In fact, the Northern Lands were now empty and sparsely populated. Large areas of wasteland needed labor to be reclaimed. The hundreds of thousands of young and strong Mongolians could be of use in the Northern Lands. However, Zhu Biao considered that the Mongolians were too familiar with the Northern Lands. They had a large number of people, and this place had just been recovered. The government's influence was still weak, so it was not safe to leave these people here. It was easy to gather them and cause trouble. Placing them at the Yangtze River to build a dike could avoid these risks very well, because that was the hinterland of the Central Plains. The Han people had many government offices and strong ruling power. The Mongolians were unfamiliar with the place and had no foundation. Even if he was a tiger, he would have to lie down obediently.
However, this suggestion was not only related to the issue of the captives, but also to the arrangements in the rear. They were the northern expedition army, and the military affairs were under their control, but the civil affairs in the rear were not under their control.
Therefore, Xu Da had Zhu Biao write a secret letter to the Emperor's father overnight. Xu Da, as the commander of the Northern Expedition, signed his name and then sent it to Ying Tian.
Of course, along with this secret document, there was also the report of this great victory.
At the same time, Deng Yu, Ma Sandao, Zhu Wenzhong, and the others each led 10,000 elite soldiers out of Bianliang City and began to wipe out the Yuan Court forces in the other prefectures in the north, south, and west of Yu Province, bringing the entire Yu Province under the rule of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Biao thought that he would relax and wait for his father's decree to arrive. After settling Yu Province, he would win all the way and follow the Northern Expedition Army to capture Emperor Yuan Shun and recover the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun.
He did not expect that after a day of leisure, he would be captured by Xu Da, this old fox. Moreover, he had a very good reason.
"Crown Prince, my Old Xu is a general who only knows how to fight. The government affairs of Bianliang Prefecture are really giving me a headache. You are the Crown Prince and will be governing the country in the future.”
"Minister Xu, you're still the Left Prime Minister. It's only right for the Prime Minister to manage the government!" Zhu Biao said angrily.”
Xu Da coughed and sighed. He said aggrievedly,"Crown Prince, didn't our Left Prime Minister bite the bullet and let you drag him up?”The old man's tone was a little bitter.
Zhu Biao looked at the pile of documents on Xu Da's desk that was so tall that it could almost bury him in it. He was also a little afraid and stubbornly resisted,"I'm only thirteen years old. I don't know anything yet, and my talent is limited. How can I handle these government affairs? Minister Xu, you think too highly of me!”
"Crown Prince, you don't have to be humble. We and the soldiers have seen everything you've done since the beginning of the expedition. This time, we were able to successfully take Bianliang and eliminate almost all the main forces of the Yuan army in one fell swoop. We were able to capture the Henan King of the Yuan Dynasty and the Left Prime Minister of the Ministry of Central Affairs, Wang Baobao.”
Seeing that Zhu Biao still wanted to say something, Xu Da hurriedly added," Crown Prince, this old minister has been dreaming about these documents and files at night recently. I often wake up from my dreams. This old minister feels that if this continues, this old minister will probably die halfway before I reach the capital. Please sympathize with this old minister…"
This old fox made it sound so pitiful that Zhu Biao couldn't bear to see it.
Xu Da saw that Zhu Biao was hesitating." How about this, Crown Prince will take over my place for a day or two and let me rest for a while. What do you think?”
Zhu Biao thought that it would be fine for a day or two. He even had a two-day break after work. Old Zhu's family could not always squeeze Xu Da like this, so he nodded and agreed.
He did not expect that he would fall into Xu Da's trap the moment he agreed. Two days later, when he wanted to push Xu Da up again, Xu Da was actually sick. As the Crown Prince and Deputy Commander, he definitely had to visit the residence.
Xu Da lay on the bed, his face a little pale. He said that his old injuries were acting up, and the military doctor said that he would need to recuperate for half a month.
Zhu Biao came out of Xu Da's mansion and bumped into Chang Yuchun at the door.
"Minister Chang, are you here to see Minister Xu?”
Chang Yuchun bowed to Zhang Ran first, then asked with a confused expression,""Look at Old Xu? What was there to see about Old Xu? I'm here to drink with Old Xu. That old fellow went to my place yesterday and drank a lot of my wine, so I have to drink at his place today. Otherwise, wouldn't I lose a lot? We won't make a loss!"
Zhu Biao's face darkened. This Xu Da was indeed pretending to be sick. How could it be such a coincidence?
He was both angry and amused.
In order to get rid of those government affairs, the dignified number one general of Great Ming had even done something as shameless as pretending to be sick. However, it also reflected how much the other party hated these documents.
Zhu Biao thought about it again. Perhaps Xu Da did not have a deep hatred for government affairs. He was just trying to avoid suspicion. He was now the number one person in the Ming army. If he showed a strong interest in government affairs, it would inevitably make people suspect that he was plotting something.
This old fox was indeed not simple. He had thought long term and already knew how to protect himself. No wonder he could become one of the few founding fathers of the Ming Dynasty who could die of old age.
"Minister Chang, when you see Minister Xu later, please help me pass a message!”
"Is it some secret order?" Chang Yuchun asked seriously. I will definitely bring it!"
"Just tell him that I said he's really an old loach!”
"Ah?" Chang Yuchun was dumbfounded.
After Zhu Biao left the marshal's residence, Chang Yuchun hurriedly went in to relay the news. Xu Da was stunned for a moment before he got up from the bed and laughed."Crown Prince is truly wise and wise!”
Chang Yuchun sat down on the stool beside Xu Da and said worriedly,""Old Xu, did you offend the Crown Prince? Do you want me to help you explain? Didn't you tell me that the Crown Prince is the future emperor and will ascend to the throne sooner or later? Did you tell me to serve him carefully so that he won't be punished later? Why didn't you pay attention to it?"
"Don't worry, we're just planning for the future!" Xu Da smiled mysteriously.”
Yingtian Prefecture Forbidden City
Zhu Yuanzhang and Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen were discussing matters in the Palace of Heavenly Purity when Mao Xiang came in to report that the Minister of War, Shan Anren, was seeking an audience.
"Dan Anren? There must be something important for him to come to the palace to see me. Quickly pass it on!”
The moment Dan Anren entered, he knelt down with a face full of joy and said loudly,"Emperor, great victory! Xu Da and the Crown Prince had won a great battle at Bianliang City, killing 170,000 enemies and capturing Wang Baobao alive!”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。