It snowed for the first time this year in Yingtian Mansion, and the snow in Jiangnan melted when it fell to the ground, melting the coldness all over the ground.
The mist from the drink also melted into the humid air. Even though I was wearing thick clothes, as soon as I walked out of the room, I felt like I was immersed in ice water.
"Your Highness, it's cold today, please wear an extra layer." Chu'er brought over a mink fur and put it on Zhu Zhanchen.
Zhu Zhanzhen looked up at the falling snowflakes. If it rains like this, it will probably snow in a few hours. He turned to Chu'er and said, "Send some good charcoal fires and quilts to Sister Ruowei's place."
"Sister Ruowei should have it there," Chu'er asked.
Xiaosheng started to prepare: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will send it over in a moment."
Zhu Zhanyi smiled slightly, and Chu'er held an umbrella and walked with Zhu Zhanyi in the deep palace courtyard.
"Do you like snow?"
Zhu Zhanzhen's question made Chu'er a little surprised, but he immediately said something auspicious: "Auspicious snow heralds a good year, and snow near the end of the year is a good sign. Chu'er naturally likes it."
Zhu Zhanzhen sighed and said, "Hey, it's such a cold weather and I don't know how many people will freeze to death and starve to death."
There are basically no cases of people freezing to death in modern times, but in ancient times there were quite a few cases every year.
"Your Highness is concerned about the country and the people, and the people will definitely be grateful to Your Highness."
During this time, Chu'er came to see Zhu Zhanzhen busy with state affairs, and only then did he understand what Xiaosheng had said to him before, is His Highness really a womanizer? This question.
When he is serious, he doesn't look carefree at all. He handles things in an orderly manner and spends less time joking with himself. He is often praised by the Queen in the harem.
Of course, Hu Shang Palace was full of praise for His Highness.
In the prince's study, Zhu Gaochi's physical condition has obviously improved after resting in a warm room for a while, his complexion is also better, and he has eaten one more bowl of rice.
At this time, he was holding a military newspaper in his hand and frowning.
After reading it, I said: "Wala, Tatar, Wuliangha, I didn't expect it."
Zhu Zhanquan picked up the military newspaper first, and after reading it, he said: "Father, the military newspaper said that some sergeants of the three guards of Wuliangha joined the Tatars and Oaras?"
After the demise of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, there were still remnants, but within this Northern Yuan Dynasty, it was divided into three relatively powerful forces, namely, the Oara, Tatar, and Uliangha groups.
These three forces have been fighting with each other, which is very similar to the good habit of internal fighting in the dynasties of the Central Plains.
Lan Yu defeated the Mongol Khan Togu Si Timur at the Fishing Sea. As a result, all the major Mongolian tribes in the northeast lost contact with the Northern Yuan Dynasty and had no choice but to submit to the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang set up three guards here: Duoyan Guard, Taining Guard and Fuyu Guard.
These three guards are the three guards of Wuliangha, and the more familiar names are the three guards of Duoyan. They also played an extremely important role when Zhu Di launched the Jingnan Campaign.
The Ming Dynasty seemed to intend to maintain internal competition in the north, and when either party became stronger, Zhu Di would launch the Northern Expedition to weaken its power. This was also its policy towards the north, and it could not allow it to form a unified empire like the Yuan Dynasty.
Although the Wuliangha Three Guards participated in part of the Jingnan War, they were foreigners after all. Zhu Di's policy towards them was to open border trade. This was also because the Wuliangha Three Guards were the weaker ones among the major forces in the grassland.
Intentional support.
But during the last Northern Expedition, Zhu Di discovered that there were cavalrymen from the Three Guards of Uliangha in the Tatar team. He beat them up on the way back to the court last time, and the Three Guards of Uuliangha paid tribute to thousands of horses.
That settled things.
It turned out that the three Wuliangha tribes were the vassal territory of King Ning, but because of the strength of the three guards, Zhu Di did not dare to let the vassal king expand here, and still regarded them as foreigners.
This time the Northern Expedition discovered the shadow of the three guards of Ulliangha again. These guys are dishonest.
The cavalry on the grassland comes and goes quickly. The reputation of the Mongolian cavalry is still there. There are many descendants of Mongolia who want to restore the country. However, only one Genghis Khan has been born on the grassland since ancient times. To lead this group of wild men, you need the right time, place and people.
and.
The glory of the past cannot come back.
Zhu Zhanchen finally got the military report from his second brother. After reading it, he said: "Father, did the emperor ask his second uncle to lead troops to the third guard of Wuliangha?"
"Well, now I don't know what the three Wuliangha guards mean. Is it a small group of forces that have rebelled or have they all rebelled? They will go on an expedition in March next year. If the three Wuliangha guards attack from the side by then, our army may be in danger, so
I sent your second uncle."
"Second uncle only brought two thousand cavalry, which is too dangerous."
Zhu Zhanyi could think of it, how could Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Di not think of it, just now that it was winter, the army would rush out of the fortress and suffer heavy losses if something unexpected happened. This was the Ming Dynasty's family fortune. Zhu Di could only take the risk and let Zhu Gaoxu lead the troops to explore the three guards of Wuliangha.
.
The three guards of Wuliangha had good trade with the Ming Dynasty, and there were no signs of rebellion before. They still paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty. They estimated that it was a small group of rebels, but who on the grassland could say for sure?
Every time such a dangerous mission goes to Zhu Gaoxu, who is good at fighting. This is why Zhu Di indulges Zhu Gaoxu so much. All the injuries on his body were caused by him. No matter how cruel Emperor Yongle is, he still feels a little guilty.
to this son.
Zhu Gaoxu is brave, resourceful and proficient in military affairs. If the eldest son and the second son were to fight, Zhu Di would obviously be more optimistic about Zhu Gaoxu.
Zhu Di himself came from Fengtian Jingnan, and he was afraid that Jingnan would not rise again in the future.
"The situation on the northern route is more serious, and it's cold today. We need to step up supervision of the cold-warming clothing sent to the border soldiers. Although the demand for cotton is large this year and the price has also increased, the demand for the border war must not be misplaced."
"I understand, father. I will order someone to supervise the matter later."
Zhu Zhanzhen asked further: "Father, Jiangxi's bandit suppression seems to have encountered some problems."
Zhu Gaochi frowned and nodded: "It has snowed over there a few days ago. The mountains were blocked by heavy snow. The bandits were huddled in the mountains. And I don't know why the bandits had firearms. The army that went to suppress the bandits suffered some losses. Fortunately, they didn't
It’s considered serious.”
"Father, Jiangxi's officialdom needs to be rectified. Firearms are not something ordinary people can obtain. If these bandits want firearms, either the government will resell them privately, or the government's firearms warehouse will be robbed, but the court has not received a report.
Taking into account the last banditry that was concealed and not reported, Jiangxi's officialdom seems to be more serious than expected."
How could Zhu Gaochi not know that Zhu Zhanyong was mainly responsible for this matter? Yesterday he even told him that he wanted to patrol Jiangxi, but he suppressed him.
"The day when the army is victorious is the time when Jiangxi is reorganized."
Zhu Gaochi is still not ready to go to war. The Jiangxi bandits are hiding in the mountains. It is difficult for our army to enter the mountains, but it is also difficult for the bandits to do anything. Let's hold off first.
"Father, the Japanese spies arrested a total of 35 people this time. Unexpectedly, the one who spoke first was still a small boss. The effect of defeating several people one by one was good, but I'm afraid there are still some omissions."
Zhu Gaochi took out the information sent by Yao Guangxiao: "It is difficult to catch them all. Most of these spies are ordinary people. Japan has been coveting our Central Plains land for a long time. It can be considered as included in the budget. I received the information yesterday. Years ago, Japan
An envoy will be sent to pay homage."
"Emissary from Japan?"
"Let's see what these people have in mind then."
"How many people are coming from the Japanese mission?"
"Five of them, one of them is the son of some general of theirs."
"Can you bring me to meet you then?"
Zhu Gaochi nodded: "Well, when the time comes, you and Zhan Yun will take you to meet the foreign envoys."
"Then my son will resign first."
"Go to your mother to say hello. Your mother blamed me the day before yesterday for keeping you too busy."
"As commanded."
Two sons have gone to the front line, and one son is busy with state affairs. Although the Crown Princess is proud of her three sons, no one has come to pay her respects recently. Zhu Zhanyong, who is usually the most diligent in greeting her, is not around now.
There is a Bodhisattva in the princess's room. She has been worshiping it every day since her two sons went off to war. Next to it is the Jade Emperor. After the merger of China and foreign countries, there must be an efficacious one to protect her two sons in peace and safety.
When Zhu Zhanzhen came, the princess smiled happily: "Zhanzhen must be tired these days. I have heard from Hu Shanggong that you are working day and night on state affairs. You are the one who has grown up."
Sometimes, you need to rest more.”
Usually I blame Zhu Zhanchen for sleeping a lot, but now I blame him for sleeping less.
"Mom, I haven't come to say hello for many days. It's my son's fault."
"You must be considerate when helping your father now, but don't let your second brother compare you to him."
The Crown Princess had a strong desire to win in this matter, and her son must be stronger than other concubines. Zhu Zhanzhen was helpless, but nodded.
Hu Shanwei said: "Empress, Your Highness must be more powerful than others, don't worry."
The Crown Princess was cheerful: "Shanwei, you have other sisters..."
The women started chatting, and Zhu Zhanzhen retreated first.
After standing under the high wall for a while, sorting out his thoughts, Zhu Zhanchen returned to the courtyard to find Xiaosheng.
"Xiaosheng, send someone to the Cao family in Huzhou Prefecture. The court needs to purchase cotton or finished cotton clothes in large quantities, and let them be responsible for the docking."
"Your Highness..." Xiaosheng hesitated to speak.
"I know what you want to say? Just do as I say. Just treat me as sending some business to the Cao family. Now I am assisting the supervising country. Even if my father knows about this matter, he will only turn a blind eye.
Close one eye."
Xiaosheng didn't quite understand what Zhu Zhanzhen meant, but he understood that what he needed to do was to follow the order. He had deliberately reminded that it was not good to do so, but Zhu Zhanzhen still decided to do it, and he must have his own ideas.
At the ferry in Huzhou Prefecture, Cao Xinyue stood on the snow-covered bluestone and opened the message sent by Zhu Zhanzhen, accompanied by the quartermaster.
The quartermaster knew what Zhu Zhanzhen meant, and he said politely: "Miss Cao, we need a lot of cotton and cotton clothes in northern Xinjiang now. I would like Miss Cao to help purchase them."
Cao Xinyue led him into the house. At this time, Mrs. Cao was already pregnant. After dividing the family, Cao Yangshan's property was at least left, and she also promised to give her second brother an adoptive son regardless of whether he was a boy or a girl.
I will definitely have a family fortune in the future.
Mrs. Cao looked at the large military supply business that was delivered to her door. It was indeed right to hook up with Zhu Zhanzhen, but she looked at Cao Xinyue with deep meaning.
"Open several stalls in the market specifically for the cotton business, so that shopkeepers from other places can take action. According to His Highness's instructions, our Cao family must do a good job."
