While the existence of corrupt officials cannot be ruled out, the vigorous efforts of Emperors Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di in recent years to rectify official corruption did indeed improve the governance of the Ming Dynasty significantly. Compared to the widespread corruption during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's governance was far superior.
Old Zhu laughed heartily, quite pleased with himself. "It might not quite reach the level of a golden age yet, but the foundation is solid. If you ascend the throne, continue to focus on the people's livelihood and win a few more great battles. By then, history books will surely say it was a golden age, and we've laid a good foundation for you!"
Zhu Xiong Ying largely agreed with Old Zhu's assessment. The Ming Dynasty was showing signs of a golden age, but it wasn't yet a true golden age. Perhaps after his ascension to the throne, he would add a little more fuel to the fire, and only then would it truly be considered a golden age.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't really care much about the historical records' evaluations; he knew exactly what kind of people the historical records were.
Those were mostly written by civil officials, and were largely summaries of the Ming Dynasty by the next dynasty. By then, many of the recorded events might have been distorted, and Zhu Xiong Ying might have been seen as an ambitious and tyrannical emperor.
These things aren't worth worrying about. For Zhu Xiong Ying, the priority is to govern the country well and leave a more prosperous nation for his descendants. Even if there are unworthy descendants, he can let them squander the family fortune for a few more years.
If possible, Zhu Xiong Ying also hopes to use his foresight to bring about some changes for this nation during this period.
He may have already accomplished some things, but he also knows that what he's doing now is far from enough. He hopes to do more and do things even better.
As for expectations and ambitions, Zhu Xiong Ying believed he had more than enough; what he needed was time and greater power.
After finishing his official business, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at little Zhu and asked, "Yin'er, are you coming back with me, or staying with your great-grandfather?"
After tilting his head and thinking for a while, little Zhu replied in a childish voice, "I'm not going back, I'm going to play with my great-grandfather."
Zhu Xiong Ying was not surprised by this answer at all. He and Xu Miao Qing would still keep a little discipline on Xiao Xiao Zhu, but to Old Zhu, Xiao Xiao Zhu was a lawless little tyrant, and he was spoiled rotten.
Moreover, Little Zhu and Old Zhu have a deep bond. No matter how busy Old Zhu is, as long as circumstances allow and he is in good health, he has to see his great-grandson every day, otherwise he feels uneasy. This treatment sometimes makes Little Zhu envious, as he didn't receive such treatment when he was young.
Back at the East Palace, Zhu Xiong Ying thought for a moment and decided to go see his beloved daughter. He was just a little cautious, standing in a side hall for a while before entering the main hall. Infant mortality rates were high in this era, so many things required extra care.
Looking at her slightly prettier daughter, Zhu Xiong Ying smiled happily, "Is Ru Yi being good?"
Lian Qiongqiong smiled and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Ruyi is very well-behaved. She doesn't cry much, she just likes to sleep."
Zhu Xiong Ying rubbed his hands together but held back. His precious daughter was sleeping, and there was no need to disturb her at this time. He would let her sleep peacefully, and he could hold her when she was a little older.
Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying's unwavering gaze upon her daughter, and witnessing the loving look in his eyes, Lian Qiongqiong felt much more at ease. Even though the Crown Prince had repeatedly expressed his desire for a daughter, Lian Qiongqiong had still worried that he secretly longed for a son. But seeing the Crown Prince's current demeanor, Lian Qiongqiong no longer needed to worry about falling out of favor, nor about her daughter not receiving love.
"Our little princess!" Zhu Xiong Ying squatted down happily and said softly to Zhu Ru Yi, "Once you can call me 'father,' we'll officially bestow a title upon you. You are our first daughter, and from now on, you will be the eldest princess of our Great Ming Dynasty!"
Lian Qiongqiong, standing nearby, felt a jolt in her heart. Although the Crown Prince was the heir apparent, and many people felt that some things were a matter of course, his daughter was not yet qualified to be called a princess; she was merely a county princess.
The fact that the Crown Prince is saying this now means that there are no outsiders around, so he is revealing his true feelings.
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