ATPnovel Chapter 9 Temporarily Admits Defeat to the Crown Prince
Chapter 9 Temporarily Admits Defeat to the Crown Prince
Zhu Gaoxi was unable to stop Zhu Yuanzhang.
From then on, Zhu Gaoxi's dislike for Zhu Yunwen deepened even further.
Yes, it's disgust, the deepest level of aversion.
If it weren't for him, Zhu Yuanzhang wouldn't have gone on such a killing spree.
He pretended to be so filial to Zhu Yuanzhang, but as soon as Zhu Yuanzhang died, he immediately turned against his uncle, a prince.
Beneath his hypocritical facade lay unparalleled coldness and selfishness.
What he wanted was the throne, while his grandfather wanted to protect and pass on the empire.
He will never understand his grandfather's good intentions.
Zhu Gaoxi looked down on him.
On February 14, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict promulgating the "Record of Traitorous Officials," which listed 15,000 people implicated in the Lan Yu case and executed. Among them, Zhan Hui, the Minister of Personnel, was the highest-ranking civil official involved in Lan Yu's case. Zhan Hui had previously been granted the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.
On February 15th, Zhu Yuanzhang went to the outskirts of the city to cultivate the fields as usual.
For the first time, Zhu Gaoxi experienced the emperor's overwhelming power firsthand.
He felt utterly guilty, realizing that nothing could be changed.
In March, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Geng Bingwen to train troops in Shaanxi to prepare for the border, and Feng Sheng and Fu Youde to train troops in Shanxi and Beiping to prepare for the border, under the command of the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Yan.
"All matters concerning military affairs shall be reported to the court and informed of the king, and shall be permanently recorded in the decree."
The military power of the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Yan was expanded to an unprecedented level.
Seeing Zhu Gaoxi's low spirits, Zhu Yuanzhang stayed by his grandson's side and asked, "The Duke of Ying is going to Beiping. Would you like to give your father a letter?"
"Really?" Zhu Gaoxi's eyes lit up instantly.
"My imperial grandfather never lies," Zhu Yuanzhang boasted.
Zhu Gaoxi curled his lip in disapproval, "In just one year, you've already lied twice."
The first time, she deliberately ignored Zhu Yunwen, making Lady Lü and her son mistakenly believe that Zhu Yunwen was not destined for the position of crown prince, thus leading them to make a mistake.
Unfortunately, Lady Lü remained steadfast and unmoved by the storm, successfully passing the test.
If Lady Lü dares to plot anything, she will surely lose her life.
The second time, he feigned illness to test Lan Yu's loyalty, which ultimately led to the Lan Yu case.
Zhu Gaoxi scribbled two pictures, one for his adoptive mother and one for his adoptive father.
"Draw another one for your stepmother. Xu Huizu, Xu Zengshou, and Xu Miaojin are good to you only because of your stepmother. You must learn to warm people's hearts," Zhu Yuanzhang whispered in his grandson's ear.
Zhu Gaoxi gripped his brush and drew a similar one.
Xu Miaojin put all three paintings into an envelope and handed it to Fu Youde.
Zhu Gaoxi greatly admired the old general who walked with a strong and powerful gait. The affectionate look in his eyes deeply moved Fu Youde, who lifted him up and carried him high several times.
Zhu Gaoxi's vision had never been so expansive; his heart was soaring.
At this moment, Zhu Gaoxi suddenly longed for his adoptive father.
If my adoptive father were in the capital, I could lift him up high every day.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when he suppressed it; it was too naive!
Zhu Gaoxi's dislike for Zhu Yunwen grew day by day, and he deliberately harassed him on several occasions. Zhu Yuanzhang could no longer tolerate it, so he kicked him out and forbade him from entering the Qianqing Palace at will.
Instead of offering comfort, Xu Miaojin gloated, "Now you're behaving yourself, aren't you?"
Hey brat, which side are you standing on?!
Zhu Gaoxi cursed inwardly in dissatisfaction.
Zhu Yuanzhang began to personally train Zhu Yunwen, just as he had trained Zhu Biao before.
However, due to time constraints, all processes were accelerated.
Zhu Yuanzhang adopted a zero-tolerance attitude towards Zhu Gaoxi's deliberate sabotage.
Reprimanded by his grandfather, Zhu Gaoxi's eyes welled up with tears of grievance.
Seeing his pitiful appearance, Xu Miaojin's heart melted completely. "Why do you always pick on the Crown Prince? He likes you a lot, and he always thinks of you when there's something delicious to eat."
"A true friend is hard to find," Zhu Gaoxi lamented.
Zhu Yuanzhang later felt he had been too strict with his grandson, so he ordered the Imperial Kitchen to make braised meatballs, Zhu Gaoxi's favorite dish.
"Xi'er, if Grandpa is no longer here in the future, your brother will protect you. You must not quarrel with your brother, and you must not disturb your brother's studies. Only when he learns skills can he better protect you," Zhu Yuanzhang said emotionally, stroking Zhu Gaoxi's head. "When you grow up, you must do your best to assist your brother. You are so smart, you will definitely become your brother's right-hand man."
"Father," Zhu Gaoxi said matter-of-factly.
He meant that he had a powerful father to protect him and didn't need Zhu Yunwen.
"Your father is in Beiping. Do you want to go to Beiping? Staying in the capital and finding a renowned scholar to teach you will help you develop your skills," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "Have you seen your second brother? He's ignorant, cruel, and ruthless—what a mess he's made of! Your imperial grandfather will not allow your studies to be delayed. I will tell your brother to find you the best teacher and marry you to a noblewoman. When you brothers are together, united in heart and mind, you'll be an impregnable fortress."
Zhu Gaoxi couldn't win an argument with his grandfather, the Emperor.
However, poor speaking skills do not equate to agreement.
The grandfather and grandson were locked in a stalemate, neither able to convince the other.
"From now on, you will go to the main hall to study with Yunhuo," Zhu Yuanzhang said, giving up on persuading him and patting his behind as he prepared to leave.
"No!" Zhu Gaoxi cried out anxiously. He didn't want to be a second-class student like Zhu Yunwen.
"Then what should we do?" Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be in a dilemma.
Zhu Yunwen seized the opportunity to come over and said, "Grandfather, I promise that my younger brother will be obedient in the future. If he makes a mistake, it must be because I didn't teach him well. I am willing to take the punishment for him."
"Just like your father, always desperately protecting his younger brother," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted lightly, and left satisfied.
What he liked most about Biao'er was his emphasis on brotherhood and kinship. Yunwen had grasped the essence of this, which naturally made him very gratified.
A wise man doesn't suffer immediate losses, and a virtuous person doesn't stand under a crumbling wall...
Zhu Gaoxi found many high-sounding excuses for his show of weakness.
Zhu Yunwen was very puzzled by his younger brother's behavior and quietly asked Xu Miaojin, "Why doesn't my brother like his older brother?"
"Your brother always has an icy expression, no wonder the little one doesn't like him," Miao Jin said, offering her perspective.
"Actually, my brother had his reasons. His grandfather taught him to keep his emotions hidden and not let others see through his true thoughts," Zhu Yunwen explained.
"Grandpa Emperor teaches these things too? I want to learn them too!" Zhu Gaoxi's interest was immediately piqued.
By this standard, looking back at my past attitude towards Zhu Yunwen, I was indeed somewhat inadequate. How could I so easily express my likes and dislikes?
Having learned his lesson, Zhu Gaoxi decided to feign compliance with Zhu Yunwen from now on and stop directly confronting him.
Seeing that Zhu Yunwen had successfully subdued Zhu Gaoxi, Zhu Yuanzhang became increasingly convinced that his choice was correct.
Zhu Gaoxi felt that his grandfather was too biased and was determined to compete with Zhu Yunwen.
He wanted to crush Zhu Yunwen with his strength.
From then on, Zhu Yunwen had a little pageboy by his side.
In order to be able to audit the classes, Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to temporarily lower his stance.
Consider this a temporary measure; sooner or later, I'll show Zhu Yunwen how powerful I am.