my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 300 Open Your Eyes

"Your Majesty, the hunting grounds have begun to be closed, and the camp has been established."

Jin Zhongzuo reported the incident, and he seemed very tired these few days.

Last time, His Majesty ordered him and Duke Ding Xu Jingchang.

Xu Jingchang was still young, so it was obvious that he was scolding at the young Duke Ding, so he should be careful.

And if those sons of honored ministers are all dudes, he, Minister of the Ministry of War, has assumed the responsibility.

Although those guys have nothing to do with him, but the Minister of the Ministry of War is like this, who let you manage the soldiers?
Jin Zhong couldn't help those disciples of the honorable ministers to practice riding and archery obediently. After all, he couldn't control it if he wanted to. At this time, what he should do was to do his best to prepare for the hunt.

After all, attitude is the most important thing. If not, during the hunting process, it was found that many of the sons of Xunchen were not up to date, and I am afraid that he would be punished.

After hearing Jin Zhong's report, Zhu Di nodded and said, "I ruled the world with martial arts. If the sons of Lian Xunchen don't practice martial arts, who will protect the country in the future? I heard that there is a son of a certain Marquis who walks through the streets wearing a woman's clothes every day. , is there such a thing?"

Jin Zhong was so frightened that his expression changed.

At this time, the atmosphere in Daming was not bad, unlike a hundred years later, those ministers and officials’ children brought a few prostitutes with them, and some people painted them, but occasionally there were some unconventional people.

Jin Zhong just wanted to shout out, this has nothing to do with me!
But he couldn't say this, but he could only say: "Your Majesty, there are occasional children who don't learn and give up on themselves...Your Majesty, don't worry about it."

"Damn it." Zhu Di was furious, and cursed: "If I saw it on the street, I would definitely beat him to death."

"Yes, yes, yes." Seeing that Zhu Di was furious, Jin Zhong said, "This round of hunting not only shows that the court attaches great importance to military equipment, but also serves as a review of the younger generation. Your Majesty's move is far-sighted."

Zhu Di put his hands behind his back, but seemed dissatisfied, and then quietly said: "I hope... it will be of some use. I am old, and sooner or later... I am going to see Emperor Taizu Gao. In the future of Ming Dynasty, I will still point to the crown prince. , also pointing at these disciples, if they are all useless, hey..."

Zhu Di shook his head, showing a bit of Xiao Suo's disappointment: "For this round of hunting, I will bring the emperor's grandson and let Zhan Ji accompany me. Although he is young, he still has to sharpen his skills. I have to teach him that this country is a big place. Sheji did not fall from the sky."

"Yes." Jin Zhong said: "Your Majesty puts so much effort into it. If the emperor's grandson and all the disciples of the honored ministers can understand it, they will definitely study harder and practice harder, and dare not waste their time."

Zhu Di was in a better mood only when the emperor's grandson Zhu Zhanji was mentioned. He cheered up, smiled and said: "I haven't been active for a long time. I think when I was in Beiping, if it wasn't during the war, I would often go out." Hunting has been neglected in the past few years. This time... we should also set an example for the three armies, and let others know that even I did not leave this horse behind."

After Jin Zhong listened, he nodded again and again.

But I couldn't help thinking in my heart, fortunately I didn't hunt often, if not, the rabbits and elk in Zijin Mountain would be in trouble.

After the duet between the monarch and his ministers ended, Jin Zhong resigned.

Zhu Di looked up at Yishiha, and said, "I heard that Jingyi is pregnant again?"

Yi Shiha said: "Yes."

Zhu Di smiled and said, "That boy, he didn't delay anything."

Yishiha laughed dryly and said, "Your Majesty is right."

"Hey, this guy is good at everything, but he is not good at bowing horses." When he said this, Zhu Di couldn't help showing a bit of disgust on his face.

"Your Majesty has always treated Wei Guogong kindly. If you want to come, Your Majesty..." Yi Shiha followed Zhu Di's heart and said: "If you think about it, your Majesty is also worried that Wei Guogong will lose his face when he rides and shoots. Why don't you use an excuse so that Wei Guogong doesn't have to appear on the stage?" , such as giving him an errand..."

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, thought about it seriously, but shook his head and said: "This is not possible. If Zhang Anshi does not appear on the stage, the rest will be called unfair. These sons and daughters of honored officials are usually rebellious. Now arrest them for review. They are filled with resentment. If they find a reason, they must feel that if Zhang Anshi doesn’t need to learn bow and horse, why can’t they?”

Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty is still thinking carefully."

"However, these days, let Zhang Anshi hold Buddha's feet temporarily, even if he misses the shot, it's good to improve his horseback riding skills, at least it doesn't look ugly." Zhu Di said solemnly.

Yi Shiha smiled slightly, but said nothing.

Some things really need talent, this Wei Guogong...

Zhu Di said: "Before we set off, please explain to the East Palace that no women are allowed to take care of the emperor's grandson, and only one eunuch is allowed to accompany me. He is allowed to go with me. He also needs to ride a horse along the way, and no sedan chair or public transportation is allowed."

Yi Shiha said: "The servant obeys the order, but the servant is worried... the emperor's grandson..."

"There's nothing to worry about." Zhu Di said nonchalantly, "At his age, I've already gone to the roof tiles. Even if there are some bumps and bumps, it's justified. I'm afraid this kid has never bumped into anything since he was a child."

Regarding this hunt, there was a lot of discussion among the market.

After all, there was too much movement, and the forbidden troops from all walks of life were stationed at the foot of Zijin Mountain, and the camps stretched for more than ten miles.

The disciples of the military officials in the capital usually hold their feet temporarily, even if they go out, they no longer ride in a car, but ride a horse instead.

After all, His Majesty watched it in person, and if there was anything wrong, he would have to be scolded, and someone might even be singled out as a model, and if he lost his title at that time, it would be really ineffective every day.

Only Zhang Anshi was still calm and relaxed. Apart from staying with Xu Jingyi at home, he also went out occasionally, and even went to Wuhu County.

On the one hand, I went to see the Taochong Iron Mine, which is about to be put into production recently. The scale of iron ore discovered here is extremely large. The most important thing is that the iron ore can be mined in the open pit, and the iron content of the ore is also quite high. In Daming, iron mines were not allowed to be mined privately, so Qixia Trading Company had to set up a special iron ore bureau to be responsible for large-scale mining.

The commercial bank has a problem of capital and manpower. After the Taiping government's new policy, it has been released enough. Here alone, it has recruited more than 5000 young and strong people, plus other management, accounting and other personnel, and it is close to [-] people.

Not only that, but the government has recruited a large number of civilians to prepare a road to the pier, and a nearby waterway also needs to be dredged, so that the ore can be transported out at low cost.

The government office is very enthusiastic about dredging waterways and building roads, because according to this scale, the annual tax revenue from this iron mine to the government office may exceed 7 taels of silver a year.

What's more, with the large-scale mining of iron ore, the supply price of this iron ore may also drop accordingly. Large-scale iron smelting also means that a large amount of coal and other resources are required. Many merchants have also seen business opportunities. He began to think of ways to lease the nearby coal mines, and even set up a market in the miners' camp at the foot of the mountain.

In the future, at least a town with a scale of more than 5 people will be formed here. If mining is to be increased in the future, the scale of the camp will be even larger, even exceeding [-] to [-] people.

The county magistrate of Wuhu County accompanied Zhang Anshi for a walk around the mine. He was very excited and had great expectations for this iron mine. He even said that there was a copper mine nearby that was also ready to be mined. Need to recruit more manpower.

Now the manpower in Wuhu County is actually starting to be a little tight. The local gentry can hardly attract young and strong men to rent and plant their land.

After all, going out to make a living, even working in an iron mine, is hard work, but the wages are enough for an old family to live comfortably. Who wants to rent and grow land?

Therefore, most of the people who still rent and grow land are mostly the old and weak in the countryside. Even these old and weak are now popular. After all, it is good to find people now. In Wuhu County alone, the price of land rent has plummeted by at least [-]%. Rent and grow land, at least [-]% should be handed over, but now, two or three achievements are enough.

The county magistrate of Wuhu County mentioned this, and couldn't help saying: "Nowadays, the gentry in the county, everyone complains, saying that they can't keep going."

Zhang Anshi said indifferently: "Don't worry about complaining, as long as they don't have other crooked thoughts, if not, no wonder I'm being rude."

"They dare not." The county magistrate said firmly.

At some point, the county magistrate was assimilated by Zhang Anshi. In the past, he couldn't help frowning when he mentioned the sufferings of the gentry, but now he vented his breath through the same nostrils as Zhang Anshi, as if he was not from a gentry family.On the contrary, listening to the wailing of these gentry, there is an indescribable joy.

Therefore, he continued: "If you dare to make trouble, you don't need the father-in-law to take action, and the officials will teach them to cry without tears."

Zhang Anshi smiled with satisfaction, nodded and said: "Actually, if they are smart, they can develop some industries on their own, not to mention other things, just oil extraction. Now there is a great demand for edible oil. After all, as before, Because with the land, the days when you can lie down and eat and die are gone forever.”

Zhang Anshi saw the mine and was very satisfied, so he went back home with confidence.

But winter is approaching, and the time for hunting has come.

Zhu Di led his ministers, officials and imperial guards to the southern foot of Zijin Mountain.

Set up camp here.

Countless guards began to search the mountains, and drove countless wild animals towards the camp.

All of a sudden, the whole mountain forest shook, but Zhu Di was not in a hurry. He stayed here for two days and took Zhu Zhanji for a leisurely walk around the area.

He doesn't like to bring guards. After all, the perimeter here has long been guarded by guards, so he doesn't want the subordinates to get closer, so he only rides on a horse. Zhu Zhanji, who is eight or nine years old, rides a pony. The two were talking gossip to each other.

"It seems that you are good at riding a horse, and you have worked hard." Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji dotingly, with unconcealable relief in his eyes, but he still said: "I am worried that you will not be able to bear the hardship."

"Grandpa Huang also said that he would take his grandson to kill Tartars in the desert, but...he never made it. He taught me how to ride a horse for nothing," Zhu Zhanji said.

Zhu Di laughed loudly and said, "I was going there, but unfortunately, this tartar is useless, of course..."

Speaking of this, Zhu Di pulled his face down and said: "If we are not useful, we can't be complacent. The enemies in this desert rise and fall. Without the Xiongnu, there will be Xianbei, and without Xianbei, there will be Xianbei again." Turks came, and then Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongolia."

"My confidant will eventually have a serious problem. Even if this confidant is not in the desert in the north, it will definitely appear in other places. You are my grandson. In the future, the wealth and lives of thousands of subjects will be maintained on you. You This bow and horse can't be wasted just because it can't kill the Tartars."

Zhu Zhanji put on a serious look on his tender face, and said, "Yes."

Looking at Zhu Zhanji's growing face, Zhu Di couldn't help saying: "My grandson is going to grow up, and I'm going to be old too."

In Zhu Di's tone, there was a feeling of a hero's twilight, both melancholy and gratified.

Zhu Zhanji blinked, and then said: "Grandpa Huang, shall we roast rabbits tonight?"

Zhu Di smiled and said: "You want to eat. When you hunt tomorrow, eat what you shoot, and someone else shoots, shaved, skinned, and roasted for you. What's the point of eating it?"

Zhu Zhanji showed a bit of distress on his small face, and said, "Grandpa Huang, I'm very worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried about uncle, uncle can't shoot rabbits, he has no rabbits to eat."

Zhu Di was provoked into laughing again: "Your uncle is really not good at bowing horses. His ability is not in it. Not being able to eat rabbits is a minor issue, but being ugly is a major issue."

Zhu Zhanji said: "But my uncle said that he is very capable."

"Don't listen to his nonsense, the ruler is long and the inch is short, this guy is just coaxing you."

"Oh." Zhu Zhanji said: "After hearing what Grandpa Huang said, I am even more worried, and I feel sorry for him."

Zhu Di smiled and said: "Okay, you little pony is probably tired, teach it to rest, let's get off the horse and take a walk, are you cold, do you want to add clothes?"

Zhu Zhanji shook his head.

Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanji dismounted in the forest, went to a small stream, and washed their hands. Zhu Zhanji also followed suit, but it was winter, and it was bitingly cold to enter the stream with his hands.

Zhu Di seemed to recall something, and said heartily: "When the emperor was young, he was in Fengyang. At that time... Taizu Emperor Gao didn't allow us to bathe in hot water, so we used well water to cleanse ourselves in winter. , haha, that taste..."

Zhu Zhanji said: "Why did Emperor Taizu Gao do this?"

Zhu Di said: "Naturally, they want to torture us, teach us that a rich life is not something that comes for nothing, and teach us not to forget our roots, because Emperor Taizu Gao used cold water to bathe when he was young."

Zhu Zhanji said: "I know, you can't forget your roots when you are a man. When I become emperor, I will teach uncle to bathe in cold water, and teach him not to forget your roots. It is not easy to live a rich life."

After hearing this, Zhu Di laughed so hard that he coughed desperately, and couldn't help saying: "This is impossible, your uncle will get sick."

Zhu Zhanji thought about it angrily, and then said: "Oh. Then I will go back and take a bath with cold water."

Zhu Di said: "If you are willing, then give it a try. If you feel that you can't stand it, Grandpa Huang will not make things difficult for you."

Zhu Zhanji said: "Don't worry, I can bear it."

"Don't step on puddles."

"Oh."

On this side, the grandfather and grandson are full of warmth, while Zhang Anshi on the other side only arrived at Daying in the evening.

He explained the affairs of the government office, so he came late, and went to see the driver first. Zhu Di was a little tired at this time, and he only said a few gossips. Being teased by others, I will work harder in the future.

Zhang Anshi said confidently, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will teach all the rabbits here to know the prestige of my minister."

Abandoning the harsh words, he went to look for Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Zhanji was in a tent not far from Zhu Di's big tent. charcoal basin.

Zhang Anshi went in and looked at the scene, and couldn't help saying: "Why, it's just winter, so you are like this?"

"Uncle, I took a cold bath." Zhu Zhanji said proudly.

Zhang Anshi was stunned, and said, "Which bastard taught this! My poor Zhanji, don't listen to people's instigation, uncle will feel bad."

Zhu Zhanji said: "It was taught by Grandpa Huang."

Zhang Anshi's face twitched, and after a moment of silence, he said with a stern face: "Heaven is about to send a great mission to the people, and it will be hard on their hearts and minds. Your Majesty is far-sighted and has great expectations for you. You must not Live up to his old man's expectations of you."

Zhu Zhanji said: "Uncle, riding and shooting tomorrow, what if I miss the shot, will it..."

Zhang Anshi touched his head; "Don't worry, you are still young, no one blames you."

Zhu Zhanji said: "I'm going to sleep with Uncle tonight."

"You shameless brat." Zhang Anshi scolded him while taking off his boots: "This couch is a bit small, don't squeeze me, will you snore now? I'm most afraid of someone snoring."

Dawn the next day.

It was freezing cold.

Zhang Anshi specially added a shirt, first sent Zhu Zhanji to Zhu Di's camp, and then went to meet a few brothers himself.

Zhu Yong, Zhang Fu, and Qiu Song are several miles away from the camp, and they are already sharpening their swords.

Being able to perform in front of His Majesty is definitely something to look forward to for these young people.

Zhu Yong was the first to see Zhang Anshi, and shouted from a distance: "Brother."

Zhang Anshi waved at them, ran over quickly and said, "How are you, are you ready?"

"Get ready, shoot ten rabbits today and teach those people to open their eyes." Zhu said courageously: "Those guys dare to laugh at us three evils, it is simply unreasonable."

Zhang Anshi said: "Next time someone still laughs at you, go and beat us up first, and report our names as the four culprits."

"Forget it, they are still young, I don't want to bully them."

Among the sons of Xunchen, Zhu Yong is already considered the oldest, he is 20 years old now, and Zhang Fu is younger, but now a group of fifteen or sixteen-year-old boys have recently emerged, who are so stubborn that no one cares about them. in the eyes.

With the sound of the drum, and then the low whine of the horn.

Zhang Anshi led his brothers to gather in the direction of the sound of the drum on horseback.

Many disciples of honored ministers also came from all directions of the camp, with banners waving.

Zhu Di took Zhu Zhanji, as well as the princes, hou, and uncles of various states, and rode to the hunting ground surrounded by them.

The so-called Wai hunting, what stands out is the word Wai.

After all, the hunting activities are only for a few days, and the time is short, and since the emperor and ministers are dispatched, they must not return empty-handed, so in advance, there were forbidden troops from all directions to drive a large number of wild animals to the predetermined location. hunting grounds.

And in this hunting ground, there are already countless hares, elks, and a few wild boars. At first glance, it is very lively.

Zhu Di seemed to have said something, but Zhang Anshi was far away and couldn't hear it clearly. It should probably be to encourage everyone to hunt hard, and there is a big reward.

Anyway, Xunchen, his children and the imperial guards shouted long live, and Zhang Anshi also shouted long live a few times in a good manner.

Then I saw Zhu Zhanji quietly riding his pony, coming to join Zhang Anshi.

But Zhu Yong and the others were eager to try, gearing up to go hunting first.

Zhang Anshi got off the horse, and then got off the horse with Zhu Zhanji in his arms. The two found a huge rock and squatted on it side by side.

Seeing someone galloping on a galloping horse, bowing his bow and setting an arrow, after a while, someone cheered and cheered, as if he had hit the shot, and the eunuch sang, everyone praised him, and the person who hit the shot was elated, feeling very unhappy.

Zhang Anshi looked at this flamboyant young man with contempt, and couldn't help saying: "What kind of skill is this? Everyone in Tatar can ride horses and shoot arrows."

Zhu Zhanji, however, looked a bit worried, drooping his head and said: "The emperor wants me to shoot a few arrows too, Uncle, I'm afraid I can't shoot well."

Zhang Anshi touched his head and said, "Don't panic, don't panic, there will always be someone worse than you, as long as you are better than the worst one."

Zhu Zhanji said gloomily, "I'm afraid I'm not even as good as my uncle."

This is too insulting.

Zhang Anshi scolded: "What is this talking about, just wait and see."

Zhu Zhanji looked even more frustrated.

Zhang Anshi has real feelings for this little nephew. Seeing him like this, his heart suddenly softened, and he comforted him: "Don't panic, shoot with your heart, even if you miss it, don't worry, you are the grandson of the emperor, no one will touch you." Dare to blame you."

At this time, an eunuch came in a hurry and said: "The emperor's grandson, my lord, your majesty will teach you how to shoot."

The two got on their horses, and Zhu Zhanji rode first to meet Zhu Di.

Zhu Di seemed to be in high spirits today. At this time, his face was beaming with joy, and he said happily: "Haha, Zhu Yong is a good kid. He shot two hares and an elk in a short time. Okay, okay, father tiger No dogs. Wang Biwu, the son of the Marquis of Jing’an, is also very good, he shot one more wild animal than Zhu Yong, very good! Grandson, you should try it too, don’t be afraid.”

"Yes."

With that said, Zhu Zhanji rode his pony to the periphery of the hunting ground, with the saddle between his legs, bow and arrow.

Zhang Anshi cheered for him from a distance, and shouted again: "Don't be afraid, stay calm, it doesn't matter if you miss the shot..."

Whoosh, the sharp arrow left the bowstring and shot out through the air.

A hare was nailed to the ground in an instant.

The eunuch shouted: "The emperor's grandson shot a hare."

Zhang Anshi: "..."

After a while: "The emperor's grandson shot another hare."

"Overjoyed, overjoyed... The emperor's grandson hit three times in a row, and the emperor's grandson is mighty."

The atmosphere suddenly warmed up.

Zhu Di's face was full of red light, and his eyes exuded an incomparable brilliance.

Zhang Anshi: "..."

Worthy...

(End of this chapter)