It was already afternoon when Zhu Biao returned to the palace. Zhu Biao glanced at the sky and went straight to the imperial study.
As soon as Zhu Biao approached the imperial study room, a eunuch was ordered to wait. The leading eunuch knelt directly on the ground and said, "Slave, please see the prince!"
Zhu Biao waved his hand to signal him to get up. After the eunuch got up, he said, "Your Majesty, please go in directly."
Zhu Biao nodded and went directly into the imperial study. When he got inside, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang reviewing the memorial with a tired look on his face. Zhu Biao frowned and stepped forward and said, "Father, you are too tired. Your body can't bear it!"
Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang realize that Zhu Biao was coming. He put down the memorial in his hand and sighed and said, "I can rest assured that important national affairs must be handled by me personally! Moreover, most of the officials in various places are from the military. They make a mess when dealing with local government affairs. We have to give it to them." They wipe their asses!”
When Zhu Biao thought of those rough guys as officials, the virtues of Black Tornado Li Kui as the county magistrate came to mind!
Zhu Biao said helplessly: "It's time to hold the imperial examination to select talents, otherwise you won't be able to wipe out so many butts."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and scolded the brat, and then picked up the memorial again: "How about going to Chang Yuchun's place today? I heard that you also brought the doctor you found. What's going on?"
Zhu Biao found a place to sit down and replied: It's okay. I just wanted to report to my father that Uncle Chang was ill. According to the diagnosis, if he doesn't cultivate himself for a few months, something might happen. "
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "We will go on an expedition after the spring next year. This is not the right time to get sick!"
Zhu Biao smiled and replied: "How can life, old age, sickness and death be as one wishes?"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "In that case, let Lan Yu take the responsibility! Biao'er, don't go out recently. You can read more military books in the East Palace with peace of mind. If it is just a decoration on the battlefield, then there is no point in going!"
Zhu Biao stood up and bowed in agreement, and then accompanied Zhu Yuanzhang to read the memorial for a while before leaving.
Zhu Biao did not go out in the following days, and some policies that were criticized by later generations were also introduced in the court. Zhu Biao knew that these were not good, but he did not stop them.
These policies are not good for the future Ming Dynasty, but it does not mean that they are not good for the current Ming Dynasty.
Also, although Zhu Biao is the prince now, he is still young and has not yet formed a real party member, so his influence in the court is not high.
And Zhu Biao is not in a hurry. He is only fourteen years old after the Chinese New Year. When he returns from this expedition, he will have the confidence to influence the court situation.
Three months passed like this. Zhu Biao studied in Wenhua Hall every morning, went to the school field to ride horses and shoot archery in the afternoon, and visited his younger brothers and sisters when he had free time. Zhu Biao never forgot to give Chang Luo anything interesting. Hua sent a copy.
Until one day in early April, Zhu Biao got up early and put on his court clothes. He was fourteen years old this year. It was the time for growth. He had been raised well over the years, and his height began to grow rapidly. His clothes no longer fit him. , fortunately with his status, he will not be short of clothes.
Zhu Biao put on a bright yellow tuanlong robe and a dongzhu crown on his head and walked towards Fengtian Hall.
The court meeting has not yet begun, but the door of Fengtian Palace has already been opened, and all the civil and military officials are basically in place inside, all gathering together in twos and threes to talk.
When Zhu Biao stepped into the palace gate, the imperial guards guarding him shouted: "His Royal Highness is here!"
There was an instant silence inside, and all the ministers turned around and raised their hands to Zhu Biao and shouted: "I have seen His Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness Qianqiu."
With a warm smile on his face, Zhu Biao raised his hands and said, "Everyone, please stay safe and sound well!"
After saying this, Zhu Biao walked to the front of them, with only Li Shanchang, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun and others beside him.
Li Shanchang was closing his eyes to rest his mind. As the prime minister, the imperial court was busy with affairs and he was extremely busy every day.
But with the prince already around, he didn't dare to rest anymore, so he had to cheer up and chat with Zhu Biao.
Zhu Biao was the first to say: "The affairs of the imperial court are heavy, and I cannot do without you for a day. Take more rest and ignore me."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Biao took the initiative to walk to Xu Da and Chang Yuchun: "What are the two uncles talking about?"
Xu Da laughed a few times and said: "I was just talking about how your highness's good things are coming soon. Congratulations to your highness for getting your wish!"
Zhu Biao didn't know whether the good thing Xu Da said was that he was about to lead an army on an expedition or was about his marriage to Chang Luohua...
After asking a few more questions about Chang Yuchun's health, I felt relieved when I learned that he was fine.
After a while, a eunuch came and shouted, "Silence!" This is to remind the ministers to get back to their places, the emperor is coming soon.
The court hall fell silent instantly. After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing a red dragon robe, strode up to the emperor's throne. Everyone knelt down and shouted: "I pay homage to Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!" "
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Everyone please get back on your feet."
Then the ministers began to report to the emperor the government affairs they were handling, as well as major matters that needed to be discussed by the court.
Zhu Biao stood aside quietly and waited. About half an hour later, after all the remaining issues were discussed, the Minister of War came out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang nod, the Minister of War said: "Your Majesty, now that the cold winter has passed, should the court send troops to take back the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun? It has been nearly 400 years since the Han people lost the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun, and now we, the Ming Dynasty, have swept away the foreign unification. Qiankun, now that spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, it is a good time to recover the lost territory. I would like to ask your Majesty to send troops to recover the sixteen states of Yanyun!"
Before Zhu Yuanzhang could speak, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate was unhappy: "Your Majesty, the new dynasty has just been established, the court is in ruins and is waiting to be rejuvenated, and the country is in poverty and decline! Now we should restore our national strength instead of starting a war rashly!"
After saying this, the generals were not happy: "What does it mean to start a war indiscriminately? Is there anything wrong with recovering lost territory and expanding territory?"
The censors relied on their words. The military generals had said that to them. After a few words, they were scolded bloody. The generals were so angry that they gritted their teeth. Fortunately, the court refused to do anything, otherwise the hospital would be very busy today. . "
A group of people quarreled for another half an hour but could not decide the winner. At this time, Zhu Biao saw that the time was almost up and took two steps forward and said, "Father, I think it is time to recover the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun!"
When the generals heard this, their momentum rose, and they shouted in a low voice, and stimulated the censors with contemptuous eyes.
The censors suddenly looked like eggplants beaten by frost, looking at the bright yellow back with tears in their eyes.
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a serious look: "Huangkou boy, how much do you know about military matters? Do you know how many good men will die on the battlefield in the Ming Dynasty if the war continues!
Zhu Biao replied calmly: "Of course I am not as thoughtful as my father and other ministers, but I believe that the Yanyun area has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. The sixteen states of Yanyun have dangerous terrain, especially The Yanshan Mountains and Taihang Mountains are obstacles that are difficult for foreign cavalry to overcome. As long as our Ming Dynasty can take back this place, we can easily resist foreign aggression in the future. All the sacrifices made now are worth it!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression remained unchanged but there was a look of satisfaction in his eyes, and Zhu Biao continued to speak loudly: "What's more, the Yanyun area is rich in products, especially horses, which can just make up for the lack of excellent horse farms in Ming Dynasty.
Listening to the prince's words, whispers resounded in the court, and many ministers showed approval.
Zhu Biao added more energy: "Father, the Yuan Dynasty has been defeated. I think the defenders who came to guard Yanyun must be in panic. And my Ming Dynasty has just swept the world and is at the time when the momentum is like a rainbow. At this time, I can't take back Yanyun in one fell swoop." When will the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yun wait for more? My dear father, please think again!"
After Zhu Biao finished speaking, he knelt on the ground and pressed his head tightly to the ground.
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