First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Facing the lush green crops, Zhu Xiongying sighed deeply.

"Grandfather, what do you think the crops rely on to grow?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhang Ximeng, and said to himself, if you know, tell me!

Zhang Ximeng was so far away that he was too lazy to talk nonsense, wouldn't it be good to let the children explore by themselves!

"Well, of course it's sunshine, rain and dew, as well as fertilizers in the field! Every flower in a crop depends entirely on fertilizer. Didn't you already know that?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded, "I know, but not long ago, when I was helping the emperor's grandmother to take care of the flowers, I found that the soil that was put in at the beginning was still the same after cleaning it out. According to the emperor's grandfather, It’s going to use the fertilizer in the field, so why isn’t the soil reduced?”

This time, Lao Zhu was stopped again, and he was speechless.

"Mr. Zhang, it's time for you to say something!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled helplessly, "Your Majesty, I am not omniscient, but Your Highness has raised a good question. We have planted the land for so many years, what is it that makes the crops grow, I really haven't explained clearly. If you can study carefully, find Come to a conclusion, if there is anything lacking in the field, just increase it, and it may double the food production. At that time, Kyushu Huaxia will no longer have to suffer from hunger, and will always be able to eat enough."

Old Zhu frowned and sighed in his heart.

"Our good grandson, it's good for you to think about these things, but you have to know that the emperor's grandfather built such a big country for you. Your father took good care of it and worked hard. Sooner or later, it will be passed on to you You can't indulge in these things, you still have to learn how to govern the country."

Zhu Xiongying has always been very honest and obedient, but after hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, the little guy was rarely silent. After a while, he said: "I don't want to learn!"

Lao Zhu was startled, if it was someone else, he would have slapped him long ago.

But this is the emperor's grandson he cares about the most, how can he do it!

"Tell the imperial grandfather why you don't want to learn?"

Zhu Xiongying scratched his head, "No reason! Grandfather, you see, I study plant genetics. If I study it correctly, I am right. I want to study crop production. If I succeed, I can increase the yield per mu... The numbers are right there. Now, it is within reach. I can understand what is going on. But when you talk about governing the country, I don’t know what is good and what is bad... Hard work may not make the country strong. Governing by doing nothing may make the people happy. I always feel that if I have me or not, that's the thing. Anyway, I don't have the wisdom and martial arts of the emperor's grandfather, and I don't have the hard work of my father. I just want to do something I like..."

As Zhu Xiongying spoke, he suddenly raised his head, stared at Old Zhu and said, "Grandfather, will you be disappointed in my thoughts?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, and didn't know what to say for a while.

"Mr. Zhang, you should say something this time!"

Zhang Ximeng thought for a while, then said helplessly: "Your Highness, you can't think that way... It is because of His Highness that the officials in the court are valuable! Especially those people from the Zhongshu Province... They are busy every day, collecting news from all over the world. , Your Highness, busy and conscientious, if it weren't for Your Highness, wouldn't these people be busy in vain? Your Highness, don't you?"

"Oh! Speaking of which, it's still useful!" The little guy said seriously: "Then I will learn, but I may not be able to learn well."

Listening to Zhu Yuanzhang, he was about to cry, good guy, this is only the third generation, why is it going to be a decoration?

The dignified son of heaven is to let a group of officials have something to do and not be idle... If this is the case, let's disband the Zhongshu province!

Lao Zhu was furious, while Zhang Ximeng kept silent and looked up at the sky.

Whatever you think, anyway, the trend is probably the same, and it is difficult to change.

The first generation of emperors made bold moves and made great efforts to govern, creating a peaceful and prosperous world, which was handed over to the second generation.

If the master of the upper ranks can catch this game without collapsing and can continue, it is considered a good skill.

When it comes to the third generation, it will be ruled vertically, and according to the habit, it will be good to run downward.

You really can't expect too much, as long as Zhu Xiongying doesn't engage in strategic contraction, doesn't scrap the fleet, doesn't give up Annan, and doesn't suppress martial arts, he will be much better than Renxuan in history.

You, Zhu Yuanzhang, must know how to be content!

Lao Zhu's face was gloomy, and after a long time, he didn't have an attack, he just let out a long sigh.

"Sir, do you have any novel news recently, tell us, let us have a good time?"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "My lord, if you want to talk about this, I really heard that there is a man named Zhang Xin who is opening a lending firm in Yingtian."

"Zhang Xin? We seem to have heard of it!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded, "Indeed, he was the first in the imperial examination, but he didn't want to go to the county to become an official, so he gave up. After all, people who don't want to be the number one are still somewhat famous."

It's not just a little famous, it's really famous, okay?

Time has developed to the present, although there is still a Jinshi department in the Ming Dynasty, there is a problem, that is, it is difficult to directly become a high-ranking official after being admitted, and even the noble yamen like the Imperial Academy cannot enter.

You need to experience the bottom of the road before you can climb up.

Although they will be promoted quickly, they are not as good as the scenery in history.

And as there are more and more scholars, we can't get Wenqu stars per capita, right?

So the champion is not so expensive, but most people are still willing to roll in it.

But there are always exceptions, such as Zhang Xin, the number one scholar, who voluntarily gave up his fame and went into business.After tossing for two or three years, I don't know what he did.

Recently, however, a moneylending firm has been opened to provide a large number of loans.

This is nothing, the most strange thing is that his firm seems to have unlimited funds, not only did not borrow from the bank, nor did it attract investment from wealthy businessmen.

As if relying on his own money, he was continuously lending out...

"My lord, being able to take the exam doesn't mean being able to turn stones into gold! His ability is truly astonishing!"

Lao Zhu frowned, "Check it! Check it out for us! We hate this kind of empty-handed wolves!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded. After a full month, Lu Zhou found Zhang Ximeng first with the results. On this day, the batch of gold that Li Shanchang donated was also sent to Yingtian.

"Grand Master, according to my inspection, the serial number of a batch of loans provided by Zhang Xin Commercial Bank is indeed the same batch printed by the Tongbao Banknote Bureau to Korea!"

Lu Zhou said and put the evidence in front of Zhang Ximeng, "Grand Master, King Li Han is dead!"

Chapter 897 Squeeze Daming Wool

Is Li Shanchang about to fall?

maybe!

The amount of arbitrage this time was astonishing. If he wanted to kill Lao Li, he would never be lucky.But Zhang Ximeng was stunned suddenly. He stared blankly in front of him. After a long while, he sighed softly, "You go down first, remember not to leak the matter."

Lu Zhou was stunned, but finally nodded, "The officer knows."

After sending Lu Zhou away, Zhang Ximeng pondered for a long time before he got up. As soon as he got outside the study, a burst of dazzling sunlight hit him, and he couldn't open his eyes.

Zhang Ximeng quickly took out a piece of candy from his pocket, stuffed it into his mouth, and stood under the grape trellis for a while, then regained his energy.

This year, he has already passed his forty years, so he is not young.

Moreover, he was physically weak in his early years, and he had been writing books for many years, which left him with some problems, such as physical weakness, hypoglycemia, occasional stomach pain, and two rotten teeth.

Just like most middle-aged men, this machine called the body can still function, and there are no major problems, but minor problems continue one after another.

Zhu Yuanzhang was ten years older than him, and now he was approaching his sixtieth year, and he was in excellent health. Moreover, if Empress Ma, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Xiongying were all there, it is estimated that Lao Zhu could live to be eighty, and Zhang Ximeng might not be able to match him.

Besides, Li Shanchang is already seventy years old, and the old friends along the way, except for Tang He, Xu Da and a few others, are him.

No need for others, even if Zhang Ximeng had to say it himself, he didn't want to do anything to Lao Li.

It's true, I can't do it.

As long as people are getting older, they will inevitably have rich emotions. Reminiscing about the past, watching the drama also likes the red sunset. Sometimes after watching a scene, the eye circles are always red, but those children only want to yawn and sleep .

Zhang Ximeng shook his head and pulled himself together.

When he arrived at the palace and met Zhu Yuanzhang, he didn't mention Li Shanchang's matter, but said in a deep voice: "Master, to this day, I really can't help Daming with any specific things, please allow me to resign from office , find a clean place, and write a book in peace!"

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned on the chair and listened silently. He didn't answer immediately, nor did he show a surprised look. He just thought for a long time before slowly saying: "Is it because your body can't hold it? Let's see when you go in and out, always It's subconsciously supporting the waist!"

"This...it's not that I can't hold it anymore. Although I have some problems with my body, it won't collapse soon. It's just that I'm a little tired. I will accompany my lord to raise troops, conquer the world, govern the country, and outline the future of Ming Dynasty. ...For more than 30 years, more than half a year has passed, and the tiger is full, and can still take a nap. I really dare not slack off in this position. Now, I implore the lord, give me a vacation, so that I can Write a book with peace of mind and summarize this life. I also hope that the lord will be kind."

Zhang Ximeng spoke sincerely, and the sincerity in his expression was not a lie.

It's not that he is in a high position, in a dilemma, and has to retreat bravely. In fact, he has contributed all his wisdom to this country and the world.

Nine continents in the world, the overall pattern has been determined, and the next step is to implement it. Zhang Ximeng doesn't want to stay in the court, and continues to intervene in everything, which is really tiring.

For a courtier who assists the left king, there is really nothing to say about doing his job.

It is true that you can retire without any regrets.

It was Jiang Taigong back then, I'm afraid that's the way it is, it can't be better.

Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his head, thought over and over again, and finally nodded with a smile, "Sure, I promise you, do you have any other requests, sir?"

Zhang Ximeng was a little bit taken aback, Lao Zhu agreed a little too happily, he thought for a while, and said: "My lord, I still have the title of King Lu on my head... I remember that when the imperial decree was drawn up, my position as King Lu was not There is no hereditary title. Therefore, I boldly beseech you, the descendants of my Zhang family, not to have any hereditary titles."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Are you afraid that your descendants will be unworthy and fall into the same step as the Kong family, and your reputation will be humiliated?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "That's right, my lord Shengming!"

Old Zhu hummed: "You don't want it if you want, but we can't! The descendants of the Zhu family still have to bear the throne... Well, I promise you, the descendants of the Zhang family will not be given titles within the territory of Daming!"

Lao Zhu played a word game, and Zhang Ximeng could tell that it was not allowed in the Ming Dynasty. If the descendants of the Zhang family are willing to toss around outside and create a world, that is a child's ability, and you Zhang Ximeng can't control it!

"Thank you, my lord, for fulfilling the mission." Zhang Ximeng thanked.

Lao Zhu said again: "If there is anything else, let's say it together!"

Zhang Ximeng thought about it again, "My lord, I plan to settle in Hangzhou and buy a garden by the West Lake. If my lord agrees, I can turn my residence in Beijing into an exhibition hall! Display the things I have collected over the years. , for posterity to watch and contemplate.”

Old Zhu suddenly said: "By the way, sir, if I remember correctly, there are a lot of things we wrote back then hidden in your home, don't you think so?"

"My lord wants to get it back?" Zhang Ximeng asked in surprise.

Lao Zhu blushed slightly, "Who doesn't have graffiti, why can't they get it back?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "My lord, in my opinion, let's keep it! These things just prove that my lord has achieved today's achievements through hard work and hard work. It is difficult to start a business and study hard. How about this, the exhibition hall is paid by the minister. , the future maintenance fee will also be paid from the manuscript fee of the minister, so that the lord will not be bothered and the state money will not be wasted, what does the lord think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyelids, and finally heaved a long sigh, "It's up to you!"

Zhang Ximeng pondered for a moment, he didn't seem to have anything more to say, and this time he just quit the court and chose a place to write a book, and he didn't really disappear. If there are other things, he can communicate at any time, it's not that troublesome.

Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Zhang Ximeng had stopped talking, but he retorted: "We agreed to the request of the master, will the husband also agree to our request?"

Zhang Ximeng was taken aback, as expected, the person surnamed Zhu was not so easy to talk to, and this was a trap!Zhang Ximeng had no choice but to nod, "My lord, if you have any orders, just do it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "It's not an order, it's a request!"

Zhang Ximeng's whole body trembled, it's over, this can't be refused!

He could only bite the bullet, "My lord, please tell me."

"Follow us on a tour! We still want to see this country!" Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "We are not young anymore. While we are in good health, we want to look around and keep this great river and mountain in our hearts. Engraved in the bones, walk around, and cast a Chinese golden tripod by the way, we will officially abdicate."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile: "Sir, I don't want to stay in the court, and we don't want to sit on this dragon chair until we die. Biaoer is a good ruler of success. We can rest assured that we can completely hand over the world to him!"

Zhang Ximeng frowned, "Master, you should think twice, is it too early to abdicate?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly, "What, we have thought about it and discussed it with my sister. She is not in good health. I am afraid that she will not be able to accompany us this time. After a round, we and her will Move out of the palace and find a quiet place to retire. You want to go to Hangzhou, but we don’t like that place. We want to go back to Fengyang, but when we think of too many relatives and friends, we can’t live in peace. We plan to go to Suzhou, which is my sister’s hometown. So It has been many years, we should also think about it for her, be a good husband and make up for the debt..."

Obviously, Zhu Yuanzhang has changed a lot... He doesn't have the extravagant hope of sitting on the dragon chair and holding power until his death.And through Zhang Ximeng's many years of nurturing, he has also seen through many laws.

No matter how hard he tries, there are still too many problems that need to be solved.

Rather than working hard on his own, it is better to pass on the power smoothly and let the children and grandchildren continue to complete the mission... One generation has a mission for one generation, and Zhang Ximeng wants to step out of the court because he thinks he can't do more things.

Zhu Yuanzhang is not the case.

But before he faded out, Lao Zhu still wanted to take a look around.

And as the emperor, he is also obliged to make this mascot well, let the people everywhere see him, and engrave the image of the emperor in their hearts.

It is quite interesting to say that Zhu Yuanzhang, who is known for his iron fist, can only play the role of a vase in the end.Of course, this vase that binds the country is not something that anyone can make if they want to. Without Lao Zhu's prestige, let's get rid of the idea as soon as possible, lest painting a tiger will not become an anti-dog.

Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang chatted for a while, and the monarch and his ministers finally made up their minds. It would take three or four years to inspect the Quartet and cast the Huaxia Jinding.

Although there is not much time left for them, it still exists.

After a month of preparations, Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang decided to leave.There are not many officials accompanying them. The main reason is that they don't have to deal with government affairs directly. They can just have a few to protect their safety. If the two of them are still worried about safety, the decades of governing the country will be a failure.

This time their first destination was Peiping.

"Back when we drank Yanshan, it seemed like a lifetime away...Sir, how do we remember that you wrote lyrics back then! What did you write?"

Zhang Ximeng rolled his eyes, "Is there any? Why don't you remember!"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "You are pretending to be a lake!"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Master, I really have lost my mind, give me some time... By the way, Brother Li is here."

While speaking, Li Shanchang came tremblingly, "It's a sin! The old minister was supposed to go to Beiping to meet the superior, but he was late because the storm blocked the way."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the white-haired Li Shanchang, and suddenly said bluntly: "Mr. Li, we thought you were afraid of sin and dare not come here!"

Li Shanchang was startled, "Fear of crime? Where did this come from?"

Zhang Ximeng said unhurriedly: "Brother Li, I would never have imagined that you issued a loan of 500 million through Zhang Xin during this period of time. You took the money printed by the Daming Banknote Bureau to Korea and lent money in Daming, making a huge profit. , dare to squeeze Daming's wool, you are No.1!"