Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 46 Let’s Decide
Old Zhu is old, and the continuous blows have made him very haggard and tired, and many of his plans cannot be carried out.

The death of the crown prince was the most important factor that changed Zhu's plan. Zhu Yunhuan suddenly stopped hiding his incompetence, and his performance during this period surprised Zhu.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang needed to make changes. He had already decided on the candidate for the crown prince position.

But everything is like this, plans cannot keep up with changes.

Looking at Old Zhu, Zhu Yunhuan said, "It's settled. What about Yunwen?"

Old Zhu glanced at Zhu Yunwen with mixed feelings, "There are many people who resent me. How many of your uncles don't resent me? Let them resent me. I am their father and the emperor of Ming Dynasty. Yunwen can resent me if he wants to. I can't care about that."

But Lao Zhu immediately said, "If he blames anyone, he must blame you."

"That's true. He lost the throne that he had been given." Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but laugh and said, "I guess he blames both of them. Let him blame me. I don't expect him to get along well with me. Our relationship has been hurt a long time ago. As long as he lives a down-to-earth life in the future, that's all."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunwen and said, "I couldn't sleep well the past few days. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw your father. I dreamed that you were riding a horse and holding a sword. Not only did you kill Yunwen, but you also killed your brothers."

Zhu Yunhuan was speechless and said directly, "We don't have Xuanwu Gate in our house!"

Old Zhu continued, "I still dreamed that Yunwen was sleeping soundly. You closed the door of the bedroom."

Zhu Yunhuan said even more speechlessly, "Candlelight and Axe Shadow are even more impossible. If he really becomes the emperor, he can't let me stay in the capital, let alone let me stay in the palace."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "We are afraid! We are afraid that if you quarrel with him, our Zhu family will start killing our own family members. From now on, the position of crown prince will depend on whether you have soldiers and whether you dare to rebel!"

This was indeed what Zhu Yuanzhang was worried about. He had determined the position of crown prince very early and clarified the system of primogeniture in order to avoid too many changes in the succession of the throne of the Ming Dynasty.

"Yunhuan, you are not allowed to stain your family's blood on your hands!" Old Zhu became serious and said to Zhu Yunhuan, "Right here in Fengxian Hall, in front of our ancestors, you must swear to us!"

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Old Zhu and said, "Then let's make it clear in advance that our family members can't do anything reckless."

"If they are plotting a rebellion, it is their own fault. If they really see me in the underworld, I will deal with them!" Old Zhu said more seriously, "But you must not kill your own family."

Zhu Yunhuan nodded, knelt down and solemnly swore, "Ancestors, I, Zhu Yunhuan, report today that I will treat the royal family well. If I break this oath, I will be condemned by both heaven and earth."

Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Yun Wen, what are you going to do with him in the future?"

"How can we say we're going to punish him?" Zhu Yunhuan said unhappily, "We can find him a place of culture and elegance to be a vassal. It would be great if he could just live in the mountains and rivers. He doesn't know anything about military affairs, so can we let him go to the frontier and be a king?"

Old Zhu thought about it and it made sense, "That's true, he can't be the King of Sai."

Zhu Yunhuan suddenly said, "Grandfather, God has a merciful heart. Can you bury my father without burying him alive with me?"

"No, absolutely not!" Lao Zhu directly retorted, "I have already given you a break, how can I let you do whatever you want?"

There is also an example of Zhu Yuanzhang reversing history, that is, the system of burying people alive with the dead was revived under him.

In fact, during the Yuan Dynasty and even during the Liao Dynasty, there was a system of burying people alive with their dead. This custom was not only shared by the Khitans, Jurchens, and Mongols, but also by many landlords and powerful people in the society.

Zhu Yuanzhang stipulated that concubines who did not have children in the harem should be buried alive with the emperor. In history, even when Qin Wang Zhu Chong died, Wang Shi, the concubine of Qin Wang, was also buried alive with the emperor. Even if they had children, they might be designated to be buried alive with the emperor.

Old Zhu said earnestly, "If they have a child, they still have some hope and dare not do anything reckless. If they don't have a child, their status is still there. If something shameful happens, what should they do?"

Zhu Yunxun didn't say anything pretentious, and said, "Then go and pray for blessings and chant sutras. How can you be buried with him?"

"If they are buried alive, their families will also benefit!" Old Zhu said confidently, "Women are buried alive, this is a chaste act, we should reward their fathers and brothers with official positions!"

Old Zhu continued, "Besides those scandals, you must understand my thoughts. What I fear most is the harem interfering in politics!" Zhu Yunhuan said speechlessly, "Those buried alive are all concubines. How can they interfere in politics?"

"You can't argue with me. As long as I'm alive, I'll be buried alive with my father!" Old Zhu stared at Zhu Yunhuan and said, "Seeing how soft-hearted you are, I have to issue a will in advance. When I die, I want my concubines to be buried with me, so that you won't be so soft-hearted!"

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji, who were known for their benevolence in history, actually supported burying people alive with the dead. It was not until the second ascension of the overseas student that he abolished the burying people alive with the dead, which was well received. The custom of burying people alive with the dead in the Ming Dynasty was slightly suppressed.

Zhu Yunhuan sighed. He knew that he was powerless now, and perhaps only he could decide these things after becoming emperor.

Lao Zhu didn't want to talk about these things anymore, he also had a feeling that he had "chosen the wrong person".

When the eldest brother was around, he often disagreed with him on political views and they had many quarrels.

Now, my grandson is also a good person. He has not even become the crown prince yet, but he dares to talk about some rules. If he becomes the crown prince in the future, won’t he be even more daring?

But there's nothing I can do about it. It was his choice after all, so I can only accept it.

Old Zhu continued, "Originally, I liked Yun Wen. He has a better reputation than you over the years. But now it seems that you are more thoughtful than him. I don't think you have the mind of a thirteen-year-old."

Zhu Yunhuan did not refute these, because what Zhu said was also true.

Old Zhu sighed and said helplessly, "These things cannot be delayed. If they are delayed for too long, there will be changes. If they are delayed for too long, you and Yun Wen might have a big fight, and then it will be even more troublesome."

Zhu Yunhuan asked, "Grandfather, you are not so satisfied with Yunwen, right? Otherwise, you would not have chosen me at this time."

"He is not like your father." Old Zhu looked at Zhu Biao's spirit tablet and said, "He is a good child and filial, but he lacks the skills to be the crown prince. You are the same, your methods are a little immature. You are better than him, but you are better because Yunwen is not promising!"

Zhu Yunhuan didn't know whether he should be happy or depressed. This was like looking for a tall man among short men!
Old Zhu smiled and continued, "I don't know how much time I have left, so I'll guide you and teach you now. It won't work if we teach both of us at the same time, that will only lead to chaos."

Zhu Yunhuan also understood this. What Zhu Yunhuan was most worried about now was actually the age issue. As for Zhu Yunhuan or Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunhuan was confident that if they were taught a lesson, they would not have much trouble maintaining the status quo.

Zhu Yunxun thought of something and asked, "What do you mean by status?"

Old Zhu glanced at Zhu Yunhuan and said simply, "Your mother was married in as the Crown Princess, and his mother was brought in as a concubine. When Yunhuan was born, she was a concubine. Although his mother is now the Crown Princess, she is also the second wife."

Zhu Yunhuan could only sigh and say, "Officials have two mouths, but I think so too."

Patting Zhu Yunhuan on the shoulder, Old Zhu said, "You have a harder life than us."

"I have enough food and clothing, so how can I suffer?" Zhu Yunhuan smiled. "If it were really hard, many people of my age would have to think about making a living. I have a life of luxury, so how can I suffer?"

Old Zhu just said, "When we leave, you will be alone. Yunxun, you and your father have a grudge, and I understand that. You must remember that his blood flows in your bones."

Old Zhu continued, "Let's think about it carefully. You lost your mother when you were young, and now your father is gone too. We are the only two strong people in the family, and we don't even have anyone to talk to. I understand that you don't want to talk to people. It's painful to always be on guard against others."

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Old Zhu, then at the spirit tablet on the altar, not knowing what to say.

"We should not see Yunwen if we can avoid it in the future. We should not think about him anymore." Old Zhu stood up, patted Zhu Yunwen on the shoulder and said, "If you want to show your strength, I will teach you well. Learn as much as you can."

Zhu Yunhuan also stood up and said, "Sun Chen remembers."

Seeing that there was no ecstasy on Zhu Yunhuan's face, Old Zhu said, "No wonder he can deceive the world! He doesn't show his emotions on his face, which is quite similar to us. Let's go and have dinner!"

　Thanks to book friend 20181107124212127 for the reward of 500 starting coins

　　
　
(End of this chapter)