Although Lan Yu, Cao Zhen and others agreed verbally, they were somewhat disapproving in their hearts.

To put it bluntly, this is how brothers make money.

The brothers below are counting on this wave of looting to make a fortune. How can they get rich relying on the usual military pay?

Zhu Ying naturally had a thorough understanding of these situations long ago.

The only way to prevent this situation from happening is to improve the treatment of soldiers.

"I am not cutting off the way for my subordinates to make money, but I want to be more fair to the entire army."

"The current situation is actually a bad one for both soldiers and civilians."

"For example, some soldiers fought bravely, while others were afraid to move forward. But after the battle, the soldiers who were afraid to move forward collected more money."

"Do you think this is fair to the brave soldiers who fought so bravely?"

"Besides, this world belongs to the Ming Dynasty, and these people are the people of the Ming Dynasty. The money that the soldiers looted is the money of the Ming Dynasty."

"What kind of ability is it for one's own family to rob one's own family?"

"Or were they massacred like my benefactor? Are there no men in those villages who have served as soldiers?"

"The soldiers in the south plunder the parents and brothers of the soldiers in the north, and the soldiers in the north plunder the parents and brothers of the south. Tell me, this is what you want!"

"It's different now than it was before. Whether it's the south or the north, they all belong to the Ming Dynasty. Are you still stubborn and unwilling to change your ways?"

Zhu Ying started to shout sternly as he spoke the last part.

Upon hearing this, many generals began to waver.

Starting from Lan Yu, everyone fell into deep thought.

Undoubtedly, what His Royal Highness Chang Sun said makes a lot of sense. After all this fighting, what they are fighting for are still their own parents and brothers.

"But Your Highness, if this is the case, I am afraid that the brothers below will have a lot of opinions."

Hesitantly, Cao Zhen looked around and spoke.

Only he can say this.

In terms of seniority and merit, Cao Zhen ranked after Lan Yu. It was obviously not appropriate for Lan Yu to say this, and it was considered a last resort so as not to ruin the relationship with His Royal Highness Chang Sun.

Zhu Ying did not mean to blame him when he heard this, and explained: "I will explain this situation to Grandpa. In the initial plan, a military merit hierarchy will be established."

"Aren't you envious of the salaries of the guards of Xiaoling Mausoleum? The military merit system will classify the salaries of soldiers according to their length of service and military merit."

"Of course the pay of veterans and new recruits cannot be at the same level, especially for soldiers who have fought for half their lives."

The tiered military pay system was a move Zhu Ying had thought of long ago.

The ultimate goal is to guide the soldiers' thoughts towards the interests of their country and family.

The reason why Zhu Ying has such confidence comes mainly from the emergence of crops such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn.

You have to know that in the current Ming Dynasty, there are only more than 60 million people registered, and the total number is probably around 100 million.

Crops such as sweet potatoes can completely solve the food problem for most people in such a large territory.

This is the reason why Zhu Ying dares to reform.

The problem of food and clothing must be solved first before many reforms can follow up, otherwise everything will be empty talk.

No one comes to support us on an empty stomach.

After hearing this, many generals felt relieved.

Many veterans have been counting on this way to make money. If things really go south, even though it won’t lead to a mutiny, the problems involved will be huge.

After this matter set the tone, Lan Yu and others also had a general idea of ​​Zhu Ying's future governing direction.

In fact, this is very important to Zhu Ying.

The Huaixi military generals group undoubtedly supported him, so his ideas must be implemented among them.

If one cannot implement the power of one's own relatives, then reform is nonsense.

It will also affect Zhu Ying's control over power after he comes to power.

After finishing the serious business, they would clink glasses to ease the atmosphere.

…

When the news of the plague reached the capital, many people were unfamiliar with Prince Yu, including Zhu Yunwen.

"Mother, my brother has saved so many people this time. I'm afraid he will be greatly praised by Grandpa Emperor."

In the back hall of Chunhe Palace, Zhu Yunwen's tone was full of sourness.

Even though he felt that he could no longer maintain his position as the crown prince, he still wanted to struggle when he woke up in the middle of the night.

In fact, when Zhu Ying went to the plague area, Zhu Yunwen was always looking forward to hearing the news that his elder brother had been infected with the plague and died.

Unfortunately, Zhu Yunwen now doesn’t know Murphy’s Law.

The more you want something, the less likely you are to have it.

Zhu Yunwen was very clear that after this incident, his elder brother's reputation was completely established outside the palace.

Perhaps many people do not know the relationship between Prince Yu and the Emperor, and may even mistakenly think he is a certain prince, but this does not affect the eldest brother's great reputation when his identity is exposed.

Zhu Yunwen seemed to have seen it. I wonder how many literati would write poems and songs about this incident.

"That's good too. You don't need to count on anything. It seems your brother's abilities far exceed yours at the moment."

"Have you read about those methods to prevent the plague?"

When Mrs. Lu saw her son like this, instead of encouraging him, she belittled him.

The next sentence turned to asking Yun Wen about his thoughts on how to deal with the plague.

Zhu Yunwen immediately lowered his head and said, "The child hasn't had time to see it yet."

Lu said, "If you don't watch, how can you know your elder brother's ability, and how can you know how big the gap is between you and your elder brother."

"As for these methods of preventing the plague, in my opinion, if we only talk about governing the world, let alone you, even His Majesty is probably not up to the task."

"It's really hard to imagine what your elder brother has been through over the years to become so wise. Could it be that he survived a great disaster and was blessed by God?"

Speaking of the latter part, Lu was actually talking to himself.

Zhu Yunwen never expected that his own mother would actually boost the prestige of others. She is still his own mother.

A light bulb went off in my head.

Could it be because my eldest brother looks so much like my father that my mother loves him as well?

Zhu Yunwen knew best how much his mother loved his father.

Even now, my mother, who seems normal in front of others, actually cries secretly countless times at night.

There were even several times when Zhu Yunwen woke up in the middle of the night and found that his mother had gone to Renzhi Hall to visit his father.

When you think about it this way, it seems to be true.

Suddenly, Zhu Yunwen felt lonely. Even his own mother sided with his elder brother. What else could he do?

Lu was keenly aware of Zhu Yunwen's thoughts.

Of course, it’s not speculation about myself.

But she didn't say anything to comfort him.

In Lu's opinion, Zhu Xiongying is excellent and it's good that at least there will not be a situation where brothers kill each other.

It would also stop my son from dreaming of becoming the crown prince.

It's not bad to be a vassal king in peace and stability.

Seeing that his son didn't say anything, he seemed to be sulking.

Mrs. Lu started to teach him again, "Take a good look at your elder brother's method of dealing with the plague, and then compare it with your own. What would happen if you were faced with this matter?"

"Only in this way can you understand the gap between us. I have always told you not to study Confucianism all day long."

"To be frank, if you are far superior to your elder brother, you will still have a chance even if His Majesty likes you so much."

"But in this situation, don't keep any delusions and stay true to your identity as a younger brother. After all, he is still your father's eldest son and your elder brother."

"As for the court, mother cannot interfere, nor can she intervene too much. You are still so young, and you still have a long life ahead of you."

"If you can't let go of the grudges in your heart, then don't have any ambitions."

“Governing a country is governing, but governing a local area is not governing.”

As Zhu Yunwen listened, the confusion in his heart seemed to be slowly unravelling.

Although he was somewhat reluctant and unwilling, he also knew that this was the only way.

"Yun Wen, you have to know one thing. You have more than twenty uncles, but you only have these few brothers."

"Each generation of the emperor appoints his own ministers. Now that your father is gone, you and Yunhu are your eldest brother's closest brothers."

Lu stopped talking here. Sometimes, just stop at the point.

If Yun Wen doesn't even understand this, then there is no need to say more.

After Zhu Yunwen heard this, his eyes lit up and something came to his mind. He said:

"Mom, I heard a rumor earlier that Grandpa Emperor's original plan to send ten uncles to the vassal states next year seems to have changed a bit."

"It seems that some rules have been set. Only after they are fulfilled can one go to the vassal state. Otherwise, one can only stay in the capital."

Zhu Yunwen said somewhat uncertainly.

Before this, he had not thought about becoming a vassal, and even now, he does not pay much attention to it.

I heard it was because they practiced together.

Upon hearing this, Lu nodded.

The problem of the vassal kings was well known, and it was not surprising to Lu that Zhu Xiongying was handling the matter now.

"The epidemic in Henan is almost over now, and your eldest brother will probably be back soon. You can't be careless about the training, you have to participate attentively. I have also heard that this is a new training method."

"You must learn it clearly."

"Get in touch with your elder brother more often. No matter what, His Majesty's rules will not change drastically. There will always be a fiefdom for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen could only nod helplessly.