People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 547: The truth is exposed, King Yan becomes King Ning
"Master, can these Japanese pirates be trusted?"

When Hu Weiyong sent that man away, his confidants had doubts...

On the road of rebellion, Hu Weiyong has gone very far and has no room to look back.

And on this road, every wrong step will lead to an abyss.

“Those bereaved dogs have no choice!

Since the Ming Dynasty's iron cavalry conquered Japan, there have been more samurai living overseas than ever before!

These people could not go to the coast and had no choice but to flee to North Korea and then go south along the coastline. However, with the Xuanwu Army present, they could not get any benefits.

No one hated the emperor of the Zhu family more than these wandering warriors.

The truth is that as long as they are given a chance, they will definitely seize it..."

"Master is wise!"

The servant's praise made Hu Weiyong feel very happy.

"When will Xu Da and the others come back?"

"Back to my lord, according to Lord Ling, it will probably arrive the day after tomorrow!"

"This person is a trouble. He and Chang Yuchun, Chang Yuchun has Zhang Yi as a chess piece, which is easy to deal with.

Xu Darai is Zhang Yi's father-in-law and Zhu Yuanzhang's childhood friend. His existence is detrimental to our success. "

When Hu Weiyong said this, a trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

"Do you want to kill him? If so, please contact Master Ling to see if you can..."

Hu Weiyong was extremely moved by the servant's proposal, but after struggling, he took a deep breath and suppressed this tempting thought.

"No, there can't be any unnecessary actions before moving the capital. If he dies, there is no guarantee that the emperor will not send someone to investigate the case.

Ling said that he is in the capital now and can provide us with cover.

But if the emperor withdraws Ling Suo in anger, it will be difficult for us.
You go down and let him slowly arrange the arrangements for those Japanese ronin..."

Under the Shuntian Mansion, undercurrents are surging.

But on the surface, it was extremely calm.

"So, Your Majesty is planning to use this last year to suppress the forces in the south again?"

Beijing, Prince's Mansion.

Zhu Biao is not used to living here.

The mansion was just a building, the important thing was the people serving around him, whom he was not familiar with.

He simply called Zhang Yi to the Prince's Mansion to talk to him.

Although he was in the north, Zhu Biao still did not put down his government affairs. He was discussing with Zhang Yi with the intelligence submitted by Jin Yiwei in his hand.

The issue of administrative reform is still the flash point of this conflict.

Zhu Yuanzhang himself did not expect that he had cut officials so many times without arousing opposition, but it would become so big if he put it above the administration of officials.

Zhang Yi understood, because the reform of officialdom had touched the last interests of the local gentry.

Since ancient times, the imperial power has not come down to the county.

The local grassroots relied on the influence and governance of the gentry.

It is impossible for a county magistrate to come down without local support.

Moreover, in many places, it is not just a problem in the county town. Even within the county government, those who have long controlled the three classes and six houses are also an important part of the influence of the gentry on the grassroots.

Grassroots work is always difficult to do.

Even in later generations hundreds of years later, the phenomenon of village tyrants will still exist for a long time.

It’s not that no ruler has noticed this problem, but the cost of solving this problem is much higher than compromising with the gentry class.

But the misfortune of these gentry was that they met Zhu Yuanzhang, an emperor who did not follow common sense.

I also met Zhang Yi, an even more lawless person.

The joint efforts of the two finally brought the reform to this point.

Zhang Yi also vaguely felt that this matter might have serious consequences.

But then he thought about it, what could be the consequences?
In fact, to put it bluntly, the court's reform of officials did not really affect the interests of the people at the bottom. Even if these gentry were angry and frustrated, they would rebel.

But in the early days of the Ming Dynasty when the army was strong, even if the scholar-bureaucrats wanted to rebel, they had to weigh the strength in their hands.

Zhang Yi only felt that these people were hypocritical.

After all, Lao Zhu was a Han. Although he was described as cruel by history, he was far behind compared to the alien Manchus.

If he was really willing to go on a killing spree, it would be enough to make the world's literati fearful.

But Lao Zhu always wanted to lose face, so that created the current situation of neither getting better nor worse.

But in terms of handling methods, Zhang Yi also felt that since Zhu Yuanzhang had started, he should not look back.

Reform is most taboo with snakes and rats. As long as they compromise this time, these people will jump even higher next time.

"That's right..."

Zhu Biao answered Zhang Yi's question and said:

"Originally, my father also thought that it should be pushed forward slowly, but he did not expect that after he proposed this idea, the people below would be so restless.

Even if someone rebels, my father can only follow the trend and suppress the local area!

This matter is difficult to handle, but it must be done.

Especially if the capital is to be moved next year, my father will not be able to move the capital without any worries if this trend is not suppressed! "

Moving the capital was Lao Zhu's choice after careful consideration. In the Central Plains, the biggest threat always comes from the north.

Moreover, the current imbalance between the north and the south also requires the empire to establish its capital in the north to balance the north and the south.

However, the conflict between Lao Zhu and the southern gentry became increasingly serious.

It also led to his fear of the Jiangnan gentry. These people caused trouble when the capital was moved, just to give Lao Zhu an excuse.

But blind suppression is not a long-term solution.

During the Hongwu Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang relied on the noble group to fight against the civilian group, and he was able to suppress the south. ,
But in order to truly reform the civil service or break up the grassroots gentry group in the south, new interest groups must be established.

Differentiation is the best choice.

"So, His Majesty has decided to initiate a sea ban?"

Zhang Yi asked.

“Well, my father’s original maritime ban was mainly due to recuperation and the proliferation of Japanese pirates. Now these two problems have been further solved.

The trade between Ming Dynasty and Japan is now in full swing.

It is time to appropriately relax part of the maritime ban, win over a group of people, suppress a group of people..."

Zhu Biao told Zhu Yuanzhang's strategy, and Zhang Yi admired him very much.

Lao Zhu's cruelty can easily make people misunderstand that he is a person controlled by emotions. Only by deducing from history books can we understand Lao Zhu's patience as a tyrant.

Lifting maritime bans and rectifying officialdom are standard sticks and carrots.

There will definitely be some people who will give up the emperor's control over the grassroots because of the interests of the sea ban.

In other words, landowners who are inclined to trade or benefit from industrialization will betray those people who use land as the main means of production.

"Your Majesty, what a trick!"

Zhang Yi was convinced by Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Your Highness, the army is already thirty miles outside the city..."

Zhu Biao was about to speak when a eunuch came over and informed Zhu Biao.

"it is good!"

Zhu Biao stood up quickly after hearing this, with a hint of joy on his face.

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Hu is already waiting outside. Would you like to go out of the city to greet me?"

"Of course I want to go!
Zhang Yi, come with me! "

Zhu Biao pulled Zhang Yi up and the two of them left the prince's residence.

Hu Weiyong and a group of royal guards were already waiting at the door.

"Your Highness, please get in the car!"

The chariot has been prepared long ago, and Hu Weiyong is at the door, leading all the officials to greet the prince.

Zhu Biao nodded and took Zhang Yitong into a car.

The crowd headed outside the city in great numbers.

Not long after Zhu Biao and the others arrived, in the distance, the Ming army was slowly approaching.

"They're here!"

When Zhu Biao saw these troops, he stood up.

In the distance, there was a general going first. He took a closer look and saw that the young general was Zhu Di.

At this time, Zhu Di was wearing armor and looked majestic.

"General, there is someone waiting in front of you!"

Zhu Di also saw Zhu Biao's chariot, and his eldest brother's figure was vaguely visible.

He was naturally surprised and wanted to go up to him, but suddenly he remembered the military law and turned around to report to the coach.

Xu Da heard that someone in the capital was welcoming him, and it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so he quickly came out with the generals in the army.

After they confirmed that it was Zhu Biao, they led the army and rushed out of the city.

"My dear, Xu Da!"

"My dear, Lan Yu!"

"Chen, Zhu Di..."

The generals of the Ming army knelt in front of Zhu Biao one after another.

"General Xu, thank you for your hard work, generals!"

Zhu Biao stepped forward and helped Xu Da up.

Xu Da's face was full of shame:

"Xu Da is incompetent, unable to annihilate Yuan Ting and capture Yuan Emperor alive. He really betrays the trust of His Majesty and His Royal Highness..."

"General Xu's words are serious. If you go here, the Mongols will flee. This is a great victory!"

You guys have merit but no fault, so there is no reason to blame yourself..."

Zhu Biao affirmed the results of the Northern Expedition, which finally made Xu Da and the others feel better.

This battle was too weird.

At first, they encountered some tribes who tried to ambush them.

Xu Da and the others came well prepared and naturally put all the trouble behind them.

But the Mongolian saw that there was nothing he could do, so he decided to walk deeper into Mobei.

You know, it will be winter again in a few months.

This migration of the Mongols can definitely be regarded as the death of a strong man.

"Your Highness, it's not that we don't work hard, it's just that those Mongolians ran too fast.

Originally... the general wanted to pursue them along the road, but General Xu said that our supply line is too long and it is not appropriate to do this!

So we have no choice but to retreat! "

It was Zhu Di who spoke, and he was full of reluctance when he mentioned the battle.

This Northern Expedition was his first serious battlefield. He originally wanted to make achievements and prove himself in front of his father.

Who would have thought that such a thing would happen, it is really depressing.

Zhu Biao smiled: "

“Fourth child, it’s best if you are safe!
Don’t be in a hurry to make great achievements! "

After Zhu Biao finished speaking, he turned to Xu Da and said:
"General Xu, the Mongols are very likely to come back after winter, and you can't take it lightly!
Now that the capital is about to be moved, officials originally had many doubts about moving the capital to Beijing.

There can be no more big movements on this border! "

Xu Da quickly replied:

"What His Highness the Crown Prince said is that I will bring the army back to repair it, and after returning to the emperor, it will go to the front line again!

I promise that the relocation of the capital will not be affected at all. "

Zhu Biao nodded, then looked at another general who was silent:

"Lanyu, I heard that you performed well..."

"His Royal Highness praises you!"

Lan Jade's eyes were always fixed on one person, and she only looked back when she heard this.Zhang Yi.

The moment Lan Yu saw him, her whole body felt bad.

But he also knew that now was not the time to get angry with this guy.

"Let's go back and talk!"

Zhu Biao naturally saw Lan Yu staring at Zhang Yi and couldn't help but have a headache.

He wanted to mediate the Lan family's holiday with Zhang Yi, but he couldn't find a way to mediate it.

"Master National Teacher!"

Zhu Di took the opportunity to walk up to Zhang Yi and wink at him.

He was even more familiar with Zhang Yi, but because it was a serious occasion, he didn't say hello.

Zhang Yi chuckled and patted the other party's shoulder. He and the princes of the Zhu family were almost as close as brothers, and they didn't need too much etiquette.

Giving Zhu Di a reply, Zhang Yi walked up to Xu Da honestly and paid homage to his father-in-law.

"Let's talk when we go back tonight!"

Xu Da has an important responsibility and it is not convenient to talk to Zhang Yiduo.

But just by looking at his gentle smile, you can tell that he is satisfied with Zhang Yi.

A group of people entered the city again.

Zhu Biao naturally wanted to give Xu Da and the others a formal cleanup, and Hu Weiyong had already sent someone to settle things down.

While resting, Zhu Di put his arm on Zhang Yi's shoulder:

"Well, my lord, you are angry with me on purpose, right?"

Zhang Yi was confused, why am I angry with you?
"Beijing was originally my fiefdom. My father decided to move the capital. I don't think it's a big deal. But you made Beijing so beautiful. Do you mean to make me sad?"

Zhang Yi chuckled, knowing that Zhu Di was just joking.

"I wonder where His Highness changed the seal?"

"you guess!"

Zhu Di gave Zhang Yi a pass.

Zhang Yi smiled and said:

"If Pindao's guess is correct, either His Highness will seal Shaanxi and replace His Highness King Qin's original position, or...

You are Prince Ning! "

"how do you know?"

Zhu Di jumped up immediately. Damn it, no one should know about this, right?
Zhang Yi smiled, with Lao Zhu's temperament, since he knew Zhu Di's military talents, he would definitely put him in the best position.

Succeeding King Qin or becoming King Ning are both good choices.

And he believed that the probability of becoming Prince Ning was higher.

The reason is unspeakable, and Zhu Di will never be able to figure it out in his life.

"The National Preceptor is indeed the National Preceptor..."

Zhu Di was about to say more when the banquet had already started.

"Zhang Yi, sit next to me!"

Zhang Yi and Zhu Di went to the main hall. Xu Da, with quick eyes and quick hands, called Zhang Yi to his side.

During the banquet, Zhu Biao crowned everyone according to the procedure. On the scene, cups were pushed and cups were changed, and time passed quickly.

When the banquet was over, Xu Da took Zhang Yi out, and then the two men changed places and continued chatting. Zhang Yi even called Yao Guangxiao to accompany him.

Zhang Yineng felt that there was a breath of air in Xu Da's heart that never came out, and he also understood what the problem was?
Xu Da had been preparing for the third Northern Expedition for a long time, thinking deeply about the humiliation of the Battle of Snow Ridge North.

When Wang Baobao was captured by him, half of his revenge was avenged, but the other half was out of reach.

"Father-in-law, do you think it's a little strange for the Mongols to flee this time?"

"You feel it too. I think there is a conspiracy, but I can't figure out what they are going to do?"

Zhang Yi brought the topic to the war, and Xu Da's attitude gradually improved.

"Going north is not the territory of those people in Mobei. When they migrate, they have to kill them all the way with swords...

When you chased them, did you find any traces of this? "

"Never!"

Zhang Yi and Xu Da exchanged opinions, but they always felt a little strange.

"Their retreat was orderly, not a hasty escape. I always feel that they are accumulating strength, but it is not that I underestimate the enemy. Since our Ming Dynasty swallowed 10,000+ Mongolian troops, Mongolia has long had no capital to go south.

At most, they can only threaten the border defense. If they open the Great Wall, they may not be able to conquer the Central Plains!

So why do they think they have that capital? "

Xu Da couldn't figure it out. Zhang Yi felt that he could vaguely grasp some possibilities...

But the inspiration never came, and he had no choice but to give up.

"Actually, father-in-law, you don't have to worry so much. I believe they can't run far and will come back sooner or later..."

They want to accumulate strength, but so what?
The area close to the Central Plains is already the best place for grazing water and grass. The further north you go, the harder life becomes.

Time will eventually be on our side, Ming Dynasty!
In a few years, after muskets are completely popularized, the iron cavalry that the Mongols are proud of will eventually become history!

You are still young, and you will still have a chance in a few years...

However, the most important thing you should pay attention to now is to take good care of your body! "

If Zhang Yi remembers correctly, Xu Da only has seven years left to live.

Of course, Xu Da will die early, which is largely related to his back gangrene. Now that his back gangrene is under control, there is a high probability that he will survive Hongwu's 17th year.

But it seems that the longevity gene of the old Xu family is not very good, so he always has to pay attention to it.

"I hope so. When I return to the court this time and meet His Majesty, I will come back to patrol the border immediately!
I'm always worried about the Mongols! "

"Don't take it seriously. As time goes by, the gap between us and Mobei will only get wider and wider..."

He comforted Xu Da, who was not happy, and drank some wine with him.

Xu Da was so drunk that he fell asleep.

But Zhang Yi and Yao Guangxiao continued the topic just now.

"You said, since we know that time is on the Ming side, don't those Mongolians know?"

Zhang Yi suddenly asked Yao Guangxiao, and Yao Guangxiao nodded:

"Of course I know..."

"So, either they really escaped, or they knew that they didn't have much time, and the power accumulated this time will definitely explode in a short time!

But what do they rely on? "

Zhang Yi and Yao Guangxiao fell into deep thought again.

……

"Hu Xiang!"

At night in Shuntian Mansion, Xu Da and Zhang Yi were not the only ones talking by candlelight.

Elsewhere in the city, Lan Yu and Hu Weiyong naturally sat together.

"It's a pity that we can make great achievements this time..."

Lan Yu trusted Hu Weiyong and talked about military affairs. Hu Weiyong smiled and said nothing, but listened carefully.

It seemed as if the Mongols' strange behavior had nothing to do with him.

Lan Yu changed the topic and asked Hu Weiyong:
"Hu Xiang, I don't know what else you want me to do today?"

Hu Weiyong said:

"There is something. I'm hesitating whether to tell you or not?"

Hu Weiyong looked embarrassed, but the more he didn't say anything, the more Lan Yu naturally cared.

"Hu Xiang, look at me, everyone is here. Is there anything you can't say?"

"This matter is about Chang Mao..."

Hu Weiyong asked the servant to hand over a box and placed it in front of Lan Yu.

Lan Yu was puzzled, but he still opened the box.

When she saw the items in the box, Lan Yu's hands trembled.

"Hu Xiang, what is this?"

He recognized what was in the box, but he didn't dare to recognize it.

He could only ask Hu Weiyong with a trembling voice.

Hu Weiyong said calmly:

"These things, if the truth is correct, should be Lan Yu's relics. When the truth asked people to dig him out, he was already dead and beyond recognition!

The truth was that people quietly collected the remains without making any announcement.

So I can only wait for you to come back and let you take another look! "

Lan Yu heard this and looked at these relics carefully. They were very complicated. They were only pieces of armor from the Ming Dynasty's army. He didn't pay attention to other scattered things.

But there was an object that made him burst into tears:
"My dear nephew, it was my uncle who harmed you..."

Although Lan Yu was domineering, she had a good relationship with Chang Mao. He cried in confusion and gradually calmed down after a while.

"Hu Xiang, where did you find these things?"

Lan Yu suddenly became nervous and almost rushed over to catch Hu Weiyong.

"So, these things really belong to Chang Mao?"

Hu Weiyong was "surprised" when he heard this, and his expression immediately turned into one of surprise and uncertainty.

His expression fell into the blue jade eyes, which held a thousand words, but he hesitated to speak.

Lan Yu had already been intrigued by him and asked:
"Hu Xiang, please tell me!"

"Okay, let me tell you the truth. The truth is that the bodies were dug up on the border between Zhejiang and South Zhili...

It seems to be a coincidence that at that time, a local official reported that he could vaguely hear the sound of wind and thunder.

Later, after the Vulcan Gun became popular, they realized later that the sound was a gunshot...

Keeping the truth in mind, he sent someone to investigate, but he didn't know if it was luck or not. Someone discovered that there were corpses dug up by wild dogs not far from the official road...

When the corpse was discovered, it was already in pieces. Because he had fragments of Ming army armor on his body, he was noticed!
The truth was that people secretly collected the corpses and covered up the matter!
So when you come here today, I will let you identify it! "

"Hu Xiang, yes, this piece of jade was given to Chang Mao by my sister. This thing is an item passed down from my Lan family and cannot be faked!"

In Lan Yu's hand, there is a piece of jade that is not of very good quality.

Before Chang Yuchun became rich, the Lan family was not considered a good family.

The jade pieces passed down from their family are not good jade either.

But it is precisely because of the flaws in the jade that the blue jade can be recognized at a glance as Chang Mao's object.

"Hu Xiang, you found Chang Mao, where is his body?

I'll write a letter right away. No, I'm asking for leave from His Highness the Crown Prince. I'll be there right away!

No, I told the Crown Prince, I will make some people kill people to pay for their lives..."

When Lan Yu saw Chang Mao's relics, he was completely confused. One moment he said he wanted to leave, and the other moment he said he wanted to tell Zhu Biao.

,

Hu Weiyong just watched quietly, with a rather amused expression.

"Yes, I want to tell His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Lan Yu finally made up her mind and had to tell Zhu Biao.

Although Zhu Biao and Zhang Yi have a good relationship, Lan Yu is Zhu Biao's brother-in-law.

If Zhang Yi dares to kill anyone, he will have to pay the price...

But just when Lan Yu was happy, Hu Weiyong said slowly:

"General Lan, I advise you not to do this. Do you know why I suppressed the news about Chang Mao's death?"

Lan Yu only reacted at this moment and asked hurriedly:

"why?"

"Because the person who buried Chang Mao was probably Jin Yiwei..."

His answer instantly defeated Chang Mao's joy.

(End of this chapter)