The Ming Dynasty’s Top Designer

Zhu Yuanzhang never considered the interests of the people. Otherwise, why would civil officials be exempt from taxes, why would military generals and those with titles and honors be exempt from taxes, and why would he only collect one-thirtieth of the tax from merchants, whom he despised? His severe punishment of corrupt officials was merely to prevent it from affecting his tax revenue.

Can you, as a designer, take a cold shower?

Zhu Yuanzhang's limited perspective stemmed from his background; many of the systems he established were actually suitable for use during the Hongwu era, but over time they became riddled with flaws. He couldn't view the situation from a later perspective.

Zhu Yuanzhang was the earliest idealist. You all just talk about how he actually did it all. State-provided pensions, free state education, free state healthcare. How many people say that's easy to do? The Ming Dynasty's steel production reached 500,000 tons by the mid-Ming period. The reason for the dynasty's downfall was a lack of autocracy. The inability to control officials meant that Zhu Yuanzhang's power diminished with each generation.

While the paper money was not perfect, it was indeed the mainstay of the early Ming Dynasty's finances. Later, financial problems arose because the paper money was sabotaged.

Zhu Yuanzhang's excessive admiration for scholars left a major loophole. Scholars received one tael of silver per month and enjoyed tax-free privileges. Even students receiving a preliminary education (童生) received a state salary of one tael per year. All these individuals enjoyed tax-free privileges. In short, Zhu Yuanzhang was an emperor who was deceived.

The protagonist, as the architect of the Ming Dynasty, must use forceful tactics to deal with hostile forces surrounding the Ming, and employ strong methods to set aside disputes and promote joint development when facing border conflicts.

As the son of a commoner in the Ming Dynasty, the protagonist must always be concerned about the lives of his people, striving to make them prosperous. He must instill in them the importance of diligent work and teach them that time is money and efficiency is life.

The most sincere line is that the protagonist is the son of the people of the Ming Dynasty. The protagonist's son will become a representative of the hard work and prosperity of the people of the Ming Dynasty.