Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Zhu Wenyao's birth seemed to fill the entire Yingtian Prefecture with a festive atmosphere, and this was not too much of an exaggeration.

Because the emperor was overjoyed, officials from top to bottom in Yingtian Prefecture were busy reporting the good news and also arranged some rare festive celebrations.

In addition, the royal family came forward to help some elderly and lonely people, or provide porridge, cloth and other rewards, so some people still got real benefits.

Zhu Wenyao had just been born, but many people had already witnessed the emperor's love and partiality. But this scene didn't seem to be surprising, as the emperor always liked the eldest son and was extremely partial to him.

Zhu Yunhuan was also extremely happy at this time, not only because he became a father for the first time, but also because his position as the crown prince became more stable with the birth of Zhu Wenyuan.

The inheritance of the royal bloodline has always been an extremely important matter. When Xu Miaojin was pregnant, people felt relieved. Now that they have a son, it naturally means that Zhu Yunhuan is impeccable.

Old Zhu was very happy and asked with concern, "How is our great-grandson?"

"I'm fine. I can eat and sleep well." Zhu Yunxun also replied happily, "Grandfather, it's not that your grandson is nosy. Wen Yao was only born a few days ago, but you only have your great-grandson in your eyes. I am such a big grandson, but you don't even ask about it."

Old Zhu said bluntly, "You are already so old, do you still need us to protect you everywhere? We just want our great-grandson now, and it doesn't matter whether our grandson will see him or not."

This is most likely what Old Zhu really thinks, although it is a bit exaggerated. But in Old Zhu's eyes, his great-grandson is now his lifeblood.

"The Concubine Ning is now guarding the East Palace. I wanted to talk to Miao Jin more, but she wouldn't allow it." Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but complain, "She said Miao Jin needs to rest and can't be disturbed."

Old Zhu said with great approval, "Our granddaughter-in-law has done a great job. She should have a good rest. Don't bother her!"

This also made Zhu Yunhuan not know what to say, but if you think about it, some of the current views and practices of Zhu and Concubine Guo Ning are also in line with the cognition of this era.

If the family has the conditions, the mother will definitely need to rest after giving birth, and she needs to take good care of herself during the confinement period.

As for wanting to see the child, that was not very realistic. It would take at least ten days or half a month before you could enter the delivery room and see the child.

Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan actually received the same treatment. No matter how anxious or expectant they were, they could only wait obediently at this time. No one could find fault with this matter.

While Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan were chatting, Prince of Qi Zhu Gui returned to the imperial city with a heavy heart. The first thing he did was to go to Fengxian Hall to pay homage.

He already knew what had happened. It was not because his previous proposal to return had displeased the Emperor and the Crown Prince, but because his subordinates were not careful enough and some things were verified.

After the worship was over, Zhu Yu asked, "Where shall I go now?"

A young eunuch replied, "Your Highness, the King of Qi, His Majesty has ordered you to go to Wuying Palace."

Zhu Yu was also feeling bitter, as he no longer had the usual treatment as a vassal king. After the worship in Fengxian Hall was over, even if the emperor did not come, the crown prince should show up.

But now, he was summoned directly to Wuying Palace. This omitted a step, which was the family etiquette. If it was before, I might not care much about it, but now I have to think about it.

In fact, ever since he knew why he was summoned, Zhu Gui had been thinking about countermeasures, how to make excuses, shirk responsibility, etc.

When he was in his fief, he could do whatever he wanted, thinking that no one could control him. But after arriving in Yingtian Prefecture, he naturally behaved himself and followed his duties.

When he arrived at Wuying Palace, Zhu Yu immediately knelt down and saluted. "Your son Zhu Yu, kowtows to your father."

Old Zhu looked up at Zhu Yu and said casually, "Just kneel down. You should reflect on yourself if you have no respect for your father or your king."

Zhu Yu kowtowed quickly, looking extremely terrified, "Father, please understand, I have been deceived. Even if I have the courage of heaven, I would not dare to act recklessly!"

"You are more daring than your second and third brothers!" Old Zhu said calmly, "No matter how illegal they are, they only dare to do things in the palace and dare not do anything that harms the country. You are my son, taking the lead in colluding with merchants and harming border soldiers. You are really my good son!"

Zhu Yu kowtowed repeatedly, "Father, please understand, I am innocent!"

Zhu Yunhuan took out the file and handed it to Zhu Yu, "Seventh Uncle, take a good look at it yourself. If you still think it's an injustice, I will immediately investigate those incompetent officials and clear your name. If you don't think it's an injustice after reading it, I can only ask Grandfather to treat you according to the laws of the court and the laws of the royal family."

Zhu Yu was at a loss for words. He wanted to argue and shirk responsibility, but if he insisted at this time, it would probably make the matter worse.

Zhu Yunhuan said, "I have taken all the commanders and officials in the palace under your command. I have also had people take all the merchants and salt merchants. If your seventh uncle is still dissatisfied, I can bring them here to explain it to you in person."

Zhu Yu was even more embarrassed. He knew exactly what he had done. If he really wanted to argue, he would definitely not dare to do it.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "Liaodong is bitterly cold, with insufficient food and salt. The court established the Kaizhong Law to protect the remote frontier. If Seventh Uncle does this, isn't he destroying his own Great Wall? But the supply to the royal family was cut a few years ago. Is Seventh Uncle resentful?"

Zhu Yu didn't know what to say. Zhu Yunhuan's words made some sense. In the past, there was too much supply and it didn't matter, but now that it has been cut a lot, it feels that it is not enough.

As for his own supplies, which were beyond the reach of ordinary people, Zhu Yu didn't care. He was a prince of the imperial court, so naturally he had to use the best and live the most luxurious life.

Old Zhu snorted coldly and said, "If you dare to defend yourself, I will punish you immediately! I am just in a good mood now, so you should go back to Fengyang to farm. When you change, you can talk about returning to the vassal state again!"

Zhu Yu's face turned pale and he was about to collapse. "Father, you are going to depose me!"

Old Zhu said with a determined heart, "Whether to dethrone or not is entirely up to you. No one else can help you! Let the prince take care of it first when you are in Prince Qi's mansion. I am too lazy to say anything to you."

Zhu Yu begged, hoping that Old Zhu would change his mind, but Old Zhu did not seem to have any intention of changing his mind.

Facing Zhu Yu's pleading eyes, Zhu Yunhuan did not express anything. He was even more resolute than Old Zhu in dealing with his seventh uncle.

Zhu Yuan was really panicking. He had the confidence to act recklessly before because he was a prince and knew Zhu Yuanzhang's character. But now, he was almost deposed. But there was room for maneuver, just like the previous Qin Wang Zhu Chong, Zhou Wang Zhu Su, and Jingjiang Wang Zhu Shouqian, who all returned to their hometowns to farm after committing crimes.

Zhu Shouqian repeatedly committed crimes, which is why he was unable to return to Guilin for the third time. Zhu Chong and Zhu Su both returned to their fiefdoms and continued to be free and easy princes.

Although he was not deposed, no one knew what the final outcome would be. It was said that the crown prince valued the royal family the most, but now he looked like he had nothing to do with it and had no intention of helping or pleading for mercy!
Zhu Yu was not disheartened, but he did not dare to go against the old Zhu's wishes, so he could only leave Wuying Palace in disgrace. He could only return to Fengyang now, and it was hard to say what the future would be like.

Seeing Zhu Yu leave, Zhu Yunhuan said, "Tomorrow, let the court announce to the world that Uncle Seventh's decision this time should be made public."

Old Zhu had no objection. He had made up his mind to teach his own son a lesson. Naturally, he also wanted to intimidate the subjects of the world to prevent some people from continuing to act recklessly.

"Your seventh uncle has been dealt with, and you can have the rest of the corrupt officials dealt with." Old Zhu snorted, "He is so unlucky to get involved with these people and damage the foundation of the court!"

Old Zhu had reason to be angry. This was the Zhu family's world, and the descendants of the Zhu family naturally had reason to protect it. However, Zhu Yu colluded with some corrupt officials and illegal merchants, which damaged the interests of the court.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "Grandfather, Uncle Seven and the others may not think so. The country has nothing to do with them. They only care about their own palace."

Old Zhu understood this truth very well. After ordinary people's families split up, brothers would also fight with each other and just live their own lives. It was not easy to work together.

The same is true for the sons now. The country has nothing to do with them. If they get benefits, they will be taken back to the palace. If they make trouble, it is the business of the emperor and the grandson!

There were definitely more than one or two princes who had similar ideas, which was why Zhu Yuanzhang was so determined to deal with Zhu Yuanzhang. This was also a warning to other members of the royal family, telling them not to act recklessly again!

The head of the Ming Dynasty will soon be changed. If those princes don’t change their habits, they won’t be as easy to talk to as they are now!

Many civil and military officials were also keeping an eye on some things, including the punishments against the royal family.

It seemed that the punishments given to King Zhou and Prince Wulin were just minor ones, and many officials knew that although the two clan members were involved in the incident, they were not the direct parties involved.

The King of Qi is the key, because he personally ordered it, and he is the main culprit in these things. If it is really dealt with like the King of Zhou and the Prince of Wulin, some people will probably not accept it.

Now, the King of Qi was ordered to return to Fengyang. He was not deposed, nor was he not deposed. The King of Qi's son, Zan, was ordered to take charge of the affairs of the King of Qi's palace, and Lan Yu was sent to take back the power of the King of Qi's three guards, and then return to the capital after they were settled.

This series of treatments made many people think that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi might be the first vassal king to be actually abolished in the Ming Dynasty.

It was impossible to expect to return to his fiefdom within two or three years. This prince suffered the most severe punishment ever imposed on a royal family member since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Some people would secretly applaud at this time, because some members of the royal family of the Ming Dynasty were indeed a little outrageous. The emperor had been too lenient to them before, so that some princes had no regard for the law at all.

And now, through the punishment of the King of Qi, I believe that some other princes of the royal family will have some concerns in their hearts, and they may no longer dare to be as fearless as before.

Some people were filled with worries because the emperor used to like severe punishments and was extremely harsh towards officials.

Now that the treatment of royal family members has become stricter, the days ahead will surely be even more difficult for officials.

If you make another mistake at this time, basically don't expect any luck, and there will definitely not be any good ending. There is no doubt about this.

Some were happy and some were sad, but these did not seem to be that important to Zhu Yunhuan, and some reactions from the court and the public were also expected.

He just did what he was supposed to do, it's that simple.

"The army will be back in the capital in two days, so make arrangements." Zhu Yunhuan reminded Daoyan, "Ask the Five Military Commands and the Ministry of War to hand over the reward book as soon as possible. The reward will be bestowed on the day the army returns to the capital."

Rewarding merit and punishing fault is also a characteristic of Zhu Yunhuan. No matter whether this expedition has extremely significant results or not, if some results are achieved and the expected goals are achieved, then naturally we cannot be stingy.

Daoyan also immediately replied, "Your Highness, the Five Military Commands, the Ministry of War, and the Censorate are reviewing the military achievements and will be able to submit a memorial tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

It is not easy for the army to return triumphantly. The court does not have to recognize as much credit as the generals report.

It still needs to be verified by all parties. In fact, there have always been some imperial censors in the army who are responsible for military merit assessment, including some people from the Jinyiwei and the East Factory. It is impossible that the court has no arrangements at all when the army is away.

Zhu Yunhuan was quite satisfied with this answer. "That's good. Don't let it get in the way."

This is an absolutely big event, and Zhu Yunhuan certainly does not want any delay and hopes to get things done well.

The relevant government offices actually think so too. The strength of the noble group is still strong. In addition, there are several princes leading the troops this time. These are people who cannot be offended, so everyone is being careful.

Zhu Yunhuan said again, "Hurry up and arrange the affairs of the old generals. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works should be prepared. Since they are to retire and return to the countryside to enjoy their old age, they should be treated with dignity."

Daoyan was more aware of these things. The speed of court renewal was increasing, and some nobles were about to leave the court.

As a recognition of the achievements of those nobles, the imperial court would naturally give sufficient honor and respect to the veterans when they retired.

Therefore, some things really need to be done quickly, otherwise the Crown Prince will have opinions and those nobles will also be dissatisfied.

If anyone disrupts the relationship between the emperor and some nobles, and affects the crown prince's plan to promote the renewal of the noble group, he will probably be severely punished.

You have to be capable in getting things done, only then can you be valued by this crown prince!
Although he had just had a son, it did not mean that Zhu Yunhuan could sit back and relax. He would still deal with the political affairs that needed to be handled in a timely manner.

He demands this of himself, so the officials under him will naturally be more efficient. (End of this chapter)