The departure of Shi Er and Robben, master and apprentice, did not attract Zhang Shicheng's attention.
Shi Er was old and pedantic, and Robben acted extreme and had offended Zhang Shixin. Zhang Shicheng had long distanced himself from the two of them, but because Shi Er was invited by him personally, he had to continue to respect him.
Not long after, Lu Yuan and Liu Liang also resigned, which made Zhang Shicheng feel something was wrong.
Lu Yuan, courtesy name Daoyuan, was a Jinshi (Jinshi) in the Yuan Dynasty. He rose to the position of Supervisor of Confucianism in Zhejiang Province. He served under Tuotuo and participated in the siege of Gaoyou. After returning home due to illness, he was invited out of retirement by Zhang Shicheng, his former enemy.
Liu Liang, whose courtesy name was Mingfu, was a native of Wujun and was one of the first literati to join Zhang Shicheng's army.
At the same time, they are both good friends of Shi Er.
When Zhang Shicheng saw the two men resigning after Shi Er, he thought they were angry because he did not keep Shi Er, so he gave them some gold and silver to appease them.
But the two insisted on resigning, and Zhang Shicheng became angry, thinking that the two were narrow-minded and no longer wanted to keep them.
Zhang Shixin was very dissatisfied with Shi Er and his friends, and immediately spoke ill of them to Zhang Shicheng, slandering them for wanting to surrender to Zhu Yuanzhang.
However, Zhang Shicheng did not believe Zhang Shixin's slander at this moment.
He said to Zhang Shixin seriously, "Those gentlemen may be narrow-minded and think I have not valued them, so they have asked to leave. But their overall moral character is not a problem. Since they have said they are retiring and returning home, they will not defect to Zhu Yuanzhang."
Zhang Shixin was completely unconvinced: "They used to be officials of the Yuan Dynasty, didn't they still come to you, big brother?"
Zhang Shicheng shook his head: "That's different."
Zhang Shixin didn't understand why it was different, but when he saw that Zhang Shicheng had no intention of killing Shi Er, Lu Yuan, Liu Liang and others, he stopped pestering them.
In his opinion, as long as these people no longer continued to bother him in Pingjiang, they could be let go.
As Zhang Shicheng had guessed, Shi Er and others did indeed live in seclusion in the mountains and did not surrender to Zhu Yuanzhang.
On this point, after years of serving as emperor and minister to Zhang Shicheng, they finally reached a tacit understanding.
Rao Jie and Chen Ji continued to serve under Zhang Shicheng. They no longer offered Zhang Shicheng any advice, but lived in seclusion, rarely going out, and only served as eunuchs to write Zhang Shicheng's imperial edicts, much like the great hermits in the court.
When the two learned about the conversation between Zhang Shicheng and Zhang Shixin, they were deeply moved and wrote a letter to inform their friends about it.
I hope that seeing the Lord's words and actions, my friends can feel a little relieved.
In fact, the friendship between them and their lord was not completely erased.
After Zhang Shicheng thought he had secured his position as King of Wu, although a few of his aides left, more talented people joined his team, and he became the most powerful person for a time.
He seemed to be stimulated by Zhu Yuanzhang, and changed his previous decadence and began to work diligently.
Zhang Shicheng built official schools and held provincial examinations, attracting scholars from all over the country to join him, and countless outstanding students became officials in the Wu Kingdom. Over time, Zhang Shicheng's reputation grew, and more and more scholars wrote poems about him, praising his virtues of recruiting talented people and educating people.
In Yingtianfu City, Chen Biao looked bored as he held the first-hand information handed to him by Yang Xian who had just returned.
Yang Xian asked, "Does the eldest young master dislike his measures?"
Chen Biao yawned and said, "It's not that I don't like him. Everything he did was correct. The establishment of official schools and the provincial examinations are quite necessary for his current rule. It's just that when I compare his actions during his years as Emperor of the Great Zhou, I feel a little sad."
Zhang Shicheng was once an uneducated commoner. In the 13th year of Zhizheng (1353), he established the "Great Zhou", named the reign "Tianyou", and called himself "King Cheng".
The Tianyou regime lasted for four years and ended when Zhang Shicheng accepted the Yuan Dynasty's amnesty.
During these four years, Zhang Shicheng, just like he does now, issued many decrees to consolidate his regime.
He led the army and the common people to cultivate land in the suburbs; he ordered the abolition of excessive taxes; and he issued the "State and County Order on Farming and Sericulture" to curb land annexation and the extravagance of officials.
In addition, he also built water conservancy projects, provided disaster relief and poverty alleviation, and melted Buddhist scriptures to mint coins. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang was still struggling for a piece of land to settle down, but Zhang Shicheng had already shown the style of a wise and powerful ruler.
No one could have imagined why Zhang Shicheng would suddenly accept the Yuan Dynasty's amnesty.
Chen Biao and Yang Xian chatted about Zhang Shicheng in the past, saying, "Many of the measures your lordship has taken to alleviate poverty and save the people are inspired by Zhang Shicheng's past experience. Although your lordship won't say it, Zhang Shicheng was indeed his guide. In this chaotic era, among all the separatist forces, only Zhang Shicheng truly did what a good emperor should do. Now..."
Chen Biao sighed: "Zhang Shicheng is also a good emperor now, but he no longer looks down at the mud under his feet."
After hearing what Chen Biao said, Yang Xian couldn't help feeling disappointed.
He recounted how some of Zhang Shicheng's core aides left the government and retired to seclusion saying, "I originally thought they were foolish. But looking back at Zhang Shicheng's past actions, it's easy to understand their current decision."
Chen Biao nodded.
To put it bluntly, this probably means "loved".
Well, that's a bit corny.
After analyzing the intelligence from Zhang Shicheng, Chen Biao believed that Zhang Shicheng was no longer a threat and no longer cared about him.
Although Zhang Shicheng's move attracted many outstanding scholars, the most important thing in the fight for the world now is "population".
Zhang Shicheng, concerned about the wealthy and aristocratic families in the city, did not implement the policies that benefited the people as he had when he was "Prince Cheng." Although his territory appeared to be thriving, the number of ordinary people able to join the army would gradually decline. Without replenishment of his troops, he naturally became less of a threat.
Even if he had more scholars serving as officials under his command, he would have to grant more land to the officials. Then his limited territory would be even more limited, and he would have to take land from the common people to give to the officials. Land annexation would become more serious, and population loss would be exacerbated.
After that, under the governance of excellent officials, the commercial economy of Zhang Shicheng's territory would become more prosperous. However, that prosperity would hardly be transformed into Zhang Shicheng's own strength.
Chen Biao compiled this information into a memorial and prepared to ask his father to copy it and submit it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
As he sorted things out, he complained, "I'm such a shameless father that I let my son do my official duties."
As he was cursing, Zhu Yuanzhang swaggered in with an old man in tow: "Biao'er! You're speaking ill of Dad again!"
Chen Biao wrote the memorial without looking up: "Telling the truth is not speaking ill of others. Now that you are back, hurry up and copy the memorial. I have written half of it."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Write the memorial later. See who I brought with me."
Chen Biao put down his pen, looked up and said, "This is..."
Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Guess?"
Chen Biao rolled his eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang. "I guess you're a big-headed ghost!"
He jumped off his chair and bowed, "Are you General Liao Yongan? I, Chen Biao, have heard of your great name for a long time. I am honored to meet you."
Liao Yongan: “…”
Liao Yongan: "Who?"
Chen Biao asked doubtfully, "Boy Chen Biao... I have written a letter to General Liao, so General Liao should know me."
Liao Yongan asked again: "...Who?"
Chen Biao frowned and looked at his father with a pleading look.
Dad, why do I feel like General Liao has become stupid after being locked up?
Zhu Yuanzhang tried to hold back his laughter but couldn't help it, he burst into laughter and said, "Old Liao, why are you pretending to be stupid? You even scared Biao'er! Don't you want to see Biao'er? He is Biao'er, hahahaha."
Yang Xian couldn't help but laugh: "General Liao, there is no doubt that this is the Master Chen you know."
Liao Yongan's pupils trembled. "You, you are Chen Biao, the head of the Chen family, the one who led 40,000 troops to repel Chen Han's 600,000-man army, the one who debated with the Confucian scholars in Yingtian and drove them away, and the one who managed the official school in Yingtian?!"
Chen Biao was a little embarrassed: "Uh, that's an exaggeration."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "How is this an exaggeration? Isn't this the truth?"
Chen Biao clenched his toes. "That's really an exaggeration. I only participated in the defense of Hongdu, not led the army. I didn't debate with the scholars, nor did I even meet with them... Ah, the one who managed the Yingtian Official School was actually Mr. Ji Shanfu. I was just a teacher."
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head repeatedly: "Biao'er, being too modest is not good. You must admit what you have done. A real man should be brave enough to take responsibility."
Chen Biao raised his foot and stomped hard on Zhu Yuanzhang's instep: "Shut up, stinky dad! I didn't do it! The one who led the 40,000 defenders to repel Chen Han's 600,000 troops was Hongdu garrison commander Zhu Wenzheng, your nephew, my cousin! Don't take advantage of your good temper and give away your cousin's achievements!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's face was filled with disdain: "Good temper? Zhu Wenzheng has a good temper? Biao'er, ask yourself, what is so good about Zhu Wenzheng's temper?"
Chen Biao said: "Anywhere is fine!"
Zhu Yuanzhang: "Bullshit!"
Chen Biao said, "Don't swear! My cousin has a very good temper!"
The father and son argued about whether Zhu Wenzhen had a good temper, leaving Yang Xian and Liao Yongan aside.
Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed oblivious to the people around him, but Chen Biao did it on purpose.
He guessed that Liao Yongan might have some incorrect perceptions of him and was currently in the process of restructuring his worldview, so he deliberately used the opportunity of quarreling with his father to calm Liao Yongan down.
While arguing, he signaled Yang Xian with his eyes, asking Yang Xian to take Liao Yongan aside to comfort and explain.
Yang Xian pulled Liao Yongan into the courtyard and said in a low voice, "What are you staring at? The young master is so talented and has made great achievements at such a young age. Shouldn't you respect him even more?"
Liao Yongan's voice trembled: "Young, young lord?"
Yang Xian was puzzled: "My lord brought you here, but didn't he tell you that he is now Chen Guorui and Master Biao is his son?"
Liao Yongan shook his head vigorously.
Yang Xian: "..."Fuck...
As an intelligence chief, Yang Xian was very strict about controlling his emotions and wouldn't curse easily. But at this moment, he not only wanted to curse, but also wanted to grab his master by the collar and beat him up!
My lord, I know your bad taste, but you brought General Liao, who knows nothing, into the house. Aren’t you afraid that General Liao will reveal his secrets?
Or do you know General Liao very well and know that he would be shocked and speechless and would not expose you?!
No matter what point you make, my Lord, you are %#￥%&!!
Yang Xian cursed a series of indescribable words in his heart, and his face turned red with anger.
Liao Yongan was frightened: "Yang Xian, are you okay?"
Yang Xian took a deep breath. "It's okay. In short, the Lord is Chen Guorui, and Biao'er is the Young Master. Because the physiognomist predicted that the Young Master must conceal his identity until he reaches the age of twenty before he can return to his position, the Young Master doesn't know that Chen Guorui is the Lord. You will now live in the Chen family to recuperate, but you must not reveal your identity."
Liao Yongan was stunned for a long time before he digested these words that contained a huge amount of information.
He rubbed his face and said, "I'd better go back to my brother's house!"
Brother, save me!