My aunt is Queen Ma

Chapter 81 Untitled
The matter of Wen Hanbian was so shocking that the subsequent conversations mainly revolved around it.

Ma Yu then took the opportunity to explain some specific dangers to them.

In addition to extreme weather and reduced grain production, the issue of desertification in the Loess Plateau and the Hetao region was also highlighted.

“Plants have the function of conserving water and soil. Currently, 70-80% of the silt in the Yellow River comes from northern Shaanxi and the Hetao region.”

"After the Little Ice Age officially begins, desertification will intensify further as temperatures drop and rainfall decreases."

"At that time, the Yellow River will truly be a case of one bucket of water and nine liters of sand."

“Every year, the imperial court spends millions of strings of cash and grain on the management of the Yellow River.”

"If you want to reduce the pressure on the younger generation, you can start from this aspect."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and said, "The idea is good, but it's very difficult to implement."

Ma Yu smiled and said, "Actually, the solution is not as difficult as you might imagine; simply closing the mountains off for afforestation will suffice."

Zhu Biao pressed further, "How exactly do you want to do it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and others also looked over.

Ma Yu said, "Now that the north is sparsely populated, people scattered in northern Shaanxi and the Hetao region are being relocated to Henan, Shandong and Beiping."

"I believe they won't object."

After all, the climate in those two places was too harsh, and the Central Plains was relatively more suitable for survival.

People are willing to migrate as long as the imperial court allocates land to them.

Of course, some people will be reluctant to leave their homeland, but their opposition will not be that strong.

"Without human destruction, most places will be covered by vegetation again in less than fifty years."

"If the imperial court were to allocate some resources to governance, this timeframe could be shortened by many years."

Zhu Yuanzhang objected, saying, "In the future, the court should deploy heavy troops in the Hetao and northern Shaanxi regions to defend against Mongol invasions."

"If the people are all moved away, the army will not be able to stay for long."

Ma Yu smiled and said, "Not all of them will be moved. There are quite a few places in these two areas with good conditions."

"We can concentrate the population in these places."

"A portion of the land can also be set aside for military farming to support the army."

"There is another advantage to doing this: the population is relatively concentrated, which will reduce the defensive pressure on the army."

Zhu Gang's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Brilliant! Concentrating the population in a few areas is equivalent to a scorched-earth policy!"

"Even if the Mongols break through the defenses and invade, they won't be able to loot anything except these few places."

"If they dare to attack these residential areas, our army can give them a head-on blow."

Everyone else nodded in agreement; this approach could indeed reduce a lot of trouble.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, agreeing that concentrating a portion of the population in a few limited areas would facilitate the court's management.

This is equivalent to reducing management costs.

He also thought of the strategy for conquering the Western Regions that Ma Yu had mentioned before.

Once the Ming Dynasty conquers the Hexi Corridor, it can relocate some of the people here to cultivate the land.

To provide provisions for the army heading to the Western Regions.

Once the army has established a foothold in the Western Regions and begun agricultural settlements, the entire northern defense line will be much stronger.

Hmm... When conquering the Western Regions, the army only needs to carry some rations to eat on the road.

The Hexi Corridor will provide some supplies, and after entering the Western Regions, local forces will provide food and provisions.

Another portion of the grain and fodder came from military farms.

The Central Plains dynasties all followed this pattern when they tried to manage the Western Regions.

This is also a practical necessity; once grain is transported over a thousand miles, ninety percent of it will be wasted on the way.

Relying solely on transporting grain from the Central Plains to the Western Regions would not be sustainable, no matter how substantial the nation's resources were.

Therefore, there are three key issues to consider when trying to manage the Western Regions.

First, the Hexi Corridor must be kept under our control.

Secondly, an agreement was reached in advance with local forces to provide money and food for the central army.

Third, we must quickly establish agricultural settlements and seize control of our own food production.

Once these three steps are completed, the conquest of the Western Regions will be more than half done.

In the blink of an eye, Zhu Yuanzhang already had an idea for his next military strategy.

Actually, it wasn't even in the blink of an eye.

He had started thinking about it when Ma Yu told him that controlling Liaodong and the Western Regions would turn the grasslands into a cage.

It's just that my thinking is clearer now.

Thinking of this, he looked at his second, third, and fourth sons, wishing they would grow up quickly, for the Ming Dynasty needs them.

Then he glanced at Zhu Su, who was playing with her sisters in the distance. He couldn't count on her for the time being.

The three brothers were completely unaware that their father had already planned how to treat them like cattle and horses, and was currently having a heated discussion about military issues in Shaanxi and Shanxi.

It was mainly Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang who were talking, while Zhu Di could only obey at this point.

After that, Ma Yu spoke very little, mainly listening to what the others were saying.

To his relief, the Little Ice Age did indeed have an effect on Zhu Yuanzhang.

This founding emperor, known for his stubbornness, finally began to learn to think about various issues from other perspectives.

Time flew by and it was noon. Everyone had a lively meal and then went their separate ways.

Before leaving the palace, Ma Yu spoke to Empress Ma again about going to the estate.

If nothing major happens, we plan to depart in three days.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang said that the village was dozens of miles away, and it would take at least three or four days to go there and back.

Calculating the time, it just so happens to be the day Xu Da and Tang He returned in triumph.

Given Empress Ma's status, the two of them would definitely make a special trip to pay their respects and meet her.

If she goes to the village, the two of them will probably be very disappointed.

Moreover, if Empress Ma has something on her mind, she won't be able to enjoy herself.

It would be better to wait until the two of them return before going.

Ma Yu naturally had no objections; there was no rush to go there in just a few days.

So the date was postponed again.

After finishing their conversation, he and Zhu Shuang left the palace together, chatting and laughing.

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, Zhu Shuang's smile turned ferocious. "You dare to lie to me and get beaten up? Let's see how I deal with you."

Before he could make a move, he saw Ma Yu looking behind him in surprise:

"Uncle Chang, what brings you here?"

Zhu Shuang, suspecting a trap, quickly turned around and bowed respectfully:
"General Chang..."

Then he realized there was no one behind him, and he knew he had been tricked.

Turning around again, I found that Ma Yu had indeed run quite far.

He shouted through gritted teeth, "Go ahead and run! You can run, but you can't hide! Let's see where you can run to!"

He then took off after her.

However, Ma Yu was far more cunning than he had imagined. Instead of returning to his own home, he rushed to Chang Yuchun's house.

Zhu Shuang followed behind, jumping up and down in anger.

Ma Yu turned around and laughed triumphantly. He knew that the monk could run away but the temple couldn't, but he also knew that Zhu Shuang was just angry.

If I don't run now, I'm sure I'll get beaten up.

Even though it didn't hurt much, nobody wants to get beaten up.

Let's just wait it out for now. Once he calms down, he might say a few unpleasant things, but nothing serious will happen.
-
Meanwhile, in the palace, after lunch the children had all left, and Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma closed the door and chatted.

Empress Ma smiled and said, "Are you feeling better now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally knew what she was talking about, and snorted:

"This disrespectful guy deserves a beating."

At this point, he sighed and said:
“We can tell that he still looks down on us.”

"Constantly acting silly is just a way to cover up his stubbornness."

Empress Ma corrected him, "He just felt that your knowledge was insufficient, he did not mean to look down on you."

“I know this child. He has never looked down on anyone because of their status, nor has he ever thought highly of anyone because of their status.”

"The only thing that can make him look at you differently is your character."

Zhu Yuanzhang retorted, "It's true that he has a prejudice against us; we can see that."

Empress Ma didn't know how to smooth things over. Ma Yu did indeed have a deep-seated prejudice against Zhu Yuanzhang, which she had known from day one.

It's not too bad now; at least he's been partially acknowledged.

If he were still in jail, he would probably have started hurling insults at me the moment we met.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said, "You don't need to explain for him. You've already said why he has a prejudice against us; he thinks we're not virtuous enough."

Empress Ma could only sigh: "He is young and still somewhat naive. I believe he will understand your character in time."

To everyone's surprise, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "No, we really can't achieve what he wants, nor do we want to achieve what he says."

"What is the purpose of becoming emperor?" "First, to ensure that my wife and children live a good life, and only then can I govern others."

"In our hearts, you and your children will always be the most important."

"We'd give up the lives of everyone in the world just to let you live."

Empress Ma was deeply moved. With such a husband, what more could she ask for?
"In our hearts, you are our sky, our greatest support."

The couple did something inappropriate for children, and it took them a long time to resume their conversation.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued the previous topic, saying, "Ma Yu is so noble. Would he value other people's lives more than his own wife and children?"

"If he can really do it, we'll be the first to despise him."

Empress Ma's face flushed as she said, "This child is also a sentimental person, as evidenced by what happened to Bo Ren."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but nod. For the sake of his brotherhood with Chang Sheng, he risked being ridiculed by the world to remind Chang Yuchun about the matter of removing his armor.

This is enough to prove that Ma Yu is a sentimental person.

"If it weren't for what happened to Bo Ren, we would have dealt with him long ago. Would we have tolerated him until today?"

"Does he really think that having some education means he can do whatever he wants?"

"Even without him, we would at most take a few more detours, but we would still be able to govern the Ming Dynasty well."

Empress Ma nodded and said, "I have no doubt about this."

"What Yu'er said is indeed very useful, but how many people throughout history have truly understood these things?"

"They are different in how they govern the country."

"With your talent, you'll quickly grasp the knack of governing a country if you just study it."

His wife's praise made Zhu Yuanzhang extremely happy.
"Girls really understand us. That kid Ma Yu thinks he's something special just because he's learned a little bit."

"Hmph, he doesn't know yet, we've already seen through his true colors."

"It's because I think he has potential that I'm so tolerant of him."

"He was quite pleased with himself, thinking that we couldn't do without his knowledge."

Empress Ma smiled and nodded in agreement.

In her opinion, he was not lying about that.

He is still very tolerant of talented people, especially talented young people.

Of course, this is on the premise that it poses no danger to the Ming Dynasty.

If he senses even the slightest something is wrong, the family tree will most likely be lost.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, was quite tolerant of young and talented people.

A prime example is Xie Jin.

Xie Jin was a prodigy who achieved early success, becoming a high-ranking official in the capital at a young age.

Zhu Yuanzhang also admired his talent, and once said:
Seeing you is like seeing my own nephew. If you have any opinions on politics, just tell me directly.

The young Xie Jin took it seriously and wrote a memorial of tens of thousands of words, criticizing many of Zhu Yuanzhang's policies as utterly worthless.

He also made many demands, such as disbanding the Embroidered Uniform Guard and giving more important positions to Confucian scholars.

Zhu Yuanzhang simply laughed it off and even offered him some encouragement:
Your memorial to the throne was very well written; you don't need to write it again.

However, Xie Jin only understood the first half of the sentence. After receiving praise from Zhu Yuanzhang, he went back and wrote several more memorials.

Zhu Yuanzhang was at a loss, and finally found a reason to send him away to a remote area.

He could tolerate a pedantic scholar like Xie Jin, let alone someone with real talent like Ma Yu.

Therefore, his tolerance of Ma Yu was not entirely due to Empress Ma, but also related to his own personality.

Of course, Empress Ma still played a decisive role in this.

If it weren't for her, Ma Yu would have been cut in half at the waist long ago, and none of the subsequent events would have happened.

However, the couple both understood one thing: Ma Yu was free at heart and had not submitted to anyone.

This is the essential difference between him and others.

Showing off is nothing more than a disguise to conceal one's inner freedom.

But there's no need to spell it out.

The couple then began to discuss future policies.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was solemn: "If it is really as Ma Yu predicted, we will enter the cold period ahead of schedule in a few decades."

"We really need to plan ahead."

Empress Ma said with some relief, "Fortunately, the Song Dynasty provided us with many references, otherwise we would really be clueless."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "This must be the reason why Ma Yu has repeatedly emphasized the need to maintain exchanges with civilizations outside the region."

"They just want us to get resources from outside so we can survive the cold period for a few more years."

Empress Ma keenly realized that he meant to endure a few more years, not to get through the cold period.

Clearly, they didn't think the Ming Dynasty could survive.

In truth, she was no different.

If the imperial court had maintained its dominance throughout the five-hundred-year cold period, things would have been fine.

If the monarch is even slightly less capable, and the court has a weaker control over the local areas, then chaos will inevitably follow.

Thinking of this, she said, "I dare not hope for too much. I would be satisfied if the Ming Dynasty lasted for three hundred years."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Three hundred years is not a short time."

At this point, he suddenly said, "What do you think about us recovering Jiaozhi and establishing prefectures and counties there?"

Empress Ma asked in confusion, "Jiaozhi?"

Zhu Yuanzhang explained, "The further north you go during the cold season, the colder it gets, while the temperature in the south is still relatively high."

"Jiaozhi is located in the far south, where the temperature is particularly high and rice is abundant."

"If we can conquer this place and establish a stable rule, our descendants will have another grain-producing area."

Empress Ma's eyes lit up, and she said, "What a great idea! Jiaozhi has been part of China's territory since ancient times."

"It's just that we've been occupied by barbarians for so long, it's time to take it back."

"But this matter cannot be rushed. We should first destroy the Yuan Dynasty and eliminate the separatist forces within it."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Well, this matter will take at least ten years, but we can prepare in advance."

"The easiest way to rule Jiaozhi is by sea."

"We can build shipyards in advance and create a powerful navy."

"Moreover, developing maritime trade also requires eliminating pirates at sea, especially Japanese pirates; otherwise, no one would dare to go out to sea to do business."

"This also requires a strong navy."

Empress Ma naturally agreed; since they had decided to take this path, it was essential to prepare in advance.

The two then discussed many other issues.

For example, Ma Yu proposed to implement afforestation and forest protection in northern Shaanxi and the Hetao region.

After discussion, the two agreed that it was generally feasible.

In any case, the North is now sparsely populated, so concentrating a small population in certain areas with good conditions has many advantages.

Ordinary people can also benefit.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was not in a hurry to achieve results, but planned to put this plan on hold until after he had taken over the Hexi Corridor.

"The people hate being tossed around like this. We'll make adjustments once we've taken control of the Hexi Corridor and try to resolve the resettlement issue in one go."

After the couple finished their short meeting, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the Qianqing Palace.

Then several orders were issued in succession.

One of the measures was to appoint Wu Zhen as the General Who Pacifies the Seas, to supervise the training of the naval forces along the coast.

Another task was to order people to investigate the actual situation in the Hetao and northern Shaanxi regions, and to compile statistics on the local population, etc.

The courtiers all felt that these two orders were perfectly normal.

How could the central government not have a navy?

Putting aside other issues, the rampant Japanese pirates also necessitate naval defense.

However, the Ming Dynasty's current navy was built upon the foundation of the Chaohu Navy.

Warships were mostly flat-bottomed boats with shallow drafts, only able to navigate inland rivers with calm waters.

Once at sea, they can only operate in areas near the coast.

This is also why the Ming Dynasty couldn't deal with the Japanese pirates.

Training a fully-fledged navy is urgently needed.

Wu Zhen had just led his navy to attack Fuzhou from the sea and defeated Chen Youding, which was a great achievement.

It's normal to promote him.

As for the statistics on northern Shaanxi and the Hetao region, that's even more normal.

This is newly recovered land of the Ming Dynasty, so it is only natural to have detailed data on it.

Only Ma Yu knew what this meant.

I was so happy.

This stinking beggar has finally started making his move.

(End of this chapter)