The Dafu boat docked slowly at Longjiang Pier.
As soon as Gu Zhengchen got off the boat, he saw Mao Xiang's smiling face.
Mao Xiang cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Gu County, His Majesty has ordered us to go straight to the Huagai Hall after arriving at Jinling."
After Gu Zhengchen returned the courtesy, he inquired: "Why are you so urgent?"
Mao Xiang shook his head: "I'm not sure. It seems to be related to Wei Guogong."
Gu Zhengchen was even more confused. What could happen to Xu Daneng? But Lao Zhu was anxious, so he had to go to the palace first and then go home. He arranged for Zhang He and Lin Baifan to assist Chen Dahe, Wang Futu and others in transporting the goods on the ship to Nanfu in Quanzhou County. .
The Dafu ship did not dare to sail to the Qinhuai River, so it had to find a river boat for transshipment. Fortunately, nearly half of the cargo was sold along the way.
Gu Zhengchen mounted his horse, Mao Xiang led the way, and Xiao Cheng accompanied him to the palace.
Huagai Palace.
The chamberlain invited Gu Zhengchen in. Gu Zhengchen straightened his clothes and walked in slowly.
Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting behind the dragon case, looking at him majestically. Zhu Biao, Xu Da and Mu Ying stood on the right side, all looking at him.
Gu Zhengchen came forward respectfully and saluted.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled coldly, slapped the table, and shouted sternly: "What a good Gu Zhengchen, I gave you an easy way to do my bidding, but in just a few months you killed a river of blood. If I gave you another two years, wouldn't it be a trip to Fujian?" Have you slaughtered all the officials in the province?"
Gu Zhengchen was depressed.
Some time ago, you sent me a document praising me for doing a good job, but why are you starting training now...
Gu Zhengchen replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, if the officials of Fujian Province are corrupt and harm the people, preying on the people, and do not listen to the people's cries, do not see the people's misery, and do not share your Majesty's worries, then I will not mind slaughtering them again."
At this time, you cannot be soft, you must be hard. Lao Zhu does not like weak-minded officials.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and said: "Under the guise of doing good for the people and sharing my worries, you can kill officials indiscriminately?"
Gu Zhengchen said bluntly: "I don't think it's wrong to kill an official and save thousands of people. Quanzhou Prefecture is different from other places. After more than 20 years of suffering, 300,000 people are like living in a frying pan. , if you add a little fire, the oil pan will probably catch fire, and by then, your Majesty will not only kill the officials, but also the rebellious people!"
"In order to get the people out of the oil pan, the first thing I can do is to extinguish the burning firewood! If your Majesty thinks that I am guilty of this, you can issue an order to punish me. I have a clear conscience and will never complain! "
Zhu Yuanzhang walked up to Gu Zhengchen, looked at this stubborn and strong face, and snorted: "You have already said such things. If I issue an order to punish you, wouldn't I become a coward? Get up and speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Zhengchen breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Da: "Wei Guogong!"
Xu Da walked out, looked at Gu Zhengchen with sharp eyes, and handed over a book: "My son copied this from Muchun's book, but you drew it?"
Gu Zhengchen took it, looked at it, and nodded: "I think Wei Guogong also knows that Mu Chun and Mu Sheng are my disciples. Although I have gone to Quanzhou, I still need to leave some of my disciples' studies. What's the problem?"
Xu Da gritted his teeth: "What's the problem? Look at these maps. The terrain of mountains and rivers, the direction of rivers, and the distribution of towns are more accurate than the military maps used by the Governor's Office. With such good maps, why don't you hand them over? Do you know? , the imperial court wants to attack Yuan Ting, and Naha in the northeast must be dealt with!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was also curious. The Ming Dynasty only occupied the southernmost position in Liaodong, and had no clear idea of the geographical distribution of mountains and rivers further north. He only had a rough idea. How did Gu Zhengchen know the distribution of mountains and rivers further north?
When Gu Zhengchen saw this, he couldn't help being stunned and asked uncertainly: "Just because of this, you let me enter the palace in a hurry?"
Xu Da said seriously: "This is a major matter of the country. Where did you get the plan? You should hand it over to the court as soon as possible!"
Gu Zhengchen hesitated for a moment, coughed, and backed away: "Then what, does Wei Guoping not read books every day?"
Xu Da looked at Gu Zhengchen in confusion.
Gu Zhengchen said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, these maps are not a secret. Not to mention "Yuanhe County Map" in the Tang Dynasty, and "Taiping Huanyu Ji" in the Song Dynasty have some records of the mountains and rivers of Liaodong. These books are too far away. It’s hard to find. But the imperial court shouldn’t be unable to see the classic book "Great Yuan Unification Chronicles"..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised: "Your map was taken from "The Unification of the Yuan Dynasty"?"
Gu Zhengchen nodded: "Mountains, geography, rivers, population, customs, landscapes, local products, etc. can all be found in the ancient books of the previous dynasties. Although some of them are written in words, there are no maps drawn. After understanding the words, we can draw them A map is all it takes. What river is how many miles to the west is which city, what kind of mountains are dozens of miles to the east, and how the mountains are walked are all described in the classics..."
"These maps were just picked out by me at will. Since the Northeast and Yunnan imperial courts have not yet recovered them, I specially picked them out and left them for Mu Chun to talk about military affairs on paper, so that he could learn how to read the maps and how to arrange troops. Unexpectedly, he was regarded as the Duke of Wei. The most precious thing..."
Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Gu Zhengchen: "You, a person who has never been on the battlefield, teach people how to form troops. I think you are just talking about war on paper and mislead your disciples. Mu Ying, Mu Chun and Mu Sheng are good talents. You want to Watch carefully, don't grow crooked, I will still count on them to contribute military merit to the court in the future."
Mu Ying walked out and said with a smile: "Mr. Gu said, predict before you act. The children are still young, let them know some things, and when they grow up, let them experience and practice, so they will not become the second Zhao Kuo."
Zhu Yuanzhang finally laughed and said to Xu Da: "It seems that the Governor's Mansion needs a good read."
Xu Da felt ashamed: "If you don't read the book, you will only make people laugh.
Zhu Biao said with a smile: "Who knows that Wei Guogong is good at reading, but he only reads more about the art of war and rarely touches these classics. But Mr. Gu reminded the governor that for the maps of Northeast China, Yunnan and other places, people should be ordered to follow the Yuan Dynasty's "Unification History" 》 to draw it, and also find people who are familiar with the place to make corrections to ensure that the map is accurate."
Xu Da praised: "What the prince said is absolutely true."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "Now that the map matter has been settled, let Wei Guogong and Muchun go down. I still want to have a few words with this boy."
Xu Da and Muchun bowed and exited.
Gu Zhengchen looked at Zhu Biao, cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness, you have a queen in the East Palace."
Zhu Biao smiled happily: "It's you, you seem to have lost a lot of weight. There are so many problems in Quanzhou Prefecture, and it's all thanks to you. After the documents were delivered, my father praised you very much, and even drank some wine that night A jug of wine to cheer you up."
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down and said with a straight face: "What you did in Quanzhou Prefecture is indeed very popular. But you shouldn't be so strong, at least you shouldn't lock up provincial officials. This would be very difficult for me. If not Gao Hui is related to the Bu family, and he may indeed be shielding and protecting the Bu family. I am afraid the number of documents to impeach you will be many times greater."
Gu Zhengchen did not explain.
Official impeachment is official impeachment. If others don't understand, Lao Zhu must understand him. Otherwise, what is the purpose of "acting cheaply"? Isn't it just to destroy the protective umbrella of Quanzhou Prefecture?
He has arrangements, and he will naturally be prepared when Louzi comes out.
After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he also felt bored. The matter was over, and he seemed to be lacking in arrogance if he cared about it. He turned to say: "I have received the good news from Marquis Jinghai. I will not ask about trade and goods. I only ask one question: Are the mountains and sea cannons really so powerful?"
Gu Zhengchen thought for a while and suggested: "Your Majesty, seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. No matter how many words Jinghai Marquis and I write, it is difficult to replicate its killing power. If your Majesty allows it, I can let Commander Zhang lead two mountains and seas." Go to the training ground and demonstrate on the spot.”
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded heavily: "Looking at the document, my blood is boiling, and I can't wait to see the Shanhai cannon as soon as possible. Since you brought it, let me open my eyes. It was Zheng Bo who told Zhang He to bring all the Shanhai cannon and gunpowder shells Enter the small teaching ground, and I will go to watch after noon."
Zheng Bo took the order and went out.
Gu Zhengchen continued: "Although the Shanhai Cannon currently manufactured by the Far Fire Bureau has some achievements, there are still many problems and require continuous optimization and improvement."
Zhu Yuanzhang agreed and said seriously: "Facts have proved that only under your leadership can the Far Fire Bureau create more and more outstanding firearms. If the killing effect of the Shanhai Cannon satisfies me, I will not only order the Ministry of Household Affairs to increase the number of weapons The money and food provided by the Far Fire Bureau will also allow you to choose craftsmen to expand the scope of the Far Fire Bureau."
Gu Zhengchen thanked him: "I will live up to your majesty's trust!"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled: "To be honest, I didn't fully believe that you could borrow firearms before to help the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty defeat cavalry with foot and turn passive defense into active attack. But I really have no other way. The number of war horses cannot be increased overnight. But to grow, I can only bet on you. Gu Zhengchen, you make me very happy."
Gu Zhengchen showed an honest smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to a pile of memorials on the table: "I am still busy, and you have just arrived in Jinling. Today I will not keep you in the palace to accompany you for meals. After the noon, you and the prince will go directly to the primary school. "
Gu Zhengchen and Zhu Biao saluted together and left the Huagai Hall.
Zhu Biao invited Gu Zhengchen to the East Palace and specifically asked the wet nurse to take his son out. After hearing the news, the princess walked out pushing the baby carriage.
Gu Zhengchen saluted quickly.
Crown Princess Chang smiled and said: "Mr. Gu, this stroller made by Jurong saves a lot of trouble. There is no need to hold it. The prince can also move around in the stroller."
Gu Zhengchen looked at the young Zhu Xiongying, his dark eyes were shining brightly, and his hands were grasping the top of his head. He was not afraid when he saw Gu Zhengchen, but chuckled.
The Crown Princess couldn't help but said: "Smile, Your Highness, Xiongying smiled."
Zhu Biao couldn't help but rejoice: "Last time the fourth brother came to visit, Xiongying cried for a long time. Today he is so happy to see Mr. Gu. It seems that he is very close to Mr. Gu."
Gu Zhengchen grinned. Zhu Laosi looked at Zhu Xiongying?
Not to mention Zhu Xiongying crying, after Zhu Yunwen is born, he will probably see Zhu Laosi crying even more fiercely...
