Zhang Yuchu's question was so straightforward that everyone except Chen Kan was a little stunned.
How could anyone ask a guest like that?
When someone comes to visit, even if the host doesn't welcome him, he can't just ask like that, right?
Chen Kan's expression remained as usual.
Chen Kan was not surprised that Zhang Yuchu asked this. If he hadn't asked this, Chen Kan would really feel that something was wrong.
Just kidding, if a great heavenly master, the leader of Taoism in the world, still behaves like an official, it would really make people laugh.
Meeting Zhang Yuchu's scrutinizing gaze, Chen Kan pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "I said that I just came to Longhu Mountain for a visit. I wonder if I believe it?"
Chen Kan asked back, and Zhang Yuchu couldn't help but be startled, then nodded with a smile.
"Believe it, of course I believe it. I'm not boasting. Pindao's Longhu Mountain is indeed worthy of being called a world-famous tourist attraction. It's normal for the Marquis to come and see what Longhu Mountain is like."
Chen Kan nodded slightly, bowed to Zhang Yuchu, and said with a smile: "Now that I have seen the scenery and my stomach is full, I will take my leave. If you have something to do, you might as well go by yourself."
"That's fine."
Zhang Yuchu responded, then turned to look at Zhang Yuanchu and ordered: "Yuanchu, since the Marquis is determined to go down the mountain before it gets dark, you and Benchu should lead the way for the Marquis and his highnesses."
Zhang Yuanchu pointed to his nose and said in shock: "Me?"
Zhang Yuchu nodded, returned a salute to Chen Kan, then stood up and walked towards the back hall of the main hall.
Seeing this, not only Zhang Yuanchu was dumbfounded, but Da Zhu, Xiao Zhu, Chang Ning and others who were already confused were also a little confused.
Chen Kan watched Zhang Yuchu's back disappear behind the screen. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile, then turned back to greet everyone.
"Let's go!"
"By the way, in the next journey, Taoist priests Lao Yuanchu and Benchu will go to Yunnan with me."
Zhang Yuanchu was stunned. After all, Zhang Yuchu arranged for him to lead the way for Chen Kan. He just took off his pants and farted, which was unnecessary.
Chen Kan and others already knew the way down the mountain, not to mention that the chariot they rented was still waiting outside the Jade Emperor Pavilion.
There is absolutely no need to send him down the mountain.
Now that he heard that Chen Kan wanted him to follow him to Yunnan, he was even more confused.
Why is he going to Yunnan after just one meal?
Chen Kan didn’t explain too much.
The reason why he came to Longhu Mountain was naturally not because he had nothing to do.
It's just one thing to look at the scenery. Digging a hole for Zhu Zhanji and letting him know what he will face in the future is just a casual thing.
The real purpose is to resolve the conflict between Taoism and the imperial court.
Of course, all this was actually instigated by Zhu Di, otherwise he would have eaten too much and left his friends in Yunnan alone, insisting on taking the two emperors and grandchildren out of Chang'an, and also insisted on taking his wife and children on a trip.
That’s not a serious illness!
It can be said that after leaving Beijing, every place he went to had a purpose.
They were all in Zhu Di's plan, including Jingdezhen, who went first.
Zhu Di is as smart as a monkey. The Ming Dynasty is now facing a major change that has not happened in thousands of years. He can clearly see where there are loopholes and problems.
As for Chen Kan, to put it bluntly, he is just a wage earner.
Whatever Zhu Di wanted from him, he basically had no room to refuse.
Becoming the face of the East Palace is just an appetizer.
The next piece of sewing and mending is the real main course.
This is the hegemony of the word "imperial power".
As the second generation Taoist leader and the third generation leader of the Taoist sect, Zhang Yuanchu and Zhang Benchu followed Chen Kan to Yunnan and returned to the capital. This was part of the deal between Zhu Di and the Taoist sect.
Even though Taoism and Buddhism are not causing trouble for Chen Kan, the real pressure is on Zhu Di's shoulders.
Is it possible to really think that Buddhism and Taoism are soft persimmons, and Zhu Di can pinch them however he wants?
Everything comes at a price.
But only a few people can see these costs.
Chen Kan took the lead to walk out of the Jade Emperor Pavilion, and the others hurriedly followed.
Zhang Yuanchu gritted his teeth, looked at the place where Zhang Yuchu disappeared, and then looked at Chen Kan who had walked away, and couldn't help but stamp his feet.
Now, no matter how stupid he is, he still knows that Chen Kan came to Longhu Mountain with a purpose.
The conversation he had with Master Tianshi just now had no beginning or end, but he could still hear the meaning of some kind of transaction.
As for what is being traded, I am afraid that only by following Chen Kan can we find out.
After walking out of the Jade Emperor Pavilion, Yuncheng was already leading a group of servants waiting at the entrance of the hall.
Seeing Chen Kan come out, Yuncheng hurriedly came forward and whispered a few words in his ear.
Chen Kan nodded, walked to a chariot, sat down, and said calmly: "Let's go down the mountain!"
After setting off in a chariot and returning to the entrance of the Great Shangqing Palace, Chen Kan thought for a moment and gave up the idea of going in to offer incense.
He is a lonely ghost, so it is safer not to hang out in front of these orthodox gods. Who can guarantee that the Great Heavenly Lord will not take him in casually?
If Chen Kan didn't go in, Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe would have no reason to go in.
In the end, Chang Ning led Yun Niang and held Fengyang in, kowtowed a few times, and donated some sesame oil money.
Soon, Chang Ning and others left the Great Shangqing Palace, continued their journey on foot, and headed down the mountain facing the sunset.
At the zenith of the moon, a group of people finally returned to the camp on the edge of the Xinjiang River.
It was getting dark, so it was naturally impossible for a group of people to continue on their way.
The guards have already set up camp. At this time, it is impossible for the guards to build a big tent for the two extra people. So tonight, the two Taoist priests, Zhang and Xiao Zhang, can only squeeze in with the guards for the time being. .
Chen Kan returned to the main tent and lay down in a large shape, using his hands as pillows and letting Fengyang treat him as a toy and crawl around on him.
Chang Ning sat aside, pondering for a long time, and then asked: "Husband, I always feel that you are in a strange state along the way, and Xiao Zhanji has also become weird since going up the mountain today. Father, What secret decree did the emperor give you?"
Hearing Chang Ning's question, Chen Kan casually carried Chang Ning to sit on the soft cushion, and then sat up.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Kan suddenly shook his head and asked: "Madam, what do you think the state of Ming Dynasty is now?"
Chang Ning was stunned and frowned: "I am a woman and don't know much about military affairs, but I feel that the Ming Dynasty is quite good now. The people are living a prosperous and healthy life, and the ministers in the court are also doing some good things. Matter of fact.”
Chen Kan nodded, pursed his lips, and did not continue speaking.
Daming's current condition is very good. This is probably the consensus of most people. Of course, Li Rang thinks so too.
No country really has any problems. If there are problems, just solve them.
This is what Chen Kan is doing now.
Chang Ning's frown deepened when she saw Chen Kan fell silent again after asking a specious question.
Obviously, there must be some kind of secret agreement between her husband and his father.
But in the past, Chen Kan would never hide anything from him.
It's rare to not even mention it like this.
But after all, he is not a girl from a small family, so he won't ask anything in detail.
The couple was silent for a while and were about to take a rest when Zhu Zhanji's muffled voice suddenly came from outside the tent.
"Teacher, are you asleep?"
Hearing Zhu Zhanji's voice, a flash of surprise flashed across Chang Ning's face.
It's almost midnight. Is there something this nephew can't talk about tomorrow?
Chen Kan ignored Chang Ning's doubts, stood up and walked out of the tent.
Zhu Zhanji's ability to endure until this point was beyond his expectation.
When they came outside the tent, master and apprentice met each other and looked at each other speechlessly.
Chen Kan walked toward the Xinjiang River with his hands behind his back, and Zhu Zhanji hurriedly trotted to follow.
The two masters and apprentices were walking by the Xinjiang River under the moonlight. Although their thoughts were complicated, they also felt a little warm.
"Did you see it?"
Chen Kan was the first to break the silence.
Zhu Zhanji nodded, quickly stepped forward to join Chen Kan, and asked: "Teacher, what exactly does Grandpa Huang want to do? What is the purpose of your trip to the capital this time? Why are the disciples increasingly unable to understand you and the Emperor?" Grandpa’s plan?”
Hearing Zhu Zhanji's question, Chen Kan moved a stone and sat down by the river, and asked with a smile: "Tell me, what do you see?"
Zhu Zhanji sat down next to Chen Kan, shook his head and said: "For now, it seems that Grandpa Huang intends to let the disciple and Brother He grow up quickly, but this is what the disciple is confused about. What happened, so that Grandpa Huang and Brother He can grow up quickly?" Are you so anxious?"
Chen Kan was silent for a moment and suddenly asked: "Do you know how big this world is?"
"How old is the family?"
Zhu Zhanji frowned and thought for a moment, then asked: "Isn't it the seven continents and four oceans?"
"yes!"
Chen Kan affirmed Zhu Zhanji's statement, and then continued: "Now the route from the Ming Dynasty to Australia has been opened, Zheng He's footprints have reached the African continent, and the Ming Dynasty is also exploring routes to North and South America, but the Ming Dynasty is not so willing The effort is not just about exploring these places."
"What's that for?"
Zhu Zhanji's face was full of doubts. He understood every word Chen Kan said, but when they were put together, he was a little confused.
Chen Kan smiled and did not answer his question directly. Instead, he changed the topic and asked: "My Ming Dynasty has many famous generals, and there are countless generals who are more qualified and capable than your second uncle. Why do you think His Majesty must let you Second uncle is going to conquer Japan and the peninsula?"
Zhu Zhanji frowned. He always felt that something was not right about this matter. Is he finally going to get the truth now?
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji was silent, Chen Kan continued: "Your Majesty's heirs are not prosperous, so the crown prince, your second uncle, and your third uncle's three sons, your imperial grandfather's throne will be left to your father in the future. Yes, what about your second uncle and third uncle? Should you just let them do nothing?"
As soon as this statement came out, it was like a wake-up call for Zhu Zhanji. He couldn't help but lost his voice and said, "Grandpa Huang is planning to re-introduce the enfeoffment system?"
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji finally got to the point, Chen Kan nodded with relief and said with a smile: "Not bad, I'm not that stupid after all."
"This, this, this..."
"This is wrong. Grandpa Huang is the vassal king, and enfeoffment is a way to bring disaster. Grandpa Huang is impossible, impossible!"
Zhu Zhanji looked in disbelief. He jumped up and almost fell into the Xin River.
At the critical moment, Chen Kan pulled him back.
"Calm down, why are you panicking?"
Chen Kan scolded him dissatisfiedly, and Zhu Zhanji suddenly fell silent in despair.
"No, this is not right. Grandpa Huang, Grandpa Huang can, at least he shouldn't. I, teacher, disciple want to return to Beijing!"
Zhu Zhanji muttered to himself incoherently, then suddenly glared at Chen Kan and asked, "Teacher, this is a way to bring disaster. Please join the teacher and the students in writing a letter to Grandpa Huang to make a powerful statement."
Chen Kan slapped him on the back of the head and couldn't help scolding him: "All these years of self-cultivation have gone into a dog's belly. Think about it for yourself, is it possible?"
After being slapped by Chen Kan and brought back to his senses, Zhu Zhanji finally became less excited.
The next second, he realized something was wrong, grabbed Chen Kan's sleeve and asked: "So the emperor sent his second uncle to the Japanese country and the peninsula with the intention of enfeoffing the foreign lands, right?"
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji finally calmed down, Chen Kan said angrily: "Nonsense, you don't have to think about it with your pig head. Your Majesty is a vassal king. How can you implement the enfeoffment system in the country? You are so panicked."
After being scolded by Chen Kan for several times, Zhu Zhanji finally understood and breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good, that's good, I thought Grandpa Huang..."
Chen Kan took over his words angrily and asked, "Do you think the emperor is old and confused?"
Zhu Zhanji scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and said with a smile: "I was shocked by the news all of a sudden, mainly because I couldn't believe it."
Hearing Zhu Zhanji's nonsense, Chen Kan rolled his eyes without any trace, but didn't say anything.
Zhu Di restarted the enfeoffment system. When Chen Kan just learned about this from Zhu Di, he was also shocked. After all, the two generations of Jin kings fell into his hands.
Moreover, Zhu Di's sons are not fuel-efficient lamps. If they are enfeoffed in the country, it is almost foreseeable that Fengtian will be in trouble again.
But when he learned that Zhu Di's enfeoffment system was based on his plan for the Ming Dynasty, he suddenly calmed down.
The Ming Dynasty wanted to turn all the land around the Ming Dynasty into its own land, and the enfeoffment system was indeed the best and fastest way.
Whether it’s the grasslands or the Western Regions, or even the Southeast Asia and the Southeast Asian Peninsula.
In this era where transportation can only rely on walking, even if it becomes part of the Central Plains Dynasty for a short time, it will definitely split off after a long time.
This is determined by the productivity of the times.
The Ming Dynasty actually controlled two capitals and 13 provinces, with an actual area of only about three million square kilometers.
Is it because Ming Dynasty only has this ability and can only actually control so many places?
No, it's because no matter how far away the central court's input-output is, it's not proportional.
As for the two capitals and thirteen provinces, for Ming Dynasty, the actual output is higher than the income.
Based on this situation, the Ming Dynasty wanted to control distant places for a long time. In addition to large-scale colonization and cultural invasion, the best way was to enfeoff.
There are so many clan children in the Ming Dynasty, and it costs a lot of money to raise them. It is better to give them money, food and weapons and let them earn their own food outside.
There are so many nobles in the Ming Dynasty, and many of them have no real titles. This is outrageous.
Then ban them all overseas.
Therefore, why Zhu Di asked Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe to grow rapidly, and asked Chen Kan to resolve these domestic conflicts as soon as possible, was to prepare for the restart of the enfeoffment system.
