Fengtian Hall, court meeting. Zhu Yunwen ordered his servants to carry out various new crops, and all the officials discussed the new crops.
At the dock, many courtiers could not come forward to check. Now the emperor gave permission and specially took them out to tell the officials that these crops were not fabricated as auspicious items. They were two different things from putting gold foil on pigs and calling them unicorns.
In this way, Zhu Yunwen told every courtier not to stumble over the issue of rewards for Zheng He's naval officers and belittle his merits.
"These potatoes are good." Xia Yuanji weighed the potato, which was bigger than his fist, with a smile on his face. Zhu Gaochi limped over, picked up the potatoes, praised them a few times, and put them into his sleeves. His father said, this stuff is delicious, and it will definitely sell for a lot of money when grown. If you can get it right, it will be as smooth as possible... Zhu Yunxi looked at it. Zhu Gaochi was very unhappy with the blatant theft, so he also joined the ranks of people carrying potatoes and corn. As a result, Xia Yuanji caught him, shaking him and shouting: "This is planting grain, growing grain, you dare to take it!" Zhu Gaochi thought very much. Laugh, you have stuffed yourself into a fat guy like me. If you don’t arrest me, who will arrest you? At this time, being fatter is an advantage, and you can’t see it through other things.
Zhu Yunwen looked at several baskets. They were full just now, but now there are only a few. You are all the elites of the Ming Dynasty, gentlemen who have been taught by Confucius...
"Your Majesty, since it is a seed, it cannot be delayed for too long. Please arrange the planting on time to benefit the world and live up to the sacrifice of the heroes." Xia Yuanji stood up.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Xia Yuanji, who cared about all the people, and nodded slightly: "Different crops have their own seasons, suitable soils and regions. He ordered the Ministry of Revenue and the Guozijian Agricultural College to select agricultural talents and send them to Shandong, Henan, and Beizhili. First select corn and potato planting areas, and arrange for dedicated personnel to plant and take care of them in June and July. In Zhejiang and Jiangxi, select sweet potato planting areas..." Xia Yuanji was overjoyed. Emperor Jianwen did not choose new grain varieties. Benefiting the world, but truly considering the people and the common people, this alone is enough to be admired.
Zhu Gaochi looked at the few sweet potatoes in the frame and said, "Your Majesty, the name of this sweet potato is somewhat inappropriate. Should it be renamed?" Zhu Yunwen said in a calm tone: "Tell me more specifically." Zhu Gaochi took two steps seriously. Oops, a big sweet potato fell out of my sleeve. Without blushing or messing up my hands, I bent down to pick it up and said directly: "This crop is not brought by other countries into our country, but by navy sergeants who went to unknown places." , things obtained through life and death, and then labeled with the character "Fan"..." Chen Xingshan stood up and said: "Although what Master Zhu said is reasonable, it is slightly biased. Zhang Qian traveled to the west and brought walnuts, carrots and other items, which were labeled with the character "Hu". Just to explain where this thing comes from. Calling the sweet potato a fan helps the common people know that it comes from overseas, and was obtained by the naval officers and soldiers who worked hard to prevent it from being forgotten." Zhu Yunwen looked at Jie Jin, Yang Shiqi.
Xie Jin said easily: "It's better for the court to use the name of sweet potato, and the people to name it as sweet potato, purple potato and other colors. It will not forget the origin, but also let the people remember it." Zhu Yunwen readily agreed: "Then let's settle it like this. Zhu Gaochi smiled and put away the sweet potatoes and stepped aside. Zhu Yunwen wanted to kick him. He didn't want to look at these people and looked at Tie Xuan and Yang Rong: "The issue of Zheng He's navy reward needs to be decided as soon as possible. In addition to considering other In addition to the merits, we must also consider the achievements of the new seeds, so as not to chill people's hearts." Tie Xuan stood up and promised: "The Ministry of War will take turns to rest day and night, and strive to come up with a reward strategy within five days, and cooperate with the Navy Commander's Office, the Fifth Army Commander's Office, and the Hu After checking with the cabinet, Zhu Yunwen will report to the emperor." Zhu Yunwen nodded with satisfaction and once again told: "The naval sergeants who died should be greatly compensated." Tie Xuan agreed.
Xia Yuanji was happy and aching at the same time. He was happy that with these new grains, Ming Dynasty did not dare to say that famine would be eradicated, but he was certain that Ming Dynasty's disaster relief capabilities would be greatly enhanced. When famine comes, the number of people who will die will be greatly reduced. Even the undead!
What hurts most is the reward issue. Zheng He's navy reorganized 26,000 men, one hundred taels per person, and sacrificed a lot of money, which is nearly three million taels.
The balance of the Ministry of Revenue and the seigniorage income from last year are all going to be wiped out at once. Fortunately, the year is going well this year, God is not looking for trouble, the summer harvest can be expected, and business can be expected, so the Ministry of Household Affairs will not be in trouble.
The meeting is over. Zhu Yunwen summoned Zheng He at Wuying Palace. Zheng He entered the palace and saluted. Looking at Zheng He who had some dark circles under his eyes, Zhu Yunwen smiled and said: "It seems that you haven't slept all night. Why, are you not used to coming home?" Zheng He relaxed when he saw that Zhu Yunwen was friendly and said: "Your Majesty, you have been on the boat for a long time. It was a bit uncomfortable to suddenly return to the palace. There were no waves of the sea or a group of snorers. Plus, the joy of going home made me unable to sleep and didn't want to sleep." Zhu Yunwen has experienced that feeling, and he has experienced it in later generations. The green train travels for several days and nights. After arriving at a place, I feel like the earth is moving even when I sleep.
"You two, come out." Zhu Yunwen shouted. Zheng He was a little surprised. He followed Zhu Yunzhen's gaze and saw two princes, Zhu Wenkui and Zhu Wenyuan, walking one behind the other.
"I've met you, sir." Zhu Wenkui and Zhu Wenyuan bowed. Zheng He was a little uncomfortable and quickly avoided it: "I don't dare to do it, I don't dare to do it." Zhu Yunwen arranged for the servant to bring a chair and motioned Zheng He to sit down: "There is nothing that I don't dare to do. Come, tell me, the two princes, stories about the sea. Right." Zheng He looked deeply at Zhu Yunwen, his heart full of excitement.
Telling the prince stories about the sea is tantamount to guiding the prince to understand the sea, its richness, and the overseas world, planting the seeds of a long voyage, and giving them a long-term perspective.
On a deeper level, Emperor Jianwen wanted to leave the navigation affairs to the prince and continue the voyage! This is a good thing!
Beyond the Ming Dynasty, there is a vast continent, rich minerals, plants that cannot be named, and endless possibilities. If the princes do not know these and do not care about the sea, it is very likely that after Jianwen, the Ming Dynasty will be destroyed. Navigation will come to a standstill!
"Okay, okay." Zheng He understood Zhu Yunwen's intentions and knew that he still had a chance and might sail away to sea again, so he couldn't help but laugh.
The sea, I, Zheng He, are destined to be with you. Sea, I will sail once again to explore your secrets.
The sea, Ming's fleet will gallop on the deep blue, generation after generation! Zheng He looked at the expectant Zhu Wenkui and Zhu Wenyuan, his face became solemn, and he cut directly to the west coast of Africa: "We are ready to sacrifice, and we are even prepared for only one fleet to come back alive out of ten fleets. ..." Zhu Yunwen looked at Zheng He and the two children who were listening attentively, then lowered his head and picked up a memorial. This memorial was written by Hu Xi and was titled "Please appoint a minister in the East Palace."
Hu Xi believed that the prince Zhu Wenkui already had the basic ability to handle government affairs, but he was still young and needed to be restrained and taught. However, the officials of the former Zhanshi Mansion had many part-time jobs, which inevitably distracted him and made it difficult to teach him properly. More East Palaces should be set up. Assistant minister.
It is true that officials in Zhanshifu have too many part-time jobs. For example, Yao Guangxiao is the younger brother of Zhan Shifu, but he is now in Peiping, supervising the construction of the new capital.
Yang Rong is a bachelor of Zuo Chunfang, but he is also the minister of the Ministry of War. Now the Ministry of War is busy, and he has no other skills. Hu Hui is also an official of the East Palace, serving as Zuo Zhongyun of Zuo Chunfang, but he is still the director of the Imperial College, because Li Zhigang, the wine minister, is there. Peiping, supervising the construction of the Imperial College in Peking, and the Imperial College in Nanjing was actually in charge of Hu Hui... Among the officials of the entire Zhanshi Mansion, there were only two people who often followed Zhu Wenkui, namely Yang Pu and Jin Youzi, but these two people There are also other positions. Yang Pu has a position in the Ministry of Punishment, and Jin Youzi also has a position in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Sometimes they run both ways, and they are unable to answer questions at any time.
Since the establishment of the crown prince, Zhu Yunwen has not set up three divisions and three young princes. During the Hongwu period, Taizu often went to war in person for business reasons. He considered that it would create rifts if the bureaucracy was set up when the prince was supervising the country, so he ordered the ministers in the court to take care of their duties in the East Palace and did not grant any position to the prince's third division.
Later, Master Donggong was ordered to be a part-time official, an additional official, and a gifted official. The title of the Prince's Third Master is all empty and has nothing to do with the duties of tutoring the Prince.
Zhu Yunwen thought again and again, and the third division could be rewarded as a false post. But the third young master still needs to arrange a few, and Yang Rong, Hu Yan, Yao Guangxiao and others will be unable to get away for a while.
Zheng He had made great contributions. He was upright, determined, and had military skills. He was a suitable candidate to be the crown prince's Shaobao. In addition, as a eunuch, he could accompany Zhu Wenkui into the palace.
As for the choice of Prince's Young Master, I'm afraid Xie Jin and Yang Shiqi will have to serve as both. Yang Pu and Jin Youzi were directly appointed as the prince's young master. As for the officials of Zhanshifu, they could be selected from among the courtiers.
After Zhu Yunwen weighed and decided, he produced a memorial to the Ministry of War. The most important task of the Ministry of War is to clarify and evaluate the merits of naval sergeants and set reward levels. Although it is more difficult to evaluate the merits of naval generals, it is not cumbersome because of the small number of officers.
Tie Xuan suggested that Zheng He be granted the title of marquis, and Zhu Neng, Zhang Yu, Luo Guanying and others be granted the title of earl. Because of Zhang Yu's sacrifice, he was granted the title of marquis and the other generals were granted the title of general officer.
Zhu Yunwen looked at this simple report and was very dissatisfied. The Ministry of War was still too stingy on the issue of rewards.
Zhu Yunwen picked up his pen and crossed out Luo Guanying's name first, then stared at Zhang Yu's name and fell into deep thought.
Zhang Yu is gone, which is a huge loss for the Ming Navy. He was a respectable soldier who was dedicated to serving his country and had no regrets in life or death. He participated in the entire adventure in South America, but died of illness on the way back.
To be made an earl or to be made a marquis? This suggestion is very inappropriate. If Zhang Yu becomes the earl, how will Zhang Fu succeed him?
You must know that Zhang Fu is also a marquis now. We can't let Zhang Fu lose his hat as a marquis and live in an earl's official residence, right?
Zhu Yunwen wrote and gave instructions: Each award will be raised by one level and will be discussed later. Now the achievements of Zheng He and Zhang Yu have not yet been revealed. After all, the seeds have not been planted and the fruits have not yet come out. Many people have concerns about the rewards. Some officials even suggested to only reward them but not to seal them until new grains are grown. See the results and then give rewards.
This method is safe, but it can easily chill people's hearts.
