Chapter 80 The secret of Huaixi’s occupation of people’s land.

At noon the next day, Zhu Gang had just returned to his own Prince Jin's Mansion from the Prince's Eastern Palace.

This was also the first time Zhu Gang returned to his own home after returning to Beijing.

"This palace of mine is quite magnificent."

Zhu Gang looked at the young man in brocade robe beside him with satisfaction, then strode into the Prince of Jin's Palace.

"When His Majesty supervised the construction of the Prince of Jin's Palace for you, he used only the best materials. Even the former Prince of Qin's Palace could not compare to your Prince of Jin's Palace."

The young man in brocade robe laughed softly and then nodded.

Zhu Gang has never lived in the Prince of Jin's Mansion for a single day since its completion.

After all, Zhu Gang had been in Taiyuan for all these years and had never returned to the capital, but they all saw how much Zhu loved his son.

Take the Prince of Jin’s Palace in front of us for example. It is definitely the highest-specification prince’s palace among the princes.

For this reason, King Qin Zhu Chong got very angry, but he also understood that his third son was not in the capital and the old man needed a thought, so he gave up.

As for the young man in brocade robe, his identity is obvious: Chang Mao, the eldest son of Duke E, Chang Yuchun.

That is Chang Mao, who was one of the six founding dukes of the Ming Dynasty in history, inherited his father's title and was granted the title Duke of Zheng.

And now that Chang Yuchun is not dead, Chang Mao is naturally still the eldest son of the Chang family.

Moreover, Chang Mao was only two years older than Zhu Gang. In addition, Zhu Gang had been practicing martial arts with Chang Yuchun since he was a child, so the relationship between the two brothers was naturally very close.

Besides, Chang Mao is actually not weak either. Whether it is military strategy or martial arts, if he joins the army, he will surely become a general or a prime minister.

"If what you said gets to the second brother's ears, he will definitely complain to me again."

Zhu Gang gave Chang Mao a direct look.

"Your Highness Prince Qin is not so stingy."

Chang Mao just waved his hand.

"So what you mean is that I am stingy?"

Zhu Gang raised his eyebrows again and looked at Chang Mao.

"Could you please stop finding fault?"

Chang Mao suddenly said in an unpleasant tone.

"How come you don't know how to be funny?"

Zhu Gang didn't care and put his arm around Chang Mao's shoulders and smiled.

"After returning to Beijing, someone didn't even remember to visit his brothers."

Chang Mao was still in a bad mood and even curled his lips.

She seemed very dissatisfied that Zhu Gang had been back in Beijing for so long but only came to see her now.

"When I first returned to Beijing, I couldn't see anyone, let alone you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang simply shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

Chang Mao frowned, somewhat confused.

"I commanded the troops of Shanxi to conquer the foreign tribes on the grasslands. The troops of the original 160,000 became stronger and stronger, and expanded to 200,000."

"These court officials must be up to no good, so after I came back, I only went to Yu'er's place."

"According to my old man's intention, in order to avoid suspicion and avoid unnecessary trouble for myself, after all, you and I both understand those civil servants."

Zhu Gang spread his hands helplessly and said.

Loyal ministers died for their advice, and censors were not afraid of death but were only afraid of having their reputations tarnished. Even Zhu Yuanzhang was a little confused about this.

After all, Lao Zhu also understands his temper. If he is not careful, he will be angry to death.

The minister who died for his advice had to die, but Zhu Yuanzhang also fulfilled the minister's reputation of not fearing power, giving advice impartially, and serving the country wholeheartedly.

And such a reputation should be passed down through the ages and be remembered forever. Then what joy would there be in living and what fear would there be in death!

"I always say being an official is a lot of work, but my father is determined to get me into the job."

Chang Mao immediately understood what Zhu Gang meant, but he couldn't help but complain.

"Sister Chang is the Crown Princess. The Chang family's honor and disgrace are the same as the country's, so we can only move forward, not retreat."

"Not to mention staying out of the world, so being an official, becoming a general or a prime minister is your destiny in this life."

Zhu Gang patted Chang Mao's shoulder again.

"Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince invites you to have a chat at Jinxiu Pavilion."

At this moment, the guards at the gate of Prince Jin's Mansion came hurriedly, and then looked at Zhu Gang and bowed.

"Jinxiu Pavilion?"

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, then turned to look at Chang Mao and asked, "Are you going?"

"When did you and your brother-in-law ever meet outside?"

Chang Mao looked at Zhu Gang with some curiosity.

Jinxiu Pavilion, as its name suggests, is extremely beautiful and is the top-notch restaurant in Yingtian Prefecture. Those who go in and out of it are either rich or noble.

Just like Chang Mao in front of him, he is a frequent visitor to Jinxiu Pavilion. After all, he is the eldest son of the Duke of E.

"Today, Jinxiu Pavilion is hosting a banquet for the nobles of Huaixi. Your brother-in-law and I have arranged this to serve as a warning to them."

As he spoke, a deep look flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes.

"Then I shouldn't go?"

Chang Mao immediately waved his hand.

Inviting the nobles from Huaixi to a banquet? Stop it!
What good could come of meeting that group of uncles? Just like his father Chang Yuchun said, the respected status he has today is all thanks to Zhu Yuanzhang, so the Chang family only needs to do one thing.

That is to follow Zhu Yuanzhang's steps, so as not to go wrong or stand in the wrong position. As for those Huaixi nobles who are causing trouble, it is because Zhu Yuanzhang is remembering their old friendship.

When the day comes when they no longer care about their old friendship, these Huaixi nobles will have no place to cry.

So we can see from here that Chang Yuchun is definitely not as rough as he appears to be. Instead, he is quite thoughtful. After all, with his status and achievements, if he goes one step further, he will be so successful that he will shock his master.

Is this why Chang Yuchun and Xu Da hardly interacted with each other in private, but acted without restraint in the palace?
Because the brothers all understood that this was all for show to outsiders, and that not communicating for a long time would not affect the friendship between them.

"But you must go today."

Zhu Gang directly grabbed Chang Mao's hand.

"Why?" Chang Mao was stunned.

"Because there are some things I want to ask you."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang pulled Chang Mao out of the mansion and stepped onto the carriage.

"You have been in Fengyang for a year. Have you heard any rumors?"

As soon as he got in the car, Zhu Gang looked at the puzzled Chang Mao and asked softly.

"What rumors?"

Chang Mao's eyes flashed with doubt.

"Acreage." Zhu Gang pondered.

"In the early years of the Hongwu reign, the nobles of Huaixi seized the land of the common people. This matter has been exposed, and the people's losses have been compensated."

Chang Mao was stunned for a moment, then he asked. Chang Mao thought that what Zhu Gang wanted to ask was about the matter of the Huaixi nobles occupying the people's land, but this matter had already come to an end that year, so what was there to ask?

"Your Majesty is unwilling to investigate the matter of occupying the land, so the matter will naturally end here. As a son, I naturally cannot continue to investigate."

"So, what I'm asking about is not this matter, but the land inventory. Have you participated in it? Or has Master participated in it?"

A hint of contemplation flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes, and he turned around and asked again.

Chang Mao frowned when he heard this, and then he shook his head and said, "The land survey doesn't seem to have anything to do with Huaixi, right?"

Seeing this, Zhu Gang took another deep look at Chang Mao and said, "Brother Mao, we two brothers grew up together. There are some things you can't hide from me."

“Third brother, I did stay in Fengyang for a year, but according to what the old man meant, I only stayed for a year.”

"Among them, I hardly interacted with anyone except my father-in-law."

Chang Mao still shook his head.

With a great Buddha like Chang Yuchun, Chang Mao's character, no matter how domineering he is, will not be too domineering.

He didn't dare to take his old man's words as bullshit, so Chang Mao really did nothing during that year in Fengyang.

"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that the nobles in Huaixi have been encroaching on the land of the common people, even Uncle Chang is involved, and the one who started it is you, Chang Mao."

Seeing that Chang Mao did not seem to be lying, Zhu Gang nodded.

It seems that Chang Mao was not involved in this, otherwise, how could he be so calm?
But Zhu Gang couldn't believe it completely. After all, what happened back then was still vivid in his mind, and the one who was most deeply trapped was Chang Mao in front of him.

"Well, I won't hide it from you today, but these are my words, so remember not to mention them again."

Chang Mao carefully lifted the curtain of the car, looked around, and then took Zhu Gang's hand and said.

"It's true that I was the instigator of the occupation of the people's land, but my father was the mastermind behind this."

After a pause, Chang Mao sighed again, then looked at Zhu Gang and said, "But I really don't know what our uncles think."

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Gang frowned slightly.

But he had already thought about it in his mind. Perhaps it was just as he guessed, but in the end, the incident of occupying the people's land had become an uncontrollable fact.

"Among the heroes of Huaixi, who has the guts to bring bad luck upon your majesty?"

Chang Mao thought about it and asked.

"Six founding fathers."

Zhu Gang didn't even need to think about it, he just knew it.

"That's right, but Duke Han is old and no longer involved in government affairs. He is idle at home, and Duke Wei is famous for being cautious in his words and deeds."

"And Duke Cao is your Majesty's nephew, and he is a righteous man, so it is naturally impossible for him to do so."

"As for my father and Uncle Xu, they are almost in the same boat with Your Majesty. How could they possibly displease Your Majesty?"

Afterwards, Chang Mao nodded first, then sighed and said, "Only my father-in-law dares to make any small moves under the nose of Your Majesty."

"Of course I know what Uncle Feng did, but do you know that Uncle Feng has made great contributions, and if he doesn't defile himself, how can he protect himself?"

"Although Uncle Feng occupied the people's land, he did not harm any of them. However, many other Huaixi heroes indulged their servants and robbed and killed the people. If they did not obey, they would destroy the land and kill people."

In response to Chang Mao's words, Zhu Gang shook his head.

Feng Sheng was an absolute talent. From the day he followed Zhu Yuanzhang, he had fought in battles both large and small. His contributions were so outstanding that he could definitely be called the arm and spear of the Ming Dynasty.

Especially since the first year of Hongwu, Feng Sheng won every battle. Even when Xu Da suffered an unsuccessful campaign and Li Wenzhong suffered heavy losses, only Feng Sheng gained a lot and captured many enemies.

But behind this outstanding achievement, there was also a hint of worry, that is, the achievement was too great, so Feng Sheng risked the world's condemnation and occupied the people's land to defile himself so as to reassure Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, throughout the dynasties, meritorious officials and famous generals have found ways to corrupt themselves, but most of them cannot escape money and sex.

But if you really are not interested in anything, the emperor should be worried, what do you want?

Another thing is that Feng Sheng only defiled himself but did not kill anyone.

"Of course I know this, but who could have thought that this matter would become so big?"

"After all, Uncle Feng had already discussed this with my father at the beginning, and my father was very successful at that time, so Uncle Feng and I were able to seize the land of the common people."

"But who could have thought that our uncles would feel like their hearts were eaten by wolves and dogs when they saw Uncle Feng do this and me do this?"

"They did the same thing, and their methods were so cruel that even Uncle Feng and I felt a little terrified."

"Don't forget, whether it's Your Majesty or the heroes of Huaixi, most of them came from ordinary people's families, poor families."

"To have achieved today's success, one should understand that water can carry a boat but can also capsize it."

"But they didn't take it seriously, ignored the law, acted recklessly, indulged their servants, and beat civilians to death."

"We wanted to stop them, but we were powerless. After all, by the time we knew what they were doing, it was too late to stop them."

As he spoke, Chang Mao sighed again.

"I understand. The people have been killed and the land has been robbed. Even if Your Majesty blames me, it is just a small punishment."

"But we won't torture the Huaixi heroes to death, because they are heroes. Even if they are a little domineering, what does it matter?"

"And without them, your Majesty's world would no longer be your Majesty's world."

A sneer appeared on Zhu Gang's lips, and he looked at Chang Maodao.

"That's right, arrogant soldiers and brave generals, they are arrogant soldiers and brave generals. Even if something goes wrong, they will just take the money and let it go. They won't care too much."

"Besides, if we really want to trace the source, Uncle Feng and I cannot escape responsibility for this matter."

"Even if your majesty wants to use thunderous means and enforce the law, it will be Uncle Feng and I who will suffer. As for them, they will still be them."

Chang Mao leaned back in his chair and said helplessly.

"Let the past be the past, and I don't want to offend the old man, but today, whoever doesn't give me face, won't I expose his true colors as well."

After another period of silence, Zhu Gang patted Chang Mao on the shoulder.

But the harsh tone in his voice frightened even Chang Mao.

"So our Huaixi uncles are in trouble again?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chang Mao looked at Zhu Gang anxiously.

"Ah."

Zhu Gang nodded.

"Then give them a good beating and let me vent my anger!"

Hearing this, Chang Mao excitedly hugged Zhu Gang's shoulders and said.

"A person can make three mistakes in his life."

"For the first time, we can consider his merits and not pursue the matter."

"The second time, you can consider our past relationship and give a small punishment as a warning."

"The third time, it's the old man's business to be nostalgic, but not me."

The carriage stopped at the door of Jinxiu Pavilion, and Zhu Gang slowly stood up.

"Sure enough, once the third brother came back, they hit a wall."

Chang Mao looked at Zhu Gang, who was emitting a chill, and couldn't help but think with some gloating.

(A family portrait of the old Zhu family, drawn exclusively by the author, without any captions yet. The children are Zhu Xiongying, the eldest grandson of the emperor, and Zhu Jihui, the crown prince of Jin.)
(End of this chapter)