Chapter Six, The Dull Prince Han
The emperor personally leading the expedition is not without precedent, but the number of successful outcomes is limited to just a handful. The controversies surrounding this matter are certainly significant, even under normal circumstances
20,000 people, four times the original task, Zhu Zhanhe even suspects that the old man is specifically using him to vent his frustrations
Bang
He originally thought that as long as he made it to the curfew, he would be safe, at least he could get through today, and if not, he would have to follow the old master's orders to go to Zhejiang early tomorrow morning
Zhu Gaoxu was taken aback upon hearing this
Why are you so angry..." Zhu Zhanhe quickly smiled awkwardly to appease his father upon seeing him angry
Without some savings, the resistance to the old gentleman personally leading the charge is quite significant
The reason is quite simple; the old gentleman had Liu Sheng as the general to repel the Japanese pirates, achieving significant victories by slaying numerous enemies, which greatly boosted the morale of the Ming Dynasty. If they were to suffer a counterattack from the Japanese pirates now, it would be disastrous.
Grandfather seems to have given me an impossible task, but no matter how I put it, I am still a member of the royal family. Even if I cannot complete it, can he really punish a nine-year-old child like me
... ...
Therefore, although Zhu Zhanhe will ultimately not face severe punishment due to his identity as the son of the Han Wang, a symbolic punishment is unavoidable
It is essential to understand that the curfew is an ironclad rule of this era, and even the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty must exercise a degree of caution regarding it
Do you still want to compete for the reserve with your political acumen
Little rabbit! Get out here!
It is important to note that although Zhu Zhanhe acted out of necessity by mobilizing the anti-Japanese troops to help the people harvest their grain, the issue lies in the fact that the Ming Dynasty has only encountered the Japanese threat this year
Just now, Zhu Zhanhe, dressed in pajamas and rubbing his eyes with a look of having just woken up, walked out after hearing the shout
You have quite a bold spirit! Not only did you run out of Yingtian without permission, but you also dare to mobilize the reserve troops against the Japanese!
Is the Ming Dynasty currently in a normal situation? Clearly not
This is not all!
That's right, it's just today
The area of Yangzhou Prefecture is larger than the combined area of Jiaxing Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture
But now it is good!
Zhu Zhanhe was sent out of the palace in a daze, only regaining his senses when his personal bodyguard appeared before him
Zhu Zhanhe had not finished speaking when he was met with another blow to the head
Father, perhaps you should not compete with Uncle anymore, you are truly not his match
However, unexpectedly, before the curfew could take effect, my own father came knocking at the door
However, Zhu Zhanhe was well aware that he could not return home today; otherwise, he would be met with a scolding from his father. Therefore, after leaving the palace, he hid in this estate, which he usually used for raising dogs.
What nonsense!
Zhu Gaoxu strode into this manor with a face full of frustration, as his legitimate eldest son Zhu Zhanhe was residing here today
Although he had long anticipated that his father would ask such a question, when the moment actually arrived, Zhu Zhanhe still found himself at a loss for words
His political acumen is indeed quite poor, but that does not mean he is simply foolish; he is merely slow to react, compounded by the lack of capable advisors around him to offer guidance
At the beginning, he merely wanted to assist the Jiaxing Prefecture, as it was both coastal and had been subjected to conscription, which was akin to adding insult to injury
Not only did the old man not punish him, but he also entrusted him with the grain harvesting work in the Zhejiang region, and he only allocated 20,000 men to him
However, Zhu Zhanhe could only dare to think this way, and he also understood that the old man intended to use his private matters for public purposes
He dared to rush in because the yard was filled with the blue-and-white dogs raised by that little brat of his
Sigh... what is this all about...
Damn it! I have been used as a pawn!
Zhu Gaoxu only felt the anger in his chest intensify a few more degrees: "When did it become your turn to educate me, you brat!"
As the saying goes, the lessons learned from the past serve as a guide for the future. Even if you were to delegate this matter to Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, he would not dare to casually mobilize the anti-Japanese troops at this critical juncture
The area of Jiaxing Prefecture is not large, and it is quite similar to Songjiang Prefecture; this is not an issue. However, the problem lies with Yangzhou Prefecture.
After all, it is a foregone conclusion that the old gentleman will personally lead the expedition next year, so it is essential to make some preparations
At this moment, Zhu Zhanhe happened to be caught in the crosshairs!
It turns out that Zhu Zhanhe was still confused, as he was bewildered by the old man's reverse tactics.
Seeing Zhuangzi remain utterly still, Zhu Gaoxu shouted in anger
"It was supposed to be like this..." Zhu Zhanhe rubbed the back of his head, looking quite aggrieved
Grandfather didn't say anything either
Previously, his efforts to harvest grain for the common people were spontaneous, based on what could be accomplished; however, it has now become a task
... ...
Twenty thousand people may seem like a lot, at least it is double the two thousand that Zhu Zhanhe initially gathered through coercion, plus the eight thousand auxiliary troops he privately mobilized to resist the Japanese pirates, but things are not calculated this way
Does it seem acceptable? The tasks have tripled, but the number of people has also doubled
This time, Mingming could have taken the opportunity to suppress the boss due to Qiufubing's defeat, but now the chance is gone
It is not that the dignified Han Wang of the Great Ming fears dogs, but rather that these creatures are quite ferocious. Aside from Zhu Ling, who feeds them, and their owner Zhu Zhanhe, no one else dares to approach them.
... ...
Zhu Gaoxu was very angry, as he believed that his son had disrupted his plans, making him appear weaker in front of the eldest.
The compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia, the construction of the Shuntian Prefecture, and the support for Zheng He's maritime expeditions are three endeavors that not only require significant financial expenditure but also consume considerable time
Still pretending with me, your father! When the son walked up, Zhu Gaoxu unceremoniously delivered a slap to the head.
How dare you say that! Just mentioning Zhu Zhanhe makes Zhu Gaoxu even more furious
Zhu Zhanhe lowered his head in despair and let out a long sigh
Although this tiger may have a dog as its offspring, no matter how inferior the dog may be, it is still a dog, and at the very least, it is not a weakling
"Father, I have something to tell you..." Zhu Zhanhe hesitated for a moment, speaking with a hint of uncertainty.
Look at the task your grandfather has given you! 20,000 people, three prefectures! Can you accomplish it?
However, now the old gentleman has directly dispatched him to carry out the task, and the areas he is responsible for are no longer just Jiaxing Prefecture, but also include Jiaxing, Songjiang, and Yangzhou Prefectures
Little rabbit! Don't hide! Can you escape today and continue to hide in the future?
Outside Yingtian City, there is a seemingly ordinary village, yet it was surrounded by people as night fell
The nine-year-old Han Wang heir, even by the standards of this era, is still considered underage, and naturally, before reaching adulthood, he must live with his parents
In addition, the Ming Dynasty is currently dispatching Zhang Fu and Mu Sheng to campaign against Annam, facing threats from Japanese pirates in the east and the Western Seven Guards in the west, necessitating the use of grain and funds everywhere.
Father, what brings you here?