Daming: I am the Crown Prince

It was originally thought that the Ming Dynasty's government was now stable, but suddenly something happened that made many people tremble with fear.

Some censors impeached royal family princes for not governing their subordinates strictly. They investigated royal family princes who used their power to obtain salt permits and grant them to some merchants, etc.

Many people were frightened by this, because it looked like a precursor to a major crime.

The emperor was also very angry and ordered the crown prince to investigate the case thoroughly!

As soon as the court was dismissed, Zhu Yunhuan summoned the heads of the three judicial departments to Wenhua Hall to carefully discuss how to investigate and deal with the matter.

In fact, everyone understands that this case is not a trivial matter. It must be treated seriously when it is time to treat it seriously, and we must not think about saving some people at this time.

The emperor and the crown prince's intentions were also very clear. The fact that this matter was discussed in the court showed that the emperor and the crown prince could not tolerate collusion between officials and businessmen, especially dealings with vassal kings.

In addition, this matter involves the opening of the China-France border and border security issues, so it naturally becomes more sensitive.

After the others left, Daoyan said, "Your Highness, Prince Zhou and Prince Wulin don't know much about this matter, and they are probably deceived. Prince Qi may have heard about it, but it is his palace that transports the most salt to Liaodong."

"It would be great if they were really transporting salt!" Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but complain, "What on earth is my seventh uncle thinking? He is the King of Qi, he is conceited about his bravery and strategy, and he also wants to make money?"

Daoyan was not sure what to answer, so he said cautiously, "Your Highness, most of the money that Your Highness the Prince of Qi received was used for large-scale construction projects, and there was no use for making weapons or training soldiers."

"He has been confused for half his life, but he is smart in this matter!" Zhu Yunhuan snorted coldly, "If he really makes weapons, he will have to go to the high wall!"

These words made some people shudder with fear, but considering what the King of Qi had done, it was no wonder that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was so angry.

It would be fine if the King of Qi really relied on his power to deal with some merchants, but the main thing is that he only issued salt permits but did not deliver salt. This is a big deal. The food and salt of the border garrisons are not trivial matters.

There has been no way to avoid corruption and bribery in all dynasties, but only a few years after the introduction of the Kai Zhong Fa, some smart people found loopholes.

They are really very courageous and dare to interfere in matters concerning the security of the imperial court. It can only be said that some people only care about their own interests.

Xia Yuanji then said, "Your Highness, I think that Your Highness the Prince of Qi has caused the court to suffer a loss of no less than 20,000 taels, and the soldiers in the guard post have many complaints."

"Search their property." Zhu Yunhuan answered without hesitation, "Since those merchants know that they are in collusion with the King of Qi, they naturally know that this is risky. If you have gained any benefits, return them to me with interest."

Many people actually know what happened to those illegal traders. The key point now is how to convince the princes.

Especially considering the emperor's character, many people think that the King of Qi might be punished for this matter, but it would not be too serious. There is some precedent for this.

A big part of the reason why the Prince of Qi dared to be so fearless was that he was sure that the Emperor would not punish him severely, and the Crown Prince did not dare to be strict with him either. That's why he became somewhat unscrupulous, because he would just be scolded anyway.

The court has cut the supply, so I have to find a way to earn money myself. It’s no big deal!

Zhu Yunhuan called Jiang Li and asked directly, "Have you caught all the people I asked you to catch this time?"

"Your Highness, we have arrested all those who should be arrested." Jiang Li replied politely, "I have also interrogated them and have transferred them to the Ministry of Justice."

Zhu Yunhuan nodded in satisfaction, and then said, "Send someone to urge the King of Qi to return to the capital as soon as possible. There is no need for him to come back with the King of Yan and others."

The others also knew that the rectification of the royal family this time would definitely start with the King of Qi. This time, the King of Qi would undoubtedly be the one who would be punished the most.

But if you think about it, it’s not surprising. Compared with other royal family members, the King of Qi was the most involved in this matter, so it is natural that he should be severely punished.

Moreover, in terms of personal relationship, the Prince of Qi did not disrespect Zhu Yunhuan, the Crown Prince. However, many people also knew that Zhu Yunhuan and the Prince of Qi had a lukewarm relationship.

Even though many people say that the Crown Prince will protect the royal family, this does not mean that he will try his best to protect all of them. In other words, the King of Qin, the King of Zhou, etc. have a close relationship with the Crown Prince and seem to be very close to him.

Therefore, if the King of Qi is unlucky this time, it is obviously not the fault of others. It is because he acts flamboyantly and does not pay attention to personal relationships. It is not the fault of others.

The Crown Prince seemed to have expressed his own attitude, unwilling to interfere in some matters and acting in a businesslike manner.

In the court, many officials were trying to guess the emperor and the crown prince's intentions. They had no idea whether to make this case bigger or to control its scope.

If it involved members of the royal family in the past, they would definitely be given a light punishment or a severe warning, or even just be glossed over with vague explanations. Everyone thought this kind of situation was the most normal.

But if you think about it carefully, this Crown Prince seems to be close to the royal family since he was enthroned, but he often uses various restrictive means. I feel that if he is really ambiguous, the Crown Prince will definitely be very dissatisfied.

Caught between the emperor who is protective of his son and the crown prince who wants to handle matters impartially, the officials handling the case are obviously in the most difficult situation at this time.

However, even if they feel extremely embarrassed, some cases still have to be handled. They don't even have more time to come up with a perfect plan. Time waits for no one.

While busy with the affairs of the court, Zhu Yunhuan did not forget some of his family affairs. Some of his family affairs were not just family affairs.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the East Palace, Zhu Yunhuan asked with a smile, "Second brother, are you okay today?"

Xu Yingxu immediately said cautiously, "Your Highness, I dare not curry favor with the royal family."

Although he said so, Xu Yingxu was happy in his heart. Not only did his sister become the Crown Prince's Consort, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that Xu Miaojin's position was stable and she and the Crown Prince were very affectionate.

"Stay in the palace for a few days. There must be a few of your family members here." Zhu Yunxun said with a smile, "Don't always think about the rules. Go and talk to Miao Jin when you have nothing to do. Otherwise, why would I ask you to come to the palace? Do you really think that my East Palace will be unsafe without you?"

Xu Yingxu still answered politely, "Your Highness, I am an outsider."

"Foreign minister, that doesn't mean you are not allowed to talk!" Zhu Yunheng said with a smile, "There are still many guards in this palace, many of whom are from noble families. Miao Jin has been feeling uneasy these days, so talk to her more. This is a big deal! If it weren't for the rules, the eldest and second sisters-in-law should also be allowed to enter the palace." After thinking for a while, Zhu Yunheng said, "Zhang Fusheng, go to the Zhongshan Palace to convey the order. From now on, let the wife of the Duke of Wei and others enter the palace every day to talk with the Crown Princess. It would also be good to call the Crown Princess's old friends to come and talk together."

Xu Yingxu said quickly, "Your Highness, this is against the rules!"

"Rules?" Zhu Yunhuan asked back, "Which law stipulates that women are not allowed to enter the palace? The Crown Prince's Consort is now in charge of the palace, and she ordered women to enter the palace. This is also a rule! As long as they don't stay overnight, it will be fine!"

Xu Yingxu didn't say much, because as long as the women didn't stay in the palace overnight, there would be no need to worry about rumors.

Moreover, as Xu Miaojin's elder brother, Xu Yingxu also wanted Xu Miaojin to be happy. Now that Xu Miaojin was pregnant, everyone in the Zhongshan Palace was eagerly waiting for the baby, hoping it would be a boy.

Seeing Zhu Yunhuan's attitude towards Xu Miaojin, Xu Yingxu and others were naturally happier.

When they arrived at the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yunhuan complained to Xu Miaojin, "I don't even bother to talk about your second brother. He's just like your eldest brother. Do you know why I always let Shunchang jump out of the crowd? If Shunchang continues to grow up like this, he will probably be as boring as Xu Huizu!"

Princess Ningguo was helpless and said, "Yunhuan, Shunchang is just like that. He should follow the rules and do his duty."

Zhu Yunxun asked again, "Where is my sister? Why didn't I see her making a fuss?"

"I didn't bring her today, and I didn't get up this morning." Princess Anqing said, "It's better that she didn't come, so we can have a good chat. If she came, I would be scared just looking at her, and I wouldn't be able to stop for a moment."

Zhu Yunxun thought about it carefully and said, "Yes, my sister is a little naughty, but she will be fine when she grows up!"

The others hesitated to speak. Wang Ruyi was a person who would probably grow up to be arrogant. But Princess Anqing didn't care, and Zhu Yunhuan was particularly fond of his cousin, so the others didn't know what to say.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang loved his granddaughter very much. Wang Ruyi was the name that Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunhuan came up with after a long period of deliberation. Among Zhu Yuanzhang's grandchildren, she was unique.

I don't have any other requirements for the child, I just hope she can live a happy life.

"Aunt, aunt, if anyone comes to beg for mercy these days, you have to keep an eye on them." Zhu Yunhuan joked, "Fifth Uncle is anxious now and is begging for mercy everywhere."

Princess Ningguo smiled and said, "I see. Old Five was really anxious to come this time. I had to go to your house yesterday, so I closed the door and refused to see you."

Princess Anqing also said, "As soon as I left the house today, he dragged my consort away! How could I not know what Fifth Brother was thinking? He was just afraid of having to go back home again!"

"It's time for the emperor's uncle to go back to his hometown!" Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "There's no one to cultivate the fields in my hometown, and my grandfather and I can't let it go. It's not the uncles' turn to offer sacrifices to the altar of the land, but the descendants of our Zhu family have to offer sacrifices to our ancestors."

The fields used for offering sacrifices to heaven and earth must have been produced from the imperial fields that were cultivated by the emperor himself.

However, many of the people who worship their ancestors use the farmland in their hometown of Fengyang.

In the past, there was Zhu Shouqian, the Prince of Jingjiang, and then Zhu Su and Zhu Chong. In recent years, there was basically no shortage of clan members farming in their hometown. This year, no one was farming in their hometown, and Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan felt a little uncomfortable.

Princess Anqing and Princess Ningguo looked at each other. They couldn't say anything about these things. They just thought that the fifth brother might go back to his hometown again. He was also the best farmer among the brothers and sisters!
But there was nothing to worry about. Lao Wu had always made mistakes, big and small, and it was not the first or second time that he had returned to his hometown to farm. It was normal for him to farm for a year or two and then go back.

So these things are nothing to worry about, and they really have no reason to care too much about the affairs of the court.

"Tomorrow you can rest at home. I will have someone bring Miao Jin's sisters-in-law and her friends into the palace." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "I have been causing you to worry about Miao Jin and me."

Princess Anqing rushed to say, "This is a good thing. Many people are eagerly looking forward to it. Let me tell you, many people have come to me to ask for help, hoping to become Wen Yao's wet nurse."

Princess Ningguo also said, "I have a lot of people who have asked for favors, not to mention those with clean backgrounds, most of them are civil and military officials."

There is no doubt that if a wet nurse is to be found for Zhu Wenyao, there must be some requirements. A clean background is one of the simplest requirements.

As for the wives and concubines of some civil and military officials becoming Zhu Wenyao's wet nurses, that was not a humiliation but a guarantee of honor and status.

Zhu Yunxun smiled and asked, "Do you have any favorites? If so, I will send someone to take a look."

Princess Anqing and Princess Ningguo naturally also care about this matter. Zhu Wenyao is the future crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, and this identity alone is enough to make many people flock to him.

And if nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Wenyao's wet nurse must have a son. This means that the wet nurse's son is Zhu Wenyao's playmate, a companion who grew up together.

With such a background, one will surely rise to a high position in the officialdom in the future. Some noble families may be better off, but the families of middle and low-level officials will have their fate changed in an instant.

Xu Miaojin, who was pregnant, stood up slowly and said with a smile, "Aunt, little aunt, why are you so worried! Concubine Ning arranged for them. They were previously guarded by His Majesty."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately joked, "Aunt, aunt, you won't get this favor. Grandfather has arranged someone, and I can't do anything about it."

Others had nothing to say. Coming from a family of Zhu's personal guards, their status was self-evident. Compared with the families of ordinary civil and military officials, they looked more reliable and respectable.

Zhu Yunxun thought about it carefully and asked, "Tell me how I was arranged when I was a child?"

Princess Anqing and Princess Ningguo looked at each other. How was it arranged?
Like other less valued princes and grandchildren, he was certainly not treated unfairly, but he was not given special care either. Perhaps it was because Zhu Yunhuan had lost his biological mother, so he was given a few more nurses and wet nurses to raise him.

Seeing that the others were silent, Zhu Yunhuan also laughed, "Forget it, it's not good to say this. Just take care of her these days, and everything will be fine after Miaojin gives birth."

Everyone agreed with this statement. Once Xu Miaojin gave birth to a child, everything would be fine.

The emperor and the crown prince are not busy celebrating their own birthdays. They are just waiting for Xu Miaojin to give birth to a child. This is what the Ming royal family cares about most now.

Compared with this, the others are not worth mentioning at all! (End of this chapter)