The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 112 Imperial Palace Banquet

The next day, in the imperial city.

After the morning court session ended, Zhu Yuanzhang did not convene a meeting with his ministers.

This morning, he was to meet with a group of fellow townsmen from Haozhou.

There were still 15 minutes until noon.

A palace attendant reported that the villagers had already entered the imperial city.

Accompanied by Crown Prince Zhu Biao and the eldest grandson of the emperor Zhu Xiong Ying, after visiting all the palaces, they arrived at the Wu Ying Hall, where a banquet had been prepared!

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately set off with his wife, Ma Xiuying!

On this side, we have just arrived at the front hall.

Then came a large, scattered group of elders from his hometown, all talking at once, bowing and saying, "This humble subject pays homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

This is the situation.

Even as the ruler of the Ming Dynasty, he could not help but shed tears.

Old Zhu strode forward, speaking with a Haozhou accent, and helped them up one by one, saying, "Get up, everyone, get up quickly!"

Scanning the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar, aged faces, he couldn't help but sigh, "We all grew up together in Taiping Township, Haozhou. When you're here, it's like coming home. Why bother with all those formalities?"

"Also, you called me Chongba back then, and you should still call me that now. Don't keep calling me 'Your Majesty,' it makes us seem distant!"

Empress Ma followed closely behind, smiling, helping and comforting them, saying, "That's true. Fellow villagers, please don't stand on ceremony when you come to the palace!"

"More than half a month ago, when I learned that everyone was coming, Chongba kept talking to me, saying that if it weren't for the help of the neighbors back then, he wouldn't be where he is today! Now that you've all come, we'll have to stay in the capital for a while!"

Every word the couple spoke was full of care and consideration.

The tense atmosphere in the hall immediately eased considerably, gradually becoming more relaxed and joyful.

Some elderly villagers from Fengyang smiled and called out "Chongba" repeatedly.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter and, disregarding his imperial dignity, walked directly into the crowd.

Upon seeing his imperial grandfather and grandmother, Zhu Xiong Ying followed Biao'er's father to the side.

As for Zhu Chun and other imperial uncles, along with his younger brothers Zhu Jixi, Zhu Yun, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Yuntong, and all the other members of the imperial clan in the capital, they all stood on the left side!

However, most of Xu Da's fellow townsmen and relatives were here, and they were waiting on the right side.

From this, we can see that Lao Zhu values ​​his hometown people very much and longs for family reunion and happiness!

After all, many of the villagers who came are now quite old.

After this parting, I fear we may never meet again!

In a short while.

When Zhu Yuanzhang met Wang Da Niang's adopted son, who was the same age as him, he supported his arm and sighed, "Brother Wang, back then, our godmother sewed monk's robes for us..."

They scraped together the money for incense and sent us to Huangjue Temple to become monks. If it weren't for them, we would have starved to death long ago!

"It's a pity I wasn't there to be by my godmother's side when she passed away—"

Tears streamed down Wang Wen's face as he choked out, "Mother always remembers the Emperor—Brother Chongba, always saying you've made something of yourself! You've brought honor to the family!"

After exchanging a few words, Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the back and saw a short, thin, and restrained figure, staring at him for a long time.

He suddenly grabbed my hand, hugged it to his chest, and laughed, "Old Han, have you forgotten? Back then, we herded cattle for the landlord together. We were starving, and you, being a few years older, stole some peas for us to eat. You almost got your leg broken in the process. Do you remember that?"

Old Tian was hard of hearing, and it took a few repetitions from the person next to him before he could understand.

He rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "I remember, I remember! I didn't expect that even after you became emperor, Chongba, you still hadn't forgotten!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened, and he clenched his hands, saying, "What are you saying? How could we forget?"

"In our lives, we fear nothing but forgetting our roots!"

"We often tell our children and grandchildren that when the Zhu family fell on hard times, our parents died and we didn't even have a place to be buried. It was the villagers who gave us a meal and a piece of clothing and helped us get by, which is why we are where we are today!"

"You are our benefactors. No matter what, the descendants of the Zhu family must never forget their roots in Taiping Township!"

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned serious, and he glanced sideways at his sons and grandsons.

Zhu Biao, along with his brothers, sons, and nephews, bowed in response.

However, Xu Da and his fellow townsmen and comrades-in-arms, upon witnessing all of this, were deeply moved.

Throughout the imperial court, many people were afraid of the emperor.

Only these people truly understand that the emperor is most sentimental at heart!

But one thing must never be obstructed—

Once her husband started talking, he couldn't stop for a while.

Empress Ma hurriedly instructed the palace maids and eunuchs to bring over all the chairs so that the villagers could sit down and talk, and not get tired from standing.

After they were seated, Zhu Yuanzhang began to chat about everyday matters, mostly concerning livelihoods, such as: "How have the harvests been in Fengyang these past two years? Is there enough summer grain to eat?"

"Did the river embankments built during the floods a few years ago prove effective? Were any fields flooded? Were all the disaster relief grain supplies received?"

"Are all the children in our Guzhuang Village now receiving an education? Are the teachers teaching diligently?"

"In this village, is there anyone who dares to arbitrarily collect taxes? Don't hide anything from us, we'll stand up for you!"

At first, everyone hesitated.

After one person started talking, everyone else began to share their stories.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang gave his eldest grandson a look.

Zhu Xiong Ying immediately understood, took out her notebook, and squatted down to take notes!

Most of what the neighbors said were trivial matters.

If something really happened back in Fengyang, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would definitely report it!

It seems like it's about time.

If they keep talking like this, it could go on for days and nights without ending.

Empress Ma smiled and said, "The servants have prepared the banquet. Let's move to the rear hall and eat and chat!"

The girl spoke up.

Old Zhu, knowing the gravity of the situation, nodded and said, "Today's banquet will include both hometown dishes and Jiangnan cuisine! As for rice wine, the palace will provide plenty!"

"After all, it's been years since we've gotten together with our old buddies; we should have a good drink!"

"Good! Just as Chongba said!"

Amid cheers, everyone moved to the rear hall.

Regardless of social status, seating arrangements are based on age and seniority.

Zhu Biao, Xu Da, and others sat on the side seats, chatting with their neighbors.

As for the younger generation, such as Zhu Xiong Ying, they naturally stayed at the end to keep up!

Let's look at the details.

I know my family back home has a high alcohol tolerance.

Empress Ma had already instructed someone to replace the wine cups with large bowls.

After the servants filled the wine bowls, Old Zhu picked up his bowl, stood up, raised it, and said heartily, "This first bowl is for all of you fellow villagers!"

"Back then, we were desperate and had nowhere to turn. It was your help that brought us to where we are today!"

"Let's drink this bowl of wine!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Old Zhu tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the bowl upside down, not a drop left.

"Let's do it!"

The others all picked up their bowls and drank the water.

Empress Ma then picked up her bowl and said with a smile, "This second bowl is for Chongba, a toast to our fellow villagers!"

"When he first raised his army, it was the villagers who pooled their resources, providing food and their children, that made this force possible. In the early years, we owe even more to the villagers' support—"

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just let me know!"

"I'm not a good drinker, I'll only have half a bowl, everyone please drink as you please!"