Chapter 86: Hongwu's anger frightened the princes, and the frost and snow chilled their bodies
Jin Palace.

"what?"

Zhu Gang, who was still half asleep and half awake, was forcibly pulled up from the bed by Zhu Chong. He immediately looked at Zhu Chong with some annoyance and said, "Are you sick?"

"Xue Wenzhi is dead."

But the only response to Zhu Gang was Zhu Chong's low voice.

"died.?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gang instantly woke up from his daze, and then frowned and looked at Zhu Chong and said, "What do Jinyiwei do for a living? Why do people die?"

"He committed suicide by taking poison and left a suicide note."

Zhu Chong sighed lightly, took out Xue Wenzhi's suicide note from his sleeve and said, "Among them, he took all the blame for printing more banknotes privately, and the officials involved were all insignificant minor officials."

As he spoke, Zhu Chong clenched his fists tightly again.

When Zhu Chong first took charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he messed up this matter. How could Zhu Chong, who had a strong self-esteem since childhood, accept this?

In addition, this Xue Wenzhi was the person Zhu Gang had ordered to be saved, but under the eyes of the Jinyiwei, Xue Wenzhi still died! Still died!

Even by the time the Embroidered Uniform Guards noticed, Xue Wenzhi had already died.

"If you were not my second brother, I would really suspect that you were involved in the private printing of banknotes!"

After reading Xue Wenzhi's suicide note, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong with some displeasure.

"This matter is indeed my fault."

Zhu Chong did not explain, but said with a gloomy look: "But this matter will not end like this!"

Xue Wenzhi was indeed dead, but there were so many officials in the Baochao Tizhusi, so if they were investigated one by one, they would eventually get to the bottom of the matter.

In any case, Zhu Chong would never let it go, and he would never let Xue Wenzhi take the blame for printing more banknotes alone!
The humiliation this incident has brought to Zhu Chong must be repaid double!
"Don't move yet."

Zhu Gang put his hand on Zhu Chong's shoulder and asked softly, "Did Xue Wenzhi go to Hu Weiyong's house last night?"

"Never."

Zhu Chong shook his head decisively.

The Jinyiwei's investigative capabilities were definitely not something a mere fifth-rank official could detect, so Zhu Chong knew Xue Wenzhi's whereabouts like the back of his hand.

"After Xue Wenzhi left the Secretariat, he went straight home."

After a pause, Zhu Chong added.

"That should mean he has met Hu Weiyong."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly.

After all, the Baochao Tizhusi was under the Secretariat, so it was reasonable for Xue Wenzhi to meet Hu Weiyong.

"But the Secretariat also has the Jinyiwei's eyes, and there is nothing wrong with the secret report."

"Not long after Xue Wenzhi met Hu Weiyong, he left the Secretariat."

Zhu Chong still shook his head.

"Leaving the Secretariat doesn't mean Xue Wenzhi won't die."

"And given Hu Weiyong's cautiousness and intelligence, how could he openly discuss this secret with Xue Wenzhi?"

"As for this suicide note, don't take it seriously."

"After all, if I wanted to, I could quietly put this confession into Hu Weiyong's house."

A hint of depth flashed in Zhu Gang's eyes, and he raised the suicide note in his hand.

"You mean, imitation?"

A gleam of brilliance flashed in Zhu Chong's eyes.

"Or perhaps, this suicide note was one that had been prepared long ago."

Zhu Gang handed the suicide note to Zhu Chong and said softly, "After all, it is no secret that I took over the Tizhusi, and Hu Weiyong, as a minister of the court, should have received the news in advance."

"It's really thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chong gritted his teeth again.

"After all, being able to sit in that phase, that's an easy role, right?"

Zhu Gang still didn't care.

"So how do we check now?"

In response to this, Zhu Chong asked again.

"Just follow Prime Minister Hu's wishes."

Zhu Gang stood up again, opened the window in the room, and then said with a smile: "Let the Jinyiwei follow this suicide note."

"Brother, can you please stop playing charades?"

Zhu Chong really wanted to go up and slap Zhu Gang twice, but due to the fighting power of his third brother, he could only say it in a bad mood.

"Hu Weiyong's guilt is already a foregone conclusion. Let alone killing all nine generations of his clan, even abolishing the prime minister system would not be excessive."

"And what the third brother meant was, to put it bluntly, that he was just a clown. In order to calm him down, we just followed his wishes and let this matter go for the time being."

At this moment, Crown Prince Zhu Biao slowly walked into the bedroom and looked at Zhu Chong.

"Hu Weiyong is doomed to die, and if the nest is destroyed, all the eggs will be left intact. Therefore, as long as the leader of the group is killed, no truth can be hidden from the eyes and ears of the court."

"As for Xue Wenzhi's death, you don't have to worry about it. After all, he deserved to die. As for his relatives, God has mercy on them. Just exile them."

Zhu Gang also smiled and nodded.

"I just feel a little unwilling that he could do such a big thing right under my nose, but I still didn't know about it."

Although Zhu Chong understood what Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao meant, he still felt a little unhappy.

"Why get angry with a dying person?"

"What's more, Mao Xiang will be able to return to the capital in a few days. By then, you will be even more powerful. If you investigate again, who can hide from your eyes and ears?"

Zhu Gang patted Zhu Chong's shoulder again and said with a smile.

"Well, besides Mao Xiang, I found another talented person among the Jinyiwei last night."

"This man is called Jiang Li. I think his ability is no less than Mao Xiang's."

After hearing this, Zhu Chong finally swallowed his anger.

"Jiang Yu?"

Zhu Gang raised his eyebrows.

Others might not know Jiang Li, but how could Zhu Gang not know him?

After Jinyiwei Mao Xiang, the second commander of Jinyiwei was Jiang Li, and his ability was no less than Mao Xiang.

As historical facts show, in February of the 26th year of Hongwu, Jiang Lin, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, accused Lan Yu of treason, which implicated thirteen marquises and two earls, and more than 15,000 people were executed.

Almost all the capable fighters of the Ming Dynasty were captured in one fell swoop. At this time, the "Record of Traitors" was promulgated, and one duke, thirteen marquises, and two earls were ordered to be punished.

This also laid the groundwork for the later Fengtian Jingnan. After all, the court had no generals available, otherwise, how could Zhu Di succeed in the Fengtian Jingnan?

But it is undeniable that Jiang Li is indeed a good swordsman.

"Since you think he's a talent, then make good use of him."

Zhu Biao spoke again.

"Yeah." Zhu Chong nodded.

"By the way, Boss, you don't have to attend the morning court today?"

Then, Zhu Gang turned to Zhu Biao and asked with some curiosity.

"The morning court is postponed."

Zhu Biao shook his head and sat down.

"Why the delay?"

Zhu Gang asked after he poured a cup of hot tea for Zhu Biao and Zhu Chong.

"My uncles are all kneeling in the imperial study."

Zhu Biao took a sip of hot tea and replied with a smile. "No wonder."

Zhu Gang suddenly understood.

"So you're waiting for me to enter the court?"

After a pause, Zhu Gang spoke again.

"Don't worry, the old man is still scolding those uncles."

Zhu Biao waved his hand gently.

"Then go after breakfast."

After hearing this, Zhu Gang nodded, and then told the maid to prepare breakfast.

"By the way, I still don't understand what the old man was singing yesterday?"

After everything was settled, Zhu Chong frowned and looked at Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao and said, "Are you afraid that I and the second brother will rebel? Are you afraid that you will attack us? That's not the case, right?"

"Why not?"

Zhu Gang glanced at Zhu Chong and said, "There have been many cases in history where brothers have fought against each other for the throne, haven't there?"

"But we brothers have had a deep bond since childhood, so why would the old man be so worried? He even forced us to swear a blood oath!"

Zhu Chong sighed again, his words full of helplessness.

"Isn't the brotherhood between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin deep?"

"However, in order to fight for the throne, the Xuanwu Gate Incident eventually occurred, and Li Shimin imprisoned his father and killed his brothers."

Zhu Gang still shook his head.

"But during the Li Tang dynasty, Li Shimin made the greatest contributions. Li Yuan treated him unfairly, so he deserves this retribution!"

"But my Zhu family's empire was fought for by the old man with his sword and gun, and it is impossible to overthrow it. Why should we worry?"

Zhu Chong still insisted on his own opinion.

"Right and wrong may change in an instant, but it is undeniable that both sides of the palm are made of flesh."

Zhu Gang didn't want to argue with Zhu Chong, so he waved his hand.

"That's right. The eldest is excellent, and the third is also excellent. As for me, Dad is not worried about anything. He is just afraid that I will become Li Yuanji and bully you two."

"So the old man's worry is normal."

In response to this, Zhu Chong curled his lips while speaking.

"Swear if you want to. I have no interest in taking action against the boss anyway."

But as he spoke, Zhu Gang's mouth showed a playful smile again, and he put his arm around Zhu Biao's shoulders and said, "But, if you go too far, I really can't guarantee that I will break my blood oath and attack you."

But our Zhu Biao just waved his hand gently and said nothing.

"You're so boring."

Zhu Gang suddenly felt a little bored and let go of Zhu Biao's shoulders.

However, deep down in Zhu Biao's heart, he never doubted that Zhu Gang would have the slightest desire for the position of crown prince.

After all, in Zhu Biao's view, the purity between brothers is far more important than power.

But Zhu Biao also understood why Zhu Yuanzhang was worried and why he forced them to swear a blood oath.

Because, power.

Power will push everything and force everything until Zhu Gang ascends to that position.

So one day in the future, the relationship between the brothers may still be the same as before, but the struggle for power is definitely not something they can control.

After all, the involvement here is too great!

Once you look back, there will be no return.

This is why Zhu Gang insisted on leaving the Ming Dynasty.

But Zhu Gang could leave the Ming Dynasty, but could the Ming Dynasty really leave Zhu Gang?
Obviously not
"By the way, the Baochao Tizhusi was restructured into the Baochao Supervisory Office. How should officials be selected?"

Zhu Biao sighed in his heart again and then looked at Zhu Gang and said.

"I'm actually also troubled by this problem. After all, this is the place where the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes are controlled, and ordinary officials are simply not qualified for this task."

In response to this, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao with a headache and shook his head.

The Baochao Supervisory Office is not an ordinary department, so those officials who are said to be well-read in the books of sages are of no use at all.

After all, the importance of the treasure notes is related to the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, and if one is not careful, all Zhu Gang’s efforts will be wasted.

Therefore, if one wants to be a qualified official in the Baochao Supervisory Office, he must at least understand how to operate the Ming Baochao, and he should also understand what numismatics is.

But can monetary studies be taught clearly in a short period of time?
It takes at least two years of study to gain a thorough understanding of monetary theory.

"so what should I do now?"

After hearing what Zhu Gang said, Zhu Biao frowned again.

The reform of the Ming Baochao is imperative, but if even the right executive officials cannot be found, then this reform will not only fail but will become a laughing stock of the world.

This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Ming Dynasty's efforts to stabilize its economic system and improve people's livelihood.

"study."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment before speaking.

"Is it too late?"

A glimmer of light flashed across Zhu Biao's face, and then he showed some hesitation.

"I will send a message to Taiyuan to have Jin Yu and Ming Qian come to the capital, so that we can open a school of classics, recruit students, teach them numismatics, and also use this to reserve professional talents for our Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang nodded and continued, "Before that, I will keep an eye on the preliminary reform work of Ming Baochao."

"In this case, aren't you tied to the Treasure Banknote Supervision Office?"

Zhu Biao still frowned and waved his hand, saying, "That won't work."

"Boss, you should understand that practice makes perfect, and reading a book a thousand times is not as good as reading it once."

"Besides, I am in charge of the Banknote Supervision Office, but I only control the general strategy and ensure that the general direction is correct. As long as we follow the deployment, there will be no major mistakes."

"As for minor errors, they are not a big deal and can be controlled."

After saying this, a gleam of confidence flashed in Zhu Gang's eyes again.

"Controllable?"

Zhu Biao and Zhu Chong looked at each other, and a strange look flashed in their eyes again.

From childhood to adulthood, Zhu Gang has always been able to control everything, and eventually something big will happen, so this time.
Well, at the beginning of any change, there are always many difficulties and risks. If we don’t even have the courage to face these challenges, how can we talk about change!

Besides, as brothers, they naturally have to take some responsibility for their younger brothers. If something happens, they will bear it together.

After all, this is a gamble in itself!
At this moment in the imperial study, the candlelight was blazing, but it could not illuminate the oppressive majesty. The air was filled with an almost solidified iron-blooded atmosphere.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat majestically on the dragon throne, his eyes as sharp as torches and knives, glancing at the Huaixi nobles crawling on the ground below. There was more than just anger in his gaze.

It is the imperial power that is enough to silence all the horses.

Under the throne, the nobles of Huaixi knelt down with their heads bowed to the dust, but they could still feel the suffocating power from above.

That is the imperial power that is enough to shake mountains and rivers and decide life and death!

"In the early years of Hongwu, you occupied the people's land, but we remembered your merits and did not punish you severely."

"I am just giving you a warning. I hope you can learn from it and stop oppressing the people."

"You have changed your ways. From now on, return the land to the people and stop taking it by force."

"We are very pleased and thought you were truly repentant, but who could have imagined that you were so bold!"

"How dare you, under our noses, while the land is being measured, manipulate the land and do such dirty things!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was like the breath of a dragon, resounding in the imperial study and making people tremble with fear.

It also made the Huaixi nobles who were kneeling on the ground terrified. Sweat dripped down their foreheads and fell on the cold floor tiles, making a subtle but clear sound.

(Brothers, maybe I have a cold, a headache, and can't wake up, so I will update once today. Thank you!)

(End of this chapter)