Interview with Emperor Hongwu

Reporter – Good afternoon Emperor Hongwu. Thank you for coming out. I just have a few questions for you.
Hongwu – Sure, let’s get started.

Reporter – Emperor Hongwu, what are some of the challenges you faced when establishing the Ming Dynasty and did they have anything to do with your coming from peasant background?
Hongwu – Actually, compared to the other dynasties, establishing the Ming was fairly easy. At the time, China was under the rule of the Mongols. We were mortified that a group of foreign nomads could take over a country we had under control for so many years. Although it was terrible to be taken over, the embarrassing event brought us together. We were all, for the most part, peasants at the time and that made it much easier for a peasant to take over the ruling power. It had also been a fairly stormy year with many floods and landslides. These natural events were occurring readily so when I claimed that the heavens were upset and withdrawing the mandate, it was easily accepted. The creation of a one eyed stature also helped me to win over the country. I had my people build a one eyed statue inscribed with a warning that a revolution was coming and no one would be allowed to oppose it. This was taken hand in hand with the natural disasters and it was decided that the Mongols had to hand over their reign to me.

Reporter – I see. Well, even though you have your dynasty settled I’m sure you still deal with a fair share of opposition. How do you deal with it when it arises?
Hongwu – Hmmm, that’s an interesting question. In all honesty I try to avoid opposition at all costs by doing what’s best for my people but as you know, it’s impossible to keep everyone happy. If somebody breaks one of my laws I deal with it swiftly and calmly but not always discreetly. I need to show my people that if you disobey you will be punished. One man’s punishment can kill two birds with one stone, doubling as a reminder to all that rules must be followed. I don’t really allow people to argue with me, if they don’t like something I am doing they can do one of the following; deal with it because it’s the law, or put their foot down and pay for it. If you allow room for debate, lines get blurred and the truth can be misunderstood or manipulated. Yes, I am strict but that can be very useful when it comes to opposition.

Reporter – But the main religion of the Ming Dynasty if Neo-Confucianism. Don’t you think that your harsh ways contradict with the philosophy your country follows?
Hongwu – I am a strict ruler but I also believe in being brought up with good morals, respect for your elders and country and so forth but if a person can’t seem to manage these teachings they will have to learn another way.

Reporter – So then you don’t believe it is wrong to encourage people to follow their conscience and then bombard them with beheadings???
Hongwu –I come from peasant backgrounds and I have a deep understanding for the farmers and other lower class members. I am also a Confucian/Neo-Confucian scholar. I firmly believe in the principles that I studied but there are times when I feel some are deceiving me. I don’t want to lose the nation again and I will take drastic measures if they are necessary.

Reporter – I’ll accept that. How do you plan on protecting your country from the Mongols and other invaders wanting to take over?
Hongwu – After living through the Yuan dynasty and knowing what it’s like to have your own country run by outsiders I will be keeping a close eye on the military. In the past, Confucian scholars and the general public viewed the military as a very inferior class but the Mongols are a very real threat. They took over once, who says they won’t try to take over again. I plan on stressing the necessity of the military and hopefully raise the public view of the military while making it’s it soldiers and weapons stronger.

Reporter – That’s reassuring to hear. Aside from the military, how else do you plan to reform the new China?
Hongwu – Well, civil service exams were set up as a system for testing the ability of aspiring officials in the past but during the Mongol reign the system was ruined. I want to set up a very organized country. I plan on reforming the civil service exams and basing them on the teachings of Confucius and the Neo-confucian beliefs. Coming from peasant backgrounds I want to make the system as fair as possible. The amount of money or land to your name doesn’t decide your intelligence or competence as an official. My exams will be well planned out and impartial. No wealthy, upper class men are getting any preferential treatment and neither are members of the imperial family.

Reporter – Sounds great. Thank you for your time!
Hongwu – It was my pleasure.