Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 41 Confrontation and Testing
Back then, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the prime minister system after the Hu Weiyong case. The six ministers were responsible for their respective affairs and were in charge of the government affairs of their respective departments. They had one left and one right assistant minister under them, who served as deputies to the minister.

In the 18th year of Hongwu, Guo Huan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and others colluded with officials from various provinces to cheat and steal and sell official grain, which led to a major case. There were also cases of empty seals, etc., so that the positions of the six ministers were often vacant.

The position of Minister of Rites is vacant now. Li Yuanming retired two years ago due to old age, and the position has been vacant ever since.

Zhu Yunhuan got up early, washed up, and left the palace with his ceremonial guards to pick up the three princes and bring them back to Beijing.

Ten miles out of the city, Zhu Yunhuan stood quietly waiting. Not long after, he heard someone report that the three vassal kings were coming.

Zhu Chong and others also returned to Beijing with only a small number of guards, and they were also exhausted along the way.

Zhu Chong was riding a tall horse. This leader of the kings and the head of the clan had a stern and heroic look, and he had a strong aura at first glance.

The Prince of Jin was sitting astride his horse. He was tall and strong, with a dignified appearance, bright and lively eyes, and a beautiful beard, which made him look a bit like a man with a beautiful beard.

Zhu Di, who was only 33 years old, looked heroic and more like a brave general than a prince.

The three men rode their horses straight up to Zhu Yunhuan and just looked down at him.

Zhu Chong suddenly asked, "Who are you?"

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and replied, "My nephew Zhu Yunhuan has been ordered to welcome the emperor's uncles back to the capital."

Zhu Chong then dismounted, looked at her and said, "Are you Yun Hun? I guess it should be you, you look a bit like my sister-in-law."

Zhu Gang continued, "Second brother, Yunxun has grown up. I remember seeing him a few times before, running around behind our nephew."

"Second uncle, third uncle, you are not afraid of hurting my nephew's feelings by saying this." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "After all, he is your nephew, how can I not recognize him? Jihui is my elder brother, I can't beat him. Shang Bing can't beat me, I will go and beat him when I get back!"

Zhu Chong glared and said, "How dare you?!"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Chong and said with a smile, "Shang Bing must have said that I beat him a lot. And Gao Chi, the two of them took care of my schoolwork."

Zhu Di, who had been silent, said, "Don't bully your brothers. Aren't you afraid that Gao Chi will call Gao Xu and Gao Sui to beat you up? Gao Chi doesn't like fighting, but his two brothers are brave and aggressive."

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Di and said, "Fourth Uncle, Gao Chi has brothers, and I also have brothers!"

Zhu Chong laughed loudly and patted Zhu Yunxun on the shoulder, "This is our nephew! A real man is not afraid of naughty people, but afraid of cowardice!"

"Then Second Uncle and Third Uncle, be careful when you return to Beijing. You have committed many crimes over the years, and Grandfather is very angry!" Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "My father is gone, and I can't protect you either."

Zhu Chong narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Zhu Yunxun, "Oh? Why don't we protect your nephew?"

Zhu Yunhuan still looked calm, "If my second uncle is willing to protect my nephew, that would be the best. Control the fortress, assist with the veteran generals, have the power to issue orders, pacify the army, and clear the desert. The princes of my Ming Dynasty not only have to go out to patrol the borders, but also have to protect the court."

Zhu Gang chuckled, "My nephew, you are really brave! I'm afraid the reputation of being a playboy is just a lie!"

Zhu Yunhuan also said with a playful smile, "Third Uncle, has my reputation spread to Taiyuan?"

"It was your good brother who passed it on. Jihui is only one year younger than your elder brother. He is the second grandson of your royal grandfather." Zhu Gang said with a smile, "He often said that you are a playboy and he is afraid that you will not be successful!"

Zhu Yunhuan raised his fist and said, "I used to respect him as my elder brother, but it seems that this won't work. Uncle San will watch and not let me interfere. I can beat Ji Hui to pieces with just one hand. Let's count Shang Bing too. I can beat two of them at once."

Zhu Yunhuan's arrogance made Zhu Chong and others look at him sideways. This nephew who was known for being a playboy should not be underestimated.

The three princes and Zhu Yunhuan seemed to get along very well and seemed to be very close, but the relationship between the four was not necessarily as calm and harmonious as it seemed on the surface.

It’s just that when these four people are together, it seems that they are not convinced of each other.

The one with the weakest presence is Zhu Di. He is not as good as Zhu Chong, the Prince of Qin, and Zhu Gang, the Prince of Jin. It is better for him not to show up casually.

Zhu Yunhuan felt that it was almost time, and said, "The Emperor is still waiting, let's go back first and talk." Zhu Chong smiled and responded, "Okay, let's go back first. We have plenty of time to talk. Now that we are back in Beijing, I really don't want to leave!"

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di immediately looked at their second brother and felt that he had become bolder and more thoughtful.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "That's great. The three uncles have been traveling all the way and are tired. You should take a good rest. The fifth uncle is also back, and you can have a good chat. It's hard to meet each other normally, so take this opportunity to talk."

Zhu Chong put his hand on Zhu Yunxun's shoulder and said again, "Nephew, Second Uncle doesn't want to go back. What do you think?"

"It's not my decision, second uncle." Zhu Yunhuan replied with a smile, looking at Zhu Chong and said, "But it's probably difficult. After my father's funeral, my uncles will all go back. This matter has been decided long ago."

Zhu Chong frowned slightly, "Is it settled?"

Zhu Yunhuan nodded and said, "It's settled. Originally, the Royal Grandfather didn't plan to let you come back. I think my father protected you when he was here, and you should come back to see him off."

Zhu Chong narrowed his eyes and said, "Nephew, is it your idea that we can come back this time?"

Zhu Yunhuan looked terrified. "How could it be my idea? It must be my grandfather's. I am just a junior, so my words don't count."

Zhu Yunhuan then asked, "Grandfather Huang was a little surprised that the three uncles returned to Beijing together. I don't need to worry about it, so there is no need to pick them up one by one."

Zhu Di was startled, and then quickly said, "Nephew, we didn't discuss it privately. I just heard it when we were resting at the post station. I will chase faster, and your second uncle and the others will wait for us."

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "That year, my grandfather selected a monk to serve the princes and chant sutras for my grandmother. I heard that there is an abbot of Qingshou Temple who often goes in and out of Prince Yan's mansion. Fourth uncle, I think that monk has some spiritual practice. Let him come to pray for my father. What do you think?"

Zhu Di's face changed drastically. He and Monk Daoyan had had a very pleasant conversation before. But did his nephew know about this matter?

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Di, then looked at Zhu Yunhuan with serious expressions.

It doesn't seem surprising that my nephew knows this. There must be Jinyiwei and civil and military officials loyal to the court in the palace.

What exactly does my nephew mean by mentioning this?
Or is this what the emperor meant?
Zhu Di naturally would not give up on Monk Daoyan, so he vaguely mounted his horse and prepared to leave.

Zhu Yunhuan did not force it, as there was no need now. Moreover, once he had power and his position was secure, Monk Daoyan would not be able to stay in Beiping.

This is not a complicated matter at all. It is a case of strength overcoming skill. As long as you become the crown prince, many things will not be a problem at all.

The four men mounted their horses, and Zhu Chong naturally urged his horse forward. He was the eldest of the princes, so it was normal for him to walk in front.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't think there was anything wrong at first, but when Zhu Chong looked at him, he couldn't take it anymore.

Zhu Yunhuan urged his horse forward slightly, and was half a body length ahead of Zhu Chong. "My second uncle hasn't been back for a long time. I will lead the way for you."

Zhu Chong said unhappily, "I grew up in Yingtian Prefecture. Even though I have been away from home for many years, how could I not know Yingtian Prefecture? This is my home!"

"That's hard to say. Yingtian Prefecture has changed a lot in recent years." Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhu Chong and said, "Second Uncle, I came to pick you up with the order of my grandfather. It's better for me to go ahead."

Zhu Chong snorted coldly. This nephew was not easy to deal with. His aura and momentum were strong, and even deliberate pressure could break him down.

On the surface, they seem affectionate, but they never give in and even take the lead in many things.

This is exactly like the eldest brother. Usually affectionate and generous, but when it comes to some things, brothers don't talk too much.

Zhu Yunhuan rode a tall horse in front. There were some things he could give voluntarily, but there were some things that others could not fight for or snatch.

It was just a small confrontation, and there was no quarrel at all. Fighting without breaking up, just testing each other, that's enough.

It is normal for princes to have ideas about the throne, but whether they can fight for it is another matter!
(End of this chapter)