Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Zhu Chong and others had a quarrel with the civil officials. In the court, the five princes opened fire, angrily criticizing the civil officials for corruption and factional strife. They wanted to link the military achievements to the issue of maritime trade.

Zhu Su also added fuel to the fire by bringing up the matter of collusion between officials and gentry, believing that these people had ulterior motives and that the case should be mainly tried by the Jinyiwei.

This made many civil servants very angry. On the one hand, they impeached several major princes for interfering in state affairs, and on the other hand, they made up a story that only a very small number of officials were corrupt. Of course, they also emphasized that the three judicial departments only needed to try the case, and there was no need for the Jinyiwei to investigate a major case.

Zhu Yunhuan was in a dilemma. On the one hand, he tried to appease the civil officials, thinking that what they said made sense and that some things should be done according to the court rules.

But what the imperial uncles said makes sense. As members of the Ming royal family, they naturally have the right to care about major state affairs.

This Crown Prince pretended to be confused when it was time to pretend to be confused. Not only did he watch the royal family and the civil officials compete with each other, he even instigated and allowed the nobles headed by Chang Sheng and others to help the royal family!

The weather was crisp and clear in autumn, and Zhu Yunhuan was in a good mood. "Go and make some arrangements. We will stay in the East Courtyard tonight."

It is time to take in concubines. Zhu Yunhuan now has two concubines, who are basically there to entertain people with their beauty. However, they are relatively honest and have some good character, so there will not be any disturbances in the Eastern Palace.

Xu Miaojin's position as the Crown Prince's Consort was still solid. There was really no soil for palace fighting in the Ming Dynasty. With a formal marriage and the birth of children, her position could not be shaken, which also reduced a lot of disturbances.

Zhang Fusheng naturally hurried to make arrangements. These matters were both big and small, but the most important thing was to follow the Crown Prince's opinion.
Zhu Yunhuan was naturally not a good man. He thought he was not a scumbag, but he did not have any pure thoughts.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yunhuan found Xu Miaojin and said, "Hurry up and arrange the marriages for my brothers. If we don't, my sixth uncle and the others will be very anxious with me."

Xu Miaojin smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. These things have already been decided, but there were many considerations before, so it was delayed for a while."

In fact, many things are not just like this. In Xu Miaojin's eyes, Zhu Yunhuan's affairs are the first priority. Even when choosing concubines for him, his priority is higher than the heirs of other princes.

"That's the best. When the uncles go back, I can give them a definite answer." Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said to Xu Miaojin, "Prepare for grandfather's birthday banquet. We can't be careless about this."

Zhu Yuanzhang’s 70th birthday must be well prepared. This is not just Zhu Yuanzhang’s birthday, it is also a big event for the entire Ming Dynasty court.

Even if Old Zhu himself doesn't care too much about his birthday, it can be said that the matter is now completely beyond his control and it must be celebrated in a grand manner.

This was definitely not Zhu's last birthday on the throne, but because it was a full birthday celebration, it naturally needed to be well organized. This was also an opportunity for Zhu Yunhuan to show his filial piety.

Xu Miaojin also knew this, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I dare not be careless. I have already discussed it with the Imperial Aunt and sisters."

That's good. We must take these things seriously and never take them lightly just because our current position is stable. We naturally need to prepare for what needs to be prepared.

Details, these details are all points that need to be paid attention to. Things that need to be carefully prepared now need to be prepared well.

Zhu Yunxun thought for a moment and asked, "Teach Wen Yao a lesson these days. Although the child is still young, he should know some things. It would be best if Wen Yao presented birthday peaches to grandfather."

This was something Zhu Yunhuan should have done. After all, he was a grandson, so it was natural for him to do so, and no one could find fault with it.

Xu Miaojin also knew what was going on and said, "I have also been discussing this with Concubine Ning these days, but Wen Yao always likes to stuff things into his mouth when he gets them."

Zhu Yunxun laughed in silence, then said with a smile, "It's okay if that's the case. Wen Yao just needs to pretend. Grandfather will definitely be happy then. Besides, Wen Yao should understand things by now."

After all, the child is almost one year old, so it is normal for him not to talk or walk, and no one is in a hurry to do so. But some simple reactions are not a big problem.

So it’s actually not that difficult to just teach them a little and get some simple reactions, and maybe you can still accomplish these things.

In fact, everyone knew that Zhu Wenyao didn't need to do anything big. His simple little actions were enough to make Old Zhu feel extremely happy.

As for the civil and military officials, they would naturally start to sing praises, make further references to his deeds, and so on. By then, Zhu Wenyao would have a reputation for being filial without knowing anything.

Reputation is something that must be built up from a young age. It is extremely important for the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty. No one has too much good reputation.

Zhu Yunhuan had a bad reputation when he was young, and was even a little "burdened by his reputation" when he was competing for the position of crown prince. In the past, he was just a typical playboy and good-for-nothing, which naturally gave a bad impression to many people.

Such a thing naturally cannot happen to Zhu Wenyao, so giving him more fame now is obviously not a bad thing, and many people are happy to see it happen.

Xu Miaojin also smiled and said, "Your Highness may not know that Grandfather probably has the same idea. These days he has been trying the fruit, and Wen Yao is just having fun and likes to play with Grandfather."

Zhu Yunxun laughed and joked, but also felt a little helpless, "Grandfather will probably say something at the birthday banquet, I am just taking advantage of Wen Yao."

Xu Miaojin knew what was going on, but she still quickly said, "Your Highness, you are going too far. The reason why Wen Yao is loved by the Royal Grandfather is that he is your Highness's offspring after all."

There is nothing wrong with saying this. The reason why Old Zhu likes Zhu Wenyao is not only because he has always kept him by his side, but the most fundamental reason is that Zhu Wenyao is the eldest son. This is the most essential thing.

Xu Miaojin then asked with some concern, "Your Highness, if the Royal Grandfather says something at the birthday banquet, Your Highness should just decline it."

"Three times of asking and three times of declining?" Zhu Yunhuan said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "This matter is different after all. We have to pretend to do it, but we can't go too far."

Three times of asking and three times of giving up, that is abdication. Although everyone knows what is going on, it is still necessary to put on a show.

But this time Zhu was ready to pass on the throne, which made a difference. It was not appropriate for the grandson Zhu Yunhuan to accept the throne out of sheer joy, but it was also not appropriate for him to refuse again and again.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Xu Miaojin and said, "After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Emperor Gaozu of Tang issued an edict to pass the throne to Crown Prince Li Shimin. Emperor Taizong ascended the throne in Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace and respected Li Yuan as the Supreme Emperor." Although it is difficult to say much about this precedent, there is another example that is also difficult to say, that is, Emperor Huizong of Song passed the throne to Emperor Qinzong of Song, and that was done with just an edict.

There is no such thing as three requests and three declines. After all, this is not abdication, so there is no need to be so "avoiding suspicion" or appear so respectful in some matters.

What's more, some of Zhu Yunhuan's intentions were obvious. He had asked people to return to their hometowns to worship their ancestors, etc. This was all obvious. What's more, Zhu Yunhuan himself was preparing to go back, which was just short of a direct announcement.

Xu Miaojin smiled and asked, "Your Highness will be leaving for his hometown in a few days. Would you like me to go with you?"

"Look at Wen Yao first. If the child still wants you, then you won't go back." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "If Wen Yao doesn't want you, then come back with me. Returning to the hometown to worship the ancestors is a big deal."

These can be regarded as another important ceremony before Zhu Yunhuan ascended the throne. Naturally, he also strived to do it better, which was obviously more appropriate.

In fact, after returning to Fengyang to worship his ancestors, Zhu Yunhuan also had to go to the Xiaoling Mausoleum and the Eastern Mausoleum to offer sacrifices. This would make the procedure seem more impeccable and the etiquette appear to be perfect.

Xu Miaojin smiled and said, "That may be a little embarrassing. Wen Yao wants me to play with him during the day, but he always goes to find Grandfather Huang when he wakes up."

Isn't that the reason? Now Old Zhu is entangled with Zhu Wenyao. If he can't see Old Zhu, Zhu Wenyao will make a big fuss. Now the only ones who can take care of Zhu Wenyao are actually Old Zhu and Concubine Guo Ning.

Even with Xu Miaojing as his biological mother, Zhu Wenyao would only make a little fuss. He still preferred to stay with Old Zhu. After all, Old Zhu had been with him since not long after he was born.

But all this is not a big deal. Everyone is now accustomed to such alchemists and thinks it is good.

Old Zhu was enjoying his old age, happily enjoying the company of his grandchildren. In his spare time, he would take care of state affairs. This was the best life for him.

As for Zhu Yunhuan, there is now less "interference" from Old Zhu, and he can almost monopolize power. In the past two years, even when dealing with government affairs, many things still required Old Zhu's approval.

But now it is different, even if he occasionally asks for Zhu's opinion, but more often, Zhu Yunhuan will do things directly, and there is no need to ask Zhu for instructions.

This does seem to be a good thing. Old Zhu is satisfied, Zhu Yunhuan is satisfied, and Zhu Wenyao can also grow up happily. This is a win-win situation for everyone.

After talking to Xu Miaojin, Zhu Yunhuan also ran to the east room to rest. Xu Miaojin didn't feel that she had fallen out of favor, as the rules in the East Palace were very strict.

For example, Zhu Yunhuan's concubines had to pay their respects to Xu Miaojin every day. Their food, clothing, and other expenses were naturally strictly in accordance with the palace rules, and were presided over and managed by the Crown Princess.

As the Crown Prince's Consort of the Eastern Palace, Xu Miaojing seems to be very magnanimous and has a broad mind. She does a series of things that a housewife should do in this era, and is also developing towards becoming the mother of the country.

A new day began. Zhu Yunhuan got up early and prepared to go to court. The land of pleasure was not his destiny. From then on, it was impossible for a king not to attend court early in the morning.

As soon as they arrived at the side hall, a young eunuch came forward to report, "Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin and His Royal Highness the Prince of Zhou declined to attend the court today due to illness."

Zhu Yunhuan immediately became happy, "Where is the Prince of Jin?"

The young eunuch hurriedly said, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin is outside the palace, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan and His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu are also waiting for the court to begin."

The second uncle and the fifth uncle fired a lot of bullets in the court a few days ago. It is true that their presence is very strong, but it is also true that they offended people. I plan to stay out of the limelight for a while in the next two days, and I will continue to fire bullets in two days.

Of course, it is also possible that they feel that the overall situation has been decided, and it is not appropriate to continue to make their presence felt in the court. It is a better choice to keep a low profile and let almost everyone forget about them.

After all, he was a vassal king, and it was not a good thing to have too much influence and presence in the court. Especially when it came to state affairs, it was easy to get into trouble and attract criticism.

So once the job is done, they will decisively run away. This is also in line with the personalities of Zhu Chong and Zhu Su. They are both very smart and slippery people who know when to advance and when to retreat.

Zhu Yunhuan was not angry, but felt that the choices made by his second uncle and fifth uncle were correct. Although it was more likely the second uncle's opinion, there was definitely nothing wrong with this matter.

Let's continue preparing for the morning court. There is nothing much to say about this matter. The civil officials can still have expectations for the maritime trade and the Maritime Customs, but they should not have too high expectations.

The interest groups represented by the civil service group can only get a very small part of the benefits of this huge pie. Don't think about unrealistic things unless they can immediately crush the royal family and nobles.

This is the reality, this is the current situation, and it is a situation that we cannot deny.

The dragon throne was still empty, and the crown prince Zhu Yunhuan was standing on the Danbi and presiding over the morning court. Everyone was used to it.

Perhaps it won't be long before the Crown Prince will sit on the dragon throne and preside over the morning court. It seems that this day will not be too long. After all, everyone knows some things.

If we have to choose a time point, it would be the emperor's birthday, the crown prince's birthday, or the emperor's great-grandson's first birthday, and there should be a conclusion.

Many people are also well aware that the 30th year of Hongwu is the end of the Hongwu Emperor's reign. If nothing unexpected happens, next year will be the new year's reign after the new emperor ascends the throne.

The Imperial Observatory and other government offices have already begun to work secretly, choosing auspicious days. Some civil servants and great scholars are also privately pondering the choice of the reign title, which is also a proof of their loyalty to the new emperor.

It seems that everyone is working hard and will accept the emergence of a brand new court situation. After all, the atmosphere has reached this point and cannot be stopped.

Zhu Yunhuan remained neither arrogant nor impatient, as if everything had nothing to do with him, and he did not get carried away just because the overall situation had been decided.

It is better to do the next thing steadily. Although reputation is important, doing things well is more important! (End of this chapter)