Daming: I am the Crown Prince

It is very normal for Lao Zhu to arrange his own funeral affairs, as he is already seventy years old.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang himself was not very concerned about life and death, unlike some emperors in history who were obsessed with immortality. When he reached a certain age, he would die.

The thing that Mr. Zhu is most thankful for now is that he is still in good health at his age and can help take care of his great-grandchildren. This is something to be happy and proud of.

Another thing to be happy about is that I am still sober. There are many emperors in history who were wise and brave in their early years, but became rather foolish in their later years.

Now that the political situation is stable and the Crown Prince is able to accept the government, the imperial power of the Ming Dynasty has been transferred in the most stable way. All of this makes Zhu Yuanzhang feel extremely happy and relieved.

He didn't think he had anything to be nostalgic about. His biggest hope was to smoothly hand over the country to his grandson. Everything else was not worth mentioning.

Daoyan and Xia Yuanji hurried to Taicang. For them, there would be many tests in the future.

In the final analysis, it was confidentiality, which was the focus they needed to pay the most attention to. However, they knew that with such a large fleet and its complex structure, they could not expect to keep it confidential.

There are indeed many confidants of the Crown Prince here, but even some nobles cannot guarantee that their subordinates will keep their mouths shut. This is basically impossible to do.

What's more, there are sailors recruited from the public, some merchants who are familiar with overseas affairs, and even some prisoners, etc. These people are even more uncontrollable.

Interests are very tempting, and it is almost impossible to keep secrets. So it is enough to keep some news within a controllable range and buy more time for the Crown Prince.

It is indeed a challenge, but for Daoyan and Xia Yuanji, they just have to solve these difficulties.

As the Crown Prince's confidant and an important official who may be promoted at any time, he needs to demonstrate his abilities at this time.

Xu Zengshou and Li Fangying also came to find these two university scholars as soon as possible. As the sons of King Zhongshan and King Qiyang, although they are not as powerful as their elder brothers, these two should not be underestimated.

They all hold the title of Assistant to the Five Military Commandery, even if it is just a title without substance, at least the rank is there. If they show some ability, their careers will be limitless.

As a Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, Daoyan was only a fifth-rank official. "Shangguan Xu, how are you these days?"

The assistant magistrate of the Five Military Commandery was of the second rank, and was on the same level as the six ministers, so naturally there was nothing to say.

Xu Zengshou sighed as if reinforcements had arrived. "Grandmaster, please don't joke around. We have been so anxious these days. Now the patrol boat has returned. We can only arrange for them to go to the camp for recuperation."

It is called recuperation, but many people also understand that this is also a disguised form of house arrest and isolation to prevent these sailors, officers and soldiers from having more contact with the outside world.

Of course, we can't do it so simply and crudely. We have been away for nearly a year, and nominally we are still fighting. So now that we have returned victoriously, we must reward and reward.

Daoyan and Xia Yuanji understood what he meant and asked with concern, "No news has leaked out from Taicang, right?"

"The ship is back, and many people know about it." Li Fangying replied, "Don't underestimate those sea merchants. The fleet set out last year and only returned this spring. In addition, they brought a lot of merchants with them, so many people are guessing."

Don't underestimate some smart people. Some clues can actually allow many people to make some speculations. So it is basically impossible to be airtight.

The Ming Dynasty did have a maritime ban, but smuggling merchants still existed. Moreover, some of the merchant families, the older generation had not died yet, and they could also guess some things.

If the timing matches, and a lot of goods were prepared before going to sea, or if some merchants and wealthy families who were familiar with overseas situations were brought along, then that would explain a lot of things.

The imperial court did not allow civilians to go out to sea, but the imperial court might have already gone out to sea using official power. This was a rumor that had been circulating in Taicang and other places since last year.

Daoyan immediately asked, "Then, the Jinyiwei or the Northern Pacification Office have never taken care of these things?"

Xu Zengshou smiled and said, "Of course, we arrested some people, and probably put them in jail for interrogation. But you also know that it is impossible to stop the gossip."

These are also true. There are many rumors now, and many people are speculating. Even secret agencies like Jinyiwei and Beizhenfusi cannot arrest everyone.

Moreover, even if they are arrested, some cases cannot be solved. They should be released when necessary and threatened when necessary.

After all, the guards had not had an easy time in recent years. At the beginning of the founding of the country, they could implicate many people, and occasionally some merchants and big families would be implicated. But before that, the emperor suppressed the Jinyiwei, so they did not dare to be too presumptuous.

Moreover, even Jiang Li and others understood that the more they pressed the issue here, the more backlash and criticism it might cause. After all, some of the information was known by big businessmen and landlords.

This place is also close to Yingtian Prefecture. Maybe it has some connection with some officials in the capital. Maybe some news has been leaked to the capital. It’s not good to do anything too extreme.

Daoyan and Xia Yuanji looked at each other. They could naturally feel the pressure and now they could empathize with the two nobles.

"You are in front of His Highness, so you naturally know how important it is to go to sea." Xu Zengshou said, "If this matter is not handled well enough, His Highness will naturally punish you. Be careful and don't make any mistakes."

In fact, it is not as simple as not making any mistakes. It is also about not disappointing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This is the most critical and important thing.

Li Fangying suddenly asked, "It is said that we have made a lot of money at sea, which is a good thing. Your Highness, what is the meaning of hiding this?"

Li Fangying really didn't quite understand. In his opinion, this matter could even be regarded as eulogizing. Such a successful political achievement should be shown off and praised. This was another affirmation of the Crown Prince.

Daoyan looked at Li Fangying. Fortunately, this was only the second son of King Qiyang. Although Li Jinglong was not very smart, he was still better than Li Fangying. At least he was much more scheming and cunning.

Daoyan did not hide it and said, "This time, it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who ordered the navy to go out to sea. If it was a big show, how would His Majesty explain the maritime ban?"

The maritime ban was, after all, a national policy formulated by the emperor. Everyone understood what Zhu Yunhuan had done before. This was a bit of an attempt to cover up the truth and was skirting the issue.

If it were to be expressed directly and openly now, it would naturally be an extremely bad thing.

Daoyan, Xu Zengshou and others also have their own troubles. It is not easy to get things done. But think about it, this is an opportunity. After all, these things are somewhat different from ordinary political affairs.

Being able to handle some "private matters" for the Crown Prince, that naturally means that he is the Crown Prince's confidant and can be trusted.

There are rumors circulating in the capital that after the 30th year of Hongwu, it will no longer be Hongwu. The new emperor will have to change the reign title when he ascends the throne, and everyone seems to be preparing for this.

Even the Crown Prince couldn't have been unaware of this, but he pretended not to have heard of it. The emperor, who had not been seen for a long time, didn't even summon the ministers for some important matters, and left them all to the Crown Prince to deal with.

When you occasionally see the emperor, he will be seen happily strolling around the palace with his great-grandson in his arms. The emperor's kind face and gentle manner are something that many ministers dare not even imagine.

It is said that the Crown Prince is favored, but if we compare it now, the Emperor's great-grandson is the one who is truly favored.

The next emperor of the Ming Dynasty has been determined, and the next emperor has also been determined. There is no suspense.

Zhu Yunhuan was in a good mood and called Li Jinglong to the palace, "You go back to Xuyi and offer sacrifices at the ancestral mausoleum. Take my fourth and fifth children with you, as they should also go back."

Li Jinglong certainly had no objection. He was a nobleman and a relative by marriage, which was an extremely special attribute for him.

When it comes to offering sacrifices to the Ming ancestral tomb, Li Jinglong is the most suitable person, after all, his ancestral home is there.

"The sacrificial text will be sent over later, and you can burn it on my behalf." Zhu Yunhuan said, and continued to instruct, "Don't announce it, this matter is hard to say after all."

Li Jinglong said quickly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will not act rudely."

Zhu Yunxun laughed, "This is the best, it's good for both you and me. Your Majesty's mind is hard to guess, I am being cautious now. If my great-uncle were here, we would be more willful."

Li Jinglong didn't know how to respond. His elders were gone, and he now had to shoulder the responsibility of the Cao Mansion. Naturally, he had to be cautious about many things and couldn't be willful.

In fact, Li Jinglong probably understood some things in his mind now. This time he was asked to go to Xuyi, and to the ancestral tomb, which was obviously to make some preparations for next year.

As for what might happen next year, everyone actually knows it, especially someone of Li Jinglong's status, who should be more cautious in what he says and does at this time.

Zhu Yunhuan still trusted Li Jinglong. "This is best. After returning from Xuyi, you can go directly to Fengyang. Arrange things in advance and I will be there before my birthday."

This time it was Li Jinglong's turn to be a little surprised, but he quickly said, "I obey your order."

Old Zhu is still alive, so it is natural for the crown prince Zhu Yunhuan to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors. Moreover, Zhu Yunhuan has experience of returning to Fengyang.

But this time it was even more special. The last time he went back to Fengyang, he had just been named the Crown Prince, so he had to go to worship his ancestors.

But this time he went back to Fengyang to inform his ancestors of some things in advance. After all, after becoming an emperor, it would not be easy for him to leave the palace, let alone return to his hometown Fengyang.

After all, not every emperor likes to lead the army in person, and not every emperor likes to go on a secret visit. That is to say, now that Zhu is still here, Zhu Yunhuan can have a little more freedom and can travel a little further.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "The nobles should take back everything they can, and also have the old ministers prepare in advance."

Li Jinglong became even more cautious. There must be no mistakes in this matter. "I obey your order."

It is better for Li Jinglong to handle sensitive matters. At this time, his attributes as a relative by marriage obviously exceed those as a nobleman, and some occasions are suitable for Li Jinglong to handle.

Xu Huizu is not suitable, and Chang Sheng is even less suitable to come forward at this time, which naturally means that Li Jinglong, one of the nobles, has to take on these things.

"Let's go to His Majesty. He has something else to tell us." Zhu Yunhuan said, "By the way, please ask His Majesty that the tomb of my eldest aunt should be repaired."

This was a tough job. Zhu Yunhuan’s great aunt was naturally Zhu’s eldest sister, Princess Taiyuan.

It is no secret that Zhu Yuanzhang disliked his eldest sister and her husband. When Li Wenzhong was alive, Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned that he made his eldest sister the Duke of Taiyuan for the sake of face, and carried out some reburial and sacrifice.

Considering that Old Zhu attached great importance to his family, this must have been a huge grudge, which is why he ignored his eldest sister for so many years, and even the affairs after her death were just routine matters.

Seeing Li Jinglong's embarrassment, Zhu Yunhuan said, "We shouldn't interfere in the affairs of our elders, but they are elders after all, and we should respect them."

"Your Highness is a filial son, I am far inferior to him!" Li Jinglong quickly flattered him, "I understand, I will report it to Your Majesty."

This is naturally the best. Zhu Yunhuan not only wants to get benefits, but also needs to gain some reputation. It is normal to have too much good reputation.

As for whether Old Zhu would be happy, in fact Old Zhu would not be unhappy. His grandson was resourceful and could make the most of a small matter, so Old Zhu would only feel gratified and proud.

Of course, all of this is subject to some prerequisites, that is, it must be good for the country and not harm the interests of the royal family, and Zhu Yuanzhang would naturally agree.

For the sake of his precious grandson's reputation, Old Zhu doesn't care about some things.

Seeing Li Jinglong leave, Zhu Yunhuan laughed at himself. In order to ascend the throne, he made a lot of preparations, and it can even be said that he started preparing from all aspects.

There is no so-called complete ceremony, but as long as things can be done as well as possible, Zhu Yunhuan naturally won't care about it.

He will become the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Unlike Zhu Yuanzhang who ascended the throne, Zhu Yunhuan is the successor.

Therefore, it can be confirmed that even though Zhu Yuanzhang had previously formulated some rules, the Ministry of Rites and others had also determined some ceremonies for the coronation ceremony, etc.

It still cannot change Zhu Yunhuan's enthronement ceremony, which will directly determine the etiquette of the enthronement of future emperors. All of this is why Zhu Yunhuan is now so troubled. (End of this chapter)