The emperor's chariot returned from the expedition in person, and Prince Zhu Gaochi led hundreds of officials to greet him.
Although Hanhan has already been defeated, the shadow left by Hanhan is still there. Last time, Xiaopang was cheated a lot because of the reception, so he didn't dare to be careless again.
As soon as he received the secret message from his son, he put down what he was doing and summoned all the officials to make full preparations.
At the gate of the city, the dragon chariot stopped, and Zhu Di helped his eldest grandson get out of the dragon chariot.
The little fat man lifted his hem and knelt down with a groan: "My son, I respectfully welcome my father on his triumphal return. Long live my emperor. Long live the emperor."
"I respectfully welcome Your Majesty on his triumphant return!" All the officials bowed in unison, "Long live my Emperor!"
Zhu Di waved his sleeves gently: "Everyone is at peace!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ministers stood up with respectful expressions.
Seeing this, Li Qing relaxed a little. Judging from this, he must have been thinking too much.
He glanced at Zhu Di, who also looked relaxed.
"Go back to the palace."
…
Li Qing didn't make random guesses and went directly to see Fatty. If the ministers were making any small moves, Fatty would definitely know.
East Palace.
Li Qing checked Little Fatty's body as usual and found that everything was fine. Although Little Fatty suffered from three highs, it was not serious and he did not even need to take medicine to treat it.
Xiaopang knew that Li Qing was not going back to his house, so he rushed over as soon as possible. It must not only be to check his health, so he stepped back:
"Brother Qing, if you have anything to say, just ask."
"Then I won't be polite." Li Qing said, "The emperor is personally conducting these days. Will anything big happen in the capital?"
"What kind of thing does Brother Qing think is a big deal?" Xiaopang asked back.
Li Qing was stunned, frowned and said, "So, something big has happened."
Xiaopang was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right."
Li Qing took a sip of tea and waited patiently for the rest of the story.
After a while, Xiaopang sorted out his words and said: "Smuggling at sea is still going on. The Japanese pirates are gone, but the thieves have not been eliminated, and the rich families, nobles, and vassal kings are all involved."
Li Qing's frown deepened, and he asked calmly: "How did you deal with it?"
"I didn't handle it." Xiaopang shook his head.
"What?" Li Qing was surprised, "Why not deal with it?"
Xiaopang sighed helplessly, "Once the plan is implemented, the strategy of people from the south to the north will inevitably be blocked. Smuggling is not a bad thing and can promote the development of handicraft industry;
The migration of people from the south to the north is a top priority and must not be forced to stop. It must be carried out in a vigorous manner."
"But……"
"Brother Qing, listen to me." Xiaopang smiled bitterly: "Now the interests of nobles, officials and gentry are gradually being unified. Their weight is too great. It is impossible not to make compromises. If it is true, it will be a one-size-fits-all approach to Western trade.
It will definitely be stopped."
Li Qing shook his head: "You underestimate your father's intimidating power."
"What about the Queen Father? Anyway, I can't hold it down, and Zhan Ji is too tired." Xiaopang said helplessly, "Now the situation has changed. In the past, the nobles could suppress the officials and gentry, but now the nobles have unified with the officials and gentry.
battle front,
The interests of the sea are so great that everyone wants to take a bite. The best way I can think of is that the court eats meat and they drink soup. Otherwise... I am afraid that after my father's eternal life, the national policy of going to the Western Ocean will disappear.
."
Li Qing did not retort: "Aren't you going to tell your father about this?"
"I don't want to," Xiaopang nodded and said helplessly, "but I have to tell him, I don't dare to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor, and I can't hide this matter."
"Brother Qing, you always have a way, just think of it." Xiaopang looked at him expectantly.
Li Qing was speechless: You really think highly of me.
However, the establishment of a sea ban is not a bad thing in general. Although the rich will benefit the most, the poor will also benefit from it, and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
The only worry is that once the maritime ban is lifted in advance, the migration of people from the south to the north will be affected, and the transfer of the Ming Dynasty's granaries will also be stranded.
There is only one optimal solution in this situation: do nothing.
Xiaopang did the same thing, and the effect was pretty good.
But the problem is, Zhu Di will never do this. This is not his style. Once he learns that smuggling is continuing, he will definitely investigate to the end.
"No wonder the officials are so honest and honest this time, but they feel guilty!" Li Qing laughed helplessly, "The first shot is the first. I don't covet this, so I can't afford to be the first.
But...you can try to persuade me when the time comes."
"It works." Xiaopang nodded and said with a smile: "You speak better than me;
Zhanji told me everything about the grassland. This Northern Expedition has yielded a lot. In the future, the Ming Dynasty will have a long period of peace, and we can focus on developing internal affairs."
He smiled and said: "Brother Qing, you have worked hard this time, so you have to have a good meal."
I think you want to take advantage of the banquet... Li Qing didn't expose him, "Then it's better to be respectful than to obey."
"Haha... Who among us is following whom?" Xiaopang said with a proud smile, "Come here, prepare some food and drinks."
…
It was already afternoon when Li Qing returned to the Hou Mansion.
After not seeing each other for nearly a hundred days, the three women seemed to have aged a bit. Li Qing felt a little sad. He understood that the real separation was not far away.
This day will come sooner or later. He doesn't know when exactly it will come. He can only cherish the moment.
After chatting for a long time, Li Qing took a hot bath in the evening, went back to his room to help the three girls get rid of their Qi, lay on the big bed, and told them stories.
Talking and laughing, they fell asleep one after another. Li Qing suppressed his complicated thoughts and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day.
Li Qing vaguely heard the noise outside and slowly opened his eyes.
"Sir, you're awake." Wan Ling said with a smile, "Many adults have come, asking for your help."
"Haha... I forgot about this." Li Qing stood up, put on his robe with Wan Ling's help, washed himself with warm water, and walked out of the room.
It's already a bit cold in Peiping in October.
All the ministers were going to the morning court and were wearing extra thick clothes. At this time, the sun was rising and the temperature was gradually rising. Sweat appeared on their foreheads, half from heat and half from urgency.
The hundred-day period has arrived, and there is not much time left for them.
When they think of the coldness penetrating deep into their bones, their scalps become numb, and they never want to experience that extreme itching again.
~
A group of people came early in the morning, and after waiting for most of an hour, hoping for the stars and the moon, they finally got Li Qing out.
"Li Shangshu."
"I've met Li Shangshu." Everyone stood up and stepped forward.
Li Qing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Young gentlemen, please take a seat."
Everyone sat down.
Jian Yi got straight to the point: "Li Shangshu, is it time to enter the third stage of treatment?"
The older a person gets, the more he cherishes his life. When it comes to matters of life and death, justice and justice are no longer the same.
Li Qing readily agreed: "Then let's start with Jian Shangshu."
"That's it, thank you very much." Jian Yi was delighted and was the first to receive treatment without hesitation.
Li Qing opened the needle box, took out the silver needle, sterilized it, and then started acupuncture...
After a few injections, Zhuang Ruo asked unintentionally: "Jian Shangshu, does the smuggling situation in Jiangnan still exist?"
Jian Yi was startled and said with an embarrassed look on his face: "This... I don't know about it. It may exist or it may not exist. Who knows."
Li Qing smiled and asked again: "What does Minister Jian think about smuggling?"
Can you give me a good acupuncture? Old man, I haven't lived enough yet... Jian Yi resisted the urge to vomit and said with a dry smile: "Well... there are still many benefits to opening the sea. There is no wiser person than the emperor. Doesn't the emperor always say that the imperial court
Are we going to impose a sea ban?”
He used the emperor as a shield when he came up. He was indeed an old bastard... Li Qing cursed and didn't ask any more questions.
Judging from Jian Yi's reaction, the situation is not serious. At least this group of people knew how to cover up and felt that they had done something wrong.
Li Qing quietly performed acupuncture, Jian Yi also breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Half a quarter of an hour later, Li Qing wrote down a prescription: "Take the medicine according to the prescription and take it three times a day. The cold will be completely eliminated in seven days."
"Thank you so much to Li Shangshu for your wonderful hand." Jian Yi stood up, felt it, and praised: "Li Shangshu is really alive when Hua Tuo is alive. I feel much better now."
That's your psychological effect. In fact, it doesn't matter if you don't treat it... Li Qing smiled modestly and said, "The next one."
Xia Yuanji stepped forward and said, "Thank you."
"Xia Shangshu is welcome."
…
After a busy morning, he finally got rid of these people. Li Qing had lunch, went to the Ministry of War Yamen for a walk, checked in, and came back to lie down.
The next day.
Zhu Zhanji came early in the morning.
Li Qing also lost his temper. Why is it so difficult to sleep in?
"What's going on?"
"Uncle Qing, something happened." Zhu Zhanji said, "Jian Yi, the official minister, Yang Shiqi, the bachelor of the cabinet, and Yang Mian, the right minister of the criminal department... are in prison."
"Good guy." Li Qing gloated, "The root cause of the last prison sentence has just been removed, and they can't wait to get in again. I really don't know what's so good about this prison."
Zhu Zhanji was speechless: "How can you still laugh?"
"Can't I still cry?" Li Qing rolled his eyes, "Let me guess, um... did they go to jail because of the maritime ban?"
Zhu Zhanji looked shocked: "Uncle Qing, you are really amazing, you can guess all this."
"It's a small thing."
"Then do you have any idea?"
Li Qing shook his head: "They are looking for death themselves, why should I do something about it?"
"..." Zhu Zhanji said, "This morning, they persuaded the emperor to open the sea immediately, but the emperor did not agree. They tried hard to persuade, and then they were thrown into prison. In fact, I think there is nothing wrong with opening the sea early.
."
"How to say?"
Zhu Zhanji said: "With the widespread planting of Yongle beans and Yongle rice, there is almost no problem of food crisis. Even if mulberry is planted on a large scale in Jiangnan, people will not go hungry."
"But it will hinder the migration of southern people to the north, affecting the Ming Dynasty's economy, granary, and the general plan of moving north." Li Qing held a different opinion.
"I don't think so." Zhu Zhanji retorted, "I have not been idle these years. I can see clearly what happens in the court. The officials are very understanding of the world and abide by the rules.
If the emperor agrees to open the sea, they will definitely not take advantage of it, but will reciprocate the favor and work harder on the migration of the people;
Because they are smart people, and smart people think about sustainable development rather than a one-time deal."
Li Qing looked at Zhu Zhanji in surprise, "Yes, he understands it very thoroughly, but... have you ever thought about the psychology of the people?
Once the sea is opened ahead of schedule, the lives of the people south of the Yangtze River will inevitably rise in a straight line. Will they still come to the north?"
Zhu Zhanji was stunned and said with a wry smile: "I really don't want to continue to be internally consumed."
"I don't want to either, but how can everything go as planned?" Li Qing sighed: "Nine times out of ten things go as planned in life, how many people have no selfish motives?"
Zhu Zhanji thought for a while: "Can we compromise?"
"You can try, but it's unlikely." Li Qing had no expectations.
"Will you come with me?" Zhu Zhanji said affectionately, "Grandpa Huang listens to us the most."
Who will give it to you... Li Qing glanced at him sideways, but thought of it and agreed to the little fat guy, nodded and said: "I can help, but..."
"You have to make money, right?" Zhu Zhanji teased, "Uncle Qing, you are really a money fan."
"Then I won't go."
"No, no, no, I'll pay for it. Can I get a hundred taels of gold?"
Li Qing reluctantly agreed and added: "I am not responsible for the outcome."
"No problem, sooner rather than later, let's go."
~
Qianqing Palace.
After Zhu Di listened to the two people's suggestions, he fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he slowly shook his head: "What you said makes sense, but I think... we can't let those people taste the sweetness."
Li Qing was not surprised. It would be unexpected if Zhu Di agreed happily.
Zhu Zhanji still wanted to work harder, "Grandpa, compromise is not a compromise."
"Fart!" Zhu Di scolded: "How many times have I said, don't imitate your father? Don't imitate your father. Why don't you listen? This compromise will be compromised in the future. Do you understand that precedents cannot be set?"
"What about the Jiangnan bandits...?" Zhu Zhanji asked with eyes.
"Well..." Zhu Di looked at Li Qing.
Li Qing shook his head: "Your Majesty, I am old."
Zhu Di didn't force him this time. Perhaps he was old and could understand the feeling of being powerless. He thought about it and said, "Then let the people from Dongchang and Jinyiwei take action."
"Zhanji, remember, this court situation is like a tug-of-war. You can't give in even a step." Zhu Di taught, "If you are not tough, you will definitely suffer. Don't follow your father's tricks, let alone officialdom." the golden mean,
Moderation, moderation, in the end it’s really mediocrity.”
Zhu Zhanji didn't quite agree, but he didn't dare to refute: "My grandson, please remember this."
…
Although Zhu Di is old, he is still the tough-minded Emperor Yongle, who does not tolerate contempt in his eyes.
On the second day, one factory and one guard mobilized on a large scale to go to the south of the Yangtze River to suppress the bandits.
Zhu Di's determination to crack down on smuggling frightened the officials.
At the same time, it also made them angry.
Since the Song Dynasty, Zhu Di was definitely the most hated Han emperor among the officials and gentry.
His exploitation and oppression of the officials and gentry had reached a perverted level, and Zhu Yuanzhang was even inferior to him.
But doing so is also very dangerous. Li Qing is terrified, really afraid that Zhu Di will make people anxious and make the same mistake as [Tang Saier].
The cake of maritime trade is not only focused on the civil servant group from aristocratic families, but also the Xungui Group.
Under the trend of interests, the two forces are likely to come together. Once they join forces, the consequences will be serious.
Zhu Di naturally understood this, so he asked Dongchang to closely monitor all officials and always pay attention to the troubles.
As a result, the relationship between monarch and ministers became more tense and the conflicts further deepened.
The smell of gunpowder in the court was extremely strong, and any spark would be a catastrophe.
…………
ps: This chapter is very long, let’s count it as two chapters! (*^▽^*)