The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

"well."

Zhu Chenhao seemed to have found his direction in life, nodding repeatedly in approval, "Build ships to go to sea, plant new crops, and let the people not only farm, but also increase the number of artisans to improve people's livelihoods. The future prosperity of the Ming Dynasty is promising."

He was so excited that he seemed to have forgotten his own identity.

Zhu Yi felt uneasy after hearing this.

How can this person be so obsessed? His perspective... it sounds like he harbors rebellious intentions?

Was he the emperor?

This is Jiangnan in March. Since the Chenghua Emperor, only the Zhengde Emperor had ever been to Jiangnan. Zhu Houzhao was only thirty years old when he went to Jiangnan, but he did not show the signs of aging that the person in front of him had.

Even Gongsun Jin, who was standing to the side, was anxious and couldn't help but want to remind him.

Your Highness, what you want is the general direction of rebellion, not the direction of governing the country.

You're not even emperor yet, shouldn't we stop worrying about how to govern the country? Shouldn't we ask something more practical?

Liu Yangzheng made no comment, seemingly still sulking about the previous argument with Zhu Yi.

As for Tang Yin...

He glanced at the group out of the corner of his eye, wondering to himself that Prince Ning was acting very strangely today. Not only did he take the child's words seriously, but he also found something exciting in empathy in them.

Did he forget that he was merely a vassal king of the Ming Dynasty?

"Tell me about the Zhengde Emperor," Zhu Chenhao said, calming himself down before inquiring in a gentler tone. "I'm quite interested in your description of the Wuzong Emperor."

Tang Yin finally focused his attention and began to listen attentively.

He had no interest in what the others had been discussing until he heard about the current emperor… and even from what Prince Ning had said, the current emperor had already been given a temple name…

Has their disloyalty reached such an unbridled level?

Zhu Yi said, "Was there anything I overlooked in what I said yesterday? It seems I've already covered all the major events of the Zhengde era, haven't I?"

Zhu Chenhao nodded and said, "The major points are mostly correct, but what you said about Emperor Wuzong's death in the sixteenth year of Zhengde's reign, where he had neither an heir nor a will to pass on the throne, and powerful ministers like Qian Ning and Jiang Bin who held considerable military power, why didn't they cause chaos in the court at that time?"

Tang Yin was even more surprised.

Is this something I can hear?

The sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign? The emperor died? No crown prince and no will? To whom did he pass the throne?

Is it really that exciting for a brat to make up such outrageous lies?

No wonder Prince Ning loved to hear that!

Is this... a targeted treatment?

"This can only be attributed to Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe's exceptional skills. In addition, he exploited the conflicts between the emperor's close advisors and bribed Xu Tai and others to quickly seize control of the military and execute Qian Ning and Jiang Bin, among others! Afterwards, he discussed matters such as the imperial edict with Empress Dowager Zhang and sent people to Anlu to bring the heir of the Prince of Xing's mansion to the capital..."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yin realized that, according to the boy's account, after the death of Emperor Zhengde, Yang Tinghe took charge of the situation and determined that the heir to the throne would be the Prince of Xing.

Tang Yin was also very quick-witted. Even without Zhu Yi explaining in too much detail, he could deduce that doing so was in accordance with the law and etiquette.

Although it was still a lie, it was a lie that was made up in a very convincing way.

"The sixteenth year of Zhengde, what a pity." Zhu Chenhao's gaze landed precisely on Tang Yin, making Tang Yin tense instantly.

These words were clearly meant for him.

Look, six years later, the emperor passed away because there was no one to succeed him. He even passed the throne to a young man from the Xing Prince's mansion. Do you think it's too much for me, the Prince of Ning, to take charge of the overall situation? In terms of governing ability and foresight, am I not better than that young man from the Xing Prince's mansion?

Zhu Chenhao then asked, "What kind of person was Emperor Shizong? Does history consider him a wise ruler?"

"A wise ruler? Heh." Zhu Yi smiled indifferently, appearing quite nonchalant. "He was the emperor who most revered Taoism in Chinese history, and he was extremely fond of writing Qingci (a type of Buddhist prayer). In officialdom, whoever wrote the best Qingci could climb to a high position. He neglected court affairs for a long time, and during his reign, he favored Yan Song and his son Yan Shifan, leading to chaos in the court and the gradual decline of the Ming Dynasty's power under his rule. Whether he was wise or foolish, let each person decide for themselves."

Zhu Chenhao squinted at Tang Yin, his gaze so sharp it seemed he could see right through him.

Tang Yin dared not make any eye contact with him.

Gongsun Jin, seemingly casually, remarked from the side, "How could the Ming Dynasty have fallen to such a state?"

He also seemed to be emphasizing the legitimacy of Prince Ning's rebellion.

Everything was done out of desperation to prevent the building from collapsing.

"Tell me about Tang Yin," Zhu Chenhao finally couldn't hold back any longer and said quietly, "You mentioned him yesterday, saying he was one of the most outstanding scholars of the Ming Dynasty, and also from Jiangnan. Could you elaborate on his past?"

Tang Yin was quick-witted and immediately understood why he had been summoned here today.

Was it because he himself was described by this young man in historical records that Prince Ning wanted to summon him to listen in and verify the truth?

Or perhaps, Prince Ning was plotting against him?

A man as ambitious as Prince Ning must have a strong purpose in his words and deeds!

But Tang Yin, after all, has something he can't tell anyone! For example, right now...

"Tang Yin? What's there to say?" Zhu Yi seemed puzzled. "In the history of the Ming Dynasty, there were actually quite a few famous scholars like him. It's just that he was mentioned in passing because of the Ning Prince's rebellion yesterday."

Tang Yin found it even more unbelievable.

Prince Ning plotted a rebellion? Is that something that can be brought up?

This kid just said that the Zhengde Emperor died and his cousin succeeded him, which seems... like the Prince of Ning has nothing to do with it, right? So, I guess I was overthinking it? This generation's Prince of Ning is just ambitious, but he hasn't actually done anything?

Gongsun Jin smiled and said, "Young Master Zhu, since Mr. Wei has asked, why don't you explain in detail? After all, you are a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, and perhaps we will have the opportunity to meet again in the future."

Zhu Yi said, "This man is arrogant and thinks too highly of himself. There's really no need to get close to him. He won't bring any real benefits to others. In his life, he can be said to have been betrayed by everyone. His former friend Xu Jing parted ways with him because of a case involving the sale of examination papers. His first wife left him early, and his second wife divorced him. In the end, he didn't even have any children and died alone. Apart from his poetry and painting, which are somewhat acceptable, his bumpy life is often talked about. I really can't think of anything... worth praising about him."

Even though Tang Yin prided himself on his easygoing nature, he felt like cursing after hearing these words.

But he immediately realized that something was amiss!

This must be a conspiracy by Prince Ning!

Finding a so-called person from the future to tell history was actually instructed by Prince Ning himself, just like the legend of Liu Bang drunkenly slaying the white snake. Saying these things in front of others is just to make others recognize your rebellious and treacherous behavior!

Save your breath!

Your words and actions are too deliberate... Prince Ning would never sit down and talk to a mere brat about such things, and you even emphasized me, the target is too obvious!

Do you think I'm so easily fooled?

Zhu Chenhao nodded and said, "You're saying he was hired by the Prince of Ning's mansion, but he left by feigning madness?"

"Yes, he knew that Prince Ning harbored rebellious ambitions and was unwilling to go along with him, so he used deception to escape from Nanchang," Zhu Yi said.

Zhu Chenhao asked, "Is someone helping you behind the scenes?"

Zhu Yi said, "Does feigning madness require assistance? However, if we're talking about help, Princess Lou Suzhen of Ning should have been of some help. After all, Lou Suzhen treated him as her teacher and had some sympathy for him, and neither of them agreed with the idea that Prince Ning was plotting a rebellion."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yin felt a surge of resentment.

You, Prince Ning, sent someone to say these things because you don't even trust your own wife? I have always treated Princess Ning with courtesy, and she has never helped me in any way!

I was faking my madness; it has nothing to do with her!

If you're going to test someone, then test them. But to use such despicable means—what kind of hero are you?

Zhu Chenhao didn't seem to care about this, and continued, "You say he was skilled in poetry and painting, but did he leave behind any masterpieces?"

"He has many paintings and calligraphies, which will be priceless in later generations," Zhu Yi said.

Gongsun Jin seemed to understand what Prince Ning meant and hurriedly added, "What about poetry? As a renowned poet, surely you have some masterpieces that have been passed down through generations?"

"Hiss... well... that's a matter of opinion." Zhu Yi shook his head and said, "Everyone says he's good at poetry and painting, but his most famous poem is just 'Peach Blossom Hermitage Song'."

"What is it like?" Gongsun Jin asked, glancing at Tang Yin as he spoke.

He wanted to see Tang Yin in an awkward situation, but found that Tang Yin was very good at putting on an act.

At least until now, Tang Yin's face has not shown any change in emotion.

Zhu Yidao said: "Some of the lines are like this: 'In Peach Blossom Village, there is a Peach Blossom Hermitage; in the Peach Blossom Hermitage, there lives a Peach Blossom Immortal. The Peach Blossom Immortal plants peach trees and picks peach blossoms to exchange for wine.' It is said that this was written in the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign (1494) when he lived outside Suzhou City, and it is considered one of his most famous poems."

Zhu Chenhao nodded and said, "It sounds like a piece of excellent writing."

Gongsun Jin asked, "After he left the Ning Prince's residence in his later years, did he not compose a single poem or two again?"

"Yes, but they're not very famous, and I can't remember them all. There's one called 'The Poor Scholar's Lament,' which includes the lines: 'Ten dynasties' of wind and rain have left me in a daze, and my eight-member family, including my wife and children, is starving. It seems Heaven is truly mocking me, for no one comes to buy my fan-shaped poems.' Oh, and the last two lines perfectly capture the helplessness of his later years: 'My natural interests are hard to describe, and I feel no hunger even after three days without smoke.'"

The atmosphere instantly became lively.

Even Liu Yangzheng, who had just been glaring angrily at Zhu Yi, couldn't help but chuckle when he heard this.

It seems that past grievances can be temporarily put aside.

Look at you, Tang. You're so poor when you get home that you can't even afford to eat. You haven't lit a fire in three days, and you're still trying to comfort yourself by showing off your noble sentiments?

Let's look at Tang Yin again...

They remained unmoved.

Mocking my poetry? You think you can just say I wrote it? This is definitely not something I wrote; it's something you hired someone to make up, just to embarrass me!

These underhanded tricks won't defeat me!