Chapter 425: Ascension to the throne and the Northern Expedition
In the seventeenth year of Zhizheng, on the third day of January, a fleet of more than 5,000 people sailed along the Yanyan River from the east gate into Jiangdu City.
After the fleet arrived at Heyuan Pier, several wooden planks were put down, and Zhu San, Xu Da and Liang Rong got off the ship one after another.
After several people disembarked, they heard the sound of horse hooves and a group of soldiers walked off the ship leading the horses. Those horses were the herds of Jeju Island.
Half a month ago, after the good news came back to Jiangdu Prefecture, Zhang Yangquan issued an order for Zhao Desheng to lead 20,000 soldiers to garrison Jeju Island, while the rest returned to Jiangdu Prefecture.
However, there were many injured horses on the island, and Qin Lingsi couldn't bear to worry about these horses, so she also stayed behind.
In the end, Zhu San, Xu Da and Liang Rong led more than 5,000 people, transporting 5,000 war horses, and returned to Xianjie towards Jiangdu Prefecture.
The three of them set off on December 25th. They originally wanted to return to Jiangdu Prefecture before the end of the year to spend the New Year with their families.
However, there were sudden storms on the sea. To be cautious, the fleet docked at a small island for a few days and finally missed the end of the year.
After the three people got off the boat, they handed over some affairs to their subordinates, and then headed towards the palace together.
Arriving at the palace, after the announcement, Yang Sanqiang led the three of them into the study.
Zhang Yangquan was processing official documents after the case. After Zhu San and others met, they reported the war in Jeju Island in detail, and also talked about Qin Lingsi's stay in Jeju Island.
"Your Majesty, muskets do far more damage to horses than bows and arrows, and it is very difficult to retrieve ammunition. There are more than 10,000 injured horses on Jeju Island. The owner of the farm insists on staying on the island, and we can't persuade him." Zhu Sandao.
Zhang Yangquan nodded and said: "She has written to me about this. She loves horses by nature and is good at treating horses. Let her stay on the island!"
After a pause, he said: "I heard that you executed all the Japanese on the island, and it was related to muskets? What is the specific situation?"
Liang Rong said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, those Japanese are so hateful that they sneaked into the camp where the ordnance was stored at night and tried to steal the muskets."
Zhang Yangquan raised his eyebrows and said, "Did the musket fall into their hands?"
Liang Rongdao: "No. Fortunately, Zhu Shuai was always on guard against them, so they didn't let them succeed! After they were exposed, they tried to snatch the muskets by force, so Zhu Shuai gave the order to kill them all!"
Zhang Yangquan suddenly asked: "Is the general who stole the musket named Changwei?"
Zhu San was stunned and said: "Yes, how do you know?"
Zhang Yangquan said calmly: "At the end of the year a few days ago, the Japanese sent an envoy from the Southern Dynasty and the Northern Dynasty. The envoy from the Northern Dynasty also brought a person named Nagao Masei."
Xu Da's heart moved and he said: "That person must be the head of the Nagao family!"
Zhang Yangquan glanced at him and said: "Yes, the Japanese said that the theft of the musket was the responsibility of the Nagao family, so they brought Nagao Masei and handed it over to us!"
Liang Rong frowned and said: "The Nagao Masei was obviously used as a scapegoat by the Japanese. Is he willing to plead guilty?"
Zhang Yangquan glared and said: "The Japanese not only confessed his crime, but also requested to commit suicide by committing seppuku! When I refused, he bit his tongue and committed suicide."
After everyone listened, their expressions changed a little.
Zhu San said coldly: "I think the Japanese shogunate used the family's safety to threaten this person and coerce him to confess."
Zhang Yangquan waved his hand and said: "Since the gun was not lost, I don't want to pursue this matter anymore."
"Recently, I made a decree to collect opinions from officials and people to choose a country name. After you go back, each of you will submit a memorial and submit the country name you think is suitable."
The three of them handed over their hands.
After leaving the palace, they parted ways. Xu Da went straight back home. As soon as he arrived at the entrance of the small courtyard, he saw a person standing next to a dead tree at the door.
"Brother, why are you here?" Xu Da walked over happily.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Didn't I hear that you are coming back and come here to see you?"
Xu Da opened the door and the two of them entered the house together. Zhu Yuanzhang brought another roast goose, but Xu Da went to buy wine.
While the two were eating and drinking, Zhu Yuanzhang asked about the situation on Jeju Island, and Xu Da told the details of the battle on Jeju Island.
"The power of the muskets is too strong. When the numbers increase in the future, the Tatar cavalry will never be an opponent!" he sighed.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed slightly and he said with a smile: "Brother, in the future, if a general in the army wants to win the favor of the king, the key is whether he can use the musket well. We all need to be familiar with this thing!"
Xu Da nodded in agreement and asked about the year-end banquet.
"On my way back, I heard that many envoys will come to our Jiangdu Prefecture this year. The scene must be grand, right?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "There are indeed many envoys coming. Koryo, Japan, Nanyang countries, even Zuo Junbi, Zhang Bixian and Ming Yuzhen also sent envoys."
Xu Da raised his eyebrows and said: "Zuo Junbi, Zhang Bixian and Ming Yuzhen should all be here to find out the truth and want to know which direction we will use our troops this year!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It should be so."
Xu Da asked again: "Does your Majesty have any intentions of the Northern Expedition recently?"
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "No, the palace has been mostly built. Those civil servants are reporting every day, suggesting that the king ascend the throne. The king should not use troops again before he ascends the throne."
Xu Da was silent for a while and sighed: "Your Majesty is still a little impatient. First, he will make an expedition to the north to drive the Mongols out of the Central Plains, and then he will ascend the throne."
Zhu Yuanzhang secretly smiled. Although Xu Da was usually calm and composed, he knew that this good brother had a strong desire to make contributions.
If the king ascends the throne now, with Xu Da’s current achievements, he will not be ranked among the Jiangdu Army.
If he does not ascend the throne for the time being and goes to the Northern Expedition first, Xu Da will have the opportunity to shine during the Northern Expedition, and he will have a place when the country is founded and its merits are rewarded.
"The king has made a decree to solicit opinions on the title of the country from both the government and the public. What do you think of this matter?" He changed the subject.
Xu Da frowned and said: "Brother, I haven't quite understood yet. Isn't there a national title now? Why do we have to spend so much time thinking about a new national title?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and said: "Brother, you have nothing to say when it comes to fighting, and you are much slower politically. Our current country is named Chu. Do you think it can be used to unify the world?"
Xu Da was confused and said: "Please give me some advice, big brother."
Zhu Yuanzhang took a sip of wine and talked eloquently: "The country names of Chu, Wu, and Yue are generally used by countries in the south of the Yangtze River to unite the people of the south of the Yangtze River."
"Now that the king has unified the south of the Yangtze River and uses Chu as the country's name, the people in the Central Plains will be repulsive because of the geographical difference, which is not conducive to the Northern Expedition."
Xu Da suddenly realized it and said: "In this case, it would be best to use Song Dynasty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "Song has been usurped by Liu Futong and others, and the king's surname is Zhang, which has nothing to do with the surname Zhao of the Song Dynasty. Using the country name Song is counterproductive!"
Xu Da was stunned and said: "Wouldn't it be great for Han Shantong and Liu Fu to use Song as their national title?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "I'm afraid you don't know. During the uprising, Han Shantong claimed to be the eighth grandson of Song Huizong. If you can persuade the king to also recognize the Zhao family as ancestors, you can propose that Song Dynasty be the name of the country!"
Xu Da touched his nose and said with a wry smile: "Forget it then, what does eldest brother think of this matter?"
Zhu Yuanzhang dipped his finger in wine and wrote two big characters on the table.
Xu Da looked sideways and said blankly: "Dazhong?"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said proudly: "Our land has been called the Central Plains since ancient times. Zhonghua is the center of civilization. Taking Dazhong as the country's name means the center of the world!"
Xu Da repeated: "Dazhong, Dazhong, well, that's quite appropriate. Then when I report it to the king tomorrow, I will propose using this country title!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed. One of the reasons he came to Xu Da was to hope that Xu Da would support his proposal and increase the possibility of his opinions being adopted.
He immediately toasted Xu Da with a glass of wine.
After three rounds of drinking, the topic of the two gradually shifted to Jiangnan.
Xu Dadao: "Brother, I heard something on the way back to Jiangdu Mansion."
Zhu Yuanzhang was already half drunk and said with a red face: "What's the matter?"
Xu Dadao: "I heard that there was a rebellion in the Lingnan area. In a short period of time, more than 30,000 people were mobilized and occupied Guangzhou and Huizhou."
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up and he said: "Well, that man's name is He Zhen, and he is a famous local hero."
Xu Da thoughtfully said: "How true? This name sounds a bit familiar!"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "When Chen Youliang was defeated, Fang Guozhen led the troops to invade Guangzhou. It was He Zhen who led the troops to defeat Fang Guozhen, and he was therefore extremely loved by the local people."
"I don't know why, but in early December, he killed the governor of Guangzhou Road who was sent by the king!"
Xu Da hurriedly asked: "Has your Majesty sent someone to quell the rebellion?"
"Two days ago, the king sent Fu Youde to Jingjiang to mobilize troops to put down the rebellion!"
Xu Da secretly cried out that it was a pity.
If he wants to quell the rebellion in Guangzhou, he will definitely mobilize Jingjiang's troops and horses. He feels that he is familiar with Jingjiang's soldiers. If he asks for orders to quell the rebellion, the king will probably agree.