."
"His Majesty is diligent in governing and loves the people. He also recruits talented people and makes important appointments to scholars and officials because they can offer advice and suggestions to the court and help His Majesty govern the country and appease the people."
"If we keep weakening the power of the scholar-officials, or even exterminate them, it will only lead to a depletion of talent in the court and a sense of panic among the people, which will not be conducive to the stability of the country."
"The so-called joint governance by the emperor and his ministers is the only way to achieve long-term stability. His Majesty must also think so. Young Master Zhu's analysis is far too extreme."
After saying that, he coughed twice, covering his mouth, his face growing even paler.
His words were all in support of the scholar-official class, and also subtly reminded Zhu Yuanzhang not to go too far. After all, he himself was a core figure in the scholar-official class, and weakening the power of the scholar-officials would ultimately affect his interests.
After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang's face remained expressionless; he simply nodded slightly, then turned his gaze back to Zhu Yao, his tone carrying a hint of expectation: "Yao'er, do you have any different opinions on what Old Liu has said?"