Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 40 Zhu Di: How can I not return to such a Forbidden City?! [Requesting monthly votes]

In the palace of Prince Yan.

Zhu Di stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the deep night outside, his figure like a cold, cast-iron statue.

He gripped the imperial edict, which Jiang Huan had just read aloud, tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning bluish-white from the force.

The three prohibitions—"no leaving his fiefdom without imperial decree, no private exchanges, and no unauthorized entry into the capital"—were like three cold shackles, slamming heavily into his heart.

Although he had long known that Zhu Yuanzhang would not consider him for the position of heir apparent, being ruthlessly driven out of the capital in this way still made him both angry and resentful.

Because Old Zhu didn't even see them.

Even if Emperor Zhu wanted to make Zhu Yunwen the Crown Prince, it would have to be discussed in court. But before the court meeting even started, they drove away all these princes' sons?!

This is simply disregarding the sons of these vassal kings.

Or rather, in their father's eyes, they weren't even considered sons.

How could Zhu Di not feel disheartened, indignant, and furious?
However, before Zhu Di could retaliate, Zhu Gaochi, like a caged beast enraged, began to roar: "Leave the capital within three days! No one may leave their fiefdom without an imperial edict! No private contact is permitted! What is Grandfather trying to do?! Are you treating us like thieves?!"

"Aren't we family? Why should we be treated like this?!"

He grew angrier with each shout, pacing anxiously back and forth in the hall, his face ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Father! I can't swallow this!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di remained silent.

Zhu Gaochi sat to the side, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. His chubby face was expressionless, but his small eyes gleamed and darted around rapidly.

As for Zhu Gaosui, he casually tossed a pig's trotter he had just finished gnawing on the table, leaned against the corner of the wall, and licked the oil off his fingers with lingering satisfaction, seemingly oblivious to the somber atmosphere between his father and brothers.

"Can't swallow?"

After a moment, Zhu Di finally turned around slowly, his voice as cold as ice.

His face showed no anger, only a deep, suppressed chill. His eyes were sharp as knives, scraping against Zhu Gaoxu's face: "If you can't swallow this, what do you plan to do? Rush into the palace to question us? Or will you immediately raise the guards and declare our family has rebelled against your imperial grandfather?"

"I"

Zhu Gaoxu was momentarily stunned by his father's icy gaze, his anger instantly extinguished. He stubbornly retorted, "That's not what I meant! I'm just indignant! Why should that position definitely go to that brat Zhu Yunwen?"

"Shut up!" Zhu Di shouted sharply, his gaze sweeping across the doors and windows like lightning. "Walls have ears! Do you want to get my whole family killed?!"

Zhu Gaoxu shuddered suddenly, reluctantly shutting his mouth, his chest heaving violently.

Zhu Di's gaze swept over his three sons, finally landing on Zhu Gaochi: "Chi'er, what do you think?"

Zhu Gaochi put down the now-cold teacup, his chubby fingers unconsciously tracing the rim, his voice low and clear:
“Father, the imperial decree has been issued, and the emperor's command is absolute. Leaving the capital is imperative, and you must leave willingly, as quickly and obediently as possible. It won't even take three days; we'll depart first thing tomorrow morning.”

He paused, a calm glint in his small eyes: "Grandpa's decree, though seemingly cold and ruthless, is actually a trap, a way of confining ourselves, and also a way of selecting generals!"

"Selecting generals?" Zhu Di's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes." Zhu Gaochi nodded. "The three prohibitions seem to have tied the hands of all the vassal kings. But Father, don't forget where our fiefdom is? Beiping!"

"Beiping is the front line directly facing the remnants of the Northern Yuan!" "The military towns of Liaodong, Xuanfu, and Daning are nominally under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court, but their military preparedness has long been neglected, and most of their officers are mediocre. If the Northern Yuan makes any moves, the imperial court will be too far away to intervene. The only reliable force is our Yan vassal state!"

His voice was even lower, carrying a keen insight into the situation: "Grandfather sent us back to Beiping today and locked us up. But once the flames of war rise again in the north, and the court has no generals to use and no troops to mobilize, do you think Grandfather's decree 'No one may leave their fiefdom without an imperial edict' will still be valid? At that time, will it be you who left on your own initiative, or the court that urgently summons you?"

Swish!
Zhu Di's eyes flashed with a sharp light, like a lightning bolt piercing through the gloom.

He stared intently at his son, as if he were truly getting to know this seemingly honest and chubby son for the first time.

Zhu Gaochi's analysis was like a key, instantly unlocking the fog that had been shrouding his mind.

Yes! This decree from Father is both a chain and a test, as well as a backdoor reserved for future use.

He wanted to lock me, Zhu Di, in the 'cage' of Beiping, but he also placed me on the sharpest tip of the empire's blade.

Once the blade is pointed at the Northern Yuan, I, Zhu Di, will be the most suitable blade.

Ha, is Father Emperor making arrangements for the Crown Prince in advance? Is he treating me, Zhu Di, as a vicious guard dog? Or a tiger that might be unleashed to tear apart the enemy in the future?

"Excellent! Well done! What a brilliant selection of generals!"

Zhu Di's voice carried a hint of barely suppressed excitement. He slapped Zhu Gaochi's shoulder hard, causing Zhu Gaochi to stumble: "Chi'er, you see things most clearly!"

He whirled around, facing the door, and said in a resolute voice, "Send the order! Everyone! Pack your bags immediately! Tomorrow morning, as soon as the city gates open, set off immediately! Back to Beiping! Not a moment's delay!"

A flame, a mixture of humiliation, resentment, and burning ambition, ignited in his eyes: "Father wants me to be a watchdog? Fine! Then I'll be a good watchdog! I'll guard the gates of Beiping tightly! I'll chop off all of Bei Yuan's claws!"

"but!"

Zhu Di's voice was chilling and resolute: "Remember today! Remember this decree! Remember the grace of your imperial grandfather! We, the Yan Kingdom, will remember this debt!"

"Yes! Father!"

Zhu Gaoxu was startled by the terrifying light in his father's eyes, and clasped his hands in a deep bow.

Zhu Gaochi rubbed his shoulder, which had been patted so hard, and respectfully replied, "Your son understands."

In the corner, Zhu Gaosui finally licked the last drop of oil off his fingers, let out a satisfied burp, and looked up to ask, "Father, you're leaving tomorrow? Should we take a few packets of Wang Mazi's pig's head meat for the journey?"

Zhu Di: "."

Zhu Di: "Get out of here!"

"Yes, Father, but there's one more thing. I think we should still use Zhang Biao!"

Zhu Di was slightly taken aback, then his anger subsided somewhat as he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"The innocence of a loyal minister cannot save the Ming Dynasty, but perhaps a clear-headed censor who dares to remonstrate to the death can! Zhang Biao is my father's Wei Zheng!"

Zhu Gaosui made a rare statement that surprised Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Di.

After a long pause, Zhu Di suddenly burst into loud laughter: "With such a Forbidden City, how can I not return?!"

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(End of this chapter)