Time flies, just in the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed quietly.

As the days of Zhu Gaoxu's grounding approached the end of September, it seemed that many people had forgotten about him, the future county king who had been favored by the emperor, and set their sights on the second mansion of Su Song, who 'used money to offset taxes'.

As Zhu Gaoxu said in the Wuying Palace, with the implementation of the policy of 'using money to offset taxes', the people of Jiangnan no longer resisted the treasure money as they did in the first half of the year.

In the face of the daily increase in the price of treasure money, many people choose to hoard money.

In less than a month, the value of the treasure banknote, which was consistent in denomination and actual value of only 400 wen, rose to 600 wen.

On September 28, with the beginning of the autumn harvest in Jiangnan, the rice in the rice fields of Susong Erfu began to be harvested in batches.

It is rare that the officials of the two governments did not delay time, and the local squires and wealthy families also actively cooperated.

In just three days, the taxes of Susong Erfu have been registered and registered by 30%, which is so fast that it can be said that it is the fastest time since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

"The tax grain of Suzhou Prefecture is more than 876,400 stones, and the Songjiang Mansion is more than 375,300 stones, plus the rest of the miscellaneous taxes, the total amount is 640,327 yuan and 37 ......."

On the first day of October, the copper furnace in the Wuying Hall has been added with spices, and the eunuchs and soldiers at the door in the palace have also changed into winter clothes.

In this bustling city of Nanjing, he has no way to control his own destiny.

"Yes!" Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Lin Wuliu and the others immediately took the money on the table away, and then ran to the backyard in a hurry.

Zhu Yunwen's face was embarrassed: "Recently, the news of the gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan has flowed out, and the local officials in Yongchang, Lijiang, Lin'an, Luchuan and other places are all ready to move, even if the Marquis of Xiping has 30,000 troops in Yongchang, it has not deterred them. ”

"......" Hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, Zhu Gaochi and the three people in the hall looked sideways with surprised expressions.

The matter of his intercession for Fu Youde should have spread, although Zhu Yunwen didn't care, but those East Palace parties in the temple were eager to kill themselves.

Along the way, he thought of countless encounters with Zhu Gaoxu in the carriage, and he was very worried.

dragged on to this day, and finally approved it once, but it was still because Lao Zhu wanted to ask Zhu Gaoxu about it.

"Grandpa, according to the delivery time of the Erfu in previous years, the first grain book this year is ten days faster than in previous years, and it is estimated that in another ten days, the grain book of the Erfu will be handed in."

If you continue on this path for a few years, you should be able to return to its denomination value.

Not to mention bringing the three of them together, even if they are allowed to go out of the town of Yunnan alone, it can also make the local toast dare not move.

However, he was only lost for a moment, and quickly regained his strength, looked Zhu Gaoxu up and down, and said with a smile: "I came this time to pass the word for the emperor's grandfather, and by the way, I will see if you have been mistreated." ”

"But ......" Zhu Yunwen wanted to say something more, but when he met Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze, he still closed his mouth, and finally could only obediently say: "Grandson knows." ”

"Someone! Change shifts for Zhang Wu and Wang Hong, then play cards and drink! ”

Now it seems that this policy is really useful, at least the price of treasure banknotes in the south of the Yangtze River has been maintained at 600 Wen, and the price of treasure banknotes in remote Huguang, Shandong and other places has also risen back to 500 Wen, and more remote Yunnan and other places also have 400 Wen.

Even if only half of them are interested, it will be enough for Yunnan to be turbulent for several years.

"I am Zhu Gaochi, the head of Yan Mansion, and I came to ask Yan Yan's second son Xu on the instructions of His Majesty."

With such ability, even if he is only a county king, he has to be treated as a prince.

The embarrassed appearance of the two was seen by Zhu Yuanzhang, but this was the effect he wanted.

Seeing him say this, Zhu Gaochi was not stupid, and immediately understood what Zhu Gaochu meant.

It is normal for them to be restless, after all, the Mu Tusi of the Naxi tribe in Lijiang has only fed thousands of Mu papaya soldiers by relying on a gold and silver mine in the north, if the news of the gold, silver and copper mines in Yongchang and Lin'an is true, then occupying a gold, silver and copper mine will allow them to raise more soldiers and horses.

As for He Fu, needless to say, he has been old partners for many years with Wang Muying of Qianning and Hou Muchun of Xiping, and he has a merit in thwarting Luchuan's invasion of Yunnan and pacifying the rebellion in Yuezhou.

"It's time for me to go"

Zhu Jixi and Zhu Shangbing glanced at each other, and seemed to feel that their grandfather was really sparing no effort in using people.

"It's just that it's bitter cold in the north, I'm afraid you'll have to go to the battlefield with your father when you go back this time."

"Right now, Xiping Hou can't get away in northwest Yunnan, and the Guangnan Tusi Nong Zhenyou, and the Ningyuan Tusi knife are also eye-catching with Lin'an Mansion Wang Lane, Amiszhou and other Tusi eyebrows."

It is already difficult for a prince to return to his fiefdom, let alone a prince like Zhu Gaoxu.

"I'm afraid they are all for the gold, silver and copper mines that have been recently discovered......"

Although he envied Zhu Gaochu, in Zhu Gaochi's opinion, he still felt that Nanjing, which had the smoke and rain in the south of the Yangtze River, was more prosperous and more comfortable to live in.

"......" Zhu Gaochi was silent, he didn't say anything, nodded and turned around and got into the carriage.

However, he also knows very well that he has a few catties and a few taels, and there are not many gold and silver mines in the place he still remembers.

Zhu Yunwen couldn't sit still and stepped forward: "Grandpa, if you want to send so many people, there is no need to go if you want to come to Wei Guogong." ”

Zhu almost roared because this was the second game he won today.

What about the said good grounding?

As for Qu Neng, He Fu, and Gu Cheng, these three are also famous generals who have quelled rebellions in the southwest all year round.

It's just that his kindness has many problems in Zhu Yunwen's opinion.

"Hmm...... It's a good ......" Zhu Gaochi didn't come back to his senses, took the cup and took a sip, but spit it out again in the next second: "How is it wine?!" ”

"Yes! My grandson will do it in a moment! Hearing that his grandfather finally let him go to see the second child, Zhu Gaochi immediately knelt down and bowed in return.

After Zhu Gaochi finished reading, Zhu Yunwen took the lead in making a move to Zhu Yuanzhang in his position:

"Now that it's good to see you, I'm relieved."

But he didn't want his carriage to come to the front yard when he heard the sound of playing cards from the yard.

Zhu Gaochi talked eloquently, but his expression was very serious.

If someone else asks Zhu Gaochu, Zhu Gaochu may not say, but if Zhu Gaochi is sent to go, Zhu Gaochu may be soft-hearted and confess.

Zhu Gaochi was active, and couldn't help but be a little envious: "It's good if you can go back to the north, there are only four of them with the eldest sister and the younger sister around your father, and it's always inconvenient to have no male around you." ”

Looking at the scene in front of him, Zhu Gaoxu grinned, this is the life of the county king in his imagination.

Zhu Gaochi frowned and worried, then got out of the carriage and changed his face, and said to the two soldiers at the door:

Faced with this question, Zhu Gaoxu smiled and didn't say anything, but changed the topic and said: "This time the matter is over, I should be able to go back to the north." ”

Of course, he knows better that the current north is too short of money, and the gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan and other places are the root of alleviating the money shortage in the north, and cannot be delayed.

Only when he goes to the north does he have the space to show himself.

"Grandpa, the Sichuan Xingdu Division and other Tusi have not yet been settled, will it be a little too nervous to send Gu Cheng and Qu Neng to Yunnan at this time?"

Zhu Gaochi sighed, but at the same time he sighed, he looked at Zhu Gaochu again, pulled his sleeve and whispered: "Second brother, tell my brother, do we have gold, silver and copper mines in Beiping?" You tell me, I will never tell my father, in the future, the mine will be opened, you and I will be divided into three or seven, and you will be seven and I will be three. ”

Needless to say, before Song Sheng returned to Nanjing, he was a famous general in the northwest of the country, and the Shaanxi Xingdu Department of the General Administration of Shaanxi Province did not dare to violate the borders.

"Imperial wine?" When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he immediately drank the wine in the cup, and smacked his mouth by the way, as if to say that it tasted good.

Looking at the departing carriage, Zhu Gaoxu let out a sigh, and the two brothers at the door comforted: "Your Highness, don't be sad, we still have you to accompany you." ”

"Second ......"

During the conversation, he looked at Zhu Gaochi: "You go to him for a while and ask him what to do with the treasure money he collected." ”

These plus the remaining more than 50,000 guan, that is to say, this time Su Song Erfu actually only paid more than 400,000 guan, and Daming lost more than 200,000 guan in taxes compared with previous years.

Zhu Gaochu spoke, Lin Wuliu and the others were puzzled, but after reacting, they immediately got up and waved at Zhu Gaochi: "Your Highness Qianfu ......"

The 'he' in Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth is naturally Zhu Gaoxu, who was grounded.

In the past month or so, Zhu Gaochi has begged Lao Zhu a lot, asking him to meet Zhu Gaoxu, but Lao Zhu has not been allowed.

Previously, the Burma, Jidong, and Chuanyi rebellions were successively quelled by Qu Neng, and the rebellions of Duyun, Fengning, Xiliang, and Wacai were defeated by Gu Cheng's lone army, beheading more than 14,000 people, and killing the river blood as red as red.

Seeing him say this, Zhu Gaochi also nodded: "Grandpa over there in Yunnan has also arranged ......"

"How can Big Brother come to me?" Zhu Gaochu looked at Zhu Gaochi's appearance and smiled and added wine to him.

He shook his hand and shook off Zhu Gaochi's hand, pulled his sleeves and said: "I can open it alone, besides, the gold, silver and copper mines around Beiping have long been mined by the imperial court, and it is not your turn to be my brother." ”

"You don't have to worry about things in the court, I will intercede with the imperial grandfather when I have the opportunity, and one day I will let your grounding be lifted."

He asked with a smile, but Zhu Gaochi looked at the grain book, and said with a weak heart: "Fifty-nine thousand three hundred and seventy-five and eight hundred and twenty ......."

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Using banknotes to offset taxes is to make the treasure money rise, and now that the results have been seen, there is no need to doubt yourself." ”

"What we need to do now is to select people who are biased towards the imperial court from among them as soon as possible, and then wait for Wei Guogong to lead the army to Yunnan to deter the Quartet."

Seeing that he won the money, Lin Wuliu and the others also smiled and pushed the money to him.

Fortunately, there was still something to drink on the table, so Zhu Gaochu poured a cup with a clean cup next to him and handed it to Zhu Gaochi: "Big brother, please take a seat." ”

It's just that when he arrived at the gate of the courtyard, Zhu Gaochu still stopped and watched Zhu Gaochi cross the door.

"Your Highness is a thousand blessings!" Hearing that the person who came was Zhu Gaochu's brother, the two soldiers on duty at the door immediately saluted, and then opened the door for convenience, but they didn't even check Zhu Gaochi's waist card.

At present, the only person who can make Zhu Gaochu leave Nanjing is his own imperial grandfather, if he speaks, then no matter how much the civil and military officials in the temple dissuade him, Zhu Gaochu can still go to the north.

It wasn't until he was about to get into the car that Zhu Gaochi, who turned around, saw Zhu Gaochu who was staying in the door, three or four steps away from him.

Zhu Yunwen's expression was a little stiff, but Zhu Yuanzhang remembered what Zhu Gaoxu said at the beginning.

When he said this, Zhu Gaochi was stunned, but he reacted after a while, nodded and said, "It's okay to go back to the north...... It's good to go back to the north, there are not so many things to do in the north......"

Zhu Gaochi's words are not unreasonable, after all, Zhu Gaochu has already said several articles on governing the country, and in the eyes of outsiders, he is also proficient in 'watching mountains and mines'.

Looking at each other, Zhu Gaoxu also smiled calmly: "That's why I'm going back to the north." ”

", what's the use of asking you guys!" Listening to the words of the two, Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand in disgust, but after finishing speaking, he shouted into the courtyard with a smile:

In this city of Nanjing, many of the sons and daughters of the feudal lords were summoned to study in the main hall, not so that this group of people could learn much knowledge, but to centralize them as protons.

When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he also talked about the business of his coming here: "Grandpa asked me to come to you and ask ......"

Such a lineup, not to mention others, even Zhu Yunwen himself thinks that it is a little too luxurious.

Looking at his appearance, Zhu Jixi and Zhu Shangbing couldn't help but sigh.

Regarding this, Zhu Yuanzhang was still calm: "The matter has been decided, don't change it." ”

When their value is squeezed dry, I am afraid that these literati from Jiangyou and eastern Zhejiang will attack themselves en masse, after all, there are a lot of 'black materials' on themselves.

The 587 Tusi in Yunnan together can also pull out more than 200,000 native soldiers.

What about self-cultivation?

Seeing that the eunuch was ready, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke: "Xiping Marquis Muchun was appointed as the general of Zhengnan, and Xu Huizu, the Duke of Wei, was the general of Pingnan, and led the five guards of the government army out of Yunnan. ”

What's going on?

"It seems that there are a lot of gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan, otherwise the emperor and grandfather would not have sent so many people to ......."

Zhu Gaoxu said very methodically, thinking that he had thought about how to arrange the things after the 'tax deduction with banknotes' a long time ago.

"The price of the banknote ......" Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but smile bitterly after muttering, he didn't expect that his nonsense of 'watching the mountains and mines' at the beginning had become his life talisman.

Compared with him, Zhu Gaoxu, who is familiar with the historical context, is not nostalgic for Nanjing.

"There are 587 Tusi in Yunnan, and the strong ones such as Luchuan have tens of thousands of soldiers, and the Lijiang Mu clan, Heqing Gao clan, Weishan Ye clan, Tengyue Cun clan, and Luo Wufeng clan also have tens of thousands of native soldiers."

After Zhu Gaoxu shouted in this voice, the backyard, which was originally silent, immediately became lively, and a group of rough men rushed out of the backyard like dragons and tigers, placing cards and pouring wine.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that if Yunnan and other places disrupted the mining of gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan, the policy of using banknotes to offset taxes would only be short-lived.

Looking at his appearance, Zhu Gaoxu didn't know what to say.

Zhu Yunwen had no choice but to retreat, Zhu Yuanzhang also continued to lower his head to deal with the sparseness, Zhu Gaochi and the three didn't dare to say anything when they saw this, so they could only bow their heads to manage the government.

Zhu Yunwen's smile instantly stiffened, he didn't expect the rich squire of Su Song's second mansion to be so good at doing business.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu also instructed Lin Wuliu and them: "You pack up your money and go to the backyard to help me take care of the red donkey." ”

"Hmm......" Zhu Gaochi was still a little stunned, and simply responded.

While speaking, Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Gaochi again: "Gaochi, what is the amount of the second government's 'tax deduction with banknotes'?" ”

No one can resist such a temptation in any era, let alone the early Ming Dynasty at the peak of Yunnan Tusi's strength.

Zhu Yunwen put forward his opinion to Zhu Yuanzhang, but Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slightly when he heard this: "The tax deduction with banknotes has begun, and mines in Yunnan and other places must be excavated early." ”

With uneasiness, Zhu Gaochi walked into the courtyard, but after bypassing the shadow wall, he saw an unforgettable scene for him.

Zhu Gaochi always felt that his second child had grown too much over the past year, making him elusive.

After the coachman shook the reins, the carriage started slowly and carried Zhu Gaochi out of the alley.

"Blossom horses! Give money! ”

His expression was surprised, but Zhu Gaoxu said distressedly: "This is the imperial wine sent by the East Palace......

Such three people were gathered together with Song Sheng, not to mention the Tusi in Yunnan, even the Tusi in Myanmar and Luchuan and other places did not dare to act rashly.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Zhu Gaochi only felt that his three views were being impacted.

In the hall, Zhu Gaochi, who was round, was wearing a winter coat and reading the document handed in by Su Song's second mansion.

In terms of the value of the current treasure banknote, this is less than 600,000 yuan of treasure banknotes, and the value is less than 360,000 yuan.

He didn't care about Lao Zhu's grounding of himself, because at this time, he was grounding himself, but he was protecting himself.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help asking: "Recently, has there been an impeachment of me?" ”

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu was playing cards with seven or eight people, he stepped on the stone bench with one foot, held the flower horse card in one hand, and held a toothpick in his mouth......

Zhu Gaoxu's wry smile was seen by Zhu Gaochi, he pulled the hem of Zhu Gaoxu's clothes, and whispered: "You are so capable now, tell me honestly, do you have a way to get out of trouble?" ”

Seeing that Zhu Gaochu didn't speak, Zhu Gaochi glanced at the time and stood up, and Zhu Gaochu stood up with him and sent him out

"Big brother?"

"In addition, Song Sheng, the governor of the military capital, was appointed as the left deputy general of the expedition to the south, He Fu was the deputy general of the right expedition to the south, Gu became the former general of the expedition to the south, and Qu Neng was the general of the expedition to Kunming to go out of the town."

However, even if it is his own imperial grandfather, I am afraid that he has to find a better excuse to let the second child leave smoothly.

"The slave and maid receive the order......" The eunuch with him recorded the words and made a book, and the three of Zhu Jixi on the side were a little staggering.

"These guards are so boring, and I don't know if the second child is treated poorly."

He told what Zhu Yuanzhang had ordered, but Zhu Gaoxu said without thinking after hearing it: "Put away all the treasure money for the time being, and don't distribute it to sergeants and officials." ”

Zhu Gaoxu didn't tell a lie this time, several famous ore veins in Hebei have been discovered and mined since the Han and Tang dynasties, and in the Ming Dynasty, they were directly taken over by the imperial court, and there was really nothing to do with the two brothers.

Zhu Gaochu, Lin Wuliu and the others, who were holding toothpicks, turned around, and the fierce and vicious appearance made Zhu Gaochi mistakenly think that he had entered the camp of the Beiyu.

Just for the sake of the local gold, silver and copper mines, Daming had to send troops.

He truthfully told Xu Huizu and others about going out of Yunnan, and after hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but feel that this lineup was very luxurious.

As Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen expected, the unruly Tusi in Yunnan were all restless after learning the news of the gold, silver and copper mines in the territory.

"......" looked at Zhu Gaozhi's appearance of being a fan of wealth in front of him, and Zhu Gaochu was very silent.

Of course, it would be better if this group of rough men were replaced by a group of long-sleeved Qiluo Yangzhou skinny horses......

Since it's safe, it won't be long before the ban is lifted.

"Grandpa, if that's the case, then the actual tax that Su Song's Second Mansion can pay this year is probably less than one-tenth of what it was in previous years."

After an hour like this, with the arrival of noon, Zhu Gaochi saluted and retired, and eagerly rushed to the front guard of the government army.

"The top priority at the moment is to mine the gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan first to make up for the deficit suffered by the households."

Zhu Gaochi took a deep breath and opened his mouth nervously, breaking the lively scene.

Zhu Gaochi saw them like this, and wondered in his heart: "This appearance doesn't look like treating the second child lightly......"

"It should be possible" Zhu Gaochu nodded slightly, he knew that since Lao Zhu asked Zhu Gaochi to ask him, it meant that he was safe now.

'Tax deduction with banknotes' is originally a loss-making business, in order to maintain the price of treasure banknotes.

If it weren't for General Pingnan being his uncle, he would even want to say that "this lineup is a bolt dog that can beat Southeast Asia".

In the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Jixi, and Zhu Shangbing's grandson sat in their places and listened quietly.

"Big brother?"

When Zhu Yunwen expounded on the strength of Yunnan Tusi, he couldn't help but have a headache.

Speaking of time, what Zhu Yuanzhang lacks most now is time, he can't judge how long he can live, he can only hope that in his lifetime, the mining of gold, silver and copper mines in Yunnan and other places will be on the right track, leaving Zhu Yunwen with the best situation.

Unless the prince dies, few princes return to their fiefdoms.

"Alas......" Hearing that there were no undiscovered gold and silver mines around Beiping, Zhu Gaochi was very disappointed.

With his ingenuity, it is impossible to have no way out of the predicament, but he still endures the treatment of being grounded, which makes Zhu Gaochi very incomprehensible.

"Decree ......" Zhu Yuanzhang, who had not spoken, spoke again, and the eunuch next to him immediately took out a blank piece of paper and prepared to write the decree after recording.

As he spoke, he looked suspicious: "It's just that with the current situation, are you sure you can go back?" ”

"No ......" Zhu Gaochi shook his head and said his opinion: "At first, I was also very strange, saying that you had such a big trouble this time, and no one impeached you. ”

"But after the price of Jiangnan banknotes continued to increase during this time, I can understand that you are now the fragrant gluttony in the eyes of the rich squires in Jiangyou and Zhedong, even if they don't like you anymore, they still hope you are good."