Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 86 Has the Ming Dynasty become an industrial empire?

[The great Ming Zhongzu (Emperor Zhongzu of the Ming Dynasty) created an industrial civilization that surpassed human miracles in an era of extremely limited productivity. Not only high-speed rail, but also steelmaking technology saw tremendous development during his reign, with improvements in both the hardness and purity of steel!]

Increased agricultural efficiency provided sufficient population and ample possibilities for industrial development! This was because the Central Emperor introduced numerous agricultural varieties from foreign lands and even established special officials responsible for improving these varieties!

[King Chung-jo possessed vision ahead of his time. During his reign, every person had enough to eat, clothes to wear, and shelter to live in.]

With the development of industry, our ancestors mastered advanced military skills, acquiring more sophisticated weapons, lighter armor, and greater conquest capabilities!

As the video on the screen switched frame by frame, things beyond Zhu Di's comprehension appeared time and time again.

"Did the fourth brother do all this?"

Zhu Di's voice was unusually dry.

None of the accompanying personnel dared to raise their heads.

Only Zhu Gaoshuo, who was guarding his own residence, let out a long sigh.

Did I offend Tianmu?

Everything they've ever done has been exposed!

Can we maintain a little mystery?

It would be very embarrassing if I couldn't do that in the future.

Zhu Gaoshuo sighed too soon.

Because the curtain of light hasn't fallen yet.

Did you know that history is interconnected? Some seemingly insignificant events can become the catalyst for major changes in the course of history!

Zhu Di frowned. Indeed, he had always understood this principle from his experience on the battlefield.

So, why was Zhongzu able to achieve such great industrial innovation? Why was he able to build an industrial empire? Was it because his father left him a very strong nation?

Zhu Di was pleased. Of course! Only with such a good father could one have such an outstanding son!
【no!】

The harsh reality shattered Zhu Di's pride.

[It's because of the successful surprise attack on Lingshan Village!]

Hmm? Lingshan Village? Isn't that where I am?
Following the surprise attack on Lingshan Village, the accounts were thoroughly investigated and clarified, which not only streamlined the internal affairs of the dynasty but also improved the system for managing and storing fire-related expenses for border garrisons. More importantly, this surprise attack brought about significant changes in the court, accumulating enough silver to build the industrial empire that followed the ascension of Emperor Zhongzu!

"This is all thanks to me!" Zhu Di angrily raised his sword, wishing he could kill Hu Guang immediately.

But the third brother hurriedly stepped forward: "We can't kill him! We need to keep him alive so we can continue to investigate where the money went!"

Zhu Di glared at his grown son: "Don't you know this principle? Huh? Do you need me to tell you? Take him back!"

Upon learning of Zhu Di's victorious return to the capital, the ministers were all incredibly nervous.

They must seize this opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty.

Nobody wants to be the next one to be investigated.

The crime of spilling blood in the imperial court and implicating nine generations of one's family is absolutely unacceptable!

At this moment, however, one person stood out from the crowd.

That is the Yellow River and the Huai River.

Having risen through the ranks of the Imperial Secretariat, he was always outspoken and supported Zhu Gaochi. Instead of currying favor by offering congratulatory poems or essays, he submitted a memorial requesting that Hu Guang be handed over to Zhu Gaochi for punishment.

The memorial was placed on Zhu Di's desk, and his face turned ashen.

"He actually asked for money directly from the case I personally investigated! My lord! What should his punishment be!"

As soon as Zhu Di opened his mouth, Zhu Gaochi knelt down with a thud: "Father, I didn't want it."

“Huang Huai, humph. Your advisor.” Zhu Di pointed at Zhu Gaochi’s forehead.

Zhu Gaochi knew that no matter how he explained, it would be useless, so he could only signal to his third brother to help him quickly.

"Father, why don't we give our eldest brother this chance? He's the eldest, and it's only right that he helps you out. If we can't find out the truth, he'll naturally have to take responsibility."

Unfortunately, before the third brother could speak, Zhu Gaoxu seized the opportunity to kick the eldest brother hard.

"Father, I'm the one who arrested him," Zhu Gaosui complained softly. He had a headache.

Zhu Di looked around and asked, "What's going on? Where's the fourth prince?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Qi said he is praying for the country's well-being and is currently at Wanfu Temple in the suburbs of the capital."

"Praying for blessings? What good is that! If praying for blessings were useful, I would kneel before that clay statue every day, praying for our soldiers to return home safely! Praying for the prosperity of my Great Ming! Would it be of any use?! Tie him up and bring him here!"

After saying this, Zhu Di added, "Summon Prince Qi to court immediately."

He was genuinely afraid that Prince Qi would obediently be bound hand and foot and brought here.

His three sons were too eager to cause trouble, which was a headache for him, while his fourth son was too lazy to cause trouble, which was also a headache for him!
Being an emperor is tough, but being a father is even tougher!

"The three of you go back to your residences. Eldest brother, continue checking the account books. Second brother, take inventory of the weapons and ammunition. Third brother, thoroughly investigate the fish-scale registers and household registration maps!"

"Yes."

Zhu Di didn't say it, but all three understood what their father meant.

The plan is to have the fourth brother, Zhu Gaoshuo, handle Hu Guang's mess.

"The fourth brother usually doesn't know anything, can he handle this?"

"If you don't handle it well, you'll just get another scolding from Dad."

"Whatever happens, big brother will take the blame!"

"Second brother, stop messing with me."

Zhu Gaoshuo was indeed at Wanfu Temple.

They were indeed bowing and offering incense.

If someone can come to pray for blessings, their own father should think they've become sensible.

More importantly, he came here to wait for someone.

Now that Tianmu has exposed his true colors, he has no choice but to take action.

Today, most of the people worshipping Buddha at Wanfo Temple are women from Beijing.

One of the girls, looking tense and sorrowful, hurriedly entered the inner hall.

Zhu Gaoshuo was waiting for her.

Zhang Xiuping.

She is the youngest daughter of General Zhang Yu, and she has come today to offer incense on the anniversary of her father's death.

"His Highness Prince Qi has arrived."

A maid whispered something in Zhang Xiuping's ear.

"Prince Qi?"

"Today is the anniversary of General Zhang Yu's death, and I have come to express my condolences. Please do not pay your respects, and there is no need for you to worry about it."

Zhu Gaoshuo acted as if he didn't care about Zhang Xiuping at all.

Offering incense at Buddhist temples on the anniversary of a father's death is a local custom. Zhu Gaoshuo's actions were therefore not surprising. However, what was strange to Zhang Xiuping was that among all the officials, only this Prince Qi remembered his father's death anniversary.

His own father died in battle to save the reigning emperor, Zhu Di. Although he was granted the title of Duke of Rong, a posthumous title was not as prestigious as an actual title, and he lived a meager existence.

"Thank you, Prince Qi." Zhang Xiuping bowed.

Before long, the eunuch came to summon Prince Qi to the palace for an audience. Zhang Xiuping naturally didn't get a chance to say anything more.

After returning home, she told her brother Zhang Fucheng about her chance encounter with Prince Qi that day. Zhang Fucheng frowned and took this Prince Qi to heart.

In fact, all of this was Zhu Gaoshuo's calculation.

Because he knew that Zhang Fucheng was extremely capable in military affairs, with no weaknesses in leadership, troop deployment, or military strategy! It was just that at the time people only thought that Zhang Fucheng was simply inheriting his father's influence.

(End of this chapter)