Chapter 3, Open and Unabashed

People often say that the Yongle era was a prosperous age, but was it truly a prosperous age?

This person is named Zhou Xin and is the Inspector of Zhejiang

Cold face, cold iron

As Zhu Zhanhe had just arrived, the governor of Jiaxing Prefecture, Li Cheng, hurriedly rushed out in a flurry.

In contrast, he indeed wanted to see what Zhu Zhanhe intended to do

Based on this person's performance, it is evident that this governor has some issues in his role, which aligns closely with the information received by Zhu Zhanhe, yet he has little inclination to address it

Hmm? Zhu Zhanhe raised his eyebrows, as he truly did not expect Li Cheng to dare to ask a counter question

However, having only two thousand people to address the grain harvest issue in Jiaxing Prefecture is clearly far from sufficient

Although sticking one's head out is akin to being cut, and retracting it is also akin to being cut, Li Cheng still mustered the courage to ask.

Although he is an inspector, he is merely the inspector of Zhejiang. Without even mentioning whether he has the authority to deal with Zhu Zhanhe, who is hanging in the fief of the Han Prince in Yunnan, just the identity of a Han Prince's son is beyond his capacity to handle

"Your servant... your servant will mobilize the troops immediately..." Li Cheng repeatedly bowed several times and then scrambled away.

In addition, this year Zhejiang has also been conscripted to assist in the campaign against Chen Jikuang in Annan.

Zhu Zhanhe brought so many people to Jiaxing Prefecture for a reason; it is not merely for leisure.

Perhaps so, but Zhu Zhanhe believes that it is certainly not now, for what he sees and hears at present does not meet the standards of a prosperous age

Your Highness, Zhu Ling leaned closer to Zhu Zhanhe's ear

His visit is to investigate, or rather to deal with Li Cheng, but it seems that it is no longer necessary, at least not very urgent.

August is also the season for the harvest of early rice, a time characterized by the saying "heavy rains fall during the summer solstice, and in August, the waters rise significantly." Without assistance, the staple food of these common people would essentially be in vain.

Although Zhu Zhanhe is the son of the Han Wang, he is not the crown prince and does not have the qualifications to be assigned a guard of two thousand men. A significant portion of this is drawn from the guards of his father.

I shall certainly report this matter truthfully in writing and submit it to Your Majesty

"Hmph..." Zhu Zhanhe disdainfully curled his lip.

I, a humble minister, pay my respects to the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty

Your Highness!" Li Cheng interrupted Zhu Zhanhe's words, trembling.

Li Cheng, a native of Wuzhou Prefecture in Shanxi, was a successful candidate in the second degree of the imperial examination in the 18th year of the Hongwu era, and in the 22nd year of Hongwu...

Your Highness, I am not sure what your intentions are in mobilizing the reserve forces against the Japanese...

As the heir of the Han Wang, to privately mobilize the reserve troops against the Japanese, this surely does not conform to the rules

Regardless of what is done, the fact that it does not comply with the rules remains unchanged! Zhou Xin's attitude is quite firm, and he has not softened his stance simply because Zhu Zhanhe is the son of the Han Wang.

He has encountered many arrogant and overbearing second-generation rich individuals, but he also knows how to conceal their behavior to some extent. However, this is the first time he has met someone like Zhu Zhanhe, who shows no signs of disguise whatsoever

Moreover, since he dares to openly mobilize the reserve troops, he is not afraid at all. If Zhou Xin were to truthfully report this to the old master, it would instead align with Zhu Zhanhe's intentions.

Hmm?

Where did the audacity to embezzle go?

If it were in ordinary times, interrupting a royal relative, especially the heir of the Han Wang, would be something he would not dare to do even with a hundred times the courage. However, the situation is different now

Watching Zhu Zhanhe turn around and leave directly, Zhou Xin was clearly a bit taken aback.

This week, it is indeed cold and harsh, but no one likes the feeling of hitting a wall, and Zhu Zhanhe is no exception

Indeed, the mobilization of the reserve anti-Japanese troops must go through the local governor's approval process. However, the issue lies in the fact that the reserve anti-Japanese troops cannot be mobilized at will

It doesn't matter anymore," Zhu Zhanhe waved his hand.

His purpose in coming out this time is to attract the old gentleman's attention

With neither the threat of Japanese invasion nor natural disasters, what reason is there to mobilize the reserve forces against Japan

Indeed, it is against the rules to mobilize the reserve troops without authorization, but do you know what I intend to do by mobilizing the reserve troops

This year, the common people of Jiaxing Prefecture are not faring well. In late March, they suffered from the invasion of the Japanese pirates. Although the elder dispatched Liu Sheng as a general to slay countless pirates, the suffering endured by the common people has already become an established fact.

Who are you

Zhu Zhanhe was taken aback for a moment

Ah? This... Li Cheng was immediately startled, as if his soul had flown away.

Is the Japanese army so easy to mobilize?

Governor Li Cheng of Jiaxing? Zhu Zhanhe raised his eyebrows, looking at the man kneeling before him

The governor's misconduct is overseen by the inspector general, and if the inspector general cannot manage it, there is still the Imperial Guard. What business does a prince of the Han dynasty have in this matter

Zhu Zhanhe does not like corrupt officials, but you say that since you have the audacity to be corrupt, at least you should have some backbone when the incident occurs

This is also the purpose of the building that Zhu Zhanhe came before.

Since he made up his mind to take action, Zhu Zhanhe quietly left the capital of Yingtianfu, accompanied by a few guards, and arrived at Jiaxing Prefecture

To put it bluntly, if the Japanese army is mobilized, Zhu Zhanhe, as the heir of the Han dynasty, may not necessarily face any issues, but the governor of Jiaxing is certainly doomed to escape

This is quite something, there was preparation, but it is not enough

Regarding such officials, Zhu Zhanhe has no good impression and will not treat them kindly. If it were not for the need to go through the local governor to mobilize the anti-Wokou troops, he would not have come here at all

Suddenly, the sound of a voice startled Zhu Zhanhe, causing him to exclaim in surprise

Corrupt officials, devoid of integrity, are truly despicable

Turning his head to glance at the direction in which Li Cheng had left, and then looking towards Zhu Zhanhe's direction, Zhou Xin ultimately lifted his foot and headed towards Zhu Zhanhe.

Although the Crown Prince of Han Wang cannot be offended, casually mobilizing the reserve troops against the Japanese would be a violation of the court's regulations, and in the end, his fate will only be more tragic

Zhou Xin, this name is not unfamiliar to him, as this person is quite famous even in later generations

There are at least two thousand people here

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I am indeed the Governor of Jiaxing," Li Cheng said, trembling as he wiped the sweat from his brow while kneeling on the ground

Zhou Xin. Zhu Zhanhe nodded slightly, not concealing the admiration in his gaze at all

Thus, the current situation in Jiaxing Prefecture gives a somewhat desolate impression in terms of population; looking around, one can basically see only the elderly, the weak, and women and children, with very few young and strong individuals in sight

It is important to note that although the Prince of Han has always been overshadowed by the Crown Prince, the possibility of contention for the throne remains significant. Therefore, the heir of the Prince of Han is naturally someone they cannot afford to offend

Moreover, it is currently only the seventh year of the Yongle era, and the most favored Emperor Xuande has not yet been conferred the title of Crown Prince. Without even a young guard, he is also not qualified to be accompanied by a guard of two thousand men.

Alright, I don't have time to waste with you, send me the orders, and mobilize 8,000 troops to prepare for the enemy!

He received news in advance that an inspector would be coming, but he did not expect that such a prominent figure would actually arrive

Yes! A little!

Even a fool knows that Zhu Zhanhe possesses some unknown secrets; if he remains silent any longer, others may very well be lost