Chen Kan tugged on Ru Yu's sleeve again and asked, "Master Ru, can't you explain the situation clearly at once?"
Ru Yu said: "Oh, Mr. Chen, don't be anxious, you will know in a moment."
Seeing Ru Yun's mysterious look, Chen Kan felt itchy with hatred.
However, the courtiers had already begun to offer gifts, so Chen Kan had no choice but to give up.
He glared at Ru Yu angrily and began to watch the courtiers bribe the emperor quietly.
The so-called gift is the only opportunity in a year for Zhu Di to replenish his internal treasury openly and honestly.
However, the ministers of the Ming Dynasty were always very poor and could not bring anything good to their father. Most of them were rare and special products from various places, with few gold and silver items.
The real highlight is the envoys from various countries.
After the courtiers presented their gifts, they were followed by the envoys from various countries, then the envoys of the vassal king, and finally Chen Kan and other family members.
However, this year all the vassal kings were poisoned by Li Jinglong, so it will soon be Chen Kan's turn.
"Mahamu, the envoy of the Yuan Dynasty, presented to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty a pair of golden buckets, a pair of Ruyi jade, three thousand oxen and sheep each, and a thousand war horses on behalf of me, the Great Yuan Khan... I only hope that the two countries will be friends and neighbors in harmony and forever form an alliance. good……"
A rough voice caught Chen Kan's attention.
It was a man from the grassland, with disheveled hair and wearing animal skins.
The most important thing was that Chen Kan could smell the stench coming from him even from a long distance away.
"It's a bit interesting..."
Looking at the man who called himself Mahamu, Chen Kan murmured to himself.
At this time, the Golden Family should still be calling themselves emperors, but this Mahamu is talking about Khan.
Moreover, Chen Kan clearly remembered that this Mahamu was the leader of the Oara tribe, and he had never been very convinced by the discipline of Bensiyali and Arutai of the Golden Family.
But Beiyuan sent him as an envoy.
Could it be said that the internal conflicts among the Tatars are already on the verge of breaking out?
Chen Kan remembered that Mongolia split into Oara and Tatar, which seemed to have happened in the past two years.
His mind was spinning, and in an instant, he thought of many things.
Staring at his side face, Chen Kan murmured to himself: "Maybe we can use this Mahamu."
Chen Kan clearly knew that in history, it was the Oara tribe led by Mahamu that really brought the ultimate harm to the Ming Dynasty. The Oara tribe army led by Mahamu’s grandson first was in the town of Zhu Qi, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Under the leadership of the Ming Dynasty, they almost conquered the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Di's five conquests in Mongolia in history, although not a waste of people and money, actually did not have much effect. If the Ming Dynasty can take advantage of the civil strife in Mongolia to seize the opportunity, it may have a chance to end it once and for all.
Seemingly noticing Chen Kan's gaze, Mahamu turned his head slightly and showed a friendly smile to Chen Kan.
Zhu Di, who was sitting on the dragon chair, spoke. He looked at Mahamu and said with a smile: "I also asked the envoy to go back and tell your Khan that he is sincere. I have received it. I also hope that there will be peace between our two countries." Things like this can also allow the people in the border areas to live in peace for a few more years."
Mahamu performed grassland etiquette toward Zhu Di, bowed and said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the Emperor. I will definitely tell the Great Khan when I get back."
"Um."
Zhu Di nodded lightly, waved to him and said, "Go down!"
Mahamu bowed to Zhu Di again, turned around and returned to the envoy's seat to sit down.
But he could feel that the boy's eyes were always watching him.
He couldn't help but look back. He always felt that something was wrong with the way the young man looked at him.
Seeing that he noticed him, Chen Kan nodded slightly to him and looked away.
To make use of mahamu, it is also a matter of family dinner in the evening.
He believed that Zhu Di, as an old rival of the Tatars, We will never give up any opportunity to weaken the Tatars.
After Mahamu presented the gift, next came the envoys from the small countries in Southeast Asia.
However, those small countries basically can't produce anything good, except for gold and silver, which is food, or livestock, and then pearls, corals, jade and the like.
Although it was considered valuable, at least it was not enough to make Chen Kan's heart move.
Soon, the small countries in Southeast Asia also finished presenting gifts, and then it was the turn of the three princes-in-law to present gifts to Zhu Di.
The eldest princess's consort, Yuan Rong, was the oldest, so Yuan Rong presented gifts to Zhu Di first, followed by Li Rang, and finally Chen Kan.
Yuan Rong's gift was an ancient painting, said to be an authentic work by the painting sage Wu Daozi. Li Rang's gift was the most meaningful in Chen Kan's opinion. It was a set of unique annotations to the Five Classics, said to be a manuscript by Zhu Zi.
It is said that Li Rang knew the news about Zhu Di's plan to revise books, and specially collected them to contribute to the great cultural and educational governance of the Yongle Dynasty.
It is worth mentioning that when the ministers presented gifts to the emperor's father, the emperor's father needed to return gifts. However, the gifts presented by the ministers went into Zhu Di's inner treasury, but the gifts in return came out of the treasury.
Finally it was Chen Kan's turn. Under the gaze of Yuan Rong and Li Rang, Chen Kan mysteriously took out the gift box that he had prepared long ago from under the table.
Walking under Zhu Di's dragon chair, Chen Kan presented the gift box with both hands.
When the chamberlain reached out to take it, Chen Kan said loudly: "I present a globe to your majesty. It is not expensive, but it is more novel. It will make your father smile."
Zhu Di nodded slowly: "I'm determined!"
But as soon as Chen Kan finished speaking, the courtiers looked at each other in confusion.
Mainly because they had never heard of what Chen Kan presented.
Are they out?
The courtiers looked at Zhu Di with doubtful eyes.
Yuan Rong and Li Rang on the side also looked askance. The word "globe" was very unfamiliar to them.
Is it some kind of treasure?
Zhu Gaoxu was thoughtful, because just now he saw Zhu Zhanji playing with a wooden ball.
Zhu Di asked: "My dear friends, are you curious about what this globe is?"
As the leader of the hundred officials, Fang Xiaoru stood up and glared at Chen Kan, then cupped his hands towards Zhu Di and said: "Your Majesty, I have never heard of it. I wonder what this globe is?"
Seeing this, Zhu Di smiled at his chamberlain and said, "Since all of you are curious, you might as well take it out and show it to your friends!"
As soon as these words came out, the courtiers immediately stopped them and said: "Your Majesty, you must not do it. This is a gift from the prince's consort to the king's father. How can the ministers observe it first?"
"Tsk, how hypocritical."
Chen Kan looked at the curious expressions on the faces of the courtiers, and then listened to their nonsense about the rudeness of this move, not to mention how disgusted he felt in his heart.
Everyone said this was inappropriate, but no one really stood up to stop it.
She said no, but her body was very honest.
Hearing the hypocritical excuses of the courtiers, the chamberlain was a little confused.
Zhu Di said calmly: "It doesn't matter, sooner or later this thing will have to be observed by all the ministers."
Hearing this, the young eunuch no longer hesitated, and worked together with Chen Kan to open the gift box, took out a wooden ball from the box, carried it on a tray, turned and walked to the courtier.
Zhu Gaoxu saw that it was a wooden ball that was one size larger, and he secretly said that it was indeed the case.
Yuan Rong and Li Rang looked at each other and saw a trace of disdain in each other's eyes.
"Ah!"
Yuan Rong sneered and suddenly said in a low voice: "Oh, you dare to bring a piece of broken wood into the palace to embarrass people. Isn't this fooling your father?"
"Maybe it's a piece of wood with special uses. After all, since people dare to get it here as gifts, it can't be just an ordinary piece of broken wood, right? Hahahaha..."
The sound of the two talking to each other reached Chen Kan's ears, and Chen Kan glanced at the two with some contempt.
Two words came out faintly from his mouth: "Rubber!"
The laughter of the two of them stalled, and they wanted to scold each other.
But as soon as he raised his head, he was met with a pair of cold eyes.
Zhu Di just glanced at the two of them lightly, and they instantly turned into eggplants beaten by frost.
Zhu Di said he wanted to show the globe to the ministers for inspection, but it was impossible for the chamberlain to actually bring it to the ministers so that everyone could see the structure of the globe clearly.
Most of the courtiers were just watching the excitement, and the only ministers who could clearly see the structure of the globe were the high-ranking officials who were relatively close to Zhu Di.
The chamberlain held the globe and walked around the hall.
Zhu Di placed the globe in front of him, and then said calmly: "As you can see, according to Chen Kan, this globe is what the earth and the sea we live in really look like. Of course, this is after being shrunk thousands of times. Made model."
Hearing this, Fang Xiaoru frowned, stood up and raised his hands to Zhu Di and asked, "Your Majesty, you mean that we live on a ball?"
As soon as these words came out, the courtiers screamed in surprise before Zhu Di could reply.
"How can this be?"
"There must be some evil spirit who is deceiving everyone!"
"Absurd, absolutely ridiculous."
The ministers instantly cast unkind glances at Chen Kan, who was standing calmly in the center of the hall.
"Chen Kan, do you dare to deceive your father?"
"It's just nonsense."
"That's ridiculous!"
The ministers suddenly became excited because the globe presented by Chen Kan broke their traditional understanding.
"quiet!"
Zhu Di stretched out his hand and pressed it lightly, and the ministers gradually became quiet.
He glanced at Chen Kan and said calmly: "Can you and your ministers discuss the details?"
Chen Kan cupped his hands towards Zhu Di and responded: "It should be so."
Chen Kan expected that the appearance of the globe would cause commotion among the ministers.
After all, you have to tell a group of old diehards who have been taught that the sky is round and the earth is not square since childhood. In fact, the sky is not round and the earth is not square.
This is tantamount to challenging their cognitive system.
Let me ask, how could they believe it?
Therefore, all this was expected by Chen Kan.
He turned around, looked at the angry eyes of the ministers, and said calmly: "Before talking about the globe, I would like to ask you a question first."
"what is the problem?"
Even some ministers stood up regardless of their manners.
Chen Kan continued: "You are all the pillars of our Ming Dynasty, but has anyone ever observed that every time our Ming Dynasty's ships return from an ocean trip, do people standing on the beach see the sails or the hull first?"
"this……"
The courtiers looked at each other.
Fang Xiaoru said with a stern face: "Don't try to show off and fool His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the court. I'll beat you to death."
"cough……"
Chen Kan coughed slightly, knowing that Fang Xiaoru was looking for a step for him to get off.
He gave Fang Xiaoru a reassuring look and continued to ask, "Has no one observed it?"
"Sail!"
An old minister stood up, cupped his hands towards Chen Kan and said: "I grew up by the sea. When a big ship goes out to sea, it is natural to see the sail first. This is something that even a three-year-old child knows. I dare to ask Mr. Chen, what is the difference between this and the sail? What does it matter that we live on a ball?”
"Good question!"
Finally, someone who was admiring appeared, and Chen Kan asked calmly: "Have you ever thought about why this gentleman saw the sail first and not the hull first?"
"Um?"
As soon as Chen Kan's question came out, the veteran was stunned on the spot.
Chen Kan spread his hands and continued: "Since the sea is flat, we should see the hull and sails at the same time."
A minister asked suspiciously: "So Mr. Chen, what you mean is that the sea has a curvature, right?"
"If, as you say, we live on a ball, doesn't that mean we may fall to the sky at any time?"
Chen Kan looked at the minister, with a hint of admiration in his eyes, and smiled: "Of course not!"
"But that's beside the point."
"Whether we live on a ball, I haven't seen it specifically, but the adult just said that the sea has a curvature, and this is the best proof."
"As for whether it is true or not, if you ministers have the financial resources, you might as well send two fleets and let them sail along the ocean, one south and one north, to see if they will meet halfway."
As soon as Chen Kan finished speaking, he heard a scolding: "Absurd, simply ridiculous, the north and south directions are different, how could the fleet meet halfway."
"Your Majesty, I believe that the consort Chen Kan is deceiving the public with his monstrous words in court. He has committed a heinous crime. If he is not executed, the people will not be outraged. I would like to request that he be executed!"
"I second the proposal!"
Chen Kan's eyes widened with an incomprehensible expression on his face.
Why do they start shouting and killing now?
Is there still king's law? Is there still law?
Chen Kan pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands towards Zhu Di and said: "Your Majesty, I can't prove whether we are living in a ball now, but as Wei Chen said, if you want to know the truth or not, you only need to send two fleets , just let them sail forward."
"In my opinion, these adults are very suitable for leading the fleet on a long-distance voyage. I would also like to ask Your Majesty to order the formation of an ocean-going fleet and set off immediately!"
The ministers who were pointed out by Chen Kan were furious: "You are talking nonsense. At this time, you still dare to confuse the public with your evil words. Your Majesty, please kill this official immediately!"
Hearing Chen Kan's sudden quarrel with the ministers, Zhu Di quickly comforted him: "Okay, okay, is it a piece of earth or a ball under our feet? These are all innocuous things. There is no need to shout and kill. Everyone, please sit down for me."
The ministers sat down reluctantly, but in their hearts, Chen Kan had undoubtedly become a man who deceived the emperor and his father with his lies.
Chen Kan tossed his sleeves and returned to his seat, feeling very angry inside.
I am kind enough to give you some knowledge about the place where we live, but you actually yelled at me to beat me and kill me, do you still have any conscience?
It's simply crazy!
"Okay, Chen Kan also thinks this thing is novel, so he gave it to me for fun. Things haven't reached that point yet. For those who are celebrating the festival, please be quiet."
Zhu Di came out to smooth things over and quickly ordered the palace officials to start a banquet.
Chen Kan vented all his anger on the food in front of him.
But unexpectedly, he heard a small murmur.
"Tsk, is this the reincarnation of a starving ghost?"
"I don't know if Her Royal Highness Princess Chang Ning will be able to have a full stomach after marrying."
"It's really hard to show off a piece of rotten wood in front of so many people."
"..."
The muttering naturally came from Yuan Rong and Li Rang.
Chen Kan put down his chopsticks and turned his head to look at them both sadly.
When had he offended these two people?
baffling!
Is this the legendary pretender who has to find his presence in others?
Seeing Chen Kan turn his head, the two of them stopped talking in a tacit understanding.
Chen Kan said calmly: "Have you left your vocal cords at home? Who are you whispering to?"
Yuan Rong: "..."
Li Rang: "..."
Although they didn't understand what Chen Kan meant, they instinctively felt that what Chen Kan said was not good.
Yuan Rong said coldly: "Oh, who told you, what can you do?"
Chen Kan: "cnm!"
"you……"
Chen Kan turned around and decided to sit somewhere else.
There is no way to communicate with two idiots.
He glanced around. Fang Xiaoru's position was too conspicuous, and Ru Rui was not far from him, but what was the difference between his position and his own?
So, Chen Kan decisively walked towards the corner away from Zhu Di.
An official in a green robe suddenly found that there was another person in front of him, and asked in a daze: "Prince-in-law, what can I do?"
"You go and sit there, I'll come here!"
The official was stunned and was about to refuse, but when he noticed that Chen Kan's eyes began to turn unkind.
Immediately he said solemnly: "Okay!"
Changing positions, Chen Kan huddled in a corner and began to take a nap.
As for Yuan Rong and Li Rang, they were clown-like figures. They were just lucky enough to earn some military merits and become marquises, so Chen Kan would not argue with them.
If they really want to make Chen Kan anxious, Chen Kan doesn't mind letting them know what real pretense is.
Chen Kan closed his eyes, listened to the buzzing of the ministers like flies, and the loud laughter that came from time to time when Zhu Di talked with the ministers, and began to think seriously about the great voyage and the grassland.
On the matter of the great voyage, the opinions of the courtiers were of little importance.
Now Zhu Di's curiosity has been aroused by himself, and Ma He's trip to the Japanese country is the best proof.
If Chen Kan had predicted correctly, when Ma He returned from Japan with a full load, it would be the time when Zhu Di officially started his voyage to the West.
Whether the courtiers wanted it or not, the beginning of the Age of Discovery was something that could not be changed.
Chen Kan is not a saint, he also has his own selfish motives. With so much wealth overseas, Zhu Di cannot move it all by himself.
He was considering the possibility of forming a fleet to take advantage of the east wind.
And if you want to take advantage of the east wind, force is an indispensable part.
In other words, before forming a fleet, Chen Kan had to find ways to improve Ming Dynasty's firearms.
After the New Year, it’s time to show off your talents as a science student!
Having made a decision in his heart, Chen Kan's thoughts turned to the grassland again.
When Mongolia split, Tatars and Oaras were inevitably incompatible.
For Daming, this should have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But Zhu Di had just ascended the throne, and he ascended the throne in a dishonorable way. The country was still in a mess, and sending troops to the grassland was basically a fantasy.
The snipe and the clam are fighting, but the fisherman is sick.
How distressing!
After thinking for a while, Chen Kan decided to tell Zhu Di the news first during the dinner.
As for whether to fight or not, that is Zhu Di's business.
However, since he has the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division in his hands, he can try some insidious methods.
After thinking about it, Chen Kan fell into sleep.
…
…
After Zhu Di sent away the envoys from various countries, he saw that the ministers had basically eaten and drank enough, and their eyes were full of joy that they were about to go home for the holidays, so he did not intend to keep them any longer.
The ministers are busy going home to celebrate the New Year, joking, isn't he busy?
So he decided to announce the holiday after finishing the last thing.
"Ahem!"
He cleared his throat, immediately drawing the attention of the ministers to himself.
He said loudly: "My dear friends."
The officials responded: "I'm here."
The ministers' eyes were full of expectation. Once Zhu Di said it was time to break up, they planned to rush home as quickly as possible to reunite with their wives, children, and children.
Zhu Di said slowly: "Did you all read the memorial sent by Marquis Xiping during the morning court today?"
Baiguan: "?"
Don't you want a holiday?
The ministers' eyes suddenly darkened.
But they did not dare to respond to Zhu Di's words, so they could only reply feebly: "Return to your majesty, I have read it."
"Um."
Zhu Di nodded with satisfaction and said: "The chaos of the chieftains in Yunnan has been difficult to eradicate since the beginning of the previous dynasty. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, we have spent a lot of money on the southwest border. Now, the Marquis of Xiping has been quite effective in governing Yunnan. The ministers think that, How should I reward you?"
Rujun, the Minister of War, glanced at Zhu Di in surprise.
Mu Sheng had made great achievements in governing Yunnan, and naturally he had to be rewarded. But for this kind of thing, didn't the Ministry of War decide how to award the reward, and then present it to the emperor?
His Majesty suddenly mentioned this matter...
After a moment, Ru Ru suddenly reacted.
It seems that His Majesty is preparing to reward Chen Kan greatly.
He suddenly felt blessed.
He stood up and said seriously: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Xiping has worked hard to suppress Yunnan, and now he is even more effective in governing Yunnan. No amount of rewards can be exaggerated.
However, I believe that if someone in the court had not come up with a plan to change the situation and return to the current situation, I am afraid that the Marquis of Xiping would have been a clever woman in Yunnan who could not make a living without rice.
Since the Marquis of Xiping wants to award a reward, those who offer the strategy of reforming the land and returning home should naturally receive a large reward. Only in this way can they live up to the common people in the world. "
"oh?"
Zhu Di glanced at Ru Yu with admiration, and then asked: "How does Ru Aiqing think these two people should be rewarded?"
The courtiers looked at Zhu Di and Ru Yu who were singing a double act, and they couldn't help but feel a little confused.
What kind of thing is this policy of reforming one's native land and returning it to exile?
They only know that Mu Sheng's governance of Yunnan has been effective, but... they really don't know what policies he used to govern it.
