Zhu Yuanzhang, who commanded the wind and rain, lived a long and arduous life.

This is called killing someone without them even realizing it.

Zhou Dexing is not only good at fighting, but he is also very cunning. Otherwise, why would no one expose him when there are local disasters in the Ming Dynasty every year and he has embezzled a lot of the disaster relief funds every year?

Zhou Ji said with some heartache, "Father, this is our family heirloom! Didn't you often say that so many people who conquered Dadu were looking for this golden seal?"

“We should keep this gold seal and pass it down from generation to generation. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

"How about we get something else?"

Zhou Dexing's face hardened: "This little bit of trouble is nothing. As long as Zhu Yunwen ascends the throne, we can get much more than this. Don't be greedy for petty gains. This is not how someone who is going to do great things should behave."

"Alright, go ahead and find an opportunity to properly hand over the golden seal to Tianyun Temple."

Zhou Dexing squinted: "Once the old man finds out, the good days of Tianyun Temple will be over!"

Zhou Ji was still a little heartbroken, but since his father had said so, he couldn't argue. He nodded and said, "Alright! I'll go and do it right away!"

.

….….…….….….

The next day.

Early in the morning, after the court assembly, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the Fengtian Hall with mixed feelings of joy and worry.

Some time ago.

In order to eliminate the remnants of the Yuan dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang appointed Fu Youde as the Grand Marshal of the Army, leading a large army to attack Yunnan and wipe out the Yuan remnants.

Fu Youde won a battle in Yunnan, and the Ming court completely seized control of Yunnan.

This pleased Zhu Yuanzhang greatly.

All the problems that could have been replaced have now arisen.

Yunnan was plundered by the Yuan Dynasty, leaving countless families broken apart. The imperial court had to clean up the mess.

Moreover, Yunnan has recently experienced torrential rains, flooding tens of thousands of farmlands, and the rains show no signs of stopping. All of this requires the imperial court to allocate a large amount of funds for disaster relief.

In conclusion, Zhu Yuanzhang was desperately short of money!

Zhu Yuanzhang was a good emperor who genuinely cared for the people, so he collected very little agricultural tax.

At the same time, he looked down on merchants, so the court's commercial taxes were pitifully low.

As a result, the tax revenue collected by the imperial court each year became even more strained.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang had the power of life and death over everyone, he was still troubled by the country's lack of silver.

This news,

After his subordinate eunuch Chen Hong found out, he took the opportunity to go to the Eastern Palace.

Chen Hong has always received favors from Zhu Yunwen and his mother, and now that the old man is in trouble, his value must be demonstrated.

……

East Palace.

While Mrs. Lü was accompanying her son in his studies, Chen Hong walked over and stood at a distance.

Lu hurriedly got up and went over. After Chen Hong finished speaking, Lu gave him some money and sent him away. Then she quickly returned.

With a joyful expression, she said, "Son, the opportunity has come."

Zhu Yunwen looked somewhat dazed and asked, puzzled, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Lady Lü said happily, "Your imperial grandfather is currently worried about money. Go to the school today and discuss with the teachers how to help your imperial grandfather raise funds. This is called relieving the emperor's worries and difficulties."

"Your royal grandfather would be very happy if he knew that you care about your country."

Zhu Yunwen said blankly, "But... I don't know how to accumulate wealth."

Madam Lü gently rubbed his head and said with a light smile, "So you need to discuss it with the teacher. No matter what, just like making noodles last night, as long as your royal grandfather knows that you have this intention, that's enough!"

"Tell me, was your imperial grandfather happy to eat your noodles last night?"

Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment, then nodded without hesitation: "Grandpa Emperor was very happy, and kept praising me for being sensible!"

"I ate that noodle afterwards. Although I tried my best to make it, it was still a bit hard to eat, but Grandpa ate it all."

Lady Lü smiled and said, "So, your imperial grandfather will be happy that you have such a heart that cares about the country and its people."

“Son, remember, apart from filial piety, don’t say anything else. It’s not the right time yet.”

"Wait until your grandfather's impression of you changes before you take the initiative to be filial and do other things."

Zhu Yunwen nodded emphatically: "I understand! Thank you, Mother!"

Madam Lü pinched Zhu Yunwen's cheek: "Silly child, you are my son, my everything. Why should we thank each other? If I don't think of you, who else should I think of? Don't disappoint me, go now."

"Alright!" Zhu Yunwen stood up, bowed to Madam Lü, and walked towards the school.

After Zhu Yunwen left, a servant in the Eastern Palace slowly departed.

After arriving at a secluded spot, he changed into a Jinyiwei uniform and headed towards Zhu Yuanzhang's palace.

….….…..….….…

The Imperial College was filled with the sound of students reading aloud.

Zhu Yunwen strolled over with his hands behind his back.

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai came to greet them from afar.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you!"

The two Hanlin scholars' affection for Zhu Yunwen was palpable. Unlike their stern faces when they saw other princes, their expressions were warm and welcoming.

"Yunwen greets both teachers!"

After the ceremony was completed, Zhu Yunwen helped the two scholars who had bowed to his feet and said, "My two teachers are too kind. Here, there is only your student Zhu Yunwen, not Your Highness!"

Zhu Yunwen refused the gifts from the two Hanlin Academicians.

This gesture warmed the hearts of the two scholars even more.

Zhu Yunwen wasn't stupid.

He knew that whether they were princes or grandsons of the emperor, if they wanted to achieve anything, they had to gain the recognition and support of their ministers.

Especially now, the Ming Dynasty has an overwhelming military advantage over the Northern Yuan, and is paying particular attention to domestic affairs and the improvement of people's livelihoods.

Therefore, Zhu Yunwen was trying to win over these scholars at this time.

"Is Teacher Huang feeling any better? I heard a few days ago that you caught a cold, and I was very worried about you."

Huang Zicheng stroked his beard and said, "Your Highness is very kind. I am feeling much better."

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "I have heard that the country is short of money, but I am unable to share the burden for my grandfather. This is truly worrying. I have come to see you two teachers today to discuss with you strategies for raising funds for the country."

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai immediately became solemn: "Your Highness, you are truly wise!"

"Your Highness possesses such a benevolent heart that encompasses the world; this is a blessing for the nation!"

Zhu Yunwen replied solemnly, "It is my good fortune to have two teachers."

"Let's go!" Huang Zicheng said, "We'll go and discuss how to serve the country."

These two scholars also devoted themselves wholeheartedly to Zhu Yunwen.

The three of them spent the whole morning in the classroom racking their brains, realizing that the so-called accumulation of wealth was nothing more than solving the problem at its root.

No money? Then print money!

Currently, the number of Ming Dynasty banknotes printed is still small, but they already have a certain degree of circulation in the market. Given this, why not increase the printing volume of banknotes?

Someone made this suggestion, and the classroom was immediately filled with praise.

A smile gradually spread across Zhu Yunwen's face. He bowed to his two teachers and hurriedly walked towards the East Palace.

He needed to go back and tell his mother the news, and discuss with her what to do next.

.

…….…..….…..

Fengtian Temple.

"Oh? Chen Hong delivered the message to Madam Lü and Yunwen?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was reviewing memorials, raised an eyebrow.