For many members of the imperial family, this year's Emperor's birthday was a bittersweet occasion.
The restrictions and constraints on the royal family are becoming increasingly strict. It's fine for members of the royal family to continue enjoying their privileges at this time, but unfortunately, they no longer receive the exceptionally high treatment they once enjoyed, which has left many of them feeling uneasy.
Unfortunately, even grumbling was useless, because Zhu Yuanzhang was simply too domineering. The current Zhu Yunying is also domineering. With two such powerful patriarchs, the Ming dynasty's imperial family could live quite comfortably. However, at this stage, it's best not to expect too much; that's probably the most realistic situation.
Zhu Yunying originally wanted to return to his Eastern Palace so he could "rule the law" in his own territory, but that was no longer something he could decide. He decided to go to the Qianqing Palace instead; Old Zhu clearly had something to say, so he obediently followed.
Old Zhu, who seemed to have had a bit too much to drink, was in a good mood, holding the hand of little Zhu, who was hopping around and still seemed to be having too much fun.
Normally, little Zhu would go straight to sleep. But tonight was lively, and the child still didn't plan to sleep; he was having a lot of fun. This made Zhu Yunying a little worried. The boy had played so much during the day and drank a lot of juice and soup at the banquet. If he slept soundly tonight, he'd be drawing maps.
This kid has wet the bed more than once or twice, but Old Zhu always has a reason to justify it.
For example, the child is still young, or the child's urine doesn't smell, or if all else fails, the child will definitely wet the bed if he plays with fire during the day... There are indeed many reasons, but some of them don't seem very reliable, like Old Zhu's own explanation.
Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, eunuchs and palace maids naturally served these three supreme beings as they washed and dressed.
Little Zhu quickly climbed onto the couch and said happily, "Great-grandfather, father, we want to sleep in the middle."
"Sleep in the middle!" Old Zhu said cheerfully and matter-of-factly. "Your great-grandfather and your father both protect you, so you'll sleep soundly."
Little Zhu, who had just crawled into bed, had something to say again: "Great-grandfather, then you want to tickle me."
Old Zhu didn't care at all. It didn't matter if he didn't sleep well, as long as his precious great-grandson slept soundly. His little great-grandson also had this habit; he felt more comfortable sleeping when someone patted his back.
With a smile, Old Zhu breathed on it, and feeling the warmth of his large hands, he chuckled and tickled Little Zhu.
Little Zhu, half asleep, mumbled, "Great-grandfather, my back itches."
Zhu Yunying chuckled and whispered, "Let's help rub it too, I reckon it's on the shoulder."
“Just like you.” Old Zhu laughed and whispered, “You were so sensible when you were little, and you needed us and your great-grandmother to tickle you. Your father was the same way when he was little. Back then, we were still fighting outside, and your father would bother your great-grandmother.”
"That really is a family tradition," Xiao Zhu asked curiously. "It must be just like Grandpa Huang. I guess Grandpa Huang was like this when he was a child. Back then, your great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother would also let you tickle them."
Old Zhu immediately became smug and whispered, "Our parents have to work during the day, they don't have time for that. It's always your second grandfather and your second great-aunt who scratch our backs. We're the youngest in the family, so they all spoil us!"
Despite his poverty, Old Zhu believes he has many fond memories from his childhood. If it weren't for the disaster that happened back then, perhaps Old Zhu would be a farmer in his hometown of Fengyang, the youngest son in his parents' eyes, and the little brother in his older siblings' eyes.
Looking at the sleeping little Zhu, the old Zhu said, "Strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches. Our future emperors and crown princes will be powerful. The imperial family will have to suffer a bit, probably only about the same as the nobles."
"That's not quite right. If the nobles were in power, they would be more powerful than most of the imperial clan," Zhu Yunying said with a smile to Old Zhu. "The imperial clan is also somewhat wealthy, and if there are any promising young men, it would indeed be easier for them to rise to the top."
This is probably the reality; there are things that need to be guarded against regarding the imperial clan. However, it wouldn't be too much of a problem for the imperial clan to finally rise in status, since Zhu Yunying doesn't currently intend to treat them like pigs.
Although Lao Zhu felt somewhat uncomfortable, he could only endure it.
It's not just that people say Zhu Yuanzhang favored his eldest son's lineage; it's also because Zhu Yuanzhang truly valued the succession of the Ming Dynasty.
As long as the Ming Dynasty's rule is secure, many things will naturally be easier to manage. Moreover, even though the treatment of the Ming imperial family seems to have declined considerably, they are still living a life of wealth and luxury, so Emperor Zhu doesn't really need to worry too much.
Zhu Yunying picked up a pillow for his father to lean on and continued, "Now I'm planning to reorganize the Maritime Trade Office. I'm thinking of giving the Ming Dynasty some benefits in controlling the higher-ups so that we can keep the overall situation under control."
Old Zhu smiled and nodded, saying, "We understand these principles. There are many good things in Southeast Asia. The more goods that enter our Great Ming, the more resources our people will have. Since we control it, we can set the prices ourselves, and it's a salt and iron monopoly."
Not only were salt and iron monopolies in place, but tea was also a strategic resource in the Ming Dynasty, and its sale abroad required the approval of the imperial court.
“Yes, many things are available in our Great Ming Dynasty, and we don’t necessarily have to rely on Southeast Asia for production,” Zhu Yunying said with a smile to Old Zhu. “It’s just that there are quite a few things coming from Southeast Asia, and we control them, so we can set the prices. There are some things we can ignore, and ordinary people can use them as they need. But there are some things we can’t sell cheaply.”
Old Zhu laughed and suddenly said, "The people below are probably saying that you are competing with the people for profit."
"Don't say anything to those individuals. Our imperial court controls the Maritime Trade Office. What comes in, what goes out, and what prices are set are all decided by the imperial court. This is the greatest benefit." Zhu Yunying said to his father, Zhu, without caring. "The imperial court should take overall control and share some of the benefits. We naturally don't care."
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