Ming Dynasty: The ghost betrays the Confucian sage, my son Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 236 Zhu Yuanzhang: We have a sister!
Night, the mountain behind the academy.

Wan'er was already asleep, and Fourth Master Zhu was not sleepy. He was holding a book and reading on the corridor, the gentle breeze was very cool. The book in his hand was the "Yi Lun" given to him by Zhang Xuansu:
The land of the world is vast and boundless, and the wider the domain of a dynasty, the more prosperous its luck will be. Luck is the essence of heaven and earth, the direction of people's hearts, and the foundation of the prosperity of a dynasty. If the luck is strong, the dynasty will be strong; if the luck is weak, the dynasty will be weak. This is the way of heaven and earth, the way of the past and the present.

Everyone in the royal family is destined to receive the blessings of heaven and the hopes of the people. If you want to inherit this destiny, you must strengthen your body. Cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. This is the way for people in the royal family. You must make yourself strong in order to be able to control all directions, protect the prosperity of the dynasty, and extend the fortune of the royal family.

Fourth Master Zhu thought about this passage, which meant that opening up new territories would increase the luck of the dynasty, and if people in the royal family wanted to be worthy of that luck, they needed to strengthen themselves, cultivate themselves, manage the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world.

He was overjoyed. If this was the case, wouldn't the Zhu family's dilemma be resolved? Although I don’t know if this is the final answer, I finally have a direction to work towards. Let the princes open up territories and entrust vassal kings and overseas. Each of them is a powerful leader, but they still can't bear their share of luck?

But how easy is it to open up new territories? At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang could not even pay the ministers' salaries. Various places had just experienced wars and it was a time when they needed to recuperate with the people.

"When the world is settled, the people are struggling financially. They are like a bird that has just taken flight. You cannot pluck its feathers. You cannot shake the roots of a newly planted tree. It needs to be rested and rested."

Zhu Yuanzhang was right, and he did the same thing. If you want to expand the territory, you can't exploit the people, you can only get it from overseas.

Fourth Master Zhu frowned.

Hey, let's defeat the Japanese pirates first, organize the shipping department, and conduct normal overseas trade. Since Daming Trading Company has become a global giant, there is no shortage of money.

On the shore of Xuanwu Lake, warships were weaving together, cannons were rumbling, and tactics were being practiced nervously. In the Beggar Clan's main forum by the lake, the shouts of killing were loud. Zhang Dingbian was concentrating on directing the training of the Yuanyang Formation.

"Okay!" After hearing this, Fourth Master Zhu agreed without hesitation.

The ministers were shocked. Hu Weiyong actually became the prime minister. In terms of seniority and merit, it was not his turn, but he actually became the prime minister, and he was the only prime minister of Zhongshu Province.

This perfect formation can exert amazing combat effectiveness whether it is long-range attack or melee combat. According to historical records, Qi Jiguang once relied on this formation to win consecutive battles and kill Japanese pirates until they fled in embarrassment.

Fourth Master Zhu stood aside and witnessed all this, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration in his heart. Although he could deduce Qi Jiguang's mandarin duck formation, Zhang Dingbian was able to use this formation to perfection, which was undoubtedly a natural talent for a general.

The emperor replaced Wang Guangyang and promoted Hu Weiyong to the prime minister of Zhongshu Province Zuo. It is self-evident how much the emperor trusted Hu Weiyong, even more than the old prime minister Li Shanchang. Back then, in order to contain Li Shanchang, the emperor placed Xu Da in the position of prime minister on the right, but now, the emperor has handed over the entire Zhongshu Province to Hu Weiyong.

"Old Zhang, train well." Fourth Master Zhu looked at Zhang Dingbian and nodded with satisfaction.

"Fourth Master, the fleet is about to go to sea, and I plan to take the brothers directly to the sea for actual combat training." Zhang Dingbian's eyes flashed with a fierce fighting spirit, "Once the training is successful, we will go straight to the Japanese pirates' lair and catch them all. "

"There is another meaning. Liu Bowen is the censor of Zuodu, and he is the only one who can defeat the nobles of Huaixi. If he becomes the prime minister, your majesty will not have any censor of Zuodu who is not afraid of the powerful."

……

Zhu Yuanzhang rebuked Wang Guangyang for sabotaging his work, dismissed him as Prime Minister of Zhongshu Province, and demoted him to participate in politics in Guangdong Province. However, Liu Bowen stood up and begged for mercy, saying that since Wang Guangyang was old, it would be better to go to his Metropolitan Procuratorate and become a censor. Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and was right.

Xuanwu Lake.

Two soldiers holding shields and javelins rushed to the front, protecting the entire team while launching long-range attacks with javelins. The core of the formation is a soldier wielding a strange weapon called Langzhao. His presence makes the entire battle formation more stable. After Langzhen's hand, four spearmen stood ready. Their spears were like a forest, and they were mainly responsible for dealing damage. The last two dagger players are responsible for finishing the damage and protecting the flanks. Sometimes, a musketeer will follow behind the Yuanyang formation to add long-range firepower to the battle formation.

After going to court, the ministers walked on the royal road and talked about it.

"Why Hu Weiyong? In terms of qualifications and merit, Liu Bowen, Song Lian, and Lu Chang are all better than him, Hu Weiyong."

The Yuanyang Formation is the nemesis of the Japanese pirates, because many of the Japanese pirates are Japanese rogues with excellent swordsmanship and are extremely good at close combat. The Yuanyang Formation, which only required a group of eleven people, perfectly restrained them.

"It's not difficult to understand. Hu Weiyong is from Huaixi and a student of the old Prime Minister. Your Majesty still needs Huaixi Civil and Military Affairs to show His Majesty's trust in Huaixi Civil and Military Affairs."

The next day, morning.

Everyone was discussing as they walked, each with their own plans in mind. They agreed to go to Hu Weiyong's house to congratulate him after leaving court. After all, he was now the prime minister at the head of all officials, so fawning and clinging to him was inevitable.

……

Wang Guangyang, the right prime minister, was dismissed, so there would be no prime minister in Zhongshu Province. All the ministers were waiting for the emperor's big move. Sure enough, the eunuch chief Wang Jinghong announced:
In accordance with the destiny, the emperor said:
The post of Duankui is to comprehensively manage hundreds of departments. If you have any hope, I will send you honors and honors. Hu Weiyong, the Prime Minister on the right side of Zhongshu Province, has a far-reaching vision, an alert look, a Taoist priest, a talent for civil and military affairs, and a plan for the slaves. When the power is cut off, the wind gallops, and the fighting points are directed. The clouds disappear and the fog retreats, and the solid descends on the auxiliary palace. It is suitable for Mu. Yi Zhang can write to the Prime Minister Zuo, and the officials will be as before.

He has full confidence in the equipment of the Ming warships, which are several levels higher than the Japanese pirate ships. Coupled with Zhang Dingbian's well-trained soldiers, this battle will undoubtedly be won. What's more, today's Japanese pirates are not large in scale, so it is a good time to annihilate them in one fell swoop.

……

It was already evening when he came out of the Beggar Clan Headquarters, and Fourth Master Zhu walked leisurely to the palace. Riding his horse past Hu Weiyong's house, he saw many officials blocking the door. It turned out that they were all here to congratulate Hu Weiyong on his appointment as prime minister, but Hu Weiyong closed the door and refused to see any guests.

A sneer appeared at the corner of Mr. Zhu's lips, Hu Weiyong was just showing off. Show it to the emperor that he, Hu Weiyong, does not form cliques, but the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang still doesn’t know this little trick of his?

"It's just a chess piece of the emperor." Fourth Master Zhu secretly laughed in his heart.
His eyes slowly scanned the group of courtiers.

In the future Hu Weiyong case, how many people will be killed along with Hu Weiyong? By that time, they will have no chance to regret. Being an official in the Hongwu Dynasty was still very dangerous. Fortunately, I am the Supreme Emperor now, so I don't have to worry about anything.

When he came to the Wenhua Hall of the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were still criticizing the mistakes. He shook the sesame seed cake in his hand and shouted, "Come on, let's eat some first."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao put down their pens and came to his side. The three of them sat on the steps and started chewing. Fourth Master Zhu complained while eating, "Damn it, the Zhu family all likes to eat sesame cakes, I have this problem."

"Chongba, Liu Bowen came to me to impeach you, saying that you owe two months' salary." Fourth Master Zhu said.

"What? That old man, did you file a complaint with your father?" Zhu Yuanzhang cursed, "It's only a few dollars, does it matter?"

"As for that, I can't open the pot anymore." Fourth Master Zhu glared.

"Impossible! The salary and rewards we give him are definitely enough." Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

"Chongba, I checked the historical data and found that the salary you gave is the lowest in all dynasties." Mr. Zhu was speechless and rolled his eyes. "Don't ask the ministers based on the living standards you had when you were a child. The salary is too low, so don't force them. Greedy?"

"Dare?" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, "If they dare to be greedy, we dare to kill them! How many there are, kill them until they are frightened." "Your method is wrong. In this way, officials are afraid of overly strict laws, not out of fear." "Basically." Mr. Zhu spread his hands and said, "When you die, if someone is kind, these officials will exploit the people even more."

Zhu Biao on the side quickly echoed: "Yes, Father, we need to use a system to supervise and educate, instead of blindly killing."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of disdain: "We have been bullied by corrupt officials since we were young. Don't we know better than you guys? There are very few honest officials in the world, so we must kill them!"

Fourth Master Zhu and Zhu Biao looked at each other with very speechless expressions.

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Fourth Master Zhu changed the topic, "Chongba, Xuansu came back and brought me a book from Daozang. About luck, I found a way to solve the Zhu family's dilemma."

"Really?" Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, "What is it?"

Fourth Master Zhu took out the book "Yi Luck" from his sleeve, handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "To put it simply, it is to open up the territory and expand the territory so that the descendants of the Zhu family can make a difference, so that they can match the luck they have."

Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly opened it and looked at it, with glints flashing in his eyes: "Opening up new territories is not easy. We cannot be like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who only focused on fighting without caring about the lives of the people."

Fourth Master Zhu nodded slowly. If that were the case, the effect would not be achieved.

……

In the blink of an eye it is already autumn.

Fourth Master Zhu almost didn't leave the back mountain of the academy because Huan'er was about to give birth. Queen Ma sent a mother-in-law who specialized in delivering babies, as well as palace maids, cooks, etc., all to take care of Huan'er during her confinement period.

Early that morning, Huner suddenly felt abdominal pain. Master Zhu hurriedly went to call for the midwife, while the maids quickly started to boil hot water to prepare. As soon as the midwife arrived, she decisively invited Fourth Master Zhu out of the delivery room and asked him to wait outside the door.

He paced anxiously outside the room, feeling worried and excited at the same time. Finally, a clear cry of a baby broke through the tranquility of the morning. The palace maid came out overjoyed to announce the good news: "The baby has been born. Congratulations to the Fourth Master. The baby is a daughter of gold. Mother and daughter are safe."

After hearing this, Fourth Master Zhu was so excited that he rushed to the delivery room, but was stopped by the palace maids. They knew the importance of postpartum care, so they tidied up and prepared nourishing soup for Wener. After everything was arranged, Fourth Master Zhu was allowed to enter the delivery room.

"Wu'er." He called his lover's name softly.

"Fourth Master." Wen'er was lying on the bed. Although her face was slightly pale, her eyes were full of happiness. She tilted her head slightly and pointed to the sleeping baby beside her, "Look, this is our daughter."

Fourth Master Zhu walked over cautiously and gently picked up this soft little life. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he felt an indescribable feeling in his heart: "I have a daughter again, haha, this is really my precious daughter."

As he said that, his eyes were actually a little moist.

When Wener saw this, she looked at him angrily: "Be careful, don't wake her up."

Fourth Master Zhu gently put his daughter back on the bed, then stretched out his hand to hold Weinger's hand, and said softly: "You have worked hard, have a good rest. Let's try to have two babies in three years."

"Okay!" Weier held his hand tightly, her eyebrows gentle.

She once thought that her life was destined to be accompanied by killing, but she never expected to have such a warm home now. At this moment, she felt extremely happy and satisfied.

"You haven't chosen a name yet? Let's give it a name," said Wen'er.

"Let's call her Mengyao." Fourth Master Zhu smiled.

"The King of Chu once dreamed of the goddess Yao, and the dream never came to an end." Wu'er pursed her lips, "Goddess Mengyao, okay, Zhu Mengyao."

After tossing for so long, Wen'er fell into a deep sleep soon. Fourth Master Zhu walked out of the room, breathing the fresh morning air and in a good mood.

……

There was a maid sent by Queen Ma to take care of Hun'er and the children, and Fourth Master Zhu felt at ease. He closed his eyes and meditated in the corridor, and the morning sunlight fell on him, glowing softly.

"Dad, has the concubine given birth? Do we have a sister?" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice came.

Fourth Master Zhu looked up and saw Zhu Yuanzhang, Queen Ma, Zhu Di, Zhu Biao and a large group of people coming. They hurriedly came to the corridor. Zhu Yuanzhang was very excited: "Where is our sister? Go and take her out, we want to hug."

Queen Ma glared angrily: "You have rough hands and feet. Don't hurt the child. We have so many children in our family. Which one have you hugged?"

She bowed and saluted Fourth Master Zhu, and then went to Wan'er's room, leaving the other men outside. Zhu Yuanzhang walked back and forth, looking in from time to time, waiting for Queen Ma to take the child out.

"I told you to stop wandering around and sit down." Fourth Master Zhu said angrily, "There will be plenty of opportunities to hug you in the future, okay?"

"Dad, we have decided on a name for my sister. Listen..." Zhu Yuanzhang sat down.

"Who wants you to name me? I've chosen a name myself. It's Zhu Mengyao." Fourth Master Zhu glared.

"Mengyao Mengyao." Zhu Yuanzhang repeated several times and nodded, "That's fine, dad, when my sister grows up, we can make her the Princess of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Di on the side came forward and said, "Shouldn't I call you aunt? Such a young aunt."

Zhu Biao smiled and spread his hands: "No, I have to call you aunt. She is young but has seniority."

Everyone was amused, and while they were chatting lively, Queen Ma finally carefully took the child out. Zhu Yuanzhang immediately came forward and took the child carefully, his eyes full of doting: "Mengyao, Mengyao, our sister, hahaha, we also have a sister."

Zhu Di also reached out his hand eagerly: "Father, please let me hug my little aunt. When she grows up, I can tell her that I have hugged her."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a sideways glance: "Get out of here! You're so careless. Stay away and don't throw your little aunt."

(End of this chapter)