Wala, called Oirat during the Yuan Dynasty and Wala during the Ming Dynasty.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the Oirat people and the Mongolian people were on a parallel basis and intermarried with each other.

When the Yuan Dynasty was destroyed and the Ming Dynasty rose, the Yuan Dynasty royal family declined and the Golden Family was driven into the desert and became the Tatar tribes.

During the Hongwu period in the early Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty sent troops to fight against the Tatars, which enabled the Oirat leader Mengke Timur to take advantage of the situation and rise up, annexing various tribes to expand his power.

In the eighth year of Yongle, Emperor Yongle launched an expedition to the north against the Tatars. The Tatars gradually lost power, and the Oirat took the opportunity to move south.

This marked the beginning of Emperor Yongle's five expeditions to the desert.

Strictly speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang did not know that there was a Wala tribe behind the Tatars.

It was just that the Wala tribe was too small at that time and could not attract his attention at all.

"I see. He is indeed a barbarian with wolfish ambitions."

After listening to Zhu Quan's explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized and said bitterly: "If they are not of my race, their hearts must be different!"

"This is an irreconcilable contradiction between agricultural and nomadic peoples, and it has been like this since ancient times."

Zhu Quan shook his head. It was not only the Ming Dynasty that had border problems, but all dynasties had them.

From the Four Barbarians during the Xia and Shang dynasties, the Quanrong during the Zhou dynasty, to the Xiongnu during the Spring and Autumn, Qin and Han dynasties, to the Five Barbarians at the end of the Jin dynasty, to the Turks during the Sui and Tang dynasties.

They are all conflicts between farming and nomadic peoples, or competitions between civilization and barbarism.

In times of peace, the two sides engage in economic and cultural exchanges; in times of conflict, they plunder land and wealth.

Historically, the Han people migrated south three times, all of which were related to the invasion of nomadic peoples.

The first time was due to the Five Barbarians' Invasion of China, when the Han people from the Central Plains migrated south to what were later known as Jiangxi and Guangdong.

The second time was due to the Anshi Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, when the northern Hu people invaded the Central Plains. During the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a large number of people from the Central Plains migrated south for the second time.

The third time was due to the Jingkang Incident, when the Northern Song Dynasty was destroyed and Zhao Jiumei established the Southern Song Dynasty in Hangzhou, forcing the people of the Central Plains to migrate south for the third time.

"Then did you solve this problem in your later life?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement and asked curiously.

"Barbarians are beasts. They fear power but not virtue. They are not of our kind. When they are strong, they will rob us. When they are weak, they will be submissive. They don't care about kindness and righteousness. This is their nature."

Zhu Quan shook his head and said, "Only dead aliens are good aliens!"

He didn't want to talk more about this topic. If he did, it would easily provoke the mysterious beast of harmony.

"Then tell me about the cabinet. What does it mean?"

Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't ask any more questions, but rather agreed with what he said.

"The cabinet can be said to be an extension of the prime minister's power."

The topic shifted to the cabinet, and Zhu Quan began to talk nonstop: "Let's start from the beginning, and start with the power of the prime minister."

"The so-called power of the prime minister can be divided into the power of deliberation, the power of decision-making, and the power of administration."

"Since your majesty abolished the prime minister system two years ago, the power of the prime minister has completely disappeared."

"Your Majesty has divided the executive power among the six ministers, while the decision-making and deliberative powers are in the hands of the emperor."

"It was also from the abolition of the prime minister system that the imperial power reached an unprecedented peak, and the emperor was truly the only one in power and his words were law."

"But in this way, although the emperor holds great power, he also shoulders a more important mission."

"We have a saying in later generations: If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight."

"If the emperor is wise, then it's fine. But if the emperor is incompetent, won't the country be destroyed?"

After saying this, Zhu Quan looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a questioning look in his eyes.

According to historical records, Zhu Yuanzhang was diligent in his work and loved his people without any slackness. He would get up at four o'clock every morning, and his clothes would be covered with government documents.

He really gets up earlier than the chicken, sleeps later than the dog, and works harder than the cow.

But not every emperor of the Ming Dynasty was named Zhu Yuanzhang.

The subsequent emperors of the Ming Dynasty were lazier and more weird than the last.

"You mean, the Ming emperors were incompetent?"

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly understood the meaning of his words, widened his eyes and asked.

He remembered that Zhu Quan had said that the Ming Dynasty would last for more than 270 years.

Then, the Ming Dynasty will not be destroyed in a short time.

There is only one problem: the emperors who came after him were too incompetent.

Why is that? Is it because of the cabinet?

"After my fourth brother ascended the throne, he changed the reign title to Yongle. He set up a cabinet, appointed Hanlin academicians to assist in confidential matters, and delegated some of the power to discuss politics."

Zhu Quan did not answer his question, but continued: "During the Yongle period, although the cabinet ministers accompanied the emperor in politics, their official rank was only fifth grade, and they had no jurisdiction over the six ministries. Their influence in the court was extremely limited, and they could not be compared with the prime minister."

"During the Hongxi reign when Gao Chi's nephew ascended the throne, the cabinet system was revised. All cabinet ministers were given titles such as assistant minister and minister, changed into scarlet official robes, and had the 'right to vote'. The cabinet's power to discuss government was further enhanced."

"At this point, although the cabinet was still unable to command the six ministries, their power had gradually surpassed that of the six ministers. The first minister of the cabinet was also known as the chief assistant, and had some of the qualities of a prime minister."

"Officials like to stick together. When the cabinet gained more political power, officials in the court gradually moved closer to the cabinet ministers, sticking together for warmth, and forming a civil servant group."

"However, although the cabinet has the right to draft bills, the real power of discussion and decision-making is still firmly in the hands of the emperor, which is far different from the prime minister in the past."

"However, Gao Chi's nephew died after only ten months as emperor, and his son Zhanji succeeded him during the Xuande reign."

"In order to check and balance the civil service group headed by the cabinet, Zhanji activated the Silijian, one of the twelve inner courts."

"All the bills submitted by the cabinet must be approved by the eunuchs in charge of writing and the eunuchs in charge of seals before they can be submitted to the emperor's desk."

"This is the 'right to approve red documents' that Zhanji has come up with, to compete with the 'right to draft bills' of the cabinet."

It has to be said that the emperors of the Ming Dynasty were all very smart, and they were really good at balancing power.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji were also very interesting. One of them tried to draft bills, while the other tried to approve documents.

Come on, let’s hurt each other and see who can beat who.

"Gao Chi, that kid, died after only being emperor for ten months?"

"Right to draft bills and approve them"

Old Zhu was really enlightened. These young people are really good at having fun.

Old Zhu still has some impression of the fat boy from the fourth brother's family. He even held him in his arms.

But who would have thought that the little guy would die after only being emperor for ten months? "The system of checks and balances between civil officials and eunuchs started with them and lasted until the end of the Ming Dynasty."

"In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng established the Grand Council on the basis of the Cabinet."

"Select the most careful and prudent people in the cabinet to serve as copyists and handle urgent military affairs, and assist the emperor in handling government affairs."

"The Grand Council was in charge of all military and political power, and was completely under the direct control of the emperor, which was equivalent to the emperor's personal secretary."

Having said this, Zhu Quan did not hide anything and told Old Zhu the advantages and disadvantages of the cabinet and the Grand Council.

"Let's go back to the topic and talk about the pros and cons of the Cabinet and the Grand Council."

"First, consolidate the imperial power."

The father and son, one was talking and the other was listening. The other talked seriously and the other listened even more seriously.

Zhu Yuanzhang took out a pen and paper and wrote down the key points that Zhu Quan had said.

He planned to record the advantages and disadvantages of the Cabinet and the Grand Council and then consider whether to set them up.

Apart from anything else, even for the health of his eldest son A Biao, he could not turn a blind eye.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not let him go until Zhu Quan told him all the details about the cabinet and the Grand Council.

"Hu Lao Zhu is so scary"

Zhu Quan only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the palace.

I was dragged into a conversation for most of the day without a break. It was terrifying.

But having said that, it still feels great to be able to give lectures to the emperor.

After returning to Prince Ning's Mansion, Zhu Quan had dinner and rested for a while.

He lay on the bed, opened the chat group, and complained: "Brothers, Lao Zhu dragged me to give a lecture today."

In a parallel world, Yuanlang Xiangjiang.

"Xiao Bao has made great progress. Good, good, good."

If his old comrade hadn't saved his life on the battlefield, how could he be where he is today?

When he received the letter from his old comrade-in-arms saying that he wanted to entrust his son to him, he was ecstatic.

Now my comrade’s son has become successful. He bought a luxury house of over 1,000 square feet in full just over a month after arriving here.

Even if he died now, he would be worthy of his comrades-in-arms' life-saving grace.

"Uncle Zhong, this is just the beginning. I will make more money in the future and will treat Hongmei well for the rest of my life."

"By the way, these are two health-preserving pills passed down from my ancestors. Uncle Zhong and Auntie, please take them."

After becoming famous, Wang Xiaobao did not get carried away, as he knew he was just a plagiarist.

Being able to write "Zhu Xian" is completely a plug-in ability, and it is not surprising.

Compared to the excitement of his uncle Zhong Daqiang's family, he took out two longevity pills with a calm face.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave Xiaohong to you. I'm at ease."

Zhong Daqiang took the pill, thinking it was really a health-preserving pill, and didn't pay much attention to it.

Afterwards, he left contentedly with his wife and children, leaving only Wang Xiaobao and Zhong Chuhong.

In the room, Wang Xiaobao hugged Zhong Chuhong's waist. The two were so close that they could even feel each other's breath.

"Hongmei, this will be our home from now on."

The fresh fragrance of the young girl wafted into his nose, and Wang Xiaobao moved his face closer.

“Yes, our home.”

Zhong Chuhong's face flushed red. She anticipated what was going to happen next. She was a little excited and a little scared.

"Boom boom boom"

Just as their lips touched, there was a gentle and rhythmic knock on the door.

It can be heard that the person knocking on the door is very polite.

Such a sudden change frightened the two people who had eaten the forbidden fruit and quickly separated.

They looked at each other and saw the embarrassment and smiles on each other's faces.

"Go open the door and see who's here."

Zhong Chuhong pushed him away and said shyly.

"Who is it?"

Wang Xiaobao opened the door reluctantly and shouted.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Wang Xiaobao at home?"

A familiar voice sounded outside the door, and Wang Xiaobao felt as if he had seen it before.

When he opened the door, Bruce Lee and Oriental Daily's editor-in-chief Zhou were standing outside.

"Brother Xiaolong, Editor-in-Chief Zhou, why are you here?"

"Please come in, Hongmei, please make some tea. I'll use the premium Tieguanyin tea from my drawer."

Seeing the two people outside the door, Wang Xiaobao was very excited and invited them in.

"Mr. Wang, I'm sorry to bother you."

Editor-in-Chief Zhou presented the gift with both hands with a smile and said politely.

"Brother Xiaobao, excuse me for disturbing you. Congratulations on your new home."

Bruce Lee also took out a gift and said with a smile, "It's just a small gift, not a token of respect."

"You are too polite, please take a seat."

Wang Xiaobao did not refuse. He took the gifts from the two with both hands and invited them to the living room to serve tea.

After the three of them sat down on the sofa, Cherie Chung made some tea and brought it over, and the three of them started drinking it.

After some pleasantries, Wang Xiaobao got straight to the point and asked, "Editor-in-Chief Zhou, are you here for your new book?"

"Indeed, I couldn't sleep day and night after I learned that you had a new book."

Editor-in-Chief Zhou smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, can you let me see your new book?"

"That's fine, Brother Xiaolong, Editor-in-Chief Zhou, please sit down for a moment. I'll go get the manuscript."

Wang Xiaobao got up and went to the study, where he took out a manuscript of the first 100,000 words from the drawer.

On the first page of the manuscript, two big characters were written: Zichuan.

After receiving the manuscript, Chief Editor Zhou couldn't wait to read it and soon became immersed in the story.

In the mythical Xichuan continent, humans, demons, and various tribes from the Far East... appear one by one.

The blending of blood and fire, the collision of swords and knives, and the interweaving of mysteries unfold a grand epic.

"Brother Xiaolong, have you finished filming "Game of Death"?"

While Editor-in-Chief Zhou was reading the manuscript, Wang Xiaobao started talking to Bruce Lee.

"I came here to say goodbye to you. A new drama, 'Enter the Dragon', was released in the US, so I stopped filming 'Game of Death'."

Bruce Lee took a sip of Tieguanyin and frowned slightly. He grew up in the United States and was not used to drinking the ancient Chinese tea.

"Oh? Enter the Dragon? Just by looking at the name, I know it's a great movie. I'd like to offer a toast to Brother Xiaolong and wish him a smooth filming."

Wang Xiaobao had heard of this film, which is an action movie jointly produced by Jiahe Films and Warner Bros. Films.

Directed by Robert Clos, starring Bruce Lee, Mao Ying, Sammo Hung, Shek Kien and others.

It achieved amazing box office success in the United States in July, beating many Hollywood blockbusters released at the same time, and thus a new Hollywood kung fu film was born.

"Thank you for your good words, haha."

The two clinked glasses and Bruce Lee smiled.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, they hit it off like old friends.

"By the way, Brother Xiaolong, my ancestors passed down two medicinal pills."

After taking a sip of tea, Wang Xiaobao took out a wooden box and handed it over, saying, "I heard that the situation in the United States is very chaotic. You should keep it with you for self-defense."

The wooden box contained the pills he bought from the group mall, one was a disease-curing pill and the other was a marrow-cleansing pill.

"Is this passed down from your ancestors? I can't accept it. Take it back quickly."

When Bruce Lee heard this, he realized that he couldn't take away someone else's love, so he quickly declined.

"Brother Xiaolong, don't refuse yet, just listen to me."

Wang Xiaobao held his hand and explained, "I am very curious about acting in movies, and I would like to trouble Brother Xiaolong to take me into the industry."

"These two pills are my means of advancement. What do you think, Brother Xiaolong?"

It is now March, not long since Bruce Lee passed away.

Wang Xiaobao was afraid that he would be late, so he gave him the two pills first.

As for making a movie, it's just an excuse.

"That's fine."

"I'll take it first. I'll teach you how to make movies when I come back from the United States."

Bruce Lee thought about it and decided not to refuse and put away the pill.

The two hit it off right away and were like brothers even though they were not real brothers.

I made up my mind that since Wang Xiaobao wanted to act in movies, I would bring him into the industry and teach him well.

"It's okay, I'll talk to you when you come back."

Seeing that he accepted it, Wang Xiaobao finally felt relieved.

"Good, good, it's so exciting that you can't stop watching it. It's so exciting!"

At this time, Editor-in-Chief Zhou had finally finished reading the first 100,000 words of "Zichuan".

He slapped his thigh suddenly, his face full of excitement.

(End of this chapter)