diymy Chapter 7 No way! You're really something, kid!
Chapter 7 No way! You're really something, kid!
Zhu Yao: "Actually, there are better ways to handle this."
"Your Majesty can issue an order to prohibit blank printing of documents and require officials to fill them out truthfully. Anyone found to have committed fraud will be severely punished."
"As for those officials who are merely seeking convenience and have done nothing wrong, they should be dealt with leniently, with just a warning. This way, we can both severely punish corrupt officials and retain good ones—isn't that a win-win situation?"
After saying that, Zhu Yao waved his hand and said in a relaxed tone, "Father, I was just saying it casually in front of you, don't take it seriously."
"My son and I are just ordinary businessmen. The affairs of the imperial court are too dangerous; it's best if we stay away from them."
"Once you get involved, at best you'll be bankrupt, at worst your family will be destroyed and you'll die. It's truly tragic."
"This is why I have always done business honestly all these years, never currying favor with officials, and never getting involved in any politics. I just want to live a peaceful life and protect this family business."
Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Yao'er, let me ask you again, what is your opinion of the current Emperor?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao pondered for a moment, then his expression turned serious.
"Father, in my opinion, His Majesty the present can be considered a wise and benevolent ruler throughout the ages."
"He started with a bowl, rose from humble beginnings, endured wars, overthrew the tyrannical Yuan dynasty, established the Ming dynasty, and freed the people of the world from the days of displacement and hunger, allowing them to live and work in peace. This achievement is worthy of being recorded in history."
"Moreover, after becoming emperor, he was diligent in governing and loved the people. He hated evil and severely punished corrupt officials. He was determined to rectify the court and ensure the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty. Heaven and earth can bear witness to his intentions."
Zhu Yuanzhang's lips curled up in a smile!
Upon hearing Zhu Yao's words, Liu Bowen, who was standing to the side, breathed a long sigh of relief.
He secretly sighed to himself: At least it's not some kind of rabid or inappropriate statement.
next second.
Zhu Yao continued, "However... he is too rigid in his temperament, his methods are too harsh, and he is prone to acting impulsively."
"Just like the matter of the empty seal mentioned earlier, if it is not handled properly, it is inevitable that innocent people will be wrongly killed, which will chill the hearts of officials throughout the country."
Zhu Yuanzhang's smile vanished, and he said awkwardly, "What you said is... quite fair..."
Liu Bowen was embarrassed: I knew I had praised him too early!
Zhu Yuanzhang patiently pressed on, "Yao'er, then tell me, what other comprehensive suggestions do you have regarding the empty seal matter?"
"Can it severely punish corrupt officials, avoid wrongly executing good officials, and still maintain stability in the court?"
"Is there really such a method?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen's heart, which had just settled, jumped again. His brows furrowed tightly, and he instinctively wanted to remind Zhu Yao to be careful with his words and not to say anything outrageous.
But just as he was about to open his mouth, he met a fierce, cold glare from Zhu Yuanzhang.
His gaze was cold and authoritative, carrying an undeniable warning, as if to say: If you say another word, don't blame us for being ruthless!
Liu Bowen froze, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to breathe.
All he could do was pray silently that Zhu Yao would be careful with his words and actions and not cause any more trouble.
Zhu Yao, oblivious to the undercurrent between the two, pondered for a moment before speaking slowly and clearly, each word revealing deep consideration:
"Father, I believe that the key to dealing with the matter of the blank seal lies in 'distinguishing' and 'regulating'."
"First, send people to thoroughly investigate the blank-stamped documents of all prefectures and cities across the country, to clearly distinguish which officials are intentionally embezzling and enriching themselves, and which officials are just seeking convenience and have not committed any corrupt acts. The two should be strictly separated and never confused."
"Those corrupt officials who intentionally commit fraud and whose crimes are proven beyond redemption shall be severely punished without exception, their homes confiscated, and they shall be executed, as a warning to others."
"Let all officials in the land know the consequences of deceiving the emperor and engaging in corruption. This will not only quell public resentment but also demonstrate Your Majesty's authority."
"For those officials who have no intention of corruption but only use blank seals for convenience, they should not be sentenced to death. They can be dealt with leniently, such as being demoted, having their salary reduced, or being ordered to perform meritorious service to atone for their crimes, as a warning that they should not commit the same offense again in the future."
"This way, we can both preserve capable talents and allow officials throughout the land to feel Your Majesty's benevolence."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, but he did not interrupt, signaling him to continue.
Encouraged, Zhu Yao's thoughts became clearer, and he continued:
"Secondly, we need to address the problem through systemic reforms, rather than relying solely on killing as a deterrent."
The reason why blank printing has become an "unspoken rule" lies in the poor transportation and lack of information.
"Local officials had to travel back and forth to the capital for several months to verify a single figure, incurring enormous costs, which forced them to resort to using blank stamps for convenience."
"I believe that a 'final review and confirmation' mechanism can be established in the Ministry of Revenue."
"When discrepancies are found in the accounts, there is no need for local officials to travel thousands of miles back to the capital. Instead, an official document is issued directly through the post station, informing the local authorities of the discrepancies and instructing them to correct the errors, affix their seal, and send the document back."
"In this way, the abuse of blank documents is prevented, and the trouble of officials traveling back and forth is saved. There is no need to kill anyone."
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up slightly, and he involuntarily leaned forward.
Zhu Yao spoke more and more fluently: "Furthermore, the requirement for 'perfect accuracy' in account reconciliation seems rigorous, but it's actually too rigid. Losses during long-distance transportation and fluctuations in prices along the way are objective factors that can easily cause minor errors. It's not official corruption at all; it's just that the accounts don't match up."
"My suggestion is to implement a reasonable range of error fluctuations—for example, set a rule that if the difference is within three to five percent, as long as it is found to be caused by transportation loss or price fluctuations, there is no need to pursue it further."
"Or allow local governments to reserve a certain amount of blank space for the following year based on the previous year's data. This kind of institutionalized 'flexibility' is far more in line with the principles of management than a one-size-fits-all 'zero error' approach."
Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back, seemingly lost in thought.
Zhu Yao paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, blank documents do pose a risk of being abused, but they are not insurmountable."
"It is entirely possible to stipulate that blank printed documents must be registered with a number, indicate their purpose, and be returned for verification after use, and then censors should be dispatched to conduct random checks from time to time."
"In this way, process supervision retains convenience while locking away the space for wrongdoing, which is far more constructive than killing people indiscriminately."
Finally, the imperial court issued a public notice to the people and officials, explaining the ins and outs of the matter and demonstrating His Majesty's intention to severely punish corrupt officials, show compassion for good officials, and serve the people wholeheartedly.
"This will not only quell the discussions in the court and among the people, but also win the love of the people and the respect of the officials, further enhancing Your Majesty's prestige and making the whole world believe in Your Majesty."
After Zhu Yao finished speaking, he waved his hand gently and said humbly, "Father, this is just my humble opinion, which may not be comprehensive and is only for reference."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned after hearing this.
He stared intently at Zhu Yao, his expression complex and indescribable.
There was shock, ecstasy, relief, and an almost greedy appreciation, like a traveler who had been searching for treasure for years finally discovering a peerless jade at the end of the road.
Liu Bowen was also stunned. No way! You're really good at this!