At the mention of the imperial nephew, the expressions of all the princes changed slightly.
Zhu Ying adopted such a humble attitude, of course, also taking into account the possible psychological conflicts at the moment.
If we act in a high-handed manner as soon as we show up, it will make these princes feel very uncomfortable.
People are like this sometimes. If they are a little more polite, many things can be avoided perfectly.
"Nephew, please come in."
Prince of Qin Zhu Chong hurriedly said with a smile, and the many princes behind him also felt relieved when they saw Zhu Ying's smiling face.
Perhaps, his goal is not military power.
Zhu Ying was not polite and followed several princes into the room, saying, "This is probably the first time that my nephew is with all the uncles. We are busy with work and all the uncles are far away from each other, so it is difficult for us to get together. Today is a good day."
"To be honest, the dinner I prepared at my uncle's place today was all because of my grandfather's suggestion yesterday. That's why today's dinner was held. Uncles, please don't blame me, don't blame me."
Who could not understand these words which concealed a dagger behind a smile?
Zhu Ying knew very well in his mind that if he wanted to truly suppress these uncles, he could only rely on the old man's name.
Obviously, everyone understood what was said, and their hearts suddenly skipped a beat.
Doesn't this mean that the emperor has agreed to take away our military power?
Two of them were indifferent.
Zhu Su didn't have any idea at all. He had never cared about the military power anyway. How could it be more fun than studying plants?
To be honest, if it weren't for Zhu Ying, he wouldn't even want to come. The research is at a critical moment now, and it's hard to say when the results will come out.
Since Zhu Su arrived at the academy, he never attended the morning court again.
"Your Highness, did your father say anything else?"
Before they even reached the lobby, Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo couldn't help but ask.
Anything that has anything to do with his father is his greatest interest.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying turned around and looked at Zhu Bai.
Prince of Hunan, Zhu Bo, is very elegant. Unlike the other princes, he does not look as majestic as others. Instead, he gives people a feeling of being bathed in a cool breeze. If you look closely, you can see that he has a kind of immortal air.
Zhu Ying naturally already knew about the situation of Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo, and the old man also said that he was the most obedient son of the emperor.
"Uncle Twelve, Grandpa has been talking to me these past few days. Now, when he occasionally writes poems, no one writes for him."
"My nephew's calligraphy is particularly unrefined, and it cannot fill the void in Grandpa's heart."
"I still remember two months ago, when my nephew was reviewing memorials, the old man saw the handwriting on the memorials and sighed, saying that if Uncle Twelve were here, my nephew's handwriting would definitely not be so bad."
Zhu Ying said with a smile.
Prince Zhu Bo of Xiang reacted strongly and asked immediately: "Are you serious?"
Zhu Ying frowned and said, "Could it be that Uncle Twelve still thinks that your nephew is fooling you?"
Seeing that Zhu Ying was somewhat unhappy, Xiang Wang Zhu Bo quickly explained: "No, I didn't mean that. I just didn't expect that my father would always miss me. I... am unfilial."
"I have been in the capital for so many days, and I have not yet paid my respects to my father. This is truly a sin."
Zhu Bo's words were spoken in a heavy tone, without any falsehood, and came from the bottom of his heart.
However, this made the surrounding princes feel a little ashamed.
What's the matter? You are the only filial son to our father, and we are not?
It was said so sincerely and heartfeltly. In comparison, doesn't it make us seem unfilial?
However, the princes did not look down on this, but rather showed some admiration for it.
Whether it was Zhu Chong, Zhu Di, Zhu Gang, etc., they all admired and worshipped their father from the bottom of their hearts.
As Zhu Ying listened, he couldn't help but look at Zhu Bai a few more times. What a kind person he was.
So he smiled and said, "It's not too late now. Grandpa will definitely be able to feel Uncle Twelve's kindness."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Bo's eyes lit up and he nodded heavily.
After this little episode, it was obvious that Zhu Ying's relationship with many vassal kings began to become closer, including Zhu Zhen, King of Chu, Zhu Gui, King of Qi, and Zhu Chun, King of Shu, whom he had rarely met before.
The look he gave Zhu Ying was also very friendly.
When Zhu Ying came over, the dinner had naturally been prepared long ago.
Looking at the rich dishes and the fine wines prepared, Zhu Ying said, "This time, my nephew is here to dine with the uncles, so I won't prepare much."
"I'm sure all of you uncles have heard about my nephew's factory. Although the winery hasn't been officially established yet, there are already new wines on the market."
"This time, my nephew also brought a few jars here for all the uncles to taste."
After saying this, Zhu Ying clapped his hands gently, and four eunuchs followed him in, each holding a jar of wine in their hands.
Zhu Ying took the lead and opened the sealed jar.
Suddenly, a strong aroma of wine wafted into my nose.
Except for Zhu Su, who among those present didn't like this wine? They were all elites among wine lovers and could feel its flavor just by smelling the aroma.
Prince Zhu Yu of Qi was particularly fond of wine and had a rather unrestrained personality. When he saw that there were only four jars of wine, he was immediately unhappy and said, "My nephew, this is not very nice of you. There are eight of us here, plus you, my nephew, which makes nine people. There are only four jars of wine. How can it be enough for us to drink?"
Zhu Bai frowned slightly, he felt that what Seventh Brother said was a bit presumptuous.
Although the eldest nephew calls himself nephew, it is just a courtesy to everyone.
Being able to lower his posture and talk to people like us is already very good. It shows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince respects his elders and really treats him with the etiquette of a monarch and his subjects.
No one can say anything.
But this is not an excuse to press further.
Not only Zhu Bo, Zhu Chong, Zhu Gang and others were also slightly dissatisfied.
The meaning of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's visit this time is still unclear. If I offend him before it even starts, and I and others are implicated later, I will be innocent.
Just when Zhu Chong was about to scold his reckless seventh brother, Zhu Ying spoke up.
"It seems that Uncle Seventh pays little attention to his nephew. My nephew is not stingy. The key is this wine. He is unusual."
"Even these four jars of wine, I think I brought too much. We won't be able to finish them this time."
These four jars are not small jars that hold one or two kilograms, but large jars that hold ten kilograms.
In other words, these four jars of wine weigh a genuine 40 kilograms.
Divided equally among eight people, each person got a full five kilograms.
For this kind of high-concentration liquor, a normal person can only drink half a pound to a pound at most. Drinking two or three pounds would be a disaster.
Although the distillation technology of the early Ming Dynasty has been demonstrated, the highest alcohol content is no more than 30 degrees, and not many people know about it, and the majority of people still drink alcohol with an alcohol content of more than 10 degrees.
People who have never drunk high-concentration liquor can rarely resist drinking it for the first time.
Zhu Ying did not pay much attention to the straightforward words of Prince of Qi Zhu Gui.
In fact, I met too many people with personalities like King Zhu Gui of Qi when I was in the Western Regions. They were straightforward and not too cunning. That was just the way they were.
Obviously, although King Qi Zhu Gui read a lot of books, he returned all the knowledge to his teachers after leaving school.
Seeing that Zhu Ying did not show any emotion, many princes finally felt relieved.
"Okay, I won't be polite then. Let me try it first."
King Zhu Yu of Qi naturally didn't want to beat around the bush, nor did he understand the changes in other people's eyes and expressions. He just picked up the jar of wine and poured a glass into the cup.
Then swallow it in one gulp.
"Ahem...."
The next moment, a violent cough was heard, and Prince Zhu Yu of Qi's face suddenly turned red and his neck became thick.
A strong stimulation broke out in the throat. After coughing, I felt the burning impact and was completely surrounded by alcohol.
"Haha, good wine! Good wine! So cool! So cool!"
King Zhu Gui of Qi laughed loudly, then exclaimed loudly, and subconsciously licked his lips to feel the surging spiciness just now.
What does it feel like for a big, strong man to lick his lips.
Zhu Ying's mouth corners were twitching.
This is really unscrupulous!
However, following the actions of King Zhu Gui of Qi, everyone began to become interested in the wine in the jar.
Zhu Ying smiled and said, "This wine is quite strong, perhaps the strongest wine available at the moment. You can't drink too much in one gulp, you have to taste it slowly, and don't drink too much. If you drink a weaker wine, you might get drunk after a few glasses."
After hearing Zhu Ying's explanation, the princes also started drinking as the eunuchs poured wine for them.
At this time, Prince Zhu Gui of Qi had already drunk two cups of wine, and his face became very rosy.
Zhu Ying was obviously still very good at controlling the atmosphere. After three rounds of drinks, everyone's relationship became warmer. Even Zhu Di, who had always wanted to be an invisible person, seemed to relax a little.
Afterwards, Zhu Ying picked up the wine glass and said to Zhu Di from a distance: "I have to toast to my fourth uncle with this glass of wine. Without my fourth uncle, I would not be where I am today. Uncles, you may not know that when I was in Peking, my fourth uncle strongly invited me to come to the capital."
"In the beginning, I was a little reluctant to come, but it was because Fourth Uncle was too enthusiastic that I came to the capital."
"When I arrived in the capital, my fourth uncle arranged a shop for me. My second and third uncles knew this. Ping An Tea House has always been my fourth uncle's business."
"What's more, I haven't paid any rent for my teahouse to Fourth Uncle until now. That's my fault. Fourth Uncle, I'll toast to you alone to thank you for your care for me."
Seeing Zhu Ying holding up the wine glass, Zhu Di dared not be negligent and quickly picked up the wine glass as well.
看朱英就要一口闷，便也只能随着一口闷，还得说着：“皇侄客气了，相信在座的各位，无论是谁一眼看到，都绝对会认为和大哥脱不开干系。”
“当时我就心中起疑，便就想发设法的将皇侄请到京师来，不瞒皇侄，当时我还以为是大哥的私生子呢，没成想竟是我从小便就抱过的亲大侄子。”
“说起来，若不是父皇亲自验证，连孝陵都给挖掘开来了，我还真不敢相信。”
连喝几杯白酒的朱棣，显然也有些上头，面色红润，说话的时候，也没了之前那般忌惮，反而显得有些感叹。
抛开关于皇位的事情，这话也算是朱棣目前比较真实的内心感受了，只能说是一句世事无常。
眼看感觉差不多到位了，朱英便就笑着对朱棡问道：“三叔，在沿海那边打倭寇的日子，可还是习惯。”
朱棡闻言，笑着回道：“比不得四弟呀，浙江沿海的倭国算是少数目的，山东沿海才是大头，听说四弟那边，可是平了不少倭寇，怕是有数万人。”
说到这里，朱棡的语气稍微就有点阴阳怪气了，道：“这倭寇还真是人多，全都跑山东那边，我在浙江沿海一代，前后抓起来杀掉的倭寇，连一千都不到，山东那边却有数十倍。”
“之前我还抓了一批倭寇审讯，详细的了解关于倭国的情况。”
“只是那些倭寇果然是非常的狡猾，竟敢欺骗于我，还骗我说，这次来我大明的倭寇，前后全部加起来，也只有一万多人。”
“这不是胡说嘛，关四弟那边都已经处死了两三万了吧，我听说后来还有大量的倭寇前去高丽那边的对马岛支援，怎么着都得是三四万人。”
“这些个倭寇，真是可恶，还串通口供，我连着审讯了上百人，都是这么一个说辞，假，假得很！”
这话一出，众多藩王怪异的看了一眼朱棣，其实这样的事情，多数藩王都是心知肚明的。
尤其是齐王朱榑，也没有过于在意。
虽说都是藩王，这治下的都是大明百姓，可别指望有多么爱戴百姓。
杀良冒功这样的事情，在军中已经算是个惯例了，从古至今，几乎都是如此。
不然军功怎么来，就算是领头的将军不想这么做，下面的属下，大致都会如此。
对于很多屯田兵来说，上战场可不是为了什么家国大义，保家护国，一些面朝黄土背朝天的农民，大字不识几个，怎么可能有这么高的觉悟。
一则是朝堂的命令不可违，兵役这种事情，逃掉可是要杀头的。
二则上了战场，若是有斩获，那可都能领赏钱的，有时候打了胜仗，还能偷摸拿点钱财。
就算是打了两三年，回家带了几十里银子，那往后也是开开心心本小康，活得滋润，至少家里头都能吃上一口饱饭。
这就是现在的兵。
即是如此，偷摸杀良冒功，那可不是说谁都能制止得了，一旦上头强力制止，要是不拿足够的军饷来平息，那就等着士气跌落，逢战大败吧。
这就是现实，不是说几个将领就能改变的。
朱棡的话，对于朱棣也只是嘲讽，并非是指责朱棣杀良冒功，而是他说干的这事比自己功劳高，实际上是走了歪门邪道。
其实朱棡也想这么做来着，只是被群英商会给制止了。
朱英在这方面，早就有了交代。
朱棡在很大程度上，还是不想跟朱英闹出什么意见。
再者在浙江待的那段时间，群英商会这边，也没少给朱棡分润钱财，除开军功，得到要比杀良冒功的不少。
杀良冒功这等事情，终究是上不得台面。
“怎么，三哥这意思，是怀疑我在屠杀百姓，即是如此，三哥怎么就不派人调查一番，报给父皇，让锦衣卫查一查呢。”
朱棣在朱棡面前，怎么甘心落下风，直接开口反驳道。
“呵，四弟的手段我还不知道吗，再说了，我刚才的话，也不是对着四弟，不过是有些疑惑罢了，对吧，四弟怎么就自个认上了，怎么着，这就是传说中的不打自招？”
朱棡也不示弱，冷笑一声回道。
朱棣怒气上头，道：“许你阴阳怪气，不许我阐明事实，对于倭寇，你又是了解多少。”
“我今日就在这里坦白了说，本王杀的那些人，十个有九个半错不了，即便是那半个，也绝对是倭寇有着间接的联系。”
“倭寇的行情是怎样的，侵犯我大明沿海的时候，又不是没有活捉过，每次审讯，都能知道个大概。”
“关于倭寇的卷宗，三哥你可是看过？”
“你没看，我可是查得清楚，洪武十六年的时候，倭国总共才来七千余人，结果呢，多处城池遭到洗劫，据统计完全有四万人的兵力。”
“你说这多出来的三万多人，是如何来的。”
“此次我严查山东沿海，那些伪倭寇一一拔除，才有如此收获，若是觉得我杀良冒功了，先前就说过，可请锦衣卫严查一番，便就知晓了。”
朱棣义正言辞的说道，没有丝毫的担忧顾忌。
朱棡闻言，也只是冷哼一声，没有在这件事上再纠结下去。
从群英商会这边得到的消息，朱棣杀人的时候，那可是一个村一个村的屠，哪有什么活口。
这山东沿海地区，通倭的确实不少，根本无从查起。
众多藩王看着两人的争执，一边喝酒一边吃菜，完全就是看个热闹。
对于朱棡和朱棣之间的那点事情，大伙也早就看明白了。
朱英开口道：“通倭的情况，在沿海地区确实比较严重，不过因为一人通倭，就灭一村，倒是有些过于严谨了些。”
“这说来说去呀，到底还是倭寇的缘故，之前我和爷爷商议过，定在明年出你征倭国的事情，想必诸位叔叔都是知晓的吧。”
几位藩王点点头，不过没有说话。
很显然，话都到了这份上了，接下来显然就是此次聚会的目的了。
朱英将众人的表情一收眼底，然后继续说道：“倭国这个地方，说小也不小，说大也不大，但在这其中，有一个地方，却是相当的重要。”
说到这里，朱英从怀中竟然掏出了一份简易的倭国地图。
众多藩王一下子就来了性质，纷纷围了上来。
朱英继续介绍道：“倭国这边的百姓，从始皇时期，徐福东渡，就有所交流，交流最多的时候，便就是在盛唐时期了，包括现在倭国的文字，和我中原王朝，也有很大的相似程度。”
“诸位叔叔请看，这是一份倭国的地图，当然，并非是很完整，是海外番商游历倭国所画。”
“这其中的关键，就在于这里。”
这地图只是一个大致的形状，而在这上面，有一个特别标注出来的地方：石见。
朱英的手指，就指着这里。
然后解释道：“石见银山，这里有着数万万两白银的储藏，这条消息，非常准确，是海外善于勘探的工人，特地勘探过后的结果。”
“而在这个基础上，侄儿也派了人去，专门勘探这石见银山。和先前的结果，完全相同，甚至说，其中白银的储存量，更多。”
听到这个消息，众人总算是明白老爷子怎会同意去打倭国。
本来这件事在曾经刘伯温那里就落下了帷幕，现在又被重新提起，原来是因为这座巨大的银山。
听到这消息，其他的藩王突然开始羡慕起朱棡和朱棣来。
明年出征倭国，明摆着就是两人过去，肯定要捞不少的银子回来，这么大的利益，这可都是钱啊。
而朱棣听到这个消息，眼睛都有些发亮了。
他一直很纠结，自己未来的出路到底是在哪里。
现在听到这个消息，心里头真叫一个舒坦。
“真是天助我也，若是我率大军将那石见银山给占据下来，到时候出多少银子，还不是我说了算。”
“倭国和大明，相隔如此之远，这便是连锦衣卫都没有丝毫办法。”
朱棣心中闪过窃喜，就目前来说，已经是定下了明年的人选，不出什么幺蛾子，绝对就能过去。
朱棡的想法，显然也是差不多的。
朱英一直观察着朱棣的面色，见朱棣面色掩饰不住的喜色，就知道大概是没问题了。
稍稍停顿后道：“倭国本土的百姓，数量还是不少的，其中他们的天皇，在倭国也是有很大的权威，受到追捧。”
“按照我和爷爷的估算，打入倭国容易，但是想要施以教化，却是一个非常长的过程，这不是说短短几年，十多年就能完成的，甚至需要几十年的时光。”
“在这方面，侄儿的意思，是想请诸位叔叔，对于倭国有所兴趣，侄儿可特意请示爷爷，海外封国。”
所谓图穷匕见，就是如此了。
海外封国这话一出，几乎所有藩王的眼神，都开始变得有些奇妙起来。
当然，这其中要除开朱橚还有朱柏。
One is not interested, and the other just wants to be closer to his father.
"Your Highness, are you serious?"
The most warlike King of Qi, Zhu Yu, asked first.
Zhu Ying affirmed: "During this period of overseas closure, can my nephew still argue with my uncles?"
"Let me put it this way. If any uncle can confirm this, and if there is no problem with grandpa, I can grant you the right to form an inner court. From now on, you can prepare for the overseas closure."
"Not only that, if the war goes smoothly, we can also call on the people of our Ming Dynasty to immigrate there. To a certain extent, the Qunying Chamber of Commerce can also lend a certain amount of treasure notes without interest to be used in the initial stage of building the country."
Establish overseas states, establish an inner court, immigrate to the Ming Dynasty, and borrow money without interest.
Once these four plans were put forward, all the princes were shocked.
This is something that has never happened in history, from ancient times to the present. This is a direct granting of royal power. Which emperor in ancient times would dare to do this? Wouldn't he be afraid that the vassal states would rise and threaten the Ming Dynasty?
"Is this also what Father meant?"
Zhu Chong asked.
After all, he was a man who had experienced many ups and downs. He was not directly attracted by the big pie that Zhu Ying painted, but asked seriously.
Zhu Ying nodded and said, "Of course, I have discussed this important matter with Grandpa, who is very supportive of this matter."
Zhu Chong asked again: "I wonder what the emperor's nephew thinks about this."
Zhu Ying looked at Zhu Chong deeply, and then replied, "Since Second Uncle has asked this question, there is no need for my nephew to hide anything."
"As everyone knows, the issue of the vassal king is something that grandpa, I, or my uncles often consider."
"Let me be frank. I have discussed this matter with Grandpa many times."
"There are some historical examples that we cannot ignore. Maybe it's okay now, but who can tell what will happen in the next few generations?"
"But grandpa told me that all the uncles are his own flesh and blood. What grandpa is most worried about in our big Zhu family is that the family will kill each other."
"Because of this, Grandpa often tossed and turned and couldn't sleep all night, until some news came out about the situation in Japan."
"The Iwami Silver Mine in Japan is enough to show that Japan as a whole has great potential and is no longer the barren and cold place it once was."
"Just because the Yuan Dynasty failed to conquer the Ming Dynasty doesn't mean that the Ming Dynasty can't conquer the Yuan Dynasty. At this moment, my nephew has heard news from foreign merchants that the Japanese Kingdom has just experienced a war and has been severely damaged. Most of the Japanese who are now invading the Ming Dynasty are the losers of this war."
"At the same time, the national teacher of Goryeo led an army of more than 200,000 and has already captured Tsushima Island. With the two forces attacking from both sides, I think it shouldn't be difficult to completely destroy Japan, but at least take down half of it."
"After conquering Japan, the problem is governance. It is in this regard that my nephew proposed the idea of closing the country overseas."
"Of course, overall, the area of Japan is not too small, so it's no problem to have a few more uncles go over there, so that we can have someone to look after us and not be lonely."
After listening to Zhu Ying's words.
Everyone immediately understood the meaning of this overseas closure of the country.
No one knows how big Japan is, but after it was established as an overseas country, when we got there, we were called vassal kings, so what was the difference between them and the emperor?
Thinking of this, Zhu Chong couldn't help but ask, "My nephew, how many people can go to Japan this time?"
Zhu Ying calculated in his mind, and then said: "According to the current plan, three people are probably enough. If there are more, I'm afraid we won't be able to manage them."
The so-called three-legged tripod, Zhu Ying feels that it is relatively easier to balance the three of them.
Hearing this, Zhu Di and Zhu Gang were slightly dissatisfied.
After all, in their opinion, two people were already a bit crowded, and now three people appeared, which would make it even more uncomfortable.
However, Zhu Ying had already planned to divide Japan into three parts.
At this moment, many princes were eager to try, after all, the two places of Zhu Di and Zhu Gang had definitely been occupied.
There is only one spot left, so we have to grab it.
Seeing that the princes were ready to fight for it, Zhu Ying said quickly: "Don't worry, uncles. In fact, there are many rich places outside of Ming Dynasty, not just Japan."