The Hongwu Emperor was undoubtedly martial, and there was no need for hesitation, as can be seen from his ending the chaotic era and establishing the Ming Dynasty. Almost all founding emperors of dynasties throughout history were martial and capable of leading troops.
Liu Bang, considered by some to be a rogue emperor, had many merits beyond simply recognizing and employing capable people, humbly accepting advice, and fully utilizing the talents of his subordinates. He also led troops and personally participated in battles, though his talent and ability in this area were not the strongest.
As for Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, who was related to the imperial family through marriage, many say he usurped the throne of Northern Zhou. He also quelled the rebellions of Yuchi Jiong and Sima Xiaonan. As for Zhao Kuangyin of Northern Song, his background as a military man and his rise to become a general in Later Zhou gave him the opportunity to usurp the throne.
Emperor Hongwu was martial, and Emperor Yingshi was also martial, though he just didn't have much talent for it.
The successors groomed by these two emperors were now clad in golden armor, though they appeared slightly diminutive—it was a children's version of the armor. But that didn't matter at all; little Zhu was sitting majestically on horseback.
Little Zhu looked at the training ground and asked seriously, "Duke Cao, who is that young general in silver robes?"
Duke Li Jinglong of Cao looked over and immediately replied, "Your Highness, this man is Yu Zong, the grandson of Yu Tongyuan."
Little Zhu thought carefully for a moment and then asked, "Is he a descendant of the Duke of Hejian?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Jinglong immediately replied, "Your Highness, that's right."
Yu Tingyu, the Duke of Hejian, was an extremely important force for Zhu Yuanzhang in his early years. When Zhu Yuanzhang was preparing to seize the Jiangnan region, he lacked boats due to the natural barriers. It was at this time that Yu Tingyu led his navy to join him, capturing places like Taiping and helping Zhu Yuanzhang establish his power base. Unfortunately, he died in battle and was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Hejian.
His two sons, Yu Tonghai and Yu Tongyuan, were also very accomplished. Yu Tonghai rose to the position of Pingzhang Zhengshi in the Zhongshu Sheng, which was equivalent to a prime minister, but he also died in battle at the young age of thirty-eight, and he had no children.
Therefore, Yu Tonghai's younger brother, Yu Tongyuan, inherited the official position. Emperor Zhu posthumously conferred upon Yu Tonghai the title of Duke of Guo and upon Yu Tongyuan the title of Marquis of Nan'an. Yu Tingyu's youngest son, Yu Tongyuan, was the Marquis of Yuexi.
In recognition of the Yu family's past achievements, Emperor Zhu bestowed titles upon the Yu family 54 times during his reign. In addition to Yu Tongyuan being granted the title of Marquis of Nan'an, two other members of the Yu family were also granted titles. There is a saying that the Yu family had one general, two prime ministers, and three marquises.
However, about ten years ago, Yu Tongyuan was implicated in the Hu Weiyong case. Although he had already died, his title was still revoked. It was during this period that Zhu Yuanzhang ennobled Yu Tongyuan as a marquis for his merits in leading troops to suppress the Jianchang rebels and building a city in Yuexi.
However, Yu Tongyuan made a series of minor mistakes, which led to the loss of his marquisate. He is now working hard in Goryeo in an attempt to regain his title.
At this moment, Xu Yingxu said, "Your Highness, Marquis Yuexi lost his title due to his involvement in a crime. His eldest son, Yu Yi, died in his prime, his second son, Yu Jing, is seriously ill, and his youngest son, Yu Duan, is an official in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I have heard that he is also not in good health."
Little Zhu looked at Xu Yingxu and said, "Pass on my decree, ordering Yu Duan to be promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Shuangquan, remember this and report it to Father Emperor."
Xu Yingxu was somewhat agitated. The Yu family could be considered one of the early factions within Zhu De's inner circle, but after Yu Tingyu's death in battle, the Yu family also leaned towards Xu's side. Back then, Yu Tongyuan and Yu Tongyuan had both been Xu Da's subordinates.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhu said, "I remember **** praising the Yu family as virtuous ministers who assisted in governing the country. He ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to go to the Yu residence and make sure Yu Jing is cured, sparing no expense in medicine."
The young crown prince was usually mischievous, but that was only in front of Emperor Zhu and his son, and in front of his own family. In the eyes of outsiders, the crown prince was still very dignified and kind, even more benevolent than Emperor Ying Shi in his early years.
It is said that in his early years, Emperor Ying Shi treated palace servants leniently and rarely punished them, but he had little contact with military officers. However, the young crown prince treated military officers very well, which is a well-known fact.
At this moment, Xiao Zhu said, "Yu Xin is, after all, a descendant of the Duke of Hejian, and he will not disgrace his ancestors' reputation. He is skilled in archery and horsemanship. If he trains well and serves the court, he may be able to regain his title."
Xiao Zhu said this intentionally, just so that some people could hear it.
The Yu family once boasted one general, two prime ministers, and three marquises, but now Yu Tongyuan is embroiled in the Hu Weiyong case, and his descendants will have to work twice as hard to regain their titles. Meanwhile, Yu Tongyuan is still fighting desperately in Goryeo, paying the price for his misconduct and disregard for the law in previous years.
For the Yu family members, restoring their noble status is their greatest pursuit, and they certainly need to work hard for it.
Although Xiao Zhu seemed to have given the Yu family descendants some treatment, opportunities, and preferential treatment, he didn't say much. He simply gave them opportunities, and now it was up to them to see if they could live up to them and seize those opportunities.
After all, the decision to strip both Yu Tongyuan and Yu Tongyuan of their titles was made by the late Zhu Yuanzhang, and the young Zhu Yuanzhang is unlikely to give them more opportunities now. Moreover, transferring Yu Duan to serve in the Eastern Palace is no problem, and sending the imperial physicians to the Yu family on a casual remark by the young Zhu Yuanzhang is also no problem; both the late Zhu Yuanzhang and the young Zhu Yuanzhang will certainly support it.
Ultimately, this is a costless and beneficial endeavor that can help Xiao Zhu win people's hearts and gain more support from nobles.
But when it comes to matters of peerage, Little Zhu has no say right now. Otherwise, given his carefree nature, some of his cousins might already be princes or dukes; he wouldn't even consider a marquis.
Sitting in the Wuying Hall, Old Zhu and Young Zhu were reading memorials while listening to the information about the drill ground brought back by eunuchs and guards. Both of them had smiles on their faces and were quite proud.
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