Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 687 Private Visit on Weibo
Zhu Yuanzhang had previously released this strategy in secret and ordered local officials to actively implement it. At the same time, they also reorganized the border defense forces, increased military spending, and strengthened the defense against the northern grassland peoples. How did Lin Che know this information? Did Lin Che also get this information by chance? Or did Lin Che figure it out himself? No matter which method it was, it was too terrifying for him. However, the shock that Lin Che brought to him was not just one or two days, and Zhu Yuanzhang was used to it, but he was still shocked.

After all, how can there be such a big difference between people? Zhu Di gradually clarified the development direction of the Ming Dynasty in the discussion with Lin Che. They realized that only by solving the problem of grand events and improving the living standards of the appointed people can the foundation of the Ming Dynasty be truly consolidated. When Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials in the imperial study late at night, he received a report about Lin Che's accurate prediction of the court's secret policies, and decided to visit this mysterious hermit in person.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di visited Lin Che's mountain residence in disguise and found that this young hermit lived a simple life but was knowledgeable and well-versed in the court's policies. Lin Che not only accurately described the details of Zhu Yuanzhang's secretly implemented border defense policy, but also predicted possible livelihood issues in the future, which shocked Zhu Yuanzhang. Lin Che proposed the concept of "a country is strong when its people are prosperous", and believed that the current excessive investment in border defense may increase the burden on the people, and suggested that Zhu Yuanzhang adjust the focus of his policy.

After fierce debate, Zhu Yuanzhang began to reflect on his own strategy for governing the country, realized the importance of people's livelihood issues, and decided to reconsider the direction of national development.

The candlelight in the imperial study was still bright in the middle of the night. Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his sore eyes and put down the memorial in his hand. The sound of the clappers at midnight came from outside the window, but he had no desire to sleep. The desk was piled with secret reports sent from various places, and one of them caught his special attention.

"Lin Che." Zhu Yuanzhang whispered the name, frowning. He picked up the secret report from Peking and read it again, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

The secret report detailed the content of many conversations between Yan Wang Zhu Di and a hermit named Lin Che. What shocked Zhu Yuanzhang the most was that Lin Che actually accurately stated the border defense policy he had secretly issued three months ago - to reorganize the army, increase military spending, and strengthen northern defense. He never made these policies public, but only conveyed them to border generals and local officials through the secret channels of Jinyiwei.

"How did he know?" Zhu Yuanzhang muttered to himself, with a flash of vigilance in his eyes. He stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the candlelight. As a legendary figure who rose from a beggar to an emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely sensitive to any possible threats.

There were slight footsteps outside the door, and the eunuch Wang Jinghong cautiously poked his head in: "Your Majesty, it's late at night, you should rest." "Go and call Prince Yan to the palace." Zhu Yuanzhang said without turning his head, his voice low and majestic.

Wang Jinghong was stunned: "Now? Your Majesty, it's already three o'clock in the morning."

"Now." Zhu Yuanzhang repeated briefly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

In less than an hour, Zhu Di hurried to the palace. His clothes were a little messy, and he was obviously awakened from his sleep. After entering the imperial library, he immediately knelt down and saluted: "Your son pays respect to your father."

Zhu Yuanzhang motioned for him to stand up and pushed the secret report directly in front of him: "Who is this Lin Che?"

Zhu Di took the secret report and glanced at it quickly, with a look of surprise on his face: "Father, you already know about it? I was just about to report this to you." "I want to know, how did he get to know the secrets of the court?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked straight at Zhu Di with sharp eyes.

Zhu Di took a deep breath and said, "I don't understand why either. Mr. Lin seems to be able to predict the future. He not only knows the court's policies very well, but can even predict what might happen in the future. At first, I suspected that he was a spy, but after many contacts, I found that he had no ill will towards the court. Instead, he put forward many suggestions that benefit the country and the people."

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows, "What did he say?"

Zhu Di's eyes flashed with excitement: "Mr. Lin believes that the current priority of our Ming Dynasty is not to strengthen border defense blindly, but to solve people's livelihood problems. He said that 'a country is strong when its people are rich'. Only when the people live and work in peace and contentment can the country be truly strong. He also specifically proposed suggestions such as reducing taxes, building water conservancy projects, and encouraging commerce."

Zhu Yuanzhang listened, and the expression on his face gradually changed from suspicion to contemplation. He paced in the imperial study with his hands behind his back, and suddenly stopped: "Tomorrow, you take me to see this Lin Che."

Zhu Di looked up in surprise: "Father wants to go on a secret visit?"

"That's right." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, "I want to personally meet this strange man who can predict the future." The next morning, an ordinary carriage quietly left the palace and drove out of the city. Zhu Yuanzhang changed into a wealthy businessman's clothes, and Zhu Di dressed as an attendant. The two of them drove lightly and came to a thatched cottage in a quiet mountain forest on the outskirts of the city.

The thatched cottage is built on the hillside, surrounded by bamboo forests, and a stream flows in front of the door, creating a quiet and elegant environment. A young man in a green robe was brewing tea in the yard. Seeing a guest coming, he stood up to greet him.

"Your Highness, Prince of Yan, how come you have time to visit me today?" Lin Che bowed and spoke in a clear voice. He looked to be about 25 or 26 years old, with a thin face, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and energetic.

Zhu Di smiled and returned the greeting: "Mr. Lin, today I brought a friend to visit you, and he is very interested in your opinions."

Lin Che turned his gaze to Zhu Yuanzhang, and was slightly startled, then smiled meaningfully: "This gentleman has an extraordinary demeanor, he must not be an ordinary person."

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, but he didn't show it on his face: "I heard that you are knowledgeable and talented, so I came here to ask for your advice."

Lin Che made a gesture of invitation: "My humble abode is simple, please come in. The tea is just boiling, so we can drink and talk at the same time."

The three of them entered the thatched cottage. The interior furnishings were extremely simple, but spotless. There were several landscape paintings hanging on the wall, and various books were neatly arranged on the bookshelf. The most eye-catching thing was a map of the territory of the Ming Dynasty spread out on the table, which was densely marked with various symbols and words.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze lingered on the map for a moment, and he was secretly shocked - the locations of the border garrisons marked on it were exactly the same as the actual ones, even some details that he didn't even remember were accurately marked.

Lin Che seemed to notice his gaze and smiled, "I have nothing to do, so I like to study geography and military affairs. I'm sorry to bother you two."

He skillfully poured tea for the three people, and the aroma of tea rose up and spread throughout the simple thatched cottage.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the teacup and got straight to the point: "I heard that you have a lot of insights into the court's policies, especially border affairs. I wonder what you think of the emperor's recent move to strengthen the northern defense?"

Lin Che took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and vision. It makes sense to strengthen border defense. The remnant Yuan forces in the north have not been eliminated, and the Wala and other tribes are becoming increasingly powerful. We must be on guard."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed: "These things have never been made public by the court, how did you know about them?"

Lin Che put down the teacup and looked calm, "I'm just observing his words and expressions. Since last year, the food and wages of the towns in the north have increased, military equipment has been frequently mobilized, and the border garrisons have been redeployed. In addition, according to rumors from merchants and travelers, border inspections have become more stringent. All signs indicate that the court is preparing to deal with the threat from the north."

This statement was watertight, but Zhu Yuanzhang knew that things were not that simple. Those transfers were carried out through secret channels, and ordinary businessmen could not detect it at all.

(End of this chapter)