Judging from Li Shu’s surprised reaction, Zhu Ping’an knew that he had guessed right.
"Haha, I also know that Emperor Yongle liked your great-great-grandfather very much."
Facing Li Shu's surprise, Zhu Ping'an once again curled his lips and added, "How could I not like him? This is the person who "helped" Emperor Yongle ascend the throne."
Li Shu's great-great-grandfather was Zhu Yuanzhang's brother-in-law. He married Zhu Yuanzhang's second sister in his early years. When Zhu Yuanzhang was young, his relatives were relatively poor, but Li Zhen's family was the only one that could eat enough and often helped Zhu Yuanzhang. Therefore, after Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he took the most special care of Li Zhen's family among all his relatives. Zhu Yuanzhang not only exempted Li Zhen from regular court attendance and did not use his name when praising and worshipping, but also allowed him to wear a dragon robe with a five-clawed golden dragon. Li Zhen was the only living relative of the same generation after Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor.
Li Shu's great grandfather was Li Wenzhong, the son of Li Zhen and the nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang. He was also a famous general and counselor of Zhu Yuanzhang, and the third meritorious minister of the founding of the Ming Dynasty. When Li Wenzhong was twelve years old, his mother, Princess Cao, died. His father, Li Zhen, took him to the chaotic army and was on the verge of death many times. It was two years later that he met his uncle Zhu Yuanzhang in Chuzhou. When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Li Wenzhong, he liked him very much, so he adopted him as his son and took his surname Zhu. Li Wenzhong was brave and good at fighting, and his military exploits were outstanding. He was awarded the title of Duke of Cao. After his death, he was posthumously named King of Qiyang.
At that time, the Li family could be said to have "prospered for three generations, and blessed the whole family. Among the families that receive official salaries today, there is no family that is better than ours."
As the saying goes, a good father will have a good son, but this is not the case for Duke Cao Li Wenzhong. Li Wenzhong's son, who is also Li Shu's great-great-grandfather, is a very famous "God of War" general in history, Li Jinglong.
The name is very impressive, but his ability is inversely proportional to the name. He is simply an upgraded and enhanced version of Zhao Kuo, Zhao Kuo 2.0. Li Jinglong also loves to read military books. He memorizes them better than Zhao Kuo and often recites them backwards. He is also very good at bragging and likes to invite friends to drink together. Therefore, he is quite famous among the children of nobles at that time.
Of course. Li Jinglong made his name in the Jingnan Campaign. The Jingnan Campaign was a battle for the throne within the Ming Dynasty royal family, but the one who influenced this battle and the most shining figure in this war was none other than the "God of War" Li Jinglong.
When Zhu Di's Jingnan offensive was frustrated and his subordinates were about to pack up and return home, and the Jingnan Campaign was about to fail, who stood up? Yes, it was him, our "God of War" Li Jinglong, who stood up. With his heroic appearance, Emperor Jianwen's million-strong army was wiped out in a moment of laughter and conversation.
When Zhu Di attacked Nanjing and was helpless in front of the hundred-meter-high city wall, scratching his head and sighing, who stood up? It was him, him, and him again, our "hero" Li Jinglong.
Li Da Zhan Shen can almost be regarded as the first meritorious official in the Jingnan Campaign. How could our Emperor Yongle not like him
However, the only problem is that our comrade Li Jinglong was a general of Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen, and he was not in the same group as Zhu Di.
When Zhu Ping'an said that Emperor Yongle liked Li Shu's great-grandfather very much, the corners of his mouth curved up. Li Shu was not blind, so she could see the curve of Zhu Ping'an's mouth clearly, and she also knew what Zhu Ping'an was thinking.
"Do you think you can know the truth of history by reading a few history books?"
Li Shu was not angry at all about Zhu Ping'an's ridicule. She played with her hair with her slender hands and asked softly with her red lips slightly opened.
"So I was wrong?" Zhu Ping'an leaned against the carriage and said slowly.
"No, you are right. Chengzu really liked my great-grandfather. But not the way you laugh, but he really liked me. Chengzu was a few years older than my great-grandfather, so they were quite close relatives. They grew up together and were childhood friends. They had a very good relationship. They had trained together in other places, and after Chengzu was enfeoffed in Yan, they exchanged letters several times and kept in touch."
Li Shu played with her hair with her delicate hands. She looked at Zhu Ping'an with her big watery eyes, which sparkled with light, and her cherry lips raised a faint smile.
Um
After hearing what Li Shu said, Zhu Ping'an was slightly stunned. Zhu Di and Li Jinglong were actually childhood friends. This was something Zhu Ping'an had never thought of. However, it was not impossible. After all, Li Jinglong's father was Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son. Zhu Di and Li Jinglong had a close relationship and their ages were not much different. When Zhu Yuanzhang and Li Wenzhong led their troops to war, it was very likely that they were left together and someone was taken care of. So it was not impossible that they were childhood friends.
"During the Jingnan Campaign, my great-grandfather attacked the Zhangyi Gate in Beiping, why didn't he enter? In the Battle of Baigou River, Chengzu was almost captured, why did he escape alone? My great-grandfather was defeated with 500,000 troops, why did he still gain the trust of Emperor Jianwen and was allocated another 600,000 troops? As a defeated general, why did Chengzu ascend the throne and confer him the title of Fengtian Fuyun Tuicheng Xuanli Wuchen, Tejin Guanglu Dafu, and Zuo Zhuguo, ranking above Chengzu's meritorious officials, and taking the lead in discussing major matters in the court. Emperor Jianwen didn't know how to judge people, could it be that Emperor Yongle didn't know how to judge people either?"
"Do you think a fool general can do that?"
"It is not accurate to say that history books are written by the victors. The more accurate statement is that history books are written by the victorious rulers."
"The Emperor Chengzu, who had been wrested from the throne by Jing Nan, needed a general who was a fool to highlight his great achievements, shock the world, and consolidate his throne. He did not need a god of war who endured humiliation to divide his achievements and dilute his influence."
Li Shu's voice was soft, but to Zhu Ping'an's ears it sounded powerful.
Just as Zhu Ping'an was pondering over Li Shu's words and trying to figure out the truth in them, he saw a handsome, fair face suddenly appear in front of him. There was a smile on the corners of his eyebrows and eyes, a pair of big watery eyes that seemed to be dripping with water, and a playful smile on his little mouth.
"Haha... Stupid Toad, you actually believed it, haha..."
Li Shu narrowed her big watery eyes and looked at Zhu Ping'an, smiling like a happy little fox.
"My great-great grandfather was stripped of his Duke of Cao, but later his title was restored. Then he was demoted again. Now our Li family has inherited the title of Marquis, the hereditary Marquis of Linhuai."
After laughing, Li Shu continued to introduce her family situation to Zhu Ping'an, and simply talked about the changes in the Li family's title.
Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Marquis is a very high title, and it is the highest among the children of the nobles. There are only a few Dukes in the Ming Dynasty now. In addition to the descendants of Xu Da who are still inheriting the title of Duke of Wei, the descendants of Chang Yuchun are still inheriting the title of Duke of Kaiguo. It is probably that Zhu Neng, who was awarded the title of Duke of Chengguo, is still inheriting it. Tang He and other founding heroes during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang have probably all been demoted. Marquis is a hereditary marquis, so the marquis of Li Shu's family can be regarded as a wealthy family among the nobles in the capital.
"The current Marquis of Linhuai is my eldest uncle, but my grandmother is the head of the family. I have many uncles and aunts, as well as many brothers and sisters. Oh, we're almost home, so I'll tell you about them one by one then."
As Li Shu was speaking, she heard some noise outside. She stretched out her slender hand, opened the curtains and looked outside. Then she closed the curtains and said something to Zhu Pingan in summary, and then gave him another reminder with concern.
"The people in the Marquis' Mansion are not easy to deal with. You better be careful." (To be continued.)