That's what happened. When Zhu Zhanji asked, Chen Kan would naturally not hide it from him.
The master and apprentice were silent for a moment, and Zhu Zhanji regained his composure and sat down next to Chen Kan.
"Teacher, how long has Grandpa Huang been planning this matter?"
Chen Kan was not surprised that Zhu Zhanji asked this question.
Ever since Zhu Di decided against all opinions and selected Zhu Gaoxu as the candidate for the expedition, many knowledgeable people in the Ming Dynasty had already made speculations.
Zhu Zhanji's previous environment was so peaceful that he lost a certain degree of political acumen.
But now that he can react, it's not too late.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Kan replied truthfully: "If you want to ask when did your majesty have this idea, it was already long ago. Probably when we were planning Liaodong and the grassland, your majesty talked with us about the possibility of enfeoffment. "
Zhu Zhanji was stunned: "So early?"
Chen Kan nodded and continued to add: "As for what made His Majesty firm up his determination to restart the enfeoffment system, it was probably after returning from Nanyang as a disciple, and His Majesty truly gained a concept of the sea."
When Chen Kan said this, Zhu Zhanji understood.
What is the concept of the sea? If the people of Ming Dynasty were to answer it, it must be wealth.
There is wealth overseas, endless wealth. Every fleet that the Ming Dynasty sends out to sea has never heard of a loss.
Those small overseas countries have a lot of gold, ivory, agate and spices. The Ming Dynasty only needed to bring some linen, pottery, tea and the like to exchange for many treasures.
A piece of linen can be exchanged for a blanket of the same area in small and backward countries overseas, and tea leaves are as valuable as silver.
As for silk and porcelain, they have to be exchanged for gold.
There is wealth everywhere overseas. This is a common understanding among Ming people today.
But, those are the common people.
For rulers, overseas means a long distance, a fleet that can only go back and forth once a year, and it also means that it is impossible for the Central Atrium to actually control overseas.
The distance is too far, whether it is sending officials, relocating people, or garrisoning troops, it is not cost-effective for the central court.
The cost to the court was huge, but the return might not be as much as setting up a few more municipalities to collect taxes.
But this is not the reason for the imperial court to abandon these places. Even the most stubborn old master will not have too much of this kind of land.
Direct colonization is not cost-effective, so what should we do?
Then enfeoff.
Just like the feudal princes of the Zhou Dynasty, the central court will make the initial investment for you, giving you money, soldiers and food, but once you get to the place, you will be responsible for the profits and losses.
The central court does not need you to give much back to the mother country, so everyone can have normal trade exchanges.
But nominally you will be under the rule of my Ming Dynasty.
The advantage of this is that the central court can carry out cultural penetration into very distant places at a very small cost.
The overseas barbarians don't know what it means. Is the whole world the land of the king, and the shores of the land are the king's ministers? It doesn't matter, I will send someone to teach you.
The Han people have never been a race united by blood as the core.
As long as the whole world recognizes the cultural concepts of the Han people, it will be impossible for these places to become independent from the Central Plains.
Even if they have thoughts of independence, they are still thinking about how to return to the Central Plains and take charge of the country again, rather than splitting.
As long as the Ming Dynasty can successfully establish a Han cultural circle, Zhu Di's goal of enfeoffment will be achieved.
Zhu Zhanji quickly figured out why Zhu Di and Chen Kan had restarted the enfeoffment system, and couldn't help but reveal a wry smile on his face.
"Grandpa Huang is going to set countless restrictions on this lineage of disciples. No wonder, no wonder..."
Zhu Zhanji sighed with emotion, and then said with a wry smile: "The disciples are still wondering why the teacher's behavior along the way is so different from the past. Even the issues of the current tax laws of our country have to be told to the disciples in this obscure way. Even Brother He didn’t let me go, teacher, you and my father really have good intentions.”
Chen Kan shook his head and smiled, and said lightly: "It's not a restriction, it can only be said to be a warning. Your lineage controls the core of the entire Central Plains. You have countless famous ministers and generals under your command, and you make the country rich and the people strong. If under such circumstances, you can still be beaten back and seize the big position, then I can only say that I deserve it."
Zhu Zhanji nodded and sighed secretly.
Why doesn't he understand this?
As Chen Kan said, his lineage has the best resources, the most advanced weapons, the bravest army, and the wisest civil servants.
If the royal family that Zhu Di is about to entrust out is holding a three, then the card he is holding is four twos plus a king bomb.
Although he was in an invincible position, he could still be beaten back by other clans to seize the throne. It can only be said that he deserved it.
He believed that Grandpa Huang had also considered this.
But the emperor is the emperor, and it is impossible to use feelings as a criterion. Even if the emperor likes him again, if he is incompetent, he will be abolished.
Anyway, his surname is Zhu, and in the future, when other people come back to the world, they will also have the surname Zhu.
As long as the surname is Zhu in this world, he is a descendant of the emperor's bloodline, and his share of the blood food enshrined in the ancestral temple will not be missing.
It's very realistic, but this is the best way to make the Ming Dynasty last forever.
"While His Majesty is now in his prime, grow up as soon as possible!"
Chen Kan patted Zhu Zhanji on the shoulder, then stood up, patted his butt, turned and walked towards the big tent.
Zhu Zhanji sat by the Xinjiang River for a long time, and suddenly a look of determination appeared on his face.
He himself is not a weak-willed person, but the arrangements made by Chen Kan and Zhu Di aroused his fighting spirit.
Grandfather Taizu established the Ming Dynasty, and his imperial grandfather pioneered the Ming Dynasty.
If nothing else, the future territory of Ming Dynasty will be exaggerated, even more exaggerated than that of the former Yuan Dynasty.
His father seemed to be capable.
He also has to work hard.
Not to mention that Grandpa Qiang is better than his ancestors, he must at least be able to hold on to the country left by his ancestors. Otherwise, wouldn’t he be living up to the expectations of Grandpa Huang and his teacher?
After firming up his belief, Zhu Zhanji's heart suddenly became clear.
He stood up and patted the dust on his butt, took a long breath, and returned to the camp with his head held high.
...
The next day, Chen Kan left Longhu Mountain early as before, but there were two more sad-looking little Taoist priests in the team.
Chen Kan still rides horses. As long as it doesn't rain, Chen Kan prefers riding horses.
The main reason is that the official road hardening project of the Ming Dynasty has not yet spread to most areas outside the two capitals.
Although the cement produced by the Hou Mansion is now sold all over the world, the provinces have basically not made efforts to harden the roads except for the roads in the main city under China Unicom.
Of course, it's not that he doesn't want to, but that Ming's financial situation cannot withstand it.
We have to fight wars, develop people's livelihood, and research various new weapons. No matter how much money we have, we can't afford to build such weapons, so we can only focus on military and national affairs first.
Unfortunately, the road Chen Kan chose this time was not the main road. Even if the road was wide, there were inevitably some small potholes.
Therefore, the entire team, except for two female relatives and a little girl who stayed in the carriage at all times, even Zhu Zhanhe would not choose to ride in the carriage when it was not raining.
The team advanced slowly. At noon, Chen Kan ordered to stop and light a fire for cooking.
The two Taoist priests, Big Zhang and Xiao Zhang, were pushing and shoving, as if they had something to say, but neither of them wanted to come into contact with Chen Kan.
So after pushing and shoving for a long time, the young Taoist priest Zhang Benchu decisively found Zhu Zhanji who was plotting something with Zhu Zhanhe.
"What's the matter, Taoist Master?"
Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe stopped talking in a tacit understanding and looked curiously at the somewhat reserved little Taoist priest.
Zhang Benchu saluted the two of them, scratched the back of his head, and said, "Your Highnesses, what about that? Xiaodao and Uncle Shi are planning to leave the team and go to Yunnan first. I wonder if your Highnesses can tell the Marquis?"
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe looked at each other in confusion, with the expressions of two-foot-long monks who were confused.
After having a heart-to-heart talk with Chen Kan last night, Zhu Zhanji probably guessed Longhushan's purpose in asking the two Taoist priests to follow them.
It's nothing more than a transaction.
Grandpa Huang has taken away the actual benefits of the Taoist sect, so he must give some compensation. Compensation in terms of benefits is impossible, so there is only nominal compensation.
So these two Taoist priests actually went to the capital to receive the reward. Before accepting the reward, they needed to go out for a walk around the world, whether it was to show their presence or to accumulate reputation among the people. This process It's definitely inevitable.
Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe were in the same camp. If Zhu Zhanji knew about these things, Zhu Zhanhe would also know about them.
But now, these two Taoist priests want to give up this opportunity.
This made them confused.
After thinking about it, Zhu Zhanji saluted Zhang Benchu and asked, "Taoist Priest, why did we fail to entertain you well?"
The little Taoist shook his head, first looked around, and then whispered: "His Highness and the Marquis are kind to others. Xiaodao is grateful, but Xiaodao and his uncle have gone down the mountain. They should go to experience in the world of mortals, otherwise wouldn't it be wrong? Lost your intention to leave the mountain gate?"
"oh!"
Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe made a sound, and his expression suddenly became strange.
Zhang Benchu asked cautiously again: "Your Highness, can you tell me this on my behalf?"
Zhu Zhanji looked thoughtful, neither saying yes nor saying no.
Zhang Benchu's face was full of expectation, but when he saw that Zhu Zhanji was still reluctant to speak, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
"Yes, yes!"
After a while, Zhu Zhanji spoke. Zhang Benchu was overjoyed and was about to speak.
Zhu Zhanji continued: "However, the Taoist Master must think clearly. The purpose of letting the two Taoist Masters come down from the mountain is to improve the reputation of the Taoist sect. If the two Taoist Masters leave like this, what will happen to the Taoist Master in the future?" there......"
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!"
Zhang Benchu interrupted Zhu Zhanji's worries in a hurry, and said with his hands: "Your Highness, Xiaodao knows the importance of this. Xiaodao and his uncle have completed their training, and will go to Yunnan first to wait for the Marquis and His Highness. Then he will join the Marquis and His Highness. I can't miss anything if I go back to Beijing."
Zhu Zhanji smacked his lips, nodded and said, "Okay, since the Taoist Master understands, we have no intention of stopping him."
Hearing this, Zhang Benchu was immediately overjoyed.
Zhu Zhanji shook his head, waved to Yun Cheng who was not far away, and ordered: "Give each of the two Taoist priests a hundred gold notes."
Zhang Benchu said in astonishment: "Your Highness, don't you need to tell the Marquis?"
"I can still make the decision on this little matter."
Zhu Zhanji smiled, took two wads of banknotes from Yun Cheng and stuffed them into Zhang Benchu's hand.
Zhang Benchu hurriedly refused: "Your Highness, Xiaodao is from outside the country."
"People from outside the country also need to eat. From Jiangxi to Yunnan, it is thousands of miles away. It is difficult to travel without money. It's only 200 yuan. Just treat the two Taoist priests as thanks for leading the way for us yesterday. Don't refuse anymore. .”
Zhu Zhanji stuffed two wads of treasure notes into Zhang Benchu's sleeves without any doubt.
Zhang Benchu wanted to refuse, but he thought it was a long way there and they didn't bring any belongings when they went down the mountain. Besides, after leaving Chen Kan's team, no one would take care of their food.
While he was struggling, Zhang Yuanchu took a step forward, saluted Zhu Zhanji and said, "In this way, Xiaodao has thanked His Highness for the gift."
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Benchu's eyes suddenly widened.
Zhang Yuanchu met his disbelieving look and said calmly: "I haven't thanked His Highness yet."
"Well..."
"Thank you for the gift, Your Highness, and Xiaodao said goodbye."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hands indifferently and asked, "Don't you two Taoist priests leave after dinner? The food will be ready soon?"
"No, thank you Your Highness."
The two little Taoist priests shook their heads in unison and refused.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhanji did not continue to persuade him to stay.
The two little Taoist priests muttered as they walked.
"Uncle Master, why do you want to collect money from His Highness?"
"You are confused. If we don't have money, what will we eat along the way? How can we experience the world of mortals?"
"But we are Taoist priests."
"What's wrong with Taoist priests? Taoist priests also have seven emotions and six desires."
"..."
The two little Taoist priests murmured to each other before ducking into a path.
"Uncle Master, look at my ladder."
"I can do it too......"
Zhu Zhanji watched the two little Taoist priests disappear at the end of the road and couldn't help but shrugged.
Zhu Zhanhe asked with a worried look on his face: "Brother, these two little Taoist priests don't seem to be reliable. Just let them go. What if something happens to them outside and Grandpa Huang pursues them?"
The corner of Zhu Zhanji's mouth twitched for a moment, then he shook his head and said: "Xiao He'er, you are just too naive. It's not us who drove them away. Besides, they have legs on their bodies, so we can't stop them from leaving. What's more? It’s better to be generous and make a good relationship.”
Zhu Zhanhe was still a little worried and replied: "Otherwise, why don't you tell the teacher that they are leaving?"
"Say it!"
Zhu Zhanji shrugged and took the lead in walking towards where Chen Kan was.
Zhu Zhanhe hurriedly followed.
The two junior brothers came to Chen Kan. Chen Kan was sitting on the carriage shaft, concentrating on reading a letter. When he noticed the arrival of Da Zhu and Xiao Zhu, he ignored it.
"Teacher, those two Taoist priests are gone."
Zhu Zhanji said nonchalantly.
Chen Kan nodded, still not looking away from the letter in his hand.
Zhu Zhanhe looked at Zhu Zhanji, then at the calm Chen Kan, and couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, aren't you afraid that something will happen to them outside?"
Chen Kan put away the letter and said casually: "If something happens, something will happen. There are so many Taoist priests in Longhu Mountain. If something happens to them, the worst thing is to ask Tianshi Zhang to send two more people to the capital."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhanhe was dumbfounded, his face full of disbelief.
Isn't this too irresponsible?
