Chapter 95: Stirred Up

Chang Yuchun patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said: "Good lad, well said, let those sour scholars see what a real Prince is!"

Xu Da also laughed: "Prince, today your words seem plain, but actually contain great wisdom."

Zhu Biao walked over, bowed to the assembled generals and said: "Thank you, all you uncles and elders, for speaking up on my behalf."

"Crown Prince, you're being modest; we're all practical people and can't stand those pretentious ones," Chang Yuchun laughed heartily.

The group laughed and chatted for a while, then each went their separate ways.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong walked side by side toward the palace exit.

"Second brother, do you understand the reasons behind today's events?" Zhu Biao asked softly.

Zhu Yong nodded: "I roughly understand; they're not really concerned about any propriety, they just find me displeasing."

"Indeed... your battle merits are too high, and you've earned Imperial Father's favor; you also hold the Military Authority over the capital garrison. Some people are scared and are looking for ways to suppress you."

Moreover, some are from the Jiangnan Merchant Families; Jiangnan is the largest producer of silk and cotton cloth, and if good cloth could be woven so easily, their industry would be hit.

Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh.

"I don't want to fight them," Zhu Yong said innocently.

"You don't want to fight, but they don't believe you. Today it's the Loom Diagram, tomorrow it might be that your training is too strict, the day after that they might claim you're fraternizing too closely with generals... In short, as long as there's a chance, they'll find fault with you," Zhu Biao said, shaking his head.

Zhu Yong frowned: "Then what to do... we can't just do nothing, can we?"

"Do what needs to be done; with Father and Elder Brother around, they can't cause a stir. But you, Second brother, remember to be even more cautious in the future and don't give them any excuse," he said.

Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"I understand," Zhu Yong nodded.

The two brothers stepped out of Wu Men, about to mount their horses, when a young eunuch hurried over.

"Crown Prince, Prince Wu, His Majesty has summoned you, saying to wait for the two of you in Qianqing Palace."

The two exchanged a glance and turned back into the palace.

Inside Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the desk reading a memorandum.

Seeing his two sons enter, he set down his brush and laughed: "Come in, sit."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong sat down at the lower seat.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong and said: "Yong Er, today at court you were wronged..."

Zhu Yong shook his head: "I'm fine, I did nothing wrong."

"Right, you did nothing wrong, but Biao Er is correct; you must be more careful in the future. Those people won't dare act openly, but will set traps behind the scenes."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction and said.

Zhu Biao suddenly said from beside him: "Father, I think this matter is not simple; Wang Guangyang, Tao Kai, and Lü Ben are usually steady, yet today they all coordinated against Second brother—perhaps someone is pulling strings."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "We know those Jiangnan families are displeased that we favor martial over literary pursuits. Yong Er is the top military commander and also our son, so they naturally want to cut at him."

He paused, then continued: "But they've miscalculated. Yong Er's Loom Diagram, we've already ordered the Ministry of Works to expedite production, first promoting it in Yingtian Prefecture, then gradually spreading it nationwide."

"When the common folk reap the benefits, see what they dare say."

Zhu Biao laughed: "Father's move is brilliant; the people gain benefits, naturally they will think well of Second brother. No matter how the scholars argue, it can't outweigh a concrete act that benefits the people."

"Once it's produced, we can lease it to the people, letting them make cloth, earn silver, and then repay the loan..."

"That's the principle. By the way, Yong Er, have you received any good items from that White-bearded Old Man?" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

Zhu Yong scratched his head: "Sometimes I dream of things, but I can't recall them fully. When I remember, I'll tell Father."

"Alright, no rush. Whatever good items you have, just bring them out; we'll back you up," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

After chatting a while longer, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Alright, you may return. Biao Er, stay a moment; I still have something to tell you."

Zhu Yong rose and took his leave.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, he walked alone toward the outside of the palace.

Halfway there, he ran into Wang Baobao.

"Greetings, Prince Wu," Wang Baobao bowed with both hands.

"Elder Brother, no need for formalities," Zhu Yong quickly steadied him.

Since Guanyin Nu married into Wu Wang Fu, Wang Baobao's attitude toward Zhu Yong has become much closer.

The two walked side by side, and Wang Baobao whispered: "Prince, I've heard about today's court matters."

Zhu Yong laughed: "Nothing much, it's all over."

Wang Baobao shook his head: "Prince, you must not be careless. When I was in Northern Yuan, I also witnessed court struggles, sometimes more dangerous than the battlefield."

"Today's affair is only the beginning; those people won't stop."

Zhu Yong nodded: "I understand, thank you, Elder Brother."

Wang Baobao hesitated a moment, then said: "Prince, now that I serve in the court, I've heard rumors that some civil officials are secretly colluding, saying they want to limit the power of military commanders, especially... your Military Authority."

Zhu Yong frowned: "My Military Authority was given by Father; they can just take it away?"

"They won't dare do it openly, but they'll find all sorts of reasons—like the capital garrison's expenses being too high, or your training being too strict... In short, they'll chip away at it bit by bit."

Wang Baobao said.

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said: "I understand, thank you, Elder Brother."

The two walked to outside Wu Men, each mounting their horse to part ways.

On the way back to the residence, Zhu Yong kept pondering Wang Baobao's words.

"Military Authority... those people really are scheming about this."

"But with Father and Elder Brother around, he's not afraid."

"It's just that court struggles are indeed more vexing than battlefields."

Back at Wu Wang Fu, Guanyin Nu came forward and said: "Prince, how's it going?"

"Nothing, everything's resolved, Father even praised me for doing well," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Guanyin Nu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good; I've been worried all morning."

"There's nothing to worry about, come on, let's go eat." Zhu Yong took her hand and headed toward the dining hall.

In the afternoon, Zhu Yong read a military text in the study.

Though he didn't know many characters, he could understand some things by reading slowly.

While he was reading, Hu Bo entered and reported, "Prince, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Zhu Yong hurried to his feet to greet him.

Zhu Biao walked in, holding a roll of Blueprint in his hand.

"Second brother, look at this."

He spread the Blueprint on the table; it was an improved Loom Diagram, annotated with dimensions and materials.

"This is the Ministry of Works' improvement based on your Blueprint; efficiency can be increased by another ten percent. The Imperial Mother has already ordered the Imperial Household Department to produce a hundred units first, to be given to palace maids for trial."

"If the results are good, it will be promoted throughout Yingtian," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

When Zhu Biao received this Blueprint, he was also quite surprised; they had never done it this way before, and now he was spurred by his own brother.

Zhu Yong examined the Blueprint carefully; although he couldn't decipher the annotations, he could see that the structure was more intricate.

"Great, now Mom's weaving will be much easier."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Not just in the palace; once it spreads to the civilian world, the common folk will benefit too. Second brother, your diagram can save countless lives."

Zhu Yong chuckled naively, "I didn't think that far; I just wanted to make Mom's work easier."

"That spirit is the most precious. By the way, Dad asked me to tell you: next month's Grand Capital Camp Competition, you should prepare well. Dad will come personally to watch, and let those civil officials see the might of our Grand Capital Camp."

Zhu Biao patted his shoulder and said.

"Alright!" Zhu Yong's eyes lit up.

The Grand Capital Camp Competition is a prime opportunity to showcase military strength.

He wants everyone to see what his troops look like.

The two brothers chatted a while longer, then Zhu Biao took his leave.

Zhu Yong saw his elder brother off, returned to the study, looked at the Loom Diagram, and smiled foolishly.

He doesn't understand court intrigues, but training troops is his forte.

As long as he does these well, he'll live up to Dad's trust and his elder brother's support.

As for those civil officials… let them be.