Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Zhu Su was a little confused. After thinking carefully, he realized that he had not done anything wrong. Why did he receive an imperial decree asking him to return to Beijing?
Although he had feelings for Yingtianfu and Fengyang, and always missed home in the past, that was in the past. Now Zhu Su thought it would be better not to go back easily.

Because if I go back, nothing good will happen. Now I am just living freely in Kaifeng and it is very good.

When he has nothing to do, he edits medical books, tastes herbs with some scholars who also study plants, and when he has nothing to do, he takes care of the huge botanical garden he built.

This kind of life is a pleasure for Zhu Su. He has found what he is interested in, so he doesn't miss home as much as before and doesn't want to go back even if there is nothing to do.

But there were some things that he couldn't think about, so he could only obey the order. Even if he was confused, he still had to return to Beijing.

However, Zhu Su was somewhat confident, because his second, third, fourth and seventh brothers were also about to return to Beijing. In his opinion, this time might be related to the war in the north.

But Zhu Gang was also a little puzzled. The war in the north had nothing to do with him, so why did he have to go back?

Zhu Gang was completely confused and on his way back to Beijing, while Zhu Yunwen, who had already returned to Yingtian Prefecture, felt his heart sinking.

He had already interrogated his brother-in-law and realized that this incident was definitely not a frame-up by his younger brother, the Crown Prince.

Having been badly cheated, Zhu Yunwen is now only thinking about how to protect himself and how to get himself out of this nest of trouble.

When Zhu Yunwen was worried, many people also noticed some unusual things about the founding duke.

In fact, even in the Five Military Commandery, there were some people who looked down on Chang Sheng and doubted his abilities.

Chang Sheng might understand these things, but he doesn't care about them too much. He knows his abilities and his identity, and there are many things that he doesn't need to take to heart.

Some people could clearly feel that the usually arrogant Duke walked even more vigorously, and the Duke, who usually looked down on others, now seemed to look down on some people even more.

The way his mouth was difficult to suppress would make people suspect that this founding duke might have another child.

You have to know that in the past few years when the Crown Prince had not been appointed, even though he was the Founding Duke, Chang Sheng was relatively low-key, and his presence was seriously lacking among the noble group.

That is to say, after the position of the crown prince became more and more stable in the past few days and his abilities were noticed by everyone, this founding duke began to become more and more proud.

It’s not that Chang Sheng is domineering now, it’s just that he likes to put on airs. He looks down on all the nobles and others, except for a few close relatives.

"My Lord." Wang De was a little curious and gossipy. "What happy event has happened?"

As Wang Bi's son, Wang De naturally had a good relationship with Chang Sheng. Wang Bi and Wang De were not only the backbone of Chang's faction, but also the earliest nobles to support Zhu Yunhuan and serve him.

"I'll find you a guard commander!" Chang Sheng joked, "Do you want to go to Longxiong Guard or Shen Ce Guard? If you really want to risk your reputation, I'll go and ask for a deputy commander for you!"

Wang De had seen Chang Sheng's unreliable words more than once or twice, so some things didn't need to be taken to heart.

Chang Sheng lowered his voice and said, "Keep an eye on the camp and carefully select people with some ability. Duke Ying is not in the capital now, you should go to the Wuyuan more often and find some capable officers and talents for me!"

Wang Deze was a little surprised, "My Lord, this is a little inappropriate, isn't it?"

Chang Sheng naturally understood some of Wang De's concerns. In fact, with Zhu Yunhuan's identity and status, and his current power, he naturally did not need to consider cultivating wings and waving flags in the court, nor did he need to consider expanding his momentum and so on.

In the past few years, Duke Kaiguo and Duke Liangguo had considered these matters, and they also wanted to contact more nobles with whom they had some contacts and connections in the past. However, as soon as this matter was brought up, they were scolded by the Crown Prince.

"There will be a lot of replacements in the army next year, don't tell anyone!" Chang Sheng couldn't hide his pride and expectation, "If His Highness needs to hire someone, we have to recommend some people right away."

Wang De was stunned. "Next year? Duke, can that happen next year?"

While they were talking, a guard came to report, "Duke Kaiguo, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Chen Di, wants to see you."

Chang Sheng also found it very strange. "Why is this person from the Ministry of Rites coming to my Central Military Governor's Office? What official business could he have?"

"It's probably about the triumphant return of the army!" Wang De answered without thinking, "It must be about the surrender of prisoners. The Ministry of Rites will also help with the triumphant return of the army."

Chang Sheng was even more puzzled. "I haven't heard of any great victory, nor have I heard of the capture of any important Tartar figures! Why did the Ministry of War come first, but the Ministry of Rites did? What's the point of this?"

Even so, Chang Sheng still asked someone to invite Chen Di over first, because there was news that the Crown Prince intended to promote Chen Di to the position of Minister of Rites.

Chen Di was ambitious, loyal and filial, and had served in various local posts, which was why Crown Prince Sun Cong promoted him among other ministers.

Chen Di entered the Central Military Governor's Mansion and bowed politely, "I am Chen Di, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. I am honored to meet the Duke of Kaiguo."

Civil servants are like this. Even if they look down on some nobles sometimes, now that the nobles are strong, especially when their official rank is not as high as that of the nobles, they can only bow according to the rules.

Chang Sheng also spoke directly and asked, "Master Chen, they say that no one comes to see you for no reason. Why are you here?"

Chen Di really didn't want to deal with Chang Sheng, but he had no choice. "Duke of the Founding Kingdom, His Highness ordered me to prepare the ceremonial guards and offerings within a month."

Chang Sheng was even more puzzled and confused, "What does this have to do with me?"

Chen Di patiently explained, "For the matter of the soldiers and guards, the founding duke must arrange for good people."

Chang Sheng thought about it carefully and said, "Then I have to go to His Highness to ask for permission. The palace guards and ceremonial guards are not my job."

Chen Di also continued, "Your Highness has also ordered that the Zhongdu garrison should make preparations, and the Xiaoling guards should also prepare for the joint sacrifice."

Not to mention Chang Sheng, even Wang De reacted at this point, and everyone began to get excited and look forward to it.

In fact, this is not to say that they are preparing for the coronation ceremony or something like that. Those things are too far away, so it is not appropriate to mention them for the time being. All of this is naturally to prepare for the upcoming birth of the Crown Prince's Consort. Whether it is a boy or a girl, this is a big deal.

If it is a boy, and he is the eldest and the legitimate son, he will undoubtedly be the future crown prince of the Ming Dynasty.

Even if it is a daughter, it doesn't matter much. As long as the Crown Prince has an heir, there is no need for some people to worry.

These are big events. King Zhongshan must be more concerned about whether Xu Miaojin gave birth to a boy or a girl.

But in a sense, the King of Zhongshan and the King of Kaiping are the same, and their interests are often the same. The first two of these two founding generals also want to die with the Ming Dynasty!
After meeting Chen Di, Chang Sheng hurried to Wenhua Palace, "Your Highness, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites just went to the Central Military Governor's Office and said that there is a decree from Your Highness."

"That's what I meant. Just do it." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Keep an eye on the palace these days. Call Xu Yingxu back quickly and have him stay at the East Palace."

Chang Sheng nodded immediately, "I'll send someone to summon him as soon as I get back, and I'm sure it won't delay anything important."

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it carefully, and then said, "Let the prince of Yingguogong and the prince of Wudinghou guard the palace gate, and my second uncle will be sitting in the Central Military Commander's Office these days."

Although he was thinking about his fat son at home, Chang Sheng also knew that this was a very special moment, so naturally he had to focus on the affairs of the court.

There was nothing to worry about at home. In fact, after Chang Jizu was born, Chang Sheng had very few opportunities to hold his son.

Chang Lan held her all day, and that was enough. Chang Sheng, as a father, didn't dare to say anything more.

"Bring Jizu to the palace in a few days to bring me some blessings." Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "Can Jizu speak now?"

Chang Sheng smiled brightly when he mentioned his son. "He's not even one year old yet, and he can't speak yet. He's just very naughty, he can't stay in the house at all, he has to run outside all day long."

"That's fine too. I like tough kids." Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhang Fusheng and said, "Let my grandmother bring Jizu to the palace tomorrow, and let my aunt come with her to talk to Miaojin."

Zhu Yunhuan said, "Let the wife of the Duke of Wei bring Xu Qin here as well. I heard that the child is quite naughty."

The Xu family's family tradition is relatively strict, but this is not an absolute thing. For example, Xu Qin seems to be a little spoiled now, and Xu Huizu can't control him.

Chang Sheng also summoned up the courage to ask, "Your Highness, if this trip is just to offer sacrifices to Xiaoling Mausoleum and Zhongdu, I think it is appropriate. But as for the Imperial Guards, I really don't know how to do it."

"Just follow the rituals. When my son is born, we naturally need to offer sacrifices to our ancestors." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "As for that matter, you can lead others to practice it first."

Chang Sheng understood that some things should be handled in a low-key manner and not be publicized in a big way. However, this does not mean that there will be no action at all. The preparations should be made in private.

Zhu Yunxun looked at Chang Sheng and asked with a smile, "How many people have you told about what I asked you to do last time?"

"There are quite a few of them, and they are all people I interact with the most." Chang Sheng said, "I specifically told Wang De to walk around the camp and the martial arts garden."

Daoyan, who was standing by, was horrified. This audacious Crown Prince was really fearless. If someone who didn't know heard this, they would think that the Crown Prince was planning a rebellion.

Let the founding dukes build momentum and wave flags in the court and the country, let trusted nobles serve in the army, and win over some younger middle and senior generals.

Moreover, they were heading for the Beijing Camp, which meant that they were going to take over the military power directly and completely control the affairs inside and outside the capital. They were even going to take over the defense of the imperial palace.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't care what Dao Yan was thinking. He smiled and nodded, "This is how things should be done. I think this is good. Hurry up."

After receiving some affirmation from Zhu Yunhuan, Chang Sheng naturally felt more confident. What he feared most was that he had not done some things well.

As long as he didn't mess up the job, it was enough for Chang Sheng. Chang Sheng knew he was not capable of leading troops to fight, defeat the enemy and destroy the country.

However, Chang Sheng felt that he could still do some things for the Crown Prince, as long as he was more careful.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Daoyan and said, "You should also discuss the salt permit issue with the founding duke carefully. Before the princes come to Beijing, everything must be done halfway. I don't want to procrastinate at that time."

Daoyan immediately responded neatly, "Your Highness, the files have been sorted out, and the prisoners' confessions and so on are also ready. If the princes have any doubts, they can check the files and interrogate the prisoners at any time."

Zhu Yunhuan was more satisfied with this answer. Daoyan was very talented in doing these things and could understand what Zhu Yunhuan meant.

Chang Sheng would not do anything casually. He basically did whatever Zhu Yunhuan said and had no subjective initiative.

Daoyan seemed to have some subjective initiative at times, but this did not mean that he would act on his own. He would do everything Zhu Yunhuan asked him to do perfectly, without leaving any flaws or hidden dangers.

This is why Zhu Yunhuan didn't like Daoyan at first, but after having Daoyan working for him for the past two years, he began to recognize him more and more. This is also the reason why Daoyan was promoted quickly, and he became a Palace Grand Secretary.

This can be considered a meteoric rise. The promotion speed of the monk Daoyan was comparable to that of some officials in the early years of the founding of the country. It was very normal for him to be promoted several levels.

Zhu Yunhuan continued to instruct, "There are some things that you should discuss carefully with the founding duke, and do them prudently. Be careful not to cause a big uproar."

Chang Sheng looked at Daoyan. This weird monk was a weird person. Even though he had a higher official position and status, he still felt some pressure in front of Daoyan. This weird monk always gave people a very awkward feeling.

Chang Sheng and Daoyan also understood that what Zhu Yunhuan was talking about were nothing more than things that would happen next year.

But it’s autumn now, and it’s time to prepare for the new year.

This also means that many things can indeed be considered proactively, especially some big things that must be grasped and must be taken seriously. It is natural to seize the time.

After arranging some things carefully, Zhu Yunhuan felt that the day's tasks were basically completed and he could take a good rest.

It will be very interesting to face the royal family next!
Thinking about the possible expressions of those uncles, Zhu Yunhuan looked forward to it even more. It would be really interesting! (End of this chapter)