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

Deep in the palace of Yingtian Prefecture, the day-to-day rules and dullness are like the thick palace walls, isolating the fresh air from the outside world.

One day, Zhu Yuanzhang heard that a folk cooking competition had selected three "kitchen gods".

This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, which immediately aroused his interest.

"Oh? There are people with such outstanding cooking skills among the people?"

A rare glimmer of light flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes. There were too few new and interesting things in this deep palace.

The emergence of folk cooking masters undoubtedly felt quite fresh to him.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered the eunuch chief Wu Cheng, "Go and convey our order.

Let the Crown Prince draft an edict to hold a banquet in Fengtian Palace to entertain these three people, Fan Zhengqing, Su Mingzhi and Liu Xiaoshuang."

Soon, the imperial edict was drafted.

Wu Cheng read out in a shrill voice: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: We have heard that among the people there are three people, Fan Zhengqing, Su Mingzhi, and Liu Xiaoshuang, whose cooking skills are outstanding and can be called cooking gods.

Their cooking skills are either unique or exquisite.

I am very pleased and hereby summon the three of you to the palace to meet me.

Show off your cooking skills to satisfy our appetite.

Set off quickly without delay. I order you to do so!"

This imperial edict was drafted personally by Crown Prince Zhu Biao. Although it did not mention a single word about Empress Ma's serious illness, the perceptive Zhu Gang knew that the matter had already spread quietly among the people.

It was only because they were afraid of Zhu Yuanzhang's iron-blooded methods and heavy killing in his early years that people in the palace did not dare to discuss it casually even if they had doubts.

Zhu Gang knew very well that his father had used tough measures in recent years to consolidate his rule, which had caused quite a bit of unrest in the court and made officials feel insecure.

The current court situation is like a fog, making it difficult to understand.

At this time, Zhu Biao was sitting in the study with a frown on his face.

He looked at the palace wall outside the window and said worriedly, "In three days, the envoys from the sixty-two countries of the Southeast Yi will participate in the Yingtian military exercise. Now the Shenji Battalion has been transferred to Yunnan with Guo Ying.

I wonder if the Shenshu Camp led by General Qi Xiang of Mingwei is up to the task?"

Zhu Gangben was sipping tea nearby. When he heard these words, he was moved and immediately understood his elder brother's concerns.

Zhu Gang put down his teacup and said solemnly, "My Royal Brother, there is no need to worry too much.

Today, the military system of our Ming Dynasty has been continuously improved since the Hongwu period.

As one of the three major camps, Shenshu Camp is in charge of cavalry and holds a very important position.

Although changes occurred in the horse farms in Datong and Yansui last year, my father had foresight since the eleventh year of Hongwu.

He ordered Zheng Yuchun, Marquis of Xingyang, and others to deliver the war horses from the four areas of Peking, Liaodong, Gansu and Shaanxi to the three major camps in Yingtian Prefecture in an orderly manner through the Yuanma Temple.

Therefore, the war horses needed for the training of the Divine Camp should be adequately guaranteed."

Zhu Gang frowned slightly after he finished speaking, and continued to analyze: "However, this Yingtian martial arts performance is of great significance, and the envoys from 62 countries in the Southeast Yi came to observe.

This not only concerns the military prestige of our Ming Dynasty, but may also affect the subsequent diplomatic situation.

If the poisoning of war horses at Datong Racecourse is not thoroughly investigated, it will inevitably cause people to worry about the stability of the war horse supply, which will in turn affect the entire military layout and external deterrence. "

Zhu Gang couldn't help but think of another thing, and then he said, "Brother, I remember that you took the initiative to ask our father to go to Datong Racecourse to investigate the poisoning of the war horses.

But now he has not set off yet, has something unexpected happened?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao sighed, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.

“If my mother had not suddenly become seriously ill, I would have already set out on the road to Datong to thoroughly investigate this matter with Tang Duo, the Minister of War, Liang Yexian, the Minister of the Imperial Household, and others.

You also know that the Minister of War is in charge of all military affairs in the world, while the Minister of the Imperial Household is in charge of military administration.

They have more experience in handling this kind of affairs than I, your elder brother and the crown prince.

It just so happens that you have been asking your father to go to Datong Racecourse to conduct an investigation.

Tomorrow, my eldest brother will draft an imperial edict to fulfill my third brother's wish." Zhu Gang frowned slightly when he heard this, feeling a little entangled.

"But after a while, the Ming Auction House will hold a 'Vassal State Special Auction'.

If I leave now, will it affect the progress of related matters?"

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, as if he had already considered it.

He looked at Zhu Gang with a determined gaze and said earnestly, "Chang Mao has been in charge of Yujing Pavilion, the grocery store chain, and Yijiangnan in recent years, and his ability is obvious to all.

With his abilities, he is now fully capable of handling the affairs of the Ming Auction House.

Third brother, the situation inside and outside the court is complicated now. As members of the royal family, we should focus on state affairs.

You are also aware that although there have been signs of loosening of the maritime ban policy in recent years, it is still very strict.

Conducting overseas trade without permission is a violation of the national law.

Although you are determined to open up overseas for the Ming Dynasty, you must act with caution. "

Zhu Gang's heart trembled. His elder brother's words made him understand that although his plan to establish a vassal state overseas was ambitious, in this complex political environment, he would be doomed if he was not careful.

Zhu Gang quickly assured, "Brother, I will remember your teachings in my heart.

I can still distinguish between the importance of public affairs and private affairs.

I will go and prepare to go to Datong Racecourse. I will set off immediately when you give the order."

After saying this, Zhu Gang stood up and prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to walk out of the study, Zhu Biao suddenly called him from behind, his tone full of concern and reluctance.

"Third brother, before you go to Datong, go to Kunning Palace to see our mother.

As for the emperor, I will cover it for you, I don't think there will be any big problems."

Zhu Gang paused, feeling mixed emotions.

He knew that once he left Yingtian Prefecture this time, it would be difficult for him to come back in a short time.

In recent years, Zhu Gang has been eager to go overseas to establish a fiefdom and open up new horizons for the Ming Dynasty.

To this end, he did not hesitate to take risks and secretly sent Huaiyuan Hou Cao Xing, Yao Guangxiao and others to the Goto Islands to open an overseas trade transit station.

This behavior, in the context of the maritime ban not being lifted, was undoubtedly tantamount to a blatant violation of the national law, and led to the impeachment of many officials.

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned about this, he was furious and wanted to severely punish Zhu Gang.

However, Zhu Biao was well aware of his third brother Zhu Gang's ambitions, and also understood that the current situation in the court was delicate.

Besides, Empress Ma is now seriously ill, and people in the court are in panic.

If Zhu Gang were severely punished at this time, it would not only intensify the internal conflicts within the royal family, but might also trigger a series of chain reactions that would affect the stability of the court.

Therefore, Zhu Biao made many appeals to Zhu Yuanzhang, on the one hand to show that although Zhu Gang acted rashly, his original intention was to consider the long-term development of the Ming Dynasty.

"Father, my third brother is determined to expand the territory for our Ming Dynasty.

It's just that he acted too hastily, and I hope that Father will be lenient with him out of consideration for his sincerity."

On the other hand, Zhu Biao emphasized that the current situation should not be further disturbed and Zhu Gang should be given a chance to atone for his sins.

“The situation in the court is complicated now. If I severely punish my third brother at this time, it may chill the hearts of the princes and make the ministers in the court panic.

It is better to give Third Brother a chance and let him make up for his crime with meritorious service."

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Zhu Yuanzhang finally decided to put the matter aside for the time being.

After all, although Zhu Yuanzhang used tough measures, he also knew in his heart that at this critical period, it was more important to stabilize the court and maintain the unity of the royal family.

In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to see what achievements Zhu Gang could make and whether he could really open up a new path for the Ming Dynasty. (End of this chapter)