Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

Early the next morning.

The weather is clear and clear.

A red sun. The sun rises in the east.

Zhu Xiongying gets up early, does morning boxing exercises, washes up, and eats breakfast.

Everything was done, and the eunuchs from the palace seemed to be walking in on time.

"My servant, please see Your Highness."

Zhu Xiongying nodded and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go change my clothes."

After another moment, Zhu Xiongying came out wearing a bright red python robe. He looked cheerful and even more imposing.

After leaving Qingning Palace,
Zhu Yunwen was also waiting outside, and Zhu Xiongying walked over with a smile.

"Brother, good morning."

Zhu Yunwen also changed into a solemn red dragon robe, which was the official dress for sacrifices in the Ming Dynasty, and was very different from his casual clothes.

This is a symbol of power, a symbol of the superiority of the Ming Dynasty royal family!
Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Well, let's go."

Without much greeting, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen walked towards the Zetian Gate under the guidance of the eunuch.

Three sedan chairs were already waiting here, and troops from the Jinyiwei, the Five Military Commandery, and the Palace Front Command had surrounded the place.

Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen each got on the sedan chair at the back.

After a while,

Minister of Rites Li Yuan, Imperial Clan Official Zhuo Jing, and several officials from the Ministry of Rites followed.

Everyone was waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's arrival.

After a while, Cao Tai, the commander in front of the palace, came hurriedly.

He walked to Zhu Xiongying's sedan chair and knocked gently.

Zhu Xiongying pulled down the curtain of the sedan chair and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Cao Tai said, "Your Highness, the Emperor wants you to go first."

Zhu Xiongying frowned: "What's wrong with the old man?"

Cao Tai said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. The Emperor is fine. This is a memorial from Sichuan. The Emperor needs to review it as soon as possible."

Zhu Xiongying said "oh" and had a bad feeling in his heart, but he still nodded and said, "Okay, let's go first."

……

The weather is pretty good today.

Although the royal procession had avoided the crowds along the street, there were still many people standing far away on both sides of the official road, looking at the royal carriage procession in awe.

The Jinyiwei and the Five Military Commanderies had already been guarding the surrounding area.

Zhu Xiongying slightly lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and looked at the people gathered around, looking at those awed faces. He couldn't help but sigh at his fate again.

Not long ago, he was just like them. In a flash, he had transformed himself into someone that everyone could only dream of.

Zhu Xiongying lowered the curtain of the sedan chair, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility weighing on his heart.

This is the kingdom that he will inherit. Zhu Yuanzhang loves them like his own children, and one day in the future, this responsibility will fall on his shoulders.

Zhu Yuanzhang always said that he had great expectations for himself, but are you ready?
Zhu Xiongying reflected on himself and felt a little hesitant.

We were silent all the way and it was still early when we arrived at Zhongshan.

But Zhu Yuanzhang still hadn't arrived yet.

Waited from early morning till noon, but Zhu Yuanzhang still didn't show up.

The time for sacrifice cannot exceed noon.

Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen stood one after the other in front of the imperial mausoleum at Zhongshan.

The imperial mausoleum was not built too luxuriously, and it contained the remains of Zhu Yuanzhang's father and mother.

Even though Master Zhu Changye is still alive, this is a secret that cannot be revealed, so public sacrifices must still be made.

Zhu Xiongying looked at the mausoleum devoutly, with a dignified and heavy expression.

Not long.

Li Yuan came over.

Zhu Xiongying looked back and still did not see Zhu Yuanzhang going up the mountain.

However, no one knew what happened in Sichuan that delayed Zhu Yuanzhang's arrival.

He glanced at Li Yuan, the Minister of Rites, and said, "Okay, let's get started."

Li Yuan nodded.

A group of officials from the Ministry of Rites began to sing the ritual at the back.

Zhu Xiongying held offerings and long incense sticks, and Zhu Yunwen followed closely behind, first paying homage to his great-grandfather.

Worship requires three kneelings and nine prostrations, a kneeling ceremony.

Zhu Xiongying couldn't do it either, as he was beyond the feudal rules and etiquette.

Then came the others.

Zhu Xiongying had read all these etiquettes in "Huang Ming Zuxun", and he performed them with proper manners and decorum.

In the end, it was his more recent ancestor, Zhu Changye.

Because Zhu Changye is Zhu Yuanzhang's father, the worship he offered to his descendants needs to be grand.

After the ceremony, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen knelt down, and with solemn expressions they began to burn paper for Zhu Changye.

After waiting for a long time, Zhu Yuanjing still didn't arrive.

Zhu Xiongying looked at the frail Zhu Yunwen and said reluctantly, "Second brother, go and have a rest first. Your legs and feet are uncomfortable after kneeling for so long."

Zhu Yunwen was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Brother, I'm not tired, you go and rest first. Before someone passed away, I was the one who waited on him at the bedside. During the funeral, I knelt like this all day long, and I'm used to it."

Zhu Xiongying was also stunned.

Just now, he was really worried that Zhu Yunwen's weak body couldn't bear it. After all, they were still brothers, and Zhu Xiongying couldn't lose sight of one while focusing on the other.

However, the words of concern were seen as a conspiracy in Zhu Yunwen's eyes.

This was the first time that Zhu Xiongying felt the ruthlessness of the imperial family.

Although he and Zhu Yunwen were not brothers in arms, they had the same father. As the eldest brother, he should be humble and caring to his younger brother.

He originally thought that Zhu Yunwen had lost all hope and had settled down to be a vassal king.

But at this moment, Zhu Xiongying realized that he didn't!
He still wants to fight!
In the imperial family, there are no brothers.

After all, whoever reaches that position can dominate everything. In this feudal dynasty where one person rules, the imperial power represents everything and is supreme!
Who wouldn't want it?
Who would give up easily?

Who can control the desires of his heart?
Especially Zhu Yunwen, who once had this position within reach!
Behind him were officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Clan Affairs.

Zhu Yunwen deliberately raised his voice a few decibels, making it much louder than Zhu Xiongying's.

This was said for the people behind to hear, and they heard it, and Zhu Yuanzhang heard it.

Zhu Xiongying saw through Zhu Yunwen's little thoughts and didn't say much.

Not far away, He Guangyi cast his glance at Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Xiongying was stunned. Seeing that He Guangyi seemed to want to see him, he stood up calmly, put his hands behind his back and walked away.

People talk too much.

Zhu Xiongying naturally couldn't talk to He Guangyi near the crowd, so the two of them walked further away.

Wait until the two of them disappear from everyone's sight.

Behind.

Zhu Yuanzhang's troops are coming!
"Mom is right. Opportunities are always there. Now, the opportunity has come!"

…………

the other side.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very angry. He had ten thousand reasons to doubt the loyalty of Lan Yu and others.

But Zhu Xiongying can't.

Even if the rebellion was true, Zhu Xiongying still needed to protect Lan Yu.

The future of the Ming Dynasty needs them, and Zhu Xiongying also needs them to support the Ming Dynasty.

There is still a tough battle to be fought, and Zhu Di in the northern border is ambitious.

No matter what, he couldn't lose Lan Yu, the backbone!
of course.

Zhu Xiongying naturally would not doubt Lan Yu's loyalty, but Zhu Yuanzhang could not.

Zhu Yuanzhang had been emperor for so many years that it is impossible to say that he was not suspicious by nature.

The emperor of any dynasty always considers the eternal stability of the country!
Anyone who poses a threat must be eliminated.

As long as the emperor senses danger and threat, anyone can die!
"We can't speculate subjectively about Lan Yu and the King of Shu."

"The King of Shu is your own son."

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "He is also Lan Yu's biological son-in-law. Family affection? Oh, don't think I don't know. They have been separated from me for so many years. How much family affection do I still have with them? Who knows?"

Zhu Xiongying said: "I believe them, and I believe that Lan Yu will not rebel."

Zhu Yuanzhang said noncommittally: "I hope so. Let's try Lan Yu in a few days."

He glanced at Zhu Xiongying, "It's true that Lan Yu is your great uncle. But I'm also your great grandfather. Who is closer to you than me? You know that. Don't contact Lan Yu these two days, and don't tip him off. Got it?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded quickly and said, "I am naturally close to Grandpa Huang, I know it all."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "That's good to know. Oh, you can go to the Imperial College tomorrow."

Zhu Xiongying asked curiously, "What's the matter? Why do you suddenly want to go to the Imperial College?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Liu Sanwu and Fang Xiaoru, they want you to go to the Imperial College to meet someone, go ahead, it won't do you any harm anyway."

Zhu Xiongying said "Oh" and nodded, "Okay."

Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his eyebrows.

Zhu Xiongying stood up, walked behind Zhu Yuanzhang, and rubbed the old man's eyebrows.

"Grandpa, please don't get too tired reviewing memorials. Your health is more important."

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and enjoyed Zhu Xiongying's massage.

"Governing the country is tiring. There have been a lot of things to do recently, including yours, so I didn't bother you. When you have some free time, come and help me review some memorials."

"Grandson, you are our grandson. Fang Xiaoru and Liu Sanwu asked you to go to the Imperial College. Why?"

"Both of them want to introduce you to more literati and get them to support you, haha."

"Do we actually need their support? This is our Zhu family's own business. Do we need to care what others think?"

"But they have good intentions and they really care about you, so we won't say anything."

"The burden of this world is heavy. The flooding of the two rivers has consumed a lot of the stored wealth of the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue is almost empty."

"Summer grain tax revenue has just been collected. It's almost gone. Your 130,000 taels must also be sent to the Ministry of Revenue."

"From now on, you can't just focus on your small piece of land in Jiaozhi. You have to look beyond the world."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again, "The country has a heavy burden, and we should find an opportunity to give you a status."

Zhu Xiongying was stunned and his heart suddenly trembled.

What the old man meant was... that he was planning to appoint a crown prince?
Although Zhu Xiongying's heart was surging, his hands did not stop moving, and he said naturally: "Grandpa, you can still review memorials, I dare not bypass you."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted slightly and said, "You kid, in fact, we know that you don't want to deal with many political affairs, but you are unwilling to deal with them."

Because you know I am still here, and you think a country cannot have two masters, so you push everything onto me."

"Once I appoint you as my heir, you won't be able to refuse many things, right? Haha!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved back.

Zhu Xiongying stopped massaging the old man's temple.

Zhu Yuanzhang patted the stool beside him and motioned Zhu Xiongying to sit down.

He then said, "Why is the emperor a lonely man? Because when he is in this position, he can't consider family affections."

"Others may have these things, but our imperial family cannot have them, so we don't hesitate to use the worst thoughts to speculate on Lan Yu, to speculate on things that may threaten the imperial power."

"You are not in this position now, but one day, you will become ours."

"We know that you are sentimental, loyal, quick-witted, and confident. You are confident enough to control everything."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "How similar it is to me when I was young, with Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong, and Liu Bowen. I trusted them, but in the end I didn't hesitate to kill them, just like your relationship with Lan Yu, Chang Mao, and Feng Sheng now."

"Sooner or later, you will walk the same path your grandfather walked. No matter how smart or insightful you are, when you are crowned with the supreme halo, you will be trapped. No one can escape."

"My only hope is that you won't kill your brothers and uncles the moment you gain glory. Can you?"

Zhu Xiongying really wanted to say it.

It was highly unlikely that he would do that, but he couldn't bear to see the old man sad, so he could only say, "Grandpa, don't worry. I will definitely listen to you."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I'm not asking you to listen to me. I need you to establish this belief from the bottom of your heart. What I hope most in my life is that our family will not turn against each other."

"Okay!" Zhu Xiongying nodded firmly.

The grandfather and grandson chatted about family matters for a while, and then Zhu Yuanzhang let Zhu Xiongying go.

The old man still has a lot of things to think about, such as how to test Lan Yu and how to deal with the King of Shu.

He knew that Zhu Xiongying also had a lot of things to deal with, so he instructed Zhu Xiongying to send the Eastern Palace tax silver to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as possible.

Zhu Xiongying agreed reluctantly.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying's departing back and scolded him with a smile, "You little bastard! I've handed over the entire Ming Dynasty to you, and you still care about your money? Your money also belongs to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Xiongying nodded to show that he understood.

Then he slowly retreated.

……

the other side.

Household Department.

Fu Youwen found Wang Wen, the deputy director of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance.

"Lord Wang."

When Wang Wen saw Fu Youwen, he quickly put down the work at hand and said, "Master Fu, is there anything I can do for you?"

As he spoke, he invited Fu Youwen to sit down and took the initiative to pour tea and water for Fu Youwen.

Fu Youwen gave Wang Wen a strange look.

The two of them held the teacups and blew gently on the hot air in the cups.

"Do you still remember Tie Xuan?"

Fu Youwen thought for a moment, then spoke earnestly, "Remember, you rejected Tie Xuan and refused to allocate financial funds to Jiaozhi, and you also said that Jiaozhi had no ability to repay it, right?"

Wang Wen blushed and said, "My humble servant is short-sighted. Please don't laugh at me, Master Fu. Haha."

Fu Youwen smiled and said, "That's not what I meant."

"Well, the Ministry of Revenue's financial balance is running low."

Fu Youwen paused, looked at Wang Wen and said, "The emperor's grandson told you to go and ask for the money yourself."

The hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and his whole face looked a little stiff.

"Is that so?"

Fu Youwen said: "Yes, you also know that our eldest grandson is not someone you can easily mess with."

"No matter what, just bear with it for a while, Biyi... Hey, such a big task is handed over to you."

(End of this chapter)