When Xia Wanchun heard that Huang Zhicheng was appointed as the censor, he was still a little unwilling. Now when he saw that Zhu Yuanzhang had appointed him as the governor of Jiangnan, he was slightly surprised and couldn't help but look at Chen Zilong.
When he saw Chen Zilong shaking his head slightly, he stepped forward and saluted: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness. However, I have only limited knowledge and knowledge, so I may not be able to take on this position. Please take back your orders!"
Seeing that Xia Wanchun could resist temptation, Shi Kefa valued him even more and stepped forward to help him.
Zhu Yuanzhang was about to use Xia Wanchun to stir up Jiangnan official circles, so how could he agree and immediately rejected their request.
Unexpectedly, Chen Zilong stepped forward again and said, "Your Majesty, although Xia Wanchun has some talents and learning, he is too young and has limited experience, so it is difficult for him to take on such an important task."
"If Your Majesty is so determined, why not wait for him to gain experience for a few years before entrusting him with important responsibilities? After all, the officialdom in Jiangnan is complex, and he is young and frivolous. If he falls into other people's schemes, it will harm His Majesty's holy name!"
Shen Tingyang and Lu Zhenfei also felt it was inappropriate, but because they were not very familiar with Xia Wanchun, they did not speak out for fear of misunderstanding him.
At this moment, seeing Shi Kefa and Chen Zilong both speaking out to dissuade him, they also gave advice one after another.
Zhu Yuanzhang was even more happy when he saw everyone's strong opposition and Huang Zhicheng's looming anger.
However, he feigned anger and said, "Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve, and Huo Qubing became a marquis at the age of seventeen. Have they ever failed the emperor's favor?"
"If their relatives and friends were like you at that time, maybe they wouldn't leave their names in history?"
"And in life, if you don't work hard, even a hundred years old is just a long time. For example, King Kaiping (Chang Yuchun) was only forty years old, but his achievements are astonishing in the past and today. You are all older than him now. , but there is one person who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him..."
Following Zhu Yuanzhang's true and false reprimand, Shi Kefa and others stopped talking, and Xia Wanchun's eyes were even brighter.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "Besides, the prince will soon patrol the south for us. He and Xia Qing are old acquaintances, so we made this arrangement!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Huang Zhicheng first, and seeing the jealousy in his eyes, he then looked at Xia Wanchun and said, "Xia Qing, we hope you can sort out the situation in Jiangnan before the prince comes, so that you can help the prince... ..”
Shi Kefa and others were shocked when they heard this, and they didn't know whether to dissuade him or not.
Because in order to ensure the smooth transfer of imperial power, the Ming Dynasty had prepared two sets of teams when the emperor was still the prince.
One set is the eunuch who is responsible for the prince's daily life, while the other set is the Zhan Shifu who teaches the prince to study.
Once the old emperor dies and the new emperor ascends the throne, these two teams will quickly replace the original personnel to ensure the rights of the new emperor.
Especially those who serve in Zhan Shifu will basically be members of the cabinet in the future. This is the path that Zhang Juzheng took before.
Although Xia Wanchun is not in Zhan Shifu this year, everyone listens to Zhu Yuanzhang's intention and intends to cultivate Xia Wanchun as Zhu Cixiang's confidant.
Because this kind of opportunity is rare, everyone was silent for a while.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xia Wanchun and said, "Xia Qing, do you dare to take on this important task?"
When Xia Wanchun heard this, a look of perseverance flashed in his eyes, and then he knelt down respectfully and said, "I accept the decree and thank you for your kindness!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction, signaled him to stand up, and then looked at Shi Kefa and said, "Shi Qing, we know that you are experienced in handling affairs, so you will be fully responsible for the prince's southern tour."
"Furthermore, the Nanliang matter is quite slow. We intend to let you coordinate the Nanliang matter as the Minister of Household Affairs. What do you think?"
Shi Kefa saw that Zhu Yuanzhang was suddenly involved in so many things. Although he hesitated in his heart, he still said respectfully: "I will do my best and never let down your majesty's trust!"
Zhu Yuanzhang saw that his face was solemn, and Shen Tingyang and others also looked worried. Knowing that his goal had been achieved, he explained everything one by one and deliberately asked for details.
Although Shi Kefa once served as the head of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Governor of Water Transport, and the Governor of Fengyang, he had left office a long time ago, and most of it was temporary matters now, so he could not say clearly at the moment.
Chen Zilong, Lu Zhenfei and others saw Shi Kefa's expression of embarrassment, so they stepped forward and took the initiative to make suggestions.
So Zhu Yuan
Zhang also took the opportunity to seal the road and appointed Zhenfei as the left minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs and Chen Zilong as the left minister of the Ministry of War, assisting Shi Kefa in handling southern grain, military affairs and other matters.
Shi Kefa was also a smart man. When he heard Zhu Yuanzhang's appointment, he immediately understood the other party's intention and immediately resigned from the post of Minister of War.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was happy in his heart, he sternly refused on the surface.
Shi Kefa had been an official for decades, how could he fail to see through the mystery and try his best to resign?
When Shen Tingyang and others saw this, they also gave advice and advice. Zhu Yuanzhang reluctantly agreed, but still granted Shi Kefa the position of Taifu.
Then Zhu Yuanzhang briefly explained everything and let everyone leave.
However, not long after everyone left, Zhu Yuanzhang sent someone to summon Chen Zilong to discuss with him the affairs of the Jiangnan Military Department.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy to see that although Chen Zilong was unfamiliar with specific matters, his insights and courage were outstanding.
He first told Chen Zilong about the crisis in Jiangnan, and then deduced various possibilities and countermeasures with Chen Zilong.
After confirming that the other party understood what he meant, he asked Chen Zilong to return to Jiangnan immediately.
After Chen Zilong left, Zhu Yuanzhang thought carefully and found Huang Zongxi again, granting him the power to supervise the army in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.
Huang Zongxi was hesitant at first, but when Zhu Yuanzhang gave him the Shangfang Sword and promised him that officials below the fifth rank had the right to kill first and then report later, he agreed.
Soon afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang received news that Ma Jinzhong and Du Yonghe had joined forces to defeat the rebels who fled to Jinan.
He knew that the overall situation here had been decided, and he could leave as soon as Zhu Yujian returned from dealing with all the vassal kings.
However, he was still unable to decide whether to go south to Wuchang or north to Datong.
Two more days passed like this, and there was still no news from Huai'an and Wuchang.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang has not been idle these two days, because he has been deducing the war situation in the north, especially Wu Sangui, who is far away in Shanhaiguan, which has always made him worried.
Just when he was worried, Zhang Dabiao returned to Linyi and brought him news that Gao Jie had captured Xi'an.
Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked when he heard this and hurriedly asked Zhang Dabiao for details.
But Zhang Dabiao didn't know the details. He only knew that Song Xiance's command error caused the 30,000-strong army to be defeated by Gao Jie.
Then Gao Jie took advantage of the panic of the rebels and led his army to attack Xi'an. Unexpectedly, he captured it.
When Zuo Menggen learned about this, he immediately led his army to attack. After forcing Tian Jianxiu's troops to retreat, he also entered Xi'an.
Now the two sides are fighting for control of Xi'an, but no one is chasing the rebels anymore.
After Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhang Dabiao's story, he immediately frowned and said in a deep voice, "Has Gong Yonggu sent troops?"
Zhang Dabiao shook his head and said: "There is no news from Shanxi yet, but there are rumors that Zuo Liangyu intends to lead an army into Shaanxi. I am afraid Ping Xigong will also march."
Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while and said: "Immediately send an order for Chen Mingyu to go north to assist Ping Xigong in defending the city!"
"Also, inform Wang Shoulin to organize the army. When Zhu Yujian returns, we will go north immediately!"
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's serious face, Zhang Dabiao bowed in agreement and hurriedly withdrew.
