Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Old Zhu still has some trump cards in his hand, and Zhu Yunhuan naturally knows it, but he doesn't care.

I don’t know when it started, but now the Ming Dynasty needs to consider not only the issue of the crown prince, but the succession of the throne.

In the past, the emperor had always been extremely firm in his choice of the crown prince, but now even the transfer of the throne is extremely smooth.

Old Zhu didn't think there was any problem, and neither did Zhu Yunhuan. Everything was a natural process.

Even Xu Miaojin has let go of some things. The emperor loves the grandson without reservation and is willing to support him. The grandson is also not secretive and never hides his own wishes.

Under such circumstances, everything is natural, and it is completely natural for the Crown Prince to inherit the throne.

Xu Miaojin felt that what she needed to do now was to rest assured and take care of the baby, and give birth to a child for the Crown Prince. This was the most important thing. As long as a child was born, the chances of the Crown Prince ascending the throne smoothly would increase by one point.

In fact, in Xu Miaojin's opinion, it has come to this point, and the emperor will basically abdicate next year. But if it is a son, then it naturally means that the emperor will wholeheartedly train and raise the great-grandson.

At that time, it would naturally mean that it would be easier for the Crown Prince to do things after he ascended the throne.

After eating and drinking, Zhu Yunhuan and Xu Miaojin strolled towards the East Palace.

Xu Miaojin asked, "Your Highness, if I am lucky enough to give birth to a child for you, can some things be put on hold?"

Zhu Yunhuan also understood what Xu Miaojin meant, and said with a smile, "Grandfather has never enjoyed happiness in his life. It was only during the first two years of the founding of the country when my grandmother and my eldest brother were alive that the family lived in harmony for a few years. If we are truly filial, we can give him a great-grandson and make the Qianqing Palace lively. We don't have to think about anything else."

Since Zhu Yunhuan had said this, Xu Miaojin naturally understood what was going on. She now had a clearer understanding of some things, and she did not think that Zhu Yunhuan was exaggerating just for the throne.

The emperor's feelings for the empress and the prince are beyond question, and even the current crown prince Zhu Yunhuan is just because of his father and brother. In the emotionally deprived old Zhu, Zhu Yunhuan is sometimes also a "substitute", which even they themselves are more or less aware of.

But there is no need to doubt the feelings between this grandfather and grandson. This is the most noble grandfather and grandson in the world, and their feelings for each other are extremely sincere.

"I'm thinking now that if my grandfather takes care of the child in the future, I'm afraid he will spoil him beyond measure." Zhu Yunhuan expressed his concerns. "If that's the case, I'm afraid it will be a bit difficult."

Xu Miaojin felt that the problem was not serious, and said comfortingly, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Your father is virtuous and known to the world, and Your Highness is also so wise. If Wen Yao is lucky enough to be taught by the royal grandfather, he will definitely be wise and make progress."

Xu Miaojin's view is not wrong, although not all members of the Ming royal family are virtuous. But the Ming royal family generally has no problem with their ability, at most some princes have moral problems.

The former crown prince and the current crown prince Zhu Yunhuan were both considered to be relatively wise, which, in Xu Miaojin's opinion, was also due to the good training of the emperor.

Zhu Yunhuan glanced at Xu Miaojin and said, "My father doesn't need to say anything. He really thinks I am virtuous and kind. If he was really virtuous, he wouldn't have the reputation of being a playboy that is still circulating in Yingtian Prefecture. Besides, many people know that I have poor manners and don't know etiquette."

At this moment, Xu Miaojin didn’t know what to say, because the situations that Zhu Yunhuan described were real and that was the fact.

Zhu Yunxun continued, "With Grandfather's current temper, if he really takes care of Wen Yao for a few years, he will definitely teach him to be a domineering boy."

Xu Miaojin looked at Zhu Yunhuan, and there were some things he couldn't say much about. Because the crown prince didn't seem to be aware of some things, for example, he only saw other people's problems and didn't think about his own situation.

Xu Miaojin didn't need to comment on whether the crown prince was overbearing and strong. She also believed that the civil and military officials knew better. The crown prince sometimes looked exactly like the current emperor, so there was no doubt about it.

The powerful Crown Prince is worried that the Great-grandson is too overbearing and powerful. It's really hard to tell how this matter is really evaluated.

However, Xu Miaojin did not think this was a big problem. As the crown prince, ability was the most important thing. And given the character of the crown prince, he would not be particularly sensitive to some things.

Some of the atmosphere in the royal family is simply unimaginable in Xu Miaojin's view. The clear system of primogeniture can actually eliminate many hidden dangers in advance, which also makes her feel very secure.

Many things still need to be done slowly. There is no need to be too anxious now. Slow development is enough.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yunhuan naturally had a good rest. He had a lot to do. He had to deal with a lot of state affairs and attend court every day, which were not easy.

Being an emperor content with pleasure and pursuing a luxurious life was not Zhu Yunhuan's ambition. So even if he looks a little tired now, he is enjoying it because what he is doing now is also what he is interested in.

A new day began, and Zhu Yunhuan got up early. After a simple wash, he prepared to go to court.

This is his life, and many things are taken for granted for him. He will never complain, nor will he be lazy. This is not to show off in front of Lao Zhu, but simply because he has long regarded all this as his responsibility and thinks that all this is as it should be.

After taking a quick look at the officials behind him and seeing that they were all lining up obediently, Zhu Yunhuan was quite satisfied. Now the rules of the morning court were basically complete.

It has been nearly thirty years since the founding of the country, but the procession for entering the court, the order for reporting matters, etc. were actually only fully determined in the past two years.

All this is normal. Zhu's humble origins are secondary. The main reason is that he had a series of other things to do before. So he put aside the matter of etiquette. It is a wise saying that "when the granaries are full, people will know etiquette, and when they have enough food and clothing, they will know honor and disgrace."

This is true for the common people, and it is actually also true for the imperial court.

After the morning court session, Zhu Yunhuan returned to the Wenhua Hall, where he naturally summoned some civil and military officials to discuss matters.

Daoyan sorted out the memorials, and those that needed urgent approval and special attention were naturally placed in prominent positions. This monk still had some ability and was definitely a very good secretary.

"Your Highness, the selection of the Minister of Rites should be decided as soon as possible." Daoyan suggested, "The court has just decided on the funeral rites for princes and the rites for the succession of the title by the crown prince. Although they are already perfect, they still need to be implemented."

There is nothing wrong with this statement. When the Prince of Lu died, a Mingtang was actually built. This was beyond the treatment of a vassal king or even a crown prince, and was in line with the specifications of a normal imperial mausoleum. The perfection of etiquette is from all aspects and from top to bottom. Naturally, many things meant that Zhu Yunhuan had to pay attention to them.

Zhu Yunhuan naturally understood this truth, and many things did need to be considered earlier to fill the vacancy of the Minister of Rites.

After all, the current Ming Dynasty has a lot of things to do. It is extremely important to further reverse the folk customs left over from the Yuan Dynasty, especially in the north, and rebuild the etiquette of the Han people in a deep-rooted way.

What's more, we also need to consider next year's imperial examination. To carry out the first imperial examination with north-south division is actually a challenge of varying degrees, and it also brings a certain amount of pressure.

Zhu Yunhuan thought for a moment and said, "I'm still considering this matter. Do you think there is a suitable person?"

Daoyan immediately spoke up, "Your Highness, how dare I speak nonsense?"

Even though he is now considered Zhu Yunhuan's confidant and knows more and more about many things in the court, the more this is the case, the more Daoyan dares not be careless.

Especially since he now appears to be a Palace Minister, he actually has no real power and can only be regarded as the Crown Prince's "staff member".

He believed that he had some talent and ability, and he had always felt that his ambitions were difficult to achieve and that he had no chance to display what he had learned, which often made him depressed.

But how could he dare to think too much now, because the Emperor was still sitting on the throne. And this crown prince was very skilled and scheming, and his control over the government was also very good. As for the Prince of Yan, even though he was also a rare talent, he basically had no chance.

Zhu Yunhuan also smiled and said to Daoyan, "It's best if you don't dare to speak nonsense. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask and don't say what you shouldn't say."

Daoyan was given a small blow, but now he should continue to do his work honestly, which is obviously a more important and meaningful thing.

The Minister of Rites really needed to be decided as soon as possible. It was definitely not a good idea to keep dragging it out. Zhu Yunhuan was naturally aware of this, and he did not intend to keep the position of Minister of Rites vacant.

However, the issue of candidate selection still needs to be considered, and this should be used as bait to observe the situation in the court.

Under such circumstances, it naturally means that some things cannot be rushed. Let's wait until the second half of the year, when we can naturally make a clearer decision on this matter.

We still need to hurry up, after all, next year is a very critical node. It is not good to be without the Minister of Rites, so Zhu Yunhuan is preparing for his ascension to the throne in advance.

Some things are just like this. There is no point in being anxious. You can only take it step by step.

Whether it is the selection of the Minister of Rites or the succession of the throne, it needs to be done slowly.

Chang Sheng came cheerfully and said, "Your Highness, there is news from Ningbo."

Zhu Yunhuan was a little curious and asked, "Ningbo? Could it be that the message came from my son, the Marquis of Wuding?"

Guo Ying's eldest son Guo Zhen did not go with the army this time, but went to Ningbo according to Zhu Yunhuan's instructions. There, he naturally had to inspect the coastal defense, which was also one of the important bases of the navy.

Chang Sheng immediately replied, "The prince of Wuding sent someone to report that the four guards of Ningbo are all elite soldiers, and the construction of the coastal city is also complete."

The imperial court had been working hard on these things before. These things were not only to prevent Japanese pirates, but also to guard against the remnants of Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang who had occupied some islands off the coast of Zhejiang.

Zhu Yunhuan was in a good mood and was very satisfied with this answer. "Let the Governor's Office prepare and send a few assistants over."

Some things don't need to be thought about too much. The people Zhu Yunhuan requires must be elite soldiers and generals. And not just elite soldiers and generals, but targeted arrangements of some generals who are more familiar with naval warfare.

It was also well known that Zhu Yunhuan attached great importance to the navy, especially within the Five Military Commandery, where many people even complained and expressed doubts in secret.

In this land, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to military affairs is land warfare, and what people want to develop are cavalry and infantry. Only a few regimes, such as the Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period, pay more attention to the navy. In fact, even the Eastern Wu did not put the navy first in development.

In fact, it was the same in the Ming Dynasty. Even though Zhu Yuanzhang's victory over Chen Youliang in the Battle of Poyang Lake laid the foundation for his dominance, it did not mean that the Ming Dynasty attached great importance to the navy.

Transporting food and fodder by sea and suppressing Japanese pirates, this is the greatest significance of the existence of the navy.

But it is obvious that these are far from enough in Zhu Yunhuan's eyes. What he needs to develop is a powerful navy with "high-sea capabilities", not the current scale.

Chang Sheng continued, "Don't worry, Your Highness. We understand. Marquis Jiangyin has led his troops aboard the ship, and it is said that they have done a good job in training."

Wu Gao, Marquis of Jiangyin, was the son of Wu Liang, Duke of Jiang. He was also a leader among the second generation of nobles. In history, he trained troops and led troops to war several times, and performed well in defending Liaodong. Even in the Jingnan Campaign, he made Zhu Di hesitate to act rashly.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and nodded, saying, "That's good. Although Wu Gao is a little timid, he is thorough, cautious, and strategic. That's good. There won't be any mistakes."

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "Transfer the Marquis of Yuexi over there as well. We should remember our family traditions!"

Yu Tongyuan, the Marquis of Yuexi, was the son of Yu Tingyu, an early general of Zhu Yuanzhang. His two elder brothers, Yu Tonghai and Yu Tongyuan, also had many military achievements. However, Yu Tongyuan lacked ability. In the past few years, he followed Lan Yu to suppress the rebellion in Jianchang Wei and built a city in Yuexi. This was considered a reluctant title of marquis.

In history, he also followed the army to fight against Prince of Yan Zhu Di and died in the Battle of Baigou River.

Chang Sheng basically had no objection to Zhu Yunhuan's arrangement. It didn't matter if he didn't understand it, he just had to execute it, which he was good at.

There is no point in thinking too much. Since he is not a wise man, he will not think about it. The arrangement made by the crown prince must have a meaning. If it is well executed, it will not hinder the crown prince's plan! (End of this chapter)