Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Yingtian Prefecture, west of Jubao Gate.

This area is adjacent to the Confucius Temple and is densely populated. It has always been a place where scholars gather and frequent.

The residence of Korean official Lee Seon-jang was located here, attracting many officials and nobles to establish their own residences here.

On a summer night, the mist from the Qinhuai River dispelled the sweltering heat. Li Shanchang sat in the pavilion, his expression grave. This was the first time the Duke of Han, the first of the six founding dukes of the Ming Dynasty, had felt fear, right here in the Qianqing Palace.

"Korean Duke"

"Over at Lan Yu's place..."

Hu Weiyong couldn't sit still any longer and asked.

"So many people have asked you to inquire about this."

Li Shanchang picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"There are Marquis Lu Zhongheng of Ji'an, Marquis Tang Shengzong of Yan'an, Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang, Marquis Zhao Yong of Nanxiong, Marquis Zheng Yuchun of Xingyang, and Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia."

While observing Li Shanchang's expression, Hu Weiyong spoke cautiously.

"These people are all among the twenty-four generals of Huaixi."

"It seems you are more popular with the people of Huaixi Xungui than I am."

"I wouldn't dare!"

Hu Weiyong trembled with fear at Li Shanchang's words.

"Even after Zhu Liangzu was exiled to Lingnan, he still wouldn't settle down."

"He didn't come to plead for Lan Yu; he probably wants to ask about the Prince of Yan."

"And Lu Zhongheng and the others, on the surface they are pleading for Lan Yu, but in reality they are trying to find out His Majesty's opinion."

Li Shanchang looked at Hu Weiyong with his cloudy old eyes and spoke calmly.

"The South Korean public has keen insight."

Hu Weiyong became increasingly humble, daring not to hide anything from Li Shanchang.

"The Prince of Yan's presence with the army was a deliberate act by His Majesty and the Duke of Wei."

"It is good for him to be stationed in Beiping in the future and to command all military affairs."

"Lan Yu's actions on this trip have touched His Majesty's sore spot, and punishment is inevitable."

"Don't even mention that he's the Crown Princess's maternal uncle; even if he were the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, it wouldn't matter."

Li Shanchang said quietly, "I am over sixty years old. I have already sold my face to His Majesty once, and I don't want to sell it again."

"Korean Duke!"

Hu Weiyong's expression changed drastically. He was about to step forward to persuade him when he saw Li Shanchang raise his hand, and he immediately stopped talking.

Li Shanchang stood up, turned his back to him, looked up at the bright moon, and said in a deep voice, "The Li family is large and cannot withstand the storms."

"Go and tell Lu Zhongheng and the others that the matter of the vassal king being sent to guard the frontier and leading troops cannot be changed."

"If they continue to oppose His Majesty, the imperial edict will not protect the lives of their entire family."

"The matter of the Prince of Yan is for Lan Yu and Zhu Liangzu to figure out; what does it have to do with them!"

"That's His Majesty's eldest son, the son-in-law of the Duke of Wei. Let them carefully consider how much weight they have to bear."

"It's getting late, I need to rest."

"Yes."

Hu Weiyong noticed the change in Li Shanchang's attitude and dared not linger any longer, so he turned around and left the Han State residence.

"Father."

Lee Ki, the eldest son of the Korean prince, walked out from one side of the pavilion and stood by.

"well!!!"

Li Shanchang sighed softly and said bitterly, "I regret what I did back then."

"Why do you say that, Father?"

Li Qi asked in confusion, "Since His Majesty has not issued an edict to reprimand Father, Father has done nothing wrong."

"The officials merely spoke to His Majesty on behalf of Lan Yu."

"I suppose His Majesty wishes to see our family cease such close ties with the noble families of Huaixi."

"If that's the case, then let's separate."

"Easier said than done!"

Li Shanchang shook his head, his face full of sorrow.

Over the years, he has received countless benefits from the nobles of Huaixi, including no less than a thousand hectares of farmland.

To rashly separate from Huaixi would be tantamount to cutting oneself off from the court. Liu Bowen still had the scholars of Zhejiang behind him, but he was all alone. How could he resist them?

"My lord!"

"A messenger has arrived from the palace to deliver an imperial edict!"

Just as the father and son were talking, the butler, Li Fu, rushed in.

"Quickly, open the middle door and welcome the angel!"

Li Shanchang's expression changed slightly, and he made arrangements in an orderly manner.

"Yes."

Li Fu immediately went down to arrange for the gates of the Duke's mansion to be opened, and incense to be burned and the house swept to welcome the envoy.

Before long, the Li family father and son knelt in the main hall to receive the imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Shanchang, the Duke of Han, has diligently governed and won my favor. He is hereby granted 100 qing of land in Linhao (present-day Fengyang), 150 households to guard his tomb, 1,500 tenant households, and 20 households of ceremonial guards."

"He presided over the construction of the Linhao Palace and relocated 140,000 wealthy people from Jiangnan to Haozhou to cultivate the land."

"Duke of Han, accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude."

The eunuch closed the imperial edict and said in a gentle tone.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Li Shanchang bowed and accepted the imperial edict.

Before leaving, the eunuch gave Li Shanchang a few more instructions: "Duke of Han, His Majesty asked me to tell you that the ancestral land of Fengyang is of great importance."

"All matters in the capital will be handled by others; you need not worry."

"His Majesty also said that your son is virtuous and talented, and is a rare talent among noble families who could become the top scholar."

"Thank you, Grand Eunuch!"

A look of surprise flashed across Li Shanchang's eyes, and he quickly instructed his eldest son, Li Qi, "Go and see him off."

"Yes, Father."

Li Qi personally escorted the eunuch out of the Duke of Han's residence, secretly handed him a gift, and then returned to his own residence.

"call!"

Li Shanchang let out a long sigh and said with emotion, "His Majesty has not forgotten his old minister after all."

"The purpose of sending me away from Yingtian Prefecture is to protect my family."

"After I left, the Korean government office closed its doors and refused to open them to anyone except those from the royal palace."

"Huh?"

Li Qi stood there, stunned and at a loss.

"The last words spoken by the person from the palace."

"You think this is a compliment?"

"That's not..."

Li Qi was even more confused.

"His Majesty's eldest daughter, Princess Lin'an, was virtuous and kind, born in the twentieth year of the Zhizheng era (1360)."

"According to the rites of our dynasty, girls undergo a hairpin ceremony at the age of fifteen and marry at the age of sixteen."

Li Shanchang stared at his eldest son and said, word by word.

"What?"

Li Qi's eyes widened, and he almost lost his footing and fell to the ground.

His Majesty's eldest daughter, Princess Lin'an, is a unique and irreplaceable princess.

"The Crown Prince, the King of Qin, the King of Jin, and the King of Yan all married Wu Xun's daughters in succession."

"If Your Majesty wants to marry off your daughter, you naturally cannot choose from among the military men. I am a civil official and a nobleman."

"You will inherit the title of Duke of Korea and marry His Majesty's eldest daughter in the future, which will not be considered a disgrace to the royal family."

"Now that I've become the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, how do I enter officialdom?"

Li Qi looked worried. According to the Ming Dynasty's etiquette, the imperial son-in-law, his sons, and close relatives could not serve as officials in the court or participate in politics.

"madness!"

Li Shanchang angrily rebuked his eldest son: "In the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant was a first-rank official, whose status was higher than that of an earl and equivalent to that of a duke or marquis."

"His salary was two thousand shi of grain, and he also received land and rewards from the imperial court. His residence was bestowed by the emperor himself."

"Aren't you satisfied yet?"

"I...."

Li Qi was stunned by the barrage of scolding.

"The imperial edict is nothing but an inanimate object."

"As my father holds a high position in the court, His Majesty naturally does not want me to associate with nobles."

"Otherwise, the world will think that I have the intention to overstep my bounds and rebel."

"You are my son, born to enjoy wealth and honor, but you have many responsibilities to bear."

Li Shanchang patiently guided and taught Li Qi.

"Yes, Father."

"My son understands."

Li Qi then realized what was happening and dared not say anything more.

As Li Shanchang said, the Li family's power had reached the pinnacle of a subject's position; the next step up would be the emperor.