In the charcoal basin,

The coals burned bright red and there were a few sweet potatoes with burnt skins placed around them.

Zhu Youxiao stretched out his hand to warm himself in front of the charcoal basin. The dark red flames were dancing. Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes slightly and looked very indifferent.

Zhang Haogu looked a little serious when he listened to Zhu Youxiao's words.

Not to mention Wang Tiqian, Wei Zhongxian and other personal guards, palace maids and eunuchs in the Wuying Palace, these die-hard loyalists, if we look at the entire Forbidden City and the entire capital, they are all under the control of the Beijing Camp and the Jinyi Guards. When Zhu Youxiao said this, the meaning was a bit serious.

Although the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty has never been safe, and the emperor's safety in the palace cannot be guaranteed, a strong emperor can still maintain his own safety.

The power that Zhu Youxiao currently controls is comparable to that of Emperor Taizong Wen, if not equal to Taizu. This statement means that Zhu Youxiao believes that this palace, the residence of the emperor, is no longer safe, and this is of a serious nature.

"What did your Majesty find?" Zhang Haogu asked.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head: "It's just a feeling. No matter what, the prince will always grow up outside."

"I hope Ran'er can grow up smoothly and take over this country from me."

"However, if the crown prince and future emperor of the Ming Dynasty does not go through some ups and downs, how can I safely hand over the country that you and I have built hand in hand?"

Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will not disappoint His Majesty's expectations. Although His Highness is six years old, he has long heard of wise ideas, read poetry and rituals, has a beautiful talent, and a handsome appearance. In the future, he will definitely inherit His Majesty's ambitions and protect What a great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but smile and said: "Ran'er is indeed extraordinary. Although he is young, he is very smart. In the future, I will need master to teach Ran'er and help me cultivate Ran'er into a talented person..."

Eunuch Wei listened to Zhu Youxiao's words and looked at Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Haogu, who were squatting in front of the charcoal basin and were extremely intimate. He couldn't help but feel sour in his heart. How could the relationship between the monarch and his subjects be so close?

Is it possible that Zhang Haogu will continue to be the imperial master for two dynasties?

As expected of Master Zhang, the power of the Zhang family will not weaken in the next hundred years...

Time passed day by day, and it snowed several times in succession in the capital. The northern part of the Ming Dynasty also officially entered the season of snow-covered snow. Looking around, the sky and the earth were filled with pure white and cold air, as if it was burying and washing away the filthy sins of the world.

It's time for Zhu Youxiao to patrol the grasslands in the north. Teams of people inside and outside the capital are making preparations in full swing.

The elites of the three major battalions of the capital, the cavalry of the Jin Yiwei, the eunuchs of the inner palace, the bodyguards, etc. have all been deployed. When the emperor goes on tour, the government affairs are handed over to the cabinet. It is said that it is handed over to the cabinet, but the responsibility is indeed They were Lu Xiangsheng, Zhang Ruitu, and Qiao Yunsheng. As for Huang Liji and Wei Guangwei, they accompanied Zhang Haogu on the northern tour.

The reason why Huang Liji and Wei Guangwei are brought here is not because they are more important. On the contrary, although they are not much more than him and not much less than him, taking these two away will make the cabinet run more smoothly and be able to A lot less constraints.

Moreover, in front of the emperor, it was Zhang Haogu who made suggestions and decisions, not Huang Liji and Wei Guangwei's turn.

It is precisely because they are used to this situation that Huang Liji and Wei Guangwei are ready to accept their fate. In terms of ability, the emperor's trust, power, and age, they can't compare to Zhang Haogu. They are still saving face for you. , I want you to continue to be the cabinet minister. What else is there to be dissatisfied about?

Admit it.

Datong is the most important pass for the Ming Dynasty to enter the grassland, and it is also the first pass for Wang's army to leave the fortress. The connection between the Ming Dynasty and the grassland is still mainly in Datong. After all, here is the first straight road to the grassland built in the Ming Dynasty.

After the holy guard of honor arrived in Datong, Zhu Youxiao inspected the situation at Datong Pass and the Great Wall. Xiong Tingbi, the commander-in-chief of Datong, explained to Zhu Youxiao the current situation inside and outside the Great Wall near Datong.

Zhu Youxiao stood at Datong Pass wearing a big cloak. Looking at the Ming Dynasty soldiers on this solid pass, he nodded with satisfaction: "Datong is the gateway to the Great Wall and the key point of the capital's defense. If Shanhaiguan is the gateway to and from Liaodong,

The main pass, Datong is the main pass into the grassland."

"By placing Aiqing in this position, I have given Aiqing the important transportation link between the imperial court and the grassland. I have seen everything Xiong Aiqing has done in the past two years, and she has lived up to my expectations."

As he said that, Zhu Youxiao smiled and brushed the frost and snow off Xiong Tingbi's armor: "With General Xiong here, I can sleep peacefully."

Xiong Tingbi bowed, and the armor on his body made a rattling sound: "I am just doing my duty as a minister, and I don't deserve your majesty's praise."

"It's good to fulfill your duty," Zhu Youxiao continued to walk forward. "How many people are not even willing to do their duty as a minister for me. If you are not in your position, you will not seek political advice. Such a simple truth cannot be ignored.

Understand, he is full of morality and righteousness, but full of male thieves and female prostitutes.”

After Zhu Youxiao said these words, the accompanying ministers looked at me and I looked at you, and they were all a little confused. Who is the Dog Emperor talking about?

You can’t possibly be talking about us, right?

Absolutely impossible, we are the pillars of the imperial court...

He didn't stay at Datong Pass for too long. After a round of inspection, the emperor continued heading north.

In the vast white grassland outside the Pass, the weather is freezing cold, and the majestic army accompanying the Holy Driver spreads out on the grassland, forming a long line of brilliant colors.

The dragon horse drawn by eighteen white horses was moving forward at a steady pace, and several charcoal pots were burning in the carriage, making it extremely warm inside. Even wearing single clothes, you didn't feel cold.

"Master, are we almost at Balianna now?" Zhu Youxiao asked.

Zhang Haogu nodded: "If everything goes well, we will be able to go to the pasture of Balian's capital tomorrow, and the cavalry team from Balian's capital will soon be in contact with the Tiqi."

Zhu Youxiao took a sip of tea and said: "Okay, since Balianji has been included in the list and has become the land of China, this is my first time here. I want to take a good look."

Chen Yawan personally led the cavalry team from Balian's capital. After contacting Tiqi to prove his identity, the people from Balian's capital began to lead the way, while Chen Yawan went to the Chinese army to meet Zhu Youxiao.

"My lord, Chen Yawan, the governor of Balian's capital, pays homage to your majesty."

"Xuan."

Entering Longxun, Chen Yawan saw the familiar Ming Emperor Zhu Youxiao and the familiar chief assistant Zhang Haogu.

"Chen Aiqing has worked hard in this bitter cold land on the grassland. Give Chen Aiqing a bowl of hot soup and chat with her," Zhu Youxiao said.

Soon Eunuch Wei brought Chen Yawan a bowl of hot soup. Chen Yawan took the hot soup and began to tell Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Haogu about the current situation in Balian's capital: "It's actually not that cold this year.

, Balian Na is all right. Now Balian Na has nine pastoral areas and ninety banners, and the domes are converted into households, allowing herders to settle down and graze, and divide the pastures. Currently, Balian Na has 131,400 households.

Twenty-six households, 645,292 people. Compared with the previous period, there are more than 30,000 households, more than 100,000 people."

Zhu Youxiao was very happy when he heard that the population had increased so much: "Chen Aiqing has done this carefully."

Chen Yawan said: "Previously, the Balian tribe and the Nadu tribe were combined into one. Together with other dependent tribes, the total number of Balian Nadu tribes was more than 400,000. Later, the imperial court's kindness spread across the grassland and became famous.

It attracted many small tribes to attach themselves to."

"Coupled with His Majesty's kindness, the imperial court has given Balian Nadu a lot of supplies, so that the herdsmen can have food, clothing, shelter and transportation. The herdsmen can be fed and clothed, and can be protected from the cold in winter. This gives pregnant women an extra layer of protection, and the newborns can also be safe.

During the winter, the herdsmen in Ba Lian Nadu are all proud of their status as ministers of the Ming Dynasty, and the herdsmen are all eager to see His Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao thought about the desolate wilderness he had seen along the way. This was just like this outside the Great Wall. Often there was no human habitation for thousands of miles. Now Balian na has a population of more than 640,000, spread across this thousands of miles of Balian.

On the Nadu grassland, this is a great political achievement.

"Beyond the Great Wall is no better than inside the Pass. It is a great achievement to ensure the livelihood of the herdsmen. Nowadays, the population of Ba Lian Na is increasing. The herdsmen can graze with peace of mind, plant crops, understand etiquette, justice and shame, and know what the court is and what the emperor is. This is the merit of enlightenment. I am deeply worried.

So comforting." Colonel Zhu You was very satisfied with Chen Yawan's political achievements.

If Chen Yawan continues to act like this, Balian Na will be completely integrated into the Ming Dynasty sooner or later, becoming a solid arm of the imperial court outside the Great Wall, allowing the imperial court to control the grassland.

After arriving in the capital of Balian, Zhu Youxiao also met enthusiastic grassland herdsmen.

The herdsmen who came from various pastures saluted the dragon. The dragon, which was pulled by eighteen handsome white horses, sat inside the dragon, allowing them to live a good life with food and clothing.

The emperor is the Holy Son of Heaven who rules inside and outside the Pass, and is the master of this world.

"Long live His Majesty the Great Emperor, long live, long live!"

"Long live His Majesty the Great Emperor, long live, long live!"

The roar of the mountains outside convinced Zhu Youxiao of the situation in Balian's capital. The herdsmen were wearing thick cotton clothes, with rosy complexions and strong bodies. Their high-spirited state was completely different from the hungry people who lacked food and clothing.

This is why Zhu Youxiao is sure that the development of Balian's capital has not deceived him.

Long Chu stopped outside the city of Balianjidu. This was the first town outside the fortress built on the Balianjidu grassland today. The city wall was made of piled stones and reinforced with soil and gravel. Although the city wall was not tall and thick, it was

It’s rare to find it on the grasslands today.

The nayans of various ministries in Balian's capital, the county magistrates of various pastoral areas, and the banner chiefs of various banners gathered outside the city to welcome Zhu Youxiao's arrival.

As the Dragon Boat Festival stopped and Zhu Youxiao walked out of the Dragon Boat Festival, these people immediately saluted: "Welcome to His Majesty the Great Emperor."

"My dear friends, please get back on your feet and go in to talk." Zhu Youxiao smiled and entered Balian's capital at a dragon's pace.

The capital city of Balianga is also dominated by reinforced yurts. The place where Chen Yawan lives and works is a large reinforced yurt.

Now this place has become Zhu Youxiao's temporary residence. Looking at these faces and the respectful and restrained looks of the county magistrates, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said: "My dear friends, please don't be formal. This Balianna belongs to me, but

It’s also yours. Without the dedicated efforts of all of you, Balian Na would not have developed into what it is today. All of you, my dears, are meritorious people.”

After chatting with Nayan and the county magistrates in Baliangadu and reconfirming the development status of various pastoral areas and banners in Baliangadu, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

At present, Balian Na has a population of more than 640,000 and maintains 40,000 militiamen. These 40,000 militiamen are scattered in the pastures of Balian Na, grazing and patrolling every day. Every season, Balian Na will also patrol various pastoral areas.

The young men were gathered together for several days of training.

If it comes to war, Balian can directly pull out 40,000 elite Mongolian riders. If the situation is urgent, this number can be expanded to 80,000.

To be able to pull out 80,000 young men without affecting the normal operation of Balian's capital is already an extraordinary thing.

After all, Balianji is based on the operation of the pass. It is not like other Mongolian tribes. When a man reaches the age of fourteen or fifteen, he can mount a horse and hold a spear and scimitar to become a soldier.

The 40,000 militiamen in Balian's capital are all young men aged over 25 and under 35. At this age, when experience and physical strength are at their peak, they are proficient in equestrian riding and archery, and are good at

They use hunting tactics, and every family raises children, and they are the backbone of Baliangadu.

As for men under the age of twenty-five and over eighteen, their main tasks are to get married and raise children. They have also received militia training. If necessary, they will be the second batch of riders to be recruited.

This is the normal state of the grassland, and it is also the lifestyle that people in the grassland are accustomed to.

After staying in Balianna for two days, the holy driver continued his journey to Chahanhot City in the Chahar Grassland.

Nayan from all tribes in Balian's tribe accompanied him. This time, Nayan from all tribes in the grassland will go to Chahanhot, where they will welcome the arrival of His Majesty the Ming Emperor.

When Zhu Youxiao was heading to Chahanhot, further north, in the cold wind, a small tribe of herdsmen were enduring the winter in their domes. They had no idea that one after another they were leading the way.

Cavalrymen wearing fur hats and coats and holding spears appeared outside their tribe.
To be continued...