The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

A moment later, Zhu Xiong Ying stepped in and immediately noticed the furious Old Zhu.

Sensing that something was amiss, he lowered his eyes and obediently bowed, saying, "Grandson greets His Majesty!"

Then, Zhu Xiong Ying respectfully greeted his father, Zhu Biao, and the others.

Seeing that his eldest grandson was safe and sound, Zhu Yuanzhang's wrinkles eased a little, and he beckoned, saying, "My dear grandson, come here to me!"

"I heard you beat up that guy surnamed Wu? Is Da Sun hurt anywhere?"

The Imperial Desk.

Seeing that Old Zhu didn't ask any questions and instead showered them with concern, they thought to themselves, "This is truly a loving grandfather!"

Zhu Xiong Ying raised her little face and hurriedly said, "Grandpa, don't worry! I'm perfectly fine, not hurt at all!"

"That censor knelt before Fengtian Gate, daring to speak ill of Your Majesty. I happened to be passing by and overheard him, so I couldn't stand it and took action, causing you worry. It was my fault..."

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a warmth in his heart.

Even the entire court of civil and military officials could not understand his intentions.

But with such a loving grandson who protects him, it's no wonder he's been spoiled for nothing!

Pulling his eldest grandson into his arms, Old Zhu glanced around and sneered, "Good job! We've had our eye on him for a long time!"

"Our Great Ming Dynasty needs good officials who get things done, not those who engage in empty talk and harm the country! We certainly don't need a bunch of good-for-nothings!"

The grandfather and grandson sang in harmony.

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

How could a grandson of the emperor strike a high-ranking official and then be praised, a veiled insult?

Is there no law?

But who is standing in front of me?

That was the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

The repercussions of the Hu Weiyong case have not yet completely subsided.

One wrong move and you're in a nine-family annihilation game!

Who would dare to be so blind as to become a victim of the blade?

Even Crown Prince Zhu Biao shifted his body, opened his mouth as if to say something, but upon meeting Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze, he could only sigh helplessly.

Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager doted on Ying'er too much!

Since Ying'er's serious illness, her personality has changed quite a bit...

This went on for about ten breaths.

Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately left all his ministers waiting for a while to express his dissatisfaction.

I realized it was almost done.

He pointed to the side and instructed, "Our eldest grandson, since you're here, stay here, watch carefully, and listen carefully..."

Zhu Xiong Ying was born after the winter month, and was only twelve years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).

But in the past two years, having witnessed his beloved grandson's intelligence and precociousness, Old Zhu has taken him by his side whenever he has free time to teach him by example.

He cared for him even more than his eldest son, Zhu Biao, and was grooming him to be the third-generation successor of the Ming Dynasty!

The saying "grandparents love their grandchildren more" applies to the royal family as well!

Zhu Xiong Ying agreed and stood obediently to the side.

After a short while, Zhu Yuanzhang swept his phoenix eyes over the crowd and raised his voice, "Where were we? Continue the story!"

Immediately, the other court officials began to complain.

Zhu Xiong Ying was closer and could see that the veins on the back of his grandfather's hand were bulging, clearly indicating that he was extremely angry.

That being said, Zhu Yuanzhang came from a poor background and was most compassionate towards the common people, and he couldn't stand seeing clerks oppressing ordinary people.

Now that we know the national treasury is insufficient to supply the disaster victims, and the officials in the court are shirking their responsibilities, how can we not be angry?

Where did all that money and grain go?

the reason is simple.

Isn't this a case of collusion between officials and businessmen, with the money being embezzled in private?

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze shifted back to Guo Huan, the restless Vice Minister of Revenue.

With the disaster spreading and public anger rising, the Guo Huan case is about to explode!

Thinking back to the early years of the Hongwu reign, when officials colluded and engaged in corruption, resulting in enormous financial losses that were ultimately borne by the common people of the Ming Dynasty.

He felt that Old Zhu had done a good job killing him!

They even killed a little too few!

However, in the long run, killing alone cannot completely solve the problem if we want to curb these malpractices; we also need to address the issue at the systemic level.

Zhu Xiong Ying seemed to be pondering.

Snapped!

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the imperial desk, abruptly stood up, his eyes fierce, and looked down at the emperor, saying, "Back when we were starving in Haozhou, we know best the hardships of ordinary people!"

"Regardless of how much grain is left, it should be inventoried, sealed, and transported to Shandong and other places immediately."

"Furthermore, the provincial officials were ordered to organize laborers to carry out work-for-relief programs to dredge existing waterways, and to divert water to irrigate fields wherever there are rivers, lakes, or marshes!"

"Considering the impact of the spring drought, summer taxes will be reduced or waived in the disaster-stricken areas... These matters will all be overseen by the Crown Prince. Anyone who dares to abuse their power, falsify reports, or misappropriate funds will be executed without mercy!"

"You've memorized all of that?"

Upon seeing that the emperor had issued an imperial edict.

The officials dared not disobey, so they stood up and replied in unison, "Your Majesty, we will obey your decree!"

But the key officials of the six ministries all trembled and took their leave.

Zhu Yuanzhang then kept Zhu Biao behind, his gaze deep and earnest, and said, "Biao'er, we know you have a kind heart, but remember, in the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties, there are still hundreds or thousands of households starving!"

"The entire court must keep a close eye on this! We must ensure that the people in both regions receive the rations necessary to survive!"

"Anyone who dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy us is going against us! We'll wipe out their entire family!"

In Old Zhu's eyes, his eldest son was kind, gentle, filial, and respectful—he was good in every way.

The only problem is that he thinks too comprehensively and lacks the ruthlessness to be decisive and ruthless!

He didn't realize that to be an emperor, the first thing you need to do is make your people fear you!

Fortunately, Ai Sun Xiong Ying, as he grew older, gradually developed his own demeanor!

Zhu Biao bowed and said, "Your subject will remember this and will certainly not fail in your mission!"

As he left, Zhu Biao deliberately looked up and glanced at his eldest son.

It's because I have something to say to myself.

Zhu Xiong Ying immediately understood and said to Old Zhu, "Grandfather, I'll go see Father off!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, with his keen intuition, glanced at his eldest son and nodded, saying, "Go, but don't go too far. Come back after you've delivered it!"

"Grandson understands."

A dozen or so breaths later, the father and son, one in front of the other, left the Huagai Hall.

Before Zhu Biao could even begin to lecture him.

Zhu Xiong Ying rubbed his red and swollen eyes, and played his trump card first, saying with teary eyes, "Father, your son misses Mother. I've been dreaming about her often these days. I plan to go and pay my respects in person during the Qingming Festival!"

Therefore, the Crown Princess, née Chang, was the daughter of Chang Yuchun, a famous general who helped found the country.

He passed away in the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign (1388) at the age of twenty-four.

During Chang's lifetime, the couple had a very good relationship!

At this moment, I heard my son talking about his deceased wife.

Zhu Biao's heart softened, and he swallowed all the words he wanted to say. He turned to the side and sighed, "Yes, I will have the Crown Prince prepare the memorial service!"

"But Ying'er, in the future, you must remain calm in the face of adversity and never act rashly..."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and readily agreed, "Don't worry, your son definitely won't do it again next time!"

With Lao Zhu protecting us, we'll dare to do it again next time!

He watched as Biao'er's father descended the steps and disappeared through the palace gates.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care at all, humming a little tune as she returned to the warm pavilion.

Before even approaching the imperial desk, they saw Old Zhu frowning, putting down the memorial in his hand, and looking up, saying, "Good grandson, you've always had a lot of clever ideas!"

"Tell me, where has all the money and grain in our national treasury gone?"