Cao Guogong's Mansion is very close to the imperial palace, just a few streets away from Chengtianmen. It was built by imperial decree in the first year of Hongwu. It was originally called Enqinhou Mansion. From then on, the title of the house shows the relationship between this family and the Tian family.
Zhu Xi was very excited in the carriage. He had not left the palace gate for several months since the last time. He originally thought that he would only have a chance to show off after the autumn harvest when his father was satisfied.
"Hey, brother, just a moment..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Biao interrupted his brother's delusion without politeness: "Don't even think about it. Just follow me to see my uncle, and then go back and continue to cultivate the land. If the harvest is good after the autumn harvest, I will also I can help you beg for mercy, otherwise you will be prepared to farm in the palace for the rest of your life. "
Zhu Di trembled: "Brother, I didn't make a mistake. It's been a few months, and the third brother has also gone out on errands. I won't always be with the second brother."
Zhu Fang, who had been sluggish at first, suddenly became excited: "Fourth brother, we brothers have agreed to share blessings and hardships. You must also learn from that king of the third brother... Doesn't that bastard not talk about brotherhood?"
Zhu Di said sternly: "Second brother, please don't make things up out of thin air. When did we agree that we would share blessings and hardships together? You didn't call your brother when you were living happily outside the palace."
"Brother, you can farm whatever you want, just don't let this little bastard, Fourth, get away. I can't take care of such a big piece of land by myself."
Zhu Di couldn't bear it anymore: "Second brother, that's not what you said. It's okay for me and third brother to be involved in the trouble you caused. Why now..."
"Shut up, everyone!"
Zhu Biao looked at the two younger brothers who were about to fight each other and said: "We will be at the Duke's Mansion soon. I brought you two here to make my uncle happy, but I didn't bring you two here to make noise."
There was silence in the car for a moment, Zhu Biao closed his eyes and rested, Zhu Feng and Zhu Di lowered their heads to vent their anger, but soon Zhu Feng licked his face again and came to his eldest brother's side and said: "Brother, why are you suddenly coming to see your uncle? ."
Zhu Biao opened his eyes and looked at Zhu Xi silently and said: "The plaque on the lintel of my uncle's door is going to be changed, so naturally I have to come over and say hello to my uncle first."
"Brother Wenzhong is going to be crowned king?"
"Um."
The car stopped in front of an extraordinary mansion. Two majestic stone lions were sitting there, and a white-haired old man wearing patchwork cloth led a group of women and children to greet him.
"Veteran Li Zhen and his family respectfully welcome His Highness."
The three brothers quickly got out of the car, and Zhu Ping cleverly supported the old man who was about to salute: "Uncle, why did you come out in person? It is logical that we juniors should come to the house to see you."
Zhu Biao and Zhu Di stepped forward and saluted: "My nephew is paying homage to my uncle. I'd like to thank my aunt for greeting me."
Li Zhen, who was old but had clear ears and eyesight, smiled cheerfully and said: "Three highnesses are here. I am very happy. Where can I still sit down? Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Everyone followed Li Zhen into Duke Cao's mansion. The three brothers surrounded the old Duke. Not to mention them, even when the emperor came here, this was the only serious elder in the Zhu family.
On the left side of Li Zhen is Zhu Biao, and on the right is Zhu Xi. Zhu Di rolled his eyes at the back of his second brother from behind. It was obvious that the second brother saw that his eldest brother could not count on him, and was ready to please his uncle and invite him to talk to his father. In love.
Entering the main hall, the old Duke sat on the throne, and Zhu Biao sat beside him. This was not a formal occasion, and naturally it required family etiquette. There was no mention of filial piety in governing the world in the past dynasties.
When the old prince was there, Li Wenzhong's wife led her eldest son and carried her second son out to meet her. She was a law-abiding woman who didn't talk much. Zhu Biao called Li Jinglong, who was already seven years old, to ask a few questions about his studies.
Li Jinglong didn't have any stage fright. Although he was young, his answers were well-founded and he looked in good shape. Naturally, Zhu Biao was generous with his complimentary words, just to make the old man happy.
After a while, the women and children all went down. Li Zhen looked at Zhu Biao lovingly and said: "I know at home that Your Highness is busy with government affairs today when he comes to the ministers to listen to the ministers' announcements, but you still have to take care of yourself."
Zhu Biao responded: "Everyone just does his job. My nephew is handling state affairs at home, and my brother is guarding the border outside. They are all working equally hard. Zengzhi is already two years old, and I haven't seen my brother yet. It shows how hard he works."
Li Zhen stroked his beard and said: "A born saint inherits the destiny of China, and the saint's blessings spread to heaven. He will return to his duties at home and abroad. My father and son entrusted the eldest princess's spirit in heaven. Fortunately, I met the saint, took off the mud on the mat, and was reborn after death. , adopt Ye Ting and treat her with your heart."
"Wen Zhong inherited the grace of the Holy One, supported the trees and taught them to be established, taught the gods, and guarded the borders. However, even if there was no effect, he used the Holy Spirit to rule. This is like the light of a firefly clinging to the sun and the moon, and the sound of gnats clinging to the thunder. , it’s his responsibility, so why talk about his hard work!”
Zhu Xi and Zhu Di looked at his somewhat unfamiliar uncle in shock. When did this old man become so good at talking? Zhu Xi felt that his mouth was a little tight. It was not easy to fool such a person. How could he trick the old man into interceding on his behalf? ?
Zhu Biao was not surprised. The Li family was originally a squire's family, but it was a little dilapidated in the previous generations, but there were still poems and classics passed down from generation to generation, which was much better than the Zhu family at that time.
Li Zhen himself is also a well-educated person, but the situation he encountered when he was young was not good, and there was no one at the top to find a way to become an official. Otherwise, Lao Zhu would not have had the opportunity to live in a small town with his brother-in-law. Officials work hard.
Zhu Biao took his uncle's hand and said, "My uncle cares about the country. Even though my son is by his side, he is there to visit me in the morning and dusk. He is not happy about it. He is ordered to conquer all directions. He has been working abroad for a long time, but he doesn't feel worried about it. He is so loyal. ."
"I'm here because I haven't seen my uncle for many days, and secondly, I have something I need to tell my uncle. My brother has made outstanding achievements in the Tatar War in the north. In addition, he has not yet been rewarded for his contribution to pacifying the south of the Yangtze River. My father intends to make my brother king. "
Li Zhen suddenly burst into tears and said: "I entrusted my life to the Holy Majesty, so that I could achieve martial arts. It was also a preparatory example of enfeoffment. Father and son were given the same salary and food, were ranked as Grand Dukes, were dazzled by their clothes for three generations, and were rich in favors." How can I repay the kindness I have received from you?"
Zhu Biao stood up and advised: "Uncle, please don't do this. When I came here, my father once said that I will not forget the kindness I received from my aunt and uncle in the past. The kindness is so profound that I can't repay it with words. This is nothing."
Zhu Xi and Zhu Di also hurriedly stood up to persuade him: "My cousin has taken the lead in the southern and northern wars and has made outstanding contributions to both the government and the public. It is natural for him to be crowned king now. Why should my uncle do this?"
"Your Majesty raised troops with righteousness, obeyed the heavens and people, held the Qian Fu to build up the emperor's career, worked hard to save Guizhou and Li, returned home from all over the world, and led all the heroes to surrender. He has Song Lian, Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen and other sages in literature, and military generals such as Kaiping and Dongou in Zhongshan, how can it be so? Doesn’t it lack the merits of Wen Zhong?”
"There is no one who lives and earns more than a minister today. If you think about the hardships of the past, how can you think about the glory of today?"
"The slightest size can't be attributed to the power of the emperor. Your Majesty takes pity on the old ministers and grants them immunity from court. He pities the foolish ministers and treats them with special gifts. He is fortunate enough to come by chariots and chariots. He is always favored by the crown prince. He favors and praises the emperor every time. His honor and honor are restored. He is more generous than his descendants, and his kindness is so great that words cannot express it enough."
Li Zhen shook her head and wept and pondered for a moment and then said: "Now the imperial court is clear and clear, the laws and regulations are upheld, the officials are not in vain, the salary is not enough, the old ministers always have the precept of contentment, and are constantly full of fear. The salary and salary of the ministers are what they deserve. How dare you continue to covet the honor of being a king? Please ask His Highness the Crown Prince to explain the reason to the Holy Lord on behalf of the old minister. I will never dare to receive special favor again."
The three brothers couldn't change their minds despite repeated persuasion, but they were not surprised. Uncle Li was such a person. There was no shortage of fine clothes and food in Cao Guogong's palace, but the old man often said, "My family is cold and poor, so I thank you for your kindness." So, even though we have plenty of food every day, why should we continue to suffer? However, my nature does not like extravagant things. Now I am trying to transform the world with diligence and frugality. I am the eldest brother of my relatives, so why should I encourage my family to live in extravagance?"
The food, clothing, housing and transportation are all the same as in the old days when they were farming. They mend their clothes and run the house diligently and frugally. In fact, they did not want to stay in Beijing for a long time. It was just that the emperor was reluctant to stay in Beijing.
This is also the reason why Lao Zhu asked Zhu Biao to come and say hello first. Otherwise, I am afraid that Li Zhen would kneel to death if he did not directly confer the title. Some people are greedy and fear that their official position will be inferior, but there are also some people who know the gains and losses. There is disaster.
The news here quickly spread, and Li Wenzhong's wife returned, but after hearing a few words, she hurriedly retreated. This kind of important matter was not something she could interfere with. Naturally, her husband's father-in-law was in charge of the affairs at home.
What's more, she was also very frightened. The title of Duke was already prominent enough. Who wouldn't be in awe of him when he was away from home? But the position of king was really scary. She touched her son's head and said, "My son will study hard in the future. I will live up to the blessings of my father and ancestors by setting up a family."
………………
