Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

When Emperor Zhu Biao and his ministers heard that there was a third rule, they were all stunned and filled with surprise and joy. The first two rules were so earth-shaking, so this third rule would be even more powerful!

Zhu Biao asked anxiously, "Brother-in-law, tell me quickly, what is the good idea of ​​this third one?"

The other ministers also instantly put on an obedient listening attitude again, staring at Ouyang Lun without blinking, afraid of missing a single word.

Ouyang Lun was already accustomed to such reactions from Zhu Biao and his ministers.

He stopped talking too much, took a deep breath, and stated the third point solemnly and directly: "Your Majesty, gentlemen, the third point is also the most important one. We will establish special departments, such as the Yanfan Office, the Ning Office, and the most important one, the Grassland Office. These offices will become the core points connecting the court with the vassal states and the grasslands. Whether it is connecting official affairs or communicating with the people, in a word, we must increase exchanges in all aspects, so that the court, the vassal states, and the grasslands are closely connected to form an organic whole."

Ouyang Lun paused for a moment, glanced sharply at everyone, and then continued, "With these offices, the imperial court's decrees can be transmitted to the vassal states and grasslands more quickly and accurately, and the sentiments and needs of the people in the vassal states and grasslands can be fed back to the imperial court in a timely manner. The commercial exchanges and cultural dissemination of the people can also be guided and promoted in an orderly manner through the offices. In this way, the ties between the parties will become closer, the barriers will gradually be eliminated, and the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's rule will become more solid."

Minister of Revenue Guo Zi was the first to come to his senses. He could not help but applaud and exclaimed: "Your Highness, this plan is really far-sighted! With these offices, the economic development of the grasslands and the vassal states will surely be greatly enhanced, and the tax revenue of the Ministry of Revenue will surely reach a new high."

Minister of Rites Lü Chang stroked his beard and nodded continuously, "Yes, this will help facilitate cultural exchanges. By organizing various cultural activities through the office, the people of the grasslands and the vassal states will have a deeper understanding of our Ming culture, and their sense of cultural identity will surely be greatly enhanced."

Several generals looked at each other, and one of them clasped his fists and said, "My Lord, this way, military dispatch and cooperation can be more efficient. Once there is any unusual movement in the grassland or the vassal state, the court will be able to know it immediately and respond."

Zhu Biao sat on the dragon throne, his eyes full of excitement and admiration. He patted the armrest and said, "Brother-in-law, this third strategy is really the finishing touch! With these three strategies, our Ming Dynasty will surely create an unprecedented prosperous situation!"

The ministers in the hall clasped their fists and shouted in unison: "Your Highness, your plan is truly brilliant and will bring peace to the world!"

When the noise in the hall died down, Zhu Biao suddenly remembered an important matter. He frowned slightly and said solemnly, "This time, Lan Yu and the Prince of Yan led the army to defeat the brothers Nairbuhua and Alutai, and the border is temporarily peaceful. These two have made great contributions in the war. How should we reward them? Do you have any good ideas?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle.

Minister of Revenue Guo Zi was the first to break the silence. He twisted his beard and looked cautious: "Your Majesty, Lan Yu underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, resulting in the loss of 30,000 troops. He is guilty of a serious crime. Although he has made military achievements this time, it can only be regarded as a meritorious service to atone for his crime. In my opinion, it is better not to reward him. On the contrary, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, who personally led the Yan army to defeat Alutai and penetrated deep into Mobei as if entering an uninhabited area, should be rewarded heavily to show his merits!"

Before he finished speaking, Wang Huidi, the Minister of Justice, refuted fiercely. He took a step forward, and the hem of his official robe rustled as he moved: "Lord Guo, what you said is wrong! General Lan Yu defeated Nairbuhua this time and turned the tide of the war. His contribution is indispensable. Past mistakes cannot cover up today's achievements, and he should be rewarded generously! As for the Prince of Yan..." He paused, a complicated look flashed in his eyes, "It is sensitive for the princes to control the army. If you reward them generously, I am afraid that the princes will become too powerful."

Among the military generals, several generals who were on good terms with Lan Yu spoke up and demanded a generous reward for Lan Yu; while officials who had close relations with Prince of Yan argued and insisted on rewarding Zhu Di generously.

For a while, there was endless debate in the court, and the opinions of all parties were deadlocked. As Zhu Biao listened, his brows furrowed more and more, and his expression became more and more conflicted.

Amid the noise, Zhu Biao suddenly raised his hand to signal for silence. His gaze passed over the ministers and fell directly on Ouyang Lun, his eyes full of expectation: "Brother-in-law, you are very wise, what do you think about this matter?"

The hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ouyang Lun.

Ouyang Lun was not in a hurry. He raised his hand and straightened his sleeves. He looked calm and composed. "Your Majesty, from ancient times to the present, the basic principle of governing the army and the country is to distinguish between rewards and punishments. Lan Yu's previous mistakes should be punished according to the law; his achievements this time should also be rewarded according to the rules. Merits are merits, and mistakes are mistakes. They should not be confused."

He paused for a moment, glanced at everyone, and continued, "As for the King of Yan, he has defended the country and expanded the territory, and his contributions should be praised, but the scale of rewards and punishments must be carefully measured, both to show the emperor's grace and to ensure the majesty of the court. Only when rewards and punishments are appropriate can the soldiers be convinced and everyone can be motivated to serve on the battlefield."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes were wiped away. He slapped the armrest of the dragon throne heavily and laughed, "My brother-in-law's words have awakened me from my dream! It is clear about rewards and punishments! Come here, draft an order immediately. According to my brother-in-law's words, rewards will be given according to merits and punishments will be given according to crimes!"

The imperial edict fell like thunder, and the entire Huaixi Party residence was decorated with lights and colors.

When Lan Yu knelt to receive the imperial edict, his sleeves with golden python patterns shone coldly under the candlelight. When he heard the officer reading "Restore the Duke of Liang and grant him the title of General of the Military Cabinet", veins on his forehead throbbed and he couldn't suppress a low laugh from his throat.

Late that night, the core members of the Huaixi Party gathered at the Lan Mansion. The crisp sound of wine jars breaking on the blue brick floor mixed with rough laughter and scolding. The moonlight shone through the carved window lattices, stretching out the silhouette of Lan Yu leaning on the tiger-skin chair.

"I told you!" Lan Yu slammed the wine bowl on the sandalwood table, making the bronze tiger talisman on the table clang. "Zhu Biao doesn't dare to touch me! The army in this world still depends on us Huaixi people!" He raised his hand to wipe the wine stains from the corners of his mouth, and his scarlet eyes swept over his confidants in the room. "This time, what we have taken back is not just the official position, but the prestige of our Huaixi!"

Before he finished speaking, Deputy General Cao Zhen suddenly drew out his sword, and the tip of the sword ignited the candlelight, causing the shadows of people in the hall to sway: "The general is right! Those pedantic civil servants always say that our Huaixi Party is domineering. Now that the general has been reinstated, let's see who dares to fart!"

The crowd responded loudly. Some slammed the table and shouted that they wanted to trample the officials who opposed the Huaixi Party under their feet, while others clamored to expand their private army. The smell of alcohol and blood was steaming in the warm room.

Lan Yu stroked the newly bestowed jade belt with python pattern, thinking of the territorial balance strategy proposed by Ouyang Lun, and a sinister look flashed in his eyes. "I heard that the prince consort set up some kind of office?" He sneered, "The court wants to extend its hand to the grassland? Dream on! We have been operating in the northwest for many years. The grassland's trade routes and horse farms, which one can be separated from Huaixi?"

He stood up suddenly, and the hem of his brocade robe swept the documents on the desk. "Pass the order down, from now on, the dispatch of food and wages in the northwest vassal state must go through me! Anyone who dares to interfere will be an enemy of the Huaixi Party!"

"The general is mighty!"

"The general fought this battle so beautifully, and it brought out the dignity of the Huaixi people! We Huaixi people can stand up straight again!" The drunken lieutenant general Zhang Yi staggered to Lan Yu's feet and reached out to hold his python-patterned boots. "Those censors who impeached you back then are now so scared that they are about to urinate when they see the general's tiger talisman!"

Amidst the laughter in the room, Cao Zhen smashed a jar of liquor at Lan Yu's feet, and the liquor splashed onto Lan Yu's brand new jade belt. "What office? The sabers of us Huaixi people are the strictest rules in the northwest!" Lan Yu raised his head and drank it down. The liquor flowed down his gnarled neck into his clothes, reflecting tiny golden rays under the candlelight.

He kicked away the stool beside him, stepped onto the table with his feet on the mottled wine stains, and his brocade robe rustled. "The neighing of war horses on this grassland, the dispatch of food and fodder, none of them can be separated from Huaixi?" Before he finished speaking, everyone in the hall drew their swords in unison, and the clanging sound of the blades hitting each other made the dust on the beams fall off.

"We will fight wherever the general points!" Qianhu Liu Meng smashed the wine bowl against the beam. At the moment when the pottery shards splashed, everyone shouted in unison: "The iron bones of Huaixi will never bend!" Lan Yu looked down at the crazy people and laughed!

"Ha ha!"

"Ha ha!"

These laughters seemed to be venting the frustrations felt during the previous moments of loneliness!

Ouyang Lun leaned against the carved window of the study, looking at the raindrops dripping from the eaves, and slammed the secret report in his hand on the sandalwood table.

In just three days, he had received seven handwritten notes. Either the retired emperor Zhu Yuanzhang asked him to check the accounts of military farms in the northwest, or Zhu Biao ordered him to coordinate the first batch of candidates for the grassland office.

The parchment curled slightly under the candlelight, and the eight words "This is a matter of national destiny, and it must be you" with wet ink pierced his temples and made them throb.

"Do these father and son think I'm made of iron?" He grabbed the teacup on the desk and took a gulp. The scalding hot tea made him cough repeatedly. "The other day they said 'we can put this off because of your hard work', but the next moment they sent someone to deliver the urgent news of the rebellion of the Western Regions merchant caravan; yesterday they just said 'I'm not feeling well', but the eunuch who came to visit the Crown Prince came with the imperial medicine and even brought the imperial physician to treat him!"

Thunder exploded outside the window, and Ouyang Lun stood up suddenly, sweeping the bamboo slips off the table with his brocade robe.

He looked at the mess on the ground and suddenly remembered that when Zhu Yuanzhang summoned him the day before, his skinny fingers stroked the jade belt buckle and he said with a smile: "I heard that you wanted to take a break? When we were conquering the world." Before he finished speaking, he patted his shoulder meaningfully.

There was also Zhu Biao's earnestly worded letter, which ended with the words "My royal brother really has no one to trust, only my brother-in-law can help him out of this predicament", accompanied by the ambergris specially made in the imperial study, which made him so intoxicated that he couldn't even think of refusing.

"What a great Ming dynasty Zhou Ba Pi!" Ouyang Lun gritted his teeth and crumpled up the secret report. "One plays the good cop and the other plays the bad cop. They have mastered the principle of 'using them like oxen and horses' to perfection! I'm afraid the threshold of my Prince Consort's mansion will be trampled through by the eunuchs delivering the imperial edict!"

Before he finished speaking, the young eunuch's clear voice came from outside the door: "My Lord, the inner court has issued an order - the emperor invites you to enter the Taile Palace at noon tomorrow to discuss the opening of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway."

Ouyang Lun sighed to the sky, grabbed the wolf hair brush on the desk and wrote wildly on the rice paper: "If the king wants his subjects to be busy, the subjects have to be busy." The ink was so strong that it penetrated the back of the paper, but gradually spread out in the thunder, just like his anger that had nowhere to vent.

Ouyang Lun hurriedly stepped into Taile Palace through the accumulated water. There were still traces of heavy rain on the bluestone slabs.

The hall was filled with the smell of sandalwood. Zhu Yuanzhang was leaning on a coiled dragon couch, tapping the gilded low table with his skinny fingers. The railway map spread out on the desk was covered with densely drawn vermilion annotations.

"You're late." Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even raise his head, and his old voice echoed in the empty hall, "Do you know why I'm in such a hurry to summon you? The Beijing-Ping Railway cost hundreds of millions of taels of silver, enough to support tens of thousands of troops! The whole court is eyeing my treasury, tell me, is this money worth spending?"

Ouyang Lun wiped the water from his forehead and glanced at the several tunnel markings circled in cinnabar on the map - that was the most expensive section of the project.

He took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, when Qin Shihuang built the Lingqu Canal, the whole country complained, but now the Lingqu Canal is still nourishing Lingnan. This Beijing-Pingyang Railway connects the north and the south. It seems to be a waste of money, but in fact it is the 'golden line' that revitalizes the world. When the railway is completed, silk from Jiangnan can reach Beijing in three days, and the loss of grain and grass transportation can be reduced by 70%. The commercial tax alone can..."

"That's easy to say!" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly sat up straight, and the hem of his dragon robe swept the paperweight on the table. "The money borrowed from the silver cabinet must be repaid, the wages of the craftsmen must be paid, and the people who occupied the land along the line must be appeased! The last landslide accident reported killed more than 30 people!"

Veins popped out on the old man's wrinkled face, and his cloudy eyes stared at Ouyang Lun, "Tell me the truth, can this railway really be built?"

Thunder roared outside the palace again. Ouyang Lun looked at the winding railway line on the map and thought of the snow-capped mountain permafrost samples brought back by the exploration team. He pulled out a roll of blueprints from his sleeve and rustled as he unfolded it: "This is a new and improved method for forging rails, using refined iron imported from Southeast Asia. I have set up a test section in Tongzhou. When a loaded carriage passes by, the rails do not move at all. As for the funds." He lowered his voice, "I have had a secret talk with the Shanxi merchants. As long as we promise preferential taxes along the railway, they are willing to invest and participate in the shares."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly became as sharp as an eagle: "Let merchants interfere in the lifeblood of the country?"

"Merchants pursue profits, but they also know how to calculate." Ouyang Lun met that look calmly, "Let them invest money to build the road. It will not only solve the urgent needs of the court, but also borrow their management strength. If the railway is completed, they will earn real money, and the court will gain a foundation for eternity. It's just a matter of each taking what they need."

After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the paperweight on the ground and pressed it heavily on the center of the map: "Call the people from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow. You repeat these words in front of all the civil and military officials in the court." He paused, and his voice suddenly became hoarse, "If it fails, our reputation will be ruined by this railway track."

"Also, the tracks are almost laid, and even the platform is almost finished. When will it be officially opened? You must give us a definite answer today!"

Facing Zhu Yuanzhang's questioning, Ouyang Lun was quite calm, "Your Majesty, the rails have been laid, but testing also takes time! Safety is no small matter, we have to be safe!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched (End of this chapter)