King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"Your Highness the Crown Prince's courage is truly admirable to me."

"Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Prince dare to take the lead and be the first in the world, why should I not dare or hesitate?"

"Of course, I also want to see what the prosperous world that Your Highness and the Prince have planned will be like and how magnificent it will be."

"As for."

"The merits and demerits will be judged by future generations"

As he spoke, Chen Ji stood up from his chair with a solemn expression, and bowed respectfully to the two people in front of him with a very serious face to show his determination and decision.

See this situation.

After getting the definite answer, the brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but let out a long breath. The gloomy looks on their faces slowly disappeared, replaced by relieved smiles.

Although they already knew it and had already guessed in their hearts what choice the old man Chen Ji would make in the end, but now when they heard Chen Ji's frank approval, they were still incomparably happy.

Then, the Crown Prince and the King of Han both stood up at the same time, bowed respectfully like a student, and said:

"Sir, you are righteous."

This move was not something the two of them were deliberately putting on for others to see, but rather their true thoughts and feelings from the bottom of their hearts. After all, no matter what the reason was for Chen Ji to make the choice, since others had spoken it out without hesitation, it had already proved that he was worthy of it.

Because of what is happening right now, everyone knows how great the risks and dangers are here.

Hearing this, Chen Ji did not dare to be arrogant at all. He waved his hands at the two people in front of him, and at the same time bowed consciously in return, indicating:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and Lord Han, thank you for your compliments. I do not deserve such praise."

In response, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi smiled and did not say anything, nor did they say anything irrelevant, nor did they waste too much time on this matter. So Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi simply sorted out his thoughts, his expression suddenly became extremely solemn, and said in a deep voice:
"Then this matter is settled."

"You may have to stay here for a long time. I am alone in the imperial prison. I have prepared everything you need and am waiting for you to stay here."

"The layout of the imperial prison is a little shabby, and it is definitely not as comfortable as your residence. I hope you don't mind."

These words were like a thunderclap exploding in Chen Ji's mind. He was so shocked that he looked at the prince who was speaking with an expression of disbelief and astonishment. For a moment, he couldn't help but doubt whether there was something wrong with his ears or whether he had heard something wrong.

The imperial prison!
That's not a place where people can live.

It is dark, damp, dead, with no sunlight all day long, and extremely eerie and scary.

He is already so old. If he were to live in that place for a period of time, even if he thought he was strong enough, his body would definitely not be able to withstand such an environment.

Don't be so careless that he passes away before the work is completed.

Wouldn't that be a huge joke?

Furthermore, if he was really imprisoned, God knows what kind of rumors and hearsay would spread outside. If he was not careful, the good reputation he had accumulated over the years would be wiped out in an instant. Such a result was naturally not what Chen Ji wanted to see, and it was certainly the result he least wanted to see. After all, as a scholar, who could not cherish his reputation?
As he thought about it, Chen Ji quickly gathered his thoughts, his expression changed, and he cautiously asked:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Did you mention the Imperial Prison in what you just said?"

Seeing Chen Ji's eyes wide open like copper bells, Zhu Gaochi knew what he was thinking. He waved his hands repeatedly and explained:
"Sir, you are worrying too much."

"It's just a pretext. I found one to get you into the Imperial Prison."

"Rather than Mr. Li making any mistakes, or really arresting Mr. Li and putting him in prison."

"Please rest assured, sir. We have already ordered people to clean the prison and make it very comfortable. We did not choose one of those dark and gloomy places where there is no sunlight all day long. Instead, it has skylights and windows so that you can see outside and bask in the sunlight."

"Sir, you may move in first. If you feel that there are any inappropriate aspects of the prison you live in, I and I will listen to you and order people to make improvements according to your requirements."

"It will definitely make you feel at home."

"I will definitely not let you down, sir."

Feeling like home, just like coming home?

I really want to thank you!!

Just a prison, is it really that good? You are kidding! Don’t tell him whether he believes it or not, just ask yourself, who can believe that this is true, you must be kidding! !

Chen Ji was slightly startled when he heard this, his pupils shrank slightly, he frowned and thought for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

"Is it necessary?"

"You must be imprisoned. Can't I stay at home and not come out, closing the door and refusing to see anyone?"

After hearing this, Zhu Gaochi narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of coldness flashed in his pupils, and he nodded solemnly to show his determination, and replied in a deep voice:
"This is a serious matter and there is no room for any surprises."

"Before the work is fully planned, it is impossible and impossible for any information to leak out."

"To prevent trouble before it happens, I hope you can understand the difficulties between me and the second brother."

This statement is true.

Planning for the world and competing for the right to speak in the world's public opinion, targeting the monopoly of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism in the whole world, no matter which one is brought out, it will be a shocking event. If the news leaks out in advance, it will definitely cause a desperate counterattack and attack from others.

The consequences brought about are naturally something that no one can bear.

Chen Ji was not a fool, so he was naturally very clear about the seriousness of the situation. Although he was very uncomfortable with the environment in the imperial prison and was very reluctant to go there to live for a while, he had no choice but to nod his head helplessly and asked:
"Your Highness, Your Majesty"

"When do we set off, and when do we go to the imperial prison?"

As he spoke, Chen Ji couldn't help but laugh, with a hint of amusement in his slightly raised mouth, and said:

"I don't know what crime I have committed. Your Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Han are going to make arrangements for me, an old minister?" "Hahahaha"

"Why not tell me about it, so that I can learn more and have some fun with you."

This statement came out.

Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a moment, a hint of thought flashed across his face, and then he looked at Han King Zhu Gaoxu beside him. As for the question asked by Chen Ji, to be honest, he really hadn't thought about what crime to put Chen Ji in prison!
Feeling the gazes falling on him, Zhu Gaoxu smiled, stood up from his chair, reached out and gently patted the prince's shoulder, and said with a smile:

"The students of the Hanlin Academy rebelled. Lord Chen had a connection with a certain student. This prince has some doubts about this. Who can say anything if the imperial prison is taken down?"

"The Imperial Guards have the privilege of executing first and reporting later. This is a special permission granted by the emperor. Do I need to explain this to anyone?"

"Or, this matter involves the Royal Guards. Who dares to come here and bring bad luck upon themselves?"

"Anyway, I don't believe that today's incident has caused such a big stir that even Duke Yansheng has surrendered and bowed his head. There are still people who are blind to this matter."

"Do you really think that those important officials and ministers in the court don't know what it means to be prudent and protect yourself?"

After hearing this, Zhu Gaochi and Chen Ji both paused, and for a moment they opened their mouths, not knowing how to answer this question, nor how to answer
The Jinyiwei, the riot of students in the Hanlin Academy today, and the Duke Yansheng's bowing his head are all connected together in a long series of events and reasons.

It's true, I'm afraid that few people dare to bump into this bad luck at this time. They are willing to get involved in this matter and seek death, making themselves uncomfortable, especially when the Crown Prince and the Prince of Han have obviously joined forces in this matter.

As for the so-called righteousness, the so-called reasoning.
I'm afraid no one dares to speak out, because there is no logic at all.

Didn’t you see that even the prince agreed with this matter? !
In addition, Zhu Gaoxu also held the "As if I were present in person" regent token bestowed by the emperor. This token was simply a trump card. No one could compete with it, and no one could refute it.

It can be said that such things and decisions would only happen if the emperor gave up the Northern Expedition and returned to Beijing to take charge of the overall situation.

But as for the current situation, even if Emperor Yongle gave up the Northern Expedition and returned to Beijing to take charge of the overall situation, facing the situation where the Crown Prince and the King of Han shared the same hatred and worked together to advance and retreat, I am afraid that Emperor Yongle would have to think twice and carefully before drawing a conclusion. As for the result and conclusion, what exactly is it and why is it still a matter of debate! !
so.
After Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince both nodded in agreement, it would be difficult for anyone in the entire Ming Dynasty court to overturn or overturn the decision made by the two.

Thinking of this, listening to the charges Zhu Gaoxu had brought against him, Chen Ji couldn't help but burst into laughter, nodded with satisfaction, and replied:
"Hahaha"

"Okay, okay, so, so good."

"I have no opinion. Everything is up to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Han."

Seeing Chen Ji laughing and agreeing, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but smile. They bowed slightly to Chen Ji and saluted like a student, then said:
"in this way."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, sir, to go with us this time."

Chen Ji nodded calmly and slowly stretched out his hands to signal.

Zhu Gaoxu was naturally not polite at all and shouted loudly outside the closed door:

"Here comes someone."

In an instant.

With a creak, the tightly closed door was pushed open. The Jinyiwei Chief Commander Ji Gang pushed the door open and walked in. He carefully looked at the three people in the room, bowed slightly and saluted respectfully, and said:

"What do you want, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince?"

Zhu Gaochi shouted loudly: "What are you still standing there for? Capture Chen Ji for me!!"

The prince was too lazy to say any more words and directly ordered Ji Gang to arrest the man.

The sudden order made Ji Gang stunned for a moment. He didn't quite understand what it meant. You know, when he was on guard at a distance, he could faintly hear faint laughter coming from the house from time to time.

This action clearly indicated what the three people in the room were talking about. No matter how one thinks about it, it must have been an extremely pleasant topic. So why did the Crown Prince directly order the arrest of Chen Ji out of the blue?
What exactly happened in the meantime?
The atmosphere here suddenly became extremely weird following Zhu Gaochi's order.

As for the current situation, not to mention Ji Gang who was confused, even Chen Dao, the son of Chen Ji who followed Ji Gang, was stunned by Zhu Gaochi's order. His face turned pale and his body began to tremble involuntarily.

After being stunned for a moment, Chen Dao came to his senses, knelt down with a look of fear on his face, kowtowed and begged for mercy:

"Your Highness."

"My father has been working diligently on compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia. He has never been slack, nor has he done anything that violates the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Your Highness, Prince, please understand."

"Besides, my father is already sixty years old."

"I beg your Highness, the prince, to show mercy."

Chen Dao, kneeling on the ground, spoke eloquently about the difficulties his old father had gone through, attempting to plead with the Crown Prince and Zhu Gaoxu to let his poor old father go.

Because Chen Dao knew very well what the imperial prison was.

Not to mention Chen Ji, who is almost sixty years old. Even if a strong warrior or general is released from the imperial prison, he will not live long before his soul returns to the underworld. Not to mention his old father Chen Ji. If he really goes in, it will be like stepping into the grave. His Chen family can just prepare for his funeral.

It is precisely because of this that one can imagine how frightened and uneasy Chen Dao felt.

Seeing Chen Dao kneeling on the ground, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi looked at each other, and an inexplicable meaning flashed across their faces. Chen Ji, who had originally looked calm, couldn't help but show a hint of reluctance on his face. His slightly turbid eyes narrowed slightly, and he took a few deep breaths to calm his restless emotions, and silently closed his eyes without saying a word.

Then, after a moment of silence, Zhu Gaoxu narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Ji Gang in a deep voice:
"Ji Gang!!"

"What are you still doing?"

"take away!"

Following an order, the Jinyiwei quickly entered, held Chen Ji's arms and walked away quickly. Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi both looked at Chen Dao who was kneeling on the ground, and turned away hand in hand.

Wait until everyone leaves.

Chen Dao slowly straightened up, looked at the figure disappearing in the distance, stood up tremblingly, and ran straight out the door without caring about his image, stumbling with fear on his face. (End of this chapter)