Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 203 Beizheng Bonds

The next day.

Afterwards.

Summer house.

"I didn't know that Your Highness was coming, and I missed you from a distance. Please forgive me."

Xia Yuanji led the whole family to kneel on the ground and salute.

Zhu Gaoxu did not answer Xia Yuanji's words, but walked straight into the living room and sat down on the chair under the hall, as if he was back in the East Palace, without any hesitation and naturally.

Zhao Junchen and Kang Ping both bowed, one on the left and one on the right, standing not far behind Zhu Gaoxu.

Wei Xian and Guo Jianru, two door gods, were guarding the door of the living room.

Fu Rang, Geng Xuan, Sheng Lei, and Tang Yun led a team of guards to guard outside the Xia residence.

This time Zhu Gaoxu went out and brought out all the guards of the East Palace.

Xia Yuanji didn't know why Zhu Gaoxu came suddenly and didn't dare to ask. After he bowed and saw Zhu Gaoxu, he quickly ordered his wife Xia to make a pot of ordinary mountain tea.

He personally carried the pot of freshly brewed tea and a few cups on a tray, walked to the living room in a nonchalant manner, and then respectfully placed the teapot and teacups on the table under the nave.

"Your Highness, my family is used to being poor. I don't have any expensive tea. I only have a pot of ordinary mountain tea. I hope your Highness will forgive me."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the stool next to him and motioned for Xia Yuanji to sit down.

After Xia Yuanji sat down, Zhu Gaoxu said bluntly: "His Majesty the Father has given you two days of leave to have a good rest. I have nothing to do, so I came here to see you."

"I would like to thank Your Highness for your concern." Xia Yuanji said respectfully.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Old Minister Yu is seriously ill in bed. He has no family members in the capital. There is only an old housekeeper and a few servants taking care of him, but you have visited him many times."

"I know that you treat Lao Shangshu as a teacher, and you imitate Lao Shangshu's character of being willing to live in poverty. But Sir Xia, do you know that Yu Lao Shangshu's eldest son Yu Yingjie and second son Yu Yingxian both have a bad habit of extravagance and waste. "

Some time ago, Xia Yuanji often visited Yu Xin. After Yu Xin's two sons came to the capital after hearing the news, Xia Yuanji's visits became less frequent.

When Xia Yuanji heard this, his expression suddenly became a little embarrassed.

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "It's not that the old minister failed to educate his two sons well in his early years, but that after the two children became adults and entered official careers, they were away from home for many years and were not with the old minister."

In other words, after Yu Xin's two sons left home to work as officials in other places, they lost the restraint of Yu Xin'er's appointment.

Zhu Gaoxu said this because he wanted Xia Yuanji to understand the truth. Even a person like Yu Xin, who is of high moral character and is willing to be poor, still cannot make his relatives or friends be as willing to be poor as he is.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty the Father, spends all day and night, and works hard to govern. We work tirelessly and without complaint, in order to create a prosperous age of Yongle and let all the people of the Ming Dynasty live a prosperous life."

Zhu Gaoxu said loudly: "But you have to remember that the court officials are also the people under the Ming Dynasty! If even the court officials starve to death, then who will govern the people?"

He knew that even if he said these words, it would be difficult to change Xia Yuanji's already solidified ideas.

People like Xia Yuanji, just like the people who advised Zhu Di not to go to the Northern Expedition in history, would rather die than change their original beliefs for his persistence.

"Your Highness, I have something I must say."

Xia Yuanji said respectfully.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Say."

"The world is full of contradictions. When you see good officials suffering, you feel sad, but when you see bad officials bending the law for personal gain, you feel equally sad. For the former, it is mostly out of sympathy, but for the latter, it is more out of anger. The world will think As an official, you should not bend the law for personal gain. But the question is, if a good official is no longer willing to suffer, is he still a good official?"

Xia Yuanji said with extremely clear logic: "Your Highness, if I care about my own family first and use my salary to buy a house, regardless of whether the court's food and salary are enough, then will Your Highness still come to my home today and say these things to me?"

Zhu Gaoxu fell into deep thought after hearing this.

After a while.

"I came here today for no other reason than to ask for forgiveness."

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly raised his voice, looked at Xia Yuanji, and asked: "As a dignified Minister of Household Affairs and a high official of the imperial court, you let your mother live in such a leaky house. Are you worthy of the old lady's upbringing of you?" Is it a favor?"

His questioning left Xia Yuanji speechless.

Xia's mother and Xia's wife, who were sitting behind the screen next door, couldn't help but shed tears after hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words.

"Your Highness, I am guilty! I have committed a serious crime of unfilial piety. Please punish me, Your Highness."

With tears in his eyes, Xia Yuanji knelt down and kowtowed.

Zhu Gaoxu took the opportunity and said: "You can't even take care of your family, how can you govern the people of the world for the imperial court? Cultivate yourself and your family, and then you can govern the country and bring peace to the world. Xia Yuanji, I hope you can understand that you can be harsh on yourself, But you can’t let your relatives around you suffer with you, and this suffering and sin don’t need to be endured, do you understand?”

"I understand."

Xia Yuanji lowered his head and said.

"His Majesty the Father, for your loyalty to the country, has given you a big house with three entrances. Now I am punishing you by carrying your old mother on your back to the new house. You are not allowed to rest on the way, and you must take your old mother in one breath. Mother carries it on her back."

Zhu Gaoxu deliberately raised his voice and said: "Your new house is opposite Yu Laoshangshu's house in the west of the city. It is about three miles away from your old house. It's not too far, but it's not too close either."

When he said this, he turned to look at Kang Ping and ordered: "Kang Ping, lead the people in front to clear the way."

Then, he looked out the door and said loudly: "Wei Xian, Guo Jian, I leave it to you to take care of Shilang Xia."

"Impossible to take orders."

Wei Xian and Guo Jian said in unison.

Two quarters later.

Zhu Gaoxu left the summer residence and drove back to the palace.

On the road.

Zhu Gaoxu sat in the carriage, Wei Xian drove, and Fu Rang, Geng Xuan and other guards followed behind on horseback.

Fu Rang said: "His Royal Highness is also very kind to Shilang Xia. Not only did he come to see him in person, but he also spent his own money to buy a big house with three rooms for Shilang Xia. However, he told Shilang Xia that the house was specially gifted by His Majesty."

Geng Xuan said: "Being able to follow His Highness the Crown Prince is a blessing I have spent several lifetimes cultivating."

Sheng Lei looked at the two men and asked: "Now the imperial court has issued a decree to pacify the Western Regions and level the grasslands at the same time, but I don't know whether Your Highness will send us to the Western Army or the Northern Army?"

Fu Rang said: "Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince have made preparations a year ago to pacify the Western Regions. The court has been waiting for more than a year to use troops in the Western Regions. What's the harm if we wait a few more days?"

He paused and continued: "However, in my opinion, His Highness the Crown Prince will naturally make arrangements after returning to the palace."

"Do you want to go to the Western Army or the Northern Army?" Geng Xuan looked at Fu Rang and asked in a low voice.

Fu Rang replied: "Go to the Western Army."

"Why?" Geng Xuan asked.Fu Rang sighed: "The Western Regions have left the Central Plains Dynasty for hundreds of years. If I can witness the return of the Western Regions, I will have no regrets in this life!"

Then, he asked Geng Xuan: "Do you want to go to the Western Army or the Northern Army?"

"I want to go to the Northern Army." Geng Xuan said bluntly.

Fu Rang was surprised and said: "Do you want to be His Majesty's Wei Qing and Huo Qubing?"

Geng Xuan said with a smile: "My abilities are limited, how can I be your Majesty's Wei Huo? I will be satisfied if I can become your Majesty's Li Xi in this life!"

The Li Xi he was talking about was a general who followed Wei Qing on many fortress battles during the period of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty.

Li Xi joined the army when he was young and initially served Liu Qi, Emperor Jing of Han Dynasty.

In the first month of the third year of the Later Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty passed away, and Crown Prince Liu Che came to the throne as Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty first came to the throne, he adopted a fraternal policy to restrain the Xiongnu. However, the Xiongnu were unrestrained in their ambitions and still sent troops to invade everywhere, causing turmoil in the borders of the Western Han Dynasty.

As the Western Han Dynasty's economy further prospered and its military strength grew, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty decided to raise troops to fight back against the Xiongnu.

In June of the second year of Yuanguang, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty appointed Li Xi as Caiguan General, and accompanied Han Anguo, the imperial censor, to lead an army of 30 to garrison in Mayi.

In the autumn of the second year of Yuanshuo, the Xiongnu invaded Liaoxi County and killed the prefect of Liaoxi Province; they invaded Yuyang County and Yanmen County; and defeated Han Anguo's army.Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty then sent Li Xi and Wei Qing, the chariot and cavalry general, to attack the Xiongnu respectively. Li Xi sent troops from Daijun and Wei Qing from Yunzhongjun to jointly attack the Xiongnu westward, as far as Gaoque.

This time the Han army captured the Hetao area and reached Longxi, captured thousands of Huns, seized hundreds of thousands of livestock, and expelled the Xiongnu King Aries and Loufan from the Han territory.Therefore, the Han court changed the Hetao area to Shuofang County.

Three years later, Wei Qing led an army of [-] troops to attack Shuofang County. He led Li Xi, who was then Daxing, and Antou Marquis Zhang Cigong to lead an army to attack Youbeiping. They attacked the palace of King Youxian of the Huns. King Youxian was caught off guard and led only a few hundred people. Flee in panic.

The Han army captured more than 5000 Xiongnu people, including more than a dozen of the Youxian King Pi. The Han army won a great victory in this battle. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty appointed Wei Qing as the general, and Li Xi was directly promoted to the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a settlement of [-] households. , the utmost grace.

During Wei Qing's campaign against the Xiongnu, Li Xi often appeared in the Han army.

It can be said that Li Xi is a general under Wei Qing. He has made great achievements in battle and won Wei Qing's trust.

Geng Xuan knew that he was weighing a lot of money, so he had a clear understanding of how to go out to fight in the future.

Fu Rang then asked: "Among the generals of the Northern Expedition, who do you think is most likely to become your Majesty's Wei Huo?"

Geng Xuan thought: "Looking at the generals of the Northern Army, I think General Ping'an and General Wu Gao are most likely to become your Majesty's Wei Qing and Huo Qubing."

Zhu Gaoxu was sitting in the sedan chair, but he heard the conversation of several people.

So, he called Wei Xian who was driving and called Fu Rang and Geng Xuan to the side of the car.

Zhu Gaoxu opened the curtains, looked at Fu Rang and Geng Xuan and said: "Fu Rang and Geng Xuan, I have already asked His Majesty the Father to appoint you as the general flag and serve in the Western Army and the Northern Army respectively."

"The humble servant Rang (Geng Xuan) thanked His Highness the Crown Prince for his cultivation."

Fu Rang and Geng Xuan were riding horses, hurriedly clasping their fists and cupping their hands, saluting.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "Okay, you two go down and get ready first. The Ministry of War will issue an order in two days, and then you can go out with the army."

"Yes."

Fu Rang and Geng Xuan said in unison: "I resign from my humble position."

Zhu Gaoxu has already petitioned Zhu Di to allow the confidants he gathered while he was controlling military affairs in Peking to accompany the army in the northern expedition.

For example, Xue Lu, who was very strategic, Chen Gang, who was brave in combat, and Wang Bin, who was good at planning, all sent thousands or hundreds of households from Beiping Guard Station with the army.

After Fu Rang and Geng Xuan left, Zhu Gaoxu called Sheng Lei and asked, "Sheng Lei, do you know why I asked Fu Rang and Geng Xuan to go with the army, but kept you?"

Sheng Lei didn't dare to make random guesses, so he naturally replied respectfully: "Your Highness, I don't know how humble my position is, so please make it clear."

Ever since Sheng Hongyu married Zhu Gaoxu, Sheng Lei had become Zhu Gaoxu's brother-in-law, but there was nothing wrong with Sheng Lei's mind. How dare he pretend to be his brother-in-law in front of Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu did not answer directly, but asked a question.

"How many days have you not seen Kureha?"

Sheng Lei said: "I just met sister Hongyu yesterday."

In fact, since Sheng Hongyu married into the East Palace, Sheng Lei could only see Sheng Hongyu once every half month.

Because there are many rules in the palace, although Sheng Lei, as the palace gate guard, has no right to enter and leave the East Palace backyard at will, otherwise what would the eunuch do?
According to the rules set by Zhu Gaoxu, every half month, the natal family of the servants selected by the East Palace are allowed to visit the palace.

The two parties will meet in a specific palace. At the same time, there will be palace maids and eunuchs waiting on one side, and palace guards will guard outside the palace, which can be said to be quite strict.

Theoretically, after any woman marries into the palace, she will not be able to leave the palace to visit the bride unless the emperor has given her permission or can accompany her out of the palace.

Even though Sheng Hongyu is the head of one courtyard of Zhu Gaoxu's harem, she still has no right to move around the front palace at will.

Only with Zhu Gaoxu's permission could Sheng Hongyu leave the harem of Chunhe Palace and go around the large courtyard in front of Chunhe Palace to relax.

Even so, Sheng Hongyu could only meet Sheng Lei and say a few words briefly, but could not chat with him for too long.

"Recently, you have been seeing Hongyu every now and then because she wants to see you. Therefore, Gute allows her to come to the front yard to relax once every three days."

Zhu Gaoxu explained: "In this Spring Harmony Palace, apart from Gu, you are the only one who is Hongyu's relative. She entered the palace not long ago and has no relatives. Now that Pinghou has left, Hongyu thinks about her old age. Sheng Gong."

He paused, then changed the topic and said, "Of course, I won't let you leave the capital. In addition to considering Hong Yu's feelings, there is another important thing that you need to do."

"Please give me your orders, Your Highness," Sheng Lei said with his fists in hand.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "I have already asked His Majesty the Emperor to issue the 'Northern Expedition Victory Bonds' in the name of the Royal Bank. But the bonds have just been issued and not many people have bought them."

"I hope you can shoulder this responsibility and assist Xia Shilang and Zhuo Shilang in selling Victory Bonds. You will be specifically responsible for introducing this Victory Bond to the meritorious soldiers who previously pacified Annan, and persuading them to buy this Victory Bond."

He looked at Wei Xian who was driving and said, "Wei Xian, you have been following Gu for the longest time. Please introduce the situation of the bond to Sheng Lei."

"Yes." Wei Xian said respectfully.

Then, he began to introduce Victory Bonds to Sheng Lei.

The Northern Expedition Victory Bond was a debt certificate issued by the Royal Bank, with the purpose of raising military pay and food for the Northern Expedition army.

There are two types of Victory Bonds, one is a small-amount bond, which is sold directly to people all over the world, and the other is a large-amount bond, which is sold exclusively to civil and military officials of the imperial court.

The interest on small bonds is linked to their face value. The higher the face value, the higher the interest.

The lowest denomination is one tael of silver yuan, and its interest is three times that of a Royal Bank time deposit. The highest denomination is 100 taels of silver yuan, and its interest is ten times that of a Royal Bank time deposit.

As for large-denomination bonds, they only have a denomination of 200 taels of silver yuan, so they only have one type of interest, which is ten times the interest on Royal Bank's time deposits.

"A certain person has purchased three large Victory bonds."

After Wei Xian introduced Victory Bonds, he added a special sentence.

(End of this chapter)