Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 147 Return of Zheng He
September eighteenth.

early morning.

"Your Majesty, there have been continuous heavy rains in Guangdong and Yunnan, with more than a thousand houses collapsed and tens of thousands of victims. The chief envoys of the two places asked the court to release food for disaster relief. It has not rained in Henan and Shanxi in March, and it has been more than April without rain in Shandong, resulting in a locust plague. It was so raging that countless acres of land were harvested, nearly [-] people were affected, and thousands died of starvation."

Yu Xin, the Minister of Household Affairs, bowed and spoke.

Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "If you pass on the decree, all prefectural and county government offices will open their warehouses to release grain. If something like this happens again, there is no need to report it to each level, and we will directly provide disaster relief."

"I obey the order." Yu Xin bowed and accepted the order.

He then continued: "Your Majesty, I still have a report."

"Speak." Zhu Di said.

Yu Xindao: "The three prefectures of Qingzhou, Laizhou and Dengzhou are close to mountains and seas, and the soil is barren and the people are poor. When floods and droughts occur, food and clothing are not provided. Most of the people flee to Dongchang, Yanzhou and other prefectures, and are employed to survive. This time The damage is even worse.”

Zhu Di considered his words for a moment, and then said loudly: "Dingtao, Yanzhou and other prefectures and counties in Dongchang are sparsely populated and have many idle fields. I asked the prefects of Qingzhou, Laizhou and Dengzhou to quickly move the victims to Dongchang and Dingzhou. For resettlement in prefectures and counties such as Tao and Yanzhou, every three households will be allocated one oxen, appropriate grain and farm tools will be provided, and they will be exempted from taxes for three years."

"According to the order, I will do it immediately." Yu Xin bowed and said.

"Wait a minute, I have something to say."

Censor Guizhan quickly stepped out of the queue and bowed: "Your Majesty, although the policy of relocating the people is not bad, it is not a permanent solution."

"What advice do you have, Ai Qing?" Zhu Di asked.

Gui Zhan said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this flood and drought are rare since the founding of the country by Taizu. A strange evil comes from heaven, and the ministers are worried. This is a bad omen of the anger of heaven and the resentment of mankind!"

As soon as these words came out, there was a lot of discussion in the hall.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu entered from the west corner door and walked to the court hall where he stood at the head of the royal family.

Today is September [-]th, the birthday of Zhu Yuanzhang, the great emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Di ordered Zhu Gaoxu to go to Fengxian Hall early in the morning to worship and then attend the morning court.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu arrived late.

On the other side, Gui Zhan continued: "Since the beginning of the construction of the treasure ship under the sea, the people have been recruited to work as craftsmen, the logging has been too heavy, the mountains are bare and the rocks are exposed, the channels are in disrepair, the embankments and ponds are silted up, and disasters such as drought and flood are inevitable. If we don't stop quickly, I’m afraid the sky will bring disaster again!”

Zhu Gaoxu knew that for future generations, there was a scientific basis for the conclusion that excessive logging on a large scale would lead to soil erosion, climate change, and flash floods or droughts.

But now the words of Yushi Guizhan made him sound particularly harsh.

Zhu Di asked expressionlessly: "Are you trying to say that going to the West to cause anger and resentment is my bad government?"

"The ministers only use the celestial phenomena to indicate the merits and demerits of the so-called new policy. I can only hope for His Majesty's holy judgment."

Gui Zhan bowed and said respectfully.

Zhu Di had a sullen face and said nothing.

"His Majesty!"

Xia Yuanji, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, bowed and went out of the queue and said: "Zheng He has been at sea for more than two years. He has either encouraged His Majesty to prepare goods or devoted all his efforts to building ships. The results are like the moon in the water, and flowers can be seen in the mist. Although I, the Ming Dynasty, are The Kingdom of Heaven will be exhausted even if it goes through so much trouble!"

"Your Majesty, when you go on a mission to the West, you just need to build a few sailing ships and let Zheng He take them out for a ride. Then you take millions of taels of silver and throw them into the vast sea. God is astounded!"

Song Li, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, bowed and walked out of the procession.

"Your Majesty, just transporting shipbuilding timber from the mountains to the shipyard requires hundreds of people to work hard for half a year. How can such a national policy not cause complaints from the people?"

Censor Guizhan then said: "Coupled with the drought and floods and the locust plague, various celestial phenomena have warned that the way of heaven is clear, promoting good and suppressing evil. Your Majesty must plan for the people, for the great Ming Dynasty, respect the ancestor of heaven, change his ways, and depose the bad government of patrolling the ocean!"

He suddenly raised his voice, bent down and knelt down and said: "I ask your Majesty to abolish the policy of patrolling, so as to appease the anger of heaven and calm the resentment of the people."

"The minister waits for a second opinion."

Xia Yuanji and Song Li also knelt down and worshiped.

Afterwards, nine more courtiers knelt down one after another and bowed loudly: "I second my opinion."

Zhu Di looked at the twelve courtiers kneeling in the hall, feeling a little heartbroken.

Zhu Gaoxu was even more angry by Xia Yuanji.

"Your Majesty, Zheng He has returned!"

At this moment, a messenger ran quickly outside Fengtian Gate, knelt down with a plop, and shouted loudly.

Zhu Di was overjoyed when he heard this, thinking that it was just the right time for Zheng He to come back.

He immediately stood up and ordered to Zhu Gaoxu: "The prince has heard the order, I order you to lead all the civil and military officials to meet Zheng He and others at the mouth of Longjiang River, and then take them to Fengtian Hall, where I will receive Zheng He and other meritorious officials." Generals and envoys from overseas countries!"

"My son, I accept the decree." Zhu Gaoxu bowed and said.

After half an hour.

On the river.

"Look! Longjiang Pier, we are home!"

On the Ming Dynasty ships, thousands of officers, soldiers, sailors, and boatmen had tears in their eyes.

They stood on the boat and jumped up and down, shouting things like "We're home".

"General Zheng, look, that's the imperial flag!"

Chen Xuan pointed to the yellow flags symbolizing the status of the crown prince on the river bank in the distance, and said to Zheng He excitedly: "It should be the prince who is coming to greet us!"

"General Bing Zheng and General Bing Chen, we just received the news of the arrival of the clipper. His Majesty has sent His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to the mouth of Longjiang River."

Wang Jinghong boarded the deck and walked quickly to Zheng He and Chen Xuan, unable to conceal his excitement.

Chen Xuan said: "Since the crown prince is here, all the civil and military officials must be here."

Zheng He suppressed his inner excitement and said to Chen Xuan: "After the fleet enters the port, please ask Mr. Chen to send someone to send those overseas businessmen who followed the fleet to our Ming Dynasty to bathe and change clothes."

Before the Ming Dynasty fleet went to sea, Zhu Gaoxu had strictly ordered Zheng He and others that anyone who boarded the Ming Dynasty's ship must be quarantined and observed in accordance with the "Epidemic Prevention Manual".

Zheng He and others did not dare to take it lightly, especially now that they were in Zhili.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zheng, Chen knows it well." Chen Xuan nodded.

After Zheng He and others disembarked, officials from the Ministry of Rites had already set up a ceremony platform at the Longjiangkou pier as a ceremony to welcome the Ming Dynasty fleet back into the port.

At this time, Zhu Gaoxu led a group of officials and stood on the podium with great expectations.

As for Zhao Junchen and Wei Xian, they were guarding behind Zhu Gaoxu on the left and right, staring around as if facing a formidable enemy.

Although there were elite soldiers such as the Jinyi Guards, the Flag Guards, and the Shenji Squadron that surrounded the ceremony platform, Zhao and Wei still did not dare to let down their guard for the sake of safety.

"Weak ministers Zheng He (Chen Xuan and Wang Jinghong) bow to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness is a thousand years old!"

Zheng, Chen and Wang knelt down and kowtowed, performing a ritual of worship.

As for the rest of the accompanying officials in the fleet, they were performing their duties and were busy unloading the cargo and did not come to the ceremony stand to receive the ceremony.

"Zheng He, you are finally back."

Zhu Gaoxu first said something with emotion, then walked down the stage, personally helped Zheng He, Wang Jinghong, and Chen Xuan in turn, and said: "If you are flat, you will soon be flat."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Zheng, Wang, and Chen said one after another.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the dark-skinned Zheng He and said, "I haven't seen you for a few years. You have become much older."

"Although Wei Chen and others are overseas, their hearts are with His Majesty the Ming Dynasty and His Highness." Zheng He said with tears in his eyes.

"Father and I miss you too."

Zhu Gaoxu held Zheng He's hand, glanced across the faces of Chen Xuan and Wang Jinghong, and said with concern: "My father heard that you were coming back, even for the morning meeting, so he ordered me to come to the river to pick you up."

Zheng He asked respectfully: "How is your Majesty's Holy Body?" "Okay, very good." Zhu Gaoxu replied without thinking.

Then, he looked at Wang Jinghong and said seriously: "Wang Jinghong, let me ask you, after overseas envoys boarded our Ming Dynasty treasure ship, did they strictly follow the "Epidemic Prevention Manual" for isolation and observation?"

"Back to Your Highness, I strictly follow the manual and do not dare to take it lightly. The overseas envoys who go to Beijing on the ship will be inspected by the ship's medical officer every three days, and there has been no disease."

Wang Jinghong hurriedly bowed and replied respectfully.

Zhu Gaoxu did not answer, but turned his head slightly and looked at Zheng He and Chen Xuan.

Zheng He immediately said: "Your Highness, I have just sent someone to lead the envoys from various countries to bathe and change clothes."

Chen Xuan added: "Going back to Your Highness, I have followed the Ming Dynasty's overseas merchant ships. I have ordered them to dock at the designated location and wait for the Ministry of Rites to arrange for the merchants to bathe and change clothes to wash away the smell of mutton before allowing them to stay in Huitong." The pavilion awaits trade.”

"Well, good! Look, all the civil and military officials are here."

Zhu Gaoxu first nodded and said, "Let's go, my father is waiting for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Zheng He bowed.

After half an hour.

Fengtian Temple.

"The chief military officer of the Proclamation Patrol, Zheng He, and the deputy military commanders, Chen Xuan and Wang Jinghong, are here to see you!"

All the ceremony officials shouted in turn.

"My ministers Zheng He (Wang Jinghong, Chen Xuan) bow to Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"

Zheng He, Wang Jinghong and Chen Xuan came to the center of the hall in the shape of "pin" and performed the rite of worship.

"Pingshen." Zhu Di said loudly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty for your grace." Zheng He and the other three said in unison.

Zhu Di stood up and left the throne excitedly, and walked directly off Danbi. At the same time, he said: "I am so happy to see you back!"

"Your Majesty, in June of the first year of Yongle, I led more than 21 sea vessels to patrol the South and West Oceans according to the order. The fleet sailed more than [-] miles and visited Champa and Sumatra. , Guli and other seventeen overseas countries, with a total of sixteen kings, leaders and chiefs from all over the world, and [-] overseas envoys returned with the ship to pay homage to the Ming Dynasty. They are willing to be friends with the Ming Dynasty forever and share eternal peace."

Zheng He bowed and said loudly.

"Zheng He, thank you for your hard work."

Zhu Di walked up to Zheng He and the others, his face was filled with joy, and he said happily.

"Your Majesty, you are very flattering. This time I visited the South and West, and also exchanged trade and products with overseas countries. The things I brought from China were very popular. The kings of overseas countries donated their goods one after another, and the merchants and people were even more enthusiastic. Bartering for goods, the list goes on.”

Zheng He continued.

Zhu Di nodded and smiled when he heard this.

"This time I brought back a total of 820 kinds of overseas products such as pearls, corals, gold foil, frankincense, pepper, Guanyin bamboo, ambergris, etc., which were loaded on 87 cargo ships, as well as various exotic birds and animals, including giant elephants. Five heads, ten lions, hundreds of strange birds, countless flowers and trees, a total of 130 five ships were shipped.”

While Zheng He was talking, eunuchs and warriors walked into the hall one after another holding or carrying pearls, corals and other objects.

"My eyes are dizzy."

Zhu Di sighed as he looked at the rare treasures that almost filled the hall.

All the civil and military officials, as well as the princes, gathered around to look at the things that Zheng He brought back from overseas. They were eye-opening and discussed a lot.

"It can be seen that the universe is vast and the four seas have no boundaries!"

Zhu Di pointed to various products and said loudly: "In my opinion, what is more precious than these treasures is the goodwill of overseas countries and the friendly hearts of the people of the world."

He hit Zheng He on the shoulder with his fist and said, "You have made a good start for me to build friendship with all nations!"

"Father, the emperor clearly knows that today's court meeting can be said to be a grand ceremony that has not been seen in a hundred years. It shows that the Yongle Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty inherited the past and opened up the future. It was a prosperous and wise king who benefited the world."

Zhu Gaoxu complimented appropriately.

Zhu Di laughed heartily for a while, then smiled and stroked his beard and said: "The prince listened to the order and sent people to enshrine these overseas treasures, as well as the giant elephants, lions and other animals brought by the ship, outside the Meridian Gate and display them for ten days. , let the people of the capital take a look and open their eyes."

"My son, I obey the order." Zhu Gaoxu bowed and accepted the order.

Zhu Di continued: "The imperial envoy and chief military officer Zheng He, deputy envoys Wang Jinghong, Chen Xuan and others lived up to my expectations and led the Ming Dynasty fleet of more than [-] officers, soldiers, merchants, and boatmen. It lasted two years. Traveling more than [-] miles by sea, enduring risks, cutting through waves, making friends with seventeen overseas countries, and creating a new atmosphere for all countries to come, your contribution is indispensable, and I will reward you greatly!"

After saying this, he stretched out his hand and gave a gesture to the eunuch Changsheng who was standing under the west corner door.

Upon seeing this, Changsheng immediately walked quickly to the front of His Majesty Dan in the main hall, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and began to read loudly the edict that Zhu Di had summoned half an hour ago.

"The Emperor is entrusted to heaven, and the edict reads: I commend Zheng He, the chief envoy of the patrol, with three thousand hundred-yuan gold notes, 5000 taels of silver yuan, and two hundred pieces of silk and silk. The deputy envoy and deputy chief of the army, Wang Jinghong, , Chen Xuan, each will be rewarded with 8000 gold coins, [-] taels of silver coins, and [-] pieces of silk silk. The fleet will be awarded to commanders, commanders, Qianhu officials, Baihu officials, general flags, and small flags. Officials should all make records and report them to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Household Affairs, and they will be rewarded based on their official rank and other merits. I admire this!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty Ron!"

Zheng He, Wang Jinghong and Chen Xuan knelt down to receive the order.

"Your Majesty is really generous. During the expedition to the Timur Kingdom, many generals and soldiers had outstanding military achievements, but the rewards they gave did not reach such a high level."

Zhu Neng approached Zhang Yu and whispered.

Zhang Yu lowered his head and whispered: "Be careful what you say."

"Your Majesty is so willing. This reward is almost equivalent to a year's tax of the Chief Secretary of a province."

Zhuo Jing, the right servant of the Ministry of Finance, approached Xia Yuanji and whispered.

Xia Yuanji lowered his head and whispered: "Your Majesty, this is a reward for us to see."

Zhu Di walked up to the golden platform, sat down again, and said to the courtesy officer beside him: "Announce the envoys of various countries."

"Announcing that the envoys of various countries have an audience!"

All the ceremony officials shouted in turn.

Subsequently, 21 envoys from overseas countries entered the Fengtian Hall.

This hall is located on the main north-south axis of the palace. It has a load-bearing eaves on the top of the veranda hall and sits on three levels of Han steps. It is nine rooms wide and five rooms deep.

It was the place where the Ming Dynasty held major ceremonies and received congratulations from officials.

After the envoys from overseas countries entered the palace, they saw the magnificent carved beams and painted pillars of the palace, which were magnificent, majestic and majestic. They were shocked physically and mentally for a while!

Under the hasty instruction of officials from the Ministry of Rites, the tributes from the 21 countries used less than standard Chinese and announced their families in an orderly manner.

"Foreign ministers, the Tributary Envoy of the Kingdom of Champa, the Tributary Envoy of the Chenla Kingdom, the Tributary Envoy of the Siamese Kingdom, the Tributary Envoy of the Jiali Martin State, the Tributary Envoy of Jiaolanshan, the Tributary Envoy of Chongjia Luo, the Tributary Envoy of Jili Mendi, the Tributary Envoy of the Guli State, and the Manla Tributary envoy to Jiajia, Tributary envoy to Pahang, Tributary envoy to East and West Zhu, Tributary envoy to Ryuga and Kamyo, Tributary envoy to Sumatra, Tributary envoy to Ambergris Caye, Tributary envoy to Cuilan Island, Tributary envoy to Alu State, Tributary envoy to Ceylon State , the Tributary Envoy from Xiaogelen State, the Tribute Envoy from Kezhi State, the Tribute Envoy from Mugudushu State, and the Tribute Envoy from Sulu State——"

21 people knelt down at the same time, and then said in unison: "Greetings to His Majesty the Ming Emperor, long live your Majesty!"

"Stop kneeling! All envoys come from foreign countries and have their own customs. There is no need to be formal."

Zhu Di raised his hand and said very grandly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

21 overseas envoys said in unison.

"Being an envoy to the Southeast Asian and Western countries is a rare feat throughout the ages. Kyushu China has had an open mind to embrace all rivers since ancient times, and the confidence to face the world! If you don't leave home, you don't know the weather, and if you don't go abroad, you don't know how high the sky is and how wide the sea is!"

Zhu Di stood up excitedly, glanced at the faces of Yushi Guizhan, left minister of household affairs Xia Yuanji, and right minister of rites Song Li, and then said loudly: "Zheng He returned with great honor, and friendly countries came to court one after another, which just proves that his voyages to the West are absolutely unparalleled." It is not a bad policy, this move is truly beneficial to the country and the people, it will benefit the world, its merits will last for a long time, and it will benefit future generations!"

"My Emperor Shengming!"

Zhu Gaoxu took the lead in shouting.

The other sect kings and ministers followed closely and shouted: "My emperor is wise!"

(End of this chapter)