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.
Huanhua Monk, you little thing, how dare you talk about your father like that.
"Wen Cheng, be good. Father didn't learn this. If you want to learn martial arts, go find Jiang Lin. There are so many guards in the palace, and each of them is better than father in martial arts. Father is just stronger. If you want to be stronger, you have to eat more and grow up. Do you understand?"
Facing his own son, Zhu Ying was speechless. He couldn't beat him for such a small matter.
In fact, Zhu Ying never showed mercy when beating her son. Sometimes, when he acted up, she would really beat him.
Zhu Yuanzhang came to protect him several times, but there was nothing he could do.
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't protect him forever. If he escaped, he would fight even more fiercely when the old man was not around.
Later, little Wencheng didn't dare to ask his great-grandfather for help, because the pain his father was causing must have been really painful.
"You lied to me. I have asked many people. Father's strength is not something that can be gained by eating. He must have practiced peerless martial arts."
"I went to find Jiang Li yesterday and asked him who was more powerful between him and my father. Jiang Li told me that my father was the most powerful. There was no one more powerful than my father in the entire palace."
Xiao Wencheng said seriously with a rosy face.
Even at this time, his hands were still holding Zhu Ying's thighs tightly and refused to let go.
Zhu Ying didn't dare to force it open. Children's bones are fragile and if he used a little more force, it might cause a fracture.
When I beat my son, I usually don’t use a stick, but a thin rattan stick.
This thing hurts a lot when I smoke it, but it won’t hurt anything. It’s really the best way to teach my son a lesson.
"Just teach him a few tricks. This has been going on for a long time."
At this time, Ye Yueqing came out and persuaded.
Zhu Ying turned to look at Ye Yueqing and said with a wry smile: "Why are you joining in the fun?"
Ye Yueqing didn't answer, just blinked.
Zhu Ying immediately understood what Ye Yueqing meant.
He then looked at Xiao Wencheng and said, "Since you are so sincere, I have no choice but to teach you."
"But you also have to know that the law cannot be passed on lightly, so you must complete the three tests of your father before your father can teach you this peerless magic skill."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wencheng's eyes curved into a smile: "Father, please tell me which three tests they are."
Zhu Ying said, "This test is the Tongshi. You have to know that peerless magic skills cannot be learned by just watching. Ordinary people simply cannot learn it. It requires a high level of knowledge to comprehend. If you can't even pass the Tongshi, then naturally you have no conditions to learn it."
Xiao Wencheng tilted his head and thought about the storybooks he had read.
It seems to be true.
"Okay, then what are the second and third tests, father?" Xiao Wencheng asked immediately.
Zhu Ying shook his head: "Those who learn martial arts should remember not to aim too high. You should finish the child test first. Then your father will tell you the content of the second test."
Xiao Wencheng had no choice but to nod: "Okay, father, let's make a pinky promise."
Zhu Ying stretched out her little finger and hooked it with Xiao Wencheng.
"Pin, swear, don't change for a hundred years. Whoever changes is a puppy."
Then press your thumbs together.
"stamp."
This time, Xiao Wencheng finally stopped forcing himself to cling to Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ying thought for a moment and said, "How about this, father will teach you the basics first. A martial artist must endure hardships before he can practice martial arts."
"From now on, you must study hard and practice diligently every day. The child exam is one thing, but you must also practice your basic skills solidly. Otherwise, if you force yourself to practice your magical skills, you will inevitably fail. If your basic skills are not good enough, you will go crazy at best, or even burn all your internal organs."
Zhu Ying never expected that his brainwashing trick would eventually be used on his own son.
At this time, Guo Zhong, who was waiting nearby, suddenly said, "Your Highness is teaching divine skills, everyone should stay away."
What Zhu Ying said sounded like it was true.
As the manager of Kunning Palace, Guo Zhong naturally could not let others hear about the Crown Prince's magical powers.
Zhu Ying waved his hand indifferently: "It's okay, it's just a basic skill, it doesn't matter."
Then, Zhu Ying assumed a horse stance.
"Follow me."
Xiao Wencheng imitated his father and also did a horse stance.
Zhu Yingze stood up and helped Xiao Wencheng set up the shelf.
Horse stance has the effect of strengthening the body and is also a good form of exercise.
Even though Xiao Wencheng is five years old now, Zhu Ying died at the age of eight.
"Father, I can't hold on any longer."
After only a dozen breaths, Xiao Wencheng felt his legs go weak and he felt as if he was about to fall.
Zhu Ying scolded him, "You wanted to learn magic from me, didn't you? You can't even get started, so how can you talk about practicing magic?"
“Those who learn martial arts should practice for 39 days in summer and 3 days in winter. One day of practice will bring one day of improvement. One day without practice will bring one hundred days of loss.”
"Without hard practice, how can you reach the top? From today on, you must practice standing meditation for one stick of incense every morning, noon, and evening. If you can't even do this, then you'd better give up the idea of coveting your father's divine power. Otherwise, if you force yourself to practice, you will only hurt yourself."
Xiao Wencheng gritted his teeth and nodded: "Don't worry, father, I will definitely be able to hold on."
Zhu Ying saw that Xiao Wencheng's forehead had begun to sweat, so he said, "This exercise imitates riding a horse. I will teach you a formula, so listen carefully."
"The horse-riding pose is to spread your legs apart and sit down like a rider. To practice it, stand upright, face forward, spread your legs apart, bend your knees, and sit like a rider."
“When standing in a stance, don’t be stiff all over. Think of yourself as riding a horse. The strength of your whole body should fluctuate. Rising and falling, squatting, and squatting should be like a galloping horse. The body and mind should be open when the head is in the air.”
"When you feel a heat circulating in your body, it means you have achieved a minor success and have stepped into the threshold of learning divine skills. Then you will be like your father, not afraid of heat in summer or cold in winter."
Xiao Wencheng's eyes suddenly lit up.
He knew how powerful his father was.
In the hot summer, my father's body was cool and very comfortable. And in the winter when it was freezing cold, my father's body was like a stove, and I could keep warm when I leaned on him.
His favorite thing was to sleep in his father's arms during the winter.
At this moment, the eunuchs and palace maids in the courtyard all stretched their ears out.
They had no doubt at all about the prince's words. Such martial arts secrets were spoken so simply without any concealment.
Even Ye Yueqing's eyes showed obvious surprise.
She had never seen Zhu Ying practicing martial arts, but when she was in the Chamber of Commerce, she heard about the boss's martial arts being the best in the world, unmatched, and his heroic deeds of killing hundreds of people alone.
Those rough and rude guards of the Chamber of Commerce, the warriors of the desert, behaved like sheep on the grassland when they saw the boss.
It turns out that there really is magical power.
At this time, outside the gate of the courtyard.
Zhu Yuanzhang asked Jiang Li beside him, "What Grandson said is really a magical skill."
Jiang Li's expression was serious and solemn: "Your Highness's magical skill is so extraordinary right from the beginning. Compared with your Highness's, the boxing and kicking skills I practiced are simply farm skills. The rising and falling and squatting are like running horses, the empty head is in the air, and even the horse stance has such profound requirements."
"Your Majesty, it seems that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly protected by divine power."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.
He recalled the attacks made by Da Sun when he was assassinated. Although they were only a few short moves, each one was deadly and no one could stop it.
Killing a person with one knife is as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.
Those assassins were not ordinary people. Each of them was skilled in martial arts and was a veteran on the battlefield. However, in front of the eldest grandson, they were as ridiculous as children's tricks.
Zhu Yuanzhang did practice martial arts, but he was not proficient in it.
Now it seems that Dasun's martial arts have already reached the pinnacle.
Zhu Ying had sharp ears and sharp eyes, and he had already discovered it when the old man and others came over.
At this time, the teaching was over and Zhu Yuanzhang walked out.
I just didn’t want to disturb my eldest grandson from learning martial arts.
Originally, Zhu Yuanzhang thought that learning martial arts was useless. How could a warrior govern the Ming Dynasty? Now, it seems to me that it is not a bad idea to let Wencheng learn martial arts.
This is the magical skill of the eldest grandson.
"Your Majesty."
All the eunuchs and palace maids bowed, and Ye Yueqing also bowed.
"Great grandfather!"
When Xiao Wencheng saw Zhu Yuanzhang, he immediately shouted happily.
Zhu Yuanzhang walked over and said, "My dear, you are sweating so much. Take a rest."
As he got closer, Zhu Yuanzhang saw beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down his great-grandson's forehead, and he felt heartbroken.
Xiao Wencheng glanced at Zhu Ying, then shook his head stubbornly: "No, I want to learn magic from my father."
Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him immediately.
Zhu Ying said helplessly: "Learning martial arts is not a one-day job. You are just a beginner, so you should take a rest first. Forceful training will only hurt your body. You should understand the principle of slow and steady progress, and water dripping through a stone will wear it away."
After all, he was just a child under five years old, and he immediately relaxed when he heard this.
As soon as I let out this breath, my whole body went limp.
As soon as I tried to walk, my legs went numb and I started to stagger.
Zhu Yuanzhang, who was standing next to him, was quick to act and immediately hugged little Wencheng.
"Look how tired you have made our great-grandson." Zhu Yuanzhang cast an unfriendly look at his eldest grandson, with a strong sense of resentment in his tone, even though he knew that this was a good thing for little Wencheng.
Zhu Ying naturally would not argue with the old man on this issue, as he would be the only one who would suffer.
Let Ye Yueqing take Xiao Wencheng to the back hall to rest.
The palace maid next to her was ready to take Xiao Wencheng from Zhu Yuanzhang's hands.
Zhu Ying glanced at him and said, "Let him walk on his own. After doing this exercise, you need to circulate your blood and tendons, otherwise all your practice will be in vain."
When Xiao Wencheng heard this, he immediately struggled to get out of Zhu Yuanzhang's arms.
Ye Yueqing took Xiao Wencheng to the back hall.
After the little guy left.
Zhu Yuanzhang still looked reluctant, and when he could no longer see her, he remembered his business.
"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.
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