My Father, the Jiajing Emperor

Did you ever serve as a crown prince? Some of this is just random writing and assumptions.

Barrel explosions were a global problem at the time, especially in Europe, where the rate of barrel explosions in cast cannons was very high due to the immature metallurgical industry, which led to serious accidents. In 1574, the Viceroy of the Spanish Netherlands ordered 300 cast iron cannons from the Liège gun foundry.

The ancient so-called "maritime ban" aimed to restrict and eliminate rebellious forces, combat piracy and smuggling, and ensure social stability. The "maritime ban" was only enacted when Japanese pirates (Wokou) appeared. It's not a case of the "maritime ban" preceding the existence of Wokou pirates; don't get the cause and effect backwards!

All matters of the world, no matter how much scheming and calculation, ultimately boil down to the people. No matter the civil or military officials, no matter the heroes and valiant figures, none can withstand the combined power of the people's hearts. Even modern children understand this principle, yet few ancient emperors truly grasped it.

I've read over thirty chapters. The book is good, but so far I feel the protagonist focuses too much on political infighting and scheming. Every court meeting is described with detailed inner monologues of everyone's expressions and thoughts. While this is normal—political struggles are primarily verbal—it makes the plot somewhat drag.

If the male lead wants to give Zhang Juzheng an important position, he shouldn't keep having him do these kinds of frontline tasks. Doing it once is fine, just consider it a testament to the male lead's loyalty or an opportunity to enter the emperor's and important officials' field of vision.

Simply reducing the privileges of the imperial clan had limited effect. With more imperial clan members in the future, they could be organized into a "Zhu Family Army" (those below the fifth degree of kinship faced the least risk; having them pay a blood tax would reduce the population burden).

Long live Chairman Mao!

Tsk tsk, Zhang Juzheng was still young at this time. Even if it were 10 years or 5 years later, his behavior would not be like this. He was not yet the man who was inwardly aloof, outwardly scheming, and acted according to circumstances. His passion was still there.

I hope the author doesn't have a tendency towards personality cult. For example, when it comes to Zhang Juzheng, you need to treat each minister—good or bad—according to the plot development in the novel, but you must be clear about what interest group they represent.