Chapter 144: Lavish King, stirred vassal kings

If you’re a dragon, you shouldn’t always act like a pig.

If you pretend for too long, people might think you’re really a pig, and anyone would dare to take advantage.

Today, borrowing the identity of the imperial uncle, tomorrow using the words of the deceased father, the day after tomorrow, who knows, maybe even borrowing a head.

Emperor, there is no way out.

This is the Emperor’s sorrow and loneliness.

The phrase ‘solitary ruler’ may not be without helplessness and sadness.

But Zhu Yunwen is not Zhu Yuanzhang after all. He cannot adopt the ruthless methods of ‘the wrath of the emperor, a million corpses, blood flowing for a thousand miles.’ After all, they are family, and it cannot be considered fratricide.

Faced with Zhu Yunwen’s anger, the kings dared not say anything more. Besides, that would be rebellion and great disrespect. In case they were demoted to commoners, it wouldn’t be fun.

No one cried, and no one talked about the ancestral system anymore.

These people are not mourning for Zhu Yuanzhang or the people of the Great Ming. They are mourning for their own millions of acres of land.

All the talk about the ancestral system, grievances, and repeating the mistakes of the past is nothing more than the hammers and knives in their hands. Originally, they wanted to use these tools to strike Zhu Yunwen, but the result was like hitting an iron plate, and making a clanging sound. Their hands hurt, so they had to give in and replace the hammers and knives with wine glasses and chopsticks.

The family banquet continued, and the atmosphere improved a lot.

After few gulps of wine, Zhu Zhi glanced at Zhu Geng, preparing to stand up and speak, but unexpectedly, King of Yan, Zhu Di, stood up first.

Zhu Di walked away from his seat, knelt down, and said to Zhu Yunwen, “Your Majesty, I have a request.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at the solemn Zhu Di and said, “Uncle Yan, today is a family banquet. There is no need for such formality. Get up and speak.”

Zhu Di didn’t get up but shouted, “I earnestly request Your Majesty to revoke the fief of the King of Yan in Beiping. If Your Majesty does not agree, I will not get up!”

Revoke the fief?

Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Di with some surprise, and with a quick thought, he understood. Zhu Di was using the revocation of the fief as a bargaining chip to save Zhu Gaoxu’s life. He knew about Zhu Gaoxu’s treason, and Zhu Di was aware that Zhu Yunwen knew all of this.

Zhu Di was also a clever person. Even though Zhu Yunwen was not reacting or questioning for now, it didn’t mean he had forgotten or forgiven.

Once a rope is tied, the knot remains until untied. Ignoring it might prove fatal at some point.

Zhu Yunwen took a sip of wine and said in a soft voice, “Uncle Yan, the fief is the foundation of a vassal king. How can I casually revoke it? Moreover, even if Uncle Yan wants the court to revoke it, the princes may not agree, right?”

Zhu Di shivered slightly.

This was almost like mentioning Zhu Gaoxu’s name directly. The Emperor indeed knew; the spies of the Ming Security Bureau were everywhere!

Zhu Di quickly bowed and said, “I am the one in charge of the King of Yan’s Mansion, others have no authority to participate in this matter.”

“No authority to participate? Well, that’s good. Forget it, Uncle Yan, I won’t revoke the fief. You can focus on training the Three Great Camps. I just hope that when you have some free time, you won’t forget to supervise the education of the princes.”

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand, indicating Zhu Di to rise.

Zhu Di felt bitter but had no choice. He could only stand up and say, “I will strictly discipline the princes and send them to the Imperial Academy tomorrow.”

Surrendering the fief and the crown prince studying?

The other princes were confused, not understanding the play that these uncle and nephew were acting out.

Zhu Di sat down, lifted his wine cup, nodded slightly at Zhu Yunwen, and then drained the cup in one gulp. He then proceeded to down two more cups.

The implication was that Zhu Di acknowledged his failure in managing his son, and now he apologized and self-punished with three cups.

Zhu Yunwen responded by raising his cup to Zhu Di, indicating that the past could be forgotten as long as Zhu Di’s son didn’t make the same mistakes again.

Zhu Zhi walked out, knelt down, and said, “Your Majesty, you have graciously permitted your subject to engage in commerce. It has not been half a year, and the earnings have already tripled the official salary. Now, hearing about the unsettled maritime situation and the substantial expenses for building naval ships, I am willing to contribute ten thousand taels to fund the construction of ships, ensuring the tranquility of our Great Ming’s maritime territory.”

Zhu Geng quickly followed, kneeling and adding, “I am also willing to contribute ten thousand taels. I hope the court will build more naval ships to protect the coastal residents.”

The words of the King of Liao, Zhu Zhi, and the King of Min, Zhu Geng, astonished the other kings.

Although the king’s annual salary is abundant, reaching ten thousand stones each year, when converted to silver, it is only about five to six thousand taels. On ordinary days, they have to support several guards, eunuchs, maids, miscellaneous servants, and yes, a few concubines.

Even a simple meal for the king and his consort would cost at least ten taels of silver a day. How much expenditure is that?

Do they not buy nutritional supplements for their children?

Do they not pay school fees?

Do they not spend money when they fall ill?

On occasional festivals, they have to purchase things and reward the servants.

All in all, it’s quite a tight budget for the year.

If it weren’t for the lord taking advantage of extra land, accepting bribes, and seizing benefits, who could afford to live comfortably?

Originally, it was thought that the King of Liao and King of Min, after their fiefs were revoked, would be impoverished, relying only on their salaries to get by. Their mansions would be in a sorry state.

However, who would have thought that these two not only avoided destitution but became small wealthy individuals, readily contributing ten thousand taels of silver!

The other kings in attendance, while having some family assets, were still surprised by the boldness of easily offering up ten thousand taels of silver.

Zhu Gui observed the expressions of the others and, standing up, said, “I hope Your Majesty will take back my fief, and graciously allow me to engage in commerce. Hehe, Your Majesty, I also wish to amass wealth. Please do not refuse.”

Other kings were somewhat surprised but were not willing to take this step themselves.

Zhu Gui’s determination to engage in commerce was stronger than that of the other kings.

There was a reason for this. Zhu Gui’s fief was Datong.

Datong had always been an essential military stronghold and a strategic location, a place of great military significance.

In the Northern Wei period, Datong was the capital and was known as the “three-sided border, the most crucial place. To the east is Shanggu, to the south is Bing and Heng, to the west is the Yellow River, and to the north controls the desert. It serves as the shield of the capital and the protection of the Central Plains.”

In the Ming Dynasty’s Nine Frontiers, the most critical area was Datong!

In theory, King of Dai should be doing well in Datong. After having a good meal, he could ride out of the pass on a horse, wrestle with the Mongols, exercise his physique, and promote sports culture.

However, the problem was that, at present, Zhu Gui’s words had little effect in Datong.

There was another figure in Datong, the Marquis of Wuding, Guo Ying.

Guo Ying was personally appointed by Zhu Yunwen, commanding the Shanxi Military Command, responsible for all defenses in Datong. Besides his own personal guards, Zhu Gui couldn’t command many people.

In essence, Zhu Gui had been sidelined. Remaining in Datong no longer made sense. Relying on the meager output from his land, it was better to return to the capital and engage in commerce.

Hanging around with the Emperor, there shouldn’t be a problem getting a meal, right?

Zhu Yunwen looked at the three kneeling individuals and couldn’t help but sigh, “Although the King of Liao and Min have entered the business, their concerns for state affairs make them role models for the other kings. Since you are sincerely willing, if I refuse, it would be inappropriate. I’ll accept the silver, and in the future, when the large ships set sail, they can be named the King of Liao and King of Min!”

Zhu Zhi and Zhu Geng were excited. This meant that in future naval battles or voyages, the names King of Liao and King of Min would go down in history!

Other kings were envious. Such good fortune isn’t easy to come by.

If they also offer up ten thousand taels?

No, subtracting ten thousand taels, the Queen would kick me out of bed.

As other kings hesitated between reputation and sleeping arrangements, Zhu Yunwen turned to Zhu Gui and tried to keep him, saying, “Uncle Dai, Datong can’t do without you. Marquis of Wuding has sent multiple letters praising your effective governance. Datong is as solid as gold, and you should take the lead.”

Zhu Gui felt a bit helpless. What effective governance? It was clear that this was a reminder that whatever he did, whether right or wrong, Marquis of Wuding had already reported it to the capital. Be more careful…

No, being followed by that perverted Guo Ying wasn’t a solution. He had to leave Datong; returning to the capital was the long-term plan.

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