pappabearbooks Chapter 35 Conferred the Title of King of Wu
Chapter 35 Conferred the Title of King of Wu
"Did you grow these?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a trembling voice, tears streaming down his face as he held the sweet potato in his hands.
"That's right, Grandpa, there are still many that haven't been dug out," Zhu Gaoxi nodded with a smile.
The first sweet potato was only used for seedling cultivation. He planted them in batches, filling almost all the empty spaces in the vegetable garden, partly for high yield and partly to save seedlings.
He plans to overwinter the sweet potato vines indoors to cultivate seedlings in preparation for planting next spring.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is an auspicious omen for the Ming Dynasty!" Huang Liang, ignoring the Crown Prince's dark expression, knelt on the ground and shouted devoutly.
"Indeed, it is an auspicious omen," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, looking up at the sky. "It is truly a blessing from heaven."
"A reward, there is a reward, but what should it be?" Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his hands together, frowning in thought.
"Grandpa, give me a piece of land, I can grow more crops," Zhu Gaoxi said, seizing the opportunity to make his request.
"Good, good, no problem. I'll allocate you the hundred acres of land in the imperial estate outside the city first," Zhu Yuanzhang said, beaming with joy. "Yunwen, Xi'er is truly your lucky star. Your grandfather grants your request and will bestow upon Xi'er the title of Prince of Wu."
Zhu Yunwen's expression changed drastically. "Grandpa, the tax territory of Qiantang..."
"A fiefdom..." Zhu Yuanzhang pondered, then suddenly a brilliant idea struck him. "How about Yingzhou in the East Sea? Let him be granted Yingzhou in the East Sea, let him farm there, experiment with methods to increase production, and manage his own taxes and garrisons. Yunwen, what do you think?"
Zhu Yunwen had little impression of Yingzhou in the East China Sea, only remembering that it was a sand island with a few fishermen living on it. It was undeveloped and under the jurisdiction of Chongming County.
Zhu Yuanzhang was in high spirits, and seeing that Zhu Yunwen did not object, he took it as agreement and continued, "From now on, the Prince's residence can be built in Chongming County, or Jiading County, it's fine too. Yunwen, what do you say?"
Zhu Yunwen forced a smile, "Chongming County, I guess."
"Alright, then let him manage all the affairs of Chongming County," Zhu Yuanzhang bent down and picked up Zhu Gaoxi. "Xier, developing the island is not an easy task. In the future, the court will have to pay for oxen, seeds, iron farm tools, and the construction of dikes. We need to build a good relationship with your grandson brother."
"Grandson thanks Grandfather for the reward," Zhu Gaoxi said blankly.
He never imagined that Chongming Island could become his fiefdom, and a real fiefdom at that, giving him real power over taxation. Happiness came too suddenly, leaving him stunned.
"Grandpa, the sweet potatoes are steamed!" Zhu Jingyi brought in a bowl of steaming sweet potatoes.
"Grandpa, I'll tell you how to eat it," Zhu Gaoxi said, taking the opportunity to break free from Zhu Yuanzhang's embrace.
He's grown up now, no longer a little kid, and isn't used to being carried around.
"You little rascal, of course you'll eat with your mouth," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile and a gentle reproach.
"Grandpa, peel it and eat it," Zhu Gaoxi made a face, picked up a piece and quickly put it in Zhu Yuanzhang's hand.
It's too hot!
"Come, let's eat together," Zhu Yuanzhang said, turning around to call Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Jingyi. "Huang Liang, send two pieces to each of Consort Hui and the others."
After Consort Guo Ning passed away, Consort Guo Hui took over the management of the inner palace affairs. Zhu Yuanzhang then sent this to the concubines in the inner palace.
Huang Liang responded and went down to give instructions to the eunuch.
"Grandpa, it's so sweet!" Zhu Jingyi exclaimed involuntarily as she ate with great relish.
"It is very sweet," Zhu Yunwen awkwardly agreed.
Soft, sweet, and melts in your mouth.
As Zhu Yuanzhang ate, he carefully examined Zhu Gaoxi and the more he looked, the more he thought he resembled Zhu Biao.
"Biao'er," Zhu Yuanzhang called out unconsciously, his eyes reddening.
Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Jingyi stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Grandpa, do you miss my father?" Zhu Jingyi asked, mustering her courage.
"This sweet potato was what your father told Xi'er in a dream," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, looking at Zhu Gaoxi and calling softly, "Xi'er, don't you think so?"
Zhu Gaoxi swallowed hard, nearly scalding himself.
Tears welled up in his eyes instantly, and he nodded, feigning excruciating pain, "That's right."
What's going on?! How could his father appear to him in a dream?!
It's definitely a lie!
It's definitely a scam!
Zhu Gaoxi heard Zhu Yunwen's innermost thoughts once again.
Zhu Yunwen panicked and hurriedly took his leave. Zhu Jingyi thought that Zhu Yunwen was too saddened by thinking of his father, so she escorted Zhu Yunwen back to the East Palace with concern.
Only Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Gaoxi remained inside the room.
"Xi'er, you know that the title of King of Wu is of extraordinary significance, right?" Zhu Yuanzhang put down the sweet potato and asked seriously.
"Grandson understands," Zhu Gaoxi replied solemnly.
The title of King of Wu was the title that Zhu Yuanzhang gave himself before he ascended the throne as emperor.
Zhu Youdun's father, Zhu Su, the Prince of Zhou, was once enfeoffed as the Prince of Wu, with his fief in Hangzhou. However, he was opposed by his ministers on the grounds that Hangzhou was a tax-paying area. As a result, Zhu Su was enfeoffed as the Prince of Zhou, with his fief in Kaifeng.
Now, Zhu Yuanzhang's appointment of Zhu Gaoxi as the Prince of Wu clearly reflects his high hopes for him.
Perhaps, he is one step closer to becoming the crown prince.
The next day, after the court session, Duke Xu Huizu of Wei and his younger brother Xu Zengshou came to the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang's original intention was to separate them so that he could better understand the facts.
However, he didn't want to interfere too much in his younger brother's marriage. As long as they were both willing, he was happy to let them be. Therefore, it didn't have much of an impact that the two brothers came together.
Xu Huizu mistakenly thought that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to ask about the portrait of Miaojin, so he took the blame onto the Duke's Mansion, clearly trying to settle the matter peacefully.
"Miaojin's portraits were lost outside due to the carelessness of the servants, and were picked up by a few beggars."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly. Was it really worth telling him about such a trivial matter? Had Xu Huizu lost his mind?
"According to my investigation, the reason why these beggars dared to spread rumors that the Prince of Zhou and Miao Jin had an affair..." Xu Zengshou wanted to seek justice for his sister, but was interrupted by Xu Huizu.
"It's because the butler had people beat up those beggars," Xu Huizu interrupted.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Zhu Yuanzhang's brows furrowed even more.
"How dare a few beggars slander the Duke's mansion?" Zhu Gaoxi asked at just the right moment.
"What's going on?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice. "Who said that Dun and Miaojin had been secretly exchanging gifts?" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the table. "A woman's reputation is of utmost importance. Who would harbor such malicious intentions?"
Zhu Yuanzhang appeared stern, but he was merely making a statement and had no intention of investigating the matter further.
"According to my investigation, it was Commander Wu of the Vanguard of the Imperial Guard who bribed those beggars," Xu Zengshou insisted, ignoring Xu Huizu's sharp gaze and attempts to dissuade him.
The Imperial Guard was a garrison that trained young soldiers for the Crown Prince and was directly under the jurisdiction of the Crown Prince.
"How can we be sure it wasn't just those beggars making baseless accusations? Your Majesty, beggars' testimonies cannot be trusted," Xu Huizu said nervously, sweat beading on his forehead.
"We'll find out the truth soon enough. Don't worry about it, we'll take care of it," Zhu Yuanzhang said.
Upon glancing up and noticing Huang Liang's gesture, the two brothers got up and left.
Zhu Yuanzhang stared coldly at Zhu Gaoxi for a moment, then asked arrogantly, "You brat, trying to complain indirectly?"
Zhu Gaoxi remained calm and answered meekly, "Grandpa, I wouldn't dare. I just feel that Miaojin shouldn't be bullied like this and have her reputation ruined. She just wants to marry the person she loves, what's wrong with that?"
"Sharp-tongued!" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "She's just a woman. Even if Yunwen used some tricks, it's not a big mistake. Since Miaojin wants to marry Youdun, we'll make her the second wife of the heir apparent."
"Grandpa," Zhu Gaoxi wanted to continue arguing.
Zhu Yuanzhang stopped him, saying, "For the crown prince, the most important thing is always the country and its people; everything else is trivial."