Chapter 169: Straightforward

Zhu Yong stood up, lifted the Double Hammers, and weighed them in his hand.

"Want to die? Simple. Keep acting like this, and when my dad can no longer tolerate it, an edict will be issued and the Korean Duke's household will be wiped out."

The elder sister is my dad's own daughter; perhaps she can be spared, but your Li family will be gone.

His voice was flat, as if he were speaking about something utterly ordinary.

"Want to live? Also simple: pack your things, return to Dingyuan old home, live peacefully in retirement, stop meddling in court affairs, and cut off ties with Hu Weiyong's side."

Thus, you remain the Korean Duke, Lin'an Princess stays your daughter‑in‑law, and your Li family can still enjoy wealth for three generations.

Li Shanzhang trembled all over.

He looked at Zhu Yong, this usually simple‑minded, reckless Prince Wu, whose words now each pierced the heart.

"Prince… is this the emperor's will?" he asked tremblingly.

Zhu Yong shook his head: "It's my intention, but my dad and my elder brother share the same intention. Li Uncle, you are a clever man; you should know that I came today to give you a way out."

He paused, then continued: "The elder sister just lost her mother‑consort, she's grieving; I don't want her to lose her father‑in‑law and husband as well, so I came to advise you a word…"

"When the situation looks favorable, seize it; when the tide is swift, retreat bravely; that is the way to ensure safety."

Li Shanzhang closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

He understood.

The royal court was not unaware of his actions; it was only because of lingering old feelings for the Lin'an Princess that they left him room.

And Zhu Yong came today using the most direct method, laying the matter bare.

"Old minister… thank you for your guidance, Prince." Li Shanzhang stood up and gave a deep bow.

"Li Uncle, have you come to understand?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Understood, Prince, you are right; I, the old minister, should return to my old home to retire." Li Shanzhang said with a wry smile.

Zhu Yong smiled: "Very well, Li Uncle, leave the capital within three days! I will dispatch troops to escort you back."

"Thank you, Prince."

Zhu Yong nodded, lifted his hammer and left.

Reaching the doorway, he suddenly turned back, saying in a simple‑minded way: "Li Uncle, though I'm simple, I'm not foolish; I remember who has been good to my dad and elder brother, who…"

"…who wishes to harm them, to make things difficult… I also remember; you take care of yourself."

Li Shanzhang bowed and said, "The old minister will keep it in mind."

Watching Zhu Yong's departing back, Li Shanzhang collapsed onto his chair, drenched in cold sweat.

He finally understood why the military officials at court all feared this simple‑minded Prince Wu.

This is not simple‑mindedness; it is great wisdom appearing as foolishness.

……

That afternoon, the Korean Duke's household began packing their luggage.

The news spread quickly.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang heard the report, stared blankly and said, "Li Shanzhang wants to return to his old home?"

"Yes, Prince Wu went to the Korean Duke's household this morning, and this afternoon Lord Li began packing his belongings," Jiang Yuan replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

"Yong Er, what did he tell him?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"This… I, the servant, do not know; at that time the hall only had Prince Wu and Lord Li."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, ordering Jiang Yuan to step back.

Only father and son remained in the hall.

"Biao Er, what did Yong Er say to Li Shanzhang that could make him change his mind so quickly?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously.

"Imperial Father, my second brother's temperament—what else could he say? Surely he just went straight, laying the matter bare." Zhu Biao laughed.

"That does sound like his style, but Li Shanzhang has been shrewd all his life; can a few words from Yong Er persuade him?" Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed.

"Perhaps precisely because my second brother is simple‑minded, speaking without twists, Li Shanzhang actually listened." Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, deep in thought.

He recalled Zhu Yong's many deeds over the years: unstoppable on the battlefield, and the "Divine Gifts" he presented that made Great Ming flourish day by day.

This son may seem simple, but he knows the situation well.

"Biao Er, do you think Yong Er… truly simple?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

Zhu Biao fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Imperial Father, my second brother may not be simple, but he chooses to live in a simple‑minded way; that is fine, he is happy, and we are at ease."

Zhu Yuanzhang deeply agreed.

Simple has its own merits; you need not worry much, and life is uncomplicated.

"Li Shanzhang's matter was handled well by Yong Er; it preserved Lin'an Princess's face and struck Hu Weiyong's faction."

"Hu Weiyong, seeing Li Shanzhang leave so decisively, should also weigh his own standing." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Biao nodded: "Regarding Hu Weiyong's side, the son will continue to monitor, but Imperial Father, the chancellor's position…"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes turned cold: "It should be abolished; the Central Secretariat's power is too great, prone to factionalism. We have thought it through; henceforth the Six Ministries will report directly to me. For any major matter, I will convene a few of you to discuss."

This is the prototype of the cabinet.

Zhu Biao understood his father's meaning and solemnly said, "Your Majesty is wise."

……

Three days later, Li Shanzhang's family left the capital.

Zhu Yong personally led troops to escort them to Shi Li Ting, ten miles outside the city.

Lin'an Princess also joined the send‑off procession, her eyes red, clearly having wept.

"Second Prince, thank you." she whispered.

Zhu Yong laughed and said, "Big sister, you're being polite, take care on the road."

Li Shanzhang sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, watched the Yingtian Fu city walls receding, and felt a mix of emotions.

His whole life, from commoner to Duke, rose to the highest ministerial rank, and to be able to retreat unscathed at the end may already be a great fortune.

Though there were still some regrets in his heart...

"Lord, what exactly is Prince Wu..." the lady asked softly.

Li Shanzhang shook his head and said, "Stop asking. Remember, from now on the Li family descendants must keep to themselves and not meddle in state affairs."

"Understood."

The convoy rode away, raising a trail of dust.

Zhu Yong stood in the pavilion, watched the convoy vanish on the horizon, turned and said to the Imperial Troops, "Return to the city."

…

That night, at the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao arranged a small banquet, just the two brothers.

"Second brother, today the elder brother will toast you; you handled the Li Shanzhang matter splendidly," Zhu Biao said, raising his cup.

Zhu Yong laughed, "What's elder brother saying? I just went and said a few words."

"A few words are more useful than ten thousand troops; you know, Hu Weiyong this afternoon submitted a petition, claiming illness and refusing to appear," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Oh! He's scared?" Zhu Yong asked.

"He's scared. With Li Shanzhang leaving so cleanly, he can surely guess it was Father's intent; for a while he'll curb himself a lot."

Zhu Biao nodded.

Zhu Yong took a sip of Wine and said, "Elder brother, Hu Weiyong is a man who, if kept, will ultimately be a disaster."

"Elder brother knows, but now is not the time to act against him. He has been operating in the court for years, with many followers; to move against him, we must eliminate him completely."

A hint of coldness flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.

Zhu Yong understood elder brother's meaning.

Either we do nothing, or if we act, we must be thorough.

"If elder brother needs me, just say so," Zhu Yong said, nodding.

"Don't worry, I won't be without you. But second brother, your 'clumsy yet clever method' has opened elder brother's eyes; whenever there's a difficult matter in the court, I'll let you handle it."

Zhu Biao patted his younger brother's shoulder and said.

Zhu Yong scratched his head, "So I won't become a specialist in frightening people then?"

"What's wrong with frightening people? Some folks need a good scare before they become honest," Zhu Biao laughed heartily.

No wonder it's a mournful Biao, trying to make him the bad guy...

But, considering how well he treats me, let him play the white‑faced role if he wants!

Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars sparse.

The myriad lights of Yingtian Fu flickered clearly in the night.

The gates of the Korean Duke's residence have been sealed; they will open only when the master returns to the capital.

But this next time, who knows what year or month it will be.

In Hu Weiyong's prime minister's mansion, the lights shone brightly, yet an uneasy atmosphere seeped through.

Deep within the Imperial City, Zhu Yuanzhang stood at the window of Qianqing Palace, gazing at the night sky, and the thought of abolishing the chancellor grew ever clearer in his mind.

In the spring of the eighth year of Hongwu, it arrived silently amid the surging undercurrents.