Holding his great-grandson offered Old Zhu some small comfort, as he seemed to have slightly recovered from the grief of losing his son.
"Yin'er, call us." Old Zhu held little Zhu, beaming with joy. "If you call us, we'll give you candy."
Zhu Xiong Ying, who was reviewing the memorials, chuckled, "Grandpa Emperor, Yin'er is not as precocious as I am."
Old Zhu looked up at Zhu Xiong Ying, his eyes showing a hint of disdain. So, love can sometimes really shift. Zhu Xiong Ying used to think that in Old Zhu's heart, Da Zhu was number one, and Zhu Xiong Ying wasn't narcissistic at all; he was number two.
But now, Zhu Xiong Ying feels that she is very likely to be second, because a certain chubby little guy is more popular.
While reviewing the memorials, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Grandfather, I think the matter we discussed last time is feasible. As for the civil officials, these scholars come one generation after another, and they are naturally inclined to stick together. If the nobles are not supported, the civil officials may become too powerful in a few decades."
Old Zhu nodded and said, "The sons of military officers should also practice riding and archery. Look how many years this country has been at peace? The spoiled sons and pampered sons of Yingtian Prefecture are all from noble families. I'm thinking, either the royal children should practice the Four Books and Five Classics, or they should practice riding and archery."
Zhu Xiong Ying immediately chuckled dryly, then struggled slightly, "Then I'm afraid many of my royal uncles won't be able to be granted the title of king."
Old Zhu snorted coldly. He was referring to Zhu Yunwen, who was neither good at literature nor martial arts. If there was one person who was the biggest playboy in Yingtian Prefecture at present, it was obviously Zhu Yunwen. Fortunately, he didn't cause too much trouble during the mourning period.
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "If the sons of military officers cannot ride horses or draw bows, they should not inherit their positions. That one from Yangzhou Guard, what a joke!"
The catalyst was that Shan Shou, the commander of Yangzhou Guard, succeeded his father and led troops to Taizhou to capture bandits. However, when they encountered the bandits, he not only fled in fear but also led his men in a desperate escape, resulting in a horrific defeat.
This was a third-rank official position, the highest military commander of a garrison, and a key figure in the Ming Dynasty's military. Yet, this same general, capable of commanding nearly six thousand men, fled at the mere sight of bandits—a complete disgrace to his father.
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, “I will have the Five Military Commands allow the sons of military officers to practice martial arts and learn military strategy. Since they want to inherit the position, they still need to have some ability. If they cannot ride and shoot when they inherit the position, their salary will be reduced. If they still fail the retest, they will be demoted to the army, so that those people will not harm my military household.”
Old Zhu then spoke up, "Those who are twenty years old should be supported by the state. If they are too young or their elders have died in battle, the state should take care of them. If they are still unable to support themselves by the time they reach twenty, then we should consider it a good deed. Spoiled brats who go to the battlefield are just asking for death."
Just as the two were playing with the child and chatting, Xu Miaoqing entered the Qianqing Palace and said, "Grandpa, Your Highness, it's time for your meal."
Old Zhu smiled and nodded, saying, "Qing'er, we noticed you've never worn jewelry before. We'll have someone make you some jewelry. If you don't like it, you can choose some from the storeroom. We just sent some jewelry back from Southeast Asia a while ago."
Xu Miaoqing immediately said, "Grandpa, I don't need those things, and besides, His Highness doesn't like them either."
“That kid is even more old-fashioned than us. He’s the one we gave you, so he doesn’t dare say anything,” Old Zhu said decisively. “You’ve helped our imperial family to have more descendants, so you deserve some respect.”
Xu Miaoqing immediately knelt down and said, "Sun Chen is a woman of high status, and it is only right that she should bear children for the imperial family."
Old Zhu was very satisfied with Xu Miaoqing's attitude. He was very generous with rewards for his own people. However, such generosity depended on Xu Miaoqing's attitude, which was even more important.
Zhu Wenying showed no respect whatsoever, demanding a hug from his mother upon seeing her. When he didn't receive a response, he started crying and making a scene. This brat has absolutely no respect for Old Master Zhu; he should at least try to please him for the sake of the throne...
There's nothing I can do; my son isn't a time traveler, so he doesn't have that many thoughts. The little guy is simple and instinctive.
Old Zhu didn't make things difficult for Xu Miaoqing, and handed Zhu Wenying over to Zhu Xiong Ying with a smile. Zhu Xiong Ying, in turn, smiled and handed his chubby son to Xu Miaoqing.
"Go to the side hall first, and come back for dinner later." Zhu Xiong Ying said, patting Zhu Wen Yin's little bottom. "This little thing should go to sleep too."
Seeing Xu Miaoqing walk away, Old Zhu asked, "Has it always been Qing'er feeding her?"
“There are two wet nurses with us, but Qing’er and I think it’s better to feed our own child ourselves,” Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile. “Now it’s all good, Yin’er just clings to me and his mother. The more we hold him, the more attached he becomes.”
Old Zhu had an idea and said, half-jokingly, "Ying'er, I remember you said that if you had children, we would raise them."
Zhu Xiong Ying immediately started to play dumb, still young and ignorant, and started talking nonsense. Now there's no going back.
Seeing that Zhu Xiong Ying was feigning ignorance, Old Zhu tapped the table, "Ying'er, we're getting old, and we still have a few years left..."
"Grandpa, you have to teach me first!" Only Zhu Xiong Ying would dare to interrupt Old Zhu now. "If you teach your grandson well, then Grandpa can teach Yin'er. He's still breastfeeding, so he doesn't understand what Grandpa is saying."
Old Zhu was both annoyed and amused, but he also felt that this statement was correct; he was indeed not suitable to teach Little Zhu now.
But then, remembering something, Old Zhu paused for a moment, “I’m afraid we won’t live to see Yin’er learn about politics. When I’m gone, you have to bury me in Xiaoling Mausoleum. Your parents are there, your grandmother is there, and we will go there too.”
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