In the Ming Dynasty Palace, Zhu Gaochi held the secret letter sent back by Zhu Zhanyi, his brows furrowed tightly, as if he had encountered something more important than the rebellion of Prince Han.
In the letter, Zhu Zhanzhen informed Zhu Gaochi of what he had done in Japan during this period, and also informed him that he was going to attack Zhu Yunwen. When he received the letter, Zhu Yunwen had already been buried in the cold sea.
After reading the secret report, he breathed a long sigh of relief. Only then did he understand why Zhu Zhanzhen didn't come back even after Zhu Di's death. Moreover, he specifically chose to take action after Zhu Di's death. He thought he had poor filial piety and delayed Zhu Di's death.
Even if he doesn't come back, now it seems that he is the most thoughtful and filial person.
At this time, an angry Zhu Zhanji walked in. He now had an unhappy and angry look on his face. He didn't even salute when he walked in, but just took a cup of tea and drank it.
Now his father Zhu Gaochi is the Ming Emperor.
"Dad, why did you call me back so urgently? I'm so angry. My second uncle is such a scoundrel. He yells and curses in the city and says all kinds of words. Even the prostitutes in the brothel are ashamed after hearing this. He is really shameless." Zhu Zhanji
Obviously he wasn't angry about it.
Zhu Gaochi ordered him to guard Yingtian Mansion, but Zhu Gaojiu came to scold him every two days. Zhu Gaojiu also regarded himself as the orthodox Ming emperor, but Zhu Gaochi ordered him to only defend and not attack. Everyone listened to his scolding, but as long as Zhu Gaojiu did not attack the city, he could not attack.
stand up.
Zhu Gaochi is a veteran on the battlefield. At this time, he is fighting for the foundation of the country and the unification. He now occupies the rich and prosperous land in the south of the Yangtze River. Although there is no natural danger to rely on, he has calculated that Zhu Gaochi's character will never attack with a large army, so that
The lives of people are in ruins, which is something that this "benevolent king" like him would never do.
So while Zhu Gaoxu was wooing Zhu Gaosui and making cakes, he was constantly irritating Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Zhanji followed Zhu Di as an example. He also had a character that would not suffer any disadvantages. After being scolded like this every day, one day he couldn't help but make the first move.
In fact, he also contacted Zhu Zhanzhen and said that he would make him a king and that all the Nanyang, Japan and Guangdong vassals would belong to him.
But Zhu Zhanxu had been fighting, eating, drinking and having fun with Zhu Gaoxu for a long time. His second uncle's words were the same as the gifts he received. He never counted at critical moments, so his third uncle was often fooled by him.
Seeing Zhu Zhanji's angry look, the old eunuch beside Zhu Gaochi immediately stepped forward and whispered: "Your Highness, you must first salute His Majesty."
Only then did Zhu Zhanji react and immediately saluted: "I have met my father. I am rude and I hope your majesty will punish you."
"That's all, that's all."
"Father, why are you urgently ordering your ministers to come back?"
"I have something to ask you."
Zhu Zhanji was stunned. Just because he wanted to ask himself something, he made himself rush back from the front line all the way?
Zhu Gaochi gave the eunuch a look, and all the servants retreated.
"Father, what are you doing?"
"This matter is of great importance. Just listen to it. No one else can."
Seeing Zhu Gaochi's serious and cautious look, Zhu Zhanji finally became more serious. Normally, most of the eunuchs around Zhu Gaochi would be there, but this time they actually let them go.
After everyone else went out, Zhu Gaochi closed Zhu Zhanzhen's secret report and asked: "Zhanji, what would happen if you knew that Jianwen Jun was still alive?"
"Ah?" Zhu Zhanji was stunned. They didn't know why Zhu Gaochi suddenly asked such a question. No one had mentioned Jianwen Jun's matter for a long time, and he had almost forgotten it.
"What would happen if you knew that Mr. Jianwen was still alive?" Zhu Gaochi asked again.
Zhu Zhanchen thought for a while and realized that Fat Dad could not suddenly mention this issue for no reason. In addition, Zhu Gaochi now had a secret report in his hand, so Zhu Zhanji had a rough guess.
"Father, is there any news?"
"No need to ask any more, just answer my question first." Zhu Gaochi asked again.
"If my son learns the news, he will report it to his father first, and then quietly order someone to kill him." Zhu Zhanji did not shy away from this.
"What if your grandpa was still alive?"
Zhu Zhanji said with some embarrassment: "Then report it to Grandpa Huang first."
Zhu Gaochi thought for a while and showed the secret report to Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Zhanji took the report and was shocked after reading the first part. Zhu Yunwen was living in Japan and would later be Emperor Komatsu, as well as the information about Kui's organization.
"This, this..." Zhu Zhanji didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Why didn't Zhan Zhen hide it and handle it privately?"
Zhu Gaochi sighed: "Zhan Zhen made up his mind as soon as he learned about Jianwen Jun's existence. He wanted to hide this matter from your grandpa, because your grandpa was already in poor health at that time, and he didn't want to
It will only cause your grandfather the trouble, and once the matter breaks out, the news about Jianwen-Jun is likely to be leaked."
"But his behavior is too dangerous. Considering the balance between General Japanese and Zhu Yunzhen, it is difficult to ensure that the news will not be leaked."
"Generally speaking, the result is good. Ashikaga Yoshimochi and Emperor Shomitsu are dead, and Jianwen-kun has completely disappeared. Do you know why he did these things alone?"
"My son, I couldn't figure it out for a while."
Zhu Gaochi touched the dragon chair with his hand: "The best thing about Jianwen Jun's whereabouts is that he disappeared in the fire that year. No one should mention it yesterday, today, or tomorrow. People like the story of the royal family the most, any story.
The news about Jianwenjun will be magnified infinitely, and if there is no more news later, then the records about Jianwenjun in the history books will be over by then."
Zhu Gaochi sighed again and coughed: "Any news is a heartache for your imperial grandfather, so Zhan Zhen pretended to be close to Japan and continued to grow and develop, just to keep all the news about Jianwen Jun."
People, kill Japanese people with Japanese hands, all after the death of your imperial grandfather, when they have no suspicion, and leave no trace."
Jianwen was dealt with and Japan was actually under control.
The last news about Jianwen Jun was the fire in the palace. People will always talk about it, but the news only disappeared in that fire.
Zhu Zhanji asked back: "But father, since Zhan Zhen wanted to hide it from everyone, why did he tell you now?"
Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Zhanji meaningfully and said slowly: "What he has done in Japan this year, including providing steam engines and factories, and now also dividing silver mines, wait until your second uncle's matter is settled,
Shouldn't he be played all over by the courtiers? Each one of them can be dragged to the court and severely criticized. If he were not worried about being captured, he would probably bury this matter deep in his heart and no one would know about it.
The secret is the real secret.”
A gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall, he is only protecting himself.
Zhu Gaochi was very pleased that his son could have such thoughts and deeds. He intuitively felt that if he were Zhu Zhanzhen, he would never be able to do better than him.
"Fifth brother is thoughtful and considerate, but his actions in Japan were ultimately inappropriate, and the matter cannot be discussed in court. I think there will still be many ministers who will participate in the performance in the future."
"As long as I, the father, and you, the eldest brother, trust him, there is nothing to fear from him despite all the criticisms from the court. Zhan Zheng's actions never attract criticism. Zhan Ji, you have to help him."
"My son understands, father, don't worry."
Zhu Gaochi breathed out a sigh of relief: "One more thing. The Kui organization mentioned by Zhan Yuan had secret agents infiltrated into the court and participated in your training of eunuchs in the house. Because your grandpa was seriously ill at the time, I will This matter has been suppressed. I didn't expect it to be brought up by the Japanese hidden stake. You should take people to arrest the hidden stake and kill all his gang members. The copy of the posthumous edict in your second uncle's hand is extremely authentic and has the emperor's seal. , is also the work of a hidden stakeholder, the biggest suspect is Chen Yun of the Ministry of Rites."
"Chen Yun from the Ministry of Rites?" Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Gaochi in surprise.
This is the current Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites. He reached this position at a young age, and he was one of Zhu Di's most trusted officials in the last two years of his life.
For Ming Dynasty officials to achieve this step, their background must have been discovered by Jin Yiwei. If there was a problem with his identity, how could he be promoted? Moreover, Chen Yun was an upright man and won Zhu Di's trust.
The current Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites, and because of the temporary vacancy of the Minister of Rites, his current authority is equal to that of the Minister of Rites, but can the six ministers of affairs, Japan's hidden stakes, really reach this point?
"Father, Chen Yun and Zhan Yi had conflicts before. It was Chen Yun who directly caused Zhan Yi to lose the military power of the Third Division of the South. Zhan Yi may be suspected of being conquered."
Zhu Zhanji's suspicion was reasonable. Who knew that the other party was Chen Yun? Almost the entire court knew about the hatred between Zhu Zhanyi and Chen Yun, and Zhu Zhanyi was famous for his perverse temper and was capable of doing anything.
Zhu Gaochi also had a headache over this matter, but he believed in his son more.
As the current head of the Ministry of Rites and deeply trusted by Zhu Di, Chen Yun may indeed have encountered Zhu Di's seal when Zhu Di was seriously ill. Moreover, he was good at calligraphy, good at imitating, and participated in the attack on Zhu Di. It was Zhan Ji who taught eunuchs how to appoint eunuchs in the palace, and he was right.
After careful consideration, Zhu Gaochi said: "First, order Jin Yiwei to investigate in private. If it can be verified, it can be proved that the imperial edict in your second uncle's hand is a forgery. Such a hidden stake is extremely harmful to our court, but such a thing is definitely not his fault." One person can do it, and there is always someone who knows something about it, starting from the people around him, so you have to do it."
"I understand." Because this matter also involves Zhu Yunwen, Chen Yun has a high probability of knowing Zhu Yunwen's identity, so if it is verified that he has no chance to speak, Zhu Zhanji can only come.
"Also, I sent the nuns in the palace to take care of Ruowei. You are also going to be a father. You should be more steady in your actions."
Yes, the Ming God of War was reincarnated successfully.
"Yes, I understand."
Zhu Zhanji naturally followed this task, and then left first. Zhu Gaochi coughed twice and watched him leave.
The eunuch came in at this time, saw Zhu Gaochi coughing, and rushed to greet him: "Your Majesty, you must take great care of the dragon body."
Zhu Gaochi is not in good health and is prone to problems in winter. He usually reduces his work in winter, but now that he is the king of a country, and now that the country is facing internal and external troubles, naturally he cannot rest.
Zhu Gaochi waved his hand and motioned to the eunuch to bring the memorial, and the eunuch said: "Your Majesty, envoys from Nanyang, Jiaozhi and other countries have sent envoys to pay homage to the late emperor, and they have now landed in Tianjin."
Zhu Gaochi was a little relieved. He was also worried that the south, like the north, would take advantage of Zhu Di's death to rebel, but overall it was not bad. Although there were still people in Jiaozhi who wanted to rebel, the small-scale rebellion was suppressed immediately.
Most of the people still support the Ming Dynasty.
Looking at the southern newspaper, Zhu Gaochi smiled gratifiedly: "Although Zhan Chang is a little eccentric, he controls the people's livelihood in Nanyang with the economy. No matter how chaotic Nanyang is, any Nanyang leader is worried about trade with the Ming Dynasty.
, the respect for my dynasty is even greater than before.”
The Southeast Asian countries do not value who is the emperor, but value the continuation of trade. These years of trade and trade, as well as the Ming Navy's expulsion of pirates, have improved their economic situation a lot, and their people's livelihood has become better and better.
Even if there is turmoil in our own country, we never want to affect the trade with Ming Dynasty.
They have benefited from it, ranging from the scholar-bureaucrat class to the common people and peasants.
"Order Honglu Temple to settle them well, notify Zhan Yong, and ask him to come forward to receive them. The kings of the Southeast Asian countries have arrived, and the envoy team is also large. The Ming Dynasty cannot lose its grace. Zhan Yong should be responsible. He has a more stable temperament.
." The third brother Zhu Zhanyong was assigned this job.
The eunuch opened another imperial edict, which was Zhu Gaochi's enthronement edict. Almost all other matters had been arranged, mainly the affairs of his sons. After he ascended the throne, his sons would naturally have to be granted the title of vassal kings from the county princes.
And whether Zhu Zhanji, his grandson, should be established as prince now, these are all headaches for him.
First of all, Zhu Zhanji, the grandson appointed by Zhu Di, theoretically should be established as the prince immediately after he ascends the throne. However, Zhu Zhanji has been too arrogant and blindly respectful in recent years, especially since drinking Ma Hanhai.
He recovered from his illness in Biho.
Zhu Zhanyi's actions this time made Zhu Gaochi feel that Zhu Zhanyi seemed to be a more suitable candidate.
On the contrary, this younger brother is more stable.
It was just a matter of weighing all parties, and fearing that there would be resentment between the brothers. If he did not appoint Zhu Zhanji as the crown prince immediately, he was afraid that Zhu Zhanji would feel uncomfortable, and he would also break the eldest son succession system, which would make the elders even more unhappy.
Er Zhu Gaoxu has something to say, and after much deliberation, stability is the priority.
Make Zhu Zhanji the crown prince.
Zhu Zhanyong and Zhu Zhanyong were naturally crowned kings directly on the basis of their original fiefdoms. Especially for Zhu Zhanchun, Zhu Di originally gave him the authority equivalent to that of a vassal king. Now it is just a name change.
Zhu Zhanquan didn't do very well when he came in. He made great achievements, and every day he thought he was like a god in his military use, and he was very arrogant.
The most difficult person to confer is Zhu Zhanzhen. In theory, it is most appropriate to be conferred the title of King of Guangdong, but Zhu Gaochi is afraid that he will feel uncomfortable. After all, his contribution to the country can be said to be greater than that of Zhu Zhanji.
Later generations of the Ming Dynasty were all influenced by Zhu Zhancheng's achievements. It would be a bit unfair to confer an ordinary vassal king on Zhu Zhancheng, but is there anything else that can be conferred besides a vassal king?
In ancient times, this was called a master of great merit, and the emperor didn't even know how to reward you.
The eunuch obviously saw Zhu Gaochi's difficulty. He rolled his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince developed steam engines, conquered the South Ocean, and went east to Japan. This made the maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty prosperous, and there were countless steam warships guarding the coast of the Ming Dynasty.
Everything is on the sea, what do you think your Majesty would like to call the Sea King of the Ming Dynasty?"
"The Great Ming Sea King? The Great Ming Sea King!"
"Okay, okay, okay, let's call him the King of the Sea of the Ming Dynasty. The King of the Sea of the Ming Dynasty, which is half a step higher than the ordinary vassal king."
When Zhu Zhanzhen learned about his title, everyone was dumbfounded. How come other brothers used the names of their fiefdoms as titles for their vassal kings, but when they came to me, it became a matter of personal conduct and moral character?
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
The state-appointed King of the Sea seems pretty good too.