Ming Dynasty: Evolution from snake to national guardian beast

Chapter 34 One million taels of silver! ! !
  In the Nuan Pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking about how Zhu Yunwen could provide disaster relief.

From ancient times to the present, disaster relief has been a top priority for the imperial court, because if one thing goes wrong, the next Zhu Yuanzhang will appear.

In the history of China, how many dynasties have been destroyed due to earthquakes. This kind of thing has been countless.

At least, the previous Emperor Yuan wanted to build the Yellow River because of floods, which led to chaos in the world, and was finally overthrown by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang learned from the previous emperor's mistakes and was particularly concerned about disaster relief.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty, famines have occurred every year.

According to historical records, there are endless droughts, locusts, floods, blizzards, etc.

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang handled it very well. Every time a natural disaster struck, Zhu Yuanzhang was always able to provide disaster relief immediately and preserved the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

But now, Zhu Yuanzhang is old. As the heir to the throne, Zhu Yunwen naturally needs to learn some disaster relief methods, otherwise there will definitely be big problems in the future.

With this year's cold winter, it is conceivable that the snow disaster will definitely be very serious this year.

Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to take this opportunity to hone his young grandson.

It was originally just a simple test, but when Zhu Yunwen said this, the atmosphere became tense.

I saw Zhu Yunwen talking eloquently:
  "My grandson heard that what my fourth uncle developed in Peiping is an anthracite that is better than charcoal."

"As soon as it was sold, it was deeply loved by the people, and the business was very prosperous. It can be said that the money was made every day."

"My grandson thought that if a snowstorm breaks out one day, he will buy a batch of coal from his fourth uncle to help the victims."

"Besides, I also heard that Fourth Uncle also wants to sell coal to the military. It should be very useful."

With these four simple words, Zhu Yuanzhang's sleepy eyes suddenly burst out with a frightening light.

Making money every day? Sold to the military? Relieve victims?

Zhu Yuanzhang's face gradually turned cold and he said in a deep voice:

"Yunwen, how did you know this news?"

Zhu Yunwen looked confused and said respectfully:
  "Grandpa Qi, this is what the people who came back from Peiping recently said.

In addition, there were several people who brought coal back from Peiping. They asked for fifty copper coins per pound. It was really good stuff.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly burst into anger.

50 yuan per pound? He clearly remembered that Zhu Gaoxu had said, ten cents per catty, why did it cost fifty cents?
  If it costs fifty cents per catty, how many people in Peiping can afford it?
  The weather in Peiping is much colder than that in Yingtian. If Lao Si does this, won't the poor people still live in poverty?

"Are you serious? Are you lying to me?"

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't care less about disaster relief or not. He just wanted to find out what the fourth child was doing in Peiping!
  This was obviously a good thing for the benefit of the people. How come it turned into a tool for making money in the hands of the fourth child?

Zhu Yuanzhang thought that the reason why Zhu Di sold it so expensively was not to sell to the people at all, but to sell to the army.

The nine towns in northern Xinjiang are all military towns. They are located in the bitter cold land of the north and have a huge demand for coal.

If Zhu Di had used his connections, he would have been able to successfully sell the coal to the military and make a lot of money.

However, Zhu Di was just a prince, so why did he make so much money?
  The more Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, his eyes kept falling on Zhu Yunwen, as if he wanted to find a flaw in him.

Zhu Yunwen looked innocent and said:
  "Grandpa Huang can find out this matter just by asking on the street. How dare your grandson lie to Grandpa Huang?"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't speak. After a while, he waved to Zhu Yunwen and said:
  "You go down first. Don't worry about the Fourth Brother. You should just find a way to provide relief. I'll come back tomorrow and continue to test you!"

Zhu Yunwen quickly saluted and retreated.

As soon as Zhu Yunwen left, Zhu Yuanzhang issued a decree and called Wu Feng, the former commander of the Forbidden Army. The Jinyiwei were Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes and ears. They were loyal to the emperor, so although they were removed from their posts, they only changed from bright to dark.

As long as Zhu Yuanzhang needs it, he can call them back at any time and then do what Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Wu Feng is a very smart middle-aged man. Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's call, he hurried to Nuange.

"Your Majesty, I am humbled by my humble duty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly opened his squinted eyes and whispered:
  "Wu Feng, have you heard anything about King Yan in Yingtian City during this time?"

Wu Feng did not answer immediately, but frowned slightly, thought for a while, and said:
  "I don't know. If the emperor wants to know, I'll go check it out right now."

Zhu Yuanzhang breathed a sigh of relief and said:
  "Check who is selling coal in Beijing and find out who is behind this."

"In addition, check to see if there is anything detrimental to King Yan. If anyone spreads rumors, he will be taken down directly and tortured. I want to know the truth."

"According to the order!" everyone responded in unison.

Wu Feng immediately bowed and then withdrew.

After everyone dispersed, a young eunuch walked over cautiously and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, who was concentrating with his eyes closed:

"Your Majesty, Zhu Gaoxu has come to see you."

"Gao Xu?" Tang Huan was slightly startled.

Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked, how could Zhu Gaoxu come here when he usually travels around the capital? Why are you free to see me today?
  Since Zhu Gaoxu was left in Yingtian by Zhu Yuanzhang, he has been traveling around the capital, often traveling to and from the Qinhuai River area, which made Zhu Yuanzhang very angry and wanted to drive him away.

However, considering that King Yan's affairs were still going on, he resisted the impulse and just stopped paying attention to Zhu Gaoxu's developments.

But today, Zhu Yuanzhang did not expect that Zhu Gaoxu would come to visit him. Out of curiosity, he wanted to know what kind of medicine this guy was selling in his gourd, so he said:

"Let him in."

Zhu Gaoxu held his head high, walked to the center of the hall, knelt down with a plop, and said loudly:
  "My grandson pays homage to Grandpa Huang."

Zhu Yuanzhang curled his lips and said bluntly:
  "Little bastard, why are you here today? Aren't you with your lover?"

Zhu Gaoxu rubbed the bridge of his nose embarrassedly and said with a dry smile:

"Grandpa Huang is joking. How can my grandson have a lover when he first comes to the capital?"

"My grandson is here this time to give money to Grandpa Huang!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's old wrinkled face suddenly laughed and asked maliciously:
  "You brat, you run up and down the Qinhuai River all day long, how can you have the money to honor me?

"Could it be that you, the boy, can still make money by visiting prostitutes?"

Zhu Gaoxu was teased by Zhu Yuanzhang, and his dark face suddenly turned red, and he said sarcastically:

"My grandson really has a sum of money that he wants to dedicate to Grandpa Huang. I also ask Grandpa Huang to stop teasing my grandson."

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's serious look, Zhu Yuanzhang became interested and said:

"Oh, I wonder how much money you want to give me?"

"Looking at you like this, you don't want to give me one hundred thousand taels, do you?"

"Grandpa Huang, you underestimate me too much. My grandson is going to give Grandpa Huang one million taels of silver this time!!"

"What?!"

(End of this chapter)