The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 706 The Prince’s Wedding
The Ming Dynasty is now incredibly powerful.

This natural disaster, which was enough to bring down a dynasty, did not cause any harm to the victims.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Crown Prince Zhu Changxun and Emperor Wanli in mobilizing manpower, material resources, and financial resources to provide relief, not a single disaster victim starved to death.

Especially after Wanli returned, the disaster victims who had suffered the most severe damage began to migrate to the fertile Sanjiang Plain.

The houses, courtyards, oxen, farm tools, and even pots and pans were all ready-made. Irrigation ditches had been dug for them, and even seedlings had been cultivated for them.

After they migrate there, they just plant the seedlings in the fields.

Moreover, after they migrated there, they ate much better than before, with smoked fish, smoked meat, vermicelli, and even fresh fish, fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, etc., which were constantly being brought over by ships every day.

Even oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea were all donated free of charge by Wanshengtang.

Following them, nobles, court officials, and even ordinary people continued to donate money and goods to them.

Their lives are getting better and better.

Most of the severely affected disaster victims have seen their lives greatly improved after relocating to the Sanjiang Plain, and their lives are much better than before the disaster.

Actually, apart from the cold winters, the Sanjiang Plain has very good conditions.

The area has a well-developed river system, and large ponds formed after the silt was cleared are everywhere, providing abundant water resources.

Moreover, after the garrison soldiers finished building the compound, they also extended the railway from the Nurgan Regional Military Commission to this area, making the water and land transportation here very developed.

More importantly, there is plenty of farmland here, and it is quite fertile, with ample fertilizer.

Xu Guangqi and Wang Xiangjin have already tested it, and the yield of the fields there is even higher than that of the Songnen Plain if the right fertilizer is applied!

There are also potatoes, sweet potatoes, Chinese cabbage, and so on, with yields that are frighteningly high.

When the harvest was bountiful in October, the disaster victims were overjoyed.

The yield per acre of the land here is twice that of their original land, and the land they were allocated is also much more than the original land.

Each of their households had more than two hundred bushels of grain stored up, along with potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and other things—they simply couldn't finish it all.

The Northern King Zhu Changxu even sent them a lot of chicks, ducklings, piglets, and feed. After they raised the chickens, ducks, and pigs, they not only had meat to eat, but they could also make a lot of money.

When Emperor Wanli received the news, he was overjoyed.

The disaster victims have finally been settled, and now he can start dealing with the princes and royal family.

Once the vassal kings and imperial clans were dealt with, the Ming Dynasty truly entered an unprecedented golden age.

The problem is, how should we deal with these princes and their relatives? Should we just issue an imperial edict ordering all princes, their relatives, and their in-laws to immediately board a ship and be exiled to Fangzhang Island?
If we do it this way, things will probably get chaotic.

The princes and royal family members were not so obedient; there were probably many who dared to disobey the imperial decree. Moreover, these guys bought a lot of centipede ships and conscripted a lot of young men.

If the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou were to incite further rebellion, these guys might even be able to start a rebellion.

If the princes and members of the imperial family were to rebel, the Ming Dynasty would likely descend into chaos, and this is something we must guard against.

Perhaps we should send people to arrest all the princes and members of the royal family associated with the three powerful clans of Puzhou before issuing an imperial edict.

This way, we can make an example of someone to warn others, and also interrogate the remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou.

However, if he orders his men to arrest them, it will alert the enemy, and the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou will likely flee in panic.

He didn't want these guys to run away again this time.

The question is, how can we do this without alerting the enemy?
On the second day of the eleventh lunar month, around noon, the warm sun shone brightly in the sky.

The Qianqing Palace was bustling with activity. Emperor Wanli and Crown Prince Zhu Changxun had returned for their meal, while the young princes and princesses were chattering away as they ate.

Everyone was happy, except for Empress Wang, who seemed to have something on her mind.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Wanli asked with concern, "Xi'er, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"

How do you say this?

Empress Wang hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, have the disaster victims all been settled?"

Oh, why are you asking this?

Empress Wang never interfered in court affairs; she even avoided them as much as possible and never asked about them.

This time, she actually asked about it on her own initiative.

Wanli asked with some surprise, "Yes, the disaster victims have all been settled. What's wrong? Is there anything you need me or Xun'er to do?"

You could say that.

Empress Wang nodded slightly, then reminded him, "Your Majesty, Xun'er has already turned fifteen. Shouldn't he be getting married?" Oh, so it's about the Crown Prince's wedding.

Emperor Wanli nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, Xun'er should get married. I've been so busy with disaster relief that I forgot about it."

This afternoon, I ordered a proclamation to the world to select beautiful women for the imperial concubine selection. Once the selection is complete, Xun'er will choose his Crown Princess and concubines. Then, we will choose an auspicious day to hold Xun'er's wedding. We will strive to complete Xun'er's wedding before the New Year.

Upon hearing this, Empress Wang nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Noble Consort Qin Lan couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, will Xu'er and Luo'er also be coming back to attend Xun'er's wedding?"

You miss your son, don't you?
Then invite them back for the wedding banquet.

There is no longer any rule that says princes are forbidden from entering the capital.

Just as Wanli was about to nod, he suddenly froze.

That's right, there's no longer any rule against vassal kings entering the capital.

The Northern Prince Zhu Changxu and the Eastern Prince Zhu Changluo can return to the capital for their wedding banquet, but other vassal kings and princes can come too.

If he could use this excuse to "invite" all those princes and dukes to the capital, and then secretly arrest and interrogate those who had connections with the three powerful clans of Puzhou, he would definitely be able to uncover many remnants of the three powerful clans of Puzhou.

More importantly, this way, we won't alert the enemy.

If he makes the arrangements in advance, the remnants of the three major powerful clans in Puzhou will have no chance of escaping.

Who would have thought that the Crown Prince's wedding would be related to dealing with the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou?
The remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou certainly never expected this.

After careful consideration, Wanli Emperor began to take action.

That afternoon, he announced to the world that he was selecting a consort for Crown Prince Zhu Changxun.

This selection of consorts also determined the number of candidates, with a total of ten to be chosen. One will be the Crown Princess, who will become the future Empress, and the other nine will be consorts appointed after the Crown Prince ascends the throne.

In other words, once selected, one would at least become a concubine. Not only would one never leave the palace, but after the crown prince ascended the throne, all his relatives and friends would benefit from the honor.

This was also to dispel the concerns of ordinary people and to encourage everyone to stop hiding women of marriageable age.

This time, the selection wasn't for palace maids, but for the future empress and concubines.

If you're selected, it'll bring glory to your ancestors, and your family members will be granted titles and honors. If you're not selected, you'll be sent home and go about your business.

In such a situation, every household would likely send eligible young women to the capital for selection.

Sure enough, when everyone heard that they were selecting ten concubines instead of palace maids, they were all very enthusiastic. Anyone with a daughter of marriageable age volunteered to participate in the selection.

If I could get elected, that would be amazing!

According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, the family members of the Empress were to be granted at least the rank of Earl, and the family members of the first nine concubines to be granted at least the rank of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Where can such a good thing be found?

Suddenly, the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty became bustling with activity.

The naval ships shuttled back and forth, constantly bringing eligible women to the capital and bringing back those who hadn't even passed the initial selection. The waterways leading to the capital were filled with beautiful women, both elegant and vibrant.

The imperial city was even more crowded, with girls as young as fifteen or sixteen everywhere.

The Ming Dynasty's navy has so many ships now that bringing 100,000 young girls to the capital every day is a piece of cake.

Just as the selection of the Crown Prince's consort was in full swing, Emperor Wanli made another big move.

He actually ordered that all vassal states and vassal states should send an edict to the capital before the fifteenth of December, as the Crown Prince's wedding was to be held at the end of December and the whole country should celebrate.

Aside from the Prince of Lu, he didn't want to see his younger brother and didn't send anyone to deliver the imperial decree.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, all the kings of the vassal states hurriedly prepared congratulatory gifts and quickly boarded the flying dragon ships that had come to pick them up, heading towards the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

All the vassal kings and princes were dumbfounded.

Emperor Wanli actually summoned them to the capital to attend the Crown Prince's wedding!
What does this mean?
Can they not go?

The imperial edict has been issued; if they don't go, it would be disobeying the imperial decree!
Who dares to disobey the imperial decree?

Emperor Wanli was notoriously ruthless.

He has already eliminated two of the vassal states.

Anyone who dares not to go, this guy might actually wipe out their entire vassal state!

All the vassal kings even thought he wanted to take the opportunity to weaken their power; anyone who dared not to go would be punished!
(End of this chapter)