Daming: I am the Crown Prince

As the crown prince and future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yunhu naturally hopes to hold all power, and he certainly hopes that his decisions will not be hindered in any way. This is a very important thing.

But he also understood that both the Cabinet and the Grand Council actually had certain desirability.

In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, when the emperor did not like to attend court or was somewhat lazy in his duties, the Ming court still operated normally.

Although this may be due to the fact that the emperor's power was restricted, on the other hand, political stability is also something that deserves recognition.

No one can guarantee that all emperors of a dynasty are diligent and wise, that's the fact.

Of course, some lessons from the cabinet need to be learned. After all, the cabinet in history appeared in the Ming Dynasty.

After gradual development, people like Xia Yan and Yan Song emerged and took charge of the cabinet. Their status was that of real prime ministers, and they could also suppress the six ministries.

It seems that as long as the cabinet is full of talented people, the emperor can no longer do anything wrong. Even if the emperor does not attend court to govern, the state machinery can rely on a group of ministers and a complete set of government procedures to maintain normal operation.

But it was also because of the cabinet system that the status of eunuchs was elevated, which led to their monopoly and factional strife.

The cabinet of the Qing Dynasty also followed the system of the Ming Dynasty cabinet for a time, but with some improvements. Of course, the emergence of the Grand Council completely replaced the cabinet system.

These are all templates that can be used as reference. After all, Zhu Yunhuan does not want to completely delegate power, but he also does not want to be too tired.

After the morning court session, Chang Sheng came to ask for an audience, "Your Highness, the fleet is about to arrive in Ningbo."

Zhu Yunhuan also knew about it, because when the fleet appeared on the Ming coastline, he began to send small boats ashore continuously and then report the situation to Yingtian Prefecture.

"So, the civil and military officials should know it soon." Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "We did suppress some pirates, so this time we have a legitimate reason."

The reason for sending the fleet out to sea last year was to eliminate Japanese pirates and the remnants of Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang entrenched in the open sea. Even if some people may not believe it, this reason is impeccable.

But the situation is different now. Now that the fleet has returned, there must be something to report, so that everyone can receive credit and rewards legitimately.

Even the next trip out to sea will go smoothly because it will be a serious matter.

Chang Sheng immediately replied, "Your Highness, we did destroy some pirates, but they were not many in number, and we didn't destroy any big pirates either."

Zhu Yunhuan didn't think so. He smiled and said, "It is indeed a pity that we were unable to accomplish our mission this time. But now that the soldiers have rested and are familiar with the situation at sea, we can go and suppress the bandits."

It is relatively easy to find some reasons. Some seemingly impeccable reasons would make it difficult for even some civil officials who oppose the war to refute them.

After all, the existence of some bandits is an inherent threat to the Ming Dynasty. Eradicating those people is the righteous cause. Anyone who dares to interfere in these matters is a sinner.

Chang Sheng immediately flattered him and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. It is I who am stupid."

"Okay, let's keep it a secret for now. It's better to keep it secret for a while." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Pay attention to Taicang Port. The people from the Five Military Commandery must take good care of it."

It is definitely unrealistic to maintain absolute confidentiality, and Zhu Yunhuan also knows that there is no impenetrable wall in this world.

What's more, a huge fleet is returning to the port, with more than 10,000 soldiers, sailors and others, so it is impossible to guarantee that some information will not be leaked out. This is all normal.

Zhu Yunhuan understood this principle, and Chang Sheng naturally understood this principle as well. However, when it is time to cover up, you still have to demonstrate it.

This is not to say that we are worried about causing any major public opinion or unrest. It is just a simple hope to keep more affairs under control.

Zhu Yunhuan was well aware that interests can move people's hearts. He also never underestimated the greed of some gentry. Their pursuit of interests could be said to be endless.

Even if they can be accepted, it should be limited acceptance, rather than allowing those people to control the initiative of maritime trade.

As soon as Chang Sheng left, Jiang Li asked for an audience, "Your Highness, we have found out that someone passed on information to local merchants when we were at the port in Fujian."

It seems that termites are everywhere. The composition of the fleet going out to sea this time is also relatively complex, and it includes some people who used to be engaged in maritime trade.

Even soldiers and sailors may have seen and heard something overseas and realized the huge benefits and opportunities therein, so they may be tempted to pass on some news. This is normal.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "Since it has been found out, there should be no need for me to teach you how to deal with it, right?"

Jiang Lin certainly knew how to deal with these things. Based on his previous style, he would definitely use this as an excuse to exaggerate the case, let the Crown Prince see his ability, and make some restless people afraid.

This is the job of the emperor's lackey. Jiang Li is never afraid of offending people. He never cares about being notorious. Don't expect to have a good reputation if you do this job.

Jiang Li looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said, "Your Highness, I am ignorant. But that man's ancestors were great sea merchants, and I dare not make the decision on my own."

Just because other people don't know something doesn't mean Jiang Li, the spy chief, doesn't know it. In fact, it's because he knows more inside information that he seems to be hesitant and hesitant when dealing with some things.

"Now that we have found out the facts of the case, we should deal with it as we see fit." Zhu Yunhuan said calmly, "Catch him first, and find out the reasons and intentions, and then we can talk about it later."

It seemed that arresting someone was just a matter of Zhu Yunhuan's words, so there was no need to feel strange about it.

Don't say that he is the crown prince's grandson. He is also the county magistrate who ruined his family and the prefect who wiped out his clan. These are not just casual remarks.

As for the crime, sometimes it can be big or small. If you feel wronged, it means you have spied on military intelligence without permission.

If you think the case is serious, you can just interrogate the person. It all depends on how the law enforcement officers think and what kind of case they want to solve.

Jiang Li naturally knew what to do, and he knew very well how to handle the next case. In the final analysis, all of this was to better prepare for the future voyage.

The pursuit and persistence of the Crown Prince to go to sea shocked Jiang Lin a little. Perhaps he had underestimated the determination of the Crown Prince. Some things that need to be done next naturally need to be more clear. There are indeed many things to do, but Zhu Yunhuan is still busy. He is indeed trying to handle every matter well. The political affairs that need to be handled need to be handled as soon as possible.

Zhang Fusheng walked up to Zhu Yunhuan quietly and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty asked you to come over during dinner."

Zhu Yunhuan looked at the sky and said to Daoyan, "Draft a review, pick out the key points, and give it to me tomorrow."

Daoyan needs to consider working overtime and carefully study the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation of officials.

There was nothing to complain about. This was the trust from the Crown Prince. It was very difficult for ordinary people to get involved in these things. Moreover, as a Palace Grand Secretary, his current position was more like a secretary.

So it is only normal to help deal with such things now. There is nothing to say. It is all part of my job.

The most is that I'm under a lot of pressure at work and the Crown Prince has tight time requirements, so there's nothing else to say.

Xia Yuanji and Daoyan were actually considered cabinet ministers of Zhu Yunhuan.

But no one thought it was strange, after all, Zhu had previously established palace ministers, whose main power was only advisory. Some palace ministers' duties also included teaching the crown prince.

After explaining some things, Zhu Yunhuan finally felt relaxed. This busy day was basically over for the time being. There shouldn't be too many things that he would need to deal with overnight. Unless it was something really big, he would be woken up.

Of course, such incidents are rare and may not occur more than once or twice a year.

When Zhu Yunhuan arrived at the Qianqing Palace, he heard Zhu Wenyao screaming. The child was becoming more and more active. This was because he had grown up and was no longer sleeping like when he was just born.

"Ah!" Seeing Zhu Yunxun, Zhu Wenyao immediately stretched out his little hand and pointed, "Ah!"

Zhu Yunhuan was immediately amused. "This kid never looks happy when he sees me. I don't know if he will make me angry when we get here."

Old Zhu said cheerfully, "I'm afraid this is inevitable. Raising a son is not always easy. Your father is considered a good one, but he made us angry a lot in the past. Not only is our son angry with us, but our grandson is also angry with us."

It doesn't seem like there's any big problem with this. Sometimes, children do cause trouble for no reason, and parents can't help but feel annoyed.

"Wen Yao is really brave." Zhu Yunhuan clapped his hands and then complained, "Now he is not afraid of anyone, but he doesn't want anyone."

Holding his noisy fat great-grandson, Old Zhu felt a little troubled by happiness. "This child now shouts at everyone he sees, and jumps around when held in my arms."

Holding a child is definitely not an easy task. Sometimes my arms are so sore that I almost lose feeling. The most important thing is that once I start to move around, the child will jump around in my arms, which is even more tiring.

Xu Miaojin seemed to be late, but she was also on time, so she would not be early nor late.

"To be honest, Miao Jin and I don't know the rules either. It seems that we really didn't do anything about the morning and evening visits." Zhu Yunxun said cheerfully, "Grandfather, you have to teach Wen Yao a lesson so that I can see how filial he is in the future."

Old Zhu couldn't listen any more, "It's easy to say that it's easy to go to the palace, but you'll have to walk all the way from the East Palace to get there. Forget it, just let someone come and ask, there's no need for you to come in person."

This is also true. Lao Zhu attaches great importance to some etiquette, but he does not take some etiquette that seriously.

It seems to be correct to review the emperor's affairs in the evening and in the morning, but the palace is so huge that most of the time it is done by the imperial attendants.

Even if Zhu Yunhuan's attendants came, they might not be able to see Zhu. They could only greet and ask questions to Zhu's attendants.

Rules are rules, and operations are operations. Otherwise, some rules will make it impossible for Lao Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan to do anything. Those rules alone are enough to keep people busy all day long.

The chubby Zhu Wenyao was handed over to Concubine Ning, and then Concubine Ning handed Zhu Wenyao to Xu Miaojin.

Old Zhu is sometimes very rule-abiding. It is impossible for him to be alone in a room with Xu Miaojin. Even if he wants to hold the child, he will not take it directly from Xu Miaojin's arms, and Xu Miaojin will not take the child directly from Old Zhu's arms.

"I told you that I'm too busy taking care of the kids to care about government affairs, but you really don't tell me anything." Old Zhu pounded his arm and complained, "If I don't ask, I won't know how many things are going on outside."

Zhu Yunhuan felt wronged. "Grandfather, it's not right to say that. I had people submit memorials to you on many matters, but you didn't read them. How can you blame me for this?"

Old Zhu was still a little dissatisfied. "How many of the memorials you sent were important? How could you hide the little things you did from us?"

Xu Miaojin, who was holding the child, was just concentrating on coaxing the child. She was also very pleased. Although the little guy was closest to Old Zhu and Concubine Guo Ning, he was also very close to his mother.

Speaking of whom, the person Zhu Wenyao treated differently was Zhu Yunhuan.

As for the occasional complaints from Old Zhu, I can now treat them calmly. I used to be afraid, but now I think it's nothing. There are many rules in the royal family, but it is definitely not that the emperor has too many rules and requirements for the grandson.

"The fleet is back. I'm afraid I only knew about it before some officials." Old Zhu continued to complain, "Whether there were losses or gains, you knew about it half a month ago. Why didn't you tell us in detail?"

Not only did Lao Zhu know about the fleet's departure, Xu Miaojin was also very clear about it. But when the fleet returned, Xu Miaojin really didn't know about it.

Everyone was concerned about this matter, mostly because they all knew how much importance Zhu Yunhuan attached to the fleet.

Although everyone is concerned about how much the fleet has gained this time, that does not seem to be the most important thing.

After all, even if they knew that Zhu Yunhuan wanted the fleet to engage in some trade, they would not think that this was the fleet's entire mission.

Zhu Yunhuan was very confident and proud. "I will have someone send the report to me soon. I was originally feeling uneasy because I thought my subordinates might have made up a report to win credit. I was afraid that I would be disappointed. But if grandfather wants to know, I will send it to him."

Hearing Zhu Yunhuan keeping things a secret, Old Zhu naturally became interested. What Zhu Yunhuan said made sense and seemed to be well-founded, but if there was no big gain, this kid would not dare to keep things a secret.

Could it be that there really is a huge surprise? (End of this chapter)