"Prince, something happened!"
Nie Xing hurriedly arrived at the Nanjing Imperial Palace.
Zhu Gaoxu was reviewing the Nanjing Memorial and raised his head when he heard this.
Ever since the last time Nie Xing personally led the secret guards and massacred those southern gentry and merchants who were seeking their own destruction, life has become quieter.
The prince Zhu Gaoxu has no intention of returning to Beijing. He has been sitting in Nanjing and presiding over southern affairs.
More than a year passed in a flash, and Ming Dynasty was also in a period of rapid development.
With the popularization and promotion of high-yielding grains such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, the population of Ming Dynasty also ushered in an explosive and crazy growth, and what followed was an all-round recovery of the economy and people's livelihood.
But now Nie Xing's words brought Zhu Gaoxu back from his thoughts.
After all, Nie Xing has been in a high position for many years now, and ordinary events will not disturb him.
"What's wrong?" Zhu Gaoxu asked hurriedly.
Nie Xing felt deeply sad and told a sad news.
"Jin Zhong, the Minister of War in Nanjing, fainted in the duty room just now."
"After the imperial doctors went to check, they were unable to do anything. Lord Jin... the time has come!"
Jin Zhong is leaving.
Upon hearing the bad news, Zhu Gaoxu was startled, and then set off to the Jin Mansion.
He did not expect that this loyal and virtuous man would eventually leave.
When Zhu Gaoxu was supervising the country's governance, Jin Zhong almost lost his life because of a cold.
It was Zhu Gaoxu who took action in time and asked the imperial doctor to use some treatment methods from later generations, and then he was rescued from the gate of hell.
But this time, Jin Zhong, who is over eighty years old, may not be able to hold on anymore.
Zhu Gaoxu felt a little disappointed and hurried to Jin Zhong's residence.
At this moment, Zhou Chen, Zou Ji and other important officials from Nanjing also rushed over after hearing the news, all with serious expressions on their faces.
Everyone admires and respects this pure and good minister who dedicated his whole life to the Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, Jin Zhong's deadline is approaching, and they should all come to say goodbye.
Seeing the arrival of the crown prince, Zhou Chen and others hurriedly bowed and saluted.
Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand hurriedly, and then walked to the ward.
Jin Zhong's only son Jin Da's face was full of tears. When he saw Zhu Gaoxu in person, he immediately came to greet him.
"Your Highness, Father is waiting for you."
Zhu Gaoxu nodded.
This Jindacai is good at learning and has an upright temperament. He is considered a good talent.
Perhaps after Jin Zhong leaves, he should return the favor and make the old Jin family rich.
Jin Zhong has served the country and the people all his life, and he never slacked off even until his death. He deserves such reward and courtesy.
A pungent smell of soup filled the whole room.
What caught his eye was an old man with a pale face and a skinny face. Most of his hair had fallen out, and he showed no signs of life.
Seeing Jin Zhong's terminally ill appearance, Zhu Gaoxu also felt sad in his heart.
As if aware of the arrival of the prince, Jin Zhong reluctantly opened his eyes.
It's just that these eyes that used to be wise now have no brilliance at all, they are muddy and dull.
"I see His Highness the Crown Prince, and I would like to ask His Majesty's forgiveness for not being able to stand up and salute!"
Jin Zhong leaned on the bed, breathing heavily.
Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu laughed angrily and cursed: "Okay, it's already like this, why are you trying to be strong?"
"Gu has long asked you to retire and spend your old age in peace, but you old guy just doesn't listen!"
When Jin Zhong heard this, a smile appeared on his pale face.
"I just can't stay idle. If I really want to become an official, I'm afraid I will leave a few days earlier."
Zhu Gaoxu didn't answer. The two of them were old acquaintances, so they both knew each other's temperament. Otherwise, Zhu Gaoxu would have forced Jin Zhongzhi to retire.
Working hard to serve the country and the people is nothing more than that!
"Old Jintou, if you have any last words, please hurry up and say them!"
Zhu Gaoxu and Gu Zuo urged freely, causing a blush to appear on Jin Zhong's face.
This prince is really not a human being!
If it were the eldest prince Zhu Gaochi, he would probably be in tears right now, right?
"Your Highness, I have three things to ask Your Highness to do!"
Zhu Gaoxu was startled when he heard this, and then nodded.
"Let's talk about it, just don't go too far!"
After being silent for a long time, Jin Zhong slowly spoke.
"First, please ask His Highness the Crown Prince to return to the capital."
"The prince is the heir to the current dynasty, and the country is the foundation of the country. How can he be left alone for a long time?"
"This will only make people in the government and the public panic, and make some people have thoughts that they shouldn't have. Please put the overall situation first, return to the capital as soon as possible, and assume the responsibilities that a prince should have!"
Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu was speechless.
He did not expect that before Jin Zhong died, he would not forget to consider the Ming Dynasty.
"Okay, okay, did the old man ask you to say this?"
"I will naturally go back after the south is stabilized, so you don't have to worry about it!"
Jin Zhong smiled and nodded, at least the goal was achieved.
"Secondly, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is planning to abolish the corvee. This move is unprecedented and the first of its kind. The resistance encountered will be unimaginable. If it is not handled carefully, it will shake the Ming Dynasty!"
"So I ask His Highness the Crown Prince not to act rashly. Even if it is for the sake of the people, you must act with caution. Don't act rashly out of impatience, otherwise the Ming Dynasty will be in danger of overthrowing!"
It was Jin Zhong who learned this secret from the emperor.
They have been ministers for many years and have become close friends who talk about everything.
In addition, both of them have entered the advanced stage of their lives, so they miss their old friends even more.
This person, once he gets old, starts to become sentimental.
The same was true for Zhu Di, so he often wrote to Jin Zhong to talk about his inner thoughts.
After all, apart from Jin Zhong, an old friend, Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng and others died of illness one after another, and monk Dao Yan also had his head cut off by Zhu Di himself. There was no other old friend to whom he could open his heart!
Old friends are dying one after another, like leaves falling in the wind.
Jin Zhong also learned from Zhu Di that Prince Zhu Gaoxu was plotting a major event.
He wants to completely abolish corvee in the world and break the heaviest shackles on the people of the world!
However, this move is unprecedented and has never happened in the past dynasties. One can imagine the impact it will have on the world once the court does this.
Jin Zhong was worried that the prince's actions would shake the Ming Dynasty, so he did not forget to give a few reminders before he died.
Zhu Gaoxu nodded, indicating that he knew what he was doing.
"Do not worry."
"I won't act rashly."
"That is Gu's ultimate goal, to create a truly prosperous Ming Dynasty."
Jin Zhong smiled upon hearing this and seemed to have regained some energy.
"One last thing, please make sure your Highness agrees to it."
"I am fortunate to have been appreciated by Your Majesty, and I have been able to rank as a high official in the court. However, I know very well that my tools are not enough to serve as a pillar in the temple, and my talents are not enough to serve as an assistant to the saints. However, I have a pure heart for the country and the people. It is all thanks to the emperor’s grace that we can achieve what we have today.”
"After the old minister leaves, everything should be kept simple and do not waste money and people. In addition, I hope that His Highness will not give too much preferential treatment to the Jin family. The children of the Jin family have no outstanding talents. Allowing them to hold high positions will only harm them. Therefore, the old minister implores Your Highness not to take care of the old minister and give Jin family Any preferential treatment for the children of the family!"
After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu finally couldn't help it anymore, and his eyes turned red.
"You, you, you are really..."
"Your Highness, the Ming Dynasty is entrusted to you!"
Jin Zhong didn't wait for Zhu Gaoxu to finish his words, grabbed Zhu Gaoxu's hand, and said hurriedly.
"If possible, I would really like to take a look at the prosperous Ming Dynasty that His Highness talks about..."
Jin Zhong's eyes shone with bright light, but within a moment, all the light dissipated, and Jin Zhong held Zhu Gaoxu's hand tightly and fell down helplessly.
Jin Zhong, who worked hard for his country all his life, died of illness!
Zhu Gaoxu held the lifeless hands instead, with tears faintly flowing from the corners of his eyes.
"Old Jintou, go in peace!"
"I will definitely create a prosperous Ming Dynasty!"
