Daming: Mixed in Dangzhi County, Beiping

As Zhu Di and his party left, Duke Dingguo's mansion suddenly became lively.

Especially the kid Guo Lu, who stared at Guo An expectantly with his big eyes.

"Dad, I want to eat sweet potatoes too!"

"I can't eat anymore!"

Guo An spread his hands helplessly.

"Sir, you stole sweet potatoes without permission. Will Your Majesty punish you for this?"

Liu Baiwei and Yue Lan's bellies also became bigger and bigger, but then their minds seemed to be a lot stupider.

"Don't worry, sister, the yield of sweet potatoes is so large and the taste is extremely delicious. As long as the people of the Ming Dynasty can plant them, your majesty will surely become an emperor and a sage. Your majesty will only reward me and will never punish me...

However, if he is caught by His Majesty this time, he can no longer steal it!

Your Majesty will also keep strict supervision and will not let me take advantage of it..."

After some comfort, Liu Baiwei and Yue Lan no longer worried.

Guo An then turned around and glared fiercely at Guo Ang, who was waiting on the side. If this matter spread to the back house so quickly, this guy must have tipped him off.

Guo Ang quickly lowered his head with a sneer on his face.

"father……"

On the side, Guo Lu still looked pitiful.

Guo An said angrily: "You are such a greedy person, even sweet potatoes can't let your grandma eat, how can you still get your turn?

If I want to eat, I can only wait until new sweet potatoes are cultivated. Then I can take out some and supply our family with a few meals, and then plant them again. Our family will not be short of sweet potatoes! "

Guo Lu looked happy, "Dad, is what you said true?"

Guo An looked angry, "When have we ever lied to you?"

"hey-hey!"

Guo Lu just giggled.

On the side, Liu Baiwei, Guo Shen and others also had happy faces.

Next to three piles of sweet potatoes in the back garden of Guo Mansion, Xu Yong and two captains in armor stood looking at each other.

Xu Yong also held two transparent glass bottles in his hands. The liquid inside was translucent and golden, and looked very attractive.

However, the two captains opposite Xu Yong had solemn expressions on their faces.

"Xu Yong, don't tempt your brothers like this. His Majesty has personally told you that before these sweet potatoes are sent to be cultivated, we cannot let these sweet potatoes leave our sight.

Even the father-in-law is not allowed to touch these sweet potatoes!

We want to drink the fine wine in your hand, but if we drink it now, you will have to bury us tomorrow! "

Xu Yong looked helpless, "You don't know what kind of person I am?"

The two captains looked solemn, "It's just too clear that we don't dare to drink!"

Xu Yong: "..."

After a long while, he sighed.

"In this case, the two brothers will suffer for the time being!"

"Huh, who knows how lucky you are to be directly sent by His Majesty to protect the father-in-law, where you can eat and drink well all day long!"

"..."

And on the other side.

Yu Xin and Bao Zhao followed Zhu Di all the way to the palace.

Bao Zhao once again made a determined request.

"Your Majesty, the sweet potato matter is of great importance. Please allow your Majesty to allow me to step down from my post as Minister of Civil Affairs and personally go to the Jiangjun Mountain Experimental Field to supervise the cultivation of sweet potatoes!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di looked neither happy nor sad, and did not make any movement.

but.

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly and said, "Don't worry, Lord Bao. Although Duke Ding is a bit greedy, with the few captains left behind by his father, Duke Ding will definitely not steal any more." Sweet potato eating!”

Yu Xin and Bao Zhao raised their eyebrows slightly and couldn't help but look at each other.

Afterwards, Bao Zhao spoke out again: "Your Highness has misunderstood me. I am not worried about Duke Ding, but I am worried about the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty, or the nobles and officials in the capital!"

"Ok?"

Zhu Gaochi was startled, then thoughtful.

Zhu Di finally spoke, "Since the Hongwu period, Baoqing's family has been promoted to the Secretary of the Dali Temple by a son of the State. He then participated in politics as Chief Secretary of Peiping, Yushi of the Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and then became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He has been upright throughout his life. Integrity and self-restraint...

The Baoqing family are our ministers in the Ming Dynasty. I have great trust in the Baoqing family. Why do the Baoqing family come here? "

Bao Zhao looked moved and grateful.

Then, with a firm look on his face, he raised his hands and saluted, "Your Majesty, please grant me your permission!"

"Ugh!"

Zhu Di couldn't help but sigh slightly, his face full of helplessness.

"If the Baoqing family insists on doing this, let's make a deal!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Bao Zhao's face was full of joy, as if he had picked up some treasure.

On the side, Yu Xin looked strange.

Zhu Di asked again: "Who do the Baoqing family think is suitable for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"

Bao Zhao said without hesitation, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Jian Yi, is familiar with the rules and regulations of the imperial court and understands etiquette.

In addition, Jian Yi was a top three Jinshi in the eighteenth year of Hongwu. He once accompanied the late emperor. He was a simple man and treated people with sincerity. He could be the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs! "

"Jian Yi..."

Zhu Di nodded slightly in his eyes, "We know that when he was a disciple of Zhongshu, Huang Kao loved him very much and made an exception to let him stay by his side for a few more years. Even his name was given by Huang Kao!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Bao Zhao slightly arched his hands.

Zhu Di nodded slightly, "In this case, he will be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Bao Zhao was overjoyed again.

After Bao Zhao and Yu Xin left, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but ask: "Father, although the case of Songjiang Mansion, Bao Zhao, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, cannot escape the blame.

But, because of this incident, is it a little bit..."

Zhu Di raised his head and looked at Zhu Gaochi quietly, with a strange look on his face.

"For the Songjiang Mansion case, we were a little angry at Bao Zhao, but we had no intention of forcing him to become an official!

And for him to be so eager to become an official, have you ever thought that it might be his own fault? "

"His own reasons?"

Zhu Gaochi was stunned and still a little confused.

The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel of the Ming Dynasty was known as the Great Tomorrow Official, and was also revered as Otsuka Zai in private. His status was so respected that officials all over the world dreamed of being promoted to an official position.

Just because some ignorant people have led to the emergence of corrupt officials in Ming Dynasty, do you want to become an official?

As for his old age and lack of energy? Zhu Gaochi didn’t believe this statement!

Seeing that Zhu Gaochi was still a little confused, Zhu Di said quietly: "Do you think sweet potatoes are important to the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Gaochi said hurriedly: "It can be called the foundation of the country!"

"Yes!"

Zhu Di nodded slightly and said in an incomprehensible tone, "The sweet potato is so important. If he cultivates it and promotes it to the people of the Ming Dynasty, and his reputation spreads, his fame will be passed down through the ages!"

"This……"

Zhu Gaochi was stunned.

He also realized that Zhu Di was right.

It is self-evident how important sweet potatoes are to the Ming Dynasty.

If Bao Zhao, the former Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is cultivated and promoted, his name will not only be passed down through the ages, but he can even be revered as a sage!

With such a good name, he still borrowed the case of Songjiang Mansion and used the excuses of various vassal kings and powerful people. He is really an old fox!

Thinking about it, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but feel a little angry.

"Dad, if he is allowed to go to Jiangjun Mountain, wouldn't it be depriving him of the credit of the teacher and the talented farmers in Jiangjun Mountain?"

"will not!"

Zhu Di shook his head slowly.

Zhu Gaochi looked surprised.

Zhu Di explained helplessly: "Don't forget, you are in control of the Di newspaper!"

Zhu Gaochi's eyes brightened.

Zhu Di added: "In addition, Duke Dingguo is not that easy to bully... Maybe the Baoqing family doesn't have so many thoughts, but is simply worried. Duke Dingguo can't help but eat and drink, and Go steal some sweet potatoes!"

Mutual hostility between civil servants and nobles?

Zhu Gaochi was thinking inexplicably and nodded slowly at the same time.

……

The next day.

At the court meeting, a scene appeared that shocked all the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty.

The Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs actually went to court to ask for his resignation!

His Majesty did not dissuade him and agreed directly!

agreed!

Although His Majesty specially conferred the title of Guanglu Doctor on Bao Zhao, a dignified minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Great Tomorrow Official, became an official just like that!

Could it be that it was really because of the Songjiang Mansion case?

The officials' expressions flickered, but only a few people knew the inside story!

As for the appointment of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Personnel as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, it did not surprise all the officials, but it was expected!

After the court meeting.

Bao Zhao then followed the prince Zhu Gaochi, a eunuch, and a team of imperial guards to the Duke Dingguo's mansion.

After loading the sweet potatoes onto wooden boxes covered with soft padding, a group of people escorted the sweet potatoes to the Jiangjun Mountain Experimental Field.

And this will.

The rice on the Jiangjun Mountain experimental field has been harvested cleanly, leaving only some rice stubble!

"We have met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Duke Dingguo!"

"The general and others have met His Highness the Crown Prince and Duke Dingguo!"

Guo Bingyong, Guo Zhi and others in the experimental field village, as well as the group of hundreds of households, all quickly saluted Zhu Gaochi, Guo An and others.

"Excuse me!"

Zhu Gaochi looked gentle.

After Guo Bingyong, Guo Zhi and others stood up, they said: "This time, I, Ding Guogong and others are here to escort a fortune of grain and hand it over to the wise farmers to cultivate it as soon as possible. Let the people of the Ming Dynasty plant it!" "Another kind of food of fortune?"

Hearing this, Guo Bingyong, Guo Zhi and others' eyes suddenly lit up.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what kind of blessed food is it?"

Although they were asking Zhu Gaochi, their eyes were looking at Guo An who was standing aside.

Two words slowly appeared in Zhu Gaochi's mouth: "Sweet potato!"

"Sweet potato?"

"Are the sweet potatoes ripe?"

Guo Bingyong and Guo Zhi suddenly looked surprised.

"Ok!"

Zhu Gaochi was not surprised at all. According to the relationship between these four and his teachers, it is not difficult to know Fanshu!

Guo Bingyong couldn't wait to ask: "I dare to ask Your Highness, but we need to plant sweet potatoes now?"

"naturally!"

Zhu Gaochi nodded slightly and introduced Bao Zhao to everyone.

"Sweet potatoes can yield ten stones per acre. My father attaches great importance to sweet potatoes... Baogong was previously the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. For the sake of sweet potatoes, he became an official and willingly came to the Jiangjun Mountain experimental field to assist in the cultivation of sweet potatoes.

Don't worry, everyone, although Bao Gong is no longer the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he is still awarded the title of Guanglu Dafu by his father. In addition, he has many disciples and former officials. If any vassal kings or dignitaries dare to come to Jiangjun Mountain to seek trouble, you can all turn to them. Let the tyrant come forward! "

"Bao Gong can come to Jiangjun Mountain, it is an honor for the villain and others!"

Guo Bingyong and Guo Zhi hurriedly paid homage to Bao Zhao.

Bao Zhao hurriedly said: "The four Di Gonglang should not be so polite. I feel ashamed and can only do my last for the Ming Dynasty!"

Guo Bingyong said respectfully: "Bao Gong is the pillar of my Ming Dynasty. I am too humble..."

"alright, alright!"

Guo An couldn't bear to see such hypocritical greetings, and said directly: "You are just farming in the experimental field, you don't have any official positions, and there is no distinction between high and low.

Even if it is Wensan level, it is just a title of honor for external use!

As long as you cultivate better seeds, your status will be respected... Of course, you can't bully others randomly.

This time, His Majesty not only asked the original team of hundreds of households to guard the sweet potato fields, but also sent a eunuch to supervise the matter and prevent anyone from secretly eating the sweet potatoes!

You should also remember that sweet potatoes are related to the Ming Dynasty and the livelihood of all people in the world, so there should be no mistakes! "

"I'll understand later!"

Guo Bingyong, Guo Zhi and others quickly responded with their hands.

As for Bao Zhao, he glanced at Guo An and ignored him.

Here are all members of his Guo family.

As long as he comes here, Guo Anxiu will want to steal a sweet potato.

Guo An Zaifang ordered: "Leave twenty kilograms of sweet potatoes to prevent accidents, and all the remaining sweet potatoes will be used to cultivate sweet potato seedlings!"

"Yes, Duke Dingguo!"

Guo Bingyong, Guo Zhi and others responded again.

Immediately, action began.

First, dig a few holes on the ground, put some fertilizer in, mix it with the soil evenly, and then bury the sweet potatoes one by one in them.

Next, sprinkle some more water to keep it moist.

It's best to get pieces of transparent glass and put them on top...

"Is this good?"

The whole process took less than half an hour, and Bao Zhao couldn't help but look doubtful.

Guo An said: "You still have to keep an eye on it. After a few days, if the soil is not moist, you have to pour some water... Wait for a period of time, and after the sweet potatoes sprout, wait until the buds grow up, and then plant those sweet potatoes. Just pull out the buds, cover them with soil, plant them in the field, and that’s it!”

Although it was a response to Bao Zhao, it was actually an explanation to Zhu Gaochi.

"I see!"

Zhu Gaochi nodded slightly.

The eunuch on the side listened even more intently, not daring to miss a word. He had to report these things to His Majesty one by one!

Subsequently.

Guo An explained to Guo Bingyong and Guo Zhi again, and at the same time took Zhu Gaochi to see a circle of corn fields before returning to the capital.

Simultaneously.

In the evening, a long letter was sent to the palace from the experimental field at Jiangjun Mountain.

In the palace, candles are brightly lit.

After reading the letter, Zhu Di fell asleep with a satisfied look on his face.

With the change of officials, there were some changes in the court.

However, since he was promoted to Minister Zuo of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the change was not too big.

A few days later.

News of the autumn harvest in the north reached the capital.

All the officials in the court could not help but look solemn again.

"hiss……"

"Is this news true?"

"Exactly. Could it be that those officials in the north wanted to exaggerate the severity of the drought by asking for more relief grains from the court?"

"Impossible, those officials don't dare. Since the beginning of this year, His Majesty has been sending Jin Yiwei to keep an eye on things in the north.

We just ransacked the homes of so many officials, and His Majesty's anger has not subsided. Those officials in the north would never dare to act like this! "

"But why is it so serious? Especially in Hebei and Henan, the grain yield of those fields is less than 30% of last year's?"

"Henan and Hebei have a large population. If this is the case, we don't have to wait until the beginning of next year. There will definitely be a famine this winter!"

"This matter must be reported quickly!"

"That's right, that's right!"

soon.

Several memorials were sent to the cabinet.

In less than an hour, it was already delivered to Zhu Di.

"It's so serious. What do the officials in Hebei and Henan do for food?"

After reading the memorial, Zhu Di scolded him sharply.

Then, he asked Zhu Gaochi: "Prince, can you report the autumn harvest situation in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Peiping?"

Zhu Gaochi hurriedly replied: "Reply to my father, not yet!"

"A bunch of thieves!"

Zhu Di couldn't help it and cursed again.

Then, he said: "If there are reports from Shaanxi and Shanxi, please submit them quickly!"

"Yes, Father!"

Zhu Gaochi responded quickly.

Zhu Di looked at Yi Shiha who was aside, "Summon Duke Ding into the palace!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

Yi Shiha responded quickly and quickly retreated.

soon.

Guo An hurriedly followed a eunuch and entered the Fengtian Hall.

"I have met with Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Guo Qing, the autumn harvest conditions in Henan and Hebei are out!"

With that said, Zhu Di picked up a memorial and asked Yi Shiha to hand it to Guo An.

"The drought in these two places is much more serious than the court expected!"

"……yes!"

After reading the memorial, Guo An also looked solemn.

"Your Majesty, the autumn harvest grains in Henan and Hebei are really too little!"

Zhu Di said: "With such a severe drought, even if we exempt these two places from taxes for a year, the people in these two places will have no food at home after winter!"

"Your Majesty, even if you ask various places to open granaries to release grain, the food in those granaries will not be enough to sustain the cold winter!"

"Exactly!"

Zhu Di frowned tightly, looked at Guo An, and asked, "How much grain has the sea trade merchant transported back during this period?"

Guo An replied: "Your Majesty, I should have more than 300,000 stones!"

"More than three hundred thousand stones?"

Zhu Gaochi's eyes widened.

Zhu Di was also slightly startled. He did not expect that a mere chamber of commerce could transport so much food back to the Ming Dynasty!

"Three hundred thousand shi of food, placed in these two places, is just a drop in the bucket!"

"What your Majesty said is absolutely true!"

Guo An nodded slightly, and then said: "Therefore, we still need to adjust food from the south.

In addition, we must also beware of those local gentry secretly hoarding grain, making money from the country's financial difficulties, and exploiting the people! "

"They dare?"

Zhu Di had a cold expression on his face.

"Your Majesty, they dare!"

Guo An's expression remained unchanged as he continued: "Hebei and Henan are so big. If some gentry colluded with officials to secretly hoard food at home, from grain merchants, and even from granaries, His Majesty would not find out!

And they, after this incident, can still make a lot of money..."

"Humph!"

Zhu Di snorted coldly, "We will send Jin Yiwei to closely monitor the northern states and counties!"

Guo An said: "Your Majesty, those Jinyi guards are not familiar with merchant affairs. I think we should let the caravans under the Chamber of Commerce help!"

Zhu Di glanced at Guo An and nodded slightly.

"Can!"

...(End of chapter)