Yongle Emperor's grandson: Zhu Yuanzhang with cheats, Zhu Di went crazy

Chapter 171 One doesn’t know how rich that place is, and the other doesn’t know how difficult that place is.

At night, in the palace banquet hall.

Fatty Zhu stared in shock as Xu Da was talking and laughing loudly with Empress Xu.

He still couldn't believe that the person in front of him, who looked exactly like his grandfather, was his great uncle.

"Dad, is this true? Is this a trick?"

After looking for a long time, he moved closer to the old man who was also squinting at the opposite side, and asked in a low voice.

The old man drank the wine in the glass and was silent for a moment before he spoke: "Even if it's fake, we have to support him, all for your mother."

Zhu Pangpang was silent.

The old man was right. Seeing my mother happy, I had to keep the baby even if it was fake.

If for no other reason, just to make my mother feel at ease.

But when he looked at this man, he didn't think he looked fake.

Putting aside the appearance and temperament, the voice was exactly the same as he remembered.

If there really is someone pretending to be someone else, how good must this person be at pretending to be someone else?

"Luckily it's my grandpa. If he pretended to be my grandfather, it would be troublesome."

Zhu Pangpang said with relief.

The wine glass in the old man's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the glass and the wine on his son's head.

You brought your grandfather to light, you little bastard, you want me to die.

After glaring at his fat son fiercely, the old man looked towards the opposite side.

Especially Zhu Zhanjun, who was busy taking care of three brothers and sisters, was frightened no matter how he looked at them.

If this person was really the kid's doing, and his father is found out in the future, how will he face it?

The dinner lasted until late at night.

Empress Xu personally arranged Xu Da's accommodation and even sent him a quilt she made herself.

"Brother, you should get some rest early. Tomorrow we will go back to the Duke's Mansion to recognize our ancestors, and then I will introduce you to my family members."

Empress Xu personally made the bed for Xu Da and talked about tomorrow's arrangements.

Xu Da kept nodding and saying yes.

After finishing the work, Empress Xu was reluctant to leave with Zhu Zhanjun.

The grandfather and grandson were walking on the road back to Kunning Palace. When they reached the long corridor, Empress Xu waved her hand.

The eunuchs and palace maids serving around him, including Yun Mama, all stayed away.

"Is it true?"

Empress Xu suddenly spoke.

Zhu Zhanjun was stunned for a moment, then replied, "It must be true. My grandson has already checked it out."

Empress Xu shook her head, stopped, looked at Zhu Zhanjun and said seriously: "That's not what I'm talking about."

Zhu Zhanjun immediately understood what Empress Xu meant.

Still he shook his head and said, "How is it possible? There is no such a magical thing in the world."

"Just because others can't do it doesn't mean you can't do it." Turning around and continuing to walk forward, Empress Xu said, "I can sense it, and the way he looks at me doesn't seem like he's looking at his sister. It's exactly the same as your great-grandfather back then."

"The way he eats, his drinking habits, the tone of his voice."

“Even if someone imitates it, it’s impossible to be exactly the same, and it’s all unconsciously revealed.”

"In addition to being the real person, the person imitating must learn from a young age until he or she really develops the habit."

"In addition to these, there are also the names he inadvertently calls out when he speaks."

"There were several times when he wanted to call me a girl, but he stopped right before the words came out of his mouth."

"All his behaviors show that he is not an imposter, nor is he imitated by others, and he is not your great-grandfather's child. He is your great-grandfather himself."

Zhu Zhanjun did not make any answer, but just supported Empress Xu and walked forward.

However, it was this silent silence that brought a smile to Empress Xu's face.

Reaching out and holding Zhu Zhanjun's hand, Empress Xu said with some emotion: "Don't worry, you and I know this matter, and I won't tell your grandfather."

Zhu Zhanjun still did not answer.

"What are you going to do with him?"

Zhu Zhanjun then answered, "To manage my Shenwei Camp."

Empress Xu nodded and sighed, "He has been busy all his life. I really want him to take a good rest and enjoy the happiness of family life."

"But we in the Ming Dynasty lack talents, and even more so talents who can lead troops."

"And I know his character. He likes the battlefield and commanding the army. This arrangement is fine."

Empress Xu kept talking all the way with a happy smile on her face.

Zhu Zhanjun understood that this was a feeling of belonging.

Since the death of Xu Da and others, Empress Xu has been supporting the entire Xu family alone.

While assisting her husband, she also kept an eye on the family to prevent family members from taking advantage of her to cause trouble.

Now that her father is back, she can finally put down the burden she has been carrying.

"I'm back. Have you made arrangements?"

When I returned to the bedroom, the old man was still awake and was staring at a portrait in a daze.

Zhu Zhanjun took a look and found that the portrait was exactly the seated statue of Xu Da that Empress Xu had treasured.

"Why did you invite my father out?" Queen Xu rolled her eyes at her husband and hurried forward to carefully put away the painting.

The old man smiled awkwardly and didn't say much.

Pulling Zhu Zhanjun to the outer hall.

"Alutai has sent someone to reconcile with the Ming Dynasty. Don't leave tonight. Tell us your opinion on this matter when you go to court tomorrow."

Zhu Zhanjun asked, "What do you think, old man? Can you tell me first so that I can be prepared?"

The old man pondered for a moment and said, "Banyashiri has been killed by Mahamu. Wuliangha is no match for the Oirat. If we reject Arutai again, the entire grassland will be dominated by the Oirat alone."

Zhu Zhanjun nodded.

The barbarians on the grassland cannot be completely wiped out. For many years from ancient times to the present, most of the foreign invasions of Yanhuang came from the grassland.

The Xiongnu, Donghu, Rouran, and Mongols, after each generation of fighting, there was another generation.

It was not until modern times that the development of science and technology, communication and transportation changed this situation.

In ancient times, when most of the Central Plains forces faced the northern grassland forces, the only way was to cripple them and then let several tribes fight each other and fall into internal friction.

The Central Plains court was able to play both sides, supporting whoever was weak and attacking whoever was strong.

The two traditions were passed down from generation to generation in this way.

This is the method used by the old man. He will beat whoever is stronger. The reasons he finds are just excuses. The real reason is that you are too strong, so he will beat you.

A unified grassland is not in the interests of the Central Plains.

"I agree with your idea, Grandpa. Before we can wipe out the entire grassland in one fell swoop and control its power, it is best to let them cause chaos among themselves."

The old man smiled with satisfaction.

Before he first expressed his idea, he was worried about Zhu Zhanjun's personality. He was worried that Zhu Zhanjun would be disgusted by such a conciliatory approach, or even strongly resist it.

Now it seems that the child has matured and understands the ways of an emperor.

"Alas." The old man sighed and said helplessly: "The grassland is too big. If we continue to be tough, our Ming Dynasty will be caught in an endless war."

"The Central Plains has been exhausted after years of war. If it is involved in the war in the north again, it will take many years to recover."

After talking about the northern affairs, the old man pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to bring Zhang Fu back."

Zhu Zhanjun looked at the old man in confusion.

Zhang Fu was managing the south well, why did he suddenly have to be replaced?

The old man explained: "This northern expedition has made me discover many problems."

"Every time I want to launch a surprise attack, I don't trust others to carry out the main force. After all, there is Qiu Fu's previous experience."

"We have accepted Alutai's surrender this time. I believe we will have to make another trip to the grassland soon."

"So I plan to transfer Zhang Fu back to assist me."

"Who do you plan to hand over the south to?"

The old man smiled slightly, looked at Zhu Zhanjun and said, "I was worried about this too. I wanted to let you go, but your grandmother disagreed. She said that although you have a talent for military affairs, you are still too young and inexperienced."

"But I've already thought of someone for today."

Zhu Zhanjun understood in his heart, glanced at the inner hall and whispered: "You are not talking about my uncle, are you?"

The old man nodded in affirmation.

"Although I didn't talk to him much today, from the brief exchanges, I could tell he knew a lot about the military."

"You've been telling me that you have ideas about the South, so why not just let the two of you go? We can also give you some training while we're at it."

Zhu Zhanjun rolled his eyes at the old man and said unhappily, "You are really imaginative. You are still training my soldiers. My soldiers don't even have swords. You let them fight the enemy with their fists."

The old man chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't let your people go empty-handed."

"The Shenji Battalion will be back in the next two days. Let them change their equipment first and you can take it away."

"In addition, I will transfer some equipment to you from the Fifth Army Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion. It should be enough for your thirty thousand men."

"But I have to tell you in advance that these things are only loaned to you temporarily. You have to return them after you are done."

"And in terms of food logistics, the court will only provide a portion, and you have to consider the rest yourself."

"No, this is too much of a disadvantage for me."

The equipment was borrowed and only a portion of the food was provided, so this meant that they were losing money while fighting a war for the court.

"I'll give you Jiaozhi, all the tax land is yours, you can do whatever you want."

"Also, whatever territory you conquer later will be yours."

Zhu Zhanjun's eyes lit up: "Really."

The old man nodded affirmatively: "I can issue an imperial decree."

Great.

Zhu Zhanjun felt a burst of joy in his heart.

The Annan region is very rich, with jade, gems, ivory, and various medicinal herbs, all of which are worth a lot of money.

If he controlled that place, he would control a treasure trove. Coupled with the ocean trade he had in mind, he would no longer have to worry about money.

It is also close to India. The Ganges Plain is a good place to grow crops, and there are so many slaves available. It is simply a natural treasure trove.

Seeing Zhu Zhanjun happy, the old man felt very happy.

By giving Jiaozhi to this brat, the imperial court saved itself a lot of trouble. Although the territory belonged to this brat, it also belonged to the Ming Dynasty.

The two looked at each other with smiles.

One felt that he had gained a great advantage, while the other felt that he had saved the court a lot of trouble. Both felt that they were the one who gained the advantage.

(End of this chapter)