Among the capital, more than a dozen eunuchs left in batches with the imperial edict, heading towards various places in the Ming Dynasty.
These imperial edicts are very special and are all sent to vassal kings across the country.
Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the descendants of the Zhu family have enfeoffed various places. The Hongwu Dynasty granted twenty-five kings, the Jianwen Dynasty granted three kings, the Yongle Dynasty granted two kings, and the Hongxi Dynasty granted eight kings.
By the 16th year of Zhengtong, excluding those who were convicted, those who had no heirs, and those who became emperors, there were still twenty-one kings.
King Zhu Qiyu's imperial edict was the first to set out. Taking into account the particularity of overseas territories, Zhu Qizhen decided to let his younger brother temporarily stationed in Luzon Dusi and be fully responsible for the civil, political and military affairs here.
As for the other vassal kings, all the imperial edicts are exactly the same, enter the capital!
…………
Xiangyang, Prince Xiang’s Mansion.
Zhu Zhanzhen took the imperial edict and seemed a little at a loss.
The crown prince Zhu Qiyong hurried in and asked: "Father, what happened?"
Zhu Zhanzhen glared at him and said angrily: "I want to ask you again. Tell me, what good deeds have you done recently that have spread to the ears of the current emperor?"
He is just a precious son who has been pampered since childhood, but now he is at the age where he is causing trouble everywhere.
Although I usually discipline him a little, it doesn't have any effect at all.
"Ah?"
When Zhu Qiyong heard this, he was immediately shocked and blurted out subconsciously: "Your Majesty... how could you know?"
"You..."
Zhu Zhan was trembling with anger, stood up, found a stick, and asked, "Tell me, what exactly did you do?"
At this time, Zhu Qiyong did not dare to hide it anymore, so he told the story of going to a brothel to drink wine, getting jealous with others, and then breaking someone's leg.
Zhu Zhanzhen was so angry that he knocked on the table with a stick and said, "Why didn't you tell me about such a big thing?"
"Son... I don't dare..."
Zhu Qiyong lowered his head, looking pitiful.
Zhu Zhanzhen asked again: "Didn't the other party report it to the official?"
"Father, you are joking. Changsha Mansion dares to interfere with the affairs of the Prince Mansion..."
When Zhu Qiyong said this, he immediately reacted and quickly lowered his head.
"The traitor!"
Zhu Zhanzhen was so angry that he was shaking all over, but he didn't know what to do.
The princess came over after hearing the news and asked: "Your Majesty, what happened?"
Zhu Zhanzhen slumped on the chair weakly and said: "The emperor suddenly issued a decree asking me to enter the capital. It is probably your precious son's fault, and they have reported it to the capital!"
The princess wondered: "I heard that the emperor has been fighting in the north and south in recent years, why does he still care about such trivial matters?"
Zhu Zhanzhen shook his head and said: "Today's emperor loves the people like his own son, and the palace bullies the people. If the emperor knows about it, he will definitely not forgive him lightly!"
Zhu Qiyong tilted his head and murmured: "I have already lost my money, so why is it not over yet? Besides, what a big deal it is. As for filing a complaint in front of the emperor?"
"Shut up!"
Zhu Zhanzhen stared at him and said: "Don't say anything. Go and clean up now. Come with me to the capital and plead guilty to the emperor in person!"
The princess advised: "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. It's better to understand the situation first."
"Humph!"
Zhu Zhanzhen looked like he hated iron, and said: "You, you, just protect him. Now it has caused a big disaster. Even dethroning the crown prince is considered a light thing. If not, the title of this king will be lost."
To be abolished!"
The princess turned pale with fright and said weakly: "That's not true..."
"Otherwise, you women don't understand anything!"
Zhu Zhanzhen shook his head and said: "Do you know how many people were involved in the Jiangnan smuggling case? Half of the officialdom in Jiangnan is gone! The Annan Kingdom has troubled the Ming Dynasty for many years, and even Emperor Xuanzong was helpless. In the hands of the emperor, no matter
It was solved in half a year! Today's emperor is no longer the child he was back then, and his thunderous methods are comparable to those of Emperor Taizong!"
The princess looked at her precious son cautiously and said softly: "Qi Yong, when you meet the emperor, you must take the initiative to admit your mistakes. After all, we are of the same blood, and the emperor will definitely show mercy to you."
Zhu Qiyong was frightened and had to nod reluctantly.
On the second day, King Xiang Zhu Zhanyi took his son and guards and embarked on the road to Beijing.
The journey from Xiangyang Prefecture to the capital was more than two thousand miles, and it took a month to get there.
Along the way, Zhu Zhanzhen was surprised to find that the changes seemed to be much greater.
Especially after passing Baoding Prefecture, the changes are more obvious.
He left the capital in the fourth year of Xuande's reign and has not been back since then.
Only twenty years later, the prosperity here is far greater than before.
The road is paved with gravel and is very spacious. You can see various workshops on both sides and there are people everywhere.
I heard that the emperor abolished the household registration system. Now that people are coming to work, are there still people farming?
However, the fields are still lush and green, with wheat fields and rice fields stretching into one area. It can be seen that the land is not abandoned and the crops are growing very gratifyingly.
He had heard about the new policies issued by the imperial court, but he didn't know what they were.
When I saw today that the people were living and working in peace and contentment, I felt a little more happy.
However, when he thought that he had come to Beijing to plead guilty, his face became ugly again.
Finally arriving at the capital, Zhu Zhanzhen did not dare to stay and went directly to the palace.
Unexpectedly, I saw a familiar figure face to face.
"Second brother?"
Zhu Zhanchen was stunned for a long time and finally shouted out.
"Lao Wu?"
The man opposite, wearing a python robe, is none other than Prince Zheng Zhu Zhanquan.
The two of them had not seen each other for twenty years since they became feudal lords. When they saw each other today, they were immediately excited.
Zhu Zhanzhen hurriedly asked: "Second brother, why are you..."
Suddenly, he realized something.
The imperial edict only said that he was allowed to enter the capital, but did not explain what it was about.
He instinctively thought that it was his son who caused trouble and was impeached by some nosy censor.
However, the moment he saw Prince Zheng, he realized that this did not seem to be the case.
But Zhu Zhanjuan said: "The emperor summoned me, how could I not come?"
"The emperor also summoned you?"
"Of course, Lao Wu, you go quickly, the emperor is still waiting! After the emperor finishes asking questions, we two brothers can have a good talk about old times!"
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Although the two were not born to the same mother, they have had a good relationship since childhood. When they reunited after a long separation, they naturally wanted to find time to talk about the past.
Zhu Zhanyi asked again: "Second brother, how many vassal kings has the emperor summoned?"
"It is said that they have all been summoned. Half of them have just arrived, and the other half are on the way."
"Then...what's going on?"
"This..."
Zhu Zhanjuan hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Actually, it's a good thing, it depends on how you decide."
"I can't explain clearly. You should go quickly. In short, it's a good thing!"
After finishing speaking, Zhu Zhanchun smiled meaningfully and left in a hurry.
Zhu Zhanzhen looked puzzled, what a good thing, and so secretive...
With a lot of questions, I came to the Imperial Study Room.
On the way, he was still asking the little eunuch who was leading the way why he was summoned in the Imperial Study Room and not in the Fengtian Palace.
The young eunuch replied that the emperor did not like to be in the Fengtian Palace on weekdays. Unless the officials were discussing matters, he would always be in the imperial study room.
Only then did Zhu Zhanzhen feel relieved, and then he winked at Zhu Qiyong behind him, which meant that the plan had changed and he would act according to the opportunity.
When he arrived at the Imperial Study Room, Zhu Qizhen heard the announcement and personally greeted him.
Zhu Qizhen helped the person up and pulled him to sit on a chair.
Zhu Zhanchen was flattered and quickly waved his hand and said: "Your Majesty, you're welcome, I... don't dare to accept it!"
Zhu Qizhen looked at Prince Xiang and his son and went straight to the point.
"I have issued twenty-one imperial edicts to the vassals everywhere. I have something to discuss with everyone."
Zhu Zhanzhen hurriedly asked: "What's the matter with the emperor?"
Zhu Qizhen took out the prepared map and unfolded it.
"Uncle, look, this is the latest map of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Zhanzhen stood up and took a closer look. The Onan River in the north, Hami in the west, Annan, Champa, Luzon, Sulu and other places in the south have all become the territory of the Ming Dynasty. In just a few years, the territory has expanded.
Nearly doubled!
"The emperor has opened up new territories and expanded his territory, and his achievements will last forever. I admire you greatly!"
He is really in awe, this expansion speed is too fast!
Throughout his life, Emperor Taizong conquered Mobei and Annan, but the territory was not so large.
What's more, by the Xuanzong period, it had shrunk again...
Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said: "There is no need to say anything about compliments, uncle. I have called all the vassal kings here to discuss something with you. Before that, I need to ask your uncle a question. I, Ming Dynasty,
Has the enfeoffment system deviated from its original intention?"
Zhu Zhanzhen suddenly fell silent. He couldn't answer this question!
If we talk about the original intention, Emperor Taizu divided his descendants into enfeoffments for the sake of border control. As for why the later vassal kings turned to pig-raising mode, this question... shouldn't you ask Emperor Taizong?
Upon seeing this, Zhu Qizhen continued: "This time the expedition to Annan was led by King Yin. Now King Yin is guarding Luzon. What does the emperor think?"
Zhu Zhanzhen still didn't speak, his face looked a little strange.
The vassal king does not lead troops, this is the ancestral system.
As for why this ancestral system exists, you still have to ask Emperor Taizong.
If you send King Tao out now, have you considered clearly what the consequences will be?
"Uncle, you don't have to be so reserved. There are no outsiders here. Please feel free to speak your mind. If you have any questions, just ask them."
Zhu Zhanzhen raised his head and said slowly: "The emperor's arrangement is naturally justified by the emperor. I have no problem with it."
Just kidding, the fight is between you two brothers, what does it have to do with me?
Zhu Qizhen smiled again, then pointed at the map and said: "Uncle, look, outside our territory of the Ming Dynasty, there are also Korea, Japan, Ryukyu, Uszang, Ottoman... and so on, countless lands.
If the emperor’s uncle is interested in following the example of King Yin and guarding one side, I am willing to send troops and food and give my full support!”
Zhu Zhanchen suddenly understood why when he first met Prince Zheng, he only said it was a good thing, but did not say what it was, and said it was up to him to decide.
It turns out that the emperor is planning to gather everyone together and continue to expand the territory.
This kind of thing is naturally a good thing for ambitious people.
If you have no ambition and are willing to settle down, it will have no impact.
"I understand the emperor's intention. However, the matter is serious. Can I be allowed some time to think about it?"
He can't make a decision yet, so he at least wants to talk to the other feudal lords and see what they think.
Zhu Qizhen did not force him to express his position on the spot. He just said: "The emperor must consider it as soon as possible. Overseas lands are also divided into far and near, rich and poor. My purpose is first come, first served. Whoever demarcates the territory first will be the winner."
Whose it is, no one else is allowed to snatch it!"
Zhu Zhanzhen frowned slightly, and then said: "I will give the emperor an answer as soon as possible!"
After finishing speaking, bow and leave.
When the father and son left the palace, Zhu Qiyong asked: "The emperor sent troops and food. This is a good thing. Why didn't my father respond on the spot?"
Zhu Zhanzhen glanced at him sideways and said: "The vassal king does not control the army. This is the ancestral teaching. How do you know that the emperor is not testing us?"
"But... didn't King Tan lead his troops? He is still guarding Luzon, why can't I wait?"
"You!"
Zhu Zhanzhen shook his head and said: "How can you guarantee that the emperor has no suspicion about King Yin? In other words, how do you know whether King Yin has second thoughts? If there is a problem with King Yin and the emperor becomes suspicious, then why?
Aren’t these people going to be unlucky?”
"Oh!"
Zhu Qiyong nodded, looking thoughtful.
"You are young and energetic, and easily impulsive. Listen to my father's advice: you must not be the first person in life. The wind will destroy everything. As a father, I only want peace and security in this life."
"But, father..."
Zhu Qiyong first looked around, but no one was paying attention to him, and then asked in a low voice: "Do you really not want to lead troops?"
"Okay, stop talking nonsense. I will follow my father in the evening and go to see Prince Zheng first. This man has many eyes. When the time comes, listen more and talk less, and learn more from others!"
"Yes!"
When the two came to Honglu Temple, they found that in addition to Prince Zheng, there were several other princes.
I counted, including myself, there were ten people.
In the Ming Dynasty, vassal princes were not allowed to enter the capital without an imperial edict. So many princes gathered together, except for the enfeoffment ceremony during the Hongwu period, which never happened again.
That night, Honglu Temple was very lively. The princes exchanged glasses and exchanged glasses, reminiscing about old family affairs and having a great time chatting.
After three rounds of wine and five tastes of food, someone finally mentioned the emperor’s summons.
In fact, everyone is waiting for it, but no one wants to take the lead.
Everyone looked around and saw that the person speaking was none other than King Ning Zhu Dianpei.
The lineage of Prince Ning had an extraordinary status in the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Quan, the first generation king of Ning in the Ming Dynasty, guarded Daning during the Jingnan period and was the most powerful among the vassal kings.
At the beginning, Zhu Di raised troops to suppress Jingnan. Seeing that he could not defeat him, he went to Daning to borrow troops. Zhu Quan refused to borrow troops, so Zhu Di tied up the people and then forcibly borrowed the three guards of Duoyan. He also left a sentence: If this battle
If we win, we two brothers will divide the world and rule!
However, what does the promise made by King Yan have to do with me, Emperor Yongle?
After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he refused to acknowledge what he had said, and even took away Zhu Quan's military power.
From then on, Zhu Quan completely lost interest in the struggle for power, and spent his whole day enjoying himself and enjoying the tea ceremony.