Chapter 68: Emperor Hongwu Runs Around the Pillar
The first pleasant surprise of the day came from Biao.
Hearing what Zhu Biao had just said, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting there with a hint of smugness and secretly congratulating himself on his foresight, was stunned for a moment.
Wait, Biao usually looked so honest and straightforward, how could he turn on him just like that?
And betray him right to his face?
Didn't they agree that once he gave those rascal boys some rewards, they would help cover for him so he could pass this hurdle smoothly?
Why was Biao acting like this now?
Why hadn't he noticed before that Biao could be this mischievous?
What did it mean to thoroughly sabotage one's own father?
His own good eldest son was a master at sabotaging his father!
However, Zhu Yuanzhang had no time to argue with his beloved eldest son about this matter right now.
Because Queen Ma’s gaze, sharp as a knife yet gentle on the surface, had already landed on him.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt a chilling draft, and his hair stood on end in an instant.
"Hehehe... Sister, don't listen to Biao's nonsense. These are all just superficial appearances."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a dry, awkward chuckle.
A smile also appeared on Queen Ma’s face: "A true man ought to suffer a little hardship. Jade cannot be carved without being cut and polished. Raised deep within the palace walls, tended by women's hands, how can one succeed without knowing the hardships of the common folk? Your approach, Your Majesty, is entirely correct."
Queen Ma's mood appeared remarkably stable; one could even hear a great deal of agreement and admiration in her words.
It was as if that knife-like gentle gaze earlier had never come from her at all, and everything was merely Zhu Yuanzhang's imagination.
Yet Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that this matter was far from over!
Having lived together for so many years, he knew his wife's style of doing things inside and out.
When facing outsiders, no matter how grave a mistake he made, or how dissatisfied his wife was with what he had done, she would never throw a tantrum in public and would always maintain her usual composed demeanor.
That did not mean the matter was forgotten, however; his wife would simply settle accounts with him later when they were alone.
Judging by Queen Ma’s reaction right now, anyone could tell she had already carved this incident deep into her memory.
"Father, I told you Mother would surely understand your profound good intentions. See? Was I wrong?"
Zhu Biao's voice chimed in at just the right moment, actually carrying a tone of claiming credit.
Zhu Yuanzhang froze for a moment, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
So Biao had learned to be crafty as well!
He had actually learned to play with words against his own father.
Back then, after he rewarded the three scoundrels, he asked Biao if that would suffice. Biao had replied that sending the second prince and the others to Zhongdu was a stroke of genius, and added that his mother would certainly understand his profound intentions.
Now, his wife was indeed saying she understood his profound intentions.
The crucial point, however, was that his wife was speaking with hidden emotions, clearly using sarcasm, and intended to settle accounts with him later!
Even the honest and loyal Biao had learned to be cunning!
He had nothing better to do than to think about trapping his own father.
Yet, far from being angry, Zhu Yuanzhang actually felt delighted.
He felt that his Biao had grown even more capable.
...
"Haha, you guys chat first, I have state affairs to attend to.
Being away on this trip has delayed quite a few matters."
Upon returning to the imperial palace, Zhu Yuanzhang said with a beaming smile as he looked at Queen Ma and his sons.
Of course, he was primarily speaking to Queen Ma.
Without waiting for Queen Ma to reply, he took the initiative and strode off toward the Wuying Hall.
Though his steps were steady and steady, full of the majesty of an imposing patriarch,
in the eyes of Zhu Biao, Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Di, it somehow looked suspiciously like a hasty escape.
"Father, you haven't seen Mother for quite some time either. Why don't you... stay and keep Mother company for a while?"
Zhu Shuang kindly called out to his father, Zhu Yuanzhang.
"This blockhead!" Zhu Yuanzhang cursed resentfully under his breath.
He quickened his pace even more.
Without looking back, he waved his hand repeatedly: "No, no, state affairs are urgent, state affairs are urgent.
How can a true man neglect public duties for private matters?
You boys just stay here and have a good chat with your mother!"
By the time his voice trailed off, he had already turned the corner of the palace wall and vanished from their sight.
"Father is truly dedicated heart and soul to the country!"
Zhu Shuang praised with genuine admiration, his face filled with awe for his father.
On the other side of the palace wall, Zhu Yuanzhang stumbled slightly, his lips moving silently.
Judging by his expression, he was likely praising his second son once again.
Zhu Biao, Zhu Ji, and Zhu Di looked at one another, their expressions growing solemn one by one.
A moment later, reckoning that their father had walked far enough away and could no longer hear any commotion from this side—
"Hahaha..."
Zhu Biao could no longer hold it in. His thoroughly serious facade cracked instantly, and he burst out laughing, stamping his feet in amusement.
Zhu Ji and Zhu Di, who had been trying hard to keep straight faces, were infected by Zhu Biao's laughter and finally broke down, roaring with laughter as well.
They laughed so hard they had to clutch their stomachs.
Never before had they discovered such a delightfully amusing side to their father.
Especially Zhu Shuang's earnest inquiry—that truly was a stroke of genius.
Zhu Shuang rubbed his head, momentarily failing to grasp why his eldest brother and the others were laughing so heartily.
After a pause, he too grinned and burst into laughter, tears welling up in his eyes from mirth.
Of course, this was not because Zhu Shuang had belatedly figured out what was going on.
It was simply because everyone else was laughing, and he felt it would look bad if he didn't join in.
Queen Ma looked at her sons, who were now laughing together in a heap, and could not help curving her lips into a smile, her eyes brimming with maternal affection...
Once her sons had laughed their fill, she immediately had delicious food sent over while questioning Zhu Shuang, Zhu Ji, and Zhu Di in detail about their life in Zhongdu.
During this process, the third and fourth sons spoke a great deal, while the second son spoke very little, spending most of his time grinning foolishly.
Queen Ma did not overlook this son and specifically directed a few questions at Zhu Shuang.
The more she learned, the more alarmed and heartbroken Queen Ma became.
She was alarmed by the perilous experiences her sons had endured, and equally alarmed by the sheer audacity of Li Shanchang and his associates!
Had it not been for her own sons' firsthand accounts, if anyone else had told her that Li Shanchang and his faction dared to act this way during the grand project of building Zhongdu, her first instinct would have been to suspect the person was lying!
She felt heartache for the suffering her sons had endured in Zhongdu, and even greater heartache for the countless commoners conscripted to build the city.
How innocent were the common folk!
Li Shanchang truly deserved to die!
In this matter, Chongba had handled things admirably!
Had Chongba not hardened his heart and executed the unexpected move of sending his sons to Zhongdu, cutting the ground out from under Li Shanchang's feet, blocking all possible pretexts for sophistry, and catching him dead-to-rights,
managing to handle the situation so cleanly and swiftly would not have been nearly so simple.
Still, one thing was one thing, and Chongba's personal ledger still had to be settled!
...
The night was already deep, yet the Wuying Hall remained brightly lit.
Zhu Yuanzhang was still seated there handling state documents, showing not the slightest trace of fatigue.
Having returned to the eighth year of Hongwu, this feeling of boundless energy and inexhaustible vigor coursing through his entire body felt truly wonderful.
Back in modern times as Zhu Jianjun, he had never possessed such a robust physique or such extraordinary stamina.
Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of going anywhere tonight; he would process state affairs right here in the Wuying Hall.
After working deep into the night, he simply slept right here in the Wuying Hall.
On one hand, he had an impatient temperament and hated seeing too many state matters pile up.
Moreover, he possessed a unique fondness for managing state affairs, viewing it as a form of enjoyment.
Power was seized and wielded precisely through the handling of these administrative duties.
On the other hand, he was worried that if he went to the Kunning Palace, his wife would settle accounts with him...
Pfui, that wasn't it at all.
As the dignified Emperor Hongwu, who had even spent fifteen years studying abroad in modern times, how could he possibly refrain from sleeping in the Kunning Palace out of fear of being disciplined by his wife?
What a complete joke!
Who would believe such nonsense?
Was he, the magnificent Emperor Hongwu, really that kind of man?
"Bang!"
The heavy doors of the Wuying Hall were pushed open from the outside, and a cold draft swept inward.
Zhu Yuanzhang dropped his vermilion brush and sprang instantly to his feet.
Even as he cursed under his breath that Old Wang guarding the door was becoming increasingly useless—previously, whenever his wife arrived, the man at least knew to shout a loud "Her Majesty the Empress is here" to give him a warning,
yet this time the fellow didn't even make a peep, giving him zero chance to prepare—
he bolted toward the rear exit.
He didn't even need to look to know who had come!
Aside from his wife, no one else possessed the ability to push open the doors of the Wuying Hall in complete silence.
Regrettably, a figure had already darted forward, blocking his escape route.
Queen Ma, wielding a feather duster, chased Zhu Yuanzhang around the Wuying Hall, beating him relentlessly.
"Sister, Sister, stop hitting me, stop hitting me, Sister!"
"Didn't I bring all those rascals back safe and sound?"
Zhu Yuanzhang dodged around a pillar while calling out in defense.
"You call that safe and sound? You damn near left their lives out there!
How did you promise me back then?"
Queen Ma continued to brandish the feather duster, chasing Zhu Yuanzhang around the pillars.
At this moment, what remained of Queen Ma’s majestic demeanor as the mother of the nation?
If outsiders were to witness this scene, countless jaws would surely drop in shock.
Who could ever imagine that the founding emperor and empress of the Great Ming Dynasty would behave in such a manner behind closed doors?
"Sister, Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong..."
...
After quite a while, once the Wuying Hall was littered with floating chicken feathers, the battle finally came to a halt.
"Chongba, I know you meant well, wanting to resolve a major problem and wishing to properly temper our sons,
to make them strive and turn out capable.
Yet... your methods were far too drastic.
I feared that if I let it pass, you would only become more heavy-handed in the future.
These are our sons; as parents, which mother or father does not cherish their children?
Even if they need tempering, there must still be limits."
Queen Ma leaned against Zhu Yuanzhang's chest, gently plucking a chicken feather stuck to his hair while speaking to him in a soft, gentle voice.
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's mind once again conjured images of the outrageous deeds his sons would commit in the future.
His heart, which had softened slightly, grew hard once more.
In this lifetime, these sons of his—especially those whose behavior was no better than beasts—must never be allowed to act that way again!
They still needed to be hammered and forged, and the intensity must be cranked up when necessary.
Putting them through hardships himself was far better than having them bring hardship upon the common people later on!
"Sister, I know everything you're saying.
However, what I want to say is that these trials are precisely what they ought to endure.
Who told them... to be the sons of Zhu Yuanzhang?"
As he uttered these words, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a silent sigh, and his mood suddenly grew heavy.
A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind.
Yet his resolve to rigorously train his sons only grew firmer.
Queen Ma’s hand, which had been picking feathers from Zhu Yuanzhang, paused mid-motion.
Clearly, she had not expected Zhu Yuanzhang to utter such words.
*Who told them to be the sons of Zhu Yuanzhang?*
At first hearing, the sentence sounded ordinary enough, but a moment's reflection revealed countless layers of meaning.
In particular, it laid bare Chongba's internal conflict regarding the cultivation of his sons, as well as his ultimate, unshakeable determination.
Inside the Wuying Hall, silence descended, broken only by the occasional crackle of a candle wick.
After a long while, Queen Ma resumed picking the chicken feathers off Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Chongba, what you said is right. As your sons and the imperial princes of Great Ming, they are destined to be different from ordinary people.
With a high position comes heavy responsibility.
Without corresponding hardships, one cannot cultivate the corresponding ability and character.
For their future, that would be no blessing at all.
Since ancient times, indulgent mothers have ruined their sons; I understand this principle."
Queen Ma straightened her posture in Zhu Yuanzhang's arms.
Pausing for a moment, she continued: "Yet... human hearts are made of flesh, especially a mother's heart.
Sometimes I cannot help but wish that our sons did not possess such great capabilities, nor do I care for them to be overly outstanding.
As long as they could live in peace and joy, that would be enough.
However... I also know this is impossible.
The four words 'peace and joy' sound utterly ordinary, but upon deeper thought, they are the most extravagant luxury of all.
In this world, how many people can truly enjoy peace and joy their whole lives?
Especially since you, Chongba, have bestowed upon all our sons titles of nobility and intend to send them to their fiefs in the future.
Princes who accomplish nothing are in the wrong, and with your actions on top of that, countless eyes beneath the heavens will be fixed rigidly upon them.
Especially the officials—they will be glaringly watchful, eager to press their very eyes against our sons to find a fault.
If they lack true capability and rely solely on a royal title, achieving peace and joy will be utterly impossible.
Chongba, I understand your difficulties as well.
I... I am not stopping you from tempering them; I only ask that when you forge them, you must exercise the utmost caution—at the very least, do not let them lose their lives..."
Queen Ma spoke slowly and with much internal struggle.
The natural instinct to cherish one's children and fear them suffering hardship, balanced against the necessity of watching them grow and mature, always made it difficult to let go or strike a proper balance.
"Sister, I know, I know it all, I think the exact same way.
Biao is my son, and the rest of the boys are my sons too.
I must not only consider Biao, but take the other sons into account and look after them equally.
I want to give them a better future, and I am bound to give them a vastly different, far better future!"
Queen Ma nodded firmly, straightening her body before leaning back against Zhu Yuanzhang's chest once more.
She believed what Chongba said.
Yet at the same time, she felt that Chongba had changed a great deal over this past period.
Especially in his attitude toward his other sons.
In the past, Chongba could not be said to ignore his other sons, but his care was truly limited.
Now, however, Queen Ma could distinctly feel that Chongba's care for the rest of their sons had increased significantly.
This was a very good change.
She did not overthink it, attributing the shift entirely to the journey to Zhongdu, which had stirred many reflections in Chongba and allowed him to witness his other sons' merits firsthand.
That must be why he had changed...
...
"Father, the wind outside is fierce and the weather is cold. Please put this on before you leave!"
Having received an imperial summons to enter the palace for an audience, Xu Da wasted no time and immediately prepared to depart following the palace messenger into the forbidden city.
Xu Miaoyun chased after him holding a thick cloak.
Xu Da took it and made to leave, but Xu Miaoyun refused, grabbing the reins of his horse and watching with her own eyes as her father draped the cloak properly over his shoulders before finally releasing her grip to let him go.
Mounted on his horse, Xu Da felt the warmth radiating from the cloak, and a smile naturally surfaced on his face.
His daughter had been sensible since she was a child.
With her mother passing away early and himself stationed year-round in Beiping, she, a young girl, had managed single-handedly to hold down the household in Yingtian.
She kept the estate running in perfect order without a single flaw, managing it even better than when her mother was alive.
Had it not been for Miaoyun these past few years, he would never have had such peace of mind while stationed in Beiping.
This child was truly a blessing.
Therefore, when looking for a husband for her in the future, he must choose with the utmost care to find a suitable and worthy man for Miaoyun.
The status of the groom's family was secondary; given his current standing and his deep affection for his eldest daughter, he wasn't overly rigid about such things.
Even if Miaoyun married into a family of lesser standing, the moment that man took Miaoyun as his wife and became his son-in-law, his status would experience a visible and rapid rise.
Because of this, Xu Da believed that when selecting a husband for Miaoyun, gentleness, humility, and the ability to live in harmonious musical accord with his Miaoyun were the most crucial qualities.
Everything else mattered little to him.
Without this virtue, truth be told, no matter how prestigious the family background, he would not give them a second glance.
Even the emperor's sons were no exception.
Especially the fourth son of His Majesty; that one was hopeless.
Lacking any proper decorum all day long, he was nothing more than a mischievous macaque.
No matter who his precious daughter married, she could never marry someone like the Prince of Yan.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Xu Da suddenly came to his senses and shook his head with a quiet smile.
Why on earth was his mind wandering to such matters?
Wasn't this pure, groundless nonsense?
His Majesty had summoned him this time, and absolutely would not bring up such a topic.
Of this, Xu Da had absolute confidence.
Normally, according to past practice, having returned to the capital from Beiping to celebrate the New Year, and with it already being the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month—meaning the New Year festive season was just about over—
he would have already left Yingtian and hurried back to Beiping by now.
In fact, he should have been back in Beiping for two or three days already.
This year, however, was an exception.
He had actually already left Yingtian and was heading back to Beiping when His Majesty suddenly sent couriers to chase after him, ordering him to return to Yingtian and wait.
And so he had waited, right up until the present moment.
Of course, Xu Da now understood why His Majesty had ordered him to turn back and wait.
The events that had unfolded were indeed well worth his waiting.
Who could have foreseen that Li Shanchang would dare commit such deeds!
Naturally, what was even more surprising was that His Majesty had been capable of carrying out such a disposal!
Amidst his shock, he also felt it was entirely in character.
After all, back when His Majesty captured Wuzhou, in order to ease the burden on the common people, he had issued an order prohibiting the collection of grain levies from civilian households.
Consequently, to accumulate more grain reserves, His Majesty had issued a strict prohibition against brewing alcohol.
Yet Hu Dahai's son, Hu Sanshe, had privately brewed alcohol for profit. His Majesty had wanted to execute him publicly according to the law to serve as a warning to others.
Some had tried to dissuade him, arguing that Hu Dahai was currently a major general leading a massive army in military operations at Shaoxing, and executing Hu Sanshe would inevitably chill Hu Dahai's heart.
It wasn't impossible that Hu Dahai might even turn traitor and defect with his troops as a result.
Yet His Majesty's response had been: "I would rather let Hu Dahai rebel than let my military orders fail to be enforced!"
Thus, he personally executed Hu Sanshe.
Since His Majesty was capable of such an act back then, his current actions regarding Li Shanchang at the construction site of Zhongdu were entirely within reason.
His Majesty remained the same His Majesty; eight years on the dragon throne had not blunted his sharp edges.
Xu Da knew very well why His Majesty had specially ordered him to return midway and summoned him on the very second day back in Yingtian.
Because of this, when he caught himself earlier pondering whether to prevent his Miaoyun from marrying the Prince of Yan, he couldn't help but laugh inwardly at his own absurdity.
He remained thoroughly confident that during this audience, His Majesty would never mention any marriage alliance between Miaoyun and the Prince of Yan.
With such a massive crisis having just erupted, how could His Majesty possibly have the mood to concern himself with the romance of young people?
...
"Tianle is here? Haha, there's no need for such formalities, we're family here, just take a seat!"
Inside the Kunning Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the approaching Xu Da and greeted him with a beaming smile, overflowing with warmth.
"Tianle, just sit down. This is a family banquet, no need to stand on ceremony.
It's just the few of us, no outsiders here.
Your sister-in-law is going to roll out a few more pancakes, and then the meal will be complete."
Wearing an apron around her waist, Queen Ma emerged from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion of Xu Da's arrival, her hands still dusted with a bit of flour.
Xu Da, however, ignored the instructions of the imperial couple and proceeded to bow formally and earnestly to both Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma.
Xu Da was simply that kind of person—humble, reserved, and extremely cautious in his conduct.
Especially in the presence of Zhu Yuanzhang, he was doubly so.
Even though he was indisputably the foremost general in the military, and an old hometown companion of the emperor, whenever he faced Zhu Yuanzhang, he was always profoundly respectful.
Not a shred of arrogance or presumption on past merits ever showed.
After finishing his solemn bow, he looked toward Queen Ma, his expression mixed with gratitude and a sense of unworthiness as he said:
"Your Majesty... Sister-in-law, you could have just had the palace servants prepare some food, how could I trouble you to cook personally? How is that fitting?"
"What? Are you turning your nose up at your sister-in-law's cooking?"
Queen Ma teased playfully.
"How could I ever? Back when we were following His Majesty fighting to conquer the realm, being able to get a meal cooked by sister-in-law was the rarest luxury!"
"Haha, then today you must eat your fill, Tianle.
You two brothers chat for a bit, the food will be ready in a moment."
Satisfied with Xu Da's reply, Queen Ma gave a light laugh before turning back to the kitchen to continue making her flatbreads.
She showed no trace of imperial majesty or luxury, appearing precisely like a warm, ordinary eldest sister-in-law.
A short while later, the flatbreads were baked, and Queen Ma began bringing out dishes, while Xu Da rushed into the kitchen to help carry the platters and bread...
Xu Da didn't stand on ceremony this time; holding a flatbread in one hand and chopsticks in the other, he continuously shoveled food into his mouth with relish.
He thought to himself how truly delicious it was!
"A scene like this reminds me of the days back in Haozhou, when we all used to gather to eat and drink together."
After eating for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth with a sigh of emotion, his voice full of reminiscence.
"Time truly flies by; in the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Of all the old brothers who used to eat and drink together, only you, Tianle, remain by my side.
Even old Chang left us far too early."
"Old Chang lacked fortune; half a lifetime spent fighting wars, and just as the good days finally arrived, he passed away."
Xu Da picked up where Zhu Yuanzhang left off, his voice tinged with nostalgia, regret, and sorrow.
Having said that, feeling that ending on such a somber note wasn't quite appropriate, he added:
"However, His Majesty treated old Chang more than well enough, posthumously granting him the title of Prince of Kaiping.
And because of his merits, his son was ennobled as a duke.
Even his daughter was betrothed to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and established as the Crown Princess.
If old Chang knows this in the netherworld, he will surely grin foolishly and remain deeply grateful for His Majesty's immense grace."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Old Chang raised a good daughter; she is indeed qualified to be Crown Princess.
Miaoyun has grown up well too; why not marry her to our fourth boy and make her our daughter-in-law as well?"
Xu Da froze instantly...