As early as the third year of Hongwu, the Zongren Mansion had been established, and it was called the main courtyard of the Great Sect at that time, and later in the twenty-second year of Hongwu, it was renamed the Zongren Mansion.

The main responsibilities of the Zongren Mansion are to be in charge of the clan register of the emperor's nine clans, compile the jade on time, and at the same time relay the requests of the clan's children to the emperor, as well as recommend talents for the clan's children, be responsible for the distribution of clansmen's salaries, record the birth, old age, sickness and death, funerals and marriages of the clan's personnel, and so on.

As for the punishment of the royal family and nobles, it was only a small part of the duties of the Zongren Mansion.

Moreover, even if those clans and nobles who angered the emperor were imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion, there were special people who were responsible for taking care of their daily lives, but their personal freedom would be restricted and they would not be allowed to enter and leave at will.

The original Zongren Mansion, its official position was mainly held by the royal family's respected relatives, and later from the Ming Dynasty Chengzu Zhu Di Fengtian Jingnan, after moving the capital to Beijing, the affairs under the jurisdiction of the Zongren Mansion were handed over to the Ministry of Rites.

Zongren Mansion has set up one person, who is five products, and is responsible for the sending and receiving and management of documents and files.

After Lu Fang came to the gate of the Zongren Mansion, he stopped, glanced at the two guards, and commanded in a deep voice.

"I bothered to go in and report it, and said that our family was ordered by His Majesty to come to see King Zheng this time!"

"Yes, yes, Grandpa Lu, the little one will go in and report!"

The guards at the gate of the Zongren Mansion saw that Lu Fang, the eunuch with the seal of the master of ceremonies, had arrived in person, and they did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and hurriedly entered the Zongren Mansion to report.

Lu Fang didn't wait too long at the door, and after a while, the guard who had gone in earlier to report hurriedly walked out of the Zongren Mansion, lowered his head, and said respectfully.

"Gonggong Lu, His Royal Highness King Zheng is waiting for you inside, you can go in!"

"Hmm."

Hearing this, Lu Fang withdrew his gaze from the guard, and immediately entered the Zongren Mansion with a leisurely pace.

As soon as Lu Fang entered the Zongren Mansion, the experience of the Zongren Mansion immediately greeted him, and at this moment, his face was full of respect.

"Xia Guan has seen Gonggong Lu!"

When Lu Fang heard this, after glancing at the official roughly, he immediately ordered.

"Lead the way!"

"Yes, Gonggong Lu, please come with the lower officials!"

Subsequently, under the guidance of that official, Lu Fang came to the place where Zhu Houhan, the king of Zheng, lived.

"Gonggong Lu, in front of you is where His Royal Highness King Zheng lives!"

"Well, I'm tired!"

Hearing this, Lu Fang nodded, glanced over the official, and spoke instead.

"Yes, Gonggong Lu, the lower official will retire, what is the use of the lower official later, although the words are just a word!"

When the official heard Lu Fang's words, his face suddenly showed excitement, and he saw him lean down and answer in a deep voice.

Lu Fang did not make any comment on this, but stepped into the place where Zhu Houhan, the king of Zheng, lived.

At this moment, Zhu Houhan in the room was intently looking at the book in his hand, and at this moment, he heard a knock on the door.

Zhu Houhan thought that it was the arrival of the subordinate who was responsible for taking care of his daily life, but he reluctantly took his eyes off the book and ordered in a deep voice: "Come in!" ”

As soon as Zhu Houhan's words fell, the door of the room was pushed open, and Lu Fang walked in.

As soon as Lu Fang entered the room, he bowed to Zhu Houhan.

"I've seen His Royal Highness King Zheng!"

Lu ...... Lv, Grandpa Lu, why are you here? ”

Zhu Houyan obviously didn't expect that the person who came was actually Lu Fang, and at this moment, his face was full of shock, and even his speech became stammering.

At this moment, Lu Fang's face was full of warm smiles, and immediately, he saw him looking in the direction where Zhu Houhan was, and explained unhurriedly.

"Your Royal Highness King Zheng, to tell you the truth, our family came here this time on the orders of His Majesty to restore your title!"

"What...... What, Your Majesty wants to restore the title of Lone! ”

When Zhu Houhan heard Lu Fang's words, his face was full of disbelief.

Lu Fang took in the expression on Zhu Houhan's face, and then added.

"Your Royal Highness King Zheng, you heard it right, from today onwards, you will be King Zheng again, and you can leave the Zongren Mansion at any time!"

"In addition, Your Majesty will add 800 stones for you on the basis of the original!"

After listening to Lu Fang's words, Zhu Houhan's face was full of excitement, and he lowered his head and muttered to himself.

"It's not in vain that the king tried hard to admonish at the beginning, Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, you have figured it out, Your Majesty has finally figured it out! ”

Then, I saw Zhu Houhan come back to his senses, knelt on the ground with a 'plop', and solemnly bowed three times in the direction where the Qianqing Palace was located.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! ”

Seeing this, Lu Fang's face also showed a look of relief, he actually admired the person of Zheng Wang Zhu Houhan, after all, in that case, he was the only one who dared to admonish His Majesty.

After Zhu Houhan got up from the ground, he saw Lu Fang gather his mind, turn his gaze to Zhu Houhan, and then asked.

"Your Royal Highness King Zheng, do you know about the recent examination held in the capital that is specifically for the clan and nobles?"

When Zhu Houhan heard Lu Fang's words, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he turned his gaze to Lu Fang and asked cautiously.

"Grandpa Lu means ......"

When Lu Fang heard this, he had no intention of going around in circles with Zhu Houhan, so he saw that he handed over the list drawn up by the cabinet to Zhu Houhan's hands from his sleeve, and then spoke.

"Congratulations to His Royal Highness King Zheng, your son Zhu Zaiyu won the first place in the exam held not long ago specifically for the clan and nobles!"

When Zhu Houhan heard Lu Fang's words, his hands trembled and took the list, and when he saw Zhu Zaiyu being listed as the first place, he couldn't help but feel a sour nose and a few tears falling to the ground.

"I, the father, really owe Yu'er, let him experience these ...... at a young age"

After Zhu Houhan finished speaking, he used his sleeve to wipe the tears off his face.

Seeing this situation, Lu Fang was also a little moved, after all, since the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, Zhu Houhan has been imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion, and his son Zhu Zaiyu has inevitably been implicated.

Then, I saw him take a step forward and comfort him softly.

"His Royal Highness King Zheng, everything has passed, His Royal Highness the Prince of the World has won the first place in the exam, and he will definitely be reused by His Majesty in the future!"

When Zhu Houhan heard this, his emotions gradually calmed down, and then, he saw him look at Lu Fang and pleaded.

"Gonggong Lu, this king wants to ask you for something!"

"His Royal Highness King Zheng doesn't have to be polite, if there is anything, even if you say it!"

When Lu Fang heard Zhu Houhan's words, he immediately responded without thinking.

"This king wants to see His Majesty, I don't know if Gonggong Lu can ......"

Lu Fang obviously didn't expect that Zhu Houhan would actually ask him to meet Jiajing, and Lu Fang was surprised for a moment before responding.

"His Royal Highness King Zheng, our family will relay your words to Your Majesty as they are!"

"There's Father-in-law Laolu!"

Seeing that Lu Fang had agreed to his request, Zhu Houhan immediately arched his hand to him and expressed his gratitude.

Seeing this, Lu Fang couldn't help but have a hint of panic on his face, and hurriedly returned the salute to Zhu Houhan.

"His Royal Highness King Zheng doesn't have to be polite, this is what our family should do!"

After that, Lu Fang exchanged a few words with Zhu Houhan, and then resigned to him.

"His Royal Highness King Zheng, it's not too early, our family still has things to deal with next, so let's leave first!"

"Well, Grandpa Lu walks slowly!"

After Lu Fang left the Zongren Mansion, he did not stop at all, and went straight in the direction where the Qianqing Palace was located.

After Lu Fang entered the Qianqing Palace and met Jiajing, he recounted what he saw and heard in the Zongren Mansion and the conversation with Zhu Houhan without reservation.

After listening to Lu Fang's narration, Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face, and turned to confirm to Lu Fang.

"You mean, King Zheng wants to see me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Lu Fang, who was on the side, heard Jiajing's words, he immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.

When Jiajing heard this, after thinking for a while, he immediately commanded.

"Well, in that case, let's meet him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the slave will send someone to inform King Zheng of the news later!"

On the other side, the capital, Yuwangfu.

At this moment, in the study of King Yu's Mansion, when Zhu Zaikun learned from the housekeeper that the first place in this exam was Zhu Zaiyu, the son of King Zheng Zhu Houhan, his face was full of shock.

"What...... What, the first place is actually Zhu Zaiyu! ”

The housekeeper on the side heard Zhu Zaikun's words, and after organizing the language in his mind, he responded cautiously.

"Yes, Your Highness, this is the news that Xu Ge Lao just sent someone, the first place in this exam is indeed Zhu Zaiyu, not only that, Your Majesty also asked Lu Fang to go to the Zongren Mansion in person!"

After listening to the butler's report, Zhu Zaikun waved his hand and commanded.

"Okay, this matter is alone, you go down!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The butler did not hesitate in the slightest, and immediately left the study.

After the housekeeper left, I saw Zhu Zaikun sitting straight on the top, picking up the teacup on the side, taking a sip, and then said to himself.

"How can the first place be Zhu Zaiyu, you must know that his father Zhu Houhan, but Shangshu angered his father, not only was he deposed as a concubine, but he was also imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion!"

"It stands to reason that with the temperament of his father, His Royal Highness King Zheng may only be able to stay in the Zongren Mansion for the rest of his life, but right now, his father has let Lu Fang ......"

Afterwards, I saw Zhu Zaikun suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and muttered to himself silently.

"Anyway, no matter how you say it, this is a great thing, after all, there are not many clans like King Zheng who dare to speak up and give advice!"

……

The night passed in the blink of an eye, and early the next morning, the specific ranking of this examination was announced by the cabinet.

The civil and military officials of the DPRK and the Central Committee had been looking forward to this news for a long time, so as soon as the cabinet announced the examination rankings on the front foot, a large number of officials gathered on the back foot.

And when those officials saw the specific rankings, they couldn't help but be surprised, and they talked about it.

A gray-haired old man in a scarlet official uniform couldn't help but be shocked after reading the specific rankings announced by the cabinet.

"What, the first place is actually Zhu Zaiyu, the son of King Zheng!"

As soon as the old man's words fell, an official on the side soon stood up and asked the old man.

"King Zheng, which King Zheng?"

When the old man heard this, he glanced at the official who asked the question rather arrogantly, and explained.

"Hmph, don't you know, His Royal Highness King Zheng once admonished His Majesty in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing......"

The old man in the scarlet official uniform just got up, and then he inadvertently caught a glimpse of Zhao Zhenji in the crowd.

Then, as if aware of something, the old man immediately stopped telling and left the scene without looking back.

The curiosity of the crowd had just been aroused by the old man, but when they saw him leave the scene without looking back, they couldn't help but start complaining.

"Really, it's better not to talk about it!"

"Yes, at the beginning, people disappeared all of a sudden!"

After complaining a few words, everyone shifted the topic back to Zhu Zaiyu.

"By the way, do any of you know where this Zhu Zaiyu came from?"

"Zhu Zaiyu is the son of His Royal Highness King Zheng, it is said that he is upright, clever and intelligent, and is very proficient in music and music scores.

"Yes, I have also heard of Zhu Zaiyu's name, and besides, this exam has been reviewed twice, it must be very fair!"

Immediately afterwards, everyone began to discuss Zhu Zaiyu.

Zhao Zhenji, who was in the crowd, turned around and left in the direction of the Inspectorate without attracting anyone's attention after browsing the specific rankings that would be announced by the cabinet.

Zhao Zhenji, as the superintendent of the imperial history, naturally knew something about the fact that Zhu Houhan, the king of Zheng, wrote a letter to admonish Jiajing and asked him not to take pills in order to live forever.

"It's actually King Zheng's son Zhu Zaiyu who came out on top, is it possible, it's His Majesty's plan to ......"

Thinking so, Zhao Zhenji immediately gathered his mind and quickened the pace under his feet.

……

The Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Zheng Wang Zhu Houhan looked at the Qianqing Palace close at hand in front of him, and his face was full of cramped and uneasy.

Last night was the last night he spent in the Zongren Mansion, and he didn't sleep well all night at the thought of meeting Jiajing today.

Since the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, he has been imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion, and now, eleven years have passed!

When he came out of the Zongren Mansion, he found out that Jiajing not only ordered Jinyi Wei to execute Tao Zhongwen and others who were alchemizing for him!

Moreover, the Japanese who were entrenched in the southeast coastal area were completely wiped out, and in the foreign war, they defeated the Tatar army that came to plunder, and captured the Tatar Khan alive!

At present, the Ming Dynasty has an unusually abundant treasury, and its national strength is also rising rapidly at an unimaginable speed.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you have finally come to your senses!"

Zhu Houhan thought so, his face was full of gratifying expressions, and just as Zhu Houhan's thoughts were flying, he saw Lu Fang take a silent step and came to Zhu Houhan's face.

"His Royal Highness King Zheng, His Majesty is waiting for you inside, you can go in!"

"Well, there's Father-in-law Laolu!"

When Zhu Houhan heard Lu Fang's words, he suddenly came back to his senses and arched his hand to show his gratitude.

Subsequently, under the guidance of Lu Fang, Zhu Houhan stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houhan's eyes intersected with Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, and the eyes of the two sides only met for a moment, and then they moved away.

"Weichen knocks to see Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

The words fell, and just as Zhu Houhan was about to bow to Jiajing, he was stopped by Jiajing.

I saw Jiajing wave his hand, looked in the direction where Zhu Houyan was, and then commanded.

"No need!"

After that, I saw Jiajing look at the eunuch waiting on the side, and then ordered.

"Come on, give a seat to King Zheng!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, a eunuch soon stepped forward, prepared a seat for Zhu Houhan, and covered it with soft cushions.

Seeing this, Zhu Houhan's face suddenly showed a flattered expression, and then, he saw his throat move, leaned down, and responded respectfully.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Well, sit down!"

When Zhu Houhan heard this, he didn't excuse himself, and sat straight on the chair, sitting upright, not daring to make the slightest move.

I saw Jiajing withdraw his gaze from Zhu Houhan's body, raised his eyebrows, and asked next.

"Lu Fang said, you want to see me, say, what's the matter with me?"

When Zhu Houhan heard Jiajing's words, he immediately suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, plucked up his courage, and asked closely.

"Dare to ask Your Majesty if he plans to re-implement the policy of changing the land and returning it to the river in the southwest?"

After listening to Zhu Houhan's question, Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face, and then, he saw Jiajing nodding and responding.

"Well, that's right, the imperial court will soon dispatch a large army to suppress the Tusi in the southwest!"

When Zhu Houhan heard Jiajing's words, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face, and immediately, he saw his words turn around and asked Jiajing.

"Weichen heard that Your Majesty, you plan to personally select a part of the clan and nobles to serve in the southwest at that time?"

"Well, that's right, is it possible, did you come to ask me not to send Zhu Zaiyu to serve in the southwest?"

When Jiajing heard this, a look of doubt appeared on his face at the right time, and he immediately looked in the direction where Zhu Houhan was located and confirmed to him.

When Zhu Houhan heard Jiajing's words, he shook his head and cut the railroad to the fore.

"No, Your Majesty, on the contrary, Weichen very much hopes that you can send Zhu Zaiyu to serve in the southwest!"

"In this way, he can also do his part and serve the country!"

When Jiajing heard Zhu Houhan's words, he nodded and responded unhurriedly.

"Don't worry, that's what I originally intended!"

When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment, then looked directly at Zhu Houhan's gaze, and asked in a deep voice.

"King Zheng, is that all you want to say to me?"

When Zhu Houhan heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, he mustered up his courage and said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the original incident, Weichen shouldn't have ......"

Before Zhu Houhan's words were finished, he was interrupted by Jiajing.

"Okay, no need to say it again, that incident has already passed, from now on, there is no need to mention it again!"

"In short, I am still very pleased, after all, under the circumstances at that time, you were the only one who dared to stand up and admonish me!"

When Jiajing's words fell, Zhu Houhan's face was full of disbelief, and he knew very well in his heart that Jiajing's words were actually an admission of his mistake in disguise.

After all, the emperor can never be wrong, and even if he does, it is because the traitor deceived the Holy Hearing!

Then, I saw Zhu Houhan gather his mind, and said in a deep voice with great reverence.

"Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Jiajing took in the expression on Zhu Houhan's face, and immediately waved his hand and commanded.

"Alright, let's do this for today, I still have some things to deal with later, you can leave!"

"Obey, Your Majesty, Weichen will retire!"

Seeing this, Zhu Houhan immediately bowed to Jiajing, and after that, he did not stop in the Qianqing Palace, and immediately left.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houhan couldn't help but speed up the pace of his feet, because he couldn't wait to see his son Zhu Zaiyu, who had been absent for many years!

……

On the Gobi Desert, a mighty and endless Ming army is marching slowly on the road, in this black Ming army and horses, a crimson flag as high as one foot and five zhang, is constantly fluttering in the strong wind, inserting Zhu Ying on the top and a pheasant tail on the bottom.

The horse's hooves stomped on the ground with a loud noise.

This Ming army, the more than 12,000 Ming troops commanded by Yang Xuan, the governor of Jiliao, has successfully completed the task of assisting Tumaihan, the Zasaktu Khan, to suppress the rebellion within the tribe, and is now on their way home.

"At the moment, as the Great Khan, Tumaihan has not completely gathered power within the tribe."

"A large part of the power in the tribe has fallen into the hands of Amutai, and Amutai has surrendered to my Daming, that is to say, at present, my Daming has actually controlled the Chahar tribe!"

Then, I saw Yang Xuan, the governor of Jiliao, withdraw his gaze from the Gobi Desert in the distance, and immediately looked at the deputy general on the side, and asked.

"At the current speed, how long will it take for us to return to Jizhou?"

When the lieutenant heard Yang Xuan's words, he immediately responded after thinking for a while.

"General, judging from the current marching speed of the army, we only need six days to rush back to Jizhou!"

Hearing this, Yang Xuan nodded, and then asked.

"Is the army's current heavy grain and grass still sufficient?"

When the lieutenant heard this, he immediately responded after thinking for a moment.

"General, with the army's existing heavy grain and grass, it should be enough to support us to return to Jizhou!"

"Well, General Ben knows!"

After listening to the lieutenant's report, Yang Xuan immediately tightened the reins of the jujube red war horse under him, and commanded in a deep voice.

"Order the army, speed up, we will be able to return to Jizhou soon!"

"Yes, General!" (End of chapter)