The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The Huitong Hall was located in the southwest of the Imperial City, outside the West Chang'an Gate.

The Great Ming Code states: "From the capital to all directions, there are post stations. In the capital, they are called Huitongguan, and in other places they are called Shuimayi and Dushisuo."

However, during the Hongwu era, because the capital was located in Yingtian Prefecture, only guesthouses were set up, and no post stations were established.

Normally, this place is used to receive people who come to Beijing on official business.

As for the present moment, it is because the scholars who have passed the imperial examinations are holding a banquet here.

Tables and chairs had been set up early in the main hall and the east and west wings.

Moreover, its large area can easily accommodate more than 500 people.

The hour of Wei (1-3 PM) is approaching.

Inside the hall, the newly appointed scholars had already gathered, their faces beaming with the joy of passing the imperial examination.

Congratulations, Brother Huang!

Congratulations to you both!

After exchanging greetings, many scholars went together to pay their respects to high-ranking officials such as Zhao Mao, the Minister of Rites.

This way, they could become familiar with each other and pave the way for their future careers.

But in the main hall, Zhao Mao sat in a grand chair, his face pale, filled with worry and unease.

He was giving perfunctory treatment to the scholars who came to see him.

He spoke in hushed tones with Zhu Shan, Grand Master of the Imperial Academy and Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Xue Chengyu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Gu Yuncheng, Academician of the Hanlin Academy, and Xiao Yizhi, Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

The top scholar, Ding Xian, led the scholars down first.

It was finally much quieter.

Gu Yuncheng, speaking with a strong Jiangxi accent, stroked his long beard and chuckled, "I noticed that Minister Zhao doesn't look too well. Is he unwell?"

Of the successful candidates I saw on the list today, forty-seven were from my hometown, accounting for a tenth of the total!

Even Lian Zining, the second-place scholar, was from Linjiang Prefecture in Jiangxi!

These young people are truly formidable!

This Scholar Gu, sharing both honor and disgrace, naturally spoke in a cheerful tone.

However, he deliberately asked this question on this occasion because he had long held the official in low esteem and wanted to use it as a way to mock him…

In the Ming Dynasty, officials addressed each other primarily by their official titles.

Zhao Mao squinted his small, beady eyes, glancing down at the person below, then out of the corner of his eye, he swept his gaze over the scholar Zhu Shan, who was resting with his eyes closed. He then said in a hoarse voice, "I apologize for making a fool of myself, Scholar Gu!"

"I, Zhao, slept late last night, which is why I'm unwell! You, on the other hand, are quite relaxed!"

With just a few words, they revealed a sharp and confrontational stance.

"you!"

Just as Gu Yuncheng was about to say something...

A minor official rushed in, cupped his hands, and said, "Gentlemen, His Highness the Crown Prince's eldest grandson has arrived outside the reception hall, as ordered by His Majesty!"

The eldest grandson of the emperor?

Everyone's expression changed, and they were all somewhat surprised.

On the contrary, Zhu Shan, who was over seventy years old, had a sharp glint in his eyes. He leaned on the armrest and stood up, saying, "Minister Zhao, and everyone else, now that His Highness has arrived, let's go and greet him together!"

"But as Zhu Gong said!!"

When all the officials and all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations went outside to greet them.

Under the protection of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Xiong Ying had already alighted from the sedan chair and was looking around at his surroundings.

Before long, an old man, trembling and unsteady, appeared before us.

Oh, it's an old acquaintance!

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stepped forward to help him up, bowing and saying, "Mr. Zhu, you're here too! Xiong Ying greets Mr. Zhu!"

This person was none other than Zhu Shan.

First place in the imperial examination of the eighth year of the Hongwu reign!

He is also a leading scholar of classical studies in our time!

Old Zhu respected him the most!

Whenever they had free time, they would take him to the palace for a chat.

We cannot afford to be negligent.

In recent years, Zhu Shan has given many lectures at Dabentang.

He was deeply impressed by the intelligence and talent of the eldest grandson of the emperor, and quickly helped him up, saying, "Your Highness, please rise. You've made this old minister too proud!"

After straightening up, Zhu Xiong Ying continued to support Zhu Shan, smiling as she said, "You are an elder, and even more so, a teacher. It is only right that Xiong Ying pays her respects!"

These words were spoken.

Led by Zhao Mao, the Minister of Rites, they all paid their respects.

"Your subject pays respects to His Highness the Imperial Grandson!"

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, respectfully welcome His Highness the Imperial Grandson!"

Seeing the sea of ​​heads, Zhu Xiong Ying maintained a smile and, imitating Biao'er's father, nodded and helped them up.

But when he looked at Zhao Mao, who was sweating profusely, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Guo Huan is already in prison, and this Minister of Rites will likely be beheaded soon!

In your next life, may you be reborn as a good person!

After being ushered into the main hall, they helped the old man, Zhu Shan, to sit down.

Zhu Xiong Ying had his servants fetch the list, pointed to the names, and said bluntly, "Bring in the three top-ranked officials, along with Wang Quan, Jian Rong, Zheng Ci, Deng Wenkeng, Hou Yong...!"

These people, excluding the top three.

The rest of the crowd were seemingly lucky individuals chosen at random.

In fact, they are all people whose names are recorded in historical records.

The advantage of being familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty is that it can save time, allowing for the rapid selection of relevant information and its appropriate placement.

As the saying goes: If you use people's strengths, there will be no one in the world who cannot be used. If you use people's weaknesses, there will be no one in the world who can be used.

Even Huang Zicheng, though ambitious but lacking in practical skills, was upright, outspoken, and of noble character.

If they are sent down to the grassroots level in the future and given some experience, they might become a good tool!

After a short while, a dozen or so successful candidates were invited in and bowed again.

Zhu Xiong Ying rose and walked over to them, scrutinizing each face. He reached out to help them up and encouraged them, saying, "You are all outstanding scholars of this year's imperial examinations, and His Majesty greatly appreciates you!"

"I hope you will live up to the Emperor's grace, be loyal to the court above and have compassion for the people below! When you become officials in the future, you must remain honest and upright and fear the law..."

Such words.

Especially the added advantage of being the eldest grandson of the emperor.

This thrilled all the scholars!

After all, in that historical context, imperial power was always the supreme authority.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty and obtained the country legitimately, a feat unmatched by anyone else!

Who among the people of the world does not revere him?

Even later, nearly thirty years after the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Wu Sangui and others launched the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, all under the banner of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming.

Wait until the banquet begins.

First came the main courses: steamed chicken with five flavors, steamed sea bass...

Later came cold shredded vegetables, tofu soup...

Many people were distracted and barely touched their chopsticks.

Zhu Xiong Ying, who was seated at the main table, got down to business and focused on drinking!

He was in the palace with Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. Usually, he had at most four dishes and a soup, which was very simple and practical. How could he have such a sumptuous meal?

On the contrary, these officials are all fat and bloated, obviously they often eat meat and fish.

He wants to criticize it harshly!

I couldn't resist eating another chicken leg.

When I was about 70% full, I looked at the table and saw that there was still more than half left.

Zhu Xiong Ying put down her chopsticks, unwilling to waste the food.

He found some serving chopsticks, picked out a boneless piece of fish for Zhu Shan, and said, "Mr. Zhu, please eat more!"

Zhu Shan immediately accepted it, saying, "This old minister thanks Your Highness!"

Then, the scholars who had been summoned earlier were summoned, and each of them was given a dish.

Not only did it boost his popularity, but it also achieved the CD mission.

Most of the officials were stunned...

Sincerely, no one has ever held a banquet like this before.

However, the great Confucian scholar Zhu Shan and other scholars such as Wang Quan saw something different!

His Highness, the eldest grandson of the Emperor, practices frugality, respects the virtuous and loves scholars, and is kind and generous...

Even the ancient sage kings like Yu the Great were frugal with their food and Emperor Wen were stingy with gold.

That evening.

Thanks to a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly learned of everything that had happened at the meeting place.

Seeing this, Old Zhu couldn't help but feel touched and gratified.

All those stories about the hardships of begging weren't told in vain!

Our grandson listened to that!

But seeing the scholars his grandson was associating with, he couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Are these the pillars of our grandson?"

Is there a monarchy?

The character "Quan" doesn't sound good; it seems too mercenary. It would be better to change it to "Wang Pu"!

……

In the blink of an eye, several days have passed.

Guo Huan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, has been arrested for six days.

At first, everyone thought it was just a regular embezzlement case.

However, it wasn't until the tenth day of the third month that Zhao Mao, the Minister of Rites, and Wang Huidi, the Minister of Justice, were imprisoned one after another.

The officials, both civil and military, then realized: Oh no, this has blown up big time!