The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

Chapter 173
Henan is one of the origins of Chinese civilization. It is called the Central Plains, and it has been a place with a strong sense of existence since ancient times.

Due to its unique geographical location, it is the traffic center of east, west, south, north, and it has been a strategic place since ancient times.

Peaceful times are better, but once it comes to wartime, it is the place where the princes compete, and the war will never stop.

In the Henan area, the Yellow River burst its embankment in February this year, and disaster relief has already been done once during this period.

Before the floods have passed, locust plagues and droughts have come, and now there is another huge plague.

The report said that more than 30 people were affected by the disaster, but Zhu Yuanzhang was very clear about the statistics.

Much more than that!

If disasters like the plague are allowed to spread, it is very possible that the number of people affected will increase tenfold.

Moreover, things like the plague cannot be counted at all, and they are all avoided far away. No one knows how many people have accidents.

After Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Ru Yuan's narration, he frowned tightly, showing no sign of letting go.

After a while, he asked Zhao Mian, Minister of the Household Department, "How much food for disaster relief has been prepared?"

Zhao Mian trembled when he heard the words, and said in a trembling tone: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs has already started emergency preparations last night when it learned about the disaster situation. At present, it can mobilize more than 3 shi of grain to the past."

More than 3 shi, about 400 million catties of grain.

But in the face of tens of millions of victims, more than 3 shi, how long can it last?
Zhu Yuanzhang was a poor peasant since he was a child. More than 3 shi sounds like a lot, but for the disaster-stricken Henan area, it is really a drop in the bucket.

"Explain to us why there are only more than 3 stones." Zhu Yuanzhang asked solemnly.

Zhao Mian hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, since the beginning of February this year, the Henan area has been suffering from constant famines. The food for disaster relief has never stopped, and we have been trying our best to deliver it."

"Now the entire household department can prepare all the grain that can be prepared. For the more than 3 shi, a batch needs to be purchased from grain merchants."

"Rice is expensive now, just as the autumn harvest has not yet arrived, even the grain merchants don't have enough grain, and the cost is already far beyond."

"Coupled with the continuous famines and tax cuts in various places this year, the national treasury is already in an emergency. I really can't think of a way to get it out."

Zhu Yuanzhang scolded: "We asked the Banking Bureau to approve 300 million banknotes two months ago. You tell us that it's only been two months, and it's gone?"

"The whereabouts of the money in it, could it be that your household department has embezzled it privately."

Zhao Mian was so frightened that he quickly knelt down and explained: "Your Majesty has clearly observed that since I became Minister of the Household Department, I have not dared to slack off in the slightest. Before your Majesty's treasure money came down, the Household Department and the military department have long owed a lot of money."

"As soon as the bank notes arrived, they immediately distributed them to settle the arrears, which cost nearly 120 million coins and 130 stones per meter."

"There is no account, and the account is constantly withdrawn. The minister is really a clever woman who can't cook without rice. I hope His Majesty will see clearly."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed the armrest of the Dragon Chair with his right hand to suppress his impending fury.

Normally speaking, when encountering such a situation, Zhao Mian would not say that he would be executed directly, and that he would not be able to escape if he was dismissed, but now Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't bear it after all.

According to the method taught by the grandson, he took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang feel a little more comfortable.

Then he asked: "Now that the situation is like this, what else can you do to deal with it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not mention the matter of "relief with work". For such a large-scale famine, it does not make any sense to provide relief with work.

Relief for work can only have a significant effect on small-scale famines where the number of victims is less than tens of thousands.

Once the number of people approaches or exceeds [-], cash-for-work has no meaning at all.

Facing His Majesty's questioning, several ministers below looked at each other and remained silent, including the ministers behind, also bowed their heads in silence.

What can be done? In the event of a famine, the only way is to provide relief first. But for now, Ming's fiscal deficit and treasury will be empty.

More than 3 stones were squeezed out. Obviously, this is due to the good ability of Zhao Mian, the Minister of the Ministry of Households. If someone else faced the current situation, it is estimated that they would just stare blankly.

"As for the plague, the Tai Hospital dispatched medical officers to study and deal with it. The Bank Bureau printed another 200 million banknotes to be used for this famine. The local medical offices coordinated to deal with the plague."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

The Tai Hospital is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites, but now there is no minister of the Ministry of Rites, so Zhu Yuanzhang directly ordered it.

Daming is now very familiar with famines. In the 25 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, disaster relief has always been the main theme of the court. Every month, this matter is discussed, and the routines are very familiar.

It's just that in the past, His Majesty would kill a few people to sacrifice to heaven, but today there is no movement, and the officials are still not used to it.

Zhu Yuanzhang has experienced things like this for more than 25 years, but every time he encounters them, he still feels powerless after all.

Daming's finances have always been a sore spot for Daming, and he is used to deficits every year.

Not only disaster relief, but also the military salary of the military department, and the arrears of the minister's salary have also become a common practice.

Of course, the part in arrears is not silver.

The Daming Treasure Banknotes have always been distributed on time. After all, it is not difficult for the Bank to print a few sheets of paper.

At present, the salaries of the ministers of the Ming Dynasty are treasures and real things.

In addition to the Daming banknotes, there are also silk, satin, cloth and rice.

Silk, satin, and cloth are easy to say, and rice has always been in arrears. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang is also clear about the purchasing power generated by pure Ming Dynasty treasures in this era of soaring prices and depreciation of treasures.

It's just that the adjustment of the market economy and the endless printing of precious banknotes will only depreciate the value of Daming's precious banknotes.

How could it be possible that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know about things like two banknotes that could only be exchanged for one tael of silver?

Backwards.

Zhu Yunwen didn't go to see Grandpa Huang, at this time, he would not get half of the benefit from going to Grandpa Huang to talk about his eldest brother.

No one will touch His Majesty's bad luck on this point, even if something happens, just suppress it if you can.

In the Huagai Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang did not directly review the memorials, but sat on the desk and was lost in thought.

Zhu Yuanzhang can fully empathize with the current situation in Henan. That's how he experienced it back then.

But luck is better, although it was a bit difficult, after all, I made it through.

But there are not a few who can't survive.

In today's Henan area, such things as food for fear of changing children can be seen everywhere.

"Your Majesty, I think that maybe we can talk to His Highness the eldest grandson, and maybe we can find a way." The guard Jiang Yu hesitated for a long time, and finally couldn't help but said.

"Great grandson? There is nothing we can do to find him for such a national matter." Zhu Yuanzhang frowned when he heard this.

Hearing that His Majesty didn't immediately refuse, Jiang Yu explained: "His Majesty, His Highness Changsun is good at buying and selling, and the money earned by the Qunying Chamber of Commerce he runs is difficult to estimate."

"Only the entry of snowflake salt is estimated to be as much as one million, and it should be real money."

"When I investigated the power of His Royal Highness Changsun, I found that it seems that His Highness Changsun has a lot of food. Every winter, the Qunying Chamber of Commerce will carry out a round of expansion. The main source of personnel is among the hungry people."

"The most important reason why His Royal Highness Changsun can spread his power all over the Western Regions, deserts, and grasslands so quickly is that there is enough food supply."

"Perhaps His Royal Highness Changsun has a unique opinion in this area. Why don't His Majesty ask for a try?"

Regarding Zhu Ying's investigation, in fact, the current Jin Yiwei has not stopped.

As long as His Majesty does not issue an order, this investigation will not stop before Zhu Ying enters the palace to announce her identity.

At first, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of stopping the investigation after he identified the eldest grandson as his relative, but every time Jin Yiwei reported information about the eldest grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang would be surprised.

It seems that every time the investigations come out, it is just the tip of the iceberg of Dasun's forces, which makes it full of mystery.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also very curious about how much his grandson had done in the past ten years in the wild.

So simply let Jin Yiwei continue to investigate, so as to be more familiar with the situation of the eldest grandson.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang, when he heard Jiang Yu's words, immediately remembered that he saw some records about the great grandson's power in the intelligence.

But at that time, Zhu Yuanzhang was just watching it for fun, and didn't have any in-depth associations. He wanted his grandson to undertake it, or do something.

More thinking is to train the grandson, never thought of letting the grandson share the finances.

It's just that Zhu Yuanzhang seemed a little embarrassed after hearing Jiang Yu's words.

The eldest grandson has not entered the palace yet, and he is about to touch his money, which makes Zhu Yuanzhang feel a little uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Changsun is going to enter the palace after all. This matter of the Ming Dynasty is naturally also a matter of His Highness Changsun. Chenguan His Highness Changsun has insights that ordinary people do not have in this regard."

"It was the last famine. His Royal Highness Changsun's suggestion of labor relief was something I had never thought of before. This time, I think I can ask His Royal Highness Changsun's opinion."

Jiang Yu said somewhat euphemistically.Don't talk about how much family background His Royal Highness Changsun has, but tell it from the direction of His Majesty's school examination.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, thinking that this matter is very good for taking the school's grandson.

Then he turned to Liu He and asked, "The memorial that I sent to my grandson yesterday, but I took it back."

Liu He said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Changsun told Guo Zhong yesterday that it has passed this afternoon, and it is not yet time."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "That's just right, let's prepare the car, let's go straight here, the two things will be dealt with together, we have eaten the meals in the palace these days, and the mouth is almost fading out, let's go to Dasun's place It would be nice to improve the food."

"The minister obeys the order."

In the Mansion of the Governor of the Five Armies.

Sapphire talks to his elder brother Lan Rong.

Lan Rong is currently serving as the commander of the right guard of the government army, and is one of the twelve personal guards of the emperor.

Before Sapphire came back, he had already received the news.

It was just in a confidential situation, and did not specifically inform his younger brother Lan Yu of this matter, for fear of causing misunderstandings.

But the heart is quite happy about this matter.

In terms of blood relationship, Lan Rong and Zhu Ying are also subordinate to their uncle.

In fact, the commander of one of the twelve guards of the emperor is also very powerful in terms of power.

"Brother, why did you let me know about such a big matter, so that when I received the decree to return to Beijing, I was still in fear."

Sapphire said with some complaints.

The Mansion of the Commanders of the Five Armies is also the office of the Twelve Guards of the Son of Heaven, and the two of them had a secret conversation in Lanyu's unique office hall.

Regarding being called back, Lan Yu was a little apprehensive when she received the decree.

That's why he left his two sons and a group of loyal subordinates in the local area without following them, because he was worried that he would be deprived of his military power.

"I wasn't the first one you looked for when you returned to Beijing. You also know my position, and you can't go out casually. It's you who returned to Beijing. If it wasn't for this morning, I wouldn't know."

Lan Rong explained that Zhu Yuanzhang's decree was conveyed directly, how could he, the commander of the right guard of the government army, go to inquire about the news of the Ministry of War.

On the contrary, as the commander of the emperor's personal guard, to a large extent, he needs to avoid suspicion.

When Lan Yu heard this, she had no choice but to say, "You haven't met His Highness the eldest grandson yet."

Lan Rong replied: "During the night patrol, I heard His Highness spent the night in the palace."

"Already entered the palace?"

Sapphire was amazed, he didn't know about this yet.

Lan Rong nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, I think His Majesty has thoroughly investigated His Highness the eldest grandson, and there is no deviation."

"In this way, with His Highness the eldest grandson here, you and I don't have to worry too much in the future."

When Lan Yu heard this, she nodded in agreement first, and then said: "Don't underestimate His Highness Changsun, His Highness Changsun took me to the Gunpowder Department yesterday to observe the latest firearms."

"Haven't you ever seen that firecracker called an arquebus gun, which is as powerful as a small general's cannon in one blow, and the most important thing is that its accuracy, within fifty steps, is like a bow and crossbow, it's simply inconceivable. "

"It's a pity that the current output is not enough. There are only a few guns per month. When the output increases in the future, the army will be equipped with such firecrackers. Tsk tsk. I'm afraid it will become much easier to fight in the future."

When Lan Rong heard this, his face showed shock.

From the mouth of his younger brother Lan Yu, of course he has no reason not to believe it.But this statement is too exaggerated.

If you really want to have such a magic weapon, it will be a matter of flipping to suppress the enemy.

"Don't believe me, it's too early to say these things. I tried it with my own hands yesterday. As the emperor's personal guard, I think I'll see you soon. Then you'll understand the truth of what I said."

Seeing the look in the eyes of her elder brother Lan Rong, Lan Yu thought she didn't believe it, so she said again.

"Okay, then I'll wait to see more, but you asked me to come over today, are these the only things?" Lan Rong asked a little puzzled.

Although they work in the same office, the Twelve Guards of the Son of Heaven and the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies are two distinct areas, and they rarely communicate with each other.

Normally, the two of them talk after get off work to avoid suspicion.

This time, Lan Yi called Lan Rong over, summoning him in the name of military matters, which is why Lan Rong had such doubts.

"If you don't tell me, I will almost forget the business." Sapphire said with some annoyance, and then explained:

"I followed His Majesty's order to mobilize 5000 troops to train His Highness the eldest grandson. Your Majesty said that some personnel will be transferred from various ministries. I don't want to transfer some from you."

Upon hearing this, Lan Rong couldn't help but said, "5000 people? Your Majesty wants His Highness to build a bodyguard."

Sapphire nodded and replied: "It should be so."

(End of this chapter)