Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.

"Wei Guogong, this time I invite you to fight, Ru Shangshu said that His Highness Taisun has agreed. As long as Wei Guogong exerts a little effort, he will definitely be able to serve as the commander-in-chief."

"Now Duke Liang has gone to Zhenla to handle matters for His Highness Taisun. I don't know how long it will take for him to come back. Now in the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army, you are the only one who has followed suit, Duke Wei."

Zhu Shou was granted the title of Marquis of Shunshen in the 20th year of Hongwu's reign, and was appointed the Governor of the Central Military Governor's Office.

In the past, he was implicated by Blue Jade Eucalyptus until his death, but now he is naturally still alive and well because of Zhu Ying's relationship.

At this moment, he was persuading Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei State, at the Zhongshan Palace.

Xu Huizu was the left governor of the Chinese Army Governor's Mansion, so he was naturally Zhu Shou's direct superior.

When Xu Huizu, who was eight feet five inches tall, heard this, he shook his head slightly and said, "How can I compare with Duke Liang, but I can definitely win a lot by going to Tubo."

"But you also know that there are so many talented people in His Highness Taisun's Military Academy now, and you may not choose me."

Xu Huizu naturally wanted to go. His title was hereditary and his merits were too little to convince the public.

Being able to become the Left Governor of the Central Military Governor's Mansion is because of the influence of my late father.

Apart from having some experience in military training, the only person who could be credited with merit was Aru Timur of Prince Yan's Mansion, who had other agendas and was captured and executed by him.

The power of the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army has fallen away, and it is very different from the past. Except for Lan Yu and Tai Sun, who are familiar with each other, the rest of the people are very different.

"Don't say this, Duke Wei. Who doesn't know that His Highness Taisun is very fond of Concubine Jin and even gave birth to a son for Grandson. As long as Concubine Jin opens her mouth, who can compete for the position of commander?" Zhu Shou said with a smile.

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Xu Huizu nodded slightly.

The entire Xu family has always been proud of their sister's ability to marry their grandson.

Today's Xu Mansion can be said to be the top noble family in the Ming Dynasty, a true relative of the emperor.

The eldest sister Xu Yihua married King Yan, and the second sister became the acting princess.

For the Xu Mansion, the most important thing is the third sister Xu Miaojin. Although she is the grandson's concubine, in terms of status, she is much higher than the eldest sister and the second sister.

His Highness Taisun's power is too high. In many aspects, he has even surpassed His Majesty, which is why people feel this way.

"Okay, I will find a solution for this matter. If I can go, I will take Zhu Qianshi with me." Xu Huizu promised.

Zhu Shou was overjoyed when he heard this. He stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you in advance, Duke Wei."

In the yard.

After Zhu Shou left, a man walked out of the room, wearing a silk robe. It was Xu Yingxu, the second brother of Xu Huizu.

"Brother, Tubo is far away and remote, and it will make you exhausted. Why should you suffer this? Why not stay in the capital and enjoy it?"

Xu Yingxu walked to the pavilion in the courtyard, took a drink of tea and said.

He had been eavesdropping in the house before.

Xu Huizu shook his head and said: "Today is different from the past. Our Xu Mansion looks extremely noble, but in fact, you already know what is going on."

"Taishun took charge of the military power and reformed military administration. Since the establishment of the Beijing Military Academy, he has become even more majestic and no one dares to disobey him."

"The current position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army is extremely awkward. You can't get up, and you can't get down."

"Originally, according to the rules set by His Majesty, your position as Shangbao Secretary has to be promoted to a higher level. It will not be a problem to serve as the Governor in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion."

"However, the number of governors in the Central Military Governor's Mansion is not yet full, but the Ministry of Civil Affairs has no intention of passing it."

"I thought things would get better after Third Sister married His Highness the Grand Sun, but in fact, there has been no change."

Shang Bao Si Qing holds the precious seal, talisman, and seal, and is a fifth-rank official.

For ordinary people, it is naturally out of reach. He is a real high official, but it is nothing to the Xu family, let alone Xu Da, the king of Zhongshan, is also a general. He is the second son of the Xu family, but he did this.

What is the name of a civil servant who is considered a sinecure?

Xu Yingxu didn't care.

"I think Mr. Shang Bao is pretty good. He doesn't have much to do on weekdays. He's very leisurely. He drinks a little wine and listens to songs. It's very comfortable."

"Brother, actually I think sometimes you think too much. If anyone in our Xu family doesn't give us three points of thin noodles, why should we fight for it?"

"It's a good thing not to unite the troops, at least it won't cause fear."

Xu Huizu shook his head: "This has nothing to do with fear. It seems that my Xu family has received great favor, but in fact it has been gradually marginalized."

"The influence left by my father has been gradually exhausted. If our Xu Mansion no longer has military merits, we will only be left with the empty name of Wei Guogong."

"Don't think that hereditary will do anything. If our Xu Mansion has no effect on the court, then the title of Duke will only make the grandson think that he is a moth and waste official money."

"A few days ago, it was rumored that some ministers proposed to reduce the prince's honorary salary. Do you think it is groundless?"

Xu Yingxu couldn't help but reply: "Isn't this matter dismissed by His Majesty?"

Seeing that his second brother was very helpless, Xu Huizu had no choice but to tell: "Those officials have become much more at ease now since they banned rumors and reports."

"But even when he was at his most arrogant, there was no way he would say anything about this salary matter. He was not a fool. How could he offend people for no reason and not get any reputation at all?"

Xu Yingxu opened his eyes wide: "Brother, you mean, what happens next?"

Xu Huizu waved his hand: "As long as you know it in your heart, you don't have to say it out loud."

"It is precisely because of this incident that I am worried."

Xu Huizu clearly remembered in his mind that the official came out at the court meeting and listed in detail the salaries of various nobles and princes, which added up to hundreds of thousands of guan per month, which was nearly two million guan a year.

This is more than the entire Ming Dynasty's ministers put together.

The reason why it is so high is of course related to the Taisun’s salary reform.

It's not high for a certain prince or nobleman alone, but when added together, it's a bit astonishing.

In fact, the salary is nothing. If the court only reduced the salary, no one would care.

Previously, the salary of the Duke of Wei in the Xu Mansion was five thousand dan, which was also the highest among the Dukes. This was naturally due to Xu Da's contribution.

After the salary reform, which was equivalent to 25,000 guan of treasure money, rice and silk were no longer distributed.

However, these are small sums of money.

The bulk lies in fields and real estate.

Even though a lot of land was handed over to the grandson a few years ago, there are at least nearly a thousand acres of fertile land under the Xu Mansion.

There are even more properties.

Nowadays, just talking about the rent of the shop in the capital, tens of thousands of treasure notes can be collected every month, and regardless of the business transactions in which Xu Mansion is involved, there are more in this regard.

Even if they don't do anything, the Xu Mansion conservatively estimates that its annual income is nearly one million yuan.

The reason why it is so high is naturally related to the current development of the Ming Dynasty.

But Xu Huizu knew very well that these can be said to be accessories of power.

The Duke is the title holder, and the real power lies with his Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army, the Commander-in-Chief Zuo.

Although it is not as majestic as before, it is only reflected in Taisun. Compared with other officials, it is not at the same level.

At least this makes Xu Huizu worthy of being a minister.

Of course this generation has no problem, but what about the next generation?

His Highness Taisun's current behavior is not as ruthless as His Majesty's, but it is still cutting flesh with a blunt knife.

Let the nobles have more money and less power.

Regardless of whether it is other nobles or the Xu family, if they have no contribution to the court, it is no different from taking empty pay. Can they still maintain this huge wealth?

Historically, it is nothing new for a noble family to have its wealth swallowed up by others after its decline.

Xu Yingxu may not care, but Xu Huizu, as the current leader of Xu Mansion, naturally has more things to consider.

"I will go to the palace tomorrow to see my third sister and ask for help about Tibet." Xu Huizu said with a firm tone.

Xu Yingxu spread his hands: "Brother, you just have to decide."

Xu Huizu looked at his useless second brother and felt helpless.

The fourth brother Xu Zengshou went to the Japanese country with King Zhu Di of Yan. It is estimated that this is similar to dividing the family. If there is no special permission in the future, it will probably be difficult to come back.

But that's fine, at least the Xu family can flourish in Japan.

Timur's march into Tubo has been reported in the capital's newspapers.

Most people don't have much idea about Tubo, they only know that it is very far away.

As for who Timur is, we still don't know.

But this does not prevent the people from being angry.

There was a lot of discussion in the taverns and teahouses.

"Where did the little brat dare to offend me? He drank too much horse urine and doesn't know who his father is."

"I guess I am poor and crazy. Just like the barbarians in the past, I want to come to the Ming Dynasty to enjoy the autumn wind. But then again, where is Tubo? Why have I never heard of this place in the Ming Dynasty before?"

"Tubo is not a small country. I heard it is bigger than any of the chief ministers of the Ming Dynasty. However, the place is very poor. It is similar to Yunnan. They are all barbarians."
To be continued...