In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1037 A Life-and-Death Struggle

The night passed in the blink of an eye, and dawn was just breaking.

Fang Xiaoru then arrived outside the Crown Prince's residence.
His royal blue scholar's robe was damp with morning dew, and his fingertips felt slightly cool.

He barely slept last night; those words in Liu Sanwu's study...
It felt like a heavy stone was pressing on my heart; as I tossed and turned, I felt a tightness in my chest.

Good morning, Mr. Fang.

The imperial guards at the gate recognized him. Seeing his solemn expression, they nodded and greeted him, though surprised.

Fang Xiaoru nodded, walked past the imperial guards, and headed deeper into the mansion.

In the morning mist, there was no candlelight in the direction of the study.

At this time in the past, Zhu Yunwen would have already gotten up to study, but today he was late.

He turned and walked towards the side hall in the backyard instead of the study.

At this time, Crown Princess Lü would usually be in a side hall handling household matters.

General Lan Yu only visits Prince Yun Tong at Chen Shi (7-9 AM) every day, so this is a break in the schedule.

In the corridor outside the side hall, several maids were wiping the railings with their heads down.

Seeing him approach, he quickly stopped what he was doing, curtsied, and bowed.

"Mr. Fang."

"Please inform the Crown Princess that Fang Xiaoru has important business to discuss with her."

The eunuch paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

It is against propriety for a foreign official to meet with the empress and concubines in private, especially at this early morning hour.

He hesitated, glancing at the tightly closed door of the side hall, about to politely decline...

But Fang Xiaoru's eyes were firm, and his tone was earnest and left no room for argument:
"This concerns the safety of the Crown Prince's palace, so please be sure to report it."

Seeing this, the eunuch dared not delay any longer, and quietly pushed open the side hall door and slipped inside.

A short while later, he quickly came out again and gestured for Fang Xiaoru to enter:

"Your Majesty invites you in."

Fang Xiaoru took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and stepped into the side hall.

The room was dimly lit, and a calming incense stick was burning on the table.

The rising smoke mingled with the aroma of medicine, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

Lady Lü sat behind the desk, dressed in a moon-white palace gown.

A plain silver hairpin was inserted into her hair bun.

Her face was bare of makeup, and the fine lines around her eyes were even more noticeable in the dim light.

Several account books were spread out in front of her, and a bowl of medicine that had long since gone cold was beside her.

Upon seeing Fang Xiaoru enter, he merely raised his eyes, his tone flat and emotionless:

"Mr. Fang, you've arrived early today. Instead of instructing Yunwen, what brings you to see me?"

Fang Xiaoru bowed deeply, his head lowered, not daring to look directly at him.
"Your subject, Fang Xiaoru, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Princess."

"No gift."

Madam Lü raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tapping the table.

"Sir, please speak frankly. I have other matters to attend to."

Fang Xiaoru stood up, but his eyes remained lowered, his gaze fixed on the blue bricks on the ground. His Adam's apple bobbed before he slowly spoke:
"I have come here today to report something to Your Highness."

Lady Lü's gaze fell upon him, carrying a hint of scrutiny:

"Sir, you are Yunwen's teacher. Please feel free to speak your mind."
I just don't know what it is that has made you so serious, sir.

Fang Xiaoru clenched his fist, the words swirling on his tongue, but finally he gritted his teeth and whispered:
"I recently taught at the Prince's residence and noticed that His Highness Yunwen looked depressed."

When asked why, His Highness was worried about the Crown Prince's illness.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask, has Your Highness's health become increasingly unwell lately?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the air in the side hall froze instantly.

Lu's fingers, which were tapping on the table, suddenly stopped, and her eyes turned cold.

His previously calm tone instantly took on a sharp edge:

"The Crown Prince's illness is being cared for by the imperial physicians; who are you to interfere?"

Her voice was not loud, but it carried the majesty of the Crown Princess, piercing Fang Xiaoru's heart.

Fang Xiaoru trembled and quickly bowed:

"Your subject dares not! Your subject merely..."
Seeing that His Highness Yunwen was overly worried, and fearing it might affect his studies, I dared to ask.

Madam Lü gave a cold laugh, her gaze sweeping over his tense profile:

"Sir, you are a scholar; you should know the proper etiquette between ruler and subject."

Foreign officials were not allowed to interfere in matters of the inner palace, let alone the Crown Prince's illness.

"You have overstepped your bounds today; are you not afraid of being punished by me?"

Fang Xiaoru's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and his back was soaked with it.

But he knew that now that he was here, there was no turning back.

He raised his head, looking directly into Madam Lü's eyes, his gaze filled with both urgency and resolve:

"I know that this action is excessive and I am willing to accept Your Highness's punishment."

Ke Chen, as Prince Yunwen's teacher,

Seeing him so worried every day, unable to eat or sleep at night, I couldn't bear it.

Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince's condition is not as slightly improved as the imperial physicians claimed.

"presumptuous!"

Lady Lü slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, causing the account books on the table to shake slightly.
"Fang Xiaoru! Men, drag him out!"

Fang Xiaoru did not back down; instead, he took a step forward, his voice still low and deep:

"Your Highness, please calm your anger! I was not speaking recklessly."
But since it concerns the lives of His Highness and Prince Yunwen, I have no choice but to speak!

Lady Lü's eyes turned cold, her chest heaving slightly. She raised her hand to stop the eunuch from entering, then waved it away gently.

"You all go down."

After the eunuchs had all left, Fang Xiaoru raised his head, his eyes filled with urgency:

"I know you don't want to believe it, but it's too late to run away now!"

"If His Highness the Crown Prince were to meet with misfortune, what would you do? And what would His Highness Yunwen do?"

These words struck Lü's heart like a heavy hammer.

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and after a long while, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Who sent you?"

"I am Prince Yunwen's teacher. I share in his glory and his loss."

Yesterday, I pondered the matter at home and realized that the situation had become quite serious.
I apologize for my intrusion in coming today, Your Highness.

Lady Lü's expression was extremely grim.

Seeing that her attitude had softened, Fang Xiaoru continued:

"Your Highness, you were originally a second wife, while Yunwen was the eldest son."

However, Lady Chang was the original concubine, and Prince Yunhu was the legitimate son.

If something truly happens to the Crown Prince, in terms of both seniority and support, His Highness Yunwen is at a disadvantage. What can you do then?

Crown Princess Lü lowered her eyes, her expression somber, and sighed silently to herself.

What can a woman like her do?
Fang Xiaoru took another step forward, lowering his voice even further:

"Your Highness, His Majesty is most averse to the succession of a brother to his brother's throne."
The throne will not be passed to a prince; it will be chosen from among the crown prince's sons.

His Highness Yunwen may not be without a chance of winning.

Lady Lü gave a bitter smile:
"His Majesty's mind is all on the Crown Prince now, how can he have the energy to care about these things?"

Moreover, with the military's support, how could His Majesty easily side with Yunwen?

"Your Highness is mistaken."

Fang Xiaoru shook his head, his eyes sharpening:

"His Majesty values ​​military power, but he also fears it."

In contrast, His Highness Yunwen is benevolent, filial, kind, and cares deeply for the people.

If one can present himself as a ruler who maintains the status quo to His Majesty, it will perfectly align with His Majesty's current desire for stability.

This shift in power could potentially reverse the situation.

A flicker of wavering crossed Lady Lü's eyes, yet she remained hesitant:
"Please enlighten me, sir."

Fang Xiaoru spoke earnestly:
"Now that you are the Crown Princess and the head of the Eastern Palace, as long as you can maintain your position, things will naturally fall into place."

Moreover, I have heard that
After Lady Chang passed away, a group of former staff members of the Eastern Palace were dismissed.

Now they are scattered in various princely mansions.

These people might be of use to Your Highness.

Don't forget, the Prince of Sai in the Ming Dynasty holds military power.

Even if His Majesty doesn't choose them, they might still rebel.

His words were cryptic, but Lady Lü, being so intelligent, understood his meaning instantly.

Those old acquaintances, whether guards or maids, knew many old stories about the Eastern Palace.
If we can gather them together, we can both gather information and...
Perhaps it is still possible
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head:

"No! Those people have long since left the palace and now have their own homes. How can we use them so easily?"

Moreover, such methods are hardly benevolent.

"Your Highness!"

Fang Xiaoru suddenly raised his voice, his eyes filled with urgency: "Now that things have come to this, do you still care about being kind?"
The struggle for succession has always been a life-or-death battle!
If His Highness Yunwen cannot ascend to the throne...
Do you think you and Prince Yunwen will have a good ending after Prince Yunwen ascends the throne?
General Lan Yu has always been assertive; if he becomes the regent, he will undoubtedly suppress dissent.
By then, you, as the legal mother, will be nothing but an empty shell, and may even be imprisoned deep within the palace!

Or perhaps if another vassal king ascends the throne, you and His Highness will not fare well, and may even face mortal danger.

Lu's body trembled violently, and her face grew even paler.

She had thought about these things, but she simply didn't want to think about them deeply.
Now that Fang Xiaoru has laid bare his secrets, I feel a chill of fear.

Seeing that her expression softened, Fang Xiaoru knew that the time had come, so he softened his tone and began to persuade her:

"Your Highness, I know you are kind-hearted and unwilling to resort to underhanded methods."

But think about His Highness Yunwen,

He is your own son, how can you just stand by and watch him fall into danger?
not to mention.
If His Highness Yunwen ascends the throne, you will be the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty!
The Empress Dowager's status was even higher than that of the Empress, and she was revered by all people, bringing blessings to her descendants.

This is a privilege that countless women dream of; are you really going to let it slip by?

"Empress Dowager."

Lady Lü muttered to herself, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes, which then ignited with a glimmer of light.

She had been married into the Eastern Palace for many years, rising cautiously from a concubine to the Crown Princess.

All for his son's future and for his own status.

The Empress Dowager is a figure of even greater prestige than the Empress.
Lady Lü slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again...
The confusion in her eyes had completely faded, leaving only the composure of the Crown Princess:
“Mr. Fang, I have taken note of what you said.”

Fang Xiaoru was overjoyed and was about to speak when Lady Lü raised her hand to interrupt him:
"There must be a bottom line in our actions. We must not harm the innocent, and we must not shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."

If I discover that you have used despicable means, don't blame me for being ruthless.

"Your subject will certainly uphold benevolence as the foundation and assist His Highness Yunwen, and will never dare to do anything despicable."

Madam Lü nodded, her gaze falling on the view outside the window; the morning mist had dissipated.

The ginkgo leaves in the courtyard gleamed with a withered yellow luster under the sunlight.

She whispered:

"You may leave now. Go and instruct Yunwen."

"You are not to mention today's events to anyone, including Yunwen. I will send someone to give you the list."

"I understand."

Fang Xiaoru bowed respectfully, said nothing, gently pushed open the side hall door, and went out.

In the side hall, Madam Lü remained seated behind her desk, gazing at the ginkgo leaves outside the window, motionless for a long time.

She picked up the medicine bowl from the table, her fingertips touching the cold porcelain bowl, but her heart was burning with warmth.

The Empress Dowager's prestige, her son's future, and the stability of the Crown Prince's palace.
These thoughts swirled in her mind, eventually transforming into unwavering resolve.

She tapped lightly on the table and called out to the door:
"Someone is coming."

The eunuch rushed in: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"Go and find out where the former officials who were dismissed from the Crown Prince's palace are now and what they are doing."

Lady Lü's voice was calm and even:
"This matter must be kept secret and not made public."

"Yes."

The eunuch bowed in agreement, then turned and left.

The side hall returned to silence, and sunlight streamed through the window lattices, moving slowly across the floor.

Lady Lü picked up the account book on the table, turned to a page, but did not write anything for a long time, her mind extremely complicated.

Inside the Left Army Commander's Office, in a side hall temporarily used as a study...
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the desk.

Several scrolls of border defense maps and military pay documents were piled on the desk.
Lu Yunyi was dressed in casual clothes, with his sleeves rolled up slightly to reveal a section of his slender wrist.

He stared at the Xuan paper spread out on the table, his fingertips hovering above the wolf-hair brush, hesitating to make a move.

The situation in the capital is like a tangled mess.
The Crown Prince's serious illness has affected the court, the new policies have been temporarily suspended, and I am about to leave the capital.

I am writing a letter to my father-in-law, Mu Ying, who is far away in Yunnan.

It is necessary to convey the truth while also striking a balance.

He took a deep breath, his wrist slightly lowered, and the ink flowed down the brush tip onto the paper. The handwriting was messy, yet it conveyed a sense of solemnity.

To my father-in-law:
Two years have passed since I left Yunnan.

Thinking back to when you, sir, were stationed in the southern frontier, pacifying the barbarians and strengthening border defenses, I, your son-in-law, am always filled with admiration.

My son-in-law is currently detained in Yingtian, but there will be a time for his return.

I dare not fail to report the current situation in the capital.

I have another matter to entrust to you, and I rely on your understanding and assistance.

There have been many changes in the capital recently, and His Highness the Crown Prince is unwell and has not attended court for a long time.

The emperor was thus deeply troubled, and the new policies were slowed down. The promotion of paper money was temporarily halted, and the proposal to move the capital was also shelved.

With His Majesty's permission, I will return to Daming after the sweet potatoes are harvested and stored, and resume my duties on the border.

However, undercurrents were already emerging within the imperial examination hall.

Princes Yunwen and Yuntong each had their own allies, and those who received external honors held both sides, while those who served within the palace chose their masters.

Although the Zou clan's traitorous faction has been executed, their deep-rooted influence remains unremoved.
The political situation may appear calm, but it is actually turbulent and unpredictable, so we must be wary.

My son-in-law once knew Yue Zhongda, the garrison commander of Yunlong Prefecture, when he was in Yunnan.

This man was resolute and resourceful, and had long served as a border garrison, defending against bandits and bringing peace to the people, achieving considerable success.

He is cautious and loyal, does not seek fame, and is capable of handling complex and demanding tasks.

The capital needs loyal and diligent officials. If we send such men to the capital and give them sinecure positions, they can avoid the dangers of the border regions and be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

However, my son-in-law has recently been impeached repeatedly and is about to leave the capital.

If I recommend someone in my own name, it might be seen as forming a faction, which could implicate the person in question.

My father-in-law has long enjoyed the emperor's favor, and his words carry great weight.

May I ask my father-in-law to explain the reason for recommending talents in southern Yunnan?
Through connections or by requesting approval from the Ministry, Zhongda was able to be transferred to a position in the capital.

This matter must be kept secret, and outsiders must not know that it is related to my son-in-law, so as to avoid trouble.

When I go to Daming, I will guard the border carefully and await imperial orders.

May Your Excellency take good care of your health and may the southern border remain peaceful.

This letter was written hastily, and my words are insufficient to express my thoughts. I humbly request your consideration.

Your son-in-law, Yunyi, bows respectfully in the autumn of the twenty-fourth year of the Hongwu reign.

After writing the last word, Lu Yunyi put down his pen and rubbed his temples.

He read it carefully and confirmed that the wording was appropriate.
Without revealing too many palace secrets, and having clearly stated his intention to recommend the letter, he took sealing wax, sealed the letter, and summoned his personal guards.

"This letter must be sent to the Marquis of Xiping in Yunnan overnight and personally delivered to my father-in-law. There must be no mishaps along the way."

"Yes!"

The guard bowed in agreement, carefully put the letter away, and left.

Lu Yunyi looked out the window; the sunlight was already setting in the west.

The fallen sycamore leaves in the courtyard cast dappled shadows.

He straightened his clothes, turned around and stepped out of the governor's mansion, heading towards the Ministry of Personnel.

The Ministry of Personnel was located on the east side of the Imperial City, adjacent to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites.
A plaque bearing the name of the Ministry of Personnel hangs above the vermilion gate, exuding solemnity and dignity.

It was nearly dusk, but clerks were still hurrying in and out of the yamen gate, carrying stacks of documents and walking quickly.

Lu Yunyi walked to the gatehouse and handed over his name card:

"Please inform Lord Hou, the Right Vice Minister, that Lu Yunyi requests an audience."

Upon seeing that it was Lu Yunyi, the gatekeeper dared not delay and hurriedly went inside to announce his arrival.

Before long, an official dressed in a scarlet robe came out quickly to greet them; it was Hou Yong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Hou Yong was nearly forty years old, with a lean face, a short beard, and clear eyes.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly cupped his hands and smiled:

"Lord Lu? What brings you to the Ministry of Personnel today? Please come in!"

Lu Yunyi also returned the greeting with a cupped hand:

"Lord Hou is very busy with official duties, so I apologize for the intrusion of your visit."

Hou Yong led Lu Yunyi through the corridor toward his duty room.

Inside the duty room, there were mountains of documents, piled high with papers for the assessment, promotion, and transfer of officials, and the air was filled with the scent of ink and the musty smell of old paper.

Hou Yong gestured for the servants to serve tea, then waved his hand with a smile:

"Lord Lu, you flatter me. The Ministry of Personnel has been busy verifying the performance evaluations of officials outside the capital lately, and it's quite chaotic."

Lu Yunyi looked around and his gaze fell on a small celadon porcelain bottle on the table. The bottle had an antique style and was a type of Yingqing porcelain, a specialty of Fujian.

He smiled:

"This porcelain vase on Lord Hou's desk is quite unique. I suppose it's an old item your father brought back from Fujian?"

Mentioning this matter, Hou Yong's eyes showed gratitude, and he sighed:
"If it weren't for your help, my father's old belongings left in Fujian would probably not have been able to be safely transported back."

My father's health has been deteriorating lately, and seeing those old things brings him some comfort.

I will always remember this kindness.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand, his tone indifferent:

“It’s a trivial matter, nothing to mention. Lord Hou’s filial piety is commendable, and it is only right that we do our part to help him.”

Hou Yong picked up his teacup, pondered for a moment, and asked:

"Lord Lu's visit today is probably not just for a simple reunion, is it?"

I recently heard that you, sir, are leaving the capital to return to Daning. Is this true?

Lu Yunyi nodded:
"That's true. We'll set off after the sweet potatoes are harvested."
I have come today to entrust you with a matter, not for my own sake, but for Lord Li Zhigang, who is in charge of flood control in Henan.

(End of this chapter)