Chapter 9: The Changing Old Zhu

"For the Crown Prince to read personally!"

Zhu Yuanzhang read aloud slowly.

This was written by Zhu Gaoxu in the tone of his father, Zhu Di.

"Younger brother deeply understands that elder brother has recently been overwhelmed by the Hu Weiyong case; the extent of this case's involvement is unprecedented, with even eight founding meritorious officials thrown into prison. Father Emperor is launching a great slaughter this time, with over thirty thousand lives hanging by a thread!"

"Younger brother also knows that elder brother has painstakingly advised Father Emperor, yet Father Emperor held out a thorn branch to show his intent, making it clear that he is paving the path to the throne for elder brother."

"Younger brother knows elder brother is benevolent; Father Emperor's actions have made elder brother feel ashamed, as if these thirty thousand people all died because of him. Such a heavy burden has already made elder brother unable to eat or sleep in peace."

"For many years, younger brother has always seen elder brother's efforts, but elder brother is ultimately not like Father Emperor."

"Everything Father Emperor experienced in his early years has made his heart like hard iron and his thoughts like the ruthlessness of the Way."

"Yet elder brother has studied under Song Lian since childhood, learning Confucian moral principles, practicing a style of benevolence and righteousness, and possessing a benevolent heart and virtue, serving as a model for all the people under Heaven!"

"For all these years, every effort elder brother has made has been to avoid disappointing Father Emperor, but the benevolence hidden in elder brother's heart makes it impossible for you to ever learn Father Emperor's imperial ruthlessness."

"Younger brother is incompetent and cannot change the decisions in Father Emperor's heart, nor can I turn around the current situation."

"However, younger brother wants to say that Father Emperor's life is legendary, a born emperor, with a status equal to the First Emperor, and he will be remembered for thousands of years."

"Think back to the First Emperor in those days; for the sake of unifying the world, how many people died or were injured?"

"Yet looking at it now, all this bloodshed and sacrifice was worth it!"

"For the sake of the dynasty's stability and for the sake of the common people under Heaven, some things must always be done by someone!"

"Now, the safety of Great Ming is tied entirely to elder brother and Father Emperor; the lives of over thirty thousand people can be exchanged for the peace of the common people, this is Heavenly Benevolence!"

"Younger brother dares to implore elder brother to take care of your health and not to exhaust yourself because of the deaths of rebellious, powerful officials."

"..."

"Respectfully submitted by Zhu Di!"

Zhu Yuanzhang read it word for word, his eyes already moist.

While surprised at how clearly his imperial grandson Zhu Gaoxu saw things, he also felt deeply self-reproachful.

He once believed that the Way of the Emperor lay in the Way of Heaven.

And the Way of Heaven lay in ruthlessness.

But now...

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized that there were some things he should not force.

The Crown Prince's nature was benevolent and righteous; he was a benevolent and righteous monarch for Great Ming.

He should not make him walk that ruthless Way of the Emperor.

This would sooner or later drive a person mad.

"Hoo..."

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a long breath and raised his hand to wipe the corners of his eyes.

Afterwards, he looked at the young Zhu Gaoxu with loving eyes, and then could not help but reach out to pat his head.

However!

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly turned his head: "Imperial Grandfather, I think that for one who is an emperor, one should be like the Way of Heaven on the outside and practice the Way of Humanity on the inside. Only through the Unity of Heaven and Man can one achieve the human Way of the Emperor! Do you also think so?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked.

Boom!

The Illusion shattered!

In the inner courtyard of reality.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood frozen in place, and his Five Animals Frolic also stopped.

Zhu Gaoxu's last sentence struck his heart like a thunderbolt from the nine heavens.

Now.

He had a feeling that even if all the people of the Zhu family were tied together, they would not be a match for this imperial grandson, Zhu Gaoxu!

"Could this be a Transmigrator? One who knows from birth, a born sage?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered to himself.

"My grandson has the potential of an emperor for the ages!"

After sighing with emotion, he began to have a headache.

It was only because the successor to Great Ming whom he trusted most and had been focusing on cultivating was the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao.

But now, a monstrous imperial grandson had suddenly appeared!

Therefore, to whom should the future of Great Ming be entrusted?

Zhu Yuanzhang found it difficult to decide for a moment.

After thinking it over, he could only take it one step at a time.

Now that he knew the root of Zhu Biao's illness, he would absolutely not watch his eldest son pass away.

Fortunately, this monstrous imperial grandson was here.

Otherwise...

Zhu Yuanzhang dared not imagine what would happen later: Zhu Xiongying dying young, his wife leaving him, and his eldest son dying of melancholy.

Thinking of this.

He wished he could immediately grant his good imperial grandson Zhu Gaoxu a title as a Feudatory Prince as a reward!

Being a mere Nanyang Commandery Prince was truly a waste of his talent!

"Someone come! I want to establish a Cabinet, summon the ambitious scholars of the world, appoint them as Cabinet Scholars, and have them assist me and the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gave his instructions at this moment.

"Right! Reward the Prince of Yan's second son, Zhu Gaoxu, with the privilege of Four Horses in the Same Trough, and assign three hundred elite Embroidered Uniform Guards to protect him personally!"

Standing by and waiting, Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards Jiang Huan hurriedly accepted the order and left.

Zhu Biao, who was honestly practicing the Five Animals Frolic, did not react at all.

Four Horses in the Same Trough refers to being able to ride in a carriage drawn by four horses.

This is a standard reserved only for a Feudatory Prince!

And there are also three hundred elite Embroidered Uniform Guards!

This nephew of his is only four years old, right?

Wouldn't that be a bit too much?

"Father Emperor..."

Zhu Biao was extremely confused, but he had always rarely questioned Zhu Yuanzhang's decrees.

Therefore, although he was puzzled, he ultimately swallowed his words.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not explain either; he stepped forward, patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder, and said, "Biao'er, I have indeed been too harsh on you in the past, and I should not have suppressed your heart of benevolence and righteousness time and again."

"But you must remember this!"

"If we father and son wish to lead the common people of this world to live a prosperous life and ensure they enjoy eternal peace, then some things must be done, no matter how much blood is shed!"