The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 16 Provocation

"So that's the suggestion you came up with?" Old Zhu sat behind his desk, unable to suppress a chuckle.

Zhu Biao, standing to the side, held his forehead, somewhat amused and exasperated.

Such an important national matter, involving relatives and nobles, your suggestion, Li Jinglong, was merely because you were bullied?

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Jinglong nodded, and said solemnly, "After receiving the letter from the merchant caravan in your residence, I couldn't help but feel a few emotions!"

Li Jinglong straightened his back, his expression turning serious, and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and his companion on the steps: "Even I, a Duke, find it so difficult to conduct business honestly. What about ordinary merchants? Aren't they just fish on a chopping board?"

"It is said that merchants value profit over righteousness, but in my opinion, no matter what profession one is in, one is an indispensable part of the country."

"Without agriculture, there is no stability; without commerce, there is no wealth; without an army, there is no strength. Farmers are responsible for producing food, merchants are responsible for the circulation of goods, and soldiers are responsible for protecting the country. Only in this way can a country become prosperous and strong, a model unmatched throughout history."

"Second Girl, you value merchants too much!" Old Zhu raised his eyelids slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Your Majesty, since the implementation of the Open Market Law in our dynasty, merchants have been transporting grain to the border regions. Although they do so to exchange for salt permits, it is precisely because of this that the supply of materials to our border areas has been guaranteed. It is said that merchants are profit-driven, but who is not?"

Li Jinglong shook his head: "The world is bustling, all for profit! While merchants pursue profit, they also promote the circulation of goods and commodities. If the circulation link is missing, the supply of goods to our border will be entirely borne by the court. How much will be consumed on the road then?"

"If supplies run out at the border, how will the military garrisons and outposts survive? How will our Daming border defenses continue?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao did not answer Li Jinglong; their expressions had become serious. Both were intelligent men and naturally understood the danger behind what Li Jinglong was saying.

After Li Jinglong finished speaking, he stood respectfully in the main hall. Although it seemed that he had been wronged, the Prince of Qin and others were actually undermining the Ming Dynasty. If this continued, the consequences would be dire.

How were the military garrisons and outposts on the borders of the Ming Dynasty abolished? It wasn't until the Hongzhi era that Ye Qi advocated abolishing the open market system and replacing it with the exchange rate system.

While it may seem that the national treasury has seen an increase in revenue, the Ming Dynasty's border defenses have been rendered completely ineffective!

When the Sino-French trade was established, merchants transported grain and supplies to the border to ensure the supply of materials to military garrisons and outposts. After its abolition, merchants directly used silver to purchase salt permits at the border.

The border lacked not silver, but supplies! Without supplies, no amount of silver could help, so military farms and garrisons began to decline, and the entire border defense of the Ming Dynasty became virtually non-existent!

"You damned bastard!" Old Zhu's face was a mixture of anger and rage as he cursed loudly.

As for who they were cursing, Li Jinglong and Zhu Biao knew very well!

"Biao'er, investigate this matter that Er Yatou mentioned thoroughly. If anyone dares to embezzle again, chop off their paws and feed them to the dogs!" After scolding, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao with a serious expression.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Zhu Biao replied solemnly.

"Second daughter, once the relocation of the town is implemented, you will become a thorn in the side of the princes and nobles!" Old Zhu turned his head and looked at Li Jinglong meaningfully.

Li Jinglong cupped his hands in greeting, a smile appearing on his face instead: "Your Majesty, anyone who has a problem with me is harboring ill intentions and ulterior motives. I think we should investigate them thoroughly."

"Hehe!" Old Zhu smiled and turned to Zhu Biao to praise Li Jinglong: "See? I told you this kid's good! Even when he uses underhanded methods, he does it honorably!"

"Of course!" Zhu Biao nodded in satisfaction. "In the grand competition for sons of noble families a few years ago, Jiujiang won first place in everything, whether it was archery, horsemanship, swordsmanship, or military strategy. It's all thanks to the excellent training he received from Father and my cousin!"

Gan!

Li Jinglong was deeply distressed. What happened to hiding his talents? What happened to lying low?

It's all the King of Qin's fault!

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am unworthy of such praise. If it weren't for Prince Qin and Huang Bin making things so difficult for me, I wouldn't have imagined the danger involved!" After finishing his modesty, Li Jinglong didn't forget to put a snide remark on Prince Qin and Huang Bin.

"Biao'er, this concerns the stability of the border region. What are you planning to do?" Old Zhu asked Zhu Biao.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao pondered for a moment: "Your Majesty, I intend to dispatch imperial censors to Beiping and Shaanxi to investigate before taking any action!"

"Hmm!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, glanced at Li Jinglong, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "In my opinion, let Er Yatou be the imperial envoy, leading the censors to investigate!"

At this moment, Li Jinglong, who was still gloating over his actions, turned into a bitter face when he heard Old Zhu call his name.

Beiping was one thing, Huang Bin wouldn't dare to cause trouble, but the Prince of Qin was a scoundrel who was also suppressing him in terms of seniority, Li Jinglong really didn't want to get involved in this mess.

Li Jinglong hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I am still young and inexperienced, and I am truly unworthy of such a great responsibility!"

Zhu Biao, seeing Li Jinglong's expression, couldn't help but chuckle, and said, "Father, Jiujiang has no experience with this matter. I think we should send an imperial censor instead!"

"Second girl, don't you want to go and vent your anger yourself?" Old Zhu ignored her and looked at Li Jinglong with great interest.

"this......"

It has to be said that Li Jinglong was tempted. Although the Prince of Qin was a reckless fool, he was an imperial envoy!

"I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I am not up to the task!" Li Jinglong ultimately declined.

"Hmph!" Old Zhu sneered. "You don't even have this much courage. In my opinion, you deserve to be bullied!"

Li Jinglong stared wide-eyed at Zhu Yuanzhang. "Are you going to use reverse psychology now?"

"Your subject will go!" Li Jinglong immediately agreed. Since you, Old Zhu, want me to go so much, then I will go!

"Father!" Zhu Biao hurriedly reached out to stop him, looking at Li Jinglong: "Jiujiang, you..."

Li Jinglong raised his head and said indignantly, "Your Highness, His Majesty is right. I have suffered injustice, and now His Majesty is supporting me. If I don't go, wouldn't they look down on me!"

"You!" Zhu Biao shook his head helplessly and stopped talking.

"It's settled then!" Old Zhu made the final decision, looking at Li Jinglong: "Go back and pack your things properly, we're leaving the day after tomorrow!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Jinglong bowed and accepted the decree.

After Li Jinglong left the Jinshen Hall, Zhu Biao shook his head with a wry smile, his voice tinged with resentment: "Father, Jiujiang is still young, why did you have to provoke him like that!"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu shook his head: "Biao'er, do you think Er Yatou can't see that I'm trying to provoke him?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback. Recalling Li Jinglong's expression just now, he suddenly realized and said, "You mean...?"

"Second daughter is smart, but when faced with a problem, she doesn't think about rushing forward; instead, she always thinks about hiding in the back!" Old Zhu paused for a moment, then said smugly, "Sometimes, he's overly cautious!"

"So Father Emperor is forcing him to go this time?" Zhu Biao asked with a smile.

Old Zhu stood up, hands behind his back, but his gaze was fixed outside the main hall. He murmured with a sigh, "You think we don't know what they've been doing? But now is not the time!"

"What does Father mean?" Zhu Biao suddenly realized, vaguely guessing Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.

Zhu Yuanzhang's lips curled into a smug smile: "Second daughter's trip is to vent her anger for me!"

"Father is wise!"