"Back then, we envisioned a system of enfeoffment and establishment of kingdoms, with all the princes protecting the Ming Dynasty." Old Zhu sighed, somewhat helplessly. "Your somewhat capable imperial uncles are understandable. But over the years, I've observed that they are all obedient when they are with me, but become tyrannical when they are not. They have forgotten all my teachings!"
This made Zhu Yunying very proud, and he said with great pride, "So our Empress Dowager is amazing, and our father is kind. We are also good, and we love the people. Even though our Yin'er seems naughty, he never punishes the people below him, he is just a little mischievous."
This made Old Zhu even happier, as his eldest son, eldest grandson, and great-grandson all seemed to have a kind side.
Old Zhu never shied away from admitting his ruthlessness, nor did he think there was anything wrong with it. However, seeing that his children and grandchildren all had a kind side, Old Zhu was actually quite proud, and felt that these children and grandchildren shared the same kind of benevolence as his wife.
Little Zhu wasn't around either, so Zhu Yunying spoke frankly, "Yin'er looks like an average person now. Although he's a bit young, we can see some things about him. We think it's okay if Yin'er is naughty, but he should be kind-hearted and have good character."
Old Zhu remained silent for a moment. He felt he had the right to say whether his most beloved great-grandson was of average appearance or not.
They say you can tell what a person will be like at three years old, and Old Zhu thinks there's some truth to that. His great-grandson certainly isn't the most gifted of them all. To say Old Zhu isn't disappointed would be a lie.
Old Zhu considered himself a prodigy, his eldest son Zhu Biao was also intelligent, and his eldest grandson was precociously gifted. Old Zhu originally thought his great-grandson would also be a gifted child, but now he just seemed like an ordinary kid.
Zhu Yunying continued, “Grandfather, we think Yin’er should be kind and benevolent, at least on the surface. He should also know the hardships of the common people, the difficulties of the world, and the hardships of our Ming Dynasty’s founding. Some things cannot be said in books, and even less so in the words of his companions and tutors; he must see them for himself.”
Zhu Yuanzhang believed that kindness and compassion should be tempered with moderation, and his sons and grandsons outwardly performed well. They were kind and benevolent in small ways, but when it came to being ruthless, they were all incredibly ruthless. This, he believed, was the kind of benevolence and compassion an emperor should possess.
"Grandpa, I hope you live a few more years." Zhu Yunying looked at the old Zhu and said with utmost seriousness, "These years we have been busy with political affairs. Although Xu Miaoqing is a woman, she is not as capable as Grandmother. There are some things that we can teach, and Grandpa can teach, but Xu Miaoqing cannot. Grandpa, take Yin'er for a walk outside the palace every now and then. We don't trust anyone else."
Old Zhu paused for a moment, then nodded and said with a smile to Zhu Yunying, "Alright, we'll take care of Yin'er for a few more years. We'll leave when he's a little more sensible!"
“That won’t do. We’re thinking that Grandfather will live to at least eighty.” Zhu Yunying laughed and said to Old Zhu, “By then, Yin’er will be twelve and will be sensible. We’ll be at peace when Grandfather passes away then.”
Old Zhu glared at him, pretending to be an idiot, and cursed, "Your father is useless, and you're a good-for-nothing! We've worked hard all our lives, and we still have to take care of your kids! We're seventy-one years old, ordinary old men should be enjoying their retirement, but we still have to work so hard to take care of your kids?!"
He had to take care of the children. If Old Zhu could live a few more years, Zhu Yunying thought that would be the best thing ever.
After taking a bath, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Come to my place, I've prepared wine and food! Let's have a pot of yellow wine and some soybeans. Your great-grandson has also learned some sword dancing, let him perform for us to liven things up."
Old Zhu chuckled as he dressed, "We already checked him out. He can barely hold a knife, so we won't bother him. Let's go have a drink to warm up. You should eat less crab; it's cold in nature and there's hardly any meat on it! I just don't understand why you like that stuff!"
We can eat hairy crabs to fill our stomachs now!
The grandfather and grandson were chatting and laughing when they saw a boy running around the palace with a slingshot and a sword.
Old Zhu's 'youngest son', Zhu?, is now ten years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).
Looking at his unruly and martial-loving youngest son, Old Zhu snorted coldly.
Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "It's time for my twenty-fifth uncle to be granted the title of king. I'll have the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Rites make preparations in a couple of days. But it's been agreed that it'll be my grandfather who bestows the title, since we're still a generation apart."
Old Zhu nodded. He had a total of twenty-six sons. Two had died young, and the youngest now was Zhu Yan, who was about to be enfeoffed as a prince.
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