Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 243: False Emperor: Enfeoffment of Princes and Overseas, Many Sons and More Blessings

The wolf lives in Xu Mountain.

The cold wind was like a knife, whistling down from the top of the mountain, bringing with it a biting chill. It raged wildly, making the flags of the Ming army camp at the foot of the mountain flutter. The sound was deafening, like the thunder of war drums.

Wang Yue, wearing a cold armor, rode his horse in front of the mountain, letting the biting north wind blow up his cloak, like the wings of a god of war, looking particularly lonely and proud in the vast world. His eyes penetrated through the layers of wind and snow and looked into the distance.

He was waiting for news from Yang Guifang. Since the Ming army returned to the capital, this Langjuxu Mountain had become a supply point. Wang Yue personally led 3,000 cavalrymen to station there.

After the surrender of the various tribes in Mobei, they became completely obedient. After a hundred years of fighting, they finally settled down. The tribes were also tired of war and were now able to trade with the Ming Dynasty. They could exchange cattle and sheep for goods from the Central Plains.

Wuliangha and Tatar tribes took the initiative to send supplies, so this supply point was not short of food. Wang Yue also understood that Wuliangha and Tatar tribes also hoped that the imperial army could destroy Yesen.

They were afraid that Yesen would come back! After all, Yesen had once again become the king of Mobei with his thirteen sabers. They would not feel at ease unless they killed Yesen.

"General, it's our spy." The guard pointed forward.

Wang Yue looked up and saw a team of thirteen people galloping towards the camp. Soon, the team arrived in front of Wang Yue. The leader quickly dismounted and ran to Wang Yue to bow: "General, there was a great victory in the front. General Yang defeated the coalition forces of Yesen and Ibak."

"Give it here." Wang Yue grabbed the intelligence.

After he opened it, he quickly scanned it and his face was filled with joy.

Yang Guifang led 50,000 elite cavalrymen to launch a surprise attack on Yesen and Ibak who had just joined forces, beheading nearly 50,000 of them and forcing them to flee north in a panic.

"Hahaha, Ibak's so-called wolf rider is nothing more than this!" Wang Yue laughed.

He immediately ordered a grain transport team to deliver grain again to the supply points along the way ahead. As it was about to snow heavily, he guessed that Yang Guifang would definitely solve Yesen's grain transportation problem before the heavy snow, so that the army could be supplied with food, herbs, etc. along the way when retreating.

"I want to lead the light cavalry to chase, but the heavy snow covers the bows and swords." Wang Yue suddenly felt a sense of pride.

……

Capital city, Changchun Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was holding a baby and kept teasing him: "Son, call me father quickly. Your eyes are so big, are you not full?"

The virtuous concubine lying on the side glared at him angrily: "He just finished drinking milk, how come he is not full? If he really calls you father now, won't that scare you?"

"I'm testing him to see if he's a time traveler." Zhu Qizhen continued to tease, "Do you have a system? If you do, just blink."

The baby actually blinked.

Zhu Qizhen was stunned and shocked: "No way? Are you really?"

Wow wow wow~
The baby started to cry loudly. Concubine Xian took the child and glared at Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, it's almost time for you to look after the child today. Go and do your own things. You always make him cry when you come here."

"This kid doesn't get along with me." Zhu Qizhen snorted, "When he can take a beating, I'll beat his ass to pieces."

Concubine Xian was very upset: "Your Majesty, I cannot serve you. You should leave now."

Zhu Qizhen shrugged: "Well, you dislike me. Now that you have a son, you don't need me anymore, right?"

"Are you still jealous?" Concubine Xian was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

However, she was happy in her heart because His Majesty came to visit her and her son every day. This was impossible in the past. There were many concubines in the harem, and His Majesty came to her Kunning Palace the most, but he would only come once every few days or even more than ten days.

"I'm leaving now. You should take a good rest. Leave the changing of diapers to the palace maids." Zhu Qizhen said with a smile, "If you take care of your health, you will continue to bear princes for me in the future."

The virtuous concubine smiled and bowed: "I obey your order."

Zhu Qizhen strode away. He was not worried that Concubine Xian would be flustered as she was a mother for the first time. Because there was a wet nurse and the palace maids to help take good care of the mother and child.

When he got outside the palace, he glanced in the direction of Kunning Palace and asked, "Has the Queen Mother not returned yet?"

Cao Jixiang, who was following behind him, nodded: "No, he said he was not sure when he would be back."

Still can’t coax you?
Then you should stay in the mountains longer until it snows.

Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart, but said, "It's getting cold, send some charcoal up."

……

The sky cleared.

Zhangjiawan Wharf, the northern terminus of the Grand Canal, is known as the "First Wharf of the Grand Canal". A large amount of materials from the south were transported to Zhangjiawan via the canal and then transferred to the capital.

On this day, a huge fleet slowly approached the dock, attracting the attention of dock workers, because this fleet was different, they were all large ocean ships.

Minister of Rites Yang Shan and Minister of Revenue Chen Xun came to the dock in person to greet them, because this was a part of the Ming fleet returning from America, and most of it did not enter Beijing.

Soon, two people came down from the boat. Yang Shan and Chen Xun strode forward and clasped their fists towards them: "Master Zheng, Master Li, you are finally here."

The two people who came, on the left is the leader of the fleet, Zheng Bizang, and on the right is Li Bing, the governor of Fujian. Zheng Bizang landed in Quanzhou, and Li Bing picked him up and went to Beijing together.

"I cannot afford to be welcomed by the two gentlemen in person." Zheng Bizang bowed. "I can afford it." Chen Xun looked at the boat at the dock and asked anxiously, "Did you bring back any gold or silver?"

Yang Shan held his forehead and glared: "Old Chen, are you obsessed with money?"

"I am the Minister of Revenue, I am not just thinking about money." Chen Xun spread his hands, "The national treasury has been almost emptied during the battle in Mobei this year, and Your Majesty will not levy more taxes. I can only look forward to the Maritime Customs and the returning fleet."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stared at Li Bing and asked, "Sir Li, Quanzhou is the largest port of the Ming Dynasty. It must have a lot of revenue, right? You are the richest governor now, you have to help the court."

"Don't come here to cry poor." Li Bing waved his hand, "I hand over all the profits of the Maritime Customs to the court."

Chen Xun glanced at him, turned to look at Zheng Bizang, and said, "It seems that I can only rely on you."

Zheng Bi Zang was very upset, but he smiled and said, "We have brought back some silver, estimated to be five million taels."

"That's enough." Chen Xun was overjoyed. "We can hold on until next year. Hahahaha, Lord Zheng, let's go. I'll buy you a drink."

Yang Shan rolled his eyes and said, "Old Chen, you only know how to say nice things. You know that His Majesty is waiting to summon them, but you are inviting them to drink now."

"Yes, His Majesty is still waiting, we can't neglect him." Chen Xun said happily, "Let's go back to Beijing. On the way, Lord Zheng, tell me more about America."

He pulled Zheng Bizang forward, so enthusiastic. Li Bing spread his hands helplessly: "Hey, every time you asked me for money from the Maritime Customs before, you didn't behave like this."

Yang Shan patted Li Bing on the shoulder and said with a smile, "You'll get used to it. Old Chen is so powerful now that he doesn't even take the Ministry of Personnel seriously and wants to be the boss of the six ministers. There's nothing we can do about it, he's in charge of the money."

Li Bing laughed.

He hasn't been back to the capital for two years and there are many people he wants to see.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen looked at Zheng Bizang and Li Bing who were kneeling in the hall and waved his hand to ask them to get up.

"Tell me about the situation in America." He ordered someone to take a seat.

Zheng Bi Zang began to speak, and spoke for more than an hour.

The Ming Dynasty already had its own military base in South America, and it was rapidly expanding and occupying vast tracts of land. It had also formed an alliance with the Inca Empire.

Because they needed their people, the Ming Dynasty mined gold and silver in America, which required a large number of workers. In the future, the Ming Dynasty would also grow various local grains in America and set up tobacco factories.

"There is also a struggle for power within the Inca Empire." Zheng Bi Zang said, "I plan to support one of their princes and use him as a puppet to control the Inca Empire."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly: "Yes! Do we have enough people? Should we send more people?"

Zheng Bi Zang shook his head and said confidently: "The Inca Empire is very advanced in agriculture, but its military strength is too weak. The 20,000 men I brought with me are enough. Military force is only a deterrent, and the main thing is to rely on wisdom."

"I'm confident in your work." Zhu Qizhen nodded.

"Your Majesty, this time I brought back not only gold and silver, but also various seeds that you requested, including a wide variety of tobacco seeds," said Zheng Bi Zang.

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a moment and said, "We can start the cigarette factory business now. Every man needs a cigarette. This thing will be sold all over the world in the future."

"Your Majesty, the vastness of overseas is far beyond my imagination." Zheng Dingzhizang sighed, "If it weren't for your Majesty's persistence, how could we have obtained such great wealth and resources."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and explained, and then Zheng Bizang left. In the palace, only Li Bing was left. Among the four young masters of the Yu family, Li Bing was the most low-key and had the lowest achievements.

In comparison, Yang Guifang is about to become Yu Qian's successor, Zhang Lun is in charge of the southeast. Ding Xiu, who was born in the Jinyiwei, also controls an area in the northwest. Although his position is not high, he is the emperor's confidant.

"Have you met Yu Qian?" Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile.

"No." Li Bing bowed his head and said, "I came to see your majesty as soon as I entered the capital."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and nodded: "I called you back this time to keep you in the capital. Enter the cabinet and assist me."

Li Bing was shocked and looked unable to believe it.

Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder and encouraged him: "I know your talents and you are always steady. I need a calm and steady person by my side."

"As you wish." Li Bing nodded.

Zhu Qizhen sighed softly: "Now the plate of the Ming Dynasty is getting bigger and bigger, and I need a lot of talents. If the day comes when the sun never sets on the empire is really achieved, even more people will be needed."

Li Bing seemed to be thinking about something, and then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you are still young. In the future, the territory of the Ming Dynasty will be vast, and Your Majesty can send princes to guard it and confer titles on vassal kings and overseas."

Zhu Qizhen was stunned.

He had this idea before, but he didn't expect Li Bing to think so and bring it up. Didn't the princes of the Yuan Dynasty build several khanates in the Western Regions? Although they were all destroyed in the end.

"Hahaha, it seems that I have to give birth to more princes to surpass Emperor Taizu." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands, "More sons, more blessings."

(End of this chapter)