Wang Xijue glanced at Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, then looked at the old Wangfei, Lee, and said with a smile: "What?
His Majesty is not only the emperor of the world, but also the patriarch of the Zhu family. How can he let Prince Jin do anything? "
"Before I came to Taiyuan, His Majesty personally summoned me."
"His Majesty told me that Prince Jin can make any request. His Majesty is willing to do his best to meet Prince Jin's request.
We are all descendants of Emperor Taizu. His Majesty will definitely do what he can. "
Whether it was Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, or the old Wangfei, Lee, they didn't take these words seriously.
"We are all Daming's subjects, and also His Majesty's subjects. How can we have any request? His Majesty's words are the decree." The old Wangfei, Lee, quickly said with a serious expression.
Although this was some unnecessary nonsense, both sides understood what was going on.
But this must be said. In the future, this will be recorded in the history books. This was the keynote.
The external publicity was also the keynote. The emperor is benevolent, the vassal kings are dutiful, and the monarch and his subjects are harmonious.
There is no room for doubt or mistakes. Wang Xijue listened to the old Wangfei, Lee's words and nodded with satisfaction, then said: "Someone in the imperial court proposed to His Majesty to demote the nobility."
Here it comes!
As soon as they heard this, whether it was the old Wangfei, Lee, or Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, they knew that the show was coming.
This was the key point!
Although he wanted to rectify the imperial family, Zhu Yijun will not kill the vassal kings.
In fact, Zhu Yijun's strategy was to use the distant clan to restrict the princes.
The Tang Dynasty's policy of vassal kings was a reference to some extent. The princes were restricted, but the distant clan could be used.
If the throne of the Great Ming Dynasty was obtained by a Yuanzong, then the Great Ming Dynasty would probably be finished. Just like the resurgence of the Han Dynasty, only when the world was in chaos could the Yuanzong obtain the throne.
If it really came to that point, it didn't matter.
There were many fights in history, but there were very few cases of vassal kings rebelling successfully. Of course, the chaotic period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms did not count.
To restrict the vassal kings, they must also use the vassal kings.
Now that the Honours were rotting away, he needed some people to support him. The Royal Family Yuanzong was a very good choice.
Although most of them were good-for-nothings, there were many of them. If one were to pick a general out of a bunch of fools, there would at least be one or two who could be of use.
If one generation wasn't enough, then two generations would be enough to nurture a few decent ones.
Zhu Yijun was prepared to use the demotion on titles other than those of the Prince Consort.
Right now, Daming still had the hereditary title of Marquis. If all the family members were to be reduced to hereditary nobles, there would be chaos.
First, he had to settle the matter of opening the vassal state. After that, he could slowly sort things out, one step at a time.
The premise was that nothing went wrong. Zhu Yijun was very clear about this.
Once the ban on the vassal states was completed, Zhu Yijun would arrange other systems to restrict the princes.
The vassal kings and their relatives should be restricted, but they could not be completely abolished.
This was an era of etiquette. Although many people did dirty things in private, etiquette was indeed something that everyone in this era had to abide by on the surface.
Zhu Yijun was not only the Emperor of Daming, but also the patriarch of the Zhu family.
If he was too harsh on his relatives, he would really be ridiculed by others. Although Li Shimin killed his brother and imprisoned his father, he was still very good to his other brothers and gave them sufficient treatment.
Because this was not only a family matter, but also a political matter. This was also a matter of etiquette.
For example, in the United States of later generations, the family was always the main tone, and it was politically correct to love and take care of the family.
In Daming, since you were the patriarch, you had to shoulder the responsibility of the family and take care of the descendants of the family. This was also politically correct.
Not to mention the emperor, even if it was an ordinary family, if the eldest branch criticized the other branches, they would be ridiculed by others.
As the Son of Heaven, the ruler of the world, Zhu Yijun should set an example.
In the past, Zhu Yunwen's methods of removing the vassal states were so fierce that he lost a lot of people's support. This had a lot to do with it.
Of course, if the vassal states rebelled or were guilty, it would be another matter.
Lowering the title of nobility could be implemented, but it couldn't be implemented on the vassal states, especially the vassal states left by Emperor Taizu.
They were personally conferred by Emperor Taizu. What do you want to do by lowering their title?
Before Wang Xijue came, he talked with Zhu Yijun in detail. Zhu Yijun couldn't afford to carry this pot, so he, Wang Xijue, couldn't afford to carry it.
"His Majesty means that the title of the Prince will not be demoted, but those below the Prince will be demoted." Wang Xijue looked at Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun and said in a deep voice: "What does Prince Jin think?"
The title of the Prince will not be demoted. To put it bluntly, it was to tell these vassal states that they don't have to worry, their titles will not be demoted.
But their branches will be demoted. Except for one son who will inherit the title of Prince, the other sons will be conferred the title of Prince, and the grandson will be conferred the title of Zhenguo General.
After six generations, they will be no different from ordinary people.
Now, the Daming Imperial Clan used the demoted title. Although they were all demoted, it was very different.
If Zhu Minchun had three sons, the eldest son will inherit the title of Prince Jin.
Then the remaining two sons will be conferred the title of Prince Jin. The titles of the two princes will exist.
In the grandson's generation, in addition to inheriting the titles of the two princes, they will also be conferred the title of Zhenguo General.
In each generation, the sons of Prince Jin will be conferred the title of Prince Jin. Basically, the number of princes born will increase the title of Prince Jin.
After the princes were conferred the title of Zhenguo General, every prince's mansion will be conferred the title of Prince Jin.
If the title of Zhenguo General is changed, although Zhu Minchun's sons will still be conferred the title of Prince Jin, the grandson will not inherit the title of Prince Jin, but the title of Zhenguo General. After six generations, this title will disappear.
Although it will be produced every year, it will also disappear every year, so that the number of princes in the Daming Imperial Clan can be maintained at a constant value.
Maybe in these years, the number of princes will increase, or the number of princes will decrease, but it will always maintain a constant amount.
Once the demotion of nobility was introduced, the First Lieutenant of the Feng Kingdom, who was currently at the lowest level of nobility, would immediately have a large number of people who would inherit the title as commoners.
The Daming Imperial Clan has been established for more than a hundred years, so it has accumulated countless Zhenguo General.
Just Prince Jin alone, there are dozens of princes and a lot of Zhenguo General. If they don't clean up now, the population of the imperial clan will explode soon.
Of course, Zhu Yijun gave the title of Prince Jin, but he also had the idea of using them to suppress the other members of the imperial clan.
For example, Prince Jin must have a leader. If Prince Jin was demoted, what will Zhu Minchun use to deter other people?
At that time, you will have this idea, and I will have this idea. Who knows, there will be trouble.
Keeping the title of Prince Jin can deter these people and suppress them. This is very important.
Hearing Wang Xijue said demoting the title of Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, and Old Wangfei Lee's heart tightened. When they heard that the title of Prince Jin is not within the scope of demoting the title of Prince Jin, they breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, they also heard the meaning of these words. He wants Prince Jin's Mansion to support demoting the title of Prince Jin and help suppress other members of the imperial clan.
For example, those princes' mansions, the Zhenguo General's Mansion, and so on.
This decision is not easy to make!
On the one hand, it is his own interests. On the other hand, it is the interests of all the members of the imperial clan, or the interests of Prince Jin's family.
At the same time, because he is the first, it will be a start for other princes.
Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, and Old Wangfei Lee both complained in their hearts. They thought that the conditions are good, but now it seems that it is really a big trap.
It must be known that Zhu Minchun is still young. Many of those princes are his uncles. If Zhu Minchun really agrees, it is estimated that those people will dare to point at Zhu Minchun's nose and scold him.
To say that there is no sinister intention of that person in the palace, Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun will not believe it.
Wang Xijue was not in a hurry. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. In fact, things have come to this point. It is not a matter of whether Prince Jin's Mansion agrees or not, but Prince Jin's Mansion must agree.
The first knife to open the ban is in Prince Jin's Mansion. If this knife can't be cut, what will they do in the future?
The atmosphere here fell into silence. In another room of Prince Jin's Mansion, Zhang Chao looked at the two eunuchs in front of him and faintly said: "I have clearly explained the meaning of the palace."
"Godfather has something to say. This time, if you do it well, I will give you a chance."
These two eunuchs are the two steward eunuchs of Prince Jin's Mansion. One is the Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Yang Qi, and the other is the Chief of Foreign Affairs, Miao Cheng. Both of them are not young, in their fifties.
Although they are not young, in the face of Zhang Chao, the two still dare not act rashly.
Zhang Chao sat, they stood, Zhang Chao spoke, they listened.
"You have been working in Prince Jin's Mansion all these years. How much you have taken, godfather will help you cover it up. He will not pursue this matter, but the premise is that things are done beautifully." Zhang Chao continued: "When the matter is over, the palace can allow you to return to your hometown to retire."
For old eunuchs, returning to their hometown to retire is a very good treatment.
Unless they are big eunuchs like Zhang Jing and Xu De, otherwise, to be able to return to their hometown to retire and adopt a son from their relatives to inherit the incense and enjoy the rest of their life is something that can only be encountered by chance.
Especially eunuchs like Yang Qi and Miao Cheng, who have taken a lot of benefits and safely returned to their hometown, it can be regarded as a good end.
Yang Qi and Miao Cheng also understand that the capital is not Taiyuan. Once the vassal king enters the capital, the capital will definitely have to rearrange personnel. They, the old people, will not be trusted by the capital.
"Replying to Eunuch Chang, we know what to do!" The two quickly bowed and said.
Things have come to this point, if they don't know when to retreat, then they will refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. The forfeit wine of Dongchang is not delicious.
In addition, Zhang Chao said that this is the intention of the palace, so they have to think about it. Whose intention is in the palace?
No matter whose intention it is, the two of them dare not to court death. Obedience is the best choice.
Zhang Chao nodded his head, then said with a smile: "Sort out the property of the Prince's Mansion as soon as possible, we will need it when the time comes."
Of course, sorting out a copy is not for corruption, they don't dare to take this silver.
Although the vassal king is not favored by the Imperial Majesty, he is definitely not someone that they, the eunuchs, can afford to provoke.
Especially in such a big matter as opening the vassal king, if they embezzle the property of the vassal king, they really don't know how they will die.
Zhang Chao's side did not have the slightest ripple, and the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Zong Shen's side did not spend too much effort to talk.
These subordinates of the Prince's Mansion are not stupid, they should let go of some things in the Northeast.
After getting Zong Shen's assurance, they also obediently accepted.
In the evening, the three of them returned to discuss again. Wang Xijue told them about Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun's attitude.
Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun said that this matter is of great importance and needs to be carefully considered.
Wang Xijue is not worried about the result of Prince Jin's consideration. He knows that Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun has no choice.
In the backyard of the Prince's Mansion, Prince Jin, Zhu Minchun, drank the wine in his glass with a wry smile, looked at his mother, Lady Lee, and said: "Mother, what should we do?
Do we agree or not? "
At this time, Zhu Minchun has no other people to discuss these things.
At this time, the subordinates in the Prince's Mansion, or the eunuchs and attendants, can't be trusted.
In fact, Zhu Minchun was still angry in his heart. Is this really the only way?
Old Wangfei, Lady Lee, looked at her son and said: "If we don't agree, what do you want?"
"Let's see who is coming this time. The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the Cabinet Grand Secretary, and the Minister of Rites. Although it is only a eunuch, he is the godson of Zhang Jing, the Minister of Dongchang."
"All these show that the Emperor is determined to deal with us."
"At this time, if we learn to be obedient, we can get a lot of benefits. If not, I am afraid that we will be beaten."
Speaking of this, old Wangfei, Lady Lee, sighed and said: "Tomorrow, tell Wang Xijue that our Prince Jin's Mansion has agreed."
Zhu Minchun nodded. At this time, he has no good choice. What can you do?
The conditions offered by the person in the palace are good. We have property, status, and the title of Prince will not be demoted. If we don't know what's good for us, it will be a good thing.
What good will it do if I mess up the opening of the Vassal States?
Nothing at all!
As for my children and grandchildren, anyway, I will hold the title of Prince. The rest is up to them!
After Zhu Minchun thought it through, he was not so depressed. He bowed to old Wangfei, Lady Lee, and said: "Mother, rest early. I will leave now."
Lady Lee nodded and said in a deep voice: "Okay, rest early!"
The next day, Wang Xijue received the news that Prince Jin's Mansion had agreed. This made Wang Xijue heave a sigh of relief. After completing this matter, the first step was steady.
The next step is the most difficult one, and that is to deal with those Princes.
Compared to the Prince, they are the most difficult group of people to deal with. There is only one Prince, but there are a lot of Princes.
However, Wang Xijue also knew that as long as these Princes are dealt with, there will be no more obstacles.
Once the Princes are dealt with, then the others will not be a problem. However, it is precisely these people that are the most difficult to deal with.
Different from Princes, although they have been demoted, the title of Prince is still in the direct line of descent.
However, it was different for the Dukes. Their next generation would no longer have the title of Dukes. They would only have the title of State General. This was not something that was easy to accept.