As soon as the Lantern Festival of the third year of Wude passed, everything in heaven and earth recovered, and the major events of the imperial court also began. Zhu Gaoxu wanted to send Sheng Yong and other generals to Korea first; It will not be until the end of next month that the fleet carrying the main forces of the government, army, navy, and army will set sail from the ports in the lower reaches of the river.

Longjiang Port is shrouded in a little damp and wet fog, which makes today's farewell scene unable to show full pomp. The treasure ship docked on the pier looms with a huge body and a high mast, and the looming scene is like a mirage.

Zhu Gaoxu led the civil and military officials to wait in a pavilion by the river for a while, and Sheng Yong, Ping'an, and Liu Sheng came. The pavilion was very small, and Zhu Gaoxu walked out in the direction where the three of them came.

Sheng Yong and several others knelt on the ground and saluted first.

Zhu Gaoxu stepped forward to help them up and said, "I heard that the ancient emperors worshiped the generals, and used the gift of 'holding the hub and pushing the wheel'. It's a pity that you are traveling on horseback this time, and I have no hubs to hold and no wheels to push. ”

The generals suddenly showed a slightly relaxed smile.

Zhu Gaoxu's tone changed, and he said: "However, my trust in you and my earnest feelings are not the slightest different. ”

When they heard this, they clasped their fists and promised to do their best.

At this time, Pei Youzhen, the squire of the military department standing behind Zhu Gaoxu's side, said: "When the ministers conquered Annan, they composed a song, and today they are Shao Guogong, Eguo Gong, and Anyuan Marquis. ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "Very good." ”

Pei Youzhen beckoned the entourage standing in the distance, and when the entourage came forward with a musical instrument, he saluted the people around him again: ""Ten Thousand Miles of Jinling" is ugly. ”

As soon as Xiao Sheng sounded, Zhu Gaoxu was immediately attracted. He was a little surprised that only a bamboo stick and a copper cymbal could show such a far-reaching and majestic momentum.

Coupled with the title of the song reported by Pei Youzhen, this music suddenly won Zhu Gaoxu's heart.

Zhu Gaoxu's musical knowledge is very shallow, and he only learned basic music scores from Du Qianrui in the past two years, and he found that his musical talent does not seem to be very high, mainly lacking a sense of rhythm in music. But on the other hand, he is very appreciative of all kinds of music, perhaps listening to it a lot.

At this time, Pei Youzhen played the tune, because the main note only has a superb performance of Zhu Xiao's solo, and the desolation of this piece is very heavy. It made Zhu Gaoxu imagine that in the ancient era of recklessness with a sparse population, the ancestors cut through thorns and thorns to open up the territory. However, Zhu Gaoxu believes that the world in this era should already be very lively.

After listening to the song, Zhu Gaoxu didn't say how he felt on the spot, but just stroked his palms and said, "Okay!" I didn't know that Pei Shilang had this talent. ”

Pei Youzhen said: "The minister doesn't dare to be." ”

Zhu Gaoxu turned his head to look at the attendants in the pavilion and waved his hand lightly. The eunuch guards immediately opened the jars, poured wine into many bowls, and brought it up.

The monarchs and ministers standing together all picked up their wine bowls one after another. Everyone held the bowl and looked at Zhu Gaoxu, as if waiting for something.

Zhu Gaoxu also understands that when the monarch and the minister part, they always have to say something.

He held the wine bowl and pondered for a moment, and then said to the generals: "Since ancient times, my country has been the suzerain of the four directions of the Divine Continent; Therefore, it is called China, and the monarch is the co-master. We must never give up our old sphere of influence, still less the status and dignity we deserve. In addition, since the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, China has been the most advanced and civilized country, and the world should not be complacent, but should find a way to break through the barriers. Generals, I believe that in hundreds of years, future generations will be able to recognize you and praise you for your contributions to the country. ”

Since these people were already figures standing in the upper echelons of the empire, Zhu Gaoxu did not hesitate to say words with a higher angle. How everyone understands it, that's what they should understand.

Sheng Yong bent down with the wine bowl in his hand and said: "The saint is ambitious, and the minister can accompany him and drive for the saint, I am deeply honored." ”

Ping'an said: "Where the Holy Decree is to attack, there is a holy truth." Of course, the minister complied. ”

Liu Sheng said: "The minister is willing to spread the prestige of the saint to the four seas. ”

Zhu Gaoxu raised the wine bowl and said, "It's done!" ”

"!" The ministers of civil and military affairs chimed in.

The generals put down the wine bowls on the wooden plates, knelt on the ground together, and bowed to Zhu Gaoxu again. After they got up, Sheng Yong hugged his fists and said, "Wait for the good news." ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded, raised his hand and waved it gently.

Sheng Yong and the others said goodbye and retreated, then took the reins from the guards and led the horse to the dock by the river. Zhu Gaoxu led the crowd to still stand in place, watching the generals set off.

At that moment, a shower of rain suddenly fell from the sky. The eunuch's voice said, "Quickly bring the umbrella." ”

The spring rain soon fell, and the rain was not heavy, but it had already shrouded the scene in front of it. Not far away, the soldiers wearing wide-brimmed hats and neat dresses lined up in the rain, still looking motionless with their military appearances, and watching the riverside with Zhu Gaoxu.

After the two ferries on the pier, carrying the general and the escort cavalry, left the shore, Zhu Gaoxu turned around and left the pavilion.

Zhu Gaoxu got on the four-horse driven Luan and returned to the city with the honor guard brigade. He looked out the window and saw a river flowing into the river. The weeping willows on the riverbank have already turned tender green and new leaves, swaying in the misty rain and light wind, and the scenery shrouded in smoke and rain at this moment is also full of spring breath.

Looking back suddenly, Zhu Gaoxu thought that after he officially ascended the throne, three full years had passed.

In the past three years, Zhu Gaoxu has done a lot of things; But at first glance, it seemed that he did not have any particularly grand feats. He had conquered Mongolia in the north, but the activities of the Mongol tribes were not much different from before; There was a war deployed in Annan, but Annan had already been subdued in the Yongle period, and Zhu Gaoxu even restored the royal family of Annan; The Ming army sailors went to the West, which was also something they did during the Yongle period.

Zhu Gaoxu even canceled some major events formulated during the Yongle period: moving the capital to Beiping, building a new imperial city, preparing for many Northern Expeditions, and compiling major events in the Yongle Grand Ceremony. And Zhu Gaoxu's "Heavenly Creations", which was ordered to be edited and arranged, does not seem to be so eye-catching, after all, it only involves technology. The "Scientific Translation of the Kingdoms" was only circulated among the ministers of the imperial court.

However, Zhu Gaoxu doesn't care whether everything can be amazing. He was just taking what he thought was a more reasonable step, and he thought that the progress he had made in just three years was too fast.

If he is famous, he believes that as long as the annals can truthfully record what he did, future generations will recognize his career more. The premise is that he should be steady, not fail so quickly, and not become an abrupt innovation like Wang Mang.

Of course, before being re-recognized, Zhu Gaoxu felt that he might be misunderstood for some years. But compared to being an ancient Ming monarch praised by scholars, Zhu Gaoxu is still more willing to do something truly meaningful. So he didn't feel that he was misunderstood, how wronged he was, it was just his own choice. In his view, things at the national level and the progress of civilization are meaningful.

He pondered for a while, and had no desire to change his mind, still intending to go all the way to the end.

Zhu Gaoxu lifted the curtain and said, "Pei Youzhen, tell Pei Youzhen to get in the car." ”

The Jinyi guard general next to him immediately clenched his fists in agreement, turned his head and shouted: "There is a decree on the saint, Pei Youzhen, the squire of the Xuanbing Department, will ride with him." ”

The decree was preached again. After a while, Pei Youzhen, who was following behind, rode a horse to Luan's back, and then got into the carriage.

After Pei Youzhen saw the salute, Zhu Gaoxu said directly: "The regimental dragon sun and moon flag used in our army can be used as the national flag." I felt that I also had to choose a national anthem to play at the flag-raising or some ceremonies. Pei Shilang's song "Ten Thousand Miles of Jinling", I think it's good. ”

Pei Youzhen was taken aback, and immediately said happily: "The minister doesn't know if he can be worthy of etiquette, or he can discuss with the courtier." ”

Zhu Gaoxu ignored Pei Youzhen's suggestion, after all, the dynasty has never had such a thing as a national flag and anthem, what is there to discuss?

"But this song is not suitable as a ceremonial music, or a little too sad." Zhu Gaoxu said, "I pondered for a while, and felt that this feeling had nothing to do with the rhythm, but the effect caused by Xiao Sheng's solo. ”

Pei Youzhen nodded and said, "In the first language." When he composed this song, he never thought of it as a ceremonial music. Only because of the experience of the ministers' expeditions, they saw the battlefield killing, and the soldiers went deep into the wilderness; I deeply feel that the grand plan of Jinling is also heavy and desolate, and Xiao Sheng is just that. ”

Zhu Gaoxu muttered: "With more wind music in unison, will the effect change?" ”

"Horizontal blowing." Pei Youzhen said suddenly, "Change to a military instrument to play the piccolo horizontally, and increase the number of copper cymbals, which will definitely dissolve the sadness and turn it into a magnificent artistic conception." ”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "Very good, after you rearrange it, come to the Rouyi Hall to play." ”

Pei Youzhen said: "The minister's decree." ”

Zhu Gaoxu didn't say anything more, and picked up the map in his hand again to look. This is a chart of the South Seas, and it has nothing to do with the recent conquest of Japan.

After a while, Zhu Gaoxu found that Pei Youzhen seemed to be surprised by this picture, so he spoke: "The song Pei Shilang played today is really good, and I also have a lot of feelings. When playing a piece, it's important to have an orderly and precise rhythm. ”

Pei Youzhen said: "It turns out that the saint is also proficient in music. ”

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Gaoxu said again: "The battle of the Sun is expected to start in March and April, and the entire battle may last for several months. Regardless of the length of the war, it will take at least a few months to achieve the goal of stationing officials and troops in Iwami Province.

In the meantime, we don't have to wait for the results. Champa and Chenla have three excellent seaports, and they are on the only way for ships to go down to the West, so we should try to incorporate them into the garrison of the officers and troops and set them up as strongholds, so as to open up a mature shipping route. ”

Pei Youzhen said: "The saint is far-sighted. ”.