Zhu Xiong Ying was in a good mood and took the lead, standing at the very front, looking at Zhu Yun Tong who was standing half a step behind him.
Although Emperor Zhu had established the dynasty for twenty years and many ritual systems were constantly being improved, many things were still not so perfect. For example, the clothing, specifically this court robe.
Zhu Xiong Ying wore a nine-chapter imperial robe, with a black upper garment and a crimson lower garment. This was actually the Crown Prince's attire. If it weren't for a special decree from Emperor Zhu, Zhu Xiong Ying wouldn't have been able to wear it like this.
Zhu Xiong Ying is fine here, but the colors of the court robes for civil and military officials are not particularly uniform. Normally, they would wear a white gauze undershirt with a blue collar, a red silk skirt with a blue border, a red silk knee cover, a red and white silk belt, a leather belt, a sash, white socks, and black shoes.
However, there are occasionally one or two careless individuals whose identities and titles are not easily discernible. They may deliberately wear the wrong sash or unintentionally wear the wrong sash, which could lead to them being mistaken for someone else.
Zhu Xiong Ying felt he should tell his grandfather that the Ming Dynasty was becoming increasingly powerful and should start to behave properly. After all, it was no longer a makeshift organization, nor was it a newly established country.
Zhu Xiong Ying figured she had nothing better to do, so she teased her younger brother, "Yun Tong, how about I find you some work to do in a while?"
Zhu Yunwen's expression turned bitter, and he said, "Your Majesty, I don't want to do anything. I'm still too young!"
"Still young?" Zhu Xiong Ying said irritably. "You're already ten years old and have been granted the title of Prince. You have no interest in studying, nor do you enjoy riding horses or fighting. Tell me yourself, what exactly do you want to do?"
Zhu Yunwen glanced cautiously at his elder brother and whispered, "I don't know either. I don't want to do anything, and I don't want to study."
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't know what to say. He knew that Zhu Biao disliked Yun Teng, or rather, was consciously cold towards him. Coupled with the intentional or unintentional 'cultivation' by Madam Lü, even with his brother Zhu Xiong Ying and his two sisters Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue protecting him, Zhu Yun Teng was still somewhat timid and cowardly.
Zhu Xiong Ying thought for a moment and said, “First, find something you like. It won’t do if you don’t like studying. I’m not asking you to take the imperial examinations or to be a scholar, but Yun Tong, you can’t be ignorant of the classics. You know what I mean? Just be ‘enlightened’ is enough. I really can’t lower the bar any further.”
Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up, but then he was a little worried. "Father will be unhappy. My second brother is well-read and intelligent."
"Him?" Zhu Xiong Ying said irritably, "If he continues like this, in a few years he'll be forced to write books! A perfectly good prince and grandson of the emperor, all he does is talk about sages all day long, I think he's gone stupid from reading too much!"
Remembering something, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "In a couple of days I'll get you an imperial decree. If you can't stand staying in the palace, go out for a walk. Being trapped in the palace all day is indeed a bit stifling."
Zhu Yunwen's expression brightened. If any other prince or grandson had dared to say such a thing, they would have been boasting. If the emperor or the crown prince found out, they would have been reprimanded. But Zhu Yunwen knew that since his elder brother had said it, there was definitely no problem.
He smiled and shook his head. Zhu Xiong Ying still cared for and looked after his younger brother, Zhu Yun Tong.
Wang Chengen approached and whispered, "Your Highness, the royal army has arrived."
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, then said to Zhu Yun Tong, "You're usually playful and lazy, which is one thing. But remember, today is a big day. Don't be shy and tarnish the dignity of the royal family!"
Zhu Yunwen naturally nodded immediately. In this kind of situation, he knew what he should do and dared not be careless.
The Crown Prince, along with members of the imperial clan, nobles, and officials, personally welcomed the army outside Yingtian Prefecture. This was the dignity that the Ming Dynasty showed to these meritorious officials.
Zhu Xiong Ying turned around, her expression serious. "Schedule shifts, everyone do their part!"
A massive army appeared in the distance—a battle-hardened, ever-victorious force. This very army had helped the Zhu family establish their rule over the land, defeating the Yuan Dynasty, eliminating Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng, eradicating the separatist forces in Yunnan and Guizhou, and driving out the remnants of the Northern Yuan…
The flags of the sun and moon fluttered, and the blue banners with general's characters shone brightly. Hundreds of elite cavalry surrounded the prison cart, which contained some important prisoners of the Northern Yuan.
Without Zhu Xiong Ying's instruction, the solemn drumbeats resounded, a characteristic of the era. On such important occasions, every word, action, and every piece of music was specific and had to conform to the established etiquette.
Lan Yu, clad in full armor and wearing a scarlet cloak, led Wang Bi, Emperor Shengzong of Tang, Guo Ying, and other generals out from the crowd.
Lan Yu, beaming with pride, knelt on one knee, one hand on his sword, and reported loudly, "This humble general, acting on behalf of the Ming Dynasty, has led a victorious expedition against the disloyal subjects in the north and has now returned in triumph! I present to the false Yuan emperor's second son, Dibaonu, the false Wu King, Duolizhi, the false Dai King, and others, along with the Northern Yuan imperial seal, books, and gold and silver seals!"
Lan Yu announced the end of the battle, and the army roared "Victory!" The sound echoed through the sky, making everyone's blood boil.
Zhu Xiong Ying, with a solemn expression, held the imperial edict and walked towards Lan Yu and the others. "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: On the Xin Si day of the eighth month of summer in the twenty-first year of Hongwu, General Lan Yu, the Grand General Who Conquers the Barbarians, defeated the false Yuan dynasty, and his merit is comparable to that of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. He is hereby appointed Grand General and promoted to Duke of Liang!"
Lan Yu was not surprised at all by such a reward; his achievements were enough to warrant it.
After Lan Yu received the decree, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately stepped forward and said, "Duke Liang, let's renew our kinship in a while. Your Majesty and Father are still waiting for you to present the captives."
With a gentle touch from Zhu Xiong Ying, Lan Yu's strong body stood up, and at this moment, the other generals also stood up.
This was merely an appetizer for their triumphant return; they were now only the Crown Prince, and the Emperor's bestowal of titles and honors was the main event.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Military Governor's Office, and the Ministry of War, among others, are all busy now. These large armies will certainly be camping outside the city, and rewards need to be delivered promptly.
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