"That's it anyway." Zhu Yuanzhang clasped his hands together, supporting his chin, and said solemnly, "Help me think of a solution quickly. I've already promised Biao'er, and I don't want to embarrass myself in front of him."
All the confidants looked at their lord with indescribable eyes.
Everyone is already very busy, can you please not add to everyone’s workload?
Li Shanchang rubbed his dry eyes and said, "My Lord, aren't you very good at pushing things you can't do onto Zhu Yuanzhang?"
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "I can't keep doing this. Before, Biao'er was still young, so I could just give him a perfunctory treatment. Now that Biao'er has grown up, if I give him a perfunctory treatment, I will lose my dignity as a father."
The looks from all the confidants were even more indescribable.
My lord, you have no dignity in front of Biaoer!
Song Lian covered his mouth with his sleeve, suppressing a yawn with a ferocious expression. He said weakly, "My lord, you can put it off for now and talk to Biao'er and help him take a look. Maybe in a month or two, Biao'er will have forgotten about it."
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed again: "I thought so too. But then I thought, Biao'er has grown up and it's time for him to have his own people around him. Now everyone around him is my people, and he hasn't cultivated one or two confidants, so it's inconvenient to do anything. If there are things he doesn't want to tell me, I can't do it. This won't work."
All of Zhu Yuanzhang’s confidants no longer wanted to look at him and wanted to roll their eyes.
My Lord, you will be the Emperor in the future! Wouldn't it be better if you could control the Crown Prince's every move? What do you mean the Crown Prince might have something he doesn't want to tell you? Are you talking about forcing the Emperor to abdicate and usurp the throne?
This idea is ridiculous, but it is the first thing that comes to everyone's mind.
And based on their understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang, their lord might be thinking about the same thing.
Yan Qian tried to hold it in, but couldn't help it: "My Lord, you can't say that!"
Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his chin with his hand, rubbed his head, and said awkwardly, "You all know I've been hiding so many things from Biao'er. He'll definitely be angry when he finds out the truth. Who knows, he might rebel against me and become emperor himself? If I don't leave him some help, he'll be so angry that he'll get hurt."
Yan Qian: “…”
How do you expect me to answer that? My teacher wouldn't do such a thing!
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's words becoming more and more outrageous, Li Shanchang quickly stopped him: "My Lord! Biao'er would never do such a thing! Don't you know how filial Biao'er is to you? But Biao'er is grown up now, and he really should have some useful people around him. Biao'er has made so many contributions, so it's normal for him to be an official. It would be strange to leave him alone."
Although Hua Yun is usually careless, he has a subtle mind and said, "Whether it's Yingtian Primary School, the Battle of Hongdu, the popularization of basic education in the army, or the literacy classes for generals, Biao'er's achievements are enough to make him an official and a noble. Before, Biao'er was young and no one would have been surprised if he didn't hold an official position. Now Biao'er is almost twelve years old. In ancient times, people became prime ministers at the age of twelve, but Biao'er is still a commoner. It's really strange."
Others also agreed.
Compared to the two female generals under his lord's command, Chen Biao's age was completely insufficient to qualify him for official appointment. Even if he were in another faction, if Chen Biao had made such great contributions, he would have been given an official position.
Furthermore, Chen Biao now holds great power but lacks the corresponding status. He now relies entirely on his reputation and the few people who know his identity to exercise his power, which is not a long-term solution.
Song Lian sighed, "If Biao'er hadn't participated in the Battle of Hongdu, it might have been best to let him hide and wait until he reached the age of twenty to reveal his identity as the crown prince. But Biao'er is too powerful. He should be more involved in the lord's political affairs."
Yan Qian just nodded without saying anything.
He strongly agreed with Song Lian's words. While relying on the lord's reputation would certainly secure the teacher's position as heir, if the teacher could gain prestige independently of the lord, then even if the lord grew old and confused, the teacher's position as crown prince would remain secure.
Since everyone present was his own, Li Shanchang was less polite. "My Lord, instead of worrying that Biao'er will be so enraged after learning the truth that he'll seize your throne, you should worry that you'll grow old and foolish, and then favor a beautiful young concubine, giving birth to a spoiled young son, and then want to dethrone the eldest son and enthronize the younger one."
Zhu Yuanzhang cursed: "Bullshit! I am definitely not that kind of person!"
Li Shanchang made Zhu Yuanzhang so angry that he started speaking in dialect.
When Zhu Chongba became Zhu Yuanzhang, he paid great attention to the tone and wording of his speech, trying to make himself appear more cultured and dignified. Especially after he had Chen Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang had to pretend to be a wealthy businessman, so he had to pay more attention to the wording of his speech to avoid revealing the truth.
Li Shanchang was able to make Zhu Yuanzhang so angry that he called himself "I", which shows that this incident really touched Zhu Yuanzhang's anger point.
Li Shanchang knew Zhu Yuanzhang was truly angry, but he wasn't afraid at all. "My Lord is definitely not like that now. I'm talking about the future. History books show so many emperors who doted on their princes in their prime, only to become suspicious of them in their later years. As people age, their minds can become muddled. My Lord has seen all sorts of things in the world, and he's certainly seen this kind of thing before."
Everyone admired Li Shanchang very much. Apart from Xu Da, only Li Shanchang dared to say such words to Zhu Yuanzhang, so that Zhu Yuanzhang would prevent himself from becoming confused in the future.
Li Shanchang knew Zhu Yuanzhang very well. After hearing what he said, Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry at all, but seemed to be thinking about something and was very uneasy.
Zhu Yuanzhang had certainly seen confused old people.
When he was a monk, he saw a family that was originally very harmonious. However, the old man fell ill and suddenly became confused. He kept telling his children that he was going to starve to death, and he kept doing so while eating a chicken leg.
If an ordinary person was old and confused, he would just have to explain it. But the emperor was old and confused, and if he said that the prince wanted to kill him, the prince would really be guilty of treason.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought that when Chen Biao grew up, he would give the throne to Chen Biao as soon as possible.
He only knew how to fight wars, and was only beginning to learn how to govern a country. As soon as he started learning, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he was really not good at it. He really wanted to cut through this mess of things with a single stroke of his sword. Why would he bother with so much trouble?
But he knew rationally that using a butcher's knife could bring temporary peace. By the next generation or the next generation, if the emperor's reputation and strength were not enough to wield the butcher's knife, then the dynasty would probably be doomed.
He could conquer the world immediately, but he could not rule it immediately. No matter how you look at it, Chen Biao is more suitable for handling state affairs than him.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang was worried that if he grew old and confused too quickly and started to be suspicious of the crown prince before letting Chen Biao succeed to the throne, what would happen to his beloved Biao?
"We should have let Biaoer train more people earlier." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "If Biaoer were the crown prince now, I would have stuffed you all into the Eastern Palace to serve as ministers to Biaoer, and there wouldn't be so many problems now."
Li Shanchang was at a loss for words. This was something a lord could only do.
According to official history, Zhu Yuanzhang did so. The Zhanshi Mansion was founded during the Hongwu reign, and all the important officials in the court worked part-time in the Zhanshi Mansion.
"Zhanshi" (Zhanshi) means steward, and was originally the title of an official who oversaw the household affairs of the Empress and Crown Prince. The Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties all had the Zhanshiyuan, but it was a mere department similar to the Qing Dynasty's "Neiwufu." It wasn't until the Hongwu reign that the Zhanshiyuan was renamed the Zhanshifu, which became a complete official system for the Eastern Palace, resembling a small imperial court.
The Zhanshifu was largely abandoned by the mid-Ming Dynasty, becoming a springboard for Hanlin scholars to advance in official positions, and no longer had any connection to the Crown Prince. The Zhanshifu was later re-established during the Qing Dynasty, but abolished along with the Crown Prince when Emperor Kangxi deposed him. Afterward, the Zhanshifu became a springboard for Hanlin scholars, without any real power.
Since ancient times, emperors rarely delegated power to the crown prince. The Hongwu and Yongle dynasties rarely treated the crown prince as the vice emperor.
Unfortunately, in this world, Chen Biao is "not the prince", so Zhu Yuanzhang cannot be so lazy and can only find another way.
Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to arrange a de facto "Eastern Palace" for Chen Biao, and his confidants could not wait any longer and started discussing it heatedly.
Chen Biao sneezed a few times and went to visit Fang Guozhen with great interest.
In order to maintain his dignity as a father, Zhu Yuanzhang first gave Chen Biao a "sweet treat" and gave Chen Biao a token in the name of the King of Ming, allowing Chen Biao to directly contact Fang Guozhen's family.
Zhu Yuanzhang wondered if these people were just talking big. What if Biao'er saw that vixen named Fang Mingqian and turned his back on her?
Chen Biao was going to meet the surrendered general. Li Zhen was extremely nervous and wanted Chen Biao to bring all the guards at home with him.
Li Zhen was so nervous that she even wrote a letter to scold her son. If her son was here, he could go with Chen Biao. Why wasn't her son here?
Li Wenzhong felt extremely aggrieved after receiving the letter. "You think I don't want to come back? My adoptive father treats his nephews and nieces differently. Why does Zhu Wenzheng get a few months' vacation, but I don't?"
Li Wenzhong couldn't stand it anymore. Learning from Li Zhen's caution and low-keyness, he wrote a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang for the first time to complain (act like a spoiled child).
Uncle! Although I'm just your nephew, I'm also your adopted son! How can you favor Zhu Wenzheng so much and not me? I want a vacation too!
Li Wenzhong also urged Chen Ying to write a letter with him. His aunt loved Chen Ying the most, even more than Zhu Wenzheng and himself. If Chen Ying wrote a letter to complain to his aunt, it would surely work!
Far water cannot quench immediate thirst. After scolding Li Wenzhong, Li Zhen began to select soldiers and generals from the Chen family, picking and choosing, and even wanted this group of people to take with them the few newly made bird guns.
The bird gun was a matchlock rifle. Chen Biao had just developed it and hadn't yet put it into mass production. He wasn't too keen on mass production, wanting to make the next step, at least to the flintlock rifle.
The power of the flintlock may not be much greater than that of the matchlock, but it is much more convenient than the matchlock and easier to train and use.
However, if the flintlock rifle could not be made before the Northern Expedition, the matchlock rifle could still be used.
A new musket is still a musket, and Chen Biao couldn't let his brother Ying go to the grassland with an unusable musket. At least he had to replace the musket with a gun, right?
When Chen Biao was about to leave, he saw that all his guards were carrying guns, so he quickly stopped them.
Not to mention that new firearms cannot be taken out so carelessly, he just went to have a friendly chat with the Fang family, how could it be like he wanted to wipe out the whole family?
After Chen Biao's persuasion, the Chen family guards reluctantly put down their matchlock guns.
They looked at the confiscated muskets as if they were looking at their dream lovers.
Who wouldn't love new weapons if they've been to the battlefield?
Chen Biao said, "Once we make enough, I'll equip each of you with one of the first batch of mass-produced new firearms!"
The guards were delighted and flattered their eldest son one after another.
Following the eldest son, not only can they study and earn money, but they can also be the first to get new weapons. Such a good place, their ancestors must be full of joy!
Only after coaxing his guards was Chen Biao allowed to go out.
As Li Zhen followed him out, he couldn't help but hold his forehead and sigh.
Chen Biao was puzzled: "Uncle, why are you sighing?"
Li Zhen said, "Nothing."
He couldn't say that Biao'er had such a good temper that he even coaxed the guards around him, and he was worried that Biao'er would not be able to control others in the future?
But now, these guards all respected Biao'er very much. Perhaps he was overthinking it. Biao'er's ability to control people was probably still quite strong, so he didn't need to worry.
Chen Biao thought Li Zhen was still worried about his safety, so he beckoned Li Zhen with his palm, then rummaged through his sleeves and lapels, pulling out a bunch of small balls: "Uncle, look!"
Li Zhen was puzzled: "What is this?"
Chen Biao said proudly, "It's firecrackers! Remember the ones we played during the Spring Festival this year? The ones that make a loud noise when thrown to the ground. This is the version with smoke. I'm so cautious, so of course I brought some self-defense equipment!"
If the Fang family members really went crazy, he would smash the ball hard on the ground, making crackling sounds and emitting smoke, scaring them to death.
Chen Biao put the ball away and said, "I've trained with the guards before. When they see me throw the cannonball, they'll immediately draw their swords to protect me. Humph, this is no better than using a broken cup as a signal."
Li Zhen was at a loss for words: "Come on, give me some."
Chen Biao took a few small balls and handed them to Li Zhen, saying, "We haven't developed new military explosives yet, but we have made quite a few new fireworks and firecrackers. I hope all my brothers can come home for the New Year so we can set off fireworks together."
Li Zhen nodded: "I hope so too."
He missed his son too.
Knowing that Chen Biao had made all the necessary preparations, Li Zhen finally felt relieved.
He even looked forward to the scene where the Fang family would annoy Chen Biao and Chen Biao would throw a bunch of firecrackers. However, Fang Guozhen had already pledged allegiance to his lord and did not know Chen Biao's true identity, so he would not do such a thing.
Although Li Zhen was nervous, she still had her rationality.
When Chen Biao arrived at Fang's house, the soldiers guarding the gate had already received news that Chen Biao was coming and were extremely nervous.
Chen Biao got off the carriage and looked at the soldiers sweating profusely in the winter, wondering, "Am I that scary?"
The soldier guarding the gate was about to cry: "Mr. Chen, the final exam is coming up soon, and I'm nervous."
Chen Biao burst out laughing.
Yes, after he took over the basic education of the Yingtian garrison this year, he also set up mid-term and final exams for them, and the exam results are linked to future promotions.
The meaning of this promotion is that in the past, soldiers were promoted based not only on their military achievements but also on their generals’ favor. Now, favor has become a matter of performance.
This soldier, who could come to guard the Fang family's gate, was certainly no ordinary soldier. He was stuck at a critical juncture in his promotion. If he failed the exam, oh no, please come back next time.
So it is understandable that he was so nervous that he wanted to cry when he saw the question setter and the examiner Chen Biao.
Chen Biao said with a grin, "Good luck on the exam, do your best and strive to be among the top few. I will propose to the Lord to give you big red flowers and commend you in public."
The gatekeeper wanted to cry even more.
Should the top few be publicly commended, while the bottom few should be publicly criticized? Mr. Chen, are you a demon?
Chen Biao jumped over the threshold lightly and walked into the Fang family with a smile on his face.
Fang Guozhen and several of his sons and nephews were already waiting in the courtyard.
They didn't expect that Chen Biao would come to visit them just after they handed in the letter.
Before Chen Biao arrived, Fang Guozhen wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "It's a good thing that Prince Ming reacted so quickly. Why is it that Chen Biao came to see us first?"
Fang Xing said happily, "It's Chen Biao who's here. I think this shows that the King values us even more. Dad, you don't know that Chen Biao is already teaching the generals to read. His reputation in the future will definitely be unparalleled in the court."
Fang Mingshan said with a stern face, "His reputation is already unparalleled in the court. We must not offend him."
Fang Guozhen nodded vigorously: "You should be as humble as possible! Keep your voices down!"
The Fang family members are all military generals and have loud voices. Fang Guozhen was very worried that his family members' loud voices would be misunderstood by Chen Biao.
When Chen Biao walked in with a smile, the Fang family members were standing in a row in the courtyard, each with a stiff but polite smile on their face, which made Chen Biao's smile freeze as well.
Chen Biao hurriedly bowed and said, "General Fang, I am Chen Biao, politely."
Fang Guozhen didn't dare to be arrogant and immediately returned the greeting: "Mr. Chen, I've heard a lot about you. Come in quickly."
Fang Guozhen turned around, and a group of people rushed into the hall.
Chen Biao touched his head, very confused, not knowing what this family was doing.
But they looked very kind. Chen Biao touched the firecracker ball in his arms and nodded.
Well, it seems they won't be scared by themselves.
Li Zhen breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that none of the Fang family members were carrying weapons.
Come to think of it, when the lord imprisoned them, he must have taken away all their weapons. Even if they had fists, their own guards with swords could easily defeat many of them.
When Chen Biao walked into the hall, Fang Guozhen personally poured tea for him.
Chen Biao didn't drink the tea. He took out a letter from his pocket and said, "We are all warriors. Let's not exchange pleasantries and get straight to the point."
Fang Guozhen nodded and thought to himself, Mr. Chen, you don't look like a warrior at all.
But Mr. Chen said yes, then it is!
When Chen Biao saw Fang Guozhen nodding his head like crazy, he felt a little disappointed.
Fang Guozhen, a warlord who ruled a certain region, wasn't exactly a hero, but he had once been considered a prominent figure. Now, he was bowing and scraping to a white-clad young man, and Chen Biao felt uncomfortable.
Chen Biao thought that perhaps he would also feel uncomfortable if someone else bowed and scraped to him.
Even though this is the norm in this world.
Chen Biao knew that Fang Guozhen didn't dare to relax now, and he was too lazy to do things to win people's hearts.
He unfolded the letter and asked, "Who is Fang Mingqian?"
Fang Mingqian immediately stepped out: "It's me!"
Chen Biao looked at the hairless young man and was surprised: "You are so young!"
Fang Guozhen immediately said: "Although Mingqian is only in his early twenties, he has been following me in battles. He is very capable!"
Chen Biao smiled and said, "I'm not saying he's incompetent. No matter how young he is, can he be as young as me? General Fang Mingqian, do you often deal with Japanese pirates?"
Fang Mingqian nodded: "I am responsible for the coastal garrison, protecting the fishermen on the coast, and often fighting with them."
Chen Biao touched his neck and said to Fang Guozhen, "General Fang, can you let your son and nephew sit down and talk? I'm short, and it's uncomfortable to look up."
After hearing Chen Biao's plea, which was like a younger generation's spoiled child, Fang Guozhen, who was nervous inside, relaxed a little: "Okay, okay, you all sit down and talk."
Fang Mingqian and others then sat down.
Chen Biao spread out Fang Mingqian's letter and placed it on his lap, reading the suggestions inside and asking detailed questions one by one.
Fang Mingqian answered in an orderly manner , obviously having thought about it countless times.
Chen Biao raised his head and asked some questions that were not in the letter.
For example, the forces behind these Japanese pirates, the current situation on the Japanese island, who are they connected with, and whether there are people supporting them within the Japanese island.
Fang Mingqian actually knew a little about the internal affairs of the Japanese island, and was well aware of the forces behind it.
Chen Biao was surprised: "You can speak Japanese?"
Fang Mingqian nodded: "I learned a little for the purpose of interrogation."
Chen Biao smiled and said, "That's good. It seems I don't have to worry. I hate them too. Sooner or later I will go to the Japanese island to take a look. Then we can go together."
Fang Mingqian was stunned.
Fang Guozhen said excitedly: "Hurry up and kneel down to thank Mr. Chen!"
Fang Mingqian immediately stood up, knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Chen, for your appreciation."
Chen Biao did not stop Fang Mingqian from kowtow.
He is now considered Fang Mingqian's "mentor". According to the common sense of this world, he should kowtow to Fang Mingqian.
After Fang Mingqian finished bowing, Chen Biao said, "Get up. I've already told the lord that he'll probably have to test you a few times before letting you follow me. But don't worry, as long as you hate the Japanese islands and the pirates, we'll definitely be able to work together in the future! Then I'll ask Duoduo to take care of you."
Fang Mingqian raised his hands and clasped his fists: "Yes!"
Chen Biao asked Fang Mingqian to sit down and took out a letter. "Fang Mingshan, you have the talent to govern the people, but your moral character is slightly lacking. The Lord means that your Fang family, like the other surrendered generals, will be sent to a labor reform camp. You need to take an extra course, read more, and learn more about economics. I will make a special reading list for you."
Fang Mingshan also kowtowed immediately: "Thank you, Mr."
Chen Biao said, "The Lord will definitely not let you command the army anytime soon. I think you all understand that. However, after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, there is a greater need for civil officials than military . If you have this talent, study hard and you may become a high-ranking official in the future."
Chen Biao smiled and joked, "At its peak, your Fang family's territory only encompassed three counties. If you can achieve something in the future, you could become a provincial leader and manage even more territory. If you do well, your name will go down in history, and who knows, the people might even build a temple in your honor."
Fang Mingshan also stood up and clasped his fists: "Yes!"
He was very excited. Being recognized by Chen Biao was more exciting than he had imagined.
Chen Biao nodded and said, "Like my lord, your Fang family was born into humble circumstances and forced into rebellion by the Yuan Dynasty. You should have represented the interests of the poorest people. I hope you will remember your origins and the people you should help. As long as you remember this, your future will be bright."
Fang Mingshan said: "I will definitely keep this in mind!"
Fang Guozhen's face looked a little disappointed.
When Chen Biao talked about this incident now, he remembered that he was indeed from a humble background and was even wronged for raising the banner of rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty.
Fang Guozhen did not intend to be a rebel at first, but was falsely accused of doing so by officials, so he had no choice but to actually revolt.
He led the Fang family to fight hard, but in fact he just wanted to survive and had no great ambitions at all. After hearing what Chen Biao said, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and guilty.
The same goes for the rest of the Fang family.
They now vaguely realized why they could not compare with Zhu Yuanzhang.
This may be the difference between vision and ambition.
Chen Biao asked again, "Who is Fang Xing?"
Fang Xing suppressed his inner excitement, stood up, stepped forward and knelt down to pay his respects.
It’s finally my turn!
Fang Xing felt a little sour. In terms of talent and learning, he was definitely the best among his peers in the Fang family.
I thought Chen Biao would ask him first when he came to Fang's house, but I didn't expect that the first person to ask was Fang Mingqian, the least prominent among his peers.
Fang Xing thought bitterly, how could Fang Mingqian compare to him? Fang Mingqian did understand a little Japanese, but he was fluent in many foreign languages!
Fang Xing didn't know that Fang Mingqian's talent might not be as good as his, but he catered to Chen Biao's preferences, which was luck.
Chen Biao said, "Get up. You are proficient in many foreign languages and have read many books about foreign countries. Tell me your views on foreign countries."
Fang Xing stood up and began to talk about his views on overseas affairs.
Chen Biao nodded frequently.
It seems that this person has really done a lot of research and is not just relying on assumptions.
Maybe I can take him with me when I go out to sea.
However, Fang Xing himself is a scholar who is good at riding, shooting and fighting. He is concerned about overseas affairs that are mostly related to culture and education, and does not care about technology.
This is a common problem among feudal literati, and Chen Biao will not lower his evaluation of the other party because of this.
Since Fang Xing has this foundation, he can continue to teach Fang Xing.
However, Fang Xing was also a great scholar, and Chen Biao was a little worried that if he took Fang Xing to his side, it would hinder Fang Xing's future.
So Chen Biao spoke frankly, "I want to establish overseas trade routes, allowing the Ming Dynasty to go further and see more widely than the Yuan Dynasty. But I can see that you have great literary talent. If you stay in the court, you will probably become a scholar who will be remembered in history. Forcing you to leave may hinder your future."
Fang Xing couldn't help but hesitate.
As a scholar, he certainly did not want to engage in business, but he also wanted to follow Chen Biao.
Fang Xing asked, "After I pass the labor reform, can I enroll in Yingtian Primary School?"
Chen Biao laughed. "Why would you need elementary school with your knowledge? Well, since we still have time, I'll assign you some overseas homework. You can do it while you're doing labor reform. If you don't want to go into business with me, then you can stay in the court and translate and compile overseas books. That's also a good job."
Fang Guozhen couldn't help but say, "What's wrong with doing business? When we were poor, we couldn't even do business! If a great scholar like Mr. Chen is willing to do business, why are you embarrassed? Are you, a scholar, more capable than Mr. Chen?"
Chen Biao quickly said, "General Fang, you can't say that. Most scholars nowadays don't like doing business. I'm the son of a wealthy merchant, so it's okay for me to continue doing this. But Fang Xing had better not provoke the ideas of orthodox scholars. My father can protect me, but you can't protect him."
Fang Guozhen was stunned for a moment, then said sadly, "That's true. Thank you, Mr. Chen, for reminding me."
Fang Guozhen was deeply moved by Chen Biao's frankness.
He thought, no wonder Zhu Yuanzhang's generals praised Chen Biao so highly. It was really comfortable to get along with Chen Biao.
After Chen Biao asked the three people he cared about the most, he called out the names of the others one by one and asked no one.
He took care of the other Fang family members' faces, but these Fang family members could see that Chen Biao cared most about Fang Mingqian, Fang Mingshan and Fang Xing because Chen Biao only talked about the "future" with these three people.
Fang Guozhen looked at his own son with a look of disappointment in his eyes, but he had nothing to say.
Aside from Fang Mingqian, who had always kept a low profile and wasn't given much attention, Fang Mingshan and Fang Xing were both outstanding figures among his nephews, one in literature and one in martial arts. Chen Biao's selection of them was indeed a testament to his discernment.
When Chen Biao finished speaking and was about to leave, Fang Guozhen stammered, "Sir, don't you have anything to ask me?"
Chen Biao was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "General Fang, you're joking. The only one who can ask General Fang is the Lord. To appease the people, the Lord will at least confer the title of King on General Fang. But whether General Fang will get a real job in the future, I can't say for sure. As a minister, I can't guess at will the Lord's wishes."
Fang Guozhen felt both regretful and relieved, and said, "I'm relieved by your words, sir. I'm old now, and it's time for me to retire."
Chen Biao shook his head. "Whether he can retire or not, General Fang might be able to fight for it himself. Isn't there still labor reform?"
Fang Guozhen's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr.!"
He quickly winked at his son and asked him to bring out a box.
Fang Guozhen said, "I only brought this little bit of stuff, please don't refuse, sir."
Chen Biao said, "I'm going to decline this. You'll need money for many things in the future, so you'd better keep it for yourself. I've already said that my family is a wealthy merchant family. What good things haven't I seen? What I haven't seen, my three brothers have helped me snatch."
After Chen Biao finished speaking, he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm already very happy to meet Fang Mingqian and Fang Xing, two people with similar interests. Maybe in the future we will not only be colleagues, but also friends. So I won't accept this thing now to avoid embarrassment."
Seeing Fang Guozhen still very uneasy, Chen Biao opened the box and took a handful of pearls from the box and stuffed them into his sleeve. "Is this all right? I will send you books. You should read them carefully and wait for the day when you can work with me. I need to report to the master first."
Fang Guozhen stopped him: "Grab another handful, just grab another handful!"
Chen Biao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Okay."
He grabbed another handful, and Fang Guozhen let him go.
When Chen Biao left, he took out a few pearls from his sleeve and threw them to the soldiers guarding the gate, saying, "You shouldn't have troubled them, right?"
The soldier guarding the gate immediately said, "No, no! That's against military orders! I wouldn't dare!"
Chen Biao nodded: "Well done. Do well in the exam. There will be many benefits in the future. Don't let petty gains affect your future."
After giving the instructions, Chen Biao distributed the pearls in his sleeves to the guards and Li Zhen.
Li Zhen refused to take it, and Chen Biao acted coquettishly for a while before Li Zhen reluctantly agreed.
Chen Biao laughed and said, "Leave some for my younger brothers, some for my older brothers, and some for my father and mother. Hehe, this is the first time I've accepted a bribe!"
Li Zhen laughed helplessly, "How can this be called a bribe? Biao'er, you...ah. Just a few pearls of inferior quality, and you're laughing like that?"
Chen Biao nodded: "As for that, it's quite fun."
After Chen Biao returned home, he first wrote a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang to report the matter and gave Zhu Yuanzhang a few pearls.
He also packed in the box the pearls for Comrade Chen Guorui, who was working overtime and not going home, and warned Zhu Yuanzhang in a very childish tone not to embezzle the pearls he gave to his father.
Afterwards, he distributed the pearls to everyone in his family, and wrote letters to his brothers with the rest, asking them if they could ask the lord to let them go home for the New Year this year.
Chen Biao looked at his lord's campaigns in the south and the north, and guessed that his lord might be about to launch a northern expedition.
I don’t know how many years the Northern Expedition will take. My brothers will probably all go on the expedition, and it will be a long time before we can meet.
After Chen Biao sent the letter, he said sadly, "Brother Ying and Brother Zhong may be able to come back, but Brother Zheng probably won't be able to come back."
Li Zhen couldn't help laughing: "He just left! Of course the lord won't let him come back!"
Chen Biao puffed out his cheeks. Although he knew he was unreasonable, he still cursed his master in his heart.
Can't we let Brother Zheng stay in Yingtian for another two months and leave during the New Year? The Lord has no humanity and just likes to exploit people. I hate the Lord!
"Even officials should have vacations." Chen Biao rolled up his sleeves. "I'm going to submit a memorial to the Lord! Officials can't be exploited like this. They're human too!"
Li Zhen thought Chen Biao was just being petty and said lovingly, "Okay, I think so too."
Chen Biao is not being petty, he is serious.
If officials work year-round, it's not necessarily good for the people. After all, we live in an era of rule by man, and the officials' moods affect the people's quality of life.
Moreover, if officials are not given holidays, how can consumption tax be collected? Of course, he must allow officials to have holidays so that they can spend money, so that the money in their hands can be transferred to the national treasury and allocated to the people.
It is definitely not possible to ask for a vacation directly. Chen Biao plans to submit it together with the tax memorial he has been preparing for a long time, and give our King Mingwang a complete set of money-making policies.
Modern tax policies cannot be directly applied to ancient times. Chen Biao still needs to conduct a lot of research and adjust the policies according to current actual conditions.
I hope I can finish writing this before the Ming Dynasty is established. If I don't set the official holidays before the Ming Dynasty is established, I will be very miserable in the future.
Chen Biao lay on the table and sighed.
With his current achievements, he would definitely be drafted by Zhu Yuanzhang when he grows up. Looking at the miserable plight of his father and brothers, he probably wouldn't be able to go home even after becoming an official.
Don’t do this kind of thing!
I wonder how many more years of my freedom I can enjoy? My lord will at least wait until I'm fourteen or fifteen before exploiting me , right? My brothers all joined the army when they were fourteen or fifteen. I won't be worse off than them.
Chen Biao lay on the table, his face rolling back and forth on the surface, muttering constantly, praying that Zhu Yuanzhang would have a change of heart and wait until he came of age before granting him an official position.
Fourteen or fifteen years old is a junior high school student. Junior high school students should study hard and not have no holidays all year round.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to do whatever you want now and go home to catch up on some sleep when you’re tired?
Chen Biao was full of expectations, while Zhu Yuanzhang was full of enthusiasm.
Within a few days, he established a new department called "Zhanshifu".
This Zhanshi Mansion is said to be a place for cultivating young talents, and all young people must go through a period of training there. The specific tasks of the Zhanshi Mansion were directly appointed by Zhu Yuanzhang, and it was equivalent to a "secretary" department directly under Zhu Yuanzhang.
Chen Biao looked around and felt that the Zhanshi Mansion was similar to the Jinyiwei but without the Zhaoyu. It was a bit like the study room but without the Hanlin.
The officials in Zhu Yuanzhang's direct departments must be very tired. I wonder which unlucky guy will be in charge of this agency.
But the name of Zhanshi Mansion seems familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a while.
When Chen Biao was racking his brains to figure out where he had heard this familiar name, he received an edict from Zhu Yuanzhang.
He, Chen Biao, became the Minister of the Chancellery at the age of eleven.
Zhanshifu? Zhongshuling? What kind of position was that? Since most of Zhu Yuanzhang's official positions were either copied from the Yuan Dynasty or made up by himself, Chen Biao had no idea what he was going to do.
The only thing Chen Biao knew was that Zhu Yuanzhang, who had gone mad due to lack of civil officials, had finally taken action against this poor young boy.
I'm only eleven years old! My Lord, you are not a human being!