Zhu Di obtained the emperor's permission and lived in the home of Wei Guogong Xu Huizu.
According to the regulations, the vassal king was not allowed to have private contacts with the ministers of the court. Zhu Di specifically asked him in advance. Zhu Yunwen felt that it would not matter if King Yan went to his wife's uncle's house in the capital, so he agreed without any care.
Xu Da, the first Duke of Wei, was the first contributor to the founding of the Ming Dynasty. When he died of illness, Zhu Yuanzhang attended the funeral in person and was posthumously named King of Zhongshan. At this time, Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei, was named the Crown Prince and Tutor, ranking among the three Dukes. He was responsible for teaching the Crown Prince and was the most prominent position in the court.
Zhu Di got off his horse and looked at the five golden characters "Edict to build the Duke of Wei's Mansion" on the green plaque at the main entrance, shining under the light of the gauze lantern. There is a couplet on both sides, "The most successful person in the past and present in defeating barbarians, a general and a prime minister, and an unparalleled civil and military talent." It was written by my father that day.
Zhu Di remembered that more than 20 years ago, he came here to marry Xu Ying, dressed in bright red auspicious clothes and colorful decorations. Amidst the crackling sound of firecrackers, Xu Ying, dressed in a bright red bridal outfit and wearing a hijab, got on the sedan from here. At that time, my parents were still healthy, my brothers still saw each other every day, and my friends were still together.
Why didn't I know that these were blessings at that time
The door creaked open, and Xu Huizu led his family to welcome him out of the house in person. With a smile on his face, he strode up to Zhu Di and said, "Brother-in-law!" Zhu Gaochi, Gao Xu and Gao Sui followed behind their uncle.
Zhu Di saw that Xu Huizu was dressed in a casual robe and was casual and suave. He had not changed much after several years of seeing him. He smiled and said, "Huizu has always been good?"
Before Xu Huizu could answer, a loud voice came from behind him: "Brother-in-law!" A young man ran forward and hugged Zhu Di. It turned out to be Xu Ying's younger brother Xu Zengshou. He is just seventeen years old this year, still childlike, tall and thin, and somewhat similar to Zhu Gaosui.
Zhu Di was infected by his enthusiasm and patted his head: "He has grown into a young man!"
Xu Huizu said with a smile: "Children grow up quickly, and now they are working in the Zuo Dudu Mansion."
Zhu Di praised: “It’s good to practice and practice.”
Xu Zengshou asked impatiently: "Brother-in-law! Tell me about your great victory in the Northern Expedition the year before last. What were the Mongols like? Are their bows and arrows the same as ours? Do they have firearms? How did my brother-in-law win? Did my brother-in-law still use a broadsword? Is it useful in battle? Is that so?" A series of questions showed that he was fascinated by the battlefield, and he looked at Zhu Di with eyes filled with admiration.
Xu Huizu scolded: "Brother-in-law has come a long way and has been tired for a day. Let brother-in-law rest first!" He turned to Zhu Di and said, "Let's go home!" He stepped forward first.
Zhu Di stopped him: "Wait a minute!" He waved his hand and Ma Sanbao directed, leading the two horses.
Zhu Di smiled and said: "These two Mongolian horses are good horses selected from thousands of people. They are really not bad. You two brothers, don't dislike them." When Xu Huizu Xu Zengshou looked at them, one was pure black and the other was snow-white. They were both tall, strong, and shiny.
Xu Zengshou was overjoyed: "Thank you, brother-in-law!" He ran to the two horses, touched one and looked at the other, and asked Xu Huizu: "Brother, which one do you want?"
With the power of the Xu family, there is no shortage of horses, but most of the horses in the mainland are domesticated. Even if the breeds are good in the first place, they have lost their wild nature after several generations. Unlike the horse brought by Zhu Di, it grew up on the grassland. It was standing in front of the palace with its head held high and contentedly. Xu Zengshou suddenly felt that the horse at home was nothing more than a donkey compared to these two.
Xu Huizu thanked Zhu Di, turned to Xu Zengshou and said, "It's up to you." While leading Zhu Di into the mansion.
Xu Zengshou looked left and right and couldn't decide, so he shouted from behind: "Brother! I'll go for a run and tell you!" As he said that, he took Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui for a horse walk.
Xu Huizu smiled bitterly: "My brother-in-law laughed at me, and I lost my parents when I was young. I was spoiled." When Xu Da died, his life expectancy was only two years old. This is what Xu Huizu said.
Zhu Di smiled and said: "Young people should be lively. They are all as sluggish as us. Have we become old men? Then we will be even more anxious." He paused and thanked: "Brothers Gao Chi are here. You’ve caused a lot of trouble, haven’t you?”
Xu Huizu smiled and said: "Gao Chi is young and mature, and he has helped me a lot. Gao Xu and Gao Sui are about the same as Zeng Shou. As long as the three brothers don't tear down the palace, let them go."
A group of people couldn't help but laugh together.
From then on, Zhu Di lived in the Duke's Mansion of Wei. Xu Zengshou admired his eldest brother-in-law and often hung around Zhu Di, asking about the story of the Northern Expedition, what the desert was like, whether the grassland was fun, and how to deal with the Mongols. He also dragged his brother-in-law to the school grounds to walk horses. Zhu Di was quite moved when he saw that he admired and attached himself to him.
The garden of the Duke of Wei's Mansion is called "Zhan Garden". It has scattered vines, tall trees, pools and pavilions, and strange rocks and rockeries. It is very different from the distant and spacious atmosphere of the Prince of Yan's Mansion. Zhu Di often lingered here in his free time. There are three Taihu stones, which are exquisite, beautiful, thin and wrinkled. They are the relics of Hua Shigang in the Song Dynasty. They are named "Xianren", "Yiyun" and "Xuelang", and have Su Shi's inscriptions on them. Zhu Di remembered that lotus liked the word "Su" the most, so he couldn't help but look at it a few more times. Dozens of plum trees in the garden are blooming, with calyxes and stamens, and the fragrance is refreshing to the heart. Zhu Di broke off a branch of red plum with his own hands, put it in a beauty shrug vase and asked Ma Sanbao to bring it to the lotus. He thought of the beauty standing in front of the rouge plum like jade, Another spell of trance.
The emperor did not call for several days, but allowed King Yan to meet relatives and friends. Zhu Di went around sending gifts and visiting. During the Hongwu period, due to Zhu Yuanzhang's purge of corrupt officials, the officials, bodyguards and even eunuchs who relied on their salaries were not rich or very poor. Zhu Di was generous and courteous to others. Even his chamberlain, Ma He, came to visit him specially when he came to the capital. After receiving the big gift, everyone felt that King Yan was sincere and took him seriously.
Ma Sanbao got the emperor's permission to see lotus flowers every day, but Zhu Di couldn't think of it. Looking at the Holy Sense Tower from afar, I thought that my beloved was freezing in the tower but it was hard to see her so close to me. I felt sad and angry at the same time, but there was also a hint of sweetness in my heart.
****************
This night, the Jinshen Hall in the harem was brightly lit and people were coming and going. The emperor held a banquet in honor of King Zhu Di of Yan.
All civil and military officials received the imperial edict and came to the temple early. Despite his busy schedule, Zhu Yunwen still went to Tianxi Temple. It was already dark when he returned to the palace, and he quickly ordered everyone to sit down.
The emperor sat in the middle, and King Yan took the chief seat on the east side, followed by Wei Guogong, Cao Guogong, Changxing Marquis, Qitai, Zheng Zhen, Zhuo Jing, Huang Zicheng, Yin Changlong, etc., accompanied by Fang Xiaoru and Shi Gecheng, the chief attendant of the Yan Palace. In the last seat.
Zhu Yunwen glanced around, raised his glass and faced Zhu Di with a smile: "Come, welcome uncle, it's been a long journey!"
Zhu Di was frightened: "I thank your Majesty. I wish your Majesty a kingdom that will be prosperous and prosperous forever!" He drank it all in one gulp.
When Zhu Yunwen saw that all the officials were done, he smiled and said: "The day before yesterday, the emperor's uncle and I talked about the situation in northern Xinjiang. The emperor's uncle has been guarding the border for many years and knows Mongolia very well. All kinds of countermeasures made me enlightened. With the emperor's uncle here, I have a bright future. Northern Xinjiang is definitely safe, and it is indeed a blessing to our people in the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Di was modest: "Your Majesty has given you too much praise, and I am terrified. I only know how to defend the border and defend the country, and I will not hesitate to die even if I am wrapped in horse leather."
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said: "What a defender of the border and country! The emperor's uncle is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. Come, let's toast again!".
All the officials praised, toasted, congratulated and complimented, and the scene was extremely harmonious and lively. Zhu Yunwen smiled and told the ministers not to be restrained and just accompany King Yan today; all the officials became more and more enthusiastic after receiving the imperial edict.
You come and I go around to drink. Zhu Di is the one who drinks with the wine bag. It doesn't matter how many small wine cups there are in the palace. Those here who are not drinkers, especially the civil servants, are a little drunk.
Zheng Zheng was the first one to fall. He didn't know when he got carried away and hit the dishes on the table with his chopsticks, chanting a poem: "On the high branches and leaves and clouds in the garden, there are loving birds nursing their chicks. The young feathers fly away calling for help, Soaring, mute, facing and fainting. Sometimes it is strong enough to fly away, sometimes it is not as strong as the branches." The speech is unclear, and the state of drunkenness can be drunk.
Zhu Di was stunned. He heard that this was an old poem by Zhu Yuanzhang, which expressed his longing for his family. It touched his heart for a moment, and he couldn't help but murmured and chanted: "The feathers are stiff when the feathers are blown back and forth, and the wings are fluttering in the long wind. My parents fly close together." Follow each other, and you will learn that your nature is true."
As I thought about it, I thought that the chicks still have their parents to accompany them, and they can return to feed them and repay their kindness. Speaking of myself, I am a majestic King of Yan, and it is not easy for me to pay homage to my parents' graves, and I can't help but feel great pain in my heart.
Zhu Di raised a glass of wine on the table and drank it himself. He struck the bowl with chopsticks and then chanted loudly: "I think about the humble common people in the past. How miserable and haggard my dear relatives are. How can I stretch my heart when I sleep in my dreams? If a man is not as good as a bird, how can I reach out!"
Zhu Di used his talent to dominate, and went to mourn in Chuzhou but was intercepted. For more than half a year, he had to endure the humiliation and compromise, and he had been suffering for a long time. At this time, he sang loudly, and the pain of missing his family and the helpless suffering in the poem were fully revealed, and his rich and sorrowful voice resounded through the hall. . Zheng Zheng had already stopped, and all the civil and military officials also put down their wine glasses to listen to King Yan's poem.
When Zhu Di read the last sentence, "How can I extend my reach if a human is not as good as a bird?" He was simply talking about his own miserable state, even worse than a bird! He hit the chopsticks in his hand, and the porcelain bowl shattered with a "crash" sound. All the officials were stunned and looked at King Yan, not knowing what to do.
But Zhu Di shouted: "Father!" With tears in his eyes, he was in a daze.
Zhu Yunzhen's drinking capacity was limited and he was a little dizzy, so he had stopped drinking. Listening to Zhu Di's sad chant, I couldn't help but think of the fact that his father passed away early, and his grandfather who loved him the most had also passed away. I also felt sad in my heart. Seeing Zhu Di break the porcelain bowl, he was startled and said warmly: "The emperor's filial piety is admirable, but it shouldn't be too sad."
Zhu Di calmed down, bowed and said: "I miss Taizu and forget my feelings for a moment. Your Majesty forgives me." Seeing Zhu Yunwen smile, he continued: "I want to come often to pay homage to the emperor and testify about the emperor's heirs. Can I ask for your majesty's permission?"
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but hesitate.
This time he agreed to Zhu Di's visit to Beijing to visit the mausoleum. According to the ancestral teachings, a vassal king should stay in his fiefdom. How could he often go to Beijing? Kuang Peiping is far away from the capital, and it takes several months to go back and forth at a time. He often comes to Peiping to defend the territory and avoid being affected. And other feudal lords will definitely follow suit, isn't it a mess
Seeing Zhu Yunwen's hesitation, Huang Zicheng knew what he meant, and took the lead in saying: "The filial piety of King Yan is palpable, but the legal family of the state has family rules. The rules were already set when Taizu created the vassal kings. King Yan cannot leave the fief often!"
Zhu Di felt unhappy when he saw this little Taichang Temple minister talking to him like a lesson, and looked at him with disdain: "Oh? What do you mean by Master Huang?"
Huang Zicheng heard the contempt in King Yan's words, and couldn't help but get angry, and said loudly: "The ancestral precepts cannot be violated, and the feudal king should stick to his fiefdom! If he leaves without authorization, the prince will break the law and be guilty of the same crime as the common people!"
Zhu Di smiled instead of being angry: "Then Master Huang is ready to punish this king?"
Since the death of his three brothers, Zhu Di has always believed that he was the biggest in the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty, except Zhu Yuanzhang, and even Zhu Yunwen did not take him seriously. When he was intercepted while attending the funeral, he realized that his nephew had become the emperor and had supreme imperial power. After enduring it for more than half a year, I tried my best to be polite when meeting Zhu Yunwen. But Huang Zicheng! Who is he
Wei Guogong and Cao Guogong looked at each other and were about to step forward to rescue the siege. Qi Tai, the Minister of War, had already reconciled the situation and said with a smile: "King Yan, don't be angry. Your Majesty rules the world with benevolence and is especially generous to King Yan. Why should you hurt your harmony with a few words?"
Qi Tai's original intention was to stop the fight, but in his words he praised the emperor and demoted the king of Yan. The implication was that you had committed a crime and the emperor did not find you. It's not that Qitai is deliberately provocative, but he really thinks so.
Zhu Di narrowed his eyes: "Master Qi also thinks that this king is guilty?"
Fang Xiaoru, who was at the bottom of the seat, couldn't help it anymore: "King Yan! How many times have you left your fiefdom without authorization, made trouble in Chuzhou, and met privately to act as king? Don't you know that Your Majesty doesn't know? If you don't thank God for your kindness, you still don't know how to repent!"
Zhu Di "hummed", not wanting to argue with this low-ranking official, he turned to look at the emperor: "Your Majesty! If Taizu were here, how could he let such a small official humiliate me?" He paused and said: " Huang Kao's corpse is still cold, his fifth brother was moved away, and his thirteenth brother was demoted. Huang Kao knew it under the spring, how can he be sad?"
Zhu Yunwen had been hesitating while several people were arguing. He turned sideways and gave Zhang Yuanheng a few instructions. At this time, he raised his hand slightly. All the officials fell silent and looked at the emperor.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Di: "Uncle! Do you know Zhou Ada? From Datong Mansion."
Zhu Di was startled and nodded: "Yes, I met him in Datong Mansion." He did not shy away from having been to Datong.
Zhu Yunwen said: "Zhou Ada beat the grievance drum at the Meridian Gate on New Year's Day and filed a complaint here with me."
Zhu Di was surprised: "What?"
Zhu Yunwen said unhurriedly: "Zhou Ada said that the emperor's uncle was a good prince, so he interceded and let him go back home, and he lived a good life for a few days." Seeing Zhu Di's eyes focused, he continued: "But the thirteenth uncle's house It didn't take long for him to be captured and forced to serve in the royal palace. It was not until Taizu issued an imperial edict to Datong that the king dismissed these migrant workers that he returned home, but his mother had died of illness and hunger." Zhu Di was stunned after hearing this.
Thinking of Zhou Ada's sad look that day, Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but shed tears in his eyes. He blinked and said, "Uncle Thirteen came to Beijing. Taizu gave him a warning and let him go back to Datong. I don't want Uncle Thirteen to go back." Then he returned to his old ways, and Zhou Ada was captured and taken back to the palace."
When Zhu Di listened, anger surged in his heart, this Zhu Gui!
Zhu Yunwen continued: "Zhou Ada managed to escape and ran back home, but his daughter-in-law had been buried in the backyard and her daughter was missing. It turned out that the palace arrested his daughter and entered the palace, but she was pushed down and fell to death when her daughter-in-law stopped her."
Zhu Yunwen couldn't hide his grief and anger: "And all this is just for the Nine Dragon Wall, a wall! Uncle Emperor, if you were me, what would you do?"
Zhu Di was silent, his chest heaving, and he was obviously extremely angry.
Zhu Yunwen said slowly: "I just regret that I should not have punished Uncle Thirteen earlier. Zhou Ada's old mother and daughter-in-law would not have died, but it is too late to regret. But if we continue to condone lawlessness today, won't we do it again?" Is there Li Ada and Zhao Ada?"
Zhu Di thought of the Nine Dragon Wall at the entrance of Prince Dai's Mansion, and of the ragged Zhou Ada: Why did he only say a few words in an understatement at Dasi? Self-blame and regret can't help but show up on my face.
Zhu Yunwen saw Zhu Di's expression and knew what he was thinking, so he stopped. Then he motioned to Zhang Yuanheng to hand Zhu Di a stack of letters, and then said: "This is presented to me by King Runan of the fifth uncle's family. I only punished the fifth uncle to move to Yunnan. Does the emperor think it's enough?"
This pile of letters is the letter of Zhou Wang's rebellion. That day at Prince Zhou's Mansion, Princess Zhou and a woman looked at Shang and were speechless, accusing her husband of being treasonous, not to mention Prince Yan? Sweat trickled down Zhu Di's forehead. Zhu Di was Zhu Di's half-brother, and making mistakes made Zhu Di especially angry.
Zhu Yunwen looked at King Yan quietly and said nothing.
After a long time, Zhu Di composed himself, stood up, walked to Zhu Yunzhen, and bowed respectfully: "I would like to thank you for your great kindness to your fifth and thirteenth brothers." The king of Zhou Dynasty had been demoted to a commoner, and both of them only had the title of "rank".
Zhu Yunwen said warmly: "Uncle Huang has a clear distinction between right and wrong and understands my painstaking efforts. Taizu fought for many years and finally drove away the Tartars and restored China. It took another thirty years of hard work to make the Ming Dynasty peaceful and the people live and work in peace and contentment. I don't think about it every day. , how to protect our Ming Dynasty forever and ensure the peace and happiness of the people."
Zhu Yunwen paused, and stared at Zhu Di with his clear eyes: "It's just that I am young and have little experience, and I can't get the chance of the emperor's grandfather even if I try my best. I hope the emperor can help me, then Taizu Jiuquan will smile, and the people of the Ming Dynasty will also celebrate with their foreheads and hands. ".
When Zhu Di heard these heartfelt words, he was moved and said respectfully: "I should do my best."
The uncle and nephew looked at each other and smiled. At this moment, they knew each other well.
Suddenly there was a rapid sound of footsteps, and the king ran straight into the hall: "Your Majesty, eight hundred miles, hurry up! No, it's not good!"
Zhu Yunwen had never seen Wang Zhi so panicked: "What's the matter?"
Wang Zhi said anxiously: "It's the eight hundred miles of the Ministry of War that are urgent. I'm afraid it's an emergency, so I opened it and read it first." Wang Zhi was an eunuch, and the memorials of various deployments were always reviewed and sorted out before being handed over to the emperor. It was not surprising.
Zhu Yunwen frowned: "What's the matter?"
Wang Zhidao said: "People from the Ministry of War arrived at the palace of Prince Xiangxian and wanted to take King Xiangxian back to the capital. King Xiangxian burned himself in the palace. More than 200 members of his family, old and young, were all burned to death in the palace!".
Zhu Yunwen stood up suddenly and took the memorial.
Zhu Di was so shocked that he stepped forward to watch regardless of the court rules.
Zhu Bai, King of Xiangxian, was the twelfth son of Zhu Yuanzhang. He was the daughter of Concubine Hu. He conquered Jingzhou in the 18th year of Hongwu. In the 30th year of Hongwu, he and Chu King Zhu Zhen attacked the barbarians in Guzhou, which were ethnic minorities. Jingzhou is located in the central part of the country, connecting Western Shu and the Central Plains. King Zhu Bai of Xiangxian was sealed there to guard the important place because Zhu Bai was both civil and military. Although Xingxi Taoism claimed to be "Zixuzi", he was proficient in bows and horses and proficient in the art of war. Zhu Yuanzhang felt that he could A son who can fight.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the memorial, his hands trembling. shouted: "Qitai!"
Qi Tai had already secretly complained when he heard Wang Zhi's words. At this moment, seeing Long Yan furious, he rushed over and knelt down: "Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yunwen said angrily: "Who is Hu Lai?" In anger, he stopped using the terms "Ai Qing" and "Qing Qing".
Qi Tai said: "He is a doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of War."
Zhu Yunwen's face turned livid: "You sent a doctor? That's King Xiangxian! And why did you accuse King Xiangxian of being a 'treason by Emperor Wen'?"
Qi Tai did not dare to defend himself and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
Zhu Di asked from the side: "What's wrong with the twelfth brother?" He suppressed sadness and anger in his voice. Zhu Yunwen didn't answer and fell heavily back on his seat.
Qi Tai said: "Someone reported that King Xiangxian was treason."
Zhu Di asked: "Who reported it? What evidence is there?"
Qi Tai said: "It is a security chief from Jingzhou. There is no direct evidence. Therefore, your majesty ordered to invite King Xiangxian to Beijing to ask what the situation is."
Zhu Di was very angry: "Then you sent a small military doctor to Jingzhou to show off his power, talk nonsense, and humiliate me, the Ming vassal king?" Qitai did not dare to answer.
Zhu Di turned around and said to Zhu Yunwen: "The twelve brothers are noble by nature, and they are dignified as kings of Hunan. How can they be humiliated by petty officials? The self-immolation in the palace is to preserve the innocence. Your Majesty! Just for the sake of a commoner's baseless report, My twelfth brother died tragically!" Zhu Yunwen remained silent, feeling extremely sad.
On that day, Qi Tai came to report that someone had reported King Xiangxian for treason. He knew that there was no direct evidence, because he thought it would be just right for King Xiangxian to come to the capital and have a good talk. However, there were many things at hand and he did not have time to draft an imperial edict in person. He only ordered Qi Tai to let him go to announce King Xiang's entry into the capital. Who knew this would be the result
Huang Zicheng couldn't help but jumped out again: "Your Majesty did not give King Xiangxian the death penalty, but just let him go to the capital. If King Xiangxian has anything to say, he can report it to the Holy Father, why should he burn himself in fear of crime? Is it true that Your Majesty cannot declare a vassal king?"
Zhu Di was too lazy to fight. The people in the imperial court regard the vassal king as the same as the common people, or even worse; but we are obviously the princes of Taizu, the uncles of the current emperor, and the heroes stationed in various frontiers! Thinking of the tragic death of his twelfth brother and his family, I felt very sad.
There was silence in the palace.
After a long time, Zhu Yunwen said to Qitai: "Go to Jingzhou to pay tribute and bury him properly. The security chief who reported the report was brought to Jingzhou to find out the situation." He turned to Zhu Di and said: "This incident of King Xiangxian is an accident. I have I owe the emperor an explanation for my fault. The emperor cares about all the emperors, and I understand the deep brotherhood. Now there is still Qi Wangshu in Lu, and it is good to suppress the Japanese. The governor of Dezhou has issued many memorials to accuse Qi Wangshu of disturbing the people. If there is chaos in the government, I am going to recall Uncle Qi Wang to the capital first. What does the Emperor do?"
The majestic emperor admitted his mistakes in front of the courtiers, and Zhu Yunwen felt extremely guilty.
Zhu Di replied after a while: "I don't dare to cross the border, so please ask your majesty to sanction it. I just ask your majesty to always think of Taizu and my descendants of the Zhu family."
Zhu Yun nodded: "I understand, uncle, don't worry."
Zhu Di sighed softly in his heart, knowing that he had said all he had to say, so he said: "I have been in Beijing for a long time, and I plan to return to Peking the day after tomorrow. I beg your majesty for your permission."
Zhu Yunwen said warmly: "The emperor's uncle's body has been examined by the imperial doctor and he said it's okay, so he doesn't need to worry too much. Since he wants to return to Peiping, of course I will allow it."
Zhu Di paid his respects and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty! I'll say goodbye to you now. I won't come to say goodbye tomorrow."
Zhu Yunwen said with a smile: "Uncle, please take care of yourself along the way. When we meet again someday, I will drink wine and chant poems with my uncle."
At this time, neither of them expected that this would be the last time the uncle and nephew would see each other, and that drinking and chanting poems would eventually become lies.