Chapter Eight, The Feudal Lords (1)

Zhu Changluo pondered: "Indeed, it takes a thousand days to train troops, but only a moment to employ them. If the Emperor continues to delay when the time comes, let a few masters submit their petitions first..."

Wang An responded with a sound, yet did not move his steps. In response, Zhu Changluo was quite astonished: "What does this mean, Wang Banban!"

Zhu Changxun, with tears streaming down his face, reached out to take the imperial edict handed over by Eunuch Qi, and weakly bowed down: "I, your subject, Zhu Changxun, receive the decree and express my gratitude..."

In fact, the Prince of Fu's residence (the Beijing residence) had long anticipated that such a day would eventually come, so the items that needed to be taken away had already been packed in advance. Thus, merely two days later, a dejected Zhu Changxun, under the personal escort of the Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, departed from Beijing with Yao Shi and Zhu Yousong.

Wang An once again advised: "Young Master, did we not agree to endure until the Prince of Fu is enfeoffed in Luoyang, and then discuss it after the gratitude memorial is submitted? By that time, perhaps the Emperor will come to understand that the Ming Dynasty will eventually be handed over to you and the Yuan clan."

Zhu Changluo replied gloomily: "Wang Banban, rest assured, I will hold on until the time when my father, the Emperor, ascends to the heavens."

After the funeral of Empress Dowager Li, Crown Prince Zhu Changluo once again urged the officials to petition for Prince Fu to be granted a fief. Emperor Wanli continued to ignore this, but as public opinion outside grew increasingly intense, Emperor Wanli ultimately could not withstand the pressure from the civil officials. Therefore, in June of the 42nd year of Wanli, he issued a decree demanding that Prince Fu immediately leave the capital to take up his fief.

Your Highness, the imperial decree has been issued, please accept it and take up your fief

After the departure of Prince Fu, a considerable number of astute palace attendants voluntarily sought refuge under the Eastern Palace. As a result, the news within the Wang An faction has become quite well-informed, allowing them to quickly learn of the movements of Emperor Wanli and Consort Zheng. This has thus created conditions for the Eastern Palace to seek benefits and avoid harm

This scoundrel only knows how to play, go, go call him over!

In response to the congratulations from the officials of the Eastern Palace, although Zhu Changluo's face was flushed with joy, he cautiously asked, "Wang Banban, is there anything unusual from Father Emperor's side?"

At this point, Zhu Changluo said to Wang An: "I believe that woman will not easily give up, and I fear there will be further entanglements in the future. Therefore, the Eastern Palace must continue to maintain a low profile and endure outwardly, while I will still be that timid and lustful person."

Wang Andao: "Teaching from the inner study can only produce a mere clerk with a pen and knife."

Thus, the officials of the Eastern Palace expressed: "We have become so elated that we have lost our composure and failed to consider the consequences. If it were not for Wang Banban's reminder, we would have nearly jeopardized a significant matter. In light of this, let us hold off for two days and wait until Prince Fu arrives in Luoyang before submitting a memorial to Your Majesty, which will not be too late"

However, at this moment, Zhu Changxun, who was still somewhat disoriented, seemed to have completely ignored Fang Congzhe's earlier warning. He merely said in a daze: "Little Wang, thank you, Mr. Fang, for seeing me off. Until we meet again..."

Congratulations to the Crown Prince, congratulations to the Crown Prince, the Duke of Fu has finally left the capital to take up his fief. This time, the Grand Minister personally escorted him out of the Chaoyang Gate, thus, the source of great concern has been resolved

Several officials from the Eastern Palace and the Spring Court of the Zhan Shi Fu responded accordingly, yet the joy evident in everyone's expressions could not be concealed

Zhu Changluo frowned and said, "Will it be too late by then"

Wang An responded, "This servant understands and will certainly manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace well. However, young master, you must take care of your health."

However, just when Zhu Changluo thought the matter had come to a conclusion, the young official Han Luan suddenly spoke up, saying: "Next, shouldn't we propose to His Majesty the matter of Yuan Sun going out to study?"

Accompanied by several from the Wei Dynasty, they are playing together

The meaning of Wang Banban is that I, Gu, have come to understand. I do not intend to severely punish the student; it is merely that I have read little, and in the future, I fear I will have to rely on those with great authority. However, the student must not repeat my mistakes and must embody the qualities of a true leader.

Zhu Changluo nodded slightly: "What Wang Banban said is true, we still need them for now, and let them enjoy the merit of supporting us."

Zhu Changluo understood: "What Wang Banban said makes sense, but when will it come to an end!"

Your Highness, this journey is long and distant, I, Fang, shall not see you off any further. I hope Your Highness will take care of yourself in the days to come

Moreover, after Zhu Youzong arrived in Luoyang, Zhu Changluo would certainly arrange for him to study immediately. In this way, while the son of a feudal prince might be able to pursue education, the future heir of the great Ming dynasty would still remain uneducated, which would be absolutely unacceptable in the eyes of the civil official group

Wang An's meaning is that there should be no changes in the Eastern Palace for now, and we should wait until Zhu Changluo ascends to the throne; at that time, it will be possible to discipline Zhu Youjiao.

In response to the young master, the noble consort has been weeping daily these past few days, and the emperor has also been sighing in distress. Therefore, this servant believes that it would not be appropriate for the young master to be overly joyful, lest those wicked individuals slander him with accusations of unfilial behavior.

After listening to the words of the eunuch delivering the decree, Zhu Changxun asked tremulously, "Eunuch Qi, I would like to enter the palace to express my gratitude and bid farewell to my father and mother."

Wang An knelt down and said: "Young master, although the grandson is currently playful, he is exceptionally intelligent. As long as he has a renowned teacher to guide him, he will surely inherit the sacred teachings in the future"

Wang An shook his head and said: "Yuan Sun is still young, and in the future, I will personally guide and teach him. However, for now, His Majesty may not necessarily overlook this matter; it is essential to maintain tranquility in the Eastern Palace!"

As the officials of the Eastern Palace around him expressed their support, Wang An, noticing Zhu Changluo's expression, spoke up: "The intentions of all the esteemed officials are clear, as can be witnessed by heaven and earth. However, the Emperor is currently in a fit of anger. If we provoke him further, it may only add fuel to the fire. Of course, all esteemed officials are on the path of righteousness, and I would follow it even if it meant facing a million adversities. Yet, if the Emperor becomes obstinate, it would only delay the matter of the Crown Prince's departure to study. I urge all esteemed officials to think carefully before acting."

As the delegation from the Prince of Fortune's residence was to first travel to Tongzhou to take a boat, Fang Congzhe bid farewell to Zhu Changxun at Chaoyang Gate

Although previously neither Zhu Youjiao nor Zhu Yousong had been assigned proper teachers, only having eunuchs instruct them in writing, Zhu Youjiao and Zhu Yousong are of different statuses; one is the legitimate successor of the future Ming Empire, while the other is the son of a prince.

Indeed, in the past, for the purpose of the Crown Prince's departure to study and the establishment of the Crown Prince, Emperor Wanli had reprimanded numerous officials. Now that the dawn is right before us, it is likely that not many officials would be willing to fall before the break of day

Zhu Changluo suddenly thought of something and said: "What is the school doing now?"

The officials of the Eastern Palace have dispersed, and Wang An said to the frowning Zhu Changluo: "Young Master, there are not many among the civil officials who possess true integrity; the rest are merely those who seek fame and reputation. Therefore, I ask you not to take today's events to heart, as such ministers will still be of great use to you in the future"

Indeed, the heir to the empire must master the art of ruling, a skill that eunuchs cannot grasp. Therefore, in the absence of a distinguished mentor, the more Zhu Youjiao is exposed to, the more likely it is that this promising talent will be led astray.

The eunuch from the Imperial Sacrificial Office, surnamed Qi, said with a bitter smile: "Your Highness, please do not make things difficult for the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine any further"

Zhu Changluo nodded slightly and said, "What Wang Banban said makes sense. Masters, although the overall situation is now settled, the mind of the Emperor is difficult to fathom. I, along with all of you masters, still need to maintain calm to stabilize the situation. We must not let our efforts be in vain after reaching such great heights."