Chapter 4: Two Choices, Old Zhu's Hesitation
“The princes of the Ming dynasty guard the borders and protect the capital.”
“Second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle all hold power and troops in their fiefdoms, and they are brave and skilled in battle.”
“If Zhu Yunwen is established as heir, the emperor grandfather would inevitably move against the meritorious nobles for his sake. The imperial uncles are related by marriage to these nobles, so there would be an extra layer of resentment between them and Zhu Yunwen.”
“If Zhu Yunwen cannot even control the meritorious nobles, he certainly cannot control the imperial uncles.”
“Nephew wishes to ask second uncle a question.”
Zhu Yunxu paused here for a moment, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhu.
Zhu Zhu said, “Ask whatever you want, Yunxu.”
Without holding back, Zhu Yunxu asked, “Now that the father is gone, has second uncle ever considered the position of heir?”
“My late father, I absolutely have not,” Zhu Zhu immediately denied, but his expression betrayed some guilt.
As the second son, he certainly had thoughts about succeeding his elder brother, but he could not admit it.
A father knows his son best.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw at a glance that this rebellious son definitely harbored such intentions.
He could also see that not only did Zhu Zhu have thoughts of this kind, but the third son Zhu Chang and even the fourth son did as well...
The emperor’s expression slowly darkened.
“Second uncle, I believe you have not, but what about Zhu Yunwen?”
“All the imperial uncles hold military power, especially second uncle, posing a great threat to Zhu Yunwen.”
“Zhu Yunwen is not a legitimate son, making it difficult for the uncles to accept him. His relationship with them is poor, and he is weak and incapable of commanding their loyalty. In the end, he will inevitably exploit righteousness, find reasons, and devise ways to harm the uncles.”
“Furthermore, your fathers-in-law were all killed by the emperor grandfather to consolidate Zhu Yunwen’s position.”
“Zhu Yunwen must still fear you seeking revenge for them.”
“Only when you are dead can Zhu Yunwen be at ease. The emperor grandfather will not kill you, but Zhu Yunwen will. When he becomes emperor, it will be easy for him to use righteousness as a pretext to eliminate you.”
Having finished speaking, Zhu Zhu and Zhu Chang’s faces immediately changed dramatically, while the other uncles’ expressions turned to terror.
Zhu Di, hearing this, followed Zhu Yunxu’s line of thought and grew solemn. He agreed with Zhu Yunxu’s assessment, believing that in the future, even if Zhu Yunwen harbored no murderous intent, their fate would hardly be any better.
They then all looked towards Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuanzhang with complicated expressions.
Zhu Yuanzhang was also silenced by Zhu Yunxu’s words.
As emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang knew all too well what a newly enthroned ruler first thinks of.
Especially for an emperor like Zhu Yunwen, whose legitimacy was questionable, he feared the threat posed by the legitimate son Zhu Yunxu and the present princes.
Zhu Yunwen now felt what it meant to have a thorn in one’s back. Feeling the imperial uncles’ gazes upon him, a chill ran down his spine, and he knelt hastily.
“Emperor Grandfather, your grandson would never do such a thing.”
“Father always told me how important family ties are, but to ease the doubts of third brother and the imperial uncles, I will not accept the title.”
“Please, emperor grandfather, pass the heirship to third brother. I will live as an ordinary person.”
Zhu Yunwen’s heart was in turmoil and fear. He did not expect Zhu Yunxu’s few words to push him into opposition against the imperial uncles and the meritorious nobles. He could only retreat and express his innocence.
At the same time, he recalled what Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng had said recently about the threat posed by the princes.
Zhu Yunwen believed they were right. When he became emperor, the princes could not be tolerated. He was already thinking about how to deal with them. But how could Zhu Yunxu know this?
Not only did he know, but he dared to say it out loud.
Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai both suspected that Zhu Yunxu had overheard their conversation.
In truth, when the time came to reduce the power of the princes, Zhu Zhu and Zhu Chang were already gone.
Zhu Yunwen dared not kill the imperial uncles directly but forced Prince Xiang Zhu Bo to death. The other princes were gradually stripped of their power.
These events had not yet occurred, but it did not stop Zhu Yunxu from using this argument to attack Zhu Yunwen preemptively, as Zhu Yunwen truly thought along these lines.
Reducing the power of the princes was the right move; Zhu Yunwen was just too hasty.
“Your Majesty!”
Lan Yu called out loudly, “Do you really want to kill us all?”
The eyes of these Huai West generals were filled with defiance and unwillingness.
“Father!”
Zhu Zhu strode before Zhu Yuanzhang, pointing at Zhu Yunwen with bitterness. “Do you really want him to kill all of us brothers in the future?”
“I do not approve of establishing Zhu Yunwen.”
Zhu Zhen opposed.
“I am not afraid to die, but I do not want to die at Zhu Yunwen’s hands. If father wants me dead, please do it yourself. I would have no resentment dying at your hand.”
Zhu Su was more emotional and even mimicked Zhu Yunxu’s tone, gritting his teeth, “Please, father, grant me death!”
“Please, father, grant me death!”
Other princes joined Zhu Su in shouting.
“Please, Your Majesty, grant me death!”
Seeing this, Lan Yu and the other generals also begged for death.
They all pressured the old emperor, whose face turned dark.
Zhu Yunxu then took up his long sword and said, “Your grandson does not want to see our family members perish one by one, only to die at Zhu Yunwen’s hands. Emperor grandfather, you might as well kill me first!”
“Silence!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s scalp tingled.
This rebellious grandson, those rebellious sons, and that group of old men really would not give him any face.
Nor would they spare the royal family any dignity.
This was the court, with so many watching. What if news spread?
But he truly admired Zhu Yunxu’s courage.
Angry?
Of course angry. How could he not be furious at such a rebellious grandson?
But it was only anger; he would not harm Zhu Yunxu.
Amid his anger, Zhu Yuanzhang thought deeply.
Zhu Yunwen was timid and too close to the civil officials, inevitably held hostage by them. He feared that what Zhu Yunxu said would come true.
If the generals died, so be it, but the descendants of the Zhu family must not slaughter each other.
Zhu Yunxu was audacious, somewhat like himself but less refined. With the likes of Lan Yu and Chang Sheng among the maternal relatives, it would be difficult to deal with them.
Now, killing Lan Yu and the others would be hard!
“When have I ever said I want to kill you all?”
Zhu Yuanzhang came back to himself and snorted lightly. “You just listen to that rebellious grandson babble nonsense. Do you really wish to die so badly?”
They dared not reply.
Though all of Zhu Yunxu’s analysis and speculation were just that, Lan Yu and the others knew he was not wrong. The butcher Zhu indeed dared to kill them.
Zhu Zhu and the others also agreed with Zhu Yunxu’s words. When the old emperor was gone, given their status and ties to the meritorious nobles, their power would threaten the throne, and they would surely be eliminated.
These were facts, but perhaps it was better to speak the truth openly.
“Today's matters end here. No one is allowed to spread this outside.”
“If I hear any idle gossip spreading around, humph!”
“Court is adjourned.”
“Zhu Yunxu, come with me.”
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly ended the morning court; he simply could not continue.
As for the edict of investiture, he put it away.
No investiture today.
The heir must come from Zhu Biao’s lineage — either Zhu Yunwen or Zhu Yunxu.
Zhu Yuanzhang did not dislike Zhu Yunxu because of today’s events. He still needed to ponder these two choices carefully. Reflecting on Zhu Yunxu’s words, he hesitated, wondering whether establishing Zhu Yunwen was truly right.
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang put away the edict, Zhu Yunwen’s heart sank completely.