Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 30 The Dandy Grandson

Who is Lao Zhu? He was born in a humble family, but he was able to achieve great success. He had seen many intrigues and schemes, and some people's self-righteous little tricks were just a joke in front of Lao Zhu.

Zhu Yunhuan naturally knew that his little tricks would make him a laughing stock in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, but he was not afraid.

This is because they are confident that Lao Zhu is currently emotionally deprived and that he is tolerant of his family.

So the grandfather and grandson continued to be in a stalemate. Even though someone was trying to persuade them, Zhu Yunhuan refused to take the initiative to find Old Zhu.

Old Zhu also became tough. He was now busy with state affairs and had no time to care about his grandson. Not only did he not have time to care about him, he did not even intend to deliberately leak some information to his grandson as he had done before.

Let’s see who loses patience first and gets anxious first!
Old Zhu and Zhu Yunwen were fighting, and Zhu Yunwen was in trouble. He was trying harder to show his filial piety and diligence. Now he looked like a paper man, very thin. After guarding the spirit every day, he went to the main hall to study.

His sense of crisis became stronger and stronger, because he was no longer the only one in the eyes of his grandfather. Because Zhu Yunhuan had also started reading books, all of this made Zhu Yunwen feel that his position as the crown prince, which was about to be obtained, was shaken.

Zhu Yunhuan was also in the main hall, boasting, "Ouyang Xiu's discussion of the great principles is like Han Yu, his discussion of events is like Lu Zhi, his record of events is like Sima Qian, and his poetry is like Li Bai. He also tried his best to recommend a bunch of talented people, such as Su Shi, Zeng Gong, Bao Zheng and others. But let's not talk about other things, just talk about the orthodoxy and unity of Gongyang School, what do you think?"

The fat Zhu Gaochi, who likes quietness and hates movement, said dissatisfiedly, "Yunxun, I am older than you."

Zhu Yunwen, who was standing next to him, snorted coldly, thinking that Zhu Yunhuan was indeed rude. But it didn't seem strange, not to mention Zhu Gaochi, his older cousin, the playboy now even called him by his first name.

"It's just a small matter, a small matter." Zhu Yunhuan stood up and said, "I'm just confused. Hu Wusheng and Dong Zhongshu were also very popular during the reigns of Emperor Jingdi and Emperor Wudi of Han. But after the Han Dynasty, why didn't the Gongyang School develop much?"

Zhu Jihui smiled and said, "If you ask me, it's because the school lacks some talented people. As for the Gongyang School, I remember that it focused on explaining the profound meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals, right? This is definitely not possible. Talent is needed in all the Four Books and Five Classics."

Zhu Gaochi also said, "Brother Wang is right. Gongyang School only values ​​the Spring and Autumn Annals. This is not acceptable."

Several of the attendants next to him wanted to join in the conversation. These grandchildren of the emperor all received orthodox Confucian education. Among them, the prince of Yan and the prince of Qin were relatively outstanding, and the second grandson of the emperor was also very outstanding.

The emperor's third grandson was uneducated before. Although the princes of Jin and Zhou had some knowledge, they were often lazy.

Now these imperial grandchildren are discussing scriptures and philosophy. Even though some of their views seem very superficial to the attendants, this is also a good phenomenon. The attendants naturally also want to discuss with the imperial grandchildren.

This is their duty, and it is also a reflection of their education and influence on the royal descendants.

Seeing that the attendants wanted to join in the conversation, Zhu Yunxun said directly, "We brothers are discussing scriptures and doctrines, why are you interfering? If you think it is inappropriate, just keep it in mind and talk about it later when you have time. We discuss scriptures and doctrines, and talk about it, that is our business. It is up to you to teach us and answer our questions."

Zhu Jihui also chimed in, "That's right! If you come over and talk too much, we'll be in the classroom again and ruin the fun for nothing!"

The Crown Prince of Zhou, Zhu Youdun, and the Crown Prince of Jin, Zhu Shangbing, were younger, but also twelve and eleven years old.

Zhu Shangbing said, "I just don't like listening to them nagging. It's fine for them to teach us in school. But in private, they always quote scriptures and classics. They always want to talk when we chat. In my opinion, they are just trying to teach others."

Zhu Yunxun laughed and said, "If you ask me, they just deserve to be punished!"

Zhu Yunwen was not happy about it and said to Zhu Yunhuan, "Yunhuan, we, the royal family, should respect the talented. When our royal grandfather drove out the Tartars, he needed the assistance of all the royal assistants."

Zhu Jihui and others fell silent. These princes and Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunhuan were studying in Beijing. In fact, the brothers had a good relationship. Before Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunhuan had a falling out, they were all brothers and sisters.

The main reason was that there was no competition between them. The princes would inherit the title of king without affecting each other. Zhu Yunwen felt that he had a chance to become the crown prince. Zhu Yunhuan was lazy and dissolute before. There was no conflict of interest between them. The age difference was not big, so they could naturally play together.

But now the situation has changed. Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Yunwen are fighting for the throne, and even Zhu Youdun and others can feel it. And now they are fighting for the position of the crown prince. Zhu Youdun and other princes also understand that they are inferior to others as they are also the grandsons of the emperor.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Yunwen and asked directly, "A virtuous person? If he is truly a virtuous person, then we should respect him. But are there really so many talented people who can assist the king in this world?"

Zhu Yunhuan asked directly, "How many scholars have talent but no moral integrity? We are discussing scriptures and doctrines, not in a school. At this time, they still come over to make irresponsible remarks. Is this how a minister should behave?"

Zhu Yunwen was not convinced and said bluntly, "There is no private matter in the royal family!"

"What a saying that the royal family has no private affairs!" Zhu Yunhuan said sarcastically, "Since the royal family has no private affairs, should all matters, big or small, be told to the world, and should be known to everyone in the world? Well, there is no need to guard the imperial city, and let the scholars come in to watch. When the royal family says a word, the scholars can come and quote classics and talk about it."

Zhu Yunwen blushed. He knew that Zhu Yunxun was making a false argument, but he couldn't refute it at the moment. "You, you..."

Zhu Yunhuan stood up and said unhappily, "What do you mean by 'you'? Go back and have a rest. With your frail appearance, I can knock you over with just one finger! Eat and drink as needed, take care of your body, and don't ruin yourself before you accomplish anything!"

After saying this, Zhu Yunhuan turned away.

Zhu Jihui and the others were silent for a moment, and then they all stood up and said goodbye to Zhu Yunwen. It was not that they followed Zhu Yunwen, but the atmosphere was completely wrong now, and staying here would only make Zhu Yunwen more embarrassed.

During this period, the competition between Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunhuan was seen by these princes and their sons, and basically they did not help either side.

In the past, they thought Yunwen was better, but in the past few days, they suddenly realized that Yunhu, who they thought was a playboy, was not really a playboy. In fact, Yunhu's sharp tongue and knowledge were something that the other brothers could not match.

They had also seen Zhu Yunwen being speechless and frustrated by being criticized, so much so that they felt in a trance that Yunwen seemed to be really taking the lead and initiative in the fight for the throne.

They didn't dare to get involved in this matter, not even their father. They just hung up the white flag and avoided it if possible.

Seeing that Zhu Yunwen tried hard to remain friendly and peaceful even when he was angry, and thinking about how Zhu Yunhuan often took advantage and ran away, always looking like a smug villain, Zhu Jihui and others also felt it was very strange.

The best approach is to not express your opinion, not say too much, and not be biased. Anyway, the succession issue has nothing to do with them, so there is no need to involve themselves and the palace in those disputes.

Children in their teens are also cunning, especially those who are born into a troubled family like the royal family!

Zhu Yunxun returned to Rouyi Palace, waving his sleeves, "Big sister, second sister, I'm back!"

Immediately a maid said, "Your Highness, the two princes have not returned from Concubine Ning's place yet."

Zhu Yunhuan said "Oh" and went straight to the study. "Hey, I don't want to drink Longjing today. Find me another kind of tea to change the taste."

Zhu Yunhuan returned to the study, sat on a stool, picked up the "Book of Jin", and put his feet on the table.

The least graceful among the emperor's grandsons was Zhu Yunhuan. He sometimes shook his head when he walked, hunched his back when he stood, and put his feet on the table from time to time when he sat.

It seems that he has a very dandy air, and there is no noble air of a nobleman at all.

Shaking his feet, Zhu Yunxun was in a good mood, humming a tune that no one else could understand, and reading a book quietly.

(End of this chapter)