Spring, five years.
The Darming Dynasty's second northern expedition was imminent.
The founding emperor of the Darming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, had made ample preparations for this northern expedition.
A total of 150,000 elite cavalry and 300,000 warhorses were ready to set off.
This ambitious founding emperor was prepared to completely resolve the Northern Yuan Imperial Court that was entrenched in the northern grasslands and constantly threatened the Darming Dynasty.
However, before they set off, the issue of the commander of the 150,000-strong army became a headache for Zhu Yuanzhang.
Logically speaking, such an important battle of the northern expedition was naturally none other than his trusted aide, Xu Da.
The problem was that Xu Da had made outstanding military achievements these few years, and his contributions were outstanding. It had already reached the point where there was no reward for him.
In the third year of Hongwu, after Xu Da led his army to the first Northern Expedition and won a great victory, he was granted the title of Military Minister of the Founding State, Guanglu Doctor, Right Pillar State, Grand Tutor, Right Prime Minister of the Ministry of Central Affairs, Military State Affairs, Duke of Wei, 5,000 stones of annual salary, hereditary title, and iron certificates.
It could be said that the official titles had basically reached their end.
If he were to be conferred another title, he could only be conferred the title of King of a different surname.
This undoubtedly touched the bottom line of the founding emperor.
It wasn't that the Ming Dynasty couldn't have a king with a different surname, but there definitely couldn't be a living king with a different surname.
This was Zhu Yuanzhang's bottom line.
This was the problem. If Xu Da was not used, Zhu Yuanzhang would not be at ease.
150,000 elite cavalry and 300,000 warhorses were almost the entire strength of the Ming Empire.
If anything went wrong, it would be a huge blow to the entire Great Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, he had to use Xu Da.
Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was in a dilemma, his wife, Empress Ma, made a suggestion.
Becoming in-laws with Xu Da would improve the relationship between the two families. At the same time, it could also be considered as another reward for Xu Da.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, and it seemed like this was the only way.
Thus, he came to the main hall that was specially designed for the princes to study the next day, preparing to pick one of the older sons to be Xu Da's son-in-law.
Just as he reached the entrance of the main hall, he bumped into Crown Prince Zhu Biao.
"Your son greets Imperial Father!"
Zhu Biao bowed with a gentle smile.
As the Crown Prince of Ming Dynasty, Zhu Biao had long known the purpose of his father's visit.
Zhu Biao was also very happy to see his marriage with Xu Da.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.
"Boss, come with us."
Zhu Biao quickly followed.
The father and son walked into the main hall one after another.
As soon as he reached the door, the sound of someone memorizing came from the main hall.
" Confucius said: Poem, poem 300…"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard the voice, he knew that it was his second son, the King of Qin, Zhu Wei.
Zhu Yuanzhang subconsciously stopped in his tracks and waved his hand to signal for everyone to stop.
He wanted to see how his sons were doing.
In the main hall, Zhu Rong scratched his ears and cheeks as he tried hard to recall. After a long time, he finally said,
" To put it in a nutshell, thinking of evil is not, no, thinking of evil is not. Confucius said, learn at fifty. As for learning..."
"I was 15 years old and devoted to learning. I was 30 years old, 40 years old…40 years old…"
The stumped Zhu Rong subconsciously looked at his third brother, Prince Jin Zhu Rong.
He did not notice that the teacher, Song Lian, had already walked to his side with a ruler in hand.
Seeing this, Zhu Xiong could only brace himself and remind him silently.
Looking at the mouth shape of his Zhu Xi, Zhu Xi continued to carry it in a stumbling manner.
"Forty, no doubt, no…"
She raised her head and saw her teacher, Song Lian, standing in front of her.
"Teacher…"
Zhu Rong's face was bitter. He knew that he was going to be beaten again. He could only stretch out his left hand with a bitter face.
Teacher Song Lian said indifferently,"
"Right hand, left hand, yesterday.”
Zhu Rong had no choice but to extend his right hand.
"Pa!"
"Aiyo!"
Zhu Xiong screamed in pain.
Outside the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang happened to see this scene through the window.
Hearing Zhu Rong's cries of pain in the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was instantly displeased.
"Why did he hit my son again?"
He turned to look at Zhu Biao and said unhappily,"
"This old fogey…"
Zhu Biao smiled and pointed at the teacher inside.
"It's Mr. Song."
Zhu Yuanzhang's face stiffened.
Song Lian, the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy that he had personally appointed, was the Crown Prince's teacher and had the title of 'Five Classics Master'.
He was also famous for being strict with his students.
He really couldn't take the opportunity to flare up when the other party was teaching the princes on his behalf.
He could only continue to watch and see what this old boy could teach his sons.
In the main hall, Zhu Xi, who had been punished, sat down with a bitter laugh.
Song Lian looked at Prince Jin Zhu Xi.
"Your Highness Jin Wang, it's your turn."
King Zhu of Jin was different from his second brother Zhu. He was smart, brave, dignified and resourceful.
Therefore, he could be said to be at ease with Song Lian's examination and could recite it backwards.
Zhu Yuanzhang listened from outside and was very satisfied. He felt that Song Lian, this old fellow, still had some skills.
The unhappiness from before was immediately swept away.
Song Lian, who was in the main hall, was also very satisfied. He nodded lightly.
"Clear!"
After saying that, Song Lian continued to call out names.
" Your Highness, King Yan, Yan..."
When Song Lian looked at the back row, he was stunned.
The two tables in the back row were empty.
Outside the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang could clearly see the situation inside through the paper window. His face instantly darkened.
He walked straight into the main hall.
In the main hall, when everyone saw Zhu Yuanzhang arrive, they hurriedly bowed.
"Your son greets Imperial Father!"
"This old subject greets Your Majesty miserably!"
Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent. After sweeping his gaze across the main hall, he frowned slightly and walked up to Song Lian. After letting Song Lian stand up, he asked,
"Where are our fourth and fifth brother?"
Song Lian was also confused."
"This…"
He was also an old man, so he really didn't notice that there were two princes missing from his class. For a moment, he didn't know how to explain.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and looked at Zhu Biao,"
"Where are Fourth and Fifth?"
Zhu Biao was also a little confused. He did not expect that there would be a prince who dared to skip class when Song Lian was in class. Moreover, there were two of them.
More importantly, he was caught red-handed by his father.
This time, he could not protect her even if he wanted to.
……
At the same time, in a side hall of the Imperial Palace.
Zhu Rong was lying on a rocking chair, basking in the sun. Two palace maids were massaging his shoulders, one on each side.
Around them, more than a dozen eunuchs were sweating profusely as they raised hoes and reclaimed the idle land in the side hall.
These lands were originally used to raise flowers and plants.
Now, it had been reclaimed into farmland.
Zhu Rong reminded him from time to time,"
"All of you, be careful. I asked you to plant treasures. If anyone dares to not be sad for me, be careful that I will beat you up!”
The eunuchs could only nod their heads submissively.
In reality, the eunuchs were crying out in their hearts.
Didn't they enter the palace with nothing to show for it because they wanted to get rid of the days when they had to face the yellow soil and back to the sky?
He didn't expect that after entering the palace, he would still come to farm.
He wanted to cry but had no tears!
At this moment, the little palace maid Xiao Rou who was massaging Zhu Cui's back asked in confusion,
"Master, what did you ask them to plant? Is it so precious?"
Xiao Rou was five years older than Zhu Rong. She had been serving Zhu Rong since she was a child and could be considered an elder by his side.
Zhu Rong raised his head and enjoyed Rourou's massage. He crossed his legs and said,"
"Of course it's a treasure. Everything they grow now is money.”
As he spoke, Zhu Xiong sat up proudly and pointed at one of the newly planted seedlings.
"Do you know what that is?"
Xiao Rou nodded.
"I know. As for rice, my family is from the south. When I was young, I even helped my parents plant it.”
Zhu Xiong chuckled and said,
"Then do you know how much grain your family can produce per mu of paddy field?”
Xiao Rou bit her lip and thought for a moment.
"It's only about three hundred catties. It can be planted twice a year. I heard that it can be planted three times in Lingnan, but this servant doesn't know the details.”
Zhu Rong laughed,"
"Then do you know how much rice I can grow?”
Xiao Rou shook her head,
"This servant doesn't know, but this servant knows that the things this master grows are definitely extraordinary.”
Zhu Rong enjoyed Xiao Rou's flattery.
"Let me tell you this. The rice I grow, even in the north, has a yield of at least 1,000 catties per mu.”
"If it were in the south, the yield per mu could reach about 1400 jin, and it could be harvested three times a year.”
Xiao Rou was stunned when she heard Zhu Rong's words."
"More than 1,000 catties. That's quite a lot.”
She didn't realize what it meant to have a yield of more than 500 kilograms of rice per mu.
It felt like a lot.
Zhu Xiong continued to introduce with great interest,"
"This is nothing."
"Look at the things planted on those two plots of land. That's what I call good stuff.”
"In those two fields, one is called potato and the other is called sweet potato. The yield per mu can reach three to five thousand catties. If it is cultivated well, it is possible to reach seven to eight thousand catties.”
"There's also the one over there. It's called corn, which is also a high-yield crop. Chili, this thing is amazing. When it's used to stir-fry vegetables, the taste is superb.”
"Peanut, not only can it be eaten, but it can also be made into medicine.”
"Tomatoes, not only do they taste good, but they're also very nutritious.”
"Pineapple, a very delicious fruit. It can relieve heat and quench thirst in summer, and help digestion and diarrhea.”
"These things are all rare good things that Big Ming has seen. When they are planted, they will all be money.”
Xiao Rou smiled foolishly.
"This servant doesn't understand, but this servant knows that if master says it's good stuff, then these things definitely won't be bad.”
Zhu Rong felt comfortable listening to this and was about to continue talking to Xiao Rou about the things in the courtyard when a large group of Imperial Army soldiers suddenly barged in.
Zhu Rong, who was smiling, was stunned when he saw this. Then, he seemed to have thought of something and slapped his thigh.
"This is bad! Old Song's class!"
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