My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 66 The Prince's Mansion Transformed into a Wedding Room

Perhaps, for the old emperor, the secrets revealed by Zhu Gaoxi were too shocking, and he needed time to digest them.

Alternatively, the old emperor might want to have an in-depth discussion with Huang Zicheng and Zhu Yunwen to verify the truth of Zhu Gaoxi's words.

In short, Zhu Gaoxi was not surprised when Huang Liang came to the side hall to inform the two that they were free to do their own thing in the afternoon.

Although Zhu Yunwen was respectful and filial to the old emperor, he actually did not agree with many of the old emperor's practices and ideas.

For example, Zhu Yunwen believed that some of the laws and regulations promulgated by the old emperor were too harsh. Not only did he urge the old emperor to revise seventy-three harsh laws during his lifetime, but after ascending the throne, he also prohibited officials from using the imperial edicts and proclamations issued by the old emperor when trying cases, effectively negating the old emperor's instructions.

For example, during the reign of the old emperor, heavy taxes were levied on the four prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Jiaxing and Huzhou. After Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, he ordered the Jiangzhe Province to collect taxes according to a unified standard of one shi of grain per mu of land.

In fact, since the Southern Song Dynasty, the economy of Jiangnan has been more developed than that of the North. By the Yuan Dynasty, the gap had widened further and was difficult to close.

In particular, the Jiangzhe province ranked seventeenth in terms of revenue, paying nearly 4.5 million taels of grain tax annually, accounting for about four-tenths of the total annual grain tax revenue of the Yuan Dynasty, while the gold and silver tax revenue accounted for about half of that.

Therefore, a saying circulated at the time: "The nation's funds depend solely on the southeast."

The Jiangzhe province, especially the western Zhejiang region, is the most prosperous, with fertile soil and abundant produce.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, warlords vied for power, and none were as wealthy as Shi Cheng.

Zhang Shicheng occupied western Zhejiang, gradually lost his fighting spirit, indulged in extreme pleasures, colluded with local gentry, and amassed large tracts of land. At the same time, he continuously increased taxes. In Suzhou alone, the annual tax revenue increased from more than 800,000 shi during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Yuan to one million shi.

Later, after Zhu Yuanzhang destroyed Zhang Shicheng, he confiscated all the land under Zhang Shicheng's regime and turned it into official land.

The heavy taxes levied on government-owned land have historically been a major problem in the heavy taxation of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but this is not the root cause.

In fact, the heavy taxation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang has profound socio-economic roots.

The increasing tax burden in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was a phenomenon that existed as early as the Yuan Dynasty and the Zhang Shicheng period, and Zhu Yuanzhang inherited this historical trend.

The tax burden in the Jiangzhe region gradually increased with the development of the agricultural economy. Generally speaking, it was commensurate with the local economic development level and did not cause the local economy to collapse due to unbearable burden.

The prosperous farming families here have obvious advantages in terms of farm tools, oxen, grain seeds, and water conservancy facilities. Their agricultural production level is high, and their average output is much greater than that of the northern regions.

Taxing based on a certain percentage of output, rather than dogmatically levying taxes based on acreage, was clearly more suited to the court's financial needs at the time.

Of course, local officials should extend a helping hand to the poor and displaced people in the area and provide them with relief.

After clarifying his thoughts, Zhu Gaoxi prepared to bring up the matter to the old emperor at the appropriate time.

Since Zhu Yunwen did not understand the old emperor's actions deep down, he would inevitably reveal his flaws if the old emperor questioned him carefully.

Overthinking is pointless. Let's take it one step at a time and deal with whatever comes our way.

Zhu Gaoxi planned to visit the Prince of Wu's residence, and take Zhang Fu to choose a courtyard and familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

Life in the palace was inconvenient, and Zhang Fu needed a place to stay outside the palace. A separate courtyard in the Prince's Mansion would greatly improve his comfort.

With Zhu Youdun and Xu Miaojin, his two bodyguards, following him around like shadows, Zhu Gaoxi felt incredibly proud.

As soon as they entered the Prince's residence, they saw Zhu Gaoxu greet them with excessive enthusiasm.

To prevent him from loitering outside, speaking recklessly, and causing trouble, the old emperor issued a special decree forbidding him from leaving the palace.

He's been going crazy from being cooped up for the past two days.

"You guys are finally here! If you hadn't come, I would have been completely doomed," Zhu Gaoxu grinned from ear to ear.

"Those two are both incredibly boring. All they do is hold up a book all day and spout classical Chinese phrases. It's giving me a headache."

Zhu Gaoxu mentioned Xie Jin and Yin Changlong.

"Isn't there still General Guan?"

Zhu Gaoxi couldn't remember Guan Tong's Mongolian surname, so he simply called him that.

"Don't mention him anymore. It turns out that our father sent him here to supervise my studies. He keeps saying 'His Highness said' and insists that I become his student. I even doubt whether our father really said those things to him."

Zhu Gaoxu poured out his grievances at length.

He has hated books since childhood; getting him to read is as difficult as asking him to slit his own throat.

Upon seeing Zhu Gaoxi, Xie Jin felt as if he had seen a savior and ran over to talk at length.

Everything he said pointed to the same thing: when would he be allowed to move around freely?

"Sir, since we can't go out these days, please trouble you to teach my second brother to read."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jin immediately shook his head, his expression clearly conveying his meaning.

"Him?"

"Rotten wood cannot be carved."

Zhu Gaoxi patiently advised, "My father is most worried about my second brother's studies. Please help me think of a way to cultivate his interest in reading."

Xie Jin was still hesitating with a bitter face when Zhu Gaoxu couldn't stand it anymore and shouted, "Fourth brother, don't you dare get me into trouble!"

Seeing Guan Tong silently following behind him, Zhu Gaoxi quickly turned around and bowed to him with the respect due to a junior, saying, "General Guan."

Although Guan Tong was not used to having his surname changed for no reason, he could feel the sincerity in Zhu Gaoxi's words and therefore did not care.

"Your Highness, how could this humble general dare accept such a great gift?"

Guan Tong hurriedly returned the greeting to Zhu Gaoxi.

"My father has always valued the old general, and Gao Xi has long admired him. With the old general's protection, Gao Xi feels particularly at ease."

After Zhu Gaoxi finished speaking, he went to the courtyard where Guan Tong was resting and inspected it. He then instructed Yin Changlong to purchase daily necessities, made a list, and gave it to Sanbao.

Guan Tong was deeply moved, but he was not good with words, so he simply bowed again to express his gratitude before going to stand guard at the door.

Zhu Gaoxi led Zhu Youdun and Xu Miaojin on a tour of the main hall, then asked in a pretentious manner, "What do you think of this place?"

What, how is it?

All the princely mansions in the capital had the same layout.

The two men quickly exchanged glances, both completely baffled.

Zhu Gaoxi dismissed everyone, pulled the two of them to sit down, and said to Zhu Youdun very seriously, "With Miaojin's status, she can only be a secondary concubine. Although it is unfair, there is no other way."

"Brother, although you married the principal wife first, Miao Jin needs her own space where she doesn't have to compete with anyone for you."

"I don't need to compete to show off in front of you, to seek attention, or to be pampered."

"Brother, after we get married, move here. The Zhou Prince's Mansion is a place where all your concubines can go, but here only Miaojin can come in. Here, you only have Miaojin; she is your only one."

"Don't let her humbly compete with others for your affections."

After Zhu Gaoxi finished speaking, Xu Miaojin, who was usually quite simple-minded, burst into tears.

A warm feeling washed over her; the little one was so thoughtful and genuinely cared for her.

Zhu Youdun held Zhu Gaoxi's hand tightly and solemnly said, "I will always remember my brother's kindness."

Taking advantage of their heightened sense of emotion, Zhu Gaoxi looked back at You Dun with genuine sincerity and seized the opportunity to make a request, "The Prince's Palace and the school are still lacking some highly skilled physicians..."

"I've been so good to your wife, you should at least show some appreciation," Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself.

"My father will be coming to the capital in a few days. I will write home immediately and bring five physicians with me," Zhu Youdun hurriedly agreed.