Zhu Yuanzhang in the cellar

Chapter 122 Dad, why don’t you dare to fight with uncle?

Unlike Zhu Gaosui who grew up in Peking.

Zhu Gaochi was born in Nanjing and lived in Nanjing for a period of time when he was a child. He went to Peking when he was seven or eight years old, and later returned to Nanjing to study with Zhu Gaoxu.

It was probably around the 23rd year of Hongwu, and it was not until the 28th year of Hongwu that he left the capital and went north.

Zhu Biao died in the 25th year of Hongwu.

Therefore, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu should have seen what Zhu Biao looked like.

But at that time Zhu Biao was the crown prince. He either helped his father handle state affairs in the Qianqing Palace or went on tours to other places on behalf of his father. His status was very high.

In comparison, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu were only in their teens at the time. Although they were sons of Prince of Yan, there were also sons of several other royal palaces going to school with them.

What Zhu Yuanzhang cared about most were the five legitimate sons he had with Empress Ma, so he only arranged for the children of four families to study in Nanjing.

In this way, more than a dozen legitimate sons and illegitimate sons from the four palaces of Qin, Jin, Yan and Zhou hung out together all day long, playing and fighting every day.

They hardly ever saw Zhu Biao on weekdays. Only on important days such as sacrificial celebrations, festivals and holidays could they occasionally see him, and that was when Zhu Biao was middle-aged.

This made it impossible to recognize the young Zhu Biao when he appeared before them.

After all, when Zhu Biao was 26 years old, the oldest among them, Zhu Gaochi, was only three years old. How could he possibly remember what his uncle looked like when he was young?
I'm afraid that after so many years, as they hardly see each other on a regular basis, they have already forgotten what Zhu Biao looked like in his middle age.

However, they forgot, but the great Zhu Di could never forget.

Because the young Zhu Biao spent the longest time with his brothers including Zhu Chong, Zhu Gang, the elder Zhu Di, and Zhu Su.

Zhu Di saw the appearance in his memory very clearly, and there was no difference from his impression at all.

So Zhu Di was terrified.

Although he now holds great power and has been recognized by his father, the fear engraved in his bones still makes him dare not confront his eldest brother, so he kneels down obediently.

after all.

When they were young, they lived under the care of others and their parents were not around. The eldest brother was like a father to them and it was the eldest brother who raised them single-handedly!

Even though Zhu Di would be in vain for this favor later, he would not forget it at least for now.

"Big brother?"

Zhu Gaoxu's teeth chattered as he immediately realized who was in front of him.

Zhu Gaochi was the one who reacted quickly. He immediately knelt down behind Zhu Di and said, "My nephew greets my uncle."

"My nephew has met his uncle."

Zhu Gaosui also knelt down immediately.

Zhu Gaoxu also knelt down tremblingly.

Yao Guangxiao naturally knelt beside him.

But he was not afraid, he just widened his eyes and looked around curiously.

It is really surprising that the dead is resurrected and it is Emperor Xiaokang.

"The fourth brother has made it big and has become the emperor."

Zhu Biao smiled, then moved his mouth a little, and finally said nothing else, but walked forward to pull him up and said: "Do I scare you so much?"

Seeing that he did not seem to be here to call for punishment, Zhu Di relaxed a little and said quickly, "Brother, Gao Xu does not know you. I hope you will not be offended by my words."

Zhu Biao waved his hand: "I'm not so petty as to argue with the younger generation."

As he looked me up and down, he asked, "Are you afraid that I will quarrel with Zhu Gaoxu, or are you afraid of something else?"

Zhu Di smiled and said, "This guy has been perverse since he was young. Father doesn't like him either. He deserves to be beaten to death. I just feel guilty."

It's true that I feel guilty, but it's also true that I'm afraid.

If it was just a simple resurrection of the dead and a threat to his position as emperor, Zhu Di would not mind letting him die again, even if it was his own elder brother.

But Zhu Di was still alive, and there seemed to be a terrifying force behind them, so Zhu Di could not afford to offend them.

So to some extent, Zhu Di's current behavior is actually telling Zhu Biao his attitude - Brother, I have always respected you in my heart.

"Okay, there's nothing to feel guilty about. Father has already made the final decision on Yun Wen's matter. He brought this upon himself. I don't blame you."

Zhu Biao had some words on his lips, but he swallowed them back in the end. He said with an indifferent expression on his face: "Now that you have become the emperor, even though I am your elder brother, I will not be too harsh on you. But my other children..."

Zhu Di carefully observed his attitude and found that he was not angry, so he smiled and pulled him to his seat and said, "Don't worry, my nephews are all good. I have never treated them unfairly. Besides, you are always my eldest brother. An elder brother is like a father. If you hadn't taken care of us when we were young, we brothers would have died long ago."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Zhu Biao felt a little relieved. He sat down and said, "That's great. You all should stand up. It's not appropriate to kneel down. You should sit down. Yunfeng, you should sit down too."

Zhu Yunfeng pulled the elder Zhu Di away from the table, and the elder Zhu Di sat where Zhu Gaochi had just sat. Zhu Yunfeng sat opposite him, in the seat where Zhu Gaoxu had sat before.

The rest of the people naturally had to sit one row further back.

After sitting down, Zhu Di asked tentatively: "I wonder why you came here this time, brother?"

"My father asked me to come and tell you something."

Zhu Biao glanced at everyone.

Zhu Gaochi looked at him with a simple and honest face.

Zhu Gaoxu's forehead was covered with cold sweat.

Zhu Gaosui watched from the side.

Yao Guangxiao looked at his nose with his eyes and at his heart with his nose, as if his mind was wandering outside.

He continued, "It's the end of the year, and my father said he would come with my mother to see the children. You should ask all the princes to bring their families to Beijing to meet my father and mother, talk to them, and comfort their homesickness."

"Is mother still alive?"

"Alive and well."

"That's good, that's good, I will follow my father's instructions."

Zhu Di first assured him, then frowned slightly and said, "It's just that the rest of the people are easy to deal with, except for the twelfth one."

At this time, not only Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo, but also the second son Zhu Chong, the third son Zhu Gang, the eighth son Zhu Zi, and the tenth son Zhu Tan had all died.

But Zhu Yuanzhang was still alive when they died, so in Zhu Di's opinion, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally knew about these things but did not mention them.

Only the twelfth prince Zhu Bo was forced to death by Zhu Yunwen. When he mentions it now, the meaning is self-evident.

"Alright, don't hint at me in your words. Since your father has recognized your throne, I won't say anything."

Zhu Biao looked displeased.

Zhu Di said hurriedly, "Brother, you misunderstood. I was afraid that my parents would be unhappy when they saw so many children."

"You don't need to worry about this. Old Twelve is dead, but father has a way to keep him alive."

Zhu Biao said calmly: "You just need to organize the celebration well by then."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Zhu Di nodded repeatedly.

"Also, tell those princes not to disturb the local officials and people on their way back."

"Yes Yes Yes."

"The other thing is."

Zhu Biao sat behind the desk, seemingly replacing the great Zhu Di, giving orders.

Zhu Di below could only listen and did not dare to refute at all.

After giving the order, Zhu Biao's expression relaxed a lot, and then he began to chat with Zhu Di about family matters.

For example, he showed concern for his children, talked about the future governance of the country, and even mentioned that he liked quietness and disliked movement, and was obese. He said that this would not work and would be bad for his health, so he encouraged him to exercise more and lose weight.

Everyone was silent and timid after the conversation. After more than half an hour, Zhu Biao stood up and said, "Okay, I have said everything I need to say. I am going back now."

Zhu Di hurriedly said, "Brother, please stay and have a family dinner with your younger brother before leaving."

"Yes, uncle."

Zhu Gaochi also said: "Father always misses my uncle. This time he finally came here, so he naturally wants to stay longer."

"Forget it, in case someone thinks I'm an eyesore sitting here."

Zhu Biao glanced at the elder Zhu Di.

Zhu Di was sweating profusely and said quickly: "Brother, you really misunderstood."

"Okay, I also have things to deal with over there. Now that my father is fighting outside, I have to stay in the Immortal Dynasty and must not move rashly, so as not to cause unrest among the people." Zhu Biao found an excuse.

But he knew that his father and Zhu Yunfeng, the little Zhu Di, had deceived the big Zhu Di, saying that his father had established an immortal dynasty there and was fighting against the enemy.

After that, Zhu Biao walked to the door and picked up his umbrella. Big Zhu Di hurriedly followed and said, "I'll see you off, big brother."

"Ah."

Zhu Biao nodded and walked into the rain first.

Zhu Yunfeng followed behind him, and Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi and others also took the oil-paper umbrellas from the guards and followed closely.

Zhu Di and Zhu Yunfeng were on the left and right, just behind Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao put one hand behind his back and held an umbrella in his right hand. The hem of his dragon robe was a little off the ground, so he didn't have to worry about getting wet. His shoes had high soles, but he still walked slowly, saying as he walked, "Old Four."

"Big brother."

"Since you sit on the throne, you must behave like a monarch. Mencius said that the people are the most important, the country is second, and the monarch is the least important. After becoming an emperor, you should love the people and not be tyrannical. My father and I are watching you from above."

"Yes, yes, brother, rest assured. Since the second half of the year, I have been reducing labor service and taxes to cultivate the people's strength. I will never act on my own."

Great Zhu Di made the promise honestly.

Zhu Biao said with satisfaction: "It's good that you know. I heard that you intend to move the capital to Beiping?"

It was still the fourth year of Jianwen, which was 1402 AD. In the first year of Yongle, early 1403 AD, Zhu Di announced that Beiping would be renamed Beijing, and moved common people, wealthy families, and merchants to Beijing to fill the population.

So although he officially moved to Beijing after the 18th year of Yongle, in fact the previous 18 years were all laying the groundwork for moving the capital to Beijing.

Da Zhu Di immediately said: "This is a rumor, I didn't mean that."

"This Ming Dynasty is your Ming Dynasty. If you want to move the capital, then do so. But the time is not right yet. Let's talk about it in twenty years."

Zhu Biao had no intention of intervening to change history. His father's initial decision to establish the capital in Nanjing was a helpless move. From the political, geographical and economic perspectives, moving the capital to Beijing was indeed the best choice.

Because the Northeast is still a desolate land, the Liaoze is as vast as the sea, the forests are lush and the vegetation is rich, but the resources are extremely rich. If the Northeast is developed, the Ming Dynasty can eat for a hundred years.

Therefore, after moving the capital to Beijing, the Ming Dynasty enjoyed modern technology and resources, developed the Northeast, and gained the capital to dominate the world.

If it weren't for the fact that it was not the time to move the capital during the Hongwu Dynasty, Zhu Biao would have wanted to move the capital himself.

Hearing Zhu Biao's words, Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief.

Historically, his move of the capital to Beijing had great political significance, which was to eliminate the troubles left by Jianwen.

Now that it has been completely eliminated, there is no need to move the capital.

But he wanted to go to war.

The Northern Yuan Dynasty had not yet been destroyed and often invaded the border, so the army had to be mobilized to the north.

In this way, with the military power in their hands, there will be no disturbance in the South, and the country can be stable.

"I see."

Zhu Di responded.

Then Zhu Biao gave some more instructions.

Regarding people's livelihood governance, actively developing the economy, expanding overseas and so on.

In fact, Zhu Di had been interested in overseas expansion for a long time.

In the first year of Yongle, which was May of the next year, he ordered all shipyards in Fujian to frantically build large sea-going ships.

By the third year of the Yongle reign, a large number of ships had been built, and Zheng He embarked on his first voyage to the West.

Therefore, Zhu Di started planning quite early. Whether it was moving the capital, sailing to the West, or the later five expeditions to Mongolia, the foundation was laid in the early stages.

The two chatted all the way and soon arrived at Yuehua Gate, passed through the gate and entered the Qianqing Palace Square.

"Okay, send it here."

Zhu Biao waved his hand and said, "If father confirms the date to come before the New Year, I will let you know in advance so that you can prepare early."

"Yes."

Zhu Di was submissive, obedient and honest.

"Ah."

Zhu Biao nodded, slowly walked into the square and headed towards the underground palace.

Zhu Yunfeng followed behind him and whispered, "Grandpa Taibo is awesome. Zhu Di of the Yongle Dynasty was awesome, and you can train him to obey you."

"Ah."

Zhu Biao laughed and said, "Old Four has really grown in ability. He played tricks on me."

"Have it?"

Zhu Yunfeng scratched his head.

He's really not good at this kind of stuff.

Zhu Biao said calmly: "It's like a needle hidden in cotton wool, reminding me that it was Yunwen's fault that caused my father to be so angry that he made him emperor."

"Good fellow, you are so scheming."

Zhu Yunfeng realized it later.

He didn't sense any other meaning in the other person's words.

no way.

For the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yunfeng was a character outside the system.

He didn't need to bother trying to figure out what the other person meant.

No matter whether you are a prince, a noble, an emperor, or a general, except for Lao Zhu, he does not need to pay attention to the deeper meaning of the other person's words.

Because it is none of his business, he just needs to take care of his own money and has no intention of interfering in other people's political affairs.

And if someone doesn't like him and wants to do something to him, he doesn't need to fight with others in a battle of wits or courage, he just needs to fight with his fists.

Apart from Empress Ma and Zhu Biao, he even dared to attack Zhu Biao. Why bother wasting his brain cells?
"Okay, go back and report to your father as soon as possible."

Zhu Biao stepped into the underground palace.

far away.

Zhu Di and his sons kept staring at the backs of Zhu Biao and Zhu Yunfeng until they disappeared into the underground palace.

Until this moment, everyone seemed to be relieved.

Zhu Biao didn’t actually say anything very harsh, but for some reason, just his name was Zhu Biao, which gave people a sense of great pressure.

After a while, Zhu Gaochi asked, "Is that really my uncle? I have seen him before, but he doesn't look like the one I remember."

Zhu Di glanced at him and said, "This is what your uncle looked like when he was young. Before he died, he was very thin due to years of hard work in government affairs. It is normal that he looks different now."

Zhu Gaoxu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Dad, Grandpa has made you the emperor. You are the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Why are you so afraid of your uncle?"

"Yeah, Dad, you were too cowardly just now."

Zhu Gaosui also shouted: "You just listen to whatever your uncle says and dare not refute a word. If you don't know, you would think he is the emperor."

"If you ask me, Dad, you should have a fight with Uncle, otherwise we will have to kneel every time he comes to Daming."

Seeing that people had left, Zhu Gaoxu became bolder.

"shut up."

Zhu Di stared at them, drooling as he pointed at them and angrily shouted, "You two little bastards, I will be killed by you one day sooner or later."

"Do you know who he is? He is your royal grandfather's eldest son and your father's elder brother. When your father was a child, your grandfather was fighting outside and your father lived with others. He was the one who raised your father."

He said angrily: “Don’t mention that your father knelt in front of him, even if he beats your father to death, it’s normal. If you dare to talk nonsense again in the future, I will beat you to death.”

When Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui saw Zhu Biao leave, their straight backs suddenly drooped again, and they shrank their necks, not daring to utter a word because of the scolding.

My goodness, I've only heard that the Zhu family is afraid of their father, why is it that the Zhu family is also afraid of the eldest brother?
We are not afraid of our eldest brother, that fat guy.

The two looked at each other, but didn't dare to say anything back.

Only Yao Guangxiao was thinking carefully.

What Your Majesty is afraid of is probably not only his eldest brother's identity, but the unimaginable power of the Immortal Dynasty behind him.

(End of this chapter)