The sea made waves, and the waves beat against the ship's plank, but they could not shake the majestic treasure ship that was dozens of feet tall.
The blue sea and sky are connected, and the morning mist is filled, misty and magnificent.
On the deck, Sanbao was leaning on the deck chair, looking sideways at the magnificent sea, reminiscing about his magnificent life.
The sea breeze raised his white hair and blurred his eyes.
In a trance, he saw the splendid Fengtian Palace, with Emperor Taizong sitting majestically on the dragon throne, calm and proud.
Just as he was about to take a closer look, the style of the painting changed, and Taizong on the dragon throne turned into Renzong, with a gentle look on his face, as if he was smiling at him.
Sanbao wanted to talk to him, but Renzong on the dragon throne became Emperor Xuande again, and the distinguished gentleman wearing a mask also disappeared.
Sanbao was holding a tomato in his hand, but it was already shriveled up and no longer as bright red as before, just like his withered body.
Looking at the tomato in his hand, Sanbao felt a little regretful. It was once so bright red and sweet.
On second thought, he smiled again and murmured: "They will eat it, everyone will eat it."
His smile is very healing, just like the boy he was before, just like the tomatoes he once was, so bright.
His life was laborious and glorious.
He made great contributions in the Battle of Jingnan, and also captured pirates during the voyage; he promoted the national prestige of the Ming Dynasty, and also promoted the economy and people's livelihood of the Ming Dynasty.
He is a eunuch, but he is also a man!
The shriveled tomatoes fell, and Sanbao left with a smile and infinite longing for the future of the Ming Dynasty...
~
July, Capital.
Fengtian Temple.
Zhu Zhanji remained silent for a long time, and the officials in the court were also speechless.
They don't like eunuchs, they even hate them extremely, except for the three treasures.
You may not like it, but no one can speak ill of him without conscience.
After a long time, Zhu Zhanji said: "Zheng He was buried with a grand ceremony as a duke, and all the ministers went to mourn."
After a pause, he said, "I will go too, and the court will be over."
The ministers were shocked, but seeing the grief on the emperor's face, they did not dare to raise any objection.
…
~
East Palace.
The six-year-old child wore bright yellow clothes and said in a childish voice, "The sky and the earth are dark and yellow, the universe is vast, the sun and the moon are waxing, and the stars are arranged..."
Zhu Zhanji made a silence gesture, but Yu Qian did not salute.
After a while, the little guy finally finished reading.
Yu Qian's meticulous face showed a hint of vague satisfaction, "Well, it's not bad."
"It's really good." Zhu Zhanji strode into the school with a smile on his face.
The first one and the second one hurriedly saluted: "The little ministers (sons and ministers) see the emperor (father)."
"Plain body."
Zhu Zhanji pulled up a chair and sat down, picked up his son and played with him on his lap for a while before letting him down, "Let's go play for a while."
"Thank you, Father." The little guy was very happy and walked away with his short legs.
Zhu Zhanji looked at his son's back and smiled, turned around and said, "Yu Qian, sit down too."
Yu Qian cupped his hands and sat down.
"Why do you look so depressed?" Zhu Zhanji said with a smile, "Are you unhappy being the prince's teacher?"
"I don't dare." Yu Qian cupped his hands and said, "But I really want to do something practical."
"Is it true to teach future kings?" Zhu Zhanji asked, "What is so important?"
Yu Qian was speechless and said with a smile: "There are so many learned people in the Hanlin Academy, but in terms of knowledge, the humble ministers are not outstanding."
"Those idiots who only know how to study and have no political experience at all are not qualified to teach the prince." Zhu Zhanji curled his lips and hummed: "I like you, and you will tolerate any resentment in your heart."
Well, if you really want to blame it, blame it on Li Qing, he recommended you."
Yu Qian: "..."
"Okay, I'll find something for you to do."
Yu Qian perked up and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."
Zhu Zhanji teased: "You are so happy when you hear that you have something to do. Is it possible that my son is so disliked by you?"
"...The emperor should just talk about it."
Zhu Zhanji cleared his throat and said, "Sambo brought back a new crop this time, called... Xuande eggplant."
Although Xuande persimmon is more appropriate, there is ambiguity, so Zhu Zhanji changed it to Xuande tomato.
I don't believe that this overseas crop can be called Xuande eggplant... Yu Qian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, your Majesty wants your ministers to promote this crop?"
"Yes," Zhu Zhanji said happily, "according to the Three Treasures' suicide note, this crop has leaves like mugwort and flowers like pomegranates. It is three to four feet high and can produce twenty or thirty fruits."
"Such a high yield?" Yu Qian was shocked and murmured: "Isn't this several times more productive than Yongle rice?"
Zhu Zhanji sighed and said regretfully: "Don't be too quick to be happy. This is not grain, but vegetables. It cannot be stored for a long time."
"That's it." Yu Qian's excited expression faded a lot, but he was still excited, "As long as you can eat it, it's always good to eat this and save that."
"That's true." Zhu Zhanji also smiled and took out the picture drawn by Sanbao, "This is the Xuande eggplant. Take a look, there are planting processes and precautions below."
Yu Qian took it and sighed after looking at it: "It's really high-yielding. Even the vegetables are excellent."
After a pause, "I think this crop is similar to tomatoes and was introduced from the West. How about calling it tomatoes?"
Zhu Zhanji:(￢_￢)
Yu Qian: "...I'm talking too much."
Zhu Zhanji rolled his eyes and hummed: "Go to the south of the Yangtze River, choose a few places to try planting, and see the effect first. By the way, go and see Li Qing on my behalf."
Yu Qian sighed, "Marquis Yongqing has left."
"Left?" Zhu Zhanji asked in surprise, "Where did he go?"
"I don't know either." Yu Qian shook his head and couldn't hide his sadness. "He left before winter last year. He transferred the Yongqing Marquis Mansion to his cousin."
"Cousin..." Zhu Zhanji had a flash of realization, and then a touch of sadness appeared, "That's fine, let him rest. It's time for him to rest."
Yu Qian didn't understand, but he didn't talk in depth and asked, "Your Majesty, when will I leave?"
"Go back and tidy up. Let's go tomorrow." Zhu Zhanji added, "Go back quickly. I have to deal with state affairs and teach the prince, but I am too busy.
The planting season has passed now, so you should make preparations first and come back before the end of the year. I will let others take over next year."
Yu Qian was speechless: "Your Majesty, there are so many talented people in the Hanlin Academy, you can..."
"Don't let them teach!"
"What about the cabinet?"
Zhu Zhanji asked calmly: "What do you think?"
Yu Qian was no longer a newcomer to the officialdom. After careful consideration, he felt that his proposal was inappropriate, so he said no more.
Zhu Zhanji said calmly: "If it hadn't been for Li Qing's strong recommendation, I wouldn't have let you, the Minister of War, teach the prince. Okay, you go and prepare."
"I excuse myself." Yu Qian handed over his hands and turned to leave.
Zhu Zhanji stood up and walked out of the school. When he saw his son who was having a great time playing with his eldest friend, his face was full of love and he sighed softly: "You are still a happy child, and you don't have so many worries."
"Er smash." He stretched out his arms, "Come here."
The child turned around and Dian Dian'er ran over, "Father..."
After throwing him into his arms, Zhu Zhanji lifted his son high and sat on his neck, "Let's go, my father will take you to ride a horse."
"Father, aren't you riding a horse?"
Zhu Zhanji was stunned and put his son down.
After a while, the child cried and moaned.
Zhu Zhanji sighed happily: We still have to give him a complete childhood.
…
Maritime trade was in full swing, which brought high taxes to the Ming Dynasty. The current tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty is no less than that of the Song Dynasty. If it develops for more than ten decades, it will definitely surpass the peak taxation period of the Song Dynasty.
Zhu Zhanji's face was full of joy. With such a solid foundation, it didn't matter even if his son didn't have great talents.
He has done enough and good enough.
The hard work of three generations of my ancestors and grandchildren has created a Ming Dynasty that is definitely beyond the reach of Jianwen's group... Zhu Zhanji said in his heart.
"Father..." the child cried, "are you still riding a horse or not?"
Zhu Zhanji raised his eyebrows, and then the child cried even louder: "What I'm talking about is a real horse."
"Haha... let's go, father will take you to ride."
The child's sadness went away as quickly as it came. Soon, all his tears were gone and he started laughing happily.
Holding hands big and small, the father and son shook hands and walked out.
~
Dongyuan, martial arts arena.
Zhu Zhanji put his son on the horse, got on the horse, and asked with a smile: "Are you afraid?"
"Not afraid." The child's eyes were full of happiness, but there was no trace of fear.
"Well, he is indeed my son." Zhu Zhanji laughed loudly and jerked the reins: "Drive...!"
The war horse raised its front hooves and stood almost upright. The child's face immediately turned pale, "Father, I'm going to fall."
"I have a father, so I'm very afraid." Zhu Zhanji whipped up his horsewhip and took his son to gallop around the school grounds...