As a veteran general, Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia truly looked down on the silver brought back from Japan by the Maritime Trade Office, or the Japanese pirates he had killed. Especially since he was currently tasked with repairing fortifications in strategically important military locations and along the coast, all in preparation for defending against Japanese pirates.
However, this does not mean that Zhou Dexing does not value this opportunity. There are too many civil and military nobles who want to curry favor with the Crown Prince, so this opportunity is rare.
In particular, Zhou Dexing could sense that he had lost the emperor's trust in recent years and was beginning to be sidelined. If it weren't for the fact that he was still training troops and building fortifications to defend against Japanese pirates, he would have no connection with the crown prince.
Zhang He, Feng Cheng, Fu Rang, and Wu Zhong were also proud of themselves. They had successfully completed the task assigned by the Crown Prince, which was a good opportunity for them to prove themselves to him.
Just as this group of people were walking towards the Wenhua Hall led by a young eunuch, the Grand Eunuch Liu Baoer suddenly smiled and smiled at the young eunuch who was walking quickly towards him, appearing very friendly.
Feng Cheng and the others naturally recognized this eunuch; he was the personal eunuch of the Crown Prince and was said to be highly trusted by him.
"My lords, His Highness has decreed that you shall all proceed to the Wuying Hall."
In truth, Zhu Xiong Ying was also helpless. Crown Prince Zhu Biao had gone to Xi'an for an inspection tour. Old Zhu felt that his daily office hours were empty and he was quite unaccustomed to it.
"Remember to attend court tomorrow," Old Zhu said to Zhu Xiong Ying while reviewing memorials. "Don't oversleep, understand?"
Zhu Xiong Ying was stunned for a moment, somewhat speechless. "Grandpa, I don't go to court. If I were to go to court now, the civil and military officials below would definitely cause trouble, and then the censors would start nagging again."
Old Zhu glanced at Zhu Xiong Ying and said irritably, "That's none of your business. You're the one who's been stirring up trouble at the Maritime Trade Office. If we're going to confer a marquisate upon Liu He, then naturally it'll be you who does it."
Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Old Zhu, and after a moment of silence, said, "Then I definitely won't be able to leave the palace anymore. There were already quite a few people who wanted to get close to me. Now that Liu He has been ennobled, even more people will want to get close to me."
Zhu Xiong Ying's words made Old Zhu laugh. The Crown Prince's position was very secure, and the civil and military officials had no extra thoughts. Even the princes did not dare to have any extra ideas.
The position of the Crown Prince is very stable. When the Crown Prince seemed to have started to make contact with some nobles a couple of years ago, many people began to have designs on him.
Wang Chengen tiptoed into the hall and whispered, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Marquis Jiang Xia and the others have arrived."
“Let them in,” Zhu Xiong Ying said, taking the initiative. “It’s time to meet these people. By the way, did Liu Baoer come along?”
Wang Chengen immediately replied, "Your Highness, Master Liu and Marquis Jiangxia have arrived together. They dared not delay in conveying Your Highness's decree and came as soon as they returned to the Heavenly Palace."
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said, "Go and fetch three flying fish robes and one python robe."
Old Zhu glanced at Zhu Xiong Ying without saying a word. He seemed to be reviewing memorials, but he didn't move for a long time. He probably wanted to see for himself how his good grandson would reward or punish people.
The python robe, flying fish robe, and bullfighting robe, because their patterns are similar to the dragon robe worn by the emperor, were not originally part of the official dress system. Instead, they were bestowed robes by the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty. Receiving such a robe was considered an extremely honorable privilege.
Of course, "flying fish robe" is also a broad term. Any garment decorated with flying fish patterns is called a flying fish robe. The patterns include over-the-shoulder styles, embroidered patches, and so on. The styles of the garments can be all kinds, and it is not only for the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"
"Your Highness, we pay our respects! May Your Highness live a long and prosperous life!"
Old Zhu waved his hand casually and said, "No need for formalities. If you have something to say, just tell the Crown Prince."
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said, "You did a good job on this mission."
Zhou Dexing and the others immediately bowed, saying, "We are just doing our duty and dare not take credit for it."
"Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit wrongdoing will be punished." Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said to Zhou Dexing and the others, "Liu Bao'er, I hereby bestow upon you a python robe. You are the garrison eunuch, so just do your duty."
Liu Baoer knelt down excitedly and said loudly, "This servant thanks Your Highness for your grace!"
For a eunuch like him, this meant being a servant of the emperor. Without the favor and appreciation of his master, he had virtually no status.
Zhou Dexing and the others felt no envy; eunuchs like Liu Baoer were different from them. While they admired Liu Baoer's python robe, they didn't feel the need to be particularly envious.
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and continued, "Feng Cheng, Wu Zhong, and Fu Rang, the three of you have done a great job that makes me proud. Each of you will receive a flying fish robe. Continue to do your job well and don't disappoint me."
This time, it was Feng Cheng and the others' turn to get excited. They were now considered promising young talents. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, they would basically have little chance of getting anything. But if the Crown Prince's grandson ascended the throne, they might be able to put themselves to great use.
"Grandfather, Vice Commissioner Zhang has rendered great service, and I, your humble servant, dare to request that he be rewarded," Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "and from now on, could Vice Commissioner Zhang be called Marquis Zhang Hanghai?"
Zhang He excitedly knelt down immediately. Although his title of "Marquis" was not as prestigious as the marquises conferred by Zhou Dexing and others based on ancient place names, being granted the title of Marquis was still an extremely rare achievement.
Old Zhu nodded and said, "Minister Zhang has made many meritorious contributions, and you can be considered to have worked hard and made great contributions. I remember that you are from Linhuai, which is also my hometown."
Zhang He was excited at this moment. The title of Marquis he had been looking forward to for so long seemed to be within reach. He had finally waited for such an opportunity.
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