Hearing that Zhu Yuanzhang was focusing on "business", Zhu Kai immediately exploded: "How is that possible! I am doing this for the Ming Dynasty! With these two roads, we can build countless roads with these two roads as the center! Wouldn't it be much more convenient to pass on your orders in the future?"

This is the truth.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhu Biao mention that Zhu Kai wanted to build a road, the first two aspects that came to his mind were government orders and military deployment. Building roads would be extremely beneficial to the development of the Ming Dynasty.

The contribution will last for generations!

However, after meeting Zhu Kai, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that there were many hidden businesses here. Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself: "We have to write this down and go back to Liu Bowen to plan it carefully."

Zhu Yuanzhang made a note of this in his mind, nodded and continued: “Yeah, you are right, go on.”

"This so-called title of king is nothing more than giving them some autonomy to develop. It's just that the title sounds better. Don't those literati and scholars like these empty titles? Just give them to them."

Zhu Kai talked about his so-called plan to crown a king. "Crowning a king also requires distinctions. For example, if someone from our Zhu family is crowned a king, then he will naturally be in charge of both military and government affairs. However, this is not the case for kings of different surnames. The troops they control must be restricted. They can manage the constables, but the movement of soldiers... we can impose certain restrictions on the local garrison commanders."

Zhu Kai drew a circle on the table: "For example, if there are 50,000 troops stationed in Liaodong, then the king of Liaodong can only provide 50,000 troops with food and grass every year, and the generals can only dispatch 10,000 troops at most at a time, except when they are invaded by foreign enemies."

"As for the kings of different surnames, they will have a city in Liaodong as their fief, but they will have to manage the entire Liaodong for five years. If they make certain achievements within five years, we will let them continue to be kings. If they don't do well, their fief will be reduced. If they do well in the future, their fief will be increased little by little."

There is no other way.

The Ming Dynasty had too small a population and not many intellectuals. The sudden increase of such a large area of ​​land seemed more like a burden to the Ming Dynasty.

You should know that it was not until the 23rd year of Hongwu that the Ming Dynasty completely eliminated the Mongols.

And because of Zhu Kai, this time was advanced by seventeen years.

"There are still people. There are too few people in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Kai waved his hand, "Let the people have children! There is nothing to do at night now, what else can we do if we don't have children at night? Who wouldn't want to give birth to children and give them land?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought this was a good idea: "Well, the Central Plains and Liaodong require different strategies. For example, if they are willing to come to Liaodong, we will build houses for the people and let them farm. If they have a child, they will have five more acres of land than in the Central Plains. Then we will give them priority in distributing high-yield seeds... and exempt them from taxes for one year."

These strategies are basically what Zhu Kai mentioned, and now they are just a natural outcome.

“Let the people of the Central Plains come out, let the people of the Mongols come in, and in 20 years, they will be one family.”

"That's it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table hard, unable to hide his excitement: Temujin, I have been very kind by not exterminating your descendants.

Zhu Kai spread his hands and said, "When every household has food, we can collect it. When the people have money, they want to build a good house, have some meat to eat, and hope that the next generation of their family can be educated. With so many demands... won't the business be revitalized?"

"Well, that's it."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, and then thought of something else: "Kai'er, you just said so much, all about Liaodong and the Central Plains, what about the grassland? How do we manage the grassland?"

"Dad, you can't become a big fat man in one bite. It's not easy to manage Liaodong well. The grassland is bigger. Can we manage it well?"

Zhu Kai shook his head. "Turn the grassland into a military town to raise war horses. In other places, let the people raise cattle and sheep. The people in the Central Plains can raise pigs, chickens, ducks and fish... Isn't this all possible?"

"It's no problem if the land is barren. In the fall, we can burn it down with fire, and next spring it will become a large piece of fertile land. In a few years, when we start to manage the grassland, won't the land be fertile?"

The land is so fertile that it is fertile. Are you still worried that it won’t attract common people?

After listening to Zhu Kai's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded continuously, believing that this was the best way for the Ming Dynasty to develop.

"Dad, don't worry about the money."

Zhu Kai knew Zhu Yuanzhang's miserly character, so he reminded him: "Money is only money when it is spent. Otherwise, it is just a pile of metal and is useless. It is better to make the people rich."

How to ensure the long-lasting prosperity of the Ming Dynasty?
Just like a pyramid, the people who have the most say are those at the top of the pyramid, and the bottom is the common people. However, what supports the Ming Dynasty is the middle class besides the top and bottom of the pyramid. The larger the middle class, the more solid the Ming Dynasty is.

Otherwise, the Ming Dynasty would not last long.

There are quite a few later works on the super ocean freighter, such as Das Kapital. Zhu Kai does not need to understand them all. He can just read them once to get the basics and use them in the Ming Dynasty, which will have advanced strategic significance.

"You bastard, is it so easy to make money?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was described by Zhu Kai as a miser and was very unhappy: "You bastard, do you know how much money the Ming Dynasty spends every year? We don't even have enough money!"

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang cast his gaze at Zhu Kai, as if to say: How about you lend us some more?
"Ahem, well...I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep, Dad."

Zhu Kai ran away after saying this.

What a joke, I don’t even have enough money to spend, why would I lend it to you?
Seeing Zhu Kai leave, Zhu Yuanzhang curled his lips and said, "You said I was a miser, but you little bastard is not much better!"

Zhu Kai went back to rest, but Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to digest what Zhu Kai said.

Zhu Kai gave a long speech and provided the strategic development direction for the Ming Dynasty, but when it came to specific implementation, Zhu Yuanzhang still had to coordinate the overall situation.

After carefully sorting out what Zhu Kai said, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but feel a headache.

After all, I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Now that there is no threat from the Mongols, my throne is becoming more and more stable. But why do I still have to do so many things?

It’s better to work for that bastard Zhu Kai.

The more he thought about it, the more confused his mind became. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Zhu Yuanzhang simply gave up and said, "I don't want to think about it anymore. I've been busy for most of my life, but now I can't enjoy myself. I still have to work for my son!"

Zhu Yuanzhang chose to repeat to Zhu Biao the strategic ideas that Zhu Kai told him, and let Zhu Biao do it!

……

"Hurry up, what are you dawdling on the road for?"

As Zhu Yuanzhang traveled south from Yanjing, he never treated Zhu Kai well and kept urging him to hurry up.

He has been out for more than three months, which is longer than the three months Ma Xiuying mentioned.

The trip in the grassland and Yanjing was quite pleasant, but as they got closer to Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little panicked.

Ma Xiuying wouldn’t blame herself for coming home late, right?
It’s all Zhu Kai’s fault. If he hadn’t just been playing all day, why would I have not returned home for such a long time?
On the way, Zhu Yuanzhang kept writing letters to Ma Xiuying, letting her know that the reason he returned home late was entirely because Zhu Kai was too playful and delayed his journey.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's anxious look, Zhu Kai understood why he was like that. After being annoyed by him, Zhu Kai simply said, "Dad, why don't you go back first? I promise to be home before the New Year."

"You're such a jerk!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that his teeth ached. He came out nominally to inspect the northern border, but in fact he just wanted to capture Zhu Kai. If he went back by himself, wouldn't Ma Xiuying not let him into the house if she saw him?

Thinking of the discomfort of living in Wuying Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more angry: "Boy, if you want to have a good New Year, hurry up and come home with us, otherwise, none of us will have a good life!"

"..."

Zhu Kai's rebellious psychology suddenly came up, but when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous eyes, Zhu Kai thought about it and decided to give up.

It was not worth it to be beaten by Zhu Yuanzhang for such a small matter. Besides, there was his younger brother Di Baonu watching him, and Zhu Kai did not want to lose face as the eldest brother at this time.

"Go home, go home!"

Zhu Kai thought of Xu Miaoyun and Feng Yuting at home and felt that he should go back too.

……

There was no conversation along the way. When we returned to Yingtian Prefecture, it was already snowing in Yingtian Prefecture.

When Zhu Yuanzhang and his entourage arrived at the city gate, Zhu Biao was waiting outside the city gate. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang and his entourage, he immediately rode his horse and ran over.

"Brother Kai!"

When Zhu Biao saw Zhu Kai, he laughed and scolded him, "You bastard, you went out to play and didn't know how to go home, right?"

"Cough cough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed twice to express his dissatisfaction with Zhu Biao's ignoring him.

Zhu Biao didn't care. He smiled and greeted Zhu Yuanzhang, then said to him, "Dad, Mom told you to go find her when you come back."

"..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately fell. This was really not a good thing.

When Zhu Yuanzhang returned, he naturally had to bring his two bodyguards with him, at least he had to bring Zhu Kai over. He would complain to Ma Xiuying in front of Zhu Kai. If Zhu Kai dared to refute, he would let Zhu Kai know what it meant for a loving father and a filial son!

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's proposal was interrupted by Zhu Biao: "Dad, mother said that after brother Kai comes back, let him go back to Fengxian Hall first."

As he spoke, Zhu Biao winked at Zhu Yuanzhang where Zhu Kai couldn't see, and made eye contact with Zhu Yuanzhang with a look that said "you know".

Two old men who have been married for many years don't need too many words. They can understand each other's meaning with just a glance.

Zhu Yuanzhang's tense mood immediately relaxed.

Well, good news.

At least, the girl can't blame me anymore, right?

"Okay, you two brothers go ahead."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and walked towards the city without looking back. His pace was quickening, showing that he was very anxious.

"My mother still loves me."

Zhu Kai didn't understand the tacit understanding between the old men. Instead, he thought Ma Xiuying's decision was very wise: "You want me to take the blame for your father's scolding? Don't even think about it!"

"Haha, let's go, brother Kai, let's go home."

Zhu Biao took Zhu Kai and walked towards the city. The two brothers hadn't seen each other for several months, so naturally they had a lot to talk about.

As for the captives... isn't there Feng Sheng who came back with them?
And Xu Da and others, can't they even handle such a small matter?

"Second brother!"

Zhu Di came running over, jumping up and down, holding onto Zhu Kai and refusing to let go.

The way he closed his mouth looked as if he had a lot to say to Zhu Kai, but with Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang watching him from behind, he didn't dare to say it.

Thousands of words are condensed into one sentence: "Second brother, I miss you so much!"

"You little brat, I haven't seen you for half a year, and you can't even talk anymore?"

Zhu Kai rubbed Zhu Di's head, then thought of Di Baonu: "Come, I'll give you a little brother."

As he spoke, Zhu Kai waved his hand, called the ground guard slave behind him, and handed him over to Zhu Di: "This is the ground guard slave. You will be responsible for taking care of him from now on. Don't teach him bad things. Let him learn to read and write. Brother... Take the ground guard slave back and let him go to find Liu Bowen to be his teacher. This kid has some skills."

"Row."

Zhu Biao already knew the identity of the local security guard. He looked cute because of his chubby appearance, and there was nothing he didn't like about him.

Besides, as long as Zhu Kai values ​​someone, Zhu Biao will not dislike him. He just felt a little worried about Zhu Kai handing the land protection slave to Zhu Di to take care of: "Brother Kai, isn't it a little inconsiderate to let the land protection slave follow the fifth brother?"

"How can you look down on me, big brother?"

Zhu Di was dissatisfied at the time and shouted loudly: "If you don't hand it over to me, will you hand it over to the third and fourth brothers, two useless people... Wuwuwu, second brother, help me!"

Ignoring the three brothers who were fighting, Zhu Biao pulled Zhu Kai inside and said, "Third brother, fourth brother, don't make too much noise. Let fifth brother take the slave."

Toghon Temur, who was standing behind, was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes when he saw Zhu Kai handing Dibaonu over to Zhu Di.

On the way he was still worried that Zhu Yuanzhang would change his mind, but now it seems that is not the case at all.

Letting Dibaonu follow Zhu Di was not a bad idea. Zhu Kai also arranged for Dibaonu to read and learn to read, and even found a teacher for him. Toghon Temur could not even imagine such treatment.

All I can say is: fate plays tricks on us.

……

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Kunning Palace anxiously and saw Ma Xiuying sitting at the table making clothes.

"Girl, we're back."

Zhu Yuanzhang happily sat down next to Ma Xiuying. Looking at the clothes made by Ma Xiuying, the smile on his face became even brighter: "Sister, do we really have a daughter-in-law?"

"Yes, not only Kai'er's family, but also Biao'er's family's Lu is pregnant, and our daughter is also pregnant."

Nannan is the daughter of Chang Yuchun and now the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stamped his feet happily. This was the happiest thing he had ever heard: "The Zhu family has finally flourished under my rule."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang happy like a child, Ma Xiuying rolled her eyes and said, "Dexing, look at you and Kai'er. You go crazy as soon as you go out and don't care about your family. If it weren't for Biao'er supporting the court for you, I would be here to take care of the palace for you. You would be very lucky if you could have a day off."

"The girl is right, but this time the reward is huge."

Facing Ma Xiuying's blame, Zhu Yuanzhang completely agreed and successfully changed the subject: "We have defeated the Mongols, and Kai'er has given us some good ideas on governance..."

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang paused. Ma Xiuying seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say, but she pretended not to understand and sat in her seat and continued to sew.

Seeing that Ma Xiuying was silent, Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly explained: "Sister, first of all, let me make it clear to you that I have no intention of driving Kai'er away. Absolutely, I swear." (End of this chapter)