Chapter 298: Enfeoffing the Princes

The sixteenth year of Hongwu, the ninth day of the second month.

In Yingtian Prefecture, the spring chill is still sharp.

The morning sun has just risen from behind Zijin Mountain, tinting the glazed tiles of Qianqing Palace a golden red.

Zhu Yong entered the palace early in the morning, and just as he reached Fengtian Gate, he saw Zhu Biao standing there, hands behind his back, gazing absentmindedly into the distance.

"Elder brother."

Zhu Biao turned his head, saw Zhu Yong, and a faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

"Second brother has arrived; let's go together to pay our respects to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother."

The two brothers walked side by side toward Kunning Palace.

On the way, Zhu Yong asked, "Elder brother, Imperial Father urgently summoned Fourth brother and Fifth brother back; is there something going on?"

Zhu Biao glanced at him and said cheerfully, "You can't guess?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, and an answer vaguely formed in his mind.

"The matter of fiefdoms?"

Zhu Biao nodded.

"Fourth brother is in Taiyuan, Fifth brother in Beiping; it's been years. This time Imperial Father summons them back to reassign fiefs, since Third brother has already been enfeoffed in Australia, so it's the turn of Fourth and Fifth brothers."

Zhu Yong asked no further.

He knew it clearly in his heart.

Eastern Japan, Western Regions, Goryeo, South Sea.

These places have all been taken over in recent years.

Eastern Japan was taken from Wa Country, Western Regions were the former Northern Yuan remnants' territory, Goryeo long ago became the Joseon Prefecture, and the South Sea islands were gradually occupied by Zhu Yong's troops inch by inch.

These territories need people to garrison them.

And the most suitable candidates are the sons of the Zhu Family.

……

Inside Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was fixing her hair.

Seeing her two sons enter, she smiled, "They're here, just in time; the Imperial Kitchen delivered a few new pastries today, you should try them."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong paid their respects to their mother and sat on the embroidered stool.

Empress Ma looked at them, her eyes full of affection.

"Biao-er, Yong-er, Imperial Father recently told me he wants to enfeoff Zhu Gang and the others, and I feel... a bit reluctant."

Zhu Biao said softly, "Mother, the younger brothers have grown up; it's time for them to be enfeoffed. Besides, places like Eastern Japan and Western Regions still need someone to garrison them."

Empress Ma nodded and sighed.

"I understand, it's just... once we go, the mountains and rivers are far, and we don't know when we can return."

Zhu Yong said naively, "Mother, steamships are fast; returning from Eastern Japan takes only a few months, which is even closer than our journey from Fengyang to Yingtian Prefecture back then."

Empress Ma laughed at him, reached out and tapped his forehead.

"Only you can talk like that."

Just then, a eunuch's announcement from outside rang out, "Prince Jin has arrived! Prince Yan has arrived! Prince Chu has arrived! Prince Qi has arrived!"

Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu strode in.

Zhu Gang walked at the front, dressed in a dark princely uniform, much darker and sturdier than a few years ago, his face bearing the weary dust of travel, yet his eyes shone brightly.

Zhu Di followed behind, tall and upright, his brows no longer bearing youthful naivety but a few touches of composure.

Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu were younger, yet both were in their early twenties, full of vigor.

"Your servant, Mother, pays his respects!"

The four knelt together.

Empress Ma's eyes reddened slightly, and she helped each of them to rise.

"Rise, rise, let mother have a good look."

She first took Zhu Gang's hand and examined him from head to toe.

"You've slimmed; is Taiyuan harsh?"

Zhu Gang grinned, "Mother, not harsh—just the wind and sand are a bit stronger, but I eat lamb daily and grow sturdy."

Empress Ma then turned to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di stood properly and said softly, "Mother, your servant is fine in Beiping."

Empress Ma nodded and patted his hand.

It was Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu's turn; the two younger ones each said a few words.

"Alright, stop standing; sit down and speak."

Everyone sat down.

Empress Ma ordered the palace maids to bring the pastries, and as she looked at these sons, her eyes reddened again.

"Your Imperial Father told me he wants to re‑enfeoff you, Eastern Japan, Western Regions, Goryeo, South Sea… each is so far away."

Zhu Gang laughed, "Mother, why fear distance? With steamships and railways, any place is quick to reach. Besides, Third brother is already in Australia, far farther than us."

Zhu Di nodded, "Mother, rest assured, we will manage those territories well and not bring shame to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother."

Empress Ma nodded and wiped the corner of her eye.

"Good, good, you all have promise; mother is pleased."

……

Shi Jing, Fengtian Hall.

Civil and Military Officials lined up on both sides, the atmosphere solemn and reverent.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the throne, his gaze sweeping over the several sons standing in the hall, and he slowly began to speak.

"At today's morning court, we have several matters to announce."

The hall was silent.

"First, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang, is to be reassigned to East Japan, granting the entirety of East Japan as his fief, overseeing its military and civil affairs; from today, preparations for vassal matters shall begin."

Zhu Gang stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.

"Your servant receives the decree and thanks the grace!"

A murmur of discussion rose within the hall.

East Japan, formerly the Wa Country, lies across the sea, but its resources are abundant, especially gold and silver mines; each year the silver brought back piles up in the treasury.

This time Prince of Jin has gotten a great bargain.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "Second, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, is to be reassigned to the Western Regions, granting the entire Western Regions as his fief, overseeing its military and civil affairs."

Zhu Di stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.

"Your servant receives the decree and thanks the grace!"

The Western Regions, once the territory of the remnants of the Northern Yuan, later taken directly by Prince Wu, are vast, but sparsely populated, and the people are fierce.

Prince of Yan's going there will surely keep him busy.

Zhu Yuanzhang added: "Third, Prince of Chu Zhu Zhen, is to be reassigned to Goryeo, granting the entirety of Goryeo as his fief, overseeing its military and civil affairs."

Zhu Zhen stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.

"Your servant receives the decree and thanks the grace!"

Goryeo, now called the Joseon Prefecture, lies across the sea from Great Ming; its land is fertile and its people relatively tame.

Prince of Chu's assignment will be a stable place.

Zhu Yuanzhang concluded: "Fourth, Prince of Qi Zhu Fu, is to be reassigned to the South Sea, granting the South Sea islands as his fief, overseeing its military and civil affairs."

Zhu Fu stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.

"Your servant receives the decree and thanks the grace!"

The South Sea, likewise taken inch by inch by Prince Wu's forces, is a scattering of islands rich in resources, but the heat and humidity are unbearable, and miasma pervades.

Prince of Qi's going there will surely bring hardships.

After the four Imperial Edicts were proclaimed, the hall was quiet for a moment, then a chorus of congratulations rang out.

"Congratulations, Prince of Jin! Congratulations, Prince of Yan! Congratulations, Prince of Chu! Congratulations, Prince of Qi!"

Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu rose and returned their salutations to the officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"There is one more matter: Prince Wu Zhu Yong, whose frontier expansions these years have been outstanding, we have decided to elevate Prince Wu to the title of Grand General of the Nation, commanding the Capital Camp Longxiang Army and overseeing the capital's defenses."

Zhu Yong stepped forward, knelt, and bowed his head.

"Your servant thanks Imperial Father for the great grace!"

The hall erupted again in a chorus of congratulations.