"Drive straight into the lands of You and Yan, and reopen the heavens of Great Song."
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head, then turned to Master Kongjiong and said:
"Though this descendant of yours claims falsely, his ambition far surpasses yours.
"He rises swiftly and falls swiftly, much like you. Yet he can still be called bold."
These words left Zhao Guangyi unsure how to react. In the end he could only mutter a dull rebuttal:
"If your servant-brother had been born into such chaotic times, my ambition might not have been inferior to that trickster who plays at ghosts and gods."
"That is true." Zhao Kuangyin nodded, surprising Zhao Guangyi for a moment. But then his elder brother continued:
"Your defeat would certainly have come even sooner than that of the Han clan."
With that brief judgment, Zhao Kuangyin lifted his chin and did not look at his brother's expression. After a moment's thought, he added:
"In military strategy you are clumsy. Rather than brood over this, better to develop your strengths.
"In later generations these religions are called heretical sects. Even when future ages possess uncanny powers, their people still cannot escape religion's influence. Most likely those courts had methods to manage religion.
"These matters of spirits and ghosts do not perish with chaotic times, but may flourish in prosperous ones. There should be regulations prepared in advance."
The words were not flattering, but to Zhao Guangyi they were already mild. And the intention that he devote himself to the Buddhist path grew clearer. At least he saw hope for improving his current situation.
On the other side, Qian Chu asked curiously:
"Then this 'Ming' of Great Ming… could it possibly be the 'Ming' of the Mingzun religion?"
This immediately drew ridicule from Li Yu:
"Qian Wende, what wild fancy is this? If the Hongwu Emperor claimed to restore China, how could he use the name of a heterodox sect as his dynastic title? Absurd.
"The title 'Great Ming' must surely imitate the use of a prefecture name as a dynastic name."
Qian Chu flushed slightly. Even he felt the guess unreliable. Being mocked like this, however, stirred his blood.
"There are later claims that Hongwu rose from south to north. My family has long resided in Wuyue. We know Mingzhou well as a port facing overseas lands.
"If Great Ming took its name from Mingzhou, then it should have unified the realm with naval power. Why then would it later suffer from pirate troubles?"
Li Yu fell silent for a moment, but still insisted:
"Even so, it certainly was not named after the Mingzun sect."
Qian Chu sneered. "Nor was it named after Mingzhou."
Watching two elders quarrel sharply, Zhao Dezhao could not follow. Zhao Kuangyin, however, understood their old grievances and simply instructed his son:
"Pay them no mind. Study carefully the lessons of Yuan's fall.
"Never repeat its old path."
Such teaching was not new, but never before like this. Zhao Dezhao could not help wondering: the fall of Yuan lay centuries in the future. Could it truly be called an old path?
…
"Sesame Li, Peng Da, Wang Quan, Meng Haima…"
This time Zhu Yuanzhang truly felt nostalgic.
To him, these names had once thundered like lightning. Among the rebel armies they were spoken everywhere.
In official Yuan history they were labeled bandits. Later generations called them righteous armies. Even Chen Shuozhen, hidden in a corner of Tang records, was called an uprising leader.
An indescribable emotion brewed within Zhu Yuanzhang. Suddenly he said:
"Sesame Li… I recall he distributed a granary of sesame to relieve famine victims. The people remembered his kindness, so he gained that nickname.
"His given name was Li Er. Pity he lacked the character Feng."
He shook his head and chuckled softly, leaving Zhu Biao and his brothers confused.
Empress Ma understood clearly. Not long ago, later generations had discussed together the founding rulers of Ming, Yuan, and Tang, noting how Kublai admired Li Shimin.
But had not her husband long admired and yearned toward Tang Taizong as well, taking him as a model?
In the past, he had only looked up to Li Erfeng. Now, knowing how later ages judged him, his competitive nature was surely stirred.
She squeezed his hand gently.
"Unifying the realm differs in birth and circumstance, and in methods of war. How can they be compared?
"Since you have both gained the favor of the light curtain, better to use it to discuss governance."
"True." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.
"We should ask how many years of life Tang Taizong has left. If he is already near the twentieth year of Zhenguan, comparison would seem unfair.
"Not only that. We must guard Biao'er from misfortune, strengthen his body, and let him properly inherit Great Ming's realm.
"The Crown Prince of Ming will surely surpass Tang Gaozong!"
…
"A woman leading an uprising and proclaiming herself emperor?"
Li Chengqian heard his father repeat the line. There was unmistakable displeasure in his tone.
Li Shimin then turned and instructed heavily:
"When you travel the realm, never belittle women.
"Later Song and Yuan restricted women greatly and suffered criticism. Many praised our Tang for its relative tolerance. You must remember this.
"Though it may bring the danger of disorder…"
At that moment several women's names from later Tang history flashed through his mind. His lips twitched, yet he continued:
"But if one exaggerates women's harms, what will sons and daughters think? Such conduct is worse than curing choking by refusing to eat."
Li Chengqian did not grasp the complexity of his father's feelings, yet replied carefully:
"Father, if we are to treat women with greater tolerance, I believe it should begin with granting them proper names."
Li Shimin paused, glanced at Empress Zhangsun, and smiled with genuine delight.
"Well said.
"Write your thoughts into a memorial and present it to me."
Li Chengqian bowed and accepted the order.
[Lightscreen]
["You once said the realm was peaceful and without incident. Now the Red Turbans occupy half the empire. Chancellor, what strategy do you propose?"
Those were the words the Yuan Emperor Shun hurled at Toqto'a, pointing at his nose.
To Toqto'a it must have felt bitter. The Confucian classics had not prepared him for this.
Yet rebellion had to be suppressed. Within a year he dispatched three commanders against the Red Turbans. As the peasant uprising grew ever stronger, Toqto'a personally led heavy troops.
In 1352, he captured Xuzhou in the first major battle. Sesame Li died. Thereafter the two sides entered stalemate.
Though the rebel forces had momentum, they were divided, each refusing to submit to the others.
As for Toqto'a, he once again employed a classic tactic of Chinese dynastic warfare: establishing military farms in Hebei.
The paper currency reforms had not improved the economy. They had worsened it. War required grain and money.
At this stage the Yuan dynasty possessed every sign of impending collapse. With Toqto'a campaigning outside, he could not manage the court. Emperor Shun, idle within, favored sycophants and immersed himself in an esoteric practice called "Great Bliss," presented by a minister named Hama.
The name alone explains enough.
Thus while Toqto'a rode across Hebei marshaling troops, he saw Emperor Shun indulging himself in the capital. He came to resent Hama deeply.
It was not that the emperor lacked wisdom. It was that treacherous men stood at his side.]