Seiwa

Chapter 117 The Heavens

In May of the first year of Yongle, the emperor drove away from Beijing.

On that day, the eldest son Zhu Gaochi personally led all the officials out of Xuanwumen to see them off.

Since the Queen's Qianqiu Festival palace banquet, most of the sons of the world stayed in the Wenhua Palace on the grounds of studying, and they couldn't come if they were not summoned by the emperor.Since fainting a few days ago, the imperial physician said that the son was depressed, physically weak, and needed to rest.The emperor specially ordered that the son does not have to enter the Fengtian Palace for hearings at the court, and rest is the foundation.With this order, Xie Jin and others who supported Zhu Gaochi's ascension to the crown prince were shocked.

If he is not named crown prince, he is not even allowed to listen to politics.This is not caring about the son, it is clearly excluding the son from the court.

In contrast, the king of Gaoyang County led the army outside, but his favor was growing day by day.

The emperor often issued edicts, or talked about military affairs, or talked about the relationship between father and son.The king of Gaoyang County even went to the table every ten days, not mentioning political affairs, only caring about the emperor's fatigue and the queen's body.When the news spread, the reputation of Gaoyang Junwang's arrogance and domineering suddenly diminished, and the reputation of benevolence and filial piety flourished, which seemed to overwhelm his elder brother.

Xie Jin, Huang Huai and others were very anxious. Could it be that the emperor really wants to abolish the elders and establish the younger ones?

"In the country and society, it is not a blessing to abolish the eldest son and establish a second son!"

Some people are even more worried about whether the Xuanwu Gate in the Tang Dynasty will be repeated in this dynasty.

"The Son of Heaven has already seized the throne with martial arts, and he likes the King of Gaoyang County..."

"Be careful!"

The words were stopped, and everyone was still in a cold sweat.

Everyone in the world knows how Zhu Di came to the throne.

Be clear and be clear, speaking out loud can kill people.

The speaker also realized that he had said the wrong thing, wiped his forehead, and closed his mouth.

After a false alarm, everyone's hearts were pounding. They didn't have the time to discuss how to help Zhu Gaochi get out of the predicament. They could only answer a few words and leave separately under the pretext of business.

In the west wing of Wenyuan Pavilion, Yang Rong stood in front of the window, looked at the heavy-faced Huang Huai and the others, and shook his head.

too urgent.

The scholarly business can't be done with anger, and all kinds of things about the Jianwen Dynasty are in front of them, why don't they understand?Now that he is in his prime, the foundation of the son is not stable, but the second prince and the third prince have made great achievements in battle. Such urgency will not only fail to send the son to the top, but will make your majesty separate from the son.

"Brother Shiqi, what is the current situation?"

"Difficult, but not unsolvable."

Since entering Wenyuan Pavilion and becoming one of the seven members of the cabinet, Yang Shiqi has become more cautious in his words and deeds.The courtiers discussed the establishment of the crown prince, but never participated.Xie Jin and others invite each other, and if they can push it, they will push it.The same goes for Yang Rong.

In Zhu Di's eyes, it was the two of them who knew how to advance and retreat, were considerate, and had top-notch ability to assist him in handling government affairs.

Although Xie Jin was still praised by the emperor every three days, almost being praised as a flower, but in Wenyuan Pavilion, Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi were more highly valued, faintly overwhelming Xie Jin Huanghuai.

The seven people in Wenyuan Pavilion also divided into two factions.

One faction is headed by Xie Jin Huanghuai, and the other is led by Er Yang.

Knowing the emperor's intentions, everyone must follow the direction set by Zhu Di, and no one dares to object.

"Brother Yishiqi, do you think the Son of Heaven really has the heart to destroy Wenhua Palace?"

Yang Shiqi shook his head, "Even if the emperor doesn't like the son, he doesn't necessarily dislike the Wenhua Palace."

"Oh?"

Yang Rong walked to the table, and Yang Shiqi wrote the pen on the paper. After Yang Rong read it, he moved it to the candle and lit it.

The orange fire light gradually devoured the ink on the paper.

The rice paper turned to ashes, but the word "Holy Grandson" was deeply imprinted in Yang Rong's mind.

"Do you want to remind Xie Shi to read?"

"No need." Yang Shiqi shook his head again, "Xie Shidu has already figured it out, you and I just need to watch quietly and be loyal to His Majesty, our duty is essential."

The meaning has been exhausted, Yang Shiqi will not say more,

In May Ding Chou, the Son of Heaven came to Shandong, passing through Jinan, Dezhou and other Bingfu counties. Seeing that there were many barren fields and the people were hungry, he specially summoned the governor of Shandong to come to question him.

Zhu Di was very puzzled. The imperial court exempted Shandong's summer grain for two consecutive years and allocated grain money for relief. Why is there still a situation where the people are in dire straits?

In the past, Jinan, Texas was a prosperous place, but looking at it now, where does it still look prosperous?

The chief envoy of Shandong still wanted to hide it, but in the face of Zhu Di, he felt guilty after all.After several repetitions, because of nervousness, the preface didn't match the postscript, and Zhu Di became even more suspicious. He summoned Yang Duo, and if he didn't want to tell the truth in front of me, he put on the posture of Jin Yiwei.

"Are you telling me the truth, or should I find another way to make you tell the truth?"

Zhu Di was in full swing, and Yang Duo stared at him coldly, as if planning where the knife would be best.

Under such pressure, even the hardest man can't stand it.If there was a little bit of luck in the past, it was instantly dissipated by Emperor Yong Le's anger.Everything that should be said or not should be said, and the beans are poured out of the bamboo tube, completely clean.

In the end, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed, crying: Your Majesty, he told everything, and he didn't hide anything.Taxation on wasteland was ordered by the Ministry of Household Affairs, not by him doing it arbitrarily.He knew that what he did was wrong, but for the sake of being frank and lenient, can he be a tainted witness and strive for leniency?

Emperor Yong Le didn't say a word, he casually grabbed something from the big tent and threw it over.

The chief envoy of Shandong did not dare to hide, and was hit on the shoulder.

There was a crisp sound of bone cracking, the stone inkstone rolled to the ground, large blobs of ink stained the crimson official uniform, and the golden pheasant worn by the official lost its luster in an instant.

Enduring the severe pain in his shoulder, the chief envoy of Shandong kept pleading guilty, "Your Majesty, calm down! I'm guilty!"

Being able to be the political envoy of Shandong after Jingnan, and to be in charge of the government of a province, is because the emperor is optimistic about his ability and trust in him.

The results of it?

Zhu Di stared viciously at the Shandong chief envoy who was kneeling in front of him, wishing he could slash him with a knife.Is this how he repays his trust and reuse of him? !

"The order of the household department is more important than my will?"

It was heartbreaking for Zhu Di to ask this sentence himself.

The chief envoy of Shandong didn't dare to answer, and kowtowed repeatedly. He knew that nine out of ten he would not survive, and it was the emperor's favor to serve as an army and guard the border.It doesn't matter if he dies, I just hope that he will not offend his family and let his family live.

"You have a family, why don't the people have it? You beg me to have mercy on your family, why can't you have mercy on the people under your rule?!" Zhu Di grabbed the Shandong chief envoy by the collar, dragged him out of the tent like a sack, and ruthlessly Slam it to the ground.Turning around and pulling out the waist knife of the Jinwu Guard, the blade was facing the chief envoy's throat.

"What is an official of a province? To proclaim government orders, control wealth, and be kind to the common people! I am the Son of Heaven, and the common people of the Son of Heaven are like my own sons and daughters! Say, tell me, how can I let you go? Let your family go? !"

There was awe in the camp, only Zhu Di's roar tore through the sky and spread outside the camp, breaking the numbness on the faces of the people.

"When Taizu Emperor Gao was here, he said that he loved the people like his own son! Since I ascended the throne, I have always respected the teachings of Taizu, worked hard, and dared not take a wrong step!"

"My order is to exempt the soldiers and land from the grain tax, but you don't obey the order, but instead increase the heavy tax and fill your own pockets, so that the people lose their homes, the fields are barren, and the people have no means of living!"

"The matter has come to this, instead of reflecting on your own faults, but only asking for the lives of your loved ones, how can I not kill you?!"

Angry to the extreme, he swung the knife suddenly, blood spurted from the chest, and the black yarn rolled down along with the head.

Zhu Di held the knife with one hand, a stream of blood slid across the blade, congealed into blood beads, and dripped along the tip of the knife.

The household officials who witnessed everything were shocked, their legs trembled, and they could barely stand.

Zhu Di handed the sword to the Jinwu Guard, and ordered the body of the governor of Shandong Province to be dragged down, and his home was searched. All men over fifteen years old were beheaded, and the female relatives served as the secretary of the Jiaofang.

"Long live my emperor!"

The elder who was brought by Yang Duo for questioning was already in tears, knelt on the ground, and shouted long live.

Zhu Di walked over, helped the old man himself, and said: "It is my fault that I was negligent, and I used inhumane people, and caused the people to suffer so much. It is my fault!"

After all, bow to the elders with the honor of the Son of Heaven.

The Chinese and military officers of the camp bowed down at the same time, the civil servants bowed, and the military officers clasped their fists.

The old man was choked up and unable to speak, his hands were trembling, and he kept shouting long live for a long time.

The Son of Heaven stayed in Jinan for three days, and the chief ministers of Shandong, from the left and right chiefs to the left and right to participate in politics, were taken away by Jin Yiwei one by one for questioning.The prefect of Jinan also did not escape the knife, and was shown to the public by the owl.

The Shandong officials were dealt with, and the accompanying officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs did not have a good time. The two were stripped of their black yarns on the spot and sent to the frontier to be exiled into the army.The rest of the officials of the household department will be dealt with after returning to Beijing.Anyone involved in this matter will not let go.

They did not follow the order of the Son of Heaven, regarded the Taizu as nothing, and made it clear that the barren land should not be taxed, but it was still collected correctly, and even increased the land tax, and all the money and food withheld were divided privately.Even the military rations sent to the guards were not spared. How could such an official not be killed!

"The imperial court set up officials to govern the people, and the way to govern the people is to care for the people. You don't understand my love for the people, follow the rules, and regard the Taizu's law as empty words. His heart can be punished, and his crime should be killed!"

When Zhu Di said he wanted to kill someone, he was definitely not talking about it.

Emperor Gao killed almost all six ministries, and the court continued to function.What's the point of killing a whole household!

The emperor went on a killing spree in Jinan, and the whole of Shandong was shaken.

All prefectures and counties posted notices one after another, announcing that the imperial court would exempt summer grain for two years, re-cultivate wasteland and exempt from tax, and all the excess taxes collected that year would be refunded.Anyone who has corrupt officials and violated the law can be corrected by the military and civilians according to the "Yu Zhi Da Gao" and "Tai Zu Cheng Xian".

Those who dare to hinder the appeal to the common people are guilty of the same crime as the accused.

However, false accusations are strictly prohibited, and those who falsely accuse less than four people will be punished with one hundred rods and three years in prison.For four to six people, with one hundred sticks, they can travel thousands of miles.Those who falsely accuse more than ten people will be executed Lingchi, and their family members will be guarded at the border and moved outside.

After the edict was issued, Emperor Yongle appointed Cao Yu, former Beiping Right Chief Envoy, as Shandong Right Chief Envoy, in charge of Shandong government affairs.After that, we started driving and continued our northern tour.

In just a few days, Shandong has been very different.

Abandoned wasteland was reclaimed, and tax-evading households returned to their hometowns.

Seeing the emperor's chariot from a distance, they bowed down by the roadside one after another.

Zhu Di sat in the chair and put down the letter sent by King Gaoyang from Kaipingwei, with a smile on his face at last.

"Zheng He."

"The servant is here."

"You go to Kaipingwei in person and pass on my oral order to order the king of Gaoyang County to meet him in Beiping."

"The slaves obey."

"Go to Daning again and call Uncle Xingning here." Zhu Di flipped through the memorabilia sent by Meng Qinghe, "Uncle Xingning has made great contributions to Duoyan Sanwei, and I will reward him in person."

"Yes." Zheng He agreed, and said immediately, "Your Majesty summoned Uncle Xingning to Beiping, but not going to Daning?"

"Go, why don't you go?" Zhu Di looked at the memorial without raising his head, "I have my own calculations, you go and spread the word."

"Yes."

Zheng He bowed, not daring to ask any more questions.

If I asked one more question before, I was already suspected of overstepping, and if I asked again, I would not know how to advance or retreat.

On Gengchen in May, the emperor arrived in Peiping.

Beiping was guarding, and Shen Xuan, the governor of the rear army, went out of the city to greet him together with the officials of the third division.

Looking at the familiar city gate and the city wall that still seemed to have traces of gunpowder smoke, Zhu Di was very moved.

Look up to the top of the city, and then look up to the blue sky.

An eagle spread its wings and flew by.

This is Beiping, where he lived for 20 years.

From here, he led his army north out of the Great Wall to resist the Mongolian Yuan.Raise the banner of Jingnan and win the world.

Under his feet is the land that belongs to him, but his eyes are looking at a farther place, the depths of the desert, the end of the grassland.

He took a deep breath to calm down the excitement in his heart.

At this moment, Zhu Di became more determined to move the capital.

The eagle should soar in the blue sky, and the horse should gallop on the grassland.

The water town in the south of the Yangtze River, the land of golden powder, is not suitable for him, nor is it suitable for his descendants.

The king of a country should rule the world and guard the gate of the country!

Zhu Di believed in force, taking a step back to open up the sea and the sky, which never existed in his dictionary.

From guarding Beiping to raising troops in Jingnan, if he retreated, even if it was only half a step, he would die without a place to die.

"Xuan'er get up."

Looking at Shen Xuan in a red unicorn suit, Zhu Di's love is beyond words.Shen Xuan and Zhu Gaoxu often remind Zhu Di of himself 20 years ago.

High-spirited and wanton flying.

Since then, he has vowed to level the grassland.Now that he is rich in the world, the day when he fulfills his oath is not far away.

"Your Majesty, can you go back to the palace to stay?"

"I'm not tired." Zhu Di didn't get on the horse again, but instead rode on a horse. "In the south, if I get sick from boredom, it's better to be in the north."

After finishing the words, he waved his horsewhip vigorously, "Xuan'er, follow me for a run!"

"Follow the order!"

Shen Xuan took the reins from the guard, got on the horse, and followed the emperor.

Zhu Di in a bright yellow robe is in front, and Shen Xuan in a scarlet unicorn suit is behind, just like a golden dragon soaring, with a unicorn at his side.

Zhang Fu and others who were accompanying them rode their horses and whipped their whips to catch up, but they were still unable to catch up with Shen Xuan's personal guards.

Looking at the frontier army guarding Zhu Di in the shape of a swallow, Zhang Fu and others couldn't help but get jealous.

A warrior on the battlefield is always delighted to meet such a brave frontier army.

Zhang Fu was better, knowing how to restrain himself, so Zhu Neng didn't care so much. Looking at the cavalrymen with long swords and crossbows on their backs, their eyes were shining, as if they had seen fat hungry wolves.

The sound of horseshoes went away, and the accompanying officials who were left behind were stunned.

Before entering the city, the emperor galloped away?

Cheng Guogong, Dingyuanhou and Xin'anbo all followed, Wuyanghou was gone, Jinwuwei Yulinwei and Jinyiwei blocked the speed of the class, even the standard-bearer guards were unwilling to be left behind, leaving the civil servants and palace servants behind Big eyes and small eyes, what's the matter?

The servants are also not counted.

Those who have sunflower patterns on the tunic collar shirts and the fringe fringe are also not weak in equestrian riding skills.Skillful as Hou Xian and Bai Yanhui, they have all fought on the battlefield, and their strength is no less than that of thousands of households in the army.

In contrast, the accompanying officials from the six ministries, as well as the Beiping officials who went out to greet Shen Xuan together, seemed awkward.

The Son of Heaven ran away like a gust of wind, and they couldn't catch up, so they could only stay where they were and blow the wind, which was really uncomfortable.

They hand over each other and laughed awkwardly, but no one spoke first.

The emperor is gone, and the guards are also there. Does this "royal driver" enter the city or wait outside the city?

Pulling an empty bag into the city?

There is no such rule.

Regardless of how the officials outside Beiping complained about the emperor's miraculous move, Zhu Di and his party, who were galloping on the grassland, happened to encounter a frontier sentry.

More than a hundred cavalrymen carried gunfire, long knives on their waists, and bows and arrows on horseback.

A fiery red looped jacket appeared on the horizon, like the red light diffused on the grassland, dazzling.

There were two sentinel cavalry, and when the two hundred households led by them saw the bright yellow flag behind Zhu Di, they pulled the reins violently, raised their right arms, and signaled the cavalry to stop.

The war horse neighed and stepped forward, exhaling hot air from its mouth and nose.

After recognizing Shen Xuan and the others who were following Zhu Di, Youshao dismounted one after another, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Dice immediately stepped forward, looked at the uniform frontier troops, and asked, "Xuan'er, are they under your command?"

"Return to Your Majesty, it is not under the command of the minister, but should be under the command of the King of Gaoyang County."

"Sure?"

The hundred households of Youshao replied: "Your Majesty, I am indeed a subordinate of the county king. I was ordered to station in Xinghe and Kaipingqian Tunwei to patrol the frontier to prevent the Tartars from invading the border."

After hearing this, Zhu Di became more interested, and said, "This place is far from Xinghe Kaiping, why are you here?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, because some prairie rangers have bypassed the border guards recently, and their traces have been found in Huai'an, Wanquan, Xuanhua and other places. The county king specially ordered the border guards to patrol day and night, killing or chasing them, so as not to disturb the people. Shengjia, the humble waits for ten thousand deaths to bear the blame."

Some answers made Zhu Dilong feel very happy.

The son is capable and the son is very filial.

Good, great good!

After laughing, Zhu Di's keen military intuition made Zhu Di interested in the crossbow and quiver hanging on the horse's back.Even the firecrackers on their backs seem to be different from the court's standard.

When Youshao took out a fist-sized "Fire Thunder", Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

During the Battle of Jingnan, the Yan Army often suffered from the firearms used by the Southern Army. First, Guo Ying and Wu Jie planted "landmines", and then there were firecrackers and crossbow teams organized by Sheng Yong.

Although the Yan Army also has killer weapons such as tiger squat guns and rockets, it is still inferior to the Southern Army.

After sitting on the throne, Zhu Di specially sent someone to check the records of the Bureau of Military Warfare and the Bureau of Military Weapons, summoned the ambassadors of the two bureaus, and paid more attention to the manufacture and use of firearms.

The firearms used by these two outposts are not listed in the records of the Bingjue Bureau and the Military Weapons Bureau at all, but they are not in violation of the regulations, but the appearance has been changed. How to use them remains to be seen.

Zhu Di wanted to order Youshao to demonstrate on the spot, but Zhu Neng and others tried their best to stop him.

Just kidding, the instability of firearms is famous, what if the chamber explodes and hurts the body of Tianzilong?

Shen Xuan also said that this kind of firearm was produced by Kaipingwei, if you don't demonstrate it after the Gaoyang County King arrives, you will know the advantages and disadvantages.

"Your Majesty is tired from the journey and the sun is setting. It is advisable to return to the city early to rest. The days ahead will be long."

Everyone persuaded, but Zhu Di couldn't continue to insist, so he nodded and ordered Youshao to go back to the city with him.Shen Xuan immediately ordered his own soldiers to report to Xinghe Office.The emperor took the sentry away, and he must be notified.If you see that the sentry has not returned, and think that you have met a tartar or slipped away halfway, you will be in big trouble.

His combat achievements are still continuous, and he is not discounted at all in the army.

After the horse race back to the city, Zhu Di was completely exhausted and refreshed.

When Xinghe Institute and the commander of the former guards in Kaiping heard the news, they were happy that their subordinates were appreciated by the emperor, but at the same time worried whether the emperor would pursue Kaiping for the crime of making weapons for private use.

Although they were all modified from the original weapons, and the number of fire mines was strictly limited, I still couldn't help but feel uneasy.

King Gaoyang heard the news on his way to Beiping.It would be a lie to say that I am not worried, but I am more excited.He knew his father well, and if he was to be held accountable, it would not be Zheng He, but Jin Yiwei who came to preach.

He was carrying the memo about transforming weapons with him, the reason why he didn't send it out in advance was just because he was impatient to entangle with the people in the court.Since the father wants to tour the north, he will definitely be summoned and play it face to face, the effect will definitely be better.

Of course, he will not forget Xingningbo's contribution.In the final analysis, Xingning Bodang took the lead in his cavalry being able to change shotguns and cannons.If the father nodded and agreed to promote the modified Huolei and Huobao among the full-backs, Xing Ningbo would be more credited.

Meng Qinghe, who also set off on the road, comforted himself. Although he came up with the idea and encouraged the craftsmen to start, it was also because of him to be innovative and innovative. If you seriously pursue it, you will be suspected of stepping on the line, but Daning and Kaiping Weiza made a bureau It is also an indisputable fact that it also has the functions of the Weapons Bureau.

How did he know that Zhu Gaosui would tell Zhu Gaoxu everything about Daning City, and Zhu Gaoxu was so full of practical spirit, it really made people create "Huo Lei".

To put it bluntly, Huolei is the original version of the grenade. It had a prototype in the Song Dynasty, and the Nanjing Weapons Bureau also had a trial production, but the effect of use was not as good as that produced by Kaipingwei.

The ones made by the Weapons Bureau are basically one blow and two petals, and there are also some that only sound but don't bloom.

Those transformed by Daning and Kaipingwei can generally explode several pieces, and their lethality has been at least two grades higher.

Meng Qinghe was thinking all the way, whether the King of Gaoyang County would confess himself.Also, I will see Shen Xuan soon, and about the modification of firearms, I also mentioned it to Shen Xuan in a letter. According to Shen Xuan's reply, he should not care about it... right?

Zhu Gaoxu and Meng Qinghe had different ideas, but they rushed together on the way to Peiping.

Knowing that Zhu Di had arrived in Beiping, the three guards of Duoyan were very excited. The big and small leaders got together and began to discuss what position they could take when the emperor ordered to attack the desert.

Forward or main force?In short, you won't be assigned to escort grain and grass, will you?If he was really sent to transport food, Sapodroll would not agree.

Compared with the excited Wuliangha, the Tatar Khan Guilichi and the left and right prime ministers were all sad.

The Son of Heaven has arrived in Beiping, and the detained envoys of the Ming Dynasty must be released.

Originally, Gui Lichi discussed with the left and right prime ministers, detained the envoys, looked at Zhu Di's attitude, and then decided whether to be tough or soft.Originally, I was not the one who robbed Wuliangha, so it would be unreasonable for me to ask for compensation.

I didn't want Zhu Di to come directly to the north, and even took a large group of people for a walk on the grassland.

Is this a demonstration or a demonstration?

Thinking about the royal court of the Northern Yuan Dynasty who fell under the iron heels of the Ming army, and thinking about Zhu Di's ferocity when he conquered the desert in the north, Gui Lichi was even more worried.

What he worries about is not whether he can win the real fight, but where to go after losing, and whether the battle can not be fought.

There are many people who are more worried than Guilichi.

When Jire Timur and others led their troops to rob Wuliangha, they took advantage of the fire to rob and pick up cheap wild Jurchens, and now they are also a big bag.

Before doing anything, Zhu Di would also issue a seal to Guilichi. Anyway, Guilichi is a Tatar khan, and he is worthy of the rank.

The savage Jurchens were completely ignored by Zhu Di, so they were a group of aliens who sent envoys over?Not to mention Zhu Di, the people who were sent thought it was a drop in price.

Zhu Di could pretend that he didn't see it, but Liu Zhen, the guard in Liaodong, couldn't, so he had to send someone to the wild Jurchen to convey the imperial court's intention.

The emperor has come, kowtow to plead guilty sooner rather than later.It's too late, and if you are wiped out by the group, you can only go to the Hall of Hades to cry.

Whether it's life or death, it's up to you.

Is this to convey the will of the court?

It is clearly a threat!

Liu Zhen curled his lips and threatened, what's the matter?I am the guard of Liaodong in Ming Dynasty, and I think I think highly of you by threatening you.

What else can the threatened tribal leaders do?

Hold your nose and accept it.