Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 706 Father and Son's Secret Talk
Inside the elegant room of Jinshen Hall.

The flickering candlelight cast intermittent light on Zhu Yuanzhang's weathered face. Outside the window, the cool autumn night breeze swept across the palace walls, making a mournful sound, as if foreshadowing something. The old emperor's fingers tapped unconsciously on the rosewood table, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on his fourth son, Zhu Di, who sat opposite him.

"I never imagined that the Jurchens would establish a friendship with my Great Ming," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, tinged with disbelief. "For years, they have repeatedly raided our borders in Liaodong, plundering our people, and now they suddenly send envoys to sue for peace."

Zhu Di sat upright, his back straight as a pine tree, his hands resting naturally on his knees. He was half a head taller than his father, appearing imposing even while seated. The candlelight cast shadows on his sharply defined face, making his eyes seem even more unfathomable. He smiled slightly, a few fine lines appearing at the corners of his eyes: "Father, you need not worry so much; this is exactly the result I desired."

Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly raised his head, his sharp gaze piercing Zhu Di like a knife: "Fourth Prince, what do you mean by that? Didn't Mr. Lin clearly state that we shouldn't establish diplomatic relations with the Jurchens?" He stood up, his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming majestically in the candlelight. "Mr. Lin made it very clear: the Jurchens are wolves in sheep's clothing; establishing relations with them would be tantamount to raising a tiger to cause future trouble!"

Zhu Di rose unhurriedly, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark night sky. His voice was calm and steady: "Father, do you remember three years ago when I petitioned you to personally handle the border troubles in Liaodong?"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, memories flooding back. Three years ago, the Liaodong Regional Military Commission repeatedly sent urgent reports of an impending crisis. The various Jurchen tribes had united and repeatedly breached the border walls, burning, killing, and looting. The court officials debated endlessly; some advocated sending a large army to quell the rebellion, while others suggested building a stronger border wall. Only Zhu Di proposed a unique solution—he would personally go to Liaodong, not only to resolve the immediate crisis but also to eliminate the Jurchen threat once and for all.

"I remember." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly. "You said back then that you would take three years to make the Jurchens no longer a threat."

Zhu Di turned around, a confident smile appearing on his face: "Now that the three-year term is over, your son has come to report to Your Majesty." He walked back to the desk, took out a roll of sheepskin map from his sleeve, and slowly unfolded it on the table. "Your Majesty, please look, this is the scheme your son has laid out in Liaodong over the past three years."

Zhu Yuanzhang bent down to examine the map and saw that it was densely marked with the distribution, migration routes, and important strongholds of the various Jurchen tribes. Even more surprisingly, many of the Jurchen tribal leaders had special markings next to their names.

“These markings are…” Zhu Yuanzhang asked, pointing to the map.

"Red represents those who have been won over by our Great Ming, blue represents those who are being contacted, and black represents the stubborn and unyielding." Zhu Di's finger traced across the map. "For the past three years, I have ostensibly been reorganizing the military in Liaodong, but in reality, I have sent out numerous spies to infiltrate the various Jurchen tribes. We have used caravans as cover, carrying tea, silk, and ironware deep into the Jurchen heartland, trading and gathering intelligence simultaneously."

Zhu Yuanzhang's brow gradually relaxed, but doubt still lingered in his eyes: "Even so, establishing diplomatic relations with the Jurchens is far too risky. What if they use this opportunity to grow stronger?"

“Father,” Zhu Di interrupted, his voice still respectful but firm, “this so-called ‘establishment of diplomatic relations’ was entirely a trap set by your son.” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. “Of the three Jurchen tribes, the Jianzhou Jurchens were the most powerful, and their leader, Mengge Temur, was ambitious. Your son deliberately spread the news that our Great Ming Dynasty, due to pressure from the northern Mongols, intended to make peace with the Jurchens. Mengge Temur indeed took the bait and proactively sent envoys to negotiate.”

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down again, his fingers unconsciously stroking his beard: "Continue."

"During the negotiations, I deliberately feigned weakness, agreeing to open the horse market, allow iron trade, and even agree to reduce the number of troops stationed along the border." Zhu Di's lips curled into a cold smile. "Mengge Timur thought our Great Ming was weak and easily bullied, and had lowered his guard. Little did he know, our caravans were infiltrated with numerous Jinyiwei spies who had already ascertained the strengths and weaknesses of the various Jurchen tribes."

A silence fell over the elegant room, broken only by the occasional crackling of the candlelight. Zhu Yuanzhang gazed at his son, realizing for the first time with such clarity that this fourth son, who had once followed him in countless battles, had grown into a far-sighted and strategic commander.

"What is your plan?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked slowly. Zhu Di took out another memorial from his robes and presented it to his father with both hands: "This is my 'Sweeping Away the Enemy's Den' plan. This winter, when the Jurchens think that our Great Ming will suspend military operations due to the cold, we will join forces with the Korean army and launch a three-pronged attack straight into the Jurchen heartland." His voice was deep and powerful. "At that time, the tribes we have bribed will defect, and those that stubbornly resist will be completely annihilated. In less than three months, the Jurchen threat will be eliminated."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the memorial but did not open it immediately. He gazed at Zhu Di and suddenly asked, "Fourth Prince, do you know why I have been hesitant?"

Zhu Di was slightly taken aback, then respectfully replied, "Father is worried that I am young and impetuous and may not have considered things thoroughly."

"No." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "I was wondering, if your elder brother Biao'er were still alive, would he have agreed to such a plan?"

The atmosphere in the room immediately turned somber upon mentioning the young Crown Prince Zhu Biao. Zhu Di lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then looked up and said, "My elder brother is kind and might not agree. But I believe that governing a country cannot be done with mere appeasement. We must use swift and decisive measures to deter a wolf-like people like the Jurchens in order to ensure the peace and security of our Ming Dynasty's borders for a century."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply, his gaze sharpening once more: "You're right. Biao'er is too kind. Perhaps this is fate." He stood up, walked to Zhu Di, and suddenly patted his son's shoulder, "Go ahead and do it. I support you."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhu Di's eyes, then he bowed deeply: "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

Just then, a eunuch's cautious voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Minister of War Qi Tai requests an audience, saying he has urgent military information to report."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "It's so late." He turned to Zhu Di, "You may leave now. Don't mention this matter to outsiders for the time being."

Zhu Di bowed respectfully and said, "Your subject takes his leave." He turned and walked toward the door, but was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Fourth Prince," the old emperor's voice suddenly softened considerably, "you have done very well these past years."

Zhu Di's back stiffened slightly. He didn't turn around, but simply nodded and pushed the door open to leave.

Outside the door, the cool autumn night breeze swept in, and Zhu Di took a deep breath, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face. He knew that tonight's conversation was of extraordinary significance—not only had his plan been approved by his father, but more importantly, he sensed that the long-standing scrutiny and suspicion in his father's eyes were finally beginning to melt away.

As Zhu Di walked through the deep palace corridors, his steps became lighter and lighter. He looked up at the night sky and saw a bright moon hanging high, its cool light shining on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, giving them a faint blue glow.

“Mengge Timur,” Zhu Di muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes, “you think you're one step ahead? Little do you know, this game has only just begun.”

(End of this chapter)