As early as the third year of Hongwu, the Zongren Mansion had been established. It was called the Dazong Zhengyuan at that time. Later, in the 22nd year of Hongwu, it was renamed the Zongren Mansion.
The main responsibilities of the clan office are to take charge of the clan roster of the emperor's nine clans, compile the jade certificates on time, convey the requests of the clan members to the emperor, recommend talents to the clan children, be responsible for the payment of salaries to the clan members, and record the status of the clan members. Birth, old age, illness, death, funerals, marriages, etc.
As for the punishment of the royal family and nobles, it is only a small part of the responsibilities of the clan government.
Moreover, even if those clan members and nobles who offended the emperor were imprisoned in the clan mansion, there would still be dedicated people responsible for taking care of their daily lives, but their personal freedom would be restricted and they would not be able to come and go at will.
Originally, the official positions of the Zongren Mansion were mainly held by the royal family members. Later, when Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, moved the capital to Beijing, the affairs under the jurisdiction of the Zongren Mansion were handed over to the Ministry of Rites.
The Zongren Mansion has an experienced person, the fifth grade, who is responsible for the sending, receiving and management of documents and files.
After Lu Fang arrived at the door of the clan's mansion, he stopped, glanced at the two guards, and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Excuse me, please go in and report that our family is here to see Prince Zheng on the orders of His Majesty!"
"Yes, yes, Eunuch Lu, please go in and report!"
When the guards at the gate of the clan's mansion saw Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of etiquette, arriving in person, they did not dare to show any signs of neglect and hurriedly entered the clan's mansion to report.
Lu Fang didn't wait at the door for too long. After a while, the guard who went in to report earlier hurried out of the clan's mansion, lowered his head and said respectfully.
"Eunuch Lu, His Royal Highness Prince Zheng is waiting for you inside, you can go in!"
"Um."
Hearing this, Lu Fang took her eyes away from the guard, and immediately entered the sect's mansion with leisurely steps.
As soon as Lu Fang entered the Zongren Mansion, he was immediately greeted by the experience of the Zongren Mansion. At this moment, his face was full of respect.
"I have met Eunuch Lu!"
After hearing this, Lu Fang glanced at the official and immediately gave instructions.
"Lead the way ahead!"
"Yes, Eunuch Lu, please follow me here!"
Later, under the guidance of the official, Lu Fang came to the place where King Zheng Zhu Hounan lived.
"Eunuch Lu, the place ahead is where His Royal Highness Prince Zheng lives!"
"Well, thank you!"
Hearing this, Lu Fang nodded, glanced away from the official, and turned to speak.
"Yes, Eunuch Lu, I will resign now. If I have any use for you later, just say a word!"
When the official heard Lu Fang's words, his face suddenly showed excitement. He leaned down and responded in a deep voice.
Lu Fang did not make any comment on this, but stepped into the place where King Zheng Zhu Hounan lived.
At this moment, Zhu Hounan in the room was concentrating on the books in his hands. At this moment, he heard a knock on the door.
Zhu Hounan thought it was the servant who was usually responsible for taking care of his daily life, but he reluctantly looked away from the book and said in a deep voice: "Come in!"
As soon as Zhu Hounan finished speaking, the door to the room was pushed open, and Lu Fang walked in.
As soon as Lu Fang entered the room, she bowed to Zhu Hounan and saluted.
"I have met His Highness Prince Zheng!"
"Lu... Lu, Eunuch Lu, why are you here?"
Zhu Hounan obviously did not expect that the person who came was actually Lu Fang. At this moment, his face was full of shock, and even his words became stammering.
At this moment, Lu Fang's face was filled with a warm smile. Immediately, he looked in the direction of Zhu Hounan and explained unhurriedly.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Zheng, to be honest, our family came here this time on His Majesty's order to restore your title!"
"What...what? Your Majesty wants to restore Gu's title!"
When Zhu Hounan heard what Lu Fang said, his face was full of disbelief.
Lu Fang took in the expression on Zhu Hounan's face and then added.
"Your Highness Prince Zheng, you heard me right. From today on, you are Prince Zheng again and you can leave the clan mansion at any time!"
"In addition, Your Majesty will give you an additional 800 stones on the original basis!"
After hearing what Lu Fang said, Zhu Hounan's face was full of excitement. He lowered his head and murmured to himself.
"It's true that my king's hard advice was in vain. Your Majesty... Your Majesty, you have figured it out. Your Majesty has finally figured it out!"
Then, Zhu Hounan came to his senses, knelt down on the ground with a plop, and bowed solemnly three times in the direction of Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!"
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang also had a look of relief on his face. He actually admired King Zheng Zhu Hounan very much. After all, in that situation, he was the only one who dared to go to the bookstore to admonish His Majesty.
After Zhu Houtan got up from the ground, Lu Fang calmed down, turned her eyes to Zhu Houtan, and asked.
"His Royal Highness Prince Zheng, do you know about the examination that was recently held in the capital specifically for the clan and nobles?"
Hearing Lu Fang's words, Zhu Hounan seemed to suddenly think of something. He turned his eyes to Lu Fang and asked cautiously.
"Eunuch Lu means..."
After Lu Fang heard this, she had no intention of going around in circles with Zhu Hounan. She handed the list drawn up by the cabinet from her sleeve to Zhu Hounan and turned to speak.
"Congratulations to Your Highness Prince Zheng. Your son Zhu Zaiyu came first in the examination held not long ago specifically for members of the clan and nobles!"
When Zhu Hounan heard what Lu Fang said, he took the list with trembling hands. When he saw that Zhu Zaiyu was listed as first, he couldn't help but feel his nose sore, and a few tears fell to the ground.
"As a father, I really owe Yu'er a lot for letting him go through this at such a young age..."
After Zhu Houtan finished speaking, he wiped the tears from his face with his sleeves.
Lu Fang was slightly moved when she saw this situation. After all, Zhu Hounan had been imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion since the 29th year of Jiajing, and his son Zhu Zaiyu was inevitably implicated.
Then, he took a step forward and comforted softly.
"His Royal Highness Prince Zheng, everything is over. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came out on top in the exam and will definitely be reused by His Majesty in the future!"
Zhu Hounan's mood gradually calmed down after hearing this. Then, he looked at Lu Fang and asked.
"Eunuch Lu, I want to ask you a favor!"
"Your Highness Prince Zheng, you don't have to be polite. If you need anything, just say it!"
When Lu Fang heard what Zhu Hounan said, she immediately responded without thinking.
"I want to see Your Majesty. I wonder if Eunuch Lu can..."
Lu Fang obviously did not expect that Zhu Hounan would actually make a request to meet Jiajing. Lu Fang was surprised for a moment before giving a response.
"His Royal Highness Prince Zheng, our family will convey your words to His Majesty intact!"
"I'm here to help Eunuch Lu!"
When Zhu Hounan saw that Lu Fang agreed to his request, he immediately bowed his hand to express his gratitude.
When Lu Fang saw this situation, a trace of panic flashed across her face, and she quickly returned the salute to Zhu Hounan.
"Your Highness Prince Zheng, you don't have to be polite. This is what our family should do!"
After that, Lu Fang exchanged a few words with Zhu Houchan and then said goodbye to him.
"Your Highness Prince Zheng, it's getting late. Our family still has things to deal with, so we'll leave first!"
"Well, Eunuch Lu, walk slowly!"
After Lu Fang left the Zongren Mansion, she headed straight towards the Qianqing Palace without stopping at all.
After Lu Fang entered the Qianqing Palace and met Jiajing, he recounted without reservation what he saw and heard in the Zongren Mansion and his conversation with Zhu Hounan.
After listening to Lu Fang's narration, Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face, and turned to Lu Fang for confirmation.
"You mean, Prince Zheng wants to see me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lu Fang on the side heard Jiajing's words and immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.
When Jiajing heard this, he thought about it for a moment and then gave instructions.
"Forget it, in that case, let me meet him!"
"As ordered, Your Majesty, I will send someone to inform Prince Zheng of this news later!"
On the other side, the capital, Prince Yu's Mansion.
At this moment, in the study room of Prince Yu's Mansion, Zhu Zaiyu's face was full of shock when he learned from the housekeeper that the first place in this examination was Zhu Zaiyu, the son of King Zheng Zhu Hounan.
"Wha...what, the first place is actually Zhu Zaiyu!"
The butler on the side heard Zhu Zaijing's words, organized the words in his mind, and responded cautiously.
"Yes, Your Highness, this is the news that Mr. Xu Ge just sent. The first place in this exam is indeed Zhu Zaiyu. Not only that, your Majesty also asked Lu Fang to go to the clan mansion in person! "
After listening to the butler's report, Zhu Zaijing waved his hand and gave the order.
"Okay, now that I know about this, go down!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
After the housekeeper responded, he immediately left the study without any hesitation.
After the housekeeper left, he saw Zhu Zaijing sitting directly at the top, picking up the teacup beside him, taking a sip, and talking to himself.
"How could the first place be Zhu Zaiyu? You must know that his father, Zhu Houtan, was angered by Shangshu. Not only was he deposed as a commoner, but he was also imprisoned in the clan mansion!"
"Logically speaking, given the nature of my father, His Highness Prince Zheng may only be able to stay in the clan mansion for the rest of his life, but now, my father is letting Lu Fang..."
Afterwards, Zhu Zaijing was seen suppressing all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and muttering silently to himself.
"No matter what, this can be considered a good 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 rankings for this exam were announced by the cabinet.
All the civil and military officials in the DPRK had been looking forward to this news for a long time. Therefore, as soon as the cabinet announced the examination rankings, a large number of officials gathered behind it.
When the officials saw the specific rankings, they couldn't help being surprised and started talking about it.
A white-haired old man in crimson official uniform couldn't help but be shocked after reading the specific rankings announced by the cabinet.
"What, the first place is actually Prince Zheng's son Zhu Zaiyu!"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, an official stood up and asked the old man.
"Prince Zheng, which Prince Zheng?"
When the old man heard this, he glanced at the official who asked the question rather haughtily and explained.
"Humph, you don't know something. When His Royal Highness Prince Zheng was in the 29th year of Jiajing, he once wrote a letter to advise His Majesty..."
The old man in scarlet official uniform just stood up, and then he accidentally caught a glimpse of Zhao Zhenji in the crowd.
Then, as if he realized something, the old man immediately stopped talking and left the scene without looking back.
Everyone's curiosity was just aroused by the old man, but when they saw him leaving the scene without looking back, they couldn't help but start to complain.
"Really, it's better not to talk about it!"
"Yeah, as soon as I started talking, the person suddenly disappeared!"
After a few complaints, everyone turned the topic back to Zhu Zaiyu.
"By the way, does any of you know where this Zhu Zaiyu comes from?"
"Zhu Zaiyu is the son of His Royal Highness Prince Zheng. It is said that he is upright, smart, and very proficient in music. He is also very famous among the scholars of the Ming Dynasty. It is really practical to designate him as the number one. Well deserved!"
"Yes, I have heard of Zhu Zaiyu's name. Besides, this exam has been reviewed twice, so it must be very fair!"
Immediately afterwards, everyone began to discuss Zhu Zaiyu.
Zhao Zhenji, who was among the crowd, turned around and left in the direction of the Inspectorate without attracting anyone's attention after browsing the specific rankings to be announced by the cabinet.
As the supervisory censor, Zhao Zhenji naturally knew something about the fact that King Zheng Zhu Hounan wrote a letter to advise Jiajing, asking him not to take elixirs in order to live longer.
"It was actually King Zheng's son Zhu Zaiyu who came out on top. Could it be that it was His Majesty's plan..."
Zhao Zhenji thought so, and immediately gathered his thoughts and quickened the pace.
…
The Forbidden City, outside the Qianqing Palace.
At this moment, King Zheng Zhu Hounan looked at the Qianqing Palace so close in front of him, with a look of embarrassment on his face.
Last night was the last night he stayed in Zongren Mansion. When he thought about meeting Jiajing today, he couldn't sleep well all night.
He has been imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion since the 29th year of Jiajing. It has been eleven years now!
When he came out of the clan's mansion, he found out that Jiajing not only ordered the Jinyi Guards to execute Tao Zhongwen and others who were making elixirs for him!
Moreover, the Japanese pirates entrenched in the southeastern coastal area were completely wiped out. In the foreign war, they defeated the Tatar army that came to plunder and captured the Tatar Khan alive!
At present, the Ming Dynasty's national treasury is extremely abundant, and its national power is also rising rapidly at an unimaginable speed.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you have finally woken up!"
Zhu Houtan thought so, with an expression of relief on his face. Just as Zhu Houtan's thoughts were racing, Lu Fang came to Zhu Houtan with silent steps.
"His Royal Highness Prince Zheng, His Majesty is waiting for you inside, you can go in!"
"Well, I'm here to help Eunuch Lu!"
When Zhu Hounan heard Lu Fang's words, he suddenly came back to his senses and bowed his hands to express his gratitude.
Afterwards, Zhu Hounan stepped onto the stairs of Qianqing Palace under the guidance of Lu Fang.
After entering the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Hounan's eyes intersected with Jiajing's who was sitting on the dragon chair. Their eyes only met for a moment, and then they moved away.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
After the words fell, just as Zhu Hounan was about to bow to Jiajing, he was stopped by Jiajing.
Jiajing waved his hand, looked in the direction of Zhu Hounan, and then gave instructions.
"No need!"
After that, Jiajing looked at the eunuch waiting on the side and gave instructions.
"Come here and give King Zheng a seat!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, a eunuch came forward, prepared a seat for Zhu Hounan, and covered it with soft cushions.
When Zhu Houtan saw this, a flattered expression suddenly appeared on his face. Then, his throat moved, he leaned down and responded respectfully.
"Thank you for your grace!"
"Well, sit down!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Hounan sat down on the chair without making any excuses, sitting upright and not daring to make the slightest move.
Jiajing looked away from Zhu Hounan, raised his eyebrows, and then asked.
"Lu Fang said, you want to see me, tell me, what do you want from me?"
After Zhu Hounan heard what Jiajing said, he immediately suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, mustered up the courage, and asked immediately.
"May I ask if Your Majesty plans to re-implement the policy of reforming the native land and returning it to the local people in the southwest?"
After listening to the question raised by Zhu Hounan, Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face. Then, Jiajing nodded and responded.
"Well, that's right, the imperial court will soon dispatch a large army to suppress the chieftains in the southwest!"
When Zhu Hounan heard Jiajing's words, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face. Immediately, he changed the subject and asked Jiajing.
"I heard that Your Majesty plans to personally select some members of the clan and nobles to serve in the southwest?"
"Well, that's right. Is it possible that you came here specifically 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. He immediately looked in the direction of Zhu Hounan and confirmed to him.
When Zhu Hounan heard what Jiajing said, he shook his head and made a decisive decision.
"No, Your Majesty, on the contrary, I very much hope that you can select Zhu Zaiyu to serve in the southwest!"
"This way, he can also do his part and serve the country!"
When Jiajing heard what Zhu Hounan said, he nodded and responded unhurriedly.
"Don't worry, that's what I originally planned!"
When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment, then looked directly into Zhu Hounan's eyes and asked in a deep voice.
"Prince Zheng, is this all you want to say to me?"
Zhu Hounan heard this, and after thinking about it for a long time, he mustered up the courage and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, what happened back then, I shouldn't have..."
Before Zhu Hounan finished speaking, he was interrupted by Jiajing.
"Okay, there's no need to talk about it anymore. That matter is in the past. From now on, there's no need to mention it again!"
"Anyway, 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!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, Zhu Hounan's face was full of disbelief. He knew very well that Jiajing's words were actually a disguised admission of his mistakes.
After all, the emperor can never be wrong. Even if he made a mistake, it was only because the traitor deceived the emperor!
Afterwards, Zhu Hounan calmed down his mind and said in a deep voice with great reverence.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
Jiajing saw the expression on Zhu Hounan's face, then waved his hand and gave instructions.
"Okay, that's it for today. I have some things to deal with later, so you can leave!"
"As ordered, Your Majesty, I will retire now!"
Seeing this, Zhu Hounan immediately bowed to Jiajing and saluted. After that, he immediately left without stopping at the Qianqing Palace.
After leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Hounan couldn't help but quicken his pace because he couldn't wait to see his son Zhu Zaiyu who had been away for many years!
…
On the Gobi Desert, a mighty Ming army with no end in sight was marching slowly on the road. Among the swarming Ming army horses, a crimson flag with a height of one foot and five feet was flying. It is constantly swaying in the strong wind, with a red tassel on the top and a pheasant tail on the bottom.
The hoofs of the war horse stepped on the ground, making an endless sound.
This Ming army is the more than 12,000 Ming army commanded by Yang Xuan, the governor of Jiliao. They have successfully completed the task of assisting Tumaihan, the Zasak Tuhan, to suppress the rebellion within the tribe, and are currently On the way home.
"Right now, Tumaihan, as the Great Khan, has not fully consolidated the power within the tribe."
"A large part of the power within the tribe has fallen into the hands of Amutai, and Amutai has surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. In other words, the Ming Dynasty has actually controlled the Chahar tribe!"
Afterwards, Governor Yang Xuan of Jiliao looked away from the Gobi Desert in the distance. He immediately looked at the deputy general beside him and asked.
"According to the current speed, how long will it take for us to return to Jizhou?"
The deputy general heard what Yang Xuan said, and after thinking about it for a moment, he immediately responded.
"General, judging from the current marching speed of the army, we only need six days to get back to Jizhou!"
Hearing this, Yang Xuan nodded, and then asked.
"Is the army's current baggage and food sufficient?"
The deputy general heard the words, thought about it for a moment, and immediately gave a response.
"General, the army's current supplies of food and supplies should be enough to support our return to Jizhou!"
"Well, this general knows!"
After listening to the deputy general's report, Yang Xuan immediately tightened the reins of the maroon horse under his belt and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Order the army to speed up. We will be able to return to Jizhou soon!"
"Yes, General!" (End of Chapter)
