With a grandson like this, what else could Old Zhu ask for?

Zhu Yuanzhang now feels more comfortable than ever. Since he has calmed down, he just throws any difficult problems to his eldest grandson.

For general government affairs, the six ministries and the Grand Secretary would come up with a set of regulations, and then give them to the eldest grandson for review.

If there are any problems, the eldest grandson will naturally come and tell me.

I used to be busy every day, but now I am slowly becoming more relaxed.

This gave Zhu Yuanzhang more space and time to rest on weekdays.

Now that his great-grandson was about to be born, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely happy and could not help but exercise a little more every night.

Just yesterday, the eunuch Liu He, who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department, reported that the beauty Zhang Xuanmiao in the harem was pregnant.

This made Zhu Yuanzhang feel like he was returning to his youth.

Zhu Ying, hearing the old man's question, thought for a while and replied, "My grandson's idea is to appoint Zhu Gaochi as the crown prince and have him represent my fourth uncle to Japan and manage Yancheng."

"Fourth uncle doesn't care about governing the vassal state. I heard about it when I was in Peking. Fourth uncle's mind is always on the war."

"Now that I'm at the border again, I definitely can't think about Yancheng anymore."

"Gao Chi has been familiar with Confucian classics since he was a child, and is also very familiar with domestic affairs. In this regard, my grandson thinks that he is the best person to go to Japan to carry out education."

"At present, Japan has experienced the chaos of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and then the war of conquest by our Ming Dynasty. Now the people of Japan are at peace. In addition, there are some conflicts between the King of Japan and the Shogun. For a long time in the future, there will be no war."

"I think this stage is the best time to recuperate and educate the Japanese people."

"Fourth uncle is very skilled in military strategy and loves war. Now is the time for training and using troops on the grassland, so we should make full use of his talents."

"Also, my fourth uncle, who was obsessed with the war, usually had fewer other thoughts."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Okay, let's do as Grandson says."

After hearing such a straightforward reply, Zhu Ying couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, don't you want to give me some advice?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Grandson has thought things through so thoroughly, what else can I suggest?"

"Now, according to what Grandson said, although our Ming Dynasty has been sending troops to foreign countries everywhere and fighting wars every year, our Ming Dynasty has not become poorer as it grows bigger. Instead, it has become richer."

"This was something that was hard to imagine before. It is enough to show that Da Sun is very thoughtful and well-placed in controlling the overall situation now."

"Let's do as our eldest grandson says about things on the grassland."

"But the fourth son has two sons. I don't think they are good at studying. They have the same character as the fourth son. They like to go on expeditions. I think they should just follow the fourth son to the grassland."

The two people Zhu Yuanzhang was referring to were naturally Zhu Di’s second and third sons.

They are Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui.

Zhu Yuanzhang really didn't like these two grandsons. They looked lazy all day long and had no discipline in studying.

When he was in the palace academy, he was always stealing and doing nothing serious.

However, in terms of leading troops in battle, I did learn a few things from the fourth brother.

It was precisely because of this that he was quite liked by the fourth prince, who once pleaded with him to make Zhu Gaoxu the crown prince.

Since you like it, just follow me to the grassland.

Zhu Ying nodded slightly.

It is obvious that the old man still likes Prince of Yan Zhu Di very much.

Among the many princes, Zhu Di looked the most like the old man. In addition, considering his military achievements, it was certain that he liked him.

Even though he verbally scolded Zhu Di's other two sons, there was actually an element of relationship between them.

Speaking of which, the palms and backs of the hands are all made of flesh.

After all, they are my own flesh and blood, how can I say that I dislike them?

…

Early winter has passed and the cold winter is coming.

The sky above the grassland was covered with heavy snow, and all that was visible was white.

It can be said that there are thousands of miles of ice and tens of thousands of miles of snow.

The originally gentle hillside also appears "covered in silver and exceptionally charming".

This kind of scenery is extremely beautiful from every angle.

But the herdsmen on the grassland are not able to enjoy such beautiful scenery.

There is a stereotype here. It seems that in the general imagination, every herdsman raises a large number of cattle and sheep. Although they cannot eat rice and vegetables, they can eat meat more casually.

This impression is wrong.

In the present Ming Dynasty, life on the grassland is much poorer than in the inland areas of the Ming Dynasty. It can be said to be the most bitter and cold place.

As for roasting sheep and slaughtering cattle, that was a right only enjoyed by a very small number of Mongolian nobles.

For ordinary grassland people, their food includes everything edible.

Dog, wolf, fox, horse.

When forced by life, human flesh does not pose any psychological burden to the grassland people.

"Grassland barbarian" is not an insulting word, it is a very real name nowadays.

The name of two-legged sheep spread across the grassland.

If you eat too much human flesh, naturally there is nothing to care about.

Especially during wartime, when many tribes did not have enough food during the winter, they would slaughter their slaves and eat them.

For the tribe, slaves were also very important food reserves.

Ordinary people on the grassland actually only eat meat a few times a year, and their staple food is mainly milk.

Horse milk, goat milk, camel milk.

Even Genghis Khan and Temujin's family had to eat grass roots and marmots when they were in trouble.

When the Mongols moved into the Central Plains, a large number of Mongolian nobles became rich and the lives of ordinary Mongolians also improved.

And because of trade, rice, millet and other food crops from the Central Plains were continuously transported to the grassland, which also caused the population on the grassland to increase.

As the population increased, the grassland's dependence on the Central Plains became stronger.

Now, the Ming Dynasty has banned the export of grasslands. With the implementation of this blockade policy, and the Northern Yuan Dynasty's fruitless attack on Liaodong, it is like returning to the era before Genghis Khan.

Nowadays, for most people on the grassland, the winter rations they prepare are not enough to support them through the winter.

…

"Xiao Ma, you are carrying so many things. Are you going to meet your future father-in-law?"

Big Fatty said with a smile.

On the white snow, the pony hung some bags of food on his warhorse, and it seemed that he was ready to set off.

As scouts, Gou Zi, Dapang and Xiao Ma can walk on the grassland under the pretext of patrolling.

And because of their meritorious services, the three of them have been directly promoted to the general flag.

The chief flag officer was not a small official. In the garrison system, each chief flag officer was in charge of fifty soldiers.

This only refers to the soldiers. Behind each sergeant, including the military households, are also within the jurisdiction. This means that under one general banner, there are probably about a hundred people under its jurisdiction.

Moreover, as a scout, he has even greater power at the border.

Apart from anything else, at least there is no need to worry about food and drink.

Life at the border is hard, but since Zhu Ying has been continuously improving the Ming Dynasty's economic system and planting large-scale cold-resistant and drought-resistant high-yield crops, the border has been provided with a great supply of food.

The border troops now have a large number of high-yield crops in their planting areas.

Nowadays, rice is mixed with sweet potatoes, which not only fills you up but also tastes good.

Xiao Ma was going to Una's tribe to deliver the food.

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Una's family has too little food for the winter, so they won't be able to survive."

"These are all saved by me. I didn't touch anything in the guardhouse."

Although it was a joke, Xiao Ma also knew what Da Pang meant.

Perhaps in the past, no one cared about some minor corruption at the border, but since this year, the court has been very strict in investigating the issue of eating empty salaries and using military rations at the border.

Basically, once discovered, their identities are stripped and they are sent back to the mainland to perform forced labor.

The Ming Dynasty was most in need of manpower for construction projects in various parts of the country. In the past, conscription was forced, but now it is not so easy to join the army.

Gouzi came over and said, "The grassland is a little unstable right now. It would be dangerous for you to go alone. Let Da Pang bring some brothers with you."

"I will naturally deal with the centurion."

Hearing this, Xiao Ma hesitated for a moment and said, "Brother Gouzi, it's only a few dozen miles away, so it shouldn't be necessary. I'll be back in the evening."

Gou Zi shook his head and said, "It's different now than before. Don't you know what's going on on the grassland?"

"Although we haven't really run out of food yet, once winter comes, the wind and snow are too strong and we can't do anything. Many tribes will prepare in advance."

"If you have more people, not only can they protect you, but they can also protect your Una if there is any danger."

After hearing Una, Xiao Ma thought about it and nodded.

Big Fatty smiled and said, "That's right, Brother Gouzi has never lied to us before, so it's better to be safe."

"Wait, I'll go gather the brothers."

Soon, Xiao Ma, Dapang, and their thirty riders set out together in the name of patrol.

The tribe where Una lives is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty, which is also the place where Feng Sheng once defeated Yuan Taiwei Nahachu.

Although it was affiliated with the Ming Dynasty, according to the standards of the embargo, even if it nominally belonged to the Ming Dynasty, trade was cut off.

The tribe you belong to has a very low standard compensation quota, which does not mean you can buy as much as you want.

It is a form of rationing according to population.

The main quantities are controlled by the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce.

This is to prevent the food from being resold.

Once something like this happens, anyone can report it, and in this extraordinary case, there will be more severe punishment.

It is very unfriendly to ordinary grassland people.

That's why the pony braved the wind and snow to deliver food.

Just as Brother Gouzi had guessed, when Xiao Ma Dapang and his thirty riders arrived at Una's tribe, a fight was taking place there.

It was a scramble by other tribes.

There were not many people, only about twenty or thirty, but for herders like Una, who only gathered in more than ten households, it was impossible to stop them.

Seeing them from afar, Xiao Ma immediately led his men to rush over.

In front of the well-equipped Ming cavalry, there was naturally no suspense.

After leaving behind more than ten lives, they all fled in all directions.

"Little Ma."

When Una saw the mighty figures in the Ming army, she shouted in ecstasy.

The pony immediately got off the horse and ran towards Una.

This is a two-way love.

As they got closer, Xiao Ma stopped again and said, "I'm covered in blood."

"It doesn't matter."

Una said softly, and then threw herself directly into Xiao Ma's arms.

Women on the grassland are always passionate.

In fact, Xiao Ma and Una have not known each other for very long.

Including this time, I have only seen him four times in total.

I may have said less than ten sentences.

In this era, love rarely involves long-term talk and affection. As long as the eyes meet, they are considered in love.

"You little bastard, your brothers have risked their lives for you, but you still have a beautiful girl in your arms. What are you doing?" Big Fat said with a laugh.

There was a hint of envy in his eyes.

I never thought that I, who always talked about girls, would not be as quick as Xiao Ma, who is so taciturn.

What a bad decision. What a bad decision.

After hearing this, Xiao Ma felt embarrassed, and Una also showed a shy look on her face.

The rest is relatively simple.

After Xiao Ma expressed his desire to take Una back to the border, Una naturally agreed.

Una's father had died in battle a long time ago, and later her mother followed her uncle, who had also been killed before.

Now the mother is alone, and perhaps she will be with another man soon.

Now that there is a new way out, I naturally agreed readily.

As for the other herdsmen, after Dapang told them that the Ming Dynasty was accepting the survivors of the grassland, they all agreed to go back with them.

Xiao Ma is now the chief flag officer. As for the soldiers at the border, they can naturally bring their families to the garrison.

After a simple packing, the group returned to the border.

The arrival of dozens of herdsmen immediately attracted the attention of hundreds of households.

"Good job, little pony, big fat guy. The higher-ups just sent a document saying they want to bring in herdsmen to our Ming Dynasty. You brought dozens of people to me. You really didn't let go of any credit."

The captain looked very happy.

It’s only been three days since the imperial notice was issued, but it’s already taking effect.

Although there are not many people, at least they are the first batch.

Being the first batch to report, I can finally show my face to my superiors.

After the matter was resolved, Una naturally joined the Ming army and became a Ming citizen from then on.

This was almost a change of fate for Una.

Because according to the rules on the grassland, a wife is inherited by brothers, fathers and sons. Although this is the custom, in reality, no woman is willing to do so.

Daming was different. After becoming Xiao Ma's wife, she was with him for life.

The Ming Dynasty itself, as the pinnacle of culture, was very attractive to the people on the grassland.

Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty is now willing to shelter the people of the grassland.

With the joining of Una and other herders, the news quickly spread across the grassland.

Being able to have food to eat and not starve to death is the greatest blessing for most of the grassland people living at the bottom of society.