Faced with Zhu Biao's questioning, Han Du smiled slightly and said: "Your Highness, the Ming Dynasty is the kingdom of heaven and the prosperous place of the world, right?"
Hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded without hesitation.
Han Du smiled even brighter, and then asked: "Then overseas, what do we call it? What do we call the people there?"
"Barbarian, barbarian." Zhu Biao is an honest boy, and he doesn't have as many roosters and dog thieves as Han Du. Whatever Han Du asked, he answered.
"That's right!" Han Du immediately clapped his hands and became excited. "The Ming Dynasty went overseas not to conflict with the local people, but to bring the Ming Dynasty's advanced civilization to them. Your Highness did not know that in those barbaric lands overseas, many barbarians were still eating hair, drinking blood, and cultivating slash-and-burn crops. The Ming Dynasty went there We want to teach them how to grow food. And then bring the Ming Dynasty’s cloth, tea, silk, ceramics and other specialties so that they can have clothes, food, and enjoy the life of the Ming Dynasty. Your Highness, we are here to help them Yes, this is the way of becoming a king, how could there be any conflict?"
It is certain to teach them how to farm, but there is no need to explain clearly to Zhu Biao where the food grown goes. Naturally, the purpose of bringing things there was for trade. After all, after giving them such good things, it would be unjustifiable if they returned a lot of gold and silver, right?
Listening to what Han Du said, Zhu Biao always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure it out, so he had to give up.
...
After Lao Zhu returned, he immediately started preparing to formulate a secret discount system. Han Du only mentioned this matter, and only Lao Zhu himself could complete the specific details.
In the past few days, Mao Xiang's whole person was full of excitement from inside to outside. As the emperor's close bodyguard, he was the most sensitive to grasping the holy will.
Although Lao Zhu did not personally express his intention to establish a Jinyi pro-army, he complained more than once that officials were trying to deceive superiors and subordinates, lamenting his lack of hearing and eyesight.
Lao Zhu has been saying this almost every day these days, sometimes even mentioning it several times a day.
As Mao Xiang, who had followed the emperor for many years, he was naturally keenly aware of the emperor's thoughts. If the emperor wants to enhance the power of his eyes and ears, then naturally
There is no way around him, the head of ears and eyes. If the emperor wants to set up a separate yamen, he himself is the most likely person to take charge of it.
This made Mao Xiang, who was eager for quick success and wanted to be a prince based on his merits, deeply feel that this was his destiny.
But the emperor only went out for one day, and when he came back, he never mentioned the deception of officials again, nor did he lament the lack of eyes and ears.
Mao Xiang felt the emperor's change keenly, and he couldn't help but panic. If the emperor has no idea of adding more eyes and ears, then how can he, the chief of ears and eyes, have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds?
Mao Xiang was extremely anxious, but at this time, he had no way of finding out what happened that would make the emperor give up on adding more witnesses.
When Lao Zhu wanted to return to Qianqing Palace, Mao Xiang found an opportunity to approach the old eunuch.
"I have a question. I wonder if my father-in-law can shed some light on it?"
The old eunuch glanced at Mao Xiang suddenly. Although Mao Xiang and he both served the emperor, they had no friendship. Even the old eunuch was smart enough to avoid the emperor's misunderstanding. Since he served the emperor, Mao Xiang was clearly behind him, but he never said a word to him. The same was naturally true for Mao Xiang. The two of them were obviously standing on the left and right of the emperor, but they seemed to be transparent to each other.
But what surprised the old eunuch was that Mao Xiang would take the initiative to talk to him at this time.
2k
After pondering for a moment, the old eunuch nodded with a smile and said softly: "General Mao, you are very polite. Excuse me."
Mao Xiang glanced around, pretending to be nonchalant, and asked in a voice that only two people could hear clearly: "I would like to ask my father-in-law, who did the emperor meet when he left the palace today?"
The old eunuch's eyes suddenly froze, and two rays of light emitted from his pupils. He said in a deep voice: "What does General Mao want to do by asking this?"
Inquiring about the whereabouts of the emperor was the most taboo thing, and the old eunuch was very wary of it.
"My father-in-law, why should I be nervous?" Mao Xiang smiled, made a harmless expression, and said: "My father-in-law and the general are stationed in the same palace. We should get close to each other. The father-in-law can rest assured to tell the news to the general. I will definitely keep my mouth shut and won’t let anyone know.
pass. In addition, if my father-in-law needs anything in the future, let me know to the general to ensure that it is handled properly. How about that? "
"No!" The old eunuch said with a sneer without any hesitation: "Our family has no parents and no children. We are alone and dare not trouble General Mao. Moreover, if our family reveals the news to you, this will happen in the future. Are you threatening our family?"
The old eunuch glanced at Mao Xiang coldly, snorted heavily, then turned around and chased after the emperor's dragon.
When Mao Xiang saw that the old eunuch had not fallen into his trap, the hatred in his eyes flashed away, and he quickly chased after him.
The old eunuch came to the emperor and called softly: "Your Majesty."
"What's up?"
"Just now, General Mao asked my servant where the emperor has been today."
There was silence in Long Chu for a moment, and then he said softly, "I know."
Seeing this, the old eunuch said nothing more and returned to normal, standing next to Long Chu as usual.
At this time, Mao Xiang also came to the other side of Long Chu.
"emperor."
"What's the matter with you?"
Mao Xiang quickly explained: "I saw that the emperor looked very good, so I was curious and asked where the emperor had gone. I know that I am guilty, and I ask the emperor to punish me."
There was also silence inside Long Chu, and then the same voice came out, "I know."
After hearing this, Mao Xiang lowered his head and stayed on the other side, following Long Chu. He was now feeling terrified and uneasy, not sure whether this level had passed or not. He didn't even dare to look up at the old eunuch, for fear that the emperor would spot him.
Morning next day.
Today's morning court was very different from the past. Not only was Zhu Biao, the supervisor of the country, missing, but there were also dozens fewer people standing guard in Fengtian Hall. There is even a Shangshu among them. These were all officials implicated in the Guo Huan case. Although Lao Zhu did not kill them, it was necessary to exile them to Luzon. Lao Zhu still has zero tolerance for corruption. The Guo Huan case did not stop because of Guo Huan's death, but continues to be investigated. The officials who were traced were packed up and sent directly to Luzon with their families. Lao Zhu vowed to catch all corrupt officials.
