The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

The Eastern Palace.

Zhu Gaochi summoned a group of officials from the Eastern Palace, seemingly discussing important matters, his brows furrowed.

"The severe drought in Shandong and Henan has not yet been resolved, the Yellow River has breached its banks in Suining, Xuzhou, and floods have broken out in Jiangxi and Hunan. Furthermore, a local chieftain has rebelled in Bozhou, under the jurisdiction of the Guizhou Provincial Administration Commission. It is truly a year of many disasters."

Zhu Gaochi's complex words echoed in the hall, and the others fell silent.

Zhu Gaochi had no mood to look at the expressions of these people at this moment; he only felt so tired.

Each and every one of these matters is a top priority that needs to be addressed right now; none of them are trivial.

But to solve all these problems, it all comes down to two words: money and supplies.

After a long while, Yang Pu stood up and said slowly, "Your Highness, according to the reply from the Ministry of Revenue, fifteen counties in Shandong and Henan have been affected by the disaster, and the situation in five of them is severe."

Grain has been mobilized from surrounding government granaries, manpower has been dispatched, and numerous medicinal herbs and doctors from the surrounding areas have been mobilized to prevent the outbreak of plague.

Ten thousand shi of grain allocated from Jiangnan have already been urgently dispatched, and another forty thousand shi are being loaded onto wagons.

However, the subsequent preparation of food supplies encountered great difficulties.

The Ministry of Revenue encountered considerable obstacles in procuring grain, and the grain reserves in the Jiangnan region were also running low, making it impossible to continue supplying it.

The Ministry of Revenue has started adding stones and chaff to the grain, and the distribution of porridge is being controlled to make the most of the time.

However, the Emperor was unaware of this matter.

"What did the Emperor say about this matter?"

Zhu Gaochi did not immediately concern himself with how to solve the food shortage, nor did he care about the so-called adulteration with sand, stones, and chaff, nor did he care about how much of the food could be transported to the disaster-stricken areas or how much could be distributed to the people.

Upon hearing this, Yang Pu hesitated for a moment.

"Your Highness, according to news from the Cabinet, preparations are underway to forcibly requisition autumn grain in the Jiangnan region ahead of schedule."

Furthermore, preparations are underway to increase taxes in more than ten regions, including Tian, ​​Jianghuai, eastern Zhejiang, southern Zhejiang, central Zhejiang, and Xuzhou.

The proposal was put forward by Jin Youzi and Huang Huai, among others in the cabinet. Yang Shiqi and other cabinet members did not object, but the emperor has not yet made a decision and is still considering it.

However, the Emperor has already dispatched many doctors from the Imperial Hospital to the disaster-stricken areas, with two doctors sent to each of the five severely affected counties.

Furthermore, the Censorate was put in charge of supervising the transportation and consumption of grain, and censors from the Censorate were also stationed in the Ministry of Revenue's granary department.

At the same time, the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to urgently allocate two million taels of paper money and two hundred thousand coins for disaster relief.

During this period, two prefects, seven county magistrates, and three inspectors were held accountable and imprisoned by the Ministry of Justice.

In response to the rebellion in Bozhou, the Emperor directly dispatched the General of Hunan to lead troops to quell the uprising.

Regarding the floods in Jiangxi and Hunan, the Emperor has issued an edict to immediately open the granaries in the surrounding areas and transport grain there, and has also dispatched personnel from the Ministry of Works to manage the floods.

When the Yellow River breached its banks in Suining, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works took the lead, and the Ministry of Revenue and the Censorate successively sent people to inspect the situation and decide how to rebuild the dike.

The Emperor has already issued an edict ordering the Ministry of Revenue to allocate three million taels of paper money and three hundred thousand taels of silver, and instructing the Ministry of Works to complete the task as soon as possible.

At the same time, the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard jointly dispatched personnel to investigate the cause of the dike breach.

The Emperor has issued an edict: anyone involved in the breaching of the dikes will be executed without pardon, and their relatives will be exiled.

Zhu Gaochi felt a pang of bitterness in his heart as he listened to Yang Pu's words.

People say that he helped Zhu Di handle many state affairs as the crown prince, but when it came to truly important matters, Zhu Di would never let him assist in anything.

He had to obtain these messages from the civil servants through the cabinet and various ministries.

Zhu Di had done everything he was supposed to do, and Zhu Gaochi was at a loss as to what to do next.

At this moment, Yang Pu's voice continued to come.

"Your Highness, these are turbulent times. You may go to see the Emperor and explain the matter of procuring grain from Jiangnan."

If Your Highness agrees, 100,000 shi of grain can be allocated from the Jiangnan region for disaster relief in various places.

This is a petition from officials and gentry in many parts of Jiangnan, praising His Highness's benevolence and kindness towards the people, and stating that they are willing to sell their possessions to raise grain for His Highness.

Zhu Gaochi took the memorial from Yang Pu and gradually smiled.

"The officials and gentry of Jiangnan are so righteous, which is a blessing for the country and the emperor."

With such officials and gentry serving the people, how can the court increase taxes? Instead, it should encourage more people to take the imperial examinations and serve the country.

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, some of the officials in the Eastern Palace stood up.

"Your Highness is benevolent and virtuous. The people of Jiangnan will surely devote themselves to the country and the people, and to Your Highness, with utmost loyalty and dedication."

"Your Highness, I have already sent word home to gather the people to collect food. Together, we believe this will greatly alleviate the pressure on the disaster victims in Shandong, Henan, Jiangxi, and Hunan."

As Zhu Gaochi heard that the food problem had been solved and heard the praises from the crowd, his smile grew even wider.

Just then, a member of the Imperial Guard hurriedly entered.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has issued a decree. Please receive it."

The Imperial Guards did not read the imperial edict aloud; they simply handed it to Zhu Gaochi and left.

Zhu Gaochi opened the imperial edict, and his pupils contracted after reading it.

"The Emperor has decreed that I, together with the Ministry of Revenue, should raise the funds, provisions and supplies needed for the Prince of Han to go to sea and assume his fiefdom, and arrange ships to transport the Prince of Han to sea."

When Zhu Gaochi revealed the amount, Yang Pu and the other officials of the Eastern Palace were all shocked, showing none of the joy that Zhu Gaochi was experiencing when he went to sea to assume his fiefdom.

One of the officials from the Eastern Palace immediately stepped forward.

"Your Highness, you mustn't! If the King of Han only needs ships, we will certainly do our best to coordinate and provide enough for his use."

But where could they possibly find such a large amount of money, food, and supplies?

Moreover, when the Prince of Han went to sea to assume his fiefdom, the money and provisions for the troops of the Three Guards of the Prince of Han that he brought should be coordinated by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue.

With so much money and grain, what does the King of Han intend to do?

"Your Highness, please reconsider. If the vassal kings become too powerful abroad and were to join forces with foreign barbarians, the Ming Dynasty would be in grave danger!"

With the exception of Yang Pu and a few others, most of the officials in the Eastern Palace openly opposed the proposal.

Zhu Gaochi looked at the group of people without saying a word.

He knew very well what these people were objecting to: it was simply that Zhu Gaochi had been given too much, and no one could accept it.

Even he himself found it somewhat unacceptable.

Because Zhu Di gave so much.

He was worried about giving Zhu Gaoxu so much money and grain.

But since Zhu Di directly issued the decree to him, Zhu Gaochi was well aware of this matter.

No matter how unwilling he was, he had to do it.

Zhu Gaochi's eyes flickered.

"This matter is of great importance. Currently, various regions of the Ming Dynasty need money, grain, and supplies. Such a large amount needs to be discussed with His Majesty again."

You must know that this matter is decided by the Emperor; it is useless for you to speak to me.”

Zhu Gaochi looked at Yang Pu and nodded slightly. Yang Pu then nodded in acknowledgment.

Just then, Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, hurried over.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Revenue to assist you in preparing funds, provisions, and supplies for the Prince of Han. The amount involved is enormous."

"I humbly request Your Highness to accompany this old minister to the palace to remonstrate with His Majesty."

Seeing Xia Yuanji's hurried pace, Zhu Gaochi had a brief chat with him before heading into the palace.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Di was not surprised to see Zhu Gaochi and Xia Yuanji opposing him, as if he had already guessed it.

"Your Majesty, many places are now suffering from disasters and need a lot of money, food and supplies for resettlement. The same applies to flood control."

"Your Majesty is preparing for another northern expedition next year, and the national treasury simply cannot afford the necessary funds and provisions. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

"Father, if you are to prepare these funds and supplies for my second brother, please abandon the northern expedition next year and allow the people of the world to recuperate for a few more years before discussing the northern expedition."

If Father agrees, I will find a way to raise enough money, provisions, and supplies for my second brother to go to his fiefdom at sea.

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, Xia Yuanji was shocked and looked at Zhu Gaochi in astonishment.

When he was in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Gaochi didn't say that.

Zhu Di looked at the two men and said in a deep voice, "Xia Yuanji, prepare half the amount specified in the imperial edict. Now you may leave."

Despite his reluctance, Xia Yuanji had no choice but to leave.

After Zhu Gaochi was left, Zhu Di slowly spoke.

"Your Highness, now that you have received the decree, go and make preparations."

The second son needs money, food, and supplies for his voyage, and I will also be going on my northern expedition next year.

"Now that the Oirats are growing powerful, the Tatars are on the verge of being destroyed by them. If the Ming Dynasty does not send troops and watches the Tatars be destroyed, and watches the remnants of the Northern Yuan rise again, the Ming Dynasty will be in grave danger."

"You know perfectly well why the second brother went to sea, and you've explained it very clearly."

Boss, don't let me down.

Zhu Gaochi had no choice but to agree.

Zhu Gaochi returned to the Eastern Palace and immediately summoned Yang Pu.

"Do not touch these grains in Jiangnan for now; I will make arrangements later."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Gaochi's eyes flickered; he was waiting for next year to arrive.