Zhu Yuanzhang was handling government affairs when a eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, His Highness Gao Chi has returned to the palace."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help frowning and said: "Didn't we arrange for him to check the defense of the capital? Why did he come back so early?"
"When he came in, we wanted to ask what was going on."
During the morning court, Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for the eldest sons of many vassal kings to inspect the defense of the capital.
Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to the cultivation of the emperor's grandchildren.
The eldest sons of these vassal kings will be the future princes and the key to the Ming Dynasty's barrier.
Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to create a Ming Dynasty that would last through generations.
Zhu Yuanzhang himself had a feeling of distrust towards officials, so Zhu Yuanzhang placed his hopes more on his own descendants.
Soon, Zhu Gaochi came in, bowed and said: "My grandson pays homage to Grandpa Huang."
"Let me ask you, I asked you to check the defense. How long has it been since you came back?" Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was somewhat scolding.
Although he is a bit inferior in size to this grandson of the emperor, he still likes him very much.
The fourth son Zhu Di also said several times that he wanted to make his second son Zhu Gaoxu the heir apparent, but Zhu Yuanzhang refused.
Zhu Gaoxu is the second son of King Zhu Di of Yan and the tenth grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang.
In the early years, Zhu Shangbing, the crown prince of Qin, Zhu Jixi, the crown prince of Jin, Zhu Gaochi, the crown prince of Yan, Zhu Youdun, the crown prince of Zhou, and the elder princes of the four prefectures studied together in the imperial palace of the capital.
But he was cunning and ruthless by nature, and he, like the prince Zhu Jiyi of the Jin Dynasty and the prince Zhu Youhui of the Zhou Dynasty, both spoke and behaved frivolously, and were not liked by his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Grandpa Huang, when my grandson arrived at the Dongcheng Army and Horse Division, many soldiers happened to have breakfast. My grandson couldn't bear to have their meals affected by his arrival, so he returned after a brief inspection."
Zhu Gaochi sensed Grandpa Huang's displeasure and did not panic, but explained.
After explaining, he took out a memorial from his arms and presented it to Grandpa Huang.
Zhu Yuanzhang himself served as a soldier and knew the life of the army very well.
Although his grandson Zhu Gaochi behaves like this, it is obvious that he is a novice in the army, but it can be seen that he is kind and generous and treats his soldiers well.
What Ming Dynasty needs now is benevolent government, not attacks from all sides.
Zhu Yuanzhang did not rush to praise, but first accepted the memorial handed over by Zhu Gaochi.
He wanted to see what this grandson could understand in such a short period of time.
Opening the memorial, Zhu Yuanzhang just glanced at it hastily.
next moment,
The body that was half-lying suddenly sat upright.
Zhu Gaochi's memorial records the defense situation in great detail.
The first is the number of soldiers and horses.
Then there are the detailed numbers of soldiers and generals.
Includes classified statistics for each military branch.
There are also the number of weapons and equipment and a brief description of the situation.
Final suggestions and thoughts on defense.
Just a few hundred words, no unnecessary nonsense, intuitive and clear.
The entire defense situation is documented in detail.
This surprised Zhu Yuanzhang.
In ancient times, generals marched and fought. In fact, many generals only had a preliminary understanding of the troops they led.
In addition to some famous generals, most of them just know the approximate number of people, and there are also some distinctions in the use of military units.
Most of the warriors were illiterate. They relied on their prowess but had little education.
Of course Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Zhu Gaochi liked literature and disliked martial arts.
But judging from this record, it is obvious that military skills are no longer just about talent.
He fully possesses the foundation of a generation of famous generals.
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be angry and asked: "Who taught you to write this? How dare you fool us with such a thing!"
Zhu Gaochi didn't expect that Grandpa Huang would suddenly reprimand him. He trembled with fright and said quickly:
"Reporting to the emperor, my grandson doesn't know anything about military affairs. These things were written by his grandson and were not taught by others."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he stared at Zhu Gaochi for a long time, and then asked: "Did you really write it yourself? No one taught you at all?"
Zhu Gaochi said hesitantly: "It's not that there is no one to teach me. Before my grandson went to check the defense, he asked a good friend for advice."
"This way of telling it is the advice of my friend."
Zhu Gaochi's news is somewhat blocked.
Zhu Di didn't like his fat son, so he naturally wouldn't tell him his plan.
Therefore, Zhu Gaochi still does not know that Zhu Ying and Grandpa Huang have met and are very familiar with each other.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly when he heard the words. These methods of recording military affairs showed that he was a veteran and was very familiar with the army.
Among the civil servants and generals of the Ming Dynasty, there are not few who have such knowledge, but not many.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask: "Which minister taught you these methods?"
When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he thought of Zhu Ying's face and hesitated a little. However, facing Grandpa Huang's eyes, he finally replied:
"He is not a minister of the DPRK. My good friend is just a businessman."
"oh!"
Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed, "Is there such talent among merchants?"
And listening to Sun'er's words, it seems that the merchant is not that old.
"What is his name, and what is he doing in the capital now? We would like to see what kind of merchant he is, with such ability."
Zhu Yuanzhang said curiously.
Hearing Grandpa Huang's interest, Zhu Gaochi was a little confused.
He didn't know how Grandpa Huang would feel once he saw Zhu Ying.
Will my father's side be affected?
The talented Zhu Gaochi guessed that his father definitely wanted to use Zhu Ying for something when he decided to take Zhu Ying to the capital.
He was well aware that his father was displeased with him, so he never asked about this matter.
"Why, is there anyone else whom we can't tell anything about?"
Seeing that his grandson Zhu Gaochi didn't reply for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said with a bit of unkindness in his tone.
When Zhu Gaochi heard what Grandpa Huang said, he knew that he would definitely not be able to hide it today.
In desperation, he could only say: "My good friend's surname is Zhu Mingying, and he is currently the owner of Ping'an Teahouse on the Qinhuai River. It was his guidance that led my grandson to learn how to check for defense."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard Da Sun's name.
He did not expect that such a method was actually written by Da Sun.
After a brief absence of concentration, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with surprise.
He quickly picked up the memorial and read it again. He felt more and more happy and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
As expected, he is our great grandson.
Not only was he excellent at governing the place, he was also extremely familiar with the military.
Just like us, we can definitely be called Wenshuangquan.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Gaochi in a gentle tone: "We are very satisfied. Tell us how you want us to reward you."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi understood that Grandpa Huang had passed the exam.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Gaochi did not refuse, and said bluntly: "My grandson is very interested in the war situation and the Gunpowder Department. I hope that the emperor can let his grandson have a look."
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes moved slightly when he heard this, and he immediately understood that this was probably Da Sun's idea.
During earlier chats, Zhu Yuanzhang discovered that Da Sun was very interested in firearms.
Zhu Gaochi had been living in the palace since he was a child. He had a quiet personality and loved reading.
The sudden request to see firearms must have something to do with Da Sun.
"We're sure, you can go and have a look tomorrow." Zhu Yuanzhang said.
"Thank you, Grandpa Huang."
Zhu Gaochi bowed and thanked him, but the corners of his mouth twitched a little.
Originally, he released his sister-in-law Xu Miaojin's pigeons today, but he planned to fulfill his promise tomorrow and take them out to play.
Unexpectedly, Grandpa Huang asked him to go to the Gunpowder Department tomorrow.