Chapter 300: Opening Your Eyes
“Your Majesty, the hunting grounds have begun to close in and the camp has been created.”
Jin Zhong reported on the matter, and he looked tired for the past few days.
Last time, His Majesty gave an order to him and Duke Dingguo Xu Jingchang.
Xu Jingchang is still young, this is clearly to go at this young Dingguo Gong to scold, let him be careful.
And those鍕嬭嚕瀛愬紵锛屽鏋滄槸涓€涓竴涓酣,浠栬繖鍏甸儴灏氫功涔熺瓑浜庢壙鎷呬簡璐ｄ换銆�
Although those guys dude and he has nothing to do with it, but the Secretary of War is so, who let you control the soldiers?
Jin Zhong had no way to make all those sons and daughters of the Honshu ministers obediently practice riding and shooting, after all, he couldn’t control it even if he wanted to, and at this time, what should be done was to do his best to organize the roundup matters.
After all, the attitude is most important, if not, during the roundup, it was found that many of the sons and daughters of the honored ministers did not compete, and they were afraid that they would be chastised to his head.
After listening to Jin Zhong’s report, Zhu Di nodded and said, “My Ming Dynasty is based on martial arts, if even the sons and daughters of the ministers are not martial arts, who will protect the country in the future? I have heard that the son of a certain marquis wears women’s clothes everyday, is this true?”
Jin Zhong’s face changed in fear.
At this time the culture of Daming was okay, unlike a hundred years later, when the sons and daughters of those honored ministers and government officials carried a few gigolos with them, and there were people who painted them, but occasionally there were also some people who were new and innovative.
Jin Zhong just hated to exclaim, “This has nothing to do with me!
However, he could not say this, but could only say, “Your Majesty, occasionally there are sons and daughters who do not learn to abolish …… themselves Your Majesty does not have to worry.”
“Into his mother.” Zhu Di was furious and cursed, “If I see it on the street, I have to beat it to death.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Jin Zhong saw that Zhu Di was furious, so he said, “This roundup not only shows that the state dynasty emphasizes on military preparation, but also allows for the schooling of sons and daughters, Your Majesty’s move is far-sighted.”
Zhu Di back hand, but looks dissatisfied, then quietly said: “Hopefully …… can play some role. I am old, sooner or later …… is going to see Taizu high emperor, this Ming future, also refers to the Prince, also refers to these honored ministers children, if they are useless, hey ……”
Zhu Di shook his head, revealing a few moments of depression and frustration: “This roundup, bring the grandson, let Zhanji accompanied by driving in my left and right. Although he is young, but also to sharpen one or two, to teach him to know, this rivers and mountains, not from the sky down.”
“Yes.” Jin Zhong said, “Your Majesty’s good intentions, if the royal grandson and the sons and daughters of all the honored ministers can appreciate this, they will surely study harder and not dare to waste their time.”
So long as only the mention of the imperial grandson Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Di’s mood is better, he pulled himself together, smiled and said, “I have not been alive for a long time, want to think of the beginning in Beiping, if not in wartime, but also often go out on safari, these years also deserted a lot. This time …… should also be the example of these three armies, teach people to know, even I, also did not fall this bow and horse.”
Jin Zhong listened and nodded his head.
But in my heart, I can’t help but think that it’s fortunate that I don’t round up hunters from time to time, otherwise, the rabbits and elk in Zijinshan Mountain would be in bad shape.
A gentleman’s counterpoint ended, and Jin Zhenzhong retired.
Zhu Di looked up to Yiluoha and said, “I heard that Jingyi is pregnant again?”
Also Lostha said, “Yes.”
Zhu laughed and said, “That kid, on the contrary, didn’t delay anything.”
Yishakha laughed dryly, “Your Majesty is right.”
“Hey, this guy, everything is good, but he is not skillful with bow and horse.” As he said this, Zhu Di’s face could not help but show a few moments of disdain.
“His Majesty has always treated Wei Guo Gong generously, I think His Majesty ……” Yiluoha followed Zhu Di’s mind, “I think His Majesty is also worried that Wei Guo Gong will make a fool of himself when he rides and shoots, why don’t you lend an excuse so that Wei Guo Gong doesn’t have to appear on the stage, such as to give He has an errand ……”
Zhu Di pondered for a moment, seriously thought about it, but shook his head: “This can not be, if Zhang Anshi does not debut, the rest of the people will be called unfair, these honored ministers sons and daughters, usually is unruly, and now catch them school parade, they would have been resentful. If they find a reason, they must think, Zhang Anshi can not practice bow and horse, why they can not?”
Yizhi Lostha said, “It is still Your Majesty who has thought this through.”
“However, these days, let Zhang Anshi temporary hold a Buddha’s foot, even if the shot does not hit, this horseback riding, refined some, at least the face is not ugly is also good.” Zhu Di cautiously said.
Yilostha smiled slightly and didn’t say anything more.
Some things still really need talent, this Wei Guo Gong ……
Zhu Di said, “Before departure, explain the East Palace, the royal grandson side, shall not have a woman to take care of, around only a eunuch to follow, let him walk with me, along the way also need to ride a horse, shall not sit sedan chair and ride a moped.”
Also lost ha said:” slave girl obey the decree, just slave girl worry …… about the royal grandson … …”
“Nothing to worry about.” Zhu Di was full of concern, “I’m at his age, I’ve been on the roof for a long time, even if there are some bumps and bruises, it’s deserved, I’m afraid that this child has not been bumped since he was a child.”
For this roundup, there is a lot of talk among the townspeople.
After all, the commotion is too big, all the forbidden troops have been stationed at the foot of the Purple Mountain, the campsite are stretched out for more than ten miles.
The sons and daughters of the capital’s military ministers, much in the interim, even if they go out, are no longer in a car, turned to horseback riding.
After all, His Majesty personally watched, if there is a mistake, it is inevitable to scold, and may even be taken out as a typical, and then lost the title, then it really is the call of heaven and earth.
Only Zhang Anshi remained calm and relaxed, in addition to accompanying Xu Jingyi at home, he occasionally had to go out, and even made a trip to Wuhu County.
On the one hand, is to take a look at the newly put into production of the peach punch iron ore, this one found that the iron ore is extremely large, the most important thing is that the iron ore can be open-air mining, the iron content of the ore is also quite high, just in the Ming, the iron ore is not available for private extraction, and therefore, can only be found in the Qixia Merchants Bank, specifically set up a bureau of the iron ore, responsible for large-scale excavation.
The merchant bank has all the money, the problem of manpower, after the new policy of the Taiping government, has also been released enough, in this place alone, has recruited more than 4,000 young and strong people, plus other management, bookkeeping and other personnel, has been close to 5,000 people.
Not only that, there is also the government office specially collected a large number of people, here to prepare to open up a road to the dock, a nearby waterway, also need to be dredged, so as to ensure that the ore can be transported out at low cost.
The government office is very enthusiastic about dredging waterways and building roads, because on this scale, the annual tax revenue from this iron mine to the government office may be more than 70,000 taels of silver a year or more.
What’s more, with the large-scale extraction of iron ore, the supply price of this iron ore may also fall, large-scale iron refining, also means that a large amount of coal and other resources are needed, a lot of merchants and businessmen, have also seen the business opportunities, and began to find ways to lease the nearby coal mines, and even in this foothills under the miner’s camps, to establish a bazaar.
In the future here, at least can form a town of more than 10,000 people, if the future also increase the mining, I am afraid that the size of the camp will be even more huge, even more than 30,000, 50,000 people.
Wuhu County magistrate, accompanied by Zhang Anshi in this mine walked around, he flashed his eyebrows, for this iron ore is quite promising, and even said, there is a copper mine nearby, is also to be prepared to extract, and then need to recruit more manpower.
Now the manpower in Wuhu County is actually starting to get a little tight, and the local gentry, almost no longer able to recruit young, strong men to rent their land.
After all, who would want to rent land when going out to make a living, even as a laborer in the iron mines, which is hard work, but the wages are enough to feed and clothe a family?
Therefore, most of the land is still rented, most of the old and weak in the countryside, even these old and weak now also ate up, after all, now can find people is good, alone this Wuhu County, the price of land rent has plummeted by at least 30%, the original rental land, at least 50%, and now, give two or three percent is enough.
The magistrate of Wuhu County mentioned this and couldn’t help but say, “Nowadays, the gentry in the county, everyone complains and says that they can’t maintain it.”
Zhang Anshi said without thinking, “Complaints don’t have to be managed, as long as they don’t get any other crooked ideas, if not, I won’t be blamed for being impolite.”
“They wouldn’t dare.” This magistrate said with certainty.
This magistrate also do not know when, was assimilated by Zhang Anshi, in the past mentioned to the suffering of the gentry, can not help but frown, but now and Zhang Anshi and the same nostrils out of the air, as if he is not the gentry family origin. On the contrary, listening to the gentry wail, actually have an indescribable pleasure.
Therefore, he went on to say, “If they dare to make trouble, without the need for His Excellency’s hand, my humble servant will teach them to cry without tears.”
Zhang Anshi smiled with satisfaction and nodded his head, “In fact, if they are smart, they can also develop some industries on their own, not to mention other things, let’s say oil extraction, there is a great demand for cooking oil nowadays, in the end, the days like the old days when you could lie down and wait for your death because you had land are gone.”
Zhang Anshi had seen the mine and was very satisfied, so he was relieved to call home.
And as winter has approached, the time for roundups has come.
Zhu Di led his honored ministers, hundred officials and forbidden guards to arrive at the southern foot of Zijinshan Mountain in great numbers.
Set up camp here and rest.
Countless forbidden guards, began to search the mountains in all directions, and drove countless wild animals, in the direction of the camp.
For a moment, the whole mountain forest shook, but Zhu Di was not in a hurry, and stayed here for two days first, taking Zhu Zhanji, leisurely riding around the neighborhood.
He did not like to bring forbidden guards, after all, the periphery of this place, there have long been forbidden guards, so he did not want to let the escorts get closer, and only rode his horse, while eight or nine year old Zhu Zhanji, rode the pony, the master and grandson, and said some small talk to each other.
“It seems that you ride a horse well and have put in hard work.” Zhu Di looks at Zhu Zhanji dotingly, there is an unconcealable relief in his eyes, but still said, “I am worried that you can’t take the pain.”
“Royal grandfather also said that he would take his grandson to go to the desert to kill the Tartars, but …… always did not go, teaching me to learn to ride a horse for nothing.” Zhu Zhanji said.
Zhu Di laughed loudly and said, “This is going to go, but unfortunately, this Tartar is not useful, of course …….”
Speaking here, Zhu Di pulled down his face, said: “not useful to not useful, we can not be complacent. This desert in the enemy, rise and fall, no Xiong Nu, there is Xianbei, no Xianbei, then came the Turk, and since then there is the Khitan, Jurchen, Mongolia.”
“My Ming will eventually have a big trouble in the heart, this big trouble in the heart even if it is not in the north of the desert, but also will certainly appear in other places. You are my grandson, the future of thousands of subjects of the family life, are sustained in your body, you this bow horse can not be because you can not go to kill the Tartars will be wasted.”
Zhu Zhanji’s young face put on a serious look and said, “Yes.”
Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji’s growing face and couldn’t help but say, “My grandson is going to grow up, and I’m going to get old.”
Zhu Di tone, with a sense of heroes late, both melancholy, but also comfort.
Zhu Zhanji blinked, then said, “Imperial Grandpa, are we roasting rabbits for dinner tonight? ”
Zhu smiled and said, “If you want to eat it, tomorrow when you round up, eat what you shoot down, what’s the point of eating it when others shoot it down for you, de-feather it, skin it, and bake it down?”
Zhu Zhanji’s tiny face showed a few moments of sadness as he said, “Imperial grandfather, I’m worried.”
“What are you worried about again?”
“I’m worried about Uncle, who can’t shoot rabbits, and he doesn’t have any to eat.”
Zhu Di is again to provoke a laugh: “Your uncle, indeed not good at bow and horse, his ability is not on this, not eat the rabbit thing is small, but the shame is a big thing.”
Zhu Zhanji said, “But Uncle said that he is capable of a lot.”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense, there is a difference between a foot and an inch, this guy is just coaxing you.”
“Oh.” Zhu Zhanji said, “After hearing what Royal Grandfather said, I am even more worried, my heart aches for him.”
Zhu guffawed and said, “Alright, your little pony is afraid to be tired, teach it to take a rest, let’s dismount and take a walk, are you cold, do you want to add clothes?”
Zhu Zhanji shook his head.
Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanji dismounted in the forest, to a small stream, washed his hands, Zhu Zhanji also followed suit, but this time it is winter, hands into the stream, cold and bone-chilling.
Zhu Di seems to recall something, brightly said, “When the imperial master was young, in Fengyang, that time …… Taizu high emperor, forbid us to use hot water to bathe, we will be in the winter, with the well water to purify the body, haha, that taste … …”
Zhu Zhanji said, “Why did Emperor Taizu Gaozu do this?”
Zhu Di said, “Naturally, it is to toughen us up and teach us to know that the rich and noble life is not gained for nothing, and even more so, to teach us not to forget our roots, because Emperor Tai Zu Gao, when he was young, bathed in cold water as well.”
Zhu Zhanji said: “I know, people can not forget their roots, when I became the emperor, I will teach my uncle to use cold water to bathe, teach him not to forget their roots, the rich life is not easy to come by.”
Hearing this, Zhu Di laughed so hard that he coughed desperately and couldn’t help but say, “This can’t be done, your uncle will get sick.”
Zhu Zhanji thought about it with chagrin, then said, “Oh. Then I’ll go back and bathe in cool water as well.”
Zhu Di said, “If you are willing, then give it a try, and if you find it unbearable, Imperial Grandpa won’t make it difficult for you.”
Zhu Zhanji said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be able to stand it.”
“You don’t step on puddles.”
“Oh.”
On this end, the grandparents and grandson were as warm as they could be, while on the other end, Zhang Anshi, arrived at the camp only in the evening.
He explained the matter of the government office, only to come late, first went to see the ride, Zhu Di at this time has been a little sleepy, only said a few words of gossip, nothing more than to encourage Zhang Anshi, know the shame and then courage, tomorrow riding and shooting, if it is being made fun of, and then use some more work in the future.
Zhang Anshi, however, said with a confident look on his face, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I will teach all the rabbits here to know the prestige of the minister.”
Dropped the harsh words, then went to find Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanji is in Zhu Di’s tent not far from a tent, at this time is wrapped in a blanket puffing and puffing inhalation, eunuchs heartbreakingly to add charcoal pots to this tent.
Zhang Anshi went in and looked at the scene and couldn’t help but say, “What, it’s just winter and you’re like this?”
“Uncle, I took a cool bath.” Zhu Zhanji said proudly.
Zhang Anshi staggered in his heart and said, “Which son of a bitch taught this! My poor Junji, don’t listen to people’s encouragement, Aunty will be heartbroken.”
Zhu Zhanji said, “It was taught by Imperial Grandfather.”
Zhang Anshi’s face twitched, and after a moment of silence, he said with a stern face, “Heaven will send a great task to you, it will be hard on your heart and bones, His Majesty is far-sighted and has great expectations for you, you must not fail his old man’s expectations for you.”
Zhu Zhanji said, “A uncle, tomorrow riding and shooting, if I can not shoot what to do, will not ……”
Zhang Anshi stroked his head; “Don’t worry, you’re still young, no one will blame you.”
Zhu Zhanji said, “I’m going to sleep with Uncle tonight.”
“You unashamed brat.” Zhang Anshi scolded him on one side and took off his boots on the other, “This couch is a bit small, don’t crowd me, will you snore now? I’m most afraid of someone snoring.”
The next day at dawn.
It’s cold.
Zhang Anshi purposely added a coat and sent Zhu Zhanji to Zhu Di’s camp first, while he himself went to meet up with some of his brothers.
Zhu Yong, Zhang Yoking, and Qiu Song were a few people whose camp was a few miles away, and they were already sharpening their swords at this point.
Being able to perform in front of His Majesty was definitely something to look forward to for these youths.
Zhu Yong was the first to see Zhang Anshi and shouted from afar, “Big brother.”
Zhang Anshi waved at them and ran over quickly, “Well, are you ready?”
“Ready, shoot ten rabbits today and teach those people to open their eyes.” Zhu Courage huffed, “Those guys, daring to mock our three murderers, it’s simply outrageous.”
Zhang Anshi said, “Next time someone else laughs at you, go and beat them up first to report our four murderers’ names.”
“That’s just it, they’re young and I don’t want to bully them.”
This Xunchen children, Zhu Yong has been considered older, now has twenty years old, Zhang Yoking is a little younger, but now the rise of a group of fifteen or sixteen years old teenagers, naughty and naughty, who do not put in the eyes.
With the sound of the drums, and then the low whine of the bullhorn.
Zhang Anshi rode with his brothers to gather in the direction of the drums.
Many of the sons and daughters of the honored ministers also came from all directions of the camp, from all directions, with their banners flying.
Zhu Di, on the other hand, took Zhu Zhanji, as well as the dukes, marquises, and burghers, and rode to the hunting ground, surrounded by them.
The so-called roundup highlights the word roundup.
After all, the hunt was only for a few days and was rushed, and since the emperor and the ministers were out, they certainly couldn’t return empty-handed, so beforehand, there were forbidden troops from all directions, driving a large number of wild animals to a predetermined location, which was the so-called hunting ground.
And this hunting ground was already filled with countless hares and elk and a handful of wild boars at a glance.
Zhu Di seemed to say something, but Zhang Anshi was far away and didn’t hear it clearly, roughly it should be encouraging everyone to hunt well, there are heavy rewards and so on.
Anyway, the honored ministers and their sons and the forbidden guards shouted hooray, and Zhang Anshi also shouted a few hooray from the goodness of his heart.
Then he saw Zhu Zhanji quietly riding his pony and coming to join Zhang Anshi.
On the contrary, Zhu Yong is a few, but is eager to try, rubbing their fists to go first to shoot hunting.
Zhang Anshi dismounted and hugged Zhu Zhanji again, and the two of them found a boulder and squatted on it shoulder to shoulder.
See someone began to fly horse gallop, bend the bow and arrow, a few moments later, some people cheered and shouted, seems to have shot, the eunuchs are singing, the crowd have praised, the shot then eyebrows, so proud.
Zhang Anshi looked at this flaunting son of a bitch with contempt and couldn’t help but say, “What kind of skill is this, everyone in the Tartars can ride a horse and shoot arrows.”
Zhu Zhanji, however, with a few worried looks, drooped his head and said, “Royal grandfather wants me to shoot a few arrows as well, Uncle, I’m afraid I can’t shoot well.”
Zhang Anshi stroked his head and said, “Don’t panic, don’t panic, there’s always someone worse than you, you’re just better than the worst one.”
Zhu Zhanji said glumly “I’m afraid that I’m not even as good as A-Uncle.”
That is so insulting.
Zhang Anshi cursed, “What kind of words are these, just wait and see.”
Zhu Zhanji looked even more frustrated.
Zhang Anshi to this little nephew is a true feeling, see him like this, heart suddenly soft, so he comforted: “do not panic, you shoot with all your heart, even if you can not shoot, do not worry, you are the grandson of the emperor, no one dares to blame you.”
At this time, however, a eunuch came hurriedly and said, “Royal grandson, Your Excellency, His Majesty has taught you to go and shoot.”
The two of them then mounted their horses, Zhu Zhanji rode first and went to meet Zhu Di.
Zhu Di this day the whole person seems to be in high spirits, at this time a face with a frown, happily said: “Haha, Zhu Yong this boy is good, in a moment, actually shot two hares, a moose. Good, good, a tiger father has no son. There is also Marquis Jing’an’s son, Wang Biwu, who is also very good, and shot one more wild animal than Zhu Yong, so good! Grandson, you go and try too, no need to be afraid.”
“Yes.”
With that, Zhu Zhanji rode his pony and flew to the outskirts of the hunting ground, legs clamped to the saddle, bending his bow and arrows.
Zhang Anshi cheered him on from a distance and shouted again, “Don’t be afraid, calm down, it doesn’t matter if you can’t shoot ……”
Whoosh, the sharp arrow left the bowstring and broke through the air.
A hare that was nailed to the ground in an instant.
The eunuch exclaimed, “The royal grandson has shot a hare.”
Zhang Anshi: “……”
After a few moments more, “The royal grandson has shot another hare.”
“Great joy, great joy …… royal grandson hit three shots in a row, royal grandson mighty.”
The atmosphere was instantly warm.
Zhu Di was filled with red light, and his eyes radiated an incomparable luster.
Zhang Anshi: “……”
Voorhees ……