gnovel Chapter 58 The Crown Prince's Hostility
Chapter 58 The Crown Prince's Hostility
Zhu Gaoxi's words implied that the Rebellion of the Seven States was the fault of Emperor Jing.
Zhu Yuanzhang also believed that the Rebellion of the Seven States was wrong because of the hasty reduction of the power of the feudal lords.
In his view, as long as the checks and balances among the vassal kings were properly maintained, no single vassal king would be able to resist the imperial court, and the emperor, who possessed supreme power, would always hold the initiative.
If those in positions of power and authority first adopt a friendly and tolerant attitude, the relationship between the two parties will be easier to manage; otherwise, things will become very strained.
Zhu Yuanzhang's original purpose in implementing the enfeoffment system was to allow princes to replace military generals in guarding the borders and protecting the court.
Border regions definitely need to be garrisoned with troops, and those in command are either feudal lords or military generals.
The capital city is far from the border areas, so full authorization and discretionary actions are necessary to flexibly respond to enemy attacks.
If the feudal kings are not trustworthy, then the military generals who hold great military power are trustworthy?
Who can guarantee that a Sima Yi won't emerge from among the military generals?
Seeing the old emperor's ever-changing expressions, Zhu Gaoxi guessed that the old emperor was no longer interested in checking his study of Confucian classics, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, gradually settled down.
Unexpectedly, seeing his relaxed expression, the old emperor suddenly became interested and asked with a sidelong glance, "Didn't Xie Jin teach you the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Zhu Gaoxi's heart leaped into his throat again. "I've taught him."
"Recite a passage from the Book of Songs, let me hear it," the old emperor said, squinting his eyes as if he were listening attentively.
As long as no specific content is specified, Zhu Gaoxi can get away with it by relying on his previous knowledge.
He recited aloud: "The peach tree is young and tender, its blossoms are bright and beautiful. This maiden is going to her husband's home, may she bring harmony to her family."
The peach tree is young and tender, its fruit abundant. This maiden is going to her husband's home; may she bring harmony to her family.
The peach tree is young and tender, its leaves are lush and green. This maiden is going to her husband's home; may she bring harmony to her family.
"Not a single word is wrong," the old emperor nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips.
After the assessment ended, the Crown Prince spent the next few days reflecting on his mistakes in seclusion. The old emperor adopted a laissez-faire approach, and Zhu Gaoxi lived a very comfortable and carefree life, indulging in merriment with Zhu Ying and Zhu Yunwen.
This wonderful day was inseparable from the old emperor's indulgence. Zhu Gaoxi, grateful for the favor, specially asked Yunfei to make some soft and delicious pastries. He personally carried a bamboo basket and went to the Qianqing Palace to present the gifts to the old emperor, expressing his filial piety.
Suddenly hearing footsteps behind him, Zhu Gaoxi slowed his pace.
Zhu Yunwen quickly passed by him.
"A petty person has gotten their way!"
I'll get you sooner or later!
"Let's see how long you can be so smug!!"
Zhu Gaoxi heard Zhu Yunwen's innermost thoughts once again.
The sheer amount of hatred contained in that clenched-teeth voice startled Zhu Gaoxi; Zhu Yunwen actually hated him so much.
As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, Zhu Gaoxi's mood immediately darkened. He arrived at the Qianqing Palace dejectedly and saw Huang Liang waving at him repeatedly at the door, indicating that there were people inside.
Zhu Gaoxi guessed that it might be Zhu Yunwen coming to hand over the inspection, so he went to the side hall to wait.
Sitting at my desk, I randomly opened a book and found myself lost in thought.
Zhu Yun was full of hostility; those who obeyed him prospered, and those who opposed him perished.
What should Zhu Gaoxi do if he launches an even more frenzied attack in the future?
Will Zhu Yunwen repeat the fate of history?
Zhu Gaoxi stared blankly out the window. The camphor tree in the courtyard swayed in the wind, as if the tree wanted to be still but the wind wouldn't stop.
The door creaked open, and it was Lin De. He told Zhu Gaoxi that he could go through.
Just as I stepped out the door, I saw Song Zhong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, hurrying out of the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Gaoxi was deeply impressed by Song Zhong in history.
Song Zhong was highly trusted by Zhu Yunwen. In the first year of the Jianwen reign, he was ordered to lead 30,000 troops to garrison the important border town of Kaiping.
All the elite guards of the Prince of Yan's mansion were selected by him.
At that time, Governor Xu Kai was stationed in Linqing, while Princess Jiangdu's husband Geng Huan was stationed at Shanhaiguan. The three of them formed a strategic alliance.
Furthermore, Song Zhong transferred the Yongqing Left Guard from Beiping to Zhangde and the Yongqing Right Guard to Shunde, in order to guard against any potential actions by Zhu Di.
In July of that year, in order to support Zhang Bing and Xie Gui in capturing Zhu Di, Song Zhong led his troops straight to Beiping.
However, Zhu Di acted even faster. Before Song Zhong could even reach Beiping, Zhu Di had already raised an army, seized all nine gates of Beiping overnight, and controlled the entire city. He then captured Juyong Pass.
Song Zhong had no choice but to retreat to Huailai to garrison the area.
Zhu Di was certain that Song Zhong would send troops to attack and seize Juyong Pass, so he led 8,000 elite troops, marching day and night, with armor on and double the speed, straight to Huailai.
The guards, who had been transferred to the Prince of Yan's residence under Song Zhong's command, still had their families in Beiping City, and they were worried about their safety.
To incite their determination to resist Yan to the death, Song Zhong had them lie and say that all their relatives had been killed by Zhu Di.
Upon learning of this, Zhu Di immediately ordered these relatives to be appointed as vanguards and to fly the same flags as before.
These people charged forward, shouting the names of their fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews.
Upon hearing that their families were unharmed, the generals led by Song Zhong suddenly realized they had been deceived, and their fighting spirit vanished instantly; they all defected on the battlefield.
Song Zhong hastily deployed his troops to meet the attack.
Zhu Di ordered the crossing of the river and advanced with great fanfare. The Yan army was like a tiger descending the mountain, unstoppable. Song Zhong died in the melee.
Zhu Gaoxi immediately had a bad feeling.
Why did Song Zhong suddenly appear in the Qianqing Palace? What task did the old emperor assign him?
Zhu Gaoxi entered the room with a heavy heart and listlessly placed the bamboo basket on the table.
"What delicious food did you bring?"
The old emperor lifted the floral cloth from the basket, picked up a piece of mung bean cake, and put it in his mouth.
Seeing his eldest grandson's dejected appearance, the old emperor assumed it was because he was bored from being kept out of the palace. He then mysteriously asked, "We have good news. Want to hear it?"
"What good news?" Zhu Gaoxi showed absolutely no interest.
"Fine, don't listen if you don't want to. Anyway, we don't want to leave the palace to play."
The old emperor put on airs, kept his mouth shut, seemingly waiting for someone to beg him, hoping to take the opportunity to gain some benefits.
Zhu Gaoxi was quick to respond and immediately showed great curiosity. "Grandpa, I really want to hear it. I've already asked Yunfei to stew Grandpa's favorite beef."
That's more like it. Going out of your way to please someone isn't our style.
The old emperor was pleased with his grandson's flattery and obsequiousness. He slowly said, "Let Youdun come back as soon as possible. As long as Youdun is here, you can leave the palace at any time."
This is absolutely amazing!
Zhu Gaoxi jumped up excitedly.
"Really?! Grandpa, how could you be so kind?!"
Zhu Gaoxi put his arms around the old emperor's neck and kissed him twice.
The old emperor wiped the drool off his face with a sour expression and muttered to himself, "You've never been this happy to see me."
Once the stew is returned to the capital, Zhu Gaoxi can go wherever he wants: the school, Princess Zhu Jingyi's residence, Xu Miaojin's house...
Thinking of Xu Miaojin, Zhu Gaoxi felt something was off.
The old emperor is in such a hurry to bring You Dun back, could it be that he's going to bestow a marriage upon her?
Zhu Gaoxi looked at the old emperor with suspicion. "Grandpa, are you going to issue an edict to grant us this marriage?"
"Didn't you also agree to the marriage between You Dun and Miao Jin?" the old emperor asked in surprise.
Times change. When Miao Jin was bullied by Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaoxi naturally thought that You Dun was a better choice.
Now that the crisis has passed, Zhu Gaoxi still hopes that Miaojin's marriage can be postponed for a few more years, in case Miaojin falls for him in the future.
With his unparalleled handsome face, it's not impossible.