Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

The former cold palace has now become a burned ruin.

The ruined buildings under the dim sky exude endless desolation and deathly silence.

The charred beams stood crookedly, as if feebly narrating the brutality of the terrible fire.

The air was filled with a pungent burnt smell mixed with a faint scent of smoke, which made people's throats sore.

In a corner of the ruins, there were still a few sparks that had not been completely extinguished flickering among the ashes.

Occasionally, a faint "crackling" sound was heard, as if it was a heavy sigh from the ruins of a fire.

Zhu Yuanzhang, wrapped in a black dragon robe, stood solemnly in front of the pile of ashes that were still emitting blue smoke, his eyes fixed on the objects that were being engulfed by the last trace of fire.

One of the tokens of the Jin royal guards, which was branded with the private seal of Prince of Jin Zhu Gang, was suffering the final roasting of the raging fire.

The edge of the token had been twisted and deformed, and was burning red, emitting a heart-pounding hot breath.

As the fire gradually died down, the surroundings became increasingly quiet.

Only the occasional spark or explosion broke the silence.

Zhu Yuanzhang bent down slowly, his movements slow and cautious.

It seems that every movement carries countless heavy thoughts.

Then he stretched out his hand and passed through the still slightly hot ashes.

It's like touching a cruel reality that you don't want to face but have to face.

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang took out the token, which had become red-hot, from the ashes and placed it in the palm of his hand.

The paint on the surface of the gilded bronze token had long been burned out in the fire, leaving only a charred surface.

Zhu Gang's private seal also became blurred and looming, as if it would disappear in the dust of history at any time.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes swept across the token inch by inch, and his eyes revealed a complex and unpredictable light.

The expression on his face was as dark and unclear as the haze over the ruins.

Sometimes his brows were furrowed, and wrinkles appeared on his face.

It seemed as if he was trying his best to sort out the complicated and intricate relationships of interest behind this matter, as well as the uproar it might bring to the court.

Sometimes Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with a fierce light like a sharp blade, which was the majestic anger of an emperor facing disobedience. It seemed that he had weighed the strategy of ruthlessly punishing Jin Wang Zhu Gang in an instant;

Inadvertently, a trace of helplessness and heartache that is difficult to conceal quietly emerges.

After all, blood is thicker than water, and Zhu Gang was Zhu Yuanzhang's biological son who had high hopes for him.

Now that he has done such a heinous thing, how can he not feel heartbroken and disappointed?

These various emotions took turns playing out on Zhu Yuanzhang's face, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, making it difficult to guess what kind of storms were surging in the emperor's heart at this moment, and what kind of thundering measures he was planning?
Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was immersed in the complicated thoughts about the Prince of Jin's token, with a changeable expression on his face, a burst of hurried and chaotic footsteps suddenly came from a distance.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Crown Prince Zhu Biao and a group of eunuchs including Li Heng, hurrying towards the fire ruins of the cold palace.

Zhu Biao's usually gentle face was now filled with anxiety.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, sparkling in the dim light.

His robe fluttered violently with his quick steps, as if carrying a gust of urgent wind.

The eunuch Li Heng beside him also looked nervous. He lowered his head and trotted closely following Zhu Biao, holding a neatly folded cloak in his hand.

The attendants following behind the two men were also walking in a hurry, with a hint of uneasiness in their expressions.

After half a cup of tea, Zhu Biao and others came to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Biao panted slightly, bowed and said: "Father, I heard about the incident here and rushed here in a hurry. I wonder if you are frightened?"

There was concern and worry in his voice, and at the same time, he raised his eyes and secretly looked at Zhu Yuanzhang's expression.

The crown prince's eunuch Li Heng also bowed and stood cautiously to the side, the cloak in his hand trembling slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his head and moved his eyes away from the gilded bronze token.

Although he looked at Zhu Biao, the expression on his face remained unreadable.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly said, "Biao'er, you came quite quickly!"

Hearing the profound meaning in Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Zhu Biao quickly explained: "Because I have been busy with official duties recently, I have been staying in the palace these days.

I was discussing government affairs with the regent Li Shanchang just now. When I heard that there was a fire in Chengxi Palace, I immediately brought people over."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, "Biao'er, you are able to care about the country and the people, and at the same time you can be both loyal and filial, which is worthy of your father's training.

In comparison, the third one is a bit ruthless, which really disappoints us!"

Looking at the Jinyi personal army token in Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, which was stamped with the private seal of Jin Wang Zhu Gang, Zhu Biao immediately reminded him in a low voice: "Father, I think there are many strange things about this matter, you must not make rash judgments.

Besides, it was too coincidental that something like this happened in the palace not long after my third brother led his troops out of the capital."

Li Shanchang, who was standing not far away, saw this and stepped forward to analyze: "Your Majesty, I think what His Royal Highness said makes sense.

After all, the Jinyi Guards had encountered problems frequently some time ago, so it is not impossible that the token was occasionally lost.

Most importantly, changing generals at the critical moment is not a wise move. Your Majesty, please think twice."

Zhu Yuanzhang calmed down and handed the Jinyi personal army token to the prince's eunuch Li Heng, and then ordered: "Li Heng, you have followed Biao'er for many years, so I believe you should be very reliable in doing things.

Tomorrow morning, as soon as the city gates open, you will catch up with the King of Yan with this token and ask him to investigate thoroughly.

Let's see if there is something wrong with the Jinyiwei, or if there are still some daring people under the Prince of Jin who are deceiving their superiors and subordinates!"

At this moment, above the ruins of the cold palace fire, only a few unextinguished sparks occasionally flickered in the darkness.

It emits a faint light, illuminating this desolate land.

Li Heng bowed respectfully and accepted the order, with his body slightly bent.

In this dark night, his figure seemed particularly small and humble.

Li Heng's eyes were lowered, and in the dim light, one could only vaguely see the expression of respect and awe for the mission on his face.

On the official road of Yingtian Prefecture, the tranquility of the night was broken by the sound of hurried horse hooves and rolling wheels.

The ceremonial procession of Prince Yan Zhu Di was like a dormant dragon in the night, moving quickly forward.

The flags in the team fluttered in the night wind, making a low and suppressed sound, as if telling an unknown secret.

At the front of the procession, riders rode tall horses.

Their figures looked particularly grim in the moonlight, with the reins tightly held in their hands.

Every movement revealed the urgency and caution of traveling late at night.

Accompanied by a messy and hurried sound of horse hooves, the huge ceremonial guard of Prince of Yan Zhu Di finally caught up with the army led by Zhu Gang.

Zhu Di, who had already stepped out of the carriage, sat on the warhorse led by Fan Zhong and walked towards where Zhu Gang was. (End of this chapter)