The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 164 Homecoming Ceremony

The distance is relatively close and it is the core area of rule, so even though it was the first time for Zhu Chong and others to lead troops, they were able to perform fairly well and complete the task.

There was no need to suppress bandits along the way, no need to worry about enemy attacks on the camp, and there were even local officials and gentry who wanted to curry favor with them.

The speed is a bit slow, but we are about to reach Fengyang.

Ma Xun was looking forward to it and hoped that he could give his nephews good lessons and improve their moral standards.

Zhu Chong and others obviously did not realize that Ma Xun wanted to arrange something for them. After the initial excitement and panic, they now felt normal.

It was just leading the troops on a march, which was really nothing and not worth their excitement.

As they are about to arrive in Fengyang, Ma Xun is now waiting for some people to arrive.

Zhao Dayong appeared, knelt in front of Ma Xun and said, "We have found eleven cases of aboriginal people oppressing and humiliating the relocated people, three cases of nobles encroaching on the land, and seven people who pretended to be your Majesty's neighbors and old friends."

Ma Xun behaved very calmly. He didn't seem to find these things strange at all, nor did he seem angry about them.

This is human nature, and it can even be said that the occurrence of such a situation was expected.

I believe that it was not only Ma Xun who had such an understanding, but Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and others would also have thought about the occurrence of these things.

Ma Xun then asked, "When these cases occurred, no one reported them to the authorities?"

Zhao Dayong replied cautiously, "I have also made private inquiries. It seems that the Fengyang prefect is afraid of the nobles and dare not take the case. What's more, there is an old neighbor of your majesty who is a guest of the officials."

When one person succeeds, everyone around him will benefit. Ma Xun, the emperor's brother-in-law, is the best proof of this.

From a penniless refugee, he became Duke Xu of the Ming Dynasty and the object of admiration and flattery for most people.

Therefore, in Fengyang, some people can now be considered to have "soared to the sky".

Some of Zhu Yuanzhang's former neighbors, or distant relatives, could act arrogantly when facing some people.

They have spoken to the current emperor and have a close relationship with him. They have the ability to talk to the emperor, and their homes are rewarded with clothes, food, etc. by the emperor.

Don’t worry about whether what these people say is true or not. What is certain is that some people really don’t dare to take the risk.

Zhu Yuanzhang was born in Fengyang, and some of them were his former neighbors. This is a fact.

As for whether there is still contact now, or whether he is really respected by the emperor, that is another matter.

As for why these former neighbors did not follow Zhu Yuanzhang to conquer the world, or whether these people regretted their original choice, that is another matter.

Ma Xun looked very calm. Now he just had to wait for things to unfold.

"Uncle, it's time to go to Fengyang." Zhu Chong looked a little tired and exhausted. "Father and mother have instructed that we should fast and bathe immediately after returning to Fengyang, and then offer sacrifices to the mausoleum."

Ma Xun naturally knew about this, but he asked, "Have you discussed how to offer sacrifices to the tomb?"

Zhu Chong replied subconsciously, "There are officials from the Ministry of Rites accompanying them. They know the rituals of offering sacrifices to the mausoleum."

Ma Xun's face turned unhappy, and he said earnestly, "Second brother, you are young now, so I won't say anything to you. Just remember, court etiquette is court etiquette, and people's hearts and etiquette are etiquette."

Ma Xun continued, "According to the etiquette of the Ministry of Rites, this is the prince offering sacrifices to the Emperor Chun of the Ming Dynasty. You grandsons, are you just going to the temple to offer sacrifices and that's it?"

Zhu Chong was also stunned for a moment, and quickly said, "Uncle, please give me some advice, I really don't understand these."

Zhu Chong's attitude is not surprising. There are rules for who the fish head should be facing and whether the rim of the cup should be lower when toasting. Some people just don't learn these and don't care.

However, when it comes to matters such as sacrificial offerings, most of the time it is the younger generations who learn from their elders, watching silently and remembering them in their hearts.

When one day the elders are gone and the younger generations have grown up, the younger generations will bring their children and use the rituals they learned from the elders to worship the deceased elders.

Ma Xun said, "When you return to Fengyang, you don't need me to teach you about bathing and fasting. Remember, no matter who comes back, you must invite the Liu brothers and the Wang brothers to worship with you."

Back then, Zhu Wusi moved four or five times in his life, and worked hard to farm for the landlord, but he didn't even earn a piece of land of his own. After his death, he didn't even have a place to be buried. The landlord Liu De didn't want his tenant to be buried in his land.

Liu Jizu was the landlord who took pity on Zhu Yuanzhang and his brothers and gave them his own land so that Zhu Yuanzhang's parents and brothers could have a place to be buried. You should know that Zhu Yuanzhang's family was not his tenants.

His neighbor, Ganniang Wang, felt sorry for Zhu Yuanzhang, so she bought him gifts and asked her son to escort him personally, which allowed Zhu Yuanzhang to become a young monk in Huangjue Temple.

Now Liu Jizu is gone, but his son Liu Ying is still there. Wang Ganniang also died early, and her son Cao Xiu was taken in as a personal guard by Zhu Yuanzhang and renamed Wang Wen.

Now Liu Ying is the director of the Imperial Mausoleum Shrine Office, and Wang Wen is the secretary of the Imperial Mausoleum Shrine Office.

Liu De, who was a landlord of Zhu Yuanzhang's family at that time, was still alive, but Zhu Yuanzhang was too lazy to care about it, which was more or less due to Liu Jizu's consideration.

Ma Xun's expression became more serious, and he said, "You are princes now. After you have paid tribute to His Majesty Injo, you must go to pay tribute to your Zhu family's benefactors. Uncle Liu, godmother, you must go to pay tribute in person, do you understand?" Liu Jizu has not yet been posthumously conferred the title of Marquis Yihui. He should have to wait until the initial completion of the Ming Emperor's Mausoleum before he can be conferred the title of marquis.

After all, the construction of the imperial mausoleum will not take a day or two, and Zhu Yuanzhang will definitely come in person when the time comes.

Zhu Chong nodded repeatedly and said, "Uncle is right. I will remember it."

"It's not that you have memorized it, but I have memorized it clearly!" Ma Xun said, "Brother Liu and brother Wang, they are your father's brothers and the benefactors of your Zhu family. If any of you dare to disrespect your elders and be arrogant, I will punish you. I can't control you in other places, but you guys should restrain yourself in Fengyang."

Zhu Chong nodded quickly. He really couldn't be too ostentatious in his hometown of Fengyang, otherwise it would be very embarrassing.

Not only their uncle might embarrass them, but after they return to the capital, their father, the emperor, and the queen mother will definitely embarrass them. By that time, even their brother would most likely not protect them.

Ma Xun continued to teach earnestly, saying, "Since you are back, you must go and visit your old neighbors. This is not for your sake of face, but to give face to your father and mother. You are now princes, and you are also the face of the Zhu family. Don't let people say that my sister didn't teach her children well."

Zhu Chong nodded repeatedly, but suddenly he felt something was wrong. This was clearly the Zhu family's business, so why did it seem to be related to the Ma family?

Although he felt something was wrong, Zhu Chong didn't dare to say it out loud. As long as what his uncle said made sense, that was enough!

It is no exaggeration to say that the ideological education class has begun like this, and this is the key point that Ma Xun cares about.

Now that they had arrived in Fengyang, Zhu Chong took the initiative to order the army to stop and start reorganizing.

They don't wear armor when marching, but this only applies to the process of marching.

Now that we have entered Fengyang, especially with some local officials, gentry and others waiting to welcome us, some teams will need to display ceremonial weapons and wear distinctive armor.

The necessary ceremony must be performed, and the necessary majesty must also be maintained.

Ma Xun just sat back and waited for the show to begin.

With banners fluttering, spears like dragons, and horses like dragons, the King of Qin, the King of Jin, the King of Yan, and the King of Jingjiang returned to Fengyang under the escort of Duke Xu.

Many local officials and gentry came out of the city to welcome him. Naturally, some village elders or Zhu Yuanzhang's old neighbors would also show up.

These people were naturally lined up in the front, but behind them were some people who were just watching the fun, and their clothes were not so elegant.

However, for some officials, they certainly do not want the presence of unsightly people at this time, which would affect their reputation and political achievements.

So some policemen have tasks. Maintaining order is one thing, and driving away those half-naked people is another task.

The ceremonial guard in front was clearing the way. Zhu Chong rode his horse slowly forward with the dignity that a prince should have, ready to accept the visit of the Fengyang officials.

Suddenly, more than ten people rushed out from the crowd, led by four or five young men in ragged clothes, but they looked capable.

When something unexpected happens, naturally there are people who want to maintain order, protect the King of Qin, etc.

Ma Xun shouted, "Back off."

The guards were anxious and had to protect the King of Qin.

"Your Highness, please make the decision!"

"Your Highness, please seek justice for us!"

"Prefect Chen and the evil gentry colluded to seize my property!"

"Master Qingtian, please make the decision for me! The emperor's nephew is trying to steal my daughter. Please make the decision, Master."

The emperor's nephew?
The emperor's nephew was Zhu Wenzheng, who died in Tongcheng. Zhu Wenzheng also had an elder brother who died while fleeing in his early years.

The emperor's second brother also had a son, Zhu Wang, who died during the disaster that year and is now buried in the Ming Imperial Mausoleum. How come there is a nephew of the emperor?

It’s okay that an uncle suddenly appeared, he is my real uncle, guaranteed.

But what if a cousin I didn’t know suddenly showed up? What a disaster!

The officials and gentry who were preparing to welcome the princes became anxious. They were not just stopping the sedan chair to complain, they were blocking the road to complain when the princes were entering the Fengyang Imperial Residence.

If any one of these things were true, these officials and gentry would be in big trouble.

Zhu Chong looked at Ma Xun for help, but Ma Xun turned his head and looked elsewhere, only controlling the guards and others to not drive away those who came to complain.

As for the Fengyang official servants, it was naturally impossible for them to drive away those who filed complaints.

Zhu Chong is a little panicked now. Although he is the King of Qin, the leader of all the royal princes of the Ming Dynasty, this is the first time he has dealt with such a thing.

He was only sixteen years old, how could he have ever seen such a scene!
As for the uncle who was thought to be a backer, he now chose to ignore him. In Zhu Chong's opinion, these things were most likely arranged by his uncle!
(End of this chapter)