In reality, Zhu Youxiao knew better than anyone that the Ming Dynasty was on its last legs, barely surviving. While external enemies needed to be eliminated, internal problems were the primary cause of the Ming's demise.
Therefore, the strategy he has always adhered to is to stabilize the external market, create conditions for him to eliminate internal problems, and buy time.
Besides, he was a complete novice in warfare. The more responsible approach would be to appoint the right people and provide them with sufficient financial and material support, rather than giving orders blindly.
Today is New Year's Eve, and the emperor will have a good year.
The Jiannu may have already reached the city of Ningyuan, and you still want to have a good New Year. Aren’t you too ambitious?
Zhu Youxiao felt that there was no point in worrying. He had sufficient food and supplies, the most advanced cannons and muskets, and he also considered the officers and soldiers' food. He thought he was a good enough emperor!
I have prepared everything that needs to be prepared, and have told you everything that needs to be worried about. Why don’t you let me, my wife, and my sisters have a New Year’s Eve reunion dinner and a Spring Festival Gala?
As night fell, the reunion dinner in the Qianqing Palace had already begun. The Empress, three concubines, and three imperial sisters sat around the large table, giving the impression of a family reunion.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiao Zhengaoer, who was dressed as a palace maid and followed Zhang Yuer, and smiled and ordered the palace servants: "Add a seat for Waner."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Zhang Wan'er kowtowed to express her gratitude and sat down on the chair brought by the palace servants. Now she could see clearly that the table was full of dishes!
"Your Majesty, did you build this table?" Zhang Yuer reached out and touched the large rotating disc inside, and asked with a smile.
Zhu Youxiao nodded with some satisfaction and said with a smile, "We can eat as we turn around. We can eat all the dishes on the table. We are all family, and it is Chinese New Year, so we can be more casual."
Concubine Wang Liang looked at Zhang Yuer's belly, then secretly touched her own, her eyes filled with envy and jealousy that could not be concealed.
"Whale meat?!" Eighth Princess Zhu Huiti stared curiously at the nameplate next to the dish and asked, "Is it one of those huge fish from the sea?"
Zhu Youxiao laughed and said, "They're really big fish, some are bigger than small boats! This is because they're frozen in winter, so they can be shipped from overseas fresh. However, smoked whale meat will be available on the market in the future."
As he spoke, he raised his glass and looked around. After everyone had taken their glasses, he smiled and said, "I won't give a long speech. The purpose of celebrating the New Year is just to have a good time. I wish everyone happiness and success in the new year. Come, let's drink to victory."
"Drink to win." Everyone responded with a smile and drank the wine in their cups.
Zhu Youxiao took a bite of food and smiled, waving his hand, "Just relax, no need to be so formal."
The banquet had just begun. Wang Tigan stood at the bottom, responsible for turning the tables with a flattering smile on his face.
This is not something that ordinary people can do. The timing must be mastered and the rotation should not be too large. If your boss is picking up food and you turn the table, do you still want to do this?
"This whale meat is quite tender, like veal." Zhu Youxiao offered a piece to Empress Zhang Yan beside him and said, "It's too expensive to ship fresh meat. I've already asked them to stop."
Zhang Yan nodded and smiled, "Long live your wisdom. It's fine to try something new, but it would be best if this waste of time and money stopped."
Zhu Youxiao chuckled and didn't mention his plan to have someone use saltpeter to make ice to preserve food. His intention wasn't to satisfy his own desires, but to give the wealthy more ways to spend their money.
Luxury goods are also a way to boost the economy. For example, mirrors, the glass windows we're promoting, and expensive seafood are all for the wealthy.
Guanzi once said that the firewood used by rich people must be carved into patterns, which can provide more jobs and support more poor people!
Of course, this kind of economic philosophy is not something that ordinary people can understand. Extravagance and waste of money are the most commonly used critical labels.
The rotating table was very convenient, and you could reach the dishes with just a stretch of your hand. The Eighth Princess and Zhang Wan'er had shorter arms, so it was a little more difficult, but there were palace maids waiting to serve them.
Stringed instruments and wind instruments began to play, and the Jiaofangsi began to perform court songs and dances at the steps.
In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, mainly after Emperor Wuzong, court songs and dances were divided into two forms: one was songs and dances used specifically for ceremonies, and the other was court songs and dances for the emperor to enjoy.
Strictly speaking, the latter no longer falls within the scope of court song and dance, but is no different from folk song and dance.
Zhu Youxiao preferred this kind of folk, popular, and entertaining song and dance. The so-called elegant music, apart from its ceremonial effect, really had no merit.
When it comes to the Jiaofangsi, many people may think that it is a brothel run by the government and full of official prostitutes.
In fact, this is inaccurate, at least not the accurate situation of the Jiaofangsi at present.
After Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty successfully launched the Jingnan Campaign, he demoted the wives and daughters of his political enemies to the Jiaofangsi as a form of punishment, which led to a huge increase in the number of prostitutes in the Jiaofangsi.
After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, in order to clarify social customs and guide people to be good, the Jiaofangsi was subject to great restrictions, and the number of official prostitutes was greatly reduced.
But they were replaced by private prostitutes, and they became uncontrollable. “Although they disappeared from public courts, they were still common in the neighborhoods.”
However, the Jiaofangsi had a great reputation and had musicians who could sell their art without selling their bodies. Moreover, the Jiaofangsi gave them more opportunities to come into contact with the upper class and celebrities, which increased their value.
Therefore, many famous prostitutes registered with the Jiaofangsi, even paying a considerable amount of money. For example, the famous Qinhuai prostitutes Li Xiangjun, Gu Hengbo, Bian Yujun, Chen Yuanyuan, etc., were all registered with the Jiaofangsi of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites.
To become famous, one had to be either pretty, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, or good at singing and dancing. Among them, the most numerous and best were the singing and dancing musicians in the Jiaofangsi.
This is normal. The Jiaofangsi belongs to the Ministry of Rites and is responsible for playing music for celebrations and to welcome distinguished guests. Naturally, it has many musicians and female musicians, and their training is also very professional.
As for the dance of the Jiaofangsi, it was the first time for Zhu Youxiao to see it, or rather, it was the first time for him to appreciate the beauty of non-court dance.
Dancing at the foot of the steps were three female musicians: one the principal dancer, and two accompanying them, holding feather fans. They were all very beautiful, adorned with pearls and emerald feathers, and their dancing was even more beautiful. When they walked, they were like goddesses floating on the water, and when they danced, they circled like fairies scattering flowers.
Zhu Youxiao nodded repeatedly, praising the artist's superb skills. Everyone present was also fascinated by the scene, except Zhang Wan'er, who was only paying attention to the dishes.
"Good, very good." After the dance was over, Zhu Youxiao clapped his hands and cheered. He waved his hand and said generously, "Reward."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." The dancer bowed to express her gratitude and retreated gracefully.
Concubine Duan Chun ate some food and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, do you have the 'Guanyin Dance'? I heard that Xu Ji from the Jiaofang Bureau is the best at this dance, comparable to Xu Jinghong!"
Zhu Youxiao was not clear about this and looked at Wang Tigan with obvious intention of asking for advice.
Wang Tigan quickly replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, the next one is Xu Ji's "Guanyin Dance." As he said that, he hurried down to make arrangements and moved the finale of "Guanyin Dance" to the front.
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