Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 395: Houde and Jiazhen
"Boom boom boom——"

On the ninth day of March, as the salute sounded at Jiangdongmen Pier, several two thousand horse-drawn boats slowly entered the Jiangdongmen ship station.

In the past, the gun salute at Jiangdong Gate was a treat that could only be enjoyed by the fleet and the emperor in person. But now, those enjoying all this are a team that is extremely unfamiliar to the entire Ming Dynasty.

"Is this...really the Ming Dynasty?"

When their feet stepped on the solid concrete floor of Jiangdong Gate, Fu An and deputy envoy Guo Ji were stunned on the spot.

Like them, there were more than 900 brothers who disembarked from the ship.

After being away from Nanjing for fourteen years, they thought that Nanjing was still the same as before and had not changed.

However, when they actually returned to Nanjing, they discovered how much Nanjing had changed.

In the 28th year of Hongwu's reign, when they went to Timurid as an envoy, Jiangdong Gate was still a wharf with a rammed earth and wooden structure.

Jiangdong Gate in the distance is still a city gate covered with bricks and earth. The market town outside Jiangdong Gate only has a population of more than 10,000 people, and the houses are in a mess.

"Thank you for your hard work, please get back on your feet."

When the Huang Luo Gai Umbrella appeared on the pier, Fu An and Guo Ji reacted and saluted Zhu Gaoxu under the umbrella.

"Speaking of which, it's a coincidence that you guys came back."

Fu An never thought that Zheng He could actually lead his army to capture the Persian Gulf, let alone that his side was so brave, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Isn't Khalil responding?"

Their bad mood was not directed at Fu An and others, but because of Queen Xu in the inner court.

"You two have just returned to the capital. Let's take a good rest today. In three days' time, we will go to the Chunhe Palace. I will then have a good discussion with you about Timur."

They had been trapped in Timur's country for so many years. Timur did not just imprison them in Samarkand, but sent troops to take them to various parts of Timur's country, trying to show the vast territory of Timur's country. Say surrender.

Three days ago, Empress Xu fell ill. The emperor ordered more than 200 Buddhist monks, including Harima, who had just arrived from Xifan, to pray for the empress under the leadership of Yao Guangxiao.

"He is planning to send troops, but..."

"My lord, thank you for your majesty's grace, long live long live long live..."

"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor Zhi said: Zir..."

The two stood up slowly, and then they realized that not only Zhu Gaoxu was very cold, but also many ministers who were following Zhu Gaoxu were looking at their noses and their hearts.

Zhu Gaoxu's cold voice sounded, which made Fu An and Guo Ji feel a little more uneasy.

"Your Majesty, Fu An (Guo Ji), your Highness, your Highness is a thousand years old..."

In addition, the emperor stayed away from court for three more days and personally accompanied the queen. All government affairs were supervised by the prince, who managed the affairs in Chunhe Palace.

Although they had seen many different places on the long road from northwest to southeast, it was only when the changes in Nanjing City were before them that Fu An and Guo Ji realized... Times have changed.

"What happened?" This thought flashed through their minds at the same time, but before they could make a sound, Yi Shiha opened the imperial edict.

After receiving the explanation, Fu An and others breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they were considered old ministers of the "former dynasty". Although they knew something about Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Di, who knew whether their changes would be as big as those in Nanjing City. Woolen cloth.

Xia Yuanji told the latest information about Central Asia, which made Fu An and Guo Ji stunned.

Today, the Jiangdongmen Pier is constructed of concrete, and the Jiangdongmen in the distance has also been reinforced and expanded with concrete, making it appear unusually tall and strong.

Both the imperial cooks and the chefs in the inner and outer courts must fast, and no killing is allowed.

Fu An and Guo Ji led the crowd to kowtow, then stood up slowly, anxiously waiting for Zhu Gaoxu to speak.

Xia Yuanji walked to the carriage with the two of them and sat down in it. He couldn't help but say: "His Royal Highness learned that you were trapped, so he asked Zheng He to send troops to rescue you. At present, Khrumos, Basra, Abadan, and Kashgar have been captured. Erden..."

Yi Shiha read the hundreds of words of the imperial edict eloquently, Guo Ji and Fu An quickly knelt down to listen to the edict.

While sighing, the two of them also thought of Shaharul's identity and the identity of their Majesty.

On the pier, the ships on the ship's berth have also become much larger, which was not owned by the Ming Dynasty.

The content of the imperial edict mainly praised Fu An, Guo Ji and his entourage for their perseverance in sending envoys to the Timurid Kingdom and their righteousness in not surrendering to the captives. They also praised their loyalty. The last part was a reward.

Xia Yuanji gave it a try, and then couldn't help laughing and told the story of Khalil being detained by his generals and Shaharul's rebellion.

Fu An was promoted to the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, Guo Ji was promoted to the left minister of the Ministry of Education, and the other officials were all promoted to the second rank.

Fu An, Guo Ji and others bowed respectfully in return. Before they could react, they saw Zhu Gaoxu turn around and leave.

These things made Fu An and Guo Ji feel sad. They had seen the Timur Kingdom under Timur's rule. Although it was not as prosperous as the Ming Dynasty, it was still a first-class powerful country.

The once chaotic Jiangdong market town is now square and neatly planned. All roads are paved with concrete and plastered with thick cement. Even if a horse-drawn carriage drives by, it will not feel shaken, and the horseshoes have not even been removed. More abnormal noises.

Among them, the Bank is the yamen that manages the bank in Beijing. Beijing is still supervising its construction. If nothing unexpected happens, Guo Ji can hold this position for seven or eight years.

Zhu Gaoxu seemed to have something urgent. Although his words were full of respect, there was a sense of anxiety.

Fortunately, at this time, Zhu Gaoxu asked Xia Yuanji to stay, and he also stepped forward to explain to Fu An, Guo Ji and others what had happened recently.

Because of this, when facing the welcome of Fu An and others who had returned from being trapped in a foreign country for thirteen years, Zhu Di, who often likes to be lively, was absent, and Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be in a bad mood.

The two looked at each other, feeling that something big had happened in the court.

Unexpectedly, less than five years after Timur's death, Timur's country lost the Persian Gulf, Azerbaijan, and part of Western Persia, and fell into internal divisions and rebellions.

"Yes……"

Because of this, Fu An and the others naturally knew where the places Xia Yuanji mentioned were.

Both parties are fourth-in-command, and judging from the current intelligence, Shaharul will obviously obtain the position of Sultan in the near future. This trajectory is very interesting.

Of course, they just think about this kind of thing in their hearts, and they would never dare to say it out loud.

"Where should I go next?"

Fu An and Xia Yuanji were not familiar with each other, so they didn't ask too much about key information, only where they were going.

Xia Yuanji heard this and stroked his beard, giving people a feeling of spring breeze: "Although the prince is busy, he still held a state banquet at the Huagai Palace for your triumphant return, and His Royal Highness the King of Han was accompanying you."

After that, Xia Yuanji also talked to them about the changes in the past few years.

While he was introducing the changes in the Ming Dynasty over the years, Zhu Gaoxu returned to Chunhe Hall first, but he could not calm down to deal with the memorial.

Normally, he could handle at least thirty memorials in an hour, but now when faced with disaster relief memorials with very simple content, it took him a lot of time to figure out how to provide disaster relief.

"Your Highness, why don't you take a rest? You didn't get a good rest last night, so your body will be exhausted."

Yi Shiha tried to dissuade her with heartache, but Zhu Gaoxu shook his head, sighed and asked, "Yishi Ha, how did you feel when your mother passed away?"

Yishiha's mother has passed away nearly twenty years ago. Looking back now, his memory is very blurry, but even so, he still tried hard to make up for it:
"My mind went blank at the time. I felt like I was completely stunned. I was confused for the past few days. Looking back now, I can't remember any details at all."

"But your Highness, you can rest assured. Your Highness, the Queen, has her own destiny, and she will be fine."

Although he knew that his words were useless at this time, Yi Shiha still tried his best to comfort Zhu Gaoxu.

But even so, Zhu Gaoxu still didn't feel any better emotionally and just thought about himself:
"Actually, my mother and I didn't seem to have been alone together for a long time. When I think about it now, most of them are memories from when we were in Prince Yan's Mansion."

"But now that I look at her like that and know that she may die at any time, my heart seems to be blocked. I can't get up or get down. I feel so nervous."

"Thinking about it carefully, my father is actually more miserable than me. After all, I can at least vent my anger on government affairs, but my father has to face my mother all the time and feel her life gradually drying up..."

As he spoke, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes couldn't help but become blurry, and his tears were wiped clean by him with his thumb before they shed.

After taking a deep breath to suppress the pain in his nose, he raised his head and said:
"If I really want to tell what my mother did to me, I can't seem to tell. But as long as she is still here, I can feel at ease. If she leaves, what will happen to my father and son?"

Zhu Gaoxu has been avoiding Empress Xu for a long time. The time between the two seems to be very little, so little that he cannot express himself in words.

Just thinking about it carefully, how many topics between mother and son can be long enough to discuss?

It seems that as long as she is still here, a warning, a word of care, a gentle pat on the clothes from time to time are worth a thousand words.

If she really left, what should I do?
Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts were already confused and difficult to sort out.

"Your Highness, the Shanxi Provincial Envoy has sent you a memorial."

When Zhu Gaoxu was confused, the eunuch on duty carefully sent a memorial.

Yishiha wanted to scold him, but when Zhu Gaoxu signaled to take it, he took it and handed it to him.

The greatest tragedy for a king is that he needs to put national affairs first. Any private matter can be elevated to state affairs, and any private matter can also affect national affairs.

Because of this, even if Empress Xu was terminally ill, Zhu Gaoxu had to shoulder the work of Zhu Di and him to keep the huge machine of the Ming Dynasty running.

After taking the memorial, Wang Ji's name came into view, which gave Zhu Gaoxu some bad premonitions.

He opened the memorial and saw Wang Ji's memorial in it.

In this memorial, Wang Ji, who is Shanxi's chief inspector, wrote about several shortcomings of the implementation of the New Deal in Shanxi. For example, forced immigration made people complain. In addition, many officials did not pay attention to the local situation on the ground and blindly applied the same application. Examples of success elsewhere.

The most serious of these is that officials organize people to cultivate rice. However, although Shanxi is rich in water resources, most of the cultivated land is mainly dry land. Only wheat, soybeans, millet and other crops can be grown. Forcibly diverting water will only affect other water resources. Water the ground.

After discussion, Wang Ji had asked officials from Shanxi's Chief Envoy Department to suspend the implementation of Shanxi's agricultural policy and go to Shu to ask Zhu Gaoxu for instructions.

From this point of view, although Wang Ji was just an inspector, relying on his background in the East Palace, he could actually get officials seven or eight levels higher than him to accept his suggestions, which made Zhu Gaoxu wary. However, he was not wary of Wang Ji, but of this trend.

"I issued a decree in my tone, scolding the Chief Envoy of Shanxi Province for listening to the advice of a police officer and asking him to take matters into his own hands. The implementation of the New Deal, especially those related to people's livelihood and agriculture, should not be Chief envoy Si Shangshu?"

Zhu Gaoxu first attacked this trend and then responded to the questions raised by Wang Ji.

"In addition, the problems raised by Wang Ji also exist. He ordered the chief ministers in various places not to follow the new policies of other places one by one, but to make certain policy adjustments based on the different situations in each place."

“All policies that do not meet local conditions can be adjusted and suggestions for adjustments can be made.”

"Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes, and the small dishes are the prefectures, counties and towns. The situation in each place is different, and the policy support required will be different accordingly."

"Some need money and food, some need animal power, and some need materials..."

"Propose policy support based on each country's needs, so that the northern economy can be restored as soon as possible. Don't always rely on money and food support from Jiangnan. Instead, we should use the money and food supported by Jiangnan to restore the local economy and feed back Jiangnan."

Zhu Gaoxu was a little angry. He just felt that these officials only wanted to do less good things and make fewer mistakes.

This attitude had disgusted him in his previous life. Now that he met him again, and in addition to his bad mood, it was strange that the officials of the Shanxi Chief Envoy Department did not get scolded.

What he is doing now is to rely on overseas and Jiangnan finances to transfer payments to support the northern and southwestern provinces.

Because of this, Jiangnan looks down upon most places except Jiangnan and Huguang.

If officials in these places are still so unsatisfactory, even if he can try to level the economic gap between the north and the south during his ruling career, the north will still be left behind by Jiangnan in the future, especially at the time of economic transformation.

You know, as the shipping lanes to the Western Ocean become safer, the demand for various commodities on the Maritime Silk Road also begins to increase.

The money originally earned by merchants from various countries was now earned by the official and private fleets under the Ming Dynasty's tribute trade system.

In the south of the Yangtze River, there has begun to be a trend for homesteaders to switch from rice to mulberry, because an acre of rice field can only produce six to seven hundred taels, while an acre of mulberry land can produce nearly two taels of mulberry leaves.

Under the trade-off between the two, the income of homesteaders can nearly double the original basis, and this is only the source of production.

Many sericulture farmers who buy mulberry leaves use them to raise silkworms and produce raw silk. The mulberry leaves produced from one acre of mulberry field can allow silkworms to spit out more than 30 kilograms of processed raw silk. If they are resold, they can make a net profit of several hundred yuan.

If it is made into silk and satin, a piece of silk and satin can be sold for three to six guan.

Such benefits are beyond the reach of the north. Due to climate problems, there are very few places in the north where mulberry and silkworms can be grown, so the gap with Jiangnan will only continue to widen.

In this case, there are problems with the Northern New Deal. How can Zhu Gaoxu not be angry?

"Your Highness, calm down..."

Yi Shiha tried to persuade him carefully, while Zhu Gaoxu, after dealing with Wang Ji's memorial, turned his attention to the other memorials on the table.

Pick up the ink pen and continue to review, even if you feel anxious, there is nothing you can do.

But compared to the fact that he could use government affairs to escape in the Chunhe Hall, Zhu Di, who was facing Empress Xu, was probably the one who felt the most uncomfortable at this moment, besides Empress Xu.

"Slower……"

In the side hall of Qianqing Palace, Zhu Di was sitting in front of the Babu bed, holding a medicinal meal in his hand and a clean basin next to him.

He was usually rough and rough, but now he was feeding Queen Xu in a gentle voice.

On the bed, Queen Xu was even thinner than a few days ago. It was not an exaggeration to say that she was skinny and bones.

She was extremely weak at the moment. She no longer had the usual kindness on her face, only tiredness.

She would feel nauseous from time to time as she ate the porridge containing various kinds of qi and blood replenishing meals.

But even so, she still frowned and ate everything.

After Zhu Di wiped her mouth clean, he helped her lie down on the bed and covered her with a quilt.

"Your Majesty does not need to do these things personally..."

Empress Xu spoke weakly and advised: "At the moment, the most important thing is to focus on court affairs. Gao Xu is handling it alone in the outer court. It is very tiring to think about it..."

Her words were intermittent. Seeing this, Zhu Di shook his head and said with relief: "There have been few memorials these days. Gao Xu can handle it."

"Besides, you are more important to me than the government. Without you, who will help me manage the harem?"

Zhu Di originally meant to say that he couldn't live without Empress Xu, but when Empress Xu heard this, she said as if she was dying: "Yan'er has taken care of me for so many years and has experience in managing the harem before. If I leave, you can let Yan'er help me." I govern.”

"But I still hope that after I leave, His Highness can choose a concubine to support him as the queen, so that the harem can be peaceful..."

"You are the only queen in my life." Zhu Di interrupted Queen Xu's instructions, put down the empty bowl, held Queen Xu's hand and said:
"Get better soon. I don't know how to live my life without you."

Zhu Di spoke softly. With his usual personality, it is difficult for people to think of his change at this moment.

"Is Your Highness scared?"

Empress Xu actually forced a smile. Zhu Di felt like something was stuck in his throat when he heard the words. He calmed down and then said truthfully:

"I still remember how I felt when I heard the female doctors tell me about your results."

"It felt like being splashed with cold water. I will always remember the feeling at that moment. My whole body seemed to be frozen and then suddenly burned violently. It was difficult to breathe and I couldn't stand."

"I just thought about it. I am the head of the family. If I collapse, then the second child will have to support the family alone."

"Hasn't Gao Xu been supporting this family for a long time?" Queen Xu gently held Zhu Di's hand.

Feeling the touch on his hand, Zhu Di felt a sore nose: "Well, that's what I said, but I..."

"I still can't live without you, Sister Xu...you can't leave before me."

Zhu Di couldn't hold it back and actually cried.

"If you leave, what should I do? You said..."

His emotions gradually became uncontrollable, and tears couldn't stop pouring from his eyes.

He and Queen Xu had known each other since they were children. From the time they met to know each other, Queen Xu had been with him for thirty-five years, from when he was a teenager to nearly half a century now.

When Zhu Biao and Zhu Fan died of illness, he was afraid that he wouldn't live for a few more years, but now he thought about it, if he could walk ahead of his sister Xu, maybe he wouldn't have to face all this.

"Sister Xu, why are you sick..."

Zhu Di howled, and the sound of crying came out of the side hall, and the living commentator sitting in the corner wrote down the three words "The Emperor is crying".

"Your Highness..."

Queen Xu looked at the wailing Zhu Di and couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

Does she just want to die?
No, she still wants to live for a long time, until she can see Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanhe, and Zhu Zhanqi marry and have children, and watch the rugged man next to her grow old.

She didn't want to leave either, but what could she do.

Even though she felt very uncomfortable, Empress Xu did not cry because she knew that if she really cried, her Majesty might be even more uncomfortable.

Therefore, she forced a smile and said: "I am almost fifty years old, but I still look like a child."

She seemed to be laughing at Zhu Di, who wiped his tears with his sleeves when he heard this: "Sister..."

"Okay." Empress Xu stretched out her hand as if coaxing a child, wiped away the tears that Zhu Di could not wipe away, and warned:
"There are some things that I'm afraid if I don't say them now, I won't have the energy to tell you later, so after I tell you now, you must remember them."

"Yes!" Facing his sister Xu's words, Zhu Di nodded frequently, fearing that Queen Xu might not see clearly.

"Although the world is peaceful and there is no need for soldiers and armor, the people's livelihood has not been fully restored. Gao Xu's new policy is beneficial to the people. But Gao Xu is the prince after all, and you are the emperor after all. I hope you will be more considerate of Gao Xu."

"When employing people, we must make extensive use of talented people and distinguish right from wrong. Don't discard a person because of his minor faults, and don't entrust a person with important tasks just because of his cleverness. Teach your children and grandchildren to put their studies first and be kind to the clan. Treat each other with justice.”

"I know that your Majesty has always wanted to find a high title for Zengshou, Yingxu and the others, but I can no longer repay your kindness, so you don't have to look at my face and indulge my natal family."

Zhu Di couldn't help but burst into tears while listening, but Empress Xu still held back her tears and explained with a smile: "Everything is about the country. If I pass away, don't worry too much about your personal relationship with me, cherish your self-love, and don't be too sad. "

"In addition, my funeral should be as simple as possible. Money and food should be spent on the people who need it more."

Speaking of this, Queen Xu stretched out her hand and gently touched Zhu Di's face:
"Last time, Your Majesty and I went to Peking. After visiting the widows of those soldiers and seeing them being properly placed, I had no regrets, so Your Majesty, please don't feel sorry for me."

"I feel at ease with Gao Xu and his three brothers. Gao Xu is arrogant, Gao Chi knows how to be restrained. Gao Sui is a little smart, but timid."

"The three brothers are dominated by Gao Xu, so there won't be any big trouble. I just hope that you won't be instigated by treacherous ministers and cause any conflicts with Gao Xu."

"The end..."

"Okay, sister." Seeing Empress Xu panting, Zhu Di patted the back of her hand distressedly:

"You should rest first. Don't be anxious. I'll always be here."

"Hmm..." Feeling the strength coming from her hand, Queen Xu nodded lightly.

Seeing this, Zhu Di wanted to add tea to her, but saw that the kettle was empty.

At this moment, he had driven everyone out of the side hall, so he took a kettle, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and walked out.

After he left, Queen Xu no longer had to hold back, and the scene in front of her eyes was gradually blurred by tears...

(End of this chapter)