Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Zhu Gang had a gloomy face. He slowly walked to the window and suddenly pushed open the carved window.

With a loud bang, the window hit the wall hard.

Even the window frame shook violently a few times, as if it couldn't bear such rough treatment, and made a few creaking sounds in protest.

The cool night breeze, carrying a hint of chill, rushed into the house impatiently.

The air blew wildly on Zhu Gang, but the annoyance was like a thorn in his side.

No matter how hard the cool breeze tried, it was unable to blow it away even a little bit.

Zhu Gang's brows were tightly furrowed into the shape of a deep "川" character, and his eyes were gazing deeply at the dark night outside the window.

It seems that the answers to all questions are hidden in the endless darkness.

He put his hands behind his back, secretly wondering what the deeper meaning was behind the rumors that had been growing like weeds in recent days.

The more Zhu Gang thought about it, the more he felt that there was something strange about this matter, and it was definitely not as simple as it seemed.

There must be someone plotting this behind the scenes, but what is the purpose of this mastermind?

Zhu Gang walked back and forth in the room several times, and finally called over his most trusted and trusted adviser, Master Chen.

As soon as Master Chen entered the room, he felt the depressing atmosphere in the room.

He looked up at Zhu Gang and saw that he was frowning. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, you called me here so late at night. Is there something important you want to discuss?"

Zhu Gang raised his hand slightly, indicating that he didn't need to be polite, and then frowned and asked: "Master Chen, tell me, why did this demon sect choose to attack the stables of our palace?

I have been thinking about this for the past few days, and I always feel that there is something very interesting in it."

Master Chen stroked his beard, frowned slightly, paced slowly and thought for a while, then said: "Your Highness, the current situation in the Ming Dynasty is really complicated.

Although the Northern Yuan Dynasty suffered a severe military blow from our Ming Dynasty in the past few years, it was after all a force that had been entrenched in the grasslands for many years.

Today, they are still eyeing the border covetously, provoking small-scale frictions from time to time.

That intention is obviously to make a comeback and restore the former glory. "

Zhu Gang nodded slightly, his eyes showing a serious look.

Master Chen continued, "And those Japanese pirates along the coast are simply a pack of vicious wolves!

They caused trouble along the coast, burned, killed, looted and committed all kinds of evil, making the people along the coast suffer terribly.

The imperial court is now in urgent need of strengthening its military strength in order to ensure peace and prosperity for the people of the Ming Dynasty.

The horse policy has become the top priority, as it is a major issue concerning the military foundation of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang frowned even more tightly, his eyes full of worry.

“Master, what you said is absolutely right. I am also aware of the importance of horse administration.

But what exactly is the purpose of this evil sect's action?"

Master Chen coughed lightly and lowered his voice and said, "In my opinion, the Devil Cult's actions were most likely instigated by those forces that want to undermine Ma Zheng.

They first attacked the palace stables, creating such chaos.

Using this incident to spread rumors among the people is an extremely sinister intention.

They just want to discredit you, Your Highness, and put the horse administration in trouble so that they can seek personal gain."

After hearing this, Zhu Gang rubbed his temples irritably, sighed and said, "Ah, Master, you are right!

But in this situation, I want to investigate this matter thoroughly, but I have many concerns.

This matter is like a tangled mess. If I exert any effort, I am afraid that it will cause more trouble."

Master Chen also sighed, then he stepped forward and advised softly: "Your Highness, if you rashly participate in the investigation of the horse farm, you may be used by someone with ulterior motives to spread some unfounded rumors.

This will not only damage your reputation, Your Highness, and cause the people to misunderstand you, but it may also affect the smooth implementation of the entire horse policy plan.

By then, the ministers in the court will no longer be suspicious of you, the prince. The consequences will be disastrous."

Zhu Gang looked helpless and slowly sat back in his chair.

The chair seemed unable to bear his frustration and made a slight creaking sound, as if sighing for His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin.

Zhu Gang let out a long sigh, and that sigh was full of reluctance and helplessness.

For now, he could only suppress his anxiety and wait for the right opportunity.

Zhu Gang was seen frowning and folding his arms.

He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk, his eyes deep and solemn.

At the same time, Zhu Gang was secretly alert in his heart: "This series of events is definitely not accidental!

Be it the evil cult forces or the alien spies.

These people seemed to be secretly watching the imperial court's horse administration, hoping to interfere and undermine the Ming Dynasty's military foundation.

I must be careful and cautious, and not act rashly, but I feel really depressed!"

Master Chen couldn't bear to see Zhu Gang like this, so he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, you can only be patient for now.

As the saying goes, 'more haste, less speed', when the time is right, we will be able to find out the culprit behind this.

Not only can it clear your name, Your Highness, but it will also allow the horse policy to be implemented smoothly.

Your Highness, you have the Ming Dynasty in your heart, and God will surely bless you, so don't worry too much."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly, his eyes still revealing reluctance.

But he also knew that there was no other way at the moment, he could only maneuver carefully in this undercurrent situation and protect Ma Zheng, who was related to the lifeblood of the Ming Dynasty.

"Oh, Master!

The reason why the implementation of the horse policy is so difficult is that in addition to the interference of these external forces, many situations within the court cannot be ignored. "

Zhu Gang shook his head helplessly, his face full of worry about the current situation in the court.

Master Chen asked curiously, "Your Highness, where did you get this from?

Please let me know, Your Highness, so that I can also discuss it with you."

Zhu Gang stood up and slowly walked to the bookshelf.

His fingers gently brushed over the neatly arranged books, and he said while thinking: "After all, the establishment of the Horse Administration Department involves the financial expenditure of the court, and you also know the temper of my father.

The tax silver that was finally received into the national treasury was more important than anything else.

When it comes to spending money, he would probably frown again.

While looking at the account book, he kept repeating to himself that he should live frugally. "

Upon hearing this, Master Chen couldn't help but laugh: "Your Majesty governs the country with diligence and frugality, which is also a blessing for the people.

But the horse policy is of great importance, and the money should be spent.”

Zhu Jian smiled bitterly and nodded, "Yes, but this is not the most difficult part.

Since increasing the basic salaries, performance and bonuses for existing officials, the financial pressure on the court seems to have become greater, and my father has begun to consider "streamlining the bureaucracy."

But the implementation of this "streamlining administration" is fraught with difficulties."

Master Chen looked puzzled: "Oh? Your Highness, why is this?

Are there too many officials in the imperial court now? "

Zhu Gang sighed slightly, turned around and looked at Master Chen and said, "There are only 24,683 officials in the Ming Dynasty now, of which the number of civil servants in the country is about 5,480. The officials of the six ministries of the court plus the Shangshu and Shilang only have 177 people."

(End of this chapter)