Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 104 It's better for one family to cry than for a hundred; it's better for Xun Gui to cry than for the common people to cry!

"His Highness the Prince of Yan has just established his own residence and government offices, and he's already living a very busy life."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think you were going to marry into my family."

Duke Xu Da of Wei had just returned from court and saw the courtyard full of gold, silver and jewels. He said sternly.

"That's what my father-in-law said."

"If my father has no objections, it's not impossible for me to marry into his family."

Zhu Di wasn't annoyed at all, and replied with a grin.

Xu Da didn't respond to his question. If Zhu Yuanzhang's son were to marry into the family, his older brother would probably explode with rage.

"To prolong life."

"Have someone inventory and store the things your brother-in-law brought."

"He is the richest man in our Ming Dynasty. The entire wealth of the Northern Yuan has fallen into his hands, so he doesn't care about these things."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Zengshou walked briskly, directing his servants to carry all the things inside.

"Miaojin".

"Go and help extend your lifespan."

Xu Miaoyun looked at Xu Miaojin and gave her some instructions.

"oh!"

Xu Miaojin originally wanted to listen to what Xu Da and Zhu Di were talking about, but Xu Miaoyun sent her to do some work. She kept turning back, unable to suppress her gossip.

"Let's go to the study."

Xu Da strode ahead, followed by Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun, who entered the study of the Duke of Wei's mansion together.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Xu Miaoyun, being a virtuous woman, brewed a pot of Longjing tea and filled teacups for Xu Da and Zhu Di.

"it is good."

Zhu Di picked up the teacup and took a sip. A unique and rich aroma wafted up, pleasing to the eye, and the tea soup was fresh, sweet, and mellow.

"Today's court assembly was your doing, wasn't it?"

"My older brother doesn't have that ability to redefine the rules and separate civil and military affairs."

"If I'm not mistaken, the marquises and dukes of Huaixi will probably be appointed as provincial military commanders, no longer in charge of the border troops and the capital troops."

Xu Da looked at Zhu Di and asked directly.

"My father-in-law has a discerning eye."

Zhu Di smiled slightly and did not deny it.

"I'm starting to not understand you anymore, kid."

"If you took command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to deal with Zhu Liangzu, then what is the purpose of your actions today?"

Xu Da was puzzled. He couldn't believe that Zhu Di, a man who wouldn't act without a clear benefit, would willingly dedicate himself to the Ming Dynasty.

It should be understood that the current ruler of the Ming Dynasty is Zhu Yuanzhang, and the future ruler is Crown Prince Zhu Biao, while he is merely a prince.

Once the provincial system was implemented, the regions of the Ming Dynasty would be more stable, possessing a cohesion far exceeding that of the Han and Tang Dynasties. This would obviously be an obstacle for Zhu Di's desire to advance further. Why would Zhu Di do such a thing?

"I don't like what my father-in-law said."

"I am the Great General of the Ming Dynasty. Isn't it my duty to serve the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Di shrugged, completely ignoring Xu Da's words.

Xu Miaoyun's watery eyes never left Zhu Di, and her silvery voice rang out in the study: "Is His Highness the Prince of Yan preparing for his fiefdom, attempting to exert your influence throughout the land?"

"Um."

Zhu Di met her gaze, his smile growing even wider. As expected of the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty, second only to Empress Ma, she understood his thoughts so quickly.

Once the provinces and directly governed prefectures were implemented, the most directly affected were the princes. For example, the Prince of Jin's power was completely confined to Shanxi, and he had no breeding ground to grow stronger.

The King of Qin had the opportunity to use Xining Prefecture to attack the ethnic groups in Xifan and Qiangtang, thereby expanding his influence in the northwest.

Unfortunately, Prince Zhu of Qin lacked the brains to do so, and in the end, he only served as a stepping stone for Fu Youde, the military commander of Shaanxi.

Zhu Yuanzhang's idea of ​​enfeoffing nine princes was immediately aborted. These princes who later held military power in the Ming Dynasty could not reach the heights of history. They could only be figureheads like the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Jin, with only three guards under their command, and their army was still acting under the orders of the Ministry of War.

The situation was different in Beiping, where he was enfeoffed. The Ming Dynasty only controlled the Liaodong Peninsula in the vast area outside the Great Wall, and established the Liaoyang Guard. The Liaoxi Corridor was controlled by the remnant Yuan forces under Nahachu. More than 200,000 Yuan troops were entrenched in the Heishui and Baishan Mountains, becoming the biggest hidden danger in the northeast of the Ming Dynasty.

Furthermore, Goryeo in the northeast had been a major threat to the Central Plains dynasties since the Sui and Tang dynasties, and could not be ignored; and the Japanese pirates along the coast...

Kou is just a minor ailment, and Japan must submit to the Ming Dynasty; this is the Ming Dynasty's national policy.

Therefore, Zhu Di, as the Prince of Yan, naturally possessed the legal right to rule over Hebei, the Northeast, and southern Mongolia. Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao had no choice but to rely on him to guard the northeastern border of the Ming Dynasty.

These alone were not enough. Zhu Di wanted to take advantage of the years before he was enfeoffed to continuously exert his influence throughout the country.

The newly established provincial system was a grand gift he prepared for himself. With the powerful and influential Huaixi governors stationed in the region, and special personnel establishing directly governed prefectures, he mobilized the capital army and border troops to suppress rebellious forces, thus firmly imprinting his mark on every corner of the Ming Dynasty.

"Prince Zhu Gang of Jin will get married after the New Year, but for you, it will probably be another two years."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is ultimately not the righteous path, and His Majesty will not allow you to remain in command forever."

"The Crown Prince and all the officials and civil and military officials abhor this, and I'm afraid even the Embroidered Uniform Guard will not be allowed to exist for long."

"You'd better hurry up and get to what you're going to do."

Xu Da glanced at him, picked up his teacup, and slowly sipped the Lion Peak Longjing tea that his eldest daughter had just brewed.

"I'm going to Fengyang after the new year starts."

"The old man gave me the power to regulate the two major provinces of Henan and Jianghuai."

Zhu Di's unexpected remark caused Xu Da and his daughter to frown.

"You're going to completely offend them."

Xu Da watched Zhu Di closely, knowing full well that Zhu Di's trip was to completely resolve the problems in Henan and the Jianghuai region.

The biggest problem in Henan and Jianghuai was not the local powerful families, but the collusion between the nobles of Huaixi and local officials. They conspired to seize farmland, oppress the people, and act lawlessly. Zhu Di was trying to eradicate them from the root. How could they not hate Zhu Di?

"Does my father-in-law think that if I didn't do this, the people of Huaixi wouldn't hate me anymore?"

"Henan is located in the heart of the Central Plains, and the Jianghuai region serves as a protective barrier for the capital. Its population is no less than ten million."

"It is better for one family to cry than for a hundred families to cry, and for the noble to cry than for the common people to cry. I cannot make the noble grateful, but I can make the common people weep with gratitude."

"This deal is a good one!"

Zhu Di answered with a firm look in his eyes.

Hearing his words, Xu Miaoyun's beautiful eyes sparkled; only a Prince of Yan was worthy of being her husband.

"Let Zengshou go with you."

"Father-in-law!"

Zhu Di looked greatly surprised. Xu Zengshou was the second son of the Duke of Wei's family. If he went to Fengyang with him, things would get complicated.

That's easy to say.

Xu Da said loudly, "Yun Gong has become the commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard. Zeng Shou is not young anymore. Even if he doesn't have an official position, he will have more opportunities by your side. As his father, I can't place him in the army for fear that people will say I am abusing my power. As his brother-in-law, you should give him more advice."

"it is good."

Zhu Di looked intently at Xu Da, and he understood the meaning of entrusting his son to Xu Da in his words.

Xu Miaoyun did not object. She knew that Xu Yungong was destined to take over the Duke of Wei's mansion, and Xu Zengshou could only find his own way out. At present, following Prince Yan Zhu Di, there were many opportunities to make military achievements, and he might be able to be ennobled in the future.

"I heard that a few days ago, Kuoko took his daughter to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

"I don't know what tricks you and he played, and I don't want to ask."

"Let me remind you, don't treat everyone like fools. My older brother is not blind at all."

Xu Da reminded him.

"I see."

Zhu Di's expression turned solemn, and he nodded earnestly.

Then, he reached out and grabbed Xu Da's hands, taking his pulse at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan!"

This scene left Xu Miaoyun and Xu Da somewhat bewildered.

"Father-in-law."

"You've developed quite a few health problems from all those years of fighting."

"When there is excessive internal heat and toxins, the flow of qi and blood is obstructed by these toxins, and sores and swellings frequently occur in the muscles and bones."

"If left untreated, it will develop into carbuncles on the back once it flares up, and in severe cases, it can be fatal."

Zhu Di shook his head, his expression grave.

Just as Xu Da died from a carbuncle in history, he is now showing symptoms.

Carbuncle is essentially a large, toxic sore on the back. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called "carbuncle with head," while in Western medicine, it is called acute suppurative cellulitis of the back. Modern medicine focuses on prevention and treatment for this type of disease. Early treatment leads to a faster recovery. Do not delay treatment to avoid infection, and antibiotics are often used.

However, in the present day, when antibiotics are not available, once an infection spreads into the bloodstream and causes sepsis, it becomes an incurable disease. Historical figures such as Fan Zeng and Meng Haoran died from this disease.

"this..."

Xu Da's pupils dilated; he hadn't expected Zhu Di to understand his physical condition so well just by taking his pulse.

"His Highness the Prince of Yan is right."

"Over the years, my father has often developed boils and carbuncles. The doctor told him not to eat roast goose, because it would trigger his condition and cause him unbearable pain."

Xu Miaoyun spoke urgently.

"Roast goose is considered a 'heating' food, with a warming and drying nature, and is oily and heavy."

"Carbuncles are caused by excessive heat and stagnation of qi and blood. Eating roast goose on the back is like adding fuel to the fire."

Zhu Di rubbed his temples, unsure how to express his feelings.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

"Do you have a way to cure my father's illness?"

Xu Miaoyun stared intently at Zhu Di.

"I need a set of silver needles, a silver knife, and an oil lamp."

"In addition, prepare some fine silk cloth and wound medicine."

"I'll take care of it right away."

Xu Miaoyun turned and ran away in a hurry.

After she left, Xu Da looked at Zhu Di and said, "I thought Kuo Kuo looked so rosy today. You must have cured his old ailment."

"Why don't you show it to your father?"

"The old man is much healthier than you."

Zhu Di rolled his eyes. Zhu Yuanzhang lived to be 71 years old, which is considered a long life among emperors of all dynasties. There are very few founding emperors who can compare to him. He was in very good health.

Empress Ma suffered from excessive worry, coupled with years of wandering with the army and having several children, which damaged her health. Even with careful recuperation, it would be difficult for her to live past 70.

After all, he was fused with the same body as a great physician, not a divine being who had mastered the art of bringing the dead back to life.

A moment later, Xu Miaoyun had prepared everything Zhu Di had asked for, and an oil lamp was lit in the study.

"Father-in-law, take off your shirt."

"Um."

Without saying a word, Xu Da took off his shirt, revealing his body covered in wounds. Red, swollen lumps had appeared on his back, with small white pustules like millet grains on them, a sight that made one's scalp tingle.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Zhu Di waved his hand, channeling his inner energy into the silver needles, which fell on Xu Da's body like a shower of petals. The invisible internal energy drove all the fire poison to gather on his back, as if small snakes were surging under his skin.

At this point, he heated the silver knife over the oil lamp flame until it was red-hot.

"Whoosh!"

With a swift motion, he slashed Xu Da's back, making a series of cross-shaped cuts. All the red, swollen lumps were cut open, revealing purplish-black blood and white pus, a stench that made one want to vomit.

"Um?"

Xu Da gritted his teeth, his face contorted in a grimace, sweat beading on his forehead.

"father."

Upon seeing this, Xu Miaoyun felt a pang of pity and quickly called out to her.

"What are you standing there for? Bring the basin over here."

Zhu Di shouted, and Xu Miaoyun finally reacted, placing the copper basin filled with water under Xu Da.

The next moment, blood and pus gushed from the wound on Xu Da's back, continuously splashing into the copper basin, soaking it.

A basin of clean water.

"what?"

The intense pain made Xu Da cry out, his whole body trembling.

After a quarter of an hour, the blood stasis and pus caused by the heat toxin in Xu Da's body were finally drained, and bright red blood gradually flowed out.

At this moment, Zhu Di evenly sprinkled the wound medicine on the wound, and then wrapped Xu Da's wound with white silk cloth. Xu Miaoyun stepped forward to help Xu Da put on his outer clothes.

"I feel much better."

Although Xu Da's face was pale, he felt extremely relaxed, as if a huge mountain had been lifted from his body.

"Father-in-law, you need to rest for ten days until the wounds are completely healed before you can take a bath."

"I will prescribe a dietary supplement later, which can be prepared daily by someone; there will be no need for further medication."

"However, you should avoid attending the grand court assembly tomorrow, lest you aggravate your wound."

Zhu Di washed his hands clean and gave instructions.

"Tomorrow is the grand court assembly at the beginning of the year, if I don't go..."

Xu Da hesitated. As the Grand Commander and the head of the military, if he didn't attend the year-end grand court assembly, it would inevitably cause trouble.

Discussion.

"Father, is politics more important or your health?"

"His Majesty will not blame Father for this."

Xu Miaoyun advised.

"Father-in-law."

"Tomorrow's court assembly will announce the candidates for governors of various provinces, deputy governors, and generals of the Beijing garrison."

"The capital army was not 425,000 men; its full strength should be 500,000, with 100,000 men each under the command of the five Grand Marshals."

"Uncle Tang is still stationed in the northern desert, so we have only recruited 425,000 people for the time being."

"It shall be divided among the Duke of Yuan, the Duke of Cao, the Duke of Song, and the Duke of Wei."

"The old man wants to see if anyone still has the guts to act after this incident. He also wants to see if the Beijing Army can become the most important mobile force of our Great Ming. It might not be a bad thing that you, the Grand Commander, don't show up."

Zhu Di smiled and said meaningfully.

"I understand. I will immediately send a memorial to His Majesty and recuperate at home due to illness."

Xu Da understood immediately. As the top military general, he might not be the emperor's most trusted person, but rather the one he feared most.

He voluntarily relinquished the opportunity to command the army to the other four commanders, which was also a wise move to protect himself.