Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 68 Mayor and Director

Zhu Yunhuan was smart enough to know that even though Jiang Lin had been sent to him, it did not mean that the Jinyiwei were now under his command. He was just getting familiar with and understanding these organizations and was just trying to take over slowly.

Fortunately, he doesn't need to be too anxious. After all, Zhu Yunhuan is still young and his health is still relatively strong.

Old Zhu called Zhu Yunhuan to the Wuying Palace. Zhu Yunhuan stood obediently on the side and listened quietly to Old Zhu and the civil and military ministers discussing state affairs.

There would be a lot of reports and discussions during the morning court, but more often, Zhu Yuanzhang would summon ministers and make some decisions in the Wuying Hall. Some policies would be communicated and announced at the morning court.

This time, Zhu Yuanzhang was discussing with his ministers about relocating 300,000 people to Yunnan, and the ministers had no objections.

These immigration policies have been continuing since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. The constant wars at that time caused some places to be sparsely populated, so some people had to be relocated.

There was nothing that could be done about it. After the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, it took more than 20 years for Zhu Yuanzhang to unify the world.

However, the country was already devastated by the war, and Shandong, Henan, and Hebei were mostly deserted. In order to restore agricultural production, develop the economy, balance the population, and consolidate the rule of the Ming Dynasty,

During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang adopted an immigration policy, which stipulated that "one person should be kept in a family of four, two people should be kept in a family of six, and three people should be kept in a family of eight."

In addition to these, people will also be relocated to some border areas. Needless to say, the proportion of Han people in places like Monan will definitely increase.

The same should be true in Yunnan now. If the proportion of Han people in the population is small, it will be easy for some chieftains to become powerful and rebellions will occur. If the proportion of Han people is larger, it will be easier to spread education and actually control the territory.

Zhu Yunhuan remained silent the entire time, just listening but not speaking, and his expression did not reveal any clues.

So much so that some carefully observing ministers could not guess what the emperor's grandson was thinking, and did not know whether he supported the relocation of people.

"Can't you bear it?" Old Zhu asked after the civil and military officials left. "Many people were forced to leave their homes. Some people got sick and starved along the way, and some even died."

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "It's nothing to be reluctant about. Some places have too few people and they are unwilling to move voluntarily, so the court has to do it. Besides, the court is giving them tax exemptions, and it's not like they're breaking up a family. What's wrong with that?"

Hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Old Zhu could only say, "That's right. We don't want the people to leave their homes. But we have to do it, otherwise many places will be deserted, which is a pity."

Then Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said seriously, "You must remember to rest and recuperate in the future. Our administration is strict, so you should be more lenient and give the people a break."

"I know. I will definitely not fight wars year after year and plunder the land." Zhu Yunhuan said, "I have also thought about some things. I may be more lenient than my grandfather in the future, but I am afraid that leniency is limited."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said after a moment of silence, "I guess so. You are not that kind."

Thinking about this, Lao Zhu shook his head and said, "Let's be stricter in two years, then you can appear to be lenient."

If we really compare them like this, it seems that some differences can be reflected. What is not obvious is how lenient Zhu Yunhuan is. The main reason is that Zhu Yunhuan left an extremely strict foundation in the past, and Zhu Yunhuan seemed lenient when he did something a little bit.

Zhu Yunhuan was not in a hurry either. He said, "I don't think it's urgent. Five or ten years will be fine. Besides, I can't let my grandfather do everything. Otherwise, it will seem that I am incompetent."

Old Zhu smiled and didn't respond, then asked, "Are your second uncle and the others anxious?"

"They are really anxious, and they have come to me to test my opinion." Zhu Yunhuan said jokingly, "If it were me, I would just let them go back. There is no need for them to watch the ceremony. Grandfather's enthronement is legitimate."

Old Zhu shook his head and said, "We have to see them kowtow to you before we can feel at ease. You are just like your father, you are too good to your family. We trust you, but we don't trust them."

Zhu Yunhuan didn't know what to say for a moment. Maybe this was a double standard. In front of Old Zhu, Zhu Yunhuan did show his love for his family, but he didn't seem to be biased without a bottom line.

But in Lao Zhu's eyes, his grandson is just like his older son, and both of them can compromise and lower their temper in order to take care of their own family.

Old Zhu is naturally happy about this, but he also feels distressed. He is obviously the "head of the family" and the "master of the household", but he has to put himself in a difficult position just to take care of his own family. This is really heartbreaking.

Old Zhu immediately reminded him, "You should keep an eye on the nobles. For those with titles, forget about them. For those without titles or inheritance, first look for talents that can be used. Find a few and place your people in the Wucheng Bingmasi first."

Zhu Yunxun asked with a strange expression, "Grandfather, the Five Cities Military Department wants to arrange my personnel?"

Old Zhu glared and said, "Just do as I say! I am the emperor, and I am not afraid that the people under your control will control Yingtian Prefecture. But you have to be on guard against other people, and you have to know everything about Yingtian Prefecture."

The Wucheng Bingmasi, also known as the Wucheng Bingma Command, was responsible for patrolling the capital to arrest thieves, dredging streets and ditches, and handling prisoners and fire bans.

Although the commander-in-chief is only of the sixth rank, he holds great power.

Old Zhu continued to remind him, "Take a closer look at the civil officials. If you can find a prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, that would be a good thing."

The main responsibility of the prefect is to be in charge of the administrative affairs of the capital area. This is a position only in the capital. It is a third-rank official position, which is very different from the fourth-rank prefect in other places.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't know what to say. The daily security of the capital was handed over to him. Some administrative management of the capital was also delegated to him.

Once Zhu Yuanzhang had chosen a successor, he would train him without reservation, and there would be no suspicion or suppression. What he feared most was not that the crown prince had too much power, but that the crown prince he chose could not control the power.

Zhu Yunhuan said with some concern, "I have been in the palace for many years, and I don't know many people. I don't have anyone to use."

"No one is available?" Old Zhu said earnestly, "If there is no one available, then go find some good talents. When we were fighting for the world, many of us were commoners and bandits. Those who survived became good generals. When we were insignificant, few scholars looked up to us. When we became famous, scholars came to join us."

Old Zhu continued, "If you can use someone directly now, then use them. We will find a way to place someone in your position. It doesn't matter if there is no one available. Find some promising people and give them achievements and opportunities to rise to the top. This person will not become an emperor or a crown prince right away. The same is true for being an official. You can't become a minister or a vice minister right away."

Having said that, Zhu Yunxun did not hesitate to say, "Then I will look carefully to see if I can find some promising talents."

Old Zhu nodded and suddenly said, "When employing people, you should pay attention to the big picture and ignore the small details. You should also employ people with both moral integrity and ability. It is a common saying that you should trust people. You should also reward people according to their merits and appoint them to the right positions. Another thing to remember is that there is no shortage of people who want to be officials in this world. If someone is not suitable for you or not satisfied with you, you can kill him or dismiss him from office. Don't think that the court will be in chaos without him."

Zhu Yunhuan nodded slightly to show his understanding. He never denied that some people seemed to be born with a mission. Those who could leave a mark in history were all extremely talented.

But he also knew that there were so many talented people in the world, and some people did not lack ability but lacked opportunities.

"First, do a good job with the Jinyiwei and Wucheng Bingmasi. You have your eyes and ears in the capital, so it will be convenient for you to do things." Old Zhu sighed and said, "You have been raised in the palace since you were a child. You have always been well-dressed and well-fed, and you don't know the suffering of the people. After you are enthroned, go out of the palace often to see the people. Only when you know that people's lives are not easy can you know how to cherish the people."

Touching Zhu Yunhuan's head, Old Zhu said lovingly, "If I'm healthy, you can still have fun for two years. If I'm not healthy, you'll stay in the palace for the rest of your life."

Zhu Yunxun smiled very brightly and said, "I have also been playing for so many years, it is not hard."

Old Zhu felt even more sorry for his sensible grandson. Even if a child without a mother had a luxurious life, how good could it be? If he hadn't suffered, how could he have such a deep mind?
Take care of yourself now while you are still in strong health!

(End of this chapter)