Zhu Di sighed sincerely. He found that there was something in his son that he lacked.
How to describe it? Zhu Di has been trying hard to imitate Zhu Yuanzhang, from head to toe, in all aspects... Of course, Zhu Di also knows that there are some things that he cannot learn, and it seems that he should not learn, such as killing heroes.
Those nobles who are overly ambitious should be severely punished, but to kill the nine tribes at every turn, and even make them into human skin pillows, is a bit too much.
In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang did not trust his courtiers and was too energetic, so he took on all government affairs by himself. He had the final say in all aspects.
When he arrived at Zhu Di's place, he realized that he did not have the energy of Zhu Di, and he did not want to tie himself to complicated government affairs, so he reused his ministers and granted them great power.
Not only Xu Jingchang, but also Jian Yi, Xia Yuanji, Yang Rong, Xie Jin, Chen Ying... These people are all his right-hand men and play very important responsibilities.
Zhu Di worked hard to correct some of Lao Zhu's mistakes, and then went to the West to use troops abroad, making himself more courageous than his father and more like an eternal sage.
But in the final analysis, Zhu Di still tinkered with the structure left by Zhu Yuanzhang.
This is like renovating an old house. No matter how much effort is put into it, the pattern is still there and it is difficult to make a fundamental breakthrough.
But Zhu Gaochi was different. He was really thinking seriously and starting to take action. He had his own things and wanted to truly change the Ming Dynasty according to his own ideas.
If he didn't have this ambition, why would the noble prince take the risk of going to the den of thieves to convince the people... No matter how he explained it, going deep into Poyang Lake had a huge stake, and it was no small matter.
"Dong Guo Gong, since you also said you have learned a lesson, then you should work harder and prepare some food for me and the prince... You have to cook it yourself."
Xu Jingchang nodded in agreement and said with a smile: "I still have several jars of cellars from the Hongwu period here."
Zhu Di shouted: "If you don't bring it yet, I will get drunk before I stop!"
Xu Jingchang hurried away and soon prepared more than a dozen dishes. He also brought in old wine from the first year of Hongwu. He tore open the wrapper and a rich aroma of wine instantly filled the air.
Zhu Di's eyes lit up. After taking a sip, he couldn't help but close his eyes, his face full of intoxication. After opening his eyes, he poured Zhu Gaochi a glass without saying a word, and then ordered: "Drink!"
Zhu Gaochi took a sip and was intoxicated.
"Father, let me tell you that this wine is better than the one in the palace!"
Zhu Di hummed: "That's what I'm talking about. It stands to reason that the imperial palace gathers treasures from all over the world... But why is it that the food and drink are not as good as the Duke's Palace? Xu Jingchang, you won't steal things from the palace, right?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood me. The things in my house are either left by my predecessors or bought by me with money. They are all pure and can withstand thorough investigation. As for what your Majesty said
I can't say whether anything will leak out of the palace. I can only say that things that can be sold will always fall into the hands of those who are willing to pay."
Zhu Di was shocked, "What do you mean, shouldn't the emperor enjoy the best?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Your Majesty said it should be done, but in reality it may not be possible."
The more Zhu Di listened, the more outrageous he became. "If you don't tell me a reason, we won't be finished."
"Your Majesty is naturally the lord of the world, and you should enjoy the best... But the problem is that there are only so many good things... Once your Majesty gets used to drinking this tea and wine, but the follow-up suddenly disappears, which makes the emperor furious, then
But people will die, so I can only prepare something for His Majesty that is not of the best quality, but is better than stable."
"For example, this wine, there is only so much in the cellar in the first year of Hongwu. If you want to be on the safe side, it is better to get something large enough to satisfy your needs. Your Majesty will be used to drinking it. In fact, there is not much difference."
"What's the difference?" Zhu Di was furious, "This is deceiving the emperor! The eunuchs in the palace, as well as you courtiers, are trying their best to deceive me and treat me like a fool."
At this time, Zhu Gaochi said with a smile: "Father, please let me tell you that this is really not the case."
Zhu Di hummed: "What do you mean? You want to speak for him again?"
Zhu Gaochi shook his head and said: "Father, I feel that in the final analysis, it is still the ninth level of the deep palace, with layers of obstruction. It seems to be superior, but it is also independent from the world. A few courtiers, plus a few eunuchs, can block the emperor's ears and eyes...
On the one hand, it is easy to deceive the emperor, but on the other hand, if the emperor gets angry, the consequences will be serious. In this case, the only way to deceive the emperor is to find a way, which is also human nature."
Zhu Di snorted: "What is human nature? To put it bluntly, they treat me as a fool. Such a courtier is really abominable."
Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Father, I have a few words from my heart. I wonder if Father is willing to listen?"
Zhu Di pondered for a while and then said: "Let's talk."
Zhu Gaochi nodded, then took a deep breath and said: "Father, my son went to Poyang Lake and found some fishermen, with their whole family crowded on a small boat. They have no land or houses.
From birth to death, I have been on this fishing boat that is one or two feet long and several feet wide. There is really no place to stand."
Zhu Di fell silent immediately and remained speechless for a long time.
Even Xu Jingchang lowered his head. Is Zhu Dazhuang blaming the emperor for wasting money and being unable to sympathize with the sufferings of the people?
Xu Jingchang agreed with this. It was true that the royal family wasted too much resources, but Xu Jingchang did not think that the matter could be solved. Unless he had the courage to depose the emperor, the royal expenses would be there. Who would dare not to make the emperor feel comfortable?
Zhu Gaochi paused and then said: "Father, please advise the emperor to use prudently and care for the people. This is what many Confucian officials and celebrities have said throughout the ages. It is a cliché and has nothing new. The child is not to blame for anything. The child is also well clothed and well fed.
It's a waste of money. What I think is that if the emperor enjoys it so much, he should let the people eat a bowl of rice and drink a sip of soup!"
Zhu Di suddenly raised his head and said loudly: "This is natural."
Zhu Gaochi added: "In this case, I think we should order the local government to help the people and solve their problems."
Before Zhu Di could speak, Xu Jingchang immediately said: "Your Highness, this matter has been taken too hastily. Look at the courtiers, how many of them know how to run merchants? They just don't cause trouble for the people. If you want them to help the people, I'm afraid.
The more you help, the more trouble you get. Has Your Highness forgotten that during the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi was very clever and lent young people money to the citizens?"
Xu Jingchang had already talked about this kind of thing with Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Gaochi also knew it well.
But at this moment, Zhu Gaochi seemed particularly insistent, "Cousin, if the local officials are incompetent and just ignore the things that benefit the country and the people, stand still and do nothing, is this what a promising king should do?
?”
Zhu Di's brows instantly stood up, as if his weakness had been touched.
But Xu Jingchang still insisted: "Your Highness, if this is the case, the General Affairs Department will not approve your proposal. This order will not be implemented."
Zhu Gaochi chuckled, "I know, but what if I have a way?"
"Then we need to evaluate it."
Zhu Gaochi chuckled: "My solution is to set up a business school in Yingtian."
"Business school?" Xu Jingchang was surprised, "Your Highness, what are you going to do?"
"That's what I planned... The trip to Poyang Lake made me realize that some people are really not suitable for farming. And with the development of industry and commerce in the past few years, the second and third sons have been complaining about the lack of craftsmen."
Zhu Gaochi sighed: "There are also suggestions from knowledgeable people about the reform of the land in the southwest, but there is a prerequisite for this, which is to give those mountain people a way to live. We need to buy their local products, purchase medicinal materials and mountain goods, and let them
When they see the income and can live a better life down the mountain, they will naturally not resist. As long as the mountain people sincerely come down the mountain, those tribal leaders cannot stop them. This is what people want and the general trend!"
"Wonderful!"
Xu Jingchang couldn't help but clasped his hands and praised, "His Highness's lofty remarks are indeed to the point. I can't object even if I want to, but I hope His Highness can give me advice on how to implement it."
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said: "If you ask me to tell you the right way, I don't know at the moment, but I am wondering if I can let the second and third sons pay for the school?"
"Yes!" Xu Jingchang agreed decisively, "This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. The two of them should stand up and share the country's worries."
Zhu Gaochi added: "Then let them show their business methods and hand them over to the students. Is that okay?"
"Of course not!"
Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "Actually, their abilities are very ordinary. They are just relying on His Majesty's divine power and the Crown Prince's protection. Otherwise, how could they be successful?"
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said: "So it is natural for them to come out to help?"
"How can I say it's a matter of course? It just gives them great face." Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "Your Highness can ask the King of Han and King Zhao to pay for them to teach and cultivate talents in person. If Your Highness still feels that it is not enough, you can poach them.
.”
"Poaching?"
"It means allowing their managers to come out and serve as minor officials to work for the court."
"Is this okay?"
"Why not? If you don't believe me, just ask, are those people willing to work for the King of Han, or are they willing to become officials?"
Just kidding, the end of the world is the establishment. If you can become an official, who will work for the King of Han?
Isn’t it delicious if it’s made in a formal way?
"The King of Han has thousands of accounting clerks, and King Zhao has countless literate typesetters and article writers. All we need to do is gather these people together, train them a little, spread them to the southwest, and let them help
The mountain people left the mountain villages and settled down in the plains, engaging in merchant farming...the power of these people is better than a million soldiers. In the future, it will be up to them to change the country and solve the chieftains in the southwest."
Xu Jingchang said with a smile, completely ignoring Zhu Di next to him. His face was ashen and he was looking at Xu Jingchang and Zhu Gaochi who were singing together!
What's going on with you two boys?
Why do I feel like you are discussing how to kill pigs and eat meat, and how to divide the second and third sons?
Could it be that Xu Jingchang has been raising pigs these past few years?
