Conscience aches.
Gu Zhengchen pondered for a long time, but in the end he still couldn't get over the hurdle of conscience.
The reason why Gao Qi used Wang Chui and Wang Yao to "invite" himself to take action shows that he has understood himself.
Gu Zhengchen put Zhang Xiwan to sleep, while he sat behind the desk, watched the candlelight flicker, and picked up his pen.
The road is tortuous, so you have to make some twists and turns.
Directly offending Zhu Yuanzhang will not yield good results. Sometimes he is merciless and does not care about his integrity. When he is in a bad mood, he is likely to settle old scores. Whoever offended him in a certain year, now is the time to deal with him... …
Gu Zhengchen never thought of speaking out and remonstrating. That was the censor's business and had nothing to do with him. However, Suzhou Mansion could not continue like this, otherwise he did not know how many people would die and how many refugees would appear.
Sustainable development requires a stable and broad foundation, and it also requires a basic guarantee for the people.
So, he wrote two letters to Zhu Biao with a splash of ink.
Early the next morning.
Qin Song, a member of Jurong Wei Qianhu, showed up at the county government office with five supplies of gunpowder, five bullets and old-fashioned muskets. Gu Zhengchen and Qin Song talked about it for a long time. After Qin Song understood the situation, he took two sergeants to Jinling.
The road from Jurong to Jinling was much easier to walk. After all, a group of monks helped smooth it out.
Qin Song set off in the morning and arrived at Jinling City in the evening. He first went to the Governor's Mansion to find Mu Ying. Mu Ying heard that he was from Jurong Guard's Qianhu. Not only did he bring a letter to the East Palace, but he also asked to see the emperor. After checking Qin Song The items he brought were handed over to the five soldiers and then went to the East Palace.
Zhu Biao was walking with the princess. When he heard that Gu Zhengchen had sent someone, he asked her to wait in the pavilion.
Crown Princess Chang was already pregnant and took every step carefully. Seeing that Zhu Biao was a little anxious, she rubbed her belly with a smile and said softly: "Mr. Gu is kind to us and is destined to have our child. You should go see him early." Let’s see what news he sends.”
Zhu Biao knew clearly that the "fate" here refers to the child conceived during the spring outing, and the opportunity for the spring outing was obtained by Gu Zhengchen from his father in exchange for his contribution.
"Then go ahead and take care of the Crown Princess."
Zhu Biao arranged for the chamberlain and the palace, and walked out in a hurry.
Inside the pavilion.
Mu Ying and Qin Song saluted the prince.
Zhu Biao looked at Qin Song.
Qin Song quickly handed over the two documents.
Zhu Biao took the document and opened the first one and saw it was the memorial "Far Fire Bureau Firearms Improvement, Initial Breakthrough". This was a document forwarded to his father.
"Is there really a breakthrough in firearms?"
Zhu Biao knew the mission of Yuanhuo Bureau and what Gu Zhengchen was doing in Jurong.
Qin Song solemnly said: "Back to the Crown Prince, as instructed by Commander Gu, I have brought firecrackers, gunpowder and lead bullets to show to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince to prove that the improvement of firecrackers is feasible and the future can be expected."
“What a great future to look forward to!”
Zhu Biao smiled and opened the second document, his pupils slightly condensed: "This is it?"
Mu Ying saw that Zhu Biao's face became serious and asked quickly: "Prince, what did Mr. Gu write?"
After reading the document, Zhu Biao handed the document to Mu Ying and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Gu proposed to erase regional differences and create a common consciousness and common identity in culture and education."
Mu Ying looked confused: "Common identity?"
Zhu Biao paced.
Gu Zhengchen's letter was written very cleverly. He didn't seem to be talking about any specific incident, but just made a proposition, and this proposition, whether intentional or not, was aimed at the people of eastern Zhejiang and Huaixi, but It has to be said that from the perspective of the imperial court and the future Ming Dynasty, too much emphasis on regionality can easily form hometown associations and form a region-led nepotism, which then becomes a force influencing the imperial court's decision-making.
Isn't that what it is now?
The people of Huaixi controlled the main political affairs of the Ming Dynasty and controlled the core military power of the Ming Dynasty. Although the people of eastern Zhejiang were suppressed and gasped for breath, they were intertwined and had great influence among the civil servants.
Let every official and every citizen downplay their regional identity and emphasize another identity:
People of Ming Dynasty!
As people of the Ming Dynasty, we should stand upright and stand proudly in the sky!
As people of the Ming Dynasty, we should share joys and sorrows and breathe together!
As citizens of the Ming Dynasty, we should be proud and determined to serve the country!
Put the people of the Ming Dynasty before their place of origin, regard the common destiny and common breathing as a family, and take the same clothes, the same culture, and the same Ming Dynasty as the pride of life!
This is what Gu Zhengchen advocates.
After reading the document, Mu Ying repeatedly agreed: "For the people of the Ming Dynasty, this common identity needs to be emphasized and placed above any other identity. Mr. Gu is right, the imperial court has no regard for the people or the military. This should be taken seriously.”
Zhu Biao looked at Mu Ying and put his hands behind his back: "So, do you think Mr. Gu is just making an idea?"
"Well?"
Mu Ying was stunned for a moment and looked at the document. Nothing was mentioned in it. The matter in Jurong was not mentioned, nor was it mentioned in other places. There was not a single name. It was just an opinion. What else could it be? Nothing else can happen?
Zhu Biao shook his head slightly: "Mr. Gu often has a strong purpose in doing things. He will not suddenly submit such a document for no reason. In particular, this kind of document should not be mixed with the documents of the Yuanhuo Bureau."
Mu Ying looked at Zhu Biao, thought for a moment and asked: "The prince means that Mr. Gu is using the successful report of the progress of the Far Fire Bureau to stabilize His Majesty's mood?"
Zhu Biao did not answer.
But no matter how I looked at it, I felt something was wrong.
The Yuanhuo Bureau has made progress, which is a success and a happy thing.
There was no need for Gu Zhengchen to add a document of assertion in addition to the document of merit. He could just quietly wait for the court's reward.
When it's time for awards, there shouldn't be too many things going on, let alone extraneous matters. Gu Zhengchen understands this very well.
But unfortunately, he grew a branch out of the blue, and this branch grew inexplicably, making it difficult to understand.
Zhu Biao looked at Qin Song and asked slowly: "Don't tell me that Mr. Gu didn't explain anything?"
Qin Song looked at Zhu Biao and admired the prince in front of him.
Without asking any questions, he guessed that Commander Gu had other agendas!
Qin Song bowed his head respectfully: "Back to the prince, Commander Gu did not explain anything. He just said that he recently arrested two refugees in Suzhou who could not afford to eat, and planned to send them back to Suzhou."
"Refugees from Suzhou Prefecture?"
In the blink of an eye, Zhu Biao figured out that the common identity of the people of the Ming Dynasty, the shared destiny, and the feelings were all paving the way for the Suzhou government to reduce taxes.
When people talk about things, just two detours are enough. Mr. Gu has made eighteen detours without revealing his true face. He just looks at the documents and doesn't know anything. I'm afraid he can't even think of Suzhou Prefecture.
Zhu Biao understood what Gu Zhengchen was after, and why he didn't mention it in the document, because he didn't want to take the blame, he wanted to take the blame himself...
There is no other way, I am the prince of Ming Dynasty, I can't bear the blame.
After Zhu Biao discussed with Mu Ying and Qin Song, he went to the palace to ask for an audience.
Huagai Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the three people in front of him. One was Yang Ji, a member of the Ministry of War, who was promoted to the deputy envoy of the Shanxi Prosecution Department. One was Dalu Yuquan, the supervisory censor, who was promoted to the Qianshi of the Guangxi Prosecution Department. The other was Lu from Guanglu Temple. Ben, was promoted to be the chief inspector of Peking.
The transfer documents were issued yesterday, and tomorrow will be the time for them to leave Beijing.
Before the three of them left Jinling, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the three of them and specifically told them: "When you three take office this time, you must clean up the discipline, clarify the administration, and be cautious when doing things. No matter how small a kindness is, it will be done for the whole world." Virtue; although small mistakes are accumulated, they will lead to great shame..."
Da Lu, Quan, Lu Ben and others made repeated promises.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew that a prairie fire was as subtle as a candle at first. If people are not careful, it may cause catastrophe.
After giving a warning, he was sent off.
After the three people left, the chamberlain came in to report.
After Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he ordered three people to enter the palace.
Zhu Biao saluted, stepped forward and shouted: "My son, I congratulate my father."
"Haha, people from Jurong Guard are here. I guess it's the good news from Gu Zhengchen, right?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and waved for the three of them to stand up.
Zhu Biao sent the document: "Father, Mr. Gu said that the research on the Far Fire Bureau has made progress, and the fire gun that can break armor in thirty steps has been improved to eighty steps."
"So fast?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little shocked.
You must know that firearms have been used for a long time. Lao Zhu's own army has also used them for more than ten years, and there has never been such a big improvement or breakthrough. However, it has only been a few months since Gu Zhengchen established the Far Fire Bureau. , he actually did this?
Mu Ying reported: "Mr. Gu specially sent Qin Song from Qianhu of Jurong Guards to come with muskets, gunpowder and lead bullets. I gave the firearms to Wu Rong for safekeeping, and he was waiting outside the palace."
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't wait and let the five soldiers come in. He looked at the particles of gunpowder and lead beads in front of him and looked at Qin Song: "Can you break armor in eighty steps?"
Qin Song suppressed his nervousness and said: "Your Majesty, Jurong Guard has conducted more than thirty rounds of tests, and it is not a problem to break armor in eighty steps. It's just..."
"But what?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
Qin Song quickly said: "It's just that Commander Gu was very dissatisfied and asked the craftsmen to try harder. He also said that if you can't break the armor with a hundred steps or even a hundred and fifty steps, it's just a useless fire stick. It's far away now." The craftsmen of the Fire Bureau are working hard to optimize and improve.”
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "This boy is serious, but haste makes waste. Being too hasty is not an option. Let him not torture the craftsmen too much, I give him more time."
"I will bring you your Majesty's words."
Qin Song shouted.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction. Because it was getting late, it was not easy to test the range and killing effect of the firearm, so he ordered people to put it away and arrange the test tomorrow. Then he looked at Zhu Biao: "Tell me, if you all stay in a daze and don't leave, you won't be able to leave." As for the firearms matter, what else does Gu Xiaozi have to do?"
Zhu Biao was secretly frightened. It seemed that nothing could be hidden from his father's eyes. He quickly sent another document: "Father, Mr. Gu proposed that the Ming Dynasty should be branded on every citizen of the Ming Dynasty. It makes everyone feel proud and proud when they shout out, 'I am a citizen of Ming Dynasty'..."
