King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"In this matter, Lord Chen, are you willing to work with me to create a great cause?"

The words were clear and concise, and everything that needed to be said had been made clear. Zhu Gaochi simply stopped hiding anything and directly stated what he was thinking and the problems in his mind.

Hearing this, Chen Ji did not answer the question immediately. His eyes were deep and intriguing. He stared at Zhu Gaochi for a long time, and then his eyes fell on Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu, who had not spoken a word since he entered the door. His face unconsciously condensed and he asked in a deep voice:
"Prince Han."

"This plan was proposed by you. It was you who asked His Highness to do this, right?"

This is said.

The already heavy atmosphere in the room suddenly became even more oppressive and weird. The three people's eyes met with each other and they looked at each other from time to time. No one took the initiative to speak. The atmosphere in the room seemed to be completely frozen at this moment.

Just like that, after a long while, seeing that the atmosphere in the room was depressing and weird, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi adjusted his body and wanted to say something. However, before he could utter a word, he was about to stand up when he was forcibly pressed down on the chair by Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu.

Then, Zhu Gaoxu calmly shook his head slightly at the puzzled Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi and said:
"fine."

"Let me tell you."

Seeing this, the prince, who was about to speak, had to calm down and hold back the words that were about to come out of his mouth, and handed over the initiative and the right to speak to the King of Han Zhu Gaoxu, who had not said a word from beginning to end.

After the prince sat down in silence, Zhu Gaoxu looked at Chen Ji calmly and asked with a smile:
"I don't know why Lord Chen thinks this was my idea?"

"No matter if this matter was really my idea or the Crown Prince's, it is really that important to Lord Chen. Do you really have to get to the bottom of it?"

"As the saying goes: Life in this world is hard to be foolish."

"Master Chen, isn't this good enough?"

"Why do you have to ask why?"

"For Lord Chen, what's the meaning, what's the benefit, or whose idea is it? Will it affect Lord Chen's decision and judgment? Or is this my idea, my opinion? Lord Chen was willing to do it, but because of me, will he no longer be willing to cooperate with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Aren't you willing to work with His Royal Highness to create great achievements, bring about a peaceful and prosperous world, and create a different era?"

The standard of what you said is not low enough.

All of Chen Ji’s retreat routes were blocked.

Chen Ji was not given an open-ended answer to look for, and was asked to make a choice directly. It was said that this directly touched people's hearts, and there was nothing wrong with that.

After hearing this question, Chen Ji smiled, and his eyes scanned the faces of the two brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi for a long time before retracting his gaze, finally settling on Zhu Gaoxu, and he couldn't help but take a few deep breaths.

He is not a fool, nor is he a stupid person.

As for the boundaries and traps set for him by Han King Zhu Gaoxu's words, he was naturally familiar with them and knew them better than anyone else. At the same time, he also tasted different meanings from Zhu Gaoxu's answers, and also confirmed some of his own guesses from some places.

Knowing what is happening now, this was not what the prince originally thought.

It was because of the suggestion of Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu that he knew that although the Crown Prince was the vanguard of this plan, the person who actually made the plan was not the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, but Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu. At the same time, it also made him know why the Crown Prince was so abnormal today, and why the Crown Prince was so bold.

Behind the relationship, there was the conspiracy of Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu, who was also the mastermind behind it.

It is not difficult to understand why the prince could come up with such a plan, because it was not what the prince thought at all. Although the person who spoke was the prince, in the true sense, the prince was just a tool.

Thinking about it, Chen Ji was silent for a moment, and waved his hand slightly, with the smile on his face not diminished at all. He was not frightened by Zhu Gaoxu's words, and replied softly:
"Prince Han is joking."

"This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. As long as it can be successful and can be done, it will also allow me to be remembered for generations. What reason do I have to object?"

"It's just that I'm very curious."

"This also makes this old minister very confused. Obviously, once this is accomplished, it will allow the prince to make up for his lack of influence among the civil officials, and it will also make up for the prince's lack of prestige among the people of the world."

"Such a good opportunity, why would the prince be willing to hand it over to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"After all, ordinary people don't know, but we in the court know it, and it's no secret. We all know that the prince has always been eyeing the position under the crown prince, and has always wanted to dethrone the crown prince and replace him."

"Although this is extremely treasonous, if the prince or the crown prince wants to punish me, I will admit it and I must make it clear. The prince must give me a clear and truthful answer. Otherwise, even if it means going to hell or the nine springs, I will not obey your order."

"I really can't cooperate with the prince, and I can't cooperate with the crown prince in taking such a daring action."

"Because old ministers also have their own bottom line."

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty."

Say it.

Chen Ji's eyes suddenly became deep, and his cold eyes stared straight at Zhu Gaoxu, quietly waiting for a reply, as if he was not going to give him a satisfactory reason today and wanted him to come up with a convincing reason, even if he died in front of the whole room with his broken body, he would have no regrets.

These words were not only bold but also earth-shattering. They were like a thunderclap that suddenly exploded in the whole room, directly shocking the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi. To be honest, Zhu Gaochi really didn't expect Chen Ji to be so brave. He actually dared to say anything, and his words were so straightforward, without any euphemism. He just came straight at him. This was not just ordinary arrogance and boldness.

After a brief moment of daze, the prince came to his senses with a sudden change of expression. He turned his head abruptly to look at Han King Zhu Gaoxu who was sitting next to him. He stood up straight from his chair and opened his mouth to say something.

However, before he could finish his words, Zhu Gaoxu, who was sitting beside him, reached out and heavily pulled the prince, who had just stood up, back to his chair. Of course, it was not that Zhu Gaoxu had some magical power to really hold the prince's huge body, but he used enough force that the prince felt pain and had to sit down obediently. At the same time, after meeting Zhu Gaoxu's deep gaze, he had to hold back the scolding that was about to come out of his mouth.

Although he didn't say a word, his expression and facial features kept telling Zhu Gaoxu to stay calm and not to do anything extreme because of Chen Ji's words, let alone directly hitting someone with a thunderbolt, which was absolutely unacceptable.

In response, Zhu Gaoxu gave him a reassuring look.

After calming down the agitated Crown Prince, Zhu Gaoxu simply sorted out his thoughts. There was no change on his expression, and his smile became even stronger than before. He looked at Chen Ji who was staring at him, and met his eyes without any timidity or avoidance, and said softly:
"I have only one elder brother, and that is the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi."

"And this elder brother of mine is kind and righteous by nature. He is too sentimental and righteous, and too indecisive on certain matters. As a result, he knows many things in his heart, but is unwilling to do them."

"Of course, a big part of the reason is that we don't know how to do it."

"But I am different. I have been through battles step by step since the Jingnan Campaign. I am used to seeing life and death, and I am even more used to the evil and cruelty of human nature." "Coincidentally, the old man asked me to be the regent. If I don't do anything with such a good opportunity, I will always feel uncomfortable. That's why I have the current things and plans."

"Of course, the most important point is, don't those scholars look down on me?"

"Don't you think you are noble and irreplaceable?"

"I also want to see, after tearing off their reliance and breaking through their hypocritical faces, whether these people can still remain calm, face it calmly, and be self-righteous. Do they really have the ability?"

"You can call it a dispute of pride or a fight of disobedience, it doesn't matter to me."

“I don’t know the answer to that.”

"Is Lord Chen satisfied? Can this dispel the doubts in your heart?"

Chen Ji didn't say anything, his brows knitted tightly together, his gaze towards Zhu Gaoxu changed, but he didn't nod to agree with Zhu Gaoxu's answer, then his gaze became deeper and more serious, he took a few deep breaths, and continued:
"My lord."

“That answer is not enough.”

“It did not dispel the doubts and suspicions of the old minister.”

"Please don't avoid the important issues and don't make a fuss about it."

"Answer my questions directly and give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise don't blame me for being powerless."

"Please don't think that I am easy to fool, and please don't treat me as a fool."

"Although I am a corrupt scholar and my temperament is a bit pedantic, I am still at the right age and have not reached the point of being completely senile and confused."

Not giving an inch, pressing forward.

There was no slackness at all, and the words were even more straightforward than before, leaving no room for maneuver for either side.

As soon as these words came out.

The prince's expression suddenly became even more frightening than before. At this moment, he ignored Zhu Gaoxu's attempts to pull him or stop him. He stood up from his chair, staring at Chen Ji who was staring at Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han, and angrily scolded him:
"Chen Ji!!"

“Arrogant, arrogant!!”

"what are you saying?"

"Do you know what you are talking about?"

"Shut up, shut up, this is not something you can discuss!!"

As he spoke, Zhu Gaochi turned his head again and looked at Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han, with an anxious look on his face. He waved his hands repeatedly and said:
"hey hey"

"Second brother, second brother, you have to stay calm about this matter, you have to stay calm!!"

"Chen Ji has lost his mind. He is frightened by what we just said. You should not think too much about this matter!!"

Don’t blame the prince for being so excited about this matter.

To be honest, he really had no choice and was completely frightened by Chen Ji's words.

Chen Ji is really too arrogant and too bold.

With such aggressive words and attitude from Chen Ji, not to mention that Zhu Gaoxu would feel comfortable after hearing these words, even as a bystander, he felt that Chen Ji's words were a bit too much.

There are some things that everyone knows.

But once you put some things on the table, the nature and the results are completely different, and the meaning is also completely different.

Although Zhu Gaoxu and he reached a consensus, Zhu Gaoxu also made it clear that he had no interest in the Ming Dynasty court. His real thoughts and ideas were all outside, trying to make achievements outside.

But at this time, you said such words directly and aggressively.

God knows what others will think, you know, he is still holding the title of prince, and the title of regent! !

I haven't really left the territory of Ming Dynasty yet, I haven't really left yet!!

What about Zhu Gaoxu's character and mind?

Others may not understand, so how could the prince not understand?

As long as this guy is not pissed off, everything is still fine and there is room for discussion. Everyone can have a calm and peaceful conversation. But once Zhu Gaoxu is really pissed off, God knows what kind of things this guy can do.

Even the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi was unsure about this matter.

Especially for the Crown Prince, after learning about the secret power held by Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu, he felt even more insecure.

Although Zhu Gaochi's behavior seemed to be angry and scolding, in a sense, Zhu Gaochi actually loved and protected Chen Ji. The reason was that he was really afraid that this old guy Chen Ji would anger Zhu Gaoxu.

Not only would it ruin his original plans, but it might also cause the relationship that had already been properly handled to be on the verge of deterioration again.

If something like that were to happen, it would naturally be something the prince would not want to see, and it would also be something the prince could not bear.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhu Gaochi was so anxious and stood up regardless of the consequences, ordering Chen Ji to shut up, stop talking nonsense, and stop saying anything treasonous.

but
Obviously, although Zhu Gaochi's roar startled both Chen Ji and Zhu Gaoxu, it did not have any effect.

Chen Ji and Zhu Gaoxu looked at each other, and they did not flinch at all because of Zhu Gaochi's angry rebuke. They still stared at each other with deep eyes, without any hesitation or retreat. (End of this chapter)