A truce, a true truce, does not actually exist and is fundamentally impossible.
Although the Ming Dynasty had been established for more than 30 years, wars of all sizes had been ongoing all these years and had never truly stopped.
Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor in Yingtian Prefecture on the fourth day of the first month of the first year of the Hongwu reign, but at that time, the world was far from peaceful. Even then, the Mongol Yuan regime occupied Dadu (Beijing), and the Ming Dynasty had not actually fully recovered the Central Plains.
Two Northern Expeditions were launched, but it wasn't until the great victory at Buyur Lake in the 21st year of the Hongwu reign that the Northern Yuan regime was truly broken up.
Meanwhile, wars such as recovering the Hexi Corridor, subjugating the Dali Duan family, launching westward expeditions to Sichuan and Chongqing, and suppressing barbarian rebellions continued indefinitely.
Moreover, even after Zhu Yunying ascended the throne, he launched another northern expedition. Although the Mongol Yuan regime collapsed, the tribes that had split off still existed; they were simply being driven back to their 'homeland' in the harsh, cold lands.
It is utterly impossible to truly stop the war, and the idea of letting the horses graze freely is also out of the question.
Last year, the imperial court appeared to be taking a year-long truce, but many people could see some clues. This truce was merely a pretext to better mobilize forces and launch a full-scale attack on other forces.
Perhaps some civil officials and scholars were not satisfied. They felt that education was needed, believing that the theories of sages could quell all wars. Or perhaps they felt that the court needed to be benevolent and should not wage war everywhere, as this would be a sign of militarism.
Such arguments, however, would obviously not cause any stir in the court, not even the slightest possibility. (First published on soduso)
Whether it was the Hongwu Emperor or the Yingshi Emperor, they were both capable rulers, each with their own ambitions and pursuits.
Moreover, there are still enough military merits in the imperial court. These military merits are more eager for war, so that they can make achievements and be ennobled.
At the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhu specially ordered a banquet to be prepared. Xu Huizu was somewhat puzzled, even a little frightened, but he dared not voice any objection and obediently went to the Qianqing Palace, for the Emperor Emeritus had issued an edict!
"Sit down." Old Zhu, with his full head of white hair, looked like a kind old farmer. He looked Xu Huizu up and down and said, "We're happy to see you like this. You do have some of Tiande's looks, but your face isn't as heroic as Tiande's."
Xu Huizu didn't even know how to respond at this moment, mainly because the Hongwu Emperor's words were quite unusual.
Old Zhu just smiled. He could understand Xu Huizu's nervousness; it was perfectly normal.
Not to mention Xu Huizu, even Xu Da and Tang He, who were Zhu Yuanzhang's childhood playmates and fellow villagers, did not dare to be careless in front of Zhu Yuanzhang when he became emperor. They were all on high alert when facing Zhu Yuanzhang's banquet.
Old Zhu chuckled and sat down, gesturing to the stool. "We told you to sit, so sit. We're just old farmers from Zhongli Township in Haozhou now, and you're our nephew, our old brother's son. Nothing else matters!"
Xu Huizu dared not back down so easily. He actually knew what kind of person the Hongwu Emperor was.
Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of Xu Huizu's predicament and awkwardness, but he didn't bother to pay much attention. After all, as a powerful ruler, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely confident, and he knew his image in the eyes of his ministers.
Let alone Xu Huizu, even if Xu Da were to be resurrected, he would be extremely cautious in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.
Old Zhu took a sip of wine and suddenly said, "Do you know why we chose your daughter to be Ying'er's grandson's wife?"
Xu Huizu honestly replied, "Your Majesty, I am foolish. I suppose Your Majesty feels that the Zhongshan Prince's family has strict discipline, and my late father was very strict in his upbringing. Furthermore, Her Majesty the Empress is virtuous and refined..."
Old Zhu interrupted directly, staring into Xu Huizu's eyes and saying, "We're choosing your daughter, or is it so that our Ying'er can ascend the throne in the future?"
Seeing Xu Huizu lower his head and dare not speak, Old Zhu continued, "You know what an emperor is like. You also know that our Ying'er is intelligent. Our Ying'er will be the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty in the future, a sage ruler!"
Xu Huizu wanted to flatter him. Although calling him a 'sage ruler' was a bit of an exaggeration, Xu Huizu felt that the current emperor did indeed have the makings of a wise and benevolent ruler. He also felt there was no problem with the Ming Dynasty becoming more prosperous and powerful.
Old Zhu chuckled and continued, "His mother is from the Chang family. We originally wanted to help our grandson ascend the throne smoothly. The reason we didn't choose your Xu family is because your family has made great contributions. At that time, your father was still alive, but Old Chang was gone, so we were at ease."
Xu Huizu broke out in a cold sweat instantly. He didn't know why the Emperor Emeritus had summoned him to the palace to say these things!
However, Xu Huizu had indeed thought about these things before the Lunar New Year, and he couldn't figure out what Lao Zhu was thinking.
In terms of merit, Xu Da was clearly more deserving than Chang Yuchun. As for background, Xu Da was Zhu De's childhood friend and a trusted confidant who joined Zhu De's ranks at the very beginning of Zhu De's surprise attack.
Chang Yuchun, although also from Fengyang, was from Huaiyuan. He and Zhu De were not childhood friends, and he only joined Zhu De after becoming an outlaw.
The fact that the late emperor and his successor were childhood sweethearts might be partly to explain this. However, Xu Huizu knew better than anyone that, let alone the royal family, even ordinary nobles didn't have much freedom in matters of marriage; often, it wasn't up to the children to decide for themselves.
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