Daming: I am the Crown Prince

The fleet finally returned, which naturally made Zhu Yunhuan feel relieved. A big stone was finally lifted off his shoulders.

The fleet suffered no losses, or to be more precise, the losses were within an acceptable range, so there are more things to consider.

Changing some concepts is not something that can be done overnight, and it requires a lot of guidance. In fact, the most direct way is to make more people realize the benefits that can be gained from it.

The current opening of the sea is more of the personal will of Zhu Yunhuan, the crown prince. It has not yet formed a bottom-up trend, nor has it become an unstoppable trend.

This is a good thing, which means that Zhu Yunhuan can continue to implement this strategy unswervingly. He will encounter less resistance, and many things can be carried out according to the strategy he has arranged.

However, this is not necessarily a good thing. Now Zhu Yunhuan can promote this matter on his own.

Naturally, this means that once he changed his mind, or if later emperors felt that it was not cost-effective, it would be stopped directly.

In history, Zheng He was called off from his voyages to the West by the imperial court after his seventh voyage, because the grand voyages to the West seemed to be a loss-making venture and brought considerable burden and pressure to the imperial court.

So much so that whenever someone mentioned opening the sea later, all the civil and military officials in the court were opposed because they were afraid of repeating the same mistake.

All the sea-going information that had been collected and sorted out with great difficulty was mysteriously destroyed. No one knew who was so bold as to destroy it, and no one seriously investigated the matter.

Zhu Yunhuan felt that he had a lot to do next. He needed to make maritime trade a top-down concept and a deep-rooted system.

However, before that, Zhu Yunhuan had to preside over the imperial examination. This time, fifty-one people were selected from the Southern List and twenty-seven from the Northern List.

Chen, a native of Min County, Fujian, was selected as the top scholar. He was also the unlucky guy in history who served as the top scholar for twenty days but was stripped of his title and torn to pieces by a chariot because he was involved in the North-South List Case.

Han Kezhong from Yanzhou Prefecture in Shandong Province was the top scorer in the Northern List. The Northern and Southern Lists have now become the new structure of the imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty.

Even if some people might feel dissatisfied about this, they were helpless at this time. The emperor and the crown prince intended to create such checks and balances, and the censors could not complain more.

Zhu Yunhuan arrived at the Qianqing Palace and happened to see Old Zhu teaching Zhu Wenyao to turn over. "Grandfather, this child is lazy and doesn't want to move."

Although Lao Zhu was somewhat dissatisfied with these comments, he still had something to praise, "Our Wen Yao is enjoying a good life, and this child will be blessed in the future."

Old Zhu was a little proud, and said to Zhu Yunhuan, "If Wen Yao wants to sleep now, we have to touch his back. Otherwise, the child won't sleep. Look how lucky this is!"

There is nothing wrong with saying this. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty helped with massage. Even Zhu Biao and Zhu Yunhuan did not have such treatment.

"I'm going to go out for a walk in a couple of days. It's time to go out for a walk." Zhu Yunhuan took the initiative to say, "I think about it carefully. The civil officials have been put under too much pressure in the past few years. It's time to let them take a break."

Old Zhu thought for a moment and said, "It's time to give them a break. They've been bullied by the nobles! Just be careful. Don't let them get ahead of you."

This is Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude towards scholars. When he was fighting for the world, he attached great importance to scholars and paid great attention to Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen and others.

However, although we attach great importance to it, we still need to take necessary precautions, especially the suppression of the civil service group in eastern Zhejiang after the founding of the People's Republic of China, which was not concealed at all.

"People outside are talking about the Huaixi nobles. Now think about it carefully, there are no Huaixi nobles." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Li Shanchang is gone, and the King of Zhongshan and the King of Kaiping are also gone."

Old Zhu pointed at Zhu Yunhuan and then at Zhu Wenyao, "You two are the nobles of Huaixi. That's what outsiders think."

Although the power of the Huaixi nobles had been almost eliminated long ago, many people still had such thoughts.

The Crown Prince is a descendant of the Huaixi nobles, and now Zhu Wenyao is also a descendant of the Huaixi nobles. There are also people like Li Jinglong and Guo Ying in the court. Which one of them is not a genuine Huaixi noble?

Outsiders only see their ancestral home and family background, but do not consider other things. They all think that the so-called Huaixi nobles are a monolithic group.

Zhu Wenyao suddenly lifted up his feet, held his little feet and put them into his mouth. Perhaps because he had tamed his limbs now, he began to make continuous attempts.

Looking at the milk-scented little baby, Lao Zhu and Zhu Yunxun were very patient and just kept smiling.

It has to be said that since Zhu Wenyao was born, not to mention Old Zhu, even Zhu Yunhuan felt that he had more confidence and expectations.

When Zhu Wenyao was tired and fell asleep, Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan walked out of the palace, "We heard that you were selected as the top scholar, how is your talent?"

"Personally appointed?" Zhu Yunxun said, "Grandfather, this is not a personal appointment. I stamped the seal and sent it to Wuying Palace immediately, for fear of giving people a reason to criticize me."

Old Zhu was amused. "You took off your pants and farted. You didn't care before. You didn't want to return the jade seal you borrowed from me. Now that I let you take it, you still feel uneasy, afraid that someone would say something bad!"

Hearing what Old Zhu said, Zhu Yunhuan just laughed, "This is a different time. It didn't matter before, as long as Grandfather didn't care. It's not okay now. It will be so ugly if it gets out!"

Old Zhu looked at his grandson. This kid is starting to want fame, which is rare. But Old Zhu can understand that at this moment, he really needs to be a little low-key.

After pouring a cup of tea for Old Zhu, Zhu Yunhuan said, "Now many of the civil and military officials in the court are trying to test the waters."

"They are all cunning people, there is no reason they can't see through." Old Zhu basked in the sun comfortably, "If I don't go to court again, they will persuade me to go."

Zhu Yunhuan said from his heart, "That's not the case. Even if these people want to flatter me, they dare not persuade me to ascend the throne. If they really do that, I will be known as a disloyal and unfilial person."

It is impossible to persuade him to ascend the throne. If anyone persuades him to ascend the throne, Zhu Yunhuan will not forgive him. If he can stand in the court, he will not be a fool, so he will not do these things.

Old Zhu said, "It's hard to say for sure. No one dares to do that now. Although I'm old, at least I still have some reputation. After some time, I'm afraid someone will have more ideas."

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it carefully and it made sense. If Zhu didn't show up, some officials might choose to take a chance. After all, in order to climb up, some people really do everything they can.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and asked, "Then grandpa will go to the court in a few days. He has only shown his face once in the past two or three months. It's not good. There are many speculations outside."

"No!" Old Zhu said rather capriciously, "We are enjoying our life now. We can enjoy our grandchildren and live out our days in peace. We can't live without Wen Yao."

Zhu Yunhuan thought for a moment and said, "Then let's carry Wen Yao to the Wenhua Hall to see me. I will call important officials to discuss matters in a few days. Let Wen Yao carry Dagui, okay?" Zhu Yunhuan was very happy and said, "This is good. When Wen Yao carries Dagui, all officials should be clear about it."

Not only did it clarify some things, it was also a more obvious signal and a restriction on Zhu Yunhuan. There would be no other candidates for the future crown prince.

Zhu Yunxun was a little jealous and complained, "Grandfather, after you had Wen Yao, you never looked at me straight in the eye?"

Old Zhu was stunned for a moment, then he laughed heartily, "You are so old, and you are already a father! What are you talking about? How can you argue with your son?"

"That's hard to say. It was okay for me to make a scene before." Zhu Yunhuan said deliberately, "If I make a scene again now, I'm afraid I'll be scolded."

Old Zhu smiled and consoled, "I won't really scold you, I just want you to be more stable. Even if you grow up, you are still our grandson, and we will still love you."

"I've been tired all my life. I used to be considered a person who can't sit still." Old Zhu said with emotion, "I've been taking care of Wen Yao for the past six months, and I feel at ease. After all, I'm getting old, so it's good to take a break."

Zhu Yunhuan felt unhappy too. If he thought about it carefully, Old Zhu had indeed not had many comfortable days in his life.

Before the age of sixteen, the family was harmonious, but life was difficult. After that, there was constant intrigue and struggle for survival in the chaos. In the first few years of the founding of the country, the family was harmonious, but the political affairs were complicated.

Now that the government affairs are a little more relaxed, but there are fewer and fewer people around me, and I don’t even have a spiritual sustenance. It is only with Zhu Wenyao that I can feel a little hope.

I chatted with Lao Zhu, and when it was time to eat, I felt a little uneasy.

Concubine Guo Ning hugged Zhu Wenyao and said, "Miao Jin, please sit down and eat quickly. I will take over later."

Old Zhu also said, "Just listen to Concubine Ning. We are all family and there is no need to be polite. Let's eat first, and then someone else will come to hold you."

Many people wanted to hold Zhu Wenyao, but the child recognized people. Only a few of the closest people were allowed to hold him, and even Zhu Yunhuan, his biological father, was not allowed to hold him for the time being.

Besides, Old Zhu was reluctant to let go. Except when the wet nurse was breastfeeding, no one else was qualified to hold Zhu Wenyao.

This resulted in this seemingly most noble family having to eat as if they were at a war, and they had to finish their meal quickly because there was a noisy child next to them.

Zhu Yunxun said calmly, "Wen Yao just doesn't want me to hold him now, but I can sit still peacefully. When I think about it carefully, I am still lucky."

"Stop smacking your lips!" Old Zhu scolded with a smile, "Didn't you see that Wen Yao's saliva is all over the floor?"

Zhu Yunhuan continued to provoke Zhu Wenyao. The little guy stared at his father with wide eyes, and it seemed that he was very curious about the food.

Concubine Guo Ning hugged Zhu Wenyao and said, "I won't dare to do this in the future. The child will be quick to act. If he gets angry, no one will eat him even if he reaches out."

Old Zhu thought about it and it made sense. "At that time, we couldn't put hot dishes on the table. We didn't want our great-grandson to get burned."

Well, this solution is really speechless. It is not about teaching Zhu Wenyao well, but about solving some problems fundamentally.

However, no one in the room thought there was anything strange about it. It was normal for Emperor Hongwu to make such choices, which was consistent with his character of doting on his children.

"Grandfather, I have discussed this with my aunt and sister these days." Xu Miaojin said, "I am thinking of selecting two ladies from official families to enter the palace. What do you think, Grandfather?"

Old Zhu said, "We think this is a good idea, but you know Yunxun's temper. If he really chooses two delicate girls, I'm afraid he will be upset."

Xu Miaojin smiled and said, "Grandfather, I, your grandson, will naturally advise you from time to time. Wen Yao is still young now, and he will need brothers to play with when he grows up."

Old Zhu laughed even more happily, but then he said, "You are not allowed to select officials above the fourth rank. Choose those with good reputation and good family tradition, so as not to cause trouble for Wen Yao."

It is not a big deal to choose the daughter of a civil official to enter the palace, but Zhu Yuanzhang thinks it is better not to choose the daughters of important officials. In addition to continuing to suppress civil officials, he naturally does not want Zhu Yunhuan's other descendants to have any help in the outer court.

There is naturally no problem with doing this, and Zhu Yunhuan naturally supports such options. This seems to be the best way.

Civil officials must be supported when they are needed, and we want to see them put some restrictions on the noble groups. However, we must also be wary of the civil officials becoming increasingly powerful, as they will be difficult to control once they are in power.

Xu Miaojin said, "My sister knows a few ladies, and they are all very good. I want to invite them when we go out to see what they are like. If you like them, I will let Your Highness take a look."

Old Zhu waved his hand and said, "It's not up to us to decide. As long as Yunxun likes it, it's fine. You know what kind of women he likes. You two can do whatever you want."

Zhu Yunhuan continued to eat and drink, seemingly not caring about the matter at all. But he listened carefully, and the matter of taking a concubine could not be taken lightly.

This is not a trivial matter, it needs to be treated as a big deal.

The saying that there is no trivial matter in a royal family is not an exaggeration.

The Crown Prince Zhu Yunhuan was finally going to start taking concubines, and all of them were from civil servants' families. Combined with the fact that a number of founding heroes had retired and returned to their hometowns, this inevitably made people think too much.

What's more, it seems that the world is at peace now. Naturally, it is necessary to make use of civil servants, and it is time for them to show their talents.

If you are not careful at this time, you may end up interpreting a lot of strange ideas.

This was naturally something Zhu Yunhuan did not want to see, so even if he was planning to take a concubine, he still needed to consider some balance.

But no matter what, Zhu Yunhuan also felt that for the time being, the civil servants should not have too many unrealistic ideas.

They do have a lot of things to do, but it is obviously unrealistic to snatch more power from the emperor, and the suppression of civil servants will certainly continue.

This matter is not open to discussion at all. Civil servants should just do their work in a down-to-earth manner and not think too much! (End of this chapter)