Chapter Seven, The Lonely Zhu Chongba

Certainly, Zhu Di and others set out from Beiping, and it was impossible for them to travel in such a manner; achieving a daily distance of two hundred li would be commendable.

After a day of jostling, I arrived at the inn and fell asleep immediately

Zhu Di traveled from Beiping to Nanjing, covering a distance of over 2,000 li, in eleven days, which is already considered quite fast

Zhu Gaochi found it somewhat difficult to speak. At this moment, he only wished to arrive at his residence quickly to sleep

From that year onward, there was no longer Zhu Chongba, only the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang

Zhu Ying could not possibly stay at the Prince of Yan's residence for two months; he has many secrets and is clearly very unsteady, making him easy to expose

The relay system is still the primary method relied upon by the post stations of the Ming Dynasty

There are numerous princely palaces and dukes' residences in the inner city

The matters concerning the descendants of later generations have essentially been arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang in the ancestral instructions of the Ming Dynasty

Including the detours, it is approximately a little over 2,000 kilometers

Compared to the past, the feeling of the station is akin to the difference between modern high-speed trains and traditional green trains

Zhu Yuanzhang stood before Zhu Biao's coffin, his figure slightly hunched, and his gaze carried a sense of lifelessness

Let me inform Father first, and then I will send you to Young Master Ying

Zhu Yinghe - The picture - The book, with more than ten people moving in, does not feel crowded

After getting off the vehicle in Nanjing, only Zhu Ying remained spirited, while the others were already exhausted.

It was not until the following morning that most people's fatigue from their exertions was finally alleviated

One truly believes that being the eldest son of the Yan Wang Mansion allows one to speak kindly to everyone. A different person might not even bother to respond.

Moreover, one cannot travel day and night; when night falls, one will rest at the relay station

Unlike when Empress Ma passed away, after Zhu Biao's death, he did not weep uncontrollably; he appeared as quiet as a piece of wood

The distance from Nanjing to Beiping is nine hundred kilometers in a straight line, equivalent to one thousand eight hundred li.

Among the crowd, only Zhu Di's mental state was similar to that of Zhu Ying, which may be attributed to the great hope he held for himself

It is evident that Zhu Yuanzhang placed great importance on the postal stations and was quite strict about them

Thank you, Brother Ying

Zhu Ying nodded in agreement

He has not eaten for a day, yet the eunuch guards do not dare to utter a word of persuasion

Only Zhu Chongba remains

Some nearby princes have basically arrived, while others are still quite far away, especially the Prince of Shu, who may be delayed by several days

The Prince of Yan's residence in the capital is still quite large, and even though the Prince does not live here, there are still servants and maids to clean it.

Zhu Gaochi eagerly took Zhu Ying to explore the city of Nanjing

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Gaochi immediately reacted, looking at Zhu Ying with a gaze filled with gratitude

The streets and shops in Nanjing have already been draped with white cloth

It is precisely so, continuously passing the baton, achieving a speed of eight hundred li per day

A fat man and an elderly man in his fifties, undertaking such a long journey, truly cannot endure it

Zhu Ying hesitated for a moment and said: "Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has passed away, as the eldest son of the King of Yan, you will surely be granted the title of heir apparent in the future"

After all, the Shu Road is arduous, and the journey must be much slower

However, the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids around had already prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling in fear.

Although the environment around the Yan Wang Mansion is quite pleasant, there is always a sense of being a guest under someone else's roof

The Ming Dynasty post station is officially operated and private use by civilians is prohibited

For example, the earlier "800-li Express" began from the capital, establishing a sequence of relay stations, where the couriers, holding the imperial edict, would ride swiftly to the next relay station to deliver it.

Upon reaching General Fengguo, it is the great-grandson who has been granted the title.

The post station is free for all officials, including food and accommodation, especially for significant matters such as the return of the Prince of Yan to the capital

In the first three days, Zhu Gaochi and Yao Guangxiao could still engage in lively conversation, but as time went on, they mostly just dozed off as soon as they got on the vehicle

At each relay station, horses are changed to maintain their strength, resulting in swift speed

There are seven days remaining until the day of mourning established by Zhu Yuanzhang

If at this moment, the matter of going out to have fun were to be spread, I fear there may be some difficulties in the future

Then I thank the prince.

Not long ago, there was a prince consort who was granted death by Zhu Yuanzhang for privately using the post station to transport four carts of goods

The one who was persuaded last time is now lying in the rear hall, ready to attend to the Crown Prince.

There are also the General's Office of the State Protector, the General's Office of the National Assistant, and the General's Office of the National Servant

In the rear hall of the Hall of Benevolence and Wisdom, the dozens of palace maids and eunuchs who once served Prince Zhu Biao have all been executed and buried with him

The one who may have first renounced his status as a prince is likely the king himself

The summary of the relay station is quite similar to the modern express delivery and logistics system. Before Zhu Yuanzhang had conquered the Yuan capital, he had already begun to restore and rebuild relay stations across various regions of the Ming Dynasty with the help of maps and books.

Upon reaching this point, Zhu Gaochi deeply bowed and performed a ceremonial greeting to Zhu Ying

The father king's emphasis on Zhu Ying was certainly well understood by Zhu Gaochi. Otherwise, he would not have been so courteous towards Zhu Ying.

While the two were chatting leisurely in the courtyard, Zhu Ying did not hold back and instructed Steward Zhang to take a few people to the capital to explore and see if there were any shops worth acquiring

Eight hundred miles in urgent delivery, arriving in three days, cannot be considered slow in today's Ming Dynasty

King Yan Zhu Di had some enterprises in the capital, but he basically did not manage them much

This is still Zhu Ying's first time traveling through the relay station

Listening to Zhu Ying's desire to purchase a shop, Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment and said: "My family has a tea house near the Qinhuai River in this capital city."

However, even so, it was not until the eleventh day that we finally reached the city of Nanjing

The descendants yet to be born include the Fourth Generation Grandson, who will serve as the Lieutenant of the State; the Fifth Generation Grandson, who will serve as the Lieutenant of the Nation; and the Sixth Generation Grandson and those below him, all of whom will serve as Lieutenants of the State

Eng'er, since you have just arrived in the capital, you must not have a place to settle down. Why not rest with us along with your guards

There are no sighs, only a silent turning away and departure

That is indeed the case

A relay station is set up every twenty li.

"Your Highness, please do not act this way." Zhu Ying quickly came to support him

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze would only show a faint anger when it turned to Zhu Yunwen

At the earliest, it will take nearly two months

How could he not know that his own father does not favor him, especially if he were truly caught with incriminating evidence

After a long while, Zhu Yuanzhang's back gradually straightened.

As a vassal king, Zhu Di naturally had his own residence within the inner city of the capital, which was generally bestowed by His Majesty.

Moreover, the night in Nanjing has already implemented a curfew, and the lively Qinhuai River is also shrouded in darkness

... ...

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying's eyes sparkled, and then she spoke directly without any courtesy: "Then I shall trouble the Crown Prince."

Prince Zhu Biao passed away, and the various princes expressed their condolences

Our younger sister has left, our eldest grandson has also left, and now our son has left

Beside the coffin, the fifteen-year-old Zhu Yunwen knelt on a mat on the ground, dressed in white, emitting hoarse sobs

The Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace, the Hall of Benevolence and Wisdom, is the location of the Funeral Palace

The two could only stay quietly in this courtyard, waiting for the day of mourning to arrive

Prince Zhu Biao was a paternal uncle to Zhu Gaochi. Their interactions were limited, so there was not an excessive amount of sorrow; at most, there were some feelings of reflection.