The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 129 Talented Queen Ma

Ma Xiuying had just returned from a walk and was sitting in the garden to breathe.

Looking at his wife, Lao Zhu's troubled heart suddenly felt at ease.

In a flash, she came to Ma Xiuying's side: "Sister, we're here to see you."

A smile appeared in Ma Xiuying's eyes, and she said with disgust:

"Come right here, hang out for a while, sit here."

"Oh." Lao Zhu sat down opposite her.

"Sister, your energy is much better than before."

Ma Xiuying smiled and said: "Yes, I look better than the past few days."

"I heard from Quexi that I have fewer gray hairs than before."

"Hurry up and help me see if this girl is making me happy."

Quexi is the maid who combs her hair.

Zhu Yuanzhang came over, and before his eyes could see him, he hurriedly said:
"Really, I have much less black hair than before."

Ma Xiuying said with some uncertainty: "What did you say?"

Of course Zhu Yuanzhang could not admit that he almost said the wrong thing just now, and said calmly:
"Look at these hairs, they are white at the front and black at the roots."

"This is white hair turning black again."

"In the words of their doctors..."

"Oh, by the way, I have enough energy and blood, and my white hair has turned black again."

Ma Xiuying thought she had heard it wrong, so she didn’t think much about it and said with a smile:

"Chen Jingke's medical skills are so good. He healed my body in just half a year."

After half a year of recuperation, her physical condition has improved visibly.

His face was originally yellow and his eyes were filled with endless weariness.

Now his blood color has returned to normal, his cheeks are full and his eyes are bright and energetic.

The gray hair actually showed signs of turning black again.

This change is so obvious that people who are familiar with her can see it at a glance.

The advantage is that no one will doubt that Chen Jingke is exaggerating.

Headed by Zhu Yuanzhang's family, they all had close to unconditional trust in Chen Jingke's medical skills.

Afraid that she would take it lightly, Zhu Yuanzhang said quickly:

"You can't relax. Chen Jingke said you have a long-standing illness and cannot stop recuperating."

Ma Xiuying was very pleased and said: "Okay, okay, with you watching, I can't stop even if I want to."

"Shouldn't you be dealing with government affairs at the moment? Why do you have time to come to my place?"

"Let me guess, Chen Jingke is going to give a lecture today. Could it be that he said something that made it difficult for you?"

When Chen Jingke wanted to give a lecture, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Xiongying both told her.

She was also curious about what was said this time.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "As you said, sister, he really gave us a... no, two big problems."

Ma Xiuying was not surprised, but said happily:
"It's a good problem, but it means these two loopholes are very big."

"Once it is adjusted, it will make Ming Dynasty even more powerful."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with admiration: "Sister, you are more generous than us."

"If you were a man, we would rather become a woman and be your queen."

Ma Xiuying was delighted: "If I were a man, I would definitely make you the queen."

"Okay, okay, stop being poor and tell me what the problem is."

Zhu Yuanzhang then said: "The first question is about the Yellow River..."

He detailed Chen Jingke's analysis of the Yellow River.

Ma Xiuying's face also became solemn, especially when she talked about the consequences of seizing the Huai River and entering the sea, her brows were also furrowed.

After speaking in one breath, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "...This matter is difficult to handle."

Ma Xiuying did not express her opinion directly, but asked: "What about the second question?"

Zhu Yuanzhang told Wen Hanbian again, and finally said doubtfully:
"Do you think this Wenhan transformation really exists?"

"If it's true, what will our descendants do?"

Ma Xiuying took a deep breath. She knew that Chen Jingke might raise a big question, but she didn't expect it to be so big.

People often say that summer insects cannot speak of ice, but in the face of changes in temperature and cold, what is the difference between humans and summer insects.

Fortunately, our ancestors like to record history, so we can get a glimpse of the clues.

"Although I have said it countless times, I still want to say that Chen Jingke's vision is indeed different from ordinary people."

"The history books are there. I don't know how many people have read them, but he can always see something different from others."

Zhu Yuanzhang heard the voice-over and asked puzzledly: "Sister, do you believe what he said?"

Ma Xiuying nodded and said seriously:
"Believe, I will believe whatever he says until he makes no mistakes."

"Don't talk about Wen Hanbian, even if he tells me that the world will be destroyed tomorrow, I will believe it."

Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head, wondering how he could continue with this topic.

Ma Xiuying saw what he was thinking and said with a smile: "If you can ask what our descendants will do, you actually already believe it in your heart."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not hide it, but sighed: "But as an emperor, we need more evidence for such a big matter."

Ma Xiuying agreed: "It is right to be cautious. If there is insufficient evidence, go and investigate."

"Hasn't he already given a reference standard? First find someone to check all the books written in the pre-Qin period."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled bitterly and said: "It would be nice if we could find evidence, but I'm afraid I can't find it even after searching through it."

Ma Xiuying said: "So what if I can find it, so what if I can't find it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang explained: "If you find the evidence, you can announce it to the world and make preparations in a legitimate manner."

Ma Xiuying sneered: "I didn't expect you, Zhu Chongba, to be so naive. Do you think others will believe the so-called evidence?"

"Even if they believe it, officials and scholars from the south are willing to let you go to war?"

"You don't know how they view the northern border defense, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became very gloomy.

The southern officials were very disapproving of the imperial court's Northern Expedition, especially their attitude towards King Sai, which was clearly disgusting.

Why?

At first, Zhu Yuanzhang thought they were opposed to enfeoffment.

Later I realized that what they opposed was actually the Northern Expedition.

The purpose of the King of Sai is not only to defend, but also to expand the territory.

First, keep your footing, and then move northward step by step, encroaching on Beiyuan's territory.

They wished they could get rid of the North as a burden, then close the court and live a luxurious life in the South.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang always wanted to move the capital to the north.

If they knew that the temperature was changing and that the cold period was coming, they would have even more reasons to abandon the north.

Queen Ma said: "So from this point of view, maybe it would be better if they didn't know."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but nodded, this is the reason.

Empress Ma continued: "And have you ever thought about a question: Why in the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties, the north alone was enough to maintain the operation of the court?"

"The South at that time was still a barbaric place used to exile prisoners."

The highest population in the Han and Tang Dynasties exceeded 4000 million, and they were basically self-sufficient in the north.

The Ming Dynasty only had a population of 6000 million, and it was a bit difficult for both the north and the south combined.

Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth and said: "After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the north fell into turmoil."

"The Song Dynasty was unable to recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and could only settle in the south..." "The Yuan Dynasty court also neglected management and even designated large areas of fertile land in the north as pasture..."

"Hundreds of years of chaos have completely desolated the north..."

Queen Ma nodded and said, "Everything you said is right, but there is another reason you ignored."

"what reason?"

"Yellow River."

"Yellow River?"

Ma Xiuying said: "Yes, the Yellow River diverted the Huaihe River into the sea, and Henan and Shandong lost their most important water source."

“Large tracts of fertile farmland irrigated by the Yellow River have become inferior farmland.”

Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully: "It's true that Henan and Shandong have always been the most important grain-producing areas in the north."

"The loss of the water source of the Yellow River will seriously affect the food production here."

At this point, he suddenly woke up and said, "Sister, are you supporting the return of the Yellow River to its original path?"

Ma Xiuying affirmed: "Why don't you support it?"

“The Yellow River diverts the Huai River into the sea, destroying the Huai River water system and causing misery to the local people.”

"And the lack of water from the Yellow River for irrigation has made the north barren..."

“Both places suffer in this way, and the country also has to bear a heavy burden.”

"Returning to the old ways will be of great benefit to both places..."

"And the north has just been settled. The population is not large and it has not really settled down yet."

"It is relatively easy to migrate the people near the old path of the Yellow River."

"After a few decades, it will be even more impossible to do it again."

"And do you know why southerners oppose the Northern Expedition and even want to abandon the north?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "They are short-sighted and selfish."

Ma Xiuying shook her head and said, "No, it's because the northern economy has been severely damaged and cannot be self-sufficient."

"Whether it is the Northern Expedition or the subsequent management of the north, the south will need to support grain and grass supplies."

"This will increase the burden on the people in the south, and they are naturally unwilling to do so."

"If Henan and Shandi become prosperous again, the imperial court can reduce its dependence on the south."

"They will no longer oppose the Northern Expedition as they do now."

"In Chen Jingke's words, the whole situation has been revitalized."

"Therefore, it is imperative that the Yellow River returns to its old course."

Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought, and it seemed that this was true.

Moreover, as our economic dependence on the south has been reduced, those southern officials will no longer dare to speak out in front of us.

Southerners will no longer discriminate against northerners as they do now.

I don’t eat your rice, so what qualifications do you have to be so arrogant?

The Ming Dynasty relies entirely on us northerners to defend ourselves from foreign enemies at the front. We should instead look down on you.

This time, the whole situation is really brought to life.

Ma Xiuying continued: "The problem of Wenhanbian is simpler. Whether it is true or not, it is not important at the moment, and it will not affect the treatment of Huang."

"It's not true. The Yellow River is going to return to its old course. It's true, and it's even more important to bring the Yellow River back."

"The same goes for planting vegetation in the Hetao and Shanxi-Shaanxi areas."

"In order to maintain long-term peace and stability in the Yellow River, the imperial court must increase the amount of vegetation here."

"Didn't Chen Jingke say that we are now at the point of turning from warm to cold?"

"The precipitation line has not been completely moved, and the rain in Hetao and Shanxi is still sufficient."

“Take this opportunity to expand the local vegetation.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was so excited by what she said that he wanted to carry out drastic reforms immediately.

But as an emperor, he still maintains his sanity:

"How can the imperial court now have the experience to plant grass and trees?"

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "You think the problem is too complicated."

"Collect the grass seeds, let the soldiers ride their horses and scatter them there."

"When it rains heavily, grass grows."

“Planting trees is a little more troublesome, but it’s not impossible to solve.”

"Let people look for trees that are cold and drought tolerant, preferably the kind that can sprout when you break a strip and stick it in the ground."

"When it rains, let people plant them while there is water on the ground. How many trees can survive?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly, this method is indeed good.

Ma Xiuying continued: "But protection is more important than breeding."

"The main causes of desertification there are over-cultivation, over-logging, and over-grazing."

"Then move some of it out..."

"Well, move the people from barren areas to areas with fertile land and give them the fertile land controlled by the imperial court."

"Then we start planting grass and trees in barren areas."

"This will not affect people's lives and can increase the number of vegetation. Why not do it."

Zhu Yuanzhang said excitedly: "Okay, okay, sister, this method is good, we will order someone to do it right away."

Queen Ma glanced at him and said, "You are confused. How can you directly bring up this kind of thing?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in confusion: "Ah, can't we say it?"

Queen Ma explained: "It's possible, but it's best to let the minister take the initiative and you agree."

"And aren't you dissatisfied with Wang Shangshu from the Ministry of Industry?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "It's been half a year since I took office, but I still haven't straightened out the Ministry of Works."

"The treatment of Huang Shu has always been a top priority for the imperial court. How long has it been before we started to control Huang Shu?"

"Moreover, I just copied the methods of my predecessors without any ideas of my own."

"He has reached the end of his career as a minister, so we will remove him immediately."

Ma Xiuying also fully agreed. This Wang Shangshu was quite loyal and honest, but his ability was indeed not good.

"Wang Shangshu is a loyal and honest official. It is enough to remove him and use him for other purposes. Removing him is too much."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "Humph, since you have begged him, sister, let's give him a chance."

Ma Xiuying continued the topic just now: "Tell the officials about the problems faced by the Yellow River and let them think of a solution."

"Then they spread the word privately and said that the north is barren because of the lack of water from the Yellow River for irrigation."

"If the Yellow River can return to its original course, Henan and Shandong will become prosperous again."

"At that time, you will see how the ministers react and see if anyone can come up with a truly feasible solution."

"If someone could recognize this problem and come up with a solution."

"He must be a talented person. You can reuse him and let him charge forward."

"You just need to hide in the back, provide convenience for him, and block all kinds of criticism."

Even if something went wrong by then, Zhu Yuanzhang would still have room for change by hiding behind the scenes.

If he comes up with a full set of reform plans, the firepower of the ministers will be focused on him.

It's fine if there are no problems, but it's a dead end if there are problems.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally understood this truth and nodded repeatedly:

"Sister, you are absolutely right, let's do this."

(End of this chapter)