Chapter 261: Preliminary Phase of the Great Case

The thirteenth year of Hongwu, the fifteenth day of the fourth month.

Kunning Palace.

Empress Ma's fever had subsided for three days, and her spirit had improved a lot.

Zhu Yuanzhang recovered even faster; on the second day he could get out of bed and walk, and on the third day he began reviewing memoranda.

"Girl, you say this cowpox is really that miraculous?" Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the edge of the couch, watching Empress Ma take the medicine.

Empress Ma set down the medicine bowl and laughed, "Zhong Ba, you've tried it yourself, why are you still asking!"

Zhu Yuanzhang touched the two shallow scars on his arm, nodded and said, "Indeed, Second Brother and Sixth Brother said a fever was enough, and we were fine after a day of fever."

"Sixth Brother has achieved a great merit this time; later we must reward him properly," Empress Ma said.

Zhu Yuanzhang was about to speak when a eunuch outside reported, "His Majesty, Lord Hu Weiyong wishes an audience, saying there is an urgent military matter."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Military affairs... matters of the Ministry of War aren't brought to Xu Da, but to him?"

A cold, sharp light flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

A civil official daring to reach for the army is courting death...

Empress Ma also showed a look of doubt.

"Let him in," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Hu Weiyong entered quickly, bowed, and with an anxious expression said, "His Majesty, I have an urgent report: over at the capital garrison, some disturbances have arisen these past days."

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze hardened as he asked, "What disturbances?"

"Your Majesty, because your and the Empress's Feng bodies are discordant, several generals at the capital garrison feared opportunists and independently moved troops. I think, though intended as a precaution, it was done without Ministry of War approval and thus violates regulations." Hu Weiyong began to speak.

He paused, then continued, "Especially the Longxiang Army, which yesterday conducted large-scale drills outside the city; the activity was considerable and sparked much public discussion."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then asked, "Who issued the order?"

Hu Weiyong hesitated briefly and said, "To my knowledge... it was Prince Wu."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes.

Empress Ma's complexion changed slightly.

Hu Weiyong continued, "Your Majesty, Prince Wu's loyalty is well known, but he is, after all, a military commander and may not be fully aware of court regulations. I am merely concerned that if this matter is exploited by schemers, they could claim your Feng body is unstable and use the army's unauthorized movement, which would be..."

He did not finish, but the meaning was already clear.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Enough, we understand. You may withdraw now."

Hu Weiyong took his leave.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Alright, we know now, you step back first."

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked, "Zhong Ba, Yong Er..."

"Girl, you rest for now; I'll go ask Yong Er," Zhu Yuanzhang stood up.

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked, "Zhong Ba, Yong Er…"

"Girl, you rest first; we'll go ask Yong Er," Zhu Yuanzhang said, standing up.

Zhu Yong was sitting in the hall drinking tea; when Zhu Yuanzhang entered, he rose and said, "Father."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the imperial throne, looked at him, and got straight to the point, "Yong Er, Hu Weiyong just came to complain, saying you took advantage of our illness to independently move the Longxiang Army."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Hmm, it was moved."

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled; he hadn't expected his son to admit it so readily.

"Why move it?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Yong set down his teacup and said naively, "Father, these past days you and Mother have been ill, the eldest brother also had a fever for two days; inside and outside the palace, some people are being dishonest."

After speaking, Zhu Yong pulled a Little Booklet from his chest and placed it on the imperial desk.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened it, and his expression gradually changed.

It was densely filled with a list of names.

It recorded which people Hu Weiyong had met these days, what he said, which agents he sent to the capital garrison to gather information, and even his attempts to contact several mid‑rank generals.

These were all compiled by Zhu Yong, who had Zhang Wuhe work with the Brocade Guard to investigate.

"Where did this come from?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked gravely.

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "I had Zhang Wuhe and the Brocade Guard keep watch; I've fought so many battles and know what an army is. I wanted to see, while we were ill, who was watching the army and who harbored ulterior motives."

The words were naively blunt, but Zhu Yuanzhang understood; his simple‑minded son was applying battlefield tactics, keeping tabs on those in the capital.

"So you moved the Longxiang Army on purpose?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Hmm, I just wanted to see who was anxious."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long while, then suddenly smiled.

"Good kid, you play the fool convincingly; I thought you only knew how to fight," he said, standing, walking to Zhu Yong, giving his shoulder a hearty pat, and laughing.

Zhu Yong said earnestly, "Father, I don't understand those twists and turns, but I know who is good to our family and who wants to harm our family."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his gaze returning to the Little Booklet, growing colder.

"Hu Weiyong..." he whispered, his voice tinged with chill.

Zhu Yong remained silent.

He, of course, knew the history of the Hu Weiyong case.

In previous history, Hu Weiyong was executed for treason, implicating more than thirty thousand people.

In this life, although he constantly pretended to be simple‑minded, he never let his guard down against that man.

Especially during the days Zhu Yuanzhang fell ill.

Zhu Yong knew better than anyone that a man like Hu Weiyong could not wait long.

Especially in these few days that Zhu Yuanzhang has fallen ill.

Zhu Yong knows better than anyone that a man like Hu Weiyong cannot wait long.

"Yong Er, what do you think of Hu Weiyong?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked suddenly.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said naively, "Father, I don't speak ill of people, but I think his ambition is too great; I can't trust him."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "I think the same."

He walked to the window, turned his back to Zhu Yong, and remained silent for a long time.

"These years, we've killed many people—some deserved it, some... perhaps didn't. But Hu Weiyong, we've kept him around just to see what he's really after."

"Now we know."

He turned, his gaze sharp, "When I was ill, he didn't care about my condition; instead he kept an eye on the army. What does that show? It shows he has something hidden in his heart."

Zhu Yong said nothing.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked back to the imperial throne, sat down, and suddenly asked, "Yong Er, does your older brother know about this?"

"Older brother knows; I told him," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked, "What did Biao Er say?"

"Older brother said," Zhu Yong recalled Zhu Biao's words, "let him jump; the higher he jumps, the worse he'll fall."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Biao Er's temperament is like mine."

He asked again, "When your older brother was ill, did anyone go to the Eastern Palace to investigate?"

Zhu Yong nodded, "Yes, Hu Weiyong sent someone, claiming it was to deliver medicine to the Crown Prince."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Deliver medicine? Since when did Hu Weiyong become a court physician?"

Zhu Yong said nothing, but thought, "In the previous life's history, Hu Weiyong indeed plotted rebellion; in this life, many things have changed, but people's ambition does not."

"Alright, we know now. You go back first; keep this matter to yourself for now," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said.

Zhu Yong stood up, walked to the doorway, and suddenly turned back, "Father, about my reassignment to the Longxiang Army, won't you punish me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him, "Punish you for what? Punish you for watching over those wolf cubs for me?"

Zhu Yong gave a naive smile and left.

……

Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao was already tidy, sitting in the study reading the Memorandum.

Chang Wan brought in a bowl of silver ear soup, placed it by his side, and laughed, "Still reading? The illness is just fine; you don't even know to take a break."

Zhu Biao looked up, instantly smiling, "I won't read; I'll keep you company."

Chang Wan sat down, hesitated a moment, and asked, "Imperial Father over there... is everything alright?"

Zhu Biao knew what she meant, took her hand, and said, "Don't worry, it's fine; the second brother is watching."

Chang Wan nodded, then said, "Tell me, does Hu Weiyong really have a problem?"

Zhu Biao's eyes flickered, "Whether there's a problem or not, Imperial Father knows; however... some people's paths are nearing their end."

Chang Wan asked no further.

She knew her husband's temperament: outwardly gentle, but internally aware of everything.

……

April 18.

Morning court.

Everything as usual.

Hu Weiyong stood among the civil officials' formation, expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the imperial throne, as usual listening to reports from the ministries.

At the end of the court, Hu Weiyong was about to leave when a eunuch called him, "Lord Hu, His Majesty asks you to stay."

Hu Weiyong's heart tightened, but his face showed nothing, and he followed the eunuch to the rear hall.

In the rear hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was speaking with Zhu Biao.

Seeing Hu Weiyong enter, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Lord Hu, sit."

Hu Weiyong thanked him and sat down cautiously.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Lord Hu, during the days I was ill, what were you busy doing?"

Hu Weiyong's heart jumped, but his face remained respectful, "I handle official affairs daily; I dare not be negligent."

"Handling affairs? Then how do you find time to wander around the capital camp?" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said.

Hu Weiyong's expression changed slightly, but he quickly steadied himself, "Your Majesty, I was worried the capital camp had no supervision, which could cause trouble. After all, both Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are ill..."

"So you took over for me?" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted.

Hu Weiyong hurriedly rose and knelt, "I dare not! I merely..."

"Mere what? Hu Weiyong, I ask you, you sent someone to the Eastern Palace claiming to deliver medicine... when did you switch to being a physician?" Zhu Yuanzhang stood, walked to his front, and looked down at him.

Sweat beaded on Hu Weiyong's forehead, "I... I was concerned for the Crown Prince..."

"Concern? When my sister was ill, why didn't you go to Kunning Palace to check on her?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered.

Hu Weiyong could not speak.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly laughed, "Stand up! I'm just asking, don't be nervous."

Hu Weiyong's heart pounded, and he slowly stood up.

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder, "Lord Hu, we know you're loyal, but remember, some matters aren't yours to handle."

"I... I understand," Hu Weiyong lowered his head.

"Alright, you may go." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Hu Weiyong left the rear hall, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

……

Inside the hall, Zhu Biao stepped out from behind the screen.

"Father, you're startling the grass and provoking the snake," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "We want to provoke him, make him move; the more he moves, the more flaws he reveals."

Zhu Biao nodded and added, "Your son has already placed people to keep watch; whoever he meets these days and where he goes will be recorded."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with satisfaction and said, "Biao, you handle this: arrest those who must be arrested, kill those who must die, don't be soft-handed."

"Your son understands," Zhu Biao replied.

……

Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong was playing in the courtyard with Zhu Qiong Jiong.

The little fellow's strength was astonishing; he was hoisting a small Stone Lock up and down, shouting "Hee ha hee ha".

Zhu Yong sat on a stone stool, watching his son, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Guanyin Nu walked over and sat beside him.

"I heard Imperial Father summoned Hu Weiyong today?" she asked softly.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Hmm."

"Will there be action?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Soon; that father can't endure much longer."

Guanyin Nu leaned on his shoulder and said nothing further.

Zhu Yong watched his son playing in the distance, but his mind was on another matter.

In the previous life's history, the Hu Weiyong case implicated over thirty thousand people, blood flowing like a river.

This life, who knows what it will be like.

However, no matter what, he will stand on big brother's side.

Whoever tries to harm his big brother or his family, he will use this pair of hammers, smashing them one by one.

Simple, direct.

This is what he excels at most.

In the distance, Zhu Qiong Jiong finally grew tired, ran over and flopped into Zhu Yong's arms.

"Dad! Am I impressive?" the little fellow asked, looking up.

Zhu Yong patted his head and said, "Impressive. When you grow bigger, Dad will teach you to use a real hammer."

"Really?" Zhu Qiong Jiong's eyes lit up.

"Really."

Zhu Qiong Jiong was so happy he rolled on the ground.

Guanyin Nu watched the father and son, a gentle smile at the corner of her mouth.

As the sunset set, the courtyard of Wu Wang Fu was filled with laughter.

Meanwhile, in the distant Imperial City, a storm was brewing.