Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 536 Time makes people grow old

"My son, Zhu Di, pays homage to the Emperor Kao, and wishes the Ming Dynasty to be prosperous for generations to come..."

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, in the Ming Tower of Mingxiao Mausoleum in Purple Mountain, Nanjing, as Zhu Di knelt down and bowed, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Qiyue also followed suit and bowed.

Zhu Di's words and deeds were weak, Zhu Gaoxu was respectful, and Zhu Qiyue dealt with it hastily...

The grandfather and grandson each had their own thoughts. It was not until they inserted the three sticks of incense used for sacrifice into the incense burner that they calmed down a little.

Looking up at the four hanging portraits, the Chinese painting of Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma in the middle was okay, but the two oil paintings hanging next to it made Zhu Di feel a little guilty.

From sketches to oil paintings, the development of Ming Dynasty painting from one-sided freehand brushwork to today's two-way development of freehand brushwork and realism can almost be said to be driven by Zhu Gaoxu's preferences.

Although in the eyes of many painters, realistic paintings are undoubtedly too "artisan", they cannot stand the liking of the current emperor, so they can only study realistic painting styles one by one.

The two portraits of Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma were painted by the last painter in the court who had seen Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma.

Shortly after painting the two oil paintings, he himself died of normalcy.

Zhu Gaoxu did not answer the question directly, but asked what Zhu Di was lamenting.

At least in this era, Nanjing City is still a city that has three guarantees. Even after moving the capital, its prosperity is slowly recovering with the passage of time.

"Ugh……"

However, since the beginning of the "you" generation, the broad nose and broad face of the old Zhu family have tended to favor smaller faces.

"I'm not worried about me..."

Zhu Di hesitated, but still did not dare to say directly in front of his grandson that he was afraid of his old man. Instead, he coughed and walked outside the Minglou.

"The Jiangnan Railway has been under construction for more than two years, but it has not yet reached Nanjing."

Standing here, relying on Purple Mountain, you can overlook the entire city of Nanjing.

Zhu Di sighed, then looked at Zhu Gaoxu: "Second child, you and third child must walk behind me."

Zhu Di complained, but Zhu Gaoxu said helplessly: "My son just thinks that you are older and every time you sigh, it makes me worried."

That high tower is a ten-story tower built after the advent of cement and iron bars. Each floor is about ten feet high, and the ten floors are thirty-three feet high.

After Zhu Gaoxu learned about it, he immediately awarded him the hereditary rank of Zhengliu Wensan, which allowed his six or seven generations of descendants to have no worries about food and drink.

In a dozen years, it is estimated that Beijing’s population will exceed one million, one hundred years ahead of schedule.

"Father, don't say such unlucky words." Zhu Gaoxu was not very happy when he heard this, but Zhu Di smiled bitterly and said:
"People are going to die eventually. After I die, you have to do what I want and bury me in Beijing with your mother."

Since the opening of the railway, Beijing's food problem is no longer a problem, and the population has increased rapidly.

Zhu Gaoxu took Zhu Qiyue's hand and followed him. Not long after, he saw Zhu Di ascending a high tower not far away.

Zhu Gaoxu and the others followed Zhu Di up, and the one-acre tower became smaller and smaller as they went up.

What Zhu Gaoxu said was true. After all, after Zhu Gaochi passed away, what he was most worried about was not the third child, but the old man.

Zhu Di sighed, then looked at Zhu Qiyue: "This kid is pretty good."

"Since we want to pursue realism, we must at least let future generations know what we look like."

"Everything about your two paintings is good, but they are too realistic and lifelike."

Zhu Di looked at the city of Nanjing and sighed at this enduring Nanjing.

"Seventy-one years of life are actually enough..."

"Father, you are not bad looking, so what do you have to worry about?"

Historically, Zhu Di only lived sixty-five, but now he is seventy-one. How can he not worry about himself as the son of man?

When Zhu Qiyue saw his grandfather and great-great-grandfather talking about him like this, he couldn't help but cross his arms, tilted his head and said, "Of course I'm pretty good!"

Seeing him like this, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu wished they could take back what they just said.

At present, the Ming Dynasty has five cities with a population of more than 500,000, one is Beijing, the second is Suzhou, the third is Nanjing, and the third is Hangzhou.

Zhu Di couldn't help but complain, but Zhu Gaoxu was very satisfied.

In terms of realistic techniques, these two paintings are already ahead of current European oil paintings.

"Actually, it's good to be able to walk in front."

"If we wait until the repairs arrive in Nanjing, Nanjing will probably be as prosperous as it once was."

"That's right." Zhu Gaoxu nodded, fully agreeing with this point.

Zhu Gaoxu's words are true. Whether it is the portraits of Zhu Di in later generations or the realistic style of portraits of Zhu Di, the looks of the previous generations of the old Zhu family are by no means bad.

"Why, I can't even sigh now?"

On the tenth floor, apart from the light-filled staircase in the middle, there is only a circular corridor of less than 200 square meters on the top floor.

It seems that because of Zhu Gaoxu's words, Zhu Di couldn't help but think of his sister Xu and his boss.

"What is father sighing about?"

In front of the grandfather and grandson, the endless Nanjing city is very vast and the buildings are small.

"..."

Once the Jiangnan Railway is completed, it is estimated that the entire pan-Jiangnan population will be siphoned to Nanjing, Songjiang, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

"Okay, you go down first and I'll go see your uncle."

Zhu Di was about to go see Zhu Biao, but when Zhu Gaoxu heard this, he said solemnly: "You can take Yue'er with you. I'm going to visit Prince Ouning's Mansion."

"Prince Ouning's Mansion..."

Zhu Di was slightly distracted, and then he remembered the nephews who had been imprisoned by his family for thirty-one years.

I don’t know what Zhu Di thinks, but Zhu Gaoxu is going to see Zhu Yunxi and the others.

He took the lead to walk down the tower and rushed to Prince Ouning's Mansion not far from Zhu Biao's mausoleum with Yishiha.

Prince Ou Ning's Mansion has been expanded twice. The first time was due to fire and expanded to 46 acres, with pavilions, lakes and pavilions.

The second expansion was made by Zhu Gaoxu, the official of Qianhu in Bohai who was responsible for guarding this place in the second year of Hongxi's reign, who reported that the people in the house were prosperous. After requesting the expansion, Zhu Gaoxu approved the expansion.

After the second expansion, the area of ​​Ouning Prince's Mansion reached more than 260 acres, enough to accommodate the descendants of Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Yunxi, and Zhu Yunxi.

Of course, Zhu Gaoxu was not prepared to imprison them for life. He was ready to release them as soon as Zhu Di died.

Walking to the palace of Prince Ouning, the Bohai soldiers who had already received the news quickly saluted and bowed.

"Long live your Majesty! Long live! Long live..."

"Okay, have they arrived at Chengyun Hall?"

Zhu Gaoxu interrupted the bows and salutes of more than a hundred soldiers and asked Yi Shiha beside him.

Yi Shiha nodded and said, "We have all gathered together. Now we have one son and four grandsons of the common people of Jian, three sons and eleven grandsons of the common people of Wu, five sons and eighteen grandsons of the common people of Heng, and three sons and seventeen grandchildren of the prince of Ouning County."

Yi Shiha only gave a brief introduction, but the population of Zhu Biao's group unexpectedly reached sixty-five.

You must know that Zhu Di's children and grandchildren are only more than fifty, which shows that Zhu Gaoxu is very good at Zhu Biao's lineage.

"Let's go..."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded to express his understanding, and then walked into Prince Ouning's palace.

When you walk into the palace, you will see the front gate, Duanli Gate, and then the wide Chengyunmen Square.

On the left side of Chengyun Gate Square are the Shanchuan Altar, the Sheji Altar, as well as the slaughtering room and pavilion for slaughtering livestock, as well as the stable and dining room, and the granary for storing grain.

On the right side of the square, there are rows of buildings such as the Prince's Mansion, the Sixth Bureau, the Chengfeng Department, and the Envoy Rest Room.

In front is the Chengyun Gate, which is about two feet high. After passing through the corridor, which is less than two feet, what appears in front of Zhu Gaoxu is the tall blue-tiled Chengyun Hall.

Just one foreign palace is enough to show Zhu Gaoxu's preferential treatment to Zhu Biao's lineage. You must know that his Bohai Palace was not as big as the foreign palace here, let alone the rear palace.

Zhu Gaoxu walked up the steps, followed by more than a hundred Bohai guards and horses.

He walked into the Chengyun Hall, where men and women of Zhu Biao's lineage gathered at this moment.

They were divided into left and right groups, totaling about two hundred people. At this moment, their faces were full of fear and panic.

"I see your Majesty, may your Majesty live forever..."

Several voices sounded one after another, and then more than 200 people in the hall knelt down and bowed five times and kowtowed three times, saluting Zhu Gaoxu respectfully.

Some children who were too young, five or six years old, did not understand why they had to kneel down, and their black and white eyes looked at Zhu Gaoxu from time to time.

Zhu Gaoxu walked to the golden platform of Chengyun Hall and looked down at the four people kneeling in front of him: "Get down!"

"Thank you for your grace..."

The older one among the four, the only one who was somewhat familiar to Zhu Gaoxu, spoke first, and then stood up carefully.

Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Yunxi, and... Zhu Wenkui.

Zhu Yunxi is two years older than Zhu Gaoxu. He is now in his mid-fifties and very thin.

Perhaps on that night thirty-eight years ago, he never thought that he would be so groveling in front of Zhu Gaoxu.

At that time, he still maintained a non-intervention and only wanted to enjoy a happy life as a vassal king. Unfortunately, his good second brother Zhu Yunwen eventually lost his kingdom and put his family in trouble.

The fourth child, Zhu Yunxu, is five years younger than Zhu Gaoxu. He is now forty-six years old. He is in good health and looks nervous.

The fifth oldest, Zhu Yunxi, was eleven years old when Zhu Gaoxu was younger. He is now forty years old and as nervous as Zhu Yunxu.

The last one was Zhu Wenkui, the eldest son of Zhu Yunwen, who forced Zhu Gaoxu to raise troops to quell Jingnan.

Now he is only thirty-five years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a nervous expression and a humble posture.

Apart from his expression and posture, his appearance made the vague appearance of Zhu Yunwen in Zhu Gaoxu's memory clearer, and he could not help but feel a little nostalgic.

Compared to him who was relaxed, Zhu Wenkui was extremely nervous.

This is the first time he has seen Zhu Gaoxu since he was born.

He was only five years old when the Jingnan incident ended, and his memory of his parents was already very vague. However, since he had grown up, both Lu and his uncles had taught him to be cautious in his words and deeds.

Among the few people, he is the greatest threat to today's family, and he knows it himself, so his legs are trembling now, which is very embarrassing.

As he was extremely nervous, a pair of big hands patted his arms.

"You look similar to your father, so relax..."

Zhu Gaoxu's words not only did not make Zhu Wenkui relax, but frightened him so much that he collapsed and knelt on the ground.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yunxi quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, this nephew has been convicted of his crime. Please spare his life!" "Please spare his life!"

Zhu Yunxi and Zhu Yunxi also knelt down, while Zhu Wenkui was frightened and at a loss.

"You haven't inherited your father's character..."

Zhu Gaoxu sighed, seeming slightly disappointed.

Although Zhu Yunwen has a lot of micro-management, there is no need to say much about his personal integrity.

Although Zhu Wenkui is similar to him, he has lived in a repressive environment since childhood. Although he gradually relaxed as an adult, his timid character is completely different from Zhu Yunwen.

It's just that Zhu Gaoxu, one of the initiators, will naturally not dislike this, but just sighs.

"Everyone, please get up. I won't let you kneel down easily. Moreover, except for the official events and sacrifices, kneeling has long been frowned upon in the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Gaoxu walked up to the throne in the Chengyun Hall and sat down. Even though it was just a chair for a county king, he still felt like a dragon chair.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu had no intention of criticizing the crime, several young men in their early twenties stepped forward to help Zhu Yunxi and others up.

Under the leadership of Zhu Yunxi, they turned around and lowered their heads, waiting humbly for Zhu Gaoxu to speak.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Wenkui, and then slowly said:

"Your father's sins are your father's. I once promised Emperor Taizu Gao that I would try my best to assist him, but he refused to let me go."

"I came here today just to make sure you are doing well."

"Now it seems that you are living a relatively comfortable life, so I feel relieved."

His tone was a bit sad, and at the same time he looked around the palace, and then said: "Has Crown Princess Yiwen passed away?"

"Your Majesty, Hong Xi passed away in four years..."

Zhu Yunxi was the only one among the people who had the courage to actively communicate with Zhu Gaoxu, and his answer made Zhu Gaoxu nod.

He didn't have any desire to take revenge on Mrs. Lu, he just wanted to ask.

Thinking of this, he withdrew his gaze and continued: "Stay here and live a good life. In a few years, I will set you free."

After saying this, Zhu Gaoxu stood up and walked out. Zhu Yunxi and others knelt down to give gifts.

When passing by Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Gaoxu stopped and looked at Zhu Yunxi, which made Zhu Yunxi extremely nervous.

After a moment, Zhu Gaoxu slowly said: "If you are lacking something or have been bullied in some way, tell me now."

"After this time, I'm afraid you and I will never have the chance to meet again."

Once Zhu Gaoxu said these words, if it were Zhu Yunwen's character, he would definitely retreat in order to come in and ask for things, but Zhu Yunxu was destined not to have the heart and ability.

He was silent, not knowing what to say, or whether this was Zhu Gaoxu's test of their ambitions.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu sighed and said, "You have been spoiled by that man. If you inherit the throne, my father and I may be able to live a more carefree life."

Zhu Gaoxu's words were like needles pricking Zhu Yunxi's heart, and Zhu Gaoxu ordered Yishiha beside him:

"We will allocate silk and satin from the internal funds to make ready-made clothes. Each member of the royal family of Prince Ouning will allocate three sets. In addition, you can see if there is anything missing and allocate them as well."

"Slave, take your orders," he agreed, and Zhu Gaoxu walked out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yunxi's voice came from behind, but it failed to hinder Zhu Gaoxu's progress.

He couldn't help but look at Zhu Gaoxu's back. Although the back was not as strong as when he was young, it was still as majestic as when his grandfather was alive.

Under his gaze, Zhu Gaoxu's figure gradually disappeared from his eyes, and his eyes dimmed instantly.

Compared to him, the others all showed smiles.

Although Zhu Gaoxu prohibited the royal family of Prince Ou Ning from leaving the palace, copies of the "Di Bao" from the Yongle period, the "Da Ming Bao" today, and even newspapers from various places were sent to the palace.

In addition, there are also teachers transferred from Bohai in the palace, who also teach elementary and middle school textbook knowledge from official schools.

Zhu Gaoxu was extremely confident, and he never worried that Zhu Biao's descendants would have the power to threaten him.

In order not to let them be like Zhu Wengui and Wu Shuren in history who didn't even know cattle and sheep, Zhu Gaoxu maintained their one-sided understanding of the outside world, so they accumulated many curious things in their hearts.

Sea, desert, Gobi, train, rickshaw, carriage...

The things they learned from newspapers have always been what they were curious about and longed for.

In addition, they can also learn from the newspapers what kind of person Zhu Gaoxu is.

In their view, since the current Emperor Hongxi promised to set them free in a few years, he would definitely do it.

Although they had intrigues in the palace, it was not as dark as the temple, so they didn't think much about it.

Compared with them, Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Yunxi, and Zhu Yunxi were in a much heavier mood.

They didn't think Zhu Gaoxu would release them. After all, Zhu Yunwen was rushing to kill him.

Being able to spare their lives was already an act of magnanimity on the part of Zhu Gaoxu.

As for freedom, that is something they dare not even think about...

They didn't know what they thought of Zhu Gaoxu, but Zhu Gaoxu really didn't want to lock them up for too long.

Except for Zhang Fu, Zhu Neng, Meng Ying and others, the people in the Yan Mansion have already withdrawn from the front line, and the situation is similar here in the Bohai Sea.

It doesn't matter if they are released after a few years.

After his thoughts fell, Zhu Gaoxu also walked towards the foot of Purple Mountain with Yi Shiha.

Not long after, they came to the pavilion at the foot of the mountain and sat down to rest. The surrounding area was inspected many times by Jilin, Yanshan and other guards, making it very safe.

Of course, safety is only temporary. With the continuous development of thermal weapons, one day his descendants will be trapped in the palace city.

It's just that Zhu Gaoxu doesn't think about how the people will treat his descendants after the people's wisdom is opened.

If the Ming Dynasty followed the route he prescribed, no matter how he followed it, his descendants would not be exterminated unless all overseas vassal kings were overthrown.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, they are coming down."

Zhu Gaoxu was still thinking about the future, but when he heard Yi Shiha's reminder, he stood up and looked at the steps of Xiaoling.

Seeing Zhu Di and others coming down, Zhu Gaoxu walked out of the pavilion and came to the carriage.

Although he is fifty-one years old, which is considered old in this era, his body and appearance are like those of a man in his early forties, and he does not treat himself as a man in his fifties.

After protecting Zhu Di and the others onto the carriage, he followed them onto the carriage.

The only eunuchs who went south this time were Yi Shiha and Zheng He, while Wang Yan stayed in the Daming Palace.

There were only three people, grandfather and grandson, in the large carriage. Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu and asked, "Have you seen it?"

"I've seen it. Life is good. There are at least 200 people with female dependents." Zhu Gaoxu smiled and shook his head.

Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, nodded and said, "That's good."

After his voice fell, he stopped saying anything and just sat quietly in a daze.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di with great regret.

In fact, Zhu Di never thought about extinguishing his good eldest brother, but after Zhu Biao's lineage was released by Zhu Qizhen, it gradually disappeared during the Wanli years.

The reason for disappearing is very simple. The main reason is that local officials did not dare to get involved in the affairs of this lineage, which made life in this lineage very difficult. In the end, the news of the death of the heir was even spread.

Historically, Zhu Gaoxu did not know whether Zhu Biao's lineage was extinct during the Wanli period. He only knew that Zhu Biao's lineage could not be extinct in this life.

Not only to prevent his father from being hacked, but also for himself.

"How many days will you stay in the Forbidden City?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked Zhu Di specifically. After hearing this, Zhu Di was in a daze for a few times before he finally realized: "Huh?"

"Want to live in Nanjing for a while?" Zhu Gaoxu was not impatient, but continued to ask.

"Stay for a few days, don't stay for too long." Zhu Di nodded.

Now that he is getting older, his memory is not as good as it used to be, and his physical functions are even more so.

Because of this, Zhu Gaoxu only allowed him to go to places with trains, because taking a train would cause the least damage to the body compared to a horse-drawn carriage.

The bumpy carriage was enough to shake Zhu Di's old bones apart.

"Let's go to the Forbidden City."

Zhu Gaoxu gave instructions to Yi Shiha and others outside the car, and Yi Shiha nodded after hearing the words.

Not long after, two cavalry guards guarded the carriage and drove towards the Forbidden City.

Before the carriage arrived at the Forbidden City, it suddenly stopped in downtown Nanjing.

There was a knock on the door, and then Zheng He opened the door and bowed:

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from Beijing..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu decisively took it and opened it, then frowned.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Di asked, and Zhu Gaoxu sighed:

"Xia Yuanji is old and suffered from colds a few days ago. The imperial doctor asked him to rest in peace and recuperate, and he also petitioned to become an official."

"What are you going to do?" Zhu Di asked.

"Let him recover peacefully in Beijing, and then send him back to his hometown in glory after he recovers."

Zhu Gaoxu sighed, and then told Zheng He:
"According to my wishes, I will send another person to Xiangyin County, Changsha Prefecture to choose a place to build a comfortable mansion for Xia Yuanji."

"Yes!" Zheng He bowed in agreement and exited the carriage when he saw that Zhu Gaoxu had no extra instructions.

After he left, Zhu Di sighed and said: "Xia Yuanji is also going to become an official. Alas...it doesn't matter if he becomes an official. If he leaves, no one will stop me from going on tour."

Although Zhu Di was rejoicing in his words, his tone couldn't help but feel a little lonely.

"Although Mobei is safe, to avoid intrusion from barbarians migrating eastward, I'd better send Zhang Fu and Meng Ying to lead the Yanshan Guard cavalry to protect you."

Zhu Gaoxu explained that Zhu Di did not object this time. He just nodded and said nothing, seeming to be still immersed in Xia Yuanji's appointment.

After a while, the team continued to move towards the Forbidden City in Nanjing. The people around them did not know that this was the emperor's team, and they only thought it was a relative of the emperor coming to Nanjing.

After the team left, the street continued to be lively...

(End of this chapter)