Chapter 801 Hunting

Most of the emperor's public activities are symbolic.

For example, when you come to the farming ceremony of Xiannongtan every year, nothing is planted, but just pretends to behave; it symbolizes that the court attaches importance to agriculture and plays an advocacy and role model for the hundreds of millions of officials and people in the world.

Like Zhu Gaoxu went to inspect the mint a few days ago. He mainly attached importance to the matter itself, but he also knew that officials would have more interpretations.

Now he summoned the nobles and important officials in the court, and suddenly he wanted to hunt on Xiaohong Mountain; a series of actions made the court officials understand more clearly what the emperor wanted to do recently.

The Zhili area near Jinling is densely populated and has almost no decent hunting grounds; if the emperor likes to ride horses around to hunt, he probably prefers Peking.

The place where the capital can hunt is Xiaohong Mountain. When Zhu Gaoxu was still a vassal king, he also came with Zhu Di.

Now the Xiaohongshan hunting ground is smaller.

Because the fleet voyages to the West brought back many animal and plant seeds that were not available in the Ming Dynasty, such as giraffes, black bears, zebras, etc., which were called kirins. Zhu Gaoxu did not find it very strange, nor did he raise them as palace toys.

He then ordered a piece of land to be drawn up in Xiaohong Mountain as a rare courtyard.

The Qiqi Courtyard is managed by the South Office of the Guardian Institute, which includes a zoo and a botanical garden, which is open to all officials and citizens for viewing, but tickets are charged.

Zhu Gaoxu came to hunt today. In addition to a group of civil and military guards, he also brought the eldest prince Zhanhe with him.

The child was very happy. Zhu Gaoxu gave him a little brown horse, also known as Zhanhe's big companion, the yellow dog, and took Zhanhe to the Zhenqiyuan for a trip, and then came to the hunting ground to meet.

The guards set up large tents on the grassland outside the mountains and forests, and the surrounding banners were like clouds, which looked like military camps.After all, hunting itself also has the nature of a military exercise.

There are fewer and fewer wild animals in Xiaohong Mountain, especially larger animals, which are already very rare.

It is said that the officials in charge of this matter found that there was almost no hunting to hunt, so they hurriedly caught some animals and put them into the woods.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't care. He had no interest in hunting, so he could do it just that way.

Zhu Gaoxu simply dispatched people and ordered Ping An to lead his troops and quickly encircle the rear of the forest in front from the flank.

Sheng Yong, Wang Bin, Wei Da, Wu Gao and others led the crowd to chase their prey from the left wing; Qiu Fu, Qu Neng, He Fu, Liu Ying and others surrounded the right wing.

Zhu Gaoxu personally led some noble ministers to lead a brigade to siege from the front.

Today's hunting was incredible, and there was no lottery. Everyone just shot some prey and then started a picnic.

However, the generals are very interested in such activities, and hunting and shooting live creatures seems to be fun in themselves.

Everyone rode their horses and ran towards the forest on the grassland. Soon, birds flew in the forest and were disturbed.

Zhu Gaoxu was wearing armor, holding a bow and arrow, and then led a large group of people to set out into the mountains and forests.

Shortly after everyone entered the woods, Zhu Gaoxu discovered movement in the shrub.

Du Erlang, the North Punishment envoy of the Jinyiwei, reacted very quickly and immediately clasped his fists and said: I will drive away from the side, and wait for the animal to escape from the forest. The emperor can kill him!

good.Zhu Gaoxu responded simply.

Du Erlang took two riders away, crawled into the left side of the bush forest, and shouted while hitting the branches.After a while, a goat actually ran out of the bushes!

The goat ran a few steps, then walked slowly, and turned around and bleated.Everyone sighed.The officials who were temporarily preparing to hunt were pale.

I also made a temporary decision. I couldn't help but missed the animals from anyone who accidentally entered the yard. The mutton was roasted and it was time to serve wine!Zhu Gaoxu looked back at the trembling official and then slapped away.

He set his bow and arrow, staring at the goat as he ran closer and closer.

He hasn't practiced archery much recently, but he has maintained his physical strength very well.

The speed of the war horse far exceeded the sheep's escape. When it got closer, Zhu Gaoxu shot with an arrow.

With the strong wind arrows, they penetrated the goat's body and nailed it to the ground.

There was a noise of cheering behind me.

The guards of the Jinyiwei stepped forward and carried the shot goats back, showing the strength of the arrows to the civil and military officials in the brigade. There was another burst of flattery in the crowd.

The emperor has the best martial arts skills in the world and is the best in the world.

Then everyone met more than a dozen ducks. Zhu Gaoxu and several nobles stepped forward and shot arrows continuously, galloping horses and shooting with great pleasure.

Only the officials in charge of the history museum have been depressed and seemingly in a difficult situation.After all, it is a bit unreasonable to write that the emperor shoots a goat and several ducks.

Finally, an official suggested that the black bear from the zoo be placed in the mountains and forests.But Zhu Gaoxu refused, and he said in a joking tone: Bear meat is not delicious.

A large group of people rode around in this mountain forest for a long time, and finally harvested some prey that was so good that they could take. Seeing that the sun was approaching, Zhu Gaoxu ordered to return to the camp and let the imperial chefs cook the prey to reward the ministers and the army.

The smell of venison and mutton, sprinkled with pepper, quickly spread inside and outside the tent, and jars of rice wine were also shipped.

The generals were in a good mood, and while waiting for the wine and meat, they were talking, and the tent was in a noisy place.

Ping An, the big and thick, has the biggest voice, and he is happy to hunt on the grassland!But there are so many things, and wild ducks are everywhere.

Hahaha... Everyone burst into laughter.

Ping'an yelled, while taking out a handkerchief from his arms to wipe his sweat. His thick arms and light embroidered handkerchief in his hands suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of comicality.

At this moment, Xia Yuanji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, suddenly asked Ping An: Duke of E seems to be quite tired?

Ping An gave Xia Yuanji a blank look, I just love to sweat.

There were very few civil and military officials who came and went to each other and spoke, and many officials were attracted and looked at each other.Zhu Gaoxu sat in the upper position and listened to the two of them chatting with a smile.

Xia Yuanji said again: Duke E has galloped all the way to the mountain and climbed back to drive away the prey. Your cheeks were also scratched by branches, and it was quite laborious to rush around.

Ping An wondered: I just like riding a horse and shooting, I am happy!

Xia Yuanji said calmly: If you use these strengths, face the loess and back to the sky, who will be happy to farm every day?

The noise gradually became smaller and most people had already heard that Xia Yuanji had something to say.

He continued: The nomadic, fishing and hunting tribes in the deep forests on the grassland have no fixed place to live and no fixed meals for three meals; but the officials from the border areas call them to farm, but they are unwilling to do so.As I see, people seem to love chasing prey and wandering on horseback.

Ping'an smiled and said: Xiabutang made some sense.There was no war. I rode horses, shot arrows, and played weapons in my own manor. It was laborious but I found it interesting.But you, the Secretary of the House, are also a bit bad. If you make a statement in front of the saint, why bother to use me as a monkey?

The scene in the account was already quite serious. When people heard Ping An's words, some people's faces turned red and almost laughed out loud.

Xia Yuanji looked embarrassed and had to turn around and hold his fists and say: The emperor teaches the common people in the world, do not be lazy and hate labor, and do not be volatile; the people all live and work in peace and work hard to support the people of the Ming Dynasty.However, the wandering tribes in the north can only survive without farming if they try to exploit our dynasty.The emperor must observe it.

Zhu Gaoxu was silent for a while, looked at Xia Yuanji, and said: Xiabutang can also say some truths without talking about the principles of saints.

Such a response made many officials look surprised, and Xia Yuanji was also a little relieved.

Zhu Gaoxu paused and looked at Xia Yuanji again and said: However, no matter how the court's major policies are made, I also hope that people with different political views will not confront each other and make up for their shortcomings.

Xia Yuanji kowtowed and said: The wisest!

Zhu Gaoxu said: Get up.The barbecue is so delicious. I asked someone to cut it and take it in and give it to everyone.

The servants obey the order.The eunuch responded.

At this time, Zhan He and others came in. The child ran towards Zhu Gaoxu with a happy expression.The yellow dog followed behind and bent down to remind him: Your Highness, don’t forget the etiquette.

Zhanhe kowtowed in front of the chair, immediately got up and grabbed Zhu Gaoxu's knees, and asked: Father, can Qilins spit flames?

Zhu Gaoxu said: If it was so powerful, how could it be caught and locked up there and turned into an ornamental object?

Zhan He's face suddenly felt a little disappointed.

Zhu Gaoxu turned his head and said: Move a chair over and let Zhanhe sit next to me.

The eunuch immediately received the order.

Zhu Gaoxu lowered his head and said to Xihe: Hello, sit down, listen to everyone's words more.The ministers here are all loyal ministers of our Ming Dynasty. Only by listening and understanding your opinions can you make a safe and correct decision.Don’t think that someone is against him. He is a bad person, and it may not sound good to us.But you don’t have to obey anyone, otherwise things will not be decided.

Zhanhe thought for a while and said: I believe what my father said, the Qilin will not spit out fire.

Hu Guang clasped his fists and said: The emperor taught the eldest prince well, and the country was very lucky.

Hou Hai, the left envoy of the Guardian Department, said: His Highness, the eldest prince, is smart and humble, and has the dragon ritual of the emperor.

Everyone agreed.At this time, the eunuchs and guards brought the barbecue in, and the atmosphere in the tent became warm and pleasant again.

Ping'an shouted: After lunch, I will teach Your Highness to ride a horse.There are few people who can compete in front of the ministers on horseback in this world.

Liu Sheng immediately said: The world has changed. In the future, the battle formations will either be muskets or cannons. The commander relies solely on his bravery and his use may not be great.

Ping'an glared at you: You Liu Sheng, someone else praises you for a Confucian general, but you will start chanting poems and essays!

The big tent burst into laughter.

Ping An held on to Liu Sheng: Marquis Anyuan should recite a poem to cheer everyone up.

Liu Sheng couldn't say that he was safe, so he could only look at it left and talk about it, and changed it to self-punishment of three cups.