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

That's true.

Zhu Yuanzhang had an extreme aversion to corrupt and bribe-taking officials.

This may be related to his experiences in his youth.

The fact that the Embroidered Uniform Guard could embezzle funds was probably due to practical considerations.

Being a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a job that can offend people; you can't expect a horse to run without feeding it.

"You're the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; logically, you should be the one most likely to skim off the top, right?"

"How could it not even be fifty taels?"

Jiang Huan snorted lightly: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard only accepts money they can get their hands on."

"We know exactly what kind of money we can accept and what kind we can't."

Bribes from officials should never be accepted.

And they used their privileges as members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to extort money, etc.

They were also punished for violating the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

"So where do you get the profits?"

"Confiscating property."

This was the only way, permitted by the emperor, to make a profit.

During the Hongwu reign, the confiscation of property was a frequent occurrence.

As long as the amount embezzled is not too large, the emperor will not investigate.

Rather than saying it was confiscation of property for personal gain, it was more accurate to say it was a reward from the emperor.

It's just not overt.

This is considered a bonus.

That makes sense, since Zhu Yuanzhang's parents starved to death when he was a child because of corrupt officials.

It is naturally impossible to allow corruption and bribery within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Of course, there will always be a gap between ideals and reality.

"How much money do you have? Lend it all to me, and I'll ask His Majesty for some later and pay you back."

Helpless, Jiang Huan took out a cloth bag from his bosom.

"Thirty-odd taels of silver, that's all."

"So little?"

"Do you want it?"

Lan Chen took the silver from Jiang Huan's hand: "Take it, it's better to have something than nothing."

After saying that, Lan Chen went inside.

Looking at Song Heng's wife in the courtyard, he slowly placed the money in her hand.

Song Heng's wife looked up: "What's this?"

Lan Chen spoke up: "Your husband died protecting me. Although the court has provided compensation, this is just a small token of my appreciation."

"It's not much, please accept it."

Upon hearing this, tears streamed down Song Heng's wife's face as she choked out, "Thank you."

"It's what I should do, you're welcome."

……

The next day.

Imperial College (Guozijian)

Zhu Gaoxu got up at the crack of dawn, went to the courtyard, and picked up the long spear that was placed to the side.

Then, he brandished the spear in his hand.

The spear swept across, and shouts echoed continuously.

A full hour later, Zhu Gaoxu was covered in sweat, but he was not exhausted.

He looked like he wanted more.

Seeing Zhu Gaochi engrossed in reading, Zhu Gaoxu said, "Boss, stop looking at that tattered book in your hand and come practice martial arts with me."

Zhu Gaochi replied, "What I hold in my hand is not a tattered book, but a book of sages and saints."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu let out a cold laugh.

"What nonsense about sages! You try letting him take a blow from my stick! The books of sages can't create a prosperous era!"

"Only force can secure the world!"

"Look at the founding emperors of all dynasties, which one of them studied the classics to establish his dynasty? Didn't they all rise to power through killing?"

In response, Zhu Gaochi retorted, "Many have conquered the world by force, but have you ever seen anyone defend the world solely by force?"

"The Yuan Dynasty swept across the world by force, yet it perished in less than a century. Isn't that a perfect example?"

"Our imperial grandfather has already conquered the world. What we, his descendants, should do is to protect the world, not conquer it."

Zhu Gaoxu wanted to refute, but he was powerless to do so.

Many people conquer the world by force, but very few can maintain it solely through force.

Seeing that he couldn't refute her, Zhu Gaoxu snorted and said, "All you know is sophistry. I'm not going to argue with you."

Zhu Gaochi smiled slightly: "Look at you, you're always so impatient. Every time you can't win an argument with me, you accuse me of sophistry."

Just as the two were talking.

Outside the Imperial College.

The chief minister, Hu Ji'an, stared solemnly at the Imperial Guards in front of him, who were dressed in flying fish robes and had embroidered spring knives at their waists.

"May I ask who you are, sir?"

Jiang Huan replied calmly: "Jiang Huan, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ji'an was slightly taken aback: "So you are Commander Jiang. I've heard so much about you."

"I wonder, what brings Commander Jiang to our Imperial College?"

He was naturally aware of Jiang Huan's reputation.

Jiang Huan said calmly, "I would like to trouble Chief Minister Hu to invite Zhu Gaoxu, the second son of the Prince of Yan, here. I have something to discuss with him."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ji'an did not understand what Zhu Gaoxu had done.

But the fact that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard came in person suggests that it must be related to a major case.

Hu Ji'an nodded: "Commander Jiang, please wait in the hall for a moment."

"I'll go and have someone invite the imperial grandson right away."

Since the Imperial College was a place for the country to cultivate talent, Jiang Huan naturally did not force his way in.

Hu Ji'an immediately went to Zhu Gaoxu's residence.

When we arrived at the gate of the courtyard.

Then he saw Zhu Gaochi holding a book, preparing to go to class.

Zhu Gaochi was somewhat surprised to see Hu Ji'an: "Chancellor Hu? What brings you here?"

Hu Ji'an sighed softly: "Gao Chi, do you know what your brother has done that has attracted the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to come here personally?"

Zhu Gaochi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Huan, came in person.

These words immediately reminded Zhu Gaochi of Zhu Gaoxu's assassination attempt in the capital.

I didn't expect that the investigation would reach Zhu Gaoxu so quickly.

Is Zhu Gaoxu here?

Zhu Gaochi quickly said, "Would you please wait a moment, Vice Minister Hu?"

Hu Ji'an has not yet agreed.

A voice then rang out.

"Your Highness, you should be aware of the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who harbors a criminal shall be punished as an equal."

Zhu Gaochi looked at the middle-aged man in the flying fish robe, then turned his gaze toward Hu Ji'an.

Hu Ji'an said, "This is Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Gaochi was surprised that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would come in person.

This means that the Emperor Grandfather values ​​Lan Chen very much.

Just then.

Zhu Gaoxu stepped out of the room, still holding a long spear in his hand.

"Who's looking for me?"

Jiang Huan looked at Zhu Gaoxu, who was shirtless, and laughed, "I am here on His Majesty's orders to escort the imperial grandson Zhu Gaoxu to the capital."

"Grandson, please."

Seeing that Jiang Huan was actually going to put shackles on him, Zhu Gaoxu gripped his spear tightly.

Intending to resist.

Jiang Huan frowned.

They actually wanted to resist? This scene reminded him of the first time he traveled through time with His Majesty.

Zhu Gaoxu was clad in armor and exuded a murderous aura.

It seems that Zhu Gaochi's rebellious nature emerged earlier than that of the Prince of Yan.

They weren't even afraid of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and even wanted to rebel against them.

Doesn't this kid know who the Embroidered Uniform Guard represents?

The atmosphere was unusually tense.

Zhu Gaochi quickly stepped in front of Zhu Gaoxu and said, "Second brother! Are you crazy? These are the Embroidered Uniform Guards! They are acting on the orders of our Imperial Father!"

"Put the gun down!"

Immediately afterward, Zhu Gaochi continued speaking to Jiang Huan, "Commander Jiang, could you please allow my brother to be free of shackles?"

Clearly, Zhu Gaochi knew that Zhu Gaoxu strongly disliked shackles, and therefore pleaded for his life.

We hope that Jiang Huan can be lenient and enter Beijing without shackles.

"Don't worry, I will go to the capital with you. I will keep an eye on my brother along the way."

"If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility!"

"If that doesn't work, I'll wear shackles!"