Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 31 Chapter of the Agreement
"sit down."

There is a charcoal basin in the west warm room, which is as warm as spring.

Zhu Biao motioned to Zhu Yunfeng to take a seat, and he took the seat leading to the warm room first, leaving the seat facing the study to Zhu Yunfeng.

Zhu Di, who was following behind, brought in a chair from the side hall outside.

Zhu Yunfeng glanced around and noticed that behind him was Zhu Yuanzhang's study next door. He could vaguely see a figure inside.

So he placed the chainsaw on his right hand side, sat on it and said with a smile: "It seems that the royal family doesn't have as many strict rules as I imagined. It's just like an ordinary family."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "The royal family is also a family, and they have to live their lives. To be frank, my father was also born into a common family. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives should live in harmony. The purpose of etiquette is harmony."

"In the entire ancient times, only our Zhu family in the early Ming Dynasty could speak openly to each other. But I have to correct you, Master Taibo, that is, I don't think there is any need to avoid the identity of our ancestor."

Zhu Yunfeng sat on the sofa at the other end of the coffee table, opened the motorcycle mask and said, "When he was in the worst situation, he was a wandering monk begging everywhere. In later generations, we interpreted this as begging, so there is a saying that he started with a begging bowl and ended up with a huge country."

"It starts with a bowl and ends with a country?"

Zhu Biao thought about it and found it interesting. He said, "This description is quite appropriate. Although my father used the excuse of traveling around, he was actually begging for alms everywhere. It's not wrong."

"Of course. Throughout history, many emperors and generals came from noble and famous families. Only our ancestor came from a humble background, but he eventually gained the world. This is actually something to be proud of."

Zhu Yunfeng said happily: "This is also one of the reasons why our ancestors, despite having many shortcomings, were highly praised in later generations, and were even recognized as being consistently ranked in the top five on the list of emperors of all dynasties. Such experience is a sign of strength and needs to be vigorously promoted."

Hearing his words, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was pretending to review memorials but was actually listening carefully to the noise in the warm room next door in the study room just across the wall, raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

He really enjoyed Zhu Yunfeng's flattery.

Because Zhu Yuanzhang himself never denied his own origin.

This matter was mentioned many times in the succession edict, the imperial edict of the Ming Dynasty, and some imperial edicts and letters.

Such as "I am originally a commoner from Huaiyou", "I rose from humble origins and succeeded Heaven to succeed the Yuan Dynasty", "I started out by walking and entrust myself to the Buddhist community", etc.

Even the great Confucian scholar Song Lian believed that among all the founding emperors over the past thousands of years, the only one who could rival Zhu Yuanzhang in terms of legitimacy was Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.

"Compared to the ancients like Emperor Gaozu of Han, the reason why he gained the country was the second."

The teacher also commented on him, "Don't look down on the uncouth. Zhu Yuanzhang was illiterate and was a cowherd. However, since ancient times, no one could match Li Shimin in military ability, and the second best is Zhu Yuanzhang." It can be seen that he was highly evaluated.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang never concealed the fact that he had been a cowherd, a wandering monk, and a beggar.

Instead, he often mentioned it to emphasize the legitimacy of his succession to the throne.

The only thing that made Zhu Yuanzhang somewhat dissatisfied was that Zhu Yunfeng's sentence had many shortcomings.

What do you mean?
I started out as a beggar but eventually conquered the world, so how could I have so many shortcomings?

Why should a beggar like me take over the world?
Why aren’t those aristocratic families or powerful nobles?

"My father is the same. He doesn't shy away from the past."

Zhu Biao said: "But we, as children, naturally have to hide for the Venerable."

He then added: "Let's get down to business."

After saying this, including Zhu Di, the three Zhu family members all showed visibly excited expressions on their faces.

They were very curious about what Zhu Yunfeng could do for the Ming Dynasty to make it powerful forever!
Zhu Yunfeng saw the change in Zhu Biao's expression, smiled and said, "Well, let's get down to business."

As he spoke, he took off the backpack on his back and said, "I haven't even updated my novel these days. I've been making plans for Daming and haven't had much time to sleep."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Zhu Biao's words "thank you for your hard work" made Zhu Yunfeng feel particularly good.

He felt that the other party was gentle, polite and likable, so it was no wonder that he was favored by all officials and everyone.

Zhu Yunfeng unzipped his backpack, took something out and said, "It's just that we were a little rushed, so it may not be thorough enough. Basically, there are a few immature opinions."

"That's fine, let's brainstorm together."

Zhu Biao saw Zhu Yunfeng take out a stack of papers from his backpack. These were the papers that Zhu Yunfeng had printed at the printing shop when he came down the mountain this morning.

"Let me make it clear first. Before we get down to business, we have to agree on three rules."

"Three rules?"

"Yes."

Zhu Yunfeng placed the stack of papers on the table and emphasized, "A lot of what I said is objective. There are definitely some words that belittle our ancestors. For example, many of the policies he and the Second Ancestor formulated pushed the Ming Dynasty into the abyss of destruction. If it weren't for Yu Qian, Zhang Juzheng and others who turned the tide, the Ming Dynasty would have perished several times. So don't get angry when I talk about your pain points."

Zhu Biao subconsciously looked in the direction of the study. The warm room had lattice windows. His eyes passed through Zhu Yunfeng and saw a figure behind the lattice window behind Zhu Yunfeng who did not make any movement.

He was relieved and said, "This is natural. Everyone makes mistakes. Father is not a perfect person either. Naturally, there are omissions."

"That's good."

Zhu Yunfeng nodded, turned to the first page of the printed paper and said, "First of all, let's clarify the relationship between us. Our dialogue relationship is based on equality, mutual assistance, win-win cooperation, and focusing on development. Do you have any objections?"

"no disagreement."

This was something Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao had discussed long ago, and it was also their only choice.

"Well, then the second point is about our obligations and responsibilities. I will help you build the Ming Dynasty stronger and guide you on how to dominate the world. In return, you must give me benefits so that we can achieve common development and progress. Do you have any objections?"

"No."

There is even less objection to this point because it is the common understanding and basic requirement for cooperation between both parties.

"Third, on the basis of equal dialogue, I hope that we can have a rational dialogue and not act out of loyalty. Everyone, including our ancestors, should listen to advice."

"What does this mean?"

Zhu Biao was puzzled.

"It's very simple. I just can't say that what I say is right, but you insist on your own opinion and hurt others and yourself. As the saying goes, listen to others' advice and you will have a full meal. You still have a lot to learn. In terms of modern development and political economy, agricultural education and other theories, I have more experience and guidance ability than you, so I don't want an outsider to tell the insiders what to do."

Zhu Yunfeng emphasized: "To put it bluntly, our ancestor was just a farmer. How could he know how to govern a country? Even if you have your own reasons, you should tell me and let me help you with your reference instead of acting on your own. Can you do this?"

When these words came out, Zhu Biao was stunned at first, and then he immediately looked towards the study. There was silence in the study for a moment, and then a cough was heard.

There seemed to be a hint of anger and unhappiness in that voice.

"Objection."

Zhu Biao said hurriedly: "Although you have learned about the Ming Dynasty from history books, how do you know what the real Ming Dynasty was like? How can you understand your father's difficulties? What if you follow your method and cause unrest in the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Yunfeng laughed: "Of course I have my own ideas. I will consider all the preconditions based on your interests, that is, to maintain the Ming Dynasty Zhu family. After all, I am also a member of the Zhu family. But from my understanding of our ancestor, he is a person who likes to make decisions arbitrarily. He only does what he thinks is right, but he can't see the future."

"To put it simply, our ancestors were born beggars, which is indeed unique throughout the ages. But it was also because of their low status and lack of knowledge that they did not have a long-term vision. Many of their policies were a step backward in history and did not conform to the current national conditions and global development. As a result, they harmed the Ming Dynasty."

He continued, "So based on this point, I hope that the ancestors can listen to my advice. Under the premise that I guarantee the stability of the Ming Dynasty, you must not make decisions on your own and mess up policies."

"Of course, I can actually guess that the ancestors were dissatisfied with this because they were afraid that I would seize power. After all, if the policies were formulated by me, then the power of the country would be in my hands, which would definitely be intolerable to the ancestors."

"But the ancestors must understand, what power can I seize? Do you think modern living conditions are not good enough? Or do you prefer ancient times where you could be beheaded easily? It doesn't make sense. I don't have the conditions or the possibility to seize power in ancient times." "So my role is to be your advisor, to provide you with opinions and practical methods, and to provide a lot of technical material support. This is very critical. I must have a huge industry in modern times, so it is even more impossible for me to seize power in ancient times. The country's development plan has always been in your hands. I have always been just a think tank."

At the end, Zhu Yunfeng couldn't help but smile.

The last sentence is the key point.

It is true that we are seeking benefits for our Zhu family, but I, Zhu Yunfeng, must also become rich. Only by becoming rich can we drive forward the backward Ming Dynasty.

Once you bring over a large number of valuable antiques, he will be able to build his own business empire.

As for the source of the antiques and why gold was not given priority, they had already thought about it. Their family had a family tree to prove that their ancestors were descendants of the Zhu family and royal descendants.

By then, the origins of various antiques handed down before the Ming Dynasty will be investigated and confirmed to be heirlooms. After that, as long as the interests of all the descendants of the Zhu family in Zhujiaping are united and they are promised to share money or shares, all the mouths will be shut.

In comparison, gold is really expensive now, with one gram worth 700 to 800 yuan, but it is very troublesome to prove the source of a large amount of gold. You can only look for gold shops everywhere like a thief selling stolen goods, and you have to be nervous every time you ship a few kilograms.

Antiques are different. A Yuan blue and white porcelain or Song Dynasty official kiln porcelain in good condition can cost hundreds of millions or even millions.

If you get seven or eight antiques of great value, you can even have a cash flow of more than 10 billion if you are lucky.

Based on the current gold price of about 650 yuan per gram, one kilogram is 30 yuan, and more than 4000 billion is almost kilograms. Isn't it much more profitable to collect antiques than gold?

The most important thing is not to be afraid of investigation.

Zhu Yunfeng had checked on Bihu before and found that it was very difficult to sell gold of unknown origin. He could only look for gold recycling shops everywhere. The limit for selling one or two kilograms at a time was the limit. If he sold too much, it would be suspected of being stolen goods.

Moreover, all payments are made online nowadays and cash is no longer used. If a large amount of money is frequently deposited into a bank card in a short period of time, it may be monitored and investigated.

So dealing with gold is far inferior to dealing with antiques.

After all, your antiques came from your ancestors, and they have been preserved for so many years. You can explain it by saying that the descendants of the Zhu family did not dare to take them out during the Qing Dynasty.

As for why the Republic of China did not take out the antiques, it can be understood that there were a lot of ancestral lands that could be squandered at that time, and there was gold in troubled times and antiques in prosperous times. It was not a good thing to take out a large number of antiques and let them flow into the market at that time.

But gold is not an antique from the Ming Dynasty. If people find out that you are a descendant of the Zhu family, your entire family will be executed. It is impossible that no gold has flowed out of Zhujiaping for more than 300 years.

If there is really an official investigation, you may have to go to jail just for the unknown origin of a large amount of gold.

Therefore, in addition to making plans, Zhu Yunfeng has been studying how to make money from ancient times. The first choice is antiques, which have family trees and clan members as endorsements and there is no controversy.

Although antiques can bring in a lot of money, it is slow to make money. You need to hire a large number of experts to authenticate the authenticity of an item, and it may take a year or two before it can be put on the auction house after the experts endorse it.

So the first thing to make money is definitely antiques, but in the initial stage of entrepreneurship, you can use some gold as start-up capital. Once you are on the right track and have antiques to sell, you can sell them in large quantities if you have channels.

"Cough cough cough."

This time, three coughs were heard from Zhu Yuanzhang's side.

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Okay, this one can also satisfy you."

"Then sign and seal it. Do you have a jade seal? The imperial seal of Qin Shihuang was lost during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, but the Ming Dynasty has its own jade seal. You all should sign and seal it. You cannot deny it."

Zhu Yunfeng said with a smile.

Of course he knew that even if he signed, put his fingerprints on it, and stamped it with the imperial seal, it would still be just a piece of waste paper to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Because the binding force of this thing lies in the fact that the makers of the laws have enormous power, and they use power to constrain others to comply with such regulations, which is the same as the law.

But precisely because they have enormous power, they can ignore laws and regulations.

It’s like Zhu Yuanzhang issued so many golden medals of immunity from death, but basically one was killed after he issued one, so it’s useless.

So it seems ridiculous for a "failed writer" to make rules for a feudal emperor who likes to go back on his words.

Even if these three articles of agreement were signed, for Zhu Yuanzhang, it seemed no different from signing a piece of toilet paper.

However, the so-called teacher has a legitimate reason.

Zhu Yunfeng can only carry out the next work with such a written document.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang could ignore it, but he had ways to restrain him.

That is closing the modern channel.

Eh.

If you break the rules, I won't play with you anymore.

Go play with your own balls.

Perhaps this kind of threat seems like a child's play to others, which is speechless to think about.

But if this is the only amount of thinking you have, then you are no different from a child.

Because sometimes national affairs are like this

You need to know what your opponent cares about and what he is thinking before you can threaten him in some special way.

Zhu Yuanzhang cared about the Ming Dynasty and the throne of the Zhu family.

Losing modern times and Zhu Yunfeng would mean losing the future of Ming Dynasty. Ming Dynasty would still be trapped in the cycle of feudal dynasties and head towards destruction.

Therefore, as long as Zhu Yuanzhang was not stupid, he should understand that at least before he thought that the Ming Dynasty was strong enough to turn against Zhu Yunfeng, he must abide by such rules and dare not fall out with Zhu Yunfeng.

On the other hand, Zhu Yunfeng, without you, Zhu Yuanzhang, I would still live a modern life. I just wouldn't be rich, but I could still make ends meet and I wouldn't need you.

So to some extent, Zhu Yunfeng is a necessity for Zhu Yuanzhang, similar to rice, oil and salt.

To Zhu Yunfeng, Zhu Yuanzhang is like a daily consumer product or luxury item.

Which is lighter and heavier, at a glance.

This is also the fundamental reason why Zhu Yunfeng has the confidence to negotiate with a butcher who kills people without blinking an eye, who holds a big knife in his hand and shouts "Kill all the millions of soldiers in Jiangnan, the sword on his waist is still bloody."

As for whether Zhu Yuanzhang would take action against Zhu Yunfeng when he has grown stronger and is ready to be discarded, that is another matter.

Zhu Yunfeng will naturally have a way by then. After all, his base is not in the Ming Dynasty, but in modern times. There are too many things he can manipulate, so he will not be like in ancient times with no way out.

"Cough cough cough."

really.

Three more coughs.

This means that as Zhu Yunfeng had expected, Zhu Yuanzhang had to compromise with him in this regard.

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Okay, I'll sign. Fourth brother, go get the imperial seal."

Zhu Yunfeng smiled slightly.

This also laid the foundation for the future cooperative attitude of both parties, which was a position of equal dialogue rather than the position of emperor and his subjects.

In this way, at least he can have greater control over his autonomy and voice, and will not be submissive and obedient like a dog.

(End of this chapter)