Daming: I am the Crown Prince

As for Bao Zhao, many of his colleagues have already begun to congratulate him. Everyone knows that he will not be able to escape the position of Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice selected by the Crown Prince is naturally the most suitable candidate.

Bao Zhao was of course excited, as he was about to reach the pinnacle of his career. As an official, who wouldn't want to move up a level?
Middle-aged people are at a good time to make achievements. Bao Zhao still wants to make achievements and realize his ambitions.

Given the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, it is obviously more important to be appreciated by the Crown Prince. After all, the emperor is no longer interested in state affairs and has basically handed over power to the Crown Prince.

Fu Youde entered the palace. The old general looked older and older. "Your Highness, I am now old and weak. Please allow me to retire and return home."

Zhu Yunhuan refused without thinking and said, "If the Duke of Ying is only 72 years old, he is still strong and healthy. It would be best for the court if you stay in Chang'an."

Fu Youde said at this time, "Your Highness, I am really old. I fought in many battles in my early years and suffered countless injuries. I can no longer continue. I will retire and return to my hometown. I can serve Your Highness."

"Of course my uncle has some abilities, but he is not as good as the Duke of Ying." Zhu Yunhuan said bluntly, "The Duke of Ying does not need to think too much. The court previously asked some nobles to retire, but that has nothing to do with the Duke of Ying."

Fu Youde couldn't help but be suspicious. He had been basically idle in recent years. He seemed to be managing the Martial Garden, but the Martial Garden was mostly populated by the emperor and the crown prince's "disciples".

On the other hand, other nobles retired and returned to their hometowns. Whether they were willing or not, they had no choice but to leave the court at this time.

In Fu Youde's opinion, the smartest thing to do at this time is to follow suit and take the initiative to choose to retire and return home, which can also leave some benefits for future generations. Especially now that the crown prince is becoming more and more powerful, he has to think more.

Fu Youde continued, "Your Highness, I am really old. I beg Your Highness to allow me to inherit the title of Duke of Ying and make Fu Rong the crown prince."

This is also Fu Youde's way of showing his loyalty. Fu Zhong is now the prince of Yingguo. But Fu Rong is already ten years old. He is the eldest son of the late Princess Shouchun, so naturally he should be made the prince.

"How about this, Duke Ying should continue to stay in office. The court cannot do without you now." Zhu Yunhuan said, "Fu Rong is too young now, Duke, please educate him well. The position of Crown Prince should belong to my cousin, but it's too early."

In short, Zhu Yunhuan’s meaning was very clear. No one else could expect his cousin Fu Rong to become the crown prince.

As for Fu Youde's desire to retire and return home, it is impossible for him to do so. It would be most appropriate for him to die in office. The Ming Dynasty will not send all the founding heroes back to their hometowns now. It still needs a few veterans to take charge.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Fu Youde and said, "Duke Ying was in the Wuyuan before, and it should be the same now. Remember to help train the three camps, especially the firearms. You are a veteran and know how to use them."

When it comes to fighting, Fu Youde has the right to speak, "Your Highness, I previously felt that although the firearms in the army have been improved, there should not be too many of them."

Zhu Yunhuan was naturally aware of this. After all, although current firearms have undergone significant improvements, they are still somewhat immature.

Without some scientific and technological explosion, cold weapons will still be the main weapon in the next one or two hundred years. Firearms will of course be used, and they can be the decisive factor at certain times.

However, the status of cold weapons could not be changed. Zhu Yunhuan was naturally aware of this and would not think of "fully adopting firearms".

If it really reaches that point, he will not think about the situation in Korea, Annan or Japan. With the absolute crushing advantage, he can just send troops directly.

It is a pity that current firearms cannot reach that level. It seems more important to continue to develop, improve and modify them to overcome the shortcomings exposed in actual use.

"Of course I know these things. Firearms do have many shortcomings nowadays." Zhu Yunxun said with a smile, "But you also understand the advantages of firearms. We can't not use them."

Fu Youde also agreed with this statement. Firearms did have some shortcomings, but he had to admit that firearms were becoming more and more important in wars and played a huge role.

There are no bad weapons, only inappropriate ones. Use the most appropriate weapons to fight the most appropriate battles, that's all.

"The Shenjiying will definitely be used, and the firearms will also need to be modified." Zhu Yunhuan urged, "The craftsmen are also in the Wuyuan now, and you generals should make more requests."

Designing and producing weapons according to the military's opinions is a common practice, which existed in ancient times. However, sometimes the military's requirements are too high and the production level cannot be met.

Under such circumstances, it is natural to consider asking some people in charge to pay attention to the balance. After all, there is no one in the military who doesn't like more advanced weapons.

Fu Youde had no choice at this time and could only choose to leave obediently, but this was actually enough for him.

Zhu Yunhuan actually understood some of Fu Youde's thoughts. It was a bit far-fetched to say that Fu Youde really wanted to leave the court completely.

After all, I am still reluctant to let go. I have finally reached a high position in the government, how can I give up everything all at once? I still have some thoughts in my mind.

Fu Youde now only saw that some founding heroes collectively retired and returned to their hometowns, and thought that Emperor Hongwu wanted to abdicate, and the crown prince, the Crown Prince, was likely to ascend the throne. He couldn't help but think more at this time.

With the example of Li Shanchang as a precedent, even if Fu Youde thought that he was far inferior to Li Shanchang who was once extremely powerful, he would not cling to power like the Duke of Korea.

But he had to think about it, because he was not the emperor's confidant or the crown prince's confidant. It would be a good idea to be cautious at this time.

Seeing Fu Youde leave, Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Call Geng Xuan, and pass the order to Zhang Fu, and order him to quickly review the troops in Zhongdu."

Zhang Fusheng immediately sent someone to pass on his order, saying that those two should not be underestimated. After all, the status of the county horse was very special, especially since those two were the prince's brothers-in-law, so of course they had to be taken seriously.

Geng Xuan, the son of the Marquis of Changxing, came to the Wenhua Palace and immediately paid his respects. "I am Geng Xuan, the assistant officer of the Left Army Commander's Office, and I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"We are one family, so let's not talk about different things. I'll be frank." Zhu Yunhuan said without hesitation, "You go to Guanzhong and check the three guards of the King of Qin. Then go to the northwest and check the three guards of the King of Jin, and find out the matter of turning them into pastures and garrisons."

The Prince of Jin is still the most trusted prince in the Ming Dynasty, and he is still in charge of many things in the northwest.

Geng Xuan immediately accepted the order, "I understand, I will leave immediately!"

Zhu Yunxun smiled and said, "Then there's no need to rush. You can leave in two days. You and the Prince of Yingguo go together. Remember to go back to the East Palace with your elder sister tomorrow. She won't miss me anymore after she gets married!" Geng Xuan immediately knelt down and apologized, "I know I'm guilty!"

Zhu Yunhuan was a little amused, "Okay, what's the crime or not, it's just that you are overthinking."

Zhu Yunhuan could just say it casually, but others had to think about it. After all, the crown prince was the heir to the throne, and if he really complained, it would definitely not be a good thing.

The lesson from the past is still with Li Shanchang. When Zhu Yuanzhang was with him, Li Qi, Zhu Yuanzhang's son-in-law, did not go to visit him.

If it were an ordinary day, it would be fine, but if the emperor wanted to make a fuss, this would be a very good reason.

It is actually the same now. It can be said that it is normal for Zhu Yourong not to come back for a long time after she got married.

However, if someone, in order to please the Crown Prince, accuses Geng Xuan of alienating the royal family, this could be a serious matter.

After all, in this day and age, especially when imperial power is highly concentrated, some crimes can be charged with just a word from the emperor.

Some people were innocent, and even the emperor knew that some of them were wrongly accused. But it didn't matter, they were killed, and not many people went to seek justice for the dead.

After sending Geng Xuan away, Zhu Yunhuan continued to focus on reviewing the memorials. Zhang Fusheng said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's Consort has sent a memorial."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately became interested. Xu Miaojin usually did not ask about state affairs. Even though sometimes Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan would not deliberately avoid her, she also heard some political affairs, but never said anything.

Now that the memorial is being submitted so formally, it must be a serious and important matter, so this is the procedure, rather than waiting for Zhu Yunhuan to return to the East Palace and talk about it behind closed doors.

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but laugh when he read the memorial. It was Xu Miaojin who was persuading Zhu Yunhuan, the crown prince, to take a concubine. To be honest, this was also one of her duties.

"Hurry up and send someone to Xi'an. Second uncle should know about this." Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "There is also the unmarried uncle and the prince who is of marriageable age. They should also prepare to get married this year."

Daoyan stepped forward and suggested, "Your Highness, there are not many princes and grandchildren of the right age now, and there are not many with suitable status. Why not wait a little longer and get married next year?"

Zhu Yunhuan understood it immediately. "Why? It will be better if I show favor after I become the emperor? I don't think it's necessary. I'm old enough to get married. Let my second uncle send the memorial and arrange it early."

Although some things seem to be just a matter of a word from the crown prince Zhu Yunhuan, the necessary procedures still need to be followed, which is safer.

Zhu Yunhuan would not think about doing anything deliberate to show favor now, simply because he felt it was unnecessary.

Daoyan naturally would not persuade him any more, he felt that what he said made sense. But what the crown prince said was also completely reasonable, some things still cannot be copied.

The most important thing is that Daoyan also understands some of the character of the current emperor. When some princes and grandchildren get married this year, the happiest person will definitely be the emperor. At that time, the emperor will only praise the goodness of the grandchildren.

Some things should be done according to the rules, which seems to be more appropriate. Zhu Yunhuan did not think it was unnecessary. After all, the Ming Dynasty had been established for 30 years, and the rules were constantly being improved.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunhuan would occasionally break some rules, in most cases they still cared very much about such rules and regulations.

After dealing with the memorial sent by Xu Miaojin, Zhu Yunhuan picked up another memorial and couldn't help but start to feel a little anxious.

Chen Xuan, who was famous for his archery skills and had followed Lan Yu in many expeditions to the Nanfan and Yuexi tribes, is now the commander-in-chief in charge of dredging the canal and grain transport in the Ming Dynasty. This is real power, and he and Yan Zhenzhi have a tacit understanding in cooperation.

However, these two people sometimes have some disputes. One is a general and the other is a minister, so it is natural that they have some differences in their views on some matters.

In addition, the Minister of Works and the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Canal required a large number of soldiers and laborers, which made the people in the Ministry of Revenue feel pressured, because what those two did required a lot of silver and money.

Tianjin Wei has already made some progress. Now they are building a large granary. In the future, the food supply to the north can be basically guaranteed, which will also be a radiation to Liaodong.

However, Chen Xuan is now requesting an order to repair the collapsed seawall from Haimen to Yancheng, and to set up some transfer warehouses in various places, etc. This is why one does not know the value of oil and salt until he is in charge of the household.

However, these suggestions of Chen Xuan are also very useful. He is naturally doing what a commander-in-chief of the Grand Canal should do. It's just that it seems that it is not an easy task to accomplish everything in one go.

Zhu Yunhuan handed the memorial to Xia Yuanji and said, "Calculate it carefully for me, and then go to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to ask how much money is still missing. This Chen Xuan really knows how to spend money for the court!"

Xia Yuanji smiled and said, "Your Highness, I think once the system of grain transport is perfected, it will benefit future generations!"

Zhu Yunhuan did not object to this point. The grain transport was indeed extremely important, and some of the things being done now would indeed be beneficial to future generations and to the Ming Dynasty.

So even if you complain, you still have to support what you should support. However, at this stage, you have to do what you can and not try to do it all at once, otherwise it is likely to cause some turmoil.

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it carefully and said with some concern, "The canal transportation is not yet perfect, and there are still many places in the canal that need to be dredged. This matter is inevitable."

Daoyan suddenly said, "Your Highness, dredging the canal is a big deal for the court, and it passes through the fiefdoms of many princes along the way. It would be better to send the princes to serve, which would also help relieve the court's worries."

It would definitely be more difficult to get some princes to pay than to kill them. After all, the princes are now complaining about being poor, waiting for the court to provide them with money and living a luxurious life.

But when it comes to finding the right people, there are only a few people in the prince's mansion. We can't let the maids and eunuchs in the prince's mansion repair the river embankment, right?

But the three guards of the vassal kings have at least several thousand and at most over ten thousand, which is a very good number and can relieve the worries of the imperial court!
Sharing the worries of the imperial court is what the princes should do. The so-called three guards of the princes were originally the imperial court's troops. Now that there is a shortage of manpower, it is only natural that they should be transferred to do the real work! (End of this chapter)