Chapter 71: Discussion on Relocating the Capital

When the court was dismissed, it was already the end of the Chen Hour.

The officials streamed out of Fengtian Hall, walking out in small groups.

Zhu Yong caught up with Zhu Biao and said, "Elder brother, just now…"

"Nothing, just a bunch of leaping clowns," Zhu Biao said, patting his shoulder.

The two brothers walked side by side outward, followed by Chang Yuchun, Xu Da and other generals.

"Crown Prince truly opened my eyes today; that Lv Ben's face turned green," Chang Yuchun laughed heartily.

Xu Da also laughed, "Crown Prince is usually gentle, but when angered, you truly resemble His Majesty's former bearing."

Zhu Biao replied modestly, "Both of you are flattering me; I just can't stand their scheming."

Just then, Lv Ben passed by, head lowered, daring not to look at them.

Zhu Biao suddenly called out, "Lord Lu."

Lv Ben's whole body tensed, turning around, "C-Crown Prince, what orders do you have?"

Zhu Biao stepped before him, smiling, "Earlier in the hall, my tone was a bit harsh; Lord Lu, please don't mind."

"I dare not, I dare not…" Lv Ben hurriedly replied.

"However, I must make this clear: the Crown Princess is my wife since we tied our hair, and anyone who disrespects her disrespects me.

Lord Lu, understand…," Zhu Biao's tone shifted, growing much colder.

Lv Ben's forehead broke into sweat, "I… I understand…"

"Good that you understand. By the way, I've also heard of Feng Sheng's nephew; though a bit unruly, he is still from the Duke of Song's household, so your daughter marrying him won't be a loss."

Zhu Biao nodded.

Lv Ben's expression grew even sicker.

Those words sounded like comfort but were really a rebuke: your daughter can only marry such a man, so stop dreaming.

"I… I take my leave…" Lv Ben fled as if escaping.

Watching his back, Chang Yuchun spat and said, "What kind of creature dares to scheme against the Eastern Palace?"

Lan Yu replied bluntly, "If you ask me, he should be transferred out of Yingtian and sent to a remote place."

Zhu Biao shook his head, "No need; after this incident, he won't dare it again."

The group reached outside Wu Men, each got onto a sedan chair or a horse.

Zhu Biao said to Zhu Yong, "Second brother, come with big brother back to the Eastern Palace for a meal; your sister‑in‑law said she's stewed lamb today."

"Alright!" Zhu Yong chuckled.

The two brothers boarded the Eastern Palace carriage.

Inside the carriage, Zhu Biao leaned against the cushion and let out a long sigh.

"Big brother, you were really impressive just now," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Zhu Biao smiled, "Impressive? I merely struck them. These Jiangnan aristocratic families always think of sending their daughters into the palace to cling to imperial power.

Today it's the Lu family, tomorrow it will be the Zhang family, the Li family."

"What then?" Zhu Yong asked.

"There's not much to do; water so clear has no fish. As long as they stay within bounds, I can tolerate their existence, but if they dare entertain crooked thoughts…"

His gaze turned cold, and in a chilly tone he said, "Then don't blame me for being unkind."

Zhu Yong nodded.

He recalled his past‑life memories: the Lu clan eventually entered the Eastern Palace and gave birth to Zhu Yunwen; Chang Wan and Zhu Xiongying both met mysterious deaths…

In this life, with him present, history must not repeat.

The carriage arrived at the Eastern Palace.

Chang Wan was already waiting at the doorway; when the carriage stopped, she hurried forward to greet them.

"Back already? I heard this morning's court…" she said, looking at Zhu Biao with concern.

"It's fine, everything's settled," Zhu Biao said warmly, taking her hand.

Chang Wan exhaled, then turned to Zhu Yong, "Second brother is here too, perfect; the lamb stew is ready."

The three entered the Eastern Palace and went to the dining hall.

On the table indeed sat a huge pot of stewed lamb, its aroma filling the air.

Zhu Yong's eyes lit up, "So fragrant!"

"I knew you love to eat; have more," Chang Wan said with a smile, serving him a large bowl.

Zhu Biao also sat down, took the bowl his wife handed him, and suddenly said, "Wanmei, this morning at court, someone claimed your temperament is too fierce, unfit for Crown Princess."

Chang Wan paused, then raised an eyebrow, "Who said that?"

"Lv Ben," Zhu Biao replied.

Chang Wan sneered, "Why doesn't he just say I'm a tigress?"

"He dares not, but Wanmei, if you truly become a tigress, I'd still like you," Zhu Biao laughed.

"Smooth talker," Chang Wan gave him a withering glance, though the corners of her mouth curved.

Zhu Yong buried his face in the meat, pretending not to notice his elder brother and sister‑in‑law's flirtatious banter.

He felt he shouldn't have come for lamb; killing one himself at home would have been no trouble…

Just as they ate, a eunuch outside announced, "Crown Prince, Prince Wu, His Majesty summons you; there's a matter to discuss."

The two brothers exchanged a glance and set down their bowls and chopsticks.

"Father calls us now, what's the matter?" Zhu Yong asked.

Zhu Biao shook his head, "We'll find out once we go."

The two left the Eastern Palace and headed toward Qianqing Palace.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was standing in front of a large table, on which a map was spread.

When his two sons entered, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Biao er, Yong Er, come over and look."

The two brothers walked over and saw the map, a detailed Jianghuai region map, with the location of Fengyang Prefecture specially circled in cinnabar ink.

"This is a newly drawn map by the Ministry of Works; look, our hometown is here," Zhu Yuanzhang said, pointing his finger at the location of Fengyang.

Zhu Biao examined the map closely; Fengyang lies in the middle reaches of the Huai River, bordering the Central Plains to the north and controlling the Jianghuai area to the south, making its position truly strategic.

"Father, you want…" Zhu Biao guessed vaguely.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, a gleam flashing in his eyes, and said, "Biao er, we've been thinking these days; Yingtian is fine, but it's still situated in the southeast.

Our Great Ming capital should be at the very center of the world."

He traced his finger across the map and said, "Fengyang is our hometown, the foundation; to the north we can resist the Mongol, to the south we can control Jiangnan, to the west it connects to Bashu, and to the east it reaches the great sea.

If we relocate the capital here, it would truly be the land of the dragon's rise, the center of the world."

Zhu Yong said earnestly, "Father, I'm familiar with Fengyang; there are many mountains there, easy to defend and hard to attack."

"Exactly!"

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and said, "Yong Er hit the nail on the head; Fengyang is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with the Huai River as a barrier, making it more defensible than Yingtian. These days we've had the Ministry of Works calculate; if we build the capital in Fengyang, the palace city can be built against the mountains, and the outer city can be constructed along the Huai River, which is far more stable than building on flat ground in Yingtian."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "Father, moving the capital is a huge undertaking, costing a great amount. Now the Northern Yuan is not yet pacified; although the treasury is abundant, if we embark on massive construction, the people may be overburdened."

"We understand, so I'm just telling you both for now; the north hasn't been pacified yet, it's not time to move the capital, but I'm thinking that once the world is at peace, this must be done."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

He turned to his two sons, his gaze far‑reaching, and said, "Biao er, you are the Crown Prince; the future realm will be yours. Yong Er, you are the Prince of Wu, the sharpest blade of Great Ming.

Relocating the capital to Fengyang is not just moving locations; it's to let the world know that Great Ming's foundation lies in Western Huai, the place where we raised our banner."

Zhu Biao solemnly said, "Father, I understand. If we truly move the capital, it should indeed return to Fengyang, for that is the root of our Zhu Family."

Zhu Yong also nodded, "Father says where to go, I'll go there. I'm familiar with Fengyang; I can even take you to the mountains where I used to live for hunting."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "Alright, alright, but that's for later; for now we must first tidy up the north."

He folded the map and said to Zhu Yong, "Yong Er, take this map back and keep it safe; the Ministry of Works made three copies, and you keep this one."

"Yes, Father," Zhu Yong took the rolled map.

"By the way, Yong Er, your Guanyin Nu has lived in Kunning Palace long enough; after the New Year, arrange the marriage!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, recalling something.

Zhu Yong was startled, then gave a simple laugh, "As you say, Father."

Leaving the Qianqing Palace, the sky was already near dusk.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong walked side by side along the palace corridor, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.

"Second brother, tell me, if we truly move the capital to Fengyang, how much silver would it cost?" Zhu Biao suddenly asked.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "I don't know, but certainly a lot. However, I feel Fengyang might not be suitable as an imperial capital, though I can't pinpoint what's wrong."

Zhu Biao, hearing the words, couldn't help but…

After that he said nothing more, but in his mind he began to calculate; his brother may be a simpleton, yet he's not foolish—just doesn't like to use his brain.

He thought this plan wouldn't work; it was probably indeed not very feasible.

However, those matters are for later; there's also the Northern Expedition… everything must proceed step by step.

The two brothers' figures gradually receded, disappearing around the corner of the palace wall.

On the eaves of the Fengtian Hall, a few pigeons fluttered up, swooping over the outline of Zijin Mountain, flying toward the northwest—that is the direction of Fengyang.