Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 171 Zhu Di's Anger

The next day.

It's two o'clock.

Although the autumn day is dazzling, there is a hint of coolness under the shade of the trees.

At this time, by the pond in the back garden of Wei Guogong's mansion.

Xu Huizu, the second generation of Wei Guogong, was holding a black fishing rod and was concentrating on fishing.

At this moment, Xu Yingxu came over alone and sat next to Xu Huizu.

"If I remember correctly, you are on duty today."

Xu Huizu glanced at his second brother beside him and said casually.

"Brother, I received a notice from the Ministry of War yesterday that I will leave for the northwest to reinforce General Song in three days. Therefore, I am no longer the commander of Jinwu's vanguard."

Xu Yingxu replied solemnly.

Both he and Xu Zengshou were born as sword-bearing attendants of the Xunwei.

The Xunwei and Sanqisheren of the Ming Dynasty were special members of the palace guards, referred to as "Xunwei". They were selected from the children of mid-to-high-level generals such as Xungui, governors, and commanders, and were assigned to the Jinyiwei Yamen. Carrying a sword to accompany the imperial court.

Xu Huizu put down the fishing rod, put his hands on his knees, turned to look at Xu Yingxu and said, "You look worried, are you afraid of going to the battlefield?"

"That's not true." Xu Yingxu immediately retorted.

"I remember that in the first month of the 23rd year of Hongwu, Zengshou was ordered by Emperor Taizu to follow Jinshang (Yan Wang Zhu Di) to conquer Hu Kou Naier Buhua and made great contributions. You are worried that your performance on the battlefield this time will not be as good as Zengshou back then. ?”

Xu Huizu said jokingly with a smile on his face.

"Not at all."

Xu Yingxu whispered.

Xu Hui's ancestor laughed "haha" and then asked playfully: "Then what are you worried about? Are you afraid that you won't be able to do your new job?"

"Brother, my new errand, His Royal Highness, has been agreed upon with His Majesty. He is the chief quartermaster of the army aiding the West."

Xu Yingxu replied very respectfully.

Xu Huizu looked at the calm water, pondered for a moment, and then said slowly: "This is a good thing. Not only is it easy to achieve meritorious service, but it is also relatively safer than going to the front line to fight. His Majesty arranged this new job for you, obviously with the intention of protecting you. Experience you.”

"Brother." Xu Yingxu hesitated and said, "I think it is unfair that Your Majesty directly issued the order to the Ministry of War this time without consulting with the Fifth Army Commander-in-Chief."

When Xu Huizu heard this, he remained silent.

"Now, among the distinguished military generals of the Ming Dynasty, I am led by my eldest brother, who also holds the post of Governor of the Governor's Mansion. However, this time when he was increasing troops to the northwest and dispatching troops and generals, His Majesty did not even ask about eldest brother, nor did he say anything afterwards. Any comfort."

Xu Yingxu thought Xu Huizu didn't understand what he meant, so he gave another explanation.

In the 13th year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that the power of the Metropolitan Governor's Office was too great. While abolishing the prime minister system, in order to prevent excessive concentration of military power, he also abolished the Metropolitan Governor's Office and changed it to the Central, Left, Right, Front, and Rear Army Governor's Offices, which were managed separately. The capital and various health centers.

At the same time, in order to prevent the monopoly of the generals in command, Zhu Yuanzhang also stipulated that the governor's office of the five armies had no right to dispatch the army, and the dispatch right was directly controlled by the emperor.

Although the Ministry of War has the power to appoint, remove, promote, and train troops in the army, it does not control the troops.

Therefore, whenever there is a war, the emperor temporarily appoints a special person to serve as the chief military officer to lead the troops of the garrison on the expedition. When the war is over, the chief soldier returns to the seal and the army returns to the garrison.

After Zhu Di succeeded to the throne, he continued the old system of the Five Army Commander's Office during the Hongwu period.

Therefore, at present, the power of the five military governors' offices is still very great. Each governor is not only responsible for managing the training and production of the guard station, but also has the right to participate in the court's military decision-making.

But this time to select the mid-level and senior generals of the army to aid the west, Zhu Di did not convene the governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Office for discussion in advance, but directly issued the order to mobilize troops and generals through the Ministry of War.

"Let me ask you, if His Majesty had asked me in advance, would you say I would agree or not?"

Xu Huizu suddenly asked.

"Naturally—"

Xu Yingxu said halfway and suddenly became speechless.

Xu Huizu said slowly: "If I agree and the news spreads, everyone will think that it was my idea to appoint you as the general quartermaster. What will others think? Are you accusing me of using power for personal gain, or am I being nepotistic?"

"The eldest brother is the Duke of Wei, who dares to talk nonsense?"

Xu Yingxu said weakly.

Xu Huizu directly ignored Xu Yingxu's words and said bluntly: "If your Majesty asks, it will only make things difficult for me. If you don't ask, it is to preserve my reputation and even the reputation of our Xu family!"

"I understand."

Xu Yingxu said respectfully.

Xu Huizu added: "During the Hongwu period, so many of the founding heroes, more than a dozen of them were married to the royal family. But look, up to now, the only ones who can say a few words in the Ming Dynasty court are Cao Guogongfu and Xiping. There are four houses: the Marquis Mansion, the Wuding Marquis Mansion, and our Duke of Wei."

"Don't worry, brother, I can take the position of General Quartermaster of the Western Aid Army this time only because of His Highness the Crown Prince's recommendation. From now on, I will definitely follow His Highness the Crown Prince's lead."

Xu Yingxu nodded and said solemnly.

"That's not enough!"

Xu Huizu reminded: "Second brother, you have to remember that His Highness the Crown Prince can treat you and me as his uncle and uncle, but you and I must never take the airs of our uncle. You, me, and even the descendants of the Duke of Wei , are all ministers of the Ming Dynasty, not relatives of the emperor."

"Don't worry, brother."

Xu Yingxu was also a smart man and immediately answered: "Since we are ministers, we should abide by our duties as ministers. We will follow your orders as His Majesty deploys his troops and generals."

"That's right, that's exactly what it is!"

Xu Huizu nodded happily.

at the same time.

Wenhua Hall.

"His Majesty."

Jiang Wei bowed and glanced at Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Di said: "The prince is my closest relative, not an outsider. Just say so."

"After the court dismissed in the past few days, King Zhao went straight back to his home. He didn't even leave the house, but was busy collecting silver yuan and gold banknotes at home. His humble position recorded a list of people who secretly sent money to King Zhao. There are 12 people in total.”

As Jiang Yu spoke, he took out a list from his arms and presented it to him.

Zhu Gaoxu took the list and handed it to Zhu Di.

When Zhu Di was looking at the list, Zhu Gaoxu said strangely: "The third brother is a prince, how can he be short of money?"

Zhu Di closed the list, looked at Jiang Wei, and said in a deep voice: "Can you tell how much money King Zhao received?"

Jiang Wei respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, according to the humble investigation, the money received by His Highness King Zhao now, if converted into silver yuan, is probably more than 150 million taels."

After Zhu Di heard this, he remained silent and his face was terrifyingly gloomy.

Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand to Jiang Wei to step back.

Jiang Wei retreated wisely.

After Jiang Wei left the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Di stood up suddenly and kicked the imperial table.

There was a loud thump and the table was kicked over by Zhu Di.

"Father, please calm down. Rong Erchen will investigate clearly. What must be the reason for the third brother?"

Zhu Gaoxu immediately bowed and said.

"Look at that list."

Zhu Di said coldly.

Zhu Gaoxu picked up the list, glanced at it, and found that it was all mid-level generals from the guard station in Yingtian Mansion, and he knew two of them from Qianhu.

Zhu Di was furious and said: "I sent troops to reinforce the northwest, but he took the opportunity to make money and stuff people into the army. This is a war, not a business!"

Having said this, he stepped down from Danbi, approached Zhu Gaoxu, and whispered: "The cargo ship that followed Zheng He back home last time was missing seven ships. I have found out that it was because of the corruption of the third child."

Zhu Gaoxu was silent when he heard this.

At this time, Zhu Di shouted outside the palace: "Li Xing, go and summon the King of Han to the palace. I have something to tell him." "I obey your order."

Li Xing bowed and saluted.

After Li Xing left, Zhu Di told Zhu Gaoxu: "I sent Zhang Hao to the Ship Division last time. I remember that he was assigned to the Quanzhou Ship Division and was under the control of Lao San. Go and beat him."

"My son takes orders."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed and said: "Father, I will leave first."

"Go."

Zhu Di waved his hand.

Two quarters later.

Wenhua Hall.

"My son, Gao Chi, pays homage to His Majesty the Father."

Zhu Gaochi was about to kneel down to pay homage.

Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward to help Zhu Gaochi up and said, "You have inconvenient legs and feet, so a few formalities are enough. Please sit down and talk."

"Thank you, Father."

After Zhu Gaochi sat down, Zhu Di waved Li Xing to retreat.

As a result, only the father and son were left in Wuying Hall.

"This is the letter sent by Gao Sui when Zheng He's fleet was anchored in Quanzhou for rest before Zheng He's return voyage. This letter was sent by Gao Sui when Zheng He's fleet arrived in the waters near Taicang. Taicang Guard Commander Ping'an sent a messenger to report quickly. letter."

Zhu Di took out two letters, handed them to Zhu Gaochi, and said in a deep voice: "Look at these two letters and see if there is anything unusual."

After Zhu Gaochi read the two letters, he discovered that there were seven less cargo ships on the road following Zheng He's return voyage from Quanzhou to Liujiagang.

At that time, Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui wrote a letter reporting that Zheng He's fleet had arrived in Quanzhou and mentioned that there were 87 returning cargo ships. However, the number of returning cargo ships mentioned in Taicang Wei Commander Ping'an's letter was only [-].

"Uncle Ping (Ping An) acted cautiously and would not make a mistake about the number of cargo ships. There must be something hidden in this."

Zhu Gaochi said respectfully.

Zhu Di said happily: "If I remember correctly, what Gao Xu said after discovering this strange thing was exactly the same as what you just said."

"May I ask my father, how did Zheng He explain this matter?"

Zhu Gaochi asked.

Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "Zheng He reported that in the last few days when the returning cargo ships were anchored in Quanzhou, they unfortunately encountered a storm, and seven cargo ships were overturned by huge waves."

"I have ordered Ping An to conduct a secret investigation into this matter. I learned that the seven cargo ships did encounter sudden waves. Although they were overturned, the cargo was salvaged by your third brother."

"Father, do you suspect that your third brother took advantage of the storm and sent someone to move the goods?"

Zhu Gaochi whispered tentatively.

"Whether Gao Sui did this or not, I'm afraid only he knows. There are some things I can't say."

Zhu Di said coldly: "I am calling you into the palace this time because I hope you can persuade Gao Sui. The prince's salary is enough for his family to spend money. You must know when to stop, otherwise I will not spare him once the incident comes to light!"

"My son takes orders!"

Zhu Gaochi immediately bowed and said.

After dark.

Zongwangfang, Prince Zhao's Mansion.

In King Zhao's study.

"Bold! You brought the Japanese into the palace without my permission. Do you think you have a long life?"

Zhu Gaosui looked at Yu Yong, the general manager of the palace, and scolded angrily: "If it weren't for your loyalty, do you believe I would have killed you?"

"Your Highness, please forgive me. This Japanese man claims to have a big deal to give to Your Highness."

Yu Yong was so frightened that his legs trembled and he said respectfully.

"Fart! Big deal? Is this for business? Meeting Japanese people in private, in a serious way, it could be treason to the enemy!"

Zhu Gaosui has never been a brainless person. He is very aware of his current situation.

"The Japanese man swore that he was going to do business. As soon as he made the move, he gave his subordinate a thick stack of hundred-yuan banknotes. The subordinate thought that His Highness was short of money now, so he brought the Japanese man in."

Yu Yong explained in a low voice.

"You! You are really obsessed with money!"

Seeing that Yu Yong was covered in cold sweat, Zhu Gaosui hesitated to speak, and finally sighed and said: "That's all, let the Japanese come in."

"Yes."

Yu Yong felt like he was being pardoned and hurriedly bowed and retreated.

Not long after, he led a black dwarf Japanese man dressed as a Japanese rogue into King Zhao's study.

"The villain Jiro Oda has met His Highness King Zhao."

Oda Jiro bowed and saluted, and at the same time spoke some unfluent Chinese in a hoarse voice.

Zhu Gaosui waved his hand impatiently: "No courtesy, sit down and talk."

"His Royal Highness King Zhao likes people who are quick to do things. The villain came here to make friends with His Highness."

Oda Jiro bowed again.

Zhu Gaosui winked at Yu Yong beside him, who whispered: "If you have anything to do with Sir Jiro, please speak up."

"Okay, that villain has said it. Ever since the tribute envoys from various countries came to the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has been very hospitable and the rewards are extremely generous. It is really surprising."

Oda Jiro said politely.

"No need to say nice words, just focus on the important points."

Zhu Gaosui interrupted Oda Jiro impatiently.

Oda Jiro said: "But the things the Emperor of Heaven rewards are limited to silk, tea, brocade, and porcelain."

Zhu Gaoxu said coldly: "Is this enough for you to make a lot of money?"

"Your Highness."

Oda Jiro respectfully said: "We in Japan prefer precision objects made by Ming craftsmen, such as exquisite copper coins and silver coins. Your Highness does not know that Ming copper coins and silver coins are very popular in Japan, but your highness's father, Ming Dynasty The emperor has very strict control."

"Don't talk in circles with me. If you have something to say, just say it."

Zhu Gaosui frowned.

Oda Jiro pretended to be hesitant and did not dare to speak.

Zhu Gaosui said with a smile: "Are you interested in the weapons of the Ming Dynasty? For example, the flintlock gun held by the divine machine soldier?"

"His Highness is really quick to talk! The big deal I want to make with His Highness here is firearms."

Oda Jiro immediately answered.

"Bastard! Do you think I'm crazy?"

Zhu Gaosui stood up suddenly and shouted: "Lao Yu, drive this person out of the house!"

"Your Highness! Please listen to this villain, just one word!"

Oda Jiro hurriedly bowed.

Zhu Gaosui said with a straight face: "Say!"

"The villain knows His Highness's situation, so naturally he won't do it openly."

Oda Jiro whispered: "When the time comes, the villain will disguise himself as a Japanese pirate and invade Quanzhou."

(End of this chapter)