Chapter 476: Zhu Yuanzhang's Westward Journey

The twenty‑third year of Hongwu, the eighteenth day of the third month.

Outside Yingtian Prefecture, at the Yangtze River dock, crowds stretched as far as the eye could see.

The morning mist had not yet cleared; the river surface was a hazy gray, and the steamship's mast appeared and disappeared in the fog.

A massive white cruise liner was moored at the dock, its hull freshly painted, glowing softly in the morning light.

A huge flag flew from the bow—a red field with a golden dragon—flapping in the morning breeze.

This was the Royal cruise liner the Ministry of Works had built last year especially for Zhu Yuanzhang, named the Dragon Rising, forty zhang long, eight zhang wide, with a draft of one zhang five, equipped with four new diesel engines, capable of Thirty Li per hour.

The ship was fully equipped, with sleeping chambers, a council hall, a dining hall, a garden, and even a small pond stocked with ornamental koi.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the dock, dressed in a dark red court robe, hands clasped behind him, gazing at the massive cruise liner.

Empress Ma stood beside him, wearing a plain palace outfit, her hair meticulously styled, looking very spirited.

Chang Wan stood behind Empress Ma, in a light teal long dress, dignified and graceful.

Zhu Xiongying stood beside his father; the eighteen‑year‑old imperial grandson was already a full‑grown youth, wearing a brocade robe, tall and upright, his brows bearing a hint of Zhu Biao's likeness, yet his eyes resembled Chang Wan's—gentle yet resilient.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong stood nearby, the two brothers silent.

Zhu Qiong Jiong, bearing a Wolf Fang Club, stood a short distance away; the fifteen‑year‑old boy was sun‑tanned, his arms full of muscle, his back perfectly straight, exuding a fierce aura.

He had fought in Europe for two years, slaying countless enemies; after returning, he did not idle, training daily in the barracks.

This time he accompanied the Grand Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager to Europe, intending to return and see how Fifth Uncle and the others were governing over there.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned, glanced at the children, and finally fixed his gaze on Zhu Biao.

"Biao'er, after we leave, the affairs of the court will be yours."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Father, rest assured; I will keep a close eye on it."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked again at Zhu Yong.

"Yong'er, don't idle either; I've heard the grain prices in Jiangnan have risen sharply lately—go investigate what's happening."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Father, rest assured, I'll go investigate as well."

Empress Ma took Chang Wan's hand and said softly, "Wan'er, you should worry more about household matters; Biao'er is busy, don't let him become exhausted."

Chang Wan smiled, "Mother Empress, rest assured; I shall manage."

Empress Ma looked again at Zhu Xiongying.

"Xiong Ying, follow your father's teachings well, and don't be lazy."

Zhu Xiongying bowed, "Grand Empress Dowager, rest assured; I shall manage."

Zhu Qiong Jiong couldn't help interjecting, "Grand Emperor, it's time to board; if we don't leave now, we won't reach Zhenjiang by noon."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him, "What's the hurry? We haven't boarded yet."

Zhu Qiong Jiong tucked his chin and fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang cast one last glance toward Yingtian Prefecture, then turned and strode onto the gangplank.

Empress Ma followed, with Chang Wan supporting her arm, stepping onto the ship.

Zhu Xiongying walked at the rear, turned back to wave at his father and second uncle on the shore.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong also waved.

Zhu Qiong Jiong, still bearing the Wolf Fang Club, followed at the rear; when he reached the middle of the gangplank, he suddenly turned back at Zhu Yong, grinning, "Father, I'm leaving; you stay home and be well—don't keep fishing, do more proper work."

Zhu Yong's face darkened instantly; after all, it was his own son, so he merely waved casually without saying a word.

The roar of the steam engine sounded, and the fleet slowly set off, leaving the dock and heading toward the river's center.

The crowd on the shore began to disperse.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong stood side by side on the dock, watching the ship recede farther and farther until it became a white speck that vanished on the horizon.

"Second brother, return!" Zhu Biao turned.

Zhu Yong nodded, following his elder brother toward the carriage.

The two brothers boarded the carriage, heading toward the Imperial City.

Inside the carriage, Zhu Biao leaned against the seatback, eyes closed, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

"Second brother, have you heard that grain prices in Jiangnan have risen sharply?"

Zhu Yong nodded, "I have. In Suzhou, Songjiang, and Changzhou prefectures, grain prices have risen by thirty percent; the common folk can't afford rice, and unrest has already broken out."

"What does the Ministry of Works say..."

"The Ministry of Works says it's because last year's harvest was poor, grain merchants hoarded and caused scarcity; the court has ordered the granaries to release grain, but those merchants won't listen and keep raising prices."

Zhu Biao opened his eyes, looked out the window, and said lightly, "Even releasing grain from the stores can't suppress it; there must be forces behind it."

Zhu Yong said nothing.

He knew his elder brother was right.

Grain prices in Jiangnan have risen; on the surface it appears due to a poor harvest, yet last year's yield was actually decent, at least better than the year before.

The merchants' hoarding indicates someone is backing them.

"Any news from the Brocade Guard?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Yes, they say a group of Jews are pulling strings behind the scenes," Zhu Biao sat up straight.

Zhu Yong furrowed his brows.

Jews.

That people had been heard of in Europe—they have no nation of their own, scattered across countries, specializing in trade.

They lend at usurious rates, hoard, manipulate prices—do everything.

When the kings of those European nations go to war, they often borrow money from them.

"Great Ming also has Jews?" he asked.

"Yes, though few; they mainly do business in several Jiangnan cities. There is a family named Ai, the head of the Jews, with enterprises in Suzhou, Songjiang, and Changzhou—grain shops, cloth warehouses, pawnshops, everything."

Zhu Biao paused, then said, "The Jinyiwei's intelligence reports that the recent rise in grain prices is being orchestrated by the Ai family behind the scenes, who have teamed up with several major grain merchants to hoard grain and drive up prices."

Zhu Yong's brows furrowed.

"What are they trying to do?"

"Make money, make big money."

Zhu Biao said calmly, "With grain prices up thirty percent, they can earn thirty percent more silver. The common folk can't afford rice, so they have to borrow money from their pawnshop; if they can't repay, they mortgage their houses and land deeds."

"After a few years, those fertile fields will all belong to them."

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "Brother, I'll handle this matter."

Zhu Biao gave him a glance.

"What do you plan to do?"

"First go to Suzhou, check the accounts of those grain merchants, see where the grain is hidden, then seal the granaries, open them to release grain, and push the price down."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Alright, you go handle it, bring the Jinyiwei with you; anyone who dares to block you, you can arrest them."

Zhu Yong answered.

The next morning, Zhu Yong set out on horseback for Suzhou, accompanied by Wang Gui and a hundred Jinyiwei.

Suzhou City lies three hundred li east of Yingtian Prefecture; a day's ride on horseback reaches it.

Zhu Yong didn't rush into the city; he first went to several granaries outside the city.

The granaries were built along the Canal, rows of tall grain bins, with clerks in short jackets guarding the entrances.

"Lord Wang, these granaries all belong to the Ai family," Wang Gui urged his horse forward.

Zhu Yong halted his horse, squinting as he watched for a while.

The granaries were huge, with at least dozens of bins, each capable of holding several thousand shi of grain.

At the entrance, several wagons were parked, and the clerks were loading grain onto them.

"Let's go, let's take a look." Zhu Yong spurred his horse forward.

The Hundred Household Officer Liu Zhen of the Jinyiwei spurred his horse to follow; he was the Commissioner personally chosen by Zhu Biao, in his thirties, shrewd and capable, and had previously fought with Zhu Yong.

At the granary entrance, the clerks saw the procession and their faces turned pale.

A steward stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Esteemed guests, this is the Ai family's granary; we do not sell grain to the public. If you wish to buy grain, go to the city's grain shop…"

Zhu Yong ignored him, dismounted, and strode into the granary.

The steward tried to block him, but Liu Zhen shoved him aside.

He approached a grain bin, reached into a sack, pulled out a handful of grain, and examined it in his palm.

It was fresh grain, from last year, of good quality.

"How much grain is stored in this granary?" Zhu Yong asked, turning around.

The steward's face turned white, stammering, "This… this is the Ai family's private property; you cannot…"

"I, the Prince, ask you, how much grain is there?" Zhu Yong interrupted him.

The steward's legs gave way; he knelt, trembling, "My lord, this… this granary holds fifty thousand shi of grain, and there are three more granaries outside the city; together they total two hundred thousand shi."

Two hundred thousand shi…

Enough to feed Suzhou City's several hundred thousand residents for many months.

Zhu Yong's mouth twitched slightly upward.

"Liu Zhen, seal the granaries…"

Liu Zhen clasped his fists and replied, "Yes!"

The Jinyiwei began sealing the granaries, affixing seals, and taking the steward away.

Zhu Yong remounted and headed toward Suzhou City.

In Suzhou City, the streets were sparsely populated, and many shops were closed.

In front of several porridge stalls, long queues formed, with citizens holding bowls, waiting to receive porridge.

An old woman cradling a child crouched by the roadside, the child crying loudly from hunger.

Zhu Yong walked past her without slowing his steps.