diymy Chapter 47 Hu Weiyong: Zhu Yao, you've really ruined me!
Chapter 47 Hu Weiyong: Zhu Yao, you've really ruined me!
Zhu Yao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed inwardly:
Father, you have no idea how big a storm the Hu Weiyong case will stir up in the future. Hu Weiyong formed cliques and plotted a rebellion, and was eventually executed by order of Zhu De. This major case has far-reaching implications.
Those officials who were involved with Hu Weiyong, from princes and ministers to local clerks, were all punished. At best, they were dismissed from their posts and exiled; at worst, their entire families were executed. In total, tens of thousands of people died. Blood flowed like a river throughout the court, and the Huaixi Party was completely wiped out as a result.
Old Zhu may seem wise and benevolent, but in the face of imperial power, there is never any word "benevolence". Once someone threatens his imperial power, even if they are a founding hero or a long-time confidant, he will never show mercy. Hu Weiyong's fate was already sealed from the moment his ambition swelled.
He couldn't say these things, nor could he say them, since they were all things that would happen in the future.
Saying it will only cause more trouble and I'll be seen as crazy. It's better to let things take their natural course and let everything develop according to its original trajectory.
Hu Weiyong sat to the side, looking at Zhu Yao's complicated expression. He was still a little uneasy, feeling that Zhu Yao's words were not unfounded. But seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's firm expression, he forced down his doubts and comforted himself, thinking that as long as he remained loyal, His Majesty would not treat him badly.
Zhu Yao put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over Zhu Yuanzhang, Hu Weiyong, and the two tigers standing by. Suddenly remembering something, he smiled and asked, "Father, Manager Gu, and everyone else, you've all come a long way, you must not have eaten yet?"
As soon as he finished speaking, several stomach rumbles rang out in succession. Zhu Yuanzhang's stomach was the first to rumble, followed by Hu Weiyong, Erhu, and the accompanying guards, whose stomachs also began to rumble uncontrollably, making the scene somewhat amusing.
Zhu Yao couldn't help but laugh out loud. He waved his hand and ordered Chen Zhong, who was standing next to him, "Chen Zhong, hurry up and go to the kitchen. Bring up the hot pot we prepared, along with all sorts of meat and vegetable dishes, so everyone can have a good meal!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up, and his face instantly lit up with joy. He patted Zhu Yao on the shoulder and said affectionately, "Yao'er really understands us! He knew we loved this kind of food. He's much more considerate than those officials who only send us delicacies!"
As he spoke, he expertly rattled off the names of the dishes: "Prepare plenty of lamb rolls, tripe, and fatty beef, plus a whole bunch of duck blood and frozen tofu. The soup base should be spicy, the spicier the better!"
Hu Weiyong, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded, his face filled with disbelief.
His Majesty not only spoke casually, but also seemed so familiar with this kind of street-style hot pot, ordering dishes as if he ate it often, which was completely different from the image of the aloof emperor he had in mind.
Before long, Chen Zhong arrived with his servants, carrying a large copper pot and a table full of meat and vegetable dishes. The copper pot was placed on a stand, charcoal was lit, and the spicy broth bubbled and steamed, its aroma instantly filling the entire courtyard.
Hu Weiyong was completely dumbfounded when he saw the steaming, fragrant hot pot in front of him. As the prime minister of the court, he usually ate delicacies and exquisite dishes. He had never eaten such a down-to-earth, everyday dish before and did not know where to start.
But he was so hungry that he couldn't resist. Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yao and Liu Bowen had already picked up their chopsticks and were eating heartily, Hu Weiyong couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks and carefully put a slice of mutton roll into the pot.
After the mutton rolls were cooked, they were coated with a layer of sesame sauce. The tender and spicy flavor instantly dispelled all hunger. Hu Weiyong's eyes lit up, and he was instantly conquered by the unique taste. He was no longer reserved and started to eat heartily, with a satisfied look gradually appearing on his face.
While chewing on tripe, Zhu Yuanzhang asked indistinctly, "Yao'er, I still don't understand. Can you explain it to me again? Why did the emperor insist on killing Hu Weiyong?"
"While he may be somewhat ambitious, he is also undeniably capable, managing the court with remarkable efficiency. Is it truly necessary to kill him?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao put down his chopsticks, the smile on his face gradually fading. He sighed softly and said in a heavy tone, "Father, you don't understand. The real reason Hu Weiyong was killed was never because of the great crimes he committed, nor because of his ambition."
"There's only one core reason... He's the prime minister."
"This is not his personal fault, but the inevitable result of the struggle between imperial power and the power of the prime minister. From the moment he took the position of prime minister, he was destined to die."
He paused, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang who was puzzled, and said in a simple analogy: "Father, you are the boss of the Chamber of Commerce, and Manager Gu is the head manager under you, helping you manage the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce."
"As the boss, you want to firmly control the entire chamber of commerce, and all the power should be in your hands. However, Manager Gu is too capable and holds great power in the chamber of commerce. Gradually, he has begun to act arbitrarily, making many decisions without consulting you or even keeping them from you. Over time, don't you feel that he is threatening your position?"
"Would they want to get rid of him and take back all power?"
"That's the kind of relationship between Zhu De and Hu Weiyong."
"Old Zhu is the master of the land and wants to firmly control imperial power, but the prime minister holds great power in the court, which has taken away his power and even has the potential to check and balance imperial power. How could Old Zhu tolerate the existence of such a person?"
Hu Weiyong, who was eating hotpot, was struck dumb by Zhu Yao's words. He froze instantly, unable to swallow the hotpot soup. He choked and coughed violently, his face turning red and tears welling up in his eyes. He kept coughing.
He then knelt down before Zhu Yuanzhang with a thud, "My lord, I absolutely had no intention of vying for your power!"
"Cough cough cough..."
"Manager Gu, I was just using an analogy, why are you taking it so seriously!"
Seeing this, Zhu Yao quickly shouted to the servants, "Quick! Manager Gu choked on his hotpot! Get him some water!"
The servants quickly brought tea and handed it to Hu Weiyong. Hu Weiyong took the tea and gulped down several mouthfuls before gradually recovering. His face was still pale, and his whole body was trembling slightly. His eyes were full of fear and disbelief as he looked at Zhu Yao.
Silence fell over the courtyard. Zhu Yuanzhang put down his chopsticks, his smile vanished, and his expression turned solemn. A storm raged in his heart. He was astonished that Zhu Yao could see through his deepest thoughts.
What he feared was never Hu Weiyong's ambition, but the threat that the power of the prime minister posed to the imperial power.
Liu Bowen also put down his chopsticks, his hand holding the teacup paused slightly, his eyes filled with shock. He thought he had seen through the world and understood people's hearts, but he never expected that Zhu Yao, at such a young age, would have such insight, able to see through the essence of the struggle between imperial power and ministerial power at a glance. He admired his own insight and foresight.
Hu Weiyong sipped his tea, his heart still pounding. Zhu Yao's analogy was blunt and cruel, making him fully understand that his fate had been sealed from the very beginning. No matter how loyal or cautious he was, as long as the position of prime minister remained, he would always be a threat in the emperor's eyes.
The charcoal fire still burned, and the copper pot still bubbled, but the atmosphere in the courtyard was no longer as pleasant as before. Instead, an invisible oppression shrouded everyone's heart.
Hu Weiyong was on the verge of tears: Zhu Yao, you've ruined me!