Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

Husuo, with more than a thousand soldiers, went to suppress the Japanese pirates, but only injured fifteen people. Not to mention chopping off the heads of the pirates, they didn't even catch a single one!

"This is a shame!"

"The shame of the Ming navy!"

"Shame on the court!"

The soup and the dough were shaking.

"grandfather……"

Tang He looked at his grandson indifferently and said angrily: "Don't call me grandpa! I can't afford to lose this man! How could a descendant of the Tang family do such a useless thing!"

"Why did your father write to us? To ask us to beg for mercy?"

Tang Yu shook his head: "Grandpa, Dad asked me to say hello for you. He is willing to die to atone for his crime! I will leave it to the emperor to decide!"

"Bastard!"

Tang He cursed: "His father is not dead yet! How can he die?! If he has to die, he should die on the battlefield!"

"You go down first!"

Tang He waved his hands weakly, his whole body seemed to be boneless, his face was ashen, and his lips were trembling.

In a campaign to suppress the Japanese in the southeast, the small Japanese barbarians were not worth mentioning in front of the powerful Ming army. Their ships, muskets, and military quality were far inferior to those of the Ming Dynasty.

In this situation, how could they be defeated?!
Tang He was very angry.

The old man kept saying that he wanted more than 300 heads of Japanese pirates. A farm in Haiyan County was looted not long ago, and now more than ten people of the Ming navy were injured!

If the emperor heard the news that followed, even if the emperor took care of himself, I'm afraid that his son would not have a good life!

Dismissal from office and removal from title are trivial matters. If the emperor is really furious, he might really resort to violence!

Tang He pursed his lips, his eyes flickering.

This matter...I'm afraid I can only rely on the emperor's grandson.

Tang He gritted his teeth and called his grandson back: "Go prepare some expensive gifts, the more expensive the better!"

Tang Yu's face lit up: "Grandpa is going to ask the emperor to plead for father?"

Tang He said angrily, "Bullshit! You don't understand the emperor's temper. If you really go to him, your father will die! There is only one person who can save your father now! Only him!"

Tang Yu scratched his head and asked curiously, "Who?"

Tang He said: "Why are you asking so many nonsense questions? Go and prepare the gifts!"

"Oh, okay! Grandson will go right away!"
.
….…….….….….
Xu Mansion.

Xu Huizu's face was not good at this time, and he was extremely gloomy. He knocked on Xu Miaojin's door roughly: "Open the door for me!"

Xu Miaojin opened the door: "Brother, it's so late, what happened?"

Xu Huizu said angrily: "How dare you say that! What's going on in Suzhou Prefecture?"

"Why did you write a letter to Suzhou Prefecture in the name of the Xu family and ask Suzhou Prefecture to transfer two merchants from the weaving factory to Jiaozhi? What are you planning?"

Xu Miaojin said casually, "Brother, I think Jiaozhi should be able to develop. The weaving business in Suzhou Prefecture is already saturated, and we can no longer expand our wealth there. Instead of doing that, why not try our luck in Jiaozhi, which is even poorer!"

Xu Huizu was furious: "You...you even lied to your own brother? I'm not as smart as you, but I'm not a fool!"

"You know better than me what the Xu family's sensitive status is now. How dare you go to Suzhou Prefecture to recruit people? What on earth are you planning?"

Xu Miaojin stuck out her tongue, thought for a moment, and then said, "Oh, so that's it."

She looked at Xu Huizu and suddenly said, "Okay, I'm helping Mr. Zhu. Yes, I'm helping Mr. Zhu."

Perhaps she felt that something was not right, so she mentioned it again.

Xu Huizu's face flushed with anger, and he pointed at Xu Miaojin tremblingly: "You are crazy!"

"You still dare to touch the Xu family's connections now, aren't you afraid that the old man will kill us?"

Xu Miaojin shook his head: "No, big brother, you think too much. Anyway, this is a win-win situation. Since we can't enjoy power, we should make some money to live a stable life in the second half of our lives, right?"

"Master Zhu is governing Jiaozhi and investing in a weaving factory there. Although there may not be any returns in the short term, once Jiaozhi starts to thrive..."

"Stop!" Xu Huizu said, "Do you want me to discuss this with you? Let me ask you, are you sure that the old man will not find out that our Xu family has dealings with Suzhou Prefecture?"

Xu Miaojin shook her head: "I'm afraid the old man will know tonight, but not only will he not blame us, I think he will turn a blind eye."

Xu Huizu was speechless. "What do you want me to say to you, you little bitch? You are gambling with the life of the Xu family. Can you help Master Zhu without taking an unconventional approach?"

"Also, even if you move the weaving mills to Jiaozhi, what value can you create? And how much wealth do we have to invest there? When can we get our money back? Have you calculated it?"

Xu Miaojin shook her head and said bluntly: "No."

Xu Huizu was shocked. "So you didn't know anything and transferred the merchants from the weaving factory to set up the factory?"

Xu Miaojin thought about it and said, "You can say that."

"You! Xu Miaojin! I! OK, big brother admires you. Our Xu family owes you, we owe you! She hasn't married yet, hahaha, good, very good!"

Xu Huizu was so angry that his whole body was shaking. He walked away, swaying and laughing towards the sky.

Looking at Xu Huizu's angrily leaving back, Xu Miaojin rolled her eyes.

"It's just a small amount of money, why do you feel so bad about it, you stingy guy."

Xu Miaojin held her chin, listening to the sound of rain outside, and suddenly smiled shyly, seeming a little happy.

………………

the other side.

Late at night.

Zhu Xiongying was still writing furiously.

Regarding the idea of ​​opening the Jiaozhi Tea-Horse Trade, Zhu Xiongying wanted to write down all possible details.

The tea-horse trade began to meet the trade needs of the border areas. The Central Plains was short of horses, and the areas outside the borders were short of the Central Plains' porcelain, tea, and silk.

Later, over time, a concept similar to the earliest trade zone was formed.

The southwest is close to Myanmar and Champa. Now all countries are closed to each other. If you want to trade with other countries, you need to issue a trade certificate from that country.

But once the Tea-Horse Trade Zone was opened, merchants from both countries could trade freely within the trade zone.

Trade carries high tariffs, but also risks.

Just like the maritime ban, once the maritime ban is lifted, bandits will create unrest along the coast and endanger the country's foundation.

The same principle applies to reciprocity zones.

Every exchange zone opened by the Ming Dynasty was heavily guarded to prevent unrest at the border and to prevent bandits from entering the border to rob.

So the military factors need to be taken into consideration.

If you send troops to station there, you have to bear the military expenses, and the things involved are not just trade issues.

But the only advantage is that there shouldn't be too many civil servants who object.

After all, people in the imperial court don’t think much of the Jiaozhi Provincial Administration.

Zhu Xiongying thought slowly, taking many things into consideration.

It can be said that every decision should not be made lightly.

The more he understood this country, the more cautious Zhu Xiongying became.

It was a long time later that Zhu Xiongying wrote a memorial on the plan for the tea-horse exchange.

It was late at night and the sound of frogs croaking could be heard outside. The drizzle of summer rain was still beating on the bluestone pavement.

Judging from the time, the ships in the southeast have been built on a large scale, and it seems urgent to discuss Zheng He's voyages with Lan Yu.

In any case, a trial voyage should be put on the agenda.

Zhu Xiongying closed the window, lay on the bed and thought for a while, then he began to snore softly. ………………

Yesterday, it rained for the first time in early summer.

It's a fine day today.

Zhu Xiongying got up early.

Since the last time Zhu Yuanzhang was infected with malaria, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to come to the Zhu Mansion more frequently every day.

Zhu Yuanzhang came early this morning.

Zhu Xiongying happened to have something to discuss with the old man, so he didn't go out for a morning run.

"Boy, what's the matter?"

The old man looked at Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Xiongying smiled awkwardly and said, "Grandpa, if you hadn't told me, I would have almost forgotten that I really have something to talk to you about."

"Come on!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, "You are just waiting for us!"

Zhu Xiongying smiled, took out a long document from the study, and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Grandpa, here, this is a letter about opening the Jiaozhi Tea-Horse Exchange Zone, would you like to take a look?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, "You kid, you still don't plan to give up business?"

Zhu Xiongying said: "Since the Central Plains is not yet ready for business, why not try it in Jiaozhi?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said helplessly: "Liaodong has opened the tea-horse exchange, but has not received much money. This thing is a convenience given by our dynasty to the barbarians. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages. I do not recommend opening it."

Zhu Yuanzhang had unique views on agriculture, but always maintained certain limitations on commerce.

The tea-horse exchange in Liaodong was due to a real need for horses, and it was not primarily about making money.

As for the fact that the tea-horse exchange in Suzhou area in the northwest was not profitable, it was entirely because the Silk Road was not peaceful. The Ming Dynasty's cavalry could not reach that far for the time being, and even horse bandits were rampant on the Silk Road. Over time, very few people could go to the northwest to do business.

The opening of Jiaozhi can completely make up for the shortcomings of Northwest and Liaodong!

From west to north, we can absorb sheep, cattle, horses, saffron, spices, etc. from U-Tsangdusi.

To the west and south, we can absorb rice, jade, jadeite, etc. from Myanmar and Champa.

The Ming Dynasty could export tea, silk, porcelain, cotton, etc. from within the country in exchange for high tariff differences.

In any case, the Jiaozhi Exchange Zone must have more advantages than disadvantages!

Zhu Xiongying thought about it, then smiled and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Grandpa, please take a look and decide after you have read it."

Zhu Yuanzhang threw the document aside and said, "I won't read it. Since Jiaozhi has been handed over to you, I will trust you. Anyway, the court doesn't care much about Jiaozhi."

"There won't be any big trouble over there."

"It's up to you to decide how to develop it. As long as there are no serious problems, it's fine."

Zhu Xiongying said speechlessly: "I prepared all night last night..."

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at Zhu Xiongying and said unhappily, "Didn't I tell you that you are the one who makes the decision in Jiaozhi?"

Zhu Xiongying said: "But you still have to give an explanation to the ministers above."

"What's wrong with the ministers? They all believe you! Even if they don't, we will make them believe you." Zhu Yuanzhang stretched his neck.

Ok.

Zhu Xiongying said: "Grandpa, can you help transfer someone?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Do you need a Jiaozhi Tea and Horse Envoy?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "The person has been found, the head of the Ministry of Works, Lian Zining."

Zhu Yuanzhang said cheerfully: "Yes!"

Zhu Xiongying was a little stunned. The old man really didn't refuse at all. This showed that he trusted him completely!

"The Minister of Works is called Qin Da."

The old man said suddenly: "This person is very knowledgeable about the doctrine of the mean, but he doesn't have much talent, and he won't make many mistakes."

"You don't seem to have had much contact with Qin Da... Hmm." The old man muttered to himself, "You should have some contact with him. I've already known all the ministers of the six ministries, but I won't be in a hurry to get to know the smaller fish and shrimps below."

"As long as we capture the heads of various departments, we will be able to control the core of the court."

Zhu Xiongying stared at Zhu Yuanzhang blankly, and asked in confusion: "What are you talking about, old man?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Nothing, let's let Qin Da come to see you when there's a chance."

Zhu Xiongying: "..."

Miss Xu has been acting strangely these past two days, but the old man has also started to speak without restraint these past two days.

What's wrong?

Just when Zhu Xiongying was suspicious.

Tang He came over tremblingly.

"The old Duke is here?" Zhu Xiongying quickly invited Tang He to take a seat.

Tang He didn't dare to sit down at this time. He glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang cautiously, then smiled and said to Zhu Xiongying: "Here are some good things. Well, they are not really good things. They are just some hundred-year-old Korean ginseng or something. Haha, but they are good for men."

Zhu Xiongying asked puzzledly: "What is the old Duke doing?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said with a smile: "He is a stingy person. Now he is plucking his feathers, which means he has something to ask of you. What else can you do?"

Zhu Xiongying reacted and said to Tang He with a smile: "Old Duke, just tell me what you want to say, why are you being so polite?"

Tang He's expression suddenly became somewhat solemn, and he said tremblingly: "We...will die!"

"what?"

Seeing Tang He bending over, Zhu Xiongying quickly helped him up and said, "This will shorten your life! Old Duke, what's wrong with you? If you have anything to say, please speak slowly."

"Come, please sit down first."

Tang He refused to do so and still bent over: "Old friend, let us plead for our descendants."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Zhu Huai and said, "Let him go and let him talk."

Zhu Xiongying became even more suspicious when he saw that the old man suddenly became serious.

The relationship between the old man and Tang He is known to everyone.

but now….
But the old man didn't give him any face at all. Even though he was so old, he still asked him to bend down and salute respectfully.

This is getting weirder and weirder. What on earth is happening? What went wrong?
Tang He was shaking violently: "My descendants are incompetent... The Southeast... suffered a defeat."

Swish!
Zhu Xiongying stared at Tang He fiercely.

Zhu Yuanzhang also clenched the teacup tightly with both hands.

"go on!"

Tang He said quickly, "Our eldest son Tang Sheng ordered a thousand-household unit to suppress the Japanese pirates. Not only did they injure more than a dozen Ming soldiers, but they didn't catch any Japanese pirates... but they did."

boom!
Zhu Yuanzhang threw the teacup at Tang He's feet and his face turned pale instantly.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

Tang He's legs were trembling. He was already old, but Zhu Yuanzhang didn't give him any face at all.

"Great defeat in the southeast." Tang He spoke word by word.

There was a sudden silence.

The old man's sudden anger stunned Zhu Xiongying.

He had never seen the old man like this.

Zhu Xiongying knew that the old man wanted to save face, and a few days ago he swore to himself that he would take 300 heads of Japanese pirates in the southeast. (End of this chapter)