Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 304 Liaodong Horse Market
Zhu Houzhao was sitting at a wonton stall in the night market, eating wontons while curiously asking Chen Ce, "What are the rules for opening a Liaodong horse market?"

Yang Tinghe told him about his grandfather's campaign against Liaodong, and Zhu Houzhao was very excited when he heard it.

This was all his understanding of Liaodong. Ever since the Chenghua period, when the Ming Dynasty swept away all the people there, the entire Ming Dynasty had not paid much attention to Liaodong. They did not believe that this group of Jurchens huddled in a corner could cause any major waves.

But in the end, the Ming Dynasty was destroyed by this group of Jurchens.

Chen Ce sat at the stall, took a sip of wonton soup, and then said to Zhu Houzhao: "After the Liaodong horse market trade was closed, the Ming Dynasty curbed the development of the entire Liaodong economy."

"By preventing the Jurchens from entering the country, there won't be any major chaos in Liaodong, but it will make trade cooperation between the Jurchens and North Korea more frequent."

"There is another disadvantage to closing the horse market. The economic development of the people in Liaodong will also stagnate."

Zhu Houzhao said, "Well, little brother, do you think we should open this horse market?"

Chen Ce thought for a moment and said, "It can be opened. Once the horse market is opened, it will boost Liaodong's economy."

"There are a few things to note. The Liaodong horse market cannot be held at this time."

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head and asked, "Why?"

Chen Ce said: "If the horse market was opened by the Jianzhou Jurchens, then their prestige in the three Jurchen tribes would increase infinitely with their meritorious service. If the three Jurchen tribes were unified by the Jianzhou Jurchens, it would be disadvantageous to the Ming Dynasty."

Only by dispersing themselves could the three Jurchen tribes check and balance each other. It was only after Nurhaci unified the entire Jurchen tribe that he began to look south to the Central Plains.

"The three Jurchen tribes want to enjoy the emperor's grace. This grace can only be bestowed upon them by the Ming Dynasty, not by the Jianzhou Jurchens."

Zhu Houzhao nodded.

Chen Ce continued, "The horse market should be open and closed on a limited number of days, with a fixed number of days each month."

Zhu Houzhao was puzzled: "Why?"

Chen Ce said: "If the opening and closing time is too long, it will easily create unnecessary ethnic conflicts. If it is opened for two or three days, everyone will be busy trading and unnecessary conflicts will not arise."

Zhu Houzhao nodded in agreement: "I understand, hiccup~"

He is full.

……

Kunning Palace.

It was a rare occasion that Emperor Hongzhi was not in the Qianqing Palace reviewing memorials tonight, so Zhu Houzhao walked into the Kunning Palace out of curiosity.

The two Zhang brothers were also there.

Zhu Houzhao pinched his nose and moved a little away from his two uncles.

The corners of the Zhang brothers' mouths twitched slightly.

Emperor Hongzhi looked unhappy, snorted, and said, "The Censorate impeached you overnight, and you beat up ordinary people in the street. Can you spare me some time every day?"

Zhu Houzhao quickly pleaded for his two uncles, saying, "Father, this matter is definitely not my uncle's fault. It was the other party who made my uncle eat... mmm."

Zhu Houzhao had his mouth blocked by Zhang Heling.

They would rather be punished than let the fact of eating shit be exposed. They want to save face!
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I have already sent someone to pay compensation and apologize, and they won't pursue the matter. I don't know why those imperial censors from the Censorate are still holding on to Heling and the others!"

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath and said, "Okay! Let's not talk about this. Let me ask them, what do you mean by they want to marry a Jurchen?"

"Isn't it enough to embarrass yourself? A noble marquis of the Ming Dynasty has degraded himself to marry a woman from the Yi tribe? How can this be tolerated?"

Empress Zhang was furious when she heard this. She pointed at the Zhang brothers and said, "I think you guys are out of your mind! How could you possibly think of marrying a Jurchen woman?"

"She's beautiful."

Zhang Yanling said with a solemn vow.

"She has substance." Zhang Heling also said.

"Then you two brothers can marry one together?" Emperor Hongzhi laughed angrily, "Do you want me to pick another one for you from the Jurchens?"

The two brothers' eyes lit up. "How dare you!" Emperor Hongzhi said sternly, "Even if they want to marry their daughters off, they don't have the qualifications!"

Emperor Hongzhi had the confidence to do this. He even looked down on the Jurchens. Not to mention the Jurchens, even if Korean women and men came to the Ming Dynasty, they would only be fit to be maids and eunuchs!

The Zhang brothers looked very sad. They had given so much, and now you tell me that I can’t marry her?
Then why did we try to please her so much before? Wasn't it just a waste of effort?
The two brothers suddenly felt like fools.

"Get lost!" Emperor Hongzhi said angrily, "Don't mention this matter again, get lost."

The two Zhang brothers hung their heads dejectedly and said quietly, "Your Majesty, if we let you open a horse market for the Jurchens... Oh, forget it, we're leaving."

Seeing the sharp eyes of Emperor Hongzhi, the Zhang brothers didn't dare to say anything about opening the horse market. They pretended to be so cool in front of Dong Yanyan last night, but after being hit by the reality, they calmed down instantly.

Zhu Houzhao laughed and watched his two uncles leave.

Emperor Hongzhi said angrily: "And you, you have no respect for your uncle. Why are you laughing at your uncle?"

Zhu Houzhao said, "Father, I also want to talk to you about the Jurchens."

Emperor Hongzhi was shocked and said, "Don't tell me, you also want to marry a Jurchen woman?"

Zhu Houzhao: "???"

"Father, what are you talking about? How could I possibly like them?"

Emperor Hongzhi hummed and said, "That's good enough. Come with me for a walk."

In the Imperial Garden.

Zhu Houzhao accompanied his father the emperor as they walked slowly under the lights.

"Father, do you think that group of Jurchens came to the Ming Dynasty just to pay tribute?"

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Zhu Houzhao suspiciously and asked, "What do you think?"

Zhu Houzhao came to a rock, put his hands behind his back, looked at the sky, and said calmly: "After careful analysis, I speculated that the purpose of their coming this time is most likely to open a horse market... Oh, father, why are you pulling me?"

"Get down and talk properly!"

Zhu Houzhao: "... Father, don't you think I am very concerned about the country and the people? After all, when it comes to national affairs, it is better to be serious."

Emperor Hongzhi rolled his eyes at him. He wondered who he learned this bad habit from. Why was he pretending to be so profound at such a young age?

"Opening a horse market?"

Emperor Hongzhi frowned. The two marquises of the Zhang family seemed to have mentioned this just now... Since Chenghua, the horse market in Liaodong has been closed. This is a punishment for the Jurchens who offended the majesty of heaven.

With military attacks on the one hand and economic blockades on the other, the Jurchens have not had a good life in these years.

"So do you think we should open a horse market?"

Or the correct question should be, what does Chen Ce think?

Zhu Houzhao said: "Open it! Open it on certain days every month. It can boost the economy of the people in Liaodong and also obtain excellent war horses from the Jurchens."

"But it can't be opened this time."

Emperor Hongzhi asked suspiciously, "Why?"

Zhu Houzhao said: "If we agree to their request, who will receive this gift? It will belong to these Jianzhou Jurchens! Even if the three tribes of Liaodong Jurchens are grateful, they are grateful to the Jianzhou Jurchens, not the Ming Dynasty! And not to you, father!"

Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes, stared at Zhu Houzhao, with a complicated expression, and nodded with a smile, saying: "Well said, my son actually understands these principles, haha."

Zhu Houzhao patted his chest and said, "I know a lot."

"Really?" Emperor Hongzhi looked at Zhu Houzhao and said, "Didn't someone else teach you that?"

Zhu Houzhao: “Ah?”

(End of this chapter)