In the Huagai Hall, the Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang was handling government affairs when a eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, His Highness Gao Chi has returned to the palace."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but frown and said, "Didn't we arrange for him to check the defense of the capital? How come he came back so early?"

"Send him in, we want to ask what's going on."

After the morning court session, Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for the eldest sons of many princes to inspect the defense of the capital.

Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to the training of his grandchildren.

The eldest sons of these princes would become the crown princes in the future and the key to the Ming Dynasty's defense.

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to build a Ming Dynasty that would last for thousands of years.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a feeling of distrust towards officials, so he placed more hope on his descendants.

Soon, Zhu Gaochi came in and bowed, saying, "Grandson greets Grandpa Emperor."

"We asked you, we asked you to check the defenses, and it's only been a short time and you're back." Zhu Yuanzhang's tone sounded reprimanding.

Although this grandson was a little short in size, he still liked him very much.

The fourth son, Zhu Di, also said several times that he wanted to make the second son, Zhu Gaoxu, the crown prince, but was rejected by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Gaoxu was the second son of Prince of Yan Zhu Di and the tenth grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang.

In their early years, the Crown Prince Zhu Shangbing of Qin, the Crown Prince Zhu Jihui of Jin, the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi of Yan, the Crown Prince Zhu Youdun of Zhou and the older princes of the four prefectures studied together in the imperial palace in the capital.

However, he was cunning and stubborn by nature, and like Prince Jin Zhu Jixun and Prince Zhou Zhu Youjie, they were all frivolous in words and deeds, and were not liked by his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Grandpa Emperor, when I arrived at the East City Military Command, many soldiers were having breakfast. I couldn't bear to affect their meals because of my arrival, so I made a simple inspection and returned."

Zhu Gaochi sensed the emperor's displeasure, but he did not panic. Instead, he began to explain.

After the explanation, he took out a memorial from his arms and presented it to the Emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang himself had been a soldier and was very familiar with military life.

Although his grandson Zhu Gaochi's behavior clearly showed that he was a military rookie, it could be seen that he was kind and generous and treated his soldiers very well.

What the Ming Dynasty needs now is benevolent governance, not attacks from all directions.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not rush to praise, but first took the memorial handed over by Zhu Gaochi.

He wanted to see what his grandson could understand in such a short time.

After opening the memorial, Zhu Yuanzhang just glanced at it quickly.

The next moment,

The body, which was half lying down, suddenly sat up straight.

Zhu Gaochi's memorial recorded the defense situation in great detail.

First, the number of soldiers and horses.

Then comes the detailed number of soldiers and generals.

Including classified statistics of each type of arms.

There is also the number of weapons and equipment and a brief description of the situation.

Finally, some suggestions and thoughts on defense.

Just a few hundred words, without any unnecessary nonsense, it is intuitive, clear and concise.

The entire defense situation was recorded in detail.

This surprised Zhu Yuanzhang a little.

When ancient generals marched into battle, many of them actually only had a preliminary understanding of the armies they led.

Apart from some famous generals, most people only know the approximate number of people and the different uses of some types of troops.

Most of the warriors were illiterate, relying on their bravery but not having much education.

Zhu Yuanzhang certainly knew that Zhu Gaochi liked literature and disliked military affairs.

But judging from the records, it is clear that military skills are more than just a matter of talent.

He has the qualities to be a famous general.

After a moment's silence, Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be angry and asked, "Who taught you to write this? How dare you use this to fool us!"

Zhu Gaochi didn't expect the emperor to suddenly scold him. He was frightened and said quickly:

"Grandpa Emperor, I don't know anything about military affairs. These things were written by me, not taught by others."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Gaochi for a long time before asking, "Did you really write this yourself? No one taught you at all?"

Zhu Gaochi said hesitantly: "It's not that no one taught me. Before I went to check the defense, I asked a good friend for advice."

"This way of telling the story is the advice from my good friend."

Zhu Gaochi was somewhat isolated from the news.

Zhu Di didn't like his fat son in the first place, so naturally he wouldn't tell him his plan.

Therefore, Zhu Gaochi did not know at the moment that Zhu Ying and the Emperor's grandfather had already met and were very familiar with each other.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly when he heard this. These military methods recorded showed that the author was a veteran and was very familiar with the army.

Even among the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty today, there are quite a few who have such insight, but there are definitely not many either.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask: "Which minister taught you these methods?"

When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he thought of Zhu Ying's face and hesitated a little, but facing the emperor's gaze, he finally replied:

"He is not a minister in the court. My good friend is just a businessman."

"oh!"

Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed, how could there be such a talented person among the merchants?

And from what his grandson said, the merchant didn't seem to be very old.

"What's his name and what's he doing in the capital now? We want to see what kind of businessman he is that has such ability."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with some curiosity.

When Zhu Gaochi heard that the emperor expressed interest, he felt a little conflicted.

He didn't know how the emperor would feel once he saw Zhu Ying.

Will my father be affected?

Zhu Gaochi was very intelligent. When his father decided to bring Zhu Ying to the capital, he guessed that his father must want to use Zhu Ying to do something.

He knew very well that his father disliked him, so he never asked about this matter.

"Why, is there anyone else that we cannot tell?"

Seeing that his grandson Zhu Gaochi did not respond for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said with a somewhat unfriendly tone.

When Zhu Gaochi heard what his grandfather the emperor said, he knew that he would not be able to hide it today.

Helplessly, he could only say: "My good friend's surname is Zhu Mingying, and he is currently the owner of the Ping An Teahouse on the Qinhuai River. It was under his instruction that my grandson learned how to check defenses now."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard the name of his eldest grandson.

He didn't expect that this method was actually the work of his eldest grandson.

After a brief moment of distraction, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

He quickly picked up the memorial and read it again. He felt more and more delighted, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

He is indeed our good grandson.

Not only was he excellent in local governance, he was also very knowledgeable about military affairs.

Just like us, he can be said to be a man of both talent and talent.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Gaochi in a gentle tone: "I am very satisfied. Tell me how you want me to reward you."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaochi understood that the emperor had passed the test.

After hesitating for a while, Zhu Gaochi did not refuse and said bluntly: "My grandson is very interested in the Arms Bureau and the Gunpowder Bureau. I hope that the emperor can let my grandson go to see it."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes moved slightly when he heard this, and he immediately understood that this was probably what his eldest grandson was thinking.

During an earlier chat, Zhu Yuanzhang discovered that his eldest grandson was very interested in firearms.

Zhu Gaochi lived in the palace since he was young. He had a quiet personality and loved reading.

The sudden proposal to go and see firearms must have something to do with Da Sun.

"Okay, you can go and see it tomorrow," said Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Thank you, Grandpa Emperor."

Zhu Gaochi bowed and thanked him, but there was a hint of sarcasm on the corner of his mouth.

He had stood up his aunt Xu Miaojing today, and he was planning to fulfill his promise tomorrow and take her out to play.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor asked him to go to the Gunpowder Department tomorrow.

This is a bit embarrassing.