Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 255 The Guangdong Provincial Governor Pays His Visit

While Zhu Zhanhe was still happy about his wife personally choosing a concubine for him, Jiang Xiaohu continued with his work report.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has also sent word that among the current brothers of the Mu family, only Mu Lin and Mu Bin are of suitable status and age for our Princess Yu Shu. However, Young Master Mu Bin is already engaged, and the Princess and Crown Princess are unwilling to break up their marriage. Therefore, the Crown Princess and Princess are still discussing the marriage of the eldest princess with the Duke of Mu, and they plan to choose a suitable one from among the other eligible brothers of the Mu family."

News came from the Prince that he had no objection to the marriage of the eldest princess, saying that the Princess Consort could make the decision. As for the thousand scholars that His Highness had asked for, the Prince said that he really couldn't gather them. At this stage, he could only send two hundred people to Yunnan. As for the remaining personnel, the Prince would think of other ways.

The old Taoist priest Zhang also sent a message, saying that he had prepared what His Highness wanted and was waiting for His Highness to check it upon his return.

Recently, the brothers in the army camp have been quite idle, and some have already started discussing the expedition and the distribution of land. In the fiefdom of Yunnan, some people in various prefectures and provinces are also discussing the Crown Prince's military campaign and the distribution of land, but most people are observing and waiting for the first land distribution. It is estimated that many people will come to join the Crown Prince after that.

In Annam, the powerful Lê Lợi clan of Lam Son has been rebelling for over a year, claiming himself the King of Pingding. However, the imperial army has been ineffective in suppressing the rebellion. Zhu Zhanhe had to admit that Jiang Xiaohu was indeed worthy of being the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard trained by his third uncle to oversee a region. He had sorted out all kinds of information in an orderly manner, including not only the basic situation of the Prince's Mansion, but also some important information about his fiefdom in Yunnan. He had even summarized some information about Annam, which was about to be sent to war, and reported it to Zhu Zhanhe one by one.

Zhu Zhanhe listened with great pleasure, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: No wonder Grandpa Yongle Emperor liked Third Uncle Copper Pea, he handled this task so well!
"Begin taking full control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard forces in Guangdong and Guangxi." After listening to Jiang Xiaohu's report for a while, Zhu Zhanhe began to deploy his spies in Guangdong and Guangxi. After all, Guangxi was already in his hands, so how far behind could Guangdong be?

"Yes, Your Highness, I will take over immediately." Jiang Xiaohu's eyes lit up after hearing Zhu Zhanhe's instructions, and he immediately agreed.

"Your Highness! General Qian and the two young masters Mu have returned from the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission, bringing back several officials from Guangdong Prefecture." Jiang Xiaohu had just finished reporting the information gathered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard when Xiao Xizi's voice came from outside the door.

"Notify everyone to go to the main hall to talk!" Hearing that the trip to Guangdong had gone very smoothly, Zhu Zhanhe was very happy and immediately arranged for everyone to gather at the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office to share the joy.

"Yes!" Xiao Xizi immediately made the arrangements after hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words. But Zhu Zhanhe sighed deeply in his heart, feeling utterly exhausted, not physically, but mentally! This reminded him of his past statement that he wouldn't even be a dog if he were emperor. Now it seemed that it wasn't just that being emperor was unacceptable, but that being in a position of power was unacceptable, as it was mentally exhausting!

Of course, Zhu Zhanhe only grumbled to himself and didn't dare to say it aloud. After all, he now had over 100,000 men under his command, and countless people were watching him with wide eyes, waiting for him to make his move so they could rush forward and seek wealth and power.

Even Zhu Zhanhe suspected that if he hadn't said he wanted to attack the outer borders and expand the territory, his men might have staged a scene of him being forced to wear the imperial robe at any time!

Fortunately, Zhu Zhanhe's authority is too great now, which can suppress them and prevent them from acting recklessly. Otherwise, Zhu Zhanhe really can't guarantee that he won't be forced to wear the imperial robe!

After all, regardless of any other circumstances, the mere fact that Zhu Zhanhe possesses the alligator dragon is enough to drive countless people crazy, making them willing to risk everything to push him to the top!

In reality, Zhu Zhanhe could tell that even Jiang Xiaohu's report was tinged with personal agendas and self-interest. His assessment of the lives of soldiers and ordinary people in Yunnan was, in Zhu Zhanhe's view, that soldiers were beginning to stir with ambition for wealth and that the people of Yunnan were also becoming increasingly agitated and focused on the matter. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe needed to quickly take Guangdong and then march directly on Annam! This would stabilize morale within the army and inspire the people!
Moreover, isn't the current rebellion of Le Loi in Annam a perfect pretext for sending troops? Zhu Zhanhe thought to himself as he walked towards the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office. "Greetings, Your Highness!" As soon as Zhu Zhanhe entered, the large group of people in the room knelt down and paid their respects.

"My lords, please rise and speak." Zhu Zhanhe sat down in the center, looking at the group of people kneeling at his feet. He suddenly felt that being an emperor wasn't so bad! At least the feeling was really exhilarating! Then, Zhu Zhanhe composed himself and gently waved his hand, signaling everyone to rise.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" After expressing their gratitude loudly, the crowd slowly rose, respectfully clasped their hands, and lined up neatly according to their civil and military status.

"Your Highness, we have not failed in our mission. All the officials of the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission have arrived as requested by Your Highness." After everyone stood up, Mu Bin, the eldest of the Mu brothers, who was nominally the instigator of this trip to Guangdong, stepped forward first from the crowd, bowed to Zhu Zhanhe, and spoke first.

"You've handled this matter well." Zhu Zhanhe was never stingy with praise for those who worked diligently; after all, it was just verbal praise, it wouldn't hurt them. Besides, when the land was distributed to them later, they would sincerely kneel and thank him. So, Zhu Zhanhe waved his hand, dismissing Mu Bin. Then, Zhu Zhanhe turned his gaze to the several unfamiliar faces below.

"Your humble servant, Cui Xingdao, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Guangdong, along with the Left and Right Provincial Administration Commissioners, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission, pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!" As soon as Mu Bin finished speaking and returned to the queue, Cui Xingdao, the chief official of the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission, stepped forward with his four subordinates and bowed to Zhu Zhanhe once again.

"Lord Cui, no need for formalities. Gentlemen of Guangdong, please rise." Seeing that the Guangdong officials were quite sensible in bowing and kneeling, Zhu Zhanhe had no intention of making things difficult for them and simply gestured for them to stand up. After all, discretion is the better part of valor, and these men, regardless of their other qualities, at least had good judgment!
"Whether you are officials from Guangdong or Guangxi, now that you've all come to the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office, you must all be aware of the current situation," Zhu Zhanhe said, sitting upright in his chair, speaking very frankly.

"Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, but for some reasons, from this day forward, the lands of Guangdong and Guangxi will be the fiefdom of my Prince of Han."

As for the reasons, I, the Crown Prince, will not elaborate further. Those who are unclear can ask other colleagues later. Zhu Zhanhe clearly told all the officials in Guangdong and Guangxi, "Now that you have all come, whether you like it or not, you are all people of my Han Prince's Mansion!" As soon as Zhu Zhanhe said this, the faces of the main officials in Guangdong and Guangxi immediately turned ugly, but ignoring the expressions of the officials below, Zhu Zhanhe continued to speak.

"From now on, in the two Guang provinces, the imperial court can appoint and dismiss local officials, but everything else must be approved by my Prince of Han's Palace. In other words, the imperial court can only appoint and dismiss one provincial governor among all the officials present here."

As for the appointment and removal of other local officials, there are still quite a few schools in Guangdong and Guangxi, and even in Yunnan. My Prince Han's Mansion will also conduct imperial examinations to select scholars! Moreover, my father, Prince Han, has already sent two hundred scholars to Yunnan. I mean, everyone knows where they will go in the future.

"Starting next month, the monthly and annual salaries of all officials will be distributed by my Han Prince's Palace. As for local tax revenue, flood relief, and resistance against foreign invasion, these will all be handled by my Han Prince's Palace," Zhu Zhanhe continued.

"However, everyone need not worry. My Han Prince's Mansion will not lead you to rebel! To that place of no return!" Zhu Zhanhe's voice was filled with both threats and inducements. At the last moment, Zhu Zhanhe once again reassured everyone. However, it seemed that the effect was not very good.

(End of this chapter)