Chapter 163: Celebration Banquet

Fengtian Hall.

Court session.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high upon the dragon throne, Zhu Biao stood at the foot of the imperial steps, and Zhu Yong stood at the front of the martial generals' formation.

The Civil and Military Officials were arranged in two ranks.

"Esteemed ministers, today's court session is solely to discuss one matter: how to reward the achievements of the campaign against Wa Country." Zhu Yuanzhang got straight to the point.

The hall fell silent.

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward: "His Majesty, in the war against Wa Country, Prince Wu contributed the foremost merit. I think he should be further ennobled as the Grand General of the Wa Campaign, granted a jade decree and iron token, and have his taxable households increased by three thousand Thousand Households."

The Minister of Revenue said: "I second the motion. Prince Wu not only pacified Wa Country, but also brought back countless Gold and Silver, filling the state treasury; his merit lies in the realm."

The Minister of War said: "Now that Wa Country is pacified, we should establish a Great Ming Eastern Sea Provincial Administration, and let Duke Cao, Li Wenzhong, temporarily reside in Wa Country; he may be titled Governor‑General of the Eastern Sea, overseeing both military and civil affairs."

After the several ministers finished speaking, the other officials all voiced their support.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Crown Prince, what is your view?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Imperial Father, my second brother's merit certainly deserves a great reward, but he is already Prince Wu, holding the highest rank among subjects; granting him another title might be improper."

He paused, then continued, "I, your son, think that my second brother does not value empty titles; instead, give him tangible benefits: expand the Prince Wu residence, increase Imperial Troops to five thousand, grant ten imperial estates, ten thousand taels of Gold, and one hundred thousand taels of Silver."

Furthermore, his elder daughter Huanhuan should receive a princess's stipend.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Biao Er, you have thought this through. Yong Er, what do you think?"

Zhu Yong stepped forward, innocently saying, "Father, whatever big brother decides we'll do; I'll follow big brother."

The ministers in the hall all laughed.

This Prince Wu is still so simple‑hearted.

"Very well, proceed as the Crown Prince suggested. Moreover, each commander of the Wa campaign shall receive his own reward; the Ministry of War will draft a regulation to grant awards according to merit."

"We receive the decree!"

With the rewards settled, Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Now that Wa Country is pacified, we should promptly establish the Provincial Administration, and the Ministry of Personnel shall select capable officials to serve in Wa Country.

The Ministry of Works shall dispatch mining experts to oversee Gold and Silver extraction, and the Ministry of War shall formulate a rotation schedule for the stationed troops."

"We will obey the decree!"

The court session lasted for one hour.

After the session adjourned, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong to Qianqing Palace.

"Yong Er, these past six months have been hard on you." Zhu Yuanzhang let his two sons sit, poured tea himself, and said.

"Not hard; the war is over, and peace will follow." Zhu Yong took the tea bowl.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "Northern Yuan, Nüzhen, Goryeo, Wa Country… all these border troubles are settled; Great Ming can finally develop peacefully for a few years."

Zhu Biao interjected, "Father, I was just about to discuss with you that now the external threats are gone, we should devote all effort to internal governance."

"Approved." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in reply.

The three of them talked a while longer, and Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Tonight Kunning Palace will hold a Family Banquet to welcome you back. Biao Er, go fetch your wife and child; Yong Er, go fetch your wife and Huanhuan."

"Yes, Father." the two brothers replied.

…

Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong rode his horse back to the gate of the residence, and Hu Bo had already gathered all the household servants waiting at the entrance.

"Welcome back, Prince, to the residence!"

Zhu Yong dismounted, laughing, "Everyone, stand up."

Hu Bo stepped forward, his eyes a little red, "Prince, you finally returned; the princess and the county princess have been mentioning you every day."

"Where are they?" Zhu Yong asked.

"They are in the garden; the county princess is learning characters!"

Zhu Yong strode toward the garden.

In the garden pavilion, Guanyin Nu was holding a little girl's hand, teaching her characters.

The girl, about two and a half years old, wore a pink little jacket with two small braids, and was Zhu Yong's daughter Huanhuan.

"Huanhuan, come, this one reads 'da', you repeat after me…" Guanyin Nu said softly.

"Da…"

Huanhuan read in a baby‑like voice, shaking her head.

Suddenly, the two only felt a shadow covering above their heads.

Huanhuan looked up and saw a face both familiar and strange.

She blinked her big eyes, then suddenly grinned, "Dad… Dad…"

Zhu Yong felt his heart warm, scooped his daughter up, and held her high, "Huanhuan, do you miss Daddy…"

"Miss…"

Huanhuan giggled.

Guanyin Nu looked at her husband, her eyes red, "Prince…"

Zhu Yong set the daughter down, walked to his wife, looked at her noticeably slender cheek, and said with concern, "You've become thin."

"You, Prince, have also become thin." Guanyin Nu whispered.

"I'm fine; these past six months have been hard on you." Zhu Yong chuckled innocently, reached out and clasped his wife's hand, saying.

Guanyin Nu shook her head, "It's not hard; I'm just worried about you."

The two gazed at each other, countless words conveyed through their eyes.

Huanhuan squirmed in her father's arms, her little hand touching Zhu Yong's face, saying, "Dad… beard…"

Zhu Yong laughed loudly, "Dad's beard is prickly, isn't it?"

The three of them were happy and harmonious.

Hu Bo watched from afar, wiping the corner of his eye.

……

Evening, Kunning Palace.

The family banquet had already been set.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma sat at the Main Seat, Zhu Biao and the pregnant Chang Wan, with the also two‑year‑old Zhu Xiongying, sat on the left, and Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu, with Huanhuan, sat on the right.

The other princes and princesses were also present.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang and Zhu Di, a few older youths, gathered around Zhu Yong, asking him this and that.

"Second Prince, I heard you brought back a lot of gold and silver; do I get a share..."

"Second Prince, I heard you smashed the city gate again with three hammer blows..."

"Second Prince, are the winds and waves at sea big or not?"

"......."

Zhu Shuang also didn't know whether it was because he hadn't gone to the fief early enough, or because he hadn't married Guanyin Nu; now his temper is somewhat irritable, but not as tyrannical as history records.

Zhu Yong answered with a simple smile, answering every question.

Empress Ma looked at the lively scene, smiling broadly, "Everyone sit, the banquet begins."

Everyone took their seats.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his wine cup and said, "Today's family banquet is to welcome Yong Er, who earned merit conquering the Wa Country, expanding Great Ming's borders; let's toast to him!"

Everyone raised their cups.

Zhu Yong hurriedly stood and said, "Father, Mother, Elder Brother, this merit isn't mine alone; it's the frontline soldiers who gave their lives for it."

"I know you don't claim credit, but what deserves respect must still be respected," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

After drinking, Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Yong Er, the Wa Country is pacified; what are your plans now?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, "Father, I want to rest for a while, spend time with Huanhuan and Guanyin Nu; after the New Year, if the north is peaceful, I'd like to go to Fengyang to see it—aren't they building a road there?"

"I'll go supervise the road work, and also go back to the village to take a look…"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Alright, Fengyang is our hometown; it should be well built. You should also go pay respects to your ancestors and your adoptive father. Once the road is finished, we will move the capital there."

Zhu Biao replied, "Father, moving the capital isn't urgent; let's wait until Fengyang's construction is complete."

"Yes, yes, Biao Er, you take care of these matters; Yong Er, you are in charge of supervising the road construction and also training troops," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Yes, Father," the two brothers replied.

The banquet continued lively.

Xiong Ying, already over two years old and full of energy, wriggled in Chang Wan's arms, eyes fixed on Zhu Yong.

"Second Uncle…" he called in a baby voice.

Zhu Yong smiled and beckoned, "Xiong Ying, come to Second Uncle."

Chang Wan set her son down, and Xiong Ying staggered to Zhu Yong's side.

Zhu Yong scooped him up, placed him on his lap, and said, "Xiong Ying has grown taller again."

"Second Uncle… hit… bad people…" Xiong Ying waved his little fists.

Everyone laughed.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched the scene, feeling emotional.

Once upon a time he was a cowherd boy; now his descendants fill the hall, Great Ming's territory is vast, and all four seas submit.

All this feels like a dream.

"Zhong Ba, what are you thinking?" Empress Ma asked softly.

Zhu Yuanzhang clasped her hand and smiled, "Thinking that our lives have been worth it."

Looking at his two sons, one civil and one martial, Zhu Yuanzhang felt proud.

Among Qin Emperor, Han Wu, Tang ancestors, Song founders, none had sons as outstanding as his.

The family banquet lasted until late night.

As the banquet ended, Zhu Yuanzhang called Zhu Yong, "Yong Er, you don't need to rise early tomorrow; rest well. The day after tomorrow there's a court session; you must attend and receive the officials' congratulations."

"Yes, Father."

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu, with Huanhuan, left the palace and returned to Wu Wang Fu.

Night deepened and the world was quiet.

Huanhuan had fallen asleep and was carried away by the wet nurse.

In the sleeping chamber, Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu embraced and lay down.

"Prince, this time returning, you won't leave again, right?" Guanyin Nu nestled in her husband's arms.

"I won't leave, at least not this year; after the New Year we'll go to Fengyang to supervise road work, and you come with me to pay respects to Father," Zhu Yong said, gently stroking his wife's long hair.

"Alright." Guanyin Nu closed her eyes peacefully.

Zhu Yong stared at the tent ceiling, scheming in his mind.

The seventh year of Hongwu was about to end; next year would be Hongwu eighth year.

According to the system, Hongwu eighth year also has a sign‑in, unknown what it will be.