The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 59 Chinese New Year
Ma Xun knew that once he entered the palace, it would not be easy to leave.

It’s already the Little New Year, and the New Year is just a few days away. It’s lonely to be alone outside, so why not stay in the palace!
What's more, one has to learn a series of rituals for attending court, which is not just red tape.

The New Year's Day court ceremony is one of the most important grand ceremonies. It is a major ceremony and if there is any misconduct, there is a high possibility of impeachment.

Zhu Chong asked curiously, "Uncle, if you want to confer titles on the kings, what title should I get?"

Ma Xun asked in confusion, "It's already this time, shouldn't I tell you?"

Zhu Gang spoke first, "It has not been decided yet. My eldest brother said that my second brother should be made the King of Qin and I should be made the King of Jin. Uncle, is the title of King of Qin too heavy?"

Zhu Di hurriedly said, "Uncle, I am the King of Yan, and the fifth brother is the King of Wu."

Zhu Gang then said, "How can we make Lao Wu the King of Wu? That was the title of our father before."

The title of a king can also reflect one's status. Generally speaking, it comes from the names of countries during the Spring and Autumn Period. Traditionally, the four titles of Qin, Jin, Qi and Chu are the most honorable, because the countries represented by these four titles were the most powerful during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

After the Tang Dynasty, the King of Qin became more special. The traditional "King of Wu" became prominent in the Ming Dynasty, which was the title of king before Zhu Yuanzhang.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "The second son is the eldest of all the princes in the royal family, so he can naturally be named the King of Qin. Your father and brother have high expectations of you. It doesn't matter if the fifth son is named the King of Wu, because you are favored."

Zhu Di said pitifully, "Uncle, why did you make me the King of Yan? The King of Qi and the King of Chu are both more noble than the King of Yan. If you count them, the King of Lu, the King of Zhao, the King of Wei, and the King of Liang are stronger than the King of Yan!"

The second and third brothers were given the title of prince, and the fifth brother was not likely to fight for it. But the sixth brother was the King of Chu and the seventh brother was the King of Qi, which made Zhu Di very unhappy. The title of prince represented status!

"You like the army and fighting, so naturally I'll send you to an important place." Ma Xun smiled and comforted, "I think the King of Yan is a good guy. It sounds like he's going to the north to fight."

Zhu Di was smiling happily. If he was really asked to go to war, he would be the King of Yan.

Zhu Chong said mysteriously, "Uncle, our eldest nephew is the Prince of Jingjiang, but he is the only one who is a Prince of a County."

Zhu Tiezhu, now renamed Zhu Shouqian, is the son of Zhu Wenzheng. He is the first Jingjiang Prince of the Ming Dynasty and the most special prince of the Ming Dynasty.

During the Ming Dynasty, the kingdoms were divided into many vassal states, and each kingdom regarded the first king who was enfeoffed as its ancestor.

But the King of Jingjiang was an exception. His ancestor was Zhu Xinglong, the King of Nanchang, Zhu Wenzhen, the second generation, and Zhu Shouqian, the first King of Jingjiang, the third generation.

The princes were given the title of prince and were granted a gold seal and a gold book. The princes' sons other than the ones who inherited the title were given the title of county princes and were granted a gold-plated silver seal and a silver book.

Therefore, although Zhu Shouqian was crowned king as the grandson of his nephew, his ancestor was Zhu Yuanzhang's elder brother, so he had a unique status and was also granted the golden book and golden seal.

Moreover, his crowns and robes, carriages and ceremonial guards, and court greeting etiquette are generally the same as those of a prince, and the number of officials and guards is also within the scope of the prince's palace.

Although he is a prince, his rights and treatment are the same as those of a prince.

Zhu Su suddenly said as if he was offering a treasure, "Uncle, my father wants to make you the Prince of Xu, saying that you saved my mother and my brother."

Ma Xun immediately stopped his nephew from speaking out loud, "I can only be the Prince of Xu after I die. As long as your uncle is alive, he can only be the Duke of Xu. Do you understand?"

Zhu Su nodded blankly, but Zhu Chong couldn't help looking at Ma Xun. His uncle had become much bolder. He would have stayed away if these topics were mentioned before.

Ma Xun suddenly felt overwhelmed, "You guys should quickly figure out how to submit a memorial. The title of king is related to your future!"

Zhu Chong and his companions looked at each other, not understanding these things. When it came to marching and fighting, Zhu Chong and his companions could give endless suggestions and advice.

But things like enfeoffment of kings are beyond our capabilities.

Li Jinglong ran over happily, "Uncle."

Ma Xun quickly turned around, stood up with a smile, and said, "Brother-in-law."

Li Zhen looked at the children in front of her and said with a smile, "With all of them here, you won't be able to calm down and write the memorial. Don't worry, the Queen will definitely prepare it for you."

Ma Xun thought it made sense, but still said, "If she's too busy to remember, and I don't have any preparation, that would be bad." Li Zhen didn't want to persuade him any further. Ma Xun's character was so cautious and steady. It was rare for such a young person to have such a character!
Zhu Yuanzhang came with Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao, "Brother-in-law, little brother, I've been busy these two days, I'm not putting on airs."

Ma Xiuying also said, "Brother-in-law, Chongba should have taken us there. But he was too busy, and he wanted the whole family to have a New Year's dinner together, so he bothered you to come."

Li Zhen smiled and said, "No need to say these things, you are busy, I understand it in my heart."

Zhu Su, who was not very careful with his mouth, suddenly asked, "Mother, why did my uncle say that he would be crowned king only after his death?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was very surprised, "Who told you that?"

Zhu Su immediately said, "My uncle said so."

Ma Xun looked at Zhu Su awkwardly and said, "This kid is too talkative. I can't tell him anything from now on."

"You know all this, little brother?" Zhu Yuanzhang said jokingly, "Don't say anything unlucky on New Year's Day. Among all your nephews, only Biao can keep a secret."

Ma Xiuying also joked, "What kind of secrets can there be in front of so many children? Three generations are posthumously crowned as kings, isn't this how it should be?"

Ma Xun could only say, "You are teasing the kids. Even if there is a posthumous title, it should be for my father and grandfather, not me."

"Then you should do your job well, and I will make you king in the future." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao, "I don't have the final say on this matter, you have to ask your nephew."

Zhu Biao also said humorously, "Prince Xu was originally my uncle's, and my uncle has always been considerate and sympathetic. Otherwise, it would be difficult to deal with him if he was about to be crowned a king or given a title."

Ma Xiuying also smiled at this. She was very happy that Ma Xun knew the general situation.

In the future, the incense of her mother's family will be passed on, and the Zhu family will not make it difficult for her. She thinks the position of Duke is the best position.

As they were talking, a little boy timidly walked into the hall, "Grandfather, Grandmother."

"Tiezhu." Zhu Biao greeted with a smile, "Come quickly to meet your uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "If he doesn't follow suit, our Tiezhu will do great things in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy. Everyone in this room was his relative, a family connected by blood.

After a harmonious reunion dinner, Ma Xun and Li Zhen took Li Jinglong back to the courtyard, while Zhu Shouqian was sent back to his mother.

Ma Xun went to bed as soon as it got dark, to prepare for the first time in his life to go to court.

"Uncle Guo."

"Uncle Guo."

Ma Xun sat up suddenly and asked, "Is it time?"

A eunuch held up the clothes and said, "My Lord, it's time to go to court."

Ma Xun quickly got up and asked, "Where's my brother-in-law? Is he up yet?"

While helping Ma Xun put on his clothes, the eunuch said, "The Marquis has already gone to the Huagai Palace. Every New Year's Day, Winter Solstice, and your Majesty's birthday, your Majesty must go to the Huagai Palace and receive the respect of the inner court deacons."

Ma Xun was a little annoyed, "Then why didn't you call me?"

The eunuch flattered him, "Your Majesty has issued an order saying that you are young and sleepy, so there is no need to get up early. You will be led to Fengtian Gate in a moment."

Ma Xun washed hurriedly, ate a quick breakfast, and set off with his tablet in hand.

I have a memorial in my hand, and I will ask for titles to be bestowed on the kings later.

(End of this chapter)