Three days later, Zhu Zhanji made the decision to exile Zhu Gaoxu to Jiaozhi.
Of course, this is the official statement. The real purpose is to let him guard Cochin and give him some military power.
Zhu Zhanji did this not because of his uncle-nephew relationship or because of Li Qing's relationship, but because of the overall situation.
The Ming Dynasty was too big. Taizu started his own business, and Taizong went to higher levels. Such a huge country made him unable to do anything, and he didn't have that much energy to cover everything.
He wanted to follow his father's example and focus on developing people's livelihood so that his people could live a good life, but there was also a drawback to doing so.
——Strategic contraction is inevitable in the future.
You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want to expand your territory and prosper at the same time, you'll end up losing both.
Zhu Zhanji is a sensible man. Instead of losing control of Jiaozhi in the future, it is better to leave it to the Zhu family's own people.
Even if Jiaozhi really leaves the Ming Dynasty one day, it doesn't matter, after all...the meat rots in the pot.
Prince's Mansion.
Zhu Zhanji personally read out the decree.
The King of Han's family was miserable and kept wiping away tears. From their point of view, there was no big difference between banishing Jiaozhi and killing them. It was even better to kill them directly.
The ancients attached great importance to the concept of rurality, and returning fallen leaves to their roots is a long-cherished wish of all people.
But Zhu Zhanji prevented them from entering the Ming Dynasty for the rest of their lives, which was worse than death for them.
They would rather exile Guanggui.
Zhu Gaoxu didn't think so. Although he was naive, he was not stupid. This move by his eldest nephew was undoubtedly forcing him to stand on his own feet.
He couldn't believe it, "You really want me to go to Jiaozhi?"
"Well, you have committed such a crime, and being exiled to Jiaozhi is already an advantage for you." Zhu Zhanji said with a gloomy face, "Whether you go or not is not up to you."
This time, Zhu Gaoxu did not reply, but looked at him with bright eyes, "Have you thought about it?!"
"You have no joke!" Zhu Zhanji said calmly, "Please pack up and leave within three days, otherwise...don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhu Gaoxu was silent for a while, "It won't take more than three days, I will leave tomorrow."
Zhu Zhanji warned: "Remember, you will never step into the Ming Dynasty in your life, otherwise I will kill you."
…
The news that the King of Han was exiled spread throughout the court, and all the officials were in a panic.
They are all human beings, and they know all too well the consequences of doing so.
The ministers unanimously opposed it and their attitude was resolute.
This time, they didn't have any bad intentions, they were just thinking about Ming Dynasty.
In fact, the officials of the Ming Dynasty were indeed corrupt, and they were not even that loyal to the emperor, but they were very loyal to the Ming Dynasty.
In addition to the feelings of family and country, the biggest reason is that they are eating from Ming Dynasty and really do not want Ming Dynasty to fall.
In the past, when Zhu Di was in trouble, they could continue to be officials with peace of mind, and they could continue to be officials because Zhu Di was Taizu's own son, and the Ming Dynasty was still the Ming Dynasty, it was just a different emperor.
But it was different when Zhu Gaoxu was exiled to Jiaozhi. If one day, the descendants of the King of Han come back with the Jiaozhi army, will the Ming Dynasty still be the Ming Dynasty?
Although the possibility is pitiful, and although they themselves cannot see that day, they have to think about future generations.
Although the Ming Dynasty relied on imperial examinations to recruit officials, the hereditary tradition still prevailed. If I became a high official, my children and grandchildren would usually also become minor officials.
"The emperor repays evil with kindness, and his magnanimity and magnanimity are truly admired by the ministers. However, this move will undoubtedly send the tiger back to the mountain, causing endless disasters!" Yang Shiqi said more politely.
Jian Yi was a little tougher: "Your Majesty, think twice. Princes who break the law are as guilty as the people. Your Majesty should not be lenient just because of your royal family ties."
The newly appointed censor of Zuodu in the Metropolitan Procuratorate even complained directly: "The emperor's move is against national law. The Ming Dynasty law clearly states that anyone who rebels will not be threatened, but the culprit will be punished!"
Today, the emperor has openly violated the precepts of our ancestors and is truly unfilial!"
"I ask the emperor to deprive the king of Han of his title and kill him without mercy, so as to set the record straight and serve as a warning to others!"
"Please, Your Majesty, punish the King of Han in a canonical manner!"
…
There was a commotion in the court, and all the ministers urged the King of Han to be killed.
Zhu Zhanji's expression gradually turned gloomy, but he did not refute, just looked at them coldly.
Sensing the change in the emperor, the court gradually became quiet.
Zhu Zhanji then spoke: "There is no solid evidence for the rebellion of the King of Han. He neither sent troops nor attacked the city or captured the territory. He has the name of rebellion but no actual rebellion. Why are you so eager to let me attack your blood relatives?"
Why?
Could it be that... there is something evil in your heart, and you want to kill people and silence them?"
The officials' expressions suddenly changed, "I have been wronged!"
"Unjustly accused?" Zhu Zhanji sneered and said, "I heard that the King of Han's rebellion was secretly supported by someone in the court. I will find out who of you has written to the King of Han and who has received benefits from the King of Han."
"emperor……"
"My decision has been made, please don't discuss it any further!" Zhu Zhanji made the final decision.
The ministers were unwilling, but there was nothing they could do.
…
The next day, Zhu Gaoxu set out for Jiaozhi with two thousand soldiers.
Li Qingnian gave Hanhan a ride out of love for his former golden bean, and was relieved to see that he no longer had a look of death on his face.
Finally, I didn’t break my promise.
In the days that followed, Li Qing focused on the situation outside the Pass, but he ignored the situation in the DPRK. Zhu Zhanji could handle it without him.
~
Li Qing never went to court, and Zhu Zhanji couldn't sit still.
On this day, Zhu Zhanji came to the Hou Mansion.
"Have you had enough rest at home?"
"On the surface, you think I'm resting, but actually I've been busy." Li Qing took a sip of wine and said softly.
Zhu Zhanji's face was full of dark lines, "Are you busy drinking?"
"Superficial." Li Qing rolled his eyes.
"...Uncle Qing, are you angry with me?" Zhu Zhanji said, "I think we are all divided."
Li Qing shook his head: "I'm not that stingy. You have your considerations. In fact, I am quite satisfied with you, very satisfied."
"Then you go to court!"
"What can I do when I go to court?" Li Qing asked, "Can't you handle the situation in court?"
Zhu Zhanji opened his mouth, but had nothing to say.
Li Qing smiled and said: "It has been 44 years since I entered the court in the fifteenth year of Hongwu. It has been too long and I am tired. You are a qualified emperor. I also believe that you can make Ming Dynasty better, and I
...It’s time to retire.”
"You want to leave?"
"Um."
Zhu Zhanji: "I won't allow it."
"But I can't do anything anymore!" Li Qing said amusedly, "You are not a child anymore, you still want me to protect you from the wind and rain?"
Zhu Zhanji was silent for a while and said, "Let's work for a few more years."
Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and said quietly: "I'm too tired."
Zhu Zhanji was silent again for a long time and asked: "When?"
"This is a foreign matter."
Li Qing frowned slightly: "The situation outside the pass seems to be stable, but in fact it is turbulent. The Tatars are not moving, but they have been developing. Based on the intelligence I have found, I speculate that the Tatars are playing the best strategy this time and surrendering without fighting.
soldiers of men;
I guess they have won over many big tribes and are preparing to do something big!
The Tatars pride themselves on being orthodox, and their appeal on the grasslands is unparalleled. Although the battle in the 22nd year of Yongle greatly damaged the Tatars' vitality, it did not make them unable to recover, and Wala is still no match."
Zhu Zhanji said decisively: "I will conquer it myself!"
"I think so too." Li Qing smiled and said, "I will accompany you to the grassland one more time, and then I will leave."
Zhu Zhanji was very reluctant to give up: "Now the people in the north have been basically stable after migrating. However, the opening of the sea in the south is accompanied by a series of problems;
The benefits of maritime trade are too great, and it is too easy to breed corruption. Although the form is great, the dark side is also great, but it is covered up by the prosperity. I want to resolve this matter initially before sending troops outside the customs."
"Well, your decision is very good." Li Qing said happily, "The matter in Mobei is not urgent for a while. You have a lot to do this year. It's good to take it slow. It won't be too late to go back next spring."
Zhu Zhanji looked complicated: "Are you really going to leave next year?"
Li Qing sighed: "There is always a feast in the world, and I also want to have a few days of leisure."
Zhu Zhanji nodded and said nothing more.
…
The days passed day by day, and the years flowed quietly, like a trickle, or like a white horse passing through the gap.
It seems slow, but suddenly looking back, another year has passed.
Li Qing walked in the heavy snow, looked at the snowflakes in the sky, and sighed softly:
"It's been forty-five years. It's been forty-five years in the blink of an eye. It's so fast..."
In forty-five years, he got to know many people;
Zhu Yuanzhang, Queen Ma, Zhu Biao, Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, Lan Yu, Li Jinglong, Mao Xiang, Zhu Di, Dao Yan, Xu Miaoyun, Sanbao... Xiaopang.
And them.
Some have deep friendships, some have shallow friendships, some have separated, and some are getting old.