Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 57 Arrangement
Zhou Dexing left staggeringly, and after a brief moment of melancholy, Lao Zhu picked up the wine and drank it all.

Blushing, Lao Zhu said, "Go and arrange the rest."

Zhu Yunhuan spoke up, "Third uncle will supervise the execution. You have to issue an order for this matter. As for the matter of Jiang Xiahou, I think my eldest uncle will handle it."

Not to mention that Old Zhu would not allow Zhou Ji to have a good ending, even Zhou Dexing would not allow Zhou Ji to be buried in the ancestral tomb.

Lao Zhu nodded and said, "Okay, go and summon them."

Zhu Yunhuan didn't say anything more. Some things are useless if you say too much.

After seeing his childhood friend off, Old Zhu naturally had mixed feelings. But the next moment, he sat on the dragon chair, focused on reading the memorials, and began to deal with government affairs.

He is too busy and has too much to do, so he can't just sit still.

After leaving Wuying Palace, Zhu Yunxun said, "Go and call the prince consort, and wait for him at the Central Military Commander's Office."

Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite son-in-law was Mei Yin, who was simple, upright, mature and cautious. Although he was the nephew of Mei Sizu, Mei Yin was well versed in classics and history. When he assisted Li Wenzhong in managing the National Academy and the Imperial College, Mei Yin was his best assistant.

Zhu Yunhuan then went straight to the coffin and found Zhu Gang, "Uncle San, let's talk outside."

Zhu Yunwen could only watch and did not know what to say. He could only endure his inner anxiety.

Zhu Yunhuan said straight to the point, "Tomorrow you will supervise the execution of Zhou Ji, the son of Marquis Jiang Xia, by slow slicing."

Zhu Gang was stunned for a moment, and asked quickly, "Zhou Ji? How serious a crime has he committed?"

If it was anyone else, it would be fine, but Zhou Ji’s identity is special, he is the son of Jiang Xiahou!

"What could it be?" Zhu Yunhuan said perfunctorily with a smile, "Just kill him anyway. He is in the Imperial Prison. Uncle San will pick him up tomorrow. Do it quickly and don't let too many people know."

Zhu Gang became serious and said, "Okay, I'll go pick him up tomorrow."

Zhu Yunhuan didn't say anything more. After a simple salute, he left in a hurry.

Looking at Zhu Yunhuan's back, Zhu Gang suddenly felt a little scared. He originally thought that he had thought highly of his nephew, but now he thought that he had underestimated him.

As for what Zhou Ji had done, Zhu Gang didn't care much, he just killed him. If he wanted to know, he would definitely find out. But in this situation, even if he knew, he had to pretend that he didn't know the inside story.

Seeing Zhu Yunhuan coming to the Central Army Commander's Mansion again, Xu Yungong quickly stood up.

"Are you sitting in the government office today?" Zhu Yunhuan looked at Xu Yungong and said, "You look like the King of Zhongshan, humble and respectful."

Xu Yungong quickly said modestly, "Your Highness, thank you for your praise. I am a humble minister with limited talents and I can only work harder."

"No need to be modest." Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "By the way, Zhou Ji will be executed tomorrow. Let the noble princes in Beijing go to watch. And those marquises who inherited the title should also go to see the world."

There are quite a few nobles who have inherited the title, including Wu Gao, Marquis of Jiangyin, Han Xun, Marquis of Dongping, Cao Tai, Marquis of Xuanning, and others.

Many generals who founded the country have passed away, and their descendants have become important forces in the court.

Xu Yungong agreed, but still said, "Your Highness, these matters must be approved by His Majesty. If it was the Crown Prince, it would be fine, but the heir to the title has many responsibilities."

Xu Yungong had no problem saying that, the crown prince and the like had at most a title of honor guard, or an official position in the governor's office without real power. However, those who inherited the title, although not all of them were powerful, were at least of noble status.

"I will naturally ask for the imperial decree." Zhu Yunxun sighed and said, "Zhou Ji's case is a lesson for all noble families. The court has often pardoned many noble families who have committed crimes over the years. I thought you should also be more restrained, but I didn't expect that there are still some bold and reckless people who treat the court's pardon as a joke!"

The thirteen-year-old Zhu Yunxun sat in the main seat and talked eloquently, acting like an adult. The nearly thirty-year-old Xu Yungong stood below, listening respectfully.

This scene seemed very incongruous, but both Zhu Yunhuan and Xu Yungong felt it was natural.

Zhu Yunhuan asked, "When you inherited the title, how did your grandfather grant you the imperial edict?"

Xu Da died in the 18th year of Hongwu, and Xu Yungong inherited the title of Duke of Wei in the 21st year of Hongwu two years ago.

Xu Yungong immediately replied, "Promote the heroic deeds of King Zhongshan, and encourage the public to be loyal to set their goals, be polite to guard their conduct, and fulfill the way of inheritance."

Zhu Yunhuan nodded, "Grandfather has high hopes for you. How about this, you change your name to Xu Huizu." Xu Yungong was stunned for a moment. He had thought about changing his name a long time ago. Once a grandson of the emperor was appointed as the crown prince, he would definitely have to change his name to avoid using the character 'Yun'. But isn't it too early to change it now?

After a moment of silence, Xu Yungong immediately replied, "I accept your order."

While chatting, Zhang Fusheng came to report that Mei Yin had arrived.

Zhu Yunhuan stood up. Mei Yin was his biological uncle after all, so he had to give him due face.

Mei Yin strictly abided by the etiquette, "Your Highness Mei Yin pays homage to His Royal Highness the Third Grandson of the Emperor."

"Uncle, you don't have to be so polite." Zhu Yunhuan said, "Marquis Jiangxia has left the palace, and there are some things you should know. You should make preparations, and when he is on his way, you should take people to send him back. You should arrange the exile and dismissal of everyone in Marquis Jiangxia's mansion. Don't lose face, and don't humiliate or abuse them!"

Mei Yin didn't waste any words and said neatly, "I accept your order."

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "Forget about the branch of Zhou Ji, the third son of Jiangxiahou. Just make it a military household. Make arrangements and don't make a fool of yourself. If I hear anyone who dares to bully you, don't blame me for being rude!"

Zhou Ji died, but his descendants, wife and daughters could not expect to enjoy wealth and glory. Even if they were given a break, it does not mean that everyone can have the best ending.

Once the wives and daughters of high-ranking officials were exiled or sent to places like the Jiaofangsi, their fate was very miserable.

Seeing the former high-ranking ladies of the Imperial Court and dukes in trouble, some people would happily run over to trample on them. Some former colleagues or subordinates would even humiliate them with a sense of accomplishment.

There are countless examples of this in history, such as Tang He's eldest daughter, who was originally married to Liao Quan, Marquis of Deqing. However, her son went to collect Fang Xiaoru's body, which angered Zhu Di, and he was executed. Tang He's eldest daughter and her young daughter were sent to the laundry bureau as slaves, and they deliberately made things difficult for her, not allowing her to wear shoes and socks, and forced her to wash clothes barefoot in coarse linen clothes, and died as a slave.

Kindness, Zhu Yunhuan did not think he was a kind person. But if he was asked to have no bottom line, he thought he could not do it.

Mei Yin immediately said, "I obey your order."

Just as Zhu Yunhuan was about to say something, Zhu Zhong hurried over to report, "Your Highness, Marquis Jiang Xia has committed suicide after leaving the palace."

Zhu Yunhuan did not expect Zhou Dexing to be so decisive. He said, "Make arrangements and bury him with the ceremony of a marquis. My grandfather did not write a tomb inscription, and I do not have the ability to do so. Let my uncle write it for me, hiding what Zhou Ji did and only recording his life."

Mei Yin immediately accepted the order.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "After arriving in Fengyang, remember to tell Duke Xin. He has known my grandfather and Marquis Jiangxia since childhood, so no one else can be blamed for this."

Mei Yin naturally took note of this matter, as it was a big deal.

Zhu Yunhuan suddenly lost interest and said, "Okay, now that things are arranged, I'm going back too."

As soon as Zhu Yunhuan returned to Rouyi Palace, Zhu Yourong came over and said, "Grandmother said that when Duke Liang comes back, she will let him enter the palace to plead guilty."

Lan Yu is still in the southwest. In April, the commander of Jianchang Guard, Yuelu Temur Yihule, rebelled, and Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Lan Yu to lead an army to suppress the rebellion.

Zhu Yunhuan nodded, and Zhu Yourong continued, "My grandmother said that she will go to the Duke of Liang's mansion tomorrow and say that the wife of the Duke of Liang doesn't know how to manage the household, and she will go to discipline her."

Zhu Yunxun laughed and said, "You and your second sister will also go there tomorrow."

Zhu Yourong was stunned for a moment and said, "Little brother, didn't the emperor grandfather say that we can go out once every ten days?"

"Who stopped you from leaving the palace these days?" Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "You went out to learn how to manage the household from your grandmother, and to strengthen her reputation."

Although Lady Lan Mu of the Duke of Liang was a lady of the imperial order, she was flattered by countless people wherever she went. However, although this lady of the Duke of Liang did not need to serve her parents-in-law, she often stood in front of Chang Lan.

Normally, the Duke of Liang's Mansion is managed by Lan Yu and Lan Mu, but once Chang Lan takes over as the housekeeper, everything has to be done in accordance with the rules.

Zhu Yunhuan remembered something and said, "If we invite my sister-in-law, she should also go and learn."

The younger sister-in-law is, of course, Princess Anqing, and her husband is the famous Ouyang Lun. This family cannot be left unmanaged, or else Old Zhu or Zhu Yunhuan will come to help manage it, and then there will be bloodshed.

　Thanks to DQD for giving 100 Qidian coins

　　Thanks to the 99-year-old who leaned against the wall and kang for giving 500 starting coins

　　
　
(End of this chapter)