Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 823 The Palace and the Outside World are One Family

Zhu Youcheng was very pleased. He first left Kunning Palace and summoned Qin Chang to discuss the matter of appointing his child as crown prince.

He then turned back and said to Zhang Luan, "Father-in-law, the child's name has been chosen. It was something I discussed with Yanling beforehand. We agreed that if it's a son, we'll name him Zhu Houzhao... What do you think, Father-in-law?"

Zhang Luan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you are too kind to me. How could I dare to interfere in such an important matter as naming the royal offspring?"

“Father-in-law, there’s no need to be modest. Wasn’t it Yanling who discussed this with me before? Actually, it’s all the same.”

Zhu Youcheng, on the contrary, didn't think it was a big deal.

Zhang Luan muttered to himself, "That kid is incredibly audacious, daring to name the emperor's child. Is he just looking for trouble?"

"I think this name is quite good."

Zhu Youcheng thought for a moment and said, "I hope that he will bring glory to the Ming Dynasty in the future, and that all the people of the world will benefit from his influence. I have decided to appoint my son as the Crown Prince and have Tan Daban draft the edict."

"By the way, I have already announced the birth of the Crown Prince to the court and the public. Now everyone should know about it. Many ministers have submitted memorials to congratulate him. Would you like to take a look, Father-in-law?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand again, refusing repeatedly: "No, no, the memorial is to congratulate Your Majesty, not to congratulate me... Why should I look at those things?"

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "We're all family, why be so formal? This matter is all thanks to Yanling."

"Oh? He's involved in this too?"

Zhang Luan was very curious.

Zhu Youcheng said with a grin, "Yanling gave me a lot of nourishing herbal prescriptions, which made me very vigorous during sex. He also gave his sister some prescriptions, saying they could help regulate the body. In short, they are very effective..."

At this point, Zhu Youcheng's face suddenly turned red, clearly realizing that he had let something slip and that some things were not suitable to be said openly.

Zhang Luan suddenly became very interested and almost asked, "What prescription did you give me?"

That guy prescribed me a similar medicine before. It was very effective at first, but after using it for a while, I felt that the effect was not as strong. I guess my body developed a resistance to the medicine.

Why is your prescription so effective? I conceived a child in such a short time. Why have I been trying to conceive in the other courtyard for so long, but none of the women have gotten pregnant?
Could it be that the boy favors one over the other?
Unfortunately, as an elder, Zhang Luan was embarrassed to discuss such matters with his son-in-law, and even more ashamed to ask for advice. He could only think of asking his son later and put the matter aside for the time being.

Zhu Youcheng continued, "I'm going to pay my respects at the Imperial Ancestral Temple later... Would my father-in-law like to come with me?"

"How could I possibly be qualified?"

Zhang Luan said modestly, "Your Majesty has other matters to attend to, please go ahead and do not worry about this place... Yu'er has her mother with her, nothing will happen to her."

Zhu Youcheng laughed and said, "We haven't had lunch yet. Let's eat first and then do other things... I've already sent someone to serve the meal. It would be wonderful for our family to sit down and have a reunion dinner... Father-in-law, since we're in such a good mood today, I'd like to offer you a couple of toasts."

Zhang Luan licked his lips. He knew that the wine in the palace was all fine wine from all over the country. But thinking of his son's instructions, he said helplessly, "Your Majesty should know that I am not in good health and I am afraid I cannot drink alcohol... Alcohol is a poison that burns through the intestines. For the sake of your wife and children, you should also drink less."

"Alright, then let's use tea instead of wine."

Zhu Youcheng knew that his father-in-law was thinking about his health, so he didn't mind at all and smiled broadly. "What could be happier than today? Yu'er has brought prosperity to the Zhu family. I will only love her more in the future... Father-in-law, don't worry, I will take good care of Yu'er and never let her be sad or upset."

Hearing this, Zhang Luan was deeply moved.

I thought to myself, even if a man from the common people got married, he probably wouldn't dote on his wife like this man in front of me.

This is spoiling her rotten... Her family thinks it's a bit too much. As the emperor, when are you going to show some manly spirit and let your wife feel your authority?
But... this is truly indescribable.

It seems that the husband my son Yanling chose for his sister was good. At least after his sister entered the palace, she didn't suffer any losses and even received such favoritism. Even our Zhang family has risen to prominence along with her.

Sometimes you just can't help but admire that kid Yanling!
……

……

The palace remained lively in the afternoon.

Groups of eunuchs and female officials came to congratulate Zhu Youcheng, which, to put it bluntly, was to ask for a reward.

Zhu Youcheng was usually very frugal, even somewhat stingy, but today he was unusually generous, giving gifts to everyone who came to congratulate him.

Even the palace maids who worked in the palace weaving workshops each received a reward of two taels of silver and two bolts of silk.

This was a benefit that palace maids, who were in a relatively weak position, could not normally obtain, and now it seemed that even their future retirement was guaranteed.

After all, Zhu Youcheng, representing Zhang Yu, the head manager of the weaving factory, said that everyone would receive a salary increase every year, and would also receive a bonus of varying amounts at the end of the year based on their performance. This showed more sincerity than a simple reward.

Then Empress Dowager Zhou came in person to congratulate her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and hugged and kissed her great-grandson repeatedly.

Because of Empress Dowager Zhou's arrival, Zhang Luan intentionally asked Lady Jin and Lady Tang to leave, and even sent his eldest son, Zhang Heling, to Duanjing Hall, ostensibly to help his sister check on the weaving workshop she personally managed.

"Haha, this kid laughed! Hey, he laughed again..."

Empress Dowager Zhou held her great-grandson, looked down at him, and couldn't stop smiling. "Look, he smiles so sweetly, and he even has dimples at the corners of his mouth. He's so adorable."

These days, for the elderly, if a newborn baby smiles at them while they are holding the baby, it is considered a very good omen, indicating that they will enjoy good health and longevity.

Because in the eyes of the world, children are the most innocent and pure, and they can see some filth and bad things. If an elderly person's death is approaching, they will be shrouded in a black aura or death aura. Children will cry loudly out of fear when they see this. On the contrary, it is naturally auspicious and good.

For a devout Buddhist like Empress Dowager Zhou, these superstitious beliefs were deeply ingrained.

Zhu Youcheng flattered, "Look, Zhao'er has a kind face and looks a lot like his imperial grandmother."

Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at her grandson and said, "Can't you speak properly? The little baby was just born, his eyebrows and eyes haven't even fully developed yet, where do you see that he looks like me? But those big eyes and high nose, he's really good-looking... Hey, he inherited all the good-looking parts from you two."

Zhu Youcheng looked at his wife with doting eyes and said proudly, "Yu'er is still the prettiest. The child looks like her."

"Cough cough."

Zhang Luan, who was standing next to him, almost choked on his own saliva.

Empress Dowager Zhou seemed to sense her nephew's embarrassment, rolled her eyes at her grandson, and said, "Just now you said he looked like me, and now you say he looks like the Empress? Indeed... men's mouths... hehe..."

Zhang Luan greeted her, "Empress Dowager, we have just finished lunch. Would you like some tea and snacks?"

Empress Dowager Zhou glanced around and smiled, "Aren't your family members all here? I want to see them! And bring them some rewards!"

"Ah...this...isn't that necessary?"

Zhang Luan looked somewhat embarrassed and then looked to his son-in-law for help.

Zhu Youcheng instantly realized the greatness of his father-in-law.

Because of his father-in-law's presence, he usually found it difficult to deal with his grandmother's sharp tongue, but now someone could finally share the burden.

With Zhang Luan around, it seemed that Empress Dowager Zhou would naturally direct more of her conversation towards her father-in-law.

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "We're all family, why be so formal? Let's meet, do you think I'd eat them up?" "Auntie, you flatter me," Zhang Luan said with an embarrassed smile. "We're just a few women who don't know any manners, and we were afraid of offending you, Auntie."

"It's alright, it's alright. The Zhang family has made a great contribution this time, so they should be rewarded... We're all family now, so please don't stand on ceremony."

Then Empress Dowager Zhou looked at Zhang Yu and said with a smile, "Empress, you should rest well. I'm going to see your mother... In the future, I'll ask her to come to the palace more often, and to visit my Qingning Palace when she has nothing to do... Alas, at my age, I hope to talk to more people, but the people in the palace are just trying to please me and won't speak their minds freely."

Zhang Yu couldn't help but wonder, do you think my mother would confide in you?

Did you pick the wrong person?

Empress Dowager Zhou continued, "Furthermore, I also want to ask your mother about things outside the palace. She has spent her whole life going in circles between the two gates and has never had the chance to leave the palace... Sigh, she lives such a leisurely life, but she always feels like she is living in a cage and will never be able to get out!"

……

……

Empress Dowager Zhou went to see Zhang Luan's family, and Zhang Luan went with her, fearing that something might happen while he was away, or that someone might discover his secrets.

Zhu Youcheng, on the other hand, was happy to have his father-in-law share the burden, and stayed behind under the pretext of taking care of Zhang Yu, without leaving Kunning Palace.

After Empress Dowager Zhou and Zhang Luan's party left, Zhang Yu's face darkened, and he appeared very unhappy.

Zhu Youcheng was very sensitive. It seemed that his wife's needs were of paramount importance to him. He quickly asked with concern, "Yu'er, why have you suddenly become so quiet... Are you unhappy? If you are reluctant to leave, you can let your mother stay in the palace for a while longer and let her take care of you."

Zhang Yu pouted and said, "I was just moved by what my grandmother said."

"What did Grandmother say?"

Zhu Youcheng was a complete novice when it came to interpersonal relationships, and at this moment he had no idea what his wife was troubled about.

Zhang Yu looked sad and said, "She said that once you enter the palace, it's like being trapped in a cage. It's very difficult to even leave the palace, and you can hardly know what's happening outside."

Zhu Youcheng was relieved and said with a smile, "You mean this? After you recover, let's leave the palace together, what do you say?"

"Is it really possible?"

Zhang Yu asked in surprise.

"Why not?"

Zhu Youcheng said, "I wanted to take you with me when I went to see Yanling perform the cannon drill. But Yanling said that place was too dangerous, so we didn't go."

"That kid... and I treated him so well."

Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and said.

Zhu Youcheng laughed and said, "If you want to leave the palace, then leave. It's no big deal. Didn't you go back to your parents' home before? Of course, we still need to visit more places..."

“Yu’er, actually I really want to go out and see the world, to the Northeast, the Northwest, and the Jiangnan region to experience the local customs and culture. If I could take you with me, to eat some of the everyday foods that ordinary people eat, and to experience the local customs and culture, just thinking about it makes me feel wonderful…”

Zhang Yu said happily, "Okay, once I've recovered, you can take me with you!"

……

……

Zhang Yanling and his entourage stopped in Tongzhou.

Actually, he was prepared.

Although Zhang Yu's childbirth was relatively smooth in history and he didn't have to worry about it much, he was fully prepared. He had fast horses along the way to the capital so that he could enter the palace as quickly as possible to help his sister give birth.

Of course, given the medical conditions of that era, performing a cesarean section was very difficult, and he dared not do it casually. After all, from medical methods to anesthesia, the dangers of a cesarean section were far greater than those of a vaginal delivery, and the woman would suffer even more pain afterward.

However, he still made two preparations in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Fortunately, he didn't need to worry too much, as Zhang Yu successfully gave birth.

The news reached Tongzhou three hours after Zhang Yu gave birth to his son... The Embroidered Uniform Guard delivered the latest news to him precisely through express messengers, allowing him to finally put aside all his worries and get back to his work.

On his way north, Zhang Yanling was in a hurry to return to Beijing and still did not go to the construction site of the Yellow River diversion project in Suqian, southeast of Xuzhou, to meet Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng was filled with anxiety, fearing that Zhang Yanling would break his promise regarding the allocation of funds and grain after the autumn harvest. Therefore, he sent Pang Qing to follow him all the way to Tongzhou and then request an audience.

"Congratulations, Second Young Master!"

Pang Qing originally returned to the capital with Zhang Yanling, but after hearing that the Empress had given birth, he temporarily allocated a batch of gifts as a congratulatory gift.

Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said, "Even if my sister successfully gives birth to a prince, I will still only be the emperor's brother-in-law, no different from before, so Mr. Pang, there is no need for flattery. You've come at the right time. I'll take you to the Tongzhou warehouse later to see the supplies that will soon be allocated to the south."

"This……"

Pang Qing never expected that he had just brought gifts to congratulate the Empress on the birth of her son, and now Zhang Yanling was going to take him to see the supplies.

So, the person who benefited the most from the emperor having a son was Li Zisheng? Because the Zhang family was now completely at ease, they paid more attention to the Yellow River fortifications?

That same day, Zhang Yanling led Pang Qing to inspect several of the water warehouses in Tongzhou. They saw a large number of laborers carrying grain and supplies onto the ships, and Pang Qing wished he could personally go up and help with the unloading.

"We need to talk to Mr. Pang first."

Zhang Yanling said earnestly, "From now until March next year, there should be no further changes. We must seize every opportunity to start construction."

"When I passed through Xuzhou on my way back, I saw that Minister Li had put a lot of effort into the construction of the upper section of the river embankment. But that area is close to the Central Plains hub, so even if it was just for the sake of appearances, the work would have been done more neatly... But often the real skill is shown in those rural areas far from the big cities, which is also the weak point that is most easily overlooked."

Pang Qing quickly replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Second Young Master. I will certainly convey your message."

Zhang Yanling picked up a goods list next to him and pointed to it, saying, "This batch of money and grain is not enough; some still needs to be transported from the south."

“I had been to Huizhou Prefecture before, and through some connections, I transferred money and grain from Huguang and even Sichuan to the Yellow River basin through special channels.”

Pang Qing asked with concern, "Are they all traveling by major rivers and canals?"

"Basically."

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "The grain transport from Sichuan and Huguang is mostly carried directly from the Yangtze River into Southern Zhili, and then northward via the Grand Canal. Due to the ongoing construction in various parts of the Central Plains, the transport of materials has become very difficult, and prices along the Yellow River have increased significantly this year... In fact, the grain transported from Huguang and other places is mostly to stabilize prices."

Because the imperial court was undertaking river works, all the prefectures and counties along the Yellow River were putting in a lot of effort, which led to a sharp increase in labor costs. The earth, stone, timber, and grain used for the construction of the river works all needed to be transported from other places, causing prices to soar.

Originally, this was an opportunity for merchants to make money, but because it involved people's livelihoods, Zhang Yanling's approach was to directly transport supplies from the production areas, rather than simply giving silver to Li Zi Province to purchase them locally... or to have the laborers bring their own food rations, with the court paying them in cash to prevent anyone from profiting from it. At the same time, he relied on local officials to mobilize local landlords to donate money and grain to alleviate the urgent need.

(End of this chapter)