In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 798 Inspecting Guanzhong and Giving a Lesson
Lu Yunyi rode Bei Xiao to the back street of Jinwu in the upper city and immediately saw the extremely congested and closed street.

Horses and carriages of all colors were crammed together on the road.
There were also some students dressed in the attire of the Imperial College moving around among them.

Their destination was the most conspicuous Song Mansion!

The Song residence at this moment had completely lost the antique charm it possessed during my last visit.

It has also lost its former tranquility, leaving only a faint sense of desolation and sorrow.

White silk was hung on the plaques of the mansion and the stone lions at the entrance. A gentle breeze made the white silk flutter.

The people standing at the door were also dressed in white.

Wearing a white headband, her face showed no smile, only endless sorrow.

Beside them were not the spirit banners commonly used in the Ming Dynasty today, but rather the tall inscribed banners used in the Zhou Dynasty.

The inscription contained the name, official title, and status of Grand Secretary Song Na.
Similarly, according to the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), the length of the official's uniform was five feet.

"Dead, just like that?"

Song Na's thin, hoarse voice still seemed to echo in my ears. Just a few days later, they were separated by death.

This elderly gentleman, who had been teaching since the Yuan Dynasty, died in the summer of the twenty-third year.
This gave Lu Yunyi a sense of the vicissitudes of time and space.

It's as if an era is slowly passing by, and at an increasingly rapid pace.

At that moment, a messenger hurriedly came from the carriage.

He was dressed in white, his face streaked with tears, and his eyes were red and swollen.

"Is it Lord Lu?"

“It’s me,” Lu Yunyi replied in a deep voice.

The waiter took a document from his pocket and handed it over respectfully, saying:
"Lord Lu, this is the master's dying wish. He instructed us to deliver this letter to you."

Lu Yunyi was a little stunned, but he still took it.
The calligraphy on the letter cover was so striking that it must have been written by Song Na herself.

Holding it in his hand, Lu Yunyi examined it carefully, and a sense of the struggle of an old tree on the verge of death suddenly welled up from the handwriting.

The strokes no longer possess the rugged strength of the past, but instead carry a touch of etherealness.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Yunyi put the letter away and looked at the waiter:
"Lead the way, I need to go and offer some prayers."

"Yes"

Before long, Lu Yunyi saw a haggard-looking Song Wan'er at the door.
The two looked at each other but did not laugh.

"Miss Wan'er, please accept my condolences. Grand Scholar Song was over eighty years old, and this is a joyous occasion."

Song Wan'er leaned forward slightly, her voice hoarse and desolate:

"Thank you, Lord Lu. I may not have been a good host today. Please forgive me."

"You go ahead with your work, I'll go and offer some prayers."

"Please, Lord Lu."

Song Wan'er stepped aside,
Watching Lu Yunyi's departing figure, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she gently pursed her lips.

Upon arriving at the residence, the expected array of formalities and procedures did not materialize.
There was only a simple table with some incense and paper on it.

Song Na's coffin was placed in the main hall, but the huge incense burner was not placed at the head of the room, but at the entrance.

There was also a sign that looked like a notice board, with words written by Song Na herself on it.

"Leave the fragrance behind; the manor will not provide meals."

Upon seeing these words, Lu Yunyi paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

The same was true for the guests who came from the side.

"Scholar Song was extremely rigid during his lifetime, but unexpectedly, he transgressed the rules after his death."

A deep, resonant voice came from behind Lu Yunyi.

Looking back, there stood Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, with a face as black as charcoal and a long beard.
Lu Yunyi and the other guests quickly turned around and bowed.

Zhu Di shook his head:

"Why are you bowing to me, the king, instead of to me?"

Then the group turned around again, offered incense, and bowed.
After offering incense, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, looked at Lu Yunyi and asked:

"We've run into each other. Come with me, I have some questions for you."

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, then nodded.

They followed the Prince of Yan back to his enormous carriage.

Ice was placed inside the carriage, making it very cool.
Zhu Di took out two bamboo pots from a drawer and handed one over.

Lu Yunyi didn't stand on ceremony and just opened the bottle and started drinking.

"When I was young, Grand Scholar Song often came to the palace to give me lessons."

At that time, his studies were the most rigorous, and my brothers and I didn't like him.

But it is only after becoming an adult that one understands the importance of a strict teacher and a helpful friend.

On the contrary, I am not grateful to those scholars who are less strict and indulge us brothers in every way.

Lu Yunyi listened quietly, nodding frequently, without saying a word.
After Zhu Di finished his lament, he changed the subject.
He then changed his expression and became serious.

Zhu Di said in a deep voice:
"The accounts of the imperial estate have been almost thoroughly investigated, revealing rampant corruption."
It wasn't just warhorses; even the armor and weapons of the Imperial Guards, as well as all the necessities of the palace, were embezzled.

Zhu Di shook the cola in his hand and chuckled:
"A pot of this sells for twenty coins outside, but it costs three coins to purchase it in the palace."
When I saw the accounts, I couldn't even believe it.

What I understand even more is that it's already clearly stated in the Great Ming Code...

Corrupt officials are stripped bare; how can anyone still dare to do it?

"Your Highness, corruption has existed since ancient times. It is impossible to completely eradicate it; we can only try our best to control it."

Now that His Majesty's power is at its peak, even if there is corruption, it will be thoroughly investigated.

Zhu Di's mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
But he swallowed the words back and instead sighed softly.
Looking through the curtains at the Song mansion draped with white silk ribbons, his expression was complex.

The carriage suddenly fell silent.

After a long silence, Zhu Di finally spoke:
"Preparations for moving the capital have already begun in the palace."

His Highness the Crown Prince may travel to Guanzhong this year to map the mountains and rivers and to investigate the lives of the people.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunyi's pupils contracted sharply, and he let out a gasp of surprise:
"what?"

Why so early?
If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince went to Shanxi in August of the twenty-fourth year, and the trip lasted for several months.
It's only August of the 23rd year. Why are you in such a hurry?
"Are you surprised?"

Zhu Di tilted his head in surprise at his reaction.

He remembered that Lu Yunyi had mentioned the matter of moving the capital as early as last year.

Lu Yunyi nodded:
"The turmoil in the imperial court has not yet subsided, and the matter of the Market Exchange Bureau remains unresolved."
"His Highness the Crown Prince is going to Guanzhong this year; it's too soon."

"You mean?"

Zhu Di seemed to be deep in thought, his eyes narrowing into slits.

Lu Yunyi did not stand on ceremony with Zhu Di and said in a deep voice:

"A cornered dog will jump over the wall, and a desperate person will rebel. It's too dangerous to leave the capital now."

Zhu Di remained silent, recalling the struggles in the capital region during the purge of the Li faction. His expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile:
"Things aren't that serious."

"Your Highness, one must always be wary of others."
The closer we are to victory, the more dangerous it is.

Lu Yunyi continued speaking:
"To get from Yingtian to Shanxi, you either have to go through Henan or Shandong."

Now, the issue of water management in Henan has caused a great uproar, with collusion among the three local authorities becoming rampant.

Shandong is the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, a place where scholars from all over the world gather.
Their impression of His Majesty and the Crown Prince was not very good.

Neither of these places is safe.
It's hard to guarantee that someone won't resort to desperate measures and attempt an assassination.

This reason easily convinced Zhu Di, who nodded in agreement:
"It is indeed dangerous, but the Imperial Clan Court will summon Prince Zhou back to his fiefdom in Henan the day after tomorrow."

With the Prince's residence in charge, it will be much safer.

Lu Yunyi shook his head, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, and asked:

"Your Highness, do you know why you left in such a hurry? Why didn't you leave a word?"

Zhu Di's expression changed repeatedly, his lips pursed, and he shook his head helplessly.
"The sweet potato harvest is bountiful."

"A bumper harvest?"

For a moment, Lu Yunyi froze on the spot, thinking of the boundless plains outside the capital and the carefully tended fields, and then a question arose in his mind:
"Your Highness, it's still early."

"This is the second bumper harvest of sweet potatoes in the palace."

Some of the officials at the Agricultural Administration have already cleared a plot of land, and the yield is about the same as last year.

The other plot of land is scheduled to be excavated again after a full month, which will inevitably exceed last year's schedule.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince plan to take sweet potato seeds to Guanzhong to try them out, and also to take a look.

Hearing Zhu Di's explanation, Lu Yunyi felt utterly bewildered. He hadn't expected that, after all this twist and turn, the problem was actually with the sweet potatoes, which had suddenly accelerated the process considerably.

The carriage swayed and rocked, and Lu Yunyi forced himself to calm down, falling into deep thought.
Zhu Di looked at him like this and hesitated several times before speaking.

Only after the carriage had moved far away from Jinwu Back Street did he tentatively ask the question:

Do you really think Guanzhong is a suitable location?

In an instant, Lu Yunyi understood, realizing why the Prince of Yan had told him such a secret today.

He raised his head, looked firmly at Zhu Di, and gently shook his head:
"Guanzhong is poor in soil and far from the sea and rivers, so it is not suitable as a capital city."

Even if the capital were to be moved, only Beiping (Beijing) in the north would be suitable.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a kind of warmth he felt towards one of his own.

"But now the remnants of the Northern Yuan are in the Oirat territory, in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty."
Guanzhong, also located in the northwest, was the capital of the Han and Tang dynasties and a strategically important area, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an ideal place to control the northwest.

The Emperor had considered Beiping, but there were many opponents.

If there is less opposition to moving the capital to Guanzhong, the matter will be easier to accomplish.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, a look of understanding flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes.

This is how it should be, even if the capital has to be moved.
We should consider several important towns in the north; it's impossible to focus solely on going there after just looking at Guanzhong.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Yunyi said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness, please put your mind at ease."

Even if we can't move the capital to Beiping in the end, it doesn't matter.

As long as the capital is in the north, the north will no longer be reduced to a land of barbarians.

Zhu Di's expression was solemn, and he was somewhat worried:
"I am also somewhat confused about this matter."

Moving the capital to the north is certainly a good thing, but will leaving the prosperous southeast cause some problems?
"If the North remains stable while the South descends into chaos, then it will be a joke."

"Your Highness, I believe that the reason why Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are so eager to move the capital is because they want to get rid of the prosperous southeast."

"What do you mean by this?"

"The southeastern region had been prosperous for a thousand years before the Ming Dynasty."
As long as it remains near a river or coast, it will remain prosperous even after a thousand years.

This place is full of gentry, local gentry, and powerful landlords.
Secrets were woven into a vast net, firmly enveloping the imperial court.

Given time, it's not impossible that once government orders leave the capital, they will vanish without a trace, like fleeting clouds.

Looking at past dynasties, the central government had the strongest control over local areas at the beginning of the dynasty.
This control will be eroded over time.

The imperial court is currently in Yingtian, Zhili, and His Majesty's imperial power is at its peak; it is still able to resist.
after"

Lu Yunyi did not continue speaking.
But Zhu Di knew what he wanted to say, and his expression was extremely solemn.

He had learned about the art of ruling the four directions in the palace, and he was already aware of this situation.

Moreover, Zhu Di also thought of the Yingtian Construction Firm.
Cement and concrete are such wonderful materials, clearly capable of benefiting all directions and connecting roads.
But a year has passed, and they can only slowly infiltrate outwards from the eight counties of Yingtian.
It's unclear when it will be possible to roll out this on a large scale.

Even now, with the Ming Dynasty newly established, things are still like this.

One or two hundred years from now, Zhu Di dared not imagine what the outcome would be.

With a long sigh, Zhu Di said in a deep voice:
"Don't say such things again, it's taboo."

Lu Yunyi's expression remained calm:
“Your Highness, I have only spoken these words to you, so you need not worry.”

Zhu Di was very puzzled by this inexplicable trust.
But Lu Yunyi explained it simply:
"Your Highness, I am an official of the Beiping Regional Military Command. If I don't rely on Beiping, am I supposed to rely on Liaodong?"

This reason wasn't very convincing, but Zhu Di couldn't think of any other reason.

When do you plan to go back to Daning?

"The imperial court has not yet bestowed any rewards, and even if I wanted to leave, the governor's office would not allow me to."

Lu Yunyi shrugged, shook his head, sighed, and asked:

"Does Your Highness know when the palace plans to issue the rewards?"

"I was unaware of this either. The palace is currently busy cleaning up the mess, collecting money, and preparing the imperial estates. There is no time to deal with military matters at the moment."

Lu Yunyi scratched his head, feeling that the days were a bit tough, but he was mostly worried.

He hesitated for a long time, looked at Zhu Di, and said softly:
"Your Highness, I plan to visit His Highness the Crown Prince when I have some free time."
"At that time, I will speak frankly about moving the capital to Beiping. I wonder if Your Highness will have any reservations?"

"It doesn't matter."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Zhu Di's eyes, and he waved his hand:

"Moving the capital to Beiping is not just my idea."
Even my father-in-law thinks this way; my father and the Crown Prince have known this for a long time.

Lu Yunyi nodded in understanding after hearing this, and gently cupped his hands in greeting:
"Your Highness, I shall take my leave."

Go ahead, go ahead.

Zhu Di was probably a little tired; he leaned against the carriage with his eyes slightly closed.
At the entrance of a quiet alley, Lu Yunyi jumped off the carriage and walked past the caravan.

He took Bei Xiao's reins from Feng Yunfang and was about to mount his horse when he heard him whisper:
"My lord, Yu Qilun has left the residence."
And judging from his appearance, it seemed like he was fleeing a disaster.

Lu Yunyi paused, his hand that had just gripped the reins tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

"Are there Imperial Guards following us?"

"Yes, but the brothers only found three people. It's unclear whether they will take action."

"Do you know where Yu Qilun is going?" Lu Yunyi asked.

"My lord, Yu Qilun has disguised himself as a caravan worker. The caravan is heading to Zhongdu."

Feng Yunfang answered in a low voice, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings.

"So they're trying to run back to their hometown?" Lu Yunyi said, hands on his hips, his gaze icy.

As a high-ranking military commander, Yu Tongyuan was not bothered by anyone in the capital, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard dared not provoke him.

Yu Qilun, however, did not have so many concerns; staying in the capital would inevitably become a hidden danger.

It is perfectly reasonable for them to want to flee Yingtian now.

"Sir, what should we do? Should we follow them?"

"Follow, of course we should follow."
Send Gong Xianzhi with twenty men to follow them through the channels of the Yingtian Trading Company and find an opportunity to lure them into making a move.
Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't ultimately take action, they'll still pin the blame on them, you understand what I mean?

Feng Yunfang blinked and tentatively asked:

"My lord, is he alive or dead?"

"Life or death is irrelevant; whether he lives or dies depends on his fate."

"Yes!"

"Be discreet, and don't let the Embroidered Uniform Guards notice anything amiss."

"Yes, my lord!"

Feng Yunfang hurriedly ran away, said a few words to the guards who were trailing behind him, and the guards immediately rode away.
Having done all this, Lu Yunyi mounted his horse, checked the direction, and gave the following instructions:
"Let's go to the Crown Prince's residence."

"Yes!"

No. 32 Zhuque Street, underground of Miaoyinfang, is the Yingtian Yamen of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Mao Xiang looked at the document in his hand with a solemn expression, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.

He looked up at Wei Hua, who stood respectfully, and said in a deep voice:

Do you know where he's going?

"Reporting to my lord, we are going back to our hometown in Chaoxian County."

"Let the brothers follow him and teach him a lesson."

Mao Xiang spoke softly, his voice somewhat cold.

But to Wei Hua, it was like falling into an ice cave.
He stepped forward, trying to lower his voice:

"My lord, if Governor Yu investigates this matter, then... then it will be difficult to explain."

"Hmph!" Mao Xiang slammed his hand on the table and shouted:

"They played dirty tricks behind my back, making me lose 40,000 taels of silver for nothing, and now I have to be mindful of Yu Tongyuan's attitude when it comes to teaching them a lesson?"

"That's settled then, let's teach Yu Qilun a lesson."
"You personally lead the team to do it, be discreet, and don't let anything slip."

Wei Hua knew that the adult in front of him was angry, so he pursed his lips twice but didn't say anything in rebuttal. Instead, he asked:

"Sir, how severe should the punishment be?"

"Lu Yunyi broke both of his arms last time, and this time he broke both of his legs."

Tell him to stay in Chaoxian and not come to the capital unless it's bad luck!

"Yes, I will do my best."

(End of this chapter)