Chapter 4: Setting Out to Punish the Yongjia Marquis

Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils shrank violently.

Under his various efforts, the Great Ming had not even managed to last three hundred years.

Yet he never expected that in the hands of this imperial grandson, it could actually continue for 654 years?!

Was he really not even as good as a boy who saws wood?

That made no sense!

Zhu Yuanzhang walked toward the Fengtian Hall in a daze.

After walking only a few steps, he suddenly turned back.

"You brat, come with Us to attend the morning court!"

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu was stunned.

No, I am only four years old!

Attend what court?

Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the Dragon Throne, with the Crown Prince Zhu Biao sitting immediately below him.

On both sides of the hall stood the civil and military officials.

Among the civil officials, the current Prime Minister Hu Weiyong was at the head, while the military generals were led by the Duke of Wei, Xu Da.

After the officials had finished paying their respects.

Everyone's gaze turned toward the four-year-old Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing beside the Crown Prince.

"..."

It was also Zhu Gaoxu's first time facing such a solemn occasion, but he could not help but smile bitterly inside.

He was the son of a Feudatory Prince and only four years old; Lao Zhu was essentially roasting him over a fire.

His father might even be brought into everyone's view, and he might even be viewed with wariness by the Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Zhu Gaoxu's previous displays of debauchery in Jingcheng were all intended to keep certain people from harboring designs against the Prince of Yan's family.

Only in this way could he be safe.

One must know, how did Zhu Xiongying die in history?

A dignified eldest grandson of the Great Ming, did he just die of illness because he went out to play for a while?

Zhu Gaoxu did not believe it at all.

"Ahem!"

At this moment, the Crown Prince Zhu Biao said: "Father, has Gaoxu caused trouble?"

Seeing his nephew brought over by his father, he immediately assumed he had committed some error.

After all, during this period, Zhu Gaoxu's reputation in Jingcheng was not very good.

Zhu Biao was even worried that Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunwen would be led astray, so he did not let those two boys have much contact with Zhu Gaoxu.

"Pay him no mind, just let him stay quietly in this Great Hall."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared fiercely at Zhu Gaoxu, then faced the officials and said: "Everyone, why have I heard recently that the Chuting area is not peaceful?"

The next second.

Deng Shiyuan of the Censorate stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, this subject impeaches the Yongjia Marquis Zhu Liangzu for being corrupt and lawless, forcibly seizing common women, and bringing disaster to the local people..."

As he spoke, he presented a memorial.

After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang was instantly furious: "This Yongjia Marquis is simply holding the Da Ming Law in contempt, holding the imperial court in contempt!"

He then threw the memorial directly to Hu Weiyong.

"Does Prime Minister Hu not intend to take a look?"

Looking at the memorial at his feet, Hu Weiyong stammered: "Your Majesty, this subject..."

"I told you to look, so look!"

"Yes!"

Hu Weiyong hurriedly picked up the memorial.

Inside, it truthfully recorded all of the illicit activities of the Yongjia Marquis Zhu Liangzu.

The most important point among them was that he had actually dared to frame and murder a Chuting county magistrate!

This was an official appointed by the imperial court!

This Yongjia Marquis simply did not know how the word 'death' was written.

The more Hu Weiyong read, the more cold sweat he broke into.

For no other reason!

It was only because this Yongjia Marquis was a member of his Huaixi Faction.

"Your Majesty, the Yongjia Marquis has, after all, rendered great military service; he may be a bit of a brute usually and not understand the nuances, but to say he murdered an imperial official, he should not have the guts for that, I fear..."

Hu Weiyong had not finished his words of exoneration for Zhu Liangzu.

Just then—

Pfft!

Zhu Gaoxu actually let out a loud fart on the spot!

This immediately left everyone stunned.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression turned gloomy as he said: "You brat..."

Zhu Gaoxu scratched his head in great embarrassment and said: "Uh... Imperial Grandfather, I don't know why, but every time I hear Prime Minister Hu speak, I want to fart. I'm sorry, I really couldn't hold it in."

"..."

The crowd was momentarily speechless.

However, Hu Weiyong was no ordinary man; he quickly adjusted his mindset and continued, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the Yongjia Marquis, if the evidence is conclusive, it should naturally be handled according to the national law."

Who would have thought that as soon as these words were finished, Censor-in-Chief Deng Shiyuan said, "Your Majesty, the witnesses and evidence for the Yongjia Marquis case have already been brought into Jingcheng by this official, and all testimonies have been received."

Hu Weiyong was instantly shocked.

He had not expected that a mere Censor could quietly bring witnesses from Chuting to Yingtian Prefecture!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard must have been involved!

"Then summon the Yongjia Marquis to the capital,"

Zhu Yuanzhang swept his gaze over the officials and said in a deep voice, "If Zhu Liangzu cannot prove his innocence, then do not blame Us for being ruthless! Zhu Gaoxu, what do you think?"

"Huh?"

While rubbing his still-aching bottom, Zhu Gaoxu asked in surprise, "Grandfather Emperor, did you just call me?"

"Who else?" Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, "You brat, if there are corrupt officials and wicked gentry oppressing the people, how do you think they should be punished?"

"That goes without saying? Just chop them!" Zhu Gaoxu answered without a second thought.

"Haha!"

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely pleased.

"Look at you all, even Our four-year-old imperial grandson knows how to treat corrupt officials and wicked gentry; it is a pity that you ministers are not even as clear-sighted as a child."

Amidst the silence of the civil and military officials, the matter of anti-corruption was temporarily put to rest.

Soon, Crown Prince Zhu Biao began to report on some disaster situations and relief efforts.

It must be mentioned.

Whether in terms of ability or emotional intelligence, Zhu Biao is absolutely a Crown Prince who ranks among the best in history!

"Not bad, not bad!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with the Crown Prince's performance, and then asked, "Biao'er, everyone, what are your views on the stipends for imperial clansmen?"

After he finished speaking, his gaze landed on Zhu Gaoxu, who was picking his nose.

This brat!

Either rubbing his bottom or picking his nose, he simply had not a shred of imperial demeanor.

Yet it was precisely such a person who could extend the National Fortune of the Great Ming dynasty for six hundred and fifty-four years!

Compared to before, it was more than doubled.

From this, it could also be seen that this imperial grandson of his must have resolved the issue of the imperial clansmen.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to break the three-hundred-year limit of the dynasty.