Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 224 The biggest reason for Zhu Di’s inner Zen

After dark.

Qianqing Palace.

dining room.

Under the bright yellow candlelight, Zhu Di and Queen Xu were having dinner together.

"Don't eat, I'm full."

Zhu Di put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth with silk, looked at Queen Xu and said.

"Knowing that His Majesty has had a bad appetite recently, I specially fried His Majesty's favorite celery today."

Queen Xu looked at a plate full of stir-fried celery and said in surprise: "The last time I cooked stir-fried celery was last year. Your Majesty, you haven't eaten celery for so long, aren't you greedy?"

Zhu Di did not answer Queen Xu's words, but looked around at the palace attendants in the dining room and said: "You all, please retreat. No one is allowed to come near without my order."

"Yes."

Following Zhu Di's order, all the palace people exited the dining room in an orderly manner, and under the leadership of Li Xing, retreated dozens of steps away from the palace gate.

"After I stopped eating celery, I drank a bowl of goat's milk every day. This habit lasted until Gao Xu's ninth son Zhantang was born."

After everyone retreated, Zhu Di's eyes fell on the plate of fried celery and he said slowly: "From then on, I will drink goat's milk and eat celery."

Queen Xu understood what Zhu Di wanted to say.

Before Zhu Gaoxu's ninth son, Zhu Zhantang, was born, Zhu Di, who insisted on not eating celery and eating a bowl of goat's milk every day, never saw his concubines give birth to another son and a half daughters for him.

After Zhu Zhantang was born, Zhu Di no longer had a taboo on celery and could eat it whenever he wanted.

Empress Xu did not persuade him any more, and even every once in a while, she would specially make a dish for Zhu Di using celery.

Because Zhu Zhantang was born in the 14th year of Yongle, Zhu Di was 52 years old that year.

Also since that year, Zhu Di has never been admitted to the harem again.

Fortunately, Zhu Gaoxu is very impressive and has given Zhu Di nineteen grandsons in recent years.

"Gao Xu told me a joke once. Thinking about it now, I still find it funny."

Empress Xu saw that Zhu Di was a little depressed, so she took the initiative to talk about a cheerful and interesting story, hoping to change Zhu Di's mood.

When Zhu Di heard this, he was really curious and asked: "What's the joke?"

"Gao Xu said that since we hope that he can flourish, he must give us a hundred grandchildren."

Queen Xu covered her mouth with her hands and said while holding back her laughter.

"Hahahahaha! What a loud tone!"

Zhu Di laughed heartily and said, "What a great ambition!"

He laughed for a while, then his face turned serious again, and he said slowly: "I plan to abdicate and let Gao Xu ascend the throne early."

"why?"

When Queen Xu heard this, her expression couldn't help but change.

Zhu Di replied without hesitation: "I have worked hard for the Ming Dynasty for more than 40 years. I instituted sea bans, built grand ceremonies, leveled the grasslands, collected the Western Regions, and settled Annan. I have done everything for generations. Now I am old and frail, and I am unable to do what I want. I want to Isn’t it possible to abdicate the throne early, take care of one’s old age, and enjoy the happiness of a family with grandchildren around one’s knees?”

"Tell this to your ministers, and they might believe it. After all, they are not the ones sleeping with you."

Queen Xu looked into Zhu Di's eyes, as if she wanted to see through Zhu Di's mind, and whispered: "Your rhetoric cannot convince me."

"Yes, old age, infirmity, lack of ability, and enjoying family happiness are all the reasons for my inner Zen."

Zhu Di stared at Queen Xu and said solemnly: "But the biggest reason why I decided to practice inner meditation is for the future of the Ming Dynasty. To be precise, it should be so that Gao Xu's children can have a good place to go."

"Your Majesty plans to go to sea?" Queen Xu asked in surprise.

Zhu Di immediately retorted: "What you said is wrong. The purpose of going to sea is to do business. I went to sea nominally to inspect the vassals, but actually to find suitable fiefdoms for Gao Xu's children."

"I heard Zheng He say before that Wozhou is a land given by God because it is vast, sparsely populated, fertile and has vast plains."

Empress Xu finally guessed Zhu Di's thoughts and asked tentatively: "Is your Majesty planning to inspect Wozhou?"

In the tenth year of Yongle, Zheng He led his fleet back from the Eastern Ocean and completed the great feat of sailing around the world.

He led a fleet to find sweet potatoes and other crops in the wilderness of Nanzhou, and discovered groundnut there, which had almost disappeared in China after the Han Dynasty.

The soldiers felt that the scenery there was beautiful and full of forests, like a fairyland, so they gave Dahuang Nanzhou a nickname, Penglai Xianzhou, or Xianzhou for short.

In addition, they found that the land of Dahuangdongzhou was fertile, with vast plains and a mild climate, making it very livable. There were many Tu people there who looked almost exactly like the Chinese people.

In the eyes of Zheng He and other Ming soldiers, the Great Wilderness East Continent was like the second divine continent given by God.

In order to distinguish it from the Chinese Divine Continent where the Ming Dynasty was located, they also gave the Great Wilderness East Continent a nickname, called Wozhou.

Later, the sailors who returned to the Ming Dynasty told about their journey around the earth.

The existence of Wozhou was gradually integrated with the legendary Fusozhou after being spread from one person to another.

In this way, Wozhou and Fusang became the nicknames of Dahuangdongzhou.

However, under Zhu Gaoxu's guidance, the official name of the Great Wilderness Dongzhou was Donghua.

This meaningful title is very thought-provoking. "Donghua Fertile Continent is another fertile land gifted by God to the Chinese people. If the Ming Dynasty cannot occupy it, a country that is powerful enough to threaten our status as the sovereign state of the Ming Dynasty will inevitably be born there in a few hundred years."

Zhu Di's eyes seemed to have traveled through time, seeing the rise of a certain United States in the original historical plane hundreds of years later and its dominance of the four oceans.

When he said this, he looked at Queen Xu and explained: "If I go to Donghua by sea, I will definitely leave Gao Xu to supervise the country. If something unexpected happens and his life or death is unknown, Gao Xu will be in a dilemma whether he succeeds or not. Dilemma.”

"What's more, if Gao Xu doesn't succeed to the throne, he will become the prince. Although I am over [-] years old and in good health, it is difficult for gods to predict unexpected things. If something unexpected happens to me, someone with evil intentions will make an edict and let him If the eldest or third eldest son succeeds to the throne, it will definitely cause turmoil.”

"I am passing on the position to Gao Xu on the grounds of old age and frailty. In the future, when Gao Xu is old, he can pass on the position in advance. With the example of Gao Xu and me, we can give a good name to future generations. The head of the throne formed an ancestral system. In this way, passing on the throne in advance can not only ensure the smooth transition of imperial power, but also avoid the turmoil of the dynasty when the old and the new change, killing multiple birds with one stone."

"The reason why emperors throughout the ages are unwilling to pass on the throne in advance is because of selfishness and desire for power. I am also greedy for power, but if I continue to sit in that seat, who will inspect the overseas vassals and the land of Donghua?"

"Only my power can suppress the vassals. Only if I build a palace for the Supreme Emperor on the land of Donghua, will future generations pay attention to the land of Donghua and not abandon it easily."

Just when Zhu Di was having a secret conversation with Queen Xu.

Fang house.

backyard.

At this time, dozens of servants in Fang Xiaoru's house were standing guard at the entrance to the backyard, in the corridor, and under the eaves, looking around vigilantly, listening to all the movements, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

And in the living room next to the study.

Fang Xiaoru sat at the main seat under the nave, while Huang Huai, Yang Shiqi and other six cabinet advisers and seven advisers sat on both sides.

Seven people gathered together to discuss Zhu Di's intention to meditate.

Fang Xiaoru put down the tea cup in his hand and said slowly: "We are seven people who are one. We will be prosperous and suffer losses. Please discuss your Majesty's desire to live in the crown prince's place."

Huang Huai said: "Compared with His Majesty who took charge of the East Palace back then, His Royal Highness the city is deeper than anything else."

"That's right, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hides his secrets so deeply that no one can see through or understand him."

Fang Xiaoru continued: "I have been a doctor of Jinling Normal University for more than [-] years. Every time I thought that His Highness the Crown Prince was going to do this, but in the end I found out that His Highness was doing something else."

"Looking at the officials of all provinces and counties in the world today, who is not the prince's disciple? Even if he is not, who is not promoted by the prince?"

Yang Shiqi said in a deep voice.

Since the fifth year of Yongle, thousands of students have graduated from Jinling Changke Academy every year, passed the Jinshi examination, and become imperial officials.

At that time, Yu Yanzhao, Hu Ming, Wang Ji, Zhou Chen, Zeng Qi and others had become high-ranking local officials, either prefects or prefectures, or chief secretaries participating in politics and discussions, or serving as deputy envoys and ministers.

Yang Shiqi added: "As for the veteran generals and honorable ministers in the army, let alone them."

Among the rising stars among the honorable ministers, Xue Lu and Chen Mao were marquises, Qu Neng and Xue Gui were both counts, and Chen Gang, Wang Bin, etc. were the commanders or commanders of the capital.

Except for Sheng Lei and Zhao Junchen, who also served as commanders of the Jinyi Guards, Geng Xuan, Guo Jian, Tang Yun, Wei Xian, Fu Rang, etc. who were former East Palace guards have all become generals guarding one side of the army.

Needless to say, Zheng He was the first governor of the Ming Dynasty and the first eunuch in history to lead a fleet to complete a circumnavigation of the earth.

In order to commend Zheng He for his contribution, Zhu Di specially gave him the title of "Three Treasures Eunuch". His rank and salary were the same as those of a first-class marquis, which was equivalent to a kind of lifelong title for eunuchs.

Zheng He is where he is today thanks to Zhu Gaoxu's recommendation.

Therefore, "Duke Zheng" in the mouth of all the eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty was a die-hard supporter of Prince Zhu Gaoxu.

It can be said that the Ming Dynasty's navy and treasure fleet officers and men all followed Zhu Gaoxu's lead.

Moreover, Li Yuan, Zhang Fu and other veteran nobles are all supporters of Zhu Gaoxu.

Huang Huai sighed: "But the more this happens, the more I feel that His Highness the Crown Prince's methods are beyond the reach of others. His Highness the Crown Prince is neither greedy for power nor greedy for money. He is basically as good as a bowl of water to generals and civil servants. "

Hu Guangdao: "But His Highness has a lot of concubines. People often say that the prince is brave, benevolent and filial, but he is also lecherous."

"It is true that Your Highness has many concubines, but apart from the princesses donated by other countries, which one is not personally chosen by the Queen or His Majesty?"

Fang Xiaoru interjected: "If you have to find fault with the eggs, it can only be said that His Royal Highness is more concerned about the craftsmen, soldiers, and officials who are not of the highest grade in the imperial court. Occasionally, he will personally help the craftsmen design some ingenious things, or make some ingenious things for the craftsmen. Soldiers and officials set the rules of daily behavior, and even intervened in the promotion, rewards and punishments of craftsmen, soldiers, and officials.”

"We have talked so much. Do you agree with His Majesty's inner meditation, or do you disapprove?"

Xie Jin held it in for a long time. After Fang Xiaoru, Huang Huai, Hu Guang, Yang Shiqi and others finished speaking, he finally couldn't help but ask.

"Brother Xie, what do you think?"

Yang Shiqi looked at Jie Jin, whose face was a little uncertain, and asked in a low voice.

"What else can I say? Of course I support His Highness the Crown Prince's succession!"

Xie Jin's face flushed, and he said slightly excitedly: "I am fifty-five this year. In recent years, I have often had day and night problems due to coughing. Now I can see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince succeeding to the throne. It is a blessing!"

"One emperor and one courtier."

Fang Xiaoru looked around at the crowd and said, "I am very old. If His Highness the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne, I will become an official."

"Times change and things change. I can't control that much anymore. The children in the family each have their own blessings and cannot be controlled by human power."

Huang Huai sighed: "The current situation in the world is beyond our ability to predict."

Fang Xiaoru made a final decision: "In that case, we will think carefully for your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and for the sake of the children in the family, and go back and write to each of us!"

PS: This is the update today. Recently, I need to assist the community with the auxiliary work of normalcy detection. I need to work overtime and get off work late, so the coding time is limited. I hope brothers can understand more.

(End of this chapter)