Chapter 168: Duke of Han

The eighth year of Hongwu, the third day of the second month.

In the past few days, the Yingtian Prefecture has been hit by a late spring chill; a light rain fell during the night, and by morning the streets and alleys were damp, with water still dripping from the eaves.

In the rear courtyard of Prince Wu's residence, Zhu Yong, dressed in a simple shirt, was practicing with his hammers.

The two drum‑mounted golden hammers whirled in his hands, creating a rushing wind, and the leaves of the old locust tree in the courtyard fluttered down in a rustling cascade.

Guanyin Nu held Huanhuan on the balcony and watched; the little girl's eyes sparkled as she clapped and cheered, "Daddy's amazing!"

Zhu Yong put away the hammers, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and chuckled, "Does Huanhuan want to learn too?"

"Yes!" Huanhuan nodded vigorously.

Guanyin Nu scolded, "She's only three years old; what hammer could she learn?"

"A three‑year‑old can already practice Horse Stance; I started at three myself," Zhu Yong said as he walked over, took his daughter from Guanyin Nu's arms, and lifted her over his head for a spin.

Huanhuan giggled continuously.

While they were playing, Hu Bo entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Prince, the Crown Prince has arrived and is waiting for you in the study."

Zhu Yong was startled—so early…

He handed Huanhuan to Guanyin Nu, changed his clothes, and headed to the study.

In the study, Zhu Biao sat at the table, holding a teacup but not drinking, his brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought.

"Brother, something at this hour?" Zhu Yong said as he pushed the door open.

Zhu Biao recovered, forced a smile, and said, "Second brother, will you have a couple of drinks with me?"

Zhu Yong glanced out the window; it was only Chen Hour.

But he asked nothing further, simply replying, "Fine."

Hu Bo quickly brought wine and dishes: several small plates and a pot of warmed yellow wine.

The two brothers sat opposite each other.

Zhu Biao poured himself a cup, drained it in one gulp, and poured a second.

Zhu Yong held his hand and asked, "Brother, what's happened?"

Zhu Biao set down his cup, sighed deeply, and said, "Second brother, Li Shanzhang has returned to the capital."

Li Shanzhang…

Zhu Yong recalled: this Duke of Han, the founding dynasty's foremost civil minister, resigned due to illness in the fourth year of Hongwu and retired to his hometown Dingyuan.

"He's back, that's all!" Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Biao shook his head, grimacing, "If he were only visiting, it would be tolerable, but in the past month he's been constantly entering officials' residences, especially getting close to Hu Weiyong."

Hu Weiyong, the current Left Prime Minister of the Central Secretariat, now wields power that dominates court and realm, brimming with ambition.

Although simple‑minded, Zhu Yong was not foolish; he vaguely understood what his elder brother feared.

"Does Father know?" he asked.

"He does. Imperial Father is furious, saying Li Shanzhang shows no sense of propriety. A man who has already resigned to retire yet wants to return to seize power makes the throne's affairs difficult."

Zhu Biao took another sip and said.

He paused, lowered his voice, and continued, "Moreover, Hu Weiyong's power has grown over the years; his faction has gathered a large number of officials, hinting at a budding clique."

"Imperial Father… already harbors thoughts of abolishing the prime‑minister position."

Zhu Yong nodded.

He vaguely recalled this from his previous life: in the thirteenth year of Hongwu, the Hu Weiyong case broke out, implicating tens of thousands, and the prime‑minister system was abolished thereafter.

"Then what does Father intend to do?" Zhu Yong asked.

Zhu Biao shook his head, "It's difficult. Li Shanzhang is a relative by marriage; our elder sister married his son Li Qi, and he's also an elder who helped Imperial Father secure the realm. He cannot be killed."

"But if we don't kill him, his reckless climbing and leaping embarrasses Imperial Father."

He looked at Zhu Yong, fatigue in his eyes, and said, "Second brother, I've been pondering how to handle this. We must curb Hu Weiyong's faction, preserve Li Shanzhang's life, and consider our elder sister's feelings… it's hard."

Zhu Yong fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Brother, why not let me go."

"You go?" Zhu Biao was startled.

"Hehe, I'll go see Li Shanzhang; I have a way to make him behave." Zhu Yong chuckled.

Zhu Biao looked at his younger brother, then laughed, "Second brother, what method do you have?"

"I naturally have a way, brother, rest assured I won't act recklessly."

…

The next day, Shi Jing.

In front of the Duke of Han's residence, a carriage stopped.

Zhu Yong stepped down from the carriage, carrying his pair of drum‑mounted golden hammers.

The gatekeeper, seeing Prince Wu, hurried inside to report.

Soon after, Li Shanzhang himself came out to greet.

The foremost founding civil minister, now sixty‑two, his hair silvered, yet spry in spirit, his eyes still sharp.

"The old minister respectfully presents himself to Prince Wu," Li Shanzhang bowed.

"Li Uncle, no need for formalities; I was passing by and thought I'd drop in," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

"Please, Your Highness," Li Shanzhang stepped aside to allow him.

The two entered the residence and reached the main hall.

A servant brought tea and then withdrew.

Li Shanzhang smiled, "Your Highness, why do you have time today to come to my place?"

Zhu Yong didn't drink the tea; he simply set his two hammers beside his feet, producing a dull thud.

He looked at Li Shanzhang, and said plainly, "Li Uncle, I heard you returned to the capital, so I came to see you."

"Thank you for your concern, Prince," Li Shanzhang said.

"Li Uncle, how long do you plan to stay this time?" Zhu Yong asked.

Li Shanzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled: "This old minister is getting old, wishes to see his children and grandchildren more, so I may stay for a few more days."

"Oh! Li Uncle, I have a question for you," Zhu Yong nodded, then suddenly shifted his tone and said.

"Prince, please speak."

"Li Uncle, do you wish to die, or to live?"

The words hung in the air, and the hall's atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

Li Shanzhang's smile froze on his face.

He looked at Zhu Yong, the Wu Prince known for his simple honesty; now seated there, still wearing a naive smile, but his eyes held something the old man could not understand.

"Prince... why say that?" Li Shanzhang forced a laugh and said.

"Li Uncle, I'm a blunt man, I don't beat around the bush, so I'll say it straight! You resigned to retire, lived a good life, yet you come back to the capital to leap about—what are you after?" Zhu Yong said.

Li Shanzhang's complexion changed, and he said: "This old minister is only..."

"Just what... just unwilling to accept? Still want to come back to seize power? Li Uncle, my father holds old sentiments; back then when you resigned, he gave you generous rewards, letting you return home in great splendor."

"But now you act like this, it's a slap in my father's face," Zhu Yong interrupted him.

He paused, then continued: "And Hu Weiyong, you are so close to him, what do you intend? Form a faction? Pursue private interests? Li Uncle, you are a smart man, you should know my father despises that the most."

Cold sweat seeped from Li Shanzhang's temples.

He suddenly realized that the royal family had been watching his every move these days.

"Prince... this old minister harbors no ulterior motives..." he tried to defend.

"Li Uncle, I came today not to hear your defense; I only ask you one question: do you wish to die or to live?" Zhu Yong waved his hand and said.

Li Shanzhang remained silent for a long while, then slowly said: "Please make it clear, Prince."