The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 113 Zhu Xiong Ying: Please address my maternal uncle as Your Highness!

After Empress Ma toasted the elders and villagers, it was the Crown Prince's turn to go according to seniority.

Zhu Biao picked up the wine bowl, bowed, and said, "Elders, our father often taught us that the Zhu family's roots are in Haozhou, in Taiping Township—"

On behalf of the entire Crown Prince's family, I extend my respects to all the elders! May you all enjoy good health and happiness for your families!

When Old Zhu's eldest son finished drinking, everyone clapped and cheered.

After Zhu Biao took his seat, other relatives also stood up.

When it was Zhu Xiong Ying's turn, he spoke a string of auspicious words!

Listening to Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and others, everyone beamed with joy!

Before we knew it, it was afternoon.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Old Man Tian looked at the remaining half-eaten plate of flatbread, meat dishes, and cold dishes, cleared his throat, and asked, "Zhongba!"

"Since we can't finish this, why don't we take it with us and eat it tonight?"

He paused for a moment, then chuckled, "After all, I've been hungry before, and I can't stand wasting food! It would be such a waste to throw it away—"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry at all. Instead, his eyes reddened as he said, "That's right. Back in Taiping Township, we had to share even half a bran cake. Who hasn't experienced the feeling of hunger?"

"Now that life is better, we mustn't forget the suffering we endured and waste food!"

Empress Ma, with her meticulous mind and virtuous character, quickly instructed the palace maids and eunuchs, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and pack the remaining wine and dishes into clean food boxes!"

"When the villagers leave the palace, send them all over there; they can be used as a late-night snack! If that's not enough, have the imperial kitchen prepare some more home-style dishes—"

Upon hearing this, the fellow villagers from Haozhou were deeply moved and repeatedly expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Chongba, and thank you to Chongba's wife! Entering the palace today has truly been a great trouble!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression turned serious, and he feigned anger, saying, "You're all family, why are you speaking like family? Let's not be so formal!"

"If there's anything else, just tell us!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Old Man Li, who was sitting in front and was also Old Zhu's childhood friend who herded cattle with him, grinned and said, revealing his big yellow teeth, "To be honest, Chongba!"

"We're getting old. Once we go back to our hometown, it will probably be difficult for us to come to Beijing again!"

"But today, having entered the palace, I haven't had enough of these grand buildings—"

Once a word is spoken, it is done.

Immediately, many voices echoed this sentiment.

With the imperial city being so vast, how could one possibly explore it all in just one or two hours?

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his arm and laughed, "Old friend, what do you think this is? It's not difficult at all!"

"Tomorrow, I'll personally take you all on a proper tour of the Imperial City! Places like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Literary Glory, the Imperial Garden, and the Hall of Literary Glory—whichever you'd like to see, we'll go there."

"We're all family, so don't complain about the hassle. Why all the complicated rules? I guarantee you'll see plenty!"

Upon hearing this, the banquet hall erupted in chaos.

Even Xu Da and the others were somewhat surprised.

These fellow townsmen and comrades-in-arms all knew that the emperor was so devoted to his duties that he couldn't even bear to take a half-day off!

I'm willing to spend the whole day with my fellow villagers tomorrow!

Which emperor throughout history could match this friendship?

The banquet ended, and it was getting late.

Zhu Yuanzhang beckoned, and Zhu Biao and his son Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stepped forward.

Old Zhu then instructed, "Biao'er and Da Sun, you two personally escort the villagers to the Meridian Gate, watch them get into their carriages, and then return!"

"Remember to instruct your subordinates to take good care of the elders!"

"Your son (grandson) obeys!"

He looked at his eldest son and grandson, as well as Xu Da and others, and together they stepped out of the palace gate.

Empress Ma smiled and said, "Zhu Ba, look, all the villagers have come. You've finally fulfilled one of your wishes!"

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a sense of satisfaction and murmured, "Yes, those who suffered alongside me back then are now able to sit with me and enjoy a peaceful meal. It's not easy!"

"In our lives, there are two kinds of people we absolutely cannot let down: the brothers who fought alongside us to build this empire, and the elders of Taiping Township who helped us!"

The next day.

As soon as the court assembly ended, Zhu Yuanzhang changed into a loose-fitting casual outfit and then led his children and grandchildren to the Fengtian Hall.

Wang Wenzhi and his entourage, who entered the palace yesterday, have all arrived.

After exchanging greetings, Old Zhu led everyone on a stroll as if he were visiting his own home.

Zhu Xiong Ying followed beside her, supporting the elderly person.

They continued on their way and arrived at the Fengtian Hall. They went straight to the dragon throne, looked around, and were amazed.

Some couldn't help but sigh, "Back then, we were herding cattle together in the mountains. Who would have thought that Zhuge Liang would live in such a magnificent place and govern the affairs of the world!"

Old Zhu, his vanity satisfied, straightened his beard, pointed to the chair, and laughed, "We owe our success today half to ourselves and half to the villagers!"

"Like this chair, it looks impressive, but when you actually sit on it, you think about the lives of all the people in the world!"

"Please feel free to sit wherever you like today—"

Upon hearing these words...

Tian Laohan and a few of his childhood friends actually sat down and tried it out.

Seeing this, Old Zhu helped them up while laughing loudly.

Zhu Xiong Ying was close by and could feel his grandfather's joy, which was truly from the bottom of his heart!

Upon arriving at the back garden, pointing to the flowers, plants, and trees, Zhu Yuanzhang said with a look of reminiscence, "Look, these locust trees were specially moved here from Taiping Township by us. Looking at these trees reminds me of my hometown, and that makes me feel at peace!"

"As for these days, let Da Sun, Chun'er, and the others accompany you to explore Yingtian City, visit the Imperial Academy, and witness the prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty—since you've come all this way, you must see it to your heart's content!"

Three days later.

A light rain began to fall in the capital city.

After attending school in the morning, Zhu Xiong Ying did not leave the palace but instead strolled around with a group of villagers.

The reason is that there are several imperial uncles here today —

After leaving the main hall, he went straight to the Hall of Literary Glory.

I plan to ask Zhu De for permission to visit the university in three to five days to check on the progress of military equipment improvement!

They also met with Luo Guanzhong and others to see how the plays and novels used for propaganda were progressing!

But just as they turned the corner, before they even reached the palace gate, they ran into several people.

That tall, burly man was none other than my maternal uncle, Lan Yu.

He was wearing armor and looked travel-worn, indicating that he had just arrived in the capital and hadn't had time to go back to his residence to change clothes before going directly to the palace!

Lan Yu looked anxious and walked hurriedly. When she looked up, she also noticed the eldest grandson of the emperor.

His eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed, saying, "Your subject greets the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced at him, offered a perfunctory gesture of support, and nodded, saying, "Uncle, please don't stand on ceremony!"

Before Lan Yu could speak further, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression turned serious. He gave the eunuch a look and went straight to the point: "We have two things to say to Marquis Yongchang!"

Seeing the eldest grandson's signal, the attendant leading the way immediately understood and quickly retreated to a distance.

Lan Yu saw this.

Thinking back to the admonitions his grand-nephew gave him last winter!

And now that I have committed this crime, I cannot help but feel ashamed and conflicted.