The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Before the eldest grandson of the emperor could officially assume the position.

While showing his protectiveness and affection, Lan Yu immediately reached out and steadily supported him, laughing loudly, "Please rise, Imperial Grandson!"

"Several years have passed, and the eldest grandson of the emperor has grown up. His heroic spirit is just like that of the crown prince in his youth..."

After the initial reflection.

Although Lan Yu wanted to spend more time talking and getting closer to her nephew and grandson.

However, etiquette could not be disregarded, and under Zhu Biao's guidance, he met with a group of officials and generals.

During this time, Zhu Xiong Ying followed beside her.

They keenly sensed that this maternal uncle of the Lan family was arrogant and disdainful towards others.

Only when facing him and Biao'er's father did he behave properly and show the utmost respect!

With such a personality, even his fourth uncle probably wouldn't give him a second glance!

Let alone others.

It's no wonder that after the deaths of his eldest son Zhu Biao and his grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, Emperor Taizu of Ming had no choice but to ruthlessly eliminate Zhu Yunwen, the talented son who was to become his heir.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang died, no one could subdue him!

However, in this life...

As long as he lives, Biao'er's father is also alive, and Uncle Lan Yu will be safe and sound!

As for his fourth uncle, Zhu Di, he should stay in Beiping and be a general in the Northern Expedition!

More than half an hour later.

The welcoming process was finally over.

I glanced at the sun in the sky.

Zhu Biao said, "My father is waiting in the palace and has prepared a victory banquet. Marquis Yongchang, please come with me into the city first to meet the emperor and report back!"

Lan Yu readily agreed, cupping his hands in acknowledgment and replying, "Your humble servant obeys!"

When it was time to return to the city, Zhu Biao and his son Zhu Xiong Ying got back into the sedan chair.

Lan Yu, like a gatekeeper, led a group of generals to closely guard the side, directly taking over the duties of the Eastern Palace guards.

Seeing this, even Zhu Biao felt somewhat helpless.

But seeing that his brother-in-law meant well, and that his attempts to persuade him had failed, he decided to stop.

I had no choice but to hold my nose and bear it.

On the way back, Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care about all those formalities.

He lifted the sedan curtain and kept asking questions.

Lan Yu answered happily.

"Uncle, in the southwest, are there mountains upon mountains, and many wild animals?"

"Hahaha! Your Highness asks a good question! Speaking of the Southwest, it's far from the capital, mostly high mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see! There are many ferocious beasts in those mountains, including black bears, leopards, and even black and white iron-eating beasts!"

"Your Majesty, I once shot and killed a fierce tiger. I brought the entire tiger skin with me today, intending to present it to you..."

"Oh, Uncle, how is the chieftain's equipment? If our Ming army charges in, won't we win in one battle?"

When discussing the war in the southwest.

Lan Yu's relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a serious one. "The Crown Prince may not know, but they are barbarians. Some wear animal skins, others carry bows and arrows. Although their equipment is not as sophisticated as ours, they are very fierce and should not be underestimated!"

"Once, we almost fell for their trick!"

Since the late Tang Dynasty, when the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms existed, the southwestern region had long been separated from the rule of the central government.

Although the Yuan dynasty established provinces, their binding force was limited.

Their internal affairs were characterized by "greed for profit and killing, fierce competition, burning and looting, which became their habit."

From the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign to the present, during the Ming army's campaigns, they captured Dali City, took the Duan family prisoner, and later quelled banditry...

This required a tremendous investment of human and material resources.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, then blinked and asked curiously, "Uncle, do you know how many open-pit mines there are in the southwest?"

He asked that question.

Actually, I was looking into the current state of mineral deposits in Yunnan and Guizhou.

If firearms are to be developed in the future, large amounts of copper and iron will be needed.

As far as he knew, the southwest region, such as Dongchuan, Dali, Yimen, Tongren, Tengchong, and Chuxiong, had abundant open-pit mines.

However, most of it was not until the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty that it was widely developed!

Lan Yu pondered for a moment, then glanced around curiously. Why was her nephew asking about this?

Without much thought, he nodded and said, "Yes, there are. For example, the cinnabar mine in Wanshan is a remnant from the early days, and it is now being used by the local government. As for the others, we haven't heard of any..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying made a plan in his mind.

As expected, the southwest was initially pacified.

Neither the generals stationed in the region nor the Ming Dynasty court had a sufficient understanding of the mineral reserves in the southwest.

For him, it was essential to plan ahead and conduct exploration in advance.

In order to facilitate large-scale mining and smelting in the future for use in military and agricultural purposes, thereby enhancing the national strength of the Ming Dynasty...

However, for this matter to be carried out, in addition to persuading Lao Zhu and Biao'er's father, another person is needed to carry it out.

That was his uncle, the adopted son of Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping!

Furthermore, these mineral resources may not be sufficient.

After we destroy the Northern Yuan and the Tatars, we'll go dig in the northern deserts...

We're about to head back to the city.

Lan Yu glanced at her grand-nephew in the sedan chair, then at the Crown Prince, and said with a smile, "I almost forgot, on this trip back to the capital, besides ours, Mu Ying also sent quite a few gifts, some for His Majesty and the Empress, and some for the Crown Prince and the eldest grandson of the Emperor..."

"Wait a couple of days, then send it to the palace! I'm sure the eldest grandson of the emperor will like it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying was deeply moved.

Uncle Mu Ying truly regarded Old Zhu's entire family as his closest relatives.

Historically, upon learning of the death of his adoptive mother, Empress Ma, Mu Ying was so grief-stricken that he coughed up blood repeatedly.

After my elder brother Zhu Biao passed away.

After suffering a series of blows, he unfortunately fell ill and died.

The descendants of the Mu family in Yunnan, remembering their ancestral motto of "guarding Yunnan for generations and relieving the emperor's worries about the south," have been loyal and courageous in guarding Yunnan for the Zhu family for more than 280 years!

Even during the Southern Ming Dynasty, Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian, fled to Burma with Emperor Yongli. He refused to surrender to the Qing and died in battle with his son, Mu Zhongliang!

They fulfilled their vow to die for their country!

……

On the same day, in the imperial city.

When Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, returned, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang not only personally received him but also hosted a banquet for him.

After the banquet, Old Zhu kept Lan Yu behind and asked about the situation in Yunnan and Guizhou, especially the follow-up work to appease her.

Upon hearing that his adopted son, Mu Ying, had already begun large-scale land reclamation, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and promoted education, he was inspired to respect the virtuous and promote scholarship.

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard and praised, "With Wenying guarding the region, there is no worry in the southwest!"

These words demonstrate the utmost trust!

Among all the adopted sons, Mu Ying was the most trusted and treated like his own son!

Not only was it the earliest adopted child, but it also spent the longest time with the family.

Even more important is that filial piety.

After discussing these matters, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Lan Yu, whose skin was tanned by the sun, and earnestly admonished him: "These past years, you've worked hard quelling rebellions outside!"

"Having returned, I will stay in the capital for a while longer!"

"It just so happens that the Ministry of War is short-staffed. Biao'er recommended you to be the Vice Minister. These days, you've been working with the Duke of Wei to help Biao'er manage official duties!"

At this point, Old Zhu paused, then added, "Hmph, I know you're just like Bo Ren (Chang Yuchun), with a fiery temper, but remember, the court isn't a battlefield; you can't act on impulse!"

"After you go, listen more to what's going on and get angry less! Let me tell you this: if you can work diligently and assist the Crown Prince well, it will be better than winning a hundred battles for us!"

Over the years, Zhu Yuanzhang has intentionally cultivated Lan Yu into the core of the Eastern Palace!

On ordinary days, he would often give earnest and heartfelt advice and guidance, reminding people to avoid being impatient and greedy.

At this time, Lan Yu had not yet experienced the great victory at Buyur Lake, and his arrogant nature was still somewhat restrained.

Facing the emperor with utmost reverence, he rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's admonitions are etched in my heart! I dare not forget them for a moment!"