I don’t know since that day, the cicadas on the trees stopped chirping, the sun was no longer dazzling, and when I looked up, I saw the blue sky high and vast. Summer is over and the golden autumn season has arrived.
"There are many fallen leaves in the palm garden, and I feel relieved to know that it is already autumn." Lotus looked at the fallen leaves on the ground and couldn't help but sigh. Ma Sanbao next to him smiled and said: "It's so easy to stop being hot, how good it is!"
The two of them set up a big table in the yard with stone slabs on it and were making cakes. The red bean flour and soybean flour have been ground, and the glutinous rice is about to be beaten into rice cakes. Lianhua took the mallet and beat it for a while. Ma Sanbao looked at it with a smile, eager to try: "Let me beat it?" He took the mallet and swung his arm straight, and the rice ball on the stone floor soon broke into cakes.
Lian Hua stood aside and carefully pushed the rice balls, and said with a smile: "When I used to make it at home, my younger brother always made it." Ma Sanbao laughed: "This is originally a laborious job."
The two of them were busy and happy when King Yan and King Ning walked in together. King Yan praised: "It smells so good!", but King Ning took a piece of cake and threw it into his mouth, smiling: "It's delicious! Make more and I'll bring it to the old monk Huiguang."
Zhu Di patted him on the head: "You know how to tribe people!" His words seemed to be reproachful, but his face and eyes were full of smiles.
"It's okay, this is easy." Lianhua smiled: "Anyway, the strength belongs to Sanbao." Ma Sanbao also laughed and waved his long arms faster.
Zhu Quan smiled proudly at Zhu Di: "As a great disciple, I really respect my master!"
Lianhua asked Zhu Quan: "When will you go to Master Huiguang again? Haven't you finished listening to him in ten days?"
Zhu Quan said: "He has not finished teaching the Heart Sutra for ten days. I heard it well, especially what the old monk said, 'There is no worry, so there is no fear'. It is interesting. When are you ready to listen to it again?"
Lianhua was a little surprised when she saw that he was serious. Zhu Di smiled and said: "You still want to be fearless? Aren't your Penglai Jade Seal and Sun Golden Talisman already connected to the gods?"
A few people were talking and laughing when hurried footsteps were heard outside the courtyard. Everyone followed the sound and saw that Wang Jinghong hurried in. His body was dusty and wrinkled. He had obviously just dismounted from his horse in a hurry.
Lianhua felt happy and was the first to greet him.
Wang Jinghong paid homage to the two princes and Lian Hua, and said: "The young ones arrived in Seoul on July 27th. They met the King of North Korea and informed them of Princess Yining's situation. The King of North Korea was very grateful and took him with him. I wrote a letter to the princess. The old lady also saw it. She was in good health and spirit. She told the princess not to read it. Here is the letter from the King of Korea and the old lady to the princess." He said and presented it to the lotus with both hands.
Wang Jinghong continued: "The King of North Korea said that the robbed tributes were being re-purchased and then escorted to the capital." Looking at King Yan, he said again: "The King of North Korea was furious that Zhao Fang and Li San were killed by Japanese pirates and promised to find the murderer. Severe punishment will not be neglected.”
Zhu Di nodded slightly and looked at Lotus. Lianhuazheng hurriedly took out two letters and scanned them briefly. They all reported her safety and encouraged her to go to the capital with peace of mind. The king's letter did not mention Wang Shi. Lianhua was a little confused, and was about to go back to her room to read more carefully. She noticed King Yan's gaze, turned her head and smiled, then smiled at Wang Jinghong and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Jinghong."
Wang Jinghong looked at King Ning of Yan, then at the lotus, and said: "The King of Korea has sent an envoy to follow us, and he is outside at the moment."
Lian Hua was stunned, and Zhu Di smiled casually and said, "That's great. It would be great if the princess's family comes to visit her. I also want to meet her. Who are they?"
Wang Jinghong said with some hesitation: "It's the princess's brother, the fifth prince of North Korea, Li Fangyuan."
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Thousands of miles away, the capital is Yingtianfu.
Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, conquered Jiqing Road in the 16th year of Zhizheng (1356 AD) and renamed it Yingtianfu. The capital was established here in the first year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD). It was not until the 19th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1421) that Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty moved the capital from Peiping to Beijing, and Yingtianfu became the remaining capital, which was called "Nanjing", which is now Nanjing.
Yingtian Mansion leans on Purple Mountain (also known as Zhongshan) to the east, with three connected peaks shaped like a giant dragon; to the south is the Yangtze River, which is a natural and dangerous river; with Xuanwu Lake in the middle and Stone City in the west, the landscape city is integrated into one.
Zhu Yuanzhang once wanted to establish his capital in his hometown Zhongdu and build an imperial city in Zhongdu. But in the end, I decided to settle on Yingtian Mansion. It was because I remembered what Zhuge Liang said: "Zhongshan is full of dragons and panthers, and Stone City is full of tigers. This is the residence of the emperor." I believe this is a unique treasure land for Feng Shu.
In August in the south of the Yangtze River, the golden osmanthus is fragrant and the autumn atmosphere is full. Harvesting in the farmland and picking lotus roots in the pond are the busiest harvest season of the year. The river is surging and flowing eastward in a mighty way.
Linggu Temple at the southeast foot of Purple Mountain is surrounded by mountains and ridges, with red walls and green tiles nestled among green pines and lush forests. The pine wind blows, bringing with it the faint sound of monks chanting sutras.
"After the new rain in the empty mountains, autumn comes late," Zhu Yunwen, the emperor's grandson, murmured and walked to the mountain gate. Looking up at the plaque on the gate of the mountain where the emperor personally mentioned "The First Zen Forest", the four golden characters are dancing in the autumn afternoon sun, as if they are about to soar to the sky with the pine wind.
Zhu Yunwen stared at it for a long time, then slowly walked towards Wuliang Hall with his hands behind his back.
The Wuliang Hall is named after the worship of Wuliang Buddha. Wuliang Buddha is Amitabha. He vows to save all sentient beings with the power of his endless vows, never abandons his compassionate vows, and illuminates those who walk alone with infinite light. He is the leader of the Western Paradise Pure Land world. Infinite light, infinite life, extremely wise, bright and chaotic unity, infinite life span and boundless stature, beyond the reach of extraordinary minds. It also has an inconceivable meaning.
Zhu Yunwen came here on the orders of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. After Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he moved the original Jiangshan Temple to the southeastern foot of Zhongshan Mountain and named it "Linggu Temple". It was also named the No. 1 Zen Forest in the World. He built a lot of construction and expanded it magnificently.
This Wuliang Hall was built in the 14th year of Hongwu's reign. It did not require a single beam or column, but was built entirely with huge rectangular bricks to form a domed roof, creating a "Beamless Hall".
Zhu Yunwen was asked to come to Wuliang Hall, firstly to check whether there were any flaws in this strange hall. More importantly, Zen Master Hongyuan of Linggu Temple was a good friend, and Zhu Yuanzhang specially asked his grandson to send him a Mid-Autumn Festival gift.
Zhu Yunwen entered the Wuliang Hall, and felt a chill instantly. It turned out that the Wuliang Hall, with its overhanging eaves and corners like a majestic palace on the outside, was as deep and quiet as a swirling culvert inside.
Zhang Yuanheng, the chamberlain behind him, stepped forward and said softly: "Your Highness, would you like to wear a cloak?"
Zhu Yunwen waved his hand to indicate no need. After getting dressed, he went to the front of the temple to worship Wuliang Buddha respectfully. Then he stood up and carefully inspected the door, wall, arch, and window along the wall, and then raised his head to look at the top of the temple. Zhang Yuanheng asked softly: "Do you want someone to go up to the top and have a look?" Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment: "Let's come back on a rainy day."
At this time, the name "Immeasurable Life Buddha" was heard, and an old monk slowly walked into the temple. He was tall and thin, without a beard, and his khaki monk's robes were tilted with red cassocks. He was none other than the abbot Hongyuan of Linggu Temple. He clasped his hands at Zhu Yunwen from a distance and smiled and said: "I didn't know that His Highness was coming, but he didn't arrive far enough to greet you during the afternoon class. Don't blame His Highness."
Zhu Yunwen bowed his head and returned the courtesy: "Abbott, you are polite. Your Zen mind is still as you step. The abbot walks slowly and has a Zen feeling."
Hongyuan smiled and said: "My thoughts as a monk are gone, but your Highness is still busy with state affairs, and I admire him for being able to take it easy." As the leader of Linggu Temple, Hongyuan often travels to the ministers' mansions in the inner courtyard of the palace, and socializing and socializing is a must. I really don’t dare to neglect my homework for this future ruler of the empire.
"The abbot is overly praised." Zhu Yunwen responded calmly. Since he was established as the grandson of the emperor, in the past few years, stars have been fawning and praising him, and he has gradually gotten used to it.
Hongyuan smiled and said: "How is your Majesty doing? I haven't seen your Majesty for a month."
"Thanks to the abbot, may you be well, Your Majesty. It's almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I ordered you to send me a Mid-Autumn Festival gift. Please accept it, the abbot." Zhu Yunwen said unhurriedly. With a wave of his hand, Zhang Yuanheng and several servants presented the festive gifts, which were some seasonal fruits and vegetarian mooncakes, as well as a plate of gold ingots.
Hongyuan laughed loudly: "I don't dare to take this seriously. It is a gift from the Holy One. Everyone in the temple is grateful for the Holy Grace." He smiled and asked several young monks to thank him and take it.
Zhu Yunwen asked: "Your Majesty is concerned about Wuliang Palace. There has been a lot of rain recently. Is there any leakage or water seepage in the palace?"
Hongyuan smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I understand the Holy Will and come to check every day. The Wuliang Palace is in good condition, and the other palaces are also safe and sound."
Zhu Yunwen smiled and nodded: "Okay. If the abbot bothers you, I will report it to the Holy One." Then he asked casually: "How many masters are there in the temple now?"
Hongyuan smiled and said: "Even the novice monks, there are about more than 1,100."
Zhu Yunwen remained calm and calculated in his mind: There are more than 1,100 monks, but they have more than 30,000 acres of farmland. On average, each monk has 30 acres of land, free of taxes! No wonder there were complaints in the court.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the sky, stood up and left. Hongyuan wanted to keep Zhu Yunwen in the inner hall to serve tea, but Zhu Yunwen refused and took his attendants down the mountain back to the East Palace.
As soon as Zhu Yunwen walked in, the concubine Ma Shuyi came up to him and said with a smile: "Your Highness came back early today and prepared some snacks. Your Highness will use some first. Dinner will be served soon." Zhu Yunwen nodded and changed his homely clothes.
Ma Shuyi asked with a smile: "The day after tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, what kind of gift can the Holy One prepare? I have embroidered a Baifu quilt and asked Wen Kui to present it to the Holy One. Can it be done?"
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but laugh: "Wen Kui is less than two years old, can he do this?"
Ma Shuyi said: "I teach you carefully, I will learn how to do it."
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said, "You can teach me well."
Ma Shuyi smiled and said: "I am awake and I dare not act rashly."
At this time, Zhang Yuanheng stepped forward and reported: "Master Huang is here, waiting in the study."
Zhu Yun nodded and looked at Ma Shuyi with a smile. Ma Fei knew that he was concerned about official matters, so she bowed with a smile and left first.
Mr. Huang is Huang Shi Huang Zicheng, the Minister of Taichang Temple. He is forty-eight years old this year and is the most popular person in Hongwu's eighteenth year. He studied with Dong Gong and was a well-educated Confucian who helped the world. He is not tall, thin and small, with an upright face, a short beard that is slightly gray, and a small patch on an inconspicuous part of his official uniform. Zhu Yunwen has always been regarded as a good teacher and friend, respected as "Mr. Huang", and must see him almost every day.
There are two piles of official documents piled high on the desk in the study. In order to train the emperor's grandson, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang has been taking Zhu Yunwen to handle state affairs in the past few years, and this year he has even planned to leave everything to him. Therefore, each memorial was first drafted by Zhu Yunwen and then submitted to Emperor Zhu for approval. Zhu Yuanzhang was already old. After several years of teaching and supervision, he was very relieved of the emperor's grandson. He only approved and issued decrees on important matters and ignored the general ones.
Zhu Yunwen entered the study. After greeting Huang Zicheng, he sat down and began to review the memorial. Huang Zicheng sat half sideways and classified the memorials first, listing the important ones separately. He had a tacit understanding with Zhu Yunwen. The two of them watched and talked, exclaiming in admiration when they were happy, and concentrating on difficult problems. They had already solved half of them in an hour.
Zhu Yunwen took a sip of tea from the tea bowl and ate a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake. After walking for a long time on the mountain road, I was still a little hungry.
At this time, Huang Zicheng said: "Your Highness, look at this", his words were a little excited.
Zhu Yunwen glanced at the cover, which was the text submitted by Commander Yuan Du of the Daning Guard, and his heart moved. When I opened it, I read, "I heard from Yuan Ju, the commander of the Ningwei capital, that the day before yesterday, King Yan led his troops to complete two great victories in Wuliang Hatu City in Cheer Mountain. There were more than a hundred Mongolian captives who followed to Daning. There was a woman who died. Yan is Princess Yining of Korea, who was robbed by the Mongols. I dare not take matters into my own hands, so I ask King Ning of Yan to inform me. The two highnesses thought it was difficult to tell the authenticity, so they ordered me to invite people from Korea into the palace to identify the truth. I followed the king's order to search for her. , but there are no North Koreans or other insiders who have applied for the recruitment. This woman is temporarily confined to Daning Guard until her identity is verified, and then she will be reported again."
Huang Zicheng blew his beard and said angrily: "Your Highness! This is simply ridiculous. The two princes do not take your Highness seriously."
Zhu Yunwen looked at him without saying a word.
"How is it possible that King Yan didn't know that there was a woman among the prisoners, but he still had to go to Daning Guard? How could it be difficult to distinguish the authenticity? How could he still find someone to prove it? How could he imprison her, the princess of North Korea, the crown prince conferred by His Majesty the Emperor? Lady Sun Donggong, the future imperial concubine? These two princes are clearly trying to embarrass His Highness!" Huang Zicheng said with indignation.
Zhu Yunwen's personality was similar to that of his father, the late Prince Zhu Biao, who was gentle, tolerant and kind. He looked at the Zhezi quietly again and said with a smile: "Mr. Huang, I think what the Zhezi said is quite reasonable. The two uncles are busy with official duties, so this little thing is not something they can do. There are people who care.
Huang Zicheng disagreed: "Your Highness made an annotation on Qi Shilang's writing and asked Prince Ning to do so. It is impossible for the two princes not to know about it! It has been five years since Your Highness was appointed as the grandson of the Emperor. All the officials in the imperial court are respectful and respectful, except for the princes. The king is treated as an uncle and is always disrespectful. His Highness's approval requirements are often ignored, and the emperor's decree can only be implemented."
Huang Zicheng paused and then said: "This time Princess Yining of Korea was kidnapped at the Tieling Guards of the Ming Dynasty, and her whereabouts are unknown. It is a matter of honor for the royal family, and it is also a matter of diplomatic relations with Korea. In the early Ming Dynasty, the four barbarians were not pacified. It is rare that Korea has always been Respect is the most important thing, and Ming Dynasty is respected as the suzerain. His Highness specially wrote a letter asking all the princes to help find it, but the two princes, Ning Wang and Yan Wang, did this. Do they hope to have war with North Korea? Such a bold act, I am worried about His Highness! "
Zhu Yunwen's gentle face finally moved, he thought for a moment and said, "I believe the two uncles."
Huang Zicheng looked at Zhu Yunwen's face and said, "Your Highness! Even if His Highness is patient and values peace, the East Palace is too small to be considered a favor, and there will definitely be renewed rifts with North Korea, and Tieling is in danger."
Zhu Yunwen was shocked and looked at Huang Zicheng. It is true that more than ten years ago, the Ming Dynasty had just driven the Mongols out of Tieling. The former King of Koryeo asked the emperor for Tieling. The emperor's grandfather did not agree, and the former King of Koryeo even sent troops to start a war. Fortunately, the current King of North Korea, Ri Sung-gye, raised troops and started an uprising midway, thus avoiding a war between the two countries. Li Chenggui had trouble with the Ming Dynasty again, and finally the two countries were at peace with each other, and Tieling had been peaceful for a few years.
Huang Zicheng was right, whether Princess Yining was kidnapped or grounded, it was not just a matter of his East Palace.
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but frown: This Princess Yining is really troublesome.