Zhu Yunying was quite generous and certainly took good care of his relatives. However, he was, after all, the emperor, so sometimes he also needed to consider the consequences.
Feng Guoyong was a trusted confidant of Zhu Yuanzhang and had made great contributions. However, he died young and was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Ying. Passing down such a posthumously conferred title was not a problem, but it would certainly be a lower rank. In fact, initially, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even want to give Feng Cheng the title of Duke of Ying, as "Duke" was considered too high a rank.
Mu Ying was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Qianning for his meritorious service in guarding Yunnan. However, during Mu Ying's lifetime, he was also known as the Marquis of Xiping. Mu Chun has now succeeded Mu Ying in guarding Yunnan and has also been promoted to Duke of Xiping for his meritorious service.
However, it's quite clear that neither of Zhu Yunying's two brothers-in-law held hereditary dukedoms; their titles would be downgraded in the future. Without some significant achievements, the Duke of Xiping would likely become the Marquis of Xiping, and the Duke of Ying might simply be renamed the Marquis of [redacted].
In Ryukyu, one wouldn't be qualified to be granted a marquisate, let alone a hereditary duke. However, in Annam, a hereditary duke or marquisate would be quite common, as it carries considerable weight.
These were things that excited Feng Cheng as well; he was no ordinary son of a tiger father. As the son of Feng Guoyong and the nephew of Feng Sheng, Feng Cheng had distinguished himself in the pacification of Yunnan with Fu Youde. His appointment as the Right Army Commander-in-Chief was not solely due to his status as Zhu Yunying's brother-in-law.
In fact, Mu Chun was also capable. Although he was not as outstanding as Mu Ying, during his time guarding Yunnan, he developed agricultural settlements, dug ponds and canals, promoted Han education, and quelled some rebellions. He was respected by the southwestern barbarians and loved by officials and the people.
Zhu Yunying's two brothers-in-law were indeed from prestigious families, and their abilities were certainly not in question, making them worthy of Zhu Yunying's entrustment with important responsibilities.
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