The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

"You, Prince Qin, are my second son. You were first enfeoffed as the Prince of Qin, residing in the strategically important Guanzhong region, and are the head of all the vassal states. My hope is that you will respect Heaven and our ancestors, love the people and treat scholars with courtesy, carefully guard your fiefdom, and set an example for all your brothers."

"Who would have thought that since you took up your post, you have been muddle-headed and dissolute, neglecting state affairs, overstepping your bounds, and abusing the military and civilians. You have also indulged in drinking and wanton killings, and indiscriminately punished the innocent. Furthermore, you have neglected border affairs and completely forgotten your responsibility as a bulwark of the frontier."

"What is the intention behind these actions? What is the principle behind them? What is the loyalty behind them?"

Hearing the first few sentences, he cursed them mercilessly.

Zhu Shuang knelt down on the ground, trembling, and closed his eyes.

I didn't dare to breathe.

Judging from his father's tone, he's finished this time!

Could it be that he will be stripped of his title, reduced to a commoner, and imprisoned for life?

Back then, my cousin Zhu Wenzheng was imprisoned by our father until his death for committing a crime!

Once his father hardens his heart, how can he escape unscathed?

Sure enough, the following words were even harsher.

Zhu Shuang was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat from head to toe!

I'm completely chilled to the bone!

"The officials of the Prince's Palace are responsible for guiding the Prince and correcting his mistakes, not for flattering him, aiding him in his wrongdoings, or aiding his wicked schemes. I have ordered the Ministry of Justice to arrest all the ringleaders and behead them as a warning to the world!"

"Given the King of Qin's crimes, stripping him of his royal title, imprisoning him within high walls, or even ordering his execution would not be excessive! I have spent many sleepless nights, my heart aching with grief!"

"However, Crown Prince Biao, your elder brother, with whom I share a deep brotherly bond, has repeatedly wept before me, pleading and exhorting you, saying that you are young and ignorant, and have just been granted your fiefdom, hoping that I will give you a path to reform."

"Furthermore, there is the eldest grandson of the Emperor, Xiong Ying, who serves me day and night. When he sees me angry, he kneels before the steps, kowtowing in a childish voice, saying that his second uncle is innocent and begging his grandfather to calm down and not punish him. These are the innocent words of a child, spoken from the bottom of his heart, a testament to the bond of blood. How can I remain unmoved?"

"Today, considering the earnest feelings of the Crown Prince and the eldest grandson, and also considering that you are my own son, I will grant you a lenient sentence: Your title of prince will not be revoked for the time being. Your annual salary will be reduced by 30% as punishment for your transgression. From this day forward, you shall remain in your princely residence to reflect on your actions, record your faults daily, and submit them to me monthly. You must repent and reform your ways."

"If you remain obstinate and incorrigible, and commit the slightest offense again, I will rescind all previous favors! The laws of the Ming Dynasty show no favoritism; I urge you to heed this!!"

Our big brother?

My nephew?

Upon hearing the rest, Zhu Shuang's soul seemed to float away.

Upon learning that his elder brother Zhu Biao and nephew Zhu Xiong Ying had both pleaded for him, he felt a lump in his throat and tears streamed down his face.

When things come to a head, only my eldest brother and nephew can be relied upon!

That's exactly what he did; the kindness shown to him was something he would remember for a lifetime!

When the eunuch read out the words "By Imperial Decree," he felt as if he had just escaped death.

Zhu Shuang seemed to awaken from a dream, and with a sob in his voice, he kowtowed heavily, saying, "Your subject Zhu Shuang accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Even after receiving the imperial edict from the Ming Emperor, his hands still trembled uncontrollably.

A moment later, the messenger took his leave.

Zhu Shuang placed the imperial edict on the table, dismissed his attendants, picked up a glass of cold tea, and took a sip.

His mind finally calmed down, and he sighed.

"In the end, it's still thanks to my elder brother and nephew Xiong Ying; otherwise, this time, I'm afraid we wouldn't have escaped this calamity. Last time, my nephew was short of money, so we should have given him more..."

Same as the end of the twelfth lunar month.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, residing in Taiyuan; Prince Zhu Su of Wu, residing in Kaifeng; Prince Zhu Fu of Qi, residing in Qingzhou…

All the vassal kings received the imperial edict!

The warning was palpable!

……

The last day of the eighteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

On New Year's Eve, in Yingtian Prefecture.

The Zuo Zhuan states: "The most important affairs of the state are sacrifice and war."

Therefore, the year-end sacrificial ceremonies held on this day are of paramount importance to the court and the people!

Early in the morning, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty led his Crown Prince Zhu Biao, his eldest grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, and other princes and grandsons in the capital to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to hold the year-end sacrifice and pay tribute to the ancestors of the Zhu family!

The "Xuji" here comes from the Guliang Commentary, one of the three commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals. It was a grand joint sacrifice held by the ancient emperors and feudal lords at the ancestral temple, where the spirit tablets of their ancestors, both near and far, were gathered!

It was quite popular as early as the Shang Dynasty!

During the Han Dynasty, the New Year's Eve feast was held every three years, and it took place in the tenth month of winter.

During the Ming Dynasty, the same ancestral sacrifice was held every three years, usually at the end of the year.

That said, this was Zhu Xiong Ying's first time participating in the Xia sacrifice since he transmigrated.

The sacrificial offerings were still the Tai Lao, which consisted of three sacrificial animals: a cow, a sheep, and a pig, accompanied by wine and other delicacies.

The sacrificial ceremony here has concluded.

There were also the Five Sacrifices held in the Inner Court, and the Imperial Kitchen was used by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the Court of Imperial Courts to worship the Kitchen God, as well as the gods of the gate, doors, well, and central pavilion (house god)...

These five sacrificial rites are basically not much different from the New Year's Eve customs in rural areas in later generations!

is the day.

Family banquets were also held in the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace.

Those present included Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma Xiuying, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Crown Princess Lü, the eldest grandson of the emperor Zhu Xiong Ying, and the princes and grandsons of the emperor who were in Beijing.

However, this year, the eldest sons of many princes have come to the capital, and several princes have also gotten married.

There are naturally many more people than last year!

As the time for the family banquet approached.

And then we saw Old Zhu and Empress Ma step in.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao greeted everyone and together they bowed deeply, saying, "Your subject, along with my brothers and grandsons, bids farewell to our father and mother for the New Year! May our father and mother enjoy good health and longevity in the coming year! May our Great Ming Dynasty be forever secure and prosperous, with bountiful harvests year after year!"

Following closely behind, Zhu Xiong Ying and the others began to offer their congratulations in a flurry of voices.

"Hahaha! Great!"

Old Zhu laughed heartily.

After agreeing with Empress Ma, they took their seats together in the main seat.

After this New Year's greeting and bowing ceremony, one stands up and, according to seniority, toasts to the two closest relatives.

First, Biao'er's father and Lady Lü stepped forward, followed by the princes.

When it came to the imperial grandsons...

Zhu Xiong Ying was the first to step forward.

He first straightened his clothes, then took two steps forward, knelt down on both knees, and performed a deep bow.

Then he rose, took the silver cup filled with wine from the eunuch, presented it with both hands, and raised it above his head.

"On this Lunar New Year's Eve, as we bid farewell to the old year, your grandson respectfully wishes Grandpa and Grandma good health, longevity, and a peaceful and carefree new year..."

As soon as Zhu Xiong Ying uttered these auspicious words, everyone was humbled and submitted.

Even Biao's father kept glancing at them.

Empress Ma listened with a constant smile.

Old Zhu stroked his long beard, unable to suppress a chuckle, and interrupted with a laugh, "Very well! Your great-grandmother and I accept your grandson's blessing!"

"Let's drink this glass of wine too!"

"Get up quickly, the ground is cold..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was a generous and forthright man. He took the silver cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Empress Ma symbolically took a small sip, handed the silver cup to the eunuch, gently stroked her beloved grandson's arm, and spoke many kind words.

Zhu Xiong Ying bowed and thanked him before returning to his seat.

When it was Zhu Yunwen's and Zhu Gaochi's turn, these two young brothers also spoke eloquently, spouting auspicious words everywhere!

He suddenly felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy!

After the banquet began and several rounds of drinks had been served, the banquet was over.

Unexpectedly, at Empress Ma's signal, a eunuch brought over a large pot of Pearl Jade White Jade Soup.

In a large white porcelain bowl, tender tofu and green vegetable leaves float on the clear soup, without a trace of oil.

Empress Ma glanced at her husband, pointed to the bowl of soup, and facing the princes and grandsons, said, "Everyone must have a sip of this soup!"

"Back then, your father and grandfather were destitute in Haozhou, suffering from hunger and cold. They survived only thanks to a kind person who gave them half a bowl of leftover tofu soup!"

"I had it brought out on New Year's Eve, not just to save money, but to remind you where our family's wealth comes from!"