The arrival of envoys from all nations was a momentous event for the rulers and ministers of any feudal dynasty, a sign of a prosperous era.
When people mention the Han Dynasty, they think of more than just the Battle of Mobei or the sealing of the wolf's lair. Many remember that several countries were destroyed by the Han Dynasty, and that the proud Han envoys dared to intimidate the rulers and ministers of other countries even when they were alone.
When people mention the Tang Dynasty, many admire the "Heavenly Khan" and think of the countless envoys from various countries who came to Chang'an to seek an audience.
As for the Ming Dynasty, its current situation is actually somewhat awkward.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang drove out the Mongols, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, many neighboring countries and their rulers held a deep-seated fear of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Even after the Mongols were driven to the Mongolian steppe, many countries still did not fully recognize the Ming Dynasty's authority.
Years ago, Emperor Zhu also issued an edict to Japan because of the Japanese pirates. However, the two emperors of Japan were busy with their internal war and had no time to worry about the Ming Dynasty across the ocean.
As for Goryeo, during the reign of the Wang dynasty, the Goryeo rulers were indecisive and their forces were more loyal to the Mongol Yuan dynasty; otherwise, Yi Seong-gye's retreat from Wihwa Island would not have occurred. During the reign of the Yi dynasty, Yi Seong-gye and his son did seem interested in reconciling with the Ming dynasty, sending envoys several times, but this was merely a facade; both the Ming and Goryeo were just going through the motions.
Actually, the Ming Dynasty didn't really have any proper envoys before, let alone monarchs from other countries.
Chen Youliang's son Chen Li and Ming Yuzhen's son Ming Sheng were a different story; they both once sat on the dragon throne. But those were separatist regimes, and such wars of annihilation were essentially 'civil wars,' not very common.
Therefore, the visit of King Takei of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the Ming court this time was clearly a different matter and had a different significance for the Ming Dynasty.
Even though everyone knows that Wu Ning didn't really want to go to court this time, he had committed a crime and the Ming Dynasty had caught him red-handed. He only had no choice but to go to court because the Ming Dynasty's navy was at the gates.
However, regardless of the circumstances, this was the emperor of a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty personally visiting the court, which obviously made it all the more significant. Therefore, many things can perhaps be selectively ignored, and it's enough to focus on the positive aspects.
It's not just the Ministry of Rites that needs to be busy; the Court of State Ceremonial also needs to be busy, as these are their responsibilities.
Zhu Yunying didn't need to care much about these things, probably because the Ming Dynasty had already established certain rules and regulations over the past thirty years. Even if the old Zhu, the young Zhu, or the little Zhu occasionally broke some of these rules.
However, many people also know that the rules of the Ming Dynasty didn't actually have much effect on the retired emperor, the emperor, and the crown prince. But for civil and military officials and members of the imperial family, the rules were extremely strict and could not be overstepped.
As for foreign envoys, the requirements are naturally even stricter; they must act in accordance with the regulations.
Zhu Yunying didn't need to think too much about these things, but he did need to carefully consider other matters.
Zhu Yunying was summoned to the palace, and he asked directly, "You have rendered meritorious service in the matter of tree sap, but we feel that rewarding you is not worthwhile. Instead, we are giving some benefits to your two older sisters and your uncles. Can you still accept that?"
Zhu Yunwen chuckled and said with a grin, "Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me. We still don't understand what the tree sap is all about. As for the boats, they're either managed by my uncle and his family or by my brother-in-law's people. We're just sharing the profits, so why would we object?"
Looking at his carefree younger brother, Zhu Yunying said, "This is a great achievement, so naturally we're thinking of our own family. If it were you, we could only give you some rewards, at most gold and silver jewelry. But with your uncle, they can get a hereditary title."
Zhu Yunwen nodded quickly and said, "That's worthwhile. Neither my second nor third uncles have hereditary titles, nor does our brother-in-law. If you ask us, we don't lack those gold and silver treasures. Titles are more worthwhile; they can be passed down through generations."
"It's good that you understand this principle, but we can't let you down." Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "You have done some things after all, so the reward should fall on you. This time, we plan to send you to Xuyi to repair the mausoleum of your great-aunt."
Zhu Yunwen was immediately stunned and said, "Why is it that we're the ones who have to go? Isn't my cousin from Jiujiang going?"
"Didn't you hear me say that, Great-Aunt?" Zhu Yunying said irritably. "Great-Aunt and Grandfather have a falling out, so we can't say much. As the younger generation, we're just doing our best. Grandfather has a grudge and isn't happy about it, so we told him to go over. Grandfather didn't say anything, but he was happy about it."
Zhu Yunwen immediately realized that when he thought of his great-aunt, the first person that came to mind was Princess Cao, not Princess Taiyuan. It just goes to show that everyone in the imperial clan was well aware of their family's situation.
Zhu Yunying continued, "We plan to have you take her with you, and Jiujiang will go along as well. Grandfather also has a messenger, so we'll have him go with him too. But remember this: your great-aunt is married off, so she cannot be buried in our ancestral mausoleum!"
Located on the western shore of Hongze Lake in Xuyi, lies the ancestral mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty, containing the cenotaphs of Zhu Yuanzhang's great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, as well as the actual burial site of his grandfather. Although not as grand and imposing as the imperial mausoleum in his ancestral home of Fengyang, the Ming ancestral mausoleum is still of considerable scale.
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but complain, saying, "Brother, we're not completely ignorant. Even though our grandfather was so close to our great-aunt, she was only buried in our ancestral home in Xuyi."
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