The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

Zhu Gaochi earnestly advised, "Why do you say I'm timid and hesitant? This isn't timidity and hesitancy; this is rationality."

"Impulsiveness is the devil, second brother!"

"I strongly disagree with this."

As the older brother, he has a responsibility to stop his younger brother from doing wrong.

But Zhu Gaoxu didn't care: "Whether you agree or not, I'm going to do it."

Without waiting for Zhu Gaochi's response, Zhu Gaoxu left the Imperial College.

No matter how Zhu Gaochi called out, Zhu Gaoxu did not respond.

Zhu Gaochi immediately picked up the jade belt at his waist and returned to the house.

He spread out the paper, ground some ink, and began to write.

[Father's Respectful Appraisal:]

Fu'an.

Lan Yu's son, Lan Chenmeng, has been released from prison and harbors the intention to overturn the case against the Duke of Liang. The Emperor's intentions are unclear, and I am deeply concerned.

However, my second brother, misled by treacherous people, actually plotted to assassinate Lan Chen in the capital. Now that Lan Chen has been released, my grandfather must have other plans. If my second brother rashly attempts to assassinate him, I fear he will commit an unforgivable crime! I have repeatedly advised against it, but to no avail; my heart is burning with anguish.

This book was specially prepared to warn Father. I humbly beseech Father to make thorough preparations as soon as possible.

After finishing writing, Zhu Gaochi hurriedly had the letter sent to Beiping.

The journey is long, and the letter is estimated to arrive in Beiping in a few days.

I just hope... Lan Chen is just an unknown nobody.

Otherwise, if Lan Chen is indeed an important pawn in the Emperor's hands.

That would really be a disaster.

……

study.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the memorial submitted by Zhu Bai in his hand.

He pondered for a long time.

Zhu Bai's intentions were good, but if I approved Zhu Bai's construction of the coiled dragon stone pillar...

The thought of Zhu Bai setting himself on fire in the palace to prove his innocence is unbearable.

He still couldn't quite accept it.

This report has been piling up for several days.

Thoughts.

Wang Sancai bowed and entered the study, reporting, "Your Majesty, Commander Jiang and Lan Chen have arrived."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even look up: "From now on, when Lan Chen requests an audience, there's no need to report to us. Just bring him in directly."

Upon hearing this, Wang Sancai bowed and left the study.

Lan Chen and Jiang Huan entered the study.

He bowed deeply and said, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up and glanced at him, then lowered his head and ordered, "From now on, come to the palace at the same time every day. I need to see you."

"Otherwise, we'll wipe out your entire family."

Lan Chen's lips twitched slightly.

To prevent themselves from fleeing, they would readily execute their entire family.

"Zhu the Skinflint," Lan Chen muttered under his breath.

The voice was very soft, and Zhu Yuanzhang did not hear it clearly.

He looked up and asked, "What did you say?"

Lan Chen quickly put on a smile.

"It's nothing."

"Impossible, we just heard you muttering something."

"What? If you have any complaints about us, you can say them now."

Looking into Zhu Yuanzhang's shrewd and calculating eyes.

Ha ha.

Once you tell me the truth, you start to pour your heart out.

It's just that I'm giving away my own heart.

"Your Majesty, I was merely paying my respects to your ancestors for eighteen generations."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang did not notice anything unusual.

He simply replied, "Our ancestors don't need your greetings."

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang pulled out a roster from the side, glanced at it, and asked.

"We just looked at the list of people arrested from the Liang State Duke's mansion. Who on this list is your wife?"

wife?

Lan Chen bowed and replied, "This humble subject is not yet married."

Unmarried? Zhu Yuanzhang looked up with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

A hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"How old are you this year?"

"Twenty-one."

"Since you are of marriageable age but have not married, according to the regulations of the imperial court, we will arrange a marriage for you."

During the Hongwu reign, the population had not yet recovered to its peak.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an order that the government should pay close attention to marriages among the common people.

For men and women of marriageable age who do not marry, the government should intervene directly.

Helping "older" single men and women to complete their life's most important event, and to marry a designated spouse.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang also explicitly prohibited arranged marriages from the time children were born.

Simply put, marriage is not allowed if one is too young or too old.

When you reach a certain age, you should get married.

Of course, even if one was past the legal age and did not get married, the imperial court had no system of punishment.

It's just that government officials come to visit every year.

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to settle down yet."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at it and said calmly, "That's not up to you."

"We also have two daughters who are just of marriageable age."

Is this an attempt to forcibly bind oneself to the royal family?

"Would it be a bad idea for me to marry two at once?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's lips twitched slightly.

Why do I get so angry when I hear that?

If I wasn't afraid of hurting this kid, I would have given Lan Chen a taste of what it's like to be hit with a stick.

"You bastard, you want to marry both of our daughters?!"

"We're telling you to choose one to marry, not two!"

Lan Chen was slightly disappointed.

"I see."

"However, my father is still in prison and has not yet been cleared of suspicion of treason."

"I'm afraid it's inconvenient for me to get married at this time. Didn't you say that a marriage between two people requires the consent of their elders?"

I almost forgot.

Lan Chen is Lan Yu's son.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang gave up the idea of ​​marrying his daughter to Lan Chen.

Before he decides whether or not to kill Lan Yu, Lan Chen should remain single.

"Forget it, we don't want our daughter to be a widow right after getting married."

"Do you need to rest for a few more days before you go to bring our father over?"

"It will only take one hour."

Lan Chen said, "Six to seven days of rest will suffice."

Six to seven days.

Then there are still a few days left.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "Didn't you only rest for two or three days last time? How come it's become six or seven days?"

Lan Chen coughed lightly.

"This journey will require an extra round trip, and the energy consumed will naturally be even greater."

"If Your Majesty is not worried about the ship capsizing, then I may set off tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, six or seven days it is, we can wait that long."

Although it is suspected that Lan Chen has already recovered.

But he had no evidence.

He didn't dare to gamble. If the boat really capsized halfway through the journey, Lan Chen and his father would die along the way, which would be a huge loss.

Since Lan Chen wants to rest for a few more days, then let him rest for a few more days.

Actually.

After each spell is cast, rest is indeed necessary.

After eating and drinking to your heart's content and resting for two or three days, you can perform again.

Because there's an extra return trip, we need to make more preparations.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave now."

After Lan Chen left.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly said, "This is Lan Yu's confession. Arrest him according to this confession."

Jiang Huan accepted the confession with both hands.

"Your Majesty understands."

Lan Chen's appearance did indeed disrupt his plans.

He was also considering whether Zhu Yunwen was suitable to be emperor.

If Zhu Yunwen is not suitable to be emperor, should we still launch the Lan Yu case?

But after thinking it over and over...

He suddenly realized that whether Zhu Yunwen became emperor or the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Yan, or others were chosen as emperor, it would be a different story.

They might not be able to suppress Lan Yu.

Lan Yu is still useful; we need to use him to control Lan Chen.

But for others... it doesn't have this effect.