Fengtian Hall, morning court.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, and behind the throne was the edict prepared by Liu He.

After the process is completed, civil and military officials will take turns to report the contents that require His Majesty's decision.

These matters, from small ones like stealing in the capital to big ones like troop mobilizations and local famines, were all handled by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

The concentration of power also brings with it a lot of tedious things.

It was during Zhu Yuanzhang's early morning court session.

Zhu Ying in the yard has already started eating breakfast.

As for the memorials, including the comments at the back of the memorials, just take a look at them. They are basically meaningless stuff.

But this is normal. When a new policy is implemented, many officials are just feeling their way forward.

But from the current point of view, the effect is indeed quite obvious.

But among them, only Zhu Ying knew that national construction projects were most likely to breed corrupt officials.

And this type of construction project is the easiest to start.

It’s just that the local government may not be sure of the situation for the time being, and most of the gentry have not reacted.

And because it is a pilot project, the supervisory authorities are keeping a close eye on it.

But once it is promoted on a large scale across the country, there is no need to think too much, as there are too many places to start.

Zhu Ying knew all this, but he didn't tell the old man about it in advance.

At that time, Zhu Ying didn't know the old man's identity, but even if he knew it now, he would not tell it immediately.

We can't just not implement a good policy just because it may lead to the emergence of corrupt officials, right?

No matter what you do, the termites will never disappear.

However, Zhu Ying could imagine that anti-corrosion would probably be the focus of future engineering construction.

Compared with other types of corruption, corruption in engineering projects is more covert and difficult to detect.

A few simple metaphors.

That is, after the government received the food deposit, it would distribute it to the civilians and they would also have this meal. This would be difficult to detect.

A slightly better scenario is that the government cooks dry rice into porridge and embezzles the excess food. I think the people will be able to accept this.

A deeper issue is the collusion between the government and the local gentry.

For example, if the original deposit required was ten dan of grain, the gentry only had to pay five dan, and the remaining five dan would be split equally between officials and gentry.

There are too many similar methods.

Perhaps there are even more ruthless people who directly embezzle large amounts of grain under the guise of corvee labor.

Just having said that, no matter what.

The implementation of work-for-relief will always save the lives of a large number of refugees, and this is the most practical thing.

The problem of corruption can be addressed through strengthening supervision and formulating regulations.

But refugees will have nothing when they die.

For the current Ming Dynasty, population is the most important thing.

After the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the total population of the Ming Dynasty is now estimated to be just over 10 million.

Given the current social conditions, strength in numbers is the only key.

Just as Zhu Ying was eating breakfast and thinking.

Zhang Bo came over and reported, "Boss, Jinyiwei Song Zhong, the pacification envoy, wants to see you."

"Let him in."

"yes."

At this moment, Song Zhong, with several of his men, was waiting for news at the gate.

Today is different from the past. In the past, when Song Zhong came here, he always came in directly and was not even allowed to report.

After all, Zhu Ying was just a businessman at that time.

But the concept now is completely different.

Song Zhong, who was informed by Jiang Li, already understood Zhu Ying's identity, which was almost semi-public.

According to the orders of Jiang Li, the commander-in-chief of the Jinyiwei, the entire Jinyiwei Yamen will now become a force under Zhu Ying and will obey Zhu Ying's orders completely.

Even if Zhu Ying's orders would lead to transgressions in some aspects, they should be carried out first and then reported.

The doorman was of course not aware of all this. After Song Zhong arrived, the doorman, as usual, invited Song Zhong in directly.

But Song Zhong insisted on getting Zhu Ying's approval before entering.

Such behavior undoubtedly made Zhu Ying feel more favorable towards Song Zhong.

Song Zhong asked his men to wait outside and went in alone.

"Song Zhong has met Master Zhu."

As soon as he saw Zhu Ying, Song Zhong immediately clasped his fists and bowed with an extremely sincere attitude. He did not even report his official title, but directly stated his name.

According to the current etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, this is to put oneself in a very low position to express respect for Zhu Ying.

"Song Zhenfu, it's a coincidence that you came here. Have you had breakfast? If not, let's eat together."

Seeing this, Zhu Ying waved his hand and remained seated without getting up.

He was not arrogant and spoke casually.

"Thank you, Master Zhu. Song Zhong has already had breakfast."

Song Zhong felt warm in his heart when he heard this, and he quickly spoke.

"Sit down."

"Thank you, Master Zhu."

At Zhu Ying's invitation, Song Zhong sat opposite Zhu Ying, but only half of his buttocks were sitting, with the other half hanging in the air.

"Funeral Song, why are you here at this time? What's the matter?" Zhu Ying asked.

"Reporting to Master Zhu, I came here under the order of Commander Jiang Li to see if Master Zhu needs anything from the Jinyiwei Yamen. Just let us know and we will do our best."

Song Zhong said immediately, his tone frank.

Zhu Ying smiled slightly when he heard this, knowing in his heart that this was the Jinyiwei coming to pledge their loyalty to him.

Perhaps this was also instructed by the old man, but no matter what, Zhu Ying certainly would not refuse.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Ying said, "I really have something that I need the help of the Royal Guards."

Song Zhong's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he immediately said, "Master Zhu, just give your orders. There is nothing in the capital that Jinyiwei and I cannot accomplish."

Zhu Ying nodded and said, "It's about the Xiaoling Mausoleum. I'm more interested in what happened in the tomb of Prince Yu of the Xiaoling Mausoleum ten years ago."

"I would also like to trouble Song Zhenfu to come and see if there are any files or something like that. Can you let me take a look at them?"

Zhu Ying had actually wanted to talk about this for a long time.

Because he has no memory of his previous life, he is actually quite curious about Zhu Xiongying.

However, Zhu Xiongying's existence is a taboo for the entire palace.

Even Zhu Ying now, after asking around, still couldn't find any news.

Just as Song Zhong said this, Zhu Ying said it casually.

When Song Zhong heard this, he immediately felt uncomfortable.

Just now he patted his chest and assured that he could handle anything in the capital.

According to the current functions of the Jinyiwei, this statement does not make sense.

But when it comes to the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Song Zhong feels a little embarrassed.

In terms of status between Jinyiwei and Xiaolingwei, Xiaolingwei was actually relatively higher.

Including welfare benefits and selection of elite personnel.

The Silijian ranked first among the Twelve Agencies of the Ming Dynasty, but in terms of status, the Shengongjian was more powerful.

Those who were able to go to the Shrine were generally older eunuchs, and when they left, they were considered upper-level eunuchs in the imperial palace.

For example, for Liu He, the current head of the Imperial Household Department, if he could live to the normal retirement age and had not been executed, it would be the best outcome for him to be transferred to the Shengong Department to retire in the current Ming Dynasty.

Song Zhong thought about it for a while, then stood up and said, "Please rest assured, Master Zhu. I will help you handle this matter right away."

"Okay, then I'll have to trouble Fushun Song." Zhu Ying nodded and replied.

After Song Zhong clasped his fists and bowed, he quickly left to handle the matter for Zhu Ying.

In fact, this matter is not complicated. In the name of Zhu Ying, or Your Majesty, it is of course just a small matter.

But what Jiang Li meant was that there were some things that he wanted the Jinyiwei Yamen to do directly for Zhu Ying, rather than going through His Majesty.

To a certain extent, Jiang Lin had already chosen his side before Zhu Ying entered the palace.

The implications of taking such a stand are quite far-reaching.

If your majesty were to pass away, Jiang Lin and all the people in the Jinyiwei Yamen would directly support Zhu Ying.

Of course, this is also what Zhu Yuanzhang meant.

After leaving Zhu Ying's courtyard, Song Zhong mounted his horse and quickly rushed back to the Jinyiwei Yamen, and immediately sent someone to report the matter to Commander Jiang Li.

When it comes to the Xiaoling Guard, only Jiang Lin can do it.

At this moment, Jiang Li was waiting in the back hall of Fengtian Palace, where the morning court was currently being held.

After receiving the news from Song Zhong, he went directly to the door of the back hall without any hesitation and informed Liu He's trusted eunuch about the matter.

The young eunuch walked into the Fengtian Hall and reported to Liu He.

After hearing this, Liu He saw that His Majesty was reviewing the memorials, so he went over and whispered to His Majesty, conveying Zhu Ying's request to His Majesty.

Would Zhu Yuanzhang refuse? Of course not, he was even a little happy.

"It seems that our eldest grandson is finally interested in the past. Notify the Shrine Office and transfer all the files related to our eldest grandson."

"I obey your order."

After receiving the imperial edict, Jiang Lin immediately ordered his subordinates to ride at full speed with the imperial edict, starting from the back door of the imperial palace, Xuanwu Gate, and heading straight to the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

From the back gate of the Daming Imperial Palace, it is less than ten miles to the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

The horses that can live in the palace are naturally good horses, and the riding skills of the riders are needless to say.

There is also a specially built road from Xuanwu Gate to Xiaoling Mausoleum. It takes about half an hour, or about an incense stick, to go back and forth by galloping on horseback.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang specifically ordered the commander of the Xiaoling Guard to support Zhu Ying.

It only takes half an hour for the Xiaoling Guard to descend the mountain and reach the palace. This is an extremely powerful military force, especially for suppressing unrest in the palace.

Between the Xiaoling Guard and the Jinyi Guard, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't think of anyone else in the entire capital who could stop them.

An hour later, Song Zhong appeared in the yard again with the file.

Zhu Ying was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect the speed to be so fast.

"I'm sorry to bother Song Zhenfu."

"It is Song Zhong's honor to serve Master Zhu."

Song Zhong was sweating profusely, and received Zhu Ying's affirmation. Needless to say, Song Zhong saw Zhu Ying preparing to look through the files, so he also said goodbye and left.

After Song Zhong left, Zhu Ying began to carefully look through Zhu Xiongying's files.

There are some normal records at the beginning, and Zhu Ying knows all of them.

But when I saw that the 1,200 guards of the Xiaoling Mausoleum were executed by Your Majesty and buried with him in the tomb of Prince Yu.

Zhu Ying's brows immediately frowned.