The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 106 Are these all good deeds done by Old Zhu?

The next day, he was far away in Haozhou.

Outside Fengyang City, there is a ten-mile-long pavilion.

The weather was sunny, but the heat was unbearable.

I have learned that the eldest grandson of the emperor has arrived in the suburbs and will enter the city today.

The prefect of Fengyang Prefecture, the garrison commander of Zhongdu Garrison, the sacrificial officials of the Imperial Mausoleum Sacrifice Office, and many other officials all waited for him in advance.

At noon, the imperial grandson's carriage finally came into view!

Inside the car, Zhu Xiong Ying was also unbearably hot.

With the city in sight, he finally breathed a sigh of relief!

Speaking of which, if it is to return to the ancestral home on behalf of Old Zhu in the future, it should be done in mid-spring or mid-autumn.

To avoid suffering all day long during the journey!

However, I also benefited greatly from this journey.

I witnessed the true face of ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty —

Moreover, by conducting on-site investigations, we can broaden our horizons and, in the future, assist Old Zhu and Biao'er's father in governing the country. This will prevent us from being too far ahead of our time and detached from reality!

Let's lift the curtain and take a look.

After many days of travel, the eldest uncle Chang Mao, the uncle Tang Ding, and others were tanned just as dark as the second daughter Li Jinglong!

This kind of training is good, so that I won't be unable to endure hardship in actual combat later!

Zhu Xiong Ying picked up the kettle and took a sip.

He was just about to summon Jiang to inquire about the lodging location and whether everything was ready.

Regardless of anything else, he needed to take a shower and change into clean clothes first.

A moment later, Sanbao's lips cracked, and he trotted forward, saying, "Your Highness, the officials stationed in Zhongdu, as well as the elders and folks of Fengyang, are all waiting to greet us!"

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced at it and said, "Oh, I see!"

"Where is Jiang Huanren?"

As Jiang Ziya approached on horseback, he clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, this humble servant is here!"

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced over indifferently and inquired about the rest and sacrificial rites.

Jiang hurriedly and carefully reported the situation.

After listening, Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said, "Yes! Well done, we will remember it. When we return to the capital, we will definitely ask the Emperor for a reward!"

"But if something we've arranged goes poorly, then those who deserve punishment will be punished accordingly!"

After a series of admonitions, the words were finished.

Chiang was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and repeatedly agreed.

After stepping down, Chang Mao, holding the reins, leaned closer and asked, "Nephew, you seem to have some dissatisfaction with this man?"

At this point, he looked at the back of the Imperial Guard Jin Shi.

A fierce glint flashed in Chang Mao's eyes.

Just as he told his brother-in-law Zhu Biao when he left the capital, anyone who dared to displease his nephew would be dealt with by him, the Duke of Zheng!

Let alone a small matter like signing a document, even if Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were here, he would dare to take action!

I know my uncle's fiery temper and his stubborn, arrogant nature.

They didn't take the Embroidered Uniform Guards seriously at all.

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head and said gently, "Uncle doesn't know! Jiang is loyal and righteous, and his abilities are not bad either!"

""

"This shows his ruthless and bloodthirsty nature—and what we said to him was to remind him of his place and not overstep his authority!"

Chang Mao had a slight understanding.

Seeing that his nephew was aware of the situation, he said no more.

After an incense stick had burned, the carriage stopped.

Guided by the eunuch, Zhu Xiong Ying got out of the carriage, met with a group of officials and villagers, and said a lot of polite words.

On the same day, they moved into the imperial city of Zhongdu, into the annex of the Eastern Palace.

As for the accompanying relatives of the emperor, such as Chang Mao, Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, and Tang Ding, they were stationed in the eastern and western government offices of the imperial city, mainly responsible for guarding and protecting the city.

The day after Zhu Xiong Ying entered Fengyang City, the official in charge of rites presented the sacrificial rites and explained the fasting requirements.

Starting the following day, he moved to the Imperial Mausoleum's Fasting Palace.

In the blink of an eye, it's May 23rd, the day of the imperial tomb's main sacrificial ceremony.

Under the guidance of the Taichang Temple Doctor and the Master of Ceremonies who accompanied him.

Zhu Xiong Ying, representing the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, officially commenced the sacrificial ceremony.

On May 26th, after completing the important task, they returned to Fengyang City.

What I did next was to follow Old Zhu's instructions and visit my neighbors!

Early that morning.

Under Zhu Xiong Ying's special instructions, Chang Mao and others, including members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, all wore ordinary clothes.

The group traveled light and simply, heading towards Guzhuang Village in Taiping Township!

Among those accompanying him were Liu Ying, son of Marquis Yi Hui Liu Jizu, and Wang Wen, son of Granny Wang, who had been by his side for the past two days after being greeted outside the city a few days ago.

Looking at the endless fields.

The elderly Liu Ying, invited to sit in the car, kept pointing and gesturing, filled with emotion.

He talked about the changes in Taiping Township over the past two or three decades.

As for Wang Wen, his hair and beard were gray, and he didn't talk much.

His original name was Cao Xiu. After Aunt Wang passed away, Old Zhu was deeply saddened and decided to change his name to Wang Wen, both to commemorate him and to leave an heir.

When we arrived at the village entrance.

I know that Old Zhu's grandson has returned to his hometown.

One pass ten, ten pass a hundred.

The villagers quickly gathered around.

Zhu Xiong Ying hurriedly got out of the car, bowed and greeted them, showing no airs whatsoever.

He then instructed his uncle Changmao and others to unload all the items from the carriages behind, such as bags of rice and salt, and distribute them to comfort them.

One of the older men, who was about seventy years old, had bright eyes and a strong grip. He held Zhu Xiong Ying's arm tightly and stuffed a peach into his hand.

Gifted by the elders, dare not to give up.

"Thank you, sir!"

With Zhu Xiong Ying's help, he could only smile and take the food, then took a bite.

I must say, the peaches from my hometown are incredibly sweet!!

The old man revealed a mouthful of missing teeth and laughed, "Come and try some! These are peaches from Fengyang, they're delicious!"

"Back in the day, when I was tired from herding cattle, my favorite thing to eat was our family's peaches—"

"Now that you're emperor, you haven't forgotten us old folks. You even sent your son, a child, all the way back to this poor, remote place to see us!"

"Look at you, little brat, you're much stronger than Chongba was when he was a child—"

Upon seeing this, Wang Wen called out "Uncle Zhao," then hunched over and explained, "Your Highness, please understand! This was originally the Zhu family's neighbor, and he's a generation older than your grandfather—"

Wow!

What a coincidence!

Only an elder like this would dare to call him "Zhongba" directly!

Thinking of this, he quickly helped Old Zhao up and they walked together toward the newly built Zhu Family Courtyard.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he inevitably carried out extensive renovations on his old family residence.

Right now, it's the most luxurious house in the entire Taiping Township!

On the road.

Zhu Xiong Ying spoke little and listened a lot.

Although Grandpa Zhao is old, his mind is clear, and his old eyes shine when he talks about the past.

"You child, you don't know. Back then, there was a famine. The fields yielded nothing, let alone peaches. A bunch of cowherds in the village were hungry every day!"

"Zhongba was only ten years old then, and he patted his chest and said he would get meat for everyone to eat. That very night, he dragged the landlord's calf to the back hill and slaughtered it—"

"When the neighbors found out, they were terrified. That was the landlord's lifeblood; if they found out, they'd be beaten!"

"But Chongba insisted on doing it anyway, and even took the blame—"

Another old man chimed in, "More than that! Back then, everyone was poor, and Chongba couldn't afford to go to school, so he would eavesdrop outside the private school window every day and even write on the ground with twigs!"

"We knew back then that Chongba was a man destined for great things!"