"Dad keeps saying weird things to us," Little Zhu immediately revealed, "Great-grandfather, we're the best, that's why Dad likes us and talks to us about things!"

The narcissistic young Zhu had reason to be proud, as two generations of emperors frequently instructed him. All of this was part of the art of imperial strategy. This was to educate young Zhu as the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, to ensure the dynasty's rule would be passed down to him.

"Your father and I have laid a solid foundation for you, so you will become an emperor even more wise and powerful than us and your father." Old Zhu said, holding little Zhu with great anticipation. "We've built a good foundation, and your father is capable of great things. Our Yin'er will definitely become a sage ruler who creates a prosperous era, even better than your father and me!"

Little Zhu frowned, then said in a pitiful voice, "Great-grandfather, Dad said that Great-grandfather was the greatest hero who created the world, and Dad said that he would lay a good foundation so that we could make a name for ourselves in the future. Dad said that we can't beat Great-grandfather, we can't be more powerful than Great-grandfather!"

Old Zhu smiled as he looked at little Zhu, "You're even more ambitious than your father! Your father just wants to cause trouble, but you want to be even more powerful than us! Yin'er, we are the founding emperor!"

After chatting for a while, Old Zhu started questioning Little Zhu again. Although he knew that Little Zhu often gave Little Zhu extra lessons, Old Zhu still wanted to hear about Little Zhu's educational courses and content so that he could be prepared to make some corrections at any time.

Zhu Yunying finished court and strolled slowly toward the Qianqing Palace, intending to discuss something with the old Zhu about the old Zhu's birthday.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, they saw Emperor Qianlong sitting in a chair, sipping tea. Little Zhu, holding a small wooden knife, was brandishing it quite skillfully beside him, with Emperor Qianlong occasionally offering reminders.

"Our family has no martial arts successors," Old Zhu said with a smile, putting down his teacup. "In the end, it's Yin'er who inherited our mantle. Back in the day, we rode across the land on horseback, but our son was too scholarly and our grandson lacked talent. Fortunately, I can see my great-grandson with talent and ambition before I die!"

Zhu Yunying was numb, probably because this was a sore spot for him. Originally, Zhu Yunying still had some hope of becoming an emperor who was both a scholar and a warrior. But now, he had long given up on that idea. He could only be a 'great-wise and ambitious' emperor, not someone who dreamed of personally leading troops into battle.

Little Zhu didn't put down the wooden sword; he continued to swing it earnestly. Even though the boy seemed a bit spoiled, he was quite persistent in most things.

Watching young Zhu wielding his knife, and then looking at old Zhu sipping his tea, Zhu Yunying was quite satisfied. Old Zhu's current retired state was very good; he had even begun to seriously appreciate tea. The old Zhu of the past would never have been like this.

"Grandpa, all our imperial uncles are coming back this time." Zhu Yunying put down his teacup and said to the old Zhu, "The princes and heirs of suitable age have also come back with us."

Old Zhu nodded lightly and then said, "Alright, they shouldn't go back then. If the land around our Great Ming is suitable, and if they have the ambition, we'll give them the foundation of a kingdom in the future."

Domestic enfeoffment is not feasible, but granting some fiefdoms to the surrounding areas of the Ming Dynasty is a possibility.

Young Master Zhu spearheaded and advocated for this, and Old Master Zhu now accepts it as well. There is now a good example: the Fourth Prince has done a remarkable job in Japan, setting a good example for many members of the royal family.

This time, taking advantage of Emperor Zhu's birthday, those princes who had been enfeoffed there could basically forget about returning to their fiefdoms. The system of princes in the Ming Dynasty was now effectively coming to a complete end.

Seeing Zhu Yunying's expression, Zhu Yunying continued, "When it's the Emperor's birthday, our bank will also be launched. The Emperor's birthday will be a time of universal celebration!"

"If we're talking about filial piety, there's no one in the world more filial than you," Old Zhu said, pointing at Zhu Yunying. "If we're talking about unfilial piety, it's you! Why do you have to cause trouble on our birthday?"

Little Zhu, brandishing his knife, was dissatisfied and retorted loudly, "Great-grandfather, our father is the second most filial, and we are the most filial!"

Old Zhu nodded. That's right!