Chapter 131: Returning to the Wangfu, A Secret Conversation Between Father and Son

As it happens, just as he arrived at the Wangfu, Zhu Gaoxi saw his old man rushing to head out.

Upon seeing each other, both were startled, and subsequently, both saw something in the other's expression.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxi understood in his heart; his old man was quick to act, knowing about the incident with Hu Weiyong as soon as it happened.

He must certainly have his own channels of information.

The two did not speak; Zhu Gaoxi directly grabbed his old man and then walked familiarly toward the Study.

Seeing this, Zhu Di also understood the implication, ordered that no one be allowed to disturb them, and then silently followed behind Zhu Gaoxi.

Arriving at the Study, the two closed the door and sat down, and it was Zhu Gaoxi who spoke first.

"Hu Weiyong is dead, just moments ago."

Upon hearing his son's words, Zhu Di did not speak, only silently nodding; clearly, just as Zhu Gaoxi had expected, Zhu Di already knew of this matter.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxi, having already anticipated it, was not surprised and simply continued, "Father, now that Hu Weiyong is dead, what plans do you have?"

Hearing his son's words, Zhu Di sighed and said, "Hu Weiyong is dead, and Li Shanzhang has gone home to enjoy his twilight years, but I reckon your grandfather won't spare him either. With the Chancellor gone from the court, I suspect your grandfather won't be appointing another one anytime soon, and I fear the imperial court will not be at peace for a while."

Hearing his old man's words, Zhu Gaoxi nodded.

His old man understood Lao Zhu, but although he understood, it wasn't by much.

Zhu Di knew that Zhu Yuanzhang could not stand Li Shanzhang, and since Hu Weiyong was Li Shanzhang's confidant, Hu Weiyong's rebellion could never be separated from Li Shanzhang.

Regardless of whether Li Shanzhang was wronged, in such matters, Li Shanzhang had to die. Moreover, Zhu Di understood that the obstacles Lao Zhu had faced over these years were primarily due to the struggle between imperial power and ministerial power. Now that Hu Weiyong was dead, it played right into Lao Zhu's hands, and Lao Zhu would certainly use this opportunity to carry out a massive purge.

But Zhu Di could not have imagined that Lao Zhu was far crazier than he thought; Lao Zhu intended to abolish the chancellery system entirely.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxi spoke his thoughts directly.

"This time, Grandfather's plan is definitely not small. For the death of Hu Weiyong, Grandfather has been laying the groundwork for at least two years. Therefore, this child boldly guesses that Grandfather is going to completely abolish the chancellery!"

Hearing this, Zhu Di was so shocked that he stood up immediately.

Then, as if realizing his loss of composure, Zhu Di sat back down.

"Laying the groundwork for two years? Abolishing the chancellery? Put that way, it really is possible!"

After saying this, Zhu Di immediately thought of something else.

"If the chancellery is abolished, then the work of the Secretariat..."

Zhu Di did not finish his sentence, clearly unsure, but reading between the lines, Zhu Gaoxi immediately understood his old man's meaning.

He secretly praised him in his heart; as expected of someone of royal blood, a future sage-emperor, he was sensitive to court affairs, having such a deduction from just a single piece of news.

And Zhu Gaoxi did not let Lao Zhu guess blindly, saying directly, "Hu Weiyong is dead, the Chancellor is gone, and first and foremost, the power of the Six Ministries will certainly be strengthened."

Zhu Di nodded after hearing this, not speaking to interrupt Zhu Gaoxi, and signaled with his eyes for Zhu Gaoxi to continue.

And Zhu Gaoxi did not hold back, continuing, "Without a Chancellor, the power of the Six Ministries will increase, and Lao Zhu will certainly want to hold the Six Ministries firmly in his own hands first."

As he spoke, Zhu Gaoxi paused, silently organizing his words in his heart.

Just as Zhu Di was becoming impatient, Zhu Gaoxi finally spoke again, "But Grandfather certainly cannot let the Six Ministries become too powerful alone; otherwise, Grandfather wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to abolish the Chancellor, only to end up cultivating a new Six Ministries, which would be counterproductive."

Hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxi, Zhu Di nodded in agreement.

Having gone to such trouble to abolish the Chancellor, if the Chancellor's power were simply divided among the Six Ministries, there wouldn't actually be much change. Thinking this, Zhu Di seemed to have realized something, a flash of brilliance appearing in his eyes.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxi said directly, "I presume Father has also thought of it: if one wants to delegate power to the Six Ministries but cannot let them become too powerful, then one must establish new offices."

"The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, and so on, must all have corresponding offices to divide their power, and there must also be offices established to supervise the hundred officials. In short, I fear the imperial court is about to undergo a major reshuffle."

Hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxi, Zhu Di nodded in agreement.

In fact, there was one thing Zhu Gaoxi had not finished saying, but Zhu Di was very clear about it.

A major reshuffle meant a major change of personnel, and a major change of personnel meant a major bloodbath.

I fear many heads are about to roll!

The first to bear the brunt would undoubtedly be the Huaixi faction. Many in the Huaixi faction held key positions; let alone keeping their posts, it would be good enough if they could even keep their heads.

Therefore, if new offices were established, these people would certainly have no part in them.

And in the court, the Huaixi Group had the most personnel. To clear the way for the newly promoted ministers and allow them to better perform their duties, many of the Huaixi faction would likely have to die.

Realizing this, Zhu Di frowned.

Now, anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was an excellent opportunity.

Zhu Di naturally had his own small calculations, but the current situation was too chaotic; one careless step and it would be total ruin.