Chapter 141: Parasites

In the sixth year of Hongwu, August in Yingtian Prefecture remained scorching.

At the Capital Garrison, the Shenji Camp's training had already entered its final stage.

The Five Thousand Musketeers were divided into five formations, repeatedly practicing loading, aiming, and firing under the blazing sun.

Sweat soaked their uniforms, yet no one complained.

Zhu Yong stood on the Pointing Platform, watching the soldiers below.

In three months, these veterans had mastered the use of the flintlock gun, and both shooting accuracy and loading speed met the standard.

"Stop!" Zhu Yong raised his hand.

The Training Ground fell silent in an instant.

"Today's training ends here; tomorrow we begin live‑troop drills. Dismissed now."

"Thank you, General!" the five thousand shouted in unison.

The soldiers gradually dispersed, and Chang Mao walked over, handing Zhu Yong a jug of water.

"Prince, have a sip of water."

Zhu Yong took it, tipped his head back, and gulped a few mouthfuls.

Chang Mao dabbed the sweat on his forehead and said, "Prince, this flintlock gun is indeed formidable; if five thousand fire together, any cavalry charge would be a death sentence."

Just as the two were speaking, Tang He rode in from outside the camp.

"Prince, Crown Prince has sent someone to deliver a message, requesting you return to the city."

"Now?" Zhu Yong asked.

"He says it's urgent," Tang He replied.

Zhu Yong nodded, saying to Chang Mao, "You keep training; I'll go and be back soon."

"Understood."

Zhu Yong rode out of the camp, hurrying toward Yingtian Prefecture.

At three quarters past noon, he entered the city and headed straight for the Eastern Palace.

Inside the Wenhua Hall of the Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao was seated at a desk reading a memorandum, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Brother, what do you need me for?" Zhu Yong asked as soon as he entered.

Zhu Biao set the memorandum down, gestured for him to sit, and said, "Second brother, take a look at this."

He handed over a secret report.

Zhu Yong took it and opened it.

The secret report had been delivered by the Brocade Guard, and it read:

Jiangnan aristocratic families have recently held frequent secret meetings, discussing ways to obstruct the campaign against the Japanese pirates, having contacted coastal merchants, preparing to hoard grain and fodder, raise prices, and increase the court's cost for the campaign.

"These parasites..." Zhu Yong's face darkened.

"Not only that, the Minister of Revenue reported that in Fujian and Zhejiang the salt price suddenly rose by thirty percent and grain price by twenty percent. They claim this year's harvest was poor, but according to the Brocade Guard's investigation, someone deliberately hoarded supplies."

Zhu Biao handed over another memorandum and said.

Zhu Yong understood, "They want to use this method to make Father think the campaign against the Japanese pirates is too costly and abandon the idea?"

"Exactly, these families have grown too greedy," Zhu Biao sneered.

"Then what to do?" Zhu Yong asked.

Zhu Biao paused briefly and said, "Second brother, tomorrow you will attend court, voluntarily offer to take the ribbon, and be responsible for the grain and fodder preparations for the campaign against the Japanese pirates."

"I... I don't understand this..." Zhu Yong stammered.

"You can learn what you don't know; the key is that with you in charge, they won't dare act brazenly. You are the Wu King, Father's most trusted son; if you step forward, those people will temper their actions at least a bit."

Zhu Biao explained.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, I'll follow you, elder brother."

The two brothers chatted a while longer, and then Zhu Yong left the Eastern Palace.

After exiting the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yong went to the Ministry of Revenue.

Minister of Revenue Yang Jing, hearing that the Wu King had arrived, came out personally to greet him.

"Prince, how did you find time to come to the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Lord Yang, I'm here to request money and grain," Zhu Yong said bluntly.

Yang Jing gave a wry smile, "Prince, the Ministry's money and grain are allocated in fixed amounts..."

"I know, but some people don't want me to campaign against the Japanese pirates, so they deliberately hoard grain and fodder, raising prices. Lord Yang, you must handle this," Zhu Yong said, producing the secret report Zhu Biao had given him.

Yang Jing took the secret report, and after reading it his expression changed.

"These scoundrels..."

"Therefore, I need the Ministry's support: first, allocate 100,000 catties of refined iron and 5,000 cubic meters of hardwood for manufacturing New Style Flintlock Guns; second, supply grain and fodder at affordable prices, as the army for the Japanese campaign needs three months' worth of provisions."

"Third, strictly investigate abnormal hoarding; anyone who dares to profit from the nation's crisis at this time shall be severely punished without mercy," Zhu Yong said slowly.

Yang Jing pondered, "Prince, the first two are easy to handle, but the third… involves many matters, I'm afraid…"

"Fear what, Lord Yang? You are the Minister of Revenue, in charge of the empire's money and grain. If you can't even deal with a few corrupt merchants, then you have no right to be minister," Zhu Yong said, looking at him.

Those words were indeed heavy.

Yang Jing's face turned pale, and he hurried, "Prince, calm your anger; I will certainly conduct a strict investigation."

"It's not just a strict investigation; it must be a thorough inquiry and severe punishment. My elder brother said, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures," Zhu Yong added.

Yang Jing understood the implication, and the Crown Prince also supported it.

"Yes, I understand," the official replied.

Leaving the Ministry, the sky was already near dusk.

Zhu Yong rode back to the Wu King's residence.

Guanyin Nu is teaching her daughter to walk; Zhu Huanhuan is already over a year old, tottering along in little steps.

"Dad…" the little girl saw Zhu Yong and spread her arms.

Zhu Yong dismounted, lifted his daughter, and smiled at Guanyin Nu: "How did she walk today?"

"Can she walk five?" Guanyin Nu said, taking his cloak.

"Not tired... it's just those civil officials, their work is too tedious," Zhu Yong said, carrying his daughter toward the house.

Guanyin Nu laughed: "Civil officials have their own rules, unlike you military generals who act on a whim."

"Too many rules cause mistakes," Zhu Yong shook his head.

Inside, Guanyin Nu had someone set the meal.

During the meal, Zhu Yong spoke of today's events.

Guanyin Nu, after listening, said softly: "Husband, those Jiangnan aristocratic families are deeply entangled; you must be careful."

"I know... but if they dare obstruct the campaign against Wa Country, they just won't get past me," Zhu Yong said, shoveling a mouthful of rice.

Regarding the subjugation of Wa Country, no one can block it; anyone who does is his enemy.

"I don't mean that; I mean, they may not dare openly, but could act covertly," Guanyin Nu said after picking a piece of meat for him.

"Covert?" Zhu Yong looked up.

"For example... tampering with your Grain and Fodder, or meddling with your Huogi; my elder brother encountered this back when he was in Northern Yuan."

Guanyin Nu said.

Zhu Yong's gaze hardened.

That was unexpected.

"Alright, I will be careful."

That night, Zhu Yong wrote two letters.

One to Tang He, ordering him to strengthen the Shenji Camp's guard, especially the Armory, which must be watched day and night.

The other to Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng, instructing them to covertly investigate the Jiangnan aristocratic families' holdings in Yingtian, especially those related to Grain and Fodder.

After sending the letters, Zhu Yong stood by the window, watching the night outside.

The myriad lights of Yingtian Prefecture flickered on and off in the night.

This seemingly tranquil Capital City hides turbulent undercurrents.

"Husband, it's time to rest," Guanyin Nu came over and draped a coat over him.

"Hmm! Minmin, after we finish subduing Wa Country, I will take you back to the Grassland to see," Zhu Yong turned, looking at her.

Guanyin Nu's eyes brightened: "Really?"

"Really," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Guanyin Nu's eyes were slightly red as she leaned on his shoulder and said, "Thank you, husband."

"Thanks for what? You're my wife," Zhu Yong embraced her.

The Husband and Wife stood embracing each other, while Moonlight poured in through the window, gentle as water.