Di Ming

Chapter 473 By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous!
It must be the Imperial Seal of the State that has arrived!

Zhu Yin couldn't help but smile, his face flushed slightly.

"I never imagined that the Imperial Seal of the State would arrive today, with the New Year just around the corner!"

"Let's go! Go back home!"

A large group of guards escorted the King of Wu and his queen onto the jade carriage, and they returned to the King of Wu's palace amidst the dazzling lights of Nanjing.

As soon as Zhu Yin returned to the mansion, he saw a group of familiar faces he hadn't seen in a long time. In addition to students like Le Zhengyuan and other Tiger Tooth agents, there were also many female people, including Shurhaci, Chu Ying, Daishan, and Feiyanggu.

"Students pay respects to the teacher! Students pay respects to the teacher's wife!" Le Zhengyuan and the others bowed together, all looking excited.

"Little Tiger Brother!" Shurhaci was very happy.

"Greetings to Uncle Little Tiger!" Chu Ying and Dai Shan quickly knelt down to pay their respects according to the Jurchen etiquette.

“I love you, Prince!” Fiyangu, who only had one arm left, bowed, his hand on his chest.

A group of Jurchen guards also knelt down, shouting in a thunderous voice, "Your servants pay their respects to the Prince!"

"Oh dear!" Zhu Yin opened his arms and said in his familiar Jurchen language, "In the dead of winter, the magpies have been chirping all day! I knew that an old friend had come from afar, but I didn't expect it to be you!"

"Rise! Rise, all of you! No need for formalities!"

"twitter!"

Zhu Yin went up and bumped shoulders with the burly Shurhaci, then embraced him and gave him a deep bow around the waist.

Then he bumped shoulders with Fei Yanggu.

Chu Ying, Dai Shan, and a large group of Jurchen guards also stood up.

Then, Ning Caiwei greeted Shurhaci and the others.

"Brother Little Wild Boar Skin, I never expected to meet you in Nanjing!" Zhu Yin patted Shurhaci's chest. "Come here, this is home! We're family, so please don't stand on ceremony!"

Shurhaci took off his hat, revealing two thin braids, and laughed heartily:

“Little Tiger Brother, I won’t stand on ceremony with you! You don’t know, we were completely blinded when we entered Nanjing! Your two nephews said that this is the place where nobles should stay! The old forests of Liaodong are really tough.”

"So this large group of us has come to enjoy the good life of the Han people."

Zhu Yin laughed and said, "Great! I couldn't be happier for you to come and enjoy this wonderful life!"

Shurhaci said solemnly, “Brother Little Tiger, I dare not hide anything from you. We have come here to seek refuge with you. Jianzhou is weak and unstable right now. The four tribes of Hulun want to annex us, and the Mongols also want to conquer us. The Mongols, in particular, have attacked us several times. Relying on their numbers and the help of the Yehe, they want to enslave us. My elder brother was worried that all our people would fall into the hands of the enemy, so he sent us to find you…”

At this point, the other Jurchens could hardly contain their anger. Since last year, the Chahar, Khorchin, and Yehe had attacked Jianzhou several times, capturing its people and gradually encroaching on its territory. Jianzhou's strength was waning, its army dwindling, and it was no longer the formidable force it had been a few years ago.

At present, the entire Jianzhou tribe has only 40,000 to 50,000 men, women, and children left. At most, only 8,000 able-bodied men can be selected to wear armor. Every one who dies is one less.

Zhu Yin was quite satisfied with the decline of Nurhaci's power. Although he was pleased, his face showed anger, and he clenched his fists and said in a deep voice:
"How dare the Mongols humiliate my Jianzhou! I will make them regret it and weep! I swear to Lord Cuohazhan and Mother Foduo, one day my whip will lash their heads! I will make the Mongol Khan prostrate himself before my horse's hooves and apologize to the Jianzhou people!"

"Anyone who bullies the Jianzhou tribe is my enemy!"

"Little Wild Boar Brother, Fei Yanggu Brother, Chu Ying, Dai Shan, I will lead you all back! In two years at most, my troops will appear in the land of Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River to avenge Jianzhou!!"

"Just you wait, Mongols! Just wait until Jianzhou likes the Beile's knife and whip!"

“Brother Little Tiger!” Shurhaci was moved when he heard Zhu Yin’s righteous words. “Brother Little Tiger is truly one of our own from Jianzhou. My elder brother said that as long as Brother Little Tiger is here, the Jianzhou people will still have a way to survive.”

"Uncle Little Tiger!" Chu Ying and Dai Shan, the two boys, were also moved to tears.

A group of Jurchen men clutched their chests and declared, "We will serve our beloved Prince and avenge the Jianzhou tribe!"

Ning Caiwei looked at Zhu Yin, who was cursing and swearing, and tried hard to keep her pretty face straight. This little tiger, the Jianzhou Jurchens have fallen to this state because of him, yet he has become the benefactor of the Jianzhou tribe.

If it weren't for the little tiger's meticulous planning, Nurhaci would have already unified half of the Jurchen tribes and possessed tens of thousands of elite soldiers and generals.

Zhu Yin asked with concern, "Little Wild Boar Skin, how is Little Wild Boar Skin?"

Shurhaci looked somewhat worried. "He told us to leave, but he insisted on staying in Jianzhou with most of his people to defend our ancestral land. He said that as long as he lived, Jianzhou could not be lost."

Zhu Yin sighed and said, "Brother Wild Boar Skin has worked hard. Then he can hold on for a year or two. I will personally lead the troops to Jianzhou then."

Only then did Tiger Tooth's top spy, Le Zhengyuan, say, "Teacher, we have found a treasure. Please take a look!"

After speaking, he took out a five-inch square wooden box from the bundle he was carrying and carefully presented it with both hands.

Zhu Yin waved his hand at his students and said, "It's nothing more than a treasure. How can it be more important than the affairs of Jianzhou? We'll talk about the treasure later. Little Wild Boar Skin Brother, is Jianzhou's food supply sufficient for this winter?"

Shurhaci was deeply moved. "Don't worry, Brother Little Tiger. With you and Caiwei in the caravan in Goryeo, the Jianzhou tribe still has enough food. We owe you all this. By the way, Jianzhou is not in danger for the time being. You should take a look at this treasure. Even my elder brother said it's an extraordinary item."

Zhu Yin was relieved and took the wooden box presented by Le Zhengyuan. When he opened it, he found a very old silk package.

Upon opening the package, a simple yet elegant jade artifact appeared before me, as if I had traveled through a time tunnel.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Even a single glance, or just a fleeting look, reveals the extraordinary nature of this object. Even a commoner with limited knowledge and no appreciation skills would feel an indescribable sense of awe upon seeing it.

If it is a celestial object, why has it fallen to earth? If it is an earthly object, why is it so mysterious as to be found in heaven?
Zhu Yin's heart raced, his pupils dilated slightly, and his star-like eyes held a mixture of joy and displeasure. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Is this the Imperial Seal of the State, symbolizing the imperial power of China? Has it really been found? Is it or isn't it?
Zhu Yin tried hard to suppress his excitement, cradling the ancient jade artifact in his hands as if it were a baby, and examined it carefully.

The jade seal is made of white jade, warm and smooth, without any impurities. It seems to belong to a different world, perhaps a gemstone used by Nuwa to mend the sky. The seal is square, about four inches in size, with a three-dimensional carving of five tigers coiled and intertwined around the dragon-tiger knob. Indeed, a gold corner was later added to one side of the seal, creating a striking contrast with the jade.

The seal face is engraved with eight characters in seal script: "Having received the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous."

The strokes are deep and sharp like iron wire, and the exquisite carving techniques of the jade craftsman are evident at the corners. This kind of carving seems to be a work of nature, a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, as if it were not something that could be done by human hands.

That should be it!
Zhu Yin was now absolutely certain that this ancient jade artifact, which was like a divine object, was the famous Imperial Seal of the State!
Originating with the First Emperor and ending with the last Emperor of Tang, it represented the divine right of the Chinese emperor for over a thousand years!
If you receive orders from Heaven, you will live a long and prosperous life!
Holding the Imperial Seal of the State, surrounded by the Nine Tripods, seated in the Hall of Brightness. It is said that without the Imperial Seal of the State, one is merely a blank emperor. Legend has it that the loss of the Imperial Seal of the State damaged the destiny of the Chinese nation, leading to the decline of the Xia dynasty and the rise of the Hu dynasty.

Although it's just a mysterious and mystical saying, it's enough to illustrate the importance of the Imperial Seal of the State to the great cause of China and the Han Dynasty. At least in terms of its psychological impact, the Imperial Seal of the State should not be underestimated.

"Yes?" Ning Caiwei asked only one word, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhu Yin breathed a sigh of relief, and the confidence hidden in his heart suddenly became even more firm and sacred.

Indeed, the moment Zhu Yin confirmed that he had obtained the Imperial Seal of the State, his confidence not only intensified but also became almost sacred. It was as if he had been blessed by the heavens.

It was a wonderful experience.

If the world knew that he had obtained the Imperial Seal of the State, then who would dare to question his own destiny or the fate of the Ming Dynasty?
"Yes." Zhu Yin only answered Ning Caiwei with one word, his voice also trembling slightly.

The joy and happiness in my heart were contained in those two words, "yes" and "yes".

"Little Tiger Brother, it's good that the item is correct." Shurhaci felt relieved when he saw Zhu Yin's affirmation.

In order to retrieve this item from the Mongolian Lama temple, Jianzhou helped Yue Zhengyuan infiltrate Mongolia, resulting in the deaths of several warriors.

“Little Tiger Brother, Big Brother said that this imperial seal is the most precious treasure of the Central Plains, and only the true Son of Heaven can possess it. Little Tiger Brother, you must be the true Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty.”

Zhu Yin had established a separate court in Nanjing for half a year, and the news had long since spread to Liaodong. Coupled with the deliberate propaganda of the Tiger Fang agents, the entire Jurchen tribe knew Zhu Yin's identity. Nurhaci and his men were both surprised and delighted to learn that Zhu Yin was actually a descendant of the Jianwen Emperor and had become the regent of the Southern Dynasty.

He desperately wanted Zhu Yin to be a member of the Ming imperial family, and ideally, for the young tiger brothers to become emperors of the Ming Dynasty. This would give the Jianzhou people their strongest backer, and ensure the family's continued wealth and prosperity.

Therefore, he actively cooperated with Yue Zhengyuan to help seize the Imperial Seal of the State.

“Teacher,” Yue Zhengyuan said, “Your guess was indeed correct. This Imperial Seal was sealed in Hutubi Temple by the Mongol Khanate in order to suppress the fate of the Han people. However, because it has been so long and is a secret of the Mongol Khanate, even the lamas in the temple did not know that it was the Imperial Seal.”

"What a nightmare!" Zhu Yin sneered. "I'd like to see if the Mongol cavalry, now in their twilight years, can besiege Beijing again!"

"The news that we have obtained the Imperial Seal must be kept secret for now and must not be disclosed. It is not the time to announce this good news yet."

"Yes!" Yue Zhengyuan accepted the order.

Zhu Yin then said, "You have found the Imperial Seal of the State, successfully completed the mission, and lived up to your expectations. You deserve a major commendation!"

"Thank you, Teacher!" Le Zhengyuan and the others bowed in gratitude. A great achievement meant a noble title was inevitable!
It was quite a coincidence; not long after Shurhaci and his entourage arrived, Jin Yunniang came smiling to report:

"My lord! Mr. Shangyang has returned from his post in Jingzhou Province and is right outside the Yimen Gate."

"Haha!" Zhu Yin couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing that Shang Yang had returned. "My old buddy has come back for the New Year!"

He personally greeted him at the ceremonial gate and immediately spotted his familiar old friend. Shang Yang was already sixty years old, but he was still vigorous and dignified. Having succeeded Xu Wei as a regional governor for several years, his demeanor was completely different from before. He was no longer the down-and-out old scholar he once was, but had become refined and elegant.

"My lord!" Shang Yang was overjoyed to see Zhu Yin. When he parted ways with Zhu Yin, Zhu Yin was still a teenager. Now that Zhu Yin had grown up, he recognized him at a glance.

The moment he saw Zhu Yin, this ruthless man, known as the "Great Ming Ghost" by the locals in Jingzhou, couldn't help but have tears well up in his eyes.

I've finally met my lord! Back then, he was just the Vice Minister of War in Beijing; now he is the Regent Prince of Wu and Grand Tutor, wielding immense power in the Southern Dynasty!

"Brother Zhouming!" Zhu Yin's eyes also welled up with tears when he saw Shang Yang. "Old buddy, you're finally back!"

Ning Caiwei smiled and said, "Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. Your arrival is perfectly timed, allowing us to reunite for the New Year!"

Shang Yang cupped his hands and said, "Your subject Shang Yang greets Your Majesty..."

"Hey!" Zhu Yin grabbed his old friend's arm. "No need for formalities, it's cold outside. Come in to the warm pavilion for tea! Let's welcome you in!"

……

For many, the eve of the first year of the Taichang reign was destined to be a sad holiday. But the Prince of Wu's mansion was filled with joy, everyone was happy, and it was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, making it a lively and festive occasion.

Early in the morning, Zhu Yin personally visited the Jinghai Army, the Beijing Garrison, and the New Army camp to extend his regards and bestow New Year's gifts upon the soldiers.

He then went to the Zongjun camp and, as the Zongjun commander, comforted the Zongjun people, personally rewarding them with gold, silver, wine, meat, and other items.

He also didn't forget to visit the Propaganda Department, to see its key members, and to reward them.

Needless to say, the Huya agents are another story.

As night falls, Nanjing is illuminated by lanterns against the backdrop of snow. The Wu Prince's Palace resembles a golden city that never sleeps. Thousands of lanterns burn brightly within the palace walls, and the glazed palace lanterns under the eaves are strung together like an inverted Milky Way, making the vermilion palace gates appear as if they were in the heavens.

In front of the temporarily renovated Yin'an Hall, an incense table was set high, and blue smoke from the bronze cauldron rose straight into the sky. Prince Zhu Yin of Wu, dressed in a dark blue robe embroidered with gold dragons and wearing a Liang crown, stood solemnly on the steps with his wife Ning Caiwei.

Ning Caiwei was also dressed very stylishly. The golden and jade peacocks on her pheasant-patterned robe seemed to spread their wings as if about to take flight amidst the lights, and her golden hairpins swayed slightly in the cold wind.

After Zhu Yin offered sacrifices to his ancestors at the ancestral temple, he and Ning Caiwei led everyone in performing the "Paying Homage to the Imperial Palace" ceremony.

This is the etiquette system of the Ming Dynasty.

The entire palace and its guests, numbering over a thousand, bowed in the direction of the imperial palace.

Only Zhu Yin, the regent's uncle, was granted the respect due to an elder by the emperor because of his extraordinary status, and was exempt from bowing.

"Dong dong..." Suddenly, the bell rang nine times, its sound shaking the entire city. The Prince's New Year's Eve family banquet officially began.

"Well done!"

The guests did not sit down randomly, but took their seats in order amidst the high-pitched shouts of "Congratulations!" from the master of ceremonies. Princess Wuyou, along with Princess Shuning, Zhu Weiming, Zhao Jingzhong, Daishan, Chu Ying, and other younger relatives, all bowed to Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei.

Even the youngest princess, Yingning, meticulously followed the etiquette under the guidance of her wet nurse.

Throughout the entire process, the only sounds were the rustling of fabric and the soft tinkling of jade pendants; no one made a sound.

Nowadays, the Wu Prince's mansion has become increasingly grand and disciplined, and can no longer be treated casually. Otherwise, if word gets out, it will be considered "improper conduct."

This is a royal palace!
Zhu Yin was very considerate and thoughtful; he hadn't forgotten to set up a temporary shrine in the west courtyard to worship Cuoha Zhanye and Fuduo Mama, and erect a Solo pole. Then, in my capacity as Beile, I led Shurhaci, Feiyanggu, and other Jurchens to perform sacrifices at the shrine.

This gesture deeply moved Shurhaci and others.

As the master of ceremonies announced "Prepare the food," the music ensemble of the Prince's Palace, located in the outer corridor of the palace, played the elegant music of "Chao Tian Zi."

To the accompaniment of solemn and soothing music, two teams of maids dressed in blue satin vests and carrying vermilion lacquered brocade boxes filed in, their steps light and quick to the rhythm of the music.

A variety of delicacies from land and sea were on display.

All the vessels are specially supplied sweet white glazed porcelain, simple and elegant, with only the seal script mark "Wu Family Fine Vessel" subtly engraved on the bottom of the cups and the center of the plates. These are tributes from Jingdezhen to His Highness Prince Wu, highlighting their extraordinary status in a low-key manner.

As the wine was first poured, Zhu Yin raised the white jade dragon cup in front of him and offered the first toast to Heaven, Earth, the Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher.

Then, everyone formally raised their glasses and offered a toast.

The Jurchen guests, following custom, danced the Mangshi dance in front of the courtyard.

Then came a grand opera performance and fireworks. Afterwards, Ning Caiwei distributed New Year's money as rewards; even the lowest-ranking maids in the household received two taels of silver. Top-tier stewards like Yunniang received even more, with rewards of several hundred taels.

"Clang clang clang..." As the New Year's Eve bells rang in Nanjing, the Year of the Monkey gave way to the Year of the Rooster, ushering in the second year of the Taichang era.

The regent King of Wu of the Southern Dynasties finally turned twenty.

……

The second year of the Taichang reign, the twenty-fifth year of the Wanli reign.

On the first day of the first lunar month, the Southern Dynasty held its grand New Year's Day court assembly.

Zhu Yin led over three thousand civil and military officials of the ninth rank and above in the capital to offer their congratulations to Emperor Taichang at the Fengtian Hall. They presented a memorial wishing the Emperor and Empress Dowager a happy new year, good health and longevity, and that the Ming dynasty would endure forever.

Emperor Taichang, wearing the imperial crown, received the congratulations of his officials in the Fengtian Hall.

Before they knew it, it was the third day of the Lunar New Year. The Ministry of War was busy preparing for the expedition when news suddenly came from the Ministry of Rites:

"Fang Congzhe, an envoy from the Northern Dynasty, is on his way to Nanjing!"

"Mi Wanzhong, an envoy from the Western Dynasty, has been sent to Nanjing!"

……

P.S.: It's almost time! Please vote with my monthly tickets! Thank you, goodnight.

(End of this chapter)