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

Chapter 242 Zhu Biao supervises the country: I am benevolent and not stupid.

Chapter 242 Zhu Biao supervises the country: I am benevolent and not stupid.

Capital City, Chengyi Bofu.

Liu Bowen, who had just taken the medicine, was lying on the bed with his eyes closed to rest. Since Hu Weiyong became Prime Minister, he used illness as an excuse to stay in seclusion and avoid the disputes in the court. He understood the emperor's thoughts and wanted to find an opportunity to retire and return to his hometown, but he never got the chance.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" A high-pitched chant broke the tranquility in the mansion. Liu Bowen was startled when he heard the sound, and was about to get out of bed to greet him, but saw that Prince Zhu Biao had already pushed the door open and entered with concern on his face: "Mr. Liu, you are not feeling well, so there is no need to be polite."

Although Liu Bowen was ill in bed, he still maintained the etiquette of a courtier: "I see His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Mr. Liu, please get up quickly." Zhu Biao stepped forward to help Liu Bowen up and said warmly, "I heard that Mr. Liu was ill, so I brought some medicinal materials and supplements. I hope Mr. can recover soon."

Liu Bowen was half lying on the bed and sighed softly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I'm afraid my bones will be difficult to recover from."

Hearing this, a trace of regret flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes, but he still consoled him expectantly: "Why did you say this, sir? Your Majesty's appointment of Hu Weiyong as prime minister was just a temporary measure to appease the nobles of Huaixi. With your talent and prestige, sir, The day of worship will come sooner or later."

After hearing this, Liu Bowen's face changed slightly, and then he laughed loudly and said: "Your Highness is overly complimentary. I have no intention of worshiping the prime minister, and your Majesty has never had this intention. What's more, I am old and frail, and the administrative affairs of the Zhongshu Province are complicated, so it is really difficult for me to do the job."

There was an obvious look of regret on Zhu Biao's face. He had great respect for Liu Bowen's talent and conduct, and always expected him to be able to save Prime Minister Zuo from Zhongshu. Liu Bowen looked at Zhu Biao with a smile. He was very satisfied with the prince. The prince was kind and decisive. Such a prince was suitable to become the second generation king of the Ming Dynasty.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here today. I believe we have some important matters to discuss, right?" Liu Bowen asked softly.

Zhu Biao smiled awkwardly, and then his face turned grim: "That's true. I have read the memorial of Li Bin's impeachment by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. This man is greedy and daring. He dared to secretly print fake Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes and kill people. Such a crime. Tired of it, last year’s official performance appraisal was rated as excellent, which is really irritating.”

"This is all because he is a relative of the old Prime Minister." Liu Bowen said bluntly.

"This man is hopeless and has made up his mind to kill him as a warning to others." Zhu Shou said firmly.

Liu Bowen smiled slightly: "It is easy for Your Highness to kill him, but it takes a lot of effort to make him speechless, to make the nobles of Huaixi unable to protect each other, and to make the ministers impeccable."

When Zhu Biao heard this, he immediately understood Liu Bowen's intention. Li Bin's case involves so many things that a slight mistake may cause a huge earthquake in the court. Now he, the prince, is in charge of the country. If there is a big disturbance, it will be because he, the prince, is incompetent.

"Your Highness, let me kill this Li Bin." Liu Bowen took a deep breath, as if he had made a decision, "I am the censor of the Zuodu Procuratorate, and my purpose is to supervise all officials. Don't worry, Your Highness, I still have some problems." The method, haha, lure it with profit, take it with chaos, it is enough to deal with Li Bin. "

"Okay!" Zhu Biao was overjoyed.

As the prince who oversees the country, he doesn't want to report everything to the emperor. If he wants to do something, he can do it. Liu Bowen looked at the heroic prince, feeling very comforted in his heart, and secretly sighed, that's fine, I can use the opportunity to kill Li Bin to resign myself and return home, and finally help the prince.

"Then I'll take my leave." Zhu Biao stood up and said, "Another day, I'll invite Mr. Liu to the East Palace to tell me about history. Let me tell you about Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty."

"Absolutely." Liu Bowen watched Zhu Biao leave.

He looked at Zhu Biao's back and sighed, Your Highness, you still don't know His Majesty's purpose.

……

Kunning Palace.

The sun has been shining brightly these past few days, and it has not rained for many days. Queen Ma was enjoying the cool air in the garden with a worried look on her face. Not far away, Wu'er was teaching Chang's martial arts. As the sword light flickered, the two figures reflected each other. Since Fourth Master Zhu left Beijing, Huan'er has been living in the palace with Zhu Mengyao. The back hill of the academy is really too deserted. With her lively personality, how can she stay here alone.

Ms. Lu was quietly making tea aside, her movements elegant and calm. After pouring a cup of hot tea for Queen Ma, she asked softly: "Queen Mother, you seem to be a little troubled?"

Empress Ma frowned slightly, with a hint of worry in her tone: "Yesterday I asked Qin Tianjian, and they predicted that there might be a drought this year. The crops have just been planted, and the people must be very anxious at this moment."

After hearing this, Mrs. Lu pursed her lips and said comfortingly: "That's why the Queen Mother ordered fasting and prayers, and strictly prohibited bloody disasters. If you pray for the people so devoutly, God will definitely feel it and send down the rain."

"I hope so." Empress Ma sighed, "Why is the Ming Dynasty always so troubled?"

"No, the Ming Dynasty is booming." Lu said in an enthusiastic tone, "The beginnings of all dynasties were full of challenges. Just like before the Zhenguan period in the Tang Dynasty, wasn't it also besieged on all sides and natural disasters occurred frequently? Emperor Taizong Li Shimin even once fought with Jie Li Ke Khan signed the humiliating Weishui Alliance and had to pay money and food to the other party. However, these difficulties eventually became the stepping stone for their rise, and finally there was the rule of Zhenguan, and Li Shimin became the Khan."

"Well, you are right." Empress Ma praised, "Ms. Lu, you are also familiar with history books."

"Occasionally I hear gentlemen giving lectures to the prince. I heard that." Lu Shi smiled.

Queen Ma's eyes glanced over and landed on Mrs. Chang who was practicing martial arts, and she thought to herself that these two daughters-in-law were both civilized and martial.

"I'm so thirsty, the sun is too poisonous." Mrs. Chang walked over with her sword in hand, and Huan'er followed behind her.

When Mrs. Lu saw them coming, she quickly poured tea for them. Weier's eyes fell on Lu from time to time, and she felt that the familiar aura on Lu's body was getting stronger and stronger.

……

At this time, there were hundreds of thousands of mountains in Miao territory.

Fourth Master Zhu and Zhu Di lived in a Miao village. The village was not big, with only a few dozen households. The Xiandie family warmly entertained them, and they decided to stay here first, and then slowly explore Twelve Cave.

Three days passed by in a hurry, and Zhu Di and Xiandie were already very familiar with each other. The two were inseparable, and unsuspecting outsiders might mistakenly think that they were a pair of childhood sweethearts. On this day, Zhu Di left Master Zhu alone and went up to the mountain with Xiandie to collect herbs and hunt with great interest.

Fourth Master Zhu stood alone on the corridor of the attic, staring at the beautiful mountains and rivers in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh at the tranquility and comfort of life in the mountains. Xiandie's grandfather, Xianfeng, was lying on a bamboo bed nearby, swaying gently in the breeze.

"Brother Feng, have you ever left this mountain?" Fourth Master Zhu asked with a smile.

A trace of regret flashed in Xian Feng's eyes: "No, the farthest I've been is to a small town outside the mountain. When I was young, I once dreamed of setting foot in the Central Plains, but unfortunately I couldn't make the trip in the end."

"Oh? Why do you yearn for the Central Plains so much?" Fourth Master Zhu asked curiously.

A glimmer of light flashed in Xianfeng's eyes: "There is a legend circulating here. It is said that more than three hundred years ago, a group of Central Plains people entered the Twelve Cave with a large amount of gold and silver jewelry. It is said that the Central Plains is full of gold, and the girls are all beautiful, which is heart-wrenching longing for.”

After hearing this, Fourth Master Zhu frowned and thought deeply. More than three hundred years ago, it was the Later Tang Dynasty. Could it be that as the legend says, the prince of the late Tang Dynasty escaped here with the jade seal passed down from the country?

"Twelve Cave?" Mr. Zhu pretended to be surprised, "I have heard of its magic outside. Brother, tell me about it. When I leave here, I can brag about it with my old brothers." There are only twelve villages. They are descendants of the Wu clan and generally do not interact with us." Xianfeng blinked, "Brother Zhu, let me tell you, but there is no wine."

"Okay, the jug of wine I brought is yours." Fourth Master Zhu spread his hands happily.

He threw the wine gourd at his waist to Xianfeng. Xianfeng took it, his eyes were shining, and he immediately took a sip and replied: "The wine from the Central Plains is still delicious. Today, I will tell you about our twelve wines." "

Fourth Master Zhu moved a stool and sat down next to him.

……

Quzhou City.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Mu Ying led an army of 200,000 troops to the city, and the Ming army was as powerful as a rainbow. Mu Ying galloped to Zhu Yuanzhang's side and reported solemnly: "Your Majesty, Pingzhang Dalima's 100,000 troops are stationed in Quzhou City, and they have put up a defensive posture."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Humph, is this the main force of King Liang?"

Mu Ying frowned, pondered for a moment and then shook her head and said: "I'm afraid that's not the case. The main force of King Liang should still be in Kunming. Moreover, King Liang has the support of the Duan family in Dali and the local chieftains. The army is strong and should not be underestimated."

"Then let's destroy his illusions!" Zhu Yuanzhang said solemnly, "We must win at the first stop! After capturing Quzhou, we will conquer the local chieftains while fighting."

A flash of light flashed in his eyes. He already had a comprehensive plan in his mind on how to capture the King of Liang. Since he was going to conquer it personally, he must win, and win big. Otherwise, where would he put his emperor's face?

"Go down with the order and push up all the red cannons!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and issued the order, "Get ready to attack the city!"

Soon, dozens of red cannons lined up in front of the formation and aimed at the walls of Quzhou City. With a deafening roar, cannonballs rained down on the city wall, causing bricks and stones to fly and smoke to fly everywhere. Even Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked by the power of this cannon: "Mu Ying, is this the cannon made by your firearms room?"

"That's right, Your Majesty." Mu Ying replied respectfully, "However, the drawing of this cannon was drawn by the Supreme Emperor himself. Without the Supreme Emperor, we would not be able to create such a powerful red cannon."

"Our father is still a generalist and knows everything." Zhu Yuanzhang held his forehead.

Two hours later, the Ming army captured Quzhou City. King Liang's army was defeated and fled in all directions. Pingzhang Dalima was captured alive, and the Ming army captured 20,000 Liang soldiers. However, Zhu Yuanzhang released these 20,000 people and asked them to return to their hometowns.

"Your Majesty, put this back, they..." Mu Ying frowned.

"Humph, it's just right to let them go back." Zhu Yuanzhang explained confidently, "When they go back, they will make a big show of the invincibility of the soldiers and generals of tomorrow. Today's artillery fire has already made their livers and gallbladders split, so they won't make such a big show of it when they go back. Promote our greatness?”

Hearing this, Mu Ying suddenly realized.

……

Beijing, Wenhua Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Zhu Biao threw the fold in his hand in front of Hu Weiyong and asked coldly: "Prime Minister, according to the "Da Ming Code", if an official is corrupt and bends the law, he will be hanged if he has eighty guan, and if he is a thief, he will be beheaded if he reaches 40 guan. This Li Bin Why is he so bold? What I don’t even understand is that the official’s evaluation was actually excellent!”

Hu Weiyong quickly picked up the brochure, browsed it in a hurry, and bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, I have just received news that the ships responsible for transporting grain and grass from the Ministry of Revenue unfortunately encountered a storm at sea and have all sunk."

"What?" Zhu Biao stood up in shock, "The soldiers on the front line are fighting bloody battles and are about to run out of food. We must not let them fight hungry. Re-distribute food immediately and send it to the front line quickly!"

Hu Weiyong showed a helpless look and sighed: "Your Highness, I have checked and found that 15 of the 18 granaries in Beijing are in short supply. Your Majesty has reduced or exempted taxes many times in recent years, or even exempted them completely. In addition to the continuous wars, the grain and grass supply is indeed abnormal. nervous."

"Your Highness, I suggest that we immediately collect grain in the Jiangnan area to relieve the difficulties on the front line." Lu Ben made the suggestion eagerly.

However, Zhu Di shook his head and objected: "No! It's not yet the autumn harvest season. Although Jiangnan is a tax-rich area, it cannot withstand the pressure of continuous collection."

Lu Ben frowned and said, "Then what should we do?"

Zhu Biao's eyes swept over the ministers in the palace, and he saw them all bowing their heads in thought, seemingly helpless in the face of such a difficult problem. At this time, Hu Weiyong stepped forward and reported: "Your Highness, I have a plan that may be able to solve the problem of food and grass."

"Tell me, do you have any clever ideas?" Zhu Biao asked eagerly.

Hu Weiyong replied calmly: "We can let the merchants buy grain and transport it to the front line, and then the court will give them salt quotations in return. The merchants can use these salt quotations to exchange for salt at the court and sell them at designated places. In this way, the merchants They are profitable, and the court can solve the problem of food and grass shortage."

"What a brilliant idea! What a brilliant idea!" Lu Ben couldn't help but clapped his hands in praise.

Zhu Biao thought to himself that this would indeed solve the food and grass problem, but the salt tax would be greatly reduced in the future. However, there is currently no better way, this is the only way.

He secretly admired Hu Weiyong. He was really smart and could think of such a method. Hu Weiyong is indeed capable. After becoming the Prime Minister of the Zhongshu Province, he handled things in a tight and orderly manner, followed every step, and enforced orders and prohibitions. His efficiency and courage convinced the staff and they did not dare to slack off.

"Then just do what the Prime Minister wants." Zhu Biao waved his hand, "Go and do it as soon as possible!"

"I obey the order." Hu Weiyong nodded.

He took the order and retreated, an imperceptible smile flashing across his lips.

……

Zhu Biao watched Hu Weiyong leave, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and he sneered in his heart, Hu Weiyong, Hu Weiyong, do you think you can just prevaricate? I am benevolent, but I am not stupid! What I just asked about was the Li Bin case. It seems that you want to protect Li Bin, but I want to see how you can protect him!

"Come here, pass Liu Bowen." Zhu Biao waved.

"Yes!" Wang Jinghong, the chief eunuch, hurriedly went to pass the message.

At this time, the crown prince's side concubine Lu Shi came over with a food box and bowed Yingying: "Your Highness, you forgot to eat again? I brought it to you."

(End of this chapter)

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