After hearing Fan Jingwen’s explanation, Emperor Chongzhen remained unsatisfied with the proposal Xu Guangqi had once put forth.
If they were to distribute land to the princes of the blood while simultaneously abolishing the stipends for the imperial clan, the connection between the imperial clan and the Emperor would grow increasingly tenuous. Consequently, the Imperial Court’s ability to maintain control over these individuals would continue to erode. If a few of the princes were to unite to stir up trouble, the Great Ming Dynasty would face yet another catastrophe.
There was one more thing to consider. Although he wanted to curtail the power of the princes, he had no intention of reducing them to commoners. The privileges they were due still had to be granted. If he stripped away those privileges, the loyalty of his military officers would falter. The ultimate aspiration of any military officer was to be ennobled; yet, the status of the nobility was nowhere near that of the princes. If he curtailed the princes today, he would be curtailing the nobility tomorrow. Would the military commanders remain loyal then? Clearly, they would not.
Chapter 512