Daming, originally wanted to destroy it, but the system came

Chapter 421 Poor helpless Brother Sixteen

In the twenty-seventh year of Hongwu, it was the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Half a month has passed since the Battle of the Grassland ended.

During this period, Zhu Zhen stayed on the grassland to deal with post-war matters.

Among them, there are countless wealth just from the trophies of each tribe.

Not to mention anything else, millions of war horses can be gathered from the entire Oara and Ulyanha grassland tribes, and they are all good horses.

There are tens of millions of cattle, sheep and livestock.

No wonder there is no shortage of horses among the grassland nomads, because every household of them raises horses, and there is more than one.

Not even mentioning the horses collected from various tribes, there were hundreds of thousands of horses captured on the battlefield.

This also allowed everyone in the Central Plains troops to change their jobs and become cavalry.

Zhu Zhen was shocked and looked at Zhu Zhen in disbelief.

It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang was too generous to his sons, and each of his sons was made a king.

Every Mongolian soldier who goes to war, regardless of gender, is given a number of cattle and sheep.

Zhu Zhuan smiled bitterly: "So what if I don't adapt?"

What a familiar imperial decree in vernacular.

To put it bluntly, even if your biological father and mother died, you could not return to the capital to express condolences without receiving the imperial edict. You could only worship from afar in the fiefdom.

In fact, Zhu Zhuan was a literati. He was good at reciting poems and writing poems, but when it came to guarding the border, defending the country, marching and fighting, that was not what he was good at.

In the end, only 5 million cattle and sheep were collected from Ulyanha and Wala.

Zhu Zhen was not in a hurry to return to the capital, but one imperial edict after another was sent outside the customs. It was Zhu Yuanzhang who urged Zhu Zhen to return to the capital years ago.

In the end, even Qing Wang Zhu Zhuan came in person to deliver the order.

No wonder those great powers liked to colonize and plunder all over the world during the Age of Discovery.

Zhu Zhuan also mocked himself and said: "This time, it is for your sake that my father asked the kings to return to the capital. Otherwise, brother, I would never want to return to the capital."

But Zhu Yuanzhang was also very strict with his sons. Without the emperor's will, the vassal king could not easily return to the capital, nor could he easily leave the fiefdom. For example, Zhou Wang Zhu Ji was demoted to Yunnan before and learned a lesson.

Otherwise, Li Zicheng would not have wiped out all the Zhu family clans so easily.

That is, Zhu Di reused eunuchs so much that he sent eunuchs to the palaces of each vassal king to monitor the movements of the vassal kings, so that in the later period, the vassal kings had become empty names and superficial appearances.

Especially after the Battle of Jingnan in history, Zhu Di also cut down the vassal vassalage. It was from Zhu Di that he got off to a bad start.

"Don't worry, Brother Sixteen, we haven't planned to rebel yet. After all, the old man is still alive. How can there be any reason for a son to rebel against me? But look at what this is," Zhu Zhen winked at Xu Miaojin.

It is not an exaggeration to say that such a large amount of wealth is overwhelming.

Seeing Zhu Zhuan's disappointed look, Zhu Zhen couldn't help but said: "What if I ask you, Brother Sixteen, to return to Beijing? In other words, you can go wherever you want from now on. If you want to travel around, you can go travel around." If you want to be an idle prince, then be an idle prince. If you want to rule the country, come to the court and help me. Are you willing?"

It’s so cool to make war fortune.

It's almost the end of the year, and the weather is starting to get colder. Zhu Ming finally puts on the python robe that symbolizes his identity again.

"Eighteenth brother, you are so majestic this time. Even the father and the emperor are thinking about you." Zhu Zhu personally declared: "The Emperor of Heaven carries the edict, Zhu Zhu, are your wings stiff? Why don't you get back to us quickly?" Jing, let us take a good look at you. Besides, we have called all the feudal lords back this year. We are going to have a reunion year this year, so don’t waste time on the grassland."

These detailed tasks can only be left to Arutai and the others.

In the end, Zhu Zhen could only accept the imperial edict with a wry smile, and then he was about to prepare to return to the court.

"Hiss," Zhu Zhu took a breath.

Therefore, these more than one million war horses must be brought back.

To put it cruelly, but it is very true, Wala and Wuliangha were defeated after all, and the defeated side must have the consciousness of the defeated side.

Compared with empty words, this is the actual benefit.

Zhu Zhen knew that the Central Plains was short of horses, and there were too many.

As for the cattle, sheep and livestock, Zhu Chu also wanted to take away most of them.

What's more, the Tatar tribe has also made great achievements, so they can't all be rewarded by the court, right?
So Zhu Ming ensured the basic supplies of Wala and Wuliangha, and handed some cattle and sheep to Wuyuntana and Danduoer respectively, and they bought people's hearts and returned them to the people of the two groups.

In particular, Zhu Zhen paid special attention to the work of providing pensions to soldiers who were killed or injured in battle.

(I found information on the Internet and it is said that the total number of livestock in Mongolia is more than tens of millions. As mentioned before, Mongolia is the territory of Oara and Ulyanha. Although it is the Ming Dynasty and ancient times, there are five million cattle and sheep. It shouldn’t be an exaggeration, right?)
Among them, Zhu Chu gave another three million cattle and sheep as rewards to the Tatar ministries.

Zhu Zhen took a few steps back, distanced himself from Zhu Zhen, and stopped talking.

Zhu Zhuan was even more depressed and unhappy. He wrote a lot of poems that suited the occasion. He once asked to return to his hometown, but all of them were rejected.

"Brother Sixteen, long time no see." After receiving the imperial edict, Zhu Min exchanged greetings with Zhu Zhen: "How are you? Are you getting used to it at the border in the past year?"

Zhu Zhen was kind enough and did not perform chakra chopping. Otherwise, according to their own customs, they would have no choice but to bear it even if they were all killed.

Eighteenth brother, are you going to rebel? Still want to drag me into the water?

Xu Miaojin turned around and took out a bright yellow dragon-patterned python robe from Zhu Chu's tent. He walked over and put it on for him together with Mu Qiu and Tang Xin.

Who hasn’t seen a python robe? It’s better to say who hasn’t seen a python robe?

That's why Zhu Zheng said that after he became a vassal, he was like a canary in a cage. He seemed to have a noble status, but in fact he was helpless.

Zhu Zhuan is also a prince, and he is also wearing a blue python robe.

In the Ming Dynasty, grades were distinguished by color.

Especially the dragon robe, which is bright yellow and can be worn by only the prince and the current emperor's grandson. Its status is second only to Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon robe.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang did not wear dragon robes on weekdays. Most of them were ordinary clothes. He would only wear dragon robes ceremoniously when there were large court gatherings or ancestor worship and other activities.

Zhu Zhen's blue python robe belongs to the third level, and even Zhu Zhen's red python robe is one level higher than him.

After all, Zhu Chu was sealed in Yunnan. Although the vassal title was still King Min at the beginning, it was later changed to King Dian.

Dian is the name of a country and is on the same level as the King of Qin, King of Jin, King of Yan, and King of Zhou.

However, King Qing is the title of a land, and his rank is slightly lower.

Especially after seeing Zhu Zhen put on the bright yellow python robe, when he looked at Zhu Zhen again, Zhu Zhen's expression became extremely solemn.

Zhu Zhuan was a scholar, and his mind was very lively.

What does this mean? What does father mean? Why give the eighteenth prince the same level of dragon-patterned python robe as his eldest brother? Isn’t the prince Zhu Yunwen, the grandson?
Is something going to change?

"Brother Sixteen," Zhu Xi looked at Zhu Zhuan seriously and said, "Think about it carefully, why does our father want to call all the brothers back together? And why is it this year and this stall? You Taste it carefully."

"Does the emperor want to reduce the vassal status?" Zhu Zhen said subconsciously.

Zhu Zhen looked like you were teasing me.

Zhu Ting also quickly changed his words and said: "I mean, does the emperor want to change his reserve?"

At this time, the two brothers were facing each other, with only three girls, Mu, Xu and Tang, accompanying them.

After all, Zhu Zhuan was here to announce the decree, and ordinary people were not qualified to get close.

And if this word spreads, except for those veterans who have vaguely guessed it, it may be no less shocking than an earthquake.

Zhu Zhen himself was startled by his guess.

If this is true, the Ming Dynasty will really change.

"Brother Sixteen, I have made such a great contribution this time, and once the master returns to the court, think about what will happen?" Zhu Ming reminded him.

If this were a blue jade, it would simply be a masterpiece.

Zhu Yunwen? Can he grasp it? He can't control it.

Cutting off vassalage? I'll cut you first.

Zhu Yuanzhang has long seen that his old man is by no means a fuel-efficient lamp, and he is definitely not something Zhu Yunwen can surrender.

Once Zhu Yunwen wanted to reduce the vassal status, confrontation and conflict would break out between the uncle and nephew.

By then, no matter who wins, Ming Dynasty loses.

Such a big joke, how should people in the world evaluate it?

What's more, Zhu Yuanzhang had begun to favor Zhu Chu, so Zhu Chu had already guessed that this gathering of kings would probably lead to a showdown.

Zhu Zhen thought of this, looked at Zhu Zhen with a solemn expression in front of him, and sighed softly: "Brother Sixteen, although we are not from the same mother, we are all the blood of our father. Besides, I and our eldest nephew who has high ambitions and low abilities The difference is, once I ascend the throne, I will never suppress you, let alone reduce the vassal."

Zhu Ting looked at Zhu Ting with a complicated look on his face and couldn't help but said: "Old Shiba, even if you say so, you also know that brother, I am not good at literature or martial arts, so there is no point in trying to win over me. What can I help you with? "

Zhu Chu spread his hands and explained: "I think you misunderstood, Brother Sixteen, I am not asking you to help me, nor am I trying to win you over. I just want to say something to you and the brothers. We are brothers. , the broken bones are still connected to the tendons, you don’t need me to explain why blood is thicker than water, right?”

Zhu Zhen really doesn't need Zhu Zhen to help him win the throne, he himself has absolute self-confidence.

Then Zhu Ming said: "But now the stall is getting bigger and bigger, and now I can only rely on others to help me. For example, the Mongolian grassland is so big, do you think I just want others to take care of it? I would like to appoint a brother as the grassland King. The Eastern Chagatai Khanate and Timurid Empire have almost been defeated. I would like to make a king of Xinjiang, but there is no one available now. "

"Obviously our father gave us about twenty brothers. If every vassal king can guard a country, how big will the Ming Dynasty be?"

Zhu Zhu really wanted to say, my father gave birth to so many of our brothers, not just to help you fight.

Your idea is simply weird, but don’t let those brothers in front of you hear it, otherwise they won’t be able to exploit you?

No, with Lao Shiba’s strength, who is his opponent?

"But I can't do it," Zhu Zhu shook his head and said with great self-knowledge: "Ignore the other brothers for now. Brother Yu can't even manage the fiefdom now, and the palace hasn't even been built yet, so don't count on me."

"That's why I said, if you want to be a happy king, then go and be happy. If you want to recite poems and compose poems, then become a literati. Brother Sixteen, why should you be restrained in your life?" Zhu Mingshen said He took a breath, turned his head and looked into the distance, looking at the endless vast grassland, and expressed his thoughts: "When I go back this time, I will show off my cards."

"I want to tell all the brothers to follow me and I will give them everything. If you want to stay in the capital and enjoy the blessings, just stay in the capital. As long as you don't harm the people, how can there be no room for one person in this huge capital?"

"Those who want to open up borders and split the soil to achieve immortal feats are too late for me to be happy. Give them soldiers and horses to fight with me."

"If you want to do something good, come to Chaozhong and help me."

"If I sit on this throne, it will benefit everyone."

"But if anyone is dissatisfied, then pull them out and have a fight to see their true abilities."

Zhu Ming said confidently.

With his current reputation and such a team, to put it bluntly, if he rebels, Zhu Yuanzhang will have to abdicate on the spot.

He didn't even need to imitate Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who launched the Xuanwu Gate Revolution and finally forced Li Yuan to give up his throne.

Because he has become powerful and unstoppable.

Why did Your Majesty rebel?
Zhu Ting just looked at Zhu Ting, feeling extremely regretful. Why did he have to hear these words? Why do you want to get involved?
Is it still too late to write a letter to my father saying that I am ill and unable to return to Beijing?

"Okay, Brother Sixteen, please wait for a moment. In fact, I'm almost done here, and I originally planned to go back to Beijing. We just happen to be together, and we can chat and relieve boredom on the way," Zhu Zhen greeted Zhu Zhen, Completely ignoring that Zhu Zhen's face was getting uglier and uglier.

This is a heirloom, or a coup. It has not been a trivial matter since ancient times, and it can easily be infamy for thousands of years.

He really didn't want to know.

Old Eighteen, you are doing such a disservice. I am just here to deliver a message. Why are you telling me this?
On purpose, he definitely did it on purpose.

Regardless of what Zhu Zhu thought, Zhu Zhu began to assemble his entire army.

In fact, as Zhu Zhen said, the things that need to be dealt with are almost done, and the follow-up arrangements have been completed. People like Wuyuntana, Dan Duoer and others have already set off with the remnants of Wu Liangha and Wala. The tribes also started to go home.

Zhu Chu also separated the Naxi tribe. Muchu and Mutu and their sons brought the remaining 350,000 people from Timur's empire to surrender and prepared to take a detour back.

Anyway, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate and the Timurid Empire have been captured. As long as they pass through Hami and Turpan, they can join the troops in Xinjiang and are not afraid of the possibility of surrender and rebellion on the way.

When the time comes, these people will be handed over to Wang Fu and Zhao Kuo, and they will be properly handled.

Originally, Zhu Zhen also planned to send back the 35,000 Zhuang wolf soldiers and asked them to find their female leader, Cen Hua.

As a result, these Zhuang wolf soldiers were completely impressed by Zhu Chu after this battle. They not only admired Zhu Chu's martial arts but also admired his personal charm, so they refused to leave.

Zhu Chu simply allowed them to become soldiers of Peng Yue's army, registered them as military household members of the Ming Dynasty, and recognized their identities.

In this way, the troops Zhu Zhen needed to bring back to the imperial court were the 50,000 troops from his own headquarters led by Mu Sheng, 50,000 troops from Peng Yue, and nearly 400,000 troops brought by Feng Sheng and Fu Youde from the Central Plains. Centaur.

There are also half a million people.

As orders were conveyed one after another, the army began to set off, finally returning to the Central Plains.

But don't forget, there are huge rewards in this grassland battle, and that is the trophies of war horses, cattle and sheep.

Except for the rewards given to the Tatar tribes and the basic supplies left to Oara and Ulyanha.

Zhu Zhen can bring back one million war horses this time, and this does not include the amount of horses given to all the soldiers in other armies who were transferred to cavalry.

Even in this battle, many war horses were accidentally killed and injured. They had no choice but to eat meat.

Otherwise, maybe 1.5 million horses could be seized?
There are also cattle and sheep. In the end, you can bring back two million heads, one million cattle and sheep each.

Sheep are still second. If these one million cattle are dispersed across the country, how big of a farming problem can be solved.

It's just that this batch of trophies is too large to be escorted by just tens of thousands of people. What should we do if these livestock run wild on the grassland and then go to other tribes?
In addition, it is already the tenth day of December, and Zhu Yuanzhang is still pressing hard. If there is any further delay, there is no need to worry, and he will not be able to catch up with the New Year.

So Zhu Zhen could only let the army march slowly, while he himself took a small number of guards, only a hundred people (emphasis added), and then he and his three wives, plus his sixteenth brother Zhu Zhen, went into battle lightly.

But after all, they are still on the Hulunbuir grassland at this time. From Hulunbuir City to Nanjing, there is a distance of 2,670 kilometers.

Although they started from Bell Lake, the distance could be reduced by two to three hundred kilometers.

But this doesn't relieve much pressure.

In desperation, he could only gallop all the way.

It is said that Xiahou Dun during the Three Kingdoms period could travel five hundred miles in three days and a thousand miles in six days.

In addition, you can fly quickly on the vast prairie, and then go straight to Xifeng Pass, which is the pass where Lan Yu was so proud of his credit that he destroyed the pass and broke in.

Zhu Chu had walked this route once, and he was familiar with the road. Finally, on December 27th, he went straight to the capital.

Despite the bumps and winds and sleeping in the open air along the way, Zhu Chu was still okay. Even his three wives were able to hold on with their strong Qi, not to mention those veterans who had been on the battlefield for a long time.

But Zhu Zhen almost died on the way.

"What evil have I done?" Zhu Zhu almost stopped crying. He was about to return to Beijing early, but he was appointed as the imperial envoy by Zhu Yuanzhang. He traveled thousands of miles from Ningxia Town to the grasslands outside the customs. How could he? It was easy to find Zhu Zhen and convey his will.

As a result, not only did he hear a lot of shocking secrets, but he might even be involved in a fight for the inheritance.

In order to rush back to the capital as soon as possible to resume his life, he had to endure so much hardship along the way.

"Old Eighteen, Old Eighteen, you must not treat your Sixteenth Brother badly from now on, or I will cry to you every day," Zhu Zhen made a meaningless threat.

Zhu Min smiled bitterly and reminded: "My sixteenth brother, we have arrived. Look, isn't that the capital city?"

They could finally see the shadow of the capital, and they could finally breathe a sigh of relief and slow down.

It is said that when they return from the north and want to enter the city, they will inevitably pass by Xuanwu Lake.

The city gate in the direction of Xuanwu Lake can also be called Xuanwu Gate.

When Zhu Chu asked someone to come forward to inform him and tell him his feudal title.

The soldiers guarding the city showed a meaningful look.

"Hurry and report to His Highness Taisun. The King of Dian is back."

(End of this chapter)