Chapter 60: Petitioning to Invest Princes

Outside the Fengtian Gate, vibrant banners fluttered in the wind. Even on New Year's Day, people had to report to work and attend the grand morning assembly.

Feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension, Ma Xun suddenly thought that this world resembled a gigantic, makeshift theatrical troupe.

During his first time attending court, he had been nervous, worried that he might be impeached simply for coughing or speaking too softly.

Now, looking at the scene before him, he realized he had been overthinking.

The reality resembled nothing so much as a mob of elderly folks scrambling for free eggs distributed by a supermarket—utterly chaotic.

Everyone wore the same black gauze caps and round-collared robes. With Ma Xun dressed in his official crimson and purple robes, who could tell whether he was of the first rank or the fifth? Those wearing scarlet robes were merely of the fifth rank and below.

While official ranks were hard to distinguish at a glance, the civil and military officials at least formed separate columns: civil officials on the left, military generals on the right.

Quite a few officials watched him with curiosity and puzzlement. Having arrived and waited outside the Meridian Gate since around three in the morning, they suddenly noticed this tall, thin newcomer. Which official's heir was this, showing up so late?

Judging by the jade belt around his waist, he was even entitled to wear a jade-adorned girdle!

However, some people recognized Ma Xun and began to whisper among themselves.

Just as Ma Xun was scanning the crowd for familiar faces, the sound of drums suddenly echoed, followed by a tidal wave of officials surging toward the Meridian Gate.

A young eunuch hurried over and said, "Lord Imperial Uncle, you must follow along. Enter through the side gates; there is no need to use the Que Gates like the officials of the fourth rank and below."

As the main entrance of the imperial palace, the central arch of the Meridian Gate was reserved exclusively for the imperial carriages of the emperor and empress. The side arches were permitted only for dukes, marquises, imperial sons-in-law, civil officials of the third rank and above, and military officers of the fourth rank and above. All other ranks had to enter through the two Que Gates and exit through the two subsidiary side gates.

Everyone scrambled eagerly through the Meridian Gate, completely disrupting the formations as civil and military officials hurried toward the Jinshua Bridge.

"Uncle!" Ma Xun's eyes lit up, and he quickly called out, "You don't need to see me any further; I can cross on my own."

The young eunuch quickly stepped aside, and Ma Xun trotted briskly over to Liu Bowen.

Liu Bowen looked somewhat surprised to see Ma Xun. "I was wondering why I hadn't seen you these past few days."

"I was inside the palace," Ma Xun asked with concern, "Have you been well lately?"

Liu Bowen smiled and replied, "This old man is doing very well, and Shuning is well, too."

Other officials were still hurrying across the Jinshua Bridge, but Ma Xun and Liu Bowen maintained a brisk pace, exchanging pleasantries as they walked.

"Brother Liu," an official with a goatee strode forward, "Wait for me."

Liu Bowen smiled faintly. "Brother Yang."

Yang Xian glanced at Ma Xun, pretending not to recognize him. "Brother Liu, who is this?"

Liu Bowen had no choice but to introduce him. "This is the Right Chief Commander of the Grand Military Commission and the Imperial Uncle."

Yang Xian adopted a look of sudden realization and said, "Greetings, Lord Imperial Uncle. I am Yang Xian, Assistant Administrator of the Central Secretariat."

As an Assistant Administrator of the second rank, it was entirely proper for him to address himself as a humble subordinate.

"Lord Imperial Uncle!" An enthusiastic greeting startled many in the crowd. Li Shanchang, who was currently busy petitioning for retirement, walked over with a smile. "Lord Imperial Uncle, Happy New Year!"

Many people turned to look. That tall, thin fellow was the Imperial Uncle?

Ma Xun also smiled and greeted him. "Prime Minister, have you been well lately?"

A middle-aged man immediately stepped forward with a smile and introduced himself, "I am Hu Weiyong, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Greetings, Imperial Uncle."

Li Shanchang was currently retiring and single-mindedly trying to promote Hu Weiyong into the Central Secretariat. Meanwhile, Yang Xian and Li Shanchang were on poor terms—they could even be considered enemies.

Just as Ma Xun was wondering how to deal with these pleasantries, Chang Yuchun strode up to him. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Did you fall asleep and miss the hour?"

Ma Xun immediately took a quick step forward. "No one called me; I almost ruined the big event."

"You're a military general, what are you doing mingling with civil officials?" Chang Yuchun asked, only to immediately realize his misstep. "Prime Minister Li, don't mind us—we're all old acquaintances here."

Li Shanchang said with a beaming smile, "Your Grace the Duke of E goes too far. The Imperial Uncle holds an appointment at the Imperial Academy, after all."

Chang Yuchun replied with a laugh, "That's just an honorary title. The Imperial Uncle is the Right Chief Commander of the Grand Military Commission, and I am a Left and Right Administrator of the Central Secretariat!"

As an Administrator of the Central Secretariat, which was currently ranked as high as 1b, Chang Yuchun, Liao Yongzhong, and Hu Mei all held this prestigious military and political office.

Patting Ma Xun on the shoulder, Chang Yuchun strode forward, and Ma Xun hurriedly followed.

"Those people have had their eyes on you for a while," Chang Yuchun lowered his voice to say. "They've been casting glances all around since early on, hoping to pull you into their circles."

Ma Xun asked, "Is it still because of Prime Minister Li's affair?"

"Pretty much. Prime Minister Li will have to step down whether he wants to or not now," Chang Yuchun replied. "Before he leaves, he wants to push Hu Weiyong into the Central Secretariat. You're no match for these old foxes, so stay away from them."

Ma Xun understood implicitly, walking along behind Chang Yuchun until he suddenly realized something was amiss.

Chang Yuchun stood at the head of the military officials' column, and the second person was none other than himself, the Imperial Uncle. There were many other seasoned generals present whose official ranks were hardly low either.

"You are the General Suppressing the State, so stand right here," Chang Yuchun said with a smile. "If you hadn't been summoned into the palace, I would have arranged a gathering with the brothers long ago."

Ma Xun smiled, exchanging banter and brief self-introductions with the group of people around him. The bustling scene felt just like a vegetable market.

It wasn't just the military generals chatting away; the civil officials were doing the exact same thing. In the early years of the founding of the Great Ming Dynasty, there simply weren't that many rigid rules and taboos.

It was only when the drums sounded that the gossiping officials finally fell silent, holding their court tablets before them as they walked toward the Fengtian Hall.

This was Ma Xun's first time entering the Fengtian Hall, one of the three great halls of the imperial palace. The hall in Beiping had been constructed using this Nanjing palace as its blueprint.

Li Zhen had already arrived inside the hall and whispered to Ma Xun, "When you present your memorial later, make sure your voice is loud. You must read it out clearly."

Grand and solemn ceremonial music resounded as Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne to receive the congratulations and kowtows of all officials.

Zhu Biao stepped out of the ranks and proclaimed to the assembled officials, "As we encounter this New Year's Day, the three yang forces bring forth renewal, and all things are made anew."

After the officials chanted their congratulatory phrases in unison, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, "This joyful celebration of the new beginning is shared with all of you."

Next came the resounding shouts of "Long live the Emperor!"

Just as the triple cheers concluded, Zhu Yuanzhang appeared to be in high spirits. "My lords and ministers, do you have any memorials to present?"

Under normal circumstances, officials would present official business, but today was New Year's Day—the festive holiday. Who would bring up administrative business on such a day?

Ma Xun stepped forward directly. "Your subject has a memorial to present!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and asked amiably, "Imperial Uncle, what is your memorial about?"

Ma Xun pulled out his memorial and spoke in a clear, resonant voice, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject believes that our dynasty has enfeoffed the Crown Prince alone without creating other imperial princes. Now that the foundation of the state is secure, we currently have the trunk without the branches. His Imperial Highness the Second Prince has already reached the age of fifteen, and it is time to proclaim his princely title to the world."

The surrounding officials were utterly astonished. Wasn't it said that the Imperial Uncle was merely a rustic commoner? How could he show not a shred of stage fright?

Many exchanged glances. This Imperial Uncle had dropped a blockbuster on the very first day of the third year of Hongwu.

This move was effectively forcing the Emperor to confer royal titles upon the other imperial princes, thereby directly cutting off any ambitions the other princes might harbor for the succession.

Although many knew the Emperor heavily favored the Crown Prince, there were inevitably those who believed that high risks yielded high rewards.

For instance, the Second Prince, Zhu Shuang, was only a year younger than the Crown Prince and had enjoyed a reputation for brilliance since his youth. In the eyes of some, he represented a viable opportunity.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a stern expression, "Who else seconds this motion?"

Li Zhen and Chang Yuchun were the first to step forward. "Your subject seconds the motion."

Li Shanchang and his faction also promptly stepped out of line, and for a moment, voices rang out in unison inside the Fengtian Hall: "Your subjects second the motion."

Zhu Yuanzhang declared sternly, "Denied! This matter shall be discussed further!"

"Denied" meant only that he had not agreed to it outright on the spot.

"Discussed further" meant that the court would subsequently engage in serious deliberations regarding the enfeoffment of the other imperial princes.

Having completed his task, Ma Xun drifted off, closing his eyes to rest and letting his mind wander.

After the court dismissal, Chang Yuchun remarked with a hint of regret, "I'm setting out on a campaign in a couple of days, so I'm going to miss your grand wedding."

Ma Xun's eyes lit up. "Then let me wish Brother Chang a triumphant victory right now, and drive Wang Baobao out!"

The third year of Hongwu had barely begun when major news broke.

First, the Imperial Uncle petitioned for the enfeoffment of the imperial princes. Second, on the third day of the first lunar month, the Emperor appointed Xu Da as the Great General Subduing the Captives, Chang Yuchun as the Vice General Subduing the Captives, and Li Wenzhong, Feng Sheng, Deng Yu, and Tang He as deputy generals, dispatching them on separate campaigns.

Their objective this time was unmistakable: to annihilate Wang Baobao, who was entrenched in the northwest.