Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 160 Thorn

In the northwest of Jinling City, the Longwan Wharf where the imperial army once defeated Chen Youliang has become more bustling than usual in recent days, with many ships rushing to and fro to transport goods, even the wages of porters in charge of the transportation have increased by a few cents.

Because His Majesty the emperor who went north to conquer himself is about to return triumphantly.

The news had already spread that not only His Majesty the Emperor had to clear the area before and after his return, but the returning army would also occupy the pier for a period of time.

There is more than one wharf outside Jinling City, but Longwan is connected to the Qinhuai River that has been dredged, and can go directly to Jubao Gate in the south of the city, making it the most convenient to enter and exit.

Although the government issued a notice specifically for this, stating that it would not interfere too much with the transportation at the terminal, everyone couldn't believe it, and businesses from all walks of life still stepped up their time to unload and stock up.

The people also understand.

The series of battles after His Majesty the Emperor personally took charge of Bianliang was fought really neatly. In just three months, he not only broke through Dadu, captured the Yuan Ting Emperor alive, but also successively captured Hebei, Shanxi and Shaanxi.

Otherwise, how can he be the Son of Heaven?
Looking at General Xu and General Chang before, they were naturally the stars of Wuqu, but... since October last year, they have been fighting for more than half a year, and they only conquered Shandong and Henan.

This is the thirteenth day of September.

It was just past noon, and the porters had just started work after eating, when a group of soldiers came, contacted the subordinate staff in charge of the wharf, and began to ask the ships to vacate their berths.

Those who were not affected continued to be busy, but they couldn't help paying attention.

It is certain that His Majesty the Emperor must not have arrived, otherwise, he would not be allowed to stay here every time. After some inquiries, he only learned from the familiar wharf clerks what officials he would welcome to arrive.

The specific one, the subordinate officials do not know.

However, looking at the large area of ​​vacated berths, various people who are familiar with the pier can roughly judge that there must be a lot of ships coming, or the large sea boats of one or two thousand materials.

So until the application time.

Before the boat arrived, more than a hundred mule and horse carriages came from the Shogunate Mountain outside the northern city, and soon another group of officials from the city, the leader was wearing scarlet robes.

This time I got definite news that it was Tao An, a Hanlin scholar of the third rank in the imperial court.

Those who do good things can't help but ponder again.

Let an dignified third-rank come to pick it up, at least it should be at the same level?

So curious, until the end of the application.

The answer is revealed.

On the wide northeast-facing river, a row of big boats sailed upstream according to the left-hand rule that the imperial court gradually implemented at the end of last year. Not to mention anything else, it was just the huge boat in the middle of the fleet. A sense of oppression like an ancient behemoth.

Therefore, it was soon recognized that it was the [-] material ship that a certain worldly expert left Jinling at the beginning of the year, and it was a gift from His Majesty the Emperor himself.

Zhu Yuan.

Give the 500-year Guozuo one!

And that series of third-rank titles...

The pier is well-informed. In the past half a year, there have been some stories about this person in Mingzhou. I only heard that his reputation... doesn't seem to be very good.

It's not...

Seeing is believing!

There are ten big ships, how much money are you bringing back?

Moreover, it is still at the gate of the capital, at the feet of the emperor, there is no intention of restraint at all, such a big fanfare.

Isn't there a censor to impeach him?

Ugh.

His Majesty the Emperor is so talented and general, but it's a pity that with the help of others, this... I don't know who I am!

The onlookers watched from a distance, discussing or slandering, but the scene was a bit awkward where everyone's eyes were focused.

The five-thousand-material ship, which was guarded by the fleet, docked first, and Tao An, a Hanlin scholar who was sent by His Royal Highness to welcome a certain young colleague, and several other officials solemnly stepped forward. Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuan was not on board. .

Walking down from the springboard were Zhu Yuan's personal soldiers Tao Pu and his servant He Xuan.

Facing Tao An and the others, who were obviously unhappy despite their doubts, Tao Pu bit the bullet and saluted, and before Tao An could ask any questions, he quickly explained: "Hanlin, my lord came to Yangzhou and got an order from the Lord temporarily to let He stayed and waited to be summoned. The adults sent the young ones back to Jinling first. I didn’t expect the Hanlin to come to greet me. This... is all the fault of the villain. I forgot to report in advance, please forgive me.”

Tao Pu is also depressed.

His Majesty the Emperor issued an order for his family to stay in Yangzhou. He naturally felt that he didn't need to worry about this matter. Someone should inform Jinling.

Unexpectedly, no one did this.

Seeing that the imperial court sent Tao An over to greet him, Tao Pu had no choice but to take the initiative to take the blame and admit his mistake, so as not to make this colleague of his lord's Imperial Academy even more unhappy and feel suspicious of his lord.

After Tao An listened to Tao Pu's explanation, this small school had such an attitude, and his face turned pale.

Then he glanced at He Xuan who was dressed as a standard eunuch, and couldn't help but feel emotional.

Such a spoiled huh?
I couldn't even wait to go back to Jinling, so I insisted on stopping me halfway.

Compared with the popular rumors, Tao An, as an important minister of the central government, naturally knows more about Zhu Yuan's actions, not just Yinghai and Liangdao, but also His Majesty's remark that "Zhu Yuan should be the first to break through the capital".

Knowing all of the above, Tao An didn't feel that His Majesty was biased. How could a single hot air balloon cause most of the defenders to collapse without a fight? This one alone saved Daming from the death of tens of thousands of elite soldiers. achievement?
only……

Still too cute!

Thinking of this, Tao An had to admit that he was a little jealous of that boy.

Calming down a bit, seeing Tao Pu was still bowing with fists clasped all the time, Tao An signaled the other party to excuse him, and said, "In that case, I will go back to the city first. Well... the rest of the matter, I will bother Zhang Shaoqing and Lu Yuan to judge. "

The second half of Tao An's sentence was said with two other officials who came to greet him together, one was Zhang Wen, the new general secretary after Hehuai, and the other was Lu Weigong, the judge of the Supreme Hospital.

Tao An was sent by Prince Zhu Biao to greet him after hearing the news of Zhu Yuan's return and discussing with the ministers around him.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is also young, and it is a good thing that he can be so respectful to a corporal.

The other two, because of Zhu Yuan's advance notification, requested that the General Zuosi and Tai Hospital prepare to receive and place some staff.

Zhang Wen and Lu Weigong were a little disappointed in not being able to see Zhu Yuan, and felt a certain emotion similar to Tao An's.

Naturally, he would not show it at the moment, so he quickly bowed his hands and said yes.

Tao An spoke a few more words with Tao Pu and He Xuan, then turned to his attendants, sent one of them to the palace to inform him, and then drove back to the city by himself.

At the pier, it was getting late, but the excitement had just begun.

Zhang Wen, who will be the Secretary, will pick up a group of craftsmen such as coin minting and papermaking, as well as a large number of materials that Zhu Yuan brought back from Mingzhou.

Lu Weigong brought people to greet his own team from the Equipment Bureau. In addition, there are 100 girls who will enter Houhu Medical College to study.

As for the luggage of a certain young envoy's own servants and some of the core glass-making artisans, Qiao Wang, who rushed back early, led a group of servants including the treasurer of Zhiyong Zhai to welcome them.

In the fleet, apart from Tao Pu and He Xuan, Xie Yi and Qing Niang also came back early and will be in charge of the affairs of the inner court.

Liu Bai and Luo Shui remained by Zhu Yuan's side.

When passing through Yangzhou, Xieyi wanted to stay, but Liubai didn't want to come back, so she had to go first and picked Qingniang to go with her.

According to Xinyi's mind, there should always be someone who is smart and knowledgeable by the side of her petty officials.

This is me, and there...is Luoshui.

A certain girl used to be considered sensible, but she was pampered by her own petty officials. I don't know if her true nature was revealed, and her body, which is obviously a maid, has become more and more ladylike.

Except for the four of them who were closest to him, Zhu Yuan still had sacks and a few serving maids, and the rest of the group, big and small, had all been brought back in advance.

According to the original words of the little official.

Hurry up and send it home and hide it, so as not to be criticized by the Lord.

This side started to be busy unloading and unloading the boat, but Xieyi couldn't help but look towards Yangzhou, thinking about the injury on the palm of her little official, is it better?
Ugh.

then……

Xieyi would rather her petty officials cut her body, then how could she hurt herself!

The liveliness of Longwan Wharf lasted until late at night.

During the period, when a group of beautiful women disembarked one after another in the twilight, it inevitably caused commotion around the pier. Even if all the people, big and small, were all wearing cloaks and hats, countless people felt that they were feasting their eyes.

Xieyi discovered the problem, but was helpless.

Even if Houhu is outside the city, there is no need to observe the night ban, and it is not good to go back too late.With such a big stall, I don't know if I will have time to rest all night tonight.

So came the second day.

September fourteenth.

In the imperial city to the east of Jinling City, Prince Zhu Biao got up early, went to greet his mother first, had breakfast together, and then rushed to the Daben Hall. A group of younger brothers hadn't arrived yet.

Start reading first.

These days, I am studying the special knowledge that my father sent back, which comes from that Hanlin.

My father finally allowed himself to touch these things, but he was still told not to show them easily.If you have any doubts, you can ask Na Zhu Yuan for advice in the future.

Zhu Biao also knows that his father has selected the knowledge he obtained, such as the "economic knowledge" that he accidentally heard from his mother a long time ago, but his father did not give it to him. At present, these things are roughly related to everything around him. internal mechanism.

Such as the "Mechanics" I am reading.

From this, Zhu Biao learned what was the reason for the hot-air balloon on the northern front that made most of them not fight. He also quietly completed a small experiment with a piece of gauze and a piece of candle.

I just feel that creation is miraculous.

After flipping through a few pages of the book and asking the servant to put the books away, Zhu Biao went next door to visit the younger brothers who had arrived one after another.

Zhu Biao just greeted him warmly, and reminded that his father was about to return, so he could no longer be as lazy as before, otherwise, his elder brother would not be able to protect him.

The two brothers were very grateful to him, and saluted again in a proper manner before entering the lecture hall.

Zhu Biao listened for a while, during which he glanced at his fourth brother a few more times, and listened carefully without being distracted at all.Obviously, the father's beating at the beginning left a deep memory on the fourth child.Probably because he was worried that his father would check his knowledge when he came back, so he didn't dare to slack off in his studies.

Leaving the lecture hall here, Zhu Biao turned to a meeting hall in the main hall.

Li Shanchang, Prime Minister of the Left, Yang Xian, Fu Yu, Zhang Yi, Tao An, and Qian Yongren, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, etc., are already waiting.

Lao Zhu's decree when he left, that during the period of going north, all affairs of the court should be reported to the crown prince.

Zhu Biao knows a word called "Jianguo".

The prince supervises the country.

However, it doesn't seem to be counted at the moment, and my father didn't make a clear explanation, so this may only be counted as listening to politics.

the first time.

It was only two or three months, because of repeated exhortations from his father and mother, Zhu Biao listened most of the time and would not express his opinion easily, but somehow he liked this feeling very much.

After coming to the book case, sit down, and today we will continue to discuss the etiquette process for welcoming the triumphant return of the holy driver.

However, after sitting down, facing several ministers standing in the hall, Zhu Biao looked at Tao An, and first asked about something he was more concerned about: "Hanlin, I heard yesterday that the envoy of Yinghai did not return, Was it left in Yangzhou by the emperor?"

Tao An nodded: "Return to Your Highness, it is His Majesty's order to let the Yinghai Envoy meet you in Yangzhou."

After saying this, Tao An shut up wisely.

Some of the thoughts that occurred yesterday must not be said, and Tao An did not intend to comment too much on the arrest of the Yinghai envoy.

However, after Tao An finished speaking, there was a soft sigh in the hall.

Ugh--

Zhu Biao looked over: "Why is Prime Minister Zuo sighing?"

Li Shanchang cupped his hands as if he had just woken up, and said, "Returning to Your Highness, I feel sorry for the holy family of the Yinghai Envoy. Zhu Hanlin is like Your Highness, who is not as old as his hair, but is so relied on by the lord. In the past few months, he has established a This great feat really makes me wait for a group of old people to sigh."

After these words fell, several people around looked at Li Shanchang one after another, and quickly looked back as if nothing had happened.

Prime Minister Zuo's words seemed to be a compliment, but actually... a bit provocative.

Comparing His Highness the Crown Prince with that Zhu Yuan, the words in his words are praise and envy for a certain young Hanlin. It is not difficult to imagine what His Highness the Crown Prince might think.

I am my own son.

Why is my father so close to other children, even like a real son?
Just so eager to see, can't wait for two or three days?

And so on.

Of course no one broke it.

Even if there is a dispute in private, and it does not involve yourself at the moment, then just sit on the sidelines.

But I couldn't help but quietly looked at the prince's expression.

His Highness the Crown Prince showed an expression of happiness and anger. Under the meticulous training of His Majesty the Emperor these years, he was only 13 years old, and he was already a bit mature. He didn't show any special expression at all, and he smiled: "Left Why did Prime Minister make such a statement? Zhu Hanlin...or maybe the emperor has doubts every day, so he needs to ask him nearby. Prime Minister Zuo has worked so hard, why should he be emotional because of a junior."

Li Shanchang hurriedly cupped his hands again: "Your Highness said yes, but Zhu Hanlin, in just a few months, opened the sea to fish, planned sea trade, went north to transport grain, and offered advice and advice. It is really rare that Zhu Hanlin is so capable at such a young age. The minister is bound to be moved."

again!

Anyway, it's a boast.

to kill.

Moreover, in front of a child of the same age, he kept elevating another child. That child... might even threaten the status of a child of the same age.

After all, there are many rumors that Zhu Yuan is the dragon species that His Majesty the Emperor lived among the people.

No one confirmed it.

If it is someone else, don't need to pay attention.

The problem is that this matter cannot be ignored by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Zuo Xiang is still hot.

Zhu Biao still looked like he didn't understand, comforted him again, turned to Tao An, asked a few more questions, and everyone started talking about business.

The triumphant return of the army, there is a set of standard procedures in this era.

Before Lao Zhu went north, he went in a hurry without any grand ceremony. When he came back this time, he considered a series of outstanding achievements in the north. At the suggestion of the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Biao also asked the queen Ma Shi, and discussed with the ministers. Send it to your father for approval.

Not surprisingly, His Majesty the Emperor will arrive in Jinling on the afternoon of September [-]th.

The arrival time of Zhu Yuan's fleet was similar to yesterday's, but of course the scale was much larger.

Zhu Biao decided to greet him in person.

At that time, from Longwan Wharf to the Imperial City in the east of the city, all the way will be cleared in advance, the streets will be cleaned, there will be hundreds of officials, guards of honor, drums, etc., and there will be standard rhetoric.

The entire process has been going on for hundreds of years.

After completing the welcome, it is not over yet. On the second day of the triumphant return, there will be sacrifices to the Taimiao to worship the ancestors of heaven and earth.

Immediately following is the Emperor's Majesty's Tianshou Festival on September [-].

In this era, the higher the status, the more the word 'ritual' is lived.Therefore, every detail of these things needs to be considered repeatedly, and if necessary, it must be rehearsed in advance.

After discussing the arrangements for the next few days again, it was already noon in a blink of an eye.

Eating lunch alone, Zhu Biao couldn't help but think of those words of Prime Minister Zuo and even more things while eating.

Zhu Biao could feel something wrong in Li Shanchang's words.

As for Prime Minister Zuo, in the past few months, Zhu Biao didn't like it because he had more face-to-face contacts.On the one hand, he felt that this man didn't seem to be big enough, and occasionally he would even be so mean that others could not step down in front of him, the prince.On the other hand, the humerus old minister, who probably relied on his father, was not so respectful to him as the crown prince.Even coaxing like a child.

However, Zuo Xiang's remarks in the morning still aroused Zhu Biao's private associations more than once.

The mysterious big copper cabinet that my father insisted on taking with me when he left.

The four little eunuchs beside Zhu Yuan.

The life experience of the young sea envoy.

Is it...

He...just happens to be one year older than himself!

(End of this chapter)