eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 323 Operation Sweet Potato
"Your Majesty... Great Tomorrow is the Kingdom of Shang, while overseas is a land of barbarians. It is really inappropriate to use robbery."

Hearing what Gu Zuo said, Zhu Houzhao was stunned for a moment.

This……

"Then don't talk about robbing, talk about exchanging." The emperor was a little dumbfounded, "Maritime trade, trade itself is mutual exchange. The treasures of our Daming, they are also eager to see them, so they often snatch them at high prices."

"What the emperor said is very true."

The first time Gu Zuo saw the so-called sweet potato, he asked, "Your Majesty, what is the magical effect of this thing?"

"I also read it in an ancient book, which said that overseas countries have sweet potatoes, which are drought-resistant and easy to live, and have a high yield, so they can be eaten."

"Oh? There is such a strange thing."

"I'll talk to you in detail when I find it back. Now you all step down, Li Qing, and keep an eye on the Evernight City. If you can't get back the rent, the Shaofu's money will be wasted."

"Yes, don't worry, Your Majesty."

After sending these two away, Mao Yuwen was almost declared into the palace.

It was very late, but Zhu Houzhao didn't want to delay until tomorrow, so he just ordered it in a few words.

And also because of the sweet potato, he attached great importance to it.

To be honest, even if it is already in hand today, it will still take a few years to promote it. It may take seven or eight years for a real leap in food production capacity, not to mention, he has not even seen a shadow of it now. arrive.

Fortunately, now that the imperial court is open to the sea, exchanges at home and abroad have increased, and it is easy for Jin Yiwei to place a few people on the merchant ship.

So after thinking about it carefully, I still hand it over to Mao Yuwen.

In addition, as the emperor, his knowledge of overseas countries is limited to the memories he brought with him from his previous life, and he doesn't know whether the memories are correct, which is actually maddening.

So in fact, Mao Yuwen received two tasks.

One is to send people overseas to understand the national conditions and military conditions of the island countries.The second is to find sweet potatoes and bring them back.

In real history, the Spaniards did control the spread of this crop. Anyway, it is an old tradition for these white people to carry out various control.

"I want to formulate an action that will be carried out by the Beizhen Governor. Some time ago, the imperial court reorganized the Jinyiwei, and the most important Beizhen Governor is in your hands, and the original Jinyiwei had the function of spying on the military. In the past, it was not a concern overseas. , but after the imperial court opened the sea, exchanges with overseas countries have increased, and knowing yourself and the enemy can win every battle, so you have to send an elite team to follow Mei Ji's merchant ship to the south."

Zhu Houzhao took out the painting of sweet potatoes that he had obtained earlier, "After going there, I will find a way to find such things. This can be planted, and it can be eaten after planting, but I want to live seeds. Remember? To spy on the national conditions And look for this thing. You have to care about this matter yourself, select personnel yourself, and never allow any news to leak out. This operation is named Operation Sweet Potato, understand?"

The emperor spoke in a serious tone. Mao Yuwen actually didn't quite understand what happened, but just took the painting in a little bewilderment, "Your Majesty, since this matter is important, why don't you go in person?"

"Well...it doesn't have to be."

Because the man surnamed Meng himself was also looking for it.

Jin Yiwei also went to look for it.

It is enough to prepare with both hands.

Whether Mao Yuwen went there in person is not the key factor.

"You still stay here, there must be a lot of things this year. I still need you."

Mao Yuwen was greatly encouraged after hearing this, "Since this is the case, I will send three small teams, each with seven people, and all of them will act separately. Even if they lose their lives, they must complete the errands assigned by His Majesty."

The execution plan of the three teams is not bad.

Zhu Houzhao didn't think about it for a while, because he gradually got used to staring at someone directly, and how to accomplish it was their business.

In fact, in addition to introducing seeds as soon as possible, you can also make some preparations yourself.For example, the process of promoting planting can actually be prepared in advance.

From Chenghua to Hongzhi and Zhengde years, the problem of Huangzhuang gradually became prominent, and civil officials had great opinions on it.

It's just that Zhu Houzhao is from Kaihai and the city that never sleeps, so he has done too many bells and whistles, which to some extent makes Huangzhuang a trivial matter that is easily overlooked.

In fact, Huangzhuang can be used as a demonstration point. Once the actual effect is seen, things will be much easier to do.

This idea flashed in Zhu Houzhao's mind, so he called Yan Song.

"Your Majesty." Yan Song also knelt down beside Mao Yuwen.

"Suddenly remembered something. Wait...in a while." Zhu Houzhao stroked his chin and thought, "After a while, you remember to remind me that I want to take a comprehensive look at the matter of Huangzhuang, including the area, area, and current situation. After you go down, do the investigation first, and get ready."

"Yes! My minister obeys the order."

Mao Yuwen took a closer look at the things in his hand and said that they were edible, but he had never eaten them anyway.

"...Operation Sweet Potato has the highest goal of bringing back seeds from the overseas lands of Borneo. Since the three teams are operating separately, in order to prevent them from competing for success and destroying each other, you can let go. All have great rewards, and if anyone dies unfortunately, their wives, children, and parents will also be supported by the imperial court!"

Hearing this meaning turned out to be such an important matter, Mao Yuwen himself wanted to do meritorious service in person.

"Wei Chen understands!"

Zhu Houzhao wandered back and forth in Qianqing Palace, he couldn't think of anything but he couldn't be completely relieved, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Mao Yuwen bowed his head after thinking for a while and said, "This painting... seems to be embroidered by a woman. I dare you, does it look like someone gave it to Your Majesty?"

"A folk woman should be in Mei Kejia's residence."

"Chen, I want to see her."

Zhu Houzhao thought for a while, "Okay. But she is not guilty, so don't torture her."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have my own solution."

"Okay, then you will be solely responsible for this matter."

After Mao Yuwen accepted the task, he felt rejuvenated.

After the incidents in Jiangxi and Zhejiang, he rested for nearly two months and was about to fall ill.When people are free, they tend to think wildly, fearing that the emperor will be dissatisfied with him.

After seeing it today, all the haze was swept away.

Such an important matter is still entrusted to him. Beizhen Fusi is still the most comfortable knife used by the emperor.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houzhao was ready to rest after reading the last few memorials.

There was an apology written by Liu Jian. He said that he was too old to stand for six days in a row, and that he cared about the people of Shandong, and wanted to return to Shandong as soon as possible to handle government affairs.

Zhu Houzhao pondered slightly when he saw it,
"Liu Jin,"

"The servant is here."

"Does Liu Xixian have any heirs?"

"Returning to Your Majesty. Duke Xi Xian has three sons, but one of the youngest sons is young, the other two sons are not alive, and there are two grandsons. Unfortunately, the eldest grandson is not long-lived. At this point in time, only one youngest grandson is with him. Running around."

"Better than Li Ge, and at least one grandson. What is your status now? Entering the court as an official?"

"What identity..." Liu Jin thought about it carefully, "It shouldn't be an official. Last time I heard that I was a scholar."

"Okay, I see."

He also had a purpose in asking this question.In the Ming Dynasty, the royal family would favor the descendants of these courtiers, which can be regarded as a reward.It's just that he has just been promoted to governor, so the rewards don't have to be so dense and frequent, let's talk about it later.

For him, the most important thing is to have such a person guarding Shandong, enough to be at ease.

As far as Liu Jian is concerned, his grand court meeting is over, and the armaments on the seventh day cannot be said to have nothing to do with him, but as an old man who has lost his political future, his comments in this regard are self-defeating and meaningless .

To be honest, from now on, apart from the Shandong matter, it is superfluous for him to say anything about other matters.

This should be the meaning of the previous memorial.

It seems that he knows that he is going to die in Shandong,

After all, he is the chief assistant of the cabinet, so he is careful in grasping the emperor's mood and government affairs.

So this evening, the Liu family is packing up.

His little grandson is named Liu Chengxue, and he is also in his twenties. Seeing this situation, he felt strange, "Grandpa, there is no answer from the palace at such a late hour. There is no beginning and no end, and I won't show up at the Dachao meeting tomorrow." Wouldn't it be disrespectful?"

Liu Jian was lying on a rocking chair, shaking.He is old, and the old man's emotions seem to be easily flooded.So he could also understand the emotions of the emperor when he said those words.

Although he didn't say many words clearly, he could read the words with a tone of voice and a look in his eyes.

The emperor was...pity him,
Originally, he should have hated him, but the emperor actually showed that emotion.Moreover, the so-called Kong first and Liu later is easy to say, but in fact, if he doesn't leave this old life in Shandong, how can he do it?
Therefore, the emperor still decided to keep him in Shandong despite his pity for him.

Just one thing - he came to the capital just to get in the way.

These things are actually unexpected and unexpected, forget it.But he wanted it, and although he said he didn't have any particularly big opinions, he still felt a bit disappointed after thinking it through...

"Your Majesty, he knows everything." Liu Jian closed his eyes.

The little grandson didn't understand, "Know everything?"

"Yes, His Majesty knows whether grandpa respects him or not."

"Really?"

"Chengxue, you have to remember. Today, you are a sage and virtuous monarch comparable to Taizu Taizong. Since ancient times, who is not respected by your subjects?"

Lying on the rocking chair, Liu Jian suddenly recalled the past. He once thought of cooperating with the emperor to do some practical things for the people of Ming Dynasty.It's a pity that the sky fails to fulfill people's wishes.

The old man turned his eyes and saw the little grandson pinching his leg, he was a little dazed, "Do you want to see His Majesty?"

"...En! Grandson reads history books, and every time he reads that the sage is alive, his blood will boil. Today, he can trace his ancestors, and grandson admires him very much. If he can have the opportunity to meet a hero, it will be a great joy!"

"I'll see you." Liu Jian said quietly. He knew in his heart that his academic qualifications were mediocre. Although he was honest and honest, and devoted himself to his studies, he always missed the point.

Therefore, it is probably up to him to work harder, so that when he dies... maybe he will have a chance to meet the emperor.

(End of this chapter)