Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 105 The Charm of Emperor Yongle

In the Wuying Hall, after listening to Liu Ying's report, Zhu Yuanzhang's face instantly became gloomy and his expression was cold.

Liu Ying stood by with his head bowed. Even though he knew that the emperor's emotions were not directed at him, he couldn't help but lower his head even more.

The aura of the superior at this moment is really too scary.

"Keep watching. Be careful not to alert the enemy."

After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang finally gave Liu Ying new instructions.

Liu Ying took the order and left.

"boom!"

After Liu Ying left, Zhu Yuanzhang, unable to suppress his anger any longer, slapped the imperial desk hard.

The pen holder and inkstone on the imperial desk made a rustling sound.

Zhu Yuanzhang's breathing couldn't help but become rapid.

The reason was simple: the news reported by Liu Ying made him too angry!

The brothers Wu Liang and Wu Zhen were actually secretly reselling large ocean vessels worth 2,000 tons!
This is a large ocean ship weighing two thousand tons!
I have spent so much effort in building these large ships.

The cost of building a 2,000-ton sea-going ship is over 200,000 strings of cash.

It was prepared for the attack on Japan.

As a result, these two bastards actually resold it?
Moreover, it was resold to pirates?

The navy that this bastard Wu Zhen is currently leading is called the Navy for Preparing for Wo Japan, and his position is the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy for Preparing for Wo Japan.

The title is Marquis of Jinghai.

The entire coastal defense was handed over to him.

The trust in him is huge.

Today, the biggest threat to the Ming Dynasty at sea is not the Japanese pirates, but the pirates from the Chen and Fang groups.

In other words, from the founding of the Ming Dynasty to its demise, the greatest threat from the sea, harassing and tormenting the coastal areas, were not the Japanese pirates.

Instead, they were many local Japanese pirates who acted under the name of Japanese pirates.

Therefore, the Japanese pirates could never be completely wiped out.

The Chen and Fang pirate groups were the remnants of Chen Youding and Fang Guozhen who fled to the sea.

After occupying some islands, they quickly expanded their business.

They are all defeated by his own men.

Wu Zhen was in charge of coastal defense, and he and these pirates who frequently harassed the coast should have been mortal enemies.

When they meet, they become jealous and try every possible means to get rid of the other party.

But now, I have given myself such a big surprise.

He actually kept flirting with the pirates!

Not to mention this, there are even more outrageous things!

He even secretly sold a two thousand ton sea ship, a top-quality item, to pirates!
Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous intent and anger were truly difficult to suppress.

In my previous life, due to various reasons and subsequent changes in my mentality, I did not use military force against Japan.

And some small marginal countries, including Japan, were turned into unconquered countries.

The large sea ships that he ordered to be manufactured at the Longjiang Baochuan Factory have been idle for a long time.

Since I can't use it, I don't care about it.

Therefore, when people saw the records of the fourth prince sending Zheng He to sail to the West in modern times, they thought that the large sea ships built by themselves and stored in the treasure ship yard were used by the fourth prince.

Now he was starting over again, establishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard ahead of time and asking them to pay special attention to the Wu brothers.

Only then did he suddenly realize that these good things had already been resold by these two heartless and audacious beasts!
These two brothers were promoted by me.

He is the most trusted among his trusted relatives and the most trusted among his trusted relatives.

Why were they able to come from behind and defeat the Chaohu Navy?
It's because I have been giving them opportunities to make achievements.

This is because the Chaohu Navy was the only one in power before, and the Chaohu Navy had an independent status and a relatively independent organization, so I was a little worried.

Specially to help them up.

Two marquises in one family, what a great honor.

The river and sea defenses were all handed over to these brothers. What a trust!

But now he suddenly discovered that this was how these two people repaid him!
Given Zhu Yuanzhang's temper, how could he tolerate this?

He was really furious and full of murderous intent!
In his previous life, he had never had any suspicion towards these two brothers.

Now that he has started over again and has formed the Jinyiwei, he asked Liu Ying to secretly take good care of these two brothers.

It was also because in later life he learned how much wealth there was overseas.

How profitable is overseas trade?

Not to mention overseas trade in modern times, the overseas trade during the Song Dynasty alone is enough to be envied.

On average, the annual revenue of the Maritime Customs Office could reach over 20 million strings of cash!
It can stably account for almost 20% of fiscal revenue.

The income of the Maritime Customs during the Yuan Dynasty was still astonishing.

At its peak, it could exceed 30 million guan!
As a result, by the time the Ming Dynasty came to power, there was only a profit of about 10,000 strings of cash left.

If it hadn't fallen to such an outrageous level, how stupid would I be to kill the Maritime Customs, a goose that lays golden eggs?

After carefully studying this aspect and the history of world development in modern times, Zhu Yuanzhang realized how many good things he had missed.

He made up his mind to close the Maritime Customs Office, and the two brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang made the greatest contribution.

They were the ones who wrote memorials to themselves saying that the annual profits of the Maritime Customs were pitifully small.

Not enough money for the trouble.

Moreover, the existence of the Maritime Customs Office would easily lead pirates to spy on the strength of the Ming Dynasty, making it easier for some people along the coast to collude with pirates.

The extra money spent every year is more than this.

He believed their words, ordered the closure of the Maritime Customs Office, and implemented a maritime ban.

But now I find out that I was treated like a fool by them and fooled. I was cheated badly!
The righteousness they talk about is actually just about interests.

They said they were preventing the coastal residents from colluding with the pirates, but it turned out that those who were in charge of suppressing the pirates were in cahoots with the pirates.

It's so fucking infuriating!

"Call the Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan to come with us."

Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed his anger and gave orders.

It’s time to deal with the brothers Wu Liang and Wu Zhen!

If you dare to do such a thing, be prepared to pay the price!
And they are the biggest obstacles on the road to re-establishing the Maritime Customs!
Not long after, Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Prince of Yan Zhu Di arrived one after another.

"I have come to see my father and wish him well."

After Zhu Di arrived at the Wuying Hall, he saluted Zhu Yuanzhang respectfully.

Then he saluted Zhu Biao: "Big brother."

"Fourth brother, sit down."

Zhu Biao pointed to the chair beside him and greeted Zhu Di.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Biao and then at Zhu Yuanzhang, appearing a little hesitant.

"Since your elder brother asked you to sit, just sit down. Your elder brother's words are the same as ours.

You're right to listen to your elder brother.

Have you forgotten what it means that an elder brother is like a father? "

Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Di's little action and spoke with a somewhat unpleasant tone.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di grinned and walked over to sit next to Zhu Biao.

He even twisted his butt back and forth on the chair a few times.

You know what, this feeling is quite comfortable.

From now on, I can go to that bitch Lao San and have a good talk with her.

After marrying Xu Miaoyun, Zhu Di became noticeably thinner and darker...

This is the result of hard fighting and training all day long.

Less than a month after getting married, Zhu Di went to the army for training.

Once again, he changed his name to Wu Jian and started from the bottom.

The second son, King Qin, also used the name Wu Tian and joined the Yulin Guard as a small soldier.

He practiced martial arts very hard every day.

The military camp is the best place to train people, especially the Emperor's guards such as the Yulin Guards, the elite among the elite.

Thanks to Boss Zhu's high demands on the army, these soldiers train very hard.

It would be strange if these changes did not happen after Zhu Di joined the Yulin Guard.

"We called you two here today to give you a task.

It’s mainly handed over to the fourth brother.”

When facing his son, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke directly and did not beat around the bush.

"Father, just tell me, I promise to complete the task!"

Zhu Di was cheered up when he heard this and immediately straightened his back.

"You didn't even listen to what the mission was, and you just agreed like that?"

"Don't worry about the mission, as long as it's given by my father, I will complete it!"

Zhu Di's answer was decisive.

"Great! This is the spirit and energy I want. He is indeed our son!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Di and praised him highly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di straightened the joystick even more.

He looks fearless and won't frown even if he has to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of ​​fire.

"Then you should go to the Imperial College and take the third child back. You can go to school for him."

Zhu Yuanzhang's faint voice sounded.

What? !

Zhu Di was stunned for a moment, as if his butt was on fire, and he jumped up from the chair.

Where is the determination he had just now?
"Father!"

He shouted, feeling anxious and aggrieved.

He then hurriedly looked at Crown Prince Zhu Biao, his expression full of pity.

He was a grown-up man, already married, but in an instant he turned into a puppy.

Weak, pitiful, and helpless.

"Fourth brother, father is just teasing you!"

Zhu Biao felt sorry for his brother and quickly explained.

"Father!"

After comforting his brother, Zhu Biao turned around and shouted at Zhu Yuanzhang.

With anxiety, anger and amusement.

His father didn't know what was going on, and now that he had the chance, he would scare the fourth brother.

"Your eldest brother is right. We were just teasing you. With your personality, if we send you to school, you will definitely piss off the teacher to death.

Even if you want to go, we wouldn't dare send you in."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in his heart, but spoke with a hint of disgust.

Biaoer, the eldest brother in his family, is really too soft-hearted and cannot bear to see his younger brothers suffer even the slightest bit.

Otherwise, if he followed his own ideas, he would have to make the fourth guy worried for a while longer.

"Father, you scared me to death."

After receiving the exact news, Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief, but was still filled with lingering fear.

Looking at Zhu Di like this, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly understood why the fourth emperor in history liked to call his few silly boys together and tease them whenever he had nothing to do after becoming emperor.

You know what, this feels pretty good.

"What do you think of the brothers Wu Liang and Wu Zhen?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Di and asked.

Zhu Di was slightly stunned.

"Of course it's good, those who followed my father all the way here to kill.

It has been valued by emperors throughout the ages.

And they are worthy of their father's attention to them.

When we were conquering the world, we dared to fight and struggle, but now that the world is pacified, one of us is in charge of river defense and the other is in charge of coastal defense.

Things were done very appropriately.”

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, thought about his impressions of Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, and said these words.

He was telling the truth. In his impression, the brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang had always been very conscientious and responsible.

Compared with Liao Yongzhong, he is much more honest and reserved in his behavior and conduct.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but smile when he heard Zhu Di's answer.

He was not laughing at Zhu Di for being wrong, but at himself.

Didn’t I have the same opinion of these two brothers in my previous life?

But he was completely deceived. Seeing that the fourth brother was a little panicked by his laughter, Zhu Yuanzhang explained:
"Old Four, you're right, that's how we view the two brothers.

But damn, we got accurate information that these two people are now colluding with pirates at sea.

We are selling the 2,000-ton large ocean-going ship in our Longjiang Shipyard to pirates!"

what? !

Zhu Di was shocked and incredulous when he heard this.

"What were they thinking? How dare they?!"

Even though these words were said by his own father, Zhu Di felt for a moment that they were full of absurdity.

The brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, who always give people a very reliable impression and are recognized by many as their father's absolute confidants, actually did such a thing?

“Who knows what they were thinking?
They are very brave. Not only do they dare to do so, but they have already done so.

This is not the first time they have done this. Before this, they have sold six large ships!

There are only thirteen large ships built in the Baochuan Factory.

If they secretly sell three more ships, the whole Treasure Shipyard will be completely emptied out by these bastards!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his eyes turned slightly red.

"Father, I request your order to take people to raid the Longjiang Shipyard right now.

Control all the people and conduct an audit.

There are fewer ships, and the gap is so big that these people have no way to deny it.

With such clear evidence, he must be executed!"

Zhu Di was shocked and immediately asked for orders.

He already understood what his father wanted to do by calling him here.

Brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang deserve to die.

He actually did such a thing in secret!

Given their status and position, it is indeed not a good idea for ordinary people to deal with them.

It is just right that a prince like me takes the lead in this matter.

"Don't worry, we didn't call you here to do this."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang rejected Zhu Di's request.

“If we don’t catch the thieves and steal the stolen goods, they will try their best to argue their case.

Moreover, since they dared to do such a thing, they must have arranged many means in secret.

When necessary, it is very likely that death squads will be used to cut off the rear and survive.

In their position, it would be inappropriate if they didn't get solid evidence."

"Father, what you mean is... that I should wait until these people are negotiating with the pirates, and then strike suddenly and capture them red-handed?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "That's exactly what I meant."

"Royal Father, these...these two have made great contributions in the past. They were confused for a moment and did something like this.

Father can punish them.

But if I kill him like this, I'm afraid it would be too harsh...

In the most recent period, Liao Yongzhong was first executed, and then Li Shanchang was severely punished in the city of Zhongdu.

They also planned to collect a commercial tax of 6% on the mutual trade in which Huaixi and others were mainly involved.

This group of people in Huaixi have been severely punished by my father.

If this happened immediately afterwards, the brothers Wu Zhen and Wu Liang would be executed.

I’m afraid it will easily cause some unnecessary turmoil…”

Crown Prince Zhu Biao thought about it and couldn't help but speak up to dissuade him.

Father has done so many things this year.

The blade pointed inward, slashing down again and again.

Each cut was terrifyingly large.

My father was too anxious and moved too frequently, not giving me much chance to breathe.

Zhu Biao was somewhat worried that it would have the opposite effect and that haste makes waste.

Although my father said that at worst we could just return to Haozhou City and fight for the throne again.

But in Zhu Biao's view, this is only the last resort.

If you can avoid taking this step, it is better not to take it.

"Biao'er, do you know how much the Maritime Customs Office earns?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not directly answer Zhu Biao's question, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"Isn't it about ten thousand guan a year?"

There was a hint of doubt in Zhu Biao's voice.

“Wrong.

During the Song Dynasty, even in the Southern Song Dynasty, when only half of the country was left, the annual profit of the Maritime Customs Office was over 20 million strings of cash.

The Yuan Dynasty inherited the Maritime Customs Office of the Song Dynasty, and its profits were equally astonishing. At its peak, it reached over 30 million guan!

Um? !
Zhu Biao, who was thinking about how to ask his father to calm down his wrath, was stunned for a moment.

"so much?"

He couldn't help but ask aloud.

"Then...why is it that by the time of the Ming Dynasty, only this much is left?"

After saying that, he suddenly remembered something: "Father, I remember that before we decided to abolish the Maritime Customs Office, didn't we also get out the files of the Yuan Dynasty Maritime Customs Office?
The profits of the Maritime Customs of the Yuan Dynasty were also very low, at most only a few hundred thousand guan, and most of the time only tens of thousands or even a few thousand guan.

A long time ago, Zhu Yuanzhang brought Zhu Biao with him to observe government affairs.

What Zhu Yuanzhang said today made Zhu Biao recall some old things.

"Biao'er, you're not mistaken."

Zhu Yuanzhang's affirmation made Zhu Biao even more confused.

"Could it be that...what they showed Father was all fake?"

"It's not fake, it's all real."

Now, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di on his side were completely helpless.

If all of this is true, then why did my father also say that during the Yuan Dynasty, when the Maritime Customs Office had its highest annual revenue, it could reach more than 30 million strings of cash?
This is unreasonable!
"What they showed us at the time were archives from the late Yuan Dynasty, after the Maritime Customs Office was abolished.

Not all files.

We haven't been shown the files from the early and middle periods showing the huge profits made by the Maritime Customs."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he unconsciously gritted his teeth.

How much is this!

If I hadn’t had such a miraculous experience by chance, I would never have understood how badly I had been cheated in my previous life until I died!

"Father, Wu Zhen and Wu Liang are destined to die.

I beg you to execute Wu Zhen and Wu Liang to uphold the law of the land!"

After being stunned for a while, Crown Prince Zhu Biao suddenly stood up, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, and directly asked him to execute Wu Zhen and Wu Liang.

The attitude is extremely firm.

In this matter, in a short period of time, Zhu Biao went through the psychological journey of questioning his father, understanding his father, and then firmly supporting his father.

The Ming Dynasty was newly established and was short of money in every aspect.

My father has always been tightening his belt.

As a result, his father's trusted ministers, led by Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, actually tricked his father severely in this matter.

He was afraid that his father would one day discover the secret of the Maritime Customs and would crack down on it.

They simply used deception and other means to take advantage of the emperor's trust in them and made him close the Maritime Customs Office.

He also took the opportunity to issue an order for a maritime ban.

These people were killed without any reason.

"Father, why did the Yuan Dynasty's Maritime Customs suddenly cease to exist?"

Zhu Di shared the same hatred for the enemy and couldn't help but ask the doubts in his mind.

The difference between the extremely high profits of the Maritime Customs in the early and middle Yuan Dynasty and the pitifully small profits in the later period is so huge that it is hard to understand.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "The matter is simple. The Yuan Dynasty simply wanted to gain more through the Maritime Customs Office, so it issued new and more stringent laws.

But the implementation is not in place, and supervision is even worse.

As a result, many sea merchants who originally paid taxes to the Maritime Customs began to bribe the people who managed the Maritime Customs and started engaging in smuggling.

After tasting the sweetness and with no strong means from the Yuan Dynasty to stop it, there was no turning back.

The revenue of the Maritime Customs collapsed like an avalanche.

In just a few years, it was completely gone.”

After hearing what their father said, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di knew what was going on.

He also understood more clearly why his father hated the Yuan Dynasty so much.

This is not only because the cruel rule of the Yuan Dynasty made it impossible for the lower-class people to survive, and many of their loved ones died as a result.

Also, because the Yuan Dynasty's rule was too extensive, many good systems and good things were ruined.

It left a mess on the ground.

My father wants to clean it up, but I don’t know how much effort it will take.

Zhu Biao was not curious and asked to see the archives of the Yuan Dynasty's Maritime Customs to see if it was really as his father said.

This was not only because he trusted his father, but also because he was afraid of alerting the enemy.

This action made some people realize that something was wrong.

This will cause some unnecessary twists and turns.

"Wu Zhen and Wu Liang are one and the same, sharing the same blood.

Either don't do anything, or just take down both brothers at once.

Wu Liang is easy to deal with. He is here in the capital and is easy to deal with.

The most troublesome one is Wu Zhen.

This guy commands nearly 50,000 naval troops ready to fight against the Japanese invaders, and the naval troops ready to fight against the Japanese invaders are stationed in Chongming.

You can go to sea at any time.

Moreover, many of the soldiers in the navy preparing for war with Japan were surrendered soldiers from Chen Youding and Fang Guozhen who were originally recruited.

There is a very deep connection between Haikou and Chen Fang on the sea.

Judging from the fact that Wu Zhen and his men dared to secretly sell large ships to the Fang pirates.

The connection between them and the pirates is far closer than previously thought.

If one is not careful, there is a high possibility that he will take people to the sea to become pirates.

We are going to go to sea next. If these people really go to the sea to become pirates, such a large-scale rebellion of regular troops will have extremely bad consequences.

It will also greatly affect the opening of the sea and cause a lot of unnecessary trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was unusually serious.

"So, Father is planning to use the Chaohu navy to deal with these people?"

Zhu Biao remembered what his father said in public yesterday, that he would let the Chaohu navy transport supplies to the north and participate in the northern trade.

"Yes, I'm still a little worried about the Chaohu Navy, so I plan to let the fourth brother follow the Chaohu Navy.

Later, we will issue an order to transfer Wu Zhen to the capital.

This left the navy preparing for war with Japan in a state of disarray.

The fourth brother will act together with the Chaohu navy to catch them by surprise..."

Zhu Yuanzhang began to tell Zhu Biao and Zhu Di about his detailed plan.

"How about it? Do you dare?"

After Zhu Yuanzhang told Zhu Di his detailed plan, he looked at him and asked.

Zhu Di was not afraid at all, but was excited.

"Father, this is something I should be doing! I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

Zhu Di's answer was powerful and resounding.

"Great! You are worthy of being the son of our Zhu Yuanzhang!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy and slapped Zhu Di on the shoulder.

Although the slap was painful, Zhu Di felt very happy.

This time the task is very heavy and I must do it well.

The more important the task, the better you complete it, and the more you can demonstrate your ability.

In this way, I will be able to live up to my father's praise and expectations.

I can also show off in front of the third guy.

The third brother is still studying hard in the Imperial Academy, but I have already made great achievements here!

Thinking about how that bitch, the third brother, would be speechless after being shocked by his true achievements, Zhu Di looked forward to this trip even more...

……

At the Sailors' Office on Chongming Island, Wu Zhen frowned as he held a letter delivered by a speedboat that had traveled day and night.

(End of this chapter)