The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 90 Empress Ma: Xiong Ying is a good older brother!

Inside the Kunning Palace, candlelight blazed brightly.

Empress Ma's words.

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "What? Is our sister going to speak up for our eldest grandson again?"

Empress Ma sat up straight and shook her head: "Zhongba is wrong. I'm not speaking for Xiong Ying, but for reason!"

"According to what Chongba just said, U.A. did this by not checking the students' studies and letting the younger brothers neglect their studies?"

Or did he say in front of all his grandsons that studying the classics was useless and tell everyone to go and paint instead?

Every word he uttered hit the nail on the head.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, and unknowingly conceded defeat.

Our girl is right!

If we really want to argue...

Even ten Zhu Chongbas wouldn't be a match for Big Sister!

For a moment, Old Zhu could only reluctantly say, "Sigh, my sister is right—"

"That settles it!!"

Empress Ma looked at her husband, her eyes filled with thought, and sighed, "Knowing you're not convinced, I'll say a few more words."

Think about it, isn't our U.A. the best at understanding what's important?!

"Today he first set the rules, checked the homework, and fulfilled his responsibilities. Then he noticed some of the drawings. He didn't punish them. This isn't indulgence, but rather an understanding of children's nature!"

"Zhongba should understand that it's better to guide than to suppress. Take Youdun for example. The more you forbid him from drawing, the more he'll sneak around doing it behind your back. He might even get distracted from his studies, which would ultimately ruin his important coursework!"

"Xiongying spoke frankly, praised You, and told him to focus on his studies before doing what he likes. You's grievances dissipated, and he became even more dedicated to his studies. This is wisdom, and even more so, the thoughtfulness of an older brother!"

"It's clear that Xiong Ying is a good older brother, and Chong Ba should be happy about that—"

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard.

Following that line of thought, I suddenly realized that what the younger sister said made a lot of sense!

Huh?

Why didn't we think of that?

Actually, if other people said that...

Old Zhu couldn't possibly keep his temper in check.

Inside and outside the palace, he could only be so tolerant when facing his wife, Ma Xiuying!

Ta-da!

I caught a glimpse of a palace maid bringing over an outer garment.

After taking the cloak, Empress Ma draped it over her husband's shoulders, saying, "Besides, Chongba, were you well-behaved when you were a child?"

"When you were seven or eight years old, you were herding cattle for a landlord in Haozhou. Didn't you spend your days squatting by the tea stalls, listening to the storytellers?"

"Even after becoming a monk at Huangjue Temple, didn't he dislike those Buddhist scriptures and instead secretly hide military strategies and tactics, studying them over and over again?"

"And that year, when your godfather said you were unruly and was about to punish you, who risked their life to protect you?"

I recall those days, when I was in the Red Turban Army.

Faced with Guo Zixing's criticism and suppression, he was on the verge of death several times.

Wasn't it the young lady who intervened and risked her life to save him?

When he was conquering the world, his sister stood behind him, stabilizing the rear and protecting the families of his soldiers.

If it weren't for this, how would Zhu Chongba be where he is today?

Therefore, he can ignore everyone else's words, but he cannot ignore his sister's words, nor can he not listen to them!

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression turned serious, and his voice became somewhat hoarse as he said, "It's our sister!!"

She noticed the change in her husband's tone.

Empress Ma sat beside him, took his hand, her eyes slightly red, and smiled, saying, "Back then, everyone said that you, Chongba, would never achieve great things—only I knew that you cared about the world and the livelihood of the common people!"

"Speaking of which, he's young, but his drawings are quite impressive—what a clever child! His father doesn't like to fight for power or profit; he just loves to study herbs. I heard Xiong Ying say last time that he's written several medical books to help people and save lives!"

"The child takes after his father; he has this talent. Even if he doesn't achieve great things in the future, if he excels in his studies and has a skill, it will be an honor for the Zhu family!"

"And Xiong Ying is the eldest grandson of the emperor, and in the future he will be in charge of these younger brothers and the Zhu family's empire."

"Chongba, think about it. If Xiong Ying can't even tolerate his own younger brother's preferences and has to extinguish even the slightest thought, how can he have the ambition to govern the world in the future?"

"Even in the past few decades, when you, Chongba, conquered the country, you relied not on rules, but on the hearts of the people! Given time, if Biao'er and Xiong Ying want to maintain the country, they will also rely on the hearts of the people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth, then pulled Empress Ma into his arms and said, "My sister is right!"

"This grandson of mine, he inherited Biao'er's kindness and our shrewdness. He knows what's fundamental and what's flexible. We underestimated him!"

After admitting his mistake, they talked for a while longer.

Zhu Yuanzhang, wanting to amuse his wife, laughed and said, "There's something else we almost forgot to tell our sister!"

"Next month, Da Sunjian's university will officially open!"

"A few days ago, Biao'er reported to us that we have some expectations. What kind of result can Da Sun achieve?"

Yu Aisun's efforts to establish a university.

Empress Ma, while in the palace, often heard Zhu Xiong Ying talk about it.

He knows much more inside information than Old Zhu!

With a smile in her phoenix eyes, she said, "Since Chongba has relinquished control and let Xiong Ying handle this, let's just wait patiently! Let's see what unexpected surprises he'll bring us!"

"But we can't spoil him too much. He's still young, and he's bound to make mistakes. We still need to establish the rules!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Of course! We told Biao'er last time that we planned to have Bowen's second son also help with the affairs, just in case anything goes wrong!"

Liu Bowen has been dead for ten years.

Zhu Yuanzhang always felt guilty towards this trusted advisor.

After the Hu Weiyong case broke out, he was publicly exonerated and admitted his mistakes.

His descendants also greatly valued and employed him.

He heard about his eldest son, Zhu Biao.

Empress Ma asked with concern, "How has Biao'er been these days?"

After Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased, he became more talkative and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, sister! We know that Biao'er's health is a bit weak, and following the suggestion of our eldest grandson last time, we have already ordered several Grand Secretaries to work with the Office of Transmission to help screen the memorials, so the burden is naturally lighter—"

"But for things like the promotion of smallpox vaccine, we also had the assistance of Chang Mao and others —"

We talked about livelihood issues such as smallpox vaccination.

Finally, the topic of paper money inevitably came up!

Since last winter, Zhu Biao, inspired by his eldest son, has held several discussions with the Ministry of Revenue and other ministries.

Finally, at the beginning of the year, I formally wrote to Zhu De, proposing some practical reform strategies.

First, a mechanism for anchoring currency was established, linked to salt and tea certificates, without touching gold and silver.

Secondly, we must severely punish the powerful who refuse cash and be lenient towards the common people.

Furthermore, the replacement, destruction, and recall of old and new paper money should be strengthened. Incentive measures should also be adopted to promote the circulation of Ming Dynasty paper money through tribute missions to vassal states.

Thinking back on the severe devaluation of the Chinese currency over the years.

Just as the Crown Prince said, the time has come when change is inevitable.

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed to several points and has already instructed the Crown Prince to take the lead in implementing them.

Inside the palace, she saw that her husband was well aware of the situation.

Moreover, since it concerned the grand plan of the nation, Empress Ma, being intelligent and kind, did not ask any further questions.

When we talk about returning to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors this year...

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said, "There are many affairs in the court, especially in the southwest. Once Wenying has deployed the troops, a war is inevitable!"

"Both the court and the local officials must act in concert. Only by defeating the chieftains of Luchuan and other places can we wholeheartedly prepare for the Northern Expedition!"

"Given the weight of Biao'er's duties, he probably won't be able to leave the capital. We've been thinking, why don't we wait until May or June and have Da Sun make the trip? What do you think, sister?"

Empress Ma nodded and said, "As Chongba says! Xiong Ying has grown so much, yet he has never returned to his hometown of Fengyang!"

"It's good to let him go back and see—"

,

After a stick of incense had burned, they finished discussing some family matters.

Seeing that it was late, the couple went to bed after being reminded by a palace servant.