On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pingzhang Shao Rong and Canzheng Zhao Jizu were executed for treason.
The women and children of the Shao and Zhao families were exiled and sent to serve in the army. Shao Rong's subordinates were disbanded and assigned to serve under other generals.
Yan Qian, the commander of Yingtian Prefecture, was also implicated in the case because he was Shao Rong's cousin. He was dismissed and demoted. He was to go to Hongdu to serve under Chen Ying and start from scratch.
However, Yan Qian did not set off immediately.
After the New Year, Chen Biao will go to Hongdu to visit Zhu Wenzhen and Chen Ying. He said that he wanted to try out some good things in Hongdu, but he didn't even tell Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang let Chen Biao keep the secret and did not investigate further.
Li Wenzhong naturally had to go with Chen Biao and serve as the captain of Chen Biao's guard. Zhu Yuanzhang also instructed Yan Qian to protect Li Wenzhong and Chen Biao.
Even though his cousin was plotting a rebellion, the lord still trusted him so much. Yan Qian was moved to tears and determined to protect Chen Biao and Li Wenzhong to the death.
Li Wenzhong quickly said, "Forget it. You don't have to protect me, just protect Biao'er!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We'll protect you together. You haven't married yet, so wait until you have a son."
Li Wenzhong was speechless. Why does it sound like, "Father," you mean, once I have a child, I can die somewhere else?
It must be an illusion.
Shao Rong's execution for treason caused a great uproar. Many people felt sorry for Shao Rong, believing that Zhu Yuanzhang had killed him unjustly in order to consolidate power and purge the old Red Turban Rebellion members in Haozhou, fearing that Shao Rong's achievements would overshadow his own.
Chen Biao's comment on this matter is that no matter what era, the butt determines the head.
This group of people only spoke ill of Zhu Yuanzhang for the sake of speaking ill of him. Even though Zhu Yuanzhang had been betrayed three times in a row this year, and Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang were eyeing him covetously, under such internal and external troubles, Zhu Yuanzhang would only be asking for trouble if he moved against his second-in-command. They turned a blind eye to such obvious logic.
Even Chen Biao, who claimed to be a critic of Emperor Hongwu, was so angry that he couldn't stand it. Chen Guorui, who was a "Zhu Yuanzhang fan", naturally fell ill.
Chen Biao was even more angry. His father really loved Zhu Yuanzhang deeply! Maybe his father wouldn't fall ill even if he was scolded!
Zhu Yuanzhang caught a cold after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
People in Yingtian said that Zhu Yuanzhang was betrayed by his good brother Shao Rong and became ill out of grief and anger.
The doctor said that Zhu Yuanzhang made himself sick by drinking for several days and being exposed to cold wind for several days.
Zhu Yuanzhang told the doctor to shut up and said that he fell ill due to excessive worry and drinking.
Ma Xiuying twisted the handkerchief and placed it on Zhu Yuanzhang's forehead, saying, "Drink less from now on."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a guilty conscience: "Hmm."
After feeding Zhu Yuanzhang the medicine, Ma Xiuying looked at his sick face and sighed deeply.
When she responded to the Queen Mother, she realized that Zhu Yuanzhang had hurriedly responded to the Queen Mother to deal with Shao Rong's rebellion.
Ma Xiuying guessed that Shao Rong's affair might have something to do with Biao'er. But Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything, and Biao'er refused to say anything either, so she pretended not to notice.
Ma Xiuying said, "I saw him crying so hard before he left. He must have regretted it. He still has you in his heart."
Zhu Yuanzhang slowly shook his head: "I asked him if he regretted it. He said that he definitely regrets it now, but if he could go back to that time, he would definitely do the same thing."
Ma Xiuying was silent for a while before she sighed and said, "He is quite straightforward."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to touch the wet handkerchief on his forehead and said, "Shao Rong also said that the person who helped him contact Zhang Shicheng was not actually Zhang Shicheng's confidant."
Ma Xiuying raised an eyebrow: "Oh? He's working so hard even though he's not your confidant?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "They are just a group of people who seek more benefits for themselves in troubled times. They will help whoever can benefit them. Wealthy merchants, powerful people... aristocratic families have never disappeared, they just grew faster."
Ma Xiuying understood: "Everyone wants to be from an aristocratic family. Now they are choosing Zhang Shicheng?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng... the Yuan court in the north, Chen Youding in the south, and here at home. Do you remember how someone tricked Hu Dahai's son into brewing wine?"
Ma Xiuying asked, "Why don't you remember?"
While she was talking to Zhu Yuanzhang, she was embroidering something in her hands, multitasking very skillfully.
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Hu Dahai's eldest son was a complete loser at that time. How could he have the connections to brew and sell wine? At that time, someone would have targeted us."
Ma Xiuying leaned against the bedpost, staring at the embroidery in her hands. She said, "I've seen this before when I was with my adoptive parents. Merchants brought officials along to do business that was forbidden by law but could make a lot of money. The two of them got on the same boat and then worked together."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Xiuying, this isn't being in the same boat, it's being on the same rope."
Ma Xiuying said, "They're all about the same."
Zhu Yuanzhang muttered, "That's a bit far off."
Ma Xiuying said, "Well, that's a bit far off. These people, if they want to be high-ranking officials in the new dynasty, they should come to the battlefield to make achievements. Why are they so petty?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Warfare requires fighting with all one's might. They are not capable of being counselors. It is easier to buy status with money. If they become rich, they will be more respected and can hide in the dark. My lord, you can choose them at will."
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "No wonder merchants have been suppressed for generations. The Zhang family has already fled, right? What does it matter if they fled? I know they are wealthy merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. When I become emperor, wealthy merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations. Let's see how they choose!"
Ma Xiuying sneered, "Just keep talking in anger. I'll just listen to it, but don't let anyone else hear it."
Zhu Yuanzhang hummed, then pulled the wet towel over his eyes, covered his eyes, and went to sleep without paying any attention to Ma Xiuying.
Ma Xiuying smiled, gently pinched Zhu Yuanzhang's earlobe, and then continued to lean against the head of the bed to embroider.
Ma Xiuying also favored Chen Biao—who wouldn't favor Biao, who had shouldered the heavy responsibility of the family at such a young age? But Ma Xiuying's favoritism was limited to giving the embroidery to Biao first, and then giving it to the other sons one by one.
She has already started embroidering a hat for the puppy, and when it's finished, she will start embroidering a hat for the kitten.
Ma Xiuying asked Zhu Yuanzhang not to say such angry words to others, but Chen Biao was not others.
After Chen Biao heard the "first memorial after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty" that his father was going to submit to Marshal Zhu, he was so scared that he dropped the puppy doll in his hand.
Chen Gouer immediately pounced and pressed the puppy doll under his belly.
Chen Biao flipped Chen Gou'er over and stuffed the puppy doll into his fourth brother's arms: "If you want a doll, just tell me and I'll give it to you. Why are you like a puppy, wanting to pounce on anything you like?"
Chen Gou'er: "Okay."
After saying that, he turned his body upside down like a little animal, holding the puppy doll and kicking, scratching and biting it.
Chen Maoer watched from the side, turned over silently, and hugged the kitten doll in a daze.
Chen Biao rubbed his temples first, then said, "Big or small, they are all troublesome."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "Biao'er, what did you say? Speak louder, Dad didn't hear you clearly!"
Chen Biao shouted loudly, "No matter big or small, you are worried! Dad! This memorial cannot be submitted! Do you want to be assassinated?"
Chen Biao was really convinced.
He didn't understand Ming Dynasty history, but he did understand its economic policies. The economic policies of the Hongwu Emperor during the founding of the Ming Dynasty were very typical, and those who studied economics would study them.
But he never imagined that the radical economic policy adopted by Emperor Hongwu when he founded the country might have been initiated by my father!
It turns out that my Chen family is actually such a famous family, but I, a history novice, just don’t know it?
Chen Biao was really troubled. All the economic policies he had seen said that they were promulgated by Zhu Yuanzhang, but they did not say which ministers had put their ideas into practice.
What policies did Zhu Yuanzhang promulgate in the early days of the Ming Dynasty?
Later generations may see more exaggerated descriptions in film and television dramas, saying that Zhu Yuanzhang hated Zhang Shicheng deeply, so he bullied the people of Suzhou and Hangzhou, prohibited the imperial examinations in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, imposed heavy taxes on Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and often confiscated the ancestral property of wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
These exaggerated descriptions do have prototypes, but the reasons have nothing to do with whether Zhu Yuanzhang hated Zhang Shicheng or not.
If Zhu Yuanzhang targeted Suzhou and Hangzhou due to personal feelings, Chen Youliang's territory would have been crushed by Zhu Yuanzhang long ago.
The purpose behind the policies implemented by Zhu Yuanzhang in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was very simple, without so much personal emotion. It was just three simple words: "fight the local tyrants."
When Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun had been abandoned for a long time, and traditional grain-producing areas such as Henan, Hebei, Sichuan, Shandong, etc. were devastated. Only Jiangsu and Zhejiang were relatively stable and prosperous.
"When Jiangsu and Zhejiang are prosperous, the rest of the world is well-fed" is a proverb from this period. This doesn't mean that Jiangsu and Zhejiang produce more than other places, but rather that other places are plagued by war, leaving Jiangsu and Zhejiang with relatively high productivity. Zhu Yuanzhang used taxes from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to restore the economies of other war-torn regions.
Jiangsu and Zhejiang have not experienced much war, and not only is the level of productivity higher, but wealthy merchants and powerful people are also concentrated in this area.
Zhu Yuanzhang loved to learn from the Han and Tang dynasties. For example, his military household system was basically copied from the Tang Dynasty's military household system.
Fighting against powerful tyrants was something every wise emperor had to do. Zhu Yuanzhang imitated the Han Dynasty's mausoleum-guarding system and relocated powerful merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to other places to open up new land.
In the Western Han Dynasty, there was a term called "Wuling Shao Nian" to refer to local powerful nobles. In order to weaken the local old nobles and powerful people, the Han Dynasty came up with a clever idea: to show favor to the local powerful people and let them build and guard the emperor's mausoleum.
These powerful individuals could take their tenants and property with them, but not their land or their connections. After guarding the mausoleum, their influence in the local area vanished. Therefore, there were few powerful families in the early Western Han Dynasty.
Later, Emperor Xuan of Han's foolish son, Emperor Yuan of Han, abolished the system of powerful people guarding the tombs.
Emperor Xuan of Han had long ago commented that "the one who caused chaos in my family was the crown prince." However, because of his nostalgia for Empress Xu and his guilt, he ultimately did not depose the crown prince.
This was a blessing for Emperor Yuan of Han and a misfortune for the entire Han Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang's approach was more crude and crude, simply relocating people. He didn't establish a long-term, formal system, relying solely on the emperor's personal ability to enforce the policy. So after he and the Yongle Emperor, this policy of suppressing powerful people faded away.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang left behind a policy engraved in the ancestral precepts to suppress the wealthy local tyrants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This is the prototype of the "people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang are not allowed to be officials" in film and television works, that is, people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang are not allowed to hold the three money-making official positions of "prime minister, minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
Only Zhu Yuanzhang could come up with such a simple, crude and bizarre policy.
Now, this policy has taken shape in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind.
Since this group of powerful and wealthy merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang want to corrupt us, I will dig up your roots, increase your taxes, and forbid you from holding official positions in the Ministry of Revenue!
The corners of Chen Biao's mouth twitched so much that his whole face was shaking.
Dad, you are a genius!
Zhu Yuanzhang was slandered by people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang for nearly a thousand years. Almost all the negative information and unofficial history about Zhu Yuanzhang came from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It turns out that the root cause was our father, the loyal minister Chen Guorui!
You fucking...
You can’t curse, you can’t curse. My dad’s mom is my grandma!
Chen Biao pressed his chest hard and almost couldn't breathe.
Zhu Yuanzhang slapped Chen Biao's back hard, almost knocking him down. "Biao'er, what's wrong? Are you choking on your saliva?"
Chen Biao: “…”
Chen Biao was so angry that he picked up the dog doll that Chen Gou'er was kicking and beat his father.
Chen Gou'er got up, looked down at his empty hands, and an idea suddenly came to his head. He also pounced on Zhu Yuanzhang and punched and kicked his father.
Big brother beats dad!
I'll beat Dad too!
Beat up dad with your doggie friends!
Zhu Yuanzhang slapped Chen Gou'er, pinning him to the bed so he couldn't get up. With his other hand, he blocked Chen Biao's dog doll: "Biao'er, if you have any problems with my ideas, just tell me. Don't get angry at the slightest provocation. Who did you learn this from?"
Chen Biao roared: "I learned it from you!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while, then said, "No, I must have learned it from your mother."
Chen Biao: "I'll go tell Mom right now!"
Zhu Yuanzhang snatched the dog doll from Chen Biao's hand and quickly stuffed it into Chen Gouer's arms.
Chen Gou'er was like a robot with a predetermined program. Once he held the dog doll, he started kicking his dog doll friend with all four limbs raised up, and completely forgot about his brother and father.
Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed Chen Biao with both hands and held him in his arms: "You are not allowed to go!"
After saying that, he pressed Chen Biao on his knees and tickled him: "Don't go, don't go."
Chen Biao laughed so hard that tears came out. He bit Zhu Yuanzhang's leg hard and broke one of his own teeth.
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed out loud.
Chen Biao covered his mouth with his hands, his cheeks puffed up with anger.
Zhu Yuanzhang poked Chen Biao's bulging cheeks and picked up his son to rinse his mouth. "Is my idea really that bad? Is it completely useless?"
Chen Biao said weakly, "You grasped the key point, but your actions were too rough."
"Jiangsu and Zhejiang are wealthy. After the Ming Dynasty is established, they must provide financial support to the devastated areas. However, it is not as simple as increasing the land tax. Increasing the land tax will only increase the burden on the civilians. We can make up for it through other taxes."
"Removing the powerful is indeed a good idea, but it must be a long-term and justifiable policy. For example, the Western Han Dynasty's tomb-guarding system had to be disguised as a favor, and it couldn't be simply told that they were being bullied. Otherwise, this good policy would quickly wither away."
"Restricting the rich from holding official positions... there's no way to restrict this. People from Jiangsu and Zhejiang can't become prime ministers, ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, or vice ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, but they can still bribe them to work for them. As long as the emperor is wise and the court has a balanced mix of officials from different places, the central government can reduce malpractices. But if the emperor is not wise, no policy will work."
Chen Biao briefly introduced the pros and cons of the bizarre policy that his father came up with on a whim.
Chen Biao actually really admires his father. Although the specific measures of these policies are really weird, the problems his father sees and the direction of solving them are very correct.
This vision and perspective are truly amazing.
The reason why Chen Biao could say that his father was wrong was only because he was a modern man and had seen the history of rise and fall for thousands of years. In Chen Biao's eyes, the economic systems of the Ming Dynasty were already "final" historical facts. Economists had studied them thoroughly, and Chen Biao was just reading from the book.
Compared to himself who just reads from the script, Chen Biao thinks that his father, as an ancient man, has such vision and perspective, which is really amazing.
Unfortunately, seeing a problem does not necessarily mean solving it.
But Chen Biao didn't know how to solve this problem. Even his time couldn't solve this problem. He could only delay the problem as much as possible, so that the people could enjoy a few more decades of good life.
If he could feed two or three generations, he and his father would have done a great deed. As for the future world, that was for future generations to decide.
If one generation can accomplish the work of two or three generations, it is comparable to sages. If they want to do more, they will only make the next generation useless, which is not a good thing.
Chen Biao said his cheeks were sore, and Zhu Yuanzhang finally understood what Chen Biao said.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was clever, he lacked economic knowledge. If he hadn't been "Chen Guorui" for a few years, he wouldn't have understood even if Chen Biao's cheeks were sore.
Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang was upset, he would sit on the doorstep with his sleeves tucked into his hands, returning to his previous farmer-like appearance.
Finally, Chang Yuchun was able to visit the Chen family freely. He came to the Chen family with Ye Zheng to find Zhu Yuanzhang to report on the Hongdu military farming affairs. As soon as he walked into the door, he saw the old farmer Zhu Yuanzhang sitting on the doorstep with his hands in his pockets. He stopped in his tracks and wanted to turn around and run away.
Seeing such a lack of dignity from his lord, would he be thrown into a life of labor reform and presiding over the well-field system?!
"General Chen, what difficulties have you encountered?" Ye Zheng had long been accustomed to it and bowed with a smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ye Zheng and said, "I dare not say."
Ye Zheng asked doubtfully, "General Chen, can you still say 'I dare not' to me?"
Zhu Yuanzhang continued to put his hands in his pockets, tilted his head, and kept silent.
Chen Biao walked out of the house. Before he jumped over the threshold, he took the opportunity to kick his father in the butt.
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his butt and continued to put his hands in his pockets, ignoring Chen Biao's "provocation".
Chen Biao said: "Before Marshal Zhu became emperor, my father was already thinking about how to revitalize the economy of other places after Marshal Zhu became emperor."
Ye Zheng frowned for a moment, then smiled and said, "General Chen wants to increase taxes in Jiangnan and use Jiangnan to support the whole world?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised: "Mr. Ye actually guessed it?"
Ye Zheng said helplessly: "Do we still need to guess? Although it is hard for the people of Jiangnan, this is the only way for us."
Chang Yuchun looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and then at Ye Zheng, not knowing what to say.
Should he be puzzled that the lord is already thinking about how to restore vitality to other parts of the country before the world has even been conquered? Or should he admire Mr. Ye, a native of Jiangnan, for actually saying that Jiangnan can support the world. Isn't he afraid that his ancestral graves will be dug up?
Chen Biao said, "Macroeconomic regulation of transfer payments is inevitable, but draining the lake to fish and burning the forest to hunt is unacceptable. If we use Jiangnan to support the whole world, we can only do so after the people of Jiangnan have enough to eat and drink. Even if they can't have enough to eat and drink, at least they won't starve or die of thirst. Dad, you'll know how to do it if you learn more."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "I will learn. But what you wrote is even more mysterious than the Book of Heaven. I can't understand it."
Chen Biao said, "If you don't understand, don't you still have me? I'll teach you. You can also discuss and study with Mr. Ye and the others. I believe in you. Dad, you are so smart, you will definitely learn it quickly. We are a wealthy merchant, and economic matters are our family's talent."
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Chen Biao and pursed his lips.
But Biao'er, your father, I, the wealthy businessman, am a fake one.
"Dad, you have to learn no matter how difficult it is. When Marshal Zhu becomes emperor, he might make you the Minister of Revenue or something like that. You'll have to formulate all the economic policies in the world. If you don't do it well, it will bring disaster to the present generation and leave a bad reputation for eternity." Chen Biao jumped back onto the threshold, grabbed his father's shoulder, and winked. "Dad, you don't want our future generations of the Chen family to be ashamed of you, do you?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth became even more deflated: "Biao'er, I want to spank you."
Chen Biao jumped from the threshold to the ground, laughed loudly and slipped away: "If you can't beat me, I'm going to find my mother!"
Chen Biao quickly ran away, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhang, Ye Zheng and Chang Yuchun at the scene.
After Chen Biao left, Ye Zheng immediately lifted his robe and sat on the doorstep, saying excitedly, "Biao'er has written a new book?"
Zhu Yuanzhang muttered, "I've been writing it for a long time now. I've only written a little bit, but I can't understand it. Do you want to copy it first?"
Ye Zheng's eyes sparkled: "Of course!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Chang Yuchun and asked, "You want to copy it too?"
Before Chang Yuchun could speak, Ye Zheng immediately said, "Of course!"
Chang Yuchun: "..." Of course what? What book? What kind of riddle are you guys playing?
Chang Yuchun tried hard to keep a calm expression, but he was extremely panicked.
He thought he had successfully entered the core circle, but why did he feel that he was still vaguely excluded?
No, no, I have to pretend to know everything!
Chang Yuchun clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, my lord."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with relief, "I'm very pleased that you have such a desire to make progress. You've finally come to your senses. That's right. Merit goes beyond fighting on the front lines. Look at Li Baishi. Isn't his contribution enough to make him the best in the Ming Dynasty?"
Chang Yuchun was puzzled: "Da Ming?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "My country's name. My reign title is Hongwu!"
Chang Yuchun: "...Yes."
OK, the world hasn't been conquered yet, but you've already decided on the country's name and the reign title. You're worthy of being my lord, so arrogant.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, patted his buttocks, and said, "If you want to say something, come in and say it, so that Biaoer won't hear it."
Ye Zheng stood up immediately and urged, "My Lord, let me read the book first!"
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Okay, okay, don't worry, don't worry."
Chang Yuchun followed Zhu Yuanzhang and Ye Zheng into the house, full of confusion.
What kind of book makes Mr. Ye so nervous?
Also, why is Mr. Ye such a cautious person so rude to the lord today?
Half a day later, Ye Zheng left with the book in his arms, feeling satisfied.
Chang Yuchun was completely dumbfounded.
He wanted to ask if he could not copy, read or study this book, but looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's smile full of expectation and satisfaction, he swallowed his request with difficulty and left with Ye Zheng in a daze.
Chen Biao watched the two men leave, tugged at his father's sleeve, and asked in confusion, "Why does General Chang seem a little unwell?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Maybe I'm too idle."
Chen Biao held his head and tilted it.
I didn’t expect that General Chang had a hard life. I wonder if this is recorded in history books.
"Come on, tell Dad about the economy again."
"Oh, I'm sleepy. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"Biao'er! You are still so young, how can you fall asleep so early!"
"Mom! My dad won't let me sleep!"
"Hey, hey! Why do you complain when you encounter a small thing? Are you still a man?"
"Mom! My dad said I'm not a man!"
“Chen Biao!!!”…
The father and son quarreled, you slapped me and I kicked you, and walked into the house.
Ma Xiuying trembled when she heard the howling of the father and son, and almost stabbed her hand.
…
The Shao Rong case is still a hot topic outside Yingtian, but not many people in Yingtian City are discussing it anymore.
Through the well-field system, Zhu Yuanzhang gained a strong foundation in the people's and military's support in Yingtian and the Zhu family army. In addition, his tolerance towards Shao Rong meant that even those who were on good terms with Shao Rong had no complaints.
But the case was far from over for Zhu Yuanzhang.
When Shao Rong was captured, the Zhang father and son had already left secretly, leaving the old lady and daughter of the Zhang family in a panic.
Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to kill the two men to vent his anger, but he didn't expect that the old lady of the Zhang family actually hid an account book and begged to spare her daughter's life, even if she had to be conscripted into the music industry.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard the name of Yue Ji, his eyelids twitched.
He remembered a casual complaint Chen Biao had once made.
When dealing with an enemy, many people believed that the most humiliating thing to do was to insult their wives and daughters. This was what was meant by being demoted to the music register and becoming an official prostitute.
But, do these people really care about their wives and daughters? Can such things really insult others?
"I've heard that a nobleman is into homosexuality. Why not make him and his son official prostitutes? That would definitely bring shame to him. As for his wife and daughter? Humph, they definitely don't care."
Chen Biao's words were so heavy and shocking that every time someone mentioned "musicians" or "official prostitutes", a vivid Biao would pop up in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, roaring, "Make that person and his son official prostitutes!" Zhu Yuanzhang, a straight man, immediately wanted to vomit.
"No need. The fact that they abandoned you and your daughter proves you're not important to them at all." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand feebly. "We don't have any music affiliations in Yingtian. I'll exile you and your daughter to open up wasteland. If you have more important news, I'll choose a better place for you two."
The old woman of the Zhang family was so grateful that she immediately kowtowed to Zhu Yuanzhang until her head was broken. She told him everything she knew, whether useful or not.
The old woman of the Zhang family was not the original wife of the old man of the Zhang family, but his second wife.
The old woman of the Zhang family only knew that the family had endless money, but was stingy with not giving it to her and her daughter, so she was cunning and stole the other party's account book.
Her daughter, who had been raised by the old man of the Zhang family and could read a few words, recognized a few names in the account books and quickly asked her mother to return them. But the old woman of the Zhang family did not return them and even stole a few more books.
It just so happened that the son of the Zhang family, who was in charge of keeping the account book, was a fool and had not counted the account book, which allowed the old woman of the Zhang family to hide the account book until now.
The old woman of the Zhang family knelt down and said, "I hid these things because I wanted to get more dowry for my daughter."
She didn't understand at the time that her daughter had struck it rich, having been favored by a young general. Since her family wasn't short of money, why didn't they prepare a larger dowry for her daughter so she wouldn't be looked down upon after she got married?
Now she understood that the bastard from the Zhang family didn't consider her and her daughter as family at all!
It’s okay for her, but his daughter is also the blood of his Zhang family!
Looking at the old woman of the Zhang family kneeling on the ground crying and cursing the old man of the Zhang family, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but think of Chen Biao's devilish expression again.
In the eyes of many people today, wives and daughters may really not be important at all.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought of Ma Xiuying and then of his concubine's daughter.
Well, Xiuying is important, and the concubine's daughter is not important. He is already better than many people.
The Zhang mother and daughter were not important in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.
He took the account book and promised to leave some money to Zhang's mother and daughter and exiled them to Fujian.
Zhu Yuanzhang had already implemented the well-field system in the areas he occupied in Fujian. Although Fujian was mountainous, it was less affected by wars and had the support of long-distance merchant ships, so life in exile here was not too difficult.
But what Zhu Yuanzhang did not expect was that the account book secretly hidden by the old woman of the Zhang family actually clearly listed the financial transactions between many wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang and his soldiers. Even the names of the money and whether the other party knew about it or was kept in the dark were recorded in detail in the account book.
Zhu Yuanzhang agreed to let Chen Biao go to Hongdu to visit Zhu Wenzhen and Chen Ying. In addition to Chen Biao's own wish, there was another important reason, which was that he wanted to clean out the termites inside Yingtian City.
Being a general sometimes requires a heart of stone. This year, Zhu Yuanzhang encountered a series of rebellions, and he had to do something to deter his enemies and those under his command who were ready to make trouble.
Furthermore, Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng are both eyeing Yingtian City covetously, and Yingtian City may become the most dangerous place.
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't bear to let the mature Chen Biao be detained in the courtyard and not go out, so he wanted Chen Biao to stay away from the limelight for the time being, and then bring Chen Biao back after he built Yingtian into an iron barrel.
After Hongdu experienced a rebellion, all those who should be executed were killed. Now that the well-field system and labor reform have been implemented, and with "Chen Guorui's nephew and adopted son" in charge, it may be safer for Chen Biao, who is hiding his identity, than in Yingtian.
Furthermore, although Hongdu was a strategically important place, it was located south of Poyang Lake. If Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to march south to conquer Jiangxi and other places, Hongdu would have to be fought over.
However, Chen Youliang was now retreating to Wuchang, right on the Yangtze River. If he wanted to attack Zhu Yuanzhang, he would naturally have to go through Jiangzhou and Chizhou, then down the Yangtze River. If he went by land, he would have to go north of the Yangtze River via Huangzhou, Anqing, or Luzhou.
He ate too much and was full, so he went around to the south to attack Hongdu.
After conquering Hongdu, going eastwards is Zhang Shicheng's territory. Does Chen Youliang want to attack Zhu Yuanzhang or Zhang Shicheng?
As for Zhang Shicheng, his current focus is on the north, and he has no plans to extend his influence to Jiangxi.
Zhu Yuanzhang and his confidants stared at the map for a long time and all agreed that Hongdu was very safe and suitable for Biaoer to stay temporarily.
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Hongdu is close to Poyang Lake. Even if we really encounter a war, Biaoer can hide on the lake and it will be difficult..."
The faces of the staff all changed drastically. Li Shanchang, the most senior, could not help but roar, "My lord, please shut up!"
Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little aggrieved: "I'm just saying in case, I'm not a crow's mouth."
Li Shanchang: "My Lord!"
Zhu Yuanzhang quickly said, "Okay, okay, I'll shut up, I'll shut up."
After saying this, he covered his mouth to show that he really kept his mouth shut.
Chang Yuchun attended the first meeting of Zhu Yuanzhang's confidants about Chen Biao. He did not dare to say a word during the whole meeting, but only carefully observed the reactions of Zhu Yuanzhang's other confidants.
Then, he discovered that his lord seemed to be a little different from his usual character when dealing with the matter of Biaoer.
His colleagues' personalities were a little different from usual when facing their lord.
For example, Mr. Li, who was always respectful to the lord, actually dared to roar at the lord, and his saliva even sprayed on the lord's face!
For example, Marshal Xu, who was always cautious towards his lord, actually dared to laugh and praise when his lord was roared at by Mr. Li, and even said that his lord deserved to be scolded!
For example, Mr. Liu, who is taciturn and only speaks a lot when giving advice, never stops talking, and five out of ten sentences are completely unnecessary arguments with the lord...
As for the others, Chang Yuchun did not list them one by one, but they were all very different.
Is this the lord's true inner circle? Is it so terrifying?
Chang Yuchun racked his brains, thinking about whether he should have a different personality so that he could be more sociable.
Zhu Yuanzhang had not forgotten Chang Yuchun. After another round of argument with Liu Ji, he asked, "Boren, what suggestions do you have for this?"
Chang Yuchun came back to his senses: "Ah, I... I'm going to protect Biao'er? Compared to Wenzheng and Wenying, I'm more powerful!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said in disgust: "Shut up and focus on cultivating your farmland. Why are you so obsessed with fighting and killing?"
Chang Yuchun wilted.
Farming, farming again. When will this end?
"My lord, I want to fight," Chang Yuchun said weakly, "If I don't fight, my hands will become numb."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Unless the time comes when I must lead the army in person, don't even think about going to the front lines."
Everyone laughed, and Xu Da laughed the loudest.
Chang Yuchun glanced at everyone, trying to look less like the calm, reliable, cold, and bloodthirsty General Chang he once was. He said aggrievedly, "I calculated with my fingers, and my lord, you will be able to lead the army in person soon."
Everyone continued to laugh, and Xu Da almost choked with laughter.
They didn't expect that Chang Yuchun had such a funny side.
In December, Zhang Shicheng ordered all his generals to go out in two groups. One group went west to harass Zhu Yuanzhang's territory, while the other group went north to cooperate with the Yuan army to attack Anfeng, the capital of Han Song.
Zhu Yuanzhang appointed Xu Da and Chang Yuchun as his deputy generals and prepared to lead the army himself.
Everyone looked at Chang Yuchun with very strange eyes.
Zhu Yuanzhang said faintly: "Crow's mouth."
Chang Yuchun: “…”
I feel wronged!
At the same time, just after the first day of the first lunar month, Chen Biao, accompanied by Li Wenzhong, traveled by water to Hongdu.
Ma Xiuying stayed in Yingtian to take care of the other children and temporarily took over the post of garrison commander.
Chen Biao was puzzled: "Didn't Dad say we'd set off in the spring? Why are you in such a hurry?"
Li Wenzhong said, "It was Zhu Wenzheng and Chen Ying who urged us to hurry."
Chen Biao nodded: "Oh."
I always feel something is strange. Chen Biao frowned.
Li Wenzhong said, "Biao'er, are you scared?"
Chen Biao immediately said, "What am I afraid of? I'm telling you, I'm going to Hongdu to do something big this time, so don't be afraid!"
Li Wenzhong stretched out his tone: "Oh, oh, what's the big deal? Let me hear it."
Chen Biao turned his head away: "I won't tell you."
I won’t tell you, in addition to cement, I also have telescopes, new muskets, and new cannons for Brother Zheng and Brother Ying!
The craftsmen on my ship are all experts in making firearms. They will scare you to death!