Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

Chapter 109 There’s nothing I can do, this is my fate!

Song Lian comforted Kong Xixue: "Tomorrow I will go find a few adults and ask them to go with me to the palace to see His Majesty! I promise to give you an explanation."

Hearing Song Lian's promise, Kong Xixue was overjoyed. Everyone in the Ming Dynasty knew that Song Lian was a modest gentleman and he would definitely keep his words.

As long as Song Lian agrees, Zhu Kai will not be able to be arrogant for too long!

It’s stable now!
Kong Xixue also had his own plans. He hoped that through the pressure from the court, he would prevent Zhu Kai from continuing to deal with their family in Qi and Lu. However, he also did not want Zhu Yuanzhang to become even more disgusted with the Kong family because of this incident.

Zhu Yuanzhang had always been dissatisfied with the Kong family because of Kong Kejian's disregard. If he continued to force Zhu Yuanzhang, it might backfire. So he quickly said to Song Lian, who was filled with righteous indignation: "Grand Secretary, tomorrow is not the court meeting. If I go, will it cause His Majesty to misunderstand?"

Song Lian is relatively straightforward, but that doesn't mean he is stupid. When he heard Kong Xixue's tactful reminder, he understood what Kong Xixue meant. To put it bluntly, isn't he just worried about Zhu Yuanzhang?

But what's the point of worrying?
The honest Song Lian said directly to Kong Xixue: "Are you scared now? If you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"

It's about Kong Kejian being a fence-sitter, pretending to obey Zhu Yuanzhang but actually disobeying him.

After hearing this, Kong Xixue could only respond with an awkward laugh. Although Kong Kejian had indeed done something wrong at the beginning, it did not mean that he could accuse Kong Kejian of doing wrong in front of others. This was the most basic filial piety.

Song Lian made a few accusations and didn't say anything else.

He just asked Kong Xixue to go back and wait for news. He knew what to do next.

While Song Lian was running around for the Kong family, Zhu Yuanzhang in the imperial palace was sitting in the Wuying Hall, looking at the intelligence sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The more he looked, the more shocking it was. The expression on his face became more serious, and there was even a hint of murderous intent. Zhu Biao, who was standing next to him, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang's expression and realized that the matter was serious. The situation in Qi and Lu might be more serious than he thought.

The environment in Qilu is so bad, will Kaidi be in danger?
Although he was very relieved about Zhu Kai and knew that Zhu Kai had absolute force to protect him, in Zhu Biao's heart, Zhu Kai was still the younger brother who only knew how to make trouble, and the first thing he thought of was worry.

Zhu Biao was very eager to know what the situation was in Qi and Lu. Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, Zhu Biao felt helpless.

If you have any problem, just say it directly as a father. Why are you always making emojis here?
Zhu Biao was very angry and anxious!
"What a bunch of hypocritical beasts!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, then stood up. But he felt that this was not enough, so he kicked over the documents, pulled out the sword hanging on the wall behind him, and started chopping at the documents. It can be seen that Zhu Yuanzhang was already angry to a certain extent.

Zhu Biao ignored Zhu Yuanzhang who was chopping the documents with his sword. When he saw the memorials scattered on the ground, he ran over quickly, grabbed the memorials and stepped aside.

Zhu Yuanzhang was angry, and everything would be fine once he calmed down. However, the situation in Qi and Lu made Zhu Biao more concerned.

However, when Zhu Biao saw the contents of the memorial, his face couldn't help but darken.

He had thought that the Kong family had some shady business behind the scenes, but he didn't expect that they would dare to collude with the Japanese and the bandits.

Is this something a scholar can do?
Zhu Biao: Dad, please give me the sword so that I can vent my anger.

It's really shocking!
When Zhu Biao saw in the memorial that the Kong family's wealth was equivalent to the national treasury's income for fifteen years, his eyebrows couldn't help but twitch.

Enemy rich!

The Kong family is truly wealthy enough to rival a country!
Zhu Biao couldn't even imagine so much money.

You don’t know until you investigate, and you’ll be shocked when you do!
Zhu Biao never expected that the lineage of Duke Yansheng, respected by scholars all over the world, would become beasts with human faces and beastly hearts.

Think about Laizhou Prefecture and Dengzhou Prefecture. Because of the emergence of Japanese pirates, the people were living in dire straits and had to move westward with their families. However, Kong Kejian and his people began to raise the price of land, took the land for themselves, and then sold it to others, taking the opportunity to exploit the people again.

You are from other places and want to buy land?

you can!

Sell ​​the land at three times the original price. It doesn't matter if you don't have money. I will give you 50 acres of land. Give half of the harvest to us every year and you can eat the rest. After working for 30 years, the land will be yours.

The people, who regard land as more important than life, do not want to be ripped off, but when they think about the land being in the hands of others and their urgent need to farm to feed themselves, they can only swallow their anger and buy the expensive land with a pinch of their nose.

There is no way, this is life!

In just five years, Kong Kejian made huge profits by buying and selling land, but countless families were also broken up by him.

But no one cares.

In the current Ming Dynasty, the rules of the game are still set by the rich and powerful... The real people can only obey, and what Zhu Kai is doing now is to change this status quo.

"Luckily, I have Brother Kai!"

When Zhu Biao thought of Zhu Kai, his expression looked much better. He was very clear in his mind that if it were not for Zhu Kai, both he and Zhu Yuanzhang would have been kept in the dark. Ten or even hundreds of years later, the Ming Dynasty would have been destroyed by this group of greedy people.

But what happened after the Ming Dynasty collapsed?

No matter how the court changes, the Kong family will naturally remain standing. Even if the Ming Dynasty is gone, there will be a new dynasty that will continue to be sucked dry by them and then go to extinction...

Repeatedly.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao felt very lucky.

Fortunately, I have Brother Kai!
If it weren't for Zhu Kai, why would they think of causing trouble for the Kong family?
It’s too late to offer it as a sacrifice!
If you want to change the Ming Dynasty, you need someone like Zhu Kai who does things unconventionally.

After thinking about it, Zhu Biao came up with a very critical question: "Dad, this secret report said that countless profits were confiscated from Qi and Lu. What should we do with this money?"

"What can we do? Of course it belongs to the national treasury."

Zhu Yuanzhang's first reaction was to return all the money to the national treasury, but thinking that the money was in Qilu, in Zhu Kai's territory, and Zhu Kai was a money-grubber, Zhu Yuanzhang pursed his lips and finally said to Zhu Biao: "Boss, I think you should go to Qilu and get as much silver as you can. This money is in Kai'er's hands. If we don't act in time, I'm afraid we won't get a penny."

However, the termites have been dug out. Why not talk about money now and wait until everything is settled before distributing the benefits? If he does this, Zhu Yuanzhang won't even get a sip of soup.

So, it’s better to strike first! Get the money first.

Zhu Biao listened to Zhu Yuanzhang's words and nodded in agreement: "Okay, but the affairs of the court will be handled by you alone."

"How can I hold up alone?"

Zhu Yuanzhang showed an inexplicable smile on his face, looked at Zhu Biao and said: "Biao'er, have you forgotten Li Shanchang?"

Li Shanchang?

Zhu Biao suddenly realized.

I understand!

I understand!

After Zhu Biao left, Zhu Yuanzhang called Yuan Qi over, handed him the memorial he had just read, and said, "Spread the contents, let everyone in Yingtian Prefecture, young and old, know that the Kong family is a beast in human skin!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

Zhu Kai caused such a big fuss in Qi and Lu that Ma Xiuying could not hide it. Even when she learned the news, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao didn't know what had happened. Ma Xiuying was worried about this, fearing that Zhu Kai would get into trouble.

These days, scholars are still a relatively scarce resource, so everyone generally respects them very much and recognizes that their status is superior to others. But now Zhu Kai has dug up the roots of scholars. How can people tolerate this?

Even a rabbit will bite when it is cornered. Isn't Zhu Kai pushing the scholar to death by doing this?
Ma Xiuying was also helpless. She had thought that Zhu Kai would get into trouble after he went out, but she didn't expect the trouble to be so big. He had offended scholars all over the world. How could Zhu Kai end up well?

"This little bastard is really a worry!"

Ma Xiuying had no choice but to ask Zhu Yuanzhang to rescue Zhu Kai.

Zhu Biao came to Kunning Palace to say goodbye to Ma Xiuying. When parents are around, one should not travel far away, and one must have a plan for the trip. Zhu Biao will definitely tell Ma Xiuying if he is going.

When Ma Xiuying learned that Zhu Biao went to Qi and Lu, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: "It's good that you went, it's good that you went! Kai'er is too reckless and does things without considering the consequences. You know, he is a married man, why is he still so impulsive? I shouldn't have let him go out!" If Zhu Kai appeared in front of Ma Xiuying now, she would break his legs!

Zhu Biao was a good boy at this time. After listening to Ma Xiuying's words, he comforted her: "Mom, Kaidi's situation is not as bad as you think, and I'm going to Qilu, right? Don't worry, mom, I will definitely keep Kaidi safe, and Kaidi didn't do anything bad. The people can see it. You know Kaidi best. When has Kaidi ever done something he was not sure of? Right, mom?"

Although she said that, Ma Xiuying was still a little worried. Zhu Biao could only comfort her, but this kind of comfort was meaningless to a mother who was worried about her son. Perhaps only when Zhu Kai appeared in front of Ma Xiuying would she feel relieved?

After Zhu Biao and Ma Xiuying had their meal, they left and headed straight for Qi and Lu.

In Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Yuanzhang was the only one left supporting the city...at least that's what many people thought.

Late at night, Li Shanchang was still sitting in his study reading a book with a cup of tea in his hand and sandalwood burning beside him, looking very comfortable.

Not long after, the door of his study was pushed open, revealing a man in a black robe. When he saw Li Shanchang, he laughed out loud: "Mr. Li, why are you still not resting so late? I'm afraid you are waiting for me?"

"Yes."

Li Shanchang did not hide anything, nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, then sat down to drink tea: "Forget it, we don't need these red tapes between us."

After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, Li Shanchang also sat down next to him. Just as Zhu Yuanzhang said, there was no need for him and Li Shanchang to be polite. The two had known each other for many years and knew each other very well. If it weren't for the conflicts that occurred later, they would still be a good monarch and minister now...

Maybe it won’t be that bad now, except that there’s a little bastard named Zhu Kai in the middle.

It was precisely because Zhu Kai subdued Li Shanchang that Zhu Yuanzhang was willing to let him go, otherwise Li Shanchang would still be repairing the city wall in Fengyang.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt more relaxed than ever before at Li Shanchang's place. After drinking two cups of tea, he said to Li Shanchang, "Mr. Li, you can know everything in the world without leaving your house. I'm afraid you have guessed why I came to see you today, right?"

"Ah."

Li Shanchang did not hide his shortcomings and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty wants me to contain Kong Xixue, but in my opinion, Your Majesty is worrying too much. The Ming Dynasty has you in charge of the overall situation, the Crown Prince for civil affairs and the Second Prince for military affairs. Even if the world is in chaos again, the Ming Dynasty can still rest assured."

Even if there is another war, the Ming Dynasty will still be the winner in the end.

Li Shanchang said these words not out of flattery, but out of trust in Zhu Kai.

Let alone anything else, the weapon that Zhu Kai displayed could kill anyone with ulterior motives from five hundred steps away.

If Li Shanchang had this kind of weapon, he would have dared to kill Zhu Yuanzhang with one shot, and then set up his own camp. Zhu Yuanzhang had this kind of weapon in his hand, so what was there to be afraid of? If anyone disobeyed, all problems would be solved with one shot.

Could it be that you, Zhu Yuanzhang, no longer have the courage you had before after becoming emperor?

Li Shanchang only praised Zhu Yuanzhang in his heart, but he did not say these words out loud. After Zhu Yuanzhang heard Li Shanchang's words, a smile appeared on his face.

It can be seen that Li Shanchang was well trained by Zhu Kai.

That confidence was very similar to the way Li Shanchang calmly mobilized food and supplies and stabilized the rear during the war.

This is the complete Li Shanchang!

Where is Zhu Yuanzhang?

He had the idea of ​​continuing to use Li Shanchang. After all, Li Shanchang now seemed very obedient.

Li Shanchang understood Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Yuanzhang also understood Li Shanchang. Li Shanchang was most particular about stability when doing things, and he liked to plan before taking action. If he was not forced to do so, he would not put himself in a dangerous situation. Now that Zhu Kai could pose a direct threat to him, it was enough to make him feel scared.

With Zhu Kai posing a threat to Li Shanchang, even if he wanted to rebel, how much wave could he make?
Don’t forget, Zhu Kai still has a card in his hand that makes Li Shanchang feel scared: Liu Ji!

"Mr. Li, our eldest and second sons have gone to Qi and Lu. We are the only ones who are struggling to support the entire court. Are you interested in returning to the court?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Shanchang and said patiently:
"I have discussed with my eldest son and want to re-establish a prime minister and six to eight deputy prime ministers. You will assist me in handling court affairs."

Six to eight deputy prime ministers? There is only one prime minister.

When Li Shanchang heard what Zhu Yuanzhang said, he immediately understood what Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to do.

This is to divide the power of the prime minister and increase the power in his own hands. Zhu Yuanzhang's move... is very smart!

Li Shanchang also discovered the problem and asked Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, there are so many deputy prime ministers, more than the six ministries. Aren't these deputy prime minister positions too many?"

"not much."

Zhu Yuanzhang had a plan in mind. "The division of the six ministries is too general. Just split the six ministries. For example, the Ministry of Revenue, which includes the money, grain, and population of the country, has too much power. He can divide it into many departments."

Just taking the Ministry of Revenue as an example, the other five ministries also require different degrees of division.

This is a prelude to the disruption and reorganization of power.

Even though Li Shanchang had thought about what shocking move Zhu Yuanzhang would make, he couldn't help but be shocked when he heard his plan.

The three provinces and six ministries have existed since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and no one has ever made any innovations.

Why did Zhu Yuanzhang dare to do this?
Li Shanchang was not convinced, but he had to admire Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang was a man who dared to be the first and do things that no one else in the world dared to do... and he also brought up his son to be so outstanding. Thinking of his son, Li Shanchang was in tears.

Li Shanchang didn't know whether it was his luck or misfortune to have such an emperor.

However, since there was no way out, Li Shanchang would not back down. He was a man of unyielding character: "Your Majesty has invited me, and I am naturally willing to die for you! I, Li Shanchang, am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, and I will not refuse."

"it is good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang showed a satisfied smile on his face, stood up and walked out: "I am in Wuying Hall, please have dinner with Mr. Li."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very good at eating and drinking to build relationships.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left, Li Shanchang had a very unhappy expression on his face.

But he also knew that he had no other choice but to become Zhu Yuanzhang's gun.

If you, Zhu Yuanzhang, didn’t have such a good son like Zhu Kai, I would fight with you no matter what!
It’s all Zhu Kai’s fault!
……

The news of Li Shanchang's comeback was no secret.

In other words, Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of keeping this news a secret.

The next morning, the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture were filled with the news that Li Shanchang was about to come out of retirement.

Kong Xixue, who was running around in Yingtian Prefecture to save his father, was immediately happy when he heard the news that Li Shanchang was going to come out of retirement. In those days, Li Shanchang was known as the top civil servant in the world. Since he was the top civil servant, he must be the representative of all the literati in the world.

Wouldn't that mean Li Shanchang would stand on his side?
Kong Xixue seemed to have found a powerful supporter, so he immediately came to Song Lian to discuss countermeasures.

Song Lian was a scholar, and he had the stubbornness of a scholar, but he couldn't be said to have low emotional intelligence. On the contrary, he saw things very clearly, the kind of insight that hit the nail on the head: "Don't you think it's a bit too abrupt to suddenly say that Li Shanchang is going to take on the position of prime minister? Your Majesty hasn't issued an order yet, how dare Li Shanchang leak this matter?"

Everyone knew about this promotion, but they would never publicize it in advance. If Zhu Yuanzhang heard about it, he would change his mind in anger, and all their efforts would be in vain.

He glanced at Kong Xixue and said, "Besides, I'm sure you know what's going on between your majesty and Li Shanchang, right?"

It was no secret either in the court or among the people that Zhu Yuanzhang was afraid of Li Shanchang. They all thought that Zhu Yuanzhang had gone too far. However, there is no wall that is impenetrable. Who dares to say that Li Shanchang had no intention of being disloyal?

Therefore, now that Li Shanchang has returned to the court to serve as prime minister, this is either fake news or there are other reasons.

"Sir, Xixue believes that the news of Prime Minister Li's return to office was a tacit agreement between your majesty and Prime Minister Li."

(End of this chapter)