Time Travel: After Seizing the Throne, I Lead the Ming Dynasty to Take Off

Lu Wei originally thought that it was reasonable for the Emperor of Yingtian Prefecture to be inspired and follow the example of the Hongwu Emperor before him in spreading his power throughout the world by carrying out military activities in the coastal areas in an innovative way.

But I never expected it.

He was able to consume four million stones in one breath.

"That 'spendthrift' thing I called him... doesn't really justify him at all! If I had a child and he squandered my money like that, I'd be pissed off too..."

Lu Wei pondered the matter in his heart, and for a moment even he couldn't help but follow Zhu Yuanzhang and become angry with real feelings.

But that’s not all.

Lu Wei was just pondering this when he heard Zhu Yuanzhang slamming his hands on the table several times in anger. "Four million... three million... seven million dan of surplus grain... the treasury hasn't even had time to warm up yet, and this damn prodigal son has already siphoned it all off?"

Hearing this figure, even though he had warned himself to be cautious, Lu Wei couldn't contain himself. "What?! Four million wasted on a humble coastal area, and another three million wasted?"

This sigh came out almost without thinking.

Lu Wei then realized that he had been too careless and spoke too much. His face tensed and he quickly clasped his fists and confessed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have overstepped my bounds."

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang did not pay too much attention to it.

Instead, he waved his hand and said, "It's normal for you to lose your composure when you hear such a large number. Even I feel dazzled when I see this number..."

Speaking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang's old face was full of helplessness.

He pondered for a moment.

Then he continued, "Besides, I was going to let you know about this matter anyway. You have to take our message to Yingtian Prefecture and pass on the news. We can't let that prodigal son mess around with our Ming Dynasty!"

"Over in Yingtian Prefecture, the brat is very wary. Jiang Li's position is neither light nor heavy, so he can't really have a say. Dai Sigong is an imperial physician, so asking him to interfere in government affairs seems too strange..."

"So, have Jiang Li secretly contact Ren Hengtai (the Minister of Rites, who presided over the funeral and helped Zhu Yuanzhang conceal the truth). Have Ren Hengtai come forward and persuade other important officials of the court to write a letter of persuasion."

"The threat along the coast isn't significant. Even if he deploys more elite troops, it won't have any significant impact. It's not that close to Yingtian Prefecture. Even if he wants to use these troops to prevent a potential power struggle in Yingtian Prefecture, he won't be able to do so."

"Dredging the Yellow River... originally, there was a fixed annual budget for this. That was determined by me, the heads of the six ministries, and many knowledgeable court officials over the past twenty years, based on past historical circumstances and years of experience... This is the most reasonable expenditure."

"Throwing three million dan of grain into the Yellow River...is not acceptable!"

"Although the Ming Dynasty has made great improvements compared to the chaotic late Yuan Dynasty, the vitality lost over the years has never fully recovered, and there are countless places waiting to be spent..."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately and concisely sorted out the inappropriateness of these two matters and prepared to have Lu Wei return the letter to Jiang Lin of Yingtian Prefecture:

"Well, just write back to Jiang Li and tell him to find Ren Hengtai and find a way to get these words into that brat's ears!"

"This money and food."

"No matter what, we can't just throw money away like this!"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

He warned almost through gritted teeth.

Thinking about the 7 million surplus from the two treasuries that he had never enjoyed before, he was actually going to spend it away like a waste of money.

In his heart.

I was really angry and anxious.

I wish I could fly to Yingtian Prefecture immediately, grab that brat's ears, and give him a good beating with the sole of my big shoe. I also wish I could personally explain these principles clearly to my young and naive grandson.