In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Huixuan was sitting on a pier. When he heard the emperor's calm words, he couldn't help but be stunned.
Is such a big matter settled like this?
The Ming Dynasty generally followed two principles for the management of vassals. One was the "Huang Ming Ancestral Instructions" promulgated by Emperor Taizu, which was the most fundamental decree for all vassal affairs.
In fact, even Emperor Taizong Jingnan raised troops based on the principle that "there are no honest ministers in the court, and there are evildoers in the court, the prince can train troops and be on standby, and the emperor secretly orders the kings to lead the troops to bring peace."
Of course, when Jianwen disappeared later, no one mentioned the so-called emperor's secret edict. In terms of the process, it was problematic, but it was always based on evidence.
In addition, another principle is that the various decrees of the emperors in the past dynasties were directed at the vassals in various places. These decrees, on the basis of not violating the existing content of the emperor's ancestral precepts, were gradually perfected for different vassals. This situation further restricted the power of the feudal king.
But in general, these decrees are basically adjusted through vague areas that are not clearly defined or controversial in the Huang Ming ancestral precepts.
Moreover, it was usually not a large-scale adjustment. Most of the time, after certain vassal kings made mistakes, the court dealt with them, admonished them, and then took away certain powers.
To put it simply, it is one king and one policy, each with its own differences. Although it is generally being tightened, the methods are relatively mild.
Because of this, Zhu Huixun was surprised.
Although what the emperor just said was an understatement, this edict is aimed at the entire clan.
Hu Xi put down the teapot, frowned and said.
"Zongxue affairs are complicated. Now that the clan has entered the capital, it needs to coordinate more with the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple. I'm afraid it will be a little busier."
"This matter is not difficult..."
Zhu Huixuan's fat face was full of bitterness. It was obvious that the emperor was pretending to be confused.
However, the emperor's edict was undoubtedly a violation of this rule. Although the emperor had already done it once before when he ascended the throne, at that time, it was a special situation after all, and it was done temporarily.
"I've seen the prince. It's snowing all over the sky. If the prince has something to do, he can just send someone to tell me and ask me to pay a visit to the prince's palace. Why do I need to come in person?"
After Hu Hui heard this, he thought for a moment and then said.
In front of the yamen of the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Huixuan got off the carriage, looked at Hu Hui who was already waiting with his leader, smiled bitterly, and returned the greeting with his hands in hand.
"His Majesty……"
Looking at the matter-of-fact look on the other side's face, Zhu Huixuan lost his temper for a while.
This is not the most critical thing. The most critical thing is that the emperor’s edict conflicts with the ancestral teachings of Huang Ming!
Looking at Hu Xi's sincere eyes, Zhu Huixuan hesitated for a moment and nodded lightly.
The ancestral precepts said that the vassal king could train his troops and be on standby, but it did not say what to do if the vassal king "voluntarily" gave up his guards.
Hearing this, Hu Hui's eyes flashed, and he knew that this time the person who came was evil.
"What's more, I'm not calling all the kings to come together at the same time. I'm just letting the clansmen who have children studying in Zongxue to come to the capital to visit after informing them in advance."
"What's more, there is no precedent for the establishment of Zongxue. It is normal to make some additions to the canon system. Even if there is criticism in the court, the prince does not have to worry. The Ministry of Rites will deal with it."
"How about we ask them to go to the clan mansion to do a favor during these days?"
"My uncle's words reminded me that this matter requires the cooperation of the Ministry of Rites. Let's do this. After I go back today, my uncle will go to the Ministry of Rites to discuss with the eldest uncle and work out a specific charter. Then the clan's mansion will
Submit it jointly with the Ministry of Etiquette."
Seeing the emperor's expression, Zhu Huixuan was shocked in his heart. He seemed to have thought of something, and immediately stood up and held his hands in his hands, saying.
He almost thought that the person sitting in front of him was not Hu Hui, but Yu Qian. Just kidding, this eldest uncle is known to like to stay out of things and fish and swim. When has he ever seen him so active and taking responsibility?
.
If etiquette doesn't make sense, let's talk about something practical.
"Change to the Department of Etiquette!"
At the beginning, Emperor Taizu divided the kings among themselves, so naturally he also had regulations for the kings' pilgrimage.
However, is there any difference between visiting relatives and performing Hajj?
He was about to say something, but when he looked up, he saw that there was no hint of joking on the emperor's face, and his voice was very serious.
"It's still early. I will hold a meeting with some ministers later and try to get the charter out tonight and send it to the prince's palace. If the prince sees it and feels there is no problem, he can write it down tomorrow."
Sighing, Zhu Huixun lowered his head helplessly.
Again, Emperor Taizu's attitude towards the vassal princes was actually somewhat contradictory. He felt that only his own family could be trusted and pointed them at all over the vassal, but at the same time, he was afraid that the vassal princes would have too much power and cause chaos.
You know, given the character of Prince Min, who is good at dancing, he would usually say a few words, but this time he didn't say a word.
Worship is worship, there is nothing incidental. According to the emperor, what is the meaning of taking turns to worship as stipulated by the imperial court?
"Prince Min?"
"But the emperor's orders are on my side, so I don't dare to delay."
"Huang Ming's ancestral teachings?"
"In short, this matter is not difficult. Prince, please rest assured. However, it is not long before the end of the year. If this matter is to be handled, it must be done as soon as possible."
The emperor had obviously made up his mind. Although Zhu Huixuan had many thoughts in his heart, he also knew what to say and what not to say, so he had no choice but to be respectful at the moment.
Zhu Huixuan nodded hesitantly and said.
"Well, thank you for your hard work, uncle."
"To be fair to the eldest uncle, this matter is in line with the ancestral teachings of Emperor Ming. In short, although it is His Majesty's will, I always feel a little unsure in my heart."
Once this edict is issued, there is a high probability that it will become a regular rule. Although the emperor said it lightly, Zhu Huixun himself had to be a little more cautious.
Is it possible that the sun is rising in the west?
After frowning and thinking for a moment, Zhu Huixuan suddenly realized that he had overlooked a question.
Why did the emperor allow the clan to enter the capital?
Let alone solving the problem of religious students, it is not a problem at all. If the imperial court is lenient, it will let them return home. If they don't want to take care of it, they will continue to stay in the capital, and there will be no trouble.
"Your Majesty, you think you are too anxious, don't you?"
To put it simply, people from descendants to concubines, from elder to younger, take turns to perform pilgrimage, and they are not allowed to come at the same time. After one king comes to the court, he must return to the country and be safe, and other kings can only come to the court.
After everyone sat down, Zhu Huixuan didn't waste any words. He directly explained the purpose of his visit and briefly recounted what he had just said in the palace.
"What to discuss?"
"If you have no heirs studying in the religious school, or you don't want to travel back and forth, you can just enter the congratulatory form as usual. This is considered a grace and is not inconsistent with the regulations."
The clan's food, clothing, housing and transportation along the way, safety issues, as well as their accommodation and etiquette after arriving in Beijing, are all aspects that cannot be dealt with in a single word.
By the way, he was always trying to catch fish, but Men Qing'er should know that King Min didn't even say hello during the heavy snowfall, so he came to visit in such a hurry. Could it be that something happened to Zongxue?
What happened?
"Uncles King Yi and King Xiang have been banned for some time. After all, they are all relatives. It will be the New Year's Eve in more than a month. When the clan comes to Beijing, it would not be appropriate to keep them banned."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has already said that all the clans are here to visit their relatives. Moreover, all the kings are not here at the same time. There is no conflict with the ancestral precepts."
According to the ancestral teachings of the Emperor Ming Dynasty, all kings must make pilgrimages to the emperor every year. However, there are strict restrictions on the order of pilgrimages.
"The rituals and regulations for the pilgrimage of the kings are still in accordance with the previous regulations. What I just said is a matter of religious education. The kings come here to visit relatives and pay homage by the way. For formal pilgrimage, they still follow the previous regulations."
In the same way, the ancestral precepts say that all kings need to come in turn to pay their respects and are not allowed to come at the same time, but it does not say what to do if the heirs are studying in the capital and want to visit relatives in the capital.
So, when Zhu Huixuan came to the Ministry of Rites, what he saw was Uncle Hu Dazong with a smile on his face.
After all, Zhu Huixun was also a thoughtful person. Although Hu Hui didn't point it out, there was a hint of chasing away guests in his words.
Seeing this situation, Hu Xi was stunned for a moment, and then he waved his hand, so two minor officials came forward. He gave a few instructions, and then the two minor officials bowed their hands and stepped back.
Therefore, there is a considerable amount of space in the ancestral precepts of the Emperor Ming Dynasty, which stipulates various scenes in which the kings and the emperor met.
However, this can be regarded as a common method used by emperors in the past. Since the ancestral precepts cannot be changed, then we should find alternative methods in addition to the ancestral precepts.
So, the two of them showed humility to each other and entered the lobby of the Ministry of Etiquette.
"Uncle Zong, you haven't thought about discussing this...such a big matter with His Majesty again?"
After leaving the palace gate, Zhu Huixuan sat on the carriage, feeling that something was wrong.
"The weather is like this, it's me who is disturbing the eldest uncle."
Originally, Zhu Huixuan wanted to take this opportunity to push the matter to the Ministry of Rites, but he obviously underestimated the emperor's determination.
However, the emperor went to see him specially and allowed the clan to enter the capital to cause such a big battle. What was he going to do?
Moreover, the words "emperor's mandate" are enough to explain a lot of things.
This...Okay, Your Majesty, if you say it's a visit to relatives, just visit relatives...
"Why did Prince Min come here?"
"There won't be as many clan members coming this time as there were the year before. The Ministry of Rites should be familiar with it, so it won't be too much trouble. It will only last for two days. I will give it a thumbs up and then we can start to handle it."
"Your Majesty, the imperial court has established regulations for the royal court. During the New Year, a large number of clan members come to Beijing, which seems to be contrary to the regulations. Do you want to reconsider it?"
Hu Bi immediately sat up straight, thought for a moment, and then ordered.
"I remember that Zongxue hasn't had any urgent matters recently, right?"
"I obey the decree."
Then Hu Hui said.
"Also, where did he come from, Prince Min's Mansion? Or Zongxue?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will handle this matter properly."
Hu Bi twirled his beard, looked at the person below who came to report, and after thinking for a moment, asked.
Hu Bi's face looked a little strange, but it only took a moment for this look to disappear and he said.
Ah this...
Ah this...
Zhu Huixun just took a sip of tea when he heard Hu Hui's words. He swallowed the tea with difficulty, then raised his head and looked at Hu Hui. He couldn't help but feel a little surprised and said.
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Huixuan felt even more surprised.
"In the palace?"
"The person who came to report the news didn't say why the prince came, but it was said that the prince had just entered the palace, and after leaving the palace, he came to our Ministry of Rites."
In the lobby of the Ministry of Etiquette, Hu Xi was wearing a scarlet robe. The fire in the room was burning brightly. She was holding her beloved purple clay pot and holding a medical book in her hand. She was looking at it, and then she heard Zhu Hui
Xun is coming to visit soon.
Looking at the heavy snow falling outside, he closed his eyes and thought for a moment, and finally opened his mouth and said to the attendant outside the carriage.
"Uncle, since the clan is in charge of clan affairs, it is natural for the clan to consider it. Since there are so many children in the clan who are homesick and unable to return, and the clan in the fiefdom also misses their children and want to reunite for the New Year, how can the clan remain indifferent?"
The clerk below shook his head honestly and said.
"It's natural."
Your Majesty, don't you feel guilty for saying this?
"This is strange..."
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qi Yufang nodded and said warmly.
Zhu Huixun was about to ask a question, but Hu Hui on the opposite side smiled and said as if he knew what he was thinking.
As he spoke, he glanced at the sky and then continued.
After hearing these words, Zhu Qiyu also frowned, but it was only for a moment before he said.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Huixuan felt a little restless and tentatively spoke.
"Back to Da Zongbo, except for some religious students who came to ask for cotton-padded clothes for the winter, there was nothing else going on."
"Your Majesty just mentioned that many members of the clan have written family letters and asked about this matter. According to His Majesty's wishes, these people who have written family letters and memorials are all allowed to come to Beijing this time. Therefore, how big the list is, I need to sort it out as soon as possible.
, with the list, I can coordinate with Honglu Temple and make preparations in advance."
Seeing the uncle below him fidgeting, Zhu Qiyu naturally knew what he was thinking, shook his head slightly and said.
"Hasn't the prince already said that this is His Majesty's decree? Since there is a decree, we will do it as soon as possible."
This time, Old Hu was a little surprised. He was twirling his beard and said with a strange look on his face.
The scribe below shook his head and said.
Seeing this situation, Hu Hui didn't waste much time and stretched out his hand.
this……
What the hell?
Zhu Huixuan blinked his eyes blankly. He originally wanted to move out the Ministry of Rites to persuade the emperor, but why in a blink of an eye did the Zongren Mansion and the Ministry of Rites jointly submit a petition?
This rule is not only to prevent the kings from taking advantage of the opportunity of pilgrimage to get together privately, but also to protect the kings from being killed together by the traitorous ministers in the court.
"Your Majesty, even if you don't mention the ceremony, you should still discuss it with the Ministry of Rites. After all, when the clan comes to Beijing, all matters need to be arranged by the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple."
That's what you say, but you are too straightforward...
"Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty. Please come in and talk in detail."
"Get ready to greet us!"
Therefore, he swallowed back the words that originally came to his lips, suppressed the questions in his heart, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and stood up to leave.
After Zhu Huixun left, Hu Hui sat in the lobby. It was rare that he did not continue to hold his medical book, but looked at the heavy snow outside the door. He was lost in thought for a while, not knowing what he was thinking.
After a while, a low sigh sounded in the lobby, saying.
"...I just don't know where this turmoil will start..."