Now Lan Yu and others are naturally strong supporters of Zhu Ying. It can be said that their interests are completely tied to Zhu Ying.

But Zhu Ying didn't see it that way.

Even if Lan Yu and others supported him, Zhu Ying knew very well that their contributions had reached a limit.

Just like Lan Yu, he is already a duke. If he continues to make meritorious contributions, what next level he can move up to?

Then the only thing left is the enthronement of the prince.

Zhu Yuanzhang conferred titles on many kings, but they were all conferred posthumously, and their symbolic significance was more important.

If Zhu Ying relied on Lan Yu and made great use of Lan Yu and others in military affairs, then what about waiting until Lan Yu made further contributions in the later period?

This is what it means to be more successful than your master.

This is also the reason why Zhu Ying has not had too much contact with military generals and nobles headed by Lan Yu until now, and even kept his distance to a certain extent.

In departments such as the Public Security Bureau, the Public Security Department, and the Public Security Bureau, most of the people employed are from the Huaixi Military Generals Group.

Even Lan Yu's nephew was sent out.

There were more than 20,000 people in total, among which more than 3,000 officials were all from Lan Yu's faction.

Including the captains of the yamen runners below, most of them were members of the Huaixi military generals group. When the list was drawn up, Zhu Ying handed over all the power to Lan Yu.

And hinted to him that good things should be given to family members.

Having gotten the hint, Lan Yu would not be polite and naturally gave everything that was asked for.

Many thousand households volunteered to go.

After all, according to the general consciousness of the Ming Dynasty at that time, even when Zhu Yuanzhang killed corrupt officials on a large scale, people still believed that being an official was better than being a soldier.

Moreover, there are many smart people who can see that the Ming Dynasty is becoming more and more stable.

Then the military generals will have fewer opportunities to make meritorious services.

Even those who have not received much education understand that in peacetime, military power is not as good as civil power, and soldiers are not as good as officers.

As a result, a large number of middle-level soldiers signed up.

Many of those who were not selected were filled with regret, and finally they calmed down a little after they were persuaded that there would be the next batch.

From Zhu Ying's perspective, on another level, the soldiers under Lan Yu and others left, and many officer positions were vacant.

And before this, the Black Armor Guards under Zhu Ying's command, even the most basic soldiers, were promoted to small flag officers.

Although Zhu Ying did not come into contact with these Black Armor Guards every day, they had already been labeled as Changsun's soldiers, and they themselves were proud to be Changsun's soldiers.

Control of the military gradually began to shift to Zhu Ying.

This time, as the Huaixi nobles cannot be used for Tian Jiucheng, it is natural to choose someone who is closer to him.

The seventeenth prince Zhu Quan is a very good choice.

As for Zhu Quan, his uncle who had great military strategy, Zhu Ying still felt that he was more reliable in this regard.

After all, from a historical perspective, Zhu Quan, as a concubine's son, was valued by Zhu Yuanzhang, which fully demonstrated his ability.

At this time, hearing his eldest grandson's suggestion that Zhu Quan lead the army to fight, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his eldest grandson and said with a smile:

"It seems that my eldest grandson has a very good eye. I have been optimistic about Zhu Quan for a long time. Originally, I wanted him to guard a place at the border."

"Now that Da Sun said to let him go to Shaanxi, it is a good choice."

Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to Zhu Quan.

In history, King Ning Zhu Quan was known as the leader of the Nine Great Kings of the Frontier.

Not to mention the various vassal states in the interior, even the princes like the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Yan, and the Prince of Su, who commanded powerful troops among the kings guarding the frontiers, were far inferior to the Ning vassal’s guards in terms of strength.

Moreover, Zhu Quan's mother was given the status of imperial concubine only after he died, which was a rare case of a mother becoming noble because of her son.

The current Prince Ning is almost fifteen years old.

Even in the later Jingnan Campaign, to be honest, Zhu Quan also made great contributions to Zhu Di.

The three guards of Doyan are one aspect.

During that period, Zhu Quan was bewitched by Zhu Di, but he provided him with many suggestions and led the army, otherwise Zhu Di might not have been so successful.

"Grandpa, then I will go to the Gunpowder Department first to inspect the condition of the matchlock guns and see if they can be used."

Zhu Ying stood up and replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement.

…

East Palace, Chunhe Hall.

Zhu Yunwen has been a little lost recently. He stood at the gate of the Chunhe Palace, staring at the gate blankly for a long time without moving.

Ever since that day when his eldest brother Zhu Ying was announced as the crown prince, Zhu Yunwen has always felt empty in his heart.

Not only did I lose focus on studying, I also couldn’t sleep well at night and my mental state was very bad.

He knew very well that Chunhe Palace, in name, belonged to his eldest brother.

From that day on, he moved out of the main palace and went to live in the back hall with Lu and his brothers.

Although the eldest brother did not come to live here, many people could see that he had no intention of moving into the East Palace.

But as the younger brother, Zhu Yunwen was not suitable to live in the main hall.

Fortunately, he was more accustomed to the back hall. After all, it had only been four months since he moved from the back hall to the main hall, where his father once lived.

At this time, Huang Zicheng came over.

Recently, Huang Zicheng has behaved very calmly. Apart from tutoring Zhu Yunwen in his studies, he has never said anything about a certain minister.

He is very good at fulfilling his duties.

"Your Highness, why worry so much? People should always look forward. The current situation is already very good for Your Highness."

"Your Highness should have known a lot about His Highness Chang Sun's temperament in recent days. He is very similar to His Highness the Crown Prince, so there is no need for you to worry."

Huang Zicheng persuaded.

During these days, Zhu Yunwen became increasingly thinner, and everyone could see it clearly.

Zhu Yunwen turned his head dazedly, looked at Huang Zicheng, and said, "Sir, all I know is that I've been a little confused recently."

Huang Zicheng sighed softly.

Then he continued, "I feel sorry for your Highness when I see you like this, but the one who feels even worse than me is the Crown Princess."

"Your Highness may not have noticed. In recent days, all the meals that Your Highness has eaten have been prepared by the Queen herself, every day before Your Highness wakes up."

"Her Majesty has already prepared breakfast for His Highness. Even though His Highness only took a few bites, Her Majesty did not say much and continued to prepare for His Highness."

Hearing Huang Zicheng talking about his mother, Zhu Yunwen's eyes gradually regained their spirits, and then he asked in shock: "You mean, all the meals I've had these days were made by my mother herself?"

Although his tone was questioning, in Zhu Yunwen's heart, he had already believed what Huang Zicheng said.

Even a feeling of guilt soon spread.

If there is anyone in this world who is closest to me and cares about me the most, it is only my mother.

"I dare not speak nonsense. I saw all this with my own eyes." Huang Zicheng bowed and said.

In fact, these things have long been no secret in Chunhe Palace. Even Zhu Yunwen's slightly older brother knows about it.

Even during one meal, the seven-year-old brother Zhu Yunwen complained that his mother was partial and only prepared meals for his brother.

However, Zhu Yunwen was already daydreaming at that time and didn't even pay attention to what was happening around him.

At that time, Huang Zicheng was also there.

"I'm sorry, mother."

Zhu Yunwen's eyes suddenly turned red.

My mother is the noble Crown Princess. When has she ever entered a place like the kitchen?

While eating the meals prepared by his mother, he had no idea that it was his mother who prepared them for him.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but stand up and go straight to the back hall.

Seeing this, Huang Zicheng sighed again and waited in the front hall. After all, the back hall was not a place he could go.

In the courtyard of the rear hall, Lu was taking care of her one-year-old child, Zhu Yunxi (Huoxi).

Looking at the one-year-old child in front of her, Mrs. Lu felt extremely melancholy.

When the child was born in June last year, the prince was always by her side.

A year later, she started to live alone.

Just as Lu was immersed in her thoughts about the prince, a voice came from behind her.

"Mom, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you so worried and even made you prepare meals for me."

Zhu Yunwen did not come in from the door. He knelt down as he spoke.

Hearing this, Mrs. Lu turned around and watched Zhu Yunwen kneeling on the ground and kowtow to admit his fault. She quickly walked over, helped Zhu Yunwen up, and then said, "Child, why are you doing this?"

"mother!"

Zhu Yunwen looked at Lu's somewhat tired expression and couldn't help feeling sad. He hugged Lu tightly and couldn't stop his tears from falling anymore, crying out loud.

Lu waved her hand slightly, and immediately the palace maids and eunuchs retreated quietly.

Zhu Yunxi's grandmother also left with Zhu Yunxi in her arms.

"Child, cry. You will feel better if you cry. Don't hold it in. It will make you uncomfortable if you hold it in for too long."

Mrs. Lu patted Zhu Yunwen's back gently and spoke soothingly.

Feeling his mother's pat and comfort, Zhu Yunwen's originally tense spirit suddenly relaxed.

After a period of pain, his breathing gradually became steady and he actually fell asleep leaning on Lu's shoulder.

Lu coughed lightly, and an official came over immediately. After receiving a signal from Lu, the eunuch called a colleague, and the two of them worked together to gently support Zhu Yunwen.

"mother!"

Zhu Yunwen, who was sleeping, seemed a little frightened and powerless when he heard the dream talking with fear.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, mother is here, mother is beside you, mother will not leave, I will always be by your side."

Lu immediately patted Zhu Yunwen's back gently, and then spoke in a gentle tone.

Zhu Yunwen, who was sleeping, seemed to have heard Lu's words and fell into a deep sleep again.

At Lu's instruction, the officials carried Zhu Yunwen to Lu's bedroom.

It seemed to be the scent of his mother that made Zhu Yunwen sleep more soundly.

It had probably been many days since Zhu Yunwen had a good sleep, and this time he slept particularly deeply.

Lu asked the official to fetch some water, and then gently wiped Zhu Yunwen's forehead.

"Not being the crown prince is actually quite good. It's like your father used to be. As the crown prince, he worked day and night for state affairs and was often mentally exhausted."

"It would be nice to be a leisurely prince and live a good life."

"If your elder brother cannot tolerate me staying in the palace, I will go and ask him to let me go with you."

"I think your elder brother will agree to it for the sake of your father."

"When you have a child, I will take care of your grandchildren and let you enjoy a peaceful and happy life."

Mrs. Lu muttered softly. Ever since she burned the record from the Imperial Hospital about Zhu Xiongying's congenital heart disease, she had completely let it go.

Now she no longer wants to think too much. She just hopes that she can accompany Zhu Yunwen after he confers the title of prince. There is nothing in this palace worth Lu's nostalgia.

Zhu Yunwen was sleeping with the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, as if he was having a sweet dream.

Seeing this scene, Lu felt relieved, arranged for an official to guard him, and then left.

After all, there is a one-year-old child to take care of.

…

Gunpowder Department,

Compared to four months ago, the Gunpowder Department has now at least tripled in size.

In ancient times when there was no industrialization, if you wanted to increase production, you simply had to pile up people.

The matchlock gun was even broken down into several parts and assembled on an assembly line.

Even though the manual work speed is slow, there are too many people. Now there are more than 10,000 apprentices in the Gunpowder Department alone.

Once these people have truly learned how to do it, they will be able to quickly start making parts for matchlock guns.

Although there are now 20,000 people, the output of 3,000 muskets a month seems too little.

But in fact, more people did not build the main musket.

The production of fire bombs, fuses, and gunpowder is also very critical.

A matchlock gun without fire bullets is just a fire stick.

"Your Highness, now almost all personnel in the Gunpowder Department have been handed over to Zhao Xiangxi. She does have a strong talent in this area."

Ye Yueqing introduced.

Ever since Zhao Xiangxi became familiar with the Gunpowder Department, Ye Yueqing has basically been by Zhu Ying's side.

He is mainly responsible for the intelligence connection with the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce and issuing instructions to Zhu Ying.

Looking at the orderly Gunpowder Department, Zhu Ying nodded and said, "It seems that she still has some ability."

Soon, under the guidance of the eunuchs from the Gunpowder Department, Zhu Ying arrived at the central hall of many buildings.

Just as I reached the entrance of the hall, I heard Zhao Xiangxi's scolding.

"I have told you many times that the amount of gunpowder must be accurately recorded. Every centimeter must be controlled. Only in this way can we create the best ratio and increase the power of gunpowder."

"Also regarding the production of fire bombs, have the apprentices not eaten recently? The quantity is so small. Tell them immediately that the number I set must be reached this month, otherwise don't blame me for being rude."

"Tell them that the three people who produce the most will receive generous rewards, and the last three will have their wages halved."

Zhu Ying smiled at Ye Yueqing and said, "It seems that she did a good job."

After saying that, the two of them walked towards the hall.