"Woo-woo-"

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, with the passing of the Lantern Festival, the Jiangdongmen Wharf also ushered in the excitement of going to the West for the third time.

Horse ships loaded all kinds of porcelain, cloth, and silk into boxes.

In addition to these Jiangnan specialties, they also need to go to Hangzhou, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou along the waterway, and load the specialties belonging to various places on ships and transport them overseas.

Tea from Zhejiang and Fujian, cane sugar and brown sugar from Liangguang......

These are all commodities that are needed overseas, among which brown sugar is the most profitable and in demand.

"Guangdong has prepared five million catties of brown sugar this time, and according to the last route, it is estimated that it will be sold out after arriving at the hemp woodland."

"The slave maid estimates that this kind of goods should also sell well in Dongzhou, so I want Liangguang to prepare an extra million catties......"

On the deck of a horse ship, Zhu Gaoxu walked in front, followed by Zhu Zhanqi and Zhu Zhanqi, who looked left and right, as well as Zheng He, Xia Yuanji, Guo Zi and other six books.

After Zheng He's words were finished, Guo Zi, the secretary of the household department, explained to the household officials around him.

Unlike Zhu Di's trip to the West in history, Zhu Gaoxu's trip to the West is a good government that can be profitable for both the court and the people.

Since the beginning of the Orient, the private economy in various places has gained more markets, take brown sugar as an example.

In the past, the annual output of sugar farmers in Liangguang was saturated with 20 or 30 million catties, but now that the Western shipping channel has been maintained, the number of private businessmen involved in the Western Ocean has also begun to increase.

In this period when the old port and Luzon and Cochin had not yet started large-scale sugar production, Liangguang was undoubtedly the largest sugar production base on the Western shipping route.

After all, brown sugar can last for up to eighteen months, and if you buy it from Jiangnan and go to the West, it will undoubtedly waste a month or two.

On the contrary, it is purchased from Guangdong, which can save more money and time.

In the past few years, there has also been an increase in the number of sugar factories in Liangguang, and many people who have followed the trend have also profited from this.

From sugar farmers to yamen, each has its own benefits, and each has its own returns.

However, such a return is not long-term in Zhu's view, because there are not many metal reserves in various countries on the Western shipping lanes at present.

With the current trade deficit of various countries, it is estimated that the domestic metal reserves of each country will be earned by Daming in a short time.

Because of this, the opening of the Dongzhou route and the development of Kunlun are particularly important.

"The trade in the West is related to the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of weavers, sugar farmers, and porcelain craftsmen in the coastal south of the Yangtze River, and it must be taken seriously."

On the deck, looking at the boxes of goods, Zhu Gaoxu immediately began to pull the flag.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu pulling the banner, the faces of some officials of the Sixth Ministry were about to turn the color of pig liver.

In the past, they were pulling the banner, but when they met Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaochu was more skilled in pulling the banner than them.

With this sentence, it is unrealistic for others to attack the Western labor and people, after all, the goods brought back by Zheng He have been counted by the household department.

Now the court makes money, and the people also make money, and whoever dares to impeach the West is a national thief.

"The volume of trade this time should be more than last time."

Zheng He carefully said to Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaoxu bowed his head when he heard this, looked down at Zhu Zhanqi and Zhu Zhanqi, stretched out his hand and patted them:

"Alright, let's go play."

After getting the signal, the two boys immediately trotted towards the boat ladder, and after a short time, they ran along the dock to Nanjing City, followed by more than ten West Factory whelms.

Looking at their backs, Song Lizuo, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, said: "Your Highness, the two emperors and grandsons have reached their age, please select a famous teacher to teach ......"

As the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Song Li didn't want others to say that he didn't care about the emperor and grandson, so he stood up and made suggestions.

However, for his suggestion, Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said: "Students all over the world are studying in official schools, so why should the royal family give preferential treatment?" ”

Zhu Gaoxu is not hypocritical, but he doesn't want to hand over Zhu Zhanyan to those Confucian students, for fear that these guys will give him a cowardly and weak son.

Song Li didn't say anything when he saw this, but Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zheng He:

"This time I went to the West, in addition to the goods, the household department also allocated you 50,000 taels of gold."

"If you make good use of this gold, I believe you can bring back a hundred times the value of existence."

"Slave and maid lead the ......" Zheng He returned the salute, and Zhu Gaoxu also got off the deck and walked towards the dock.

After a short time, his carriage was guarded by soldiers and horses in Beijing and escorted to the capital.

Seeing this, even if they were reluctant, the ministers had to return the favor and send them away from the carriage.

The bustle of Jiangdongmen Wharf continued, and it was not until noon that nearly 300,000 boxes of goods were loaded onto the ship, and the horse boats were loaded with goods along the Yangtze River to the East China Sea.

Also when the horse boat sailed out of the Yangtze River, Zhu Gaoxu's figure appeared on the Chunhe Palace Road.

"His Royal Highness Chitose ......"

Walking into the Chunhe Palace, the singing sound sounded one after another, and more than ten military attachés stood in the hall, respectfully and respectfully.

Mu Chun, Duke of Qianguo, Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao, Gu Cheng, Marquis of Zhenyuan, Qu Neng, Marquis of Jianchang, He Fu, Marquis of Ningyuan, as well as several generals such as Sheng Yong, Qu Yu, and Qu Tao who shined in the southwest......

These generals are the confidence of Zhu Gaoxu to change the land and return to the river in the southwest.

"This time, Guizhou has changed the land and returned to the stream, thanks to the hard work of Er and others."

"Although Your Majesty is not here, your merits are enough to be knighted."

"Qu Yu Qu Tao!"

Zhu Gaoxu called out Qu Yu Qu Tao, and the two generals stood up and said: "The minister is here!" ”

The two brothers, who were more than six feet tall, stood up and did not put any pressure on Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was also more than six feet tall, stretched out his hand and touched his mustache, and said confidently:

"You Pingqian Tusi has meritorious, and I will entitle your brother as Wei Ningbo and Bijiebo on behalf of the Son of Heaven!"

"Thanksgiving ......"

Qu Yu Qu Tao knelt down when he heard this, and bowed respectfully five times and three times.

Behind them, Qu Neng couldn't help but straighten his waist.

One family and three lords, such an honor is rare throughout the ages, and his Qu family is also famous in history.

Thinking like this, Qu Neng suddenly felt that His Majesty's father and son were still very good today.

I think that he Qu Neng made countless meritorious contributions during the Hongwu period, and then never received a knighthood.

In the Yongle period, he was awarded three knighthoods in only eleven years.

How can Qu Neng not be grateful for such an honor?

"Sheng Yong!"

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly spoke, the voice made Sheng Yong stunned, and finally Li Jinglong pulled him, and he reacted and hurriedly kowtowed.

Looking down at Sheng Yong, who was kneeling, Zhu Gaoxu said majestically: "You have worked hard for many years, and now you are noble and meritorious, and I will entitle you as Sinanbo on behalf of the Son of Heaven." ”

"Thanksgiving, long live, long live, long live, long live......"

Sheng Yong bowed five times and knocked three times, with mixed feelings in his heart.

As the person who hindered Zhu Gaoxu from crossing the river back then, even though he has made countless meritorious contributions over the years, he has always been worried in his heart, and he doesn't know when he will be settled by the queen of autumn.

Now Zhu Gaoxu's approach undoubtedly shows his open-mindedness, but he can't help but feel ashamed.

"The rest of you are all heroes, but some of them are unsealable, and some of them are not enough......"

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at everyone and said with satisfaction: "Although the work is insufficient, the reward is indispensable."

"The land of the South Seas is rich in gold and copper, and I will give each of you a copper mountain, so that your descendants can enjoy the wealth!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!!"

Compared with the previous chanting, the crowd is now singing to show their loyalty.

Although the output of Nanyang Copper Mountain is not high, it can produce tens of thousands of pieces per year.

This reward can be called a rich descendant.

Looking at them, Zhu Gaoxu was very satisfied.

After all, Nanyang is overseas, and if something happens, there must be enough support from the temple.

Rewarding the copper mountain is Zhu Gaoxu's means of binding the nobles to Nanyang, and if Nanyang encounters problems in the future, these nobles can also stand up for their own interests.

"Okay, I called you here today, in addition to the reward, there is another thing that needs to be discussed."

Zhu Gaoxu walked to his place and sat down, very casually, but full of majesty.

"Although the topography of Guangxi is not as complex as Guizhou, the water network is dense, and the composition of toast is more complex."

"The imperial court wants to directly control the southwest, and Guangxi is the next link to be targeted."

"You have been fighting in the southwest for a long time, and now you can tell me, if the imperial court also changes the land of Guangxi, how many soldiers and horses will be needed, and how much grain will be needed?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked everyone, but his posture was confident, as if he was asking questions with answers.

Such a posture made everyone feel pressured after sitting down.

Among the crowd, only Mu Chun and Li Jinglong were as usual and very calm.

Mu Chun frowned and thought about the question, while Li Jinglong looked at Zhu Gaoxu vaguely.

Even now, he feels like a dream.

The rebellious young man who used to show his martial arts on the field of the university has now become a martial arts and majestic existence.

Li Jinglong is not stupid, he knows these people of the Zhu family, but he can't see through Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Biao is benevolent but has a black belly and an open-minded bearing, if he is in a high position, he must be the king of success.

Although he may not be able to open up the territory of the Ming Dynasty, he can, like Zhu Yuanzhang, make the Ming Dynasty peaceful and peaceful, and the treasury will be full, laying the foundation for the development of the future king.

Zhu Xiongying was too young and passed away before he showed his talents, full of regret.

Zhu Yunwen......

Thinking of this name, Li Jinglong's mind came to mind Zhu Yunwen's face with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

Although he seems to be affectionate and righteous, he only inherited Zhu Biao's black belly, and he does not have the slightest benevolence and open-mindedness.

If he can be a little open-minded, maybe he ......

"Unlikely."

Li Jinglong shook his head in his heart, after all, Zhu Di, father and son, are inseparable from the eternal existence.

Zhu Di is on the right and Zhu Gaoxu is on the side, if the father and son are hard-hearted, then even if Zhu Yuanzhang is alive, it is difficult to say the result of the martyrdom, let alone Zhu Biao and Zhu Yunwen.

Especially Zhu Gaoxu, he can't understand him at all, and even now, he still can't understand Zhu Gaoxu.

However, he knew that if Zhu Gaoxu wanted to rebel, then even without Zhu Di, he could overthrow Zhu Yunwen, it was just a matter of time.

While he was thinking like this, a sand table with a length and width of two feet was pushed out and placed in front of Li Jinglong and Mu Chun.

Seeing this, the generals got up one after another, and while sighing at the fineness of the sand table, they couldn't help but carefully analyze how to pacify Guangxi.

They were discussing, but Zhu Gaoxu took an orange in his hand and put it in front of his nose to sniff lightly, as if the discussion in front of him was nothing in his eyes.

"With the topography of Guangxi, it can be carried out by land and water, searched by water, and surrounded by land extrusion."

"Yes, it is difficult to clean up the Tusi of the Great Tengxia in the whole of Guangxi, as long as the road is built and the artillery can enter it, it will be easy to clean up."

"However, Pingguizhou is ahead, and Guangxi and Yunnan must be vigilant."

"That ......"

The discussion of the generals took a full hour to end.

Specifically, it is based on the east, west, north and south, and is subdivided into 10 armies, which advance separately and advance layer by layer.

According to Mu Chun and Li Jinglong's estimates, the war could be ended in a year at most, but the premise was to ensure that each army had at least 10,000 soldiers and horses to prevent the Tusi of Datengxia from fleeing.

100,000 regular soldiers, in terms of the depth of northwestern Guangxi, at least 300,000 civilians must be requisitioned to ensure logistical supplies.

"At the moment in Guangxi, I'm afraid there are not so many men who can be transferred ......"

Standing beside Zhu Gaoxu, he also lost his face and spoke, which made the generals a little surprised.

Seeing this, Yizha explained: "On the side of the household, the number of mouths in Guangxi is only more than 1.5 million, and the number of men is more than 770,000. ”

"However, at present, most of the troops stationed in Nanyang and Jiaozhi are mainly from Guangxi, and the actual number of men in Guangxi is only more than 600,000."

"These more than 600,000 men are still distributed throughout Guangxi, and it is very difficult to recruit 200,000 people, unless ...... are forcibly recruited."

Yisha looked at Zhu Gaoxu cautiously, and the generals did the same.

Everyone knows that Zhu Gaoxu does not like to forcibly recruit the people, and mainly focuses on conscription.

If it is to be forcibly recruited, it is impossible without Zhu Gaoxu's nod.

However, in the face of their words, Zhu Gaoxu said:

"There is a lag in the data of the household department, for example, the number of mouths in Guangxi is basically copied from the old Hongwu for 14 years."

"In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, there were more than 1.4 million people in Guangxi, and now 30 years later, how can there be more than 1.5 million, it is nothing more than hidden by local officials and toasts in various places."

"This expedition, although it is mainly based on conscription, at the same time implements a new policy to change the land and return to the stream."

"To study after graduating last year, an additional 30,000 officials were recruited, and an army of 100,000 cooperated with the reform of the Han land, liberated the slaves of the local Tusi, and recorded the number of slaves of the local gentry."

"In the law of my Ming Dynasty, except for the meritorious who can have slaves, the rest can only hire helpers."

"Guangxi is far from the Central Plains, and many of the imperial court's policies have not been thoroughly implemented locally."

"Take this opportunity to implement the new policy and thoroughly check the number of mouths in Guangxi."

Zhu Gaoxu opened his mouth, and the generals cooperated one after another, and Yisha also wrote down the content, preparing to let the celebrant communicate with the six departments.

When everything was settled, Zhu Gaoxu invited the generals to a banquet in the Chunhe Palace.

After a few glasses of wine, the generals also became lively, and at this time, Zhu Zhanqi and Zhu Zhanqi returned to the palace and trotted all the way from afar.

"See the ...... of the Emperor and Sun"

"No need to be particular about etiquette!"

On the wine, Zhu Gaoxu spoke on behalf of the two boys, and at the same time beckoned to the two boys standing in the hall, signaling them to come over.

The two boys came to Zhu Gaoxu and sat down, he put his arms around them with his left and right hands, and introduced to the ministers:

"This is my eldest son Zhan Qi, this is the second son Zhan Qi, there are a few more in the harem, and I won't introduce them if I'm too young."

"When they graduate from high school, I will send them to the army and give them to you for training."

"Your Highness can't......"

Seeing Zhu Gaochu say this, everyone sobered up and asked Zhu Gaochu to retract his words.

"Huh!" Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand: "The descendants of the Zhu family will either die on the battlefield or die on the desk." ”

"There's no reason why you all send your children and grandchildren to war, and the Heavenly Family only knows how to sit back and enjoy it."

"Yes!" Zhu Zhanyan's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly agreed, and Zhu Gaoxu also nodded with satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder.

After encouraging Zhu Zhanqi, Zhu Gaoxu turned his head to look at Zhu Zhanqi: "Qi'er, do you want to be rich or rich, or something else?" ”

"Whatever the father wants his sons to do, the sons will do."

Zhu Zhanqi has always had a sweet mouth, and Zhu Gaoxu was also happy after hearing it: "Okay! In the future, Dad will arrange an errand for you. ”

Zhu Gaoxu looked back at the generals and signaled to the musicians who played the music: "The beautiful sound is not suitable for my Ming soldiers, play "Elephant King Xing" and "Breaking Array Music"!" ”

With Zhu Gaoxu's order, the music style changed, and it immediately became majestic and excited.

"Your Highness, my brother is willing to dance the sword to cheer up!"

The two brothers, Qu Yu and Qu Tao, got up and made a move, and Zhu Gaoxu smiled when he heard it: "Okay!" ”

"Go, serve the two new lords with swords!"

He bowed his head and instructed his second son, Zhu Zhanyan had long known the prestige of Qu Yu and Qu Tao, so he immediately got up and walked quickly all the way to take the long sword to Qu Yu.

"Your Highness!"

Qu Yu took the sword with both hands to thank him, and Zhu Zhanqi on the side also followed his eldest brother and won Qu Tao's thanks.

The second son returned to Zhu Gaoxu and sat down, and Qu Yu and Qu Tao also began to dance the sword with "Breaking the Array Music" to cheer everyone up.

The wine blinded Zhu Gaoxu's eyes, and he couldn't help but think of the pictures of his surprise attack on Xiyangha and the bloody battle against Jixiguan.

The Ming Dynasty is prosperous, but occasionally, Zhu Gaoxu will miss the old days.

Sometimes he also envies Zhu Di, at least Zhu Di can experience the feeling of being the king of Yan when he is in the north.

But it's me, think about it carefully, I haven't returned to Bohai for thirteen years, and I haven't returned to Jilin City.

Thinking of Jilin City in his memory, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes couldn't help but become hazy.

"Dad, you're crying......"

Zhu Zhanqi suddenly spoke, and everyone was also awakened by his words, whether it was music or Qu Yu Qu Tao, they all stopped the movements of their hands.

Seeing them like this, Zhu Gaoxu also got up and picked up his wine glass:

"The prosperity of the Ming Dynasty is inseparable from your southern and northern wars."

"This scene reminds me of the difficulties of fighting with Hu soldiers in the Bohai Sea."

"We can stand here alive, but many more brothers have died on the battlefield."

"The imperial court will move the capital to Beijing in a few years, so I am determined to enclose the Huyu on the west side of Tianshou Mountain and build a tower on the top of Huyu Mountain."

"In the future, every time I fight, I will build a tower, and engrave the origin and exploits of the fallen soldiers."

"All the students of the military academy who graduate will go to Huyu to pay respects to the soldiers who died for my Ming Dynasty."

"As for your ......," Zhu Gaoxu stretched out his hand to toast them:

"I want to follow the example of the ancients and choose a place to build a swallow platform for you, cast a golden body, and paint a statue."

"Your hometown will also build a temple after your death, so that you can enjoy the incense of eternity!"

Zhu Gaoxu's impassioned and generous words made the generals red-eyed, and they bowed down one after another:

"Ministers, swear to repay His Highness's kindness!"

(End of chapter)