My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 19 Roast Goose Incident
After reading the letter, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't calm down for a long time.

Li Han revealed this secret to him, no doubt to wake him up:

One is to be wary of eunuchs’ monopoly of power.

The eunuch Wang Zhen mentioned in the letter was really hateful. It was too easy for him to be killed by a hammer. If it were up to Zhu, his entire clan would have been exterminated!

Zhu Yuanzhang always disliked eunuchs and was well aware of the harm of eunuchs abusing power. Therefore, he himself was able to absolutely prohibit eunuchs from getting involved in politics, and I think Zhu Biao could do the same.

The ban on eunuchs’ involvement in politics should be written into family precepts. This is the only solution Zhu Yuanzhang can think of at the moment.

The second is to remind myself not to forget the threat from the northern desert!
Since driving the Yuan court to the northern desert and establishing the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang has suspended large-scale foreign wars. Although he has sent Mu Ying and others to the north in recent years, they only consumed the Yuan court's manpower.

After all, when the Ming Dynasty was first founded, there was a lot of work to be done, and a large-scale war would be like adding insult to injury for the people.

However, he knew in his heart that the peace with Yuan Ting was only temporary. He had been looking for an opportunity to destroy Yuan Ting in one fell swoop and eliminate this major worry!
Now, in addition to the Yuan court, there is also the Oirat!
Perhaps, only by completely controlling Mobei can we permanently eliminate its threat to the Central Plains dynasty!
After more than ten years of recuperation, the Ming Dynasty gradually got back on track and all walks of life had good development.

But controlling Mobei is easier said than done, and it is definitely not something that can be achieved overnight.

The road must be walked step by step, and the meal must be eaten one bite at a time.

This matter needs to be discussed with Xu Da and others before any deployment can be made!
Xu Da was the number one contributor to the founding of the Ming Dynasty and Zhu Yuanzhang's most trusted right-hand man. Therefore, when Zhu Yuanzhang thought of launching a northern expedition, the first thing he thought of was to discuss it with Xu Da.

Fortunately, Immortal Li Han reminded us and gave us medicine in time.

Otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang could not imagine what a heavy blow losing Xu Da would be to him and even to the entire Ming Dynasty.

It just so happens that Xu Da's medicine has arrived, so let's make a special trip to Xu Da's house to visit our old friend and discuss the Northern Expedition to the Desert.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Yuanzhang changed into casual clothes, called a few guards, left the palace and headed towards Xu Da's house.

As for why no ceremonial guards were used, firstly, this was an informal trip and there was no need for such a grand ceremony.

Secondly, he and Xu Da had been brothers for many years. When he visited his old brother's house and used ceremonial guards, people would think that Zhu Yuanzhang had become the emperor and was showing off.

When they arrived at Xu Da's Duke's Mansion, the person who opened the door was Xu Da's eldest son, Xu Huizu.

Xu Huizu was about sixteen or seventeen years old, a grown man. He loved to wield swords and sticks, had a muscular body, was strong and sturdy, and had a calm and generous personality. Anyone who looked at him would give him a thumbs up.

Hey, that's a great guy!

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally liked Xu Huizu very much, and he seemed to have some of the heroic spirit of his father when he was young.

When Xu Huizu saw Zhu Yuanzhang coming, he showed surprise on his face, but soon regained his composure, bowed and saluted, saying:

"Your Majesty, I didn't know you were coming and I was unable to greet you. Please forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang helped Xu Huizu up and said, "Nephew, please don't be polite. I just came here on a whim. What crime have you committed?"

Xu Huizu was not pretentious. He stood up and welcomed Zhu Yuanzhang and his party in, then ordered the servants to serve tea and water.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Huizu, who was not even twenty years old yet but could arrange things in an orderly manner, and nodded with satisfaction.

This boy is calm and steady, and he will be a powerful general when he joins the army in the future!

Think about Li Jinglong again. He also has a father who has made great contributions, but he is so erratic on a daily basis. It makes me angry just by looking at him.

He couldn't think about it anymore. If he continued, Lao Zhu's whip would become thirsty again.

"My dear nephew, how is your father these days?" "Your Majesty, my father is fine in all other aspects, but the carbuncle on his back is a bit torturous, and he has to abstain from meat and fish."

Xu Huizu thought for a moment and said, "My father loves roast goose the most. Now he has no roast goose to eat, and he is sulking in his bedroom. He says that he has been eating bland food all day and his mouth is empty."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed out loud upon hearing this. "Good Xu Tiande, he's already a duke but still acts like a child. When he recovers, we'll give him a hundred roast geese!"

Xu Da was famous for his love of roast goose, just like his father Zhu liked to eat sesame cakes.

Like Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da was born in a poor peasant family and had never eaten any good food since he was a child. After joining the rebel army, he had the chance to eat roast goose, and from then on he believed that roast goose was the most delicious thing in the world.

After welcoming Zhu Yuanzhang to Xu Da's bedroom, Xu Zuhui began to prepare tea and pastries.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not like other guests. Since his mother and brothers had all returned to their parents' home, it was up to him, the eldest son, to serve tea and cakes to Zhu Yuanzhang personally.

When he pushed the door open, Zhu Yuanzhang saw Xu Da lying on the bed with a painful expression on his face. It seemed that he was suffering from a back carbuncle.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang saw that there were still a few traces of oil stains on the corners of Xu Da's mouth.

Moreover, there was a large bulge in the quilt, and Xu Da's hands were resting on it, so it was obvious that there was something hidden inside.

The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward.

But who is Xu Da? He is also a veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time. He just coughed a few times and then said in a weak voice:

"Your Majesty, you are here. Unfortunately, I am ill and cannot get up to greet you. I beg your Majesty to forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang was not polite and pulled open Xu Da's quilt. He saw a food box hidden under the quilt. In the food box was a roast goose that had been gnawed a few bites.

Xu Da:......

Zhu Yuanzhang:......

At this time, Xu Huizu just walked in with tea and cakes. When he saw the food box on Xu Da's bed, he was shocked!
"Dad, why did you secretly eat roast goose again? The doctor said I can't eat greasy food, especially roast goose!"

Xu Da was also acting like a drama queen at this time, "Eh? Why is there a roast goose on the bed? Did your Majesty give it to me? Your Majesty still remembers that I like roast goose. Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xu Huizu said angrily: "Dad, please don't lie. His Majesty didn't bring any roast goose when he came."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his old friend with helplessness. After so many years, his old friend's temper really hasn't changed at all.

When it comes to fighting on the battlefield, Xu Da is unmatched. He is both brave and resourceful. Killing the enemies on the battlefield is no problem for him. He can also sit firmly in the central military tent and make plans to win battles thousands of miles away.

It’s just that his temper is sometimes like that of a child. And when will he be able to change his greedy habit?

I don’t know how Xu Da gave birth to such a steady son like Xu Huizu?
"You naughty kid, how dare you talk about your father like that? Get out of here right away. His Majesty and I have something important to discuss!"

After finding an excuse to send Xu Huizu away, Xu Da gave Zhu Yuanzhang an embarrassed smile.

"Hehe, Your Majesty, I'm sorry to make you laugh. I have no choice but to eat the roast goose. I wonder why Your Majesty came here?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Da's smirk and shook his head. There was nothing he could do. This was just the character of my old friend. I'd gotten used to it.

"Tian De, what you just said is right. I just happen to have something important to discuss with you!"

(End of this chapter)