Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 176 This time and that time

Zhu Shangbing hurried back to Yingtian Prefecture with a worried look on his face. It was good to be with his cousins ​​in his hometown. No one was watching over him and he was naturally happy. He could train troops, hold sacrifices, and he also got the permission of the crown prince to summon local civil and military officials to inquire about civil affairs.

This kind of life is more comfortable than in Xi'an. In Xi'an, on the one hand, he is under the supervision of his father, and on the other hand, he is not allowed to interfere in politics. In addition, his other brothers appear to be friendly to him on the surface, but they are scheming against each other behind his back.

As for Yingtian Prefecture, it goes without saying that it is difficult to leave the palace except for studying in Yingtian Prefecture, and it is difficult to be so free.

But just when he had adapted to this kind of life, he was the only one who was summoned back to Yingtianfu, which made him unable to help but think more.

"My dear brother." After seeing Zhu Yunhuan, Zhu Shangbing bowed politely, "I wonder why my dear brother summoned me?"

Zhu Yunhuan said with concern, "It's not the second uncle. I originally planned to let you visit the emperor's uncles after the spring, but now it's good. You will return to Xi'an in a few days to take charge of the Qin Palace."

Zhu Shangbing immediately became anxious, "Brother, what happened to my father?"

"Don't worry." Zhu Yunhuan quickly comforted him, "Second uncle is kneeling in Fengxian Hall now, which means that what he did in the palace has been known by grandfather, and he will be punished. You go back and tidy up the palace first. I don't know when Second uncle will be able to return to the vassal state."

Hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Zhu Shangbing naturally felt extremely complicated and really didn't know how to express his emotions.

Zhu Yunhuan said to Zhu Shangbing, "I'll have someone take you to Fengxian Hall. If you have anything to say, you can talk to your second uncle yourself. Pack up and go out of the city with me tomorrow to visit the imperial farm."

Zhu Shangbing didn't know what would happen if he went to Huangzhuang, but he obviously had no say in these matters, so he could only obey orders obediently and do these things conscientiously.

"Why haven't my other uncles come back yet?" Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhang Fusheng and asked, "Send someone to urge them. Even if the others are not mentioned, Sixth Uncle should be back by now."

Zhang Fusheng wrote down this matter. As for why the princes did not return, it was very simple. They just felt uneasy. Even if they wanted to come back, they would not rush. Not every prince was like the King of Zhou who liked to go home, or the King of Qin who kept an attitude of admitting his mistakes after committing a crime.

Zhu Yunhuan continued to urge, "We need to urge King Wulin even more. He should be back soon."

The good people of the royal family had to show up at this time, with the leaders of the royal family taking the lead, and with Zhu Yunwen leading the charge. Even if there were some complaints within the royal family, they were actually not particularly big problems and could be solved.

Zhu Shangbing went to find Zhu Chong, and Zhu Su came to Wenhua Hall.

"Nephew, I didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to lock me up in the palace all day." Zhu Su said confidently, "I want to go to Yingtian Prefecture. Although I grew up in the capital, I seldom go out."

Zhu Yunhuan joked, "Fifth Uncle, since you haven't been out much before, there's nothing to be nostalgic about."

Zhu Su was immediately unhappy and said, "Why can't I go and have a look? The Imperial Examination Hall is not far from the Qinhuai River, why can't I go and have a look? Kaifeng was destroyed by the Jin people, otherwise I would definitely go to see the singing house. Just think about it, three thousand beauties and eight hundred beautiful women."

Zhu Yunhuan's face suddenly turned strange, "Grandfather has set a rule that officials are not allowed to visit prostitutes."

Zhu Su asked directly, "Is it true that there is such a rule, but can it really be controlled? I don't believe it. Many people used to visit prostitutes, and it must be the same now."

This is also true. In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang had stipulated that officials were not allowed to visit prostitutes, and he was extremely strict in controlling it. But even so, such a phenomenon could not be stopped despite repeated prohibitions. So now it is becoming more and more relaxed, as long as some high-ranking officials do not reveal their identities.

There is nothing that can be done about it. Even in later generations, this kind of thing cannot be completely banned, and the flesh trade has continued for thousands of years.

Zhu Su quickly assured, "I'm just going to take a look. I'm definitely not going to visit prostitutes. I don't like vulgar women."

Seeing that Zhu Yunhuan didn't say anything, Zhu Su hurriedly said, "I just want to listen to some music. I heard that there are two singing girls who are very good at dancing. I'll go and see them. I'll definitely come back in the evening and won't do anything messy. Is that okay?"

Zhu Yunhuan was speechless and said, "Fifth Uncle, you really gave me a difficult problem. If you slipped away, I could still turn a blind eye. But you came here and said you wanted to go to Shili Qinhuai. What should I say?"

Zhu Su was not afraid of boiling water, "I fooled you. It will be difficult for you to get out in the future. It's better to tell the truth."

Facing such a bachelor uncle, Zhu Yunhuan could only admit defeat, "No wonder grandfather always warned me not to have much contact with you. Now I understand. But let me be clear, if grandfather really wants to punish you, you will be responsible for your own actions. I just gave you the palace talisman, and I don't know where you went."

Zhu Su immediately smiled and said, "Grandpa definitely doesn't know, but he knows all about those places I went to before. It's been a few years since I went there, but I still miss them a little!"

Zhu Yunhuan almost vomited blood. After all this fuss, it turned out that the place his fifth uncle missed most in Yingtianfu was a brothel?
Zhu Yunhuan then looked at Zhang Fusheng and said, "Have someone follow me, don't let anyone offend King Zhou." "Find me some clothes, something more luxurious." Zhu Su said directly to Zhang Fusheng, "The white dragon fish dress is definitely not good, clothes make the man. Poor clothes are not suitable for meeting the courtesan, and official uniforms are too inappropriate. In those places, the most abundant thing is the children of wealthy families, and there might be conflicts."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately said, "Since there will be a conflict, then Uncle Wu will not go."

Zhu Su was immediately anxious, "Stop! I told you to change your clothes and you'll be fine. You're wearing luxurious clothes and there are several guards around. Is this from an ordinary family? People who don't know you won't dare to mess with you, but people who know you can chat with you. The big merchants who yell and shout will keep their tails between their legs when they see such a show."

Zhu Yunxun said quickly, "Fifth Uncle, please stop talking. If you continue, I'm afraid that grandfather will whip us. I'm a little tempted by what you said, and I've never been to those places."

Zhu Su immediately teased him, "You can't go. You are the crown prince, how can you go to those dirty places?"

The double standard was so obvious that Zhu Yunhuan was too lazy to say anything, because it would have no effect even if he did.

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it and asked, "Uncle Wu, some scholars like beautiful women. What do you think we should do?"

Zhu Su said without thinking, "Food and sex are human nature. I think there is no way. It is said that beauty matches heroes. Which man does not want to have three wives and four concubines, and beauties of the country? Don't women want talented men and beautiful women?"

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but complain, "Food and sex are human nature. If Mencius knew that you interpreted it this way, he would probably come after you."

"Everyone outside is saying that, why did he choose to find me?" Zhu Su said directly, "Besides, if he really wants to find our Zhu family, he can just go to our father. What's the point of finding me?"

Zhu Yunxun was too lazy to say anything else. He took out the palace talisman and handed it to Zhu Su. "Please keep it to yourself. It's good as long as nothing happens. At this critical juncture, I don't want my fifth uncle to be punished as well. The most important thing is that if something happens and he is punished, don't implicate me!"

Zhu Su said happily, "I will definitely not implicate you. Father knows about this to some extent."

Seeing Zhu Su running away happily, Zhu Yunhuan could only envy him. He had no way of broadening his horizons and could only continue to handle his official duties.

Old Zhu did know. When they went to Wuying Palace in the evening, he asked directly, "Didn't that playboy ask you to go shopping with him?"

"How could that be possible? Fifth Uncle stopped me." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Fifth Uncle knows his limits. He likes to go to those elegant places by himself, without bringing anyone else, let alone his nephews and nieces."

Old Zhu smiled and nodded, "That's true. He just wants to listen to music and watch singing and dancing. He doesn't even bring his brothers, let alone his nephews."

Old Zhu then looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said, "Did you want to do the same then?"

Zhu Yunhuan immediately beamed with joy and said, "I used to think that it would be nice to be a rich prince, sleeping until noon every day, without having to worry about expenses, household expenses, or government affairs. Then I would find a Xi Shi and go boating on the lake every day. In my spare time, I would climb mountains and go hunting. How carefree that would be."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Your fifth uncle is like this. He is a smart man and is more open-minded than your other uncles. A playboy has his own advantages. He has no grudges in his heart, unlike your second and third uncles."

Looking at Old Zhu, Zhu Yunhuan said seriously, "I never thought about that before. I always felt that it was worth it to be able to live a carefree life. Now I don't think about those things. When I was a child, I wanted to be a general with weapons and iron horses, a chivalrous hero, or an upright official. Those are meaningless now. Now it's more interesting to govern the Ming Dynasty well!"

Old Zhu joked, "You think better than I do. When I was a child, I just wanted to have enough food. When I was wandering outside, I also thought about having enough food. After I met your grandmother, I just wanted to get married and have children. It would be great to have a place to live."

Zhu Yunhuan also smiled and said, "That's right. It is said that gold is not pure and people are not perfect. There are not so many good things. It's good to be a grandson of the emperor now. I don't envy my fifth uncle's elegant and happy life at all."

Lao Zhu asked, "Do you know those people who like stew?"

Zhu Yunxun was stunned and asked quickly, "No way? How big is it?"

Old Zhu said angrily, "Like fathers, like sons, like daughters. You Dun likes opera, talented men and beautiful women, and famous prostitutes and musicians. At such a young age, this child has no ambitions."

Zhu Yunhuan shook his head and said, "Everyone has their own way of living. As long as he is happy, I don't need him to take on the responsibility anyway. Shang Bing, Ji Hui and Gao Chi can help me, that's enough."

Old Zhu also smiled, "Your father was the same at that time. He had no hope for your fifth uncle. It's the same with you. The other brothers can be relied on, but your fifth uncle's offspring cannot be relied on!"

(End of this chapter)