The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

Chapter 451 Zhu Yuanzhang who is best at pulling wool

On Zhu Gaochi's side, after receiving the elder brother's order, he immediately returned to Yan Wang's mansion and told his mother and concubine the matter.

After Xu Yihua finished listening, she said with a smile: "It seems that Your Highness, Grandson, really trusts you so much that even such a big event is entrusted to you."

Zhu Gaochi replied: "But mother, how can I do such a big thing well."

"The matter that the elder brother explained is too important. Besides, it involves a lot. I am not sure at all. I am afraid that it will fail the expectations of the elder brother in the end."

Xu Yihua said: "Chi'er is confused, when it comes to big things, when it's one person's strength, you should ask for a lot of support."

When Zhu Gaochi heard the words, he bowed quickly and said, "I also ask mother to teach me."

Xu Yihua nodded and began to talk.

The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang. The most powerful family is naturally the old Zhu family. However, in the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there were twelve other families that were also top families. The Ministry of Punishment, the highest judiciary, has no right to arrest people, and only the emperor can decide their fate.

After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he summed up historical experience and lessons, and produced a "Emperor Ming Zu Xun", which was followed by future generations.In this book, Zhu Yuanzhang clearly stated:

"If there is a crime committed by the emperor's relatives, the successor will decide on his own. Except for treason and unforgiveness, the rest of the crimes, if they are minor, will be held with the relatives in Beijing, and if they are serious, they will be met with the kings outside and the relatives in Beijing. All are taken from the superior. The family of the offender is only allowed to play the court, and is not allowed to ask questions without authorization."

That is to say, if these royal relatives committed crimes, the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, and the Procuratorate could only report to them, and could not arrest them for interrogation.

Regarding personnel, Zhu Yuanzhang also made clear regulations in "Emperor Ming Zu Xun".

One is the in-laws of the old Zhu family.

It mainly includes the queen's family, the imperial concubine's family, the Donggong concubine's family, the princess's family, the county princess's family, the son-in-law's family, and the Yibin family.

Zhu Yuanzhang's descendants are all people with status. Some became emperors, some became princes, some became princes, and some were named county kings. The emperor's daughter was named princess, and the prince's daughter was named princess. Princess.

All families that are married to the above-mentioned people are all relatives of the emperor, so they can enjoy privileges.

In addition, these people also enjoy generous salaries.According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty;
"Prince ten thousand stones, county king two thousand stones", "princess and concubine two thousand stones, county king and Yibin eight hundred stones".
Including after the mid-Ming Dynasty, the queen's family, the imperial concubine's family, the Donggong concubine's family, the princess's family, and the county princess's family will all be awarded certain official positions and titles.

For example, the two younger brothers-in-law of Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty both received titles, Zhang Heling was named Duke of Chang, and Zhang Yanling was named Marquis of Jianchang.

In addition to generous salaries, these relatives of the emperor will also be rewarded with a large number of farms and land, "there are hundreds of thousands of hectares, occupying fat, and spanning counties."

For example, the family of Empress Wang of Emperor Jingtai occupied 2 hectares of land, the family of Empress Zhang of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming Dynasty also occupied more than 2 hectares of land, and the family of Empress Xia of Emperor Wuzong of Ming Dynasty also had more than [-] hectares of land.

The second is Zhu Yuanzhang's in-laws and old friends.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang slaughtered heroes, he still took good care of some people, such as Wei Guogong, Cao Guogong, Xinguogong, Xipinghou's family, and Wudinghou's family.

Wei Guogong refers to Xu Da, Cao Guogong refers to Li Wenzhong, Xin Guogong refers to Tang He, Xipinghou refers to Mu Ying, and Wudinghou refers to Guo Ying. They are all the founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty and have a special relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang Relationship.

Xu Da and Tang He were old friends of Zhu Yuanzhang, and later they became relatives by marriage.

Li Wenzhong is Zhu Yuanzhang's nephew, Mu Ying is Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son, and Guo Ying's sister is Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite concubine.

These people were originally the heroes of the founding of the country, enjoying hereditary titles, and their families have always enjoyed wealth.

Zhu Gaochi naturally knew these people, but through Xu Yihua's narration, he had a clearer understanding.

Because behind these people, there are more than just individuals.

As the saying goes, one person attains the Tao, and chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Behind them, there is also a huge clan power. These clans, relying on nepotism, have unique advantages whether they are working as officials or doing other jobs.

Those who are close, even the local magistrates and magistrates, have to be courteous.

In terms of doing business, it can be said that the wind is smooth and there are no obstacles. It can be said that more people will rely on their own power to obtain huge profits.

After Zhu Gaochi heard it, he frowned and asked, "I'm familiar with the families my mother mentioned, but what about the Jiangnan side?"

"Brother's meaning is to integrate the many families in the south of the Yangtze River and form a force to do things for my Ming Dynasty."

"But my son lives in Beiping, so he doesn't know anything about Jiangnan."

Zhu Gaochi is also very clear that as far as the current Ming Dynasty is concerned, Youdao is the taxation of the south of the Yangtze River. It can be said that when it comes to doing business, it is absolutely inseparable from Jiangnan.

The degree of affluence in the Jiangnan region is comparable only to the capital.

Even at the beginning, there was a huge gap between the capitals.

That is to say, the current capital, under the management of the eldest brother, business is becoming more and more prosperous, and it has a tendency to catch up with the Jiangnan area.

Xu Yihua couldn't help showing a look of reminiscence when he heard this.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaochi was also quiet and did not disturb.

After a while, Xu Yihua finally said, "If we talk about Jiangnan, then there is a family that cannot be avoided."

"If Chi'er can settle this family and integrate Jiangnan, it will become extremely easy."

Zhu Gaochi hurriedly said: "Please also ask mother to teach me."

Xu Yihua sighed slightly, with a bit of reminiscence in his tone, and a bit of embarrassment: "That is the Zheng family, which is known as the first family in the south of the Yangtze River."

There is a huge family in the south of the Yangtze River, which is known as the cohabitation of nine generations. After the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, they lived together for more than 360 years. At its peak, more than 3000 people ate a "pot" meal. It was recommended by the court many times. Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang Bestow "the first in the south of the Yangtze River".

The first one in the south of the Yangtze River, also known as Zheng Yimen.

In fact, at the end of the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties, the Zheng family was once named the first in the world.

The last emperor of the Yuan Dynasty was called Yuan Shundi, and his year name was Zhizheng.Emperor Yuan Shun was both cruel and stupid.

For loyal ministers, he will be dismissed from his post and sent to the army; for treacherous ministers, he will obey his advice.He eats, drinks and plays all day long, regardless of whether the people live or die.

The common people hated him and rebelled one after another.For a while, flags of righteousness were raised everywhere, and the situation was turbulent. Seeing that the emperor's throne was already crumbling.

At this time, Emperor Yuanshun panicked. While sending troops to suppress all rebels, he used his deception methods and sent a high-ranking official to Zheng's house in Zhengyimen, Pujiang County, Jinhua Prefecture, Zhejiang Province to check the "crow magpie Tong". nest, cats and dogs live in the same nest, and brothers are of one heart", they want to publicize the peaceful scene of the Zheng family in Zheng Yimen, so as to win back the hearts of the people and consolidate their dominance.

The imperial envoy led the order and traveled day and night to Zhejiang.

In a few days, they arrived at the head of Zhengyimen Village on the Pujiang River.As soon as the imperial envoy raised his eyes, he saw a thousand-year-old giant camphor tree at the entrance of the village. A large bird's nest was built on the tree, and flocks of crows and magpies hovered around it.

He nodded in praise and said: "It's true, crows and magpies nest together, what a scene of peace!" After finishing speaking, he asked the magistrate about the Zheng family's "cats and dogs sharing the same nest" and "brothers of the same heart".The magistrate didn't dare to neglect, and hurriedly led the imperial envoy into Zheng's house to sit and rest.

After tea, the elders of the Zheng family led the imperial envoys to inspect the situation of "cats and dogs sharing the same nest and eating together", and also checked the account books of the Zheng family brothers sharing labor and sharing money.Bit by bit, dare not neglect.

The imperial envoy looked at it and was very satisfied.When he returned to the middle hall again, he suddenly took out a package of things wrapped in yellow silk and satin from his arms, and shouted loudly: "The imperial decree has arrived!" When Zheng's parents and brothers heard the sound, they couldn't help being startled, and hurriedly knelt down to receive it. Purpose.

The imperial envoy opened the package, took out a silk scroll and proclaimed: "I rule the world with benevolence and virtue, promote loyalty and filial piety to rejuvenate the country, and praise faith and righteousness to comfort the sea. Now I heard that Cao Zhongxiao is full of faith and righteousness, and I specially bestow two Sydney pears as a compliment." Its virtue.

Appreciate this! "

After the announcement, put the imperial decree on the incense table.

The Zheng family bowed their heads to thank each other.

The imperial envoy said again: "The emperor's kindness is great, these two pears should be shared equally to show your loyalty."

The Zheng family has a large population, how can they share the two pears.

It turned out that the imperial envoy was trying to use this method to test them.The Zheng family thought hard and couldn't think of a way.

Later, I had to seek advice from the local famous teacher Song Lian.After Song Lian said something like this, they had an idea.

At present, Mrs. Zheng hurriedly put the Sydney pears into a stone mortar to mash them, boiled a pot of water, poured the boiled water into the mashed pear juice, and then put them in small bowls one by one, each person had a small bowl, which happened to be neither too much nor too much. few.Then, the whole family raised their bowls and drank together.

Until then, the imperial envoy was satisfied.After he returned to Kyoto, he explained to Emperor Yuanshun the exact situation of "crows and magpies in the same nest, cats and dogs in the same nest, and brothers in the same heart" in Zhengyimen, Pujiang.

On a whim, Emperor Yuan Shun wrote the five characters "No. [-] in the world" and gave him a national treasure, the "Purple Crow Cup".Together with the imperial edict, people were sent to Zheng Yimen to commend the gift.

After Emperor Yuan Shun sent people to Zhengyimen, Zhejiang Province to give the characters, he went to the inner palace to drink and have fun.When the prime minister learned that Emperor Yuanshun had bestowed characters, he hurriedly asked Emperor Yuanshun, "I heard that Long Live was bestowed by the Zheng family in the south of the Yangtze River. Is there such a thing?" Emperor Yuanshun said, "Yes."

"Which words?"

"The first in the world."

"Then which family does the Holy One belong to?"

Emperor Yuan Shun was stunned.

The Prime Minister hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is the 'No. [-] family in the world'. No matter how meritorious the Zheng family is, it cannot be called the 'No. [-] family in the world'. Please think twice."

Emperor Xiaoyi Zhongyuan Shun knew that he had written a wrong word, and regretted it too late.

He turned around, gritted his teeth, and made a "kill" gesture with his hand.

And immediately issued an edict to send a general to lead hundreds of Qingqi to kill the Zheng family of Zhengyimen in Pujiang, which is known as the "No. [-] family in the world".

Soldiers and horses came to Zhengyi Gate and surrounded the house, the general looked at the gate and was stunned.

It turns out that the huge plaque on the gate is not written "the first in the world", but "the first in the south of the Yangtze River".

After Zhu Gaochi heard this, he couldn't help laughing and said: "The Zheng family is still a bit smart, knowing that they can't bear the title of No. [-] family in the world."

"However, this Zheng family is really powerful. It started from the Song Dynasty, went through the Meng and Yuan Dynasties, and came to our Ming Dynasty. Grandpa Huang can still bestow the title of 'the first family in Jiangnan'."

Xu Yihua said with a smile: "Chi'er only knows one thing. At the end of the Mongol and Yuan Dynasties, when you were the general, how could you retreat so easily? Everyone has come, so how could you not kill him?"

"The Mongolian cavalry are the most vicious and greedy. How could they let the Zheng family go just because of the plaque of the first family in the south of the Yangtze River?"

Zhu Gaochi was taken aback for a moment, and immediately understood that there was something hidden in it.

Then he asked: "Then how did the Zheng family escape from General Meng Yuan?"

Xu Yihua said: "It's not just General Meng Yuan, even the Emperor Meng Yuan has to give enough benefits."

"In the 18th year of Hongwu, when His Majesty bestowed the 'First House in Jiangnan', he was also curious about it, so he asked the Zheng family how they escaped in the first place."

"Of course the Zheng family didn't dare not answer, and the matter didn't spread, but your father knew about it, so he also told Wei Niang."

"At that time, 3000 Mongolian cavalrymen went there, and even the smallest cavalrymen were given a hundred taels of silver. The leading general got a full 10 taels of silver, so he agreed to let the Zheng family go and return to his command."

"As for Emperor Meng Yuan, the Zheng family also donated 8 taels of silver."

Zhu Gaochi couldn't help asking strangely: "Why did the general get [-], but the emperor only got [-]."

Xu Yihua said: "Because the emperor is easier to fool than the general."

"The general is holding a knife in his hand. As long as he gives an order, the Zheng family will be completely empty, but the situation with the emperor is different."

"The general's sword is not bound, but the emperor's decree is bound by many powerful officials."

"The Zheng family spent, of course, only the six or seven million taels of silver to open up all the joints in the Mengyuan court, and bribe the cronies of the emperor Mengyuan. They also spent more than 70 taels of silver, a large number of antique calligraphy and paintings, Only then did Emperor Meng Yuan withdraw the edict."

After Zhu Gaochi heard about it, he immediately thought about it in his heart.

A total of more than 100 million taels.

Among them, three thousand soldiers got 30 taels of silver, and the Mongolian general got 10 taels of silver.

Emperor Meng Yuan received 8 taels of silver.

But in the end, it cost more than 40 taels of silver to open up the relationship with the court, not to mention the antique calligraphy and paintings whose value is difficult to estimate.

Calculated in this way, the most expensive is the civil servant's cronies, and the least is the emperor.

Seeing his mother's eyes with deep meaning, Zhu Gaochi suddenly understood many things in his heart.

But at the same time, I was also a little curious: "Grandpa Huang bestowed the first family in the south of the Yangtze River, so the Zheng family didn't say anything."

Xu Yihua said with a smile: "With your grandpa's ability, how could it be so easy to give Jiangnan such a heavy tax."

"As far as my mother knows, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, among the families in the south of the Yangtze River, the Zheng family has paid the most."

"And behind the name of the first family in the south of the Yangtze River, there are 300 million shi of grain, 30 taels of gold, 50 taels of silver, and there are thousands of hectares of fertile land, thousands of horses, cloth and satin, etc. I don't know the number."

"It can be said that the entire Zheng family's family property was emptied by your grandpa, and this is the first family in Jiangnan today."

(End of this chapter)