"Bell... Clang... Bell ......"

"Crackling—"

In the early morning, the genius was slightly bright, and with the ringing of the morning bell, many wealthy families in the whole city of Nanjing lit firecrackers, making a lot of noise.

Zhu Gaoxu drank three catties of wine last night, and slept late, but he was woken up by the sound of firecrackers before he could sleep well.

Fortunately, he slept relatively quickly, and after the sound of the firecrackers passed, he barely slept for a while.

It's a pity that today is the New Year, the first day of the 28th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, so the sound of firecrackers always rings intermittently.

After holding on for a long time, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't hold it anymore after all, so he could only get up with his messy hair.

When he left the main house, he saw three bloodshot guys already boiling hot water in the kitchen.

"I shouldn't have drunk so much last night."

Zhu Gaoxu said self-deprecatingly, and the three of them also nodded.

They were on the top last night, but they forgot that firecrackers would go off all day long on New Year's Day every year, and people couldn't sleep.

"I'll wash up and change my clothes and go to the palace to pay New Year's greetings, and if you can sleep a little, go to sleep."

After that, Zhu Gaoxu tested the water temperature of the cauldron, took a gourd scoop and made two buckets of water to take a bath in the backyard.

When he came back from the shower, he found that the three of them had also gone back to catch up on sleep after the firecrackers had quieted down.

After drying his hair in the kitchen using the residual heat of the firewood, Zhu Gaoxu spent half an hour busy, and then changed into a cerulean round-necked robe and put on a black gauze hat.

After a short time, he rode to the palace on a red horse, and when he dismounted at Xihuamen, it was already four quarters of the hour.

On the New Year's Day, the imperial court was going to hold a great court meeting that was only three times a year, so the time he came was also coincidental, and it happened to be the end of the court meeting.

For example, after the end of this great court meeting, it is normal for the princes and princes to go to the canopy and worship the emperor in the palace, but for Lao Zhu, a workaholic, it is impossible for him to waste a day doing this kind of thing.

Therefore, Zhu Gaochu just overturned from the back of the red horse, and the guard of Xihuamen reminded Zhu Gaochu that he could go directly to the Wuying Palace.

Lao Zhu not only asked his children and grandchildren to go to Wuying Hall to pay respects, but also stipulated that each batch of princes and grandchildren could not pay New Year's greetings for more than a quarter of an hour.

The reason for setting a quarter of an hour is because some princes and grandchildren will introduce their gifts for the New Year.

For example, when Zhu Gaoxu arrived at the gate of Wuying Palace, he saw many princes and grandsons with slaves and maids, and slaves and maids with gift boxes.

In the crowd, he did not see Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui, but saw Zhu Song, the king of Han, and Zhu Mo, the king of Shen.

The two exchanged a few words with Zhu Gaoxu, and then each said the gift they brought.

Han Wang Zhu Song brought pearls from the South China Sea, and Shen Wang Zhu Mo brought jade from Yunnan.

The two did not ask Zhu Gaochu what he brought, because they were not blind, and Zhu Gaochu came to pay New Year's greetings completely empty-handed.

"Gao Xu, let's go in together?"

Han Wang Zhu Song saw that he was lined up, so he beckoned Shen Wang Zhu Mo and Zhu Gaochu to go in together, but Zhu Gaochu shook his head:

"I'll go in by myself a little bit, and I have to talk to grandpa about something."

"That's okay...... Han Wang Zhu Song smiled awkwardly, and then went in with Shen Wang Zhu Mo with the gift box.

It's just that they didn't last for a quarter of an hour, but after a word, they walked out empty-handed, and when they came out, they said hello to Zhu Gaoxu before leaving.

Watching them leave, Zhu Gaoxu walked in alone and empty-handed.

Behind him, many emperors and grandsons were curious about how long he, the former darling, could stay, and Zhu Gaoxu also walked into the Wuying Hall in their curiosity.

He met Lao Zhu, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Jixi, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Shangbing and other five people here.

They were in charge, and they were one of them.

If there is no Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaoxu would also be willing to govern here for the rest of his life, but here in Lao Zhu, Zhu Yunwen is his heir, and he is just a slightly better grandson.

Continuing to stay in this Wuying Palace, Zhu Gaoxu would only waste his time.

"The second son of Yan, Zhu Gaoxu, the king of Bohai, gave his grandfather a New Year's greeting and blessed him with a ......"

When Zhu Gaoxu entered the hall, he knelt down and bowed five times and bowed three times, and his appearance also attracted the attention of everyone in the side hall.

"Get up......"

Zhu Yuanzhang had a hunch that his grandson was going to leave Nanjing, so his voice was a little low.

"Gao Xu, why are you here empty-handed?"

Zhu Shangbing, the son of Qin, who was a few months older than Zhu Gaoxu, asked Zhu Gaoxu with a smile, and at this time, everyone noticed that this kid actually came empty-handed.

"I did come empty-handed, but not without a gift."

Zhu Gaochu stepped forward, came to Zhu Gaochi's side and stretched out his hand, looked at Zhu Gaochi and said with a smile: "Big brother, borrow paper and pen." ”

"Good ......" Zhu Gaochi looked at the strange and familiar Zhu Gaochu in front of him, feeling a little uncomfortable, and didn't know how to say it.

He handed the pen over, and Zhu Gaoxu took it and drew a map.

Looking at his appearance, Zhu Yunwen suddenly couldn't sit still.

Since Zhu Gaochu was ordered by his grandfather to take over the domain, he has been thinking about how to let Zhu Gaochu watch the mountains and mines for himself.

Nowadays, it seems that what Zhu Gaoxu painted is a map.

Since it's a map, I'm afraid it's related to the mountain point mine......

In fact, Zhu Yunwen's guess was not wrong, Zhu Gaoxu was indeed drawing a mine map, and he was very fast.

In just one word, a detailed map of the southwest was drawn by his own hands.

He put the brush down, picked up the map and dried the ink, and waited a moment before presenting it to the eunuch who had already come to his side to wait.

The eunuch took the mine map with both hands, and then handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

At the same time that Zhu Yuanzhang took over the mine map, Zhu Gaoxu also said:

"My grandson has looked at it in detail according to ancient books these days, and finally determined that there are gold, silver and copper mines in the mountains of Wumeng, Wusa, and Dongchuan in Sichuan, as well as Yanjing, Jianchang, and Yueshan in Xingdusi, Sichuan, so I hereby draw a New Year's greeting with my grandfather today."

Zhu Gaoxu's words made people feel happy to hear that he had discovered gold and silver mines, but the places he said made everyone's hearts cold.

Wumeng, Wusa, Dongchuan, Yanjing, Jianchang, Yueshan......

These places are places where the southwest Yi people are seriously gathered, and if the imperial court really discovers gold, silver and copper mines in these places, I am afraid that the local Tusi will immediately occupy the mountain as the king, and they are not willing to share a piece of the pie with the imperial court at all.

If you want to get the gold, silver and copper mines in these places, you must destroy the local Tusi, and these places are enough to pull out 100,000 native soldiers to fight against the imperial court.

But what can be done, at present, the Ming Dynasty is short of silver and copper, if gold, silver and copper mines are really discovered in these places, then even if it is to start a war with the local Tusi, I am afraid that no one in the temple will disagree.

"It's hard to do......"

For a while, this idea appeared in the minds of Zhu Yunwen and others, and Zhu Yuanzhang also felt that his palms were hot when he held this mine map.

It's a mine map, but it's more like a hot potato.

It's just that compared to this hot potato, the Ming Dynasty is more like a hungry living person, no matter how hot this potato is, the Ming Dynasty still has to eat it.

"Grandpa, my grandson will go out of Beijing on the fifth day of the new year, and I hope to visit Song Guogong for a while."

Wave after wave, Zhu Gaoxu said the day he was going to leave Beijing, and also said that he wanted to meet Feng Sheng.

Zhu Yunwen and the others who heard this were happy and worried, but Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time, and only after a word did he not raise his head and said: "Go ahead......"

"Grandson retires ......" Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang agree, Zhu Gaoxu also turned around and left Wuying Palace.

Looking at his back, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Shangbing, and Zhu Jixi only felt that he was extremely chic, and only Zhu Yunwen was thinking about the mine map.

Compared with their thoughts, Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts are very pure.

This mine map was a means for him to satisfy Zhu Yunwen's appetite, but he didn't stupidly hand over some easy-to-mine mine maps, but chose six mine maps such as Wumeng, which is a powerful local power.

Are there any gold, silver and copper mines in these six places?

Naturally, there is, but this gold, silver and copper ore is not easy to get.

Not to mention how long it will take to fight with the local toast, just talking about the development time will take years.

The gold, silver, and copper ore maps in Yunnan and Sichuan were all handed over by Zhu Gaoxu after calculating them.

"When you develop it, I'll almost be able to take over directly......"

Taking the reins of the red horse from the hands of the Xihua Gate guard, Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the tall Forbidden City, and rode away without saying anything.

He advanced to the familiar Song State Mansion, and when he came to the gate of the Song State Mansion, the hundred household officials stationed in the Song State Mansion saw that he also led the soldiers to make a move, and sang and shouted: "The King of Bohai is a thousand years old." ”

After turning over and dismounting and handing over the red donkey to them, Zhu Gaoxu, as always, took a small amount of money from his body and handed it to the familiar hundred-household official.

Just as he entered the hospital, he saw two familiar faces standing in the doorway.

"It's Li Zhong and Zhang Guang, right?"

Looking at Li Zhong, who was wearing the clothes of a small flag official, Zhu Gaoxu also smiled and said, "But I have been promoted, congratulations." ”

"Your Highness Qianfu......" Li Zhong and Zhang Guang didn't expect that characters like Zhu Gaoxu could still remember them, so they were flattered and saluted.

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and didn't say much, but just said to the hundred officials who received the money: "Take the money and invite the brothers to have a drink, it will be regarded as a promotion banquet." ”

"Yes, yes......" The officials of the hundred households didn't expect that Zhu Gaoxu still remembered Li Zhong and Zhang Guang, so he immediately nodded and agreed.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu didn't continue to say anything, but just said "do a good job" to the two, and then walked into the Song State Mansion.

Looking at the back of Zhu Gaoxu's departure, Zhang Guang also sighed: "I really didn't expect that our little people could be remembered by a big man like King Bohai." ”

"Hmm......" Li Zhong nodded in response, and the hundred household officials also came over and sighed:

"I heard that His Royal Highness gave the palace guards a very high salary, but it's a pity that our group of people dragged their families with their mouths, otherwise they might be able to make contributions if they followed to the north."

While speaking, the hundred household officials hammered Li Zhong's shoulder: "You kid is lucky, the money for this promotion banquet is enough." ”

The hundred-household official threw the 200 pieces of money in his hand to Li Zhong: "You have to invite us to a good meal." ”

"Of course." Li Zhong grinned, but his eyes couldn't stop looking into the mansion, although he couldn't see Zhu Gaoxu's back anymore.

Where he couldn't see, Zhu Gaoxu had already met Feng Sheng.

Sitting in the guest seat in the hall in the front yard, Zhu Gaoxu calmly waited for Feng Sheng to speak, while Feng Sheng personally sat aside and stretched out his hand to make tea.

"Dingyuan Marquis Wang Bi also died the day before yesterday, but it's a pity that you haven't seen him yet......"

Feng Sheng's voice was much older than a few months ago, and when he was sitting, his back couldn't stop slumping.

The death of Wang Bi, the first contributor to the Battle of Yuerhai, is no worse than Fu Youde's death.

Zhu Gaoxu was surprised that he didn't receive the news, but he thought that maybe Lao Zhu deliberately covered up the news.

"The commander of the Shanxi capital was also ordered to transfer 26,600 horses and infantry officers and troops to build a city in the north of the Saibei to build a city and Tuntian, and the king of Jin seemed to have failed."

Feng Sheng revealed the fate of Zhu Li's failure to compete for the crown prince, but these news sounded very funny to Zhu Gaoxu.

Obviously, it can be solved by imprisoning or killing Zhu Li alone, but later it implicated so many people.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't know whether to say that Lao Zhu was too humane or too impersonal.

"When are you leaving......" Feng Sheng poured a cup of tea for Zhu Gaoxu and asked absentmindedly.

"On the fifth day of the first month" Zhu Gaoxu gave the date, and Feng Sheng also nodded after hearing it:

"Good gone...... It's good to go......"

He didn't ask Zhu Gaochu what he was going to do after he went to Jilin, nor did he ask Zhu Gaochu how he saved Fu Youde but couldn't save him, but after saying hello twice, he and Zhu Gaochu drank tea quietly.

Judging from his words and deeds, Fu Youde's death hit him hard.

Faced with such a him, Zhu Gaoxu didn't know what to say.

"It's a pity, I can't help you with anything......"

Suddenly, Feng Sheng opened his mouth regretfully, but Zhu Gaoxu shook his head: "It's enough for you to enjoy your old age well, and you don't need to help anyone anymore." ”

Unlike the Fu family, after Fu Youde's death, even if Fu Rang brought a hundred guards to help Zhu Gaoxu, it would not affect the overall situation.

But if Feng Sheng wants to send guards to Zhu Gaoxu, then he is not helping Zhu Gaoxu, but harming Zhu Gaochu and himself.

"The kid said goodbye this time, I don't know if I will be able to see the old man in my lifetime."

Zhu Gaoxu stood up, knelt down slowly towards Feng Shengzuo, and bowed five times and three times.

Feng Sheng didn't stop or refuse, just waved his hand after he got up after saluting: "Let's go......"

He was sending off guests, and Zhu Gaoxu didn't stay long, he came here to make such a gift.

Under Feng Sheng's gaze, he turned around and left the Song State Mansion.

Li Zhong, Zhang Guang and the others looked at him with a heavy face, and they didn't come forward to talk, so they watched Zhu Gaoxu turn over and get on the horse, and rode away from the gate of the Guogong Mansion.

Soon after he left the Guogong Mansion, Lao Zhu also got the news during his lunch break.

In the face of Feng Sheng's peace, Lao Zhu was a little happy, but in the face of Zhu Gaoxu's imminent departure, he was complicated in his heart, and he couldn't say any emotions.

He focused his attention on Zhu Gaoxu, but Zhu Gaochu did not go to Feng Sheng again in the next few days, and did not even take the initiative to find anyone who could help him.

With the help of Yishaha, Wang Xuan, Yang Zhan, Fu Rang, and Lin Wuliu, he gradually recruited 500 guards, and summoned 500 guards to move more than 100 of their brothers who dragged their families.

On the third day of the first month, Fu Rang led 300 guards and 100 guards to board the ship, escorting 300 craftsmen and more than 700 guards and their families, as well as Zhu Gaoxu's money and food to pull the horses north in advance.

Therefore, in the early morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, only Zhu Gaoxu, Yishiha, and Lin Wuliu gathered at the Jiangdongmen wharf, as well as 200 guards on Qin horses.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Jiangdongmen Wharf is sparsely populated, all because most people have already spent the New Year at home.

Such a deserted scene was supported by Zhu Gaoxu and more than 200 people under his command.

A Qin horse and a guard began to board the ship to Yangzhou in the east, and Lin Wuliu was also on the ship ready to wait at the dock in Yangzhou to meet Zhu Gaoxu and them.

Looking at the people who were boarding the ship, Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the dock, couldn't help but sigh: "Although I have known that there will be such a day, when it comes, I am still a little reluctant." ”

"Hehe......" Yisha next to him smiled and said: "The slave didn't hear any reluctance from His Highness, but I was afraid that the dragon would enter the sea and the birds would fly into the clouds." ”

Yisha's words made Zhu Gaoxu smile, and at this time, two people carrying packages also came in the distance.

"Your Highness......"

Yang Zhan and Wang Xuan appeared at the riverside pier with packages on their backs, apparently they also chose to leave Nanjing today.

The three have different directions, but they all need to take a boat.

"Remember to write to me."

Seeing that Wang Xuan and Yang Zhan had been waiting for a long time on the boat, Zhu Gaoxu didn't say anything superfluous, but just explained that the two of them wrote a letter to themselves.

The two of them lowered their heads, obviously uncomfortable with this parting.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: "You have gone to the place, if you can help me in the future, you can also make a contribution." ”

Saying that, he said to Wang Xuan: "I need an ore when I go to Jilin, Jilin may not have it, but there must be one in Yunnan, you can find it for me when the time comes." ”

Zhu Gaoxu said as he took out a letter from his arms.

"This is written about the various characteristics of this ore, and where this ore may appear, if you can find it, collect a few dozen catties to smelt it into iron for me."

"Okay." Wang Xuanwen took the letter angrily, and Zhu Gaoxu also smiled and patted the two of them on the back when he saw this:

"Get on the ship and go, and do something good when you take office, and I will be happy for you if I hear your name."

Not only did Yang Zhan and Wang Xuan not adapt to this atmosphere, but Zhu Gaoxu was even more unsuitable for this atmosphere, so he laughed and scolded and caught the two of them on the boat.

Not long after, the ship was pulled out, and Zhu Gaoxu watched the ship drift away, and his emotions were beyond words.

I don't know if the two will be his friends or enemies when they meet again......

"Dick!"

Suddenly, a familiar salutation sounded, and a mellow person in the distance got out of the carriage and shouted towards Zhu Gaoxu on the dock.

Hearing that voice, Zhu Gaoxu turned his head suddenly, but his expression was more complicated than just now.

If there is anyone he doesn't want to see today, I'm afraid it's Zhu Gaochi.

However, under his gaze, Zhu Gaochi trotted all the way from the carriage, and it was Zhu Gaosui who walked slowly and slowly from him.

"Did you take everything with you?"

Zhu Gaochi ran to Zhu Gaochu, looked at the ships behind him, and looked at the guards who were constantly boarding the ships to Yangzhou, he was a little worried:

"You still have too few people, ask your father for some guards when you go to Jilin and pass through Beiping."

"Good ......" Zhu Gaoxu didn't explain that he didn't take the Beiping route, but just nodded and agreed.

"Second brother, can your grandfather give me one of your big horses?"

Zhu Gaosui, who came over, asked for a big horse, but fortunately, Zhu Gaochu had the foresight to let Fu Rang leave in advance.

"You're late, those horses are estimated to have arrived in Huai'an by now."

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head, but reassured: "The batch of horses in the coming year gave birth to foals, and I asked people to bring back two, one for you and the eldest brother." ”

"Hmm......" Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Zhu Gaosui's expression immediately changed his face, obviously his character has already been cultivated, and even if Zhu Gaoxu intervenes the day after tomorrow, he can't change it.

"I'll have to be careful with this kid in the future......"

Looking at Zhu Gaosui's unfamiliar appearance, Zhu Gaochu frowned slightly, and continued to return his gaze to Zhu Gaochi.

Under his gaze, he personally watched Zhu Gaochi arrange for two guards from the Yan Mansion to carry a box.

"There are two thousand pieces in this box, all of which are the monthly money you haven't spent in the past year."

Zhu Gaochi did not give money directly, but used "monthly money" as an excuse.

Zhu Gaoxu knew very well the amount of his monthly money, when he was in Yanfu, he only had 50 yuan a month, and a maximum of 600 yuan a year.

At that moment, Zhu Gaochi suddenly took out two thousand yuan, thinking that he had brought most of the money in the Yan Mansion to himself.

It's just that in the face of these two thousand yuan, Zhu Gaoxu has no reason to refuse, after all, he is really short of money now.

His eyes gestured to Yishiha, and seeing this, Yishiha also called two guards to carry the box of money onto the ferry.

Seeing the money being carried away, Zhu Gaosui's eyes were about to burst into flames, and although Zhu Gaochi was also distressed, he still cared about Zhu Gaochu:

"I know you have great strength and high martial arts, but after you go to the north, the matter of fighting is still handed over to your subordinates, you just need to sit in Jilinwei."

"When Xiyang Ha is leveled, my father and I will think of a way to let the imperial grandfather move your feudal kingdom to the south......"

"Don't!" Hearing Zhu Gaochi's words, Zhu Gaochu hurriedly stopped:

"Although Jilin is bitterly cold, it is precisely because of the bitter cold that I need to go out of town."

"If the people of our Zhu family themselves are not willing to go to that bitter cold place to go out of the town, then who can we expect to help the imperial court defend the border?"

Zhu Gaochu opened his eyes and said nonsense, but he was also completely for Zhu Gaochi not to sabotage his plan.

Jilin is indeed bitterly cold, but Zhu Gaoxu needs to be in such a bitter cold place in order to bury his head in the development of his own power.

If Lao Zhu seals his feudal country to the mainland, then he may not even have a chance to take the lead, and he will be targeted by Zhu Yunwen, this kid.

Now this situation is very good, he is far away from the emperor, even if Lao Zhu wants to get news from himself, it is not so easy.

Jin Yiwei's power, Zhu Gaoxu has already experienced it, if he is in the mainland, I am afraid that what he does every day will be reported.

However, in Jilin, the winter of more than five months every year not only hinders himself, but also hinders Lao Zhu and Zhu Yunwen.

In comparison, this winter has a greater impact on Lao Zhu and Zhu Yunwen, and he can use the wood everywhere in the Northeast to do what he wants indoors.

Thinking so, Zhu Gaochu also bowed to Zhu Gaochi:

"Big brother, I have to go, you and the third child take good care of yourself in Nanjing, and when Jilin Wei is stable, I will go back to Nanjing to report on work."

"Okay......" Seeing Zhu Gaochu say this, Zhu Gaochi could only watch him turn around and walk onto the ferry.

After a while, when the ferry was pulled, Zhu Gaochi could only look at the figure of Zhu Gaochu who was gradually disappearing, and secretly felt sad.

Although he knew that Zhu Gaoxu's departure from Nanjing would be beneficial to him, he always felt that Zhu Gaoxu's departure was actually related to himself.

He stood at the ferry for a long time and couldn't leave, and Zhu Gaoxu on the ferry also looked at the gradually smaller Nanjing City with mixed feelings.

Facing the biting river breeze in early spring and looking at the city of Nanjing, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but feel a sense of heroism in his chest.

"Grandpa, next time I come back, it's my turn to call the shots......"

(End of chapter)