King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

Such sincere words.

Such a correct and serious attitude made Zhu Gaochi look deeply at Zhu Gaoxu, who was so close to him, for a long time.

Then, his expression instantly turned reserved, replaced by a look of amusement, and he said:
"Second child"

"Your attitude is really a little bit uncomfortable."

“It really makes me feel that it’s not real.”

Having said this, he paused, his expression suddenly became extremely serious, and he suddenly changed the subject and continued:
"Why are you doing this?"

"In the past, didn't you always stare at the area under my butt?"

"Aren't you always trying to pull me down from that position so you can climb up there yourself?"

“Why now?”

The following words were not finished.

But we are not fools, so we naturally understand what he means.

to be honest.

I just want to ask, Zhu Gaoxu has always been eyeing the crown prince and the throne, and wants to sit on that position.

Why have we abandoned the struggle nowadays?

Instead, he devoted himself to developing the Ming Dynasty and enhancing its national strength, attempting to make the Ming Dynasty and its people better and better.

Aren't you worried about the Ming Dynasty's national strength, firearms, and system?
As these things improve, will it move further and further away from that position and lose the opportunity to compete with it for that position?
No no no.
To be more precise, once the Ming Dynasty really grows to the point as Zhu Gaoxu just said, even the only way to rebel and ascend to that position by force will be completely blocked.

That's it.

Logically speaking, they are competitors.

I would never do such a thing!
To anyone, it seems so abnormal and so unbelievable.

In an instant.

Inside the pavilion, the two of them stared at each other, trying to see through each other's heart, and the atmosphere suddenly became very awkward.

That's it.
After a long time.

"Hey"

Zhu Gaoxu was the first to withdraw his gaze from him, and could not help but sigh, with a trace of helplessness flashing across his face. He shook his head at him and said:

"Boss! Boss!"

"You don't really think that position is such a popular one, do you?"

"You don't really think that I'm obsessed with that position, do you?"

"It seems that you, a bastard, didn't listen to a word of what I said to you in the past."

"Why was I forced to stay in Yingtian Prefecture? Don't you know the reason?"

"Isn't it that disrespectful old bastard who did this behind the scenes and deliberately tripped me up?"

"The throne?"

"The position of the crown prince?"

"Is there anywhere to sit?"

"I get up earlier than a chicken, sleep later than a dog, eat worse than a pig, and work harder than a donkey"

"I have so many things to worry about, one after another."

"You have to be supervised by the court officials, and you have to engage in intrigues and deceptions with the court officials. Aren't you tired of it?"

"You have to be mentally ill or have a problem to be so obsessed with trying to get that position."

"Is it comfortable to be a free and easy prince?"

"Listening to music in the brothel, lying drunkenly on the lap of a beauty, hugging women on both sides, without any deception or intrigue"

"Besides, your status is second only to one person and above ten thousand people. Isn't that uncomfortable?"

"Who cares?"

"As long as you have the ability to ask the old man to let me go, even if the fiefdom stipulates that I am not allowed to keep a single soldier or leave the fiefdom, even if I have to make a series of harsh demands, etc."

"Believe it or not, I have absolutely no objection. I will kneel down to express my gratitude immediately, and then set off to take up my fiefdom without stopping, happily?"

"I will never be a nuisance to you in Yingtianfu City!"

Zhu Gaochi: “???????”

Not
How are you describing this?
Is this an opportunity to make indirect accusations, or is this a deliberate attempt to disgust him?
There were chickens, dogs, and even worse, pigs and donkeys came.

Hey!
The throne of the emperor, the common ruler of the world, the person who dominates the fate of everyone from the common people to the high-ranking officials.

Is it as bad as you say?
Although Zhu Gaochi felt very uncomfortable with this description and evaluation of Zhu Gaoxu.

but
After thinking carefully for a moment.

Even though he was reluctant in his heart, he had to admit that Zhu Gaoxu's words were so appropriate and vivid.

That being said.

Although the words were earnest and sincere, for some reason, Zhu Gaochi always felt that they were unreal.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt and self-doubt.

Could it be that from the beginning to the end, it was really me, the old man, and even the civil and military officials in the court who wronged the second brother?
Did this bastard Lao Er really never have such thoughts from the beginning to the end?
is this real?
For this reason, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but frown, half-squinting his eyes and staring straight at Zhu Gaoxu, who was drinking tea leisurely in front of him. For a moment, he didn't know what to say and fell into silence.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was leaning on the imperial chair, saw that he was silent and continued:
"okay."

"I know this, but you won't believe it no matter how hard I try."

"Of course, this is just an aside. It has little to do with today's events."

"Take a step back and say it."

"It doesn't matter whether my feelings are genuine or fake."

"Boss, you don't have to think so much."

"Let's just deal with the situation at hand."

"Look at it individually. Abandon all prejudices and look at the problem with a normal mindset."

"Tell me the truth yourself, about what I just said."

"Whether it is beneficial or detrimental to the Ming Dynasty, or even to the Ming Dynasty, that is enough."

"If we think it's beneficial, we'll just hit it off and do it."

"If you think there are drawbacks, let's just part ways and do our own thing."

"What do you say?"

This statement came out.

Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a moment, frowned and fell into deep thought, and did not give an answer immediately.

See this situation.

What needs to be said has been said.

Zhu Gaoxu simply stopped hiding it. After a pause, he took out the small notebook he had prepared long ago from his arms and handed it to the prince.

"This is the weapons workshop. It contains detailed records from the past few months. Boss, you might as well take a good look at it."

After hearing this.

Zhu Gaochi was in a daze and subconsciously reached out to take it and take a look.

As I compared the various data and figures that came into view, it was simply unbelievable and I could hardly believe the data in the little notebook.

"In the past few months, the weapons workshop has been reformed and is on track."

"Production efficiency has increased nearly tenfold compared to before."

"In addition, the loss of materials is 30% less than before."

"As well as the weapons workshop, the craftsmen have come up with some innovative ideas during this period."

"It cannot be denied that the craftsmen of the weapons workshop have made great contributions to this impressive achievement."

"But how did these achievements come about?" "I don't need to explain more, right?"

"What is the benefit of this drink and this bite to the court?"

"Boss, you are a smart man, you don't need me to remind you."

Have to admit.

A small weapons workshop, with its tiny changes, brought substantial benefits, which were fed back to the imperial court. The benefits it brought to the court were truly extraordinary.

I didn't feel much of it in the past.

But the detailed records in the small notebook in front of him left Zhu Gaochi speechless for a long time.

"call"

After a brief silence, Zhu Gaochi half-closed his eyes and stared at Zhu Gaoxu for a long time, then slowly stood up from the armchair, reached out to pick up the warm tea on the stone table, took a big sip, took a deep breath, and his expression became extremely solemn. He said in a deep voice:
"Second child"

"This matter is of great importance."

"I'm afraid it's difficult for me to give you the answer you want today."

"One move affects the whole body."

"Give me some time to think about this problem carefully."

"I'll think it over someday, and when I have the answer, I'll give you a definite answer!"

Having said this, he paused, frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject and continued:
"I listened to what you said today, and I also understood something."

"It's getting late."

"I will retreat first."

Say it.

He did not give Zhu Gaoxu any chance to react or to try to persuade him to stay. He turned around and strode out of the courtyard. His steps were shaky and his face was calm, and anyone could see that the prince's mind was completely confused at this moment.

However, Zhu Gaochi answered like this.

This was not beyond Zhu Gaoxu's expectations.

Just as he said, this matter is of great importance. Once it is moved, the whole body will be affected. It is obviously unrealistic to expect the prince to make up his mind in a few seconds.

Weigh the pros and cons.

Everything takes time.

But Zhu Gaochi's behavior from beginning to end today made Zhu Gaoxu very satisfied.

Let him see that his heart had been slowly shaken.

It was not in vain, as he had been planning and strategizing for such a long time.

That's it.

After a long while, Zhu Gaoxu withdrew his gaze from the courtyard door, frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of something, his expression became extremely serious, and he shouted to the outside of the door:
"Let Lao He come to see me quickly!"

Say it.

It didn't take long.

There was a commotion at the gate of the courtyard. Old He trotted in from the outside, hunched over. He bowed respectfully to Zhu Gaoxu, who was leaning on the couch, and said,
"Old slave, I pay my respects to the Prince of Han."

"I wonder what the prince wants me to do by summoning you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, raised his head and glanced at Old He, who was standing quietly beside him with a hunched back. He slowly took out a wax-sealed letter from his arms and threw it on the stone table. His words became extremely serious, pointing at the letter and commanded:
"Lao He"

"This letter is top secret."

"Find someone you can trust 100%, and set off as quickly as possible to deliver the gift to the princess' fiefdom."

"And this letter cannot be opened by anyone except the princess."

"After sending it out."

"Come back and see me."

The content of the letter is nothing else.

It is the latest firearm produced by today's weapons workshop, the flintlock rifle.

On this matter.

It’s not Zhu Gaoxu who says one thing and does another.

Or perhaps it could be said that Zhu Gaoxu still had the idea of ​​rebellion in his mind at this moment.

That's why I said those words deliberately just now to paralyze the prince.

It is true.

He wanted to accumulate enough capital and capital for himself. Even if he did not rebel, he had to have the strength to rebel, or have enough strength. Only then could he be safe and not go back to his old path.

As the saying goes: Having something is worse than having it yourself.

He couldn't possibly rely on the kindness of others to save his life.

Not to mention his identity, which is involved in the struggle for imperial power. In such a big vortex, even if it is not imperial power, even a small interest can be at stake.

"Human nature" is something that can never be scrutinized or tested.

He said that he had no intention of rebelling, and indeed did not want to rebel, let alone be a so-called emperor.

But that doesn’t mean others will really believe it.

A man is innocent unless he is in possession of a jade.

God knows what other people are thinking?

Therefore, the only way is to make yourself strong so that you can gain a firm foothold. This is an eternal truth.

at the same time.

Zhu Gaochi walked out of the Prince of Han's mansion in a trance. He did not come back to his senses until his servants prepared the carriage and asked him where he was going and whether he wanted to return to the mansion.

after that.

He did not answer the questions of his servants immediately.

He then raised his head and looked at the three large characters "Hanwang Mansion" engraved on the plaque not far away, and stared at it for a long time.

"call"

After a long while, he withdrew his gaze, exhaled a long breath, and his expression suddenly became extremely serious. He muttered to himself in a low voice:

"Second brother! Second child!!"

"How credible are the words you said today?"

"Should I really believe you?"

"You really don't have any desire for that position, and you are really forced into this?"

Say it.

He seemed to have thought of something and shook his head involuntarily.

Then, Zhu Gaochi waved to the servant who had just asked him questions and whispered:
"Give me the order."

"Have someone enfeoff the King of Han, starting from when the Princess of Han leaves Yingtianfu City."

"Submit a detailed investigation report to me on everything that happened. I need it urgently."

"Order someone to monitor the Prince of Han's mansion from now on. Record all the people in the mansion, the letters they send out, and where they go. It would be best if we could find out the contents of the letters."

After hearing this.

The servant who had been lowering her head was startled for a moment, and subconsciously raised her head to look at her master. After a moment, she came to her senses and did not dare to hesitate. She nodded heavily and responded:
"promise!"

"Slave, let's do it now."

Say it.

The old man greeted the servant girl in the distance, gave her a few simple instructions, and then strode to the other side of the street, disappearing at the end of the street in the blink of an eye.

Afterwards, Zhu Gaochi withdrew his gaze, waved to the servant who was serving him, climbed onto the carriage with the help of the servant, and said:
"Let's go!"

"Return to the East Palace!" (End of this chapter)