Chapter 317 Decision
Although Zhu Houxuan was not very clear about the smuggling situation in Xuanfu area, it went without saying that this matter was closely related to the border generals of Xuanfu. Without their tacit consent, the merchants would certainly not be able to pass under their noses.

Although they did not have the courage to actively attack the Mongols, they still had the courage to smuggle with the merchants and make money, and not only that, but the courage was very strong.

In fact, it was because of the hardships on the border and the huge profits from smuggling to Mongolia. Although the imperial court banned trade with Mongolia, smuggling on the border continued despite repeated bans.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houxuan attached even greater importance to this information.

Because there is no logical problem with this information.

A few months ago, Zhu Houzhao suddenly took the new army to Xuanfu to inspect the border garrisons. No matter how bold the border generals were, they did not dare to smuggle under the emperor's nose, as they might earn money but not spend it. So Zhu Houzhao's move directly brought the smuggling activities in Xuanfu area to zero. The merchants who smuggled from other areas and had been going through Xuanfu could not establish connections in a short period of time, so the smuggling of Mongolia was greatly affected.

This directly led to a significant reduction in the supplies Mongolia received from smuggling this year. The supplies that could be smuggled into Mongolia were the most needed and scarce supplies for the Mongolians, so the Mongolian tribes were very uncomfortable, so they simply sent more people south to rob more things and bring them back.
"Which grassland did your small caravan go to?" Zhu Houxuan asked.

Wang Jixian hesitated for a moment and said, "It's Datong."

Zhu Houxuan nodded and said, "If your information is proven to be true, you can be qualified as a junior partner of the Royal Group."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Wang Jixian was overjoyed.

"If you can collect more similar information, I will give you more rewards." Zhu Houxuan said seriously.

Wang Jixian was even happier.

"Mr. Qiao, you did a good job today. I've taken note of it." Zhu Houxuan looked at Qiao Rongzhi again.

Qiao Rongzhi also immediately smiled and thanked him repeatedly.

After sending the two men away, Zhu Houxuan put the matter behind him. The information brought by the two men was difficult to verify, and this level of information was not enough for him to take any countermeasures.

His thoughts fell on his new name "Nine Thousand Years Old". This was truly an open conspiracy!

He would never think that the people in the capital gave him this title out of respect for him. This was completely a means of flattery.

Whoever came up with this idea definitely understands human nature.

Nine thousand years old is only one thousand years less than ten thousand years old. If this title were to be spread out, what would the emperor think? What would the empress dowager in the palace think? What would the people of the world think?
As the saying goes, "gossip can melt gold, and constant criticism can destroy a person." This reputation will not do him any good if it is passed on.
Just as he was racking his brains for a countermeasure, an urgent report came from Xuanfu.

Zhu Houxuan quickly read the urgent report and his face immediately darkened.

One piece of intelligence said that the Mongols were going to move south on a large scale, so it was hard to determine whether it was true or not. But when two pieces of intelligence, both from different sources, said that the Mongols were going to move south on a large scale, the authenticity of this piece of intelligence became higher.

Jiang Jiangong also provided him with a very detailed report, explaining his calculation process in detail. Zhu Houxuan followed the calculation and did not find any problems in Jiang Jiangong's calculation process. His eyes fell on the estimated number at the end of the report again. 9 to 11!
The new army has only 50,000 people, plus the border troops in the border towns. If it was just a competition of data on paper, Zhu Houxuan would definitely not have any worries. But in reality, there are too many things that affect the outcome of the war. Even if a flying dragon rides on his face, he can still lose. If there is another black swan event, he will not be able to bear it at all.

Zhu Houxuan knew that Zhu Houzhao would win the Battle of Yingzhou in the 12th year of Zhengde, but now it is the 11th year of Zhengde.

Zhu Houxuan remembered that during the Battle of Yingzhou in history, the number of Mongols who went south was only 5, but now it is likely to double. With such a big change in various situations, Zhu Houxuan couldn't help but worry.

His first reaction was to persuade Zhu Houzhao to return from the border town, because he could not afford the consequences of an accident involving Zhu Houzhao.

Don't think that Zhu Houxun secretly hoped that Zhu Houzhao would encounter an accident in the border town. As the Prince Regent, he would be entrusted with the task and ascend the throne just like Zhu Qiyu did in the past.

Don't even think about it. After all, Zhu Qiyu is Baozong's younger brother, so there is no problem with his bloodline.

Zhu Houzhao's bloodline and style of doing things destined him to not get the support of the civil servants. If Zhu Houzhao really encountered an accident, the first reaction of the civil servants would definitely be to welcome one of Zhu Houzhao's uncles to the capital to ascend the throne, and it would most likely be Prince Heng in Qingzhou, because Qingzhou was too close to the capital. Although Prince Xing was older, his fiefdom was too far away from the capital.

When the new emperor ascends the throne, it will be his time to step down and leave.

He has always been clear-headed. He knows that he can create such a big scene now because of Zhu Houzhao's trust in him. From developing industry in Qizhou, to establishing the Royal Group in the capital, to becoming the Prince Regent now, all this is because of Zhu Houzhao's support for him. He and Zhu Houzhao are closely bound together, and they prosper and suffer together.

That's why he couldn't tolerate any possibility of Zhu Houzhao getting into trouble.

But how to persuade Zhu Houzhao to come back? Zhu Houxuan began to have a headache again.

He picked up the letter written to him by Zhu Houzhao, in which Zhu Houzhao earnestly requested Zhu Houxuan to support him in resisting the Mongols in the border town.

This made Zhu Houxuan start to hesitate. He suddenly realized that under this situation, no one could persuade Zhu Houzhao to come back. Even if he went to Xuanfu in person, he could not persuade Zhu Houzhao to come back.
Zhu Houxuan knew Zhu Houzhao too well. This was the opportunity Zhu Houzhao had been waiting for for more than ten years. If he could be persuaded to come back, he would no longer be Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houxuan quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. After his thinking changed, he found that his only choice now was to fully and unreservedly support Zhu Houzhao and help him win this war!
Thinking of this, Zhu Houxuan quickly made up his mind. The most taboo thing at this time was to look back and forth and hesitate.

Thinking of this, he rang the bell on the table.

Chen Hong walked in quickly.

"Chen Hong, immediately call the heads of all departments to Nangong for a meeting!" Zhu Houxun said in a deep voice as he stood by the window and looked at the gloomy sky.

"Yes, Your Highness." Chen Hong said seriously.

Zhu Houxun had to mobilize the Ming Royal Bank first.

(End of this chapter)

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