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

Chapter 127 Winning Over Natsuhara Yoshi

After Miao Jin's vinegar jar was overturned, Zhu Gaoxi was the one who suffered the most.

No matter how she explained or assured him, Xu Miaojin refused to let Zhu Youdun manage the cotton cloth shop anymore, forcing Zhu Gaoxi to take matters into his own hands.

With his nap over, Zhu Gaoxi yawned listlessly, stretching out his arms as Yunfei helped him change his clothes.

After getting ready, just as he reached the door, he bumped into Zhu Gaoxi rushing towards him.

It seemed there must be something urgent, so Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to return to the vegetable garden first and instruct a letter to be sent to the Prince of Wu's residence to inform Yin Changlong that he would go to the cotton cloth shop later.

Zhu Gaoxi felt inadequate, as he had too few business talents under his command and even fewer versatile individuals like Zhu Youdun.

Yin Changlong was well-read, so managing a cotton cloth shop shouldn't have been too difficult for him. No one is born knowing everything; you learn by doing, and with more experience, you'll naturally gain expertise.

Zhu Gaoxi intended to train him and use him for the time being.

"Fourth Prince, what's going on? Why are you making Mu Xin and me study with the other princes and grandsons? Aren't you afraid we'll lead them astray?"

Zhu Gaoxu looked puzzled and asked anxiously.

"Did Second Brother sneak out?" Zhu Gaoxi asked calmly. "Studying together isn't a big deal. I'm sure Second Brother can handle it."

"How long will this take?!" Zhu Gaoxu was extremely annoyed. He originally thought that after getting thoroughly fed up with Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin, he would be able to leave the palace and regain his freedom. He never expected to become a formal student of the Grand Hall.

The days of freedom seemed far off, how could he not be anxious?

"This must be Grandfather's decree. Second Brother, you should obey and go back quickly to avoid being punished by the teacher," Zhu Gaoxi patiently advised.

Although they were unaware of the details, Xie Jin and Fang Xiaoru dared not act on their own without the old emperor's permission.

"Fourth brother, you have to help your second brother think of a way. Staying at the main hall all the time is bound to make him sick," Zhu Gaoxu pleaded pitifully.

"Don't worry, Second Brother, I will definitely do my best," Zhu Gaoxi assured him confidently.

Zhu Gaoxu stepped forward, gave his fourth brother a tight hug, and then returned the way he came with a heavy heart.

Why did the old emperor suddenly pay attention to his second brother's studies? Could it be the grandson's idea? Zhu Gaoxi was very surprised.

If the grandson of the crown prince has other intentions, how should we deal with it?

Just as he was worrying, Zhu Youdun returned from training the guards and asked with concern, "I ran into Gao Xu on the way. Is something wrong?"

Zhu Gaoxi gave a brief account.

"I'll take Yin Changlong to the cotton shop, and my younger brother can go to the Qianqing Palace to keep Grandpa company," Zhu Youdun volunteered.

"Won't Miaojin cause trouble for you?" Zhu Gaoxi was really afraid of that old lady; she was unreasonable and always wanted to resort to violence.

Zhu Youdun smiled confidently and said, "Miaojin is always understanding and reasonable. How could she get hung up on such a trivial matter?"

Zhu Gaoxi curled his lip dismissively, "You're quite the smooth talker; you can easily win Xu Miaojin over."

"Once Yin Changlong is familiar with the business, hand over the daily affairs of the cotton cloth shop to her. If there are any major events, you can step in. Also, let him handle the matter of going to Yingtian Prefecture to study. Brother, you don't need to do everything yourself. Spend more time with Miaojin and Grandpa. He's been talking about you a lot lately, saying he hasn't seen you around."

Even if someone is very capable, they shouldn't be as busy as a spinning top. Their most important value lies in their intellect, and spending too much time and energy on trivial matters is a pure waste.

Zhu Gaoxi was constantly honing and improving his ability to recognize and utilize talent.

After the stew was taken away, Zhu Gaoxi immediately went to the Qianqing Palace to report. Before he could even ask a question, the old emperor gave the answer directly: "Zhu Gaoxu and Mu Xin have been performing well recently. Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin have praised them highly. The Crown Prince thinks it is unnecessary to separate them anymore. We approve."

To be formally admitted to the main hall of study, instead of being treated as a preparatory student, is an absolute blessing.

Zhu Gaoxi quickly thanked him, saying, "Your grandson thanks you on behalf of my second brother, Grandpa."

"Your second brother might not appreciate it. He's not cut out for studying. As long as he doesn't bother others, it's good for him to stay in the main hall to temper his character."

The old emperor's opinion of Zhu Gaochi remained unchanged.

Zhu Gaoxi then reported to the old emperor on the preparations for the cotton cloth shop.

The water-powered spinning machine production line is still in the exploratory stage and is under construction. It is relatively small in scale and mainly relies on the water flow of the Qinhuai River.

Water-powered spinning machines require production workshops to be built along rivers, and the water flow varies with the seasons, which restricts expansion.

Therefore, the vast majority of the cotton cloth shop's output still came from four-spindle foot-operated spinning wheels, which were improved from Huang Daopo's three-spindle foot-operated spinning wheel. Zhu Gaoxi planned to learn from the idea of ​​the spinning jenny, introduce flying shuttle technology, increase the number of spindles, and improve production efficiency.

While drawing diagrams, Zhu Gaoxi explained the operating principle of the hand-cranked spinning machine to the old emperor.

The old emperor listened intently, "How many more spindles can this be increased to at most?"

"Eighty," Zhu Gaoxi answered from memory, "the production increased by about twenty times."

"The craftsmen still need to study for a while longer."

Seeing the old emperor rubbing his hands together in excitement, Zhu Gaoxi added...

"We understand these things. If we need more craftsmen, we'll ask the Ministry of Works. If we need more money, we'll talk to Yu Xin," the old emperor said, determined to give his full support.

"Minister Yu is very busy with official duties, and I cannot always trouble him with trivial matters. I have heard that Xia Yuanji is conscientious and responsible in his work. Why don't I go and see him?"

Zhu Gaoxi had always wanted to get to know this famous Minister of Revenue during the Yongle era, but he had no opportunity to do so.

"He's in charge of Sichuan, he doesn't have anything to do with your area," the old emperor said, shaking his head.

"Isn't that just a matter of Grandpa saying a word?"

Zhu Gaoxi chuckled, thinking that the old emperor would surely have a way to solve the problem.

The thirteen provincial administration offices each had a corresponding administration office responsible for managing the population, finances, and other affairs within their jurisdiction. Each office was headed by a secretary (rank 5), an assistant secretary (rank 5), and two clerks (rank 6).

Xia Yuanji is currently serving as the Chief Clerk of the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Personnel.

"Zhuo Jing is also a capable person," the old emperor pondered for a moment, but recommended someone else.

"Mr. Zhuo is very talented. The cotton shop business doesn't cost much money, so there's no need for you to come."

Zhuo Jing was inclined to support the Crown Prince, but Zhu Gaoxi dared not use him.

"The cotton cloth shop has just opened, and there are many trivial matters to attend to. I have heard that Xia Yuanji handles affairs in an orderly manner. Perhaps he can offer some advice on the operation of the cotton cloth shop. Maybe we can ask him for some advice," Zhu Gaoxi emphasized Xia Yuanji's ability to handle grassroots affairs, which is precisely what high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Revenue such as Yu Xin and Zhuo Jing do not possess.

After hearing this, the old emperor finally made up his mind and turned to Huang Liang, saying, "Go to the Ministry of Revenue and have Xia Yuanji come over."

Zhu Gaoxi was overjoyed and immediately took the old emperor's arm affectionately, praising him repeatedly, "Grandpa is wise and insightful, with unparalleled knowledge."

"Hmm," the old emperor drawled, "If we don't allow it, does the brat have another excuse?"

"In my grandson's heart, no one can match his grandfather's position," Zhu Gaoxi said sweetly, repeating his usual tactic.

"What's so unusual about that Xia Yuanji that makes you so happy?"

The old emperor sensed that his eldest grandson's behavior was somewhat unusual and asked in bewilderment.