Chapter 135 National Mourning
Majapahit's control over the outer islands was either too tight to be able to bear the huge cost of stationing on the outer islands, or it was too loose, allowing the outer islands to surrender in name, but in fact privately took matters into their own hands.
Under the system of King Chu, at least the outer islands were indirectly controlled by him.
Although under the King of Chu's system, whatever the Chu State wanted to do, the King of Chu had to discuss it with the nobles below, and only when everyone was in agreement could it be done. But no matter what, the size of Chu Fan was several times that of Zhou Fan. Even the Chu vassal was not only the most powerful vassal in Nanyang, but also the most powerful vassal in the Ming Dynasty.
Moments later, a dozen boats approached the dock. Speaking of which, King Zhou was the elder brother of King Chu, but this time King Zhou was very respectful to King Chu. This is no longer the order of seniority and youth. It’s still related to strength.
The king of Zhou and the king of Chu exchanged a few words.
The two found a place to sit down.
The King of Chu and the King of Zhou exchanged a few words of farewell. The King of Chu said: "Brother Wang, I am extremely saddened by the death of my eldest brother. It is just a major event in the world that will continue. Now my father calls us back to the capital. What do you mean?"
King Zhou said: "What can I mean?"
King Chu said: "What I mean is? Are you interested in that position?"
King Zhou said: "Lao Liu, can you say this casually?"
The King of Chu said: "This is not the Central Plains. Let's talk about it here. Who can pass it to the capital? Moreover, I have already figured it out. If the eldest brother of the prince is not here, the throne of the Ming Dynasty must belong to the lineage of the empress. The empress has five sons, and the eldest brother of the prince , the second brother of the King of Qin, the third brother of the King of Jin, the fourth brother of the King of Yan, and you, the fifth brother, there is no one else except you. Whether it is to pass on to your children or grandchildren, I have no share. However, If you want to fight, I support you.”
King Zhou knew that King Chu was right. Queen Ma is a figure that is impossible to ignore.
King Zhou said: "This matter is not my turn."
Although King Zhou said this, the unwillingness in his tone was obvious.
The King of Chu said: "However, what I said is true. I can't leave the affairs of the Chu State. Otherwise, I'm worried that once I leave, when I come back, the affairs of the Chu State will have fallen into the hands of young people. Therefore, I will not go back this time. Although my boy is a little younger, I asked my fifth brother to take him to Nanjing to see the scenery of the capital."
King Zhou said: "I said, you said these things before, some or not. It was for this one thing."
The King of Chu said: "I have already accepted that this Chu Kingdom in Nanyang is a lifelong inheritance, but you may not have this idea about this place, right?"
King Zhou sighed, he knew that King Chu was right.
In this way, the King of Chu is different. Although the King of Zhou also put a lot of effort into his territory, the territory of the King of Zhou is different from the territory of the King of Chu. The territory of the King of Chu is no longer limited to Java, but is north of Java Island. , many islands in the east were under the leadership of King Chu.
Of course, the various disputes in the Chu court were definitely not peaceful. It can even be said that the direct power brought by the King of Chu from the Central Plains was very, very small.
However, in this way, King Chu felt endless fun.
After all, King Chu was trained by Zhu Yuanzhang, and his skills were not bad at all. The local political elites in Java have no way to compare with the King of Chu. The King of Chu always seized the initiative. This gave King Chu enough satisfaction.
This can be regarded as the benefit brought by He Xi.
Historically, after the death of the crown prince, the most capable and senior princes of the Ming Dynasty were actually ready to take action. Emperor Jianwen's subsequent reduction of vassals was not fundamentally unfair. At least Emperor Jianwen felt the influence of his uncles. threats.
But things are different now. The prince who has the ability to live well outside has less desire for that chair in Nanjing.
"However, I really have a purpose for coming here this time." King Chu said: "My biggest purpose is to hope that the imperial court's policy of sealing vassals will not be changed. I hope you can bring this to my father."
King Zhou was stunned and said, "Are you brave now? Do you dare to speak to your father like this?"
The King of Chu laughed and said: "I, now I am also the king of the land of ten thousand chariots. Even if the father wants to beat his son, he will not be able to spank me unless he sends a hundred and eighty thousand men."
The words of King Chu were actually the thoughts of many feudal kings.
He Xi has implemented the national policy for more than ten years and has formed a clan and vassal group. No one can ignore it.
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When He Xi arrived in Nanjing, it seemed as if it had snowed in the entire city, and everything was white. It's not that it's snowing, but that countless people are not in Baihao.
Zhu Yuanzhang's deep affection for his beloved son was reflected in the funeral.
Zhu Yuanzhang buried the prince with imperial rites, and the entire prince's funeral was at the level of a state funeral.
The entire city of Nanjing was silent in a blanket of snow. After Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country, he hardly levied taxes in Nanjing and surrounding areas. The people of Nanjing loved Zhu Yuanzhang the most. Because of this, the people were saddened by the death of the prince.
At this time, the white space is full of stones, and the Jinling alone is sad.
When Princess Anqing saw this, she started crying again.
The prince was a little bit nasty towards the kings because of his throne, but towards Princess Anqing, his biological little sister, he really couldn't be said to be unkind at all. Originally, Princess Anqing had cried many times because of the death of the prince. However, after arriving in Nanjing, her emotions had calmed down a lot.
Now seeing Nanjing like this, a sadness naturally surged into my heart, and I couldn't bear it anymore.
He Xi could only comfort Princess Anqing until she reached the main hall of the East Palace, which was the prince's mourning hall. Princess Anqing couldn't bear it anymore and almost fainted from crying.
In the mourning hall, apart from paying homage to the prince and comforting Princess Anqing, He Xi paid attention to Zhu Xiongying.
But He Xi noticed something strange.
Maybe He Xi was overthinking it.
When is the etiquette system best reflected? That's the funeral. Even Confucius started playing with this. I don’t know how many great scholars have disparaged funeral ceremonies and regarded them as an important part of etiquette.
The superiority and inferiority, concubines, elders and children, all behaved with complete detachment at this time.
Originally, as the eldest son, Zhu Xiongying's status should be highlighted.
In the whole process, the status of Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen did not seem to be clearly distinguished. This made He Xi very confused.
To be honest, He Xi has been conducting anatomical research on Confucianism for so many years in the Ming Dynasty, in order to add Confucianism to his own knowledge. In terms of Confucianism, he does not feel that he is strong, but he still has the most basic concepts.
He could see the disharmony and there must be something wrong, but he couldn't tell what the problem was.
This made He Xi suspicious in his heart.
First of all, he was sure that the person who designed and arranged this set of etiquette was a master. You can see that something is obviously wrong, but if you look closely, you can't find the problem. Such a method is not something that ordinary people can do, especially since Confucianism is not a science and many concepts are just generalities. But someone who can play with these things so smoothly.
Probably not many people.
This made He Xi think directly of Fang Xiaoru.
Secondly, what is Zhu Yuanzhang’s attitude?
Does He Xi know what kind of person Zhu Yuanzhang is? Zhu Yuanzhang's attainments in Confucianism were not much higher than those of He Xi. What He Xi couldn't understand, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't understand. But Zhu Yuanzhang never thought about it before doing it. Zhu Yuanzhang never needed evidence.
Just be skeptical.
Therefore, it is impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang not to know about today's situation, no matter who arranged it.
At least, Zhu Yuanzhang acquiesced.
This made He Xi wonder what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking?
Is it to downplay the possibility of succession by the crown prince’s heirs? Or aimed at Zhu Xiongying himself.
In He Xi's opinion, the former is more likely. After all, if the target is Zhu Yingxiong himself, it is to put Zhu Yunwen in the position. In He Xi's view, this is almost impossible. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang already knew that Emperor Jianwen in history was vicious and incompetent.
Does that mean King Yan is going to take the throne?
This made He Xi feel worried in his heart.
This also cast a shadow over He Xi's trip to Nanjing.
He Xi secretly thought: "No matter what? We must find time to have a good talk with Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yuanzhang."
Some people died, but not completely...
