Old Zhu was quite satisfied with Zhu Xiong Ying's statement. "That's good. When we founded the country, there was no other way. There was unrest both inside and outside the country, so we could only let the Embroidered Uniform Guard keep an eye on things for us. Now that the Ming Dynasty is at peace, the Embroidered Uniform Guard should not have such great power."
Zhu Xiong Ying shared the same thought, and he continued, "Now that the court is gradually getting back on track, many things should be regulated. Otherwise, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will inevitably become too powerful to control. I've observed that over the years, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has frequently used its power for personal revenge and fabricated charges, and the atmosphere in the court is not good."
Old Zhu naturally understood these things even better. In fact, he was somewhat helpless. The Embroidered Uniform Guard could really be considered a monster he had personally cultivated, and this behemoth was now somewhat out of his control.
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "My idea is also very simple: the Embroidered Uniform Guard must be reduced in size. They are still the emperor's personal guard, and they still need to patrol, arrest, collect military intelligence, and turn enemy generals to defect. They also need to monitor the officials who need to be monitored."
Old Zhu just smiled at Zhu Xiong Ying, which made the talkative Zhu Xiong Ying a little uncomfortable.
Seeing that Xiao Zhu was uncomfortable, Old Zhu said with a smile, "Everyone outside says that you are like us, but actually you are more like your father. Your father is the same as us at heart, but what he is better at than us is that he knows how to put on an act. He is a refined and benevolent prince. You are different. You look ruthless, but you are kind at heart."
"Of course!" Zhu Xiong Ying said with immense pride and smugness, "After all, I am the flesh and blood of my grandfather and grandmother, and I have all the best qualities of both of you! If my father were still alive, the Ming Dynasty would definitely have had a prosperous era from the very beginning!"
Looking at Zhu Xiong Ying, Old Zhu said earnestly, "Your father once told us that you would definitely be a martial emperor. We thought so at first too, but then we thought about it, wouldn't a martial emperor be good at civil administration? My civil administration is quite good. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Wen of Sui, and Cao Cao were all martial emperors. They were not lacking in either martial prowess or civil administration!"
"Grandfather, your grandson is not just a martial emperor!" Zhu Xiong Ying said to his grandfather with a serious expression. "Your grandson also has vision and strategy, otherwise he wouldn't have lifted the sea ban and seized Japan. Your grandson also wants to divide the Mongol tribes, which is not something that can be done by fighting and killing!"
Old Zhu laughed heartily. He didn't think his grandson was bragging; he believed his precious grandson could definitely do it.
Looking at what Zhu Yuanzhang has done over the years, Zhu Yuanzhang has reason to believe that his grandson is a capable and ambitious ruler. Those short-sighted people outside only see that his precious grandson is fond of martial arts and values military achievements!
Bah! Such short-sighted people can only ever be officials, completely subservient to us. If they had any real ability or vision, they'd be vying with us for the throne!
The only people in the world with true vision and talent are us and our grandson!
Old Zhu and Little Zhu were seriously discussing some matters. Now it was no longer a matter of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. In Old Zhu's view, it was a piece of cake and did not require much attention.
For Old Zhu, what he cares about more is his beloved grandson's strategies and his discussions with his grandson about long-term plans. This is what Old Zhu considers the most important thing.
"No wonder you always urged us to grant fiefdoms to your uncle!" Old Zhu laughed heartily and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "That's good. After the affairs of Goryeo and Japan are settled, it's time for Annam. If things are handled well there, Yunnan can be much more peaceful."
Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said with a hint of pride, "So I think that we should continue to put pressure on the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in the next few years, and also divide and disintegrate it. By then, the northern and northwestern regions will be much more peaceful."
This cannot be described as a single move affecting the whole situation, but in some of Zhu Xiong Ying's plans, many things are indeed closely connected, or rather, have some kind of relationship.
Next, Zhu Xiong Ying needed to take the matter of dealing with the Embroidered Uniform Guard seriously. As for other matters, they couldn't be delayed either; Zhu Xiong Ying had quite a few things to attend to.
It seems we really need to consider cabinet matters, but with a stubborn, workaholic grandfather, Zhu Xiong Ying doesn't have many options. It looks like he can only work even harder now and shouldn't even think about slacking off.
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