The Ming Dynasty actually had three large-scale restrictions on the clan. The first time was the establishment of civil documents and the reduction of vassal vassals. Naturally, the result was that they were taught by their fourth uncle.
The second time was Emperor Taizong. Although he was succeeded by a vassal prince, after he came to power, he was not polite to the clan members who were also vassal princes.
During his reign, he not only completely separated royal officials and local officials, prohibited local officials from concurrently serving as local officials, but also prohibited the two parties from making friends and having private contacts.
Through the supervision of royal officials, the vassal king was completely prohibited from intervening in local government affairs, military affairs, taxation and a series of common affairs, and even going out for hunting out of the city was prohibited.
In addition, Emperor Taizong relied on his strong personal charm to persuade the vassal kings from all over the country to take the initiative and hand over the military power of the royal guards and commanders.
From a personal guard commander of 3,000 people, it became a palace guard of less than 500 people.
Against this background, the Yongle Dynasty still implemented the system of annual pilgrimage established by Taizu.
However, because the territory under Emperor Taizong's rule was extremely safe.
Therefore, the vassal kings who went to court voluntarily reduced the number of accompanying guards.
During the Yongle period, when the prince went to court, he only brought a guard of 200 people. By the time of Renxuan, there were even fewer.
As for this summons.
Most princes lead formal guards of around fifty people.
The total number of remaining servants and guards does not exceed one hundred. Counting the maids and servants, there is a team of about two hundred people.
If this number is exceeded, the extra people must be maids or servants.
As for the prince, he only brought twenty or thirty guards, and the entire team would not exceed a hundred people in total.
As for the clans further down, such as the generals of the auxiliary country, they did not even bring their own bodyguards, but just rushed to the capital with their entourage.
So whenever they went to a place, they would immediately go to the local magistrate and ask for guards to be sent for protection.
It's not uncommon for someone like King Min to lead a team of 300 people, including 200 people who are official bodyguards. It's not uncommon, but he is the only one!
Looking at the team approaching from a distance, Shu Liang narrowed his eyes after being shocked and whispered to Hu Hui beside him.
"Uncle Zong, when Prince Min comes to Beijing, the pomp is really grand. You deserve to be welcomed in person."
Hu Xi glanced at him, but there was no reaction on her face. She just answered in the same soft voice and said.
"The guard of two hundred people is an old rule from the Yongle period. Prince Min has always been like this. Emperor Taizong didn't even change it."
Shu Liang nodded and stopped talking. His originally expressionless face instantly turned into a smile.
He is here to greet him today, so he must be well served.
Not long after, a huge guard of honor arrived in front of the city gate. The guards on horseback dismounted one after another, formed a semicircle, and escorted the luxurious carriage that was originally in the center of the team to the city gate.
The carriage stopped leisurely at the gate of the city. Two young maids walked respectfully to the carriage, one on each side, stretched out their hands to lift the brocade curtain of the carriage.
In the spacious carriage, there are soft couches, tables, fruit plates, small stoves and other daily utensils.
Two people were sitting in the middle.
Sitting directly facing the carriage door was a white-haired old man, wearing a large red robe with a python and auspicious clouds and dark patterns. His eyes were slightly closed and he was sitting upright in the carriage.
Next to the old man, there was a young man wearing narrow sleeves and a python pattern. He looked about 20 years old and was gentle and elegant. He was serving beside the old man.
As soon as the curtain was lifted, wisps of cold wind suddenly penetrated into the warm carriage. The old man frowned and coughed violently.
The young man on the side opened his mouth, as if he wanted to ask the maid to lower the curtain, but when he saw that the old man had opened his eyes, he immediately continued to kneel and sit there without saying a word, but he couldn't help but flashing in his eyes.
A hint of worry.
Hu Hui had met this King of Min.
After only sizing it up, he bowed his head and said respectfully.
"Hu Hu, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Yang Shan, the minister of Honglu Temple, have met Prince Min."
Yang Shan, like Hu Hui, bent down deeply. As for the officials in green robes behind them, they prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted in unison.
"I'm waiting for you to welcome Prince Min."
Among the people, only Shu Liang only half-bowed and said.
"I have met Prince Min. Our chief of etiquette, Bingbi, and eunuch Shu Liang, are here to greet you according to the emperor's order. The ministers will pay their respects to the prince."
The old man in the carriage coughed again. The young man wanted to go up and help him, but after taking a look at the prostrate officials below, he suppressed his cough and did not get up.
King Min glanced at the young man, a trace of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, and then he calmed down.
After a majestic glance at the officials below, King Min stayed on Shu Liang for a moment and said.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will come to the palace to see you later."
Shu Liang said with a smile on his face.
"Don't worry, Prince Min. The ministers will definitely bring the message to you."
However, King Min no longer paid attention to Shu Liang, as if this person was not in his eyes at all.
Shu Liang was stunned for a moment, and then he understood what the emperor meant when he said that the prince might not have a good attitude towards the eunuch.
In the eyes of this prince, it seems that he is just a messenger.
The reason why he spoke to himself, a tool man, was because he passed on His Majesty's words. Other than that, he had no interest in saying another word to him.
However, remembering the emperor's order, Shu Liang did not dare to get angry. He took two steps back and stood respectfully aside, as if he was not the powerful admiral of Dongchang, but an ordinary domestic slave.
After the old prince finished speaking, he glanced around again, then fixed his gaze on the leader Hu Hui, his expression darkened, and he said.
"Hu Hu, the Minister of Rites?"
Hu Bi did not stand up, but continued to salute and said.
"I'm here."
The Ming Dynasty treated the prince very well, and all ministers, no matter how high their official positions were, could only be ministers in front of the prince.
However, there are two small differences that have only been formed in recent years. The first is that the title "Your Highness" is only used for princes or princes who have not been ennobled. As for princes, they are all called "Prince".
The second is that officials of third rank or above do not have to bow down when they see the king, but they still have the status of ministers, and this point remains unchanged.
Therefore, facing this Prince Min, even though he was Hu Hui, he was very respectful.
At present, the lower-ranking officials below are still kneeling, and Hu Hui and Yang Shan are also bowing and bowing.
But the old man in the carriage had no intention of letting them get up. He snorted coldly and said in a deep voice.
"Since you are the Minister of Rites, you should know the etiquette system."
"The Taizu Dinghuang Ming Dynasty has taught us that all dynasties are not allowed to come to the court at the same time. From the direct descendants to the concubines, from the eldest to the youngest. When one king comes to court, other kings can only come to court after the country is safe and sound."
"The emperor's order to the princes and clans to come to the capital is against the rules. Since you are the uncle of the imperial court and are in charge of rituals and worship, why don't you admonish me?"
