Among the Beijing divisions, more than a dozen eunuchs left in batches with the holy decree and set off towards all parts of the Ming Dynasty.

These edicts were very special, and they were all sent to vassal kings all over the country.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the descendants of the Zhu family have been divided into various places, the Hongwu Dynasty has been crowned with twenty-five kings, the Jianwen Dynasty has been crowned with three kings, the Yongle Dynasty has been crowned with two kings, and the Hongxi Dynasty has been crowned with eight kings.

In the sixteenth year of Orthodoxy, there were twenty-one kings, excluding those who were convicted, those who had no heirs, and those who became emperors.

Zhu Qizhen, considering the particularity of overseas territories, decided to let the little brother temporarily garrison the Luzon Capital Division and take full charge of the civil affairs and military affairs here.

As for the other vassal kings, all the holy decrees are exactly the same, enter the capital!

…………

Xiangyang, Xiangwangfu.

Zhu Zhan Feng held the holy decree and looked a little overwhelmed.

The prince Zhu Qiyong hurriedly entered and asked, "Father, what happened?" ”

Zhu Zhan Rong glared at him and said angrily: "I still want to ask you, tell me, what good things have you done recently, and it has reached the ears of today's saints?" ”

He is a precious son, who has been pampered since he was a child, and now he is at the age of causing trouble everywhere.

Although I usually discipline one or two, it doesn't play a role at all.

"Huh?"

When Zhu Qiyong heard this, he was immediately shocked, and subconsciously blurted out: "Your Majesty...... How do you know? ”

"You ......"

Zhu Zhan trembled angrily, stood up, found a stick, and asked, "Say, what did you do?" ”

At this time, Zhu Qiyong didn't dare to hide it anymore, so he went to the brothel to drink flower wine, fought with others and became jealous, and then told the story of the broken human leg.

Zhu Zhan was so angry, he knocked on the table with a stick and said, "Why don't you tell me about such a big thing?" ”

"Son...... Don't you dare......"

Zhu Qiyong lowered his head and looked pitiful.

Zhu Zhan asked again: "Didn't the other party report to the official?" ”

"Father, you are laughing, where does Changsha Mansion dare to manage the palace...... ......"

When Zhu Qiyong said this, he immediately reacted, and hurriedly lowered his head again.

"Rebel!"

Zhu Zhan was so angry that he trembled, but he didn't know what to do.

When the princess heard the news, she rushed over and asked, "Lord, what happened?" ”

Zhu Zhan sat down weakly in his chair and said: "The emperor suddenly issued an order asking me to enter Beijing, it is estimated that it is your precious son who is in trouble, and people have sued Beijing!" ”

The princess was puzzled: "I heard that the emperor has been fighting in the south and the north in recent years, how can he still care about such trivial matters?" ”

Zhu Zhan shook his head and said: "Today, the emperor loves the people like a son, and the palace bullies the people, and the emperor will definitely not spare it if he knows it!" ”

Zhu Qiyong tilted his head and muttered: "I lost all the money, why is it endless, besides, what a big deal, as for suing in front of the emperor?" ”

"Shut up!"

Zhu Zhan Rong glared at him and said, "Don't say anything, you go and clean up now, enter Beijing with me, and personally ask the emperor for guilt!" ”

The princess persuaded: "Lord, don't worry, let's figure out the situation later." ”

"Humph!"

Zhu Zhan Rong looked like he hated iron but not steel, and said: "You, you, just protect him, now it has caused a big disaster, and it is light to abolish the position of the prince, if you don't get it right, the title of this king will be abolished!" ”

The princess turned pale with fright, and said weakly: "Not really......"

"Otherwise, you women don't understand anything!"

Zhu Zhanyuan shook his head and said, "Do you know how many people are involved in Jiangnan smuggling?" Half of the officialdom in Jiangnan is gone! Annan has plagued the Ming Dynasty for many years, and even Emperor Xuanzong is helpless, and in the hands of the emperor, it will be solved in less than half a year! Today's emperor is no longer the child he was back then, and his thunderous means are comparable to Taizong and Taizu! ”

The princess looked at her baby son cautiously, and said softly: "Qi Yong, when you see the emperor, you must take the initiative to admit your mistakes, after all, you are in the same blood, and the emperor will definitely save your face." ”

Zhu Qiyong was frightened, so he nodded reluctantly.

On the second day, Zhu Zhandong, the king of Xiang, took his son and guards and embarked on the road to Beijing.

It took more than 2,000 miles from Xiangyang Mansion to Jingshi, and it took a month to arrive.

Along the way, Zhu Zhanyuan was surprised to find that the changes seemed to be much greater.

Especially after Baoding Mansion, the changes are more obvious.

He left Jingshi in the fourth year of Xuande and has not been here since.

Only 20 years later, the city is much more prosperous than it used to be.

The road is paved with gravel and is very wide, and you can see various workshops on both sides, and people everywhere.

I heard that the emperor abolished the household registration system, and now I see that the people are all coming to work, are there still people farming?

However, the fields are still lush and green, with wheat and rice fields in one piece, and it can be seen that the land is not deserted, and the crops are growing very well.

He had heard about the new policies issued by the imperial court, but he didn't know what it was.

When I saw it today, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and I was a little more happy in my heart.

However, when he thought that he had come to Beijing to plead guilty, his face became ugly again.

Finally arrived in Beijing, Zhu Zhan didn't dare to stay, and came directly to the palace.

Who knows, I saw a familiar figure head-on.

"Second brother?"

Zhu Zhan was stunned for a long time, but still shouted out.

"Old five?"

The person opposite, wearing a python robe, is none other than Zhu Zhanjun, the king of Zheng.

The two hadn't seen each other for 20 years since they became vassals, and when they saw each other today, they were immediately excited.

Zhu Zhan hurriedly asked, "Second brother, how can you ......?"

Mengdi, he realized one thing.

The holy decree only said that he would let himself enter Beijing, but did not explain what it was.

He instinctively thought that it was his son who caused trouble and was impeached by some nosy imperial historian.

However, the moment he saw King Zheng, he realized that it didn't seem to be the case.

Zhu Zhanjun said: "The emperor summoned him, how can he not come?" ”

"The emperor has also summoned you?"

"Of course, Fifth Brother, go quickly, the emperor is still waiting! When the emperor finishes asking, let's talk about the old days! ”

Although the two are not born in the same mother, they have had a good relationship since childhood, and when they reunite after a long absence, they naturally want to find a time to talk about the old things.

Zhu Zhan asked again: "Second brother, how many vassal kings has the emperor summoned?" ”

"It is said that all of them have been summoned, and now they are only half here, and half are still on their way."

"That'...... What the hell is going on? ”

"This ......"

Zhu Zhanjun hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Actually, it's a good thing, it depends on how you decide." ”

"Second brother, don't sell it, what's the matter?"

"I can't tell, you go quickly, in short, it's a good thing!"

After finishing speaking, Zhu Zhanjun smiled meaningfully and left in a hurry.

Zhu Zhan was puzzled, what a good thing, he was still hiding it......

With a stomach full of questions, I came to the imperial study.

On the way, he was still asking the little eunuch who led the way why he was summoned in the imperial study instead of Fengtian Palace.

The little eunuch replied that the emperor didn't like to be in the Fengtian Palace on weekdays, unless the ministers were discussing matters, otherwise, they were all in the imperial study.

Only then did Zhu Zhan Feng put his mind at ease, and then gave Zhu Qiyong behind him a look, which meant that the plan had changed and he would act at the opportune moment.

When he arrived at the imperial study, Zhu Qizhen heard the report and personally greeted him.

"Uncle Huang has worked hard all the way!"

Zhu Zhan Feng hurriedly bowed and saluted: "Minister Zhu Zhan Feng asks the holy bow!" ”

"Uncle Huang, please get up, come, please take a seat!"

Zhu Qizhen helped the person up and pulled him to sit on a chair.

Zhu Zhan was flattered, and hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, don't be polite, minister...... Don't dare to be! ”

Zhu Qizhen looked at King Xiang's father and son, and went straight to the point.

"I sent twenty-one holy decrees to the vassal kings in various places, and I have something to discuss with you."

Zhu Zhan hurriedly asked, "What's the matter with the emperor?" ”

Zhu Qizhen took out the prepared map and unfolded it.

"Uncle Huang, look, this is the latest Ming territory."

Zhu Zhan stood up and took a closer look, from the north to the Nan River, to the west to Hami, and to the south of Annam, Champong, Luzon, Sulu and other places, all of which have become the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and in just a few years, the territory has nearly doubled!

"The emperor has opened up the territory and expanded the territory, and his merits are in the future, and the ministers are extremely admired!"

He was really in awe, this expansion speed is too fast!

Emperor Taizong studied his life, conquered Mobei, conquered Annan, and the territory was not so large.

What's more, in the Xuanzong period, it shrank again......

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "If you praise it, Uncle Huang doesn't need to say it, I summoned all the vassal kings to come here to discuss one thing with everyone." Before that, I need to ask Uncle Pope a question, has my Ming Dynasty's feudal system deviated from the original intention? ”

Zhu Zhan was suddenly silent, this ...... Can't pick it up!

If you say the original intention, Emperor Taizu divided the descendants for the sake of the town, as for why the later vassal kings became a pig-raising model, this question ...... Shouldn't you ask Emperor Taizong?

Seeing this, Zhu Qizhen continued: "This expedition to Annan is the leader of the King of Servants, and now the King of Servants is guarding in Luzon, what does the emperor think?" ”

Zhu Zhanyuan still didn't speak, and his face was a little strange.

The vassal king does not lead troops, this is the ancestral system.

As for why there is this ancestral system, you still have to ask Emperor Taizong.

What kind of consequences will it be if you send out the King of Servants now, have you thought about it clearly?

"Uncle Huang doesn't have to be so restrained, there are no outsiders here, please speak freely, if you have any questions, just ask them."

Zhu Zhan raised his head and said slowly: "The emperor's arrangement naturally has the emperor's reason, and there is no problem with the minister." ”

Just kidding, it's also your brothers' business to fight, what does it have to do with me?

Zhu Qizhen smiled again, then pointed to the map and said: "Uncle Huang, look, outside the territory of my Ming Dynasty, there are Korea, Wa, Ryukyu, Uszang, and Ottoman...... Wait, countless lands, if the imperial uncle is interested in serving the king and defending one side, I am willing to send troops and food, and fully support it! ”

Zhu Zhan suddenly understood why when he first met King Zheng, the other party only said that it was a good thing, but did not say what it was, and said that it was up to him to decide.

It turned out that the emperor was preparing to gather everyone and planned to continue to expand the territory.

Such a thing is naturally a good thing for ambitious people.

If you don't have ambition and are willing to stay in a corner, it won't make a difference.

"The emperor's intentions are understood, but the matter is very high, can you allow the ministers to think about it for some time?"

He can't make a decision yet, at least he has to talk to the other vassal kings and see what others think.

Zhu Qizhen didn't force him to express his position on the spot, but said: "Uncle Huang should consider it as soon as possible, overseas places are also divided into far and near, rich and poor, my purpose is first-come, first-served, whoever demarcates the territory first, even if it is his, others are not allowed to rob it!" ”

Zhu Zhan frowned slightly, and then said, "The minister will reply to the emperor as soon as possible!" ”

After speaking, he saluted and retired.

When the father and son left the palace, Zhu Qiyong asked: "The emperor sent troops and food, this is a good thing, why didn't my father come down on the spot?" ”

Zhu Zhan Yuan glanced at him and said, "The vassal king is not in charge of the army, this is the ancestral training, how do you know that the emperor is not testing us?" ”

"But...... Didn't King Yu lead the troops? Now I'm still guarding Luzon, why can't I wait? ”

"You!"

Zhu Zhan shook his head and said, "How can you guarantee that the emperor has no suspicions about King Yu?" In other words, how do you know if the king has two hearts? If there is a problem on the side of the king and the emperor is suspicious, then aren't these people unlucky to follow the father? ”

"Oh!"

Zhu Qiyong nodded, looking thoughtful.

"You are young and vigorous, easy to be impulsive, listen to your father's advice, you must not be a head bird, Mu Xiu will be destroyed by the forest wind, for your father's life, I just want peace and security."

"But, Father, ......"

Zhu Qiyong first looked left and right, but no one paid attention to him, so he asked in a low voice: "Do you really not want to lead troops?" ”

"Okay, don't talk nonsense, follow your father at night, go and see King Zheng first, this person has a lot of eyes, when the time comes, you listen more and talk less, and learn more from others!"

"Yes!"

The two came to Honglu Temple, but found that in addition to King Zheng, there were several princes.

After counting, counting myself, there were as many as ten.

In the Ming Dynasty, the vassal kings were not allowed to enter Beijing without an edict, and so many princes gathered together, except for the ceremony of dividing the feudal during the Hongwu period, there was no longer an appearance.

That night, Honglu Temple was very lively, the princes pushed the cup and changed the lamp, reminisced about the old home, and chatted happily.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, finally, someone said about the emperor's summons.

In fact, everyone is waiting in their hearts, but no one wants to take the lead.

Everyone looked at each other, and the person who spoke was Zhu Dianpei, the king of Ning.

King Ning's status in the Ming Dynasty is extraordinary.

Zhu Quan, the first king of Ning in the Ming Dynasty, guarded Daning during the Jingnan period, and was the strongest fighting force among the vassal kings.

At the beginning, Zhu Di raised troops and was difficult, and when he saw that he couldn't beat it, he ran to Daning to borrow troops, Zhu Quan didn't borrow it, Zhu Di tied people up, and then forcibly borrowed Duoyan Sanwei, and left a sentence, if this battle is won, our brothers will divide the world and rule!

However, what does the promise made by King Yan concern me Emperor Yongle?

After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he denied what he had said, and also seized Zhu Quan's military power.

Since then, Zhu Quan has completely lost interest in the struggle for power, and spends all day long, taking care of the tea ceremony.