Zhu Yuanzhang was one of the most controversial emperors in ancient Chinese history, and he had a well-known characteristic, that is, he was known for his cruelty, and the founding heroes who fought with him after the founding of the country were basically killed by him; but although Zhu Yuanzhang was cruel, he was only respectful to one person, and even taught his son a harsh lesson.
▲ Among the emperors of the past, Zhu Yuanzhang was famous for his cruelty. (Photo/Reprint from wikipedia entry)
It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang, in order to let zhu yuanzhang's descendants sit firmly in the jiangshan, worried that these founding heroes who accompanied him to fight the world would seize the world of the Zhu family, so after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, he killed the heroes one by one; however, it was interesting that there was an old minister who was not only not killed by Zhu Yuanzhang, but even Zhu Yuanzhang's family did not dare to disrespect him, this person was neither a wise man nor a military general, but a royal cook, named Xu Xingzu.
▲ Zhu Yuanzhang, in order to let the descendants of the Zhu clan sit firmly in the jiangshan, killed the founding heroes. (Photo/Reprint from wikipedia entry)
Xu Xingzu has been a chef for Zhu Yuanzhang for more than 20 years, and he knows Zhu Yuanzhang's preferences, what does Zhu Yuanzhang like to eat? Hate what? What is better for the body to eat? Xu Xingzu was well taken care of, such a good person, how could Zhu Yuanzhang not like it? Therefore, no cook could take his place, and Zhu Yuanzhang was not only unwilling to kill him, but also respected him.
▲ Zhu Yuanzhang knows the way of being an emperor and understands that some people must not be offended. (Photo/Reprint from wikipedia entry)
Once, Zhu Yuanzhang's third son, Zhu Yuanzhang (pronounced gāng), was preparing to go to his fiefdom of Shanxi, but Zhu Yuanzhang, worried that he was not satisfied with the water and soil in Shanxi, deliberately asked his son to take Xu Xingzu, a cook who had followed him for more than 20 years, and follow Zhu Tang to Shanxi.
And on the way to Shanxi, one day Zhu Tang did not know why he was losing his temper, Xu Xingzu just made a meal and presented it, and he kindly advised Xiao WangYe to eat it quickly, the meal was not good when it was cold; and Zhu Tang was angry at this time, seeing that no one was pleasing to the eye, he listened to this cook dared to use a warning to talk to him, and in one breath he directly lifted the table, and also asked the guards to drag Xu Xingzu out and smoke a few whips to relieve his breath.
This matter was quickly reported to Zhu Yuanzhang by the people around him, and Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that Zhu Yuanzhang sent a fast horse to deliver a letter, and eight hundred lijia rushed to Zhu Tang's convoy, and scolded Zhu Tang in the letter, saying: "Lao Tzu killed people like hemp, and did not dare to move Xu Xingzu, he followed me for more than 20 years, and he has never been punished, you dare to insult him in public, if there is a similar thing, severely punish him."
▲ Zhu Yuanzhang had good intentions for the descendants of the Zhu clan. (Schematic/reprinted from encyclopedic entry)
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang scolded his son Zhu Tang for also being well-intentioned, he wanted to warn Zhu Tang not to easily offend the people around him, especially the cooks; because they knew that their every move, including eating habits, had a serious threat to their personal safety, if he wanted to poison, then Zhu Tang would definitely be invincible and would definitely die; Zhu Tang was actually angry at the cook for no reason, and it was irrational to beat someone who could endanger his life at any time.
References: History of Ming, Ming He Qiaoyuan' Classics of Famous Mountains