Emperor Ming's grandson

Chapter 7 Questions from the Prince

The warm summer wind blew past the bright yellow glazed tiles on the roof of the double-eaves verandah of Fengtian Hall, but all the royal cats in the palace quietly passed by, not daring to disturb the owner of this hall.

In Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and solemn.

Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty who expelled the Tartars and restored China, sat on a high dragon chair, like a sleeping lion. Although he was quiet, no one dared to ignore his presence.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was immersed in the hill-like pile of memorials. He frowned unconsciously while reviewing the memorials.

A slight sound of footsteps broke the tranquility in the hall, and the commander of the Jin Yiwei made Mao Xiang appear like a ghost wearing a flying fish suit and an embroidered spring knife on his waist.

Hearing the sound, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head. His face was resolute, the wrinkles between his eyebrows and eyes were full of wind and dignity, and his eyes were as deep as abyss, as if he could see through all conspiracies.

When Mao Xiang stepped into this solemn hall, he felt not only a splendid royal style, but also the invisible coercion emanating from Zhu Yuanzhang, which was forged after countless life and death tests. His imperial aura is enough to make anyone feel insignificant in front of him.

Mao Xiang knelt on the ground and did not dare to raise his head.

He lowered his head and said respectfully: "Mao Xiang, commander of the Jinyi Guards, is here to see your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and signaled Mao Xiang to stand up.

"Mao Xiang, how is the matter we asked you to handle?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there has been no news yet."

Mao Xiang's voice trembled slightly, not only because of fear, but also because the pressure from the dragon throne was too strong, as if every word he said was being judged by fate.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Mao Xiang's narration, and there was no wave in his deep eyes. His fingers tapped on the armrest of the dragon chair, but every tap made Mao Xiang's heart tighten.

This is the habit of the Hongwu Emperor, and it is also his way of controlling the overall situation. Even in the most critical moments, he can maintain absolute control.

In the Hu Weiyong case not long ago, Zhu Yuanzhang just knocked on the dragon throne and issued an edict, and then easily eradicated Hu Weiyong and his wings on the charges of "falsely accusing the virtuous" and "harming the temple", and the whole court Countless people, civil and military, have been implicated because of this. Because of this, the name of Mao Xiang, the commander of the Jinyiwei who was ordered to investigate, can now stop the children from crying at night.

"Tell me, there's been no movement until now. What's going on?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was low and powerful, and every word struck Mao Xiang's heart like a heavy hammer.

Mao Xiang was really afraid that the emperor's next words would be, "Did the wrong person be sent? Should I replace him?" After all, who could withstand a physical "replacement"?
So Mao Xiang quickly said: "Perhaps His Highness King Yu is busy with the war and is not free yet?"

"Humph."

Zhu Yuanzhang made an unclear breath, put down his brush and said, "I see you are quite clever. I wonder why the eldest grandson lacks a good person to investigate intelligence. In this way, if the eldest grandson is given more responsibilities, he will be free."

Mao Xiang's face almost turned pale with fright, and he kowtowed repeatedly with a grimace.

Zhu Yuanzhang found an excuse to beat Mao Xiang by the way, that is, to scare him, but he didn't really want to send him away. The reason why he wanted to beat him was just because Mao Xiang became a little too domineering after finishing Hu Weiyong's case.

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back on the dragon chair and put his hands in his sleeves: "The tomb of King Yu in the Xiaoling Mausoleum is the top priority in our hearts. I want you to personally lead the Jinyi Guards to strictly monitor that tomb for any movement. Report it to us immediately."

"Also, send someone to keep an eye on Qiu Xuanqing, if he talks nonsense."

Mao Xiang's expression turned serious, and he nodded solemnly and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Mao Xiang will definitely live up to the emperor's orders."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and signaled Mao Xiang to step back: "Go, we will wait for your news."

Mao Xiang bowed and saluted, turned around and exited the Fengtian Hall. His figure gradually disappeared in the light and dust, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhang sitting alone on the dragon chair and continuing to review mountains of memorials. This was the daily life of the workaholic Zhu Yuanzhang.

But soon, Zhu Yuanzhang's work was interrupted again.

The one who came this time was his eldest son, Prince Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, wears a Yishan crown on his head, a red robe with a coiled collar and narrow sleeves, and a jade belt around his waist. There is a gold woven coiled dragon on the front, back and shoulders of the robe.

He walked into Fengtian Temple with steady steps, his face showing determination, as if he was coming for some important mission.

He came to Zhu Yuanzhang, bowed deeply, and said with a bit of trembling in his voice: "Father, I have just heard the rumors about Ying'er's resurrection from the dead, but please be aware, father, that such things are fictitious and cannot be believed to be true."

Of course Zhu Biao was saddened by his son's death, but due to his different educational environment and growth experience since childhood, Zhu Biao was more rational and emotionally stable than his father Zhu Yuanzhang. His focus was always on the Ming Dynasty.

Coupled with the existence of the well-behaved and sensible Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Biao does not lack emotional sustenance, and he can look at things more calmly.

For Zhu Biao, he had seen many similar things in history books, that is, once the emperor began to be superstitious about ghosts and gods, even a talented and strategic emperor like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty would lose his mind, and the emperor was superstitious about ghosts and gods. The most direct consequence of this is that it will cause officials at all levels to act in an ineffective manner, which will lead to the prevalence of witchcraft and the gathering of alchemists across the country, thus shaking the foundation of the society.

In fact, after the Hu Weiyong case, Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more suspicious of his courtiers. At this time, there were not many people who dared to directly advise Zhu Yuanzhang. And if the emperor had no one to advise him, it would be difficult for the emperor to "know the ups and downs and understand the gains and losses."

Therefore, as soon as he heard about this incident, Zhu Biao hurried over to advise Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting on the high dragon chair, with a stern face. He glanced at Zhu Biao, and his voice revealed deep dissatisfaction: "Why did Biaoer say this? We have heard and seen with our own ears, how can we Is it fake?"

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to look directly into Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes: "Father, I know that I miss you so much, but this matter is not trivial. Resurrection from the dead is something that goes against the will of heaven. There has been no conclusive evidence since ancient times. . I am worried that someone will take this opportunity to deceive people and disrupt the Ming Dynasty."

On the carved wooden beams of the main hall, the coiled dragon-shaped carvings seemed to be silently watching the dispute between father and son below.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face became even more gloomy.

"presumptuous!"

Zhu Biao did not flinch. He said firmly: "Father, I am not being disrespectful. It is just that this matter is of great importance and we cannot easily believe in the Taoist priest's words. I sincerely ask my father to be aware of the situation and not to be blinded by temporary illusions."

Seeing Zhu Biao's firm attitude, Zhu Yuanzhang knew in his heart that if he had not seen and heard with his own eyes and ears, he would probably not believe such ridiculous things. Zhu Biao's attitude was very normal, and as a prince, he had the Ming Dynasty in mind. It is understandable, so Zhu Yuanzhang's words were a little softer.

Zhu Yuanzhang said earnestly: "Do we still believe those ridiculous lies? Let me tell you, what I saw and heard is absolutely not false! Ying'er did indeed talk to us, and we even burned the treasure money!" "

But in the face of Zhu Yuanzhang's change of attitude, Zhu Biao said nothing, just sighed softly.

But this move made Zhu Yuanzhang angry.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, his laughter full of ridicule and anger: "Okay, our good prince! If you don't believe me, you think I'm old and confused!"

Zhu Biao's heart tightened. He knew that he had touched his father's objections, but he still raised his head without fear and looked directly into Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes: "Father, I am not questioning your wisdom, I am just worried about the great Ming Dynasty." The safety of the country and the country is in danger."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face completely darkened. He stared at Zhu Biao coldly for a long time, then turned around and left with a flick of his sleeves.

"We'll prove it to you."

Zhu Biao looked at his father's leaving figure, his heart full of bitterness and helplessness. He knew very well that this dispute had caused a crack in the relationship between father and son, but he also understood that as the prince, he could not give up admonishing his father. After all, apart from him and his mother, few people now dare to dissuade the emperor. The father has a paranoid personality. Once no one can dissuade him, the entire Ming Dynasty will be on the track of getting out of control.

Silence returned to Fengtian Hall again, leaving only Zhu Biao standing there alone.

But Zhu Yuanzhang's uncharacteristic stubbornness also made Zhu Biao feel a trace of self-doubt.

——Could it be that I really blamed my father wrongly?

Zhu Biao immediately shook his head.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!
(End of this chapter)