Young Master Zhu wanted to visit the countryside, even though his great-grandfather had also owned a piece of land in the capital and occasionally farmed it. His uncles and brothers who had made mistakes also frequently had to work diligently on that piece of land in the capital.
However, Little Zhu also knew some things: the yield of that piece of land in the imperial city was not something to be too concerned about. The people in the imperial city did not rely on the produce of that land to make a living.
Even though Xiao Zhu often went to Yingtian Prefecture incognito, he was quite knowledgeable about the lives of ordinary people. Even when he occasionally left the city, it was mostly for outings, autumn hunts, and the like. Xiao Zhu was still relatively unfamiliar with ordinary rural areas.
Go and see for yourself what life is like for ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty. That would be great.
At the Prince of Kaiping's residence, Zhang Lin sincerely apologized. After being given some pointers, he seemed to realize his mistake and knew where he had gone wrong.
Chang Mao was quite magnanimous and satisfied with Zhang Lin's change of heart. However, a warning was necessary to remind Zhang Lin to be smarter and to do more to solidify his position given his mediocre talent.
He wasn't involved in the fighting; he should take advantage of the martial arts academy's recruitment season to gain experience. Most importantly, he needed to get to Quanzhou as soon as possible to oversee the Maritime Trade Office there; there were certain matters that only nobles and other high-ranking officials should know.
No need for a heavy hammer to strike a loud drum; Zhang Lin immediately understood. He knew about the military officers' business in Southeast Asia. In fact, the Marquis of Heqing's mansion had sent out quite a few young men and had also kidnapped many natives from Southeast Asia.
Whether it was to gain prestige, to lay low in the storm, or perhaps to show loyalty to the emperor, they had to find a way to get to Quanzhou.
Zhu Yunying was unaware of these matters and wouldn't care about them. He was now looking at the memorials, and couldn't help but frown.
Prince Zhaode submitted a memorial, reporting that Prince Jin, Zhu Jixi, harbored resentment and frequently made disparaging remarks about the emperor while at his residence. Prince Qin, Zhu Shangbing, echoed this sentiment, expressing great dissatisfaction with the current emperor's ascension to the throne.
Zhu Yunying carefully read the memorial. This Prince Zhaode, Zhu Jihuang, was no pushover. He was the third son of Zhu Yu (the late emperor). However, he was also of questionable character and was very annoyed by Zhu Yu's favoritism towards his eldest legitimate son, Zhu Jixi.
Zhu Yunying actually disliked this Zhu Jihuang. This cousin was indeed absurd and immoral, and a person with a gloomy mind.
However, some of Zhu Jihuang's reports did not seem to be entirely without merit. It appears that the newly appointed Prince Qin and Prince Jin did indeed have some dissatisfaction with Emperor Zhu Yunying, and probably complained about him quite a bit in private.
Zhu Yunying didn't even look up, and said to Wang Chengen, "Summon the Prince of Wu and the Prince of Zhou as well. Go and inform the Empress to host a banquet."
Wang Chengen naturally rushed to deliver the imperial decree. Although the emperor didn't seem angry, having served by his side for so many years, the fact that the emperor had specially summoned the Prince of Zhou and the Prince of Wu meant that something important was likely happening, perhaps involving the imperial clan.
Otherwise, the emperor wouldn't have specially arranged a family banquet. The emperor was used to showing intimacy first, and then discussing serious matters.
Xu Miaoqing was six months pregnant, so she naturally wouldn't actually host the family banquet, but she was the one who had to make the appearance. Even though she would instruct Lian Qiongqiong to handle the specifics, it was still nominally Xu Miaoqing who was in charge.
Xu Miaoqing simply instructed Lian Qiongqiong to prepare for the family banquet. She didn't care what the emperor was planning to do; she just wanted to focus on her pregnancy.
Xu Miaoqing would be even more gratified if she could give the emperor another prince. And if she could give him a princess, the emperor would surely dote on her.
"Fifth Uncle, what exactly is going on?" Although Zhu Yunwen often hung out with Zhu Su in private, such a formal meeting was rare. "Could it be that Your Majesty wants us to revise books? That won't do, I get sleepy as soon as I start reading."
Zhu Su was also helpless about this unreliable nephew, "Even if His Majesty had no one else to rely on, he would not let you revise the book!"
"Indeed, there are quite a few book lovers in our imperial clan, and many scholars in the court as well," Zhu Yunwen said with a grin. "The one guarding the city couldn't even recognize His Majesty's most beloved younger brother, and I had to wait for him outside the city gate?"
Fu Zhong, fully armored, clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness Prince Zhou, Your Highness Prince Wu, please forgive me. It was my duty."
"Why is it Uncle?" Zhu Yunwen said with a grin. "If you ask me, Uncle should go with us this time to fight Goryeo. Uncle, just wait here, we'll talk to my brother, and this matter will definitely be settled."
Although Zhu Yunwen seemed confident and certain, Fu Zhong, somewhat naive and straightforward, wouldn't believe him now. Among the most unreliable people in the Ming Dynasty, this Prince Wu was definitely one of the best.
Zhu Su said irritably, "You're talking nonsense outside now, but when you get to His Majesty's side, you'll be scolded until you don't dare to say a word."
Zhu Yunwen didn't care. Many people knew what kind of person he was, and it was no secret among the imperial clan.
Even though everyone knew that the King of Wu was unreliable and terrified of the emperor, it didn't affect his status at all. After all, he was the emperor's younger brother and had always been the emperor's favorite.
A young eunuch said solicitously, "Your Highnesses, His Majesty is hosting a banquet in the Eastern Palace."
"Are you the one who sits next to Wang Daban?" Zhu Yunwen felt the face was familiar, but he wasn't sure. "What, is this a banquet held in Chunhe Palace? It's not safe to eat at my brother's banquet."
The young eunuch smiled obsequiously and said, "This servant's name is Liu Gensheng..."
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