If only I had ten thousand mansions, I could shelter all the poor and make them smile!
As the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying was benevolent and hoped that the people of the Ming Dynasty could live in peace and prosperity and have no worries about food and clothing.
"Grandmother, I have thought it through. Although I am still young, I want to do more to help my grandfather and father." Zhu Xiong Ying said in a serious tone, "Please grant me an imperial edict so that I can do some things."
Empress Ma remained noncommittal and continued spinning her loom, paying no further attention to her shameless grandson.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't care and continued shamelessly, "I want to go to the Ministry of Works. Just send me a competent supervisor or deputy envoy."
"Oh?" Empress Ma glanced at Zhu Xiong Ying and asked, "What rank is the Supervisor? What rank is the Deputy Envoy?"
Zhu Xiong Ying immediately replied, "The position of Supervisor seems to be an eighth-rank official, a full eighth-rank official? The position of Deputy Envoy seems to be a ninth-rank official. My grandmother, the Deputy Envoy of the Charcoal and Firewood Department is the only one."
Empress Ma said irritably, "Remember this well. Last year, your imperial grandfather appointed one Minister, a sixth-rank official. He was divided into four departments: the General Headquarters, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Each department was headed by a Director, an Assistant Director, and a Clerk. Remember this well: the Ministry of Revenue is especially important. Although the Ministry of Works is also important, it has the lowest status among the six ministries."
"I've got it, I've got it!" Zhu Xiong Ying said coquettishly, shaking Empress Ma's arm. "Grandmother, if you don't agree, I'll keep pestering you! I promise I won't neglect my studies. I just need to find some craftsmen and managers to do some work."
Empress Ma sighed and said, "You have to study for two hours every day and play with your younger siblings for an hour. Where do you have time for anything else? Your grandfather's court is full of talented people. What important matters do they expect a child like you to handle?!"
Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly, “Those who labor with their minds govern others, while those who labor with their bodies are governed by others. My grandson doesn’t go to the Ministry of Works every day. Just keep an eye on things; it won’t take up his time.”
Empress Ma sighed helplessly, then suddenly remembered something, "Your aunt is about to choose a husband, and she's telling you in advance this time!"
Zhu Xiong Ying was excited at this, as he seemed to remember that Zhu Yuanzhang had executed a corrupt son-in-law.
The eldest aunt's husband was Mei Yin, the nephew of Mei Sizu, the Marquis of Runan. This was a son-in-law whom Zhu Yuanzhang particularly favored. Not only was Mei Yin from a good family, but he also married Zhu Yuanzhang's eldest daughter, Princess Ningguo.
Mei Yin, it seems, was killed by Zhu Di.
So, in that sense, he was this "little uncle-in-law." After all, in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, his two daughters were only his and Empress Ma's daughters; those were his true daughters.
Zhu Xiong Ying hurriedly asked, "Grandmother, whose noble family is my uncle from?"
"They are newly appointed scholars, and the selection process is still ongoing." Empress Ma laughed and tapped Zhu Xiong Ying's nose. "This time we've informed you that if your aunt gets married, don't blame us for not consulting you."
Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback, "A newly appointed Jinshi?"
Empress Ma looked at her grandson and asked with a smile, "Ying'er, why do you think your imperial grandfather chose a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)?"
"My eldest aunt married a nobleman, and my youngest aunt married a scholar, which demonstrates the benevolence of our royal family," Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly. "Just like my father, my mother was of noble birth, but my concubine was the daughter of a civil official."
Empress Ma smiled and nodded, explaining, "Grandson, remember this well. In the affairs of the royal family, one must never act recklessly. In matters of the court, one must also remember to maintain balance. Whether it is nobles or civil officials, one must pay attention to the balance and ensure that they check and balance each other."
"Grandmother, please summon my cousin to the palace later." Zhu Xiong Ying said excitedly and with a gossipy tone, "My cousin is now in charge of the Grand General's Office and concurrently serves as the supervisor of the Imperial Academy. I need to go and check on my aunt. I know my aunt's thoughts best."
"You know?" Empress Ma laughed and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "If it were up to you to choose, your aunt would probably never get married."
Zhu Zhu, who had been pretending to be dead, chimed in, "That's right! My nephew has such high standards. If it weren't for a great hero like Father Emperor, or a talented man like my elder brother, he wouldn't even look at one of them! If you were to choose, I'd be an old maid and still not be able to get married!"
"Aunt, do you prefer a heroic or refined man? Or should I find you someone like Pan An, someone who can charm people?" Zhu Xiong Ying rushed in front of Zhu Zhu, seemingly more nervous than the person in question. "Aunt, don't worry, your nephew will definitely find you a perfect husband!"
Zhu Zhu pushed away Zhu Xiong Ying's chubby face, which was leaning closer, and said irritably, "I obey my father and mother's wishes regarding my marriage. If it's my elder brother who makes the decision, I'll accept it. But you? When did it become your place to make decisions for me?"
Zhu Xiong Ying got angry, put his hands on his hips and said, "Aunt, if you have children in the future, you might have to rely on your nephew to take care of them! I don't care about the Imperial Son-in-Law and the Commandant, but my cousins are my responsibility! If I'm not happy, I'll send them to the Governor's Office to be Assistant Governors!"
Zhu Zhu pinched Zhu Xiong Ying's face and said, "Then I'm going to offend you and make you unhappy now. The Deputy Commander of the Grand Military Commission is a second-rank official! No, last year Father Emperor changed the Grand Military Commission to the Five Military Commissions, and the Deputy Commander is a first-rank official! I'll make trouble for you then and make you a first-rank Left and Right Commander!"
"I know, but I won't give it to them!" Zhu Xiong Ying said matter-of-factly and domineeringly. "Aunt, if I'm not happy, I can give my cousins the position of Assistant Commander-in-Chief today and demote them to Vice Commander-in-Chief tomorrow! Even if they have rendered meritorious service, I won't give them the title of Duke!"
Empress Ma found it amusing, but also said irritably, "Ying'er, don't talk nonsense. How can official titles and ranks in the court be treated so lightly!"
Of course I know this is child's play, but who told me to be a little kid now? It's okay for me to say childish things, it just makes me even cuter!
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
