Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 101 Huai Xi Xun Gui Internal Discussion, Li Shanchang: I am going to die today?

As evening fell, the area in front of the Korean government office was bustling with traffic.

The nobles from Huaixi arrived one after another, some on horseback and some in sedan chairs.

"Mr. Li."

"What is Zhu Di, that brat?"

"If he hadn't forced the Marquis of Yongjia to rebel, our old brothers wouldn't have ended up like this."

"I can't swallow this insult."

Duke Feng Sheng of Song shouted loudly.

"Yes, when we men were fighting, the Prince of Yan was still in his mother's womb. When did it become his place to criticize us?"

"That's right, Your Majesty shouldn't treat meritorious officials like this."

""

When the group of nobles from Huaixi saw Feng Sheng step forward, they all spoke indignantly.

Li Shanchang, seated at the head of the table, ignored them. His old eyes noticed the Duke of Wei, Deng Yu, the Duke of Zheng, Chang Mao (son of Chang Yuchun), Geng Bingwen, the Marquis of Changxing, Fu Youde, the Marquis of Yingchuan, Kang Duo, the Marquis of Qichun, Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan, and others who had not spoken.

Deng Yu had always disliked getting involved in such matters. Chang Mao's uncle was Lan Yu, who was not yet twenty years old and was in the prime of his life. He had also married Feng Sheng's daughter. Logically, he should have shared the same hatred with these people, but he chose to remain silent, unless the Crown Princess warned him from behind.

Qichun Marquis Kang Duo inherited his title from his father Kang Maocai, so it's normal that he didn't dare to interrupt. Runan Marquis Mei Sizu was the most shrewd and adept at protecting himself, so it's not surprising that he acted this way.

Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde were different; they were always regarded as figures below the Duke, second only to Tang He in status.

Even someone as domineering as Zhu Liangzu had to address Geng and Fu as "Brother Geng," so it was truly surprising that they remained silent.

"Cough cough."

Li Shanchang coughed a few times, and everyone present stopped complaining.

"What do the Marquis of Changxing and the Marquis of Yingchuan think?"

"Ugh!"

Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde exchanged a glance, somewhat bewildered.

The other nobles all looked up at the two of them.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Geng Bingwen stood up and said, "This young hero possesses courage and intelligence that are beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"His ability to lead troops in battle is as elusive as a gazelle hanging its horns."

"His military tactics are different from those of the Duke of Wei."

? ? ?

The expressions of the nobles changed slightly.

Immediately, Fu Youde stood up and said frankly, "I don't know what exactly happened with Zhu Liangzu and the others, but I admit that I made a mistake regarding the Hexi matter."

"At that time, the Mughals mobilized an army of 100,000 and marched straight towards Beiting."

"We are still plundering Hexi, thinking of taking the prisoners back to the capital."

"If it weren't for His Highness Prince Yan ordering Marquis Xiping to plug the breach and then traveling thousands of miles from the northern desert to Beiting, how could the Beiting Protectorate be what it is today?"

"I admire him."

Boom!

The moment those words were spoken, the entire audience was stunned.

If Geng Bingwen's speech was telling everyone that Zhu Di's achievements today were not due to Xu Da, then Fu Youde's speech was undoubtedly refuting their previous statements, openly siding with Zhu Di, admitting that he was inferior to Zhu Di, and acknowledging that the Huai Xi Xun Gui had made a mistake in Hexi.

The face of Duke Feng Sheng of Song, who had just been filled with righteous indignation, turned ashen, and his gaze toward Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde became fierce.

"I really didn't expect that!"

Duke Deng Yu of Wei looked at the two marquises with a surprised expression.

He didn't know Zhu Di well, but Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde were definitely among the top ten military commanders in Huaixi. Their high praise for Zhu Di shows that the Prince of Yan was indeed a man of great talent.

"The old prime minister."

"Have you summoned us here today because of some business in the palace?"

Hu Weiyong, who had been keeping a low profile, suddenly changed the subject with a single sentence.

All eyes were on Li Shanchang. In order not to arouse Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion, Li Shanchang had never summoned so many nobles from Huaixi in such a grand manner. This move inevitably aroused suspicion.

"His Highness the Crown Prince arrived this afternoon."

Li Shanchang spoke slowly.

"Your Highness!"

Immediately, the expressions of all the nobles from Huaixi present changed drastically.

"At the grand court assembly at the end of the year, we will all bring our imperial edicts and certificates."

"Don't make things difficult for His Majesty."

Li Shanchang looked around at everyone and said calmly.

"What?"

Upon hearing this, the faces of the group of nobles from Huaixi changed drastically.

The reason they acted so recklessly was because the ironclad guarantee could save their lives. Once they handed it over, would they dare to do it again?

"Okay, I'll pay."

Duke Chang Mao of Zheng did not hesitate for a second and said cheerfully.

The group of nobles from Huaixi looked at him and wished they could beat him up, especially Feng Sheng, who was Chang Mao's father-in-law.

..

The moment Chang Mao stepped forward to express his opinion, Li Shanchang, Deng Yu, and Hu Weiyong understood that the Chang family must have been notified in advance.

"Mr. Li."

"The imperial edict was originally a grant of a noble title."

"How could Your Majesty go back on your word?"

Feng Sheng's weathered face was full of resentment; he had no intention of handing over the imperial edict.

The others remained silent, but the expressions on their faces betrayed them; even Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde were unwilling to do so.

"The earliest form of the 'iron certificate' was bestowed upon meritorious officials by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang."

"Han Xin, the Marquis of Huaiyin, made great contributions, yet he was still killed."

"Those in positions of power have never said that punishment does not apply to high-ranking officials, nor does etiquette apply to commoners."

"I am of advanced age; whether I possess a certificate of merit or not is acceptable!"

"If you really don't want to pay, then don't pay."

Li Shanchang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his expression remained unchanged.

"Mr. Li."

Feng Sheng and his men were unruly, but they weren't stupid; they all saw through Li Shanchang's attitude.

"Since the Crown Prince has informed Prime Minister Li, our guild will hand over the imperial edict and certificate."

Duke Deng Yu of Wei then expressed his opinion.

"We'll pay."

Marquis Kang Duo of Qichun, Marquis Mei Sizu of Runan, Marquis Chen De of Linjiang, and Marquis Wu Zhen of Jinghai expressed their opinions.

us..."

Other honorary titles are still undecided.

Geng Bingwen and Fu Youde had already spoken up: "We'll pay too."

"pay."

Feng Sheng gritted his teeth and squeezed out a single word.

"We'll pay too."

Only then did the others agree to hand over the iron certificate.

"There will be major changes at the year-end grand assembly; you must be prepared."

Seeing that everyone agreed to hand over the iron certificate, Li Shanchang's attitude softened considerably, and he gave them some instructions.

"Um."

Feng Sheng, Deng Yu, and the others kept this in mind and left the Han State Mansion one by one.

After all the nobles had left, Li Shanchang's eyelids twitched slightly, and he said, "Hu Weiyong."

"The old prime minister."

Hu Weiyong sat up straight, adopting a respectful posture as if listening to instruction.

"His Majesty's meaning is very clear."

"Huaixi should not be ignored, but it should not be overused."

"I can no longer reason with Feng Sheng and his men like I did today."

"From this point onward, you will handle matters concerning Huaixi."

After Li Shanchang finished speaking, he closed his eyes and looked exhausted.

"yes.

Hu Weiyong secretly observed him until he found that Li Shanchang had no other plans, then he turned and left, his steps becoming much lighter.

Li Shanchang didn't want to get involved in these troubles, but he wanted to use Huai Xixungui to rise to a higher position. The two were never on the same path.

What he didn't know was that Li Shanchang had already opened his eyes and was watching him leave as he got up to leave.

At five quarters past dusk, the imperial palace was bathed in golden light as the sun set.

Inside Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was instructing the palace maids to serve the dishes, while she personally cooked a table full of authentic Fengyang cuisine.

"Woman!"

"mother!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao entered the hall one after the other, and the enticing aroma whetted their appetites.

"The fourth brother hasn't arrived yet."

Empress Ma saw that they had all arrived, but Zhu Di had not yet come, so she couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.

"My fourth brother went to the Prince of Qin's residence in the afternoon. Just now, someone reported that the Duke of Yuan took his daughter to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office."

, , .

"They'll probably be a little late."

Zhu Biao always presented himself with a refined and scholarly demeanor.

The Prince of Qin's residence?

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, her phoenix eyes filled with suspicion.

"The second son's wife has sent a lot of messages to Bei Yuan over the years."

"The fourth brother said he wanted to integrate the Yuan spies under her command into the Embroidered Uniform Guard, thereby expanding the Embroidered Uniform Guard's boundaries."

Zhu Yuanzhang put his hands behind his back and began to speak.

"Jupachi."

"That's the second son's wife."

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma's tone immediately became much heavier.

"Woman"

"We've already spoken to the second son."

"The news will spread from the palace that the second son's wife suddenly fell seriously ill and died."

"This matter concerns the face of the imperial court; it cannot be left unresolved."

Zhu Yuanzhang plopped down in the main seat, picked up a sesame seed cake, and put it in his mouth.

Seeing this, Empress Ma knew that he was determined to punish Wang Yuemin. Wang Yuemin's actions had crossed the bottom line of the Ming Dynasty, and it was impossible to pretend that nothing had happened.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan!"

Just then, the voices of palace maids and eunuchs came from outside. Zhu Di swaggered in and greeted them, "Old man, mother, elder brother."

"Why aren't you sitting down? It's not polite to wait for me to come before you start eating."

"Fourth brother."

Zhu Biao secretly gave Zhu Di a meaningful look. Didn't he see that Empress Ma's expression was off? She was still acting recklessly.

"daughter."

"What happened?"

"Whoever upsets you, I'll slap them across the face."

Zhu Di approached Empress Ma and said with a grin.

"Fourth brother."

"I'm asking you, second son's wife, what arrangements did you make?"

Empress Ma, with a stern face, questioned Zhu Di in a very serious manner.

"Oh, is that all?"

Zhu Di disagreed, saying, "I relayed the old man's words to my second brother, and he seems quite eager to elevate Lady Deng to the position of empress."

"My father-in-law came to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office, and Wang Yuemin admitted that she did indeed have control over the scouts and spies. She was willing to hand over the complete list of names and contact information of all the scouts."

"So, I didn't send her to the imperial prison. I just arranged for someone to find her a courtyard in the Northern Garrison. As long as she doesn't leave the courtyard, she can live however she wants."

"Haibie will be with her recently, along with a maid she brought from Mongolia."

"That bastard, the second brother."

Empress Ma immediately retorted, "No, I forbid it! Deng is not a woman who can be in charge."

When Zhu Yuanzhang chose Wang Yuemin as the Princess Consort of Qin, it wasn't just Zhu Yuanzhang's idea; he also took a liking to this daughter-in-law who came from the grasslands.

Over the years, Wang Yuemin has arranged everything perfectly and shown her the utmost respect, so how could Empress Ma not be satisfied?

"This matter is indeed inappropriate."

Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly ate a sesame seed cake and said, "We need to use Kuokuo. Her sister just announced her death, and the second prince wants to elevate his concubine to the rank of principal wife. What will Kuokuo think of this?"

"Deng Yu is already the only Duke among the Huai Xi group who holds military power."

"If his daughter becomes the King of Qin's principal wife, it's hard to guarantee that she won't have some ulterior motives."

"Eldest brother, go there yourself and tell the second brother that Deng is not allowed to be promoted to the position of official wife."

"Yes, Father."

Zhu Biao hadn't even sat down before he left Kunning Palace.

"Fourth brother, sit down first."

"Mom made your favorite dishes."

Empress Ma's expression softened considerably as she spoke to Zhu Di.

"Um.

"6

Zhu Di sat opposite Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

Empress Ma smiled kindly and kept serving him food.

"Fourth brother."

"What are your plans regarding Fengyang?"

Zhu Yuanzhang ate three steamed buns with millet porridge before putting down his bowl and chopsticks and speaking.

"I remember Mr. Song taught me when we were at Dabentang."

"Among the 'Airs, Elegies, and Hymns' in the Book of Poetry, the three Hymns are not as good as the two Elegies, and the two Elegies are not as good as the Fifteen Airs of the States. Why is that?"

"The folk songs of the fifteen states depict the hungry singing about their food and the laborers singing about their work, from which one can understand the hardships of the people."

"My father said that the people of my Great Ming Dynasty should not be oppressed, nor should Heaven be deceived."

"Fengyang is our ancestral homeland. If we don't pay attention to it, what will the people of the world think?"

"Just because they are meritorious officials who have risked their lives with the emperor, does that mean they can ride roughshod over the people?"

"How many acres of land does Fengyang Prefecture have? How many people does it have? How much manpower and resources were used in its construction? Have you thought about these things, Father Emperor?"

"Indeed, a single hair can affect the whole body, but if it doesn't move, the foundation of the Ming Dynasty will be unstable from the beginning, and how can it be passed down to future generations?"

""

Zhu Di stopped chewing and looked straight at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Fourth brother."

"This matter is of great importance; almost all of the six founding dukes and twenty-eight marquises are involved."

"And then there's the Secretariat, the Six Ministries, and the Censorate. If they start moving, things could get out of control in the court."

Empress Ma's eyes showed worry as she said with concern, "You'd better not interfere. Let your father and your elder brother make the arrangements."

"Sometimes the imperial court is more dangerous than the battlefield. You should stay in the main hall and study hard with the twelfth prince during this time."

"Mom, I agree. Just ask the old man if he agrees."

Zhu Di's lips curled into a sly smile.

"You little brat."

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at him as he saw how skillfully the trouble was dumped on him.

"Zhu Chongba".

Empress Ma's phoenix eyes narrowed, and she stared at Zhu Yuanzhang with an unfriendly expression.

Zhu Di had just returned from beyond the Great Wall, having spent nearly a year expanding the territory of the Ming Dynasty and fighting bloody battles. How could a mother not feel heartbroken?

"Woman"

Zhu Yuanzhang said helplessly, "It's not that we insist on using the fourth prince to the death, but that there is no one else we can use besides the fourth prince."

7

"The eldest brother's men are all from Huaixi. Lan Yu and Chang Mao are involved, and they are both relatives of the eldest brother's wife."

7

"Only the fourth brother, Tiande and Kuokuo are not involved in this matter. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is already expanding."

"Besides him, where else can we find someone else who can be used?"