"Japan??" The second uncle looked at Zhu Zhanzhen questioningly, but immediately regained his expression: "What does it have to do with me? I'm tired from fighting. Whoever wants to go can go."
"Second uncle, I think we cooperate very well and have a tacit understanding. Without your help, I would have been in danger when I went to Japan."
"Then you come here and help me. I won't send you to Japan. You want to eat, drink, and marry as many wives as you want. I won't care about you if you kill people and set fires." Zhu Gaoxu turned around and led an army.
Zhu Zhanzhen gave a bitter smile: "Second uncle, if we have something to say, let's talk it over carefully. Don't be so angry."
When Zhu Gaoxu heard this, he became even more angry. He didn't find Zhu Gaochi now, which only added fuel to the fire.
"Is it because I don't speak well? Your father demoted all my subordinates. Anyone who has ever been with me will be implicated. What does this mean? You just want to bully me, right? And the third child, the third child is so easy to talk to.
Man, your father keeps bullying people. He always pretends to be a good guy. Now the fox tail is exposed. The old man is doing fine now. He can't wait any longer. How can he bully people like this? Not in the future.
Find a reason to kill us two brothers?"
Zhu Gaoxu spoke emotionally for a long time, and when he got to the exciting part, his saliva flew everywhere.
"Second uncle, don't think too much. Dad values brotherhood most. How is this possible?"
Bang
Bang
The emotional Zhu Gaoxu slammed the table twice: "Brotherhood, brotherhood! You told me this is called brotherhood, what kind of brotherhood is this?"
Zhu Gaosui comforted Zhu Gaoxu, while Zhu Zhanzhen felt a little embarrassed on the side.
Zhu Gaochi arranged for Zhu Zhanyang to resolve this matter instead of Zhu Zhanji because Zhu Zhanyang was better at negotiating with Zhu Zhanji. If it were Zhu Zhanji now, and the second uncle spoke so fiercely to his face, I am afraid that the two of them would have
They broke up on bad terms, but Zhu Zhanchen didn't take it to heart.
After Zhu Gaoxu complained for a while and his mood eased, Zhu Zhanchen continued to speak: "Second uncle, the durians I had sent from Guangzhou have arrived, and they have been sent to your two uncles' houses. The shell of this thing is
It has thorns, smells bad, and tastes delicious. My two uncles must have never eaten it. You can try it when you go back."
"What kind of durian, nostalgic, does it have anything to do with today's matter? Don't change the subject for me. I will stay here today without any explanation." Zhu Gaoxu still did not accept this trick.
Zhu Zhanzhen had no choice but to change his direction and started chatting with Zhu Gaosui first: "Third uncle, please help persuade the second uncle. If the second uncle and his father fight, it will be over by then. If people spread the word, it will be a joke."
.”
"We can't fight. Your father is self-aware. He can't withstand your second uncle's punch." It was obvious that Zhu Gaojiu was on Zhu Gaoxu's side at this time.
With a black line on his head, Zhu Zhanzhen forced a smile and said: "Second uncle, am I not going to be sent out too? My eldest brother is also going to be sent out. We will be the kings of the county and you, the uncles, will return to your own fiefdoms as the vassal kings."
Is that what it should be?”
"It should be..." Zhu Gaoxu said halfway and swallowed his anger forcibly. He would not make mistakes at this time and let others take advantage of him.
"Go back, whoever says you can't go back is the boss who has to give me an explanation as to why he is targeting me, otherwise I won't leave."
So everyone in the royal family is very smart. Did Zhu Gaoxu cause trouble because he got angry?
Anger only accounted for a small part of the reason. The biggest reason was that he deliberately used this matter as an excuse to quarrel with Zhu Gaochi and delay his return to the fiefdom, because he knew that Zhu Gaochi could not give an explanation for the matter.
How to explain it? Could it be that it was because I was guarding against him, so he could make a big fuss again.
Although Prince Han was a bit domineering, his achievements were real, and his prestige in the military was much higher than that of Zhu Gaochi, so Zhu Gaochi avoided him and did not let him express himself. He would not explain the demotion of those among the generals.
He would only continue to attack the Han king for not observing etiquette and law in the next court, and the vassal king would not return to his fiefdom.
It is foreseeable that the relationship between the two will deteriorate sharply. The two people who were still close to each other as brothers a few days ago have become tit-for-tat so quickly.
"Third uncle, you, your second uncle, and your father are making such a fuss, which will make Grandpa Huang angry again later. Grandpa Huang is not in good health right now. The imperial doctor said you must not get angry. What should we do?" Zhu Zhan
Chang continued to target Zhu Gaosui.
"What can I do? Your father is too bullying."
"Uncles, if this is not the case, you should go back first and I will go and persuade father."
"Don't make these delaying measures for me. Can your father listen to you? Your father has made up his mind to target me deliberately. Tomorrow there is no guarantee that some civil servants will come out to frame me for rebellion. I don't care, I will stay here.
, let’s see how your father framed me.”
Zhu Zhanzhen was helpless, Zhu Gaoxu was confused, his mind was really clear, and his purpose was very clear.
"Third uncle, you don't want things to end like this, right? How can Grandpa Huang explain this?"
After all, Zhu Gaosui was not the most powerful contender for the throne, and when he was kneeling on the snowy night before, Zhu Di specifically called him in alone and told him about his previous wooden sword, implying that he also asked him to stand in front of him when the two were fighting.
Don't interfere, be neutral.
But because Zhu Gaochi is the prince after all, he usually sides with Zhu Gaoxu. Everyone is doing it for their own benefit, but as the youngest son, he is very afraid of really annoying his father.
Now he wavered, looked around and said, "Second brother, why don't we go back first? It's too ugly and we can't save face."
Zhu Gaosui's change of stance is the best signal for Zhu Zhanzhen. The two uncles still seem to have different purposes.
Zhu Gaoxu did not listen to the advice: "What is ugly and faceless? The boss can ignore the brotherhood, but I have to care about it? I was only a teenager when I fought with the old man. It was a battle of swords and fire. Every time I went out, I would not care about it."
If you don’t know if you’re still alive, just look at this injury.”
The traditional preservation project of the Prince of Han began to expose his scars, but these scars were definitely caused by his battles, and there is nothing to say in terms of achievements.
"I fought wherever the old man told me. I fought all the most difficult and dangerous battles. This time I went to the northwest. I went when I was asked. Without saying a word, I have been blowing the wind and sand in the northwest for several months. You see
Look at these hands and this face. The farmers outside are all more delicate than me. They are better now. It is impossible, absolutely impossible for you to kill the donkey as soon as the grinder is removed."
"Second uncle, that's not what you said. Grandpa Huang and father are not such people."
"What are these people? They just want to throw me away. It's best not to come back for the rest of my life."
…
Zhu Zhanzhen was dealing with Zhu Gaoxu in the front, and Zhu Zhanji was accompanying Zhu Gaochi in the princess's courtyard.
The Crown Princess looked at the father and son and said with some dissatisfaction: "Your Highness, you can't hide all the time. Gao Xu is so aggressive. If word spreads, it will be said that you, the Crown Prince, are afraid of the King of Han."
"He was rude and it was his fault." Although Zhu Gaochi was a little dissatisfied, he didn't show it on his face.
"Father, if we didn't have my second uncle, our life would be much easier."
As soon as he said this, Zhu Gaochi glared at Zhu Zhanji: "Zhanji, a family is destined by fate. God wants us to be a family. Your second uncle and I were born from the same mother. No matter how we fight or quarrel, brothers will always be
Brother, if you are murderous towards your brother, you are worse than a beast, and you will not be able to see your mother even if you die."
It was rare for Zhu Gaochi to speak in such a fierce manner, so the Crown Princess hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Zhanji didn't mean that."
Zhu Zhanji still didn't feel that he was wrong. His second uncle was their biggest enemy, but Zhu Gaochi was his father after all, so he respectfully replied: "I know I was wrong."
"But father, what should we do with this situation now? The second uncle will not give up. He will definitely try his best to stay in the capital. According to the prestige and ability of the second uncle in the army, he must have many followers. He must not let the second uncle
Stay in the capital."
"Oh, he can keep it if he wants."
"Then I will stay and help my father. During this Northern Expedition, I have also established a lot of prestige in the army. I believe that those who follow me in the expedition will also be willing to continue to follow me."
"Nonsense, do you want to go to war with your second uncle in the capital?"
"In the end, you may have to do it."
Zhu Gaochi's anger welled up: "It seems that I have forgotten what I just said to you."
"Father, you are kind and righteous, but you have to be careful." Zhu Zhanji advised him earnestly.
"You can take Jiaxing and set off back tomorrow."
"Father!!"
"Your second uncle doesn't listen to me, so you don't listen to me either?"
The Crown Princess poured tea for Zhu Gaochi: "Your Highness, why are you so angry? Zhan Ji also thinks about you. It is only natural for a son to help his father."
"The best thing that can help me now is to take Jiaxing back to your fiefdom and leave tomorrow."
Zhu Zhanji didn't answer. The princess pushed him, and then he said, "My son, I obey."
After sending Zhu Zhanji away, the princess said with a hint of reproach: "Your Highness, Zhanji also has good intentions. Don't blame him."
"This kid has thought too highly of himself in the past two years. It's no wonder that the civil and military officials of the entire court have praised him. He still needs to grow older and settle down his character."
"You always have a good heart, and don't be too harsh, Your Highness."
"Yeah, I know."
The Crown Princess asked again: "Your Highness, what will the King of Han do to deal with the news of the eunuch's arrival? Zhan Yi can't stop the two uncles."
"I didn't expect Zhan Chen to be able to block the two of them. It's just that he has a good temper and has a good relationship with Gao Xu. It would be better for Gao Xu to vent his anger than to have tit-for-tat confrontation between us brothers. Then it's really irreversible."
Poor Zhu Zhanzhen was the tool assigned by his fat father to be scolded at the front.
"Then what are you going to do, Your Highness? Gao Xu will not let this matter go by easily."
"This matter depends on the old man. It is impossible for the old man to just sit back and ignore this matter. If it gets too big, the royal family will become a joke." Zhu Gaochi wanted to see what Zhu Di's attitude was.
After dinner, Zhu Gaojiu planned to stay in Zhu Gaochi's study. He was not afraid of embarrassment, but Zhu Gaojiu couldn't do this.
Looking at Zhu Gaochi, he asked the eunuch to bring bed sheets and quilts, spread them on the desk where Zhu Gaochi worked, and then covered him with the quilt.
"Go and get a bed for Prince Zhao."
"No, no, no, no, second brother, I'd better go home and sleep at night. It's getting late, so I'll leave first." King Zhao was not as generous as the King of Han.
"Then go and get a bed for Zhan Zhen, and we, uncle and nephew, can have a heart-to-heart talk."
"Second uncle, no, I have to go home to give birth to the baby at night." Zhu Zhanchen refused quickly.
Prince Zhao was about to leave. As soon as he reached the door, the eunuch beside Zhu Di came.
"Your Majesty ordered that Prince Zhao, the King of Han, should go home after he has been fooling around all day. My headache will go away as much as possible."
"Nonsense, it must be nonsense. I'll go find the old man." Prince Han lifted up the quilt, walked to the door, pushed it angrily, and was about to rush out.
The old eunuch stood in front of him: "Prince Han, your Majesty is tired and has rested. This is your Majesty's oral order. If you go, I'm sure it will become an imperial edict."
"Okay, okay, they all gang up to bully me." Prince Han glared at everyone and put the door down: "I'll come back tomorrow."
Zhu Gaosui also followed Zhu Gaoxu and left.
Zhu Zhanchen finally breathed a sigh of relief. The second uncle was really difficult to deal with. He had no conflicts with him before, but this time he helped the fat father, but he was scolded by the second uncle. If not
Zhu Zhanzhen didn't take his good attitude to heart, he was afraid that he would have to fight today.
Seeing the two people leaving, Zhu Zhanzhen was about to leave too, but the eunuch stopped him: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhujiang County, your Majesty has invited you."
"Hasn't Grandpa Huang already rested?"
"That's what Prince Han said."
Really, they teamed up to bully Prince Han.
Zhu Zhanzhen followed the old eunuch to Zhu Di's side.
Zhu Di was sitting in his Taoist robe and seemed to have been waiting for him for a while.
Zhu Zhanxun came in and asked first: "Grandpa Huang, are you feeling better?" Zhu Di didn't let them come to pay their respects these days, not even the great sage Zhu Zhanji came.
"Come here, Zhan Zhan, to Grandpa Huang. These are pastries from the imperial kitchen. They taste good. You should also eat some." Zhu Di was like an ordinary grandfather greeting his grandson for dessert.
Those delicate and small pastries are very beautiful.
Judging from the smile, Zhu Di's health should be much better.
While eating pastries, Zhu Di said: "I like your song "Qinyuan Chun Yongle Emperor" very much. Thousands of ancient romantic figures still have the courage to look at it today."
"Grandpa Huang, you still don't know your grandson's abilities."
"I heard that your second uncle scolded you all day today?" Zhu Di finally got down to business.
Zhu Zhanzhen smiled helplessly and shook his head: "It doesn't count as a whole day."
"Your father has been hiding for a whole day and you have to shoulder the responsibility. Don't you complain?"
"Don't complain. My father just doesn't want to have a direct conflict with my second uncle. My second uncle will scold me. As long as I don't take it seriously, it will be fine. My father and my second uncle are not completely at loggerheads. It's better this way."
Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanzhen with admiration: "You are smart, your second uncle will come tomorrow, will you still go?"
"Let's change the third brother tomorrow. I can't stand being scolded every day."
"Your third brother is not good. After all, you have a better relationship with Gao Xu, and Gao Xu is more scrupulous. Although your third brother will not get angry because of being scolded, your second uncle has always been very demanding, and he must deliberately embarrass your third brother.
.”
Zhu Di still knows his son better than his father.
So I have to be scolded tomorrow?
"Grandpa Huang, what do you think we should do?"
"Don't look so gloomy. I will order Gao Xu to return to his fiefdom early tomorrow morning."
Zhu Di's words were beyond Zhu Zhanzhen's expectations. Zhu Di's decree was tantamount to completely helping Zhu Gaochi. In this way, could the second uncle not hold grudges?
"What, you don't believe it?"
"No, it's just..." Zhu Zhanchen did not dare to continue.
It was rumored outside that Zhu Di preferred his second son, but he didn't expect that Zhu Di would clearly favor his eldest son in this important matter.
The only explanation is that Zhu Gaochi's handling of this matter has already been approved by Zhu Di. How many days has it been?
"Your father talked to me before and arranged for all of you to return to the fiefdom, and Zhanji is no exception. If Gao Xu and Gao Chi don't come back, it will be a violation of the vassal king's etiquette. Without the courtesy of ministers, the entire dynasty will be conquered by civil servants.
It doesn't matter to them one or two days, but over time they will be written down in the history books, which is a bit uglier."
"So Grandpa Huang is going to issue an edict to let the second uncle and the third uncle return to the fiefdom?"
"Part of the reason is that everyone knows that I am the founder of the rebellion. I have expanded the territory of the Ming Dynasty to an unprecedented level. I should be considered a good emperor, but if I end up confiscating the end, I will have to be talked about in the history books.
Ichiban.”
Zhu Di began to think about his posthumous name.
When people reach old age, some people are greedy for life, while others are carefree. Those who are greedy for life will never understand the state of mind of those who face life and death with openness.
"Your father came to tell me about his arrangement two days ago. I am very satisfied with it."
This is the reason why Zhu Di helped Zhu Gaochi.
"What did father say?"
"He arranged for all the vassal kings and princes to go out, but you did not return to Guangzhou. Instead, he arranged for you to go to Japan. Have you considered the reason?"
"I thought about it but didn't understand it. My father never took the initiative to conquer foreign countries, but this time he allowed me to go to Japan. There was also a conquest intention behind his words, but I never understood it."
Zhu Di said with appreciation: "He will arrange for you to go to sea from Weihai Port. Weihai Port is the place where Zhanji is responsible. Zhanji has already gone back when you set off. At the same time, Gao Chi will send additional troops to Shandong for possible subsequent conquests."
The 150,000 permanent garrison troops are under the charge of Zhanji and are ready to respond to you at any time."
Zhu Zhanzhen's eyes widened: "Send an additional 150,000 soldiers to be stationed in Shandong."
"Yes, we have heavily deployed troops in Shandong. Shandong, I was blocked in Shandong during the early stages of the Jingnan crisis." Zhu Di recalled the past.
Damn it, this real dad is awesome.
This is equivalent to letting Zhu Zhanji guard Shandong for a long time with heavy troops. Once Zhu Gaoxu returns to his fiefdom, even if he intends to raise troops to go north, there is no fear that he will be caught off guard.
No wonder Zhu Zhanzhen was asked to go to Japan. This was just an excuse to station troops.
It seemed that everyone, including himself, had underestimated Zhu Gaochi before. Once he started planning, he was thorough and cautious, not only to suppress Zhu Gaochi in the court, but also to take precautions in actual preparations.
What Zhu Di didn't want the most was for his sons and grandsons to fight each other in the future. With Zhu Gaochi's plan and his son's excellence, the Ming Dynasty should be able to continue to prosper.
With Zhu Gaochi's character, if he becomes emperor in the future, Zhu Gaoxu will have a way out.
And more importantly, Zhu Gaochi also swore in front of him that he would not give up an inch of the land of the Ming Dynasty in the future.
When Zhu Zhanchen was shocked, Zhu Di pushed a token in front of him.