Chapter 224: Old Zhu: Ah! I Really Want To Eat Instant Noodles! Seeking Monthly Tickets
“Brother, I heard that ‘Literary Grand Ceremony’ is very interesting, and there are many talented people. Are you really not going to take a look?”
Inside Prince Yan’s Mansion, Zhu Gaochi was enjoying Wang Mazi’s latest ‘Dragon Bone Soup Hot Pot’ with great excitement, saying to his elder brother Zhu Gaochi:
“I heard that Zhu Yunwen has gone, and he has discovered many talented individuals!”
“Hmph!”
Zhu Gaoxu snorted dismissively, then picked up a slice of boiled pork belly and put it into his mouth, saying with his mouth full of oil:
“What talented individuals can he discover? Isn’t it just that Fang Xiaoru? I don’t care for that pedantic Confucian scholar!”
“It’s not just pedantic Confucian scholars. I heard that the person named Yang Shiqi was even praised by Imperial Grandfather! And Yang Rong is also very good!”
Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu frowned, then looked at Zhu Gaochi and said seriously:
“Eldest Brother, Father King has always told us to pay attention to talents in the capital. Do you think we should…”
“Third Brother, Second Brother, do not speak rashly!”
Zhu Gaochi put on a stern face and reminded them:
“Have you forgotten our current situation? The ‘Literary Grand Ceremony’ was organized by Imperial Grandfather to recruit talents. How can we get involved? Are you tired of living?”
“What’s the big deal?”
Zhu Gaoxu said dismissively:
“I’m not saying I’m snatching people from Imperial Grandfather. I mean, to pick up scraps! Besides, look at the Imperial Guards around us, there are almost no people left!”
“That’s right! Head Jiang has transferred most of the manpower away!”
While agreeing with his second brother, Zhu Gao Sui also served his elder brother Zhu Gaochi, introducing with a smile:
“Elder Brother, try this. It’s a new dish launched by Wang Mazi called blood sausage. It’s delicious!”
“It is said that he is still researching other hot pots, but a crucial ingredient is missing, and it is estimated that it will not be ready until autumn!”
Zhu Gaochi nodded, but did not pick up his chopsticks, and then asked with a frown:
“Third Brother, you just said that Jiang Huan transferred most of the Imperial Guards?”
“Yes, they said it was to maintain order at the ‘Literary Grand Ceremony’, but I don’t think so. There must be another major case!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Gao Sui seemed to remember something and lowered his voice;
“Elder Brother, Second Brother, I heard that someone is spreading rumors about Crown Princess Consort Lü, saying that she colluded with Fu Youwen and is suspected of plotting to murder Xiong Ying, the eldest brother!”
“Whoosh!”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi’s faces changed drastically.
“Are you sure?!” Zhu Gaoxu asked urgently.
“How can I be sure? I only heard some whispers in the Imperial Prison! However, Head Jiang has indeed arrested many rumor-mongers recently!”
“This…”
Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi looked at each other.
Zhu Gaochi frowned and said:
“Since Zhang Biao was lifted by Imperial Grandfather, things in Yingtian Prefecture have become more frequent. I don’t know what Imperial Grandfather really wants to do.”
“Damn it! That Zhang Biao is a troublemaker! A few days ago, he was investigating the Grain Transport corruption case, and now I don’t know what he’s doing. I heard he went out of the city with Song Zhong!”
Zhu Gaoxu slammed the table, interrupting Zhu Gaochi, then looked at Zhu Gaochi and said:
“Eldest Brother, what do you think of the Grain Transport corruption case? Why do I feel like things are getting more and more wrong?”
“And that scar-faced man, I also feel he’s a bit familiar, as if I’ve heard of him somewhere.”
“Ah? Second Brother, you know the scar-faced man!?”
Zhu Gao Sui, who was about to scoop bones from the pot to eat, was immediately attracted by Zhu Gaoxu’s words.
However, before Zhu Gaochi could answer him, a very faint report was heard from outside the door:
“Heir Apparent, Dumb Monk has come to deliver a secret letter from the Prince.”
The three brothers were stunned upon hearing this and immediately stood up from their seats.
Soon, the person named Dumb Monk entered the study silently, placed the secret letter down without a sound, and retreated like a ghost.
There was no communication between them during the entire process.
After Dumb Monk retreated, the three brothers Zhu Gaochi gathered around the secret letter.
Under the candlelight, Zhu Gaochi’s plump face was exceptionally solemn.
He slowly tore open the envelope and began to read in silence.
【 The sweet potato has been received, and its effects are awaited. The storms in the capital, the Prince Yan’s Mansion observes. 】
Zhu Gaoxu read the contents of the letter, his rough eyebrows furrowed into a knot:
“What does Father King mean by this… Did he agree or not? I don’t understand!”
Zhu Gao Sui eagerly said:
“Don’t you understand? ‘Await its effects’ means Father King will plant sweet potatoes and see the results! ‘Observe the storms in the capital’ means we should not get involved in the mess in the capital!”
Zhu Gaochi slowly shook his head, placed the letter on the table, and tapped it with his finger:
“Second Brother, Third Brother, you have oversimplified Father King’s intentions.”
“‘Await its effects’ is telling us that the Prince Yan’s Mansion has accepted the matter of sweet potatoes, but we need to see tangible benefits.”
“‘Observe the storms in the capital’ is not letting us stand by and watch, but rather to open our eyes wide and see clearly where this storm is coming from, where it is going, and even more importantly, to see clearly what role that Zhang Biao… is trying to play in the storm!”
He paused, took a deep breath, and continued to analyze:
“Think about it. Zhang Biao is making a big fuss in the capital now, pointing the spearhead at the Grain Transport. Prince Zhou’s Mansion is the first to bear the brunt. Qi, Chu, Shu, and even our Prince Yan’s Mansion are being implicated by these clues of unknown origin.”
“But have you noticed? Imperial Grandfather’s reaction is very interesting.”
“Imperial Grandfather?”
Zhu Gaoxu snorted:
“He only has eyes for that madman Zhang Biao and the Grain Transport case! Our Prince Yan’s Mansion has probably been forgotten long ago.”
“Even if there are some rumors implicating us, have you seen Imperial Grandfather send the Imperial Guards to ask any questions? What does this mean? It means that in Imperial Grandfather’s heart, he doesn’t believe we would be involved in such unsavory Grain Transport corruption!”
“This is precisely the problem!”
Zhu Gaochi’s voice suddenly rose, with a sharpness that seemed to pierce through the mist:
“Second Brother, do you think that with Zhang Biao’s ability, he wouldn’t see through these layers of clues that someone deliberately threw out to trap him in the quagmire of princely disputes?”
“Would he really do what they want and plunge headfirst into the Grain Transport case, and fight to the end with several Uncle Princes?”
“Isn’t he doing just that?”
Zhu Gaoxu was stunned and hesitated:
“I heard that his subordinates are using the silver added by Imperial Grandfather to openly recruit soldiers and buy horses in the capital, vowing to stir up trouble in the Grain Transport case!”
“Feint in the open, attack in the dark!”
Zhu Gaochi slapped his thigh hard, his plump body leaning forward slightly with excitement:
“I couldn’t figure it out before, why was he making such a big fuss, as if afraid that others wouldn’t know he was going to investigate the feudal lords. It wasn’t until just now that Second Brother reminded me!”
Zhu Gaoxu was confused: “Me? What did I remind you of?”
“The scar-faced man! The garrison system!”
Zhu Gaochi’s eyes twinkled:
“You just said that the scar-faced man who appeared at the dock, you’ve heard of him vaguely and guessed he might be related to the garrison system! Because the grain transported by the Grain Transport needs to be received and verified by local garrison systems in the end!”
Zhu Gaoxu nodded: “Yes, what’s wrong with that? The Grain Transport and the garrison system have always been closely linked…”
“There’s a big problem!”
Zhu Gaochi interrupted him, his tone a little hurried:
“If Zhang Biao’s investigation of the Grain Transport is a sham, and what he’s truly investigating is using the Grain Transport line to audit the garrison systems along the way?!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the study fell silent.
Zhu Gao Sui had not fully reacted, but Zhu Gaoxu’s face suddenly changed.
He had been involved in the military for many years and was more sensitive to the garrison system than Zhu Gaochi.
Auditing the garrison system! What did this mean?
It meant investigating the military farmland, the replenishment of troops, the accounts of military equipment, and all the hidden practices of embezzlement, exploiting soldiers, and reselling military supplies!
And their Prince Yan’s Mansion, guarding Beiping, facing the remnants of Northern Yuan, had many garrison systems under its command. To maintain strong border defenses and some unspeakable “operations,” some things could not withstand the scrutiny of a madman like Zhang Biao with a magnifying glass!
“He… he dares!”
Zhu Gaoxu was both shocked and angry:
“The garrison system is the cornerstone of the nation. How can it be investigated just because he is from the Anti-corruption Bureau?!”
“He even dares to audit Imperial Grandfather’s Imperial Treasury, what doesn’t he dare to do?!”
Zhu Gaochi retorted, his voice tinged with bitterness:
“Moreover, he can completely use the banner of ‘pleading for the people’ and ‘rectifying military discipline’, and start investigating some small garrison systems that have long-standing grievances and conclusive evidence!”
“For example, the garrison system that oppressed the old soldiers’ village and forcibly conscripted strong men! It’s all legitimate!”
Zhu Gaoxu gasped. He finally realized the seriousness of the problem.
Once this fire started by Zhang Biao reached the garrison system, it would be impossible to stop at just one or two.
With his madness, it would surely spread like a prairie fire.
By then, their Prince Yan’s Mansion’s many “operations” in Beiping would probably…
Zhu Gaochi looked at the changing expressions of his two younger brothers, slowly sat up straight, a complex expression of sudden realization, but also immense solemnity and a trace of admiration on his face.
“I understand… I understand everything…”
He muttered to himself: “Zhang Biao wants to cooperate with us and offer sweet potatoes, but his real purpose is not to audit the Imperial Treasury, nor is it simply to abolish feudal lords…”
“He is warning us! And he is showing us a way!”
Zhu Gaochi’s gaze seemed to penetrate the walls, looking south:
“He is telling us that his next step is to stir up the hornet’s nest of the garrison system!”
“His investigation of the garrison system is ostensibly about anti-corruption, but on a deeper level, it is to sever the foundations of certain people!”
“And his choice to cooperate with us at this time, offering sweet potatoes…”
He suddenly looked at Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gao Sui, and said word by word:
“He wants our Prince Yan’s Mansion to ‘clean up quickly’ while he distracts everyone’s attention!”
“Sever the illegitimate ties, and retract the powers that have crossed the line!”
“Then, focus all our energy on planting sweet potatoes!”
“Food! Public trust! Tangible achievements! This is the foundation for survival in the future! Not those empty claims, and military power that could explode at any moment!”
Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gao Sui were so shocked by their elder brother’s analysis that they were speechless.
In the study, only the crackling of the candlelight remained.
After a long time, Zhu Gaoxu asked in a hoarse voice, “Eldest Brother… then, what should we do?”
Zhu Gaochi took a deep breath, his face showing determination:
“Immediately write to Father King and report our analysis in full! Advise Father King to ‘cut off the tail to survive’!”
“While Zhang Biao is still dealing with matters in the south and Imperial Grandfather’s attention is diverted, immediately start cleaning up our ‘traces’ in various garrison systems, especially those related to Grain Transport and unclear funds, and erase them all!”
“At the same time!”
His tone was decisive:
“Make planting sweet potatoes the top priority of Prince Yan’s Mansion! Concentrate all available resources, open up official fields, select farmers, and have Father King personally supervise, to plant them intensively!”
“We must achieve results and produce tangible yields in the shortest possible time!”
He walked to the window, opened it, and gazed at the dark night sky to the south, as if he could see the figure stirring up trouble.
“Zhang Biao… this is an open scheme.”
Zhu Gaochi sighed softly, with a trace of reverence:
“He calculated that we would see through it, and he calculated that we would have to follow the path he showed us.”
“He is coming… not to investigate us, but to… inspect the results.”
“We must extricate ourselves before he blows up the sky, and hold enough bargaining chips! And sweet potatoes, which can save countless lives, are the best bargaining chips!”
Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gao Sui exchanged glances, and saw an unprecedented sense of urgency in each other’s eyes.
On the other side, in the Imperial Palace, Huagai Hall.
“Bastard! A bunch of useless fools!”
While Zhang Biao was “slaughtering” with the Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings in the outside, Old Zhu was also “slaughtering” in Huagai Hall.
However, he wasn’t killing people, but the memorials he reviewed daily.
I don’t know if it was because Zhang Biao’s stimulation had accustomed him, or if he felt that these reviewed memorials were not exciting at all.
Compared to the “messy” letters and plans written by Zhang Biao, they read like a pile of shit.
But he had to read them, which made him very irritable.
And Huagai Hall, due to his irritability, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the muffled thunder before a storm.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. How about…”
“Get lost—!”
Old Zhu roared, tightly clutching a “Preliminary Proposal for the Reform of Officials’ Salaries” jointly submitted by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel.
This was the third time he had read this document today, and each time his anger intensified.
“Bang!”
He finally couldn’t help it and slammed the memorial onto the imperial desk, scaring Yun Ming, who was standing by, into a shiver.
“A 30% salary increase?! Where will the money come from?! Huh?!”
Old Zhu paced back and forth in the hall, pointing at the pile of papers and scolding:
“Has Yu Xin’s brain been kicked by a donkey?! He only knows how to ask for money and has no methods for increasing revenue and reducing expenditure! He only knows how to target our Imperial Treasury and increase taxes!”
“And Zhuo Jing! He usually seems like a sensible person, why is he joining the uproar?! He only talks about raising salaries to promote integrity, why doesn’t he talk about how to prevent those worms from continuing to corrupt even with higher salaries?!”
As he spoke, he became angrier, feeling that his adoption of Zhang Biao’s suggestion to “re-discuss the salary system” was like lifting a rock to smash his own foot.
These officials were either timid and afraid to act, or they wanted to take the opportunity to benefit themselves. There were very few people who could come up with feasible plans that did not increase the burden on the people.
“All nonsense! Empty words! Clichés!”
Old Zhu panted, feeling a blockage in his chest and a throbbing pain in his head.
In this Imperial Court, could they not find a few capable individuals who could both sympathize with the lower classes and serve the country?!
“Yun Ming!”
Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently, “Serve the meal! I’m a little hungry, I’ll eat something to calm down.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Yun Ming quickly trotted off to make arrangements.
Soon, the exquisite imperial meal was served.
Although it was not a grand banquet, it was still a feast for the eyes:
There was braised deer tendon cooked to perfection, tender and smooth shredded fish in vinegar, a bowl of fragrant Bijing rice, and several refreshing seasonal side dishes.
If it were usual, Old Zhu, who had worked hard all day, would have had some appetite upon seeing these.
But today, he picked up his jade chopsticks, took a piece of deer tendon, chewed it a few times, but only felt it tasted like wax. The rich soup that he usually enjoyed now tasted bland.
He tasted the fish slices again, poked at the rice a few times, and finally put down his chopsticks with disinterest.
“No taste… not a bit of taste…”
Old Zhu frowned, the nameless anger in his heart had no outlet, making him feel even more uncomfortable.
Just then, for some reason, a scene suddenly flashed in his mind:
That Zhang Biao, on the floor tiles of his Huagai Hall, holding a large bowl of sour, delicious, golden and tempting noodles, eating with sweat pouring down his face, the rich, domineering, spicy aroma seemed to penetrate space and time, entering his nostrils…
【 It’s ‘instant noodles’! 】
Old Zhu’s Adam’s apple involuntarily rolled.
He remembered that taste and had tasted it himself. That strong aroma, different from the imperial cuisine, was now exceptionally clearly recalled, making his empty stomach churn.
【 Want to eat… 】
As soon as this thought arose, it was immediately replaced by greater anger.
“Damn Zhang Biao!”
Old Zhu slammed the table again, and the anger that had slightly subsided exploded again:
“It’s all this madman’s fault! If it weren’t for him causing so many troubles, would I be so upset?! If it weren’t for him making that ‘instant noodles’, would I find this imperial meal tasteless?!”
He felt like he was possessed.
He would actually think about the food in the hands of that madman who repeatedly angered him, disobeyed him, and always eyed his Imperial Treasury?!
This was utter humiliation!
Just as Old Zhu was about to fly into a rage and be angry at everything, a slightly urgent but joyful sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Urgent report from Yunnan!”
An official from the Tongzheng Si knelt outside the hall, holding a report, with a happy expression.
Old Zhu was in a fit of anger and roared impatiently, “What are you shouting about! Come in!”
The official scrambled in and held the report above his head: “Congratulations Your Majesty, congratulations Your Majesty! The ‘Gaitu Guiliu’ pilot program in Qujing and Pu’an, Yunnan has been highly effective!”
“The Duke of Xinguo and the Marquis of Xiping jointly reported that the first batch of appointed officials has successfully taken office, undertaking water conservancy projects, promoting new agricultural tools, clearing hidden fields, and the local surrendered chieftain’s descendants are also enrolling in schools, and the public sentiment is initially stable!”
“Although there is still some small-scale resistance, it has been quickly suppressed, and the tax revenue in the pilot areas has increased slightly, far exceeding expectations!”
This series of good news fell like timely rain on Old Zhu’s anxious heart.
He snatched the report and scanned it quickly.
The more he read, the more his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and the anger on his face gradually gave way to a subtle hint of relief.
“Good! Good! Finally, some decent news!”
Old Zhu sighed deeply, and the tension in his nerves relaxed slightly.
This “Gaitu Guiliu” policy was what he had passed on to Zhang Biao, and after being “scolded” by Zhang Biao, it was refined by Yu Xin, Zhuo Jing, and others, and he personally oversaw its promotion.
Although the process was bumpy, it seemed that this step was indeed the right one.
If successful, not only could Yunnan be pacified, but it could also provide a model for governing other chieftain territories in the future, benefiting future generations.
This proved that, apart from the madness of that madman, some of his “wild ideas” could indeed address the current issues and bring practical benefits.
Old Zhu’s feelings were extremely complicated.
On one hand, there was the overwhelming resentment towards Zhang Biao, stirred up by the “salary reform” and “instant noodles.” On the other hand, there was the unavoidable acknowledgment of Zhang Biao’s “crooked talent” due to the successful pilot in Yunnan.
He put down the report, glanced at the imperial meal on the table that he had barely touched and found tasteless, then thought of the tantalizing instant noodles, and finally his gaze fell back on the salary reform memorial that made his blood pressure soar.
“Alas…”
Old Zhu sighed heavily and rubbed his aching temples.
The empire of Great Ming truly brought him both joy and worry.
There was hope like Yunnan, and also countless troubles in the Imperial Court.
And that person who made him hate and…
“Clear it away.”
Old Zhu did not want to think about that madman, so he waved his hand to Yun Ming, pointing at the meal on the table.
He had no appetite at all now.
He just wanted peace.
However, the tree wants to remain still, but the wind will not stop.
“Your Majesty! Investigator Song has an urgent matter to report!”
Old Zhu was slightly stunned, then said in a deep voice, “What is it?!”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the message sent by Investigator Song, Censor Zhang and his party, on their way to Wuchang, passed by Jiujiang Guard and encountered civilians crying injustice, so they stopped at Jiujiang Guard and planned to seek justice at the Jiujiang Guard yamen!”
“What a bastard!”
As soon as Old Zhu heard Song Zhong reporting Zhang Biao’s “neglect of duty” and going to manage civil litigation in Jiujiang Guard, the anger that had slightly subsided due to the good news from Yunnan flared up again.
“He is the Anti-corruption Bureau! Not the Yingtian Prefecture yamen! Why is he involved in lawsuits wherever he goes?!”
Old Zhu was so angry that he almost threw his chopsticks again: “Aren’t you investigating the Grain Transport case? Aren’t you following the line of Prince Zhou’s Mansion? Why are you going to Jiujiang Guard to seek justice?!”
He felt that Zhang Biao was like a monkey with rebellious bones, never playing by the rules, and always challenging his patience to the limit.
However, that was not all.
Just as Old Zhu was furious about Zhang Biao’s “meddling,” another more explosive piece of news arrived.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Investigator Song’s urgent memorial—!”
The previous one was an urgent report, and now it’s an urgent memorial?
It was clear that these were sent one after another.
This meant that Zhang Biao’s “meddling” was not an unforeseen event, but rather a premeditated action.
This was somewhat in line with the madman’s style of not playing by the rules.
Could it be that the madman had indeed found a problem in Jiujiang Guard?
Thinking of this, Old Zhu’s face instantly became extremely grim.
After all, the garrison system was an important foundation of the Great Ming. If the garrison systems right under his nose had problems, one could only imagine how rotten the garrison systems in other places were.
“Present it!”
“Yes!”
Soon, Yun Ming carefully presented Song Zhong’s memorial.
Asking for monthly tickets~
