The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

North of Kunning Palace, the rear hall.

Humming a little tune, Zhu Xiong Ying returned to her palace and carefully enshrined the Heart-Protecting Mirror.

After all, this object saved Old Zhu's life and is a family heirloom. It might really have some magical properties, so we must treat it with care.

With this matter settled, there was no time to even breathe a sigh of relief.

Lai Shun, holding the gift list on mulberry paper, leaned forward breathlessly and bowed, saying, "Reporting to Your Highness!"

"This is the list of New Year's greeting gifts sent by Her Majesty the Empress. All gifts from the various princes and marquises are listed here. Please take a look, Your Highness!"

Over the years, Prince Qin (Zhu Shuang), Prince Yan (Zhu Di), and other vassal kings, as well as adopted sons of the imperial family such as Mu Ying, have been involved.

During festivals, he would send gifts to Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and his elder brother Zhu Biao to express his gratitude.

At the same time, the gifts given to his eldest nephew, Zhu Xiong Ying, will not be lacking!

That's why.

On the one hand, Zhu Xiong Ying was the eldest grandson of the emperor and the second in line to the throne according to the law of the Ming Dynasty. His status was only after the emperor, empress, and crown prince, and higher than all princes!

Respect for the eldest son and the primogeniture are fundamental to the patriarchal clan system!

Old Zhu is a petty person.

Who would dare forget their beloved grandson? Wouldn't that be disrespecting imperial power and challenging the foundation of the nation?

On the other hand, behind Zhu Xiong Ying lies the power of the top noble families of the Ming Dynasty.

His mother, Lady Chang, was the daughter of Chang Yuchun, the first military general of the founding of the dynasty. His maternal uncles, Lan Yu and Chang Mao, were all core members of the Huaixi military leadership.

Not to mention, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma's love for their eldest grandson was unparalleled...

Inside the palace.

I heard from the elders that they had given gifts again this year.

Zhu Xiong Ying perked up, quickly took the gift list, and went to the candlelight to carefully look through it.

First was his second uncle, Zhu Shuang. The gift list read: "A pair of Lantian jade-carved Qilin paperweights, two three-year-old Qin Chuan fine-bred foals, ten packets of Qin tribute ink, a box of Taohe cordyceps..."

With a quick glance, Zhu Xiong Ying could easily see through it.

At the end of last year, his second uncle was severely reprimanded by Lao Zhu, so today he's showing his survival instincts to the fullest.

The gifts given were mostly local specialties from the fiefdom; no gold, silver, or jewels were sent, but the occasion was still quite grand!

Then came the gift list from his third uncle, Zhu Gang, which included: "One Chengni inkstone from Shanxi, one finely crafted ox horn bow from Datong..."

His third uncle had a very accurate grasp of his preferences!

Knowing that he had practiced riding and archery extensively in the past two years, the items given to him were all military equipment.

When it came to the fourth uncle, Zhu Di, he took care of everything perfectly.

There were two fine horses, a complete set of the "Complete Essentials of Military Strategy," and a set of exquisite saddlery from Beiping...

But from this perspective, it's clear that there's a lot of ulterior motive involved.

It is also hoped that his eldest nephew can become a person of both literary and martial talents!

The gift from his fifth uncle, Zhu Su, caught his eye.

There is a hand-corrected manuscript of "Baosheng Yulu", a box each of Huai yam and Huai rehmannia from Huaiqing Prefecture, and a set of Song Dynasty edition of "Qimin Yaoshu"...

His fifth uncle had always been fond of medicine, and in the territory of the fiefdom, he was able to put his expertise to good use!

Just in time for the university's spring enrollment to begin, the medical school needs a collection of medical books!

Finally, looking at Uncle Mu Ying's gifts, in addition to local Yunnan specialties, there were also exquisite little items such as knives, which showed that a lot of thought had been put into them.

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced through it briefly.

He then handed the gift list to Lai Shun and instructed, "If Grandmother sends someone to deliver them tomorrow, remember to sort them carefully and keep them safe for us!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Shortly after, Zhu Xiong Ying called San Bao and Lai Fu to his side and made arrangements for visiting relatives in the next few days.

……

The next day was the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Early in the morning, after paying respects to the elders in the palace, including Emperor Zhu, Empress Ma, and Biao'er's father, I greeted them.

Under the protection of his attendants, Zhu Xiong Ying rode out of the imperial city in a sedan chair.

The first family to visit during the first month of the lunar year is naturally the residence of my maternal uncles!

When the sedan chair arrived outside Zheng Guofu's mansion, the vermilion gate was already wide open, and the inside and outside were decorated with red ribbons and colorful decorations.

The eldest uncle, Chang Mao, along with the second uncle, Chang Sheng, the third uncle, Chang Sen, and the rest of the family, were already waiting to greet them.

"Your Highness, we respectfully welcome you!"

"Uncle, no need for formalities! Your nephew wishes you a Happy New Year!"

Facing her uncles, Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and quickly stepped forward to help them up one by one.

After entering the mansion, he paid his respects to all his maternal aunts.

When it was time to leave the mansion, his eldest uncle, second uncle, and third uncle were all extremely polite!

They insisted on stuffing a box containing gold and silver jewelry into his nephew's arms.

In reality, the concept of "lucky money" is not yet standardized.

However, in ordinary people's lives, giving gifts to younger generations is a matter of course!

Zhu Xiong Ying was willing to visit relatives because she intended to save more "secret money"!

Upon seeing what his uncle was offering, he politely declined briefly before accepting it.

Next, the second family to pay New Year's visits, according to the degree of kinship, was the residence of the Marquis of Yongchang.

His maternal uncle, Lan Yu, knew he was coming and was very polite!

A large banquet was prepared in advance.

They also knew he was obsessed with military strategy books and lacked funds to build a university.

Before leaving, he simply waved his hand and forced a box of silver ingots and a box of books onto the sedan chair, and no one could stop him!

He will remember this kindness and will be promoted to a great general in the future!

On the fourth and fifth days of the Lunar New Year, Zhu Xiong Ying visited the residences of the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Xin to pay New Year's greetings to Xu Da and Tang He.

Old Xu and Old Tang truly treated him, their grandson, like family, showing him the utmost respect and courtesy!

On the sixth day, they went to the residence of the Marquis of Liu'an.

Marquis Wang Zhi of Liu'an was one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi and a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty!

They were also among the first to lead their local militia to join Zhu Yuanzhang.

He participated in the Battle of Poyang Lake and the Battle of Yunnan, and has a distinguished record of military exploits!

The total area of ​​the mansion is still not comparable to that of the Duke's mansion.

Wang Zhi fell ill two years ago and returned to the capital from the southwest to recuperate.

However, in the later years of the Hongwu reign, four years after Wang Zhi's death, along with Li Shanchang's family being confiscated and exterminated, he was also posthumously labeled as a member of the Hu faction!

But in this life, he, the eldest grandson of the emperor, is alive, and Empress Ma is alive.

Several months ago, taking advantage of the prestige of the grain theft case, Old Zhu killed Li Shanchang and his relatives and friends.

As for Wang Zhi, the Marquis of Liu'an, Tang Shengzong, the Marquis of Yan'an, Fei Ju, the Marquis of Pingliang, Zheng Yuchun, the Marquis of Yingyang, and other generals in Huaixi, they showed some leniency and did not investigate further!

Otherwise, how could these people survive the New Year?

Wang Zhi is also a smart man.

I know the Wang family is no match for the Xu, Lan, Chang, and other imperial relatives.

In recent years, the emperor has also used the pretext of the Hu faction to carry out mass killings.

Fortunately, they've kept a low profile all these years!

When he learned that the eldest grandson of the emperor had come to pay New Year's respects, he was also somewhat surprised. He immediately led his entire family to wait in front of the mansion gate.

As soon as the sedan chair stopped, he immediately performed a grand salute and bowed, saying, "This old minister, along with my entire family, young and old, respectfully welcomes His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live Your Highness!"

Looking at the Ming Dynasty general, who was over sixty years old and already had a full head of white hair.

Over the years, I've clearly lived in constant fear and anxiety...

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly helped him up, saying with concern, "Grandpa Wang, please get up! Don't be so polite!"

Hearing the eldest grandson of the Ming Emperor, the grandson of the old general Chang Yuchun, call out "Grandpa Wang".

Wang Zhi burst into tears.

As a general in Huaixi, I feel that all the hardships and toil I have endured in this life have been worthwhile!