The next day, in the Jinyiwei prison.
Xia Yuanji seemed a little confused. He really didn't understand what was going on.
He just went to the Ministry of War next door and asked for information related to yesterday's documents.
After waiting for less than half an hour, he was taken directly to the prison by people from the Jinyiwei Yamen not far away.
The Jinyiwei Prison is a common name for ordinary people, and there is also a more elegant name: the Imperial Prison.
The Imperial Prison is different from the Grand Prison. Although they are both prisons, ordinary criminals are not qualified to enter the Imperial Prison. They can only come in if they are involved in royal events or if the emperor gives the order.
To put it another way, those who can enter the Jinyiwei Prison are not ordinary people.
At this moment, the Jinyiwei came to deliver breakfast. Xia Yuanji hurried to the front of the cell and shouted, "What have I done wrong? How can you Jinyiwei arrest me without permission?"
Xia Yuanji's tone was extremely aggrieved. After he arrived at the cell, he thought about it for a long time and immediately realized that it must be related to the matter of the blank document. It must be the person behind the scenes who took action.
Anyone who dares to use blank documents nowadays must be an extremely powerful person, and he will use some means to imprison himself as soon as he gets the news.
"What a noise, this is your home. I don't care how you got in, but since you're here, you better behave yourself, or I'll have to take care of you."
The jailer scolded and then handed over a few buns. It was none of his business whether he ate them or not.
"My dear, I am the head of the Ministry of Revenue of the Sichuan Provincial Administration. Can you help me pass a message to the Ministry of Revenue?" Xia Yuanji said hurriedly.
The Jinyiwei jailer sneered and said, "Don't mention that you are a director of the Ministry of Revenue of the Provincial Administration Department. In this imperial prison, even many ministers and assistant ministers have been imprisoned. I advise you to stay here peacefully."
"Besides, how could you not know what you have done wrong? Just stay here honestly, and when it comes time for interrogation, tell everything you know. Perhaps you can suffer less punishment." The Jinyiwei jailer in the imperial prison prepared to leave after delivering breakfast.
"I request to see His Majesty." Xia Yuanji said in a deep voice. He believed that as long as he told His Majesty everything, the truth would be revealed and he would be cleared of all charges.
He never thought that he would be sent to the Jinyiwei prison.
Xia Yuanji, who lost his father at an early age, was a diligent and conscientious person who never overstepped the line. During the Hongwu period, although he was appreciated by Zhu Yuanzhang, he had not yet truly become independent.
Xia Yuanji is not well-known now, but in history, after the Jingnan Campaign, he was the first Minister of Finance of the Ming Dynasty under Zhu Di, and was a truly capable minister.
Zhu Di was later able to lead his troops to various places in person, but this was inseparable from Xia Yuanji's overall planning and dispatch. Even in the end, it was Xia Yuanji who persuaded Zhu Di to give up the idea of continuing the war.
The History of Ming Dynasty praised Xia Yuanji as "a man of great responsibility" and "a great minister of the clan", saying that his life was "an example for others". It also praised Xia Yuanji with the words in the Book of Documents, which said "seek wise men to assist your successors".
Yao Guangxiao commented on Xia Yuanji: "He is the legacy of ancient people."
To put it in more common terms, Xia Yuanji had the same talents as Heshen of the Qing Dynasty, but his character was far superior to Heshen's.
But it is obvious that in this imperial prison, everyone who comes in protests their injustice, and everyone asks to see His Majesty.
Too lazy to pay attention, the jailer just left.
…
"Is this the sweet potato that my eldest grandson mentioned?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, picking up an oval potato covered in dirt.
In the courtyard by the Qinhuai River, several carts of grain had already arrived.
"Grandpa, what you are holding is called potato. Sweet potato is this kind, slightly red." Zhu Ying explained without laughing at the old man for not understanding.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care about the dirt on it at all, and even wiped it with his sleeve. It looked like he wanted to take a bite to try the flavor.
"No, grandpa, potatoes can't be eaten raw. It's easy to cause poisoning, but sweet potatoes are okay." Upon seeing this, Zhu Ying hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang put down the potatoes in his hand.
At Zhu Ying's signal, Liu Sheng next to him took out a knife, quickly peeled a sweet potato, then knelt on the ground, held the sweet potato in his hands with silk, and respectfully handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
His raised hands were unusually firm, but his body was shaking constantly.
"I'm not a tiger, so why are you afraid of me? I won't eat you." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and joked.
"Your Majesty, I am nervous. I am shocked by your sacred appearance and am so excited that I cannot control myself." Liu Sheng replied quickly.
"What's there to be excited about? Our eldest grandson has been with you for so many years." Zhu Yuanzhang replied with a smile, then picked up the peeled sweet potato and asked Liu Sheng to stand up.
After Liu Sheng kowtowed again to express his gratitude, he stood up and nodded slightly, standing respectfully. Even so, his legs were still a little weak.
He had never thought that he would see the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty with his own eyes. This was completely different from the kings of those small countries in the Western Regions. He was a real emperor and the ruler of the entire boundless territory of the Ming Dynasty.
What shocked him even more was that his teacher was actually the eldest grandson of the Ming Emperor. Excited, thrilled, nervous, and all other words were unable to describe Liu Sheng's feelings at the moment.
Naturally, the one who shared the same mood as him was Li Xiucai who was standing next to him.
There was nothing but ecstasy in Li Xiucai's eyes. He guessed right. It turned out that the boss could really cover the sky with one hand in the Ming Dynasty.
No, it’s not that he can cover the sky with one hand, but that the Dong family is the sky of this Ming Dynasty.
Li Xiucai, who understood the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, could easily think that after the death of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, it was very likely that the Dong family would be the successor to the Ming Dynasty.
"This sweet potato tastes sweet, it's quite good." Zhu Yuanzhang finished a sweet potato in a few bites and then said with a smile.
"For dinner tonight, I will prepare a feast of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn for grandpa," Zhu Ying replied.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very interested when he heard this. When he was about to agree, his peripheral vision happened to sweep over these grains. He paused for a moment and said, "Forget it. We'll just eat them for the freshness. It's better to plant these grains as soon as possible."
"If we plant crops earlier, we can distribute them earlier. For the two of us, this grain is a chance to survive, but for the people, it is a chance to survive."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with some regret that he was not an emperor who was greedy for pleasure.
Zhu Ying nodded when he heard this and said to the old man, "Grandpa, all of my subordinates know how to grow crops. Let's find a place to grow crops first. After a few months, we can distribute the seeds on a large scale."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction. It was no exaggeration to call these crops in front of him the treasures of the entire Ming Dynasty. Countless people would live because of them in the future.
He was not in a hurry to tell his eldest grandson that it would be done in his name. There were not many grain seeds now, and after planting one season, his grandson would become famous all over the world.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, he had even thought of how to spread his eldest grandson's reputation.
These high-yield crops have arrived, and Zhu Ying has gradually figured out the old man's character over the past few days.
Or perhaps the most important thing is the old man's attitude towards himself.
After dinner, Zhu Ying began to discuss the establishment of many schools in the study.
The first batch of schools to be opened was the Agricultural School.
It is called a school, but in fact it is equivalent to the concept of a research institute in later generations. It is a real government office of the Ming Dynasty and also has official ranks.
If Ming Dynasty wants to become truly prosperous, food is absolutely a crucial issue.
Although potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn can alleviate the phenomenon of starvation to a certain extent, other crops such as wheat, corn, and rice cannot be abandoned.
The key to these crops is fertilizer. Although fertilizer cannot be developed all at once, we have to start researching it eventually.
The second is the School of Craftsmen, which is used for the planning and construction of the Ming Dynasty, and the School of Engineering, which is used for the design and use of tools of the Ming Dynasty.
There is also a separate firearms school.
This is the true meaning that the Ming Dynasty turned the research on firearms into a complete discipline. The subsequent development of the matchlock gun was one aspect, and more of the same research included cannons.
Cannons and gunpowder are also indispensable. Zhu Ying clearly understands that a single matchlock gun is not an invincible weapon. For example, sieges and water stations naturally require cannons.
There is no great need for a medical school. It would be better to directly restructure the Imperial Medical Bureau.
In the Imperial College, we can also add more teachers and categories of these related subjects.
Only in this way can we truly enhance the overall national strength of the entire Ming Dynasty from multiple aspects, rather than just studying firearms and only thinking about expanding territory.
"I am very pleased with your thoughts. I can see that although you, my great grandson, are also thinking about conquering the territory like me, you have not relaxed on domestic affairs."
"We have agreed to everything you said. When the time comes, you can contact the Ministry of Revenue to see if there is anything they need. You can do it anywhere." Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes. He was a little full, so he took a sip of tea after he finished speaking.
"I have already made up my mind about these things. Only regarding the Agricultural School, I would like to borrow one person from grandpa." Zhu Ying replied.
"Oh, who does the eldest grandson want?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously. It was obvious that the eldest grandson would have summoned ordinary people directly, but the fact that he could specifically say it meant that there were other connections.
"Grandpa, it's my fifth uncle." Zhu Ying replied directly.
周王朱橚是藩王，可不是随便就能滞留，按照朱元璋之前的安排，藩王都有自己的藩地任务，也不能随意离开。
藩王的一切事宜，必须要通过皇帝的允许才可以，所以朱英才特别说道。
听到关于老五朱橚，朱元璋也不意外，虽然老五有些不务正业，不过医术这些确实不错，自己将其禁足时候，老五就一直潜心写书。
这和老二朱樉完全不同，性子更加沉稳一下。
关于老五和冯胜的事情，朱元璋曾经猜忌过，不过现在看来也没太多的问题。
主要还是如今大孙回归有了变化，曾经立下功劳的武将们，又有了新的作用，所以对于武将这块，朱元璋目前的心思也淡了很多。
“大孙既然觉得老五不错，那咱就给他说上一声，让他先跟大孙把这个农学堂开办起来，至于藩地。”
“哼，就他那心思都去了医书里，藩地有他没他也无甚区别，便就让有炖孙儿去处理吧。”
朱元璋直接一锤定音，反正就算老五回藩地，还是整那些花花草草，不如跟大孙干点正事，真要有所成就，也算是不错了。
这些个儿子，朱元璋也是操碎了心，终归都是自己的亲骨肉。
身为藩王却喜欢当大夫，在朱元璋看来便就是不务正业。
得到老爷子的首可，朱英也开始筹划起来。
……
次日清晨，朱英便先把这些作物，安排在军营的附近种植。
本来朱英的意思，便是让老爷子安排户部接手，不过老爷子没同意，说是户部那些人没经验，还是大孙自己人靠谱，免得出差错。
朱英也没多想，完事后就直奔朱橚周王府去。
“秀才，我这不是在梦里吧，老师真是皇帝陛下长孙呢。”哪怕已经在院子里睡了一觉醒来，看着在众多锦衣卫缇骑簇拥下离开的老师。
刘胜有些不可思议的说道。
实在是这样的变化，太让人瞪目结舌了。
熟悉老师的麾下群英商会买卖的刘胜很清楚，老师干的那些买卖，大部分都是被大明禁止的。
各类走私，尤其是雪花盐的走私，更是手段层出不穷。
这一刻刘胜突然想起，好像大明这边，有不少的官员，都接收过老师的孝敬钱粮。
想到这里，刘胜不由露出诡异的笑容。
“你想啥呢，笑得这渗人。”李秀才还想搭话来着，就见到刘胜双目出神，而后更是歪嘴笑了起来。
刘胜回过神来，说道：“你说边疆官吏，还有那些跟老师交好的盐官，现在会是如何，这些人，每年可没少收咱们的东西，一个个肥得流油。”
李秀才道：“老刘，别的不说，日后讲话得注意些，这里是大明，非西域那些蛮夷之地，老师可不能随便叫，得称殿下才是。”
李秀才语气有点酸，刘胜这个老家伙，都六七十了，还一口一个老师。
曾经也就无所谓了，但东家现在什么身份，那可是皇明嫡长孙，日后的大明皇帝。
这般算下来，刘胜等人东家曾经的弟子，岂不是会成为天子门生。
这让苦读多年的李秀才，心里如何能想得通。
告诫一番后，李秀才有些不屑的回道：“以东家的性子，这些人怕是没啥好下场，如今大明最恶贪官污吏，不知多少官吏倒在这贪上面。”
“曾经那些收了东家的银子的，怕是连本带利吐出来都不够。”
听到这话，刘胜嘿嘿冷笑。
想起之前求那些官吏办事的时，那一个个趾高气昂的样子，刘胜顿时感觉到极度舒爽了。
……
周王府，
朱橚依旧在研读医书，手中还拿着笔，随时在做着笔记。
哪怕是朱英走到书案面前，也没有丝毫察觉。
‘果然不是什么人，都能达到这般高度的。’
朱英见此，心中颇为感叹，朱橚取得的成就，算是世界闻名的层次，很高了。
没有打扰，朱英就这么坐在朱橚的前面，仆人送来茶水，静静的等候。
不是什么礼贤下士，而是朱英认为，做学问到这等程度，真没必要去打扰。
学堂的事，也不是个把时辰能够急出来的。
大半个时辰后，或许是脖子有些不舒服了，朱橚这才抬头。
“皇侄，你怎么来了，你什么时候来的。”抬头的朱橚看到朱英就坐对面，整个人都懵了。
“没来许久，看到五叔正在研读，便就没有打扰。”朱英笑着回道。
“这这真是，哎……是我的错，让皇侄久等了。”朱橚满脸不好意思的说道。
对于朱英来说，现在的朱橚有些相当于老宅男的那种类型，不过作为藩王，也有一番气度，只是对于喜爱非常深入。
“你我叔侄间，没必要讲究这些，过于客气就没了一家人的感觉了。”朱英笑着回道，语气温和。
听到一家人这样的话，朱橚显得有些感动。
父皇，亦或是其他兄弟，几乎没跟他说过这些。
“对了，侄儿这番过来，是有正事想请五叔帮忙。”朱英也没转弯抹角，直接说道。
“皇侄但说无妨，但凡是我能办到的，绝不迟疑。”朱橚信誓旦旦的说道，刚才的感动还留在心间。
朱英闻言，便将开办农学堂的事情，和朱橚讲述起来，甚至深入说到关于水稻培育方式。
譬如除虫，肥料等等。
这一番话，听得朱橚眼睛发亮。
朱橚本社喜欢植物，是所有的植物，包含水稻在内，甚至很多野菜，那些地方能吃不能吃，都是朱橚自己动手实验。
这里的话，或许有些残忍，后世关于朱橚的记载，也有残暴的名头。
不同于神农尝百草，朱橚是让别人代替实验，一般是犯人，有时候也会让下人吃，然后观察情况。
朱橚毕竟是藩王，在藩地开封，宋宫故地也不缺人，给一些钱粮，有的是人自愿上门。
“只是我在京师怕是待不了多长，最迟大哥下葬后，就须返回封地。”
朱橚很是意动，这跟他的兴趣非常相符，而且从朱英的口中，他了解到这个学堂将会聚集大量跟自己志同道合的人。
他不大夫，这事他跟别人说过很多次，但很多人根本不理解这其中的区别。
从朱英的话语中，他感受到认同感。
这该死的认同感，让朱橚现在都有一种想要抛弃藩王身份，跟着朱英一同成就农业堂的冲动。
朱英怎么说在前世也是得过金牌讲师荣誉称号，对于谈话的节奏，尤其是挑起他人兴趣相关的话术，研究得也不少。
更别提朱橚，或者说大明如今几乎所有人，都会受到目光的限制，见识上面远远不能和朱英相提并论。
在朱英述说的蓝图中，朱橚将会是带领着数以万计的学生，同道中人，研究出高产的水稻，甚至是除虫的药剂，能够让土地极为肥沃的肥料。
这些，不就是目前朱橚的志向吗，甚至说，朱英将的这些，比朱橚心中的志向还要来得更为高档一点，是朱橚本身从未想过的境界。
“五叔只管放心，爷爷那边我已经说过了，爷爷也很支持关于农学堂的创办。并且爷爷还让我给五叔带句话。”
“他相信你。”
朱英听到朱橚的担忧，直接说道，而后更是说出朱橚最为在乎的四个字。
前半段是欣喜，当听到那四个字的时候，朱橚忽然呆住，眼眶瞬间就湿透了。
他是多么想要得到父皇的肯定，这么多年以来，自从他开始喜欢医书，父皇就对他很是失望，中间也说过多次，要务正事。
他知道父皇是疼他的，不然也不会把开封给他当藩地。
在他九岁的时候，还曾经把吴地封给他，那可是大明财赋之地，足可见父皇的重视。
只是他是真的喜欢草药本身，这是一种天然的喜欢，沉迷其中难以自拔。
和岳父那次会面，他只是想去凤阳找点药草，却让父皇对他开始怀疑，甚至贬到云南，又召回京师禁足。
他也清楚，父皇之所以召他回京师，就是怕云南那等地方太苦，苦了自己。
从小的朱橚身体就不太好，父皇这是对自己担忧。
只是当时的朱橚，心中冰凉。
父皇口口声声说亲情，却对他如此不信任，以至于当时的朱橚，大门不出二门不迈，干脆彻底的沉迷书中。
三年过去，他终于是等来了父皇的这句话。
看得面前哭得跟一个泪人般的周王朱橚，朱英心中也有一些感叹。
不管是朱棣也好，还是其他如朱樉，朱棡，甚至是其他更小的皇子。
对于父皇朱元璋，所有人都是打心底就极为崇拜。
在他们的心中，从小父亲就是自己的偶像，尤其是比较年长的几位就藩的亲王。
无论对外多么强势，在父皇面前，也是如同绵羊般的温顺。
好一会，朱橚才反应过来，有些歉意的说道：“让皇侄见笑了。”
Zhu Ying said softly, "Uncle Wu, I can understand. In fact, in Grandpa's heart, all the uncles are like the palms and backs of his hands. They are all flesh and blood. How can Grandpa not feel distressed?"
After hearing this, the gap between Zhu Su and his father suddenly disappeared, and his whole mental outlook became somewhat different.
It looks like the feeling of going from a otaku to an elite white-collar worker.
"Since the emperor father has agreed to this matter, then I have nothing to hesitate about. I will leave it to my nephew to decide what to do next." Zhu Su said, changing his previous decadent tone.
Zhu Ying also nodded heavily and said, "The Agricultural School is related to the livelihood of the people of the world. Whether the people of the Ming Dynasty can have enough food in the future, I will leave it to my uncle."
After he finished speaking, Zhu Ying bowed deeply to Zhou Wang Zhu Su.