My father is Yongle, and all I want is to cultivate immortality.

Chapter 37 Zhu Gaoxu feigns illness; let's leave the regency to the eldest son!

Zhu Gaochi swaggered away, while Zhu Di, in the Fengtian Hall, fearing that his second son would not come to oversee the country, immediately issued an imperial edict.

The imperial edict was simple: it appointed the Prince of Han as regent to oversee the country and prepare the silver needed for the war, as well as cannons and the like.

This imperial edict was received not only by the Prince of Han's residence but also by the Crown Prince's palace.

Upon learning this, Zhu Gaochi immediately lay down.

He was holding a white dog and couldn't resist teasing it.

"This puppy is so obedient."

Zhu Gaochi laughed and said, "Since that's the case, how about I appoint you as Grand Secretary of the White-Haired Pavilion?"

"Woof woof!" The little white dog started barking loudly.

"Tsk tsk, this little dog is really well-behaved."

I love you to death.

Zhu Gaochi smiled; he quite liked the little white dog.

"Father, how can you be happy at a time like this?"

Zhu Zhanji rushed over, still sulking.

"What's wrong? Who made your good grandson angry?" Zhu Gaochi asked.

Zhu Zhanji said, "Father, are you really unaware, or are you pretending not to know?"

"My grandfather issued an edict appointing my second uncle as regent, instructing him to rectify the court and prepare for the upcoming second northern expedition."

"The more I think about it, the more something seems off. What is Grandfather trying to do? Does he want to depose you as Crown Prince and make my second uncle the Crown Prince instead?"

Zhu Zhanji felt drenched in sweat.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?" Zhu Gaochi was taken aback at first, but at this moment, he did not panic at all.

"Let me tell you, if you keep making wild guesses about the Emperor's intentions, I'm going to unleash the dogs on you."

"Father, what time is it? How can you be so calm?" Zhu Zhanji said angrily, "Second Uncle has the art of alchemy, and Grandfather Emperor wouldn't let him go to Yunnan to take up his fiefdom, but now he's making him oversee the country. Can't you see what Grandfather Emperor means?"

Zhu Zhanji became increasingly anxious as he spoke.

Zhu Gaochi sighed, put the dog down, and pulled his son aside.

"If I say you're a child, then you're a child!"

Zhu Gaochi said, "In the north, the Tatars have been making trouble all along. Your grandfather has been planning a second northern expedition recently."

"Does war cost money?"

"Your father can't raise that much money in a short time, and what about your second uncle?"

"He's given countless people gold coins in court; do you think your grandfather didn't know?"

"His only purpose in doing this is to get your second uncle in charge so he can get the money going first. Can't you see that?"

Zhu Gaochi said with exasperation, "Do I really have to spell it out for you?"

Zhu Zhanji suddenly realized, and said, "So that's how it is!"

"nonsense!"

Zhu Gaochi kicked him: "Go play somewhere else, don't cause me any trouble here."

Zhu Zhanji said, "But Father, aren't you afraid that Grandfather will really depose you from your position as Crown Prince?"

"So what can we do?" Zhu Gaochi said, "What we need to do now is let nature take its course. Thinking too much is useless, you know?"

Zhu Zhanji nodded: "Father, I understand."

"Good that you understand. Don't keep running off to your grandfather's place. Don't you think things will get out of hand?" Zhu Gaochi glared at him. "I'm telling you, you're not allowed to go anywhere these next few days. You're staying home, understand?"

"I...I..." Zhu Zhanji opened his mouth slightly.

Zhang Yan walked behind Zhu Zhanji and patted him on the head.

"What do you mean 'you'? You should listen to your father!"

"Yes, yes!" Zhu Zhanji nodded quickly.

…………

Northern Garrison Command.

Zhu Gaosui, a laborer, also received news that the King of Han was overseeing the country.

He was drinking tea, but upon hearing this, he immediately spat out a mouthful of tea.

"Say it again?" Zhu Gaosui said.

"Your Highness Prince Zhao, His Majesty has already issued an edict appointing Your Highness Prince Han as regent," a member of the Imperial Guard reported.

Zhu Gaosui stood up, completely dumbfounded.

"No way... this really is Father's will?"

The Imperial Guard nodded: "This is absolutely true, and this news came from the Emperor himself."

"This is terrible, this is terrible!" Zhu Gaosui said, "I was wondering why Father didn't let the second son go to Yunnan. Besides the fact that he knows alchemy, it's also because Father Emperor wants to give him an important task."

"I just didn't expect that this important task would fall on the second son's shoulders."

"Does Father mean that he wants him to take over the position of Crown Prince?"

Zhu Gaosui dared not think any further.

If that's the case, it's terrifying.

…………

Inside the Prince of Han's Palace.

As soon as Zhu Gaoxu returned, the Princess of Han pressed him about the matter of regency.

"Did the news spread so quickly?" Zhu Gaoxu frowned.

"Yes, I've heard about this. It seems that Father really values ​​you, letting you directly oversee the country?" The Princess of Han said with a delighted expression.

"Silly girl, you're too naive," Zhu Gaoxu complained. "That old man is the kind of person who uses people when he needs them and discards them when he doesn't. The reason he made me regent is, frankly speaking, because there's going to be a war on the front lines and he needs to go on an expedition. But the eldest son is stingy and doesn't have any money, while I'm different."

Princess Consort of Han immediately understood: "So, this is His Majesty's will, he wants you to bleed profusely?"

"good!"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said, "His Majesty's thoughts are very difficult to fathom."

"But my lord, you guessed it." The Princess of Han kissed him. "My lord is truly wonderful!"

The secret agents in the shadows were caught off guard by this display of affection.

This was unbearable for them, and what followed was even worse…

Princess Consort of Han asked, "Then, Your Highness, what should we do next?"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have a way."

After saying that, he embraced the Princess of Han: "Next, we need to do what needs to be done."

The Princess Consort of Han blushed.

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the Embroidered Uniform Guards hiding in the shadows. Although they were concealed, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes seemed to be able to see them all the time.

The Imperial Guards were terrified by his gaze and immediately retreated in silence.

…………

Early the next morning.

After Zhu Di appointed the Prince of Han as regent, he moved directly into Jiming Temple.

Yao Guangxiao said, "Don't you plan to see what happens if this kid doesn't become regent?"

"That's impossible. He used to be eager to oversee the country and become the crown prince," Zhu Di said.

"But now, are you still so sure?" Yao Guangxiao laughed. "Even I can't see through His Highness the Prince of Han now. Moreover, he possesses alchemy skills, yet he insists on going to Yunnan to take up his fiefdom. I guess he's no longer interested in the position of Crown Prince Regent."

Zhu Di's eyes flashed.

Ji Gang rushed over in a hurry.

"What is it?" Zhu Di asked.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince of Han did not go to Fengtian Hall," Ji Gang said cautiously. "Moreover, our Embroidered Uniform Guards also went to the Prince of Han's residence to look for him, and the person who came out was the Princess Consort of Han."

Zhu Di's lips twitched.

"What did she say?"

The Imperial Guard forced a smile and said, "The Princess Consort of Han came to deliver a message. She said, she said..."

"What did she say? Screw you! Just say it already, stop stammering!" Zhu Di snapped.

"The Princess Consort of Han said that His Highness the Prince of Han has fallen ill, and further said that the important task of overseeing the country should be handed over to the Crown Prince."

"Damn it!" Zhu Di roared, throwing the tea set in front of him onto the ground.

"This kid is faking illness! He's definitely faking it!!"

He was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

Yao Guangxiao exclaimed, "My tea set!"

Snapped!

Zhu Di slapped the chair in front of him again, breaking it.

Yao Guangxiao said with heartache, "Your Majesty, please have mercy. You've broken my chair."