Chapter 6 Backup Copy
As the weather was getting hotter and it was inconvenient to travel, Zhu Yuhuan stayed in the capital for another month, mainly to prepare the things he needed to bring to Yunnan.
This trip is not like the attack on Luchuan, where one can return to Beijing in a year or two. It will take at least two or three years, so Zhu Yuhuan is naturally more well prepared.
He didn't have to worry about daily food, clothing, and other expenses. The Ministry of Personnel also helped with personnel selection. There weren't many things that Zhu Yuhuan actually had to do personally, but there were some things as well.
"I've already gone through the list of books that the Hanlin Academy sent me a while ago and told them to pick a few more based on the ones I listed. I want to try to collect as many copies of each type as possible so that I can take them to Yunnan later."
Because he wanted to establish an official academy in Yunnan to educate the people, Zhu Yuhuan asked the emperor to order the people from the Hanlin Academy to pick a list of books and send it to Zhu Yuhuan for screening. At the same time, the books were also sent to Zhu Yuhuan for him to verify and select.
There would naturally be no problem with the content of the books sent by the Hanlin Academy, but there were still too few types. Therefore, Zhu Yuhuan made a list of books herself and asked the people in the Hanlin Academy to select them according to her requirements.
Some of these books are collected in the Yongle Encyclopedia, and most of them are unique copies. After all, the summary and copying alone consumed a lot of manpower and material resources. Although the country has been recuperating over the years, it has never had the opportunity to copy the Yongle Encyclopedia again. Therefore, if Zhu Yuhuan wants to take away some of the books, he needs to copy them urgently, otherwise if there is any damage on the way, the book will be at risk of being completely lost.
Huai En retreated in response. Zhu Youtong, who was flipping through the music sheet at the side, then spoke up: "Does Yunnan need so many books?"
Zhu Yuhuan put down the pen in his hand, raised his hand and rubbed his brow, saying: "Of course it won't be useful for a while. There are few Han people there, and the customs are different. How can they possibly understand all these books in one breath?"
"Then sister brings so many?"
Zhu Yuhuan smiled somewhat helplessly and said, "Just because I don't need it now doesn't mean I won't need it in the future. What's more, some of these books are the only copies, or even incomplete. I'm taking this opportunity to copy them down so that I can prepare for any unexpected situations in the future."
Although large-scale copying is not possible now, copying a few rare copies is not a big project and can be considered as archival. Moreover, if the reform of the native system in Yunnan is successful, the same can be done in Guizhou, Guangxi and other places, and these books will still be useful when the time comes.
Zhu Youtong finally understood and said, "So, sister is taking this opportunity..."
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at her and asked with a half-smile, "Aren't you taking this opportunity to read the storybook?"
Zhu Youtong chuckled, put down the book in his hand, and said confidently, "Didn't my sister say that? These are rare copies, not available outside. I certainly can't waste this opportunity. Besides, I didn't just read the storybooks, I also learned how to make pigments..."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't do anything about her and asked, "Could it be possible that we can't use your paint?"
"It never hurts to learn more."
Zhu Youtong walked over to Zhu Yuhuan with his hands behind his back and asked in a low voice, "Sister, you won't be back for a while, right? I asked Huai En, and he said Yunnan is very big. It took you a month just to get from Kunming to southern Yunnan. It will definitely take a long time to govern the place in an orderly manner and make the people prosperous..."
Zhu Yuhuan heard the reluctance in her tone and said comfortingly, "Don't worry. If everything goes well, I will return to the capital. I can't just rely on the memorial to answer His Majesty."
Zhu Youtong muttered, "Sister, even if you do all this, no one in the capital will remember your kindness..."
Zhu Youtong has almost forgotten everything about his childhood, but there is always a shadow in his heart. No matter how many good things his sister does, the final praise seems to never belong to her.
It is obvious that the emperor did nothing and everything was won by his sister. However, just because of the so-called "knowing people and using them well", the emperor became the number one meritorious official. This seems to be the case whether it is the deceased Zhu Zhanji or the current Zhu Qizhen.
Seeing her shifting her toes in dissatisfaction, Zhu Yuhuan found it somewhat amusing and said, "Why would I want them to remember my good points?"
"Don't you need others to remember your good deeds when you do good things?"
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but smile, his eyes curved. He said, "That depends on who remembers it. If it's one of these high-ranking officials in the capital, then it's naturally worthless."
"Worthless?" Zhu Youtong tilted his head slightly and said, "But these people will record what you did, and many people will admire you in the future..."
Zhu Yuhuan half-jokingly said, "What I do may not necessarily be what they consider to be good things. We have different standpoints, so why should I force their praise? Not to mention that temporary praise doesn't mean anything."
Zhu Youtong vaguely understood what his sister meant and said, "Is that so..."
"Some praises can't be heard immediately. It takes a long time to hear them." Zhu Yuhuan stood up and touched his sister's head, saying, "So don't worry about it, and don't be anxious."
Besides, who knows whether you will be cursed or praised thousands of years from now?
Zhu Yuhuan has no interest in those illusory things, she just wants to walk the current path well.
Zhu Youtong blinked, reached out and hugged her sister tightly, saying, "It doesn't matter, I'll praise you anyway!" As she spoke, she remembered what Queen Qian had mentioned about women's books. She became more and more confident, clenched her fists and vowed, "From now on, I will follow mother and Empress Wu and the others, and call Jiajia to compile a book together with the ladies-in-waiting in the palace, so that everyone will know how great you are!"
Zhu Yuhuan was amused by her words and said, "Oh my, this is incredible! My family is going to produce a contemporary master of the class."
Zhu Youtong seemed to have already imagined what the book would look like when it was finished, and said proudly, "I'm not going to write 'Lessons for Women'. If I were to write a book, I'd naturally write one that everyone would yearn for after reading it."
"Okay, okay—I'll be waiting then."
Zhu Youtong was extremely concerned about this matter. After talking with Zhu Yuhuan, he seemed to have made up his mind. He often ran to Hu Shanxiang and read the book he had compiled before for a long time.
However, now all these matters have been transferred to the hands of the queen. Zhu Youtong could only get a brief understanding of them first, and then go to Queen Qian to discuss matters and organize the compilation of Women's Book. She not only illustrated the book, but also had to write articles.
Now there is only Zhou Yingying, the concubine with a position in the palace, but in fact there are quite a few concubines. They will all have a status in the future, so these concubines should also be taught.
Queen Qian had just entered the palace and needed an opportunity to establish her prestige, so she naturally would not resist this matter.
Even Princess Shunde Zhu Yuhuan wrote articles for women, so it was naturally no big deal for the queen to write an article.
Not to mention that Queen Qian had indeed subconsciously accepted the ideas conveyed by Hu Shanxiang in the book, so she naturally would not resist this matter.
For Zhu Qizhen, the Empress's focus on harem affairs, her lack of involvement with the previous dynasty, and her lack of close personal connections with the two Empress Dowagers and Princess Shunde, meant that none of these matters were a big deal. Compiling a collection of poetry and prose for the women of the harem was a tradition dating back to the time of Empress Dowager Zhang, and while it hadn't created much buzz, it did provide the women with something to occupy their time, and Zhu Qizhen was pleased to see it succeed.
As for his dealings with Zhu Youtong, Zhu Qizhen didn't take it to heart at all.
He and Zhu Youtong were not close, but he was well aware that his second sister was very similar to his father in painting and music theory, but they were completely different in other aspects.
Things related to power rarely appear in her mind, so it is difficult for her to become a person like Zhu Yuhuan. Even if something really happened, Zhu Qizhen could easily order someone to find a husband for Princess Yongqing. Anyway, Zhu Youtong did not have the order of the late emperor, and whether she got married or not was up to him, the emperor.
Since that’s the case, it’s better to let nature take its course.
Seeing his sister so enthusiastic, Zhu Yuhuan did not stop her.
First, his sister had finally found a hobby besides painting and music theory, and was fully committed to it, so there was no need for him to stop her. Second, Zhu Yuhuan was well aware that his sister's thinking was simple: "to fight for dignity even if it means making a living." With Empress Qian, deeply influenced by feudalism, by her side, these two people would never write anything "treasonous." With people like Hu Shanxiang, Wu Miaosu, and Han Guilan watching closely, Zhu Yuhuan didn't need to worry about the content of the article.
In addition to going to Yunnan, Zhu Yuhuan also had to consider the arrangement of industries in the capital.
Over the years, both the charity hall and the imperial estate had trained a considerable number of staff. These managers possessed a sophisticated understanding of business and demonstrated considerable skill. Coupled with the annual personnel assessments, Zhu Yuhuan felt comfortable entrusting them with the management of his business. Huang Jinfeng's business dealings abroad not only alleviated market pressure in the capital, but also provided him with access to information. Furthermore, her family was all at the imperial estate, and her children were all attending school there. The eldest was due for marriage in two years, so Zhu Yuhuan felt no anxiety regarding the importance of control.
The only thing to deal with was the business account books that he had not finished looking at some time ago. For Zhu Yuhuan, who had long been accustomed to it, it was not a difficult task.
"Your Highness, please take a rest."
Zhu Yuhuan stretched his body, then blinked his sore eyes and said, "It's time to take a break. I don't want to wear a crown at such a young age."
Han Guilan put down the tea and snacks, pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Your Highness is very concerned about your health, and with Madam Xu always reminding you of it, you should have a keen eye. Your Highness need not worry."
Zhu Yuhuan heard the teasing in her tone, but shook his head helplessly and said, "You..."
Han Guilan asked awkwardly, "Your Highness, are you still not taking Guilan with you this time?"
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and said half-jokingly, "Although we're not going to Yunnan this time to fight, we're bound to have to use weapons. Danger aside, Zheng Tong finally made it through and is now serving as a deputy eunuch in the Seal and Ribbon Bureau. How could I bear to force you two to separate?"
Han Guilan felt increasingly embarrassed and said, "Your Highness—"
Seeing Han Guilan's shyness and embarrassment, Zhu Yuhuan said seriously, "I have left you in the capital for many important matters. Mother and Empress Wu only know a little about what I'm doing. Only you and Huai'en know the most. But you are a proper female official, so it is much easier for you to act in the palace than Huai'en. The most important thing is your ability to make decisions and handle things. How can I not trust you?"
Zhu Yuhuan had been in Yunnan for a year and was able to understand the basic situation in the capital. This was thanks to Han Guilan who stayed in the capital to handle and organize information, judge the basic situation and report to Zhu Yuhuan. There were no mistakes or omissions in the books for the past year. Zhu Yuhuan was naturally reluctant to let Han Guilan go to Yunnan and bury her abilities in vain.
Han Guilan's expression grew serious upon hearing her words. She said, "Your Highness is truly sincere to me, and I will certainly live up to your trust."
For those of them who were in a foreign country and had no hope of returning home in this lifetime, having a backer like Princess Shunde was very important. Not to mention that Zhu Yuhuan was ambitious and capable, and he was cautious and not reckless in doing things. He would never do anything without confidence. Both Han Guilan and Zheng Tong had great confidence in Zhu Yuhuan.
The most important thing is that Zhu Yuhuan himself is caring and kind to his subordinates, so the two naturally believe that they will not "suffer" if they follow Zhu Yuhuan.
Zhu Yuhuan's expression softened considerably, and he smiled, "Of course I believe you."
Han Guilan perked up her spirits and asked, "Your Highness, do you have any plans for Lady Zhou?"
Now that the emperor and empress are getting married, it is a time of sweet joy. Although Zhu Qizhen also visits other concubines, he still prioritizes Queen Qian, which shows that he is very satisfied with the queen.
Zhou Yingying was a chess piece that they had finally positioned themselves in, and they couldn't let her be wasted so easily.
Speaking of Zhou Yingying, Zhu Yuhuan pondered for a moment and said, "Don't female doctors often come into the palace to check the pulses of the concubines? Have them check on Miss Zhou more often so she can take good care of herself. Otherwise, with her impatience, she might make some stupid moves and cause trouble."
With the precedents set by Empress Dowagers Hu Shanxiang and Sun Mengqiu, even if the eldest son had more advantages, it would not come to the point where everyone from top to bottom had to wait for the eldest son to be born.
Zhu Qizhen was different from Zhu Zhanji. When Hu Shanxiang gave birth to two daughters, Zhu Zhanji was still the crown prince. Due to Zhu Di's requirements, the eldest son had to be given priority. However, Hu Shanxiang did not give birth to a son, so Zhu Zhanji could only use Zhu Yuhuan to improve his relationship with Zhu Di. In other words, if Hu Shanxiang and Zhu Zhanji had a son, no matter how smart Zhu Yuhuan was, he probably would not have had much chance to improve his relationship with Zhu Di.
Zhu Qizhen's top priority was to have a son as soon as possible. No matter whether this son was a concubine's son or a legitimate son, it was much better than having no son at all.
The reason was simple: Zhu Zhanji died in his prime, and who knows what would become of Zhu Qizhen. If he died childless, the throne would pass to Zhu Qiyu, which would have no impact on Zhu Zhanji, but would be hard to say for Zhu Qizhen. They didn't share the same mother, and the relationship between Empress Dowager Sun and Consort Wu was just so-so...
So for Zhu Qizhen, a concubine who gave birth to a son was a good concubine.
Han Guilan understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant and agreed immediately.
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