The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Hearing his wife's praise, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Of course! Our grandson is not only a treasure bestowed by Heaven, but also the apple of our eye!"

"This time, you saved so many people; your contribution is truly remarkable! Tell me, sister, what should we reward you with?"

Empress Ma said, half-jokingly, half-remarkably, "Since Chongba dotes on Xiong Ying so much, why not make him the Crown Prince in a couple of years?"

"Anyway, given U.A.'s status, we can't make him a king, and we can't let this child suffer..."

Generally speaking, a grandson is only appointed as crown prince after the death of the crown prince!

However, there are a few exceptions.

For example, in his later years, Emperor Gaozong of Tang made an exception and appointed Li Chongzhao as the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) of the Ming Dynasty, while his son Zhu Gaochi was still alive, appointed his beloved grandson Zhu Zhanji as the heir apparent!

These appointments were mostly based on personal preference.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then said, "We've had that thought too, but as you said, Xiong Ying is still young; we'll have to wait a few more years!"

"When they grow up, they can help us and Biao'er lighten our burden and manage state affairs from the sidelines..."

When it comes to matters of state...

Old Zhu then thought of the issue of paper money that his beloved grandson had mentioned in the Hall of Literary Glory, and proposed a different solution.

Regardless of whether other suggestions are feasible.

Regarding matters concerning maritime trade, the eldest grandson intends to expand and liberalize...

From this perspective alone, in the eyes of his grandfather, the emperor.

This is a warning sign!

I can't help but wonder if someone is instigating this?

Therefore, about half an hour ago, after Dai Sigong reported his departure, he specifically summoned the Imperial Guards to investigate.

As for building a navy to solve the problem of Japanese pirates once and for all, it wasn't that he didn't want to!

It's truly a case of having the will but lacking the ability!

Besides the lack of funds in the national treasury, there was also the war in the north.

Thinking of this, and considering that my old in-law Xu Da left Beiping, I wonder if the fourth brother can withstand the pressure alone.

She noticed that her husband was lost in thought as he spoke.

Empress Ma's phoenix eyes flickered, and she asked curiously, "Chongba, what are you thinking about?"

Not wanting his wife to worry, Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject, saying, "It's nothing!"

"I was just thinking, that letter we wrote to Lao Si and the others a month ago should have arrived by now!"

"In a few months, our grandson Gaochi will arrive in the capital. I remember when he first left the capital, he was so small. I wonder if he's changed much, and whether he'll get along with Xiong Ying?"

Thinking back to last time.

For the sake of his younger brother Zhu Yunwen, the eldest grandson beat up Zhu Gui, causing his sworn sister Guo to be terrified.

Empress Ma said, "Biao'er is the eldest of all the princes!"

"Xiongying is the eldest among all the imperial grandsons!"

"I'm sure I can be just like Biao'er, protecting all my younger brothers and sisters and preventing them from suffering!"

……

Beiping, the Prince of Yan's Mansion.

Since Xu Da went south to the capital last autumn and Prince Yan Zhu Di took over the defense, he has been extremely busy.

By March, everything was finally arranged.

Unexpectedly, when Guo Huan's case came to light, all the principal officials of the Beiping Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Surveillance Commission, including Li Yu and Zhao Quande, were implicated.

Later, they were all captured by the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Suddenly, all the prefectures under the Beiping Provincial Administration Commission, including Beiping Prefecture, Baoding Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, Zhengding Prefecture, Shunde Prefecture, Guangping Prefecture, Daming Prefecture, and Yongping Prefecture, were plunged into a state of leaderlessness!

This directly led to a disruption in the supply of provisions needed by the northern army...

As a garrison prince, Zhu Di, after receiving the imperial decree, was responsible for both apprehending the wanted criminal and overseeing military and political affairs.

But deep down, he was worried that his father would blame him!

As expected, ten days ago, according to a letter from the capital, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty did indeed criticize him at the court meeting. It was only thanks to his elder brother Zhu Biao's protection that he was not punished in the end!

That night, in the study.

Zhu Di sat at his desk, reading through several letters sent from Yingtian Prefecture.

In the candlelight, one could see that this Prince of Yan was only twenty-five years old, with a majestic appearance, a beard, a plain gauze undergarment, and a round-necked, narrow-sleeved long robe.

He sat there quietly, exuding an aura of imposing heroism!

After setting down the letter from the Duke of Wei's residence, he stroked his beard and pondered, "My father-in-law's condition is much better than last year!"

"As Yun Gong said, we owe it all to our nephew!"

Not only he, but all the soldiers in the north were concerned about his father-in-law's current situation.

Only when people are healthy can they feel at ease!

I remember my nephew, Zhu Xiong Ying.

A face appeared in Zhu Di's mind.

That was the child who often needed to be held by his fourth uncle when they were in the capital!

Since I was enfeoffed in Beiping, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Even Gao Chi is eight years old!

dong dong!

As the young and promising Zhu Di was reflecting on his experiences, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Immediately afterwards, Princess Xu's voice reached their ears.

"Your Highness, I've prepared a midnight snack for you!"

He saw that it was his wife.

Zhu Di said, "Come in, it's so late, I shouldn't have troubled you!"

"I originally planned to finish up the trivial matters at hand and rest early, because I have to inspect the military camp early tomorrow morning..."

"Hmph, those remnants of the Yuan dynasty invaded the border not long after spring began. One day, we will wipe them out completely!"

As his wife entered, Zhu Di's grumbling subsided somewhat.

Xu was a virtuous wife and loving mother. After opening the food box, she brought out the midnight snack and waited quietly by her side.

"Your Highness, please eat it while it's hot! It'll get cold if you leave it any longer!"

"good!"

Zhu Di finished his drink in a few gulps, looked at his wife, and said with a smile, "I forgot to tell you some good news!"

"My father-in-law has almost fully recovered in the past two months, and he is currently serving in the Ministry of War..."

"Of all this, my nephew deserves the most credit!"

The eldest grandson of the emperor?

Upon hearing this, Xu's beautiful face showed a slight surprise.

When she was in the capital, she also met her nephew Zhu Xiong Ying, who was only four years older than her eldest son Zhu Gao Chi!

Zhu Di picked up the letter and repeated some of its contents.

Knowing the details, I also saw the praise from the eldest brother, Xu Yungong.

Madam Xu placed the empty bowl back into the food box and said, "Your Highness! Since the eldest grandson of the Emperor has been so kind to our family, we must express our sincere gratitude!"

Zhu Di took his wife's hand and said, "We've been thinking the same thing. Tell me, what would be a good gift for our nephew?"

Madam Xu's beautiful eyes were full of thought as she said, "Your Highness, the eldest grandson of the Emperor is currently studying. Perhaps we could find some of his treasured books?"

"That's not advisable! My elder brother studied under a great Confucian scholar in the Eastern Palace, where there are countless books. Why would our nephew have to worry about not having enough to read?"

"How about a famous sword?"

"That's too vulgar! We've made similar offerings to Father Emperor in the past few years... Given Father Emperor's favor, what wouldn't our nephew want?"

During the discussion between the husband and wife.

Zhu Di rejected all of Xu's proposals.

Completely at a loss, the fourth prince, the Prince of Yan of the Ming Dynasty, simply unfolded a piece of paper and wrote a personal letter to his eldest nephew.

After expressing his gratitude, he wrote, "Nephew, whatever you want, your fourth uncle has it here. Take it!"

"Let's wait two years, until we return to Beijing, then we, uncle and nephew, can have a proper get-together!"