Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Doesn't Your Highness feel that the court is lacking something these days?"

Seeing that Prince Yan, Zhu Di, was deep in thought, Yao Guangxiao spoke again: "Or rather, what is Your Majesty lacking?"

"Ugh!"

Zhu Di almost said that the Ming Dynasty was lacking in everything.

"The Yuan Dynasty almost completely destroyed our Han civilization, to the point that we could not find any capable people to govern the local areas."

"Your Majesty has no choice but to implement both the imperial examination system and the recommendation system simultaneously."

"This gives many people the opportunity to collude with each other and form cliques to suppress dissent."

"Once this matter is revealed, His Majesty will surely be worried that the local authorities are deceiving the emperor and manipulating him at will."

"The Han dynasty had the Embroidered-Robed Commanders, the Cao Wei dynasty had the Inspectors, the Eastern Wu dynasty had the Directors/Secretaries, the Northern Wei dynasty had the Attendants, and the Song dynasty had the Imperial City Guards."

"I see!"

Zhu Di immediately understood that Zhu Yuanzhang now lacked the eyes and ears to supervise local officials.

In fact, the Ming Dynasty established the most rigorous and terrifying secret police system in Chinese history, namely the "Factory and Guard" system.

The Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) was established in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign (1368), the Dongchang (Eastern Depot) was established in the eighteenth year of the Yongle reign (1411), the Xichang (Western Depot) was established in the thirteenth year of the Chenghua reign (1443), and the Neihangchang (Greater Neihangchang) was established in the early years of the Zhengde reign (1536). The Qing Dynasty's Zhanganchu (Adhesive Rod Office) largely referenced the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei and Dongchang.

"Having witnessed this incident, Your Highness may petition His Majesty to establish such a special department."

"This department has more power than the Secretariat and the Grand Military Commission. Officials in the court will definitely oppose it. The more they oppose it, the more His Majesty will want to establish it."

"Furthermore, His Majesty will never appoint an official or military general as the first official in charge."

At this point, Yao Guangxiao turned his gaze directly to Zhu Di.

"Your Highness, or rather, I, this infamous man, am the best choice."

"It is most appropriate for me to personally appoint officials to oversee this case."

Zhu Di picked up where he left off, his expression strange.

This is to make him the first head of the secret service of the Ming Dynasty, a prince of the Ming Dynasty!

"Indeed!"

The more Yao Guangxiao looked at the Prince of Yan, the more pleasing he became.

Whether in terms of comprehension, skill, or talent, this fourth prince is an exceptional individual.

Only someone like him is suitable to serve, so that he can unleash his "dragon-slaying skills".

"Young Master, His Highness is inside discussing matters."

"It's okay, he can talk his thing, I'll see mine."

Just then, the voices of Li Jinglong and Zhang Wu came from outside the room, interrupting their conversation.

"Crunch!"

As the wooden door opened from the outside, Li Jinglong strode in, muttering, "Why are you locking the door in broad daylight?"

"How dare you speak like that?"

Zhu Di was not angry, but offered a word of reminder.

"Haha, the master is here too."

Li Jinglong looked up, his expression stiffening. He greeted Yao Guangxiao somewhat awkwardly, wondering why this wandering monk had appeared at the inn. Could it be that the Zhu family all had a connection to Buddhism?

"Benefactor Li."

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together in response.

"I didn't have a chance to ask earlier, what is the master's Dharma name...?"

Li Jinglong looked Yao Guangxiao in black up and down, his doubts growing stronger.

"My Buddhist name is Daoyan."

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly and said.

"So it was Master Daoyan."

A hint of surprise flashed across Li Jinglong's eyes. Daoyan was no ordinary Buddhist name. Dao could give rise to all things, implying that the truth of Buddhism could generate all laws and save all sentient beings.

It's hard not to notice a mere wandering monk using such a grand Dharma name.

"Master, please stay at the inn."

Zhu Di picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly.

"Yes."

Dao Yan put his hands together, walked out of the room, and checked in under Zhang Wu's guidance.

"How come I didn't know you had this habit?"

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Li Jinglong plopped down next to Zhu Di.

"What habits?"

"Don't tell me you invited this monk in to listen to him chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures."

Li Jinglong stared intently as he looked Zhu Di up and down.

"Daoyan indeed had insight into Buddhism."

"My palace is short of a chief monk, so I might as well let him take the position."

Zhu Di replied casually.

'???'

This move left Li Jinglong dumbfounded. A wandering monk—the chief monk?

"You didn't come here so early in the morning just to see the monks, did you?"

Zhu Di cleverly shifted the topic away from Yao Guangxiao.

"The Henan Provincial Government sent an invitation, saying that it would host a banquet for the Prince of Yan."

Li Jinglong revealed his purpose: "You've been just sightseeing on your way here, you didn't come to Kaifeng specifically for tourism, did you?"

"For a prince of the Ming Dynasty, the Prince of Yan, not to personally instruct the Henan Provincial Secretariat, wouldn't that be a bit lacking in prestige?"

"Yeah?"

Zhu Di met Li Jinglong's eyes and said with a playful tone, "You, the young master, have probably received an invitation as well."

"I don't believe these Henan officials would ignore you, the heir of the Duke of Cao."

"To go or not to go?"

Li Jinglong did not deny it and continued to ask.

"Of course I'm going, how can I not go?"

"This is a kind gesture from an official in Jiangbei province, Henan."

Zhu Di stretched and yawned, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Then I'll go and tell them."

Although Li Jinglong didn't know what Zhu Di was up to, the two had been friends since childhood, so he naturally didn't ask any questions and got up to walk outside.

................

Henan Jiangbei Province, Xingduwei Commandery.

"Don't worry, Lord Tu."

"The Duke of Song has also informed me, and I have ordered the guards of Kaifeng Prefecture to strictly guard all the gates. Even if he had wings, he wouldn't be able to escape Kaifeng."

Commander Cao Zhen patted his chest and gave his assurance, his hearty voice echoing throughout the hall.

"This is a matter of great importance."

"General Cao, do not become complacent."

"This matter is of utmost importance, as it involves too many important people in the capital."

"Both the old prime minister and the prime minister Hu have spoken to me, and this matter must not be handled with the slightest mistake."

The Provincial Judicial Commissioner Tu Jie's face was gloomy. Such an incident in his territory was undoubtedly a slap in the face to him.

"My lord, someone from the provincial government has arrived."

A guard jogged in and loudly announced the news.

"Let him in."

Cao Zhen glanced at Tu Jie. They had always kept to themselves and the provincial government, but it just so happened that someone from them had come at this crucial moment.

"Yes."

The guards immediately led the officials of the Provincial Secretariat into the main hall of the Capital Guard Commander's office.

"Wang Feng, Inspector of the Imperial Secretariat of Henan Province, pays respects to General Cao and Lord Tu."

The junior official, dressed in a green official robe, quickly introduced himself.

"What brings you here?"

Cao Zhen stared at Wang Feng with his large, bronze-gong-like eyes.

"His Highness Prince Yan and the young master of the Duke of Cao's mansion have arrived in Kaifeng."

"The two Grand Councilors are hosting a banquet at the Provincial Secretariat to welcome His Highness the Prince of Yan. We would also like to invite you both to join us."

"Oh? His Highness the Prince of Yan has come to Kaifeng?"

Tu Jie's eyes flickered, and he exchanged a glance with Cao Zhen before saying, "Go back and tell the Chancellor that General Cao and I will definitely be there."

"Yes."

Wang Feng turned and left the office of the Commander of the Capital Garrison.