In the Huagai Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the list submitted by the Ministry of Justice, then threw it on the table and scolded:

"These greedy guys, our eldest grandson has already increased their salaries so much, they are not thinking about serving the court, but are still bullying the people. What's the point of keeping them? Let's execute them all."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing, the Minister of Justice, smiled bitterly and said, "I obey your order."

According to the revised Ming Dynasty laws, these corrupt officials will not be executed directly. They will most likely be sent to cold and bitter places such as Annan or the border areas to become teachers in schools to atone for their sins.

For a relatively easy punishment like this, the sentence is generally longer than hard labor, starting at thirty years.

Compared to the death penalty, more people are naturally willing to accept this.

But they were unlucky and ran into His Majesty when he came to check on them.

At the end of each month, Zhu Yuanzhang would summon the six ministers to review their performance that month.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang is not as violent as he used to be, he still basically kills corrupt officials when he sees them.

There was no need for Zhu Ying to argue with the old man over dozens of corrupt officials. Besides, the amount of embezzlement by corrupt officials who were brought to Zhu Yuanzhang's bench must have been considerable.

Those who embezzled a few hundred strings of cash are not even qualified to be included in this book.

"With the recent development of our Ming Dynasty, there are opportunities to make money everywhere, and officials from all over the country can more easily and covertly use their power to engage in corruption."

"In this regard, the Ministry of Justice should think carefully and adopt various supervision methods to prevent such behavior from spreading."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave advice to Yang Jing, the Minister of Justice.

The Minister of Justice Yang Jing quickly responded and stated that the Ministry of Justice was now working with the Dali Temple and the Censorate to prepare for a cleanup operation in the Ming Dynasty.

The three departments sent people to various provinces to set up inspections and governance.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and then reviewed the memorials submitted by the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Personnel one by one, and pointed out his suggestions for revisions.

By the time the meeting was over, more than an hour had passed.

Zhu Yuanzhang stretched his body to stretch his muscles.

Xiao Wencheng is about to start his classes now, so he doesn't stay with Zhu Yuanzhang most of the time during the day, so it's a lot quieter.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang occasionally missed him and asked Liu He about little Wencheng's situation.

Hearing that Xiao Wencheng preferred martial arts to literature, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Nonsense! How can the future emperor of our Ming Dynasty be a warrior? He should study hard so that he can govern the local area in the future."

"Who made our great-grandson interested in learning martial arts?"

Although he asked this question, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Jiang Li with some unfriendly eyes.

He knew that the little guy really liked playing with Jiang Li.

Jiang Li felt the gaze of His Majesty and felt his scalp tingling. He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it should be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned: "Grandson? What's going on?"

Jiang Li hurried to explain.

It turned out that Zhu Ying took his family to Xuanwu Lake for a spring outing last time.

Because there were so many people and so many concubines, Xuanwu Lake was strictly restricted.

At that time, Zhu Ying's little friends were playing together, and somehow they started playing a game of pretending to be soldiers and bandits, and the roles were from Water Margin.

As a result, a dispute arose because of Wu Song.

Xiao Wenri said that he had seen a tiger, but the scene of Wu Song fighting a tiger was fake, he could not win at all. It was impossible for a human to have such great strength. Not even the palace guards had such great strength.

Then among the other little guys, some were unconvinced, while others were supportive.

Finally, the matter came to Zhu Ying, who begged his father to judge the case.

Zhu Ying said that Wu Song could definitely kill the tiger.

Two little guys were not convinced.

Then he looked at his father in amazement as he pulled up a willow tree with one hand.

This is an imitation of the scene in Water Margin where Monk Hua uproots a weeping willow tree.

Pulling out a weeping willow tree is a story.

But this willow tree is a real willow tree.

The palace guards standing guard nearby were all eyelids twitching.

They had heard about the rumors about the Crown Prince's amazing fighting power, but they all thought it was just a rumor. Now that such a scene appeared before their eyes, it was truly shocking.

Xiao Wencheng's eyes lit up and he pestered Zhu Ying to teach him unique martial arts.

Zhu Ying doesn't know any of these, he's just stronger.

Then he persuaded Xiao Wencheng to eat well so that he could gain strength.

The result was that Xiao Wencheng focused all his attention on martial arts and had no interest in academic subjects at all.

"Is our eldest grandson really that powerful? I haven't seen him practice martial arts normally." Zhu Yuanzhang asked with some confusion.

Jiang Li smiled bitterly and said, "Perhaps this is a natural power."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "Impossible, when my eldest grandson was young, he didn't have such talent."

When Zhu Xiongying was a child, he had a congenital heart disease. Not to mention any supernatural powers, he would be out of breath even with a little exercise.

"It seems that our eldest grandson must have had some adventure in the Western Regions." Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully.

He didn't think it was possible that his eldest grandson was faking this.

For now, whether it is fake or real is no longer that important.

Even if it's fake, you have to take it seriously.

Moreover, evidence from all sides proves that the Crown Prince must be the eldest grandson.

If the fourth brother had not brought him here by force, the eldest grandson would most likely never have come to the capital in his lifetime, and naturally there would be no conspiracy specifically targeting him.

After all, such bizarre things as resurrection from the dead have happened, and some other changes are also very reasonable.

Jiang Li didn't think so much.

When he heard His Majesty's words, he felt a chill in his heart.

That frown on his face, does it mean he doubts the identity of the Crown Prince?

But Your Majesty, if you doubt now, it will be too late.

The entire palace guard is now under the control of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Even Guo Ying, the former commander of the palace guard, now needs long-term treatment from an imperial physician due to a recurrence of an old illness.

If Your Majesty doubts the identity of the Crown Prince at this time, His Royal Highness will rebel.

I'm afraid no one in this palace dares to object.

And how will Jiang Li deal with it?

Liu He, who was serving Zhu Yuanzhang, also felt a little uneasy in his heart.

Now the relationship between His Majesty and His Majesty is so close, if they really break down, it will be a major event that will shake the government and the country.

Jiang Li pondered over it, and a light bulb suddenly lit up in his mind. He said, "Your Majesty, is it related to the King of Zhennan? In the investigation of the situation in the Western Regions, the King of Zhennan should be the king of Ningmi. After Ningmi was destroyed, he was reduced to a slave and was bought by Taisun."

"There are many heirloom treasures in this ancient country in the Western Regions. I think the change in the crown prince may have a lot to do with the King of Zhennan."

Jiang Lin must find a possible direction for the Crown Prince's abnormality.

Otherwise, if there is a rift in the relationship between His Majesty and the Crown Prince, it will be difficult for him to be the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Even though I know that His Majesty doesn't think that way, I still have to come up with an excuse.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "This ancient country in the Western Regions does have many mysteries. Perhaps the King of Zhennan gave my grandson some rare treasure."

Hearing this, Jiang Lin and Liu He looked at each other subconsciously. The two closest ministers to His Majesty finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared with Jiang Li, Liu He had more worries.

As far as the official group is concerned, this is especially true for him, the eunuch who holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department. Before him, no one had held this position for more than three years.

Normally, if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had not appeared, he would probably be in great danger now, and the grass on his grave might be three feet high.

This has nothing to do with diligence. In the palace, every eunuch is very cautious. But they cannot stand up to His Majesty's bad temper.

Liu He has been in this position for nine years now, and the reason he is still alive is all because of the Crown Prince.

"What has your eldest grandson been doing these days? He's been so busy. I heard that he went out on a dragon chariot yesterday." Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Although Mr. Zhu is seventy years old, he is still in good health.

I had sex with a concubine last night, so I didn't go to see my eldest grandson.

After all, I'm older and not as healthy as before, so I get up a little later in the morning.

There was an early morning court session today, and Zhu Yuanzhang went straight to it after getting up.

As for the eldest grandson, his participation in the court meeting would depend on the situation.

As the head of the eunuchs in the inner court, Liu He naturally knew the news about Zhu Ying.

I replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Research Department has developed a steam engine. The Crown Prince was very happy about it. He got on the dragon chariot and the guards led the way to the Research Department. He did not return to the palace until late last night."

Zhu Yuanzhang was originally half lying down somewhat carelessly, but when he heard this, he immediately straightened up.

"Has the steam engine that the prince talked about really been built?" Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was filled with obvious surprise.

Zhu Ying had told him about the idea of ​​the steam-powered ironclad ship a long time ago.

As a military expert, Zhu Yuanzhang was very clear about the significance of steam-powered ironclad ships.

This means that the sea will no longer be an obstacle for the Ming Dynasty.

Liu He obviously didn't expect His Majesty to react so strongly, and he immediately said affirmatively: "It was made."

After Zhu Yuanzhang got the confirmation, he immediately stood up and said, "Let's go to Kunning Palace. We need to ask our eldest grandson."

…

In Kunning Palace.

"Father, please, teach me. I know the rules and I promise not to pass them on to others. Please, teach me."

Xiao Wencheng leaned on Zhu Ying's legs and refused to leave.

He had to ask Zhu Ying to teach him unique martial arts.

Ever since I showed off my skills at Xuanwu Lake, the little guys have been eyeing me.

However, as a father, Zhu Ying still had great deterrent power, but Xiao Wencheng relied on his great-grandfather's doting and insisted on pestering him.

Zhu Ying was speechless.

还花和尚，你这小东西，哪有这样说自己爹的。

“文承乖，父王这可不是学来的，你要学武功，去找蒋瓛啊，宫里那么多侍卫，个个都比父王武功高，父王也就是力气大点，这想要力气大，就得多吃饭，长身体，知道了吗。”

面对自己的儿子，朱英也很无语，总不能为了这点事去打他吧。

其实平日里朱英打儿子也从来没手软过，有时候瞎胡闹的时候，那是真的打。

好几次朱元璋过来护着，那都没有办法。

朱元璋总不能一直护着，若是因此逃过一劫，等老爷子没在的时候，就打得更凶了。

后来小文承都不敢去找太爷爷帮忙，父王那一下下的，是真的疼啊。

“你骗我，我都问了好多人了，父王这力气，根本不是吃饭能够吃出来的，必然是要修炼绝世武功才行。”

“我昨日就去找了蒋瓛，问他跟父王比谁厉害，蒋瓛告诉我父王才是最厉害的，整个宫里，都没有比父王更厉害的人了。”

小文承粉嘟嘟的脸上，一脸认真的说道。

即便是在这个时候，双手也是抱着朱英的大腿紧紧的，怎么都不给松开。

朱英也不敢强行掰，小孩子骨骼脆，力气稍大了些，可能就引起骨折了。

平时打儿子的时候，也不可能拿棍棒，而是用细藤条。

这玩意抽起来贼疼，也不会伤着哪里，实在是教训儿子的最佳法宝。

“你就教他两手吧，这都闹了多久了。”

这时，叶月清走了出来劝说道。

朱英转头看向叶月清苦笑道：“你怎么也跟着起哄啊。”

叶月清没有回答，只是眨了眨眼。

朱英顿时就明白了叶月清的意思。

当下看向小文承道：“既然你如此诚心，那为父不教也是不行了。”

“不过你也得知道，法不可轻传，所以你要完成为父的三道考校，为父才可教你这绝世神功。”

小文承闻言，眼睛都笑出了月牙弯：“父王快说，是哪三道考校。”

朱英说道：“这一道考校吗，就是童试，你要知道，绝世神功可不是看着就会的，一般人根本就没法学习，这需要学问高才能领悟，如果你连童试都过不去，那就自然没有学习的条件了。”

小文承歪着头，想了想自己看过的话本。

好像确实是这么个道理。

“好，那父王第二道跟第三道考校是什么呢。”小文承紧接着问道。

朱英摇摇头：“学武之人，切记好高骛远，你先完成童试再说，到时候父王自然会告诉你第二道考校的内容。”

小文承只好点点头：“好吧，父王我们拉勾。”

朱英伸出小尾指，跟小文承勾着。

“拉钩，上吊，一百年不许变，谁变谁是小狗。”

然后大拇指按在一起。

“盖章。”

这下子，小文承总算是不再强行抱朱英的大腿来着了。

朱英想了想说道；“这样吧，父王先教你个基础功，练武之人，吃得苦中苦，方能练神功。”

“你从现在开始，每日勤学苦练，童试是一方面，基础功也要练得扎实，否则强练神功，必然失败，基础功不够，轻则走火入魔，重则五脏六腑俱焚。”

朱英也没想到，自己洗脑这招，最后还会用到自己儿子的身上。

这时，旁边候着的郭忠突然开口道：“殿下教授神功，尽皆回避。”

朱英说的一套一套的，听上去好像真的是那么回事。

作为坤宁宫管事的郭忠，自然不能让太孙的神功给别人听了去。

朱英无所谓的摆摆手：“没事，就一个基础功罢了，无关紧要。”

随后，朱英就摆出个马步来。

“跟我学。”

小文承学着父王的样子，也摆了个马步出来。

朱英则起身，帮小文承把架子搭好。

扎马步本来就有强身健体的功效，也是一种很好的锻炼方式。

别看小文承现在已经五岁了，朱英当年八岁还早夭了呢。

“父王，我坚持不住了。”

小文承这才十几个呼吸，就感觉到双腿发软，有些摇摇欲坠之感。

朱英训斥道：“不是你要跟我学神功的吗，连入门都不能，还谈什么苦练神功。”

“学武之人，夏练三九，冬练三伏，一日练一日功，一日不练百日空。”

“不曾苦练，何以登高峰，自今日开始，每天早，中，晚，各站桩功一炷香，若是连这点都做不到，那就趁早打消贪图为父神功的想法，否则强行练了，只会伤了自己。”

小文承咬牙点头：“父王放心，我定然能够坚持下来。”

朱英看着小文承的额头上已经开始冒汗了，便又说道：“这桩功模仿的是骑马，我教你一段口诀，你且是听好了。”

“骑马式者，两腿左右分开，身体下坐，有如骑马者之谓也。其练习之法，身体直立，面向前方，两腿左右分开。双膝弯曲。踞立如骑马式。”

“站桩的时候，不要浑身僵着，要想着自己正在骑马一样，浑身的劲道要有波动，起伏蹲身若奔马，凌空虚顶形神开。”

“什么时候你若感觉到体内有股子热气在转，那就算是达到了小成，也算是踏进了学习神功的门槛，便可像父王一般，夏不惧热，冬不畏寒。”

小文承的眼睛顿时就亮了起来。

他可是知道父王多么厉害。

炎热的夏天，父王的身上冰凉冰凉的非常舒服，而到了冬天冷得直哆嗦的时候，父王身上就跟个火炉子似的，靠在身上暖呼呼的。

他最喜欢的就是在冬天里在父王的怀抱中睡觉了。

此刻，院子里的宦官宫女，耳朵尽皆长长的伸着。

他们对于太孙的话，是没有半点怀疑，这等武学秘诀，竟然就这么简单的说了出来，不加丝毫掩饰。

哪怕是叶月清的眼睛里，都露出极为明显的惊讶。

她可从未见过朱英站桩练功，但在商会的时候，就听说了东家武学天下第一，无人可当，一人杀百人的英雄事迹。

商会里那些粗鲁蛮横的护卫，大漠上的勇士，在见到东家的时候，表现得就像草原上的绵羊。

原来，是真的有神功啊。

这时，院门外的口子里。

朱元璋对旁边的蒋瓛问道；“大孙说的这些，可是真的神功。”

蒋瓛表情认真严肃：“太孙这神功，当当就入门便如此不凡，臣练的那些拳脚功夫跟太孙比起来，简直就是庄稼把式，起伏蹲身若奔马，凌空虚顶形神开，连站个马步，竟都有如此高深的讲究。”

“陛下，看来太孙殿下身上，当真有神功护体。”

朱元璋点点头。

他想起了当初遭遇刺杀的时候，大孙出手的那几下，虽说只有短短几招，可招招致命，无人可挡。

一刀杀一人，犹如砍瓜切菜般。

那些刺客可不是什么普通人，个个练有武艺在身，还是沙场老兵，可在大孙的面前，就跟小孩子把戏一样可笑。

朱元璋是练过武的，只是不算精通。

现在看来，大孙武艺早已达到登峰造极的地步了。

朱英耳聪目明，老爷子等人过来的时候，就已经发现了。

这时教学完了，朱元璋也就走了出来。

先前只是不想打扰曾长孙学武。

原本朱元璋还觉得学武没啥用，当个武夫怎么治理大明天下，现在听着，让你小文承学武也是不错。

这可是大孙的神功。

“拜见陛下。”

宦官宫女们尽皆行礼，叶月清也是万福。

“太爷爷！”

小文承看到朱元璋，当即就开心的喊道。

朱元璋几步走了过去：“咱的小心肝，哎呦，瞧这满头大汗的，赶紧歇歇吧。”

这走近了，朱元璋就看到自家曾长孙那豆大的汗珠不停滚落，顿时一阵心疼。

小文承看了眼朱英，而后倔强的摇了摇头：“不，我要跟父王学神功。”

朱元璋当即目光就瞪了过来。

朱英无奈道：“学武非一日之功，你这才初学，也就差不多了，先行休息去吧，强练只会伤了身体，要懂得细水长流，水滴石穿之道理。”

毕竟只是个五岁还未满的孩子，听到这话，当即就放松下来。

这口气一卸，浑身就软了。

刚想走路，就腿部发麻，摇摇欲坠。

旁边的朱元璋眼疾手快，立即抱住了小文承。

“看你把咱曾孙给累得。”朱元璋不善的目光扫向大孙，语气中带着很强的埋怨，哪怕是知道这对小文承是个好事。

朱英自然不会在这方面去跟老爷子争执，苦的只会是自己。

就让叶月清带小文承去后殿歇息。

旁边的宫女准备从朱元璋的手里接过小文承。

朱英瞥了一眼道：“让他自己走，这桩功后，要通气血顺筋骨，否则刚才就白练了。”

小文承听到这话，当即挣扎着从朱元璋的怀里下来。

叶月清则牵着小文承往后殿去。

小家伙走了后。

朱元璋的目光依旧有些不舍，等完全看不到了，这才想起正事来。

"We heard that the steam engine that our eldest grandson developed has now been built?"

Zhu Ying couldn't help showing some joy on his face when he heard this: "Yes, this steam engine has really been built. My grandson can't believe it. I originally thought it would take three to five years. Huang Zhanshi is the main contributor here."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Huang Guan's six top-ranked poems are indeed talented and learned. I didn't expect that he has such a talent in this area."

"Since the steam engine has been built, the ironclad ship should be built soon."

Zhu Ying replied, "My grandson has asked Huang Guan to take charge of the construction of the ironclad ship. It should be around March or May, and we should be able to build a small ironclad ship for testing."

Zhu Yuanzhang never expected that this steam-powered ironclad ship could be built in just three to five months.

He said excitedly, "Okay, let's wait for three to five months to see if this ironclad ship is as powerful as Grandson said."

Zhu Ying immediately said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I will definitely not let you down."

The advent of the steam age and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Various types of ores are the most scarce raw materials.

Zhu Ying has issued an order to the Ming Ocean Trading Chamber of Commerce to begin full-scale purchases of overseas ore.

At the same time, he also asked Zhang Bo to pass on a message, ordering that all the ore transported back by all Ming merchant ships must be sold to the court.