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

Chapter 34: As the eldest brother, I will support my second brother in whatever he wants to do!

Hu Weiyong knew the relationship between Zhu Kai and Zhu Biao, but he didn't understand why Zhu Kai was unwilling to participate in court affairs in front of court officials.

You are already very capable, so why do you want to hide your abilities?

Moreover, Hu Weiyong believed that Zhu Kai had the ability to judge people.

Even though he performed so well in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, he could tell at a glance that he was a villain. This shows that Zhu Kai's ability is far superior to Zhu Yuanzhang's.

Not to mention Zhu Biao, he is not as good as Zhu Yuanzhang.

Hu Weiyong was a villain. He only cared about possessing power. Even after receiving Zhu Kai's evaluation, he tore off his previous hypocritical veil and showed his greed for power without any scruples.

Worship of power, it is true.

But Hu Weiyong admired the strong more and was willing to follow those who were more capable than him.

Zhu Kai is what he considers to be a strong man, and no one else can compare to him.

However, Zhu Kai, a strong man recognized by Hu Weiyong, had no desire for power at all.

Hu Weiyong looked at Zhu Kai, then turned his head to Zhu Biao and said sincerely: "Your Highness, the Second Prince will be able to handle the trade affairs more clearly and definitely. I think Your Highness should make a statement to Your Majesty and ask the Second Prince to take action to promote the trade affairs."

"The second brother is indeed more suitable."

Zhu Biao agreed with Hu Weiyong's point of view, but rejected his proposal: "As for letting my second brother enter the court, forget it, there is no need to mention this matter again."

After Hu Weiyong finished speaking, he kept staring at Zhu Biao.

He found……

When answering the questions, Zhu Biao did not show any fear of Zhu Kai's abilities. Instead, he revealed an... doting expression.

This……

Hu Weiyong was furious: "Your Highness, do you want to keep the Lord in the palace?"

Zhu Kai is capable but he is not used. Hu Weiyong has reason to suspect that this is a captivity for Zhu Kai! This is a waste of Ming Dynasty's talents!

Hu Weiyong was heartbroken!
Your Highness, the Lord is loyal to you, but you don’t use it. This is the greatest loss to the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Biao could understand Hu Weiyong's meaning, so he smiled and said, "As long as my second brother is happy, he can do whatever he wants. As the eldest brother, I will definitely support him with all my strength."

After that, before Zhu Kai could speak, Zhu Biao added a condition: "Except for going to the battlefield!"

Hu Weiyong also agreed: "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. The Second Prince is too noble to go to the battlefield."

"Huh! You said you would agree to anything I asked, but you changed so quickly."

Zhu Kai curled his lips, then slumped to the ground and kicked Hu Weiyong: "It's okay, go out, if you have anything to do later, go find big brother, don't bother me."

Although Hu Weiyong disagreed, he still chose to obey: "Yes, Second Prince!"

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to develop commerce. Apart from Zhu Kai, the only people in the court who knew about this were Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Hu Weiyong and Wang Guangyang.

The news that was spread out was that Zhu Yuanzhang was going to investigate the business affairs of Yingtian Prefecture and was ready to purge them. If there were any lawless people who relied on the profits of commerce to take advantage of the people's wealth, Zhu Yuanzhang would be ready to use the knife! Moreover... according to reliable sources, the person in charge of the investigation of the merchants in Yingtian Prefecture was Hu Weiyong, the "number one lackey of the second prince", and he was sharpening his knife to kill the pigs and sheep.

As soon as the news came out, all the dignitaries in Yingtian Prefecture were terrified.

If it were Zhu Biao or Wang Guangyang, they might have racked their brains to find connections and use channels to smooth over the relationship.

But the person now responsible for thoroughly investigating commerce... is Hu Weiyong!
Then the relationship is broken, there’s not even a crack to get in.

Since Hu Weiyong was described by Zhu Kai as a ruthless villain, he has been drifting further and further away from the ministers. He has become Zhu Kai's "lone minister" and has shown his villainy in the court. Any courtier who attacks Zhu Kai will be targeted by Hu Weiyong and recorded in a small notebook, and then he will try every means to find evidence of their crimes. It is said that Hu Weiyong has a small notebook written by him, which records the names of officials who impeached Zhu Kai. This small notebook was also named "Record of Traitors" by Zhu Kai.

Anyone who knows about “The Record of Traitors” can’t help but curse, “shameless”!
Let me ask you, in the Ming Dynasty, are there any greater traitors than Zhu Kai and Hu Weiyong?
Within four years of Zhu Yuanzhang's accession to the throne, more than sixty officials had been arrested by Hu Weiyong for criticizing Zhu Kai.

More than sixty people...

It is now the fourth year of Hongwu. On average, about two officials are brought down by Hu Weiyong every month.

All the court officials were terrified, fearing that their names would be recorded in Hu Weiyong’s little notebook!
Now Zhu Yuanzhang actually asked Hu Weiyong to be responsible for checking the merchants in Yingtian Prefecture...won't he take revenge for personal gain?

As a result, there was chaos in Yingtian Prefecture for a while.

There were officials in the court who had criticized Zhu Kai. Every one of them, any family member who had a business was trying to get rid of the business as much as possible!
The business was sold at a loss, and those who had any relationship with the merchant immediately severed ties with him.

Tu Jie, who succeeded Liu Ji as Chief Censor, was also very panicked at this time.

Tu Jie's wife and concubine's family had their own special business in Yingtian Prefecture.

Responsible for the sale of grain and salt, restaurants, and part of the water transport business.

Moreover, after he became the Chief Censor, many merchants flattered Tu Jie, gave him shares in their businesses, and begged him for help in protecting their businesses.

Tu Jie is a typical supporter of the prince and will even attack Zhu Kai.

He was in opposition to Hu Weiyong in the court, and the two often quarreled.

Now, there was a sudden rumor that Hu Weiyong was going to investigate the merchant relationships in Yingtian Prefecture on imperial orders. How could Tu Jie be willing to be caught by Hu Weiyong over such a small matter as money?
Naturally, if you can give up something, then give it up.

Tu Jie was quite dissatisfied when he was handling these businesses.

It was believed that Zhu Yuanzhang's discussion of business matters in such an honorable place as the court polluted the court's atmosphere.

When the grand court is held, I will definitely write a memorial to denounce his behavior as being contrary to the way of the sages.

A gentleman regards money as dirt!

Tu Jie also considered himself a gentleman. Although a gentleman does not like money, it does not mean that he does not need money. Sometimes he needs money to invite court officials to go out for dinner or to find a place by the Qinhuai River to enjoy the romance.

Of course, Tu Jie didn't think there was anything wrong when he accepted shares from businessmen.

He also urged merchants to abide by the law, never oppress the people, and pay taxes on time and according to the rules.

And so on a series of behaviors...

Tu Jie not only didn't think that he did something wrong, but he thought that he did the right thing!
Without Zhu Yuanzhang's knowledge, he helped the court to discipline a group of merchants, and was able to increase the money in the national treasury, regulate the behavior of merchants, and prevent them from bullying the people.

Aren’t you, Zhu Yuanzhang, the best emperor to the people?
So, as a subject, how am I doing?
Tu Jie sent away the last batch of businessmen in his family and withdrew his shares.

He suddenly felt relaxed all over, and Hu Weiyong's face appeared in his mind.

Hu Weiyong, don’t you just want to find something to hold against me and then... ruin my reputation?

Ha ha!

Now I am alone and have nothing to lose. What can you use to defeat me?

Not only will you not be able to defeat me, but I'll even catch you in the act!

What Tu Jie didn’t know was…

(End of this chapter)