Yongle Emperor's grandson: Zhu Yuanzhang with cheats, Zhu Di went crazy

Chapter 95: A stroke of cinnabar falls, leaving no name in the world (Subscription required)

After hearing this answer, Lao Zhu smiled with relief.

The reason why he mobilized so many troops back then was not really to get the local officials to use the empty seals.

Instead, he was angry at the local officials for their deception and concealment, which, to put it bluntly, was a contempt for imperial power.

"That's right, that's what I think." Lao Zhu said angrily, "I understand that they have difficulties. If they had told me in advance, I would have found a way for them."

"But these bastards chose to do it themselves without telling us, saying it was a long-standing tradition."

"Bah." Old Zhu spat in disdain. "What a bullshit tradition. Aren't they just these self-righteous old scholars who look down on us because we come from the countryside?"

"Haha, if he dares to look down on me, I will make him lose his head. I will let him know who is in charge of this world."

After a few unhappy curses, Lao Zhu pointed out: "The reason why this happened again is almost the same as what happened to us back then."

"These guys look down on us because we are peasants. They also look down on your grandfather because he is a traitor."

"Your grandfather may have discovered it a long time ago, but the stain on him made him hesitate and wonder whether he should take complete action."

"It is precisely because they understand your grandfather's concerns that they are so reckless in doing this again."

"Little bastard, let me tell you, don't consider the issue of talent first, but handle the case first. Those who should be killed should be killed, even if he is a peerless talent."

"If you tolerate it today, it will leave huge hidden dangers for the future."

Zhu Biao also agreed and echoed: "That's right, those who should be killed should be killed, and death shock is the simplest way."

"We believe that with your intelligence, you will be able to solve these problems in the future, but now you need to kill first to buy yourself enough time."

Zhu Zhanjun did not sleep all night. Under the guidance and discussion of Lao Zhu and Zhu Biao, he made one decision after another.

After making the final judgment and putting down the cinnabar pen, Zhu Zhanjun's eyes were filled with fatigue.

From last night till now, he has hardly had any rest. It's because his body is stronger than that of ordinary people, otherwise he would have collapsed long ago.

I took a sip of the cooled tea, and the bitter taste restored my tired spirit.

Glancing at the bright light outside the window, Zhu Zhanjun thought that the old man should have gotten up. He packed up his things and handed them to the old man, then went back to catch up on his sleep.

"Squeak!"

"Ouch."

As soon as I opened the door, a sturdy body leaned in.

Zhu Zhanjun looked down and saw that it was his father. He quickly reached out and pulled him up.

"Dad, why are you sitting at the door so early in the morning?"

"I was bored, so I sat on the steps and played with the dog for a while, and I didn't expect you to open the door suddenly."

Zhu Pangpang glanced at the pile of things on the table and replied casually.

Zhu Zhanjun glanced at his father. He was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, with morning dew still on his hair and eyebrows.

I immediately realized that my father had sat at the door all night last night.

"You are not the emperor yet, and you don't care about your health at all."

After complaining helplessly, Zhu Zhanjun supported his fat father, whose feet were numb from sitting, and sat down on the chair.

"that……"

Zhu Pangpang felt a little embarrassed that his son had seen through his thoughts.

"It's almost done. Please take a look."

Understanding his father's thoughts, Zhu Zhanjun picked up the register on the table and handed it to Zhu Pangpang without waiting for him to ask.

Zhu Pangpang smiled awkwardly and quickly opened the directory in his hand.

As he opened the first page, his expression became serious.

There were more than a dozen names on the first page, and the verdicts below all indicated immediate execution.

Looking up at Zhu Zhanjun, Zhu Pangpang turned to the second page with a cautious expression.

Then the third and fourth pages.

It was not until the fifth page that the murderous aura became much less intense.

After closing the book in his hand, Fatty Zhu pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there no room for negotiation?" Zhu Zhanjun replied bluntly, "This is why Grandpa chose me and not you to take over."

Without waiting for Zhu Pangpang to speak, Zhu Zhanjun continued, "I know you are kind-hearted, but there are some things that cannot be indulged in."

"Deceiving the emperor and rebelling is the bottom line, and it is also a red line that cannot be crossed. The reason why my son sentenced me like this is to make it clear to everyone."

"Other minor things can be tolerated, but these two are absolutely not acceptable."

"But this is too much killing." Fatty Zhu has not given up yet.

"Dad, you are wrong again." Zhu Zhanjun pointed to the designated book: "When they did these things, was there anyone forcing them?"

"The officials left it empty to reduce trouble, but who can guarantee that they didn't have a hand in it?"

"Dad, human nature is the most vulnerable to temptation. The salary given to them by the Ming Dynasty is low. If there are more people in their family, if they don't make some gray income, it will be a problem for the whole family to have enough food."

"These readily available items can solve the hunger in my home. If it were me, I would do it without hesitation."

Looking at his silent father, Zhu Zhanjun continued, "Once any creature has tasted the sweetness, it will become more and more unscrupulous, and finally it will be out of control."

"Anyway, for them, getting a little bit of it means death, and getting a lot of it means death as well."

"Since death is inevitable, why do you want to suffer yourself and your family members before you die? Wouldn't it be better to just enjoy a comfortable and prosperous life?"

After talking about the sentencing of the people involved in the empty seal case, Zhu Zhanjun turned to the verdict on the treason case.

"Although my family started out as a rebellion, there is no doubt that treason is punishable by death. When the benefits outweigh the punishment, people will choose to take risks without hesitation. Once the court chooses to be lenient, just wait for future generations to point at the tablet and curse."

Taking the book from Zhu Pangpang, Zhu Zhanjun said sincerely: "Dad, I admire your kindness, but not everything should be forgiven with kindness. That will only lead to countless indulgences."

Turning around and picking up the things on the table, Zhu Zhanjun nodded to his silent father, left the East Palace and went to the old man's study.

When we arrived, the old man was already working.

"It's ready so quickly?" The old man was surprised and pointed to the breakfast on the table next to him. "You haven't had breakfast yet, right? I prepared it for you."

Zhu Zhanjun smiled and said, "I've been busy all night and I'm already hungry."

After putting the food on the old man's table, Zhu Zhanjun ran to the dining table, picked up a bowl of rice porridge, and started eating it in big mouthfuls.

As for the pickles on the table, Zhu Zhanjun didn't even look at them.

There was a Korean concubine at home. She lacked everything except pickles.

Looking at his grandson with tired eyes, the old man felt a little distressed. He put down the things in his hands, picked up the register, and planned to finish these things first so that his grandson could go back and rest early.

As he flipped through the pages, there was no change on the old man's face.

After reading all the contents, he nodded slightly and said, "It's good overall and it fits my idea."

Putting down the book, the old man pondered for a while and asked Zhu Zhanjun, "Your second uncle and your third uncle, do you have any ideas?"

Zhu Zhanjun paused while eating and turned to look at the old man, "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

The old man laughed and said, "What is the truth? What is a lie? Tell me first."

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, Zhu Zhanjun sat up straight and said seriously: "That's my uncle, my closest person, they..."

"Alright." The old man's face darkened and he waved his hand and said, "Tell the truth."

Zhu Zhanjun looked at the old man: "Zhu Quan, Zhu Wengui..."

Zhu Zhanjun mentioned several names in a row and didn't say anything else.

However, just these few names were enough to silence the old man.

The names Zhu Zhanjun mentioned were either his brothers or his nephews, all his relatives, but how are they now?

After taking a deep breath, the old man nodded: "I understand your idea."

Without mentioning the matter again, the old man turned to the last page of the book and frowned, saying, "Other things are fine, but I just can't figure it out. Why did you send these family members of the convicted officials and those with minor crimes to Fengyang Prefecture?"

"Although there was a flood there, this punishment is too light for them."

"I plan to take over Fengyang Prefecture."

After the old man finished speaking, Zhu Zhanjun calmly explained the reason.

(End of this chapter)