The Holy Emperor of Ming

Chapter 5: Duke Zheng's World Structure
In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang was delighted after listening to Liu Jin's report.

Although he would listen to and care about his silly son every day, he was still overjoyed when he heard Liu Jin's report: "Hahaha, good, you are worthy of being my son."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a gifted man, and a blessing to our Ming Dynasty!" Li Guang congratulated at the right time.

Zhu Youtang waved his hand, looked at Liu Jin, and asked, "Are you sure that the prince has memorized half of the meridian map?"

"I am sure that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very talented. If he did not spend only about an hour every day memorizing the meridian map, he would have completely memorized the meridian map by now." Liu Jin affirmed.

"Well, you can step down." Zhu Youtang said thoughtfully.

Liu Jin naturally didn't dare to ask any more questions and bowed and left.

In the hall, the excitement on Zhu Youtang's face was still faintly visible.

The Thirteen Forms of Tai Chi are the best foundation-building boxing techniques collected by the royal family. They are easy to learn but difficult to master. However, Zhao'er only took a dozen days to master them.

This understanding needs no further explanation.

What surprised him even more was the perseverance.

The perseverance in practicing boxing, the perseverance in memorizing the meridian map even though you don't like it.

My Zhaoer really has the appearance of Emperor Taizong!
Zhao'er's Thirteen Tai Chi Postures are about to be perfected. It's time to go meet Mr. Zheng and prepare to let Zhao'er try the Ming Shen Wu Canon.

night.

Behind the Sutra Library of the Ming Palace, in an inconspicuous small courtyard.

Zhu Youtang only brought Li Guang here and asked Li Guang to wait outside. Zhu Youtang waved his hand and walked into the courtyard alone.

Li Guang, who was waiting respectfully outside, glanced casually at the shadow outside the light, then waited obediently with his head down, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Because this place is considered to be the most terrifying place in the Ming Dynasty Palace.

In the small courtyard, after a while.

"Lord Zheng, I want the Crown Prince to try practicing the Mingshenwu Dian. What do you think?" Zhu Youtang said in a rather respectful tone while sitting in the main seat.

Sitting next to him was an old man in ordinary blue robe.

The old man's hair was all white and he looked to be in his fifties, but he was still quite handsome and had the temperament of a gentle gentleman.

Hearing this, the old man said with respect in his tone: “Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is gifted and indeed rare in the world. You can try to practice the Mingshen Wu Dian.

but····"

There was a slight pause in his tone, with a hint of solemnity in his voice.

"Lord Zheng, please feel free to speak up if you have anything to say," Zhu Youtang said immediately.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is born with a pure heart and loves martial arts, so this book is of course excellent.

But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will inherit the throne in the future, so this innocent heart may not be a good thing." The old man said seriously, without any scruples about talking about the throne.

Zhu Youtang would not care about this, nor was he surprised that Lord Zheng knew Zhaoer so well.

Of course, Duke Zheng will monitor everything inside and outside the palace.

But Duke Zheng must be keeping an eye on him and Zhao'er all the time.

Because Duke Zheng is the last and most powerful guarantee for the safety of them and their son.

"A pure heart! Lord Zheng means that it cannot be changed?" Zhu Youtang asked with a frown.

He certainly knew that as an emperor, it was not appropriate for him to have a pure heart.

And based on his understanding of the child, it really seemed like a pure heart.

“Your Majesty knows that the way of martial arts depends on one’s physical constitution, comprehension, and will.

The closer we get to the end, the more important will becomes.

Character and experience often determine will.

If we forcefully change the Crown Prince's innocent heart, it may hinder His Highness's martial arts. "The old man shook his head.

Zhu Youtang was suddenly in a dilemma.

After a moment of silence, he asked in a serious tone, "What do you think will happen if nothing is changed?"

The old man was silent for a moment, and then said solemnly: "With the talent of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, if he can master the Mingshen Wu Dian, in the future, even if he is not as good as His Majesty Taizong, he will not be far behind.

By then, with the Crown Prince's character and military power, the Ming Dynasty will be bustling."

Zhu Youtang took a deep breath. He certainly understood what this excitement meant.

Think about Zhaoer's now emerging character, the little bully. What will he do once he has supreme power and powerful personal force?
I'm afraid nothing can control him or make him yield.

But the position of emperor actually requires the ability to compromise.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty had hidden dangers within and several countries coexisting outside, and powerful enemies were spying on it.

As an emperor, one must know how to compromise and balance.

Zhu Youtang frowned even deeper, and after a few breaths, he seemed to be asking the old man, or himself: "If Zhao'er is not allowed to practice martial arts, will he be willing?

If I forcefully discipline Zhao'er from now on, will I be able to completely change Zhao'er's personality?"

After saying this, he shook his head with a determined look on his face and said solemnly: "Rather than being so uncertain, it would be better to let Zhaoer master a more powerful power himself."

The old man knew that His Majesty had made the decision.

It is clearer that the uncertainty, not the uncertainty, cannot change the prince's character.

But Your Majesty is unable to be cruel to the Crown Prince.

Your Majesty’s love for your son is no less than that of Taizu and Taizong, and may even be greater.

Because he is his only son, the prince.

Of course, His Majesty is also kind-hearted. He also agrees with this choice.

He has lived for more than a hundred years, experienced many ups and downs, and understands one truth very well.

Instead of worrying about the uncertainty of the future, it is better to take the power into your hands.

"Lord Zheng, I want Zhao'er to try to practice the Mingshenwu Canon. Please help me, Lord Zheng." Zhu Youtang looked at the old man and said solemnly.

"Since your majesty has made a decision, I will do my best." The old man bowed slightly.

"Thank you, Lord Zheng." Zhu Youtang said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, your words are too kind." The old man was even more respectful.

"Ah." After another silence, Zhu Youtang sighed softly, looking a little tired: "Duke Zheng, there are some things I can only confide in you."

The old man lowered his head slightly, listened carefully, but did not interrupt.

"In the past two years, I have felt increasingly overwhelmed.

At home, the power of the martial arts world is growing stronger day by day, and the literati are becoming more and more deeply involved with them. Even I am helpless.

In the east, Yang Jian was indeed a man of great talent and strategy, and the strength of the Sui Dynasty was growing day by day.

In the west, although Zhao Xu of Song ascended the throne at a young age and had just taken power, he already had the potential to be a wise ruler. Song had been weak for a long time, but it should not be underestimated.

Although the Jin Kingdom and the Jiannu in the northwest were enemies of Mongolia, Liao, and Song, they were also a great enemy of our Ming Dynasty.

When the late emperor was sweeping the land, he dealt a heavy blow to them.

The Oirat and Tatars in the north have been harassing our Ming Dynasty, but more importantly, there is the Mongol Yuan Dynasty behind them.

If it weren't for the fact that the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty had foreign forces such as the Northern Mang, the Turks, the Liao, and the Jin, and if there were no other countries to check and balance each other, I'm afraid it wouldn't just be the Oirat and the Tatars that invaded the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Youtang sighed deeply, and the fatigue on his face became even more intense.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much. Our Ming Dynasty is the authentic Chinese nation with the strongest foundation. Nothing will happen." The old man consoled him with a proud and confident tone.

Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded, as if he had thought of something. His mood suddenly became high again, and he said with great enthusiasm and a bit of boasting: "Mr. Zheng, to be honest, I used to think that Zhao'er was a ray of light given to me by God.

Now, I think this is even more true.

Ever since he was a little older, he often said that he was born to do great things and to unify the world.

Now that his talent in martial arts is so extraordinary, perhaps there really is hope?
No matter what, Zhaoer will definitely be extraordinary."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is indeed extraordinary." The old man responded with a smile, and then said: "However, although your Highness the Crown Prince has a pure heart, it is best to give him some guidance."

"With a little guidance~!" Zhu Youtang nodded, feeling very motivated, and said with a proud smile: "Zhao'er is kind by nature, knows how to love the people like his own children, never makes things difficult for the eunuchs and palace maids, and even treats them with sincerity.

As long as we keep doing this, Zhaoer's future will not be too bad."

"Your Majesty is right." The old man nodded with a smile. This was one of the reasons why he agreed with Your Majesty's choice.

A tyrannical monarch with strong personal military power is extremely terrifying and may even destroy the Ming Dynasty.

As long as the prince sticks to the principle of loving his people as his own children, he will not become a tyrannical ruler in the future and the result will not be too bad.

"I will guide you well." Zhu Youtang nodded solemnly, his eyes dimmed, and he said in a deep voice: "Zhao'er's future path will definitely not be peaceful.

He needs a strong team to move forward.

Duke Zheng and the people in the palace need your attention."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. There will be no accidents in the palace." The old man understood.

The prince's team is divided into those inside and outside the palace. Those inside the palace are the eunuchs, and they must not make any mistakes.

After discussing it carefully for a while, Zhu Youtang got up and left.

The old man saw Zhu Youtang off and looked towards the East Palace with a deep and calm gaze, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Will there be real changes in the Ming Dynasty?

···
The next evening.

“Hehehe~!”

Zhu Houzhao's proud and childish laughter rang out in the hall.

He put his hands on his hips and accepted the praise from Liu Jin, Cao Youxiang and Cao Zhengchun.

The little head looked around proudly, a little arrogantly, as if the hall could hardly contain him.

"The Thirteen Tai Chi Forms are too simple. This prince can master them in just a few days.

Go and tell my dad."

Before he could finish his words, two short legs ran towards the Qianqing Palace.

After an exchange of glances, Cao Youxiang stayed behind, while Liu Jin and Cao Zhengchun followed carefully behind him.

In the Qianqing Palace, after showing off and praising for a while, Zhu Youtang said gently: "Zhao'er, when you have memorized the meridian map, an old man will come to teach you to practice more powerful martial arts.

Don't be rude to this old man, understand?"

"Is it the most powerful martial art? I want to practice the most powerful one." Zhu Houzhao asked immediately.

"Yes, it is the most powerful." Zhu Youtang said with a smile.

"Okay." Zhu Houzhao said happily.

"Remember, don't be rude to the old man." Zhu Youtang warned.

"Dad, don't worry. I am the most polite. No one is more polite than me." Zhu Houzhao immediately said confidently.

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(End of this chapter)