Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 128: Find Uncle Dong, he’s reliable!

After seeing Ji He off, Zhu Yunfeng called his mother.

really.

I won’t be back to celebrate the New Year this year.

Originally, my parents were planning to come back this year.

Now that I have paid off more than half of my debt, I feel debt-free and it’s time for me to come back and have a good new year.

But there was an order that had not been completed a few years ago at a small factory in Changsha, and the order was from an old customer.

When my father's business failed, he transferred all his remaining property to my mother. After the divorce, he was left with debts and the family had only a small factory to support it.

If it weren't for the strong support of those old customers, the Zhu family would have collapsed long ago.

So it is reasonable to complete this order.

However, my mother also said that my father would return to Changsha before the New Year to remarry my mother, and would come back after the New Year after the order was completed.

Zhu Yunfeng didn't say anything about this, but just transferred five million to his mother so that she could buy a better car.

After all, Zhu Yunfeng's external explanation has always been that his father's business has grown and his net worth is tens of billions, so he gave him a large sum of money and asked him to come back to benefit his neighbors.

If you drive badly, you might be exposed, and people in the town and villagers might even talk about you behind your back.

The next day, Zhu Yunfeng went to the Ming Dynasty.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, at the end of the 13th year of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty was bustling with joy inside and outside the imperial palace.

After more than a year of hard work by Zhu Biao, the Ming Dynasty's capital, Nanjing, finally gained some popularity.

It grew from 200,000 people in the 12th year of Hongwu to about 300,000 people.

And they are ordinary people!

Yes.

Before the 200,000 people in the 12th year of Hongwu, the number of civilians was very small, probably only about 20,000 or 30,000.

The vast majority of them were either family members of military officers, family members of officials, or servants. There were only a handful of real ordinary people.

The other more than 100,000 people were mostly soldiers stationed in the city, followed by officials, nobles and other dignitaries.

For this reason, Zhu Biao relocated more than a thousand households out of the city at the beginning of the 13th year of Hongwu on the pretext of opening up imperial farms, and then relocated another 10,000 households in the second half of the year.

In ancient times, a household had about five people, and here alone there are about 50,000 people.

As the imperial farms had a bumper harvest, Zhu Biao lowered commercial taxes at the end of the year to encourage commerce. He also ordered the recruitment of farmers. Anyone who reclaimed ten acres of wasteland outside the city would be exempted from rent for three years, and anyone who reclaimed twenty acres would be exempted from rent for five years.

At one time, there were many followers, and many farmers from other places brought their families and ran to the emperor's feet, taking root outside Nanjing City. Gradually, some villages were formed, and the population of the capital city gradually increased.

You should know that at this time, the main gathering area of ​​Nanjing City was from Nanjing Zhonghua Gate in the south to the Qinhuai District Government in the west and the Ming Palace Scenic Area in the east, with an area of ​​less than 10 square kilometers, which was basically a palm-sized place.

The Jianye District, Yuhuatai District, Jiangning District, Xuanwu District, and Qixia District of later generations were basically wilderness areas, and it could be said that there were not many people living within a radius of 100 miles.

Many places are military garrisons surrounding the city of Nanjing.

Now that the population is gradually increasing, the business environment in the city has naturally improved a little. For this reason, Zhu Biao decided to plan and rebuild the city's streets next year to adapt to the future development of the city.

It has to be said that Zhu Biao is becoming more and more like a qualified politician, his vision is becoming more and more far-sighted, and he is already considering the construction of the future capital.

As the population increases, the festive atmosphere begins to take on a new year feel.

On the streets and alleys, more and more people came into the city to buy things.

Some went to the city to buy clothes for their families, some went to the city to buy hoes, rakes and other farm tools, and some brought surplus food, caught fish and chopped firewood to the city to sell.

Fireworks were also set off in the palace, firecrackers were set off in the morning, and peach charms were posted inside and outside the palace gates.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao personally summoned the imperial guards stationed at the palace gate this year and gave each of them five silver dollars as a reward.

Don't underestimate five silver dollars. The purchasing power of these five silver dollars is equivalent to eight taels of silver.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the salaries of soldiers in the garrisons were not high because they were paid in kind. The monthly rations for ordinary soldiers were one dan, which was 180 kilograms of rice. Based on the rice price of four to five cents per dan at the time, that was the amount of silver for their salary.

Non-garrison soldiers, that is, combat troops, have higher salaries, with a monthly salary of two shi, equivalent to one tael of silver. The imperial guards are the strongest combat force, with a salary of around two taels of silver.

So five silver coins were almost four months' salary for the guards.

In addition, the Imperial Guards were given five medals, and the ordinary soldiers of the 300,000 troops stationed in the capital were given an increase of two medals, officers three to five medals, and generals about ten medals.

Just for this salary increase, Zhu Biao spent one million silver coins.

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned about this, he was so angry that he trembled. After returning from the Yongle Dynasty, he kept complaining that his son didn't feel bad about selling his land.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and on the morning of the 29th he chased after Zhu Biao and started cursing him.

"That's how our ancestors were. Don't bother with him. He has always had the mentality of a small landlord. He talks about raising millions of soldiers without spending a penny from the people. He really doesn't care about the lives of the soldiers."

After Zhu Biao came out of the Qianqing Palace, he rode a small electric scooter and went to the imperial farm outside the city with Zhu Yunfeng.

Now that the palace has no shortage of electricity, the electric scooters have found their place.

On the contrary, Zhu Yunfeng has to get 98 gasoline from the town for his motorcycle. It is very troublesome when it runs out of gas. It is better to ride an electric car.

At this moment, Zhu Yunfeng was also riding an electric bike, and the two of them were driving side by side on the rammed earth road.

It is relatively easy to drive a small electric scooter, and Zhu Biao learned it in more than ten minutes, but his skills were not very good. The road from the imperial palace to the imperial farm had been repaired many times by the soldiers, and the snow on it had been cleared, making it wide and easy to drive on.

But Zhu Biao was still staggering.

For this reason, Zhu Yunfeng, who was wearing pajamas, could only talk to him while pressing the brakes from time to time to prevent the front of the car from being unstable and hitting Zhu Biao when he swayed.

Zhu Biao was also wearing pajamas, which were given to him by Zhu Di. He agreed with Zhu Yunfeng's words and said, "Yes, the soldiers are having a hard time, and we must not blame them. This move will also benefit the development of commerce in the capital."

Zhu Yunfeng smiled and said, "In the final analysis, the ancestor thought that the soldiers' salaries were already good enough. The purchasing power of one or two taels of silver was still very high in the early Ming Dynasty, so the soldiers in the garrisons had a hard time, not the soldiers in the battles. He thought that you were wasting money, but you are right. The population of Nanjing is now supported by soldiers. Soldiers should spend more money to promote business."

"Well, the life of the soldiers in the garrison is indeed very difficult. I have to step up the reform of the garrison system next year. This is a product of a special period and must be solved. Otherwise, how are those soldiers going to live?"

Zhu Biao sighed.

The salary of a soldier is considered decent, equivalent to one tael of silver.

The most important thing is that this is called monthly ration, which is for family members. The soldiers' food and accommodation are provided by the state, and there is also travel rations when they travel and change guard, so the salary is not bad.

But the soldiers in the garrisons were miserable. Not only did their monthly salaries have low wages, the output from the military farms was not enough for their own use, and they were also exploited.

Zhu Yunfeng thought for a while and said, "I remember that after Jiajing ascended the throne, a censor reported that the soldiers guarding the border in Xuanfu had not received their monthly rations for several months and were so poor that their eyes turned green. What's worse is that some soldiers' wives even engaged in the sex trade because they really couldn't make a living. The ministers patrolling the border felt miserable when they saw it. There were also problems such as the border troops being occupied and their rations being withheld. Xiong Tingbi found that an officer asked the soldiers to catch fish for him, and the women and children were guarding the guards. He was shocked. This shows how corrupt this system is."

"Well, I also know the reason, and there are many stupid system designs, such as the border troops guarding the watchtowers instead of the main guards. If there is no one at home, they have to travel a long way every month to collect their salary."

Zhu Biao said: "There are also winter clothes. Soldiers have to guard the border every day and have no time to sew. If they send people to sew, it will cost a lot. It is better to rush to make uniforms and distribute them according to size. This will also promote the development of the textile industry."

"After all, I still don't have money."

Zhu Yunfeng turned the switch and passed Zhu Biao, saying, "Moreover, many systems are poorly designed and no corresponding measures have been taken."

"So now that I am in power, I must change some of my father's unreasonable systems and make my Ming soldiers... Oops, bang... Gululu Gululu."

Then a scream was heard, accompanied by the sound of bubbling water.

Zhu Yunfeng turned around and saw that Zhu Biao had already flown into the fish pond next to him.

"Oh no! The prince has fallen into the fish pond. Hurry and save him."

The guards who had been jogging behind them suddenly became anxious and jumped into the fish pond to pull Zhu Biao out.

Fortunately, the fish pond was not deep, but the water was very cold, and Zhu Biao shivered with cold as he got ashore.

I had heard that the craftsmen at the Imperial Manor had built a new cannon yesterday, so I wanted to go and take a look. But now I definitely can't go to the Imperial Manor.

Zhu Yunfeng took Zhu Biao back.

There was a gust of cold wind on the way, so I returned to the palace and quickly took a hot bath.

Upon hearing that Zhu Biao had fallen into the fish pond, Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, Zhu Di and others hurried to Chengqian Palace where Zhu Di lived.

"Where's Biao'er?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rushed into the Chengqian Palace in a hurry. At this time, Zhu Biao was still taking a hot bath inside. Zhu Yunfeng hurriedly greeted him and said, "Grandpa Taibo is taking a bath inside."

"what happened?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked, "Why did you suddenly fall into the fish pond?"

Zhu Yunfeng scratched his head and said, "It's snowing, the road is too slippery, and Grandpa Taibo's driving skills are not very good."

"Humph, the road to the imperial farm must be cleared and smoothed, Mao Xiang."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked outside the hall and shouted.

Mao Xiang hurried in, knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Capture the soldiers in charge of cleaning the road to the imperial farm today and execute them all."

Zhu Yuanzhang said murderously.

Zhu Yunfeng was horrified and walked out and said, "It shouldn't be that serious."

"If my mark is lost, they must be buried with me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head, his eyes red.

He had already lost Zhu Biao once in history, and he couldn't lose him again this time!
"Will not."

While persuading him, Zhu Yunfeng winked at Mao Xiang, telling him not to follow the order and to step aside.

He pulled Zhu Yuanzhang into the hall and whispered, "Grandfather, modern medical technology is advanced. Even if Grandpa Taibo fell into the water and caught a cold, it is just a small matter. Don't worry."

"Whirring whirring."

Zhu Yuanzhang was breathing heavily, knowing that he was indeed too anxious.

The main thing is that we know that Zhu Biao later died of a cold.

In winter, it is easiest to catch a cold if you fall into water, so I suddenly felt anxious.

Thinking about it now, it was indeed not right, so I slowly calmed down and sat on the sofa beside me.

At this moment, Empress Ma and Zhu Di also came in.

Empress Ma was still in the harem making arrangements for this year's celebrations, while Zhu Di was living in his own Prince Yan's residence in Chunhe Palace. He had just gotten up not long ago, as he was a married man.

After understanding what happened, Empress Ma was calm and said, "Biao'er was indeed a little careless, but Chongba, you don't have to be so angry, and don't vent your anger on others."

Then she looked at Zhu Yunfeng and said, "Yunfeng, if Biao'er is sick, you should take him to Changsha for treatment."

"Okay too milk."

Zhu Yunfeng thought for a moment and said, "It just so happened that some time ago, Grandpa Taibo said he wanted to visit the modern world. Why don't I take him there after the New Year, regardless of whether Grandpa Taibo is sick or not."

Zhu Di asked, "What about the ID card issue? Should we drive to Changsha as before?"

"I'll think of a way."

Zhu Yunfeng pondered.

This is indeed a problem.

What we considered before was to help them obtain Chinese identity.

But he firstly, he doesn’t have these connections, secondly, he doesn’t have these overseas connections, and thirdly, the most important point.

This matter definitely needs to be done by someone I trust, but it seems that only my father can help in this regard.

But my dad would definitely get to the bottom of it, and Old Zhu didn't want anyone else to know except Zhu Yunfeng and Ji He, not even his dad.

So this is not a easy thing to do.

But he thought for a while and said, "I'll go back and make a phone call first."

"Well, let's wait here for Big Brother to come out."

Zhu Di nodded.

Zhu Yunfeng immediately left Chengqian Palace and rode his electric scooter to the underground palace.

Thanks to the electric scooter, we reached the underground palace in two minutes.

After returning to his own cellar, Zhu Yunfeng climbed out, took out his mobile phone and called Liu Dong.

Uncle Dong and my dad are close friends, and he is very unconventional, so maybe he can find a way.

The most important thing is that he and Liu Dong are already partners. If he is asked not to tell his father, Uncle Dong’s character can still be trusted.

The call was connected soon.

Liu Dong said, "Fengzi, how come you have time to call your uncle Dong? Do you have any new goods?"

"No, Uncle Dong, I have something to talk to you about."

"you said so."

"I have two friends who came here illegally. They want you to help them get legal Chinese identity. How about you arrange two people who look like them to bring in legal documents and then smuggle them out?"

"."

The man pondered for a long time and said, "This is easy to do. We can do anything abroad, but it will cost a lot."

"It's okay as far as the cost is concerned, but don't tell my dad about this."

"Why, who are these two people to you, Fengzi, you are my nephew, you have money now, you have to be careful."

"Don't worry, Uncle Dong. Their relationship with me is the same as your relationship with my father. We are all close brothers who have been together for a lifetime. What we lack now is a legal identity."

"Okay, then send me their photos and wait for my news."

After that, he hung up the phone.

Zhu Yunfeng breathed a sigh of relief.

really.

Uncle Dong is still reliable.

But to be honest, this matter itself is not difficult to handle.

Because legal identity is not obtained in the country, but abroad.

As long as you have connections abroad, such as in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand and so on.

For a little money, not to mention a fake identity, even a real identity entered into their country's official system can be made.

At that time, we will find two people who look about 70% like Zhu Biao and Zhu Di and enter the country with legal identities. We will bring their documents and then they can smuggle out of the country through the Yunnan border.

Therefore, as long as you have connections in this area, there should be no problem in actual operation.

The key lies in Uncle Dong’s attitude.

I'm not afraid of not helping, but I'm afraid that he'll worry that Zhu Yunfeng has made friends with some bad people, and will dig into the matter and even tell his parents about it, which will be troublesome if his parents ask about it.

Fortunately, Uncle Dong believed in himself and didn't ask too many questions, otherwise he would have a hard time explaining to his parents.

it's good now.

Uncle Dong not only agreed to help, but also did not delve further into the matter.

This way, after the first time, there will be a second time.

First give Zhu Biao and Zhu Di an identity.

In the future, I will give an identity to Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

in this way.

They can also appear in modern times with their true identities!
(End of this chapter)