My father Yongle, building a five-good family

Chapter 69 Discussion with Japan
Seeing that the person who spoke was Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoyu couldn't help but relax a lot from his vigilant heart.

Even though the dish of "Stir-fried Bamboo Shoots with Pork" was mentioned, Zhu Gaoyu still walked in.

The moment he approached Zhu Gaoxu, he suddenly felt the world turned upside down, his perspective shifted, and he was lifted up.

Then the whole person was pressed on the bench.

Before Zhu Gaoyu could even react to what was happening, he felt a pain in his buttocks.

He let out a howl, looking extremely miserable.

Zhu Gaoxu, who had only hit him once, stood there in a daze. He glanced at the palm of his hand and rarely began to doubt.

Did he... just use a lot of strength?
Zhu Gaoyu was still there screaming and shouting, looking extremely miserable.

Even the eldest and second in command, who were originally the most resentful, now showed expressions of pity.

Especially Zhu Gaochi, he has always doted on his younger brother Zhu Gaoyu the most.

Seeing Zhu Gaoyu's appearance, his already unsteady heart immediately began to waver.

I didn't actually do anything wrong.

Isn't it because he was young and had a bad memory that he said something wrong when he was passing on the message?

He didn't mean it either.

If he really wanted to make a feud between his brothers, how could he have been running back and forth between Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu these days, begging them for mercy and even thinking of making Zhu Gaoxu make dog clothes?

Then again, now that things have turned out like this, don’t he and the second brother have any responsibility?

Where do they get the face that they can't let it go?

Even if the second brother is under house arrest, he can just walk to his yard and have a conversation with him across the air, right?

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaochi felt more and more guilty.

Looking up, Zhu Gaoxu also had a look of pity on his face.

Obviously... Although I don't know what he was thinking, just looking at Zhu Gaoxu's appearance, it was obvious that he was feeling uncomfortable.

Zhu Gaoyu was still howling like a ghost. After a while, he suddenly realized that the slap on his butt seemed to have not fallen yet.

He turned around and saw Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi. Their expressions were somewhat complicated and helpless, but more of them seemed to be relieved.

Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun did not say anything at this time. They just sat on their chairs and watched how things developed.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoyu had no time to care what they thought, because Zhu Gaosui had already explained for him the cause and effect of all this.

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoyu stopped howling.

He was silent for a while, and then, as if he had made up his mind, he pulled up his trousers.

The three brothers almost jumped out of fright.

Why are you taking off your pants for no reason?
Isn't this meant to scare people?

Zhu Gaoyu was seen sticking his butt out, facing the direction where Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu were, and spoke in a tone as if he was ready to die:
"Big brother! Second brother! Please whip my butt hard!"

What a weird request...

The expressions on Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu's faces can be said to be extremely rich.

They were a little surprised at first, but then they figured out why Zhu Gaoyu behaved like this, and then their hearts were filled with indescribable emotion.

Although I am not very decent, I have a kind heart and am very lovable.

Thinking of this, they didn't want to beat Zhu Gaoyu even more.

However, Zhu Di, as his father, actually stepped forward and prepared to start beating him.

But before he took a few steps, two walls blocked his way:

"Dad, why are you so hard on me? I didn't mean to do that. I'm just a kid, why do you have to be so harsh on me?"

These words were said by Zhu Gaochi.

Then, the second brother also interrupted:

"Yes, Dad, you are too strict. If I were the father of the fourth child, I would never beat him for no reason. Children are young, so it is normal for them to do wrong. I heard from Mom that when you married Mom, you were already sixteen years old, and you were so excited that you almost knocked over the candles."

Zhu Gaoyu quietly covered his eyes.

Sure enough, the next moment, Zhu Di kicked Zhu Gaoxu on the butt.

After kicking the two brothers away, Zhu Di stood behind Zhu Gaoyu and said in a deep voice:
"You really want me to hit you? I won't hold back. If you get beaten, you'll probably have to stay in bed and sleep for several days."

When Zhu Gaoyu heard this, he was a little scared, but he still gritted his teeth and nodded.

Although he is young and usually impetuous, Zhu Gaoyu is sometimes stubborn.

If he really gets stubborn, even ten oxen can't pull him back.

He nodded vigorously and said in a muffled voice:
"If you do something wrong, you must be punished. If I don't get beaten today, how can we make them get punished if someone tries to sow discord between us brothers in the future?"

Zhu Di was a little bit unbelievable that this was something Zhu Gaoyu could say, but he felt more relieved in his heart.

Sure enough, although Zhu Di's son was a little off-kilter at times, he was essentially a straight-forward young man.

However, even though he thought so in his heart, Zhu Di did not hesitate at all.

After one hit with the bamboo pole, a red mark immediately appeared on the buttocks.

Zhu Gaoyu's buttocks had not been exposed to the sun much, so they looked quite white, which made the red marks even more shocking.

Just now, when Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu didn't use much force, Zhu Gaoyu was screaming and shouting.

However, when Zhu Di really started beating him, Zhu Gaoyu remained silent.

Zhu Di stopped only when the bamboo marks on the buttocks became deep and shallow.

Zhu Gaoyu even breathed carefully, for fear of straining the flesh on his buttocks.

It was at this time that Xu Miaoyun finally couldn't help but stepped forward, carefully picked up Zhu Gaoyu, and held him in her arms.

Xu Miaoyun knew that this was the right thing to do.

It is obvious that, unless one is a saint, few people can achieve the unity of knowledge and action.

Even Xu Miaoyun is no exception in this regard.

So, when Xu Miaoyun picked up Zhu Gaoyu, she glanced at Zhu Di lightly and said in a very light tone:

"You can sleep in the outer study tonight. I'll take care of Xiao Si."

Zhu Di's eyes widened, and he was a little slow to react.

No!

Why should he sleep in the study?

It was that kid Zhu Gaoyu who asked to be spanked!

Before he could say anything, Zhu Gaochi came to Zhu Di, looking distressed:

"Dad, that's not how you teach your children. You can take care of the things outside from now on. I'll take care of my little brother. You were too impulsive today!"

Zhu Di wanted to curse.

Did the kids take the wrong medicine? Do they all want to go to heaven?

He was so angry that he couldn't vent it, and the next moment, he saw Zhu Gaoxu coming towards him.

Zhu Gaoxu was usually quite afraid of his father, but at this moment, he sighed, looked at Zhu Di with a look of disapproval, and then shook his head.

Said nothing.

But it seemed like he had said everything.

After Xu Miaoyun, the eldest brother and the second brother left, Zhu Di felt a little depressed.

In the end, he was the only one who was wrong?
Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at the third oldest person, Zhu Gaosui, who was the last one left on the scene.

Zhu Gaosui saw that the situation was not good and was actually preparing to sneak away.

But Zhu Di's gaze fell on him as if it were tangible.

In an instant, Zhu Gaosui paused as he was about to take a step forward.

Zhu Di narrowed his eyes and said in a deep tone:
"Old Three, what do you think?"

Zhu Gaosui did not answer immediately, but thought carefully. After analyzing the pros and cons based on the current situation, he, a fence-sitter, leaned towards Zhu Di's side.

Zhu Gaosui showed a rather flattering smile:
"Dad, you're right. I really deserve a beating."

Zhu Gaosui's words were not in line with his heart and he sighed silently in his heart.

Fourth brother, fourth brother, it’s not your brother who is adding fuel to the fire.

It was really because his father was here and the pressure was too great, so he had to change his words according to the circumstances and seek benefits and avoid harm.

Forget it, next time you go out, bring me a bunch of candied haws...

Zhu Gaosui was thinking about it, but found that... Zhu Di's response seemed different from what he had imagined.

Zhu Di frowned and showed a look of surprise:
"Although the fourth brother is naughty, he is still your brother. How can you say such a thing? Go back and write ten large characters for me every day. If you can't finish them... Humph, you just wait for me."

Zhu Gaosui was confused.

No!

What does it have to do with him?
Zhu Gaosui could reasonably suspect that his father said this out of naked revenge, and he was using it to vent his depression!

Ten big characters!
It also has to be written beautifully. If you don’t write it seriously... today’s fried pork with bamboo shoots will be Zhu Gaosui’s future.

At this moment, Zhu Gaosui deeply felt the world's malice towards fence-sitters.

……

The following days were quite boring for Zhu Gaoyu, who was a restless person.

All he did every day was eat and sleep. If it weren't for the visits from Sanbao and his brothers, and the little toys and food they brought from time to time, Zhu Gaoyu even suspected that he would stay in bed until he got moldy.

When he finally got better and could get out of bed and walk, Zhu Gaoyu stretched his neck again and wanted to go out for a walk every day.

This day.

The late autumn sunshine is just right.

Unlike when I first arrived in Yingtian, when the sun was shining on my body and felt scorching, it instead brought a gentle and warm feeling.

Zhu Gaoyu was lying on the bed in a spread-eagle position, with a little curly-haired cat beside him.

The little curly-haired boy was lying on the soft couch with his belly facing upwards. He was wearing a weird flowery dress and smelled like a puppy.

It doesn't smell bad, but because the servants take good care of it, it has a faint fragrance.

It was at this time that Zhu Gaoyu suddenly heard a voice in his ear:
"Your Highness... Your Highness... Someone is coming from the palace..."

When he heard "inside the palace", Zhu Gaoyu was startled and suddenly came back to his senses from his dazed state. He subconsciously wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth and quickly stood up:
"Little Jixiang!"

……

After many days.

When Zhu Gaoyu entered the Qianqing Palace again, he unexpectedly found that Zhu Yuanzhang was still in the middle of a meeting.

This didn't happen in previous times.

However, Zhu Gaoyu did not care. He turned around and wanted to walk to the side hall. However, before he got halfway there, the eunuch leading the way took him through many twists and turns and came behind the screen.

It was also at this time that Zhu Gaoyu saw that in addition to the emperor, there were also the Minister of War, Xu Huizu, Li Jinglong and others in the hall.

He keenly sensed something was wrong...

"Your Majesty, this time the Japanese country offered tribute and asked for a large amount of raw silk and porcelain. According to the philosophy of our Ming Dynasty, we can appease the vassal state, achieve peace on the sea, and enhance the prestige of our Ming Dynasty by spending some money. It is really a profitable business..."

Zhu Gaoyu didn't know the person who was speaking.

But this didn't stop him from cursing bullshit in his heart when he heard this.

So since you don't spend any money, it's a very profitable investment, right?

Zhu Gaoyu was not unaware of the demands made by Japan for tribute. After all, when he was staying at home obediently during this period, he always heard some fragments of information.

Especially now that Xiao Jixiang has become much smarter, he will collect some information every day and write it down one by one. When he has nothing to do, he will tell it to Zhu Gaoyu.

In Zhu Gaoyu's memory, after paying tribute this time, Japan hoped to receive a large amount of raw silk as a reward from the Ming Dynasty.

This is not just a case of getting something for nothing.

It is estimated that Japan consumes only about 400,000 kilograms of raw silk a year.

Zhu Gaoyu was feeling depressed. He picked up a piece of fruit prepared nearby and began to eat it carefully, crunching it.

However, although his movements were small, the sound still echoed in the Qianqing Palace.

As a result, Li Jinglong and Xu Huizu frowned.

Why does it seem like there is someone else in the hall?
But before they had time to think deeply, Xu Huizu was caught up in the current situation in Japan. He took a step forward and said:

"Your Majesty, I think that some things can be done once or twice, but not three times. Japan's invasion of the coastal areas of our Ming Dynasty has not been a one- or two-day thing."

"Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty has a clear limit on the number of tributes. However, Japan has repeatedly paid tribute in excess of the limit. After receiving a large amount of silk, raw silk, and copper coins, it has left. The next time they come to visit, they will use the same old tricks again, using extremely humble words and crying until the storm at sea..."

Xu Huizu didn't dare to say the rest, but his meaning was already very clear.

In the eyes of Japan, the Ming Dynasty is just a good money bag.

Since the people have no money, they can pretend to be Japanese pirates and go to the coastal areas to rob.

When Japan came to pay tribute, it was humble and acted like a pitiful lapdog, and received many rewards, and only then returned with a full load.

From this perspective, if Daming is not the stupid son of a landlord, then what is he?
After all, Xu Huizu was the Duke of Wei. After he said this, the Minister of War remained silent.

Although Li Jinglong also thought that this was the case, he still felt something was wrong:

"The way of a sage is to educate. Giving more to those who are more generous than those who are given is the established policy of our Ming Dynasty. This is to highlight the status of our Ming Dynasty. At the same time, by tempting them with benefits, we can also make the vassal states submit and keep the borders and seas stable."

Xu Huizu thought Li Jinglong was an idiot. Hearing this, he sneered and said, "I don't care that Zhu Yuanzhang was still sitting there. I just sneered and said,
"By luring them with benefits? If Japan can surrender with benefits today, it can also betray with benefits in the future. Besides, the Ming Dynasty was built by your Majesty with blood and water, not money. This is the only way to prove the great power status of the Ming Dynasty."

The third update, it’s time to go to bed, good night

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(End of this chapter)