Zhu Yuanzhang had never been angry about matters in Quanzhou Prefecture, but he sent officials one after another, but he always said there was no problem.
There is evidence that those who died of illness were all in poor health. Some were acclimatized, some had bad stomachs, and some had sudden illnesses. Doctors testified, and the policemen said there was nothing wrong with them. Even the family members of the deceased officials had no problems. No abnormalities were found, and no strange noises were heard.
No matter how you check, people are dying of illness, and no one else is to blame for this.
As for some officials who went crazy, they probably bumped into something unclean while walking at night, or were punished for being disrespectful to Mazu, or they received too little salary and were under too much pressure, so they went crazy. Who can say exactly why.
No matter who investigates, the news to the court cannot come out in four sentences:
It was calm and nothing strange happened.
All the people are safe, and the officials are honest and upright.
Lao Zhu is not someone who is easily fooled. There are also dissatisfied officials in other places, but most of them were removed by the court because of problems, or they failed in the merit examination, and their reputation was too bad, so they were removed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. For example, people like Quanzhou Prefecture are either dead or crazy, either acclimatized or their mother is seriously ill, and it is obvious that something is going on.
It is obvious that the officials sent to Quanzhou Prefecture were either bribed and deceived the court, or they were incompetent and superficial. Of course, it is not ruled out that some officials were afraid of the difficult mountain roads and did not even go to Quanzhou. They just found a place to rest for two months and wrote memorials and delivered business.
No matter what, Zhu Yuanzhang needs someone who has the ability, courage, wisdom, and complete trust to go to Quanzhou.
Gu Zhengchen knew that taking on the job in Quanzhou meant taking risks. This time his opponent was probably someone who didn't follow the rules and had no bottom line!
Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's deep gaze, Gu Zhengchen said: "Your Majesty, although I am not a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death, I still don't want to die young, so..."
Zhu Yuanzhang stared slightly, a little disappointed.
Zhu Biao remained calm, while Queen Ma just nodded softly.
Gu Zhengchen moved his chopsticks, took a bite of the fish, and said, "So, I hope your majesty will allow me to select twelve people from Jurong Guard to accompany me."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded happily.
For the sake of national affairs, facing difficulties and not avoiding life and death, this is the qualification of a minister!
"A mere twelve people, aren't they too few?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked.
Gu Zhengchen shook his head: "That's enough."
Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the wine glass and said softly: "I can't fully trust some people in Quanzhou, so I won't give you any help. However, I have transferred a person from Yunnan and appointed him as the commander of the Quanzhou Guard. He will be completely obedient to your orders." , he will take the initiative to look for you when the time comes."
Gu Zhengchen didn't ask who it was. He thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to request a decree."
"speak."
Zhu Yuanzhang drank it all in one gulp.
Gu Zhengchen said solemnly: "His Majesty once forbade people to go to sea privately. However, there is a saying among the people that you can eat mountains if you rely on the mountains, and you can eat the sea if you rely on the sea. Quanzhou is close to the sea, and it was also a trading center during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. People can go fishing in the sea, and merchants can sail long distances. Overseas. If I govern Quanzhou, I will take the people of Quanzhou as a guideline and use all available methods to fill the people's stomachs."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little ugly and said solemnly: "You have to think clearly. Once the common people and businessmen get together into the sea, you will not be able to tell who is the citizen and who is the bandit. You may even lead the bandit ashore to rob the people." It could even lead to a catastrophe! I would rather the people along the coast suffer a little poverty than see the people colluding with the pirates or being harmed by the pirates!"
Gu Zhengchen knew Zhu Yuanzhang's worries, but he also had his own considerations. He insisted: "Your Majesty's concerns are reasonable, but I think that for fear of bandits, people and merchants are prohibited from going to the sea, which is suspected of choking. Isn't it just that I just need to solve it?" After solving the problem of pirates, your majesty can take a step back and grant permission for the people to go to sea?"
"Oh, can you solve the pirate problem and devise a plan?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously.
Gu Zhengchen shook his head slightly: "I haven't arrived in Quanzhou yet, so these things still need to be planned slowly."
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang started to frown again, Empress Ma helped him: "Your Majesty, since you are using him, give him some conveniences so that he will not be constrained everywhere and unable to do anything."
Zhu Biao also persuaded: "Father, I believe that Mr. Gu can deal a heavy blow to the pirates while protecting the people along the coast."
Seeing Gu Zhengchen's resolute attitude, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and walked out of the side hall.
Gu Zhengchen was a little uneasy.
Empress Ma smiled and reassured: "Let's have a meal. You went to Quanzhou. I don't know when you can enter the palace again. Eat more."
Zhu Biao was a little reluctant: "Mr. Gu is in Jurong, and the letter exchange takes no more than two days at the latest. But when he goes to Quanzhou, the letter exchange is much slower. It is not easy to receive a letter in a month. If you are confused, don't worry. It has become much more difficult to ask Mr. Gu to solve the problem."
Gu Zhengchen said with a smile: "The prince is smart. If you have any questions or urgent matters, you can ask your majesty and the queen. If it is not urgent and you don't want to trouble your majesty and the queen, you can send a letter to Quanzhou. If the prince wants to know about Quanzhou, I am also willing to record everything in a letter and send it to Jinling."
"Okay, I'll wait for your letter!"
Zhu Biao became happy.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang came back, sat down, raised his hand and placed an imperial edict heavily on the table, and said to Gu Zhengchen, "This is my edict for you."
Gu Zhengchen picked up the imperial edict and unfolded it carefully. He saw a few short lines written on it:
The emperor was sent to heaven to carry the order, and the edict said:
Tell every official (s) in Fujian and every officer (s) in the garrison: Gu Zhengchen is acting according to the order, and he has the right to act expediently. He can be killed first and then reported, and he can adjust the soldiers in the garrison. If anyone resists his order and does not obey, he will be killed. No injustice.
Admire this.
Gu Zhengchen took a deep breath, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, this decree is too heavy!"
This decree has gone far beyond the scope of the Quanzhou prefect. It targets the officialdom and garrison of the entire Fujian Province. Even Fujian's political participation definitely does not have such great powers, not to mention the military power of the garrison!
Once this decree comes out, it means that Gu Zhengchen can decide everything in Fujian with one word, and decide life and death without Zhu Yuanzhang's nod first!
This power is too great!
Today is not the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Zhu Yuanzhang found his cronies, such as Li Wenzhong, Chang Yuchun and others, and appointed them as local political advisors to command the political, military and judicial power of a province. They are extremely powerful.
Nowadays, local provinces almost no longer participate in political affairs. Basically, they participate in political affairs and take charge of political power and judicial power, and local guards control military power. Although there is no establishment of three departments, the shadow of decentralization has begun to appear.
Now what Zhu Yuanzhang gave Gu Zhengchen was almost the power to participate in the political affairs of Fujian Province, which was a bit too shocking.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Gu Zhengchen and said seriously: "You are a smart man. You should know why I gave you this imperial edict. Accept it. Don't publicize it unless absolutely necessary."
Gu Zhengchen recovered from the initial shock and completed the imperial edict.
Zhu Yuanzhang is not a person who gives power casually. He made himself the prefect of Quanzhou instead of participating in the politics of Fujian. Logically speaking, there is no need for such an imperial edict to "do things cheaply" and "monopolize the province of Fujian".
unless--
Behind the problems in Quanzhou Prefecture, there is probably a huge figure standing!
And this figure is one that he cannot shake or solve by virtue of his status as the prefect!
Gu Zhengchen didn't know whether Zhu Yuanzhang had noticed something or had some direction, but he knew clearly that the greater the power given by the imperial edict, the more dangerous his situation would be, and the more terrifying the enemies he would face!
"I accept the decree!"
Gu Zhengchen shouted solemnly.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and added: "The documents you give to the East Palace can still be sent to the inn. If there is an emergency, you are allowed to use the guard sergeants and military horses to send it five hundred miles to expedite it."
Gu Zhengchen agreed repeatedly and asked: "Where is the navy..."
Zhu Yuanzhang said bluntly: "You can command all the Quanzhou naval forces. Soon, Marquis Jinghai will go to Funing Prefecture and the sea outside Wenzhou Prefecture to inspect. If you need it, you can get in touch with him, and he will fully cooperate with you."
Zhu Biao frowned when he heard this.
Queen Ma also felt that this arrangement was unusual.
These powers cannot be touched by the prefect.
These matters are outside the scope of the prefect.
But Zhu Yuanzhang gave it to him, which shows that Gu Zhengchen's mission is far from being as simple as governing Quanzhou.
"Today I have put it into practice for you. I hope you will be careful in your beginnings and ends, put the people first, and the court first. Never make a mistake or fall for yourself. I also hope that you can assist the prince in the future and achieve success. A big deal."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his glass.
Gu Zhengchen stood up quickly, holding the wine glass in his hand and said: "Your Majesty, Queen, and Prince, I am determined to go all out to cure Quanzhou Prefecture. The people's livelihood is not peaceful, the officialdom is unclear, and the wronged souls are not redressed. I will not return to Jinling!"
Zhu Yuanzhang admired Gu Zhengchen's high spirits.
The chamberlain came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Xiao Cheng from Longxiang Guard Qianhu has arrived."
"Let him in."
Zhu Yuanzhang ordered.
Gu Zhengchen stood up and left the table, looked at the person who came, and saw an ordinary-looking middle-aged man walking over. He had a simple and honest face and a slightly dark complexion. He looked like a farmer who had been working in the fields for many years.
Zhu Yuanzhang said to Xiao Cheng: "This is the man from Gu County. From now on, you will be his personal guard. Just as you protected King Kaiping back then, you will protect him now. When he returns to Jinling, you will be in charge of the Dragon King." Xiangwei!"
"King Kaiping's bodyguard?!"
Gu Zhengchen was shocked.
"The last general has given orders!"
Xiao Cheng agreed in a deep voice, then looked at Gu Zhengchen and grinned: "Mr. Gu County, I have heard of you for a long time. It is an honor for Xiao to be your guard!"
Gu Zhengchen was surprised by Zhu Yuanzhang's generosity and said uneasily: "Your Majesty, I have Zhang Pei next to me..."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "Although Zhang Pei is good, he is not as brave as Xiao Cheng. Gu boy, I don't want you to have any accidents. Go back after you have eaten."
Gu Zhengchen thanked him, put the imperial edict in his arms, bowed and left.
Xiao Cheng saluted and followed Gu Zhengchen out of the palace.
Gu Zhengchen frowned and said, "I will stay in Jinling these days, so you don't need to follow me, right?"
"Your Majesty has an order, and I dare not disobey it."
Xiao Cheng replied stiffly.
Gu Zhengchen scratched his head and had to take Xiao Cheng back home.
That night, a shocking scene occurred in the Quanzhou County Men's Mansion. Gu Zhengchen, who had always been good-tempered, actually chased and beat the newly arrived guard. Although he didn't catch up, he was really angry...
Gu Zhengchen wanted to scold someone. Your sister, Xiao Cheng, asked you to protect her. She didn't ask you to listen to Qianggen. Just listen. What do you mean by opening the window and exposing your head?
Get lost, I don’t want you to follow me!
