Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 96 A Different Birthday
The concerted efforts of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yunhuan gave people a different atmosphere and also showed that the Crown Prince had more and more access to power.

Jin Wang Zhu Gang finally returned to his fiefdom, and was entrusted with important tasks by the emperor. However, at the same time, the emperor also began to further restrict the princes, starting with reducing their supplies.

Zhu Yunhuan was very busy, summoning civil and military officials to discuss a series of important matters.

The establishment of Sichuan Xingdusi was also put on the agenda, governing Jianchang Guard, commanding five guards, eight stations, and four chief officers, and belonging to the Right Army Commandery. It was led by Dusi Qu Neng, who was in charge of the military affairs of the western frontier and assisted the King of Shu Zhu Chun in implementing the etiquette and education.

Muchun also rushed back to Yunnan with the first batch of 100,000 immigrants. As the inheritor of the title, Muchun needed to continue to stay in Yunnan and develop Yunnan.

The ninth day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar was Zhu Yunhuan’s fourteenth birthday, which was a big event.

Zhu Yunhuan got up early in the morning. After all, he was the crown prince, and although he could not accept the congratulations of the palace stewards or the birthday celebrations of the officials in the Huagai Hall, he could not be careless.

This was his first birthday after being named Crown Prince, and it had a somewhat different meaning.

Zhu Yunhuan ran to the Huagai Palace, and Old Zhu happily sat on the dragon throne. The birthday of the grandson was also a happy moment for the emperor.

Zhu Yunhuan kowtowed politely and said, "Grandfather, please let my grandmother enter the palace later."

"It should be so." Old Zhu stood up and said with a smile, "The ladies of the imperial court should also come to celebrate your birthday. It's only right."

Zhu Yunhuan supported Old Zhu and said, "It's different. It is said that a son's birthday is also a mother's suffering day. My mother lost her life giving birth to me. How can I forget these graces?"

Old Zhu became more and more soft-hearted and quickly advised, "It's not your fault. This is fate."

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "I thought that after I finish attending court, I would go to Fengxian Hall first."

Everyone likes filial children, but sometimes Old Zhu is worried that his precious grandson is too filial. He is so sensible that it makes people feel distressed. It is estimated that when it comes to birthdays, others are happy, but this child is the only one who thinks about his poor mother.

Zhu Yunxun continued, "Another thing is that I haven't returned to my hometown to worship my ancestors at this time, which is not good. When my father was alive, he often went back to worship his ancestors. It's time for me to go back."

Before Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he built a mausoleum for his parents and brother and sister-in-law in his hometown, which is the Ming Emperor Mausoleum. The Ming Ancestor Mausoleum built in Xuyi is a cenotaph for Zhu Yuanzhang's grandfather and others.

During the construction of the Ming Emperor's Mausoleum, the filial Zhu visited the mausoleum three times and repeatedly ordered the crown prince and other kings to go to Fengyang to worship the mausoleum.

Paying respect to the ancestors' tombs is also what descendants should do.

Old Zhu touched Zhu Yunhuan's head and said, "Okay, just remember to come back during the winter solstice."

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs.

It was only natural for Zhu Yunhuan, the crown prince, to go back to pay homage to the mausoleum.

"When you go back, remember to look after Godmother Wang for us." Old Zhu began to explain carefully, saying, "Although you are the grandson of the crown prince, you should also remember the kindness that Marquis Yihui showed to our family. Go and burn some incense, and we must remember these kindnesses."

That's how it was. Liu Jizu probably didn't think about what he could get in return for just giving a piece of land for Zhu's family to bury. But for Old Zhu, letting his parents and brother rest in peace was a great favor.

Not only was Liu Jizu conferred the title of Marquis of Yihui, but his descendants were also made responsible for offering sacrifices to the imperial mausoleum, which was considered a stable job.

Wang Ganniang prepared some gifts and asked her son to take Lao Zhu to ask Huangjue Temple to take him in. Lao Zhu never forgot this favor. So Wang Ganniang's son Wang Wen became the hereditary director of the imperial mausoleum.

Zhu Yunhuan naturally understood this truth. If it had not been for Liu Jizu's kindness, the ancestors of the Zhu family would really not have been able to rest in peace.

As for finding a random place to bury them, that's a joke. How can you bury outsiders on the landlord's land? If you don't have your own land, you won't have anywhere to bury your ancestors!
Old Zhu continued, "Go and see Duke Xin. He is our old brother."

When Zhu Yunhuan nodded, Old Zhu was still instructing, "Let Chang Sheng go back first. He doesn't have much ability, but he is reliable. Let him take charge of the garrison first, and then you can bring Lan Yu and Xu Huizu with you."

Zhu Yunhuan joked, "Grandfather, I'm not going to war."

"This is not a small matter!" Old Zhu said seriously, "Your sisters can go back with you, but your aunt must go with you. Although the Zhongdu Imperial City has been shut down, it doesn't matter if you stay for a few days."

When Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he once thought of making Fengyang the capital, and he had even built a rough outline of the imperial city.

Zhu Yunhuan followed Zhu Yuanzhang to the court and simply accepted the congratulations from the officials. That was about it.

Although it was his birthday, and his first birthday after being named the Crown Prince, it did not count as an adult or an integer. In addition, Zhu's previous birthdays were not celebrated in a grand manner, so Zhu Yunhuan's birthday was also simple.

The most common thing is ceremony, where all officials congratulate and pay their respects.

Chang Lan entered the palace early, and when she arrived at the East Palace, she asked, "Where is His Royal Highness?" "It is said that he went to Fengxian Hall after the court session." Zhu Yourong said with some concern, "He has always been very thoughtful, and I didn't know these things before. Whenever he encountered something, he would go to Fengxian Hall and always worship his mother."

Chang Lan's heart ached and she said, "It's not his fault. If his mother knew this, she would be happy too."

"It's because people outside were too talkative in the past!" Zhu Youling said indignantly, "People outside say that he has a tough life, but no one dares to say anything these days. Maybe there are still people who are talking behind his back!"

Princess Anqing said, "If anyone talks too much again, no matter who they are, beat them to death! Father said a few days ago that Yun Hun was so worried because someone outside was talking too much! It was a good birthday, but Yun Hun was thinking about his mother first."

Some people in the Eastern Palace were feeling uneasy, and Old Zhu would occasionally send people to the outside of Fengxian Palace to inquire about the situation.

And Zhu Yunhuan did not make many people worry too much. He just burned incense and worshipped quietly. He chattered something in the Fengxian Hall to himself, and then he returned to his sunny and cheerful appearance.

He walked to the East Palace, waving his sleeves without any royal manners, and said, "Where's the longevity noodles? Give me some quickly, I need to go to the palace after I eat them!"

Princess Anqing responded with a smile, "You should go up to the palace first, many people are waiting!"

"It doesn't matter if we let them wait a little longer. They've already waited for a while." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Aunt, I won't force you to do it today. Let grandma make me a bowl of noodles."

When Chang Lan heard this, she immediately said happily, "Then I am overstepping my authority."

The Eastern Palace has already given special treatment, and many people turn a blind eye to it.

Zhu Yunhuan sat down on the chair and said, "Aunt, I'm going back to my hometown in a few days, and Grandfather wants you to come with me. It just so happens that my sisters are going back with me, so you can ask the other aunts if any of them are willing to go back with me."

Princess Anqing said immediately, "If you really spread this, they will have to go back with you even if they don't want to. I'll go with you, or you can just stop calling me aunt."

"That's fine." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "Grandma, I will definitely let my second uncle go back to Fengyang first. You can ask my third uncle later whether he wants to stay in the Liushou Division in his hometown or in the capital."

Fengyang Resident General is also a high-ranking official. Zhongdu Resident General is under the jurisdiction of the Central Military Governor's Office, and has eight guards and one post under its jurisdiction. As an institution capable of protecting the Ming Emperor's Mausoleum, only close nobles can be used.

Chang Lan said quickly, "I don't know how to understand these things. The third son is also useless and I'm afraid he doesn't understand these things. Your Highness, just make the decision according to your heart."

Zhu Yunhuan thought for a moment and said, "How about this? My second uncle will definitely not let him leave Beijing now, so he can only follow me. As for my third uncle, after the New Year, let him go around to train soldiers and accumulate military merits. If there is a war in the future, let's see if he can also go to the battlefield. If he can fight for a title, that would be the best."

Chang Lan immediately smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't worry about the third brother, he is fine."

Chang Sen doesn’t have a title, but his background is there after all, and his starting point is the end point that countless people will never reach in their lifetime.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "As the second lord of our Chang family, this is naturally glorious. It would be great if there was another marquis. My second uncle will be of great use in the future, and it would be good for me if my third uncle had a title."

Chang Lan immediately said seriously, "I will let him go to Lan Yu to learn how to fight. The third brother doesn't know how to lead troops, but he has a basic understanding of martial arts. If he really goes to the battlefield, let him charge into the battle line wherever the battle is urgent. He will definitely be a good choice."

Zhu Yunxun immediately said, "There's no need to do this!"

"That's how it should be!" Chang Lan said solemnly, "He is the third uncle of His Highness, and this is how family members should be treated! Even if he dies, it's a worthy death!"

It’s not that the Chang Lan family is cruel, but most of those who come from a military family have this awareness.

Especially in the eyes of Chang Lan, the incense of the Chang family is of course important. But the most important thing is the people of the Chang family, who should do the most difficult, tiring and dangerous things, so that they can protect the crown prince. This is the life of the Chang family!

Princess Anqing smiled and said, "Next time there is a rebellion, let the Duke of Liang take the third brother out together. The Duke of Liang has made great contributions, so give some to the third brother. When the time comes, Yunhuan will help with some planning, and he will definitely have military merits."

Chang Lan said quickly, "How can that be possible? This is also illegal."

"Why is it illegal?" Princess Anqing said with a smile, "As long as Yunhu takes charge of the Five Military Commandery, many things will be easy to deal with."

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Princess Anqing suspiciously, "Aunt, it must be something that Grandfather said again, right?"

"I told you to let me push you to improve yourself and stop thinking about rules and duties!" Princess Anqing said jokingly with a smile, "The Five Cities Military Command is not enough, your grandfather is looking forward to you quickly getting the Five Military Commander's Office ready. He said that the emperor cannot do without military power, you have to hurry up!"

Zhu Yunhuan got a headache instantly. "I am always urged to take charge of the Five Military Commandery. What is this?"

Chang Lan and others were overjoyed. The Crown Prince was extremely favored and valued.

But they couldn't understand why he was not in a hurry to take over the military power of the world?
(End of this chapter)