My father is Jiajing

The early summer nights in Nanjing are unbearably hot and humid. Outside, there seem to be some cicada nymphs that couldn't wait any longer and crawled out of the soil, climbed up the trees, shed their yellowish-brown shells to reveal their tender white bodies, and then transformed into black, hard, noisy cicadas!

Prince Jing of Nanjing is gone.

This is where Zhu Zaizhen stayed when he came to Nanjing. This place was originally the official residence of a prince who was summoned to the capital during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns. Now, after being cleaned and renovated, it was used as Zhu Zaizhen's separate residence in Nanjing and was not called a prince's mansion.

The reason for this was twofold: firstly, Nanjing was one of the two capitals of the Ming Dynasty and did not have feudal princes; secondly, Zhu Zaizhen's fiefdom was not located there, and his purpose in coming to Nanjing was to fulfill the arrangements made by Zhu Zaiji.

Therefore, his residence in Nanjing was called "Biezai".

In Zhu Zaizhen's study, ice slowly melted in a copper basin, but it couldn't dispel the fine beads of sweat on Zhu Zaizhen's forehead.

It wasn't because of the sweltering heat of Nanjing, but because of the official gazette in his hand that had just been delivered from the capital.

"Your Highness, tea."

Liu Dezhu, Zhu Zaizhen's personal eunuch, served Zhu Zaizhen chilled plum juice and carefully observed his master's expression.

Zhu Zaizhen reached out and took the chilled plum juice, drank it all in one gulp, and then slammed the official report in his hand onto the table, unable to contain his excitement as he exclaimed, "Qi Jiguang has been enfeoffed as the Marquis of Jinghai, and Yu Dayou as the Marquis of Pingbo! My imperial brother is about to greatly expand the coastal defenses!"

Lu Yi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing to the side, couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Your Highness, the time has come!"

Zhu Zaizhen rose and paced back and forth. The jade belt around his waist, gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the window, was particularly dazzling.

Zhu Zaizhen has been in Nanjing for several years now. During these years, he has been actively cooperating with Zhang Juzheng, Hai Rui, and Feng Bao, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot who stayed in Nanjing.

Its purpose was to complete and consolidate the results of Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui's land surveying in Jiangnan after the Jiangnan corruption case.

Otherwise, Zhu Zaizhen wouldn't have been sent to Nanjing.

After several years of forceful suppression, although the economy and prosperity of Jiangnan have been severely damaged to some extent, it has also given more people a new way to make a living and new hope.

Although these ordinary people are still very easily instigated by some people with ulterior motives to slander the court's decisions, they are not capable of causing real trouble.

Because Hai Rui was truly tough and would not easily compromise.

Unlike previous officials who were afraid of making a big impact or damaging their reputation, they will not dare to do anything.

Now, not only does Hai Rui dare to do things, but Feng Bao and Zhu Zaizhen are also helping him from behind, and Zhu Zaiji is full of trust and support for him.

So, although Hai Rui's work was extremely arduous over the years, he managed to persevere.

Moreover, in these past few years, whenever Zhu Zaiji, far away in the capital, saw Hai Rui being attacked and slandered by some people who were unaware of the truth or who were deliberately trying to cause trouble, he would see Hai Rui upholding national policies in the Jiangnan region and fighting for the survival interests of the lower classes in Jiangnan.

Zhu Zaiji couldn't help but wonder if these people had something wrong with their thinking.

Despite being exploited to the point of near collapse by the wealthy gentry of Jiangnan, the very first thing they did after having a full meal, with the help of the imperial court, was to believe the instigation of those hypocritical gentry and landlords and attack the court's important national policies in Jiangnan.

It seems that these people have been living in comfort for too long, and have forgotten where they came from, as well as their own identities and responsibilities.

They became spiritually wealthy landlords and began to console the hypocritical gentry who oppressed and exploited them.

Therefore, Zhu Zaiji was truly shocked when he saw these situations!
However, as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, even if Zhu Zaiji was furious at their lack of ambition and saddened by their misfortune, he could not simply kill them to end the matter.

Ultimately, it's not their fault; the problem lies in the information they were exposed to and the ideas they were influenced by.

Therefore, Zhu Zaiji's main task in Nanjing over the years was to monitor public opinion and changes in popular thought in the Jiangnan region.

They were thinking about how to change this situation and make the people of Jiangnan truly realize who gave them the confidence to fight and speak out.

"Bring the key."

Zhu Zaizhen took a deep breath and said to Liu Dezhu.

Upon hearing this, Liu Dezhu trembled and hurriedly took a bronze key from his waist.

Zhu Zaizhen moved aside a painting in the study, revealing a hidden compartment in the wall.

Then, insert the key into the lock and turn it three times. The hidden compartment slowly opens, revealing a black lacquered wooden cabinet with gold trim.

Zhu Zaizhen sighed, “Since Emperor Chengzu moved the capital north, the nobles of Nanjing have been entrenched here for 150 years, deeply rooted in the land. I have been waiting for this day for so many years, under the orders of my elder brother, the Emperor.”

Zhu Zaizhen wiped the dust off the wooden cabinet and gently pushed open the cabinet door.

The moment he opened the cabinet, a stuffy, stagnant smell wafted out, but Zhu Zaizhen didn't flinch; he seemed to actually enjoy the smell.

Inside were dozens of neatly arranged brown paper bags, each labeled with a name: Xu Pengju, Liu Shiyan, Tang Shilong.
“Duke Xu Pengju of Wei had an affair with Prince Ning during the Hongzhi era, and in recent years he has been secretly colluding with Japanese pirates.”

Zhu Zaizhen pulled out the thickest paper bag and poured out a stack of confessions and account books. "During the Jiajing era, when Japanese pirates attacked Songjiang, it was his steward who pointed out the way to the Japanese ships."

Lu Yi took the evidence and examined it closely, becoming increasingly alarmed with each glance. The evidence not only included the time and place of the events, but also the signatures of those involved, and even the confession of the Japanese pirate leader.

"Your Highness, what will happen if these are presented to the emperor!"

Lu Yi was extremely flustered.

These people have had a much greater impact than those arrested in the Jiangnan corruption case back then!

To put it bluntly, if these people mishandle things, they could shake the foundation of the nation!
After all, this is no longer the Hongwu and Yongle era, where nobles could be killed at will!
Although the nobles of today do not appear as arrogant as they were during the Hongwu and Yongle eras, their influence and subtle reach have spread to all aspects of Jiangnan.

It's not as simple as just arresting people and seizing their stolen goods.

Zhu Zaizhen snorted, "The Xu family's entire clan is not enough to warrant execution."

Then he took out the file of Liu Shiyan, the Earl of Chengyi, and said, “This one is even more remarkable. He privately opened a silver mine in Fengyang and dared to engrave his own mark on the official silver he smelted.”

Liu Dezhu was also frightened. He suddenly knelt down and said nervously, "Your Highness, please reconsider! These nobles have deep roots in Nanjing. If we act rashly..."

"What are you talking about! Foolish!"

Zhu Zaizhen kicked over the copper basin, and ice blocks splattered all over the ground!
Zhu Zaizhen continued, "Now is the time to wait for Your Majesty to make a decision to reorganize the coastal defenses! Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou are risking their lives overseas, but these parasites are still causing trouble behind the scenes. Do you think Your Majesty will let any of them off? Besides, Your Majesty sent me to Nanjing, wasn't it for them?"

"If I have spent several years in Nanjing and still have not achieved anything, then how can I face my brother, the Emperor? Have you also lost your mind? You have taken some benefits from them and forgotten where your roots are?"

Liu Dezhu trembled with fear. "This servant didn't mean it that way! Your Highness, please forgive me!"

Zhu Zaizhen snorted and then sighed, "Get up. You've been following me for so many years, how come you haven't improved at all?"

Liu Dezhu stood up in fear, feeling extremely regretful.

He wasn't speaking up for the nobles in Nanjing; he was just worried about his master's safety.

Lu Yi, watching from the side, now understood Zhu Zaizhen's meaning. He bowed and said, "Does Your Highness intend to take advantage of this opportunity to both demonstrate your loyalty and pave the way for the future feudalization of Southeast Asia?"

Having served as Zhu Zaizhen's assistant for many years, Lu Yi naturally knew a lot of things. Moreover, he was determined to continue following Zhu Zaizhen to establish feudal overseas territories and secure true eternal nobility for the Lu family!

Therefore, Lu Yi immediately understood Zhu Zaizhen's feelings.

At the same time, the Qinhuai River was brightly lit.

Duke Xu Pengju of Wei lay on a soft couch on a painted boat, with a singing girl on each side. This hereditary duke was over fifty years old, with a protruding belly and a flushed face from drunkenness.

"Lord Duke, have another drink~" The songstress brought the wine cup to his lips.

Xu Pengju downed his drink in one gulp while holding the beauty's hand, his other hand already slipping inside her clothes: "You little slut, I'll make you drink something even better later."

The cabin door was suddenly pushed open, and Xu An, the steward of the Xu family, rushed in in a panic: "Master! Something terrible has happened! Prince Jing's men have gone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters!"

"Get out!"

Xu Peng threw a wine glass at it, "What is Prince Jing? He's just a lazy prince, what's the big deal?"

Xu An dodged his wine cup and leaned closer to whisper, "I just received news from the capital that Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou have been ennobled! It's said that Prince Jing worked through the night to prepare some documents."

Xu Pengju instantly sobered up. He pushed the singing girl aside and slammed his fat hand on the table: "Quickly prepare the sedan chair and go back to the manor! Tell Tang Shilong and Liu Shiyan to come see me!"

Half an hour later, smoke filled the secret room of the Duke of Wei's mansion. Seven or eight noblemen from Nanjing sat around the room, their faces increasingly grim.

Liu Shiyan took a deep drag of his water pipe: "Lord Duke, that brat Prince Jing is going to make an example of us!"

Marquis Tang Shilong of Linhuai said with a gloomy face, "We have been offering him plenty of tributes over the years, and now he's turning around and accusing us?"

"Shut up, everyone!"

Xu Pengju slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "The most urgent thing is to destroy the evidence. You all better not leave any evidence against your shady dealings, understand?"

An Yuanhou Liu Zhen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "I'm afraid it's too late. I just received news from the garrison eunuch that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already been mobilized."

Everyone's faces turned deathly pale. Han Dong, the deputy commander of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard, was a notorious tyrant; no official who fell into his hands ever came out unscathed.

A fierce glint flashed in Xu Pengju's eyes: "Since that's the case, let's go all the way!"

He made a throat-slitting gesture, "With Prince Jing's sudden death, the court will surely suspect that it was caused by Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou's overwhelming achievements that threatened the emperor's position."

"Has the Duke gone mad?"

Liu Zhen cried out, "To murder a prince is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"

Xu Pengju glared and said, "Then what do you suggest we do? Wait to die?"

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats and shouts came from outside the mansion. A servant frantically burst through the door of the secret room: "Master! The Embroidered Uniform Guard has surrounded the mansion!"

At the third quarter of midnight, at the main gate of the Duke of Wei's mansion.

Han Dong, a commander of the Imperial Guard, dressed in a flying fish robe and with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, coldly watched his men smash open the vermilion gate. This ruthless official, who came from the Northern Garrison, had a pale, beardless face and eyes as sharp as knives.

"Search! Leave no stone unturned! Focus on secret rooms and cellars!"

The fierce Imperial Guards stormed into the mansion, and the screams of the women and the cries of the servants immediately filled the air. Xu Pengju was escorted to the courtyard by two strongmen, his python robe loose and his golden crown askew.

"Han Dong! You're just a fifth-rank military officer, how dare you search my Duke's mansion?"

Xu Pengju struggled and roared.

Han Dong pulled out a token: "When the Embroidered Uniform Guard is on duty, anyone who resists will be killed without exception."

Xu Pengju was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground. At that moment, a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) officer rushed over: "Reporting to the Commander, a secret room has been discovered!"

The secret room was located beneath the study, with its entrance hidden behind a bookshelf. Inside, it was filled with gold bricks and silver ingots, as well as more than a dozen locked mahogany chests.

Han Dong ordered someone to pry open a piece of the box, and immediately narrowed his eyes—the box contained neatly stacked Japanese swords and cannons, with sealed letters on top.

"Duke of Wei, please explain?" Han Dong pulled out a letter.

Xu Pengju's face turned ashen: "This is a frame-up! It must be Prince Jing!"

"Keep searching."

Han Dong remained unmoved.

When the last box was opened, even the well-informed Imperial Guards gasped in shock—it contained a set of imperial robes and a jade seal!
"Fine, Xu Pengju," Han Dong sneered. "Colluding with the Japanese is a capital offense, yet you dare to privately manufacture imperial robes?"

Xu Pengju struggled frantically: "This isn't mine! Prince Jing framed me! I want to see the Emperor! I want to!"

With a gesture from Han Dong, the strongman struck Xu Pengju on the back of the neck with an iron ruler, knocking him unconscious: "Take him to the imperial prison. Arrest the rest of them!"

The same scene played out across Nanjing that night. The Marquis of Chengyi's residence discovered privately minted official silver; the Marquis of Linhuai's residence found falsified ledgers for salt permits; and the Marquis of Anyuan's residence even seized secret letters exchanged with the "Red Haired Barbarians."
The following morning, at the Nanjing Garrison Eunuch's Residence.

Prince Jing, Zhu Zaizhen, sat upright in the main seat, looking at the officials of the Six Ministries of Nanjing kneeling below, and slowly savored the pre-rain Longjing tea.

"Gentlemen, you must have all heard about what happened last night?"

Hai Rui, the Assistant Grand Secretary of Nanjing and Governor-General of Jiangnan, had a gloomy face and remained silent.

Now, with the splitting of Southern Zhili, Hai Rui's official position has changed from Governor-General of Southern Zhili to the more direct and clear Governor-General of Jiangnan.

Yan Maoqing, the Minister of Revenue in Nanjing and Chairman of the Southern Federal Reserve Bank of China, was so frightened that he almost slid off his chair and knelt down. "Your Highness is wise and mighty, and has wiped out the treacherous officials in one fell swoop. This is truly a blessing for the country!"

Yan Maoqing is currently still in Nanjing, and he has been appointed as the chairman of the Jiangnan Federal Reserve. This position is more symbolic than practical, mainly to facilitate his management of Jiangnan Bank and other southern banks.

This would allow the imperial court's financial reach to extend more deeply into all aspects of the southern region.

Otherwise, although these places also followed the reform of the Ming Dynasty's central bank system in the capital, due to geographical and informational barriers, they still had a tendency to "obey orders but not proclamations."

Therefore, in order to prevent the financial system in the south from going out of control, Zhu Zaiji established the Jiangnan Federal Reserve in Nanjing, which was directly managed by the imperial court and the Ming Dynasty Federal Reserve, to exercise the right to control the financial system.

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