Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zhu Di sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. After the eunuchs announced his presence, he did not ask, as usual, "What is it you wish to report?" but instead spoke directly: "I have something to discuss today."

The courtiers pricked up their ears.

"Prince Rui, Zhu Gaoxi, is only seven years old, but he has inherited the Daoist Ancestor's legacy and his supernatural abilities have already manifested. You all witnessed him flying on a sword." Zhu Di's tone was calm, yet every word was powerful.

"As a disciple of the immortals, Prince Rui lives in the Qianxi Fourth Palace, but the courtyard is small and inconvenient. I intend to let him build a mansion outside the palace and establish a separate residence."

As soon as he finished speaking, a great deal of discussion broke out in the hall.

Minister of Rites Zhao Hong was the first to step forward. Holding his tablet in both hands, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is contrary to propriety. According to the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, princes 'must be married at the age of fifteen and reside in the capital' before moving to their fiefdom. His Highness Prince Rui is only seven years old. His previous ennoblement already broke the ancestral system, and now he has not been married. There is no precedent for him to leave his residence and establish his own household at this time. The rites cannot be lightly abolished, and the ancestral system cannot be arbitrarily changed. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Zhu Di did not respond, but instead looked at Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue.

Xia Yuanji stepped forward with a stiff upper lip and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I also believe that this matter needs to be considered carefully. The Ministry of Revenue is currently short of funds. This year, we are compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia, and the supplies of writing materials, paper, inkstones, and food for thousands of people all require money. We are also preparing for the relocation of the capital, building palaces in Beijing, and conscripting craftsmen and laborers. Everywhere costs money. At present, the national treasury simply cannot provide enough silver for His Highness Prince Rui to build a residence. I beg Your Majesty to understand my predicament."

Just as Zhao Hong retreated and Xia Yuanji finished speaking, Zhu Gaochi stepped out from the ranks of civil officials.

He cupped his hands and said, "Father, I believe that what Lord Zhao and Lord Xia said makes sense. My fourth brother is still young, and it is indeed against ancestral rules for him to leave the palace at this time. Moreover, my fourth brother has no close caregivers to look after him, so who will take care of his food and daily life? I think it would be better to postpone this matter for a few years until my fourth brother is older."

Zhu Di glanced at him but did not comment.

Just as the ministers were about to continue, Zhu Di leaned back on his dragon throne, waved his hand to signal silence, and swept his gaze across the assembled officials before slowly speaking: "Minister Zhao's statement about ancestral rules is reasonable, and Minister Xia's statement about the difficulties faced by the Ministry of Revenue is also reasonable..."

He paused, then added, "But the matter of the fourth brother is not included in this."

The hall fell silent.

Zhu Di's voice was not loud, but it could be heard throughout the hall: "The Daoist Ancestor took pity on Prince Rui's youth and his discomfort with living in the palace, and has already passed on to him the art of divine craftsmanship. This art can build a mansion out of thin air, without a single brick or tile, and without costing the court a single penny. Prince Rui can build a mansion by himself."

An uproar erupted inside the hall. Among the military officers, Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo stared wide-eyed, Duke Zhu Yong of Chengguo's mouth was agape enough to fit an egg, and Marquis Zheng Heng of Wu'an nearly lost his footing.

The situation was even worse for the civil officials. Zhao Hong's face had lost all color, Xia Yuanji almost dropped his ceremonial tablet, and several censors looked at each other, unable to utter a single word.

Zhang Fu's heart was churning with shock: The Dao Ancestor, fearing that Prince Rui wouldn't be comfortable living there, passed on the art of divine craftsmanship. This wasn't just a disciple of the Dao Ancestor; this was clearly the Dao Ancestor's own son! Zhu Yong stood to the side, his Adam's apple bobbing, the same thought running through his mind several times.

Zhu Gaochi suddenly stood up, his voice booming throughout the hall: "Father! Didn't Fourth Brother say yesterday that he was told about the ancestral recipes for a gourmet dining table? How come he's being taught the art of divine craftsmanship today?"

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Is the Dao Ancestor worried that my fourth brother wouldn't eat or live well in the mortal realm, so he's arranged everything for him?"

The hall erupted in chaos instantly.

"The art of food creation? What is that?" Zhao Hong blurted out, his voice trembling.

Xia Yuanji disregarded etiquette and took a step forward: "Your Highness, what did you just say? What did Your Highness, Prince Rui, receive yesterday?"

Zhang Fu leaned out from the ranks of military officers, his voice tense: "King of Han, is what you say true? Has the Daoist Ancestor bestowed upon us supernatural powers again?"

Zhu Yong pressed on, "Yesterday there were reports of meals, and today there are reports of house construction? It's only been two days?"

Zheng Heng raised his voice even louder: "Your Highness, Prince Han, please explain clearly! Just how many supernatural powers did the Dao Ancestor pass on to Prince Rui?"

The civil and military officials were all talking at once, creating a buzzing noise in the hall, and things were in complete chaos.

"Shut up, all of you!" Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand, hands on his hips, and swept his gaze around. "How can I hear you if you ask one question at a time?"

Zhao Hong was the first to step forward, his face flushed and his neck thick: "Your Highness, may I ask—what is this 'art of food creation' that you just mentioned?"

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at him: "Lord Zhao, you don't believe me? Yesterday, my fourth brother treated us brothers to dinner at the Qianxi Fourth Palace. He sat at the table and could conjure up whatever he wanted to eat. The whole table of dishes was made by him. Have you ever had mango pomelo sago? Have you ever drunk taro bubble tea? Have you ever eaten that... hamburger? It was truly delicious. I've eaten everything in the palace, but none of it compares to those celestial delicacies that my fourth brother conjured up!"

The hall immediately became lively. The military officers, who had been standing in formation with an air of authority, all lit up when they heard Zhu Gaoxu's words.

Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo spoke first, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "Your Highness, what you're saying... I've eaten at many banquets in the palace, and I've tasted almost all the dishes prepared by the imperial kitchen. You say something is even better than the imperial kitchen's? What would that taste like?"

Zhu Gaoxu slapped his thigh: "Duke of England, you've hit the nail on the head! The food in the imperial kitchen is delicious, but you can tell it's made by humans. The stuff the Fourth Prince conjures up—one bite and you know it's not human! That hamburger, the bread bun was as soft as a cloud, the beef patty inside was so juicy, and the cheese was so stretchy!"

He gestured, showing that his hands were an arm's length apart.

Marquis Zheng Heng of Wu'an swallowed hard. "Your Highness, please stop... My stomach is acting up and growled."

Marquis Yangwu, Xue Lu, standing behind, replied gruffly, "Marquis Wu'an, what are you yelling about? I came to court without even having breakfast, and now that the King of Han has said this, my legs are weak."

Zhu Gaochi looked at his ministers with smug satisfaction, as if he were on top of the world.

Zhu Yong's Adam's apple bobbed again at his words. Marquis Fengcheng, Li Bin, poked his head out from the queue and asked the person next to him in a low voice, "You said His Highness Prince Rui's celestial delicacies, do we have a chance to taste them?"

Marquis Qingping, Wu Cheng, clicked his tongue: "They are disciples of the Dao Ancestor, immortals among men. We mortals... I'm afraid we don't have that kind of luck."

Marquis Huozhen of Tong'an leaned over and said in a muffled voice, "Didn't His Highness the Prince of Han say that he and his brothers ate together yesterday? His Highness Prince Rui is good to his own brothers, but to us ministers..." Before he could finish speaking, he swallowed hard.

Zhu Gaochi, with his sharp ears, heard this and turned to the generals with a grin: "Don't be envious. The fourth prince is very generous. We'll ask him for some later so you can have a taste."

The military officers immediately beamed with joy. Zhang Fu cupped his hands and said, "Then I thank Your Highness the Prince of Han in advance." Zheng Heng also cupped his hands in thanks. Zhu Yong stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word. Xue Lu was already calculating whether he could get an extra share.

The civil officials on the other side didn't look so pleased. Zhao Hong's face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth, remaining silent. Fang Bin stood in the queue, his Adam's apple bobbing, stealing a glance at Zhu Gaochi's smug expression, a sour feeling rising in his heart.

Seeing that the Prince of Han was becoming increasingly nonsensical, Zhu Di put down his teacup and coughed. The hall fell silent instantly. He glanced at the assembled officials and said calmly, "Are you all craving it?"

The ministers lowered their heads, and no one dared to speak.

Zhu Di's lips curled slightly upward. "Then let's finish the court proceedings quickly, and those who should leave can leave." He then looked at Zhu Gaochi, "Second Prince, what kind of behavior is this, saying such things in court?"

Zhu Gaoxu chuckled and returned to the queue.

Zhu Di leaned back on the dragon throne, his voice low: "The matter of Prince Rui establishing his own residence is settled. It will be built next to Prince Han's residence, without using the Ministry of Finance's funds, and without violating ancestral rules. The fourth prince is a disciple of the Daoist Ancestor, who, out of pity for his youth, has arranged all his food, clothing, and lodging. I am acting in accordance with Heaven's will; who has any objections?"

No one answered.

"The court session is adjourned." Zhu Di stood up, straightened his dragon robe, and strode out of the palace gate.

The officials, as if granted a pardon, hurried out. The military officers, in twos and threes, were still whispering about the celestial delicacies.

Zhang Fu patted Zheng Heng on the shoulder and lowered his voice: "Marquis Wu'an, do you think we'll actually be able to taste any of the food His Highness Prince Rui is eating?"

Zheng Heng swallowed hard. "His Highness the Prince of Han said he would invite me, so it shouldn't be a lie. I just don't know when."

Zhu Gaoxi sneezed, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "Who's talking about me?"