At this moment, Prince Lu was terrified and looked at Zhu Youxiao with hesitation. He was confused as to what His Majesty was going to say.
Zhu Youxiao looked at the Prince of Lu's unsociable appearance and felt helpless, so he decided to eat first. The relationship between people is built at the dinner table. After eating and drinking, the relationship naturally becomes close.
Zhu Youxiao then instructed Chen Hong: "Prince Lu has come all the way by boat and carriage, so please serve wine and food. I will welcome Prince Lu."
After hearing what Zhu Youxiao said, Chen Hong quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will arrange it right away."
Having said that, Chen Hong slowly retreated.
After Chen Hong left, Zhu Youxiao said to Prince Lu with a smile: "I came from the capital this time and didn't bring any good things. Shandong has suffered a disaster, so I am a little slow in providing food and wine."
Prince Lu quickly smiled and said, "Your Majesty is kind and compassionate to the people. This is a blessing for the people of the world."
Zhu Youxiao nodded gently and said with a smile: "Prince Lu has such a thoughtful attitude. He can be a role model for officials all over the world, and even more so for the royal family of the Ming Dynasty! Very good!"
Soon the food and wine were served.
Four dishes and one soup, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, plus a bowl of Jade White Jade Soup.
After seeing these dishes, even though King Lu was mentally prepared, he was still surprised.
Isn’t this a bit too simple?
No matter how difficult the situation in Shandong is, it shouldn't be so bad for Your Majesty, right?
However, the King of Lu did not dare to ask any questions and quickly praised him, saying, "Your Majesty is diligent and frugal, and can be a model for emperors of all dynasties."
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "I never think about these things, nor do I care about them. As long as the people of the Ming Dynasty can have enough food and warm clothes, that's enough."
"Your Majesty's vision is unprecedented and you are worthy of being the emperor who will restore the Ming Dynasty." Prince Lu bowed quickly and said.
However, although Prince Lu said this, he was actually complaining in his heart because he was a little at a loss for words and really didn't know what to say next. He wished that His Majesty would change the subject as soon as possible.
Zhu Youxiao smiled and gestured for an invitation, saying, "Prince Lu, please take your seat."
The Prince of Lu had never eaten a meal with four dishes and one soup. But this was invited by His Majesty, so even if you were given a bowl of poison, you would have to eat it.
So the King of Lu hurriedly sat down, and after His Majesty took the first bite of the dish with his chopsticks, he also picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
The King of Lu did not dare to neglect this meal, and while eating, he also showed an expression of "It smells good, I like it very much." However, he knew in his heart that after this meal, there would probably be some trouble when he returned home.
His stomach was probably rebelling, but he still had to swallow it. Prince Lu also had a hint of doubt in his heart. Did Your Majesty want to eat himself to death?
In fact, King Lu was really frightened and very scared.
You know, it is rare for the emperor to leave the capital, and he summoned me to see him, which is even more unusual, especially given the current situation in Shandong.
Last time, the old Prince Fu was taken to the capital. Prince Lu did not think he could be like the old Prince Fu.
It was simply impossible for a vassal king to leave his fiefdom. If he left this time, it would be difficult for him to return. So the King of Lu was really terrified. He was extremely frightened and nervous.
In such a mood, when facing Zhu Youxiao, Prince Lu was naturally extremely cautious, fearing any mistakes or omissions.
If I really die, what will happen to my forty-eight wives and concubines?
After the banquet, Zhu Youxiao and Prince Lu drank tea.
As he drank, Zhu Youxiao said, "Prince Lu, I heard that you are quite fond of calligraphy. I just wrote a piece of calligraphy a few days ago. How about asking Prince Lu to appreciate it?"
"I am not very proficient in calligraphy, so how dare I comment on your Majesty's calligraphy?" Prince Lu said modestly.
You have to be humble. You can't say that my handwriting is particularly good and your Majesty's handwriting is rubbish.
"Prince Lu, please don't be so modest. Today, we are talking to each other as monarch and minister, so there is no need for so many formalities." Zhu Youxiao stood up and said to Chen Hong, "Bring me my calligraphy."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly agreed, then went to hold the calligraphy in both hands.
In fact, Chen Hong had prepared this calligraphy a long time ago. He knew that it was written by the emperor for Prince Lu to read, so he did not dare to neglect it. He hurriedly held it in both hands and respectfully unfolded it in front of Prince Lu and Zhu Youxiao.
Prince Lu quickly looked over, thinking about how to praise him. After reading the words above, Prince Lu really didn't know what to say.
The Prince of Lu did like calligraphy. He not only liked to collect calligraphy but also wrote well himself, especially in running script. But after seeing Your Majesty's calligraphy, the Prince of Lu really didn't know what to say.
There was no order at all, it was just words, not calligraphy at all. But he had to praise it, and he had to praise it in a way that His Majesty wouldn't think he was being hypocritical. The King of Lu was so annoyed that his head was about to explode.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Prince Lu and decided not to beat around the bush. From the beginning, the two of them had been talking on different channels, as if there was a layer between them.
Zhu Youxiao didn't bother to think about what Prince Lu was thinking, and asked directly: "Is Prince Lu familiar with this poem?"
When Prince Lu heard Zhu Youxiao's question, he shuddered and looked over quickly.
The Prince of Lu had been focusing on calligraphy just now, but now he noticed that Your Majesty was talking about poetry, so he recited softly:
“Plant a grain of millet in spring and harvest ten thousand grains in autumn.
There is no idle land in the world, yet farmers still starve to death."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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