Chapter 171: Fengyang City

The eighth year of Hongwu, third month.

The morning in Fengyang Village began with the crowing of roosters.

Zhu Yong rose before dawn, practiced a Set Fist in the courtyard, then went to the old well at the village entrance, fetched two loads of water, and filled Aunt Li's large water jar to the brim.

Aunt Li, seeing this while cooking, hurried, "Prince, how could I let you do this work…"

"I'm used to doing it, no problem," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile, putting down the shoulder pole.

At that moment Guanyin Nu also brought Huanhuan up, and the little girl, seeing the bucket by the well, ran over curiously.

"Dad, what's this?" Huanhuan asked, pointing at the well's pulley.

"It's for drawing water; dad used this every day before," Zhu Yong lifted his daughter and let her see the reflection in the well.

Breakfast was a simple porridge and salted vegetables, plus a pancake that Aunt Li had specially fried.

Empress Ma ate heartily, saying it tasted better than the palace's royal meals.

After the meal, Zhu Yong said to the old village chief, "Chief Grandfather, I'm going to pay respects to dad today; please point the way."

The old chief nodded, "Of course, it's in the pine forest behind the mountain; you Li Uncle often clean there, the tomb is tidy."

Zhu Yong returned to the house to fetch the incense, candles, and paper money already prepared; Guanyin Nu also changed into a plain clean outfit, holding Huanhuan.

Empress Ma said, "I'll go too; we should offer incense to Shi Laosan."

The party left the village and headed toward the back mountain.

The mountain path was rugged, but Zhu Yong walked steadily, occasionally turning back to support Empress Ma.

After walking about two quarter‑hours, a stretch of pine forest appeared ahead.

Deep in the woods, an earthen mound stood quietly, with a wooden tablet before it inscribed "Shi Laosan's Tomb," the characters neat.

"This was commissioned by your Li Uncle," the old chief said.

Zhu Yong walked to the tomb, fell to his knees with a thud, and respectfully bowed three times.

"Dad, I'm back to see you."

Guanyin Nu also knelt, softly saying, "Dad, daughter‑in‑law Guanyin Nu, bringing granddaughter Huanhuan to see you."

Though Huanhuan didn't understand, she imitated the adults and knelt.

Empress Ma stood aside, looking at the simple tomb, her eyes slightly reddened.

She lit three incense sticks, placed them before the tomb, and softly said, "Brother Shi Laosan, thank you for raising Yong Er; this kindness, the Zhu Family will never forget."

After the rites, they sat at the tomb for a while and exchanged a few words.

When they descended the mountain, it was near noon.

Back in the village, Fengyang Prefect Wu Liang was already waiting at the entrance with people.

"Your Majesty, Prince, I have prepared the noon meal at the New Capital's temporary palace; please proceed," Wu Liang said, bowing.

Empress Ma nodded, "Very well, I was just wanting to see how New Capital is being built."

They sent someone to deliver some items to the villagers, then after bidding farewell to the villagers, the convoy set off again toward Fengyang City.

On the road, Wu Liang rode his horse beside Zhu Yong, introducing, "Prince, the New Capital is sited Thirty Li north of the Prefecture City, built by the Huai River, nestled against mountains and water, feng shui excellent. The palace foundation is completed, the city wall has been built three Li, with over fifty thousand craftsmen and laborers."

Zhu Yong asked, "Do the common people have any complaints?"

Wu Liang quickly replied, "No complaints! Contributing to New Capital's construction is a blessing for Fengyang's people; the court's wages are ample, thirty cash per day, covering two meals, and the people scramble to come!"

Zhu Yong nodded and said no more.

The convoy walked another half‑hour, and a vast construction site appeared ahead.

From afar, dust swirled and voices roared.

Countless laborers were at work, some digging foundations, some carrying stones, some tamping earth.

The overseer's bailiff carried a knife, patrolling the site back and forth.

Around the site a camp of barracks had been built, likely where the laborers lived.

Further north, a segment of city wall already rose, about Three Zhang high, built of blue bricks, quite magnificent.

Wu Liang led the convoy to a newly built courtyard; this was the so‑called "temporary palace," essentially a few rooms of brick and tile, a bit more spacious than ordinary homes.

"Your Majesty, Prince, the conditions are simple, we feel sorry," Wu Liang said apologetically.

Empress Ma waved her hand, "No problem, I have lived in places even simpler than this."

The noon meal was indeed abundant, a table of chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

But Empress Ma only moved her chopsticks, then set down her bowl and said to Wu Liang, "Prefect Wu, take me to the construction site."

Wu Liang, startled, replied, "Your Majesty, the site is dusty and chaotic…"

"I want to see the real construction site," Empress Ma said firmly.

Wu Liang dared not persuade further and only led the way ahead.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu followed, while Huanhuan stayed in the temporary palace under Xiao Zhu's care.

The party arrived at the edge of the site.

Up close, the scene was even more shocking.

Tens of thousands worked simultaneously, shouts, hammering, and calls blending into one.

The laborers mostly wore tattered clothes, many shirtless, sweating in the early‑spring cold wind.

They used crude tools to dig, carry stones, their movements mechanical and heavy.

Empress Ma observed carefully, her brows gradually furrowing.

She saw an old laborer carrying a stone, stumbling, almost falling.

The overseer beside not only didn't help but cracked a whip: "Old thing, haven't eaten!"

The old laborer, after receiving a lash, didn't dare speak, gritted his teeth and continued carrying.

"Prefect Wu, who is that person?" Empress Ma asked, pointing at the overseer.

Wu Liang hurriedly said, "It… it's a supervisor sent by the Ministry of Works, surname Liu."

"Go summon him," Empress Ma said coolly.

Wu Liang rushed over and brought the supervisor here.

The supervisor was a burly man with a full, fleshy face; seeing Empress Ma's distinguished bearing, he didn't know her rank but knew she was important, knelt and said, "I am Liu San, honored to meet you."

Empress Ma looked at the whip in his hand and asked, "Why did you whip that old man?"

Liu San was startled, then replied, "My lady, that old thing was slacking, not working; I merely administered a light punishment."

"How old is he?" Empress Ma asked again.

"I… I don't know, perhaps in his fifties," Liu San said.

Empress Ma was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "A man in his fifties should be at home enjoying his grandchildren, yet he is here doing hard labor. Even if he works slowly, he should not be whipped."

"Go and apologize to him."

Liu San was dumbfounded and looked at Wu Liang.

Wu Liang glared at him and said, "Hurry up and go!"

Liu San hurriedly ran to the old laborer and reluctantly offered an apology.

The old laborer trembled in fear, unable to speak.

Empress Ma sighed and said to Wu Liang, "By imperial decree, no supervisor may whip laborers at will. If anyone slacks, wages may be deducted, but no one may harm the body."

"Yes, yes, I will obey the decree," Wu Liang said, wiping his sweat.

The group continued forward.

Zhu Yong remained silent, but his eyes scanned around.

He noticed some laborers bore wounds, and some limped as they walked.

At the edge of the site were several thatched huts, inside of which lay people who appeared sick or injured.

"Prefect Wu, what are those people…?" Zhu Yong asked, pointing at the huts.

Wu Liang hurriedly replied, "My Prince, they are sick laborers, recuperating over there."

"I'll go take a look," Zhu Yong said as he walked toward the huts.

Wu Liang tried to stop him, but Zhu Yong's steps were swift; he had already reached the hut.