First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Xuanmiao is here. Li Wenzhong led the army. Although he did not have the feat of defending Shanzhou alone, he never made a mistake.

This is awesome, you must know that Chang Yuchun never makes big mistakes, but keeps making small mistakes.

Li Wenzhong's meticulousness and care are impressive and quite remarkable.

"We will give you three thousand soldiers and horses, and allow you to mobilize local soldiers and horses to jointly kill the bandits when necessary, are you sure?"

"Have!"

The three spoke in unison, and Sapphire's voice was the loudest.

Finally able to stand alone.

Farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang, the three of them got together and had a brief discussion.

This bandit suppresser, you really can't be blind, you don't just go where there are many.

Instead, we must treat both the symptoms and the root causes, once and for all, and completely solve the banditry.

Zhu Wenzheng said: "I also dealt with water thieves in Dongting Lake... In the final analysis, the thieves can exist only if the court's ability is not good. This time we will rely on Wang Heihu and others to organize the people and use the power of the militia , Compress the bandits' territory, seal them up, and then eat them one by one!"

Both Lan Yu and Li Wenzhong agreed... Soon the whole operation to suppress the bandits began.

Old Zhu chose these three people because they were young. After all, letting Xu Da and Chang Yuchun take action is considered bullying.

But the problem is that these three people are not good stubbles!

Both Lan Yu and Li Wenzhong are warriors at the Duke level, and when they grow up, they are not inferior to those few at all, let alone Zhu Wenzheng.

The three joined hands to treat both symptoms and root causes.

Just watch, on the land of the Central Plains, old villains one after another have been cured into specimens by them.

After three months, more than 100 bandit nests were destroyed, more than 7000 bandits were killed, and more than 5000 bandits surrendered and became captives of the court.

The income from the suppression of the bandits, after conversion, is more than 180 million treasures.

Taking Kaifeng as the core and extending outward, more and more bandits have been cleaned up, and the long-lost peace and order have returned to the land of the Central Plains.

The bandits were wiped out, the militia was trained, and the village community organization was formed later.

Land preparation, plowing, water conservancy construction, the people are very busy.

The long-awaited lively scene finally appeared in the Central Plains.

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, but what made him even more delighted was that after Zhang Ximeng's continuous efforts, there was finally news that Jiang Tiju was pregnant!

Finally, it is God's blessing, the sky has eyes!

Mr. Zhang has a successor!

If the child is a daughter, we will be in-laws. If it is a boy, we will receive it in the palace and teach it with the princes... By the way, the princes are all with wooden characters. Do you want to name this child with wooden characters? Just like our own son.

Chapter 5 Asking Confucius

"Look, sir, we have four sons now, and we don't know how many we will have in the future... More sons and more grandchildren are a blessing. If there are more children, it will inevitably break the rules. We are thinking about giving each child a set of characters." Generations, let them name it according to this. In order to prevent repetition, according to the principle that the five elements are born and circulated, and passed on, what do you think?"

Got it!

The periodic table of elements is coming, thanks to Comrade Zhu for his contribution to the cause of chemistry.

"My lord is thoughtful and hard-working, and I am inexplicably grateful." Zhang Ximeng could only speak dryly, not salty or perfunctory.

Old Zhu was slightly taken aback, but he did not give up and said: "Look, sir, how about we arrange a set for you, or the husband proposes something better, wouldn't it be nice for our two children to be put together?"

When Zhang Ximeng heard Lao Zhu's thoughts, he immediately threw himself to the ground, as expected of you, you stretched your hands long enough.Zhang Ximeng shook his head decisively without any discussion.

"The lord is naturally a thousand sons and grandsons, and the descendants will prosper. This method is very good. But I didn't think so much. If the Zhang family can have one or two children and inherit the incense, I will be worthy of my ancestors. It won't be so If there are many descendants, there will be no duplication of names, so I can only thank the lord for his kindness."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned deeply. In fact, naming them together was just to show the closeness of the two families, just like they buried their ancestral graves together.Zhang Ximeng disagreed, and Lao Zhu had nothing else to say.

But seeing that Zhang Ximeng was not in the mood to have more children, Old Zhu was not happy.

"Sir, more children are more blessings. How can you not have more children? Could it be that Jiang Tiju is jealous and doesn't want you to take a concubine?"

"no!"

Zhang Ximeng subconsciously said: "My lord, you must not mention the matter of taking concubines to my ministers. These two words make my hair stand on end, I'm afraid!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, "So, it's Jiang Tiju who bullied you? We, let's let the queen help you vent your anger!"

"No, that's not the case." Zhang Ximeng quickly waved his hands, "My lord, I can't say that this matter has nothing to do with Jiang Tiju. I, I just feel that it is too tiring to have a baby. My back hurts badly. There are not many of them. If you have ten or eight children, you have to work hard, raise them up, plan for their future, and even worry about their names, your life will be ruined. I want to write more and think about things more. My lord, you must forgive me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned... What did you say!

Look at us, we handle hundreds of government affairs every day, lead soldiers to fight wars, study and practice calligraphy, and take care of concubines. We don't think it's too hard!

How could Mr. Zhang be so weak at such a young age?

"Sir, you should take good care of yourself!"

Zhang Ximeng didn't listen to Lao Zhu, "My lord, you are a heavenly sage, you are different from others, and I am just an ordinary person. If you can take care of your own little family, fulfill the lord's entrustment, and do something you like, then you can do it." I am already satisfied, I hope the lord will see clearly!"

After all, your old Zhu is a master of time management, but unfortunately I am not. A wife is enough to parry, and one or two children is probably the limit.

If there was a double, or a super double, Zhang Ximeng estimated that he would explode on the spot.

Lao Zhu was stunned for a long time before he had to accept the cruel reality that Mr. Zhang was not the same creature as himself.

But then Lao Zhu realized another problem. If the husband doesn't have many children, then his son and daughter are really little treasures who are loved by thousands of people!

Lao Zhu rolled his eyes and made up his mind secretly.

But this matter can't be mentioned now, after all, it will be several months before the baby is born!It's best to wait until Yingtian returns, discuss it carefully with the queen, and come up with a proper solution.

The abacus in Lao Zhu's heart was crackling, and he said again: "Sir, let's not mention this matter. We have stopped in Kaifeng for so long, and we should return to Yingtian. Jiang Tiju has just become pregnant. Are you following us?" Go back together, or wait a little longer?"

This sentence can make people think about it. At the beginning, Empress Ma was pregnant, and she worked hard to cross the river. At Chen Di's house, she gave birth to the prince Zhu Biao.

And Jiang Nan was pregnant, so he promised Zhang Ximeng a vacation. Lao Zhu was so coveted about Zhang's first child!

Zhang Ximeng hasn't seen through Zhu Yuanzhang's sinister thoughts yet, but seriously pondered: "My lord, it's time to return to Yingtian. For the overall situation of the Central Plains, Xu Da is more suitable for military affairs. As for government affairs..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Sir, do you have anyone to recommend?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, if you want to say it is suitable, Hu Weiyong and Yang Xian are both good people... But if you want my minister to recommend it, I'm afraid I will recommend Wang Guangyang."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Okay, let Wang Guangyang be the chief envoy of Henan."

In a word, Wang Guangyang overcame two powerful opponents and won the crucial position of Henan chief envoy.

Because there is a Zhongshu Province in the Ming Dynasty at present, there are also officials in the Zhongshu Province.

In other words, the status of Shangshu has depreciated a lot.

If Wang Guangyang does well in the Central Plains, he can be directly promoted to participate in politics.

What else can I say, follow Zhang Xiangqian and get promoted quickly.

If Zhang Xiang misses it, it will be difficult.

With the smooth progress of the bandit suppression, the Central Plains showed signs of recovery, and Zhu Yuanzhang was unwilling to waste too much time. He left Xu Da 8 people to garrison the Central Plains.

Then he gave Feng Guoyong a decree to retain the Nanyang Army and let them station in Shanzhou and other places to confront Li Siqi in Guanzhong to prevent them from leaving Tongguan and threatening the Central Plains.

As for the direction of Shandong, considering Mao Gui's problem, Lao Zhu did not arrange a political envoy, but continued to retain the Shandong Army.But Lao Zhu couldn't continue to let Mao Gui go on like this.

After thinking about it, Lao Zhu sent Liu Bowen to Shandong as an inspector for punishment.

It's better to arrange a chief envoy directly!

What is Liu Bowen?

He himself is first-rate in knowledge, upright and upright. He was a man of righteousness and outspokenness under Lao Zhu, and he followed Tang He in organizing the Miao soldiers. Shining, murderous.

You must know that since Chen Youliang was eliminated, Zhu Yuanzhang has not arranged a position for Liu Bowen, but only let him take charge of the Imperial Academy along with Song Lian.

It's not that I don't want to give it, but I dare not give it.

Because Liu Bowen was going to kill people, wherever he was placed would mean a bloody storm.

Before the decisive battle in the Central Plains, Lao Zhu still didn't dare to rectify the internal affairs too much. Zhang Ximeng also supported this point, and even said that Zhang Ximeng was suppressing him.

Otherwise, Liu Bowen would be qualified to take over the Ministry of Punishment, or be promoted to be the Royal Doctor.

After all, at the beginning of the founding of the country, official positions were very arbitrary, and there was no resistance to even adding a few yamen.

Now that the war in the Central Plains is over, the foundation of Ming Dynasty has been stabilized.

After all, Lao Zhu was about to show his sharp sword.

It's just that Lao Zhu still wanted to be safe, and didn't directly make a big move.Instead, put Liu Bowen in Shandong first, and let him practice his hands, which is also a deterrent by the way, which is equivalent to telling everyone, let's prepare the knife, and you all be smart.

Obviously, Zhu Yuanzhang still does not change his nature, but he is also influenced by Zhang Ximeng. He does not do things so extreme, but reserves some space. Hong Wu's true colors!

After Lao Zhu made the arrangements properly, he asked Chang Yuchun and Hu Dahai to lead the troops, take boats, and march south along the canal.

Zhang Ximeng didn't leave, but honestly took on the responsibility of taking care of the pregnant woman, cooking, taking a walk with his wife, telling her jokes, and making her happy.

And Zhang Ximeng was thinking about giving prenatal education to his children, so he won at the starting line!

He read something to the child every day and raised the child from the womb.

It couldn't have been more perfect.

Jiang Nan was also very satisfied, and felt that her husband was very good, but that was the only problem.

"Sanggong, if you read some poems and articles to your children, I have no objection, but can you stop reading what you wrote?" Jiang Nan couldn't help but said: "I admit that what you wrote is very reasonable, but the literary talent is still the same. It’s so short, it’s not suitable for children to listen to!”

Zhang Ximeng blushed all of a sudden, it was indeed a bit inappropriate, for example, you are a writer, you can't read your own writing to your children, right?

It will be a little embarrassing!

Zhang Ximeng could only helplessly say: "Ma'am, actually, I am not only reading to our children, but also torturing myself and my heart."

Jiang Nan rolled his eyes at him, "Master can do whatever he wants, and I won't stop me, lest people say I'm jealous and affect your family's success."

Zhang Ximeng was taken aback, where did these words come from?

It can't be some bastard, just chewing the tongue, right?

Zhang Ximeng couldn't think of who did it for a while, so he could only honestly say: "Madam, I really misunderstood. I'm going to Qufu, to the Confucius Temple."

"Confucius Temple?"

Jiang Nan was taken aback, and she hurriedly said, "You, you won't smash the Confucius Temple, will you?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Madam thinks so? Is it possible?"

Jiang Nan didn't speak, but picked up a grape and ate it slowly, his eyes rolled and his mind wandered.

"Master, what the Confucian family did was indeed excessive. According to the king's law, killing them is not an exaggeration... But I thought that if you directly leveled the Confucian mansion and demolished the Confucian temple, there would be serious troubles in the future! A thousand-year theory, there is no such thing. easily disappears."

Zhang Ximeng laughed happily and clapped his hands in admiration.

"Madam is really my good wife! Don't worry, I'm not that bold yet."

Jiang Nan stared at her husband, not at all reassuring. She felt that there was a devil hidden in Zhang Ximeng's body... Under this gentle, respectful and thrifty body, he had the ambition to overthrow thousands of years of history!

Just like his division of history, Zhang Ximeng's trip to Qufu and the Confucius family this time is definitely going to be a big event.

Jiang Nan thought of Bailudong Academy again, "Master, you don't want to compete with Confucius, do you?"

Zhang Ximeng laughed again, "Madam is really smart and smart, but I am not competing with Master, but paying tribute to Master."

Jiang Nan was full of questions, and wanted to ask a few more questions, but Zhang Ximeng was unwilling to say more, and she had no choice.

In this way, two months after Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Jinling, Zhang Ximeng also finished his closed-door meditation. He thought it through and had a prescription.

Before the war, the matter of the Kong family, which was almost left unsolved, can finally come to an end.

Zhang Ximeng asked his wife to rest for a few more days, and then went south by boat, while he rode to Shandong on horseback.

Accompanied by five hundred guards, Zhang Ximeng came to the Confucian Mansion.

Kong Kejian, Kong Xixue, father and son, trembling, knelt to welcome Zhang Ximeng.

"Sinners pay respects to Prime Minister Zhang."

Zhang Ximeng asked them to get up without saying anything.

"I came here this time to give Confucius some gifts."

The father and son felt no joy at all, but when they saw something, they couldn't help crying.

Zhang Ximeng sent two plaques.