Zhu Xi walked into the hall and just knelt down. Before he could speak, Zhu Yuanzhang rushed up and said with murderous intent:
"It's you, it's you who killed Biao'er, it must be you!"
Zhu Xiang's brain suddenly buzzed, and his computer immediately shut down, and his face turned green immediately.
He didn't even dare to go home. He came to the capital with the honor guard just to prove his innocence. Unexpectedly, before he could explain, his father was found guilty.
How pitiful is he, how could he have the courage!
Last time he showed just a little bit and almost got beaten to death. He couldn't bear the thought of rebellion.
"It's unfair, it's unfair!"
Zhu Ming grabbed the ground with his head and kowtowed as if he was pounding garlic, "Father, you know me, I have no ambition!"
"I don't have the kindness and wisdom of my eldest brother, and I don't have his political talent. I have never been greedy." Zhu Ping was really frightened, "Father, Mingjian, my eldest brother passed away suddenly. There really was no conspiracy to kill him.
!”
"Don't make excuses. We saw your disloyalty last time."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked around, walked to the main hall, pulled out his sword and was about to chop off the second son's head, "Today we will avenge Biao'er."
"Dad!" At the critical moment of life and death, Zhu Ping burst out, "Tiger's poison does not eat its children, do you really want to kill your son?"
The words "Dad" made Lao Zhu wake up a little, and the long sword in his hand stopped.
Zhu Xi breathed a sigh of relief, but still did not dare to neglect, "Many people saw it at that time. My eldest brother was really caught off guard and passed away suddenly!
If my father doesn’t believe me, I can go and interrogate him. If my son makes any lies, I can kill myself without my father taking action.”
As he spoke, he cried sadly, "My eldest brother passed away, and my son's heart ached very much. But father, that was my biological brother. No matter how stupid I am, I can't harm my brother's life!"
What he said was true, and he also understood that the throne would never be his.
Frankly speaking, he didn't want Zhu Biao to die. At least with this kind brother here, his life would be much more comfortable in the future.
"Danglang~"
Zhu Yuanzhang loosened his fingers, closed his eyes, and shed tears.
"Father..." Zhu Xi stood up and supported him, crying, "Eldest brother has gone. We must be good and not let him worry underground."
With tears in his eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang turned around silently and said tiredly: "Step back, everyone, step back, we are tired, we want to rest."
He walked tremblingly to the bed and lay down, wrapping himself tightly in the quilt and turning his back.
Li Qing sighed secretly and left the hall with everyone.
…
Zhu Yuanzhang slept for a day and a night. When he woke up, he just asked Li Jinglong to preside over the funeral. He never showed up again, not even Li Qing.
Several days passed, and on the day of burial, Zhu Yuanzhang finally showed up.
He looked older, but also more refined. He was as energetic as a mature man, especially those eyes that made people dare not look directly.
Zhu Biao was buried next to Zhu Yuanzhang's mausoleum, and his posthumous title was "Prince Yiwen".
The most powerful prince in history has come to an end and slept forever.
Li Qing was summoned to the palace and came to the imperial study room, where he found that in addition to Lao Zhu, Jiang Yu was also there.
"Long live my emperor." Li Qing bowed and then hugged Jiang Wei.
Jiang Yu did not dare to be negligent and quickly returned the courtesy. Although he was Li Qing's superior, anyone with a discerning eye knew that Li Qing was the emperor's absolute confidant. No matter what the overall situation was in the future, his status would remain unchanged.
"Everyone, sit down!"
Zhu Yuanzhang resumed his imperial demeanor, waved his hand gently, and the eunuch and maid immediately withdrew.
Li Qing knew that Lao Zhu had already made up his mind, and it might be about to be decided who would be crown prince, and he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Could it be Zhu Di?
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and then said: "Jiang Wei."
"I'm here."
"Calling all the royal guards in Beijing to go to the vassal territories of the vassal kings, all the vassal princes set up spiritual thrones for the prince, offer incense and pray for the prince, for a period of half a year." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "During this period, the prince, princess, prince and other clans are not allowed to leave.
One step away from the palace."
He said with murderous intent, "Whoever dares to disobey will be arrested immediately and taken to the capital!
Also, when the royal servants go out to make purchases, they must be strictly monitored. Who they meet, what they say, and what they buy must be recorded truthfully without any slack."
After a pause, he said, "You don't need to take care of King Yan in Peiping. Just take care of the other vassal kings."
"I obey my orders." Jiang Wei was shocked in his heart, and he had a vague understanding in his heart, "What else does the emperor have to say?"
"No, hurry up and do it." Zhu Yuanzhang reached out and patted his shoulder, "We still value the Jin Yiwei very much. Remember, the vassal king must not mess up."
Jiang Wei was struck by this, and when he heard these words, his blood boiled all over his body, and he said respectfully: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, there will definitely be no trouble with the vassal prince."
"Well, let's do it!" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled gently, "We can always rest assured when you do things."
"I will definitely live up to your Majesty's expectations!" Jiang Gu bowed down and kowtowed heavily, "I will retire."
Li Qing's blood boiled with excitement. It had nothing to do with the cakes Lao Zhu drew, but was excited that Zhu Laosi was about to take over.
"Your Majesty, are you asking me to go to Peking?"
"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.
Li Qing was even more happy in his heart: Damn, it’s stable, it’s finally stable!
His face was calm, he cupped his hands and said, "I'll go right now!"
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Zhu Yuanzhang said displeasedly, "You didn't even listen to our will. Why did you go there?"
"Uh-huh..." Li Qing said with a smile, "Please express it clearly, Your Majesty."
Zhu Yuanzhang tapped his fingers on the table and frowned slightly, "Do you think we want to make Di'er the prince?"
Li Qing's expression suddenly changed, "Isn't it...ahem, the emperor means to establish a second prince?"
"Why must we establish a prince?" Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said slowly, "We have thought a lot these days. We thought about it again and again, and finally felt that it was inappropriate to establish a prince."
"Why did the emperor say this?" Li Qing was a little panicked, "Whether it is according to etiquette or for the sake of the country, a mature vassal king has an advantage!"
He really didn't want Zhu Yunwen to have a chance to rise to power.
"You are too naive." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "You can think of it, but we can't think of it. It is true that Di'er is excellent, but he is only good at fighting. Running a country and fighting are not the same thing.
Moreover, according to the requirement of establishing a direct heir and an elder, it is not his turn, and it would be difficult to convince the public if he is appointed."
Speaking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang also felt a little regretful, "Di'er is really like us. It would be great if he were the second child."
Li Qing was really unwilling to give in and said something taboo: "Why does the emperor think that King Yan has no ability to govern the country?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's sharp eyes were cold for a moment, and then gradually softened, "It's you who said this. If it were someone else, we would have to chop him up."
Li Qing smiled bitterly and said: "I am just telling the truth for the sake of Ming Dynasty."
"Sigh... We don't have much time. Of course we know that mature vassal kings are easier to train and are more suitable to be princes, but..." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled bitterly, "The vassal kings are stationed at the border, consolidating the border defense, and have been living in peace. Don't look at it.
The second and third bastards, they also contributed to the defense of the Ming Dynasty, but you didn't come to court at that time.
Now that the layout has been formed, any rash changes will cause instability both internally and externally. What’s more, Beiping, where Di’er is stationed, is an important border area... Sigh!”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked helpless. He really didn't want to make do with the choice of crown prince, but he could only make do with it.
"Li Qing." Lao Zhu rubbed his brow in pain, "Do you know the consequences of letting the feudal king be the prince?
Once you do that, it will send out an extremely dangerous signal.
That is: a vassal king can also be an emperor!"
Li Qing was startled and suddenly felt a chill sweeping through his body.
Lao Zhu is not an alarmist. The throne of the Nine-Five Supreme Being is too tempting, enough to make people desperate and even lose their humanity.
At this moment, he finally understood why Zhu Yuanzhang would appoint Zhu Biao's son as the crown prince instead of other princes in history.
It's not a matter of loving the house and the bird, but a helpless move for the sake of the overall situation.
Li Qing did not persuade him any more, because Lao Zhu's point of view was too unbeatable, and no matter what he said, it was unconvincing.
Was it wrong for Zhu Yuanzhang to make his grandson the crown prince?
No, not only is it true, it is absolutely correct!
Li Qing was silent for a long time, then slowly raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty... Sheng Ming."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled bitterly and said, "You go to Peking. There will be a battle of wits in the imperial court soon. We must not be careless in selecting the prince. We also need to take this opportunity to see the situation before deciding on the candidate."
You'd better not come back until the position of the crown prince is unclear."
Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Coming back means taking sides, do you understand?"
"I...understand!" Li Qing felt a warm current in his heart, but he also felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
The fog of history is being lifted bit by bit...
Fortunately, what he saw was the essence. Unfortunately, it was precisely because he saw the essence that he understood how difficult it is to change.
Just like now, he can no longer express the correct views supporting Zhu Di's rise to power.
At this moment, he seemed to understand the general trend that Master said. The so-called general trend is the essence.
Were the ancients stupid?
No, not stupid at all.
In the court, if anyone is picked out at random, he or she will stand out after defeating countless opponents. The college students of later generations will never be able to compare with him.
Lao Zhu can go from a bowl to a country, how can he be an ordinary person?