Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 577 Xia Yuanji Loves Me

"Woo-"

After seeing and hearing what he heard at Gaochang Station, Zhu Di took a short rest in Gaochang for a few days, visited the people who were reclaiming wasteland, and then signaled to return east.

On the sixth day of May, the army arrived at Hami, which was renamed Yizhou, and Xia Yuanji, who had been imprisoned by Zhu Di for more than a year, was released.

As soon as he was released, he found Zhu Di, while Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu were looking at the newly built palace.

"This palace is quite nice..."

Standing at the gate of the palace, Zhu Di looked up at the words "Taihe Gate" written on the gate and nodded, very satisfied.

Before setting out for Xizhou, Zhu Gaoxu allocated 30,000 strings of cash from the imperial treasury to build this palace.

The reason for building it was for future considerations, but he also had his own plans.

If he doesn't do things like inspecting the northwest in the future, his children and grandchildren will have to do it.

There is Nanjing in the south of the Yangtze River, Jilin City in the northeast, and there should also be a palace in the northwest.

Compared with the previous simple palace, the current Yizhou Palace has been replanned and rebuilt. It is not grand, but it is definitely not small.

The palace is 200 steps wide from east to west and 400 steps deep inside, covering an area of ​​290 acres. The city is 20 feet high and 30 feet thick, and is made of poured concrete and sprayed with paint.

There are three palaces, 52 courtyards, 248 houses, and one warehouse and storehouse in the palace city.

Although it was only built for eight months, it has basically everything it needs and can easily accommodate 3,000 people.

"Let's go in and take a look!"

Zhu Di became more energetic and strode forward.

Passing through the Taihe Gate corridor, a 20-acre square comes into view, and in front of it is a palace built on a three-meter-high platform.

The layout of Yizhou's Taihe Palace is similar to that of the Forbidden City, but it does not have a triple gate layout. There are only three palaces, namely the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Chongde, and the Hall of Purple Palace.

Business was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, envoys were received in the Hall of Chongde, and the Hall of Purple Cinderella was a place for rest.

Among the three main halls, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest, which is twenty steps wide from east to west and ten steps deep from north to south. The second largest is the Hall of Purple Ceremony, and the last is the Hall of Chongde.

Although the palace here is not big compared to the Forbidden City, it can be considered a grand palace when compared with other palaces in the world.

The base of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is three zhang high, and the hall is four zhang high. The space inside is very large, and there are windows inside that illuminate everything.

"These gold bricks are leftovers from the Forbidden City, and they just happened to be put to use."

Zhu Gaoxu stayed beside Zhu Di and explained, while Zhu Di looked at everything around him with satisfaction.

Zhu Qiyue and Guo Deng followed behind him. Guo Deng just marveled that such a huge palace could be built in such a short time, while Zhu Qiyue kept looking around, as if he had regarded himself as the owner of this palace.

Of course, in his opinion, the palace was still too far to the east and should have been built in the Ili River Valley.

If it is built in the Ili River Valley, it will also be convenient for him to deal with Timur and Yue Jibie in the future.

"It's okay. We'll dismantle it and move it to Yili later."

Zhu Gaoxu was still explaining the palace to Zhu Di, but he didn't expect that Zhu Qiyue had already thought of demolishing the palace and moving it to Yili.

"This palace is great. There should indeed be a palace in the northwest."

Although Zhu Di was old, he saw things very clearly.

The Ming Dynasty's future land expansion will definitely be mainly in the southwest and west.

There is no direct railway to the southwest yet, so there is no need to rush for the time being, but the northwest railway has been built, so it is necessary to build a palace.

Otherwise, even if there was a train, it would take at least twenty days to deliver the news from Yangyi to Beijing.

Twenty days can delay a lot of things, so it is better to build the palace in Yizhou.

Of course, he also thought it would be better to build the palace in Yili, but the railway could not be built there and the population was insufficient. Only Yizhou, which had developed for more than 20 years, had the foundation to build this palace.

"The Emperor! The Emperor!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard outside the palace.

When everyone looked back, they saw Xia Yuanji, who had been walking quickly, "breaking" into the hall in a hurry.

Everyone looked at each other. Compared to a year ago, Xia Yuanji looked better, with a lot more flesh on his sunken cheeks.

Compared with him, Zhu Di's cheeks were sunken due to his last illness, like a sick tiger.

"Your Majesty...you have lost weight."

Standing there, looking at Zhu Di's thin figure, Xia Yuanji felt a lump in his throat and couldn't help but bow.

"You have gained a lot of weight."

Zhu Di looked at Xia Yuanji, who had gained a lot of weight, and nodded with satisfaction. Then he showed Xia Yuanji:
"Xia Yuanji, what do you think of the West Palace of the Ming Emperor?"

"If a war breaks out in the west in the future, this West Palace will become the place where the emperor will personally visit, and the soldiers on the front line will also be encouraged. Take a look..."

Zhu Di showed off the palace, but Xia Yuanji choked up and said:
"Your Majesty, please take a rest here. You have been traveling for too long and need to rest..."

"Rest, I need to rest. I need to stay in this palace for a while."

Zhu Di agreed very much, and Zhu Gaoxu was relieved when he heard it.

Along the way, he hoped that Zhu Di would have a good rest, but Zhu Di was anxious to go home, and he couldn't stop him.

Now that Zhu Di was willing to rest, he was happier than anyone else.

"Second brother, take us to see other palaces. Let's go..."

Zhu Di signaled Zhu Gaoxu to introduce himself, saying that he was probably the only one who dared to drive Zhu Gaoxu like this.

However, under the old man's command, Zhu Gaoxu willingly became the "tour guide" of the Taihe Palace and explained to Zhu Di and others this newly built palace.

Time passed little by little, and soon he explained everything about the palace.

Zhu Di was very happy and specially ordered a banquet to be given to all the officials and soldiers in the city.

As night fell, the square began to be decorated with lights and many makeshift lanterns were hung after a busy afternoon.

Although not as bright and lively as the Lantern Festival, it is not much different.

Zhu Di changed into a scarlet robe, wore a Yishan crown and sat in the main seat, while Zhu Gaoxu sat beside him.

Below the high platform, hundreds of officials and thousands of soldiers sat in their seats and drank from their cups, while Zhu Di rested one hand on the armrest of his chair and stroked his beard with the other.

Many fireworks are blooming in the sky. All the fireworks in the city have been purchased and will be blooming tonight.

Even the city of Yizhou was ordered to lift the curfew for one night, and the whole city seemed to have arrived at the Lantern Festival in the first month of the lunar year.

Looking at the scenes in front of him, Zhu Di couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth. After drinking a glass of wine with a smile, Zhu Di stood up and said to Zhu Gaoxu:
"You stay here and talk to the ministers. I will go for a walk by myself."

"Shall I go with you?" Zhu Gaoxu looked worried, but Zhu Di raised his hand to interrupt:
"Just let this kid accompany me." Zhu Di looked at Zhu Qi Yue who was drinking with Guo Deng in his arms. Zhu Qi Yue also felt his gaze and quickly put down his wine glass, then ran over to bow.

"Grandpa, you called me?"

"I haven't even started to call you, but you're here." Zhu Di patted Zhu Qiyue and said, "Come on, walk with Grandpa."

"Oh... okay!" Zhu Qiyue looked at his grandfather, and when he saw Zhu Gaoxu nod, he followed Zhu Di and walked around in the Taihe Palace.

The grandfather and grandson walked towards Chongde Hall. Seeing this, Guo Deng called on several soldiers from Yanshan Guard to protect them from a distance.

Zhu Gaoxu saw this scene and immediately stood up and walked down the stairs to explain some things to the local officials.

Walking on the palace road, because the moon was very bright and there were fireworks in the sky, Zhu Di and Zhu Qiyue did not need to carry lanterns.

Zhu Di walked in front, Zhu Qiyue followed beside him, and Guo Deng and several soldiers of Yanshan Guard followed closely about ten steps away.

After walking about a hundred steps, Zhu Di arrived at the Purple Palace.

He walked in with Zhu Qiyue and went straight to the left side hall of the Zichen Hall and sat in the main seat there.

Zhu Qiyue was too lazy to move a stool, so he just sat on the footstool in the main seat, leaning against Zhu Di's legs.

Zhu Di took a deep breath, then lowered his eyes to look at Zhu Qiyue who was leaning against him.

"Boy, you've been a little proud lately..."

"I'm fine, I'm just happy." Zhu Qiyue drank two pots of wine, but his mind was still clear, though he was a little excited.

"Just don't be proud." Zhu Di nodded, then suddenly crossed his legs, put his hands on his knees and sighed.

Zhu Qiyue turned around and asked, "Grandfather, why do you always sigh recently?"

"Maybe I'm old." Zhu Di did not avoid the topic, but he also said proudly:
"I'm afraid there won't be another emperor like me who rides a horse to kill the enemy at my age."

"That's right!" Zhu Qiyue said with a smile, "I admire grandpa the most, but I don't want to learn from grandpa, I want to learn from you, great grandpa."

"What?" Zhu Di asked curiously, but Zhu Qiyue opened his hands as if he was lying flat and said:
"My grandfather is so tired. I am exhausted just watching him live, let alone learning from him."

"If I work day and night like my grandfather, I probably won't live to be 70."

"Haha..." Zhu Di was amused, but at the same time he nodded in agreement:
"Your grandfather is like this, but I am sorry for him. In the early years, I let him supervise the country and threw the burden to him."

"I don't think it was you, great grandfather, who dumped me, because I think my grandfather was destined to have such a hard life. He wouldn't be happy if we didn't let him do it."

Zhu Qiyue clicked his tongue and said, "If I become the emperor in the future, I will definitely not do that. I will have to hand things over to the people below me."

As he said this, Zhu Di just smiled and looked at him. After a while, he suddenly said:

"This time when I go back, I can just go to Changping to see my Jirang. I heard that it has been built, but I didn't expect it to be so fast."

The so-called auspicious land is Zhu Di's tomb, and Zhu Qiyue heard it and said:
"I was thinking before, Grandpa, your Jirang is so big, won't you feel lonely living with Grandma?"

"Silly boy, why would you talk about being alone when the person is dead?" Zhu Di joked with a smile. Zhu Qiyue said:
"If you're lonely, I'll build a small one next to you, or hide with you."

He grinned, but Zhu Di stretched out his hand to drive him away: "Go away, everyone has their own land, don't come to squeeze me, and I won't go to you."

"You don't care about me anymore now that you have your grandmother." Zhu Qiyue curled his lips, but Zhu Di thought of his own sister Xu while listening to his words.

"Yes...your great grandmother is so wonderful. If I could see her after I die, then death wouldn't be so scary..."

A smile gradually appeared on Zhu Di's face, as if he had really seen his own sister Xu.

"But didn't you say before that you were scared to death of seeing Grandpa Gao?"

Zhu Qiyue was talking about something irrelevant. Zhu Di immediately thought of his father's face and said with shame:
"Your Grandpa Gao is... but we are all dead, at most he will just get a beating."

"Grandfather." Zhu Qiyue suddenly stopped smiling and asked curiously, "Have you ever regretted it?"

"Regret..." Zhu Di smiled and shook his head:

"My great grandfather never regretted anything. Regret is something that only people who are indecisive would do. I don't want future generations to think that I am an emperor who is indecisive."

"Besides, if your great grandfather and your grandfather didn't start a rebellion, where would you come from?"

"Perhaps, we died more than 30 years ago."

"Boy..." Zhu Di's eyes suddenly became deep, looking at the night sky outside the palace:
"Your grandpa is a little tired. You need to grow up quickly and help him carry some of the burden."

"Your father is okay, but he's not as smart as you. He's too cautious in many things."

"You have to help Great Grandfather look after your grandfather and your father. I have high hopes in you. Whether the Ming Dynasty can prosper for five generations depends entirely on you."

"I will definitely do it!" Zhu Qiyue grinned and said, "I will make the Ming Dynasty prosperous for five, six, seven, and eight generations... just like you brought out my grandfather, my father, and me!"

"Haha, then you have to take good care of yourself and live to the same age as me. Also, you have to get married early. Don't be like your grandfather, who had children in his twenties."

If we were to discuss what Zhu Di was dissatisfied with Zhu Gaoxu, it was that Zhu Gaoxu had children too late.

Although Zhu Gaoxu was only 22 years old when Zhu Zhanhe was born, Zhu Di still felt it was very late, because he could feel that he did not have much time to take care of Zhu Qiyue, so he felt a little resentful.

"My father is okay..."

Zhu Qiyue scratched his head. He didn't want to have a baby too early, but since his great-grandfather had said so, it seemed not a good idea for him not to fool around.

"I also want to have a baby early, but I still have to study. I will have a baby after I finish high school." "Okay..." Zhu Di nodded with a smile, and then started chatting with Zhu Qiyue.

The banquet ended successfully, and Zhu Di lived in the Taihe Palace for two months.

However, during these two months, although he had no illness, his health seemed to have become worse.

On the tenth day of July, for some unknown reason, Zhu Di took the initiative to return to Beijing, and Zhu Gaoxu had to go back early to preside over the situation of the three military governors in the Western Regions.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Gaoxu also ordered his return to the east at the right time.

The next morning, they set out on the journey back to Beijing.

Sitting in the car, Xia Yuanji kept looking at Zhu Di, while Zhu Di was reading some popular text novels and no longer reading any so-called classics and history books.

On the way from Yizhou to Beijing, Zhu Di passed through many cities and wanted to see if there were any changes.

Because of this, when the train arrived at Guazhou City, Zhu Di took advantage of the time when the train was refueling with water and coal to speak to Zhu Gaoxu:

"Second brother, how is Guazhou developing? I think you and I have to go and see..."

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this won't work!"

Before Zhu Gaoxu could speak, Xia Yuanji stood up and bowed, interrupting Zhu Di's thoughts.

Zhu Di saw this and said helplessly: "The emperor hasn't said anything yet, but you have an opinion."

"Xia Yuanji, did I give you a hard time? Do you think you can boss me around?"

"Emperor Retired!" Xia Yuanji stood there and bowed, "It's very windy outside, and your health is not well yet. You should go back to Beijing to recuperate first."

"I know my physical condition better than you do. Please get out of my way!"

Zhu Di frowned and scolded Xia Yuanji, but Xia Yuanji stood still, maintaining his original posture.

Zhu Di stretched out his hand to push him away, but Xia Yuanji immediately knelt down and said sternly: "Your Majesty, if you insist on leaving, please step on me to leave!"

"You are such a traitor!" Zhu Di looked at Zhu Qiyue and Guo Deng and said, "Carry him to the back carriage!"

"Grandfather, you are..." Zhu Qiyue was a little hesitant to do it, but Zhu Di stared at him and said:
"Why, now I can't even give orders to you two?"

Zhu Qiyue didn't know what to say when he heard this, so he just turned his gaze to Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said, "Father, Xia Yuanji means well. You really can't be exposed to the wind in your current condition."

"Second brother, you are starting to disobey me too?" Zhu Di couldn't believe it. Zhu Gaoxu sighed when he heard it:

"The king said you can't blow the wind, so you better obey him. At least I don't want you to go out now."

"Get out of the way!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Di pushed Xia Yuanji down and pretended to leave.

Xia Yuanji hugged Zhu Di's legs directly: "Emperor, you can't go out!"

"Xia Yuanji, you old barbarian!" Zhu Di had his legs held and did not dare to move at all, for fear of dragging Xia Yuanji away and sending this old minister away.

Xia Yuanji held Zhu Di's legs tightly. The two sides were in a stalemate for a long time. Zhu Di finally returned to his seat and sat down.

He began to sulk by himself and refused to communicate with anyone.

Time passed little by little, and when the whistle sounded again, Zhu Di knew that there was no way he could get off the train.

The scenery outside the car window began to recede, which also meant that they were getting closer and closer to Beijing.

Suzhou, Ganzhou, Liangzhou...

They passed through cities and provinces one after another, and time passed by.

Xia Yuanji was staring at Zhu Di all the way, but the reality was very humorous.

When the train arrived at Jiuyuan County, Dingxiang Prefecture, Hetao, Xia Yuanji fell ill.

He was transferred to the county government office for recuperation, and Zhu Di took the opportunity to get off the train.

Jiuyuan County has a very interesting name in later generations...Baotou.

For this place, people in later generations can only think of Baotou Lu Bu, whose hometown name has been changed.

But in fact, this place is a very important place both in later generations and now.

As Wang Hui's new policies were implemented in the north, Jiuyuan became one of the important steel production centers in the north.

From Linsu to the present day, the development of Jiuyuan has lasted for thirty years.

Because of this, Zhu Di took this opportunity to propose to visit the metallurgical factory in Jiuyuan.

Although he was anxious to return to Beijing, Xia Yuanji could not leave for the next two days, so in order to relax and observe, Zhu Gaoxu agreed with Zhu Di's idea.

The father and son went to visit the local iron smelting factory, while Zhu Qiyue waited outside the factory with Guo Deng.

There are twenty iron smelting plants of various sizes in Jiuyuan, each of which has a stable output of 500 tons of pig iron per year, with a total output of 10,000 tons of pig iron.

Thirty years ago, this pig iron output was enough to meet the annual iron consumption of nearly one million people, but this is no longer the case.

The Ming Dynasty today produces 480,000 tons of pig iron every year. Although it is only 280,000 tons when converted into later units, this is still a global-level output in this era.

Not only that, the output of pig iron is still increasing at a rate of 12% per year, which is the most terrifying thing.

Jiuyuan County has a population of 120,000, and nearly 60% of the men in the county are engaged in iron smelting and mining. Their wages are paid according to the official wages, and they live a very comfortable life.

After a brief visit, Zhu Di found no problems and signaled Zhu Gaoxu that he could leave.

The father and son walked out of the steel plant. Zhu Qiyue stepped forward and opened the carriage door. Zhu Di suddenly said, "Bring a horse over here."

"Grandpa, you can't ride a horse now." Zhu Qiyue was worried about his health, and Zhu Gaoxu also frowned and was about to speak.

At this time, Zhu Di took the initiative to interrupt and said: "I am just riding, not running."

"If you are worried, just hold the reins. That will make you feel more at ease."

After Zhu Di finished speaking, he stared at Zhu Gaoxu, who seemed to have noticed something and ordered Zhu Qiyue, "Bring the horse over here."

"Yes..." Zhu Qiyue had no choice but to lead the horse and walk in front of them.

Zhu Di turned over and tried to mount his horse, and Zhu Gaoxu stepped forward to support him.

In the past, Zhu Di would have definitely rejected such a move, but this time he did not.

With the help of Zhu Gaoxu, he climbed onto the horse with peace of mind.

Zhu Qiyue wanted to take the reins, but Zhu Gaoxu shook his head: "You guys follow, I'll lead."

"You lead the horse?!" Zhu Qiyue, Guo Deng and the guards around them all widened their eyes, but Zhu Gaoxu did not respond. He turned around, took the reins, and led Zhu Di towards Jiuyuan County.

There are official roads along the way, with grasslands and mounds on both sides of the roads.

Desertification in the Hetao area is very serious. Even after many years of development by the Ming Dynasty, it is still so desolate.

"Go look at that hill up there."

Zhu Di made a gesture, and Zhu Gaoxu paused after hearing it. Then he left the official road without looking back and walked towards a mound nearby.

The mound is dozens of feet high and there is no road to climb the mountain. Although it is not steep, there are a lot of gravel and the soil is hard, so it is easy to slip if you are not careful.

Fortunately, Zhu Gaoxu walked steadily and the horse was not frightened.

He led the horse, which carried Zhu Di, and soon they reached the top of the hill.

Looking to the north, there are desolate earthen hills with no grass growing on them one after another. Looking to the north, there is nothing to see except the blue sky and the desolate yellow earthen hills.

The only scenery may be a line of clouds forming on the horizon...

"Second brother..."

Zhu Di spoke, but Zhu Gaoxu didn't look back and just responded, "Hmm?"

"Thanks a lot."

Zhu Di's sigh-like sound made Zhu Gaoxu feel as if there was a breath stuck in his throat, which he could neither spit out nor swallow.

"Dad, we haven't returned home yet."

His voice was a little bit unsmooth, Zhu Di heard it, but he just laughed twice.

"It's enough to live to this number."

His voice came from the side, and before Zhu Gaoxu could speak, he gestured, "The mound next to it is higher, take me up there and have a look."

"Okay, I'll take you up." Zhu Gaoxu nodded and was about to leave, but Zhu Di said, "I liked to carry you on my back when I was a child, but now I can't do it anymore."

"Then I'll carry you up." Zhu Gaoxu knew what Zhu Di meant. Zhu Di was not polite and skillfully dismounted.

When Zhu Di lay on his back, Zhu Gaoxu realized that he didn't know when the old man's weight had become so light.

He carried Zhu Di on his back and walked towards the next hill. Zhu Di then spoke:

"In the past, people in the military said that if a son could carry his father on his back, it meant that the son had grown up and the father should accept his age."

"It's just a joke, don't take it seriously."

"Hehe..." Zhu Di smiled and didn't speak for a long time.

Soon, Zhu Gaoxu carried him to the top of the next hill. Zhu Di looked into the distance, but saw the same scenery as before.

But gradually, he seemed to see something and became obsessed with it.

He was born in the 27th year of Zhizheng. At the age of seven, he followed his brothers and went out of the city for long-distance training at the request of Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing hemp shoes and leg wraps like soldiers.

He would ride a horse for more than ten miles, and when he couldn't walk any more, he would get off the horse and continue walking. He had been doing this since he was a child until the Ming Dynasty was established when he was ten years old.
He began to study in the Ohondo with his brothers and met his own sister Xu in the palace.

At the age of twelve, he was enthroned as King of Yan.

At the age of seventeen, he married his beloved sister Xu. From then on, he not only had a wife, but also a father-in-law who was known as the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty.

After getting married, he was sent to Fengyang to practice military exercises, understand the people's sentiments, and prepare for his enfeoffment.

At the age of 20, he led the Yanshan Guard to Beijing and began to work with his father-in-law. He also got acquainted with Yao Guangxiao, the monk Daoyan, whom he called "old monk".

This period was the happiest time in his life.

During the day he studied with his father-in-law, at night he discussed philosophy with Yao Guangxiao, and when he was tired he would chat and play with Xu Meizi.

At the age of thirty, he led his troops out of the border and captured alive Nairbuhua, a guy who had repeatedly escaped from his cousin and father-in-law, and was praised by his father.

He was full of ambition and pride at that time, and in the following years, although there were always some villains who criticized him, he was also a man who was loved by his father, elder brother, and daughter-in-law.

It's a pity that they gradually left, leaving me alone...

"Second Brother," Zhu Di spoke slowly, and a figure appeared in his eyes. He was standing on the hill they had just climbed up, standing next to the horse.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di, but saw Zhu Di motioning him to look at the horses.

Zhu Gaoxu misunderstood and thought that Zhu Di was indicating to go back, so he carried Zhu Di on his back and walked towards the horses.

When he came to the side of the horse, Zhu Di seemed to have regained his strength. He left Zhu Gaoxu's back and looked at the figure who was motioning him to get on the horse.

He jumped on the horse, and without waiting for Zhu Gaoxu to react, he shook the reins and galloped towards another hill.

On the way, he met many people, including enemies, old friends, and even Zhu Gaoxu's three brothers, Zhu Qiyue, Xia Yuanji and others.

He wanted to stop his horse and shout loudly, but he thought of many things and finally grinned as if relieved.

Finally he climbed up the hill, put his legs around the horse's belly, and raised the horse's front hooves like a standing man.

He sat on the horse's back, his legs tightly clamped around the horse's belly, lingering on this territory that belonged to the Ming Dynasty.

"Gao Xu loves me!!"

"Natsuhara Yoshi loves me!!"

(End of this chapter)