Ming Dynasty: At the beginning, the house was ransacked and the ancestral temple was burned down.

Chapter 233: The Ming Dynasty is already in this state, it’s time to correct it.

The birth of the eldest grandson of the Emperor of the Eastern Palace brought joy to some and sorrow to others.

There are many people who are happy, but the only ones who are worried are probably Concubine Zheng and her son.

It is not known whether it is because of the generation gap, but even though Emperor Wanli did not like his eldest son Zhu Changluo very much, he was very excited about the arrival of his grandson.

The emperor's grandson was just one month old and there was heavy snow outside, but the emperor was still impatient and asked the crown prince and the crown princess to bring the grandson to the Qianqing Palace.

Empress Dowager Li was also overjoyed. Taking into account her son's inconvenient legs and feet, she personally rushed to the Qianqing Palace to see her great-grandson.

The little grandson seemed like a spirit. He cried all the way here. However, since entering the Qianqing Palace, he has been very well-behaved.

He didn't cry even when being hugged by a group of strangers, and even laughed humbly. He laughed the happiest when he was hugged by his grandfather Zhu Yijun.

"Oh, this child is really fat." Empress Dowager Li weighed the chubby baby who had just turned one month old, with a look of genuine love on her face. She held the baby close to Zhu Yijun and said with a smile:

"Look at these little eyes and nose, they are exactly the same as yours when you were a child."

Most people cannot resist the advances and coquetry of a human cub, and this is especially true for Zhu Yijun, who became a grandfather for the first time. Especially after hearing Empress Dowager Li say that her grandson looked like him, he liked the child even more.

"They say that grandsons look like grandfathers. After seeing you today, it's true." Queen Wang Xijie agreed with a smile.

Zhu Yijun was probably too happy, and he even said: "Emperor Chengzu also loved Emperor Xuanzong very much. It's not surprising that they are so close to each other."

Logically speaking, as the child's father, Crown Prince Zhu Changluo should have stood up and said some compliments at this time.

However, Zhu Changluo stood aside stiffly, and the look in his eyes when he looked at his son revealed an unfamiliarity that was hard to conceal.

He was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and he himself was still a child who lacked fatherly love. He was already caught off guard by the sudden fact of becoming a father.
Now that his son was right in front of him, he really didn't know how to play the role of a father.

If it were in the past, Zhu Changluo would have been reprimanded by Zhu Yijun for his cowardly appearance, but at this moment, for the sake of his precious grandson, he showed mercy for the first time in history and said:

"Prince, take your grandson to see your biological mother later."

Zhu Changluo was immediately moved and knelt down to thank him. It was only then that Zhu Changluo realized that having a son seemed to be quite good...

……

After Zhu Changluo and the Crown Princess left with the grandson, Empress Dowager Li lectured the Emperor in front of the Empress:
"Emperor, you are a grandfather now. Some things should be done earlier and cannot be delayed any longer."

"Mother, you are right. I know what you are talking about." Zhu Yijun knew what the Empress Dowager Li was referring to, and he replied respectfully:
"The grandson of the emperor has been born. My son is going to reward the concubine surnamed Wang with a hundred acres of good farmland and a number of gold, silver and precious treasures.

As for the name of the grandson, I have already asked the cabinet ministers to draft it. Once a good name is chosen, I will immediately go to the tablets of my grandfather and father to ask for permission."

"Since you are ready, I feel relieved." Queen Mother Li was very satisfied with her son's understanding.

It’s a pity...you’ve only grown up to this age.

The mother and son chatted for a while, and not long after, Empress Dowager Li left, and the Queen followed her.

The huge Qianqing Palace was filled with laughter and children babbling just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, it returned to its former desolate state.

"Hasn't the cabinet come up with a name for the emperor's grandson yet?" Zhu Yijun asked about this again.

Zhu Yijun was extremely concerned about naming the emperor's grandson, to the point of asking about it two or three times a day.

Chen Ju didn't know why the emperor was so anxious to name his grandson, who was only one month old, so he could only answer truthfully:

"Your Majesty, the cabinet is already drafting it, but... the cabinet said that the prince's wedding will be held in August, and it's only December now, so it's best to name the grandson later..."

Chen Ju's meaning was very clear. The cabinet felt that it was not glorious for the prince to have a child before getting married.

Therefore, they had always wanted to delay it for a few more months, until about ten months after the crown prince's marriage, and then officially announce the existence of this imperial grandson.

Logically speaking, the emperor, who always cares about his reputation, should agree with this approach. However, this time, Zhu Yijun said forcefully:

"It is shameful that the grandson of the emperor does not even have a name! Urge the cabinet to come up with a name for the grandson of the emperor!"

Zhu Yijun didn't want his grandson to be like him when he was a child, who had to wait until he was four or five years old to have a name of his own.

"Grandson...like grandfather?"

Zhu Yijun muttered to himself and suddenly remembered something.

"looks like?"

"so similar……"

……

Honglu Temple.

I don’t know if it’s because the emperor hasn’t attended court for many years and the Honglu Temple doesn’t need so many people, but now the Honglu Temple is so empty that it’s shocking.

Zhang Chonghui had been working in the Honglu Temple for more than two months. In the huge office of the chief clerk, besides him as the only chief clerk, there was only one right junior official named Li Kezhuo who would come and stare at him from time to time.

Since the current Honglu Temple has no nominal minister, that is, the Honglu Temple Minister, nor the Left Shaoqing, the Right Shaoqing Li Kezhuo is Zhang Chonghui's only immediate superior in the Honglu Temple.

As for the offices of other officials such as the master of ceremonies, the master of ceremonies, the Wuzan official, and the sequencer, they are not here.

In addition, these colleagues in the same department did not want to offend Zhang Chonghui. As long as it was not something that had to be handed over to Zhang Chonghui, they chose to stay away from Zhang Chonghui, the criminal.

Zhang Chonghui finally had some free time, and he also roughly understood why Zhao Shizhen was so depressed.

Because this job can really make people idle.

Sometimes I sit in this chief clerk's office for the whole day.

No one spoke throughout the whole day. There were only piles of memorials waiting to be sent and received, and articles that needed to be translated and copied.

Zhang Chonghui actually liked such a quiet environment, but people with an impatient personality like Zhao Shizhen couldn't stand it. He would rather listen to the sound of muskets and artillery shells exploding than endure such torture of being boiled like a frog in warm water.

Zhang Chonghui knew that Emperor Wanli wanted to boil him like a frog in warm water by putting him in such a quiet place that was exhausting.

"Zhang Zhubu, have you translated and transcribed the documents sent from North Korea last year?"

Li Kezhuo came again. Although this boss did not make things difficult for Zhang Chonghui openly, he always liked to find some unnecessary work for him every now and then.

Just like most bosses, he just can't stand people having nothing to do.

"It's ready." Zhang Chonghui said as he flipped through a pile of organized documents and asked, "Li Shaoqing, do you want to check it?"

Li Kezhuo pretended to flip through it, and seeing that Zhang Chonghui was indeed not being lazy, he had to give up "once again" this good opportunity to find fault.

Li Kezhuo couldn't help but admire this person who "forced" his way in through connections. He did whatever he was told to do, even though he knew it would be in vain, he still did it honestly.

If he had not been afraid that Zhang Chonghui had the support of the ruthless Yu Shenxing, he would not have resorted to such secret torture. He would have tripped Zhang Chonghui up and forced him away long ago.

Li Kezhuo had a headache. If it weren't for someone from above telling him to force Zhang Chonghui to leave, he would have really liked this subordinate who was good in every way. But...

"Zhang Zhubu, I have some memorials here. Please deliver them to Wenyuan Pavilion in person."

Zhang Chonghui glanced outside. It was already mid-December, with only half a month left until the end of the year. It was already snowing heavily in the capital. The Honglu Temple was not close to Wenyuan Pavilion, so Zhang Chonghui didn't need to run errands himself.

However, Zhang Chonghui agreed without hesitation.

Not only did Zhang Chonghui agree, he even walked to Wenyuan Pavilion on foot, holding a few memorials.

……

Wenyuan Pavilion.

When Zhang Chonghui arrived here with the memorial in his arms, his body was already covered with heavy snow. He did not even try to shake it off, and even "accidentally" walked to the Langfang of the Sixth Department because he "did not know the way". After asking for directions, he finally arrived at the Wenyuan Pavilion Office covered in snow.

When Yu Shenxing saw Zhang Chonghui, covered in snow, walking in, he was stunned. It was not until the other person came closer that he realized that he had made a mistake.

"What's wrong with you? It's snowing so heavily outside, why don't you even have an umbrella?"

While asking, Yu Shenxing hurriedly brushed the snow off Zhang Chonghui's body.

Out of kindness, cabinet minister Li Tingji brought a chicken feather blanket to help Zhang Chonghui sweep the snow, but Zhang Chonghui rejected his kindness.

"It's useless to scan it. I have to go back later." Zhang Chonghui handed the stack of memorials in his hand to Fang Congzhe, the cabinet minister who was silent beside him, and said:
"Lord Fang, Li Shaoqing specifically asked me to hand this to you. Please keep it."

For a moment, the anger became a little subtle. Yu Shenxing first looked at Fang Congzhe, and then at Zhu Geng. The former pretended to know nothing, while the latter's eyes were evasive.

Yu Shenxing almost knew something, and he asked Zhang Chonghui in front of these people: "Is someone giving you trouble?"

"No one is making things difficult for me." Zhang Chonghui shook his head, but his eyes seemed to be hesitant to speak, and it was obvious that he had something grievances that he couldn't express.

This aggrieved look was seen by several people present with different opinions.

Yu Shenxing was just shocked, shocked that Zhang Chonghui actually ran to him and acted pitiful! At the same time, he was even more curious about what Zhang Chonghui was going to do.

Although he knew that Zhang Chonghui was pretending, Yu Shenxing still felt uncomfortable with Zhang Chonghui's pitiful appearance, especially the way he walked towards him covered in snow, which reminded him of an old friend.

Li Tingji, who has always been intolerant of any injustice and is known as a "good man", didn't know if he was really standing up for Zhang Chonghui. He was so excited that he waved a feather duster and cursed:
"It's really unfair. The benefactor who saved the prince is being bullied like this. He is not even allowed to hold an umbrella in the heavy snow. This is not just embarrassing the child, it is also embarrassing the prince!"

As soon as the hat of "making things difficult for the prince" was put on, Fang Congzhe, who was feeling a little guilty, coughed twice and said:

"Mr. Li is exaggerating. You are also a veteran in the officialdom. Everyone has gone through this in the beginning. How can you say it is difficult or not?"

"That being said, this child is at least approved by the emperor..."

For a while, Li Tingji and Fang Congzhe started arguing with each other.

Prime Minister Zhu Geng was just silently flipping through some information, as if he wasn't listening. In fact, he didn't read a single word and was just busy listening to the fun.

Yu Shenxing didn't want to get involved in this matter, so he quickly walked to the door, picked up an umbrella, and signaled Zhang Chonghui to leave with his eyes.

……

Outside Wenyuan Pavilion.

"Do you really want to send me back?" Zhang Chonghui asked Yu Shenxing.

Yu Shenxing deliberately teased, "If I don't go and give you some face, you'll probably be bullied to death."

"Alas, there is nothing I can do." Zhang Chonghui stroked his forehead, looking helpless, and sighed repeatedly: "Who made me young and honest? It's normal to be bullied."

"Okay, stop pretending." Yu Shenxing became serious and asked, "You've been pretending to be good for more than two months, and now you're doing this again. What do you want to do?"

"I didn't intend to do anything." Zhang Chonghui said lightly, "I just wanted to try and see if I could get a promotion."

"You still want to get promoted?" Yu Shenxing frowned: "Are you kidding me?"

"Haha, give it a try, it's not against the law." Zhang Chonghui smiled and changed the subject, then asked, "What kind of person is Li Tingji?"

Yu Shenxing did not ask about the previous topic any more, and replied: "A bad nice guy is a bad one in the sense of being shabby, not a bad one in the sense of being promiscuous."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Chonghui asked.

"You don't know yet, Li Er Zhang is a famous philanthropist. Whenever he sees a beggar, he will give money." Yu Shenxing said:

"But good people are often bullied. The beggars saw that he was easy to talk to, so they gathered in groups to wait outside his house.

As soon as I saw him leaving, I rushed up to him and asked for money, and the key point... he actually returned it!
I don’t know if people like Li Er Zhang are really kind-hearted or just plain stupid…”

"Hey, I didn't expect you to say that a straightforward person is stupid. This is not like your style, Yu Keyuan." Zhang Chonghui smiled and teased, but it was not enough. I don't know if it was intentional, he asked another question:
"Keyuan, haven't you discovered something yet?"

Yu Shenxing seemed to have noticed something, but before he could change the subject, he heard Zhang Chonghui put his arm around his neck and whispered:
"You are becoming more and more like Zhang Taiyue."

This was expected and something he had already noticed. Yu Shenxing was silent for a long time before he reluctantly regained his composure and actively yet abruptly changed the subject.

"The emperor's grandson is one month old. The emperor likes this eldest grandson very much." Yu Shenxing said absentmindedly.

Zhang Chonghui nodded: "Well, it's normal to like someone since they are close to each other."

Yu Shenxing said: "The emperor has repeatedly urged the cabinet to come up with a name for his grandson, and he is unwilling to delay it for a few more months."

Zhang Chonghui nodded again: "Maybe the emperor doesn't want his grandson to be like him, who only got a name when he was four years old."

"You said..." Yu Shenxing paused for a moment before asking, "What would be a good name for the grandson?"

Zhang Chonghui smiled and said, "Why are you asking me what I am doing? I am not a cabinet minister, and I hate naming."

"But you..." Yu Shenxing made an excuse: "You know the emperor's preferences better."

"I don't understand." Zhang Chonghui refused decisively again.

Yu Shenxing sighed: "Just help me think of one, and that'll be my reward for helping you on this journey."

"Okay." Zhang Chonghui had no choice but to think while saying:
"I remember that according to the generational hierarchy set by Emperor Taizu, Gaozhan Qijianyou, Houzai Yichangyou, the emperor's grandson should belong to the You generation. The emperor's five elements are gold, gold gives birth to water, water gives birth to wood, so the emperor's grandson's name should contain the character "wood."

Yu Shenxing's eyes lit up: "Well, I didn't expect you to remember it so clearly... ahem, after discussing it, we picked out three, namely Ben, Guo, and Ge."

Zhang Chonghui once again perfunctorily said: "I think they are all good. Ben, as the Analects says, a gentleman should focus on the basics. Guo, means being good at making decisions. Ge, means to reach, and Ge, means to come. They sound good, I think they are all good."

Yu Shenxing was a little unhappy: "I'm not here to listen to your praise."

"Haha, well, there's really nothing I can do about you." After Zhang Chonghui teased him for a while, he thought for a moment and said:

"Just...school."

"Xiao?" Yu Shenxing looked puzzled and asked, "Xiao means to measure, which means... to correct?"

"Yes, correction."

Zhang Chonghui looked up at the white sky, exhaled a puff of white air, and said with emotion:

"The Ming Dynasty is already like this, it's time to correct it."

(End of this chapter)