Chapter 155: A Great Harvest

Zhu’s interest is high.

And Empress Xu just smiled and listened.

Zhu Di was a bit unfulfilled, so he simply had someone fetch a public opinion map.

Will the public opinion map spread on the ground, Zhu Di holding a cane, said: “That report is not detailed, but I expected, they are bound to be from here into the army, and then …… here …… here … …You see …… how risky this is, they advance too fast, so that the food path is broken! Fortunately, they have many mules and horses, and the food they brought should be able to last for some days.”

“Then …… the place where they duel with Hu, nine times out of ten is near this Huang River. Huang River here open, the most suitable for the duel, if it is other places, the soldiers and horses can not be spread …… Hu only need to send hundreds and thousands of elite people, can be a man of the world.”

Zhu Di excitedly continued: “Unfortunately, that Hu …… is obviously also a light enemy, his purpose, obviously also want to eat Zhu Gaoxu these guys in one fell swoop, Zhu Gaoxu these guys stationed in the Huangjiang River, he instead begged for it. Haha …… but …… he definitely did not expect …… the men and horses of this merchant bank, the strength of the battle, has far exceeded everyone s expectations. This battle seems to be a risk, now think carefully, in fact, it is not so ……”

He paused and continued, “On the surface, it is Hu who is baiting the enemy to go deeper, but in reality, what …… is actually Zhu Gaoxu, the rebellious son, is also baiting the enemy to go deeper, and their minds are the same, but unfortunately, …… Hu is ultimately a poor chess move. Haha ……”

Zhu Di laughed openly and looked at Empress Xu, “Is it interesting?”

Empress Xu still smiled and said, “Interesting.”

Zhu Di said, “Interesting words, I will tell another story about the terrain of this Huangjiang River ……”

Empress Xu, however, looked at the sky outside the window and said, “Your Majesty …… it s getting late.”

Zhu Di said, “I have nothing to do around me today.”

Empress Xu then said, “In that case, then Your Majesty speak.”

Zhu is going to point his cane to the location of the city of Shenglong in the map, the mouth has been in the road: “the most critical of this war, or take Shenglong, take Shenglong, not only the Annamese group of dragons without a head, the most important thing is that this cuts off the entire Annamese northern all the defenses of the liaison, so that they are trapped in the situation of the lone army, and even the supply, also completely cut off. ”

“That’s why I think …… that this battle is really too much to see, more exciting than the time of the Jingkan, even if it’s that water battle at Poyang Lake between Emperor Tai Zu Gao and Chen Youliang, it’s far from the excitement of this battle. So, money is a good thing. With money, soldiers could all ride horses, and everyone used mules and horses to transport provisions. Soldiers and horses can travel a hundred miles a day, even if they are deep behind the enemy lines, they can fight for a long time. Not only that, with silver, there are better weapons and more gunpowder; this lone army, the treasury did not allocate or issue them a single penny, nor did it give them a single grain of rice, but they had the most fruitful battles, and compared to Zhu Neng’s holdings, it was the lone army that did the most great feats.”

Zhu Di said, “the so-called art of war way, one is a person, one is money and food, my Ming people are many and talented, never lack of people, the only thing that is lacking is silver ……”

Empress Xu nodded with a smile and said, “Your Majesty has really hit the nail on the head.”

Zhu also really said: “Where is this what is a heavenly opportunity, but where a bit of brain, afraid of all know this truth, just some people …… know in their hearts, but pretend to turn a blind eye. And some people it …… even if know, but also Gu Gu left and right to talk about it. To say a thousand words, is someone afraid to talk about money.”

Empress Xu said in consternation, “Afraid to talk about money?”

Zhu Di said: “Fear that I take their money and food! Don’t look at this world, each opening is for me to break bones, what on the knife mountain, under the sea of fire …… huh …… this is just a joke, if you teach them to take the silver, they are going to fight with you.”

Zhu Di sighed, and said: “The world is so much money and grain, if it is to squeeze the people, the people will rebel. If it is taken by the gentry, the gentry will be full of grievances. If you want to hit the idea of merchants, these merchants …… are not oil lamps, or Zhang Anshi good ah, Zhang Anshi pointed out a financial road to me, because of this, I am this time, only to be considered to spit gas and raise eyebrows.”

Empress Xu nodded her head and laughed, “Isn’t this exactly how His Majesty treats him well on weekdays, he is grateful in his heart, so it is evident that it is still His Majesty who has the vision.”

Zhu Di more happy, laughed and said: “can not be said so, under this sky, the most is to feed the uncooked wolf, is it this hundred officials, I did not give them a generous gift? My Ming court, because the readers will make a few eight-legged, they will let them be an official, teach them to honor their ancestors, but these people, and how many people are not the mouth of the beautiful, but the heart of the heart of each mind? Therefore, it is still their own people reliable.”

Empress Xu pondered: “Your Majesty, in fact, the great victory is not a great victory, this is the matter of the external dynasty, I concubine a woman, know not much. But if it comes to Zhang Anshi, the surprise of my concubine is …… that he did not hold a grudge against Gao Hsu, but instead came up with this idea, and now …… that Gao Hsu is out there and has made some achievements, it is also considered to be cleansed of his sins, and I, who am a mother, will be relieved of a lot of . .”

Zhu Di listened to this and seemed to be very touched, after a pause, he said, “I intend to restore his royal title, how is it?”

Empress Xu, however, shook her head and said: “He is already a commoner, so he should be rewarded for what he has accomplished, how can he be crowned king in one battle? If he is crowned king, how can he put Zhang Anshi, Zhu Yong, Zhang Yoking, Qiu Song, and Gu Xingzu on the spot? Your Majesty must not do this.”

Zhu Di listened and nodded, “This is a reasonable statement, this son of a bitch ……”

Said here, Zhu Di will pause, and then said: “This guy …… also accounted for me and Zhang Anshi a few people’s shares it, gave him nearly 10% of the shares, what else?”

As he was speaking, he saw Yiluoha come in quickly and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, the Di Di report has come.”

Originally to send the diaper, is unusual eunuchs to send, but today some unusual, also lost ha personally sent.

Zhu Di hmmm, took the di newspaper, then see when the head is an article, inside is about Kublai two conquest Annan failed.

This was followed by the diary of the Great Ming’s attack on Shenglong.

Inside are words of praise for His Majesty’s wisdom and the bravery of the three armies.

This is actually all official, Zhu Di used to read it all feel bored, but today he looked at it word by word, very seriously.

Then after that, there were some of the court’s decrees of the past few days, and some local reports sent up to the public.

The second of these is about Xie Jin’s letter requesting a strict ban on rumor mongering by ministers and scholars.

Zhu suddenly looked up and up, “Yirouha.”

“The slave girl is there.”

Zhu Di said, “Xie Jin these days, have you ever gone to see the Prince?”

Yiluoha then said, “These days, he and His Highness the Crown Prince have very little contact.”

Zhu nodded his head, and when he got the answer, he didn’t seem to want to ask any more questions.

Also lost ha but said, “On the contrary …… last time when the court was dispersed, he and Chen Ji said half a teacup of words, at that time, the two of them were sad looking.”

At these words, Zhu Di was silent for a moment and said, “What do you think of him?”

Also lost ha said, “The slave girl thinks, Xie Gong has great talent, the article is extremely well written.”

Zhu looked straight at him and said, “What about the back?”

“There is no more in the back.” Also lost ha: “Slave girl a waiter, can understand what ah, how dare to talk about the minister.”

Zhu Di laughed: “Yes, how dare you talk …… about this four words say good, but some people …… are just bullying, feel that they know everything, always want to say one or two sentences about everything under the sky, how many people dare to say they What all understand it.”

Said Chu, shaking his head.

Just at this moment, someone else came to report, and in no time, on the side of the General Secretary, he carried a huge bundle, and came in panting, saying as he did so, “Your Majesty, there is a message from Annan.”

A look at the Annan have sung, Zhu Di immediately stood up, put aside the di newspaper, look at the package, said: “Who is this …… eaten nothing to do, moved such a thing to sung?”

If the inside is all the zhang, I’m afraid there must be hundreds of thousands of words.

Zhu felt that this was a deliberate attempt to insult him, suspecting that he was not very educated.

Yiluoha busy went to fetch the bag to come, also really quite heavy, he desperately, gritted his teeth to rest the bag on a side table.

When Zhu Di tore the fire paint, will open the package, but see the inside …… is a stack of accounts, and accounts, and a zhangsheng, just zhangsheng’s drop, not Zhu Gaoxu, but Gu Xingzu.

Annan’s account?

The look on Zhu Di’s face changed, and he instantly became interested.

To be honest, he was only immersed in the great victory in Annam, after all, this military triumph had made him overjoyed.

It was only then that I remembered …… it seemed that the merchant bank went to Annan …… not only military as simple as that.

At the same time, he opened the zhangshi with interest, took a close look, and then …… showed the color of ecstasy: “Pass the decree, tomorrow the spindle lecture, call Zhang Anshi also come to participate.”

Also lost ha do not know what His Majesty’s intentions, this palace spindle lecture, is a minister to the emperor’s lessons, Zhang Anshi after all is not a civil servant, really should not be put together this hilarious.

However, since it was His Majesty’s command, he did not dare to be negligent, so he hastened to respond.

…………

Zhang Anshi finally stepped out of his family’s study.

Nowadays, with his guards, he walks the streets in a big way.

Annan has been settled, and now he is worried about …… the Chinese army or the Mu family …… also taking this opportunity to enter the army and take the benefits of the merchant bank.

So he wrote a letter overnight and had it sent to Annan, and then instructed a few of his brothers once more to make sure they guarded against the Chinese army and the Mu family, with the original sentence in the letter being: not a single acre of land will be left for them.

Immediately after …… that is, Zhang Anshi summoned Zhu Jin and other people to come!

After taking Annan, how to seize wealth is the top priority, and since it is a merchant bank, it still has to be profit-oriented.

The reason for this approach was of course not simply for the sake of silver; Zhang Anshi was not very fond of money after all, and had little interest in it.

What he was thinking about was that many empires, when they were strong, occupied everywhere militarily, and always failed in the end, the reason being that the consumption of military occupation was far greater than the land occupied from. After a long time, once there was a financial crisis, they often chose to retreat in the end.

Annam has belonged to the Central Plains since the time of the Qin and Han Dynasties, and the language, writing, and customs are almost identical.

This time, since the occupation, then we must put an end to the history of the Great Ming took Annam, and finally in the Xuande year, that is, Zhu Zhanji that defeatist thing in the reign of the army, to several years since the party is not peaceful, repeated diligence of the king’s division of the excuse to retreat.

That Annamites were overjoyed when they saw Daming retreating, and issued a so-called “Great Edict of Ping Wu”.

If the problem of profitability is not solved, then the so-called fixing of Annam is actually of little significance, and in the end, it may really be futile after several decades.

So, after fooling around for two days, Zhang Anshi settled down and obediently locked himself up again.

Concentrating on the future, he began to plan for the future of the merchant bank.

You should know that this Annan is a good place, rich in food and resources, and most importantly, it has a unique coastline with countless natural harbors.

Just such a place …… history of Daming actually can still lose money on this, Zhang Anshi had to doubt the governance ability of these ministers.

Of course, it’s not that these people are incapable.

The root cause is lack of motivation.

Good thing there is a merchant bank now, then you can take the opportunity to ……

So Zhang Anshi ordered another search for Zhu Jin.

When he saw the man, he said, “How was the errand I taught you to run?”

Zhu Jin said, “Which thing is Uncle talking about?”

Jukin had also heard the news from Annan, and in fact, it was now all over the streets.

The vast majority of the people, still have the simple desire to rejoice over it.

Of course, there are those who are not happy, and there are quite a few of them.

Zhu Jin didn’t care about the gossip outside.

Zhang Anshi said, “Let’s have you summon those failed lifters and Xiucai.”

Zhu Jin then said, “The summon is summoned, but …… not many people are willing to come, only a district of one hundred and thirty three people.”

Zhang Anshi sighed, “There are so many fellows in this world, how come it’s only some of these.”

Zhu Jin explained, “After all, we are a merchant bank, the readers despise us, just these people, they are not more than happy.”

Zhang Anshi then commanded, “Let them experience, send them to the money bank, workshop, and our ship running in the head …….”

Zhu Jin laughed bitterly, “In fact, when some people learned that they were going to work in the workshops and money banks, several more left, saying that they didn’t care to work with us.”

Zhang Anshi was not angry, the ethos of the readers is like this, noble, looking down on worldly affairs.

You say that he is really noble and not utilitarian, but it is their purpose to make merit.

Thus, it breeds such a bunch of freaks.

Even if it is the first showman, they are in the spirit, but also the old man, look down on this, look down on that. To put it bluntly, it is the kind of natural delusion rely on their own read the four books and five sutras, sit and lie down on the merit and fame and silver earned people.

Zhang Anshi then said without thinking, “Do it if you are willing to do it, there will always be people who are willing to do it, and when these people have practiced more or less, bring me the roster of these people.”

Zhu Jin couldn’t help but wonder, “Is there any great use for Uncle?”

Zhang Anshi said, “I intend to send a group of people to Annan.”

“Being a parent?”

Zhang Anshi shook his head, “The parent officials have Annan’s readers to do the work, they only work in Annan’s merchant houses.”

Zhu Jin said with residual concern, “To that Annan, if they still go to the merchant bank, I’m afraid that they may not be willing to go to this long mountain and far away.”

Zhang Anshi said, “Although they can’t be the parents of the parents, they can be the parents of the parents of the parents, but when you say it like that, I have an idea again, the name of this merchant bank is really not good, I have to petition his majesty, there has to be a loud name for it to be good.”

Saying that, Zhang Anshi actually ignored Zhu Jin and went back to perfecting his plan with gusto.

…………

The so-called spindle lecture, in fact, initially in the fifteenth year of Hongwu, a minister named Shi Guiyan petitioned that the system of sutra and spindle should be emphasized.

At that time, he asked for this system to be standardized by giving lectures on the first day of each month and in the middle of each month, but, of course, Zhu Yuanzhang did not adopt it.

And during the Jianwen years, spindle speeches began to be frequent.

After Zhu Di entered the city of Nanjing, he became bored with the spindle speech again.

Even in many cases, the time when the spindle was supposed to speak in advance was always canceled temporarily by Zhu.

It’s a good day, and Zhu is here.

This spindle lecture will not only be attended by Wen Yuan Pavilion university scholars, in addition, there will also be the Hanlin Academy’s Squire and the Squire’s Lecture Bachelor.

There were hundreds of ministers involved at one time or another, and at a lesser time, there were thirty or forty.

This time, Zhu Di even ordered people to call that the Ministry of War right minister Chen Ji to come along to participate.

Originally, Chen Ji, as a minister of the six ministries, was not supposed to appear, which made him somewhat unable to guess His Majesty’s mind.

So when he saw the figure of Xie Jin when he entered the Wenhua Hall, he quickly approached and carefully asked Xie Jin, “Duke Xie, do you know what His Majesty called me here for?”

Xie Jin, however, said, “The holy will is unpredictable how I know.”

Chen Ji said with slight concern, “Things that are abnormal are demons, hey …… Could it be that I have offended His Majesty by speaking out for justice?”

Xie Jin glanced back at Chen Ji: “Speaking out for justice will not offend His Majesty.”

After a pause, Xie Jin added: “But if it is the first two rats, but it may not be.”

When Chen Ji heard this, his eyes opened slightly and he sucked in a breath of cool air.

This word obviously has a deep meaning, is to tell Chen Ji, since the righteousness of the words, do not be afraid, give me reckless up, a road to the black, but also better than the first rat two ends.

Chen Ji did not suspect that Xie Jin wants to harm himself, in fact, he is also clear, His Majesty is a man of nature, the most despised despicable people, if he is the first two ends, indeed may trigger resentment.

So he smiled and whispered, “Lord Xie has a high opinion.”

Xie Jin didn’t like that at this time, Chen Ji was following his lead, so he quickened his pace and rushed to the Hall of Wenhua.

However, Chen Ji seemed to be as if he had found his soulmate at this time, always sticking behind him, as if he was a follower.

Walked for a few moments, Xie Jin saw the front Zhu Gaoqi in Zhang Anshi’s support, is step by step toward the Mandarin Palace.

They entered the palace first, but walked slowly, only to be overtaken by the ministers in the rear.

So Xie Jin and Chen Ji, still other Hanlin ministers, etc., have accelerated the pace, and so on behind Zhu Gaoqi, then salute: “See His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Gaoqi turned back and gently scanned the crowd, nodding to Xie Jin first, but not saying anything.

Only when his eyes fell on Yang Rong did Zhu Gaoqi say, “Master Yang, just now Anshi happened to be talking about you with this palace.”

Yang Rong instantly became a target in general, seeing countless people’s eyes looking at him.

Being asked by Zhang Anshi was not a good thing, but fortunately Yang Rong was very calm, with a few smiles on his face, “I don’t know what’s the matter?”

Zhu Gaoxu said in a gentle and elegant manner, “Anshi knows that you are a good writer, erudite and informed, and a steady person, and it just so happens that there is a need for an article on the past life and present life of this Annan in the Di Di newspaper, and I hope that Master Yang will be able to write it on behalf of the author.”

Yang Rong said, “Your Highness, Xie Gong’s talent is the highest, I am far inferior to …… it.”

He was trying to refuse, after all, Xie Jin is here, and while Xie Jin is very conceited in terms of his writings and scriptures and history, Yang Rong does not like to show off his writings, he prefers to be like a transparent person, preferably never to be noticed.

Xie Jin at this time, but greatly embarrassed, said nothing, then has been silent and stood.

Zhu Gaoqi laughed: “Master Xie’s affairs are busy, both in the Wen Yuan Pavilion, and at the same time to edit the Literature Dacheng, you should not excuse yourself, this matter, this Palace has promised Anshi on your behalf, in a couple of days, Anshi will ask you for advice.”

Yang Rong glanced at Zhang Anshi who was looking at himself with a smile on his face and sighed silently in his heart.

That guy …… finally poisoned the old man.

Of course, Yang Rong was still looking like he was spoiled, “If that’s the case, then my humble servant has no choice but to respectfully follow my orders.”

Zhu Gaoqi then, assisted by Zhang Anshi, continued on his way to the Mandarin Palace.

Everyone was walking as fast as flying, but now the crown prince in the front, the back of the ministers will have to slow down the pace, one by one, trailing Zhu Gaoqi, to the Wenhua Hall.

And at this time Zhu Di’s interest was very high, he rose his seat here early, waiting for the hundred officials to come.

When the ministers had entered, they made a great salute.

Zhu Di then laughed, “Haha …… the ministers do not need to be polite.”

After saying this, he said to Zhu Gaoqi in a pleasant manner, “It’s been a long journey, it’s been hard work, come on people, give the crown prince a seat.”

Zhu Gaoqi wanted to refuse, but in the end his legs and feet did not listen to the call, and when the eunuchs fetched the brocade pier, he owed it to goodness to sit down as well.

Zhu Di then said, “Today’s spindle lecture, what is it about?”

The lecturer on duty rushed forward and said, “The lecture is about the Later Han Chronicle of the Ziji Tongjian.”

Zhu smiled and said, “Why don’t you tell us about Jiaotong?”

The so-called Jiaotong is actually Annam!

Since the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty has incorporated Jiaotong, now known as Annam, into its territory, and since then …… many dynasties have been recorded as ruling here.

The lecturer could not keep his originally subdued expression and laughed bitterly, “Your Majesty …… spindle lectures have traditionally been read from the book ……”

Zhu Di faintly said, “All the ministers are learned men, do they have to read from the book, and the daily lectures are either the Four Books or the Ziji Tongjian? Is this the only learning under the sky?”

The speaker was hesitant: “This ……”

Zhu Di, however, was quick and landed his eyes on Chen Ji.

It was obvious that he was clearly aiming for Chen Ji today.

Zhu Di said, “Secretary Chen, you know a lot, you speak.”

Chen Ji: “……”

Zhu Di said, “Men, give Minister Chen a seat.”

Chen Ji where dare to sit, secretly glanced at Xie Jin, but said, “Your Majesty ……鑷ｄ笌璇哥堪鏋楃浉姣旓紝杩欑偣鎵嶅锛屽疄鍦ㄤ笉瓒虫寕榻裤€�”

Zhu Di laughed, just this smile obviously does not reach the bottom of the eyes, mouth: “Although you are the right minister of the Ministry of War, but also proficient in money and food, and most clear how to govern the people. How is it possible …… not to understand the scriptures and history?”

Zhang Anshi, who was standing in a disciplined manner, couldn’t help but say in his heart: His Majesty is very vindictive ah, this is how many days ago, and he still purposely carries people here to be sarcastic.

Chen Ji was very uncomfortable, but he also knew that at this time, if he refused again, he would be ungrateful.

Solely, he said, “Then I’ll tell you a little bit about it, the four counties of Jiaotong were ruled by Qin general Zhao Tuo in the early years. After that, South Vietnam was swallowed up by the Han, and these four counties of Jiaotong, naturally, became Han land.”

He paused, and then said, “Only …… soon after, the four counties of Jiaotong revolted again, isolated from China …… By the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Han general Ma Yuan was ordered to go out to the four counties to pacify the rebellion. Just this battle, the loss is very great, the Han army dead and wounded.”

“Not only that, during the occupation, the local soldiers and people frequently attacked the Han army, even as this famous general Ma Yuan, also saw the ferocity of the natives of the four counties of Jiao-toe, so a copper pillar was erected to deter the people, and the content of the above is exactly: “Copper pillar folded, Jiao-toe destroyed.””

“This is a thousand years ago the past ……” Chen Ji paused, and then said: “But Your Majesty know, that set down the “copper column folded cross toes destroyed” of that A copper pillar, where is it now?”

Zhu didn’t say anything.

Chen Ji continued: “This copper pillar, has long been missing, when the Han Dynasty set up the prestige there, now long gone. Thinking back to the beginning, whether it was Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty or Ma Yuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the conscripted generals entered the four counties of Jiaotong, and the remains of the bones were spread all over the four counties, but now …… and rest in peace? Instead, in the process of conquest, the imperial court spent countless money and food, generals and soldiers constantly in Annan bloodshed, and ultimately …… caused this thousand years of regret.”

The Johnnies, you look at me, I look at you.

We are all smart people, in fact, we all know clearly what Zhu Di wanted Chen Ji to say, but on the contrary, Chen Ji was very tough and directly satirized the great regrets of the Western Han and Eastern Han dynasties because of the war.”

Zhu Di said, “In this way, the Secretary thinks …… that the conquest of Annan is not worth the loss?”

Chen Ji said, “Exactly.”

Zhu Di said, “Secretary both think so, then ……”

Zhu Di exuberantly rose: “Then it would be perfect, come to people …… to take the zhengshi to.”

Upon this statement, as if they had been prepared, a group of eunuchs came in from the side hall in a line, holding one book after another.

Zhu Di stood up, with his hands behind his back, gleaming at Chen Ji said: ”Know what this is? This is the zhengshi sent by Zhu Gaoxu and the others, and on this, it is the situation that they have seized from among the treasury of Annan. Zhang Anshi, you can read a lot, you come and read it to him.”

Zhang Anshi came in spirit, “Yes.”

So, Zhang Anshi went forward, took a copy of the report, lowered his head, then said, “The words before, skipped, I know everyone is anxious, I directly report the number.”

Zhang Anshi stared at the zheng report, in fact, he himself also feel unimaginable, and then said, “Today, we got grain …… two million three hundred thousand three hundred thousand stone ……”

The hall was in an uproar at these words.

Everyone had an incredulous look on their faces.

What is the concept of 2.33 million stones?

Daming’s grain, that is, the annual collection of grain, the most affluent is the South Zhili, almost annual grain revenue is one million stone, followed by Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangxi, are in the 600,000 stone.

The three provinces in this capital alone accounted for half of the grain in the whole world.

And now, where does a mere Annam get the two million stones of grain?