My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 479

Zhu Di wanted to march north, which seemed normal to Zhu Zhanhe.

Although Meng Yuan had been destroyed, the threat of the northern grasslands had always been on the minds of the Central Plains people. Therefore, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di spared no effort to attack the northern grasslands when they were in power.

For example, take Zhu Di as an example. When Oara was strong before, he sent troops to attack Oara. Now that Arutai is strong, he sent troops to attack Arutai. He had only one purpose, which was to eliminate the living forces on the grassland and weaken the threat of the grassland to the Central Plains.

Of course, in the eyes of many people, this method can only cure the symptoms but not the root cause. However, under the current conditions, the Ming Dynasty cannot form effective rule over the grassland, so sending troops to harvest the grassland forces from time to time becomes the only effective method. .

"Why are you speaking for your grandfather? You must know that every time the Northern Expedition was mobilized, although some results were achieved, there was no way to completely eliminate the forces on the grassland. Instead of wasting people and money, it is better to use the money from the Northern Expedition. Somewhere else.”

Zhu Gaochi did not expect that Zhu Zhanhe would agree with the Northern Expedition, and immediately said with an unhappy face.

"Uncle, what you said makes sense, but the threat from the northern grasslands cannot be underestimated. That Arutai is an ambitious man. Now his strength has grown rapidly, and he has defeated his old enemy Wala. Next, he will probably go south to invade my Ming Dynasty territory. Grandpa Huang sends troops now, maybe he can interrupt his rise!"

Zhu Zhanhe patiently explained again.

"After all, Arutai is our Ming Dynasty's King Ning. His willingness to take refuge in our Ming Dynasty before shows that he does not want to be evil with our Ming Dynasty. Even if he is stronger now, as long as we send an envoy there, the other party will definitely be willing Those who live in peace with my Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Gaochi expressed a completely different view.

"Uncle, you have never been to the grassland and do not understand the situation on the grassland. Even if Arutai is not willing to antagonize me, the Ming Dynasty, the conditions on the grassland are harsh. Any natural or man-made disaster can make the grassland people miserable. At that time, those herdsmen will The only way to survive is to go south and plunder, do you think Arutai will refuse the request of his men?"

Zhu Zhanhe also seemed very helpless about Zhu Gaochi's opinion, but he still asked patiently.

"I……"

Zhu Gaochi was speechless for a while.

In fact, he also knew that the conflicts between the northern nomadic tribes and the Central Plains Dynasty could not be reconciled at all. His idea was actually a bit of a fluke, and he wanted to use methods other than war to reconcile the conflicts between the two, but this was not possible at all. Not realistic.

And just like war, even if a temporary problem is solved, it will not last long. It is also a temporary solution, not the root cause, unless one of the two parties completely eliminates the other.

"Okay, I admit that what you said makes some sense, but now is not the time for the Northern Expedition. The previous relocation of the capital has already cost the imperial court a huge amount of money, especially the construction of Beijing City and the Imperial City, which has put a lot of pressure on the national treasury. If we continue to do so at this time, I’m afraid the imperial court simply can’t bear the expense of sending troops to the north.”

Zhu Gaochi finally gave a very practical reason, which was the fundamental reason for his opposition to the Northern Expedition.

"This matter should give Xia Shangshu a headache. Uncle, why are you so eager to object?"

Unexpectedly, Zhu Zhanhe asked with a smile, "Xia Yuanji is Zhu Di's financial steward. If he is really short of money, he will definitely be the first to sit still."

"Do you think Xia Shangshu has no objection? As soon as my father announced the news of the Northern Expedition, Xia Shangshu immediately expressed his opposition, and even almost quarreled with his father. Now the cabinet is divided into two parts. Except for the two generals, the others They all oppose the Northern Expedition."

Zhu Gaochi said excitedly again.

Jin Zhong also passed away last year. Now the cabinet ministers are headed by Xia Yuanji. He took the lead in opposing the Northern Expedition, and other cabinet ministers also responded.

However, the cabinet did not have the power to restrain the imperial power from the beginning, so Xia Yuanji's opposition had little impact on Zhu Di.

Moreover, Zhu Di had been thinking about the Northern Expedition for a long time, so even if the cabinet objected and even Zhu Gaochi disapproved, he still had to go his own way.

"What is the reason for Xia Shangshu's objection? Is it just because of lack of money?" Zhu Zhanhe asked curiously again.

"It's not just a lack of money, there are other considerations as well."

Zhu Gaochi answered truthfully.

"That's it. Xia Shangshu didn't just say that he was short of money, which means that the imperial court can still provide the money. In addition, the emperor himself also has money, so in my opinion, no one can stop this dispatch of troops."

Zhu Zhanhe expressed his thoughts very frankly at this time.

In fact, given Zhu Di's temperament, the reason why he could endure not going to the north for so long was mainly because of the delay in moving the capital. In addition, Zhu Gaoxu went to Tianzhu, which put some pressure on Zhu Di.

However, now that the capital relocation has stabilized, Zhu Gaoxu has established a firm foothold in Tianzhu. Coupled with the prosperity of sea trade, Zhu Di has accumulated a lot of money in his hands. In this way, Zhu Di will naturally turn his attention to what he is most interested in. The most important thing is to fight. As an emperor who was born as a military commander, not fighting always makes him feel that life is too dull.

"Then what you mean is that we just don't care and let your grandpa send troops to the north again?"

Zhu Gaochi asked very reluctantly at this time.

"We can't ignore it completely. We can fight a war, but we can still help the emperor think carefully about how to fight this war. It is best to completely pacify Arutai's forces in one battle, so that the threat from the north will be smaller in the future. "

Zhu Zhanhe said again with a smile.

Zhu Gaochi remained silent after hearing this, obviously he still had doubts about Zhu Zhanhe's words.

Zhu Zhanhe didn't want to explain any more, so he said, "Uncle, I'm going to see Grandpa Huang and check his tone. If there is anything, I'll come back to discuss it with you!"

"Well, today I was scolded by your grandpa Huang because I opposed the Northern Expedition. Now only you can persuade him."

Zhu Gaochi nodded.

So Zhu Zhanhe said goodbye and left, and soon came to Wuying Hall.

When he entered the hall, he saw Zhu Di standing in front of a map. He squinted his eyes and looked at the map. He was carefully observing the terrain on the map, seeming to be considering the route for sending troops.

"Grandson sees Grandpa Huang!"

Zhu Zhanhe stepped forward to salute.

"Didn't you just come back? Why did you enter the palace so quickly? Could it be that your uncle sent someone to be a lobbyist?"

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Zhanhe and asked in a bad tone.

There were too many people who opposed his northern expedition these days, so his temper was also very bad.

"Grandpa Huang misunderstood. My uncle really wanted me to persuade Grandpa Huang just now, but I felt that the Northern Expedition was inevitable, so I was complained by my uncle for a while!"

Zhu Zhanhe answered half truthfully and half falsely.

(End of this chapter)