Most of the public activities of emperors are symbolic. For example, the "personal farming" ceremony at Xiannongtan every year was planted without planting anything, just pretending; but 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 paid attention 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 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. called "Qilin", which Zhu Gaoxu did not find it very strange, nor did he raise them as palace toys. He then ordered a piece of land in Xiaohongshan as a "brilliant courtyard".

The Qiqi Courtyard is managed by the South Office of the Guardian Institute, including 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 sent him a little brown horse, also known as Zhanhe's eunuch 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 military camps. After all, the 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 was not interested in hunting himself, so he could do it just so.

Zhu Gaoxu simply dispatched people and ordered Ping An to lead his troops to quickly surround the rear of the forest in front from the flank. Sheng Yong, Wang Bin, Weida, Wu Gao and others led the troops to chase the prey from the left wing; Qiu Fu, Qu Neng, He Fu, Liu Ying and others surrounded him from the right wing. Zhu Gaoxu personally led some noble ministers and led the brigade to encircle from the front.

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

However, the generals were very interested in such activities. Hunting and shooting live animals seemed 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 Pacifier of the Jinyiwei North, reacted very quickly and immediately clasped his fists and said, "I will drive away from the side of the flanks. When the animal escapes from the forest, the emperor can kill him!"

"Okay." Zhu Gaoxu responded simply.

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

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

"I have also made a temporary decision. I can't help but have any animal from anyone who has accidentally entered the stadium. The mutton is roasted and it's time to serve wine!" Zhu Gaoxu turned around and glanced at the trembling official, and then left.

He set his bow and arrow, staring at the goat and running closer and closer. He has not practiced archery much recently, but his physical strength is maintained very well. The speed of the war horse is far greater than the sheep's escape. When he gets closer, Zhu Gaoxu shoots with an arrow. He walks through the goat's body and nails 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 that there was another buzzing voice in the crowd. "The emperor's martial arts are the best, and the world's best."

Then everyone met more than a dozen ducks. Zhu Gaoxu and several nobles stepped forward and shot arrows continuously, galloping horses, and enjoying themselves.

Only the officials in charge of the records in the embassy have been depressed and seem a little embarrassed. After all, it is a bit unreasonable to write words such as "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. He said in a joking tone: "The bear meat is not delicious."

A large group of people rode around in this forest for a long time, and finally harvested some deer, hare and other preys that could be taken. 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 transported. The generals were in a good mood, and while waiting for the wine and meat, they were talking, the tent was noisy.

Ping An, the big and thick, had the biggest voice, "There is no grassland to hunt with horses! 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, compared with the light embroidered handkerchief in his hand, suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of funnyness.

At this moment, Xia Yuanji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, suddenly asked Ping'an: "Duke 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 personnel who came and talked, and many officials were attracted and looked at each other. Zhu Gaoxu sat in the upper position and smiled and listened to the two of them chatting.

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

Ping An wondered, "I just love riding a horse and shooting, I'm happy!"

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

The noise gradually became less and most people had heard that Xia Yuanji had something in his words. He continued: "The nomadic tribes in the deep forests on the grassland, fishing and hunting had no place to live and had no place to eat for three meals; but the officials from the borderland called them to farm, but they were unwilling to do so. From what I see, people in the world seem to love chasing prey and wandering on horseback."

Ping'an smiled and said, "Xiabutang made some sense. There is no war. I rode a horse, shoot arrows, and play 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 before the saint, you will make a statement. Why do you think of 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 educates 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. 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, looked at Xia Yuanji and said, "However, no matter how the court's major decisions 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 Lord is wise!"

Zhu Gaoxu said, "Get up. The barbecue is so delicious. Go and ask someone to cut it and take it in and give it to everyone."

"I 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 and reminded: "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, "Come over and let Zhanhe sit next to me."

The eunuch immediately received the order.

Zhu Gaoxu lowered his head and said to He: "You are so happy to sit down, listen more to everyone's words. The ministers here are all loyal ministers of our Ming Dynasty. Only by listening more 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 words for us may not be nice. But you don't have to listen to anyone, otherwise things will not be determined."

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

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

Hou Hai, the left envoy of the Guardians, said: "Your Highness, the Great Prince, is smart and humble, and has the dragon ritual of the Lord."

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. In this world, there are few people who can compete in front of me."

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, so his use may not be great."

Ping'an stared at him and said, "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: "Horse Anyuan can recite a poem to cheer everyone up."
Chapter completed!