In November, after the first snow in Wanli's 19th year, Duke Zhang Yong of England died.
This was a big deal for Daming. In the past, it was just the death of Honours, but now it meant that a giant in Daming's military had fallen.
From the situation this year, it could be seen that the imperial court had entered a period of replacement.
Regardless of whether it was on the side of the civil officials or the military generals, some had resigned, and some had passed away. The older generation had gradually died out.
Qi Jiguang, the pillar of Daming's military, might not be able to hold on for a few years. Fortunately, the younger generation had also risen.
The funeral of Duke Zhang Yong of England was of high standard. Zhu Yijun also went in person and comforted Zhang Weixian at the same time.
After entering the twelfth month, the busiest thing was the New Year. This was the 19th year that Zhu Yijun had spent in Daming. After the New Year, he would be 29 years old. It was the time when he was no longer a young emperor and entered the prime of his life.
This New Year was very peaceful. Daming's government was harmonious.
After the New Year, the imperial court ushered in another wave of salary increases, accompanied by a nationwide rectification of officials.
The Anti-corruption Department and the Department of Law and Order had been spread all over the country. The capital also sent an inspection team to investigate major cases nationwide.
After the New Year, things went smoothly, and Zhu Yijun's trip to the north was about to begin.
In the Everlasting Peace Palace of the Forbidden City.
Since serving Zhu Yijun, Brother Dong had been conferred the title of Concubine Shun, and lived in the Everlasting Peace Palace.
Everyone in the palace knew that the emperor loved this new Concubine Shun very much.
Every month, he would stay with her for three or four days. Of course, this couldn't be compared with the Empress. The emperor would go to the Empress's place at least 10 days, and sometimes it would be half a month.
This was also a big reason why Zhu Yijun's harem was peaceful.
"Is this the milk wine for women?"
Zhu Yijun picked up the wine glass in front of him, took a sip, and then placed it on the table. He nodded with a smile and said, "The taste is not bad!"
Brother Dong, who had combed his hair in the Han style, poured another glass for Zhu Yijun with a smile and said, "Women are really vulgar, and the food is also vulgar. I'm happy that Your Majesty likes it."
"Don't be rude!" Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "It's all for survival."
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Brother Dong was slightly stunned. Then he asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty, you seem to have sensed something?"
Playing with the wine glass in his hand, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Whether it's Jurchen or Daming, what the common people want is just food in their mouths and clothes on their bodies. That's enough."
"In our Daming, there's a saying, 'Ten mu of land, one cow, wife, and children have hot beds.'"
"These words sound rather unambitious, but for the commoners at the bottom of society, this is all they ask for.
What does the major events of the world and the hegemony of the emperor have to do with them? "
Brother Dong leaned on the table and held his chin with his hand. "Your Majesty is really different from what I thought."
Hearing this, Zhu Yijun immediately laughed. "Then what do you think of me?"
"The leaders of our Nu Zhen Clan are all very powerful. Every day, they think about how to annex other tribes." Brother Dong said with a smile, "I just think that His Majesty is the most powerful person in the world."
"That's because no one dares to raise their heads when they see Your Majesty. Whoever disobeys you will be killed."
Hearing Brother Dong's words, Zhu Yijun immediately laughed. "Then I'm afraid I'll let you down."
Brother Dong shook his head. "No, Your Majesty didn't let me down. Instead, I admire you.
Your Majesty has power but doesn't abuse it. You have the people in your heart and are kind. Your Majesty is a wise monarch. "
Hearing Brother Dong's words, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "I heard that women on the grassland worship the strong. Is there a warrior or something like that?"
Nodding, Brother Dong agreed, "Yes!
But none of them can compare with Your Majesty. The Daming is so prosperous. With Your Majesty's order, countless people are willing to die for Your Majesty. Your Majesty doesn't need to show off with bravery. "
Zhu Yijun immediately laughed and reached out to pinch Brother Dong's nose. "You're good at talking!"
"I'm leaving the capital in a few days. I'm going to stay in Jizhou for a few days, and then I'll go to Liaodong and Shenyang.
I want to take you with me. Maybe you can meet your father and brother. "
Hearing what Zhu Yijun said, Brother Dong immediately became happy. "Really?
That's great. Your Majesty really loves me! "
Zhu Yijun also smiled. The reason why he took Brother Dong with him was not just because he loved her.
However, there was no need to say this. But the ending of someone who loved him was still very tragic.
Early the next morning, Zhu Yijun got up and rubbed his back. It was so tragic.
"Your Majesty, Old Slave should ask someone to prepare something warm and nourishing!" Zhang Jing followed Zhu Yijun and asked in a low voice.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Okay, then prepare some. By the way, remind me not to stay at Concubine Shun's place before I set off for the northern region."
He had to control it. If it went on like this, he would also age prematurely.
Although everyone knew that the emperor was going to the northern region, it seemed a little too early to go now.
Chengde built a summer resort. Going to the summer resort now?
Stop it.
However, the ministers also knew that it was basically impossible to stop him. If he wanted to go, then go.
In the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Yijun summoned the ministers and then announced his plan to go to the north.
"I'm going to go on a northern tour. During my northern tour, the First Prince will supervise the state, and the First Minister of the Cabinet, Zeng Shengwu, and the Minister of the Grand Council, Duke Dingguo, Xu Wenbi, will assist me.
The other Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the other ministers of the Grand Council will also be responsible. "
The First Prince would supervise the state, which was righteous. No one dared to say anything, although the First Prince was only four years old.
Shen Shixing also had no problem assisting the state. After all, he was the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. However, the Duke Dingguo, Xu Wenbi, was somewhat incomprehensible. What about Qi Jiguang?
It should be Qi Jiguang assisting the state.
"Qi Jiguang will accompany the emperor!" Zhu Yijun directly answered everyone's doubts.
After the matter of the northern tour was finalized, things also entered the preparation stage.
The emperor's trip was naturally a big event, so the preparation must be very sufficient. He sent an order to all the local officials to prepare.
However, Zhu Yijun had already ordered that the local officials were strictly prohibited from building temporary imperial residences and offering treasures.
At the same time, he strictly ordered the local officials not to levy excessive taxes in the name of the northern tour. Violators would be severely punished.
After a month of preparation, according to the calculations of the Imperial Astronomer, the eighth day of the second month was a good and auspicious day. It was suitable for the emperor to travel, so Zhu Yijun's northern tour officially began.
There were more than three hundred eunuchs and palace maids accompanying the emperor, and the number of attendants and horses escorting the emperor reached twenty thousand.
After the group left the capital, they rushed to their first destination, Ji Province.
Because of the cement road, it was not difficult to walk along the way.
Zhu Yijun's huge eight-wheeled carriage, pulled by sixteen horses, looked very majestic as it traveled. Compared to Zhang Juzheng's palanquin, which was carried by forty-eight people, it was even more eye-catching.