The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 108 Zhu Di: From now on, we must guard the northern gateway for our elder brother and nephew!

The first day of the sixth month in the nineteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

Outside Fengyang City, flags fluttered and crowds surged.

Zhu Xiong Ying stayed in Zhongdu for eight days, visiting the imperial tombs and the villagers.

Today is the day to return to Beijing!

When Chenshi (7-9 AM) arrives.

Surrounded by the Imperial Guards and the Crown Prince's guards, the carriage had just left the city gate when it saw a crowd of officials and commoners.

Wait for the carriage to stop.

With the help of Yu Sanbao and Lai Shun, Zhu Xiong Ying got out of the car and exchanged a few pleasantries with the local officials.

He then walked to the outer perimeter.

Looking around, many of them were villagers from Guzhuang Village.

Elderly people like Grandpa Zhao, who was unable to attend due to health reasons, stood at the front.

The crowd carried baskets containing eggs and some seasonal fruits!

"Little one, this is a chicken that just laid in our home. Take it back to the capital and let Chongba taste the flavors of his hometown!"

"And these are the newly harvested wheat from this year—"

The villagers warmly welcomed them.

Zhu Xiong Ying helped him up while taking the gift and handing it to his uncle Chang Mao and the others.

Then, he bowed deeply and said, "Xiong Ying has been in Fengyang for many days, and I am grateful for the care and support of the villagers!"

"Upon returning to the capital this time, I brought greetings from my fellow villagers and informed Grandfather of the situation in our hometown—I will come back to see you all again in a few years!"

"Okay! The little one must come back!"

"Take care, we'll always remember Chongba—"

After a dozen or so breaths, Zhu Xiong Ying waved goodbye to his hometown folks and boarded the car again to continue his journey.

As for the more than forty villagers who accompanied them, they followed closely behind!

People like Liu Ying and Wang Wen are all included in this category!

However, the weather turned against them.

Just three days after I left, rain swept across most of the south again!

All travel arrangements had to be slowed down temporarily, and the pace was even slower than when we arrived.

It wasn't until more than half a month later that they finally returned to Jiangpu.

During this period of rest and recuperation, the news also reached the capital.

Within the imperial city.

That evening.

Upon learning that his eldest grandson would be returning soon, Zhu Yuanzhang was in high spirits. He finished processing the memorials ahead of schedule and returned to Kunning Palace.

As he stepped into the palace, a smile played on his lips as he turned to Empress Ma, who was seated on a chair, and said, "My dear sister, don't worry about me!"

"We received the letter this afternoon. Da Sun and the others arrived in Jiangpu yesterday, and they'll be back in the capital in four or five days!"

"Although this time is several days later than we expected, we still managed to bring those dozens of villagers with us, and thankfully, nothing went wrong along the way!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma finally felt relieved. She took the chilled plum juice offered by the maid, placed it aside, and said, "Chongba, this year is strange indeed!"

"Since June, the plum rains in the Jianghuai region have been relentless, and I've been on tenterhooks every day!"

"I'm afraid we'll encounter muddy roads and the Huai River's waves will be too high. Xiong Ying is young, and the return journey will be difficult! And what about all the villagers who came along, young and old, traveling by boat and car all the way? That's a real worry!"

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the plum juice, took a sip, and nodded, saying, "That makes sense!"

"According to Jiang Huan's report, fortunately, our eldest grandson has considered everything comprehensively and arranged everything meticulously—"

After the couple finished their sighs...

Empress Ma raised her eyes again and asked, "Now that Xiong Ying and the others have arrived in Jiangpu, the royal family must have a proper welcoming plan. We cannot lose face, break the rules, or neglect our hometown people. Has Chongba thought about this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard and said, "We've already planned this! We intend to have Biao'er handle this task of receiving people—"

"As for resettlement, we've had some houses in the south of the city cleaned up, and all the furniture, household items, pots and pans have been provided—nothing will be missing!"

"Once each household settles in, we'll first reward them with twenty ingots of silver, twenty dan of fine rice, and four bolts of silk, so they can stay as long as they like. If they want to return to Fengyang, we'll send an official boat to escort them back in style—what do you think, sister?"

From this perspective...

Old Zhu was very strict with his officials!

But they are very generous to their relatives and fellow villagers!

Empress Ma pondered for a moment, fearing that her husband might become too overjoyed and lose his senses, and quickly reminded him, "I know that Chongba's intentions are good, but as I just said, the rules must be observed!"

"I remember you said a few days ago that the plum rains have flooded many fields and houses, and several counties under the jurisdiction of Yingtian Prefecture have reported disasters. If we make too much of a fuss, the people will feel uneasy, and what will the court officials think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang paused in stroking his beard, then turned and said, "That makes sense. Let's just do as you say, sister, and follow the proper procedures without adding any extra pomp!"

"Once we arrive in the capital and enter the palace, we'll throw a grand banquet and invite our neighbors for a reunion dinner!"

Seeing her husband's longing for his hometown, Empress Ma's gaze softened, and she smiled, "I understand what Chongba means!"

"Leave these things to me!"

The conversation turned to the return of the eldest grandson to Beijing, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and happiness.

Unexpectedly, a eunuch hurried in and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has urgent military intelligence to report!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, took the document, and glanced at it.

I originally thought it was military affairs in the northern border or the southwest.

To my surprise, it was a report from Fujian!

Seeing her husband's grim expression, Empress Ma assumed the matter was of great importance and hurriedly asked, "Chongba, has the formidable enemy from the north invaded our border again?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "My sister doesn't know, this wasn't sent from the north!"

"A report came from Jianle County, Fujian Province, that a monk named Quan Wuyong used the White Lotus Incense Festival to incite a crowd to cause trouble, and that people like Luo Benzhong were also involved—"

The text describes how the White Lotus Sect's plot to rebel was discovered in advance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This incident also served as a wake-up call for him, the emperor!

Temples and Taoist monasteries, including some itinerant monks, should be managed with even greater rigor.

In Da Sun's words, it is precisely about strengthening institutional norms!

The White Lotus Religion case that has emerged in Fujian today is actually a very good trigger!

Just like last year's grain theft case, a nationwide rectification campaign should be launched to prevent some wicked monks from breaking the rules, causing local unrest, and making the people suffer!

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the standing eunuch and calmly said, "Pass on the decree to Mao Xiang: bring all these rebels to the capital!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

SENS NN

On the same night.

The Prince Yan's Mansion in Beiping.

For the past half month, Zhu Di, acting on imperial orders from the capital, has been inspecting border defenses in his capacity as a prince.

As dusk fell, he returned to his residence and, together with his staff, discussed the consolidation of the garrison.

Once back in the inner quarters, he had just sat down when he took the jujube tea his wife offered and took a small sip.

Then Princess Xu brought over two letters, handed them to her, and said, "Your Highness, please understand! These are letters from the eldest grandson of the Emperor and our Chi'er, sent during the day!"

My nephew?

Our big son?

Zhu Di's solemn and dignified face softened slightly as he picked up the first letter and began to read.

It was written by his eldest nephew, Zhu Xiong Ying, who inquired about his uncle's well-being, discussed matters on the northern border, and also mentioned the recent situations of his father, mother, elder brother Zhu Biao, and beloved son Gao Chi—all close relatives.

After reading it.

Thinking back to all the rumors I've heard since the end of last year.

Thinking of his eldest nephew and the concern shown by his uncles.

Zhu Di felt a warmth in his heart, and then pondered silently.

The eldest brother treated him, the younger brother, and the eldest nephew treated him, the uncle, with impeccable manners!

The vassal kings guarded the nation's gates, while the monarchs protected the state.

He was a prince appointed by his father, the emperor.

One day, my father will be gone.

The lineage of the Prince of Yan, generation after generation, should also guard the northern frontier as the elder brother and nephew!