As an emperor, Zhu Yunying could be said to have some self-awareness. He was not the kind of person who liked to skip morning court sessions for decades, and the Ming Dynasty at that time did not have the conditions to skip morning court sessions.
Simply put, the Jiajing Emperor historically did not hold court, yet the Ming Dynasty continued to function smoothly. This was undoubtedly due in part to the Jiajing Emperor's personal abilities. When it comes to political maneuvering, the Jiajing Emperor's skills are truly admirable.
However, this also reflects the fact that the Ming Dynasty had a cabinet system in its middle and later periods, which actually weakened the imperial power.
The existence of a cabinet was not actually a problem; it existed during the reign of Zhu Di, but it was merely a high-level secretarial staff. Even during the reigns of Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji, although the cabinet's power continued to increase, it was still insufficient to challenge the imperial power.
But who gave up Zhu Qizhen? The emperor who called the gate completely destroyed the Ming Dynasty's elite border army, and the court's noble group also lost its voice. The status of civil officials rose rapidly, and the Five Military Commissions began to exist in name only.
The Ming Dynasty no longer possessed such conditions. Whether it would continue its flourishing development or immediately decline depended entirely on the emperor's personal abilities and character. Ultimately, it was through Emperor Hongwu's series of centralizations of power that the Ming Dynasty's imperial authority became supreme, virtually unchecked.
This is certainly not the best political situation; if the emperor makes any move, the country might be thrown into turmoil.
However, Zhu Yunying now needs to consolidate power. He does not want to spend more time balancing things in the court. What he needs to do is to do what he should do. Time waits for no one!
With the help of palace maids and eunuchs, Zhu Yunying changed into his everyday clothes and walked unhurriedly toward the Fengtian Hall. It was time to start a new day's work, which was the emperor's duty.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Zhu Yunying listened to the reports from his civil and military officials. There were basically no unexpected situations. As long as his officials performed their duties, Zhu Yunying didn't need to worry too much for the time being, and everything seemed to be going relatively smoothly.
Just as the court session was about to end, Lian Zining stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Han and His Highness Prince Chen are to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony."
This stirred up many civil and military officials, especially some civil officials who became even more concerned about the matter.
Prince Han, Zhu Song, is the twentieth son of Emperor Zhu, and is now twenty years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning). Prince Shen, Zhu Mo, is the twenty-first son of Emperor Zhu.
Zhu Yunying neither confirmed nor denied it, but this matter could indeed be "held in a grand manner." In fact, Zhu Yunying did not have a coming-of-age ceremony, nor did the eldest Zhu Yunying have one before, and people at that time did not pay particular attention to or feel sensitive about it.
Simply put, at that time, the country was either newly established or in a state of chaos, and many rules and etiquette were not yet perfected. Therefore, people were not particularly concerned or sensitive about certain things.
Moreover, given the special status of Da Zhu and Xiao Zhu, many people didn't really care whether or not they had a coming-of-age ceremony.
But things are different now. While it may not be a golden age, the country certainly has a solid foundation. Moreover, many people understand that the Ming Dynasty has always aspired to restore the Han Chinese orthodoxy. Both the Hongwu Emperor and the Ying Shi Emperor attached great importance to this, so the imperial family naturally needs to take this matter seriously as well.
In earlier years, many members of the Ming imperial family did not undergo the coming-of-age ceremony, and no one thought much of it. Especially in the early years, after nearly a century of Mongol rule, many Han Chinese traditions were abandoned, but now it is time to bring them back.
A man undergoes a capping ceremony at the age of twenty to signify adulthood.
Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be at twenty. Around twenty years old is enough for the capping ceremony. The capping ceremony originated from the "coming-of-age ceremony" of the Zhou Dynasty. It is an extremely important event and cannot be taken lightly.
Zhu Yunying thought for a moment and then said, "The Ministry of Rites shall make the preparations, and the Imperial Clan Court shall assist in the management."
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that young Zhu had already been named Crown Prince, everyone would have been more interested in the position of Crown Prince. This was also a reminder to Zhu Yunying that the second prince was almost ten years old and it was time to bestow upon him the title of Prince.
Having been granted the title of Prince, it will be time to consider establishing one's own residence. It's not suitable for the palace to have too many 'adult princes'.
Many civil and military officials were quite excited, especially the more traditional Confucian scholars, who were particularly interested in the emperor's restoration of Han dynasty rituals. Many considered the coming-of-age ceremony for the Prince of Han and the Prince of Shen to be even more significant than the investiture of princes.
Two years later, there will be Prince An and Prince Tang. In addition to these sons of Emperor Hongwu, there will also be Prince Heng, Zhu Yunxuan, the fourth son of Emperor Xiaokang. He can also have his coming-of-age ceremony.
Since the coming-of-age ceremony was mentioned, Chen Di, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor's fourth son is now ten years old and should be enfeoffed as a king."
This is Zhu Yunxi, the fifth son of Zhu Da Zhu, who is just ten years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning). This boy became an uncle right after birth. Although he is Zhu Da Zhu's youngest son, he is also the same age as Zhu Da Zhu's eldest grandson.
Zhu Yunying did not hesitate and said, "The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court shall make preparations immediately, and I will hold the investiture ceremony for my younger brother at the end of the year."
After all, this was the youngest son of the First Emperor Zhu and the younger brother of Zhu Yunying, which naturally meant that Zhu Yunying needed to take good care of him. Even though Zhu Yunying didn't seem to particularly like the three sons born to Lady Lü, he was, after all, the head of the imperial clan and the elder brother sitting on the dragon throne, so it was only natural that he needed to take care of these matters.
Whether you like it or not, it's not that important, it really isn't that important.
Moreover, if Zhu Yunying could tolerate Zhu Yunwen, then he could certainly manage Zhu Yunxuan and Zhu Yunxi. He should indeed manage these two younger brothers.
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