Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Empress Xu left knowingly. In the empty emperor's chamber, only Zhu Di and Dao Yan sat opposite each other.

"Checks and balances? Who are the checks and balances? Master, you might as well speak clearly."

Zhu Di looked at Dao Yan seriously, a trace of alertness flashed in his eyes.

Dao Yan really didn't regard himself as an outsider. He picked up the edict of Jingnan Xungui Group as if no one else was watching. After looking at it for a few times, he raised his head and asked Zhu Di.

"Your Majesty, who do you think Ping'an and Shengyong can be used to check and balance?"

Zhu Di snorted coldly. Ping'an and Sheng Yong, as famous generals of the Southern Army, naturally represent some regional armies in the current situation where Hongwu's founding noble group is in decline and second-generation generals like Li Jinglong and Xu Huizu are not outstanding. Benefit.

This means that the Battle of Jingnan was actually a nationwide battle.

In order to defeat Zhu Di, Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen deployed Songpan Jingqi on the western border, chieftain soldiers from Yunnan and Guizhou in the southwest, soldiers and horses from Shaanxi and Shanxi in the north, and Liaodong soldiers who were divided by the Yan army, plus the Huaixi soldiers left to him by Zhu Yuanzhang. Strong pawn.

The real situation of the Battle of Jingnan was by no means what was recorded in the Spring and Autumn Period in later history books: "A strong wind blew by, and the originally declining Yan army prevailed." , the Yan army won again."

In fact, after Li Jinglong's defeat at Baigouhe and Zhu Di's attack on Jinan was frustrated, during the strategic stalemate between the two armies, Zhu Di used continuous strategic moves to tilt the balance of victory in his favor step by step.

Zhu Di first attacked from the east and west, destroying the Cangzhou camp hanging in the north, and then annihilated the main force of the Liaodong soldiers, which greatly reversed the strategic situation of the Yan army, which was surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Subsequently, Zhu Di severely defeated the Shanxi Front Army, so that the Shanxi Army did not dare to take the Datong-Xuanfu line and went out of the Taihang Mountains to invade Beiping, ensuring complete security in the northwest, northeast, southwest and other directions.

Then Zhu Di relied on the high mobility of the Yan army to completely damage the Southern army's true determination at the cost of the lives of several Yan army generals and tens of thousands of soldiers in several bloody battles such as Dongchang, Gaocheng, and Jiahe. , two major military groups in Texas.

Finally, it is Zhu Di's strategic decisive battle.

Don't believe it in the history books of later generations that "the eunuchs in the palace did not hide the truth from Emperor Jianwen and came out to tell Zhu Di that Nanjing was empty and they wanted to go straight to Nanjing."

Anyone with a brain can look at a map and know what the distance from Beijing to Nanjing was in ancient times.

Zhu Di led the Yan army in a desperate move south, with the purpose of pulling out the heavy southern army groups huddled in the two camps of Zhending and Dezhou.

This is equivalent to the enemy heroes being unable to get out of the upper and lower towers, but our team chose to gather in the middle to make a wave of high ground. The enemy was forced to come down from above to help, and was defeated one by one in the wild area.

Then Nanjing, the undefended crystal with its two incisor towers of the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River, was in vain.

In fact, after the decisive battle of Lingbi, all the effective forces of the Southern Army were wiped out. It was almost only a matter of time before the Yan Army crossed the river. Without any possible resistance, Emperor Jianwen could not make a comeback.

To defend the Jiang, you must defend the Huai, and in the decisive battle at Lingbi, Zhu Di had wiped out all the effective forces that Emperor Jianwen used to defend the Jiang and Huai.

The significance of the decisive battle at Lingbi can be almost equated with that of Huaihai in later generations.

Having said that, it means that Ping An and Sheng Yong, two of Zhu Di's defeated generals, still have some weight and prestige in the Ming army system today.

In other words, they can be used to slightly check and balance the somewhat swollen Jingnan Xungui Group.

After all, although Ping An and Sheng Yong made Zhu Di gnash his teeth with hatred, this also illustrates their abilities.

"Your Majesty's edict is a warning to Duke Qi, Duke Cheng and others, right?"

Zhu Di was silent and did not answer this question.

Dao Yan chuckled lightly and continued to ask: "Since your Majesty has made a choice, your Majesty should actually understand in your heart that relying on a piece of edict is useless. Leave Ping An and Sheng Yong behind and forgive these two people who have been with your Majesty. A general who is an enemy is the real way to defeat Jingnan."

"What do you mean? Are you working as a lobbyist for Chi'er?"

Zhu Di stared at Dao Yan sharply.

In Zhu Di's perception, Dao Yan is indeed biased towards Zhu Gaochi.

In any case, during the Battle of Jingnan, Dao Yan and Zhu Gaochi worked together in Peking for four years.

During those difficult years, Zhu Gaochi, who was in his early twenties, had two teachers. One was Gu Cheng, the veteran general who taught him how to defend the city and defend the Southern Army from Shanxi and Liaodong directions; the other taught him how to handle government affairs. How to raise supplies and supplies for the army and how to arrange the auxiliary soldiers and civilians.

Moreover, just two months ago, Dao Yan had a big quarrel with Zhu Di because Zhu Di would not let Zhu Gaochi attend classes, which would create a gap between the two princes.

Therefore, Zhu Di took it for granted that it was precisely because there was a lot of discussion between the government and the public about the Jingnan nobles collectively clamoring to establish the second prince Zhu Gaoxu as the crown prince that Zhu Gaochi learned the news and asked Daoyan for help.

Otherwise, how else to explain Dao Yan's proposal to reuse Ping An and Sheng Yong to check and balance the Jingnan Xungui Group, which is becoming increasingly arrogant and domineering?

This proposal is definitely beneficial to Zhu Gaochi.

Because in the Jingnan Xungui Group, except for the veteran general Gu Cheng and the junior Zhang Fu, no one else was on Zhu Gaochi's side at all.

Dao Yan looked leisurely and calmly put down the edict in his hand.

"That's not the case. I have known you for many years, and your Majesty still doesn't understand. How could I get involved in your majesty's family affairs because of my position? I just make decisions for your majesty."

"Your Majesty should have already guessed the purpose of Honorable Jingnan this time, right? The noise is false. It is true to express their opposition and contempt for the civil servants in Jiangnan."

Zhu Di knew that everything Dao Yan said was true.

In fact, the only person Zhu Di could discuss with others about establishing a prince was Dao Yan, who could talk about everything.

There is nothing more lonely than an emperor.

Zhu Di's luck is that he still has a friend in Dao Yan.

Of course, Zhu Di's misfortune is that Dao Yan actually has other ideas hidden.

Zhu Di's expression changed slightly. He looked at Dao Yan intently, and then sneered after a long while.

"I have expected this for a long time, but these old friends who have followed me through life and death, including you, if it is not for rebellion, how could I really do anything to you?"

"Tell me, Master Daoyan." Zhu Di put his hand on his forehead, "What's your plan for this dispute?"

"My plan is also very simple."

Dao Yan did not call himself "Lao Na", but he obviously came to play against Zhu Di in a very formal capacity.

"It's just those few."

"First, as Jiang Sheng said, if your Majesty intends to make the eldest prince the crown prince, just send the second prince overseas to divide vassals and establish a country. Be it Luzon or Tianzhu, which are far away from China. Feel free and at ease, and your life will no longer be in danger.”

Zhu Di shook his head. He was undecided now. The matter of establishing a prince was still in a tangled stage. How could he just throw his second son overseas?

If the second child is thrown overseas, will the third child go?

Not to mention whether Queen Xu's distressed son would agree, even Zhu Di himself was reluctant to part with it.

In fact, Zhu Di really likes Zhu Gaoxu who resembles him so well.

Seeing Zhu Di shaking his head, Dao Yan was not discouraged and continued.

"Second, if Your Majesty intends to make the second prince the crown prince, then the eldest prince must be deposed as a commoner and imprisoned in order to be safe."

Zhu Di glared at Dao Yan angrily.

The old monk Jing mentioned these unreliable things, obviously trying to make up the number of top, middle and bottom strategies.

"Third, in fact, in the secret room that day, Your Majesty was thinking deeply. I think His Majesty also thought about it, and now he is also hesitating. That is to separate the eldest prince and the second prince, and send one to Nanjing. One is sent to Beijing.”

Zhu Di suddenly remembered what Dao Yan said at the beginning.

"What if I choose the third strategy?" Zhu Di looked at Dao Yan and asked, "What does the master mean by sending Ping An and Sheng Yong to the second son to take charge of the military?"

Dao Yan smiled and said: "It depends on whether His Majesty is relieved or not, or how many checks and balances Your Majesty intends to make."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Di actually already had the answer in his heart.

"If Your Majesty just doesn't want the second prince to take control of the military in case something unexpected happens, then it would be enough to send Ping An and Sheng Yong to the second prince to take control of the military. After all, Ping An and Sheng Yong should know well that Your Majesty will not kill them. They are all showing mercy outside the law. If they are re-employed, they will definitely be grateful to His Majesty and remain loyal."

Zhu Di nodded slightly. This was the truth. However, he felt that Ping An and Sheng Yong had disgusted him for too long in the past. Now that he has no shortage of capable generals under his command, there is no need to leave these two people to cause trouble for him.

But if these two people are still useful, and they are of great use, Zhu Di doesn't mind keeping them for further use.

"So, as long as His Majesty reactivates Ping An and Sheng Yong, Ping An and Sheng Yong will never be attracted by the eldest prince or the second prince, and will only obey your Majesty's orders. In other words, they will not be subordinate to Jingnan Xungui Or the civil service group. Your Majesty, you also know that for the civil service group, the first person they think is responsible for Jing Nan is Cao Guogong Li Jinglong, the second person is Sheng Yong, and the third person is Ping An. Ping Anhe Sheng Yong and the others can no longer be accepted by the civil service group."

"This is what it means to use Ping'an and Shengyong to check and balance the second prince."

"And if you are still worried about Ping An and Sheng Yong, you can also ask old general Gu Cheng and Zhang Fu to go together. In this way, Gu Cheng and Zhang Fu, who are inclined to the eldest prince, will be able to communicate with the second prince, Ping An and Sheng Yong. Sheng Yong means that the three parties will act as checks and balances."

Dao Yan added: "Of course, Gu Cheng and Zhang Fu are just leaning towards the eldest prince. In fact, they still listen to His Majesty's words."

After listening to Dao Yan's words, Zhu Di frowned.

Dao Yan's proposal is really tempting. If you don't take into account the grievances between Zhu Di and Ping An and Sheng Yong, Zhu Di was almost immediately moved because it was too tempting for Zhu Di.

Zhu Di swallowed and continued to ask.

"Then the master thinks, should the eldest son be sent to Beijing and the second son stay in Nanjing, or vice versa?"

"Also, no matter how the arrangements are made, where does Master think I should be?"

Dao Yan did not answer Zhu Di's question directly, but said smoothly.

"As long as Ping'an, Sheng Yong, Gu Cheng, and Zhang Fu, these four generals can be with the second prince, there is no chance that the second prince will go to extremes. As for where your majesty is, I don't think it is the most important. The most important thing is Who should be with the eldest prince?"

Zhu Di continued to ask: "Master Dao Yan might as well say it bluntly, if we want to make checks and balances, who should be with the boss?"

Dao Yan did not show off and said directly: "We can let Qiu Fu and Zhu Neng be with the eldest prince."

Zhu Di nodded, this is a perfect check and balance technique.

After all, to put it bluntly, Zhu Di is not only the father of Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu, but also the emperor and the father of the emperor.

Zhu Di's most important attribute is his imperial power.

For his own imperial power, Zhu Di must check and balance anyone who may threaten his imperial power.

Therefore, using checks and balances on one's own son is a completely normal thing for a feudal emperor. There are many examples from ancient times to the present, and it is not worthy of sighing, surprise or contempt.

Zhu Di thought for a moment and felt that Dao Yan's proposal to "use Ping An, Sheng Yong, Gu Cheng, and Zhang Fu to check and balance Zhu Gaoxu; use Qiu Fu and Zhu Neng to check and balance Zhu Gaochi" was completely feasible.

"Having said that, if the eldest and second eldest children are separated, it will only temporarily resolve the dispute over the appointment of the prince. In the final analysis, the issue of the appointment of the prince is still unresolved." Zhu Di looked at Dao Yan.

Daoyan turned the rosary in his hand and said calmly: "It depends on what kind of prince your Majesty wants."

Zhu Di answered without hesitation: "If you can have your own opinions, be able to handle government affairs, understand military strategy, and are not controlled by the civilian group, you will also not become the mouthpiece of the Xungui Group and continue to escort the correct continuation of the Ming Dynasty. "

Dao Yan nodded: "In that case, both the eldest prince and the second prince may become such people."

Zhu Di also agreed with this.

"Actually, there is one point that Your Majesty has not mentioned."

A glint of light flashed through Dao Yan's triangular eyes.

"That is, if Your Majesty wants to worship Jiang Sheng as the national advisor, there will be one more variable after Jiang Sheng and the second prince are released from prison."

"You mean?" Zhu Di looked solemn.

Dao Yan simply said: "Who does Your Majesty intend to put Jiang Sheng next to? If Your Majesty uses Jiang Sheng, then Jiang Sheng's methods and thinking will definitely have an impact on the entire Ming Dynasty. After all, there are still more than a month and three classes. , Jiang Sheng is about to be released from prison. Now, it is time for Your Majesty to consider this."

"Haha, just as Jiang Sheng said, there are never eternal enemies in the world, and there are never eternal friends. I believe that Your Majesty, as brave and wise as you are, must know how to choose what is best for you."

Zhu Di was silent for a moment, and then suddenly said.

"I have always been suspicious of his set of things, which may shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. They are like double-edged artifacts. It seems that I must go to the prison to see Jiang Xinghuo in person."