Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

Hu Weiyong put his hands in his sleeves and walked slowly out of Taihe Store.

Li Shanchang followed beside him.

"Did you see it?"

"What did you see? You asked me this out of the blue. I don't know how to answer you."

"The emperor's intentions have been made clear today. Don't you see through them? Lord Li, you have been with the emperor the longest and are also the person he trusts the most. I believe you understand this without my reminding you."

“It’s better not to speculate about the emperor’s intentions.

We are already so old now, and we may retire and return home in a few years, so why bother with these things?
In the future, the Ming Dynasty will be ruled by these young people. With His Royal Highness the Crown Prince here, we don’t have to worry about these things.”

"Zhu Kai is not an easy guy to deal with. The fact that he can return to the capital from the border is enough to show that he is a very resourceful person. I suspect that he has already joined forces with Wang Baobao."

After hearing what Hu Weiyong said, Li Shanchang really didn't want to say a word.

"Are you talking?"

"I've already said it before, I'm old now, and my mind isn't as clear as it used to be, so I really can't give you any good advice.

Besides, there are countless talented people around His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so it is not my turn to give random advice. In a sense, there is no unsolvable grudge between His Royal Highness Zhu Kai and me.

Whatever he does in the Border Lands is none of my business."

It can't be said that Li Shanchang hates Zhu Kai, but he definitely doesn't like him either. They are both conservative people and can't accept the various new things that Zhu Kai talks about.

Moreover, Zhu Kai is such a smart person. Even though he is Zhu Yuanzhang's son, he still steals the limelight from others in a sense.

For many things, as soon as Zhu Yuanzhang raised them, Zhu Kai was able to find solutions. This was something that none of them could do. In the entire Ming Dynasty, only Zhu Kai had such ability.

“Sometimes being too capable is not a good thing. You will often be envied by others. The Emperor has not summoned His Highness Zhu Kai yet.

It seems that the emperor wants to meet him secretly. "

"I have already told you what I am thinking.

No matter what the emperor thinks, it has nothing to do with us. This is a matter between them, father and son. Why should we get involved so much?
After all, we are just outsiders. Blood is thicker than water. This saying does not come out of nowhere. It makes sense. "

"Li Shanchang, I think you are getting more and more confused. The emperor's attitude towards His Royal Highness is obvious to all of us. As long as we can ensure that His Royal Highness can ascend the throne smoothly, won't our descendants be short of wealth and glory?"

"My children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. How can people of our generation think so much?"

Hu Weiyong was a little too greedy for power. He not only wanted to gain more rights for himself, he also wanted to gain more rights for his descendants and wanted to be a noble forever.

This was exactly the cause of his final failure. People who are greedy are destined to have no good results.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince turned around and saw the two of them whispering behind them.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao knew very well that Hu Weiyong had always wanted to do something secretly. Although Hu Weiyong was loyal and sincere to him, it was difficult for an upright person like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to accept his goodwill.

"You two adults are already so old, you must be very tired after spending this morning, go back and rest."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is really considerate of us two. We were just talking here, how come there is suddenly one less person beside us? Where could this person go in front of everyone?"

The prince was a little confused after hearing this.

"What do you mean one person is missing? Why didn't I notice it?"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince has put all his thoughts on his brother. How could he notice that someone is missing? The commander-in-chief of the Royal Guards disappeared in the court."

"Mao Xiang? So it's him. What's the big deal? The Imperial Guards have always been working for our father. It's normal to let him do something urgent first. Do you two adults want to explore the emperor's secrets?"

"Of course I don't dare. You guys can chat slowly. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to go back and rest first."

Li Shanchang knew very well that the current situation in the court was a mess.

He didn't want to get involved with these people. No matter who he helped, there would be no good result. It was not good to be neutral at this time. He could only choose not to participate in this matter so that he would not have too much trouble.

While they were talking, Marquis Deqing came up from behind with a swagger. He didn't say a word in the court today, and everyone seemed to have forgotten his existence.

"It's really cold today, let's go back to the mansion."

"Your Highness, did you see that? This guy is really going too far. He even dares to be so ostentatious in front of you."

"After all, he has been with our father for so many years. He can do whatever he wants. He is so old, who can argue with him?"

"He is just relying on the emperor's favor and looking down on everyone."

"The emperor is indeed very good to him, but he is also good to you, Lord Hu, so don't be picky."

Hu Weiyong looked at Liao Yongzhong and sneered.

“When things go to extremes, they must be reversed.”

Liao Yongzhong was not young, but he had sharp ears. He heard what Hu Weiyong said.

Unexpectedly, this guy stopped, turned around, looked at Hu Weiyong very seriously, and asked back.

"Master Hu, what exactly did you mean by what you just said? What does it mean that things will turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes?"

"Marquis Deqing, this is just an idiom, you don't need to make such a fuss."

"What do you mean by making a fuss? You clearly said these words in my ear when I passed by you just now."

Song Taishi Song Lian hurried forward to persuade them.

"You two are both old, what are you doing? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is still here, is it necessary to make such a fuss? Just go away.

Fortunately, His Highness Zhu Kai is not here today, otherwise he would have teased you guys when he saw you guys like this."

"Don't mention his affairs if His Highness Zhu Kai is not here. Lord Hu should explain what happened just now."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince saw that the two men were arguing with each other, and he quickly prepared to step forward to persuade them.

The court had just ended. If this was seen by the eunuchs and spread to the emperor's ears, it would be bad for everyone. Hu Weiyong had always been trying to please the prince in every way and wanted to stand on his side.

Seeing the prince coming towards them, Hu Weiyong said with a smile on his face.

"Hey, why is Your Highness here? Aren't you going to see the Queen? Please don't waste your time."

"I see you two are arguing here, your faces are red, what are you talking about? You are both important ministers around the emperor, the backbone of the court, and you should be in harmony with each other."

Song Lian said, "The generals and ministers are at odds, and the court is unstable."

Song Lian was not only older, but also had a relatively high status around Zhu Yuanzhang. At this time, one word he could say was equivalent to ten words spoken by others.

However, Song Lian usually does not get involved in such matters casually. Today, he spoke up to dissuade the Crown Prince because he saw that he was quite anxious.

Liao Yongzhong thought about it and said nothing.

When Crown Prince Zhu Biao saw Liao Yongzhong's appearance, he knew that he probably could not keep such a person.

"Marquis Deqing, you have made great contributions, hold a high position, and are magnanimous. Don't be so fussy about such a small matter. The prime minister has a big heart, so you should be magnanimous."

"Your Highness, you can't take sides just because Hu Weiyong is your man."

At this moment, Chang Yuchun came up, followed by Lan Yu.

"I saw you guys chatting from a distance, why is it so lively?"

"You don't know, I've been extremely bored in the borderland for more than a year."

"How can a borderland be boring? The scenery of the Mongol tribe is very beautiful. There are horseback riding and hunting, and His Highness Zhu Kai is there. The sky is high and the sea is vast. It is much better than the capital."

As they were talking, Liao Yongzhong became annoyed and bowed to the Crown Prince and prepared to leave.

"Your Highness, I have been suffering from leg problems for many years and am not suitable to stand outdoors for a long time. If Your Highness does not have any instructions, I will take my leave first."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao nodded and said.

"Marquis Deqing, this prince has no more instructions. You should go back and rest early. You should also pay more attention to your health. You can go back first. I will go to the Imperial Hospital and call the judge to come to your mansion to help you."

"That's not necessary. There are many doctors in my residence. Your Highness doesn't need to worry."

"That won't work. Marquis Deqing, you are a founding father of the Ming Dynasty and have a noble status. Even if the emperor knew that you were not in good health, he would still send the best doctor to see you.

You don't have to make excuses like this. This matter will be arranged by the Crown Prince. Just go back and wait."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao said this on purpose in order to dampen Liao Yongzhong's arrogance.

On weekdays, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looks quite easy-going. After all, he is the son of Zhu Yuanzhang and the elder brother of Zhu Kai. With the temperament of his father and younger brother, Crown Prince Zhu Biao is naturally a bit tough.

Otherwise, how could Zhu Yuanzhang dare to hand over all these with confidence?

After Marquis Deqing left, Song Lian said to everyone.

"Everyone, go away. Anyway, everything has been resolved now. You don't need to worry about it. Remember not to go out and say anything."

After the court was dismissed, Zhu Yuanzhang did not go to Empress Ma, but went straight back to his study.

The chief eunuch Wang Jinghong noticed that Zhu Yuanzhang's face looked a little strange, so he carefully served him.

"Your Majesty, this is the freshly dried Longjing tea from before the rain. It's just 70% hot. Your Majesty, please drink some quickly. You must be exhausted after having been away from court for so long."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the tea from Wang Jinghong.

"Didn't Zhu Kai send anyone to deliver any news today?"

"Your Majesty, the King of Sai is very quiet and there is no movement. He must have just returned from the border and is exhausted. He really needs to have a good rest for a few days."

"This heartless brat, I'll let him have a good rest for a few days, and he really won't come again."

"The King of Sai is real."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he couldn't help laughing.

"You old fellow, do you believe what you said? Can Zhu Kai be described as real? He is the most cunning one, and he has been like this since he was a child."

"Your Majesty finally smiled. I just wanted to make you smile."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

"The imperial decree granting marriage has been circulated everywhere. What is Zhu Chong's reaction now?"

"Your Highness has been with the Queen the entire time, and I don't know her specific reaction, but marriage has always been decided by parents and matchmakers, and it has been like this since ancient times.

I believe that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin is naturally happy, and the Emperor doesn't care so much about it."

"Zhu Chong has always had an outgoing temper. He can be restrained by being with Zhu Kai. It's a good opportunity to discipline him."

"The King of Sai treats the other princes very well. He is so smart that he must be able to see the purpose of the emperor's arrangement."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.

"Zhu Kai is a very smart kid, and he is also very thoughtful and has his own ideas. This is his strength and also his weakness. His success is due to his intelligence, and his failure is also due to his intelligence.

The prince's weakness is that he is too soft-hearted. He has so many brothers. If he fails to discipline them well, the Ming Dynasty will be in danger in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang did all this for the Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

"What are your next instructions, Your Majesty?"

"Has Mao Xiang come back?"

"not yet."

"I asked him to investigate Liao Yongzhong's matter, but I don't know how it went. He was responsible for protecting Zhu Kai yesterday and was very tired. It would be best to let him rest for a few more days.

Unfortunately, there is no suitable person I can trust around me. They became the Jinyiwei in the first place to help me deal with these trivial matters in the former dynasty and the harem.

Mao Xiang is still quite useful and not too disappointing."

Wang Jinghong is by far Zhu Yuanzhang's most trusted confidant.

After all, he is an old man who has been with him for many years and understands Zhu Yuanzhang's temper and character deeply. It seems that he really misses his son.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang was wary of Zhu Kai, they were father and son after all, and everyone knew that blood was thicker than water.

"Your Majesty, just now during the third court session, Lord Hu Weiyong and Lord Liao Yongzhong seemed to have had a few words outside. I don't know what it was about."

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured to himself.

"There is really not a day that I can rest from worrying. I am already overwhelmed with the matter of Wang Baobao, and this Liao Yongzhong is really getting more and more restless." (End of this chapter)