In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1036 The Book Contains All the Answers
Liu Sanwu nodded secretly when he saw that the Crown Prince's residence had given its approval.

Although the Crown Princess was a woman, she had a certain degree of decisiveness.

He said slowly:

"To protect His Highness Yunwen, two things must be done well, and neither can be neglected."

"First, Your Highness, you are now the Crown Princess, and in name you are the legal mother of Princes Yunwen and Yuntong, but everyone in the court knows that you are the second wife."

If you want Prince Yunwen to have a legitimate claim,
You need to first solidify your position as the legal mother.

Although His Majesty has been troubled lately, he remains very concerned about matters concerning the Crown Prince.

You should spend more time showing filial piety before the Emperor, so that His Majesty can see your dignified and virtuous character and recognize your status as the mistress of the Eastern Palace.

Only when you are upright can Prince Yunwen, as the eldest son, secure his position.

Lady Lü listened intently, then slowly nodded:
"What Lord Liu says is absolutely right. In the past, I was only focused on taking care of the Crown Prince and neglected this crucial point."

But how can I gain His Majesty's approval of my position?

"Just do your job and don't cause trouble."

Liu Sanwu said, "His Majesty, considering the Crown Prince's illness, is most worried about the fact that the Eastern Palace is without a ruler."
You only need to manage all matters in the Eastern Palace in an orderly manner.

Let His Majesty see that you can stabilize the Eastern Palace; that would be the best proof.

Furthermore, Madam Chang passed away early.

You must continue to treat His Highness Yun Tong with the same leniency and kindness, without showing any favoritism.

Only in this way can public opinion be silenced and the benevolence of the stepmother be demonstrated.

Lady Lü remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly:
"I understand. And the second matter?"

Liu Sanwu extended his second finger, his gaze becoming increasingly solemn:
"Secondly, Your Highness Yunwen needs to be benevolent."
His Majesty has now suspended the new policies in order to stabilize public sentiment and avoid further unrest.

Your Highness Yunwen must not be radical or fond of martial arts; you should instead demonstrate a spirit of recuperation and rest.

Just now, as I passed by the study, I overheard Your Highness reading the Book of Documents. This is an excellent indication of what is to come.

He paused and continued:

"Your Highness, could you please have Yunwen pay more attention to matters concerning the people's livelihood?"

For example, the subsequent planting of sweet potatoes, the resettlement of displaced people, and the adjustment of local taxes.

These things may seem trivial, but they best embody the spirit of benevolent governance.

Your Majesty has spent half your life in battle,

What we hope for most now is peace and stability in the world.

If Yunwen can demonstrate the demeanor of a ruler who maintains the status quo, he will surely impress His Majesty.

Conversely, if Yunwen were to wield military power or support radical policies,
This will only arouse His Majesty's suspicions, thus pleasing Prince Yunwen instead.

Upon hearing this, a flash of understanding appeared in Lady Lü's eyes:
"Does Your Excellency mean that Yunwen should establish himself through virtue, rather than vying for the throne by force?"

"Exactly."

Liu Sanwu stroked his beard and said:

"His Highness Yunyu has the support of Lan Yu and a strong military, which is both his advantage and his disadvantage."

Your Majesty has always been sensitive about military power.
If His Highness Yun-tung gets too close to the military, His Majesty will inevitably be wary.

If His Highness Yunwen can base his actions on benevolence, filial piety, and the people's welfare, it will perfectly align with His Majesty's current thoughts.

Only by achieving a balance of power can one gain the upper hand.

Lady Lü remained silent for a long time, and the only sound in the side hall was the autumn wind sweeping through the fallen leaves outside the window.

She slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the withered chrysanthemums in the courtyard, her tone carrying a hint of determination:

"I have taken note of what Lord Liu said today."

But the Crown Prince...
If something truly unforeseen happens, the Ming Dynasty will likely face a period of turmoil.

Liu Sanwu also stood up and said in a deep voice:
"I have come here today not to sow discord among the princes, but for the sake of the Ming Dynasty."

If the heir apparent is not determined, the court will be unstable, and if the court is unstable, the people will suffer.

Her Highness the Crown Princess is the mistress of the Eastern Palace.
We must prioritize the greater good, ensuring the safety of both Your Highnesses and the stability of the Ming Dynasty.

Lady Lü turned her head, her eyes no longer showing any panic, only the composure of the Crown Prince's mistress:

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Liu."

If I need your guidance in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to offer it.

Liu Sanwu bowed respectfully.
"As a subject of the Ming Dynasty, I should be loyal to the country and dare not claim to be your advisor."

The Crown Princess only needs to remember that the most important thing right now is to stay calm, proceed cautiously step by step, and absolutely avoid being impatient for quick success.

Just then, a eunuch's soft voice came from outside the door:

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you to the palace and says he wishes to see you."

Lady Lü's heart tightened, and she quickly said to Liu Sanwu:
"Lord Liu, I need to go and take care of the Crown Prince. I will thank you for today's matter later."

"Please excuse me, Your Highness. I shall take my leave."

Liu Sanwu cupped his hands in greeting, turned around, and walked out.

As he walked to the entrance of the side hall, he happened to brush past Fang Xiaoru who was coming.

Liu Sanwu simply nodded to him and left.

Fang Xiaoru was slightly taken aback when he saw Liu Sanwu's solemn expression, and hesitated to speak.

When Liu Sanwu returned to his residence, the sun had already set behind the western mountains.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the ginkgo leaves in the courtyard golden red. When the wind blew, the leaves fell softly, carpeting the ground with scattered gold.

His steps were slow, and his back seemed to have become even more hunched.

The eunuch rushed forward to help him up, but he gently pushed him away:

"No need, I can still walk."

Passing through the courtyard and entering the main hall,
He didn't sit down, but walked to the window.

Gazing at the fading sunset on the horizon, his brow remained furrowed.

The matter of succession is a complex one, with far-reaching consequences.

The slightest misstep could lead to a chaotic scene of bloodshed.

This was especially true for these civil officials.

When a great ruler falls from grace, he will inevitably face a counterattack and retribution; there have been no exceptions in history.

Liu Sanwu, a man well-versed in literature, knew this all too well.

If something happens to the Crown Prince, and His Majesty passes away soon...
The pattern of suppressing civil administration through military force since the founding of the Ming Dynasty was bound to change!
He raised his hand to rub his throbbing temples and sighed softly:
"The world of the Ming Dynasty is about to change."

"Master, would you like dinner served?" the butler asked in a low voice as he walked in.

Liu Sanwu waved his hand:
"Prepare some hot tea and place it in the study. I will go there shortly."

He turned and walked towards the study. He had just stepped across the threshold...
Then I saw a copy of "Zizhi Tongjian" lying open on the table, the page of which was on the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

That was the place he saw yesterday, and now, looking at it again, every word seemed glaringly offensive.

He stretched out his withered fingers, tracing the eight characters "Brothers Fighting, Bloodstained Gate" across the entrance, his eyes filled with complex emotions:

"The affairs of the imperial family have always been this cruel."

But these princes and crown princes were, in the end, just ordinary people.

The numerous branches of their clans behind them were also engaged in constant, covert struggles.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky outside the window became completely dark, and the candlelight in the study flickered slightly in the wind.

Suddenly, a servant's voice came from outside the courtyard:
"Sir, Mr. Fang Xiaoru has come to visit."

A knowing glint flashed in Liu Sanwu's eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips:
"Let him in."

Before long, Fang Xiaoru strode into the study.

He was still wearing the royal blue Confucian robe he wore during the daytime lectures, with a few fallen leaves stuck in his hair, clearly indicating that he had rushed over.

Upon seeing Liu Sanwu, he immediately bowed and greeted him.
"Student Fang Xiaoru greets Lord Liu."

"sit down."

Liu Sanwu pointed to the chair opposite him, signaling the eunuch to bring hot tea.

"Now that you are teaching at the Crown Prince's residence, it's best if we have less contact."

Fang Xiaoru paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before nodding frankly:

"Today, I brushed past Lord Liu outside the Crown Prince's residence."

Seeing your solemn expression, and hearing that you had met with the Crown Princess, I was truly uneasy and came to seek your advice.

Liu Sanwu picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and his gaze fell on Fang Xiaoru's face.

This young man had clear features and a stubbornness in his eyes, typical of a scholar.

He paused for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice very low:

"How has His Highness Yunwen been doing these past few days during lessons?"

Fang Xiaoru was taken aback, then replied:

"Your Highness grasped the concepts quite quickly today and has shown considerable insight into the people-oriented ideas of the Book of Documents."

The mention of reducing taxes and corvée labor to allow the people to recuperate and thrive...
However, he seemed somewhat worried in his speech.

Liu Sanwu nodded, put down his teacup, and his tone suddenly became serious:
Do you know why His Highness is worried?

Fang Xiaoru shook his head:
"This student does not know." Liu Sanwu sighed, his gaze becoming profound:

He was afraid.
He was only the eldest son, not the legitimate son.

Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince's health may not hold up for much longer.

"what?"

Fang Xiaoru suddenly raised his head, slamming the teacup in his hand onto the table with a clatter.

"Lord Liu, didn't the imperial physician say that his condition has improved?"

"The imperial physician's words were meant for His Majesty and outsiders."

"You've been teaching at the Crown Prince's residence for so many days, have you ever seen the Crown Prince return?"

Fang Xiaoru's heart was pounding.

Although he had suspected it for some time, he was still shocked to hear such a definite statement today.

Liu Sanwu continued:

"His Majesty has ordered Lu Yunyi to leave the capital and temporarily suspended the new policies."

What appears to be a step back is actually preparation for what's to come.

He feared that if something were to happen to the Crown Prince, the court would be in turmoil, and the disputes arising from the new policies would only worsen the situation.

Fang Xiaoru stood frozen in place, his face gradually turning pale.

Although he sensed that the Crown Prince's condition was serious, he never thought that he would not be able to hold on to this level.

Now that Liu Sanwu had exposed him, he felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet, and his whole body trembled slightly.

"Lord Liu, what about the matter of the heir apparent?"

Looking at his flustered appearance, Liu Sanwu slowly said:

"What's the panic? Although the matter of succession is dangerous, it is not without rules."

You are Prince Yunwen's teacher.

His character and knowledge were all taught by you. What do you think of him?

Fang Xiaoru composed himself, sat down again, and spoke with a firm tone:

"Your Highness is benevolent, filial, and kind, and cares deeply for the people, but he is somewhat weak-willed."

If he succeeds to the throne, he will surely be a ruler who maintains the status quo and allows the people to accumulate wealth.

"well said."

Liu Sanwu stroked his beard and nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"This is precisely His Highness Yunwen's advantage, and also the reason why we scholars should protect him."

Xiaoru, do you know your own weight now?

Fang Xiaoru shook his head blankly:
"Students are just teachers, what weight can they carry?"

"you are wrong."

Liu Sanwu leaned forward slightly, his tone earnest.

"You are Prince Yunwen's teacher, and your words and actions have a profound influence on him."

Now that the crown prince is seriously ill, a struggle for the throne is brewing in the shadows.

His Highness Yunwen needs your assistance to establish a firm foothold.

If you diligently guide him and enable him to demonstrate his talent for benevolent governance before His Majesty, he may one day ascend to the throne.
You will have rendered meritorious service by following the dragon's lead, and soar to great heights.
To become a key minister assisting the new ruler!

This was the first time Liu Sanwu had so openly mentioned his contribution to the rise of the new emperor.

Fang Xiaoru was shocked upon hearing this.
Her face flushed, and a hint of excitement flashed in her eyes.

He studied diligently for decades, but was always blocked from an official career by the imperial examination system, unable to realize his ambitions.

Now, Liu Sanwu's words are like a guiding light!
But this excitement didn't last long.
Fang Xiaoru quickly calmed down, his brows furrowing again:

"Master Liu, I thank you for your guidance."

However, even if His Majesty were to meet with misfortune while His Majesty is still alive, His Majesty might not necessarily pass the throne to His Highness Yunwen.
The crown prince also had several younger brothers: the King of Qin, the King of Jin, and the King of Yan, all of whom were border kings and held military power.

If Your Majesty considers brotherly affection, or if it is for the sake of stabilizing the court,

Perhaps they will choose succession by the younger brother after the elder brother's death.

His voice trembled slightly when he uttered the words "brother succeeds brother."

He knew full well that if that were the case,

His Highness Yunwen's fate is unimaginable.
Even as a teacher, he could not escape being purged.

Liu Sanwu smiled upon hearing this, a smile that carried a hint of understanding and confidence:
"Xizhi, you should read more books in your spare time."

The book not only contains wealth and beauty, but also holds many answers to the questions of life.

"You are still too young and do not understand His Majesty's thoughts. His Majesty will absolutely not choose a vassal king."

"Why?"

Fang Xiaoru pressed for details, his eyes filled with doubt.

Liu Sanwu's tone carried a hint of reminiscence:

"Your Majesty is a native of the Yuan Dynasty, and so am I."

We have all witnessed the succession to the throne of the Yuan dynasty.

From Emperor Yuan Shizu to Emperor Yuan Shundi, in just a few decades, how many times did brothers succeed each other, and how many times did they kill each other?

In the struggle for the throne, bloodshed broke out among members of the imperial family, the court was in turmoil, and the people suffered.

His Majesty remembered this scene for the rest of his life, and feared it for the rest of his life.

Even now, when I think back on it, I still feel a lingering fear.

He turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"Your Majesty founded the Ming Dynasty to break the chaotic situation of the former Yuan Dynasty and establish a stable order."

When he established the crown prince, he promoted the principle of succession by sons after fathers died, and absolutely forbade the recurrence of succession by brothers after brothers.

Although the King of Qin and the King of Jin were vassal kings, they held military power.

But His Majesty's suspicion of them has never lessened in the slightest.

Do you think His Majesty sent the princes to their fiefdoms, far from the capital, simply to guard the frontier?

Furthermore, it was to cut off any possibility of them acquiring the reserve position.
To prevent these vassal kings from taking advantage of the emperor's death to rebel.

Now that they've been stationed on the frontier, unless they can raise an army and march on Yingtian, they'll have absolutely no chance of seizing the throne.

Fang Xiaoru was stunned. He felt enlightened and most of his doubts disappeared.

"Prince Keke Yunwen is not a legitimate son."
"His Highness Yunhu also has the support of General Lan Yu and a host of other nobles."

Fang Xiaoru still had concerns.

Whether or not one is born of the legitimate wife is merely a matter of name.

As long as His Majesty approves, Prince Yunwen will be the rightful eldest son.

As for nobles like Lan Yu, he was a pillar of the military and supported Yun Tong.
This is both an advantage and a source of trouble.

Were there few instances during the Tang and Song dynasties of relatives of the empress interfering in politics, emperors being young and ministers being suspicious, and power slipping away from the emperor?
Your Majesty has been on the throne for twenty-four years, and everything you have done has been based on the lessons of your predecessors. How could you allow such a thing to happen?
The more Lan Yu supported Prince Yun Tong, the deeper His Majesty's suspicions of him grew.

Instead, they would be more inclined to favor Prince Yunwen, who is kind and has no military background.

Even if His Majesty ultimately favors Yunhu, it doesn't matter.

I dare say that before His Majesty dies, he will eliminate all forces that might interfere in politics.

By then, the imperial court will be filled with scholars like you and me.
Even if it is Prince Yunhu who ascends the throne, what difference does it make from Prince Yunwen's succession?

Fang Xiaoru's breathing suddenly became rapid.

The elegant study before me seemed to have transformed into a blood-red battlefield, with cries of agony filling the air.

He witnessed firsthand how his mentor was implicated and purged due to factional strife.
Knowing full well the current emperor's iron fist,
Once a decision is made, it must be eradicated completely, leaving no future trouble!
At this point, Liu Sanwu walked up to Fang Xiaoru and patted him on the shoulder:

"Xizhi, you need to stay calm in the days to come."

First, he instructed Prince Yunwen to study the principles of people-oriented governance and benevolent administration, so that he would pay more attention to people's livelihood and less to military affairs, and always maintain a conservative and benevolent image in front of His Majesty and the court officials.

two."

His eyes grew even deeper, and his voice lowered even further:

There are some things I can't say, but you can.
You must remind the Crown Princess that she can only live if His Highness Yunwen ascends the throne.

Fang Xiaoru's breathing suddenly stopped.
He felt an invisible pressure coming at him, making it hard for him to breathe.

Liu Sanwu did not pause and continued:
"The three kings of Qin, Jin, and Yan occupy the border. Although they have no chance of succeeding to the throne, they should not be underestimated."

Tell the Crown Princess that in order to ensure Prince Yunwen ascends the throne, no price is too high to pay.

Fang Xiaoru's pupils contracted sharply; unable to grasp the meaning immediately, he asked softly:

"what do you mean"

Liu Sanwu glanced at him and said indifferently:
"There are some things that the Crown Princess may have forgotten, but as long as something happens, someone will remember it."

After Consort Chang passed away, His Majesty felt that the former members of the Crown Prince's household were unlucky.
He then dismissed all the maids and guards in the mansion, dispersing them to various princely residences.
Some of these people followed the princes to their fiefdoms, while others wandered among the common people; all of them were capable individuals.

Fang Xiaoru still seemed bewildered. They were just ordinary guards and maids; what use could they be other than gathering information?

Liu Sanwu shook his head and said calmly:
"Looking at history, many conflicts are not actually that complicated. Once the person is gone, the conflict naturally stops."

Fang Xiaoru's expression suddenly changed drastically!
(End of this chapter)