Chapter 364: with translation of chapter title

The gold list turned another page, and the second place was listed.

【Second place: Ming Chengzu, Zhu Di.】

"Zhu Di?"

Zhao Kuangyin glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, "Your son?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Fourth son."

Below the city tower, among the soldiers' formation at the edge of the square, a young commander suddenly lifted his head.

He wore the armor of the Prince of Yan's mansion, sturdy build, heroic visage, his eyes fixed tightly on the name on the gold list.

Zhu Di.

Himself.

The young Zhu Di was just seventeen, recently enfeoffed as Prince of Yan, and year after year resisted the remnants of the Mongol Yuan in Beiping.

This time returning to the capital to report on his duties, he happened to catch today's grand spectacle.

He stood in the soldiers' ranks, surrounded entirely by the imperial guards, but being tall he could see the gold list on the city tower at a glance.

His heart beat fast.

His second brother, the Prince of Qin, and third brother, the Prince of Jin, didn't make the list, but he did.

Second.

Only behind his father the emperor.

On the gold list, lines of text appeared one after another:

【Basic information: Zhu Di is the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, era name Yongle, reigned twenty-two years, the strongest emperor in expanding territory.】

【Later epithets: Yongle the Great Emperor, Holy Sovereign on Horseback, Lord to whom all nations come.】

Zhu Di pressed his lips together.

The four characters "Yongle the Great Emperor" were like a spark falling into his heart.

【Growing environment: From childhood he followed the army in campaigns, was enfeoffed as Prince of Yan, garrisoned Beiping, and year after year resisted Mongol incursions.】

【Path to the throne: The Jianwen Emperor carried out drastic reduction of princely fiefdoms; Zhu Di raised the Jingnan rebellion, ascended the throne, and took control of the realm.】

【Official historical achievements: Moving the capital to Beijing, the emperor guards the nation's gate;

Five campaigns against the northern desert, recovering Annam;

Dispatching fleets on distant voyages to communicate with foreign lands, all nations come to court;

Compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia.】

【Faults: In the Jingnan rebellion he purged the Jianwen Emperor's old officials, and his governing style was stern and forceful.】

【Later official historical assessment: Heroic talent and grand strategy, both civil governance and military prowess are the peak of the Ming dynasty, expanding territory and borders, projecting national prestige overseas; he is the sage emperor for all ages following the Taizu.】

Zhu Di finished reading the last line, his hand clenched the sword hilt.

His fingernails dug into his palm, but he felt no pain.

On the city tower,

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head to look at the soldiers' formation below the city tower, his gaze pausing in one direction—

He recognized the outline of his own son.

He said nothing, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Liu Bang came over: "Old Zhu, your son is something."

"Ranked second, I'm first and my son second—our family sweeps the top two spots."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "He hasn't become emperor yet."

Liu Bang: "The heavenly curtain said it, it's only a matter of time—don't you know that in your heart?"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't respond.

He certainly knew.

Zhu Di had followed him in the military camp since childhood, able to ride a horse at five, draw a bow at ten, and lead troops on border patrols at fifteen.

This child's temperament, he knows better than anyone—

Able to fight, endure, wait, and when it's time to act, he never hesitates.

However, the imperial throne had long been earmarked by him for his son Biao.

As for the fourth son, just forget it; later he'll make him a General Who Conquers the North serving his elder brother.

The gold list continued turning pages, and the third place appeared.

【Third place: Ming Xuanzong, Zhu Zhanji.】

【Basic information: Eldest son of Zhu Gaochi, era name Xuande, reigned ten years, core architect of the Ren-Xuan governance.】

【Later epithets: Xuande Holy Sovereign, Calligraphy-and-Painting Ming Emperor.】

【Official historical assessment: A conserving Ming emperor, diligent in governance and caring for the people, together with the Renzong he created the great flourishing prosperous age of the Ming.】

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the three characters "Ren-Xuan governance", nodded slightly: "Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji, father and son are both not bad."

"One benevolent, one bright, together they can govern the state well."

He turned his head and glanced toward Zhu Di's direction: "Your grandson."

Zhu Di stood in the square, far away, unable to hear what was said on the city tower.

But he saw his father glance his way, then turn his head and say something to the person beside him.

He straightened his chest.

The gold list turned to the fifth page.

【Fifth place: Ming Xiaozong, Zhu Youcheng.】

【Basic information: Third son of Zhu Jianshen, era name Hongzhi, reigned eighteen years, the most perfect conserving Ming emperor of the Ming dynasty.】

【Posthumous nicknames: Hongzhi's Restoring Sage, the Eternal Benevolent Monarch, the One‑Husband‑One‑Wife Emperor.】

【Growth environment: persecuted in the harem during childhood, grew up in secrecy within the cold palace, developing a diligent and self‑disciplined character.】

Liu Bang smiled when he saw "One‑Husband‑One‑Wife Emperor":

"One husband, one wife? Does that mean he only took one wife?"

Liu Che said, "An emperor marrying only one person in a lifetime is not easy."

Liu Xiu said, "A ruler who preserves the realm, stays within bounds, makes no mistakes, and keeps the family legacy intact—that is true ability."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Youzhang's name on the list and considered his generational rank.

"Xiaozong is Xianzong's son; Xianzong is Xuanzong's grandson."

"When this line reached Xiaozong, another capable one emerged."

Gu Shanhe interjected, "Zhu Youzhang is one of the best‑reputed Ming emperors."

"No major flaws, diligent and caring, good temperament, and highly praised by later generations."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

【Sixth: Ming Xianzong, Zhu Jianshen.】

【Basic info: Zhu Qizhen's eldest son, era name Chenghua, reigned for twenty‑three years.】

【Posthumous nicknames: Chenghua Restorer, the Lenient and Harmonious Emperor.】

【Historical achievements: posthumously vindicated Yu Qian, settled a million displaced people, quelled the southwest rebellion, and reclaimed Hami Guard.】

【Faults: later established the Western Depot, and in old age was negligent in governance.】

Liu Bang said, "Yu Qian? The one who saved Beijing?"

Gu Shanhe replied, "Yu Qian was a famed Ming minister who, after the Tumu Crisis, turned the tide and saved the Ming dynasty."

"Zhu Jianshen's ability to vindicate him shows he could discern right from wrong."

Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing.

He knew Yu Qian. (It was mentioned earlier in the celestial curtain.)

More than a hundred years after his death, Yu Qian defeated the Oirat army beneath Beijing and held the lands he had secured.

He found that story pleasing to hear.

【Seventh: Ming Daizong, Zhu Qiyu.】

【Basic info: Zhu Qizhen's half‑brother, era name Jingtai, reigned for eight years, a savior‑emperor of the Great Ming.】

【Growth environment: appointed in peril.】

【Historical achievements: heavily relied on Yu Qian, commanded the defense of Beijing, dealt a major defeat to the Oirats, and averted the Ming's collapse.】

【Historical faults: after securing the throne, he placed the returning Emperor Yingzong under house arrest, insisted on deposing the original crown prince, triggering the Coup of the Gate.】

Zhao Kuangyin looked at the six characters "house‑arrested returning Emperor Yingzong" and raised an eyebrow.

"His brother returned, and he house‑arrested his brother? That move…"

Li Shimin said, "The throne is something you sit on and are reluctant to give up; it's human nature."

"But his outlook is indeed a bit narrow."

Zhu Yuanzhang, after reading the full entry on the list, paused for two breaths, then said, "Let merits and demerits balance out."

【Eighth: Ming Muzong, Zhu Zaiji.】

【Basic info: Zhu Houcong's third son, era name Longqing, reigned for six years.】

【Posthumous nicknames: Longqing Restorer, the Delegating Wise Emperor.】

【Historical achievements: the Longqing peace treaty ended a century of Ming‑Mongol wars, lifted the sea ban, and silver poured into the treasury.】

【Faults: naturally lazy, disliked court attendance, indulged excessively, and died early from illness.】

Liu Che, seeing the words "lift the sea ban," commented, "Opening trade with the outside world is a good thing."

Li Shimin said, "Knowing how to employ talent and daring to delegate authority—that's skill."

"But not attending court oneself is an attitude issue."

Liu Bang added, "Died after six years? Overindulgence? This grandson's health was weak."

Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing, but his mouth turned slightly downward.