Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 177 Fourth brother is so talented and strategic, I am nowhere near as good as him.
"Now that I have abolished the ban on seas and established relations with overseas foreign countries to exchange trade, I will encourage merchants from foreign countries to come to the Ming Dynasty to do business. I will build markets in coastal towns and give them the most favorable conditions to attract them. Come here and collect taxes from it. This is not only a huge wealth for the court, but also a wealth for the people of Li."

After Zhu Di finished speaking loudly, no one in the court said a word.

So, he asked loudly: "What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu promised your Majesty to lift the sea ban in his later years. He only agreed to establish official trade led by the court, but he did not allow private trade to go out to sea!"

Zheng Ci, the Minister of Rites, bowed and walked out of the procession.

Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "In order to prevent pirates from disturbing the coast, Emperor Taizu ordered that merchants not be allowed to go to sea to trade, and foreign merchants were not allowed to trade in the Ming Dynasty. Only foreign merchants were allowed to pay tribute."

"But blocking is worse than sparing. In the late Hongwu period, there were still people smuggling overseas for profit. I petitioned Taizu at that time to establish fixed foreign port towns, and the imperial court would come forward to unified management and lead civil, commercial and maritime trade."

"Of course Taizu knew that private overseas trade was highly profitable, otherwise how could anyone take the risk to violate the prohibition of smuggling? Therefore, Taizu believed that more than thirty years after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the situation and relations between the imperial court and overseas countries had changed, and the national policy should also change accordingly. It is feasible for the imperial court to unify the management of maritime trade, and I am allowed to start the process after the reform of the imperial examination and the issuance of new currency."

"What I said is supported by Emperor Taizu's daily life notes, so Zheng Shangshu, your objection is not valid."

When Zheng Ci, the Minister of Rites, heard what Zhu Di said, he looked embarrassed and bowed back to the class.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Zhang Yan, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, bowed his head and walked out of the procession.

Zhu Di raised his hand and said, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, if private trade is brought under the control of the imperial court, and merchants from foreign countries are encouraged to come to our country to do business in the Ming Dynasty, then the construction of markets in coastal towns will naturally be handled by the Ministry of Industry, and the collection of taxes on trade markets should be handled by the Ministry of Industry. The local municipal shipping department is under unified management."

Zhang Yan said respectfully: "I estimate that the imperial court's tax revenue in this area will be a huge amount of revenue every year. Therefore, I request your majesty to strengthen the supervision of the administration of the municipal shipping departments in various places. This tax money must not be allowed to be used by the lower levels." Officials line their own pockets and become embezzled.”

"I'm ready."

Zhu Di said loudly: "Did everyone in the Metropolitan Procuratorate hear it?"

Bao Zhao, the censor of the left capital, Yan Zhen, the censor of the right capital, Chen Ying, the censor of the left deputy capital, Wuzhong, the censor of the right deputy capital, and other officials from the imperial court all bowed out and bowed in salute, saying: "My lord, wait. Take the decree.”

"Who has anything else to report?"

After the superiors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate returned to the class order, Zhu Di continued to ask.

He waited for a moment, and when no one spoke, he loudly said: "Retreat from the court."

Afterwards.

Hall of Martial Arts.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu were discussing the war between Annan and the northwest.

Li Xing bowed into the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, Yu Xin, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is asking for an audience."

"Please quickly invite Mr. Yu to come in."

Zhu Di quickly ordered.

"The old minister sees His Majesty."

Yu Xin spoke and bowed to the end.

"No courtesy." Zhu Di said, "I will give you a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yu Xin said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, I may say some things that may displease Your Majesty, but I still have to say them."

After Yu Xin sat down, he paused, stood up and saluted.

"I am very relieved that the old minister is loyal to the country. Whatever you want to say, you can say it boldly."

Zhu Di said very grandly.

"Your Majesty, adhering to Taizu's will, moved the capital to the north. It is understandable. But now there are desert tribes in the north that have not been pacified, and there are also women's straight tribes in the northeast that have not been subdued."

Yu Xin bowed and said: "As far as I know, the grain currently produced in Liaodong is not enough to supply other places. If we move the capital at this time, we must transport grain from the south of the Yangtze River to the north. I beg your Majesty to postpone the move of the capital."

"Yu Qing, what I just said is very clear. I want to build a new capital, and I am not in a hurry to move the capital now."

Zhu Di frowned.

"His Majesty."

Yu Xin suddenly knelt down and bowed his head and said: "I am old and faint, and can no longer serve. I would like to beg for my body and abdicate in favor of someone worthy of my honour. Your Majesty, please have mercy on me and allow me to retire and return to my hometown."

"Old Minister, please come back quickly."

When Zhu Di saw Yu Xin kneeling down, he was startled and hurriedly ordered to Zhu Gaoxu: "Prince, go and help the old minister up."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu immediately walked quickly to Yu Xin and helped him stand up slowly.

"Old Minister, why do you have to do this?"

Zhu Di had already walked around the imperial table and walked to the hall. He supported Yu Xin and said, "I don't mean to blame you."

"Your Majesty is kind, and I am grateful to you." Yu Xin bowed and saluted.

Zhu Di said: "Now the war in the northwest has just started, and the Western Region is not at peace. Although the war in Annan has been successful, it has not yet been completely settled. The Ministry of Revenue cannot do without the command of the old minister. I hope that the old minister will not be in trouble in the world. A few more years of hard work.”

"Since Your Majesty values ​​me so highly, I will definitely dedicate myself to Yongle until my death in order to repay Your Majesty's kindness!"

Yu Xin was so moved that he immediately bent down to salute and said loudly.

"Prince, send the old minister to me."

Zhu Di ordered.

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

Yu Xin said: "Old minister, thank you for your grace."

After Zhu Gaoxu comes back.

Zhu Di asked: "Gao Xu, if Yu Lao Shangshu becomes an official, who do you think can be the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue? Xia Yuanji or Zhuo Jing?"

Zhu Gaoxu pondered for a moment and replied: "Father, I think Xia Yuanji may be more suitable for the position of Minister of Household Affairs."

"Why?" Zhu Di then asked.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Xia Yuanji lost his father in his early years, so he followed the example of his adoptive mother. In the 23rd year of Hongwu, he passed the imperial examination and was recommended to the Imperial Academy by his hometown. He was selected to be banned in the provincial system. He assisted Yu Shangshu in handling household affairs many times without committing any crime. He made a mistake once. Because he is honest and kind, capable and effective in doing things, he is highly valued by Grandpa Taizu. Therefore, I believe that this person can succeed the Minister of Household Affairs after Mr. Yu becomes an official."

After listening to what Zhu Gaoxu said, Zhu Di couldn't help but recall some past events about Xia Yuanji.

Xia Yuanji lost his father when he was young, and his mother raised him. In the middle of the Hongwu period, he was recommended to the imperial college by his hometown, and was selected to write imperial edicts.

In their spare time, everyone was laughing and joking, but Xia Yuanji was the only one who seemed to be sitting in danger. After Zhu Yuanzhang learned of this, he thought that he had extraordinary determination and promoted him to the head of the household department.

The affairs that the head of the household department has to do are quite complicated, but Xia Yuanji handles them in an orderly manner, and Mr. Yu thinks highly of him.

At that time, there was a doctor named Liu in the Ministry of Finance who was jealous of Xia Yuanji's talent.Once, Yu Xin impeached officials who were lazy in various government ministries. Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to forgive those officials, but Yu Xin insisted that he could not.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked angrily: "Who taught you this?"

Yu Xin kowtowed and replied, "He is a book teller at the back of the hall."

A scribe is a person who specializes in calculating taxes and levies, similar to the accountant position in later generations.

Since most people in the government do not understand calculation work, and ordinary people do not even know a few big characters, it is easy for calligraphers to deceive superiors and deceive subordinates and make profits from it.

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Shu Suansheng to be imprisoned.

At this time, Mr. Liu from the Ministry of Finance jumped out and reported: "Your Majesty, the person who taught Yu Shangshu is Xia Yuanji."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe what Liu Langzhong said at all, but instead scolded: "You want to trap Ji Neng in assisting the minister and managing the affairs of the ministry!"

Therefore, both Liu Langzhong and Shu Suansheng abandoned the market.

"Yes, your imperial grandfather should have trained Xia Yuanji in the direction of Minister of the Ministry of Finance, otherwise Xia Yuanji would not have been allowed to serve as the right-hand man of Mr. Yu."

Zhu Di nodded and stroked his beard.

At this moment, Li Xing entered the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, the King of Jin (formerly the King of Xiang) wants to see you."

"Pass him in."

Zhu Di said in a deep voice.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Bai bowed and bowed.

"Quick and free!"

Zhu Di immediately stood up to greet him, helped Zhu Bai up, and asked with a smile: "The twelfth brother did not go back to the mansion to accompany his brothers, sisters and my nephew after the court today, but he came here to see me. Could it be that he encountered some difficulty?"

"Your Majesty, I have not encountered any difficulties, but I am worried about Your Majesty."

Zhu Bai first glanced at Zhu Gaoxu, then looked worried and cupped his hands to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di found a seat at random and sat down, then stretched out his hand to signal Zhu Bai to sit next to him. The latter hesitated and said: "I dare not sit on an equal footing with Your Majesty."

"Don't call me "Your Majesty" one after another, it seems too abrupt. There are no monarchs or ministers here, only you, my brother, and your nephew Gao Xu."

Zhu Di raised his hand to hold Zhu Bai down, forcefully asking him to sit down, and said at the same time.

"My nephew has met Uncle Twelve."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed his hands at the right time.

At this time, Zhu Bai faced Zhu Di and respectfully said "Thank you Fourth Brother", then looked at Zhu Gaoxu and nodded with a smile.

"That's right. Tell me, what are you worried about?"

After Zhu Bai sat down, Zhu Di stroked his beard and asked.

Zhu Gaoxu knew that Zhu Bai in history liked to read very much and often read until midnight. After he became a vassal, he specially set up the "Jingyuan Pavilion" to recruit talents, with the purpose of sorting and compiling books.

He was good at calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and was especially proficient in calligraphy. Every time Zhu Yuanzhang published a poem, he would ask him to write it.

While he was good at calligraphy, he was also very skilled in bow and horse.

In addition, he also likes Taoist teachings and calls himself "Zixuzi".

Historical records record that Zhu Bo had extraordinary physical strength, could use bows, arrows, and swords freely, rode horses quickly, and had a heroic spirit. He could be called both civil and military.

He led his troops on several expeditions. During the Hongwu period, troops surrendered in Changde and launched a rebellion. They fled to the Hudu River area in Jingzhou. He said to his soldiers: "The enemy's morale is high. We must first dampen their spirit and make their army's morale low." , if the enemy troops are allowed to flee outside the fortress, the disaster will be even more serious."

After that, Zhu Bai immediately mobilized his troops, fought bravely, successfully defeated the enemy's vanguard, and led his troops to pursue them along the road, preventing the rebels from escaping outside the fortress. The enemy was defeated many times, and finally retreated to Yan'an and was annihilated. Ming Taizu's attack on Zhu Bai was so impressed by the award that he specially summoned Zhu Bai to the capital to express his gratitude.

Since then, Zhu Bai has been one of the princes who was particularly valued by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Historically, after the death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao in the 25th year of Hongwu, when Zhu Yuanzhang decided to make Zhu Yunwen the emperor's grandson, he specially recalled Xiang Wang Zhu Bai and Yan Wang Zhu Di to the capital to watch the ceremony.

As for Zhu Bai's return to Beijing this time, there is no record in the history books whether Zhu Yuanzhang had any other explanations for him.

But after Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, the Yan Fan and Xiang Fan were the most ruthless. No one knew whether this was a coincidence or whether Zhu Yunwen did it deliberately.

In the original history, after Zhu Yuanzhang passed away, the Jianwen court did not allow the vassals to participate in Lao Zhu's funeral. Zhu Bai was overly sad and shed tears. Soon after, he was accused of treason, so he decided to die to clarify his ambition. , the whole family of Prince Xiang set themselves on fire together with him. Because he had no children, the country was wiped out, and the lineage of Prince Xiang was cut off.

As the time traveler Zhu Gaoxu pushed Yan King Zhu Di to the throne, the historical direction of the Ming Dynasty was changed.

In April of the 26th year of Hongwu, King Zhu Fan of Jin was deposed and moved to Fengyang. King Zhu Bai of Xiang was sent to Taiyuan by Zhu Yuanzhang to control military affairs. In October, Zhu Fan died in melancholy in Fengyang. In December, Zhu Bai was renamed King of Jin by Zhu Yuanzhang. .

Since then, Zhu Bai regained his fighting spirit, repeatedly restrained the Jin border troops from going out to fight, and fought back the grassland tribes that invaded the Ming Dynasty's borders.

After Zhu Yuanzhang passed away, King Yan Zhu Di succeeded to the throne with a posthumous edict in front of his body. At that time, Zhu Bai went to Beijing for the funeral, and he only brought dozens of escorts with him. When he saw Zhu Di after entering the palace, he immediately expressed his surrender in sincere words. manner.

At that time, Zhu Bai sincerely supported Zhu Di's succession to the throne. After all, the relationship between the two brothers was extraordinary.

Because among Zhu Di's many younger brothers, apart from the fifth Zhu Ju, the twelfth Zhu Bai is the closest to him.

In April last year, Zhu Di was very happy to learn that Princess Jin had given birth to a son for Zhu Bai. According to the seniority set by Zhu Yuanzhang for the kings, he personally named Zhu Bai's eldest son "Jiu Yao".

"Fourth brother, if the imperial court moves its capital to Beiping, let alone waste money and food. With the Royal Commercial Bank and banks here, this will not be a problem. But on the other hand, with the sudden improvement of Beiping's status, our Ming Dynasty's entire northern defense line will inevitably It will shrink inward due to the relocation of the capital, and at the same time it will inevitably concentrate in the new capital."

Zhu Bai worriedly said: "This will break the balanced arrangement of northern border defense during my father's lifetime and trigger an immeasurable chain reaction."

After hearing this, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu had different reactions.

Zhu Gaoxu was silent and lost in thought.

He remembered that in history, less than ten years after Yongle moved the capital, Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty abandoned the three guards of Kaiping and Pingping. As a result, the Ming army had no stronghold outside the Great Wall. Peiping completely exposed its two wings and lost its strategic depth, which made the capital of the Ming Dynasty have been under direct threat from foreign enemies for a long time.

This is also an important reason why Mongolia was in the desert in the mid-Ming Dynasty and the female straight women were established in Liaodong in the late Ming Dynasty!

However, history has been changed. As long as Yongle can defeat the Oara and Tatars and establish counties in the Western Regions, after Zhu Gaoxu succeeds to the throne, he is fully confident that Liaodong and Nurgan will also be established as counties.

In this way, Beijing will become the most suitable capital for the Ming Dynasty, because in this way, the desert can be controlled in the north, Liaodong can be controlled in the northeast, the Western Regions can be controlled in the west, the Central Plains can be controlled in the south, and the Korean Peninsula, Japanese islands, Ryukyu Islands, etc. can be controlled in the southeast. Nanyang Islands!
Moreover, Zhu Gaoxu decided to establish four auxiliary capitals after he succeeded to the throne to serve as the local economic or cultural centers of the Ming Dynasty.

"Since Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Khitan, the area around Peiping has not been under the control of our Central Plains Dynasty for about 500 years. After the Jingkang Incident, the entire north has been ruled by foreigners for nearly 250 years. If the capital can be moved to Peking, Then Peiping and its surrounding areas will become the core ruling area of ​​our Ming Dynasty, and the imperial court’s control over the north will reach an unprecedented level.”

At this time, Zhu Di explained to Zhu Bai: "Twelve brothers, think about it, the north has been ruled by foreigners for hundreds of years! Hundreds of years! If we don't move the capital there, how can we unite people's hearts? How can we convince the people of the north? Accept the rule of my Ming Dynasty?"

"After the capital is moved to Peking, the imperial capital will not be as far away from the Great Wall as it was in Jinling before. In this way, the imperial court can effectively manage and mobilize the border troops to resist foreign invasion. After all, Peiping's advantage in military command is that it is located in the rear It’s unmatched by Jinling.”

"Furthermore, just imagine, with my great emperor guarding the country with such momentum, even if the imperial court faces the crisis of large-scale invasion from the north, it will be more determined to resist, and will not abandon the north like the Jin and Song Dynasties and become a peaceful country. A small imperial court in a corner.”

Zhu Bai suddenly became speechless after hearing what Zhu Di said.

After a long silence, he sighed: "It seems that I have been worrying too much. Fourth brother is so talented and wise, but I am nowhere near as good as him!"

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(End of this chapter)