Chapter 692 The Duty of the Domain King

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food.

Zhong Huamin finally got down to business with Su Wang Zhu Shenyao.

Although usually local government affairs do not need to deal with the vassal king at all, but Lanzhou is different.

Lanzhou is located close to the Western Regions, plateaus and grasslands.

Although the vassal king was just a decoration, for many indigenous and tribal people who did not know the current political situation of the Ming Dynasty, the king of the Ming Dynasty still held great weight.

Therefore, Zhu Changluo also saw Zhu Shenyao's role and his actions as King Su, so he gave King Su considerable courtesy.

After all, Zhu Shenyao is still very popular in Lanzhou, and his actions can be regarded as a virtuous king.

There is such a living sign in Lanzhou, it would be a waste if it is not used.

Therefore, Zhu Changluo gave Zhu Shenyao the false position of Marshal of the Lanzhou Camp, making him the nominal leader of the Ming Dynasty in Lanzhou.

Since Zhu Changluo praised Zhu Shenyao so much, Zhong Huamin, the newly appointed governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, naturally also expressed his courtesy to Zhu Shenyao.

Although the two of them still have a close relationship, and Zhu Shenyao has no right to interfere in local affairs, Zhu Shenyao is King Su after all, and he is the general marshal of the Lanzhou camp after all.

Therefore, Zhong Huamin still has to use Zhu Shenyao in some aspects.

Zhu Shenyao and Zhong Huamin drank and chatted together, and they were very happy. After being the king of so many vassals, he never thought that one day he would have such treatment and status.

His father and grandfather, as well as the earlier Su kings, had never left Lanzhou in their entire lives, and had never seen a feudal official like Zhong Huamin.

Although Zhu Shenyao was the vassal king second only to the emperor in terms of status and title, ever since Jianwen reduced the vassal and Cheng Zu Jingnan, the prince's life became more and more difficult day by day.

He had no local governance power, no military power, and also lost his personal freedom. He could not leave the fiefdom without an edict, otherwise he would be punished for treason.

It can be said that since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty have behaved like prisoners.

A vassal king with a good mentality who can be content with the status quo will have children and live a good life. People with a bad mentality, like Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao, can only become a stepping stone for others to become saints.

Zhong Huamin took another sip of the wine in the glass and said to Zhu Shenyao: "Your Majesty, I would like to thank you for your warm hospitality. This time, by the order of the Holy Prince, I will be the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu to assist you in governing Lanzhou.

I also hope that the prince can fully support my mission."

Zhu Shenyao immediately replied: "Governor Zhong's words are serious. If you have any use for me, please don't be polite. As the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty, I should be loyal to the Ming Dynasty and guard the land and shepherd the people."

Zhong Huamin said: "I am very grateful that the prince has such a heart! Things in Lanzhou are complicated, and I am not clear about the situation when I first arrived. Therefore, I also have some questions that I would like to consult the prince directly."

Zhu Shenyao said: "But it doesn't matter. As long as I know something, I will definitely tell you everything."

Zhong Huamin clasped his fists in thanks, "Your Majesty, before I came to Lanzhou, I heard that there are many Qiang people near Lanzhou, especially the herdsmen on the Tao River side who often cause trouble. I want to know what is going on with these Tao River herdsmen?"

After Zhu Shenyao heard this, he put down his wine glass and said, "What else could be going on? These Qiang people are too poor. The weather has become colder and colder over the years, so they have become restless.

.”

"But fortunately, in the 20th year of Wanli, Wei Xuezeng and others led troops to quell the Kuaibai Rebellion, and also defeated the rebellion in Taohe. In addition, Ningxia's army has been strong and powerful over the years, so Lanzhou has always been

It’s peaceful.”

After hearing what Zhu Shenyao said, Zhong Huamin understood.

Although Zhong Huamin knew this information before he came, after all, this information was only on paper, and local officials in some places in the Ming Dynasty had always reported good news but not bad news.

Therefore, Zhong Huamin naturally needs to understand the situation realistically in order to truly feel at ease.

Now, after what King Su said, Zhong Huamin knew what was going on.

At least Lanzhou is not a mess. He doesn't need to spend much energy to clean it up, and he can proceed according to the crown prince's plan.

Zhong Huamin said: "This is all caused by the divine power of the Holy Prince and the Emperor. Back then, the Ningxia Rebellion caused the northwest to be at war. The Emperor immediately made a decision and ordered Ye Mengxiong, Wei Xuezeng, Li Rusong, Ma Gui and others to quell the rebellion. At that time, the Holy Prince

After hearing about this, he resolutely gave up his several years of accumulation at Xishan Imperial Village, which enabled the rebellion in Ningxia to be quelled so quickly."

"Now, the northwest can have such a stable overall situation, all this is without the support of Prince Bu Sheng and the importance he attached to Ningxia Town."

When Zhu Shenyao heard Zhong Huamin talking about Ningxia Town, he looked envious.

Although Zhu Shenyao cannot live without Lanzhou, Ningxia Town is not far from Lanzhou.

Zhu Shenyao had long heard of the current prosperity of Ningxia Town.

Ningxia Town now not only has a mutual market, but also has a small town called Niutougou founded by Emperor Wanli, as well as many mines opened by wealthy merchants from the capital.

Now, Ningxia Town not only gathers a large population, but also creates amazing wealth.

Especially the direct cement road from Ningxia Town to the capital made Zhu Shenyao think about it day and night.

Although he has never seen what this road looks like, the stewards in the palace have been to Ningxia Town and walked this road.

When people said that the cement roads in Ningxia Town were smooth and solid and easier to walk than roads paved with stone slabs, Zhu Shenyao couldn't even imagine what this cement road looked like.

Zhu Shenyao looked at Zhong Huamin and said: "Governor Zhong, I heard that His Royal Highness the Holy Prince is building a cement road from the capital to Ningxia. I wonder if this road can be extended to Lanzhou?"

Zhong Huamin looked at Zhu Shenyao's expectant eyes and replied: "Your Majesty, please be patient. The expansion of Lanzhou is the will of the Holy Prince and a national policy affirmed by the imperial court. Both the cabinet and the Military Aircraft Department attach great importance to this. I want Ningxia's cement

The road should be extended to Lanzhou soon."

After Zhu Shenyao heard this, he was even more surprised. If Lanzhou was really taken seriously by the imperial court and was really going to be built as the most important town in the northwest, then as the vassal king of Lanzhou - Prince Su

Naturally, you can get many, many unexpected benefits from one lineage.

Although Zhu Shenyao is neither greedy nor evil, it does not mean that he will not consider future generations. Especially his close relatives. If the Su Palace does not have enough wealth, his descendants who cannot inherit the title

After a few generations, they will be as depressed as ordinary clan members, which will make Zhu Shenyao very distressed.

Therefore, Zhu Shenyao should not only think more about the people of Lanzhou, but also think more about his descendants. If Lanzhou is really rich, then the clan members of King Su's lineage in Lanzhou will naturally be able to have enough food and clothing.

No more worries.

Zhu Shenyao said excitedly: "That's good, that's good. As long as Lanzhou can have direct access to the capital, Lanzhou's prosperity will be just around the corner."

Seeing such excited Zhu Shenyao, Zhong Huamin didn't understand Zhu Shenyao's mood.

It is not a good thing for a feudal prince to worry so much.

Fortunately, today's Holy Prince is open-minded and generous.

Once you meet the Lord of Suspicion, if a vassal prince does not live a good life in the palace and thinks about giving favors to the people all day long, big trouble will definitely happen.

Zhong Huamin said: "The prince only needs to do his duty, continue to treat the people with benevolence and righteousness, and be gentle with the herders who have naturalized to live in Lanzhou. At the same time, I will also provide support for the prince and build Lanzhou into a beautiful city."

The pearl of the Ming Dynasty in the northwest! Make it not weaker than the land of fireworks in the south of the Yangtze River!"

Zhu Shenyao was excited for a while, and then asked in disbelief: "Is it possible?"

Zhong Huamin replied resolutely: "Everything is possible! The root cause of Lanzhou's lack of wealth is the impassable roads! Now the imperial court has the idea of ​​restarting the Silk Road, and Lanzhou, as a key link, is naturally a top priority."

"If Lanzhou can be built before then, both the roads and the people around it can be united. Why worry about Lanzhou not being able to prosper?"

Zhu Shenyao said excitedly: "I leave everything to Governor Zhong."

Zhong Huamin said: "Everything depends on the prince. As long as the prince can continue to love the people with kindness and treat the naturalized herdsmen with kindness, I will definitely do my best to help the prince and build Lanzhou into the south of the Yangtze River in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty."

!”

After finishing the meal with Zhu Shenyao and talking about the division of labor, Zhong Huamin left.

On the way back, Sun Chengzong asked again: "Master Zhongcheng, can King Su be trusted?"

Sun Chengzong was not optimistic about King Su. In his opinion, the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty were just things that could not be supported by mud, and they were just reincarnations with good skills.

Zhong Huamin closed his eyes and calmed down. Listening to Sun Chengzong's words, he said slowly: "Some things cannot be taken at face value. King Su is different from ordinary vassal princes. This governor once served as the prime minister in the Zongren Mansion, assisting

Let His Highness handle the clan affairs."

"At that time, the governor's job was to understand the information of the vassal kings in the world to prepare for emergencies. I still know a lot about King Su. Although he is a good man who also loves to have fun, he does not bother and sometimes looks at

The people of Lanzhou were living a hard life, but he would take the initiative to exempt the people of Lanzhou from having to work for the palace, and would also take care of the lonely elderly people. Among the vassal kings, what he did was an anomaly."

Sun Chengzong was a little surprised when he heard Zhong Huamin commenting on King Su like this.

Sun Chengzong was surprised and said: "Prince Su actually did such a thing? Does he have a disobedient heart?"

This was Sun Chengzong's first reaction to King Su's good deeds.

Zhong Huamin looked at Sun Chengzong and said: "What basis does Lanzhou have for rebellion? It wants money but no money, and it wants food but no food. There are still Qiang people and Mongolian herdsmen around Lanzhou who are dissatisfied with Wang Hua. How can these people rebel with King Su?"

"What King Su did was just his true intention. He definitely had no intention of being disobedient. Moreover, King Su was old enough to know his destiny, so he couldn't commit such a business of decapitation."

Sun Chengzong sighed: "Then this King Su is really an anomaly. If the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty could be like King Su, the people of the Ming Dynasty would have a good life."

Zhong Huamin said: "This is impossible. What King Su did can only be an isolated phenomenon. Only doing this in a place like Lanzhou will not arouse the suspicion of local officials."

"Once we move to another place and a vassal king dares to be so kind to the people, not to mention how the court will deal with it. Even the local magistrates will report one after another that the vassal king has evil intentions."

"After all, not everyone can give this kind of kindness. When local officials show kindness to the people, it is an act of loyalty to the emperor and the court, and it is also their duty. What is the intention of the feudal king in showing kindness?"

"Isn't the court's kindness enough? Do we need the vassal king to continue to show kindness? Therefore, all vassal kings in the world cannot be like King Su. If they can do well and not cause trouble, they will be a qualified Ming vassal king.

"

Sun Chengzong did not expect that Zhong Huamin would comment on the vassal king's actions in this way. He calmly thought about Zhong Huamin's words and found that it was true.

Favor can only be bestowed by the court, the emperor, and the crown prince.

Once the feudal princes are allowed to take over their duties, won't the people's hearts and minds be in chaos?
To be continued...