Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 45 The Obedient Zhu Gaoxu, Xu Miaoyun's Wish

Zhu Di ignored Xie Jin, who was still in shock, and turned to look at the others.

"Building Beiping is no small matter, and as I just said, we also need to relocate a large number of people to the north to fill the population shortage in the north."

Population migration is no small matter either. How many people need to be migrated, how much money and food and supplies are needed, and how to resettle them are all issues that must be addressed.

What you opposed the other day is also what needs to be addressed in the construction of Beiping.

Since there are so many problems, let's solve them all at once now.

Think about how to solve these problems, or how to avoid them as much as possible.

"My lords, does anyone have a solution to this predicament?"

As soon as Zhu Di finished speaking, everyone began to ponder deeply, their brows furrowed.

The matter of Xie Jin is now in the past. The construction of Beiping has been finalized, so it is time to begin.

Therefore, solving these problems is the most important thing right now.

Whoever can solve these problems will inevitably be valued more by Zhu Di.

Everyone knows this, but solving these problems is indeed extremely difficult.

If it only involves one or two problems, they can usually come up with some solutions. But when the problems are concentrated and solved, everyone is scratching their heads.

Moreover, there are some problems that they can think of solutions to, but they dare not bring them up.

Zhu Di looked at the group of people who remained silent, showing no impatience whatsoever.

It's only just begun, there's still time, and he'll be waiting patiently for these people to come and help him solve his problems.

"Ministry of Works, immediately begin planning the construction of Beiping, and build it in Beiping according to the scale of the Imperial City and Imperial Palace."

"You must conduct a thorough survey and produce a plan as soon as possible. Within three months, provide me with a detailed and feasible engineering proposal."

"The Ministry of Revenue should immediately arrange for personnel to begin estimating the financial and material expenditures needed for the construction of Beiping, as well as the amount of corvée labor required."

A rough estimate suggests the results must be submitted within one month.

"Ministry of Personnel, prepare to select suitable people to go to Beiping to be in charge of the construction. Once the list is ready, submit it to me."

"Ministry of War, begin simulations. Once Beiping is established and the northern military forces are strengthened, how should the arrangements be made? Should the plans be revised? Submit the proposals as soon as possible."

Zhu Di made arrangements in an orderly manner; all these things required prior preparation.

The Ministry of Revenue's rough estimate was only the first forecast. This estimate would determine the money, grain, and supplies to be raised subsequently, as well as set the tone for the conscription of corvée labor.

We still need to wait for the Ministry of Works to complete the detailed plan and conduct another calculation before we can get a more accurate estimate.

Zhu Di's arrangement clearly meant that the construction of Beiping would officially begin this year.

In fact, Zhu Di was having some headaches. These were just the initial problems he would encounter; there were still all sorts of other issues waiting for him to face later.

Although he was worried about these things, he didn't have such strong thoughts about them.

But ever since Zhu Gaochi told him those things last time, whenever Zhu Di thought about building Beiping and these issues, he would involuntarily think of what Zhu Gaochi had raised.

"I obey your decree."

Having made these arrangements, Zhu Di glanced one last time at Xie Jin, who was still somewhat dazed, and then left.

After Zhu Di left, Xia Yuanji, Jian Yi, Jin Zhong, and Song Li left with furrowed brows, paying no attention to Xie Jin.

The three of them were preoccupied with the tasks they needed to accomplish in building Beiping, and had no time to pay attention to Xie Jin.

Li Zhigang made a special trip to Xie Jin and left triumphantly.

Lu Zhen glanced at Xie Jin, a smirk playing on his lips, and then followed him away.

Huang Huai and the others glanced at Xie Jin. Huang Huai, Hu Guang, Hu Yan, and Jin Youzi left directly. Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong came to Xie Jin, but ultimately said nothing, and left with a slight bow.

Watching everyone leave, Xie Jin felt both angry and anxious.

Watching Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong's retreating figures, he seemed to remember something and hurriedly left.

The expressions and actions of the men as they left were quickly placed on Zhu Di's desk by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Di immediately smiled.

"Boss, what are you going to do next? Should you plead for Xie Jin?"

As for Xie Jin, Zhu Di originally intended to throw him directly into the imperial prison, but the mental fortitude he had cultivated through Zhu Gaochi's repeated trials had an effect, and he was not so angry after all.

Secondly, the extraordinary book he was compiling was not yet finished, so Xie Jin could not proceed.

Otherwise, it would have been better to directly imprison him in the imperial prison as a test of Zhu Gaochi's character.

Stopping his thoughts, Zhu Di immediately began to attend to state affairs.

Meanwhile, Zhu Gaochi had arrived at Xu Miaoyun's place and was smiling brightly as he looked at the obedient Zhu Gaoxu.

"Big brother, you seem quite pleased with yourself. As the eldest brother, you should fulfill your responsibilities as an elder brother and discipline your younger brother. Is this how you've done it?"

"Mom, it's my fault, it's my fault. Why did the second son run off to find Dad without even asking him clearly?"

Zhu Gaochi responded with a helpless yet smiling expression, because news of Zhu Gaoxu going to see Zhu Di and being scolded by him had already reached Xu Miaoyun's ears.

In fact, there were many things that the father and his sons did not want Xu Miaoyun to know, so as not to cause her any trouble or worry.

Even so, not much was actually kept secret, and it would have been very easy for Xu Miaoyun to find out.

Zhu Gaoxu, who had been listening attentively to Xu Miaoyun's lecture, burst into laughter upon seeing Zhu Gaochi being reprimanded.

However, at this moment, Zhu Gaochi's voice slowly came over.

"Second son, you heard it too. Your mother told me to discipline you properly, so you'd better listen to her."

Seeing Zhu Gaochi's smug look, Zhu Gaoxu felt extremely displeased.

But seeing Xu Miaoyun there, he didn't dare to refute anything.

But would it allow him to be under Zhu Gaochi's control?

Are you kidding me!

Although he knew that he and Zhu Gaochi needed to maintain a facade of brotherly harmony to avoid worrying Xu Miaoyun, he was still extremely unhappy about this situation.

Suddenly, Zhu Gaoxu seemed to remember something and also laughed.

"Big brother, Mother is right. You are the eldest brother, and you should discipline us properly."

I'm immature and sometimes do impulsive things. Big brother, you'll have to help us out in the future.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Gaoxu's smiling face and knew that the man was holding back some anger.

But he doesn't care about any of that.

"Okay, don't worry, second brother. From now on, as the eldest brother, I will definitely keep a close eye on you."

The two brothers appeared unusually harmonious for a moment.

Zhang Yan, standing to the side, was momentarily at a loss for words at this scene.

What a terrible performance by these two.

Xu Miaoyun smiled as she looked at her, a very happy smile.

She knew perfectly well that their relationship was fake, but deep down, she desperately hoped it was real.

Self-deception is unacceptable, but Xu Miaoyun really wanted to do it.

At the very least, the fact that the two brothers can still maintain this facade suggests that there isn't much personal animosity between them; the struggle is simply over the position.

"Second brother, you should rein in your impulsive and easily angered nature."

Otherwise, how could I rest easy after he was enfeoffed?

The illusion may be appealing, but ultimately we must face reality.

Looking at the harmonious two people in front of her, Xu Miaoyun's determination to send Zhu Gaoxu to his fiefdom became even stronger.

Xu Miaoyun was well aware that if Zhu Gaoxu continued to stay in the capital, his relationship with Zhu Gaochi would only become more and more tense.

Sending Zhu Gaoxu to his fiefdom not only extinguished Zhu Gaoxu's hopes, but also those of the people in the court.

Only in this way can we achieve stability.

Only in this way can the two brothers coexist.

Xu Miaoyun knew that those things wouldn't change because of her words, but all she wanted was for the three brothers to avoid falling into internal strife.

All he wanted was for his sons to live.

Now, this is all she has left to do.

This wish is simple in itself, yet difficult in itself.