The eleventh month of the lunar calendar arrived quietly, which meant that it was only half a month away from Zhu Yunhuan ascending the throne.

This is a big deal for many people. There is still a lot of work that needs to be completed overtime, and there are still many things that must be concluded before the Crown Prince's birthday.

Mei Yin, Chen Di, Ru Hong, Bao Zhao and others are under tremendous pressure. Jiang Lin, Zhu Zhong and others are also working overtime to put an end to the Hongcang case.

It cannot be said that the case has been completely closed, but the outline has basically been finalized, and only further improvements will be needed in the future. However, the tone must be really set now, and this is something that cannot be negotiated.

Zhu Wenyao was strolling happily in the West Palace, and when he saw Zhu Yunhuan, he turned and ran away. It can only be said that the child is growing up very fast, and now he speaks more and more clearly and walks more and more steadily.

"Grandfather." Zhu Wenyao lay on Old Zhu's lap, pointed at Zhu Yunhuan and said, "Dad."

Old Zhu smiled and opened his eyes, then touched Zhu Wenyao's head and asked, "Did you call anyone?"

Zhu Wenyao immediately lay on Old Zhu's legs shyly, with his little chubby face pressed against Old Zhu's thighs, looking a little embarrassed as he smiled at Zhu Yunhuan.

"Grandfather, if this kid says he doesn't like me, he just likes to make trouble with me." Zhu Yunhuan complained, "You said he likes me, but he just doesn't get close to me. What's the reason?"

Old Zhu touched Zhu Wenyao's head and said, "It's because you don't see him often enough! He knows that he has a father like you, and he is happy to play with you, but he just feels that you are not close enough."

Zhu Yunhuan was speechless for a moment. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that what Old Zhu said was true. In the final analysis, he spent too little time taking care of the children, and the times they played together were also limited.

Concubine Guo Ning poured a cup of tea for Zhu Yunhuan and said, "I went to the East Palace yesterday and found out that Wen Yao might have a younger sister."

"It's good to have a sister, so she can play with him for a while." Zhu Yunxun said jokingly, "But with Wen Yao's personality, I'm afraid he just wants to have a brother who can play with him."

Concubine Guo Ning also laughed and joked, "That's true. She's always pestering her little aunt. She's the only one who's suitable for the palace."

The status of Concubine Zhang and Princess Baoqing has obviously improved a lot in the past two years. It is not entirely because Princess Baoqing is the youngest daughter of Zhu, but because she can take Zhu Wenyao to play.

Princess Baoqing was just six years old, and she could barely play with Zhu Wenyao. Naturally, she became Zhu's favorite girl and he could see her almost every day.

"Grandfather, I won't hold my birthday celebration." Zhu Yunhuan had something important to do, so he said, "When the time comes, the palace people will just pay their respects to me. I won't hold a banquet, or it will be a bit embarrassing."

Old Zhu said noncommittally, "That's fine. You will ascend the throne after your birthday, and it would be inappropriate to have everything happen at the same time. The ceremony is more important. On your birthday, let the palace priests and officials pay their respects. There should also be etiquette."

According to past custom, Zhu Yunhuan’s birthday would not be a grand celebration, but it would certainly not be shabby. After all, he was the crown prince, so he must receive all the treatment he deserved.

But this time it was different. After his birthday, he would ascend the throne, so naturally the coronation ceremony would be the main focus, and other matters would be kept simple.

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and asked casually, "How come I heard that you are planning to rush your uncle to Beiping? Even your aunt is going to go with you? Are you venting your anger on them because of the Hongcang incident?"

Concubine Guo Ning couldn't help but look at Zhu Yunhuan. She didn't really understand some things. Everyone knew that although Zhu Yunhuan was closer to Princess Anqing, he also interacted with Princess Ningguo.

Although Mei Yin was indeed derelict in his duty in the Hongcang case, he would have been protected according to past practice. After all, Mei Yin was not the main culprit.

Zhu Yunhuan complained immediately, "Grandfather, if this word gets out, my aunt will worry too much! I'll leave her in Yingtian Prefecture, and we'll see who's more anxious, her or me!"

Old Zhu couldn't help laughing. He naturally didn't think that Zhu Yunhuan was exiling Mei Yin, and he also knew that there was a certain reason for arranging Mei Yin to go to Beiping.

First of all, let’s talk about the Hongcang case. Given Mei Yin’s status and identity, he was demoted and exiled, so it’s hard for other officials to say they were wronged. It’s more convincing when someone of importance is punished.

On the other hand, naturally, they wanted to have an important official to rule the north, and Mei Yin's identity was suitable.

He was born into a noble family and was also a relative of the emperor's wife. In addition, he had a lot of literary reputation. Therefore, he could control the situation in the north, both in the military and political affairs, and could accomplish many things.

"Mei Yin, among all the sons-in-law we have, I only like your uncle-in-law, a man who is both civil and military." Old Zhu said, "I originally thought that he is honest and capable, so I can keep him for you to use, and I will feel at ease."

Zhu Yunhuan expressed his concerns, "My uncle has a good reputation as a scholar. But he has never served the people or governed the country. In recent years, he has been the governor of Shandong Province and the Imperial College. This is not good."

After thinking about it carefully, Old Zhu felt that it made sense. He really liked Mei Yin as his son-in-law, mainly because he felt that he was reliable and capable. He was someone he could be entrusted with important matters, and even a key minister to take care of his son.

But if you look again, Mei Yin has never held any specific official position, whether it is the Shandong Education Commissioner or the director of Chinese studies, he really has no experience in governing a region or managing a department.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "I was thinking that my uncle would be in charge of the government in Beiping for a few years, and then he would be transferred back to manage the affairs of the Five Military Commandery or the Six Ministries."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and said seriously, "We can't let him be the Shangshu. His status is not suitable. Even if he comes back in the future, he will only be a staff member."

Although Mei Yin was Zhu's favorite son-in-law and he was optimistic about his ability, a son-in-law was still a son-in-law after all, and he was a person of a different surname. In Zhu's eyes, the country of Ming was more important.

There is nothing wrong with re-employing Mei Yin, but it is not a good idea to give him too much power. This is also a natural precaution against external relatives.

Zhu Yunhuan picked up the struggling Zhu Wenyao and said, "From now on, the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Kaiguo will have to rely on your uncle to control them."

Hearing Zhu Yunhuan's words, Old Zhu smiled. Xu Huizu and Chang Sheng also have some natural advantages. There is no need to guard against them now, but in the future, it may be necessary to check and balance them.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "And my cousin Jiujiang, I have been tormenting him over the years. There are many people who can be used in the Five Military Commands and the nobles, but I just want him to run around. That's the reason."

Old Zhu also said with a smile, "Jiujiang can understand these principles. It would not be a good thing if you let him live in luxury. Jiujiang is not as capable as your cousin after all." Of course not. Although Li Jinglong has a dignified appearance and looks like a naturally elegant and noble young man, his understanding of the art of war has also been affirmed by Old Zhu, Xu Da and others.

But no matter what, Li Jinglong still cannot be compared with Li Wenzhong. Even Li Jinglong is aware of this. It is simply that the son is not as good as the father.

Xu Huizu, Chang Mao, Chang Sheng, and Li Jinglong all seemed to have certain abilities, but they were far inferior to their fathers. Xu Huizu and Li Jinglong were barely able to be of great use.

People like Chang Mao and Chang Sheng are so unsure about important tasks that one would think reusing them might harm them instead.

After all, some people are not capable enough, and they hold high positions and have too much power, so they may not be able to handle it.

It is good enough if you don't make mistakes. But if you are given a heavy responsibility but fail to do it well, you will be blamed no matter how good your background is.

Zhu Wenyao, who was sitting on Zhu Yunhuan's lap, was not bored at all, as children are like that. For example, now, he was twisting Zhu Yunhuan's fingers, and he was having a lot of fun playing this little game.

"I am not worried about the six ministers and the five military governors' offices now." Zhu Yunhuan said, "These people are enough now, and they are all capable."

Old Zhu thought about it carefully and said, "That's true. Although the Five Military Commandery is not as good as before, it is enough with Fu Youde, Lan Yu, Xu Huizu and Jiujiang. There is no big war to fight now."

In the early days of the founding of the country, the Five Military Commandery was full of generals, and any general at that time was a famous general. It is indeed not as good as it was then, but there are not too many wars now, so you can rest assured.

Zhu Yunhuan also smiled and said, "That's the truth. The six ministers are all of the right age and have some skills. I can use them for a few years or ten years, and it won't be a big problem."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Give these people some time to carefully find those who are worth training. There is nothing to worry about. The six ministers are not short of people. I have always thought so."

This was definitely what Zhu Yuanzhang really thought. He never worried about the six ministries not being able to function. Even though he had killed half of the ministers of the six ministries, these offices still operated very smoothly.

It's just that I was a little more tired and had more things to deal with at that time, but these are really not big problems.

Talented people emerge in every generation, and this is not just a casual saying. Even if some of the current civil servants may not seem as capable as Li Shanchang, Wang Guangyang, Liu Ji and others in the past, they are enough to govern the country.

Zhu Yunhuan said calmly, "That's the truth. The current situation is stable, and there are no internal or external troubles. I am naturally at ease. I will not rush to make any major moves when I take over the country."

With Zhu Yunhuan's statement, Old Zhu felt more relieved. Although he felt that Zhu Yunhuan might just be talking casually to fool people, there was basically no need to worry too much.

There may be some changes when the new emperor ascends the throne, but based on Zhu's understanding of Zhu Yunhuan, his grandson, who has many ideas in his mind, is actually very stable, especially when it comes to state affairs.

In such a situation, there is certainly no need to worry too much. The most important thing is to hand over the Ming Dynasty smoothly.

Zhu Wenyao suddenly became anxious, grabbed Zhu Yunxun's hand and stuffed it into his mouth. The bite of this little guy with a few teeth was still a little painful.

Zhu Yunxun was anxious and in pain, and hurriedly said, "Let go, let go, did I provoke you for no reason?"

"If you don't pay attention when playing with the child, he will definitely not let you go!" Old Zhu smiled and picked up Zhu Wenyao, "Be obedient, or your father will get really anxious if you don't let go!"

Zhu Wenyao was really angry, lying in Old Zhu's arms, looking very aggrieved. His whole fat face was pressed against Old Zhu's chest, and it seemed that he didn't intend to pay any attention to Zhu Yunhuan at all.

"I was just teasing him, but it didn't end well for him!" Zhu Yunhuan was both angry and amused. "Why? When I was teasing him, I should have been wholeheartedly attentive. Otherwise, he would be angry now?"

Old Zhu said with eyes full of doting, "It's as it should be. He teased you for a long time, but you didn't respond. How could the child not be anxious?"

For a moment, Zhu Yunhuan was speechless. It seemed that he was indeed wrong. He was just teasing the child, but there was no response after playing for a long time, which naturally made the child unhappy.

"This child holds grudges just like me." Zhu Yunxun said jokingly, "In this case, I guess he will be inseparable from me for a day or two. Now, I could have held him for a while, but now I'm afraid I'm not allowed to hold him anymore!"

Hearing Zhu Yunhuan's complaints, Old Zhu just laughed. No one took Zhu Wenyao's little emotions seriously. Everyone was pampering the child.

"Wen Yao is better than you. He is unhappy now. You can tease him later." The more Old Zhu looked at Zhu Wen Yao, the more he liked him. After all, he was always by his side. "Our Wen Yao is a good man. He is much more generous than you!"

Zhu Yunhuan was not angry even though he was slandered. "That's good! I hope my son can be more capable than me, and then he can govern the country better. That will be a blessing for our Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Yunhuan's words were highly recognized by Zhu. He always hoped that his descendants would be successful. If they could be more capable than him, it would be even more gratifying. He did not mind being surpassed by his descendants.

If he really has descendants who are more capable than him, then it would be the admiration of the country and naturally worth feeling happy about.

Zhu Wenyao, who was placed with high hopes, did recover quickly, but he could not sit still. He ran around the West Palace with his short legs, followed by a group of maids and eunuchs who tried to coax him.

This is good, Zhu Wenyao is growing up happily without worries. Zhu Yunxun can also talk to Old Zhu, whether it is family matters or political affairs, they can discuss.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang was about to abdicate and even though Zhu Yunhuan had been in control of the government for a long time, things that needed to be discussed still had to be discussed. There was no harm in listening more and discussing more. Zhu Yunhuan never believed that all his decisions were correct.

The West Palace can be said to be peaceful and harmonious. You can't see any of the twists and turns before the succession of imperial power. There is no weird atmosphere at all. Everything is very harmonious.

As for other places, it is not the same. Many people are very busy now, or they are planning something. The transfer of imperial power is a big deal! (End of this chapter)