King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Zhu Youtang clapped his hands and laughed. Zhu Tan's words hit the mark on what he was thinking. During the Yongle period, two Xuanwei Prefectures were destroyed in succession, and the current Guizhou Provincial Governor was established. This was also what he meant.

But at that time it was limited to these two tribes, while most of the areas were still under tribal rule.

After the establishment of Guizhou Provincial Administration, effective governance and development were carried out in the local area.

Zhu Youtang exclaimed: "Well, my brother is telling the truth."

Zhu Youtang spoke cautiously, and Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng couldn't help but look at her again.

This was not copied, but invented by Chu Tian.

There will certainly be many difficulties involved, and there may even be obstruction from local chiefs, but if this step can be carried out, it will surely be completely resolved.

Zhu Youtang seemed to have guessed Zhu Tan's idea. He turned to Liu Jian and said, "Lord Liu, the suggestion of the Marquis of Jianchang is indeed a good idea. Why don't you discuss it with the ministers, work out a detailed plan, and then report to us."

Liu Jian's thinking also became more open. He increasingly believed that transforming the chieftains into civilians was a good move and good governance, which could quell the rebellion of the chieftains and the Yao children at the lowest cost.

He immediately bowed and said goodbye, and went back to discuss the matter with the other cabinet ministers.

Zhu Youtang looked at Chu Tian again, becoming more and more satisfied. He knew that his teachings were effective.

He was very annoyed with the little eunuchs who were lying on the ground crying, "Get the hell out of here in the laundry department!"

After hearing what Zhu Youtang said, Dai Yi, He Wending and Luo Yin all understood that the group of people lying on the ground were dead.

Moreover, Zhu Tan’s previous remarks had already made the emperor very satisfied, so it was impossible for him to plead for the eunuchs under such circumstances.

Zhu Youtang then instructed Luo Yin: "You, send all the Shu brocade and Korean ginseng that were sent over the past two days to the Earl of Jianchang. The more the better."

Zhu Tan did not expect that his brief mention would make his brother-in-law so happy.

"Your Majesty, during today's military inspection, the Minister of Revenue Ma Cong performed a great deed. I am in need of a commander. I would like to propose to the Emperor that he give him a fourth-rank commander position. What do you think?"

Zhu Youtang nodded with a smile, "Okay, Dai Yi, promote Jianchang Bo to governor, and Ma Cong to commander, pass it down to the cabinet."

The implication of this sentence is to promote Zhu Tan and Ma Cong and remove them from their official positions.

Hearing this, Ma Wensheng was the most excited.

What Ma Wensheng hated the most was the Censor, because the Censor was not a good person, but his son was just a scholar, and it was an exception for him to be invited to the Ministry of Justice.

Now, the emperor asked a eunuch to deliver the imperial edict to the court, and this censor was considered a real official.

Even though he is the commander-in-chief now and not a civil official, he is still a fourth-rank official!

Ma Wensheng whispered to Ma Cong, "Why don't you thank the emperor for his decree?"

Zhu Tan also came over upon hearing the noise and thanked Ma Cong together with him.

Ma Cong felt dizzy. Yesterday he was looked down upon, but today he was promoted to a fourth-rank commander, and even a deputy general. How could he believe this?
This is simply a dream! While thanking the emperor, she pinched her thigh.

That's right!

Zhu Youtang was very happy and said, "Marquis Jianchang, you should also go back and make a detailed charter for this land reform. Don't be afraid, just write it and let me check it with the cabinet members."

After Zhu Youtang sent Zhu Tan and the others away, he hurried to the palace to tell Empress Zhang how great his brother-in-law had achieved.

It was also a very happy thing that Empress Zhang was favored by the Prime Minister and the Minister of War.

As soon as the emperor left, Ma Cong felt as if he had just finished a long-distance run. He was exhausted and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Zhu Tan supported him in time.

Ma Wensheng said unhappily: "You are a petty person, you should be more restrained."

Zhu Tan smiled and said, "Master Ma, you have to understand that today Master Ma can be said to have made a leap from a carp to a dragon, so it is normal to be a little excited. Everyone has their own New Year's Eve dinner. Master Ma passed the imperial examination that year, so it must have been the same!"

Ma Wensheng was speechless. He was a scholar, but it was nothing special. However, he said to Ma Cong coldly: "Watch your words and don't bring shame upon yourself."

When she reached the door, Chu Pipa poked Ma Wensheng with her arm.

"Mr. Ma, you are so unkind! Didn't the last memorial just lead me into a big trap? The feud between Mr. Ma and the Duke of England cannot involve me!"

Ma Wensheng did not expect Zhu Tan to see through his thoughts at a glance. He sighed and said, "The combat effectiveness of the Beijing camp has declined, and the armaments of the major military commanders have been relaxed. A large part of the reason is because of those nobles, headed by the Duke of England, who controls tens of thousands of soldiers!"

Ma Wensheng sighed and shook his head. "It's just that the times are different now. The emperor is very fond of Li Guang and has become a little slack. It's difficult to clear up all the military problems like he did in the early days of the Hongzhi reign."

Zhu Tan did not take it seriously. He had been assigned a task by his brother-in-law, and the only person who could catch the man for him was Ma Cong, so he called Ma Cong aside and said he would hold a banquet to celebrate for him.

Seeing this, Ma Wensheng could only shake his head helplessly and did not stop it.

His son Ma Cong is almost forty years old and still dares to say such bad things. He is a very incompetent father.

After drinking and having fun, the two men were bored, so Zhu Tan called Xu Guangzuo, Guo Ning, and other three talented men in the capital to hold a banquet for Ma Cong.

Ma Cong himself was not outstanding, and if it were not for Zhu Tan, he would always be an unknown person.

However, Ma Cong had a good father! Ma Wensheng was the emperor's most trusted general, and the three great talents in the capital had to give him some face to show their respect for him.

It was still held in Guangle Pavilion, with Zhu Tan as the host and Xu Guangzuo and Guo Ning as the companions, which deeply moved Ma Cong, who had never experienced such a thing before.

Although everyone said that his second uncle, Jianchang Bo, was a useless relative, to him, he was his savior!

Zhu Tan took the opportunity of drinking to talk to Ma Cong about what he knew about the change of dynasties.

Let Ma Cong help him prepare some materials. It would be even better if there is a PPT.

It was not until this time that Xu Guangzuo and Guo Ning learned that such a serious incident had occurred when Zhu Tan and Ma Wensheng were inspecting the ordnance together.

Xu Guangzuo slapped the table and said, "Second brother, you are too disloyal. You didn't even tell me about such a good opportunity. Have you forgotten that I am your brother?"

Zhu Tan smiled and poured wine for Xu Guangzuo.

"Brother, we have to do things step by step. After a few days, we will be the most powerful one. Let's shoot three arrows at once. If we can hit the bull's eye every time, I will let my brother-in-law give you a gold belt. How cool and impressive!"

When Xu Guangzuo heard this, he burst into laughter, his laughter going straight to his ears.

"Good, good, I have money. The top prize in this palace examination must be me. Brothers, don't try to compete with me!" Xu Guangzuo followed closely behind, confiscated the property of Li Guang's clan, and rewarded them with 10 taels of silver.

When Xu Yongning returned home with the money, he was so shocked that he almost fell to the ground. He thought his son had robbed him of the money on the road!

It has to be said that even though Xu Guangzuo took out so much money, Xu Yongning, a meticulous man, also locked him up at home.

If Zhu Tan hadn't used the excuse of helping with something today, Xu Guangzuo would not have been able to get out at all!

With the money, the market price of Guo Ning's juren degree is about 30,000 taels, which Xu Guangzuo can fully afford. Wouldn't it be easy for him to become the chief examiner?
It was a very enjoyable meal.

I had a lot of fun! Steward Zhang Wei found Guangle Pavilion.

"Uncle, uncle, you must do justice for me!"

Zhang Wei had disheveled hair and blood on his face. He staggered to Zhu Tan's side, shocking Zhu Tan and the others.

Behind Zhang Wei, people came up one after another. Each of them was covered in blood and it was obvious that they had been beaten badly.

Zhu Tan jumped up suddenly, "What happened?"

Zhang Wei and the others were all very skilled people, but they were beaten so badly, which surprised Chu Mu.

Zhang Wei said with a sad face, "Master, I am the Earl of Changhua. I wanted to take over Li Guang's business, but Shao Xi, the Earl of Changhua, insisted that the business was his. He refused to acknowledge it and sent more than a hundred servants to beat us badly. We beat them so badly that they retreated in disgrace."

Zhu Tan frowned. Where did Changhua Earl Shao Xi come from?
Seeing that Zhu Tan did not understand, Xu Guangzuo replied, "The Earl of Changhua is the biological brother of Empress Shao of Emperor Xianzong. The Prince of Xing, born to Concubine Shao, is Zhu Youluo, while the Prince of Qi is Prince Yong. Concubine Shao's brother, Shao Xi, has been the Earl of Changping for generations."

and many more!

Zhu Tan tried hard to squeeze out a word in his mind and wrote it down.

Isn’t Prince Xing the father of Jiajing, the one who was canonized as “Emperor Xian”?

Jiajing's uncle, Shao Xi!

Shao Xi's nephew might very likely take Chu Mu's nephew's position, and might even chop off his head. Zhu Tan was immediately furious and slapped the table.

"You guys, let them join me in dealing with Shao Xi."

Xu Guangzuo and Guo Ning are naturally Zhu Tan's right-hand men, and Ma Cong was promoted because of Chu Tianxian, so he absolutely cannot retreat under such circumstances.

So a group of people, accompanied by nearly a hundred strong servants, marched towards the street in front of the gate.

Zhang Wei took a fancy to a jade shop and wanted to take it over.

This shop sells Hetian jadeite, Tianhuang stone, and blood crystal, among which Changhua is the most famous. In addition, Shao Xi was conferred the title of Earl of Changhua, so it is not unreasonable that he opened this shop.

For some unknown reason, Li Guang gave the shop to Li Guang and Shao Xi to manage jointly.

When Li Guang was raided, only half of the land deed was found. Zhang Wei wants to keep it for himself. Will Shao Xi agree?

Empress Dowager Zhou had no children, and Zhou Yu had always been outspoken. Even after being beaten by Zhu Tan, he just swallowed his anger.

However, Shao is still alive! There are three more princes, whose power is no less than that of the collateral descendants.

The reason why Shao Xi cooperated with Li Guang was, firstly, he was worried that Li Guang would gain power, and secondly, he hoped that Li Guang could expand his business.

As an elder, he came to Beijing with a lot of Tianhuang stone and chicken blood stone.

As the saying goes, one pound of Tianhuang is worth ten taels of gold. The goods he brought back this time were worth more than 100,000 taels. How could he let others rob him?
Shao Xi and others drove Zhang Wei away, and he finally found out the real emperor's uncle, Zhu Yi, the Earl of Jianchang, who was making a lot of money every day in his shop.

Although he was the emperor's uncle, he was not as good as Zhou Yu. After forcing Zhang Wei to retreat, he did not give up. While raising his vigilance, he asked someone to invite Zhang Heling, Marquis of Shouning.

Zhang Yanling, who was possessed by Zhu Tan's soul, was fine, but Zhang Heling, Marquis of Shouning, remained unchanged in his bad behavior and continued to bully others in the capital.

As he was also the emperor's uncle, Shao Xiping provided both money and beauties. Zhang Heling felt that he had made a fortune, so he went to Shao Xiping to ask for things.

Shao Xi's move was a sign of submission. It would have been better if his partners could be the Zhang brothers instead of Li Guang.

However, Shao Xi could never have imagined that his nephew would ascend the throne of Emperor Jiajing in the future, and that Emperor Jiajing would even execute the entire Zhang family.

But Zhu Tan knew him!
Now, he finally had a perfect excuse, so naturally he had to suppress Shao Xi.

It would be even better if Prince Xing could take this opportunity to deal with Prince Xing.

Emperor Jiajing had not yet been born. If he killed his father, then Jiajing would no longer exist. This was the best way to protect himself!

Zhu Tan thought it was a good idea more and more, and on the way, he connected the officials bribed by Li Guang with the officials, intending to use his power to force Shao Xi to death.

More and more people came, and when Zhu Tan and his companions reached Qianmen Avenue, there were more than 300 people accompanying them.

The leader Zhu Tan was like a tiger sweeping the streets. Wherever he went, people made way for him and pointed at him.

They all heard the news that Uncle Zhang was going to get angry, but they didn't know which family he was going to target this time.

Shao Xi was also well prepared. He first used a large sum of money and beautiful women to ask Zhang Heling, Marquis of Shouning, to settle the matter. He also invited some important figures of the Shao family, who were no less important than Zhu Tan.

Zhang Heling had tasted the sweetness. Seeing his own brother coming towards him angrily, he took a step forward and said, "Second brother, why are you doing this? Lord Changhua is not a stranger. Let's talk it out nicely!"

What Zhang Heling loved most was money. He felt that his brother Zhang Yanling was on the same level as himself.

So he made a gesture of invitation and whispered, "I have a lot of Tianhuang stone and chicken blood stone here. Shao Xi said that we will split it 50-50."

Zhu Tan spat and thought that this guy didn't even care about his own life for money.

If Shao Xi's nephew comes, both of us brothers will lose our heads!
Zhu Tan made up his mind. Without waiting for Zhang Heling to speak, he stretched out his hand, pushed Zhang Heling aside, pointed at Shao Xi, and shouted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you take Li Guang's property for yourself? This is simply a crime of deceiving the emperor. Brothers, come together!"

Zhang Wei and several injured men didn't care about their injuries and rushed forward.

Jia Zhang, Zhang Laoliu and others also rushed over.

Shao Xi had not expected Zhu Tan to completely ignore Zhang Heling. Although he felt that his plan had failed, he would not belittle himself. As an ally, he was not afraid of him! (End of this chapter)