People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 269 Voting Certificate, Clan and Imperial Power

It is difficult for Zhang Cundao to answer the emperor's question.

He understood that he was able to be promoted by the emperor to preside over the Xuanwu Army because he had a certain amount of trust in him.

But his background also made the emperor suspicious of him.

Not to mention anything else, Zhang Yi was an official in the previous dynasty and suppressed the rebel army.

Although Lao Zhu took him under his command regardless of the previous suspicions, he will be reused in the later stage.

But the stain of birth, when the emperor faced some important issues, he would have some concerns.

Whether it is the father or Liu Bowen, most of them will be affected by this experience.

Since he is Zhang Cundao's son, he will bear the stain of his father's generation.

The emperor recognized his father's character, but feared his origin.

This kind of contradictory mentality leads to today's question.

Moreover, the origin of Zhedong will also affect the emperor's judgment on this matter.

Most of Zhejiang, or the coastal areas from Shandong to Fujian, have this problem.

The so-called relying on the mountains to eat the mountains, relying on the sea to eat the sea.

The people here have a high chance of going to sea to seek a living, and as the local landlords, they are half landlords, half businessmen, and there are quite a few people who make their fortunes by relying on maritime trade.

This led to subtle differences in the positions of coastal landlords and inland landlords.

The officials who come out of here have different interests because of their nostalgia.

"I am a minister of Ming Dynasty first, and then I am a native of Eastern Zhejiang...

The sage said, heaven and earth king, relative and teacher, His Majesty's status in the hearts of ministers is even higher than that of close relatives..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was noncommittal to Zhang Cundao's statement, what he wanted was Zhang Cundao's attitude.

"it is good!

Zhang Cundao, remember what you said today! "

The emperor was very satisfied, he turned around and walked to the inner room of the imperial study, and asked Zhang Cundao to come over.

When Zhang Cundao saw the map of China he spread out, he was dumbfounded.

How much more accurate is the emperor's map than the military map he used?
Zhang Cundao instinctively looked for the Fujian he had just been to, the mountains and rivers, so familiar...

He understood the value of this map in an instant, and his eyes were envious.

Lao Zhu understood his gaffe, and any general who had marched and fought would understand the value of this map, and this was only a part of the map that Lao Zhu imitated.

The original is more exaggerated.

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to the long coastline and said:
"I will test you, since the first month, how have you been attacked by Japanese pirates?"

Zhang Cundao pointed to the Shandong Peninsula and said:

"Currently, Shandong is the most serious...

The minister thought that these Japanese pirates would go all the way south, and there might be troubles in the coastal state capital of Nanzhili!

It's a pity that these people are elusive, and by the time my Ming army arrives, they have already left by boat...

So this coastal trouble is a chronic disease!

The sea is no better than the land, after those Japanese pirates entered the sea, they couldn't catch up..."

Zhang Cundao obviously did his homework, and he answered the questions Zhu Yuanzhang threw to him fluently.

Lao Zhu nodded frequently. This Zhang Yi's son may not be as good as his father in writing, but at least he has inherited Zhang Yi's mantle in military affairs.

Coupled with the relationship between reading poetry and books, he is also familiar with the art of war.

Although not as good as the natural famous generals like Chang Yuchun and Xu Da, he can be regarded as a good general.

Zhang Cundao has his own ideas about the Xuanwu Army and coastal defense, but he still has no way to come up with a solution.

Old Zhu was not surprised by this.

Under the premise that certain conditions are not met, Daming's sea trouble problem is unsolvable.

However, Zhang Yi brought some light of hope to this unsolvable problem.

"If I have news, know the route map and exact time of the pirates' invasion of Daming... and even find their stronghold, do you have the confidence to defeat those people?"

Zhang Cundao stared wide-eyed, looking at the emperor in disbelief.

If Zhu Yuanzhang really had accurate information, why couldn't he be defeated?
It should be noted that at this time, the entire Ming army, after the baptism of the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, is generally online.

Not only the elite Xu Da took away, but also the local defenders, who are also good fighters.

Those Japanese ronin, if they really fight the Ming army head-on, they won't be able to fight...

"My minister is confident..."

Zhang Cundao was very excited. If the situation is true, it is simply that the emperor sent the credit to himself. Could it be that he still can't eat it?

Lao Zhu was very satisfied with his attitude, and Ming's army must have this kind of spirit.

"It's just that there is a problem here...the news must not be leaked!"

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, Zhang Cundao immediately understood.

What did the emperor mean by asking him to show his loyalty just now?The general Xiaozhang blushed immediately.

He is from eastern Zhejiang, so why doesn't he know some unspeakable unspoken local rules?
Landlords who conduct maritime trade will naturally raise armed forces to ensure the smooth running of their business.

In that kind of lawless place, interests, struggles, it is easy for people to get lost.

Japanese pirates harassed Haiphong, and many people were not all Japanese wanderers. It was nothing new for many people to go ashore to serve as citizens, and to go to sea to become bandits.

After the ethos of a place is formed, even those people who abide by the law and discipline, because of the relationship between clan relatives and patriarchal clan...

They are also inextricably linked with overseas bandits.

This is also when Liu Bowen went to oppose the attack on Japan, and the emperor would be suspicious.

The emperor hurriedly sent someone to Japan as a diplomatic mission, which is most likely related to the coastal defense issue.

So using himself as the leader of the Xuanwu Army, Zhu Yuanzhang also had a doubt in his heart.

That is, whether Zhang Cundao will show mercy to some unknown members of the Japanese pirates because of his background and position.

Your Majesty's job is not easy!

The clothes behind Zhang Cundao were soaked with sweat.

"Your Majesty's concerns are justified, so let's try not to leak information on this matter!

Among them, before departure, there must be no disclosure of the soldiers in the army, because there are a large number of soldiers from Zhejiang, Fujian and Nanzhili in the navy!

They can't guarantee that there will be no one...

But the soldiers are still second, mainly the native place of the middle-level generals, I feel that promoting some generals with inland native place can avoid..."

Zhang Cundao racked his brains to give the emperor an idea, and finally when he said that he was about to collapse,
Lao Zhu patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Zhang Yi's son is very good,

I believe in you! "

Finally passed.

If the emperor hadn't been present, Zhang Cundao would almost collapse and sit on the ground.

After all, if he doesn't do well in this response, the future may be a disaster of ransacking his family and exterminating his family!

"I don't need you to take care of the part on the ground, I have my own arrangements...

But on the water, I want your Xuanwu Army to cut off the back of these guys..."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Go back and train hard, I will let you know later..."

Zhang Cundao resigned and left.

When he left the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang called Gao Jianxian over:

"You let people watch him, if there is a situation, report to me immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have already made arrangements. There are our brothers in the Xuanwu Army!"

Gao Jianxian was very obedient after being taught a lesson by the emperor once.

Lao Zhu got the answer he wanted and waved Gao Jianxian out.

After Gao Jianxian left, Zhu Biao came out from another secret room.

"Father wants to use this Ching Ming Festival action to get Zhang Cundao to accept a vote?"

The emperor was beating Zhang Cundao just now, and it was inconvenient for Zhu Biao to be present.

He knew that the emperor put him behind and listened, and he was teaching how to command by precepts and deeds.

After Zhang Cundao's test has passed, the prince himself will not be able to escape the emperor's test.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't ask, Zhu Biao took the initiative to mention his understanding.

Lao Zhu nodded and sighed faintly:

"That kid reminded me, I think what he said made sense!
Does Liu Ji have a problem? I don't think so.

Zhang Yi, is there any problem with Zhang Cundao and his son? I don't think so either.

It's just that I believe in their loyalty, but I don't believe in their position!

Since ancient times, the imperial power has not come down to the county. This is what your younger brother said, and I think it makes sense.

The cornerstone of the imperial court is the country gentry and clan!
There are clansmen first, and then family and country.

Zhang Cundao swears that the heaven and earth are kings, relatives and teachers, but I don't believe it.

We Chinese people have been here for so many years, and I still don't understand the bottom line?

If I were not the emperor, I would not be able to ignore my clan and elders...

Not to mention those who have long tied their interests together. "

"So, Father wants to see if Zhang Cundao will show favoritism when facing the folks?
Even, the emperor needs him to use the blood of his fellow countrymen to complete the test of him and the Xuanwu Army? "

Old Zhu nodded:

"If there is a choice, I naturally hope that your elder brother Mu Ying or someone from Huaixi will lead the army?
It's a pity that if we want the Xuanwu Army to quickly form an army, I can't give up the source of troops in the coastal provinces who are good at water warfare!

Zhang Cundao is already the best candidate I can think of. Before your eldest brother returns to Daming with the fetish, he is the best choice for the Xuanwu Army.

When your elder brother comes back with a monstrous achievement, I will let your elder brother replace him.

But at that time, I will not treat him badly, he will at least have a title.

But the premise of all this is that he can pass my test.

Master Tiandi, relatives and masters, this sentence should not just be said in the mouth! "

Zhu Biao was silent, the emperor had to use more veterans along the coast in order to form an army, but the influence of the clan was indeed a big problem.

China's grassroots society is composed of clans.

An ordinary commoner may not have seen the magistrate in his life, but he must be living under the influence of the clan.

The first is the clan, and the second is the national law.

This kind of social composition, even Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, a high-ranking official, can hardly not be affected.

No matter how rich or noble a person is, he still cannot escape the sentence of saying goodbye to his old age and returning home.

If you don't do something to help your hometown, who will take care of you when you go back?
The clans in each locality watched the transfer of officials and the change of dynasties,

The rules left by the bottom should not be easily changed.

However, when there is a conflict between imperial power and clan interests, how do officials deal with themselves?

For example, when the emperor wanted to use Zhang Cundao to suppress bandits, what if he suppressed his clan relatives?
Zhang Cundao may not care, but what about the underground Zhejiang soldiers, Fujian soldiers, Taicang soldiers, and Songjiang soldiers?
The influence of the clan seems to be out of the question, but in fact it has been deeply affecting everyone in Huaxia.

It was impossible for Zhang Cundao's father to fully trust Zhang Cundao before he handed over his vote.

"If at that time, among those pirates, there are really pirates disguised as people from my Ming Dynasty, I am afraid that the father will set off a bloody storm again...

With father's temperament, even if General Zhang doesn't want to cut himself off from his fellow countrymen, he can't let him..."

Zhu Biao had a feeling in his heart, and he couldn't help blurting out:

"Governing the country is really not an easy task, everything is difficult to do as one wants!"

Seeing the prince's inexplicable sigh, Lao Zhu patted his son on the shoulder.

I can appreciate the hard work of the emperor, and it is not in vain for him to cultivate.

"Father, you are only going to use Zhang Cundao to fight at sea, but on land...?"

"I didn't intend to only use him in Haihai... I've already made people trust your elder brother..."

"Brother isn't...?"

Zhu Biao was puzzled, didn't the emperor not let the eldest brother leak the news on the ground?
"When the time comes you will understand..."

Lao Zhu let it go and continued to study the map.

"In Jiaozhou in April, during the Ching Ming Festival, I always need something to bring to my ancestors' graves, and the heads of these Japanese pirates are just right!
They'd better come, I'm not afraid that they won't come!
On the contrary, I will throw them a sweet bait in Jiaozhou, and let them bite the bait by themselves..."

Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't been on the battlefield in person for a long time, and Chang Yuchun and Xu Da were in charge of the northern war, so he didn't need to worry too much.

Had the opportunity to personally arrange the layout, and the emperor also had a good time.

Lao Zhu was obsessed with the layout, Zhu Biao didn't understand military affairs, and he didn't want to accompany the emperor in such rare "leisure and entertainment" activities in his busy schedule.

He left the imperial study room and looked at the blue sky outside the window.

Today, it is advisable to travel.

Zhu Biao changed his clothes and left the palace, and first took a look at his "business".

Since meeting Zhang Yi, the school's stall has grown bigger and bigger without knowing it.

The inspection at the beginning was just a tool for Lao Zhu's supervisory officials, and also some work to detect intelligence.

From the scope of work, in terms of editorial personnel, the influence of previous inspections was limited.

Since the emperor became obsessed with something called communication and rumors, the emperor set up many businesses in the market for experiments.

Soon Lao Zhu discovered that these business in the market could give him some useful information.

Not only is it to spy on the privacy of the officials, but there are many news that he will never hear from the officials. He can learn about the prices outside and the voices of the people from the market...

Especially from the mouths of merchants traveling from south to north, Lao Zhu can still know a lot of outside news indirectly.

The purpose of the establishment of the school is to become the eyes and ears of the emperor outside the officials.

After discovering that the eyes and ears can still be used in this way, Lao Zhu waved his hand, and the school ushered in an expansion...

Zhu Biao became the de facto person in charge of the school by mistake.

He is in charge of the business of the capital, but in fact he is also in charge of the intelligence of the capital.

It's just that most of these so-called intelligence are trivial matters.

How to select useful information from trivial matters is also an extracurricular practice for the prince who is currently unable to handle state affairs.

"Ms. Xu's family bought a volume of Daozang..."

Zhu Biao couldn't help laughing when he saw an interesting piece of news.

That girl from the Xu family who was rumored to marry into the Tian family and become the fourth daughter-in-law did not know why she took the wrong medicine?

When thinking of Daozang, I naturally thought of a certain little Taoist priest.

He has nothing to do, so why not go to the Pure Heart Contemplation for a walk?

At this time of pure heart view, the Xu family girl and Xiao Mengyao are holding their breath, nervously watching Zhang Yi draw on the paper...

(End of this chapter)