Meanwhile, in the capital, another emperor's uncle, Prince Gui Zhu Changying, had just been appointed as the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan Court, in charge of managing the affairs of the imperial clan.

In addition to compiling the Jade Book and recording trivial matters such as the birth, old age, illness and death of the royal family's children, Zhu Changying was also responsible for reporting the royal family's statements and requests to the emperor, recommending talented people, recording crimes and faults and punishing them.

This may seem like a small thing, but it was the first step for Zhu Youxiao to reform the vassal system.

Those who remain in the capital and have not yet been enfeoffed include Prince of Gui Zhu Changying, Prince of Hui Zhu Changrun, and Prince of Rui Zhu Changhao, but Zhu Youxiao no longer plans to send them to the local areas.

Each prince's establishment, the construction of a mansion, and the granting of land and silver were all huge expenses. Once in the local area, this also caused a lot of trouble for officials and the people. Raising pigs is no different anywhere, even in the capital.

Of course, if you don't want to be a pig, I will give you the opportunity to display your talents.

Moreover, Zhu Youxiao still has time to come up with a better and more complete way to accommodate these uncles. As for the ancestral system, just kidding, isn't reform about breaking the ancestral system and pioneering and making progress?

Uncle Wei's main purpose in traveling to several provinces was to take back the granted land and then raise funds from the princes, that is, to borrow money.

Unlike what Zhu Changxun thought, Zhu Youxiao really borrowed the money to accumulate sufficient reserves for the long-planned Imperial Bank and to promote the development of the Ming Dynasty's financial industry.

He still had some private money, but he had to save it for emergencies. Besides, Zhu Youxiao was reluctant to spend it.

As for whether banks can make money? You are underestimating Zhu Youxiao's intelligence. Even if this is not his specialty, he understands the general operating model.

Moreover, the silver and money shops that emerged in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty were the prototypes of modern banks. Their services included exchanging silver and money, handling deposits and remittances.

But a prototype is just a prototype. No matter its scale, strength or business diversity, it cannot be compared with the Imperial Bank planned by Zhu Youxiao.

For example, there were also exchange bills at that time, which had the nature of banknotes, but they had to be circulated in the money shops of the two places.

You can imagine how powerful it would take to open branches in several places and have enough money to pay for them. As for money houses organized in the form of guilds, there were none in the Ming Dynasty.

With the opening of ports in Qingdao, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and other places, economic activities were further strengthened, and merchants began to feel the inconvenience and danger of carrying silver around.

Zhu Youxiao was helpless in not issuing banknotes directly. The Ming Dynasty's treasure notes were so bad that people were terrified at the mere mention of them.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao had to start from scratch, build up his credibility and reputation before he could proceed with his next plan.

Swish, swish, swish, counting money is so exciting; bang, slamming a stack of bills into someone's face is so satisfying. Why not try exchanging it for silver? It feels completely different!

Of course, this is a bit far-fetched. There should be a process of abolishing the two-character system and changing the currency.

But no matter what, the bank must be established.

Absorb scattered social funds, support industries that the country needs to develop, and provide low-interest loans to entrepreneurs and farmers...

Not to mention making money, just the raising and financing of social funds can promote the development of industry and commerce in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youxiao was writing his grand blueprint on paper when Wang Tigan came in to report that Prince Rui Zhu Changhao came to see him and express his gratitude.

During the Tang Dynasty, after the emperor passed away, concubines with children would be taken care of by their children, while those without children would become nuns, spending the rest of their lives surrounded by the green lamps and ancient Buddhas.

Zhu Youxiao did not choose to become a nun, but instead released the concubines with children from the palace to live with their children and enjoy family life, which was also a great act of kindness.

Zhu Changhao's mother was Concubine Duan, and during the Wanli Emperor's reign, both mother and son were not favored. Now that they can be reunited, they are naturally surprised and happy, and have come to thank God for his grace.

"Call the emperor's uncle into the palace!" Zhu Youxiao had no feelings for this emperor's uncle. He just felt it was strange that he loved Buddhism and didn't like women. He wondered if living with his mother would change him.

At this time, the atmosphere in the Heluan Palace was filled with joy, but also with a bit of sadness.

Empress Zhang Yan came in person to see Concubine Duan off, and the other concubines were also sincerely happy for Concubine Duan. However, when they thought of themselves, they couldn't help but feel sad.

Concubine Li Zhuang (Dong Li and Zhu Youjian's adoptive mother) put her cherished bracelet on Concubine Duan. There were a few sparkles in her eyes, but she forced a smile and said, "Keep it as a reminder. I don't know if I will see you again in the future..."

"Yes, I can." Concubine Duan wiped her eyes and said, "The emperor has granted me permission to enter the palace. I will come to see you often."

Concubine Li Zhuang gently patted Concubine Duan's arm, knowing that this was to comfort her. When Prince Rui was enfeoffed, they would be separated and there would be no chance for them to meet again.

I can only blame my bad luck for not having a son or daughter. I can only stay in this cold and lonely palace and cannot enjoy the family happiness like Concubine Duan.

Other old concubines also came forward and presented commemorative items, with expressions of envy, sadness, or joy, and so on.

Since moving to this palace for retirement, the previous intrigues and conflicts have gradually faded away as they have lost their spirit and been worn away by the dull and monotonous days.

"Mom, when I grow up and get married, I will take you away from here." Little Zhu Huiti hugged her mother's arm, blinked her beautiful eyes, and looked at the lively scene.

Li Kangfei reached out and caressed her daughter's hair lovingly, and a little hope also grew in her heart. She was very satisfied that the emperor could let go of the old grudges, clean up the Luan Palace, and be very close to Zhu Huiti.

Now, looking at Concubine Duan's unconcealed joy beneath her sadness, and Concubine Zheng's priceless smile upon hearing the news, she also imagined the wonderful life she would lead after her daughter escaped from this magnificent prison.

Zhang Yan gave the rewards she brought to Concubine Duan, and chatted with other old concubines in a cheerful and considerate manner, showing her virtuous character.

At this time, Wang Tigan came running over and reported to Queen Zhang Yan with a flattering look.

Zhang Yan was a little stunned at first, but soon she started to smile happily.

She walked up to Concubine Li Zhuang, bowed, and said with a beaming face, "Congratulations, Concubine Zhuang. His Royal Highness Prince Xin has never forgotten your kindness in raising him. With His Majesty's grace, he has acknowledged you as his mother and is here to take you out to care for you and show his filial piety!"

Concubine Li Zhuang was stunned at first, then she covered her face and cried, unable to speak.

When Zhu Youjian was five years old, his mother Liu committed a crime and was ordered by Zhu Changluo to be beaten to death. He was then handed over to his concubine mother Xi Li to be raised.

A few years later, Xi Li gave birth to a daughter, the eighth princess Zhu Weiti. Unable to take care of her, she was raised by another stepmother, Dong Li, until she grew up.

Dong Li is Concubine Li Zhuang, who was kind and raised Zhu Youjian for a long time, and had a closer relationship with him.

Historically, Concubine Li Zhuang died at the age of 37. After Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, in recognition of her upbringing, he conferred a higher title on her, awarded her brother Li Chenglian an official position, and granted him a thousand acres of fertile land.

But now, the fate of Li Zhuangfei, who was only 35 years old, has changed, and the fate of many people has changed.

Because this was a loophole that Zhu Youxiao deliberately left for the concubines. If anyone had relatives and found an adopted son, they could take him out of the palace to live.

Several concubines had thought of it, but were not able to say it out loud, so they stepped forward to comfort and congratulate Concubine Li Zhuang, and their mood was very different from before.

………………