"These grandchildren are very knowledgeable, just let them do it."

"I came here today to see how the memorials for work-for-relief are being reviewed."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was smiling, his tone seemed a little grim.

Zhu Ying certainly understood the old man's idea. He took out three memorials from the desk and handed them to the old man, then said:

"It's not good to implicate too many people. These three are the most outrageous. Let's see if we can make others restrain themselves after we deal with them."

Zhu Ying said somewhat helplessly. He knew that the list in the old man's hand probably covered most of the memorials, but judging from the contents of the memorials, some of them did not need to be executed in a hurry.

"There are only three books." Zhu Yuanzhang said, then took the memorial and started flipping through it.

After reading the three memorials submitted by the ministers, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly became a little strange.

"Grandpa, why are you looking at me like that?"

Meeting the old man's gaze, Zhu Ying subconsciously looked at himself and then asked.

"Do you know these three people?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with some playfulness.

Zhu Ying shook his head and said, "I don't know him."

Zhu Yuanzhang grinned and said, "These three are all the adopted sons of the Duke of Liang."

Zhu Ying immediately understood why the old man's look was so strange just now. In a sense, these three people could be considered half of her family.

However, Zhu Ying did not hesitate. He just thought for a moment and said, "I will say hello to Duke Liang tomorrow. I will definitely not let him go. Let's see what his attitude is."

"Okay, let's not worry about this matter. Anyway, you are the one who came up with the idea, so you can decide how to deal with it." Zhu Yuanzhang said directly.

Zhu Ying nodded seriously.

Lan Yu has too many adopted sons under his command, and he has already taken precautions. I think Lan Yu himself should understand this.

After dinner, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the palace, but Zhu Ying did not follow him.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang asked him to sleep in the palace for one night, Zhu Ying refused.

Today, he talked a lot with the old man, basically covering everything from people's livelihood to military affairs.

The reason why they talked so much was that Zhu Ying realized that his position was already unbreakable after meeting Lan Yu.

Now Zhu Ying can carry out drastic reforms on the overall level of the Ming Dynasty.

These reforms will involve the interests of many people and will also create a number of new interest groups. Under such circumstances, he must first convince the old man to support him unwaveringly before the reforms can be successful.

Especially in the economic field, it can be said to be contrary to the old man’s previous policies.

Only if we convince the old man first, the rest will go smoothly.

"They say Grandpa is very irritable, but I think he's easy to talk to. The rumors really aren't to be believed."

As the sun set, Zhu Ying stretched lazily in the yard and said to himself.

I wonder if those ministers who were executed by Zhu Yuanzhang would crawl out of the ground and confront Zhu Ying if they heard Zhu Ying’s voice.

…

"Aunt, if you want to see Big Brother, just go directly. You are not unfamiliar with the place, so why drag me along?"

In the Prince of Yan's Mansion, Zhu Gaochi looked at Xu Miaojin in front of him and said helplessly.

With Zhu Gaochi's physique, it was impossible for him to go on the expedition with the army, so he had to stay in the capital for the time being.

However, the relationship between Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Ying has become a little subtle.

Ever since he knew that Zhu Ying was his elder brother, Zhu Gaochi didn't have too many thoughts, but he knew all about some things on his father's side.

Until recently, when Zhu Gaochi learned about Yao Guangxiao's affairs, this concept became completely different.

As if there was a barrier between them suddenly, Zhu Gaochi did not visit Zhu Ying again during this period.

But I didn’t expect that my aunt Xu Miaojin would come here by herself after dinner.

"Hmph, if I can go by myself, why would I ask you to do that? Just tell me straight out loud whether you will take me there tomorrow or not." Xu Miaojin said coldly.

After saying this, seeing that Zhu Gaochi didn't seem to care, he added, "If you don't take me with you, I will write a letter to my elder sister in your house tomorrow, saying that you bullied me and asked her to teach you a lesson."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaochi immediately knew that he could not escape. If this matter were to be reported to his mother, Zhu Gaochi would be really worried.

When he was living in Prince Yan's Mansion in Beiping, it was his mother who had always protected him. If Xu Miaojin really made a fuss, he would be the only one who would suffer.

After a slight hesitation, Zhu Gaochi could only helplessly say: "Okay, I will bring my aunt to see my brother tomorrow."

"Brother?"

Xu Miaojin was very happy to hear that, but then she was a little confused about Zhu Gaochi's address of "big brother" just now.

No matter how incompetent Zhu Gaochi was in the circle of royal grandchildren, he should have understood the concept of the word "big brother" and that it was not something that could be called casually.

The last time we went on a cruise on the Qinhuai River together, I also called him "Yingge'er". How did he become the eldest brother now?

"Yes, it's my eldest brother. His Majesty Prince Yu of Xiaoling should have heard of him. Grandfather Emperor has confirmed my eldest brother's identity. I think he will be able to enter the palace soon."

Zhu Gaochi explained.

When Xu Miaojin heard this, her pink little mouth opened wide and her eyes were full of shock.

A businessman, a very handsome and talented businessman, suddenly turned into the emperor's eldest grandson?

Xu Miaojin was completely stunned.

This is the excuse my nephew made because he didn't want to take me with him.

However, the clever Xu Miaojin quickly realized that this kind of joke was definitely not something that could be made.

Even she, who was secluded in her boudoir, had heard about the rumors about the Xiaoling Mausoleum before. It had been a topic of conversation for a long time, and everyone in the mansion was discussing it non-stop, so it was hard for her not to know about it.

At this moment, Xu Miaojin had no other thoughts in her mind and was only happy for Zhu Ying.

"That's what I said. How could a man like that be just a businessman?"

Xu Miaojin recalled Zhu Ying's face and temperament, and thought to herself.

But then, her little face became a little sad.

"The eldest grandson of the Ming emperor, this is completely different."

Xu Miaojin, with a bitter face, suddenly sat down quietly and didn't say anything, like an eggplant wilted by frost.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Xu Miaojin strangely and asked, "Aunt, you are not in love with my brother, are you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I've only met him once, how can I talk about liking him? Don't talk nonsense."

Hearing this, Xu Miaojin immediately stood up like a cat with its fur standing on end and yelled at Zhu Gaochi.

Seeing his aunt's intense reaction, Zhu Gaochi looked strange and said tentatively, "Should we go find Big Brother tomorrow?"

"I...I...of course I'm going to go. Why not? We've already agreed on this."

Xu Miaojin hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and spoke directly.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi had no other thoughts. Although he had never come into contact with girls, he could still see through some simple social etiquette.

"A few days ago, my eldest brother came over with a rumor that there had been new developments in firearms, but that day happened to be when my father went to war, so I didn't have time to go over."

"My eldest brother was a little busy at the back, so I didn't go to cause trouble. It's just right that we can go together tomorrow."

Zhu Gaochi frankly said that seeing his aunt like this, his curiosity obviously overcame the subtle embarrassment.

"Okay, it's a deal."

Xu Miaojin said take care.

…

Nanjing Outer Post Station.

"We will arrive in the capital tomorrow. No matter how fast we hurry, we will make it. If we miss the Qixi Festival, it will be a great sin for us."

Zhao Fei, the commander of the troops sent by Zhu Ying to Annan, had just arrived at the post station and looked at the sky and said.

After more than half a month, they finally arrived.

Hearing this, a cavalryman who had dismounted from his horse could not help but ask, "Brother Zhao, none of us have ever met the boss. I heard from Shen Kuo that Brother Zhao has been with the boss for a long time. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, all the surrounding cavalrymen looked over, even Chen Muyue and her maid Xiaoqing slowed down their movements.

Chen Muyue wanted to know who this boss who had tied her up as his concubine was and what he looked like.

Along the way, she used the identity of Xiaoqing's maid to find out more about the matter so as to facilitate her future plans.

After all, he was from the Annan royal family, so he could guess that the power of this host family was probably extremely strong. From the casual conversations among the cavalrymen, his powerful subordinates were just the tip of the iceberg.

"Of course. When the boss came to the desert to open up the trade route, I was one of his companions. I not only had meals with him, but also drank with him."

Zhao Fei said with some pride after hearing this.

These words made everyone even more curious about the boss whom they had never met but admired very much.

Li Laosi even walked over and said quickly, "Brother Zhao is amazing. Tell us more about the boss. We have never seen the boss before. This is the first time we meet him, and we don't know what he looks like."

"You are a good guy, Li Laosi, you are always nosy. Why are you asking about these things? When we enter the capital tomorrow, you will naturally have a chance to meet the boss. Why do you need me to tell you?" Zhao Fei scolded with a smile.

"Brother Zhao, why don't you just chat with the brothers? The food at the post station will take a while to arrive. If you keep us on suspense, we won't be able to enjoy the meal later."

"That's right, Zhao, tell me, is the boss nine feet tall, strong and powerful, just like Guan Erye?"

"Master Guan has a red face. He is a hero like Uncle Liu after all."

"You may not know this, but I heard that the boss is extremely strong, just like the Overlord of Chu."

As soon as the conversation started, the courtyard of the post station suddenly became lively, and the soldiers talked about their employer's situation.

"Go away, stop talking nonsense. None of it is accurate. You are just talking about Uncle Liu, who is slightly related." Zhao Fei scolded.

When the soldiers heard this, they became excited and immediately clamored for Zhao Fei to tell them the story.

"I'm a little thirsty."

Li Laosi next to him immediately took off his water bag and handed it over.

Zhao Fei took a sip and said, "It's not a good idea to talk while standing. Even the storytellers in the teahouse have a stool to sit on."

As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier rushed into the inner room, brought in a stool, and considerately wiped the dust off with his sleeve.

After sitting down, Zhao Fei looked at the expectant expressions of his many brothers and felt very satisfied.

He glanced over and noticed that Princess Anxiu and her beautiful maid were also listening attentively, which made him even more excited.

He imitated the storyteller's gesture of slamming the gavel on the table, and slapped the bluestone next to him with a loud bang, then said with a grin, "Speaking of which, Boss, that is..."

…

"Yueqing, I think I'm getting used to living here these days."

The small streets along the Qinhuai River were sparsely populated, and Zhu Ying took Ye Yueqing for a walk alone.

Zhu Ying felt uncomfortable staying in the yard all the time. In his previous life, he also liked traveling and seeing everywhere.

"Reporting to the boss, everything is fine." Ye Yueqing followed the boss half a step behind. Hearing the boss's question, she felt flattered.

"Don't be so restrained. You'll have a long time to follow me in the future." Zhu Ying stopped and motioned Ye Yueqing to walk to his side, not behind him.

"Yes, Boss."

Ye Yueqing lowered her head slightly, and a blush appeared in the moonlight. She was originally full of heroic spirit, but suddenly she looked a little like a girl.

However, Zhu Ying didn't pay too much attention to it. Seeing Ye Yueqing following him, he continued walking.

Looking at the bustling lights and the sound of the Qinhuai River on both sides, I felt deeply moved.

To this day, he still feels like he is in a dream.

However, Zhu Ying had a certain purpose for coming out for a walk today, which was mainly to have an in-depth exchange with Ye Yueqing.

Now Ye Yueqing is equivalent to Zhu Ying's personal female official, and some of the intelligence information controlled by Zhang Bo is being transferred to Ye Yueqing.

Zhu Ying has always paid great attention to the people around him.

Zhu Ying had already looked into Ye Yueqing's identity and background several times.

"After all these years, have you found your family?" After walking for a short distance, Zhu Ying asked again.

Ye Yueqing's expression changed when she heard this, and she shook her head slightly and said, "No."

According to Ye Yueqing's information, she has an older brother and a younger brother. Her mother died during childbirth, but her father is still alive.

But in the early years, they got separated while fleeing famine.

In the files about Ye Yueqing, it is recorded that Ye Yueqing asked the Chamber of Commerce for help in finding his family many times.

However, the population is so vast and they are all fleeing famine, so nothing has been achieved so far.

"Regarding your family, I will give the information to the Royal Guards. They are good at finding people. As long as your family still lives in the territory of the Ming Dynasty, it won't be too difficult to find them according to the household registration of the Ministry of Households."

"I think your father has always been a man of talent and learning. He will most likely stay in the Ming Dynasty and will not go to the barbaric lands outside. If we send a message to the nearby counties, we may be able to gain something."

Zhu Ying said that this is the advantage of household registration. Even if you flee from famine, there will be a record of your household registration.

Moreover, the government generally keeps detailed records of the movement routes of refugees fleeing famine.

Previously, the Zhuying Chamber of Commerce had considerable power, but it was nothing compared to the government.

Things are different now than in the past. Zhu Ying only needs to give an order to query the household registration of the place through the post station.

"Thank you, boss." Ye Yueqing hesitated for a moment and said through gritted teeth.

She actually didn't want to trouble her employer, but her family's expectations were what she had been looking forward to day and night.

Zhu Ying was very satisfied with Ye Yueqing's change, and then said, "By the way, remember to send a letter to the Duke of Liang's mansion tomorrow, asking my uncle to come to my place."