Yao Guangxiao is a person who never asks about the process.

In fact, he had received Ye Yueqing's letter a long time ago, but did he care? No, he didn't care at all.

Ye Yueqing's words in the letter were also very tactful, just saying that if possible, she would take care of him.

Yao Guangxiao said: No.

In his eyes, the Fengrang Zhao family were nothing more than barbarians. His understanding of Zhu Ying's character made him realize that he naturally would not care about these things.

If you want to be taken care of, then you should first gain the credit. At worst, you can just deduct a little less when the time comes.

"Master, why are you alone in the tent on such an important day?"

The person who came in to question him was Zhao Pang, the Korean secret official. Wei Guang was having fun with the soldiers in the military camp. As a civil official, he felt quite out of place in such a military camp.

Although his reputation involves the word "fat", Zhao Pang is actually not fat at all, but rather a little thin.

Relatively speaking, civil officials these days are rarely fat, unless they are local officials who do not interfere in government affairs and only care about enjoying themselves every day.

In fact, in terms of body shape, whether in the Ming Dynasty or other countries such as Goryeo, as long as the local governor is fat, there is no doubt that he is a corrupt official, and nine out of ten people will be right to kill him.

This is because being a local governor is a very tiring position and just inspecting the area under your jurisdiction is a huge drain, so it is basically impossible to gain weight.

Unless you have some kind of obesity disease, the kind that makes you gain weight just by drinking water.

Such diseases rarely occur. Moreover, in the Ming Dynasty, people paid attention to body shape. That is to say, if you are fat, no matter how good your literary talent is, you can never be the top scholar.

In other countries, it is even more important, and overall appearance can be said to be a big plus.

On the first day of the New Year, although it was extremely cold in Goryeo, the sky was boundless and dotted with stars.

The soldiers outside were lighting bonfires everywhere and dancing in celebration.

For all the vassal states and tributary states of the Ming Dynasty that were influenced by the Central Plains dynasty, New Year's Day was an indispensable major festival.

This is the influence of the Central Plains Dynasty on all surrounding countries for thousands of years.

Even on the grasslands, the desert, and the Western Regions, people of different nationalities and skin colors all sang and danced and celebrated on this day.

Even between two hostile countries, they would stop fighting to give their soldiers some time to rest.

There are many names for calendars, but they are generally not much different.

In the 17th year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang established an observatory on Jiming Mountain in Nanjing and ordered Doctor Yuan Tong to compile a calendar named "Datong".

The current name of the Ming Dynasty's calendar is the Datong calendar.

For foreign officials and ethnic minorities, the revision of the calendar is of little concern. The twenty-four solar terms and the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches are very complicated to learn. At least it is enough to know what day the New Year is.

Even now, there are still some differences in some festivals in different parts of the Ming Dynasty. For example, there is a difference in the Little New Year's Day in the north and south, and this has continued to later generations. This is all due to customs.

"I am trying to calculate the weather for the coming year."

Yao Guangxiao raised his head, glanced at Fat Zhao, and spoke slowly.

Fat Zhao couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart.

In fact, Zhao Pang also had some knowledge of Master Daoyan.

Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan who guarded the Ming Dynasty's border, was relatively close to Goryeo, just across Liaodong.

And Daoyan was originally a military advisor to the King of Yan.

Daoyan was not well-known, but the reputation of Prince of Yan Zhu Di was known throughout Liaodong, the desert, and the grassland.

In Goryeo, the news is even more well-known.

The fact that he was a high-ranking monk that Prince of Yan Zhu Di had to offer sacrifices to every day shows the ability of the imperial teacher.

Especially when observing the celestial phenomena at night, this kind of miraculous metaphysics is mysterious and awe-inspiring.

"The Imperial Master has figured out something." Fat Zhao's tone became respectful.

Yao Guangxiao raised his eyelids slightly and said, "The secret cannot be revealed."

Fat Zhao immediately bowed and apologized: "I was reckless."

Then Fat Zhao asked hesitantly, "Does the Imperial Master know about the Onmyoji of Japan?"

Fat Zhao is the main person in charge of diplomacy. He naturally has a lot of knowledge and research not only about the Ming Dynasty, but also about Japan.

There is still some fear towards the Onmyojis of Japan.

Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao said with disdain: "It's just a crooked way, not worth mentioning."

If someone else said this, it would be suspected of exaggeration.

But there was nothing wrong with what Yao Guangxiao said.

His master, the Taoist Xi Yingzhen, can be said to be the orthodox successor of the authentic Yin-Yang school.

The Yin-Yang theory of Japan originated from the literary transmission during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. However, since ancient times, the Central Plains dynasties have emphasized that the law should not be passed on easily, let alone to foreign races.

Therefore, the things that Japan learned were just the basics and half-baked.

Yao Guangxiao, who is proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, can be said to be the most advanced person in the field of Yin-Yang and numerology in the current world without Liu Bowen.

He is also the most orthodox successor, although he rarely shows any knowledge about Yin-Yang and numerology.

…

The second day of the first lunar month.

This day has finally arrived. It is extremely important for all the princes.

It’s not every year that the princes can spend this day in the capital, and this year is particularly different.

The main source, naturally, is Crown Prince Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying's current official name is naturally Zhu Xiongying. He has already been included in the clan house, but as the crown prince, no one dares to call him by his name. This is like calling Zhu Yuanzhang in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang's name was Zhu Ying, also known as the eldest grandson.

For example, Zhu Di called Zhu Ying in private just out of habit.

Zhu Di was particularly nervous today.

Most of the other princes have already given up. Now that the emperor is around, no one dares to challenge any arrangements or rules.

As long as the emperor has made a decision, no objection is allowed.

Even the princes who were his own sons were still like this.

Except for some frontier kings, most of the vassal kings were in inland areas. Naturally, they did not want to go to the battlefield to fight. It was not to say that every vassal king was both wise and brave in battle.

However, some of the previous information was very vague. For example, if he did not conquer foreign vassal states and chose to pursue a career in literature, or became an idle prince, the related treatment, benefits, salaries, etc., there is currently no specific document.

Everyone is very clear about this, as it was naturally formulated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince himself.

No one dared to urge them.

The princes in the capital could imagine that after the Spring Festival, it was time to hand over the power of their personal guards.

Many people are reluctant, but what can they do?

For example, the palace banquet, or dinner, is usually around three o'clock in the afternoon.

The venue for the banquet was the Qianqing Palace.

The palaces in the imperial court are all independent and very complete, and there is naturally a special kitchen in the Qianqing Palace.

Not to mention that there are less than twenty people now, even if there are thirty-four people, it won’t seem crowded.

At present, the palace banquets are not much different from ordinary banquets. Because they are family banquets, there are not many rules and etiquette.

After noon, the princes arrived one after another, and the first thing they did was to pay their respects to the emperor.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang gave them some advice one by one, and that was about it.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was very fond of etiquette systems, was relatively relaxed with his own family. He had almost no requirements and just treated his family as usual.

Of course, there are New Year greetings, red envelopes, filial piety and so on.

"Second brother, why does my nephew look so different now?" Zhu Gang asked in a low voice to Zhu Chong beside him.

Zhu Chong is feeling a little uneasy now.

Because he saw that the look his father gave him was always filled with a hint of reprimand.

Zhu Chong couldn't help but think of the incident when he broke his father's jade pendant.

It is different from the common people. The third day of the first lunar month, which is tomorrow, is the time to worship the Queen Mother. I think my father must be missing her very much in his heart.

This means that the only way he looks at me is like this.

After hearing the question from his third brother Zhu Gang, Zhu Chong had no intention of going to see the crown prince. He was already busy taking care of himself and just wanted to hide away quietly.

"The emperor's nephew has been in the palace for such a long time, it is normal for his prestige to increase day by day."

After responding casually, Zhu Chong no longer paid any attention to his third brother Zhu Gang.

Zhu Gang wanted to ask a few more questions, but he noticed something was wrong with his second brother. When he turned around, he met his father's gaze. His heart skipped a beat and he stopped talking immediately.

Because they are sorted by age.

For example, Concubine Ning and Zhu Ying sat on Zhu Yuanzhang's left and right.

The rest is arranged according to the order.

The left is the most respected, with the older princes on the left and the princes who have not yet been crowned as kings on the right.

"We will invade Japan in the early spring. Third brother, fourth brother, have you made any preparations?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked at the top.

Zhu Gang quickly stood up, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty, I have already prepared my troops and will conquer Japan after the spring."

Zhu Yuanzhang was obviously not very satisfied with this answer, as it was too official.

You can fool others, but you can’t fool yourself.

"Fourth Brother, what about you?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.

Then everyone's eyes turned to Zhu Di.

Unlike Zhu Gang, Zhu Di is now the focal figure among the vassal kings.

Before this, this was the only prince who dared to question his father's choice of the crown prince in the Fengtian Hall and the court.

Moreover, at present, Zhu Di has made great contributions in marching and fighting.

The princes were all well-informed about the news and had heard some of the groundless rumors.

Many princes are happy to watch the unclear relationship between Zhu Di and the Crown Prince.

What is worrying is not the scarcity but the inequality.

Zhu Di was so outstanding that many princes, although they did not say it, were jealous of him in their hearts.

Regardless of others, Zhu Gang is the most pioneer.

"Your Majesty, I have already sent additional personnel to investigate the situation of hurricanes near Japan. Currently, several small boats have been dispatched."

"With the lessons learned from the previous Yuan Dynasty, I hope to capture some Japanese people who are proficient in sea transportation and see if they can avoid the hurricane."

"The sea vessels are related to the life and death of the soldiers. I have also sent my trusted people to strictly supervise them and make sure there are no mistakes."

"The men under my command are also strengthening their training and getting more familiar with the water, especially with seasickness. Many soldiers are not used to it. If they rashly go out to sea, they are likely to lose a lot of their combat effectiveness."

Zhu Di told all the plans and strategies one by one.

Zhu Di paid special attention to details when fighting wars, including intelligence.

Before the war, many preparations will be made to prevent possible situations.

In terms of questioning alone, Zhu Di was clearly superior to Zhu Gang.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes also showed approval and satisfaction.

Only Zhu Gang's eyes became serious.

In terms of military talent and ability, Zhu Gang was not much worse than Zhu Di, but there was still a difference in overall planning.

In fact, Zhu Gang was somewhat prepared for what Zhu Di said, but his narration was far inferior.

What puzzled Zhu Gang was why Zhu Di behaved like this at this family dinner.

Because most people at present are taking a wait-and-see attitude, wanting to first find out what the Crown Prince thinks and what the subsequent arrangements for the vassal kings will be.

Zhu Di was so aggressive, obviously he had some agenda.

Zhu Ying listened and his eyes became serious.

Actually, what Zhu Di said didn't seem to be a big deal, as if it wasn't something too difficult.

But being able to put it into practice is the real skill.

Obviously, what Zhu Di said has been put into practice.

"Grandson, do you have anything to add to what your fourth uncle said?"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Zhu Ying and asked.

Zhu Ying stood up and bowed, then said, "Fourth Uncle has foresight and has a plan for the affairs of Japan. I don't have much to add."

"Japan has many islands. When marching, especially at sea, we have to worry about hurricanes and control the direction."

"According to records from the pre-Yuan Dynasty, when the Mongol army invaded Japan twice, many large ships deviated from their course and sailed into the vast ocean, never to be found again."

"Moreover, for Japan, it is not just a conquest. It is not too difficult for the Ming army to conquer Japan. The key is to be under Japan's jurisdiction in the future."

"As everyone knows, Japan is not rich, and the land is even more desolate. Now, a silver mine has been discovered in Japan. This is the focus of this expedition to Japan."

When Zhu Di heard the words of the crown prince, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

It was obvious that Zhu Ying was suppressing him.

Originally, there was a big gap between him and his third brother Zhu Gang, but now Zhu Ying turned the matter back to governance.

What this means is that the victory in the conquest of Japan is a natural thing, and the follow-up is the key.

His previous performance was instantly diluted.

Zhu Gang's mouth corners curled up slightly.

He naturally felt it too.

The princes had different thoughts. For example, Zhu Chong seemed not to hear anything and just listened to himself.

It was impossible for everyone to enjoy the food while the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and my fourth brother were talking.

Everyone thought Zhu Di would be a little angry, but surprisingly, Zhu Di stood up and saluted and said, "My nephew is right. I was a little careless about this."

After these words were spoken, not only the princes, but even Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes changed slightly.