Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 110 The Grand Court Assembly at the Beginning of the Year: Standing Like a Scoundrel in the Sixth Year of Hongwu!

The sixth year of the Hongwu reign, on New Year's Day.

At dawn, before daybreak, a damp river breeze swept across Yingtian Prefecture, making the capital of the Ming Dynasty feel exceptionally cold.

The palace was lit up with lights, making it as bright as day. The most important annual court assembly was quietly beginning in the darkness before dawn.

In the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, civil and military officials, dressed in colorful yet strictly hierarchical court robes, stood quietly below the steps according to their rank. Civil officials were on the east side, and military officials were on the west side. The ranks were neat and orderly, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and awe.

"Tick-tock! Tick-tock!"

The palace gates remained tightly shut, and the sound of water dripping from the bronze kettle echoed through the empty halls.

The Imperial Censor, with his sharp eyes, moved among the crowd, ensuring that no one whispered or stood out of position. Any misconduct would be met with severe impeachment.

"The hour of Yin has arrived; all officials shall proceed to court!"

The rooster of dawn, who had been waiting for a long time, announced the time in a loud voice.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

In an instant, the large drum in front of the palace gate was struck heavily, the sound as deep and deafening as thunder.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The clear, resonant sound of bells then spread out, lingering and echoing through the sky, announcing the start of the new year.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

The tightly closed palace gates slowly opened from both sides, and the Imperial Guards, dressed in flying fish robes and wearing black gauze hats, filed out, carrying golden maces, axes, and banners, lining both sides of the procession.

Civil and military officials passed through the Meridian Gate in turn. Civil officials entered through the Left Side Gate, while military officials entered through the Right Side Gate. They were arranged according to rank south of the Golden Water Bridge.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies brandished a specially made long whip, the cracking sound echoing throughout Fengtian Gate.

The civil and military officials walked across the Jinshui Bridge in an orderly manner and finally stood on the Danchi (a platform in front of the Fengtian Hall), with censors in charge of checking their demeanor.

Outside the Fengtian Hall at this moment, the empty dragon throne faced the assembled officials, yet not a single person dared to disrespect the emperor's authority and dignity.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

A sharp cry from a eunuch suddenly rang out, and a group of imperial guards and eunuchs escorted the emperor as he slowly, slowly ascended to the dragon throne.

Above.

Countless eyes were fixed on that tall and imposing figure, dressed in a silk robe with twelve imperial symbols, a crown with twelve tassels, and exuding the aura of an emperor who ruled the country with every gesture and step, inspiring awe in all who saw him. This was Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Also present were Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Prince Qin Zhu, Prince Jin Zhu Gang, and Prince Yan Zhu Di.

The crown prince wore a silk robe with a nine-symbol pattern, a round collar, and wide sleeves, and a crown with eleven tassels, the style of which was no different from that of the emperor.

Prince Zhu of Qin and Prince Zhu Gang of Jin wore blue imperial robes and a nine-tassel crown.

Only Prince Yan, Zhu Di, wore a bright red, round-necked, narrow-sleeved robe with a four-clawed python dragon design, a leather belt around his waist, and his jet-black hair was tied up with a purple-gold crown. His face was handsome and dashing, exuding a heroic air, with a hint of unruliness between his brows, making him impossible to ignore.

"All officials are paying homage!"

As the master of ceremonies proclaimed, civil and military officials faced north and performed the highest-level kneeling ceremony: five bows and three kowtows.

Thousands of officials moved in unison, their robes fluttering as they bowed and raised their heads, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" The sound of their cries echoed through the sky. Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Prince Qin Zhu, Prince Jin Zhu Gang, and Prince Yan Zhu Di all paid homage to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Tang He, the Grand Protector of the Northern Desert and Marquis of Zhongshan, sent an envoy to pay homage to Your Majesty, presenting 120 Ujumchin horses and 3,000 cattle and sheep."

"Mu Ying, the Grand Protector of Beiting and Marquis of Xiping, sent an envoy to pay homage to His Majesty, presenting 120 pairs of Hetian jade discs and 20 Tianshan foals."

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Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial loudly reported that gifts had been sent by people arranged by the local high-ranking officials.

"Um."

Nodding slightly, Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne showed a satisfied expression.

"The leaders of Mughalstein, Hamadin; the leader of Yarkand, Khudaida; and the Imperial Preceptor of Ü-Tsang, Namgyalpa Zangbu... have sent envoys to pay homage to Your Majesty!"

"Announcing!!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slightly raised his hand in a gesture.

"His Majesty has decreed that envoys from various countries be summoned to an audience."

The sharp voice of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies echoed outside the Fengtian Hall.

Following this, envoys from Mughalistan, Yarkand, Tibet, Guge, Nepal, Bhutan, and Dhemengxiong, dressed in various attire and carrying jade tablets and other tributes, stepped forward in turn to pay homage.

"Greetings to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Greetings to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Greetings to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The cheers rose and fell, and all the civil and military officials wore expressions of pride upon seeing this.

Although only a dozen or so envoys came to pay homage, their presence signified that the Ming Dynasty had replaced the Yuan Dynasty as the suzerain state of all nations, and that in time, all nations would come to pay tribute.

"I am greatly pleased that people from all directions have come to offer their congratulations."

"Guards, announce the imperial decree!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and his voice rang out outside the Fengtian Hall.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

An official from the Court of State Ceremonial produced an imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Now there is a Mongol-Stan..."

"Yarkand, Tibet, and other countries have paid homage to the Great Ming with utmost respect. In recognition of the Great Ming's benevolence, we hereby bestow titles upon their leaders."

"The leader of Mughalistan, Hamadin, was granted the title of Mughal Khan, who ruled the area north of the Tian Shan Mountains and was given a golden seal and a jade book."

"The leader of Yarkand, Huda, was appointed Yarkand Khan, ruling the area south of the Tian Shan Mountains, and was granted a golden seal and jade book."

"The Imperial Preceptor of Ü-Tsang, Namgyalpa Tsangpo, was appointed as the National Preceptor of the Radiant Buddha Jewel and bestowed with the Jade Seal."

"The offices of the U-Tsang Regional Command, the Pacification Commission, the Pacification Commission, and the Ten Thousand Households were mostly established as they were in the Yuan Dynasty, and were led by the National Preceptor Chisheng Fobao."

"King Jiayang Cuole of Guge was appointed as the Guge Pacification Commissioner, and established the Guge Pacification Office to govern the land east of Ü-Tsang."

"King Chizhu Dorje of Ladakh is the commander of the Ladakh Guard and governs the land of Ladakh."

"King Madanaromo of Nepal was the commander of the Nepal Guard, ruling over the land of Nepal."

"King Juan of Bhutan is the commander of the Bhutan Guard, governing the land of Bhutan."

"Namgarh, the leader of Dhemenxiong, is the commander of the Sikkim Guard and governs the land of Dhemenxiong."

'

All the tributary states received imperial decrees from the Ming Dynasty, and were bestowed with seals, official robes, and other items.

"We kowtow in gratitude to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!"

The envoys from various countries were all beaming with joy. They had achieved their goal of traveling thousands of miles to the Ming Dynasty. With this imperial decree, small countries no longer needed to worry about being attacked by large countries, and scattered forces no longer needed to worry about being conquered by the Ming Dynasty. This was a guarantee of peace and stability.

After the court ceremony outside the Fengtian Hall concluded, the tense atmosphere eased slightly. The emperor had already issued an edict to host a banquet at the Fengtian Hall for high-ranking civil and military officials as well as foreign envoys. This was not only a material reward but also a manifestation of political favor.

The envoys from various countries left in turn under the guidance of the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial, and were to attend the banquet in the evening.

At five quarters past dawn, the sky began to lighten, and the first rays of golden sunlight shone upon the earth.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, civil and military officials stood in order, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

"Crown Prince."

"You will be the one to read this imperial edict today."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and the eunuch beside him presented a red tray containing the imperial edict to Zhu Biao.

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhu Biao solemnly took out the imperial edict, opened it with both hands, faced the assembled officials, and began to read: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie. To govern the country, one must be virtuous, know how to appoint the right people, and let the ruler and his ministers work together to build a great Ming Dynasty."

"Now, the capital army is established, with Song Yanzhang, Hu Hai, He Zhen, and Sang Jing as the four generals of expedition, Ye Sheng, Wang Bi, Wu Liang, and Qiu Cheng as the four generals of garrison, Zhang Long, Wu Fu, Jin Chaoxing, and Yu Yuan as the four generals of pacification, Han Zheng, Huang Bin, Cao Liangchen, and Lu Ju as the four generals of peace, and Lan Yu as the general of dragon soaring."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Those whose names were called were overjoyed and quickly bowed.

The nobles of Huaixi looked gloomy. The capital army had already been arranged, the imperial guards had long been trained, and the border troops had all been selected. All that awaited them was local control and command of the provincial military, which meant that their future was cut off and they could only live as idle nobles for the rest of their lives.

"Marquis Geng Bingwen of Changxing was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Shanxi; Marquis Fu Youde of Yingchuan was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Shaanxi; Marquis Guo Xing of Gongchang was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Shandong; Marquis Zhao Xi of Nanxiong was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Jiangdong; Marquis Zheng Yuchun of Xingyang was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Jiangxi; Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Sichuan; Marquis Liao Yongzhong of Deqing was appointed as the Assistant Commander of Guizhou..."

"Mei Sizu, Marquis of Runan, was appointed Assistant General of Yingtian; Chen De, Marquis of Linjiang, was appointed Grand Canal Transport Commissioner; Wang Zhi, Marquis of Liuan, was appointed Deputy Grand Canal Transport Commissioner; and Wu Zhen, Marquis of Jinghai, was appointed Admiral of the Nanjing Navy."

"Gentlemen, let us give our thanks."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao closed the imperial edict and said solemnly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Geng Bingwen, Fu Youde, and others stepped forward one by one, their lips curled in bitterness, regretting their past actions.

A strange light flashed in Prince Zhu Gang's eyes. His father-in-law, Xie Cheng, had been transferred to Gansu Province as a military officer. Gansu bordered the Western Regions, and Hexi had always been a strategic location connecting the Western Regions and the Central Plains. The intention to give him an important position was already very clear.

Unfortunately, Shanxi currently has no external enemies. Otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have appointed the usually steady Marquis of Changxing, Geng Bingwen, as the Shanxi military commander. This would mean that once the Prince of Jin takes up his fief, he would probably be confined to the Prince's residence in Taiyuan for the rest of his life.

On the contrary, the reckless second son, Prince Zhu Bai of Qin, got an opportunity. Fu Youde was a fierce general in the army. With him stationed in Shaanxi, the credit for pacifying the Western Barbarians would surely be shared with Prince Zhu Bai.

"Do any of you have any objections?"

"If there are no objections, we will begin military reorganization this year. The army of our great Ming Dynasty should have the bearing of a king."

Looking down at his ministers, Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon eyes gleamed with an oppressive light.

All the civil and military officials in the hall lowered their heads. Even the nobles of Huaixi were no longer as bold and outspoken as before when facing the Emperor of Ming, because today they had no get-out-of-jail-free card, and none of them wanted to risk their lives to challenge the Emperor's majesty.

To consolidate military power and imperial authority was something Zhu Yuanzhang had long wanted to do, and now he simply had the opportunity.

"Father."

"Your subject has an objection!"

A sudden sound rang out in the Fengtian Hall, breaking the original silence.

All the officials present turned to look at the source of the sound, and saw Prince Yan, Zhu Di, walk to the center of the hall, his expression neither humble nor arrogant.

"Thump!"

The nobles of Huaixi felt a chill run down their spines. The last time the Prince of Yan petitioned to establish the Embroidered Uniform Guard, six marquises died. This time, the Prince of Yan was going to petition again. Was the Ming Dynasty about to face another bloody storm?