My father is Jiajing

Chapter 538 Zheng He's Secret Records
"What? What did you say? Hai Rui spent his own money to buy pickles from Liubiju?"

Zhu Zaigui was immediately delighted when he heard Meng Chong's report.

Zhu Zaigui was also very clear about the price of Liubiju’s pickles.

After all, these are the pickles carefully selected by Lord Yan, and the price is definitely not comparable to that of ordinary pickles.

Therefore, when Zhu Zaigui heard Meng Chong say that Hai Rui spent his own money to buy the pickles from Liubiju, he immediately laughed happily.

Meng Chong looked at Zhu Zaigui who was so happy and replied, "Yes, I checked it out too. It was Mr. Hai who paid the money himself. There were two plainclothes guards there at the time."

Zhu Zaigui laughed for a while, and finally stopped laughing. He asked again, "How much silver did Hai Rui pay?"

Meng Chong said: "According to the bill I checked, Mr. Hai paid a total of one tael and two cents of silver."

When Zhu Zaigui heard that it was one tael and two cents of silver, he couldn't help laughing again.

"One ounce and two cents is a huge sum of money for Hai Rui. Look at his family. In addition to having an old mother to take care of, he also has a wife, concubines, and several children. The daily expenses of these people all depend on Hai Rui's salary."

"Now that he has spent one tael and two qian of silver, won't his family have to go without meat for more than half a month? How about this, you go to Hai Rui's house later and give him the two taels and two qian of silver. Tell him that I asked him to do the job, so the cost of doing the job should naturally be paid by me."

"Otherwise, if this matter gets out, people in the world will think that I, Zhu Zaigui, am a stingy person who even takes advantage of my subordinates. By the way, when we go to his house, we can also buy some meat on the way. We can't go empty-handed."

After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, Meng Chong nodded in response. He immediately went to the accounting office in the mansion to withdraw some silver according to Zhu Zaigui's instructions, and then went to Hai Rui's mansion.

After Meng Chong left, the smile on Zhu Zaigui's face also faded.

Zhu Zaigui was very unhappy that the Jinyiwei would be monitoring Liubiju at this time.

So at this moment, Zhu Zaigui also said to the other eunuchs serving beside him, "Go to the Jinyiwei Yamen and find Prince Jing."

After hearing Zhu Zaigui's instructions, the eunuch in charge did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and immediately hurried to the Jinyiwei Yamen to find Zhu Zaizhen according to Zhu Zaigui's order.

At this moment, Zhu Zaizhen was also in the Jinyiwei Yamen reviewing the secret information collected by Lu Bing over the years. This was also something he had to master as he was in charge of the Jinyiwei.

So whenever he had time, Zhu Zaizhen would lock himself in this archive room filled with all kinds of secrets, and look at the secret files left by Lu Bing over the past few decades.

Zhu Zaizhen looked at a secret file that he had just opened and still had a slight smell of mold.

"Zheng He's Secret Records?"

Looking at the name of this secret file, Zhu Zaizhen couldn't help but become curious.

You have to know that Zheng He was an old eunuch who had been dead for hundreds of years. Although he was very powerful during the Yongle period, his power does not seem to be that important in today's power narrative system.

Moreover, neither the current Ming government nor the public has ever given positive affirmation to the story of Zheng He's voyages to the West.

Sometimes, the story of his voyage to the West is even regarded as a face-saving project of Emperor Chengzu, and the emperors of later generations are advised not to waste people's money and time on such unrealistic actions as voyages to the West.

Now, Zhu Zaizhen couldn't help but become curious as he looked at the "Zheng He Secret Records" which had been kept for who knows how many years.

He also wanted to see what this eunuch, who had been in office for more than a hundred years, had done when he sailed to the West.

Just as Zhu Zaizhen was about to open the "Zheng He Secret Records", a voice was heard outside.

"Your Majesty, Prince Yu has ordered you to meet him."

Zhu Zaizhen said "oh" and prepared to put the "Zheng He Secret Records" into the file rack, but just as he was about to put it in, he felt that this "Zheng He Secret Records" should be quite interesting.

So at this moment, Zhu Zaizhen also withdrew his action of putting the "Zheng He Secret Records" into the file rack, and instead put the "Zheng He Secret Records" which was not too thick to begin with, in his arms.

Zhu Zaizhen came out of the archive room, looked at the people waiting outside, and said, "Are you here to represent the three eunuchs who summoned me?"

When the eunuch heard Zhu Zaizhen's question, he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, it is you, my servant."

Zhu Zaizhen hummed, "Okay, let's go."

Zhu Zaizhen didn't think about other issues, nor did he think about what Zhu Zaigui was planning to do by looking for him at this time.

He followed the eunuch who summoned him and went to Zhu Zaigui's mansion.

After arriving at Prince Yu's Mansion, Zhu Zaizhen waited politely for Zhu Zaigui to summon him again, and then followed him into the small courtyard where Zhu Zaigui was currently.

As soon as Zhu Zaizhen entered the courtyard, he bowed to Zhu Zaigui who was sitting and waiting for him in the courtyard.

"Your humble servant greets your third brother."

Zhu Zaigui looked at Zhu Zaizhen bowing to him so respectfully and immediately smiled.

Zhu Zaigui said, "Brother Zhen, there is no need to be so polite. How can we brothers be so formal? Besides, this is in my mansion, not in Wenhua Palace. Come and sit down."

Zhu Zaizhen was deeply moved when he heard Zhu Zaigui's words. He immediately followed Zhu Zaigui's words, walked to Zhu Zaigui, and sat down on a stone bench covered with a brocade mat next to Zhu Zaigui.

At this time, Zhu Zaigui placed the copy of "Yongle Encyclopedia" he was reading on the stone table beside him, and personally poured a cup of freshly brewed tea for Zhu Zaizhen.

Zhu Zaizhen also immediately took it respectfully, "Thank you, Third Brother."

Zhu Zaigui laughed and said, "What are you thanking me for? It's just a cup of tea. How are you doing with the Jinyiwei recently?"

Zhu Zaigui also opened the topic with Zhu Zaizhen by chatting.

Zhu Zaizhen said, "I think I am used to being in the Jinyiwei."

Zhu Zaizhen looked at him in surprise and said, "Tell me, is there anything interesting?"

Zhu Zaizhen thought for a moment, "If we talk about the interesting things about the Jinyiwei, it seems that there is nothing interesting, but there are more things to see than before."

Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but laugh again when he heard this. "You've seen more things in Jinyiwei than before, and that's only natural. Otherwise, wouldn't you have served there in vain?"

Zhu Zaizhen also laughed and said, "Yes, yes, the Jinyiwei can collect a lot of things and secrets. Whenever I have free time recently, I have been staying in the secret archives of the Jinyiwei to read the secret information collected by the Jinyiwei over the years. I want to learn how the Jinyiwei's mission is operated as soon as possible."

Zhu Zaigui nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, "That's right, if you want to do your job well, you must first sharpen your tools. If you want to control the Jinyiwei, in addition to having a legitimate position and power, you must also understand and know more about the secrets and operating methods of the Jinyiwei. This is the key." "Otherwise, the people below will disobey your orders, do things privately, and not report to you. When trouble and disaster arise, you will be passive."

Zhu Zaizhen listened to Zhu Zaigui's teachings and immediately replied to Zhu Zaigui: "Third brother's teachings are very correct. I will definitely manage the Jinyiwei well and will not let them cause any trouble."

Zhu Zaigui hummed in satisfaction, picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip, then asked casually, "Do you know about Liubiju?"

When Zhu Zaizhen heard Zhu Zaigui suddenly asked about Liubiju, he couldn't help but look confused.

It is obvious that Zhu Zaizhen was still unclear about what had happened in Liubiju at that time.

Zhu Zaizhen said, "What happened to Liubiju? Third brother."

Zhu Zaizhen looked into his eyes, which were indeed a pair of pure and innocent eyes.

Zhu Zaigui said: "Early this morning, Hai Rui went to Liubiju and wrote some words in Liubiju."

When Zhu Zaizhen heard this, he immediately became alert.

Zhu Zaizhen immediately said: "I will send someone to check what he wrote in Liubiju."

Zhu Zaigui waved his hands and said, "No, no, there are two plainclothes Jinyiwei inside watching him when he is writing. You don't need to send anyone to check."

When Zhu Zaizhen heard this, he was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

He didn't know when the Jinyiwei sent people to Liubiju for surveillance, and from Zhu Zaigui's tone, the surveillance by these two plainclothes Jinyiwei was very rough, and Zhu Zaigui knew about it.

It can be seen how these two idiots monitor.

The current Zhu Zaizhen is no longer a rich prince who knows nothing. You should know that a few years ago, he was arranged by Zhu Zaigui to study in the Beijing Martial Arts Hall, where he learned a lot.

Therefore, when it comes to understanding some things, Zhu Zaizhen has a certain degree of judgment and thinking ability.

Zhu Zaizhen said, "Don't worry, Third Brother. I will immediately conduct an internal investigation to see who dared to arrange for the Royal Guards to monitor Liubiju without asking for permission."

Zhu Zaiqi hummed softly, "Okay, you can handle this matter as you wish. I told you this because I wanted to remind you that the Jinyiwei is extremely important. As the ultimate person in charge of the Jinyiwei Yamen, you cannot be expected to know everything. However, you must be extremely vigilant about some sensitive places and people in the capital."

"Otherwise, who knows what kind of big surprise these places will create for you and me. When His Majesty comes out of retreat and asks about these things, it will be difficult for you and me."

Zhu Zaizhen hummed heavily.

He also understood the seriousness of the matter.

The name of Liubiju was changed by Zhu Zaigui in the Wenhua Hall in front of the cabinet and the six ministers, asking Yan Song to do so.

Moreover, Zhu Zaigui later stamped his "Seal of Prince Yu, the Regent" on the three words "Liubiju", which shows how sensitive and important this matter was.

As a result, the Jinyiwei has now sent plainclothes officers to monitor there, and no one has reported this to him. Doesn't this mean that there are people in the Jinyiwei who don't take him, the prince who is in charge of the Jinyiwei Yamen, seriously?

Therefore, no matter who did this and no matter what his intentions were, it cannot be easily resolved.

Otherwise, if the Jinyiwei in the future act on their own and do not report to their superiors, what will happen?

Zhu Zaizhen said solemnly: "I will go back and conduct a thorough investigation, and impose strict discipline on the Jinyiwei!"

Zhu Zaizhen couldn't help but laugh when he saw the serious Zhu Zaizhen. "Don't worry about it. Let's have some tea first."

Zhu Zaizhen listened to Zhu Zaiqi's words and took a sip of tea awkwardly, "Yes, Third Brother."

Zhu Zaizhen drank a sip of tea and then said, "I remember when Lu Bing was alive, he once said that the Jinyiwei should be streamlined. How far has this matter progressed now?"

Zhu Zaizhen quickly put down the teacup in his hand and immediately replied: "Brother, this matter is still in progress. Over the past hundred years, the court has granted too many Jinyiwei positions and personnel. Many people are obviously not under the command and arrangement of the Jinyiwei system, but they occupy the Jinyiwei positions and eat the Jinyiwei salary."

"I am new here and am just waiting and watching. I don't have a proper way to continue this matter, so I can only follow the rules set by Lu Bing and proceed slowly."

After hearing what Zhu Zaizhen said, Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but frown slightly and he began to think about it.

Zhu Zaigui said: "The Jinyiwei is different from other government offices. It is the steel knife in your majesty's hand and an important blade to protect the safety of the Ming Dynasty. But in the past hundred years, the role of the Jinyiwei has become less and less important than before."

"If Lu Bing hadn't worked hard to reform during his tenure, the Jinyiwei would be a rotten and broken sword that can't even cut wood. So, I think if you want to restore the Jinyiwei to its former role, you should make drastic changes now."

"Those who received the Jinyiwei position due to rewards and favors should be put aside in a separate list without leaving any of them. At the same time, some obvious differences should be made, such as some obvious changes in the color of their clothing or swords, etc."

"For the current Jinyiwei internal personnel, we can also set up some tasks and skills assessment or learning, and conduct regular spot checks or other methods to conduct unified ability assessments."

"Those who meet the requirements can be given certain rewards. Those who do not meet the requirements will either be demoted or directly removed from the Jinyiwei team. This is the only way to ensure the Jinyiwei's combat effectiveness and deterrence to the greatest extent possible."

"How can a weak Jinyiwei be worthy of the reputation of the imperial court's lackeys? Do we expect them to bully ordinary people? If they can only bully ordinary people by relying on their skin, what is the use of such a Jinyiwei?"

"So, what I mean is that you should use some drastic and vigorous means to make the Jinyiwei look brand new inside and out, and at the same time formulate strict rules and regulations to restrain these people, and try to do things that are truly beneficial to the Ming Dynasty and useful to His Majesty."

After hearing what Zhu Zaizhen said, he also agreed very much.

He originally had this idea and wanted to introduce some militarized systems from the Beijing Martial Arts Hall and implement them in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

But since he had just arrived and was unfamiliar with the place, he was also worried that he might go too far and cause something that would displease Zhu Zaigui or Emperor Jiajing.

Therefore, even if Zhu Zaizhen had an idea in his mind, he did not take action for the time being.

Now that Zhu Zaigui said this, Zhu Zaizhen felt reassured. He finally stopped hesitating and decided to take some swift and decisive measures to let those old hands in the Jinyiwei see how powerful he was.

Zhu Zaizhen stood up and bowed, "With what Third Brother said, I know what to do. I will definitely polish and forge the Jinyiwei again, and restore its original sharpness and coldness!"

Zhu Zaigui stood up and patted Zhu Zaizhen on the shoulder, "Okay, I believe you!"

Zhu Zaizhen also nodded excitedly, and at this moment, because he had just stood up and bowed, the "Zheng He Secret Records" that he had originally kept in his arms fell out.

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Asking for a monthly ticket~~
(End of this chapter)