The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

After meeting Lou Suzhen, Tang Yin had no opportunity to have in-depth conversations with anyone and was subsequently sent to the next place of house arrest.

"Young Master, shouldn't we give him a heads-up beforehand? We can discuss things with him after things happen. If he doesn't cooperate, things might not go smoothly." Gongsun Jin was in charge of escorting Zhu Yi out of the city.

Zhu Yi was going to Poyang Lake for an inspection that day and would not be back for two or three days.

Ostensibly, Zhu Yi went to inspect a shipbuilding project, but in reality, he was also preparing for other plans of his own.

Other plans included leaving Nanchang to travel the world, or even going overseas to develop one's career.

Zhu Yi said, "You must understand that this time, by entrusting the foreseeing of the future to Tang Yin, we are not cooperating with him, but forcing it upon him. This is also to prevent him from causing trouble in advance! Only by pushing him into a dead end with no way out will he be forced to join our side."

Gongsun Jin nodded and said, "That's true. It's obvious that he's being forced to submit. It's unlikely that we'll get anywhere by negotiating with him. As long as Your Highness and the young master figure out a way out without him involved, that's fine."

Zhu Yi scoffed, "Just you wait and see. At first, he might feel incredibly wronged, and he might cry, shout, and even want to rebel. But slowly, he'll realize the benefits of increased fame, enjoy being the center of attention, and become completely absorbed in it."

"Isn't that the same as a respectable woman who's fallen into prostitution?" Gongsun Jin asked curiously.

Zhu Yi simply smiled and remained silent.

The goal is to trap Tang Yin, not to give him a choice.

This wasn't a collaboration with Tang Yin; it forced you to cooperate whether you wanted to or not.

……

……

The end of the month is already here.

Not much news spread in Nanchang. After all, the Prince of Ning's memorial about Tang Yin's dream of the future did not spread widely in the Nanchang area. Only the poems and lyrics written by Tang Yin were circulated.

However, within the capital, rumors had begun to circulate widely that a demigod from the south had accurately predicted events that would occur in the Ming Dynasty.

This means that Tang Yin's reputation was promoted in the capital, both in the literary world and in metaphysics.

Outside the Leopard Chamber that day, Qian Ning was discussing matters concerning the emperor's travels around the capital with several soldiers... Zhu Houzhao greatly enjoyed mingling in the daily life of the capital in plain clothes, and as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Qian Ning had to ensure that the emperor could enjoy himself to the fullest without revealing his identity, while also ensuring his safety.

"Brother!" When Jiang Bin appeared, Qian Ning was displeased.

Qian Ning then dismissed the few Imperial Guards and glared at them, saying, "Instead of accompanying His Majesty on his tour of the palace market, why are you in the mood to come here? Have you been neglected by His Majesty?"

Jiang Bin said, "Brother, I've heard some rumors among the common people. It's about the Prince of Ning's mansion recruiting a staff member named Tang Yin, which you reported to His Majesty, and the prophecy that a meritorious official would suffer from chest pain at the end of the month. Now it's causing quite a stir among the common people..."

"So what?" Qian Ning's expression remained unpleasant.

Jiang Bin said somewhat helplessly, "Isn't it because we're worried that this will affect the stability of the court? And hasn't Prince Ning been too...?"

Qian Ning said, "What does the Prince of Ning's affairs have to do with you?"

In Qian Ning's view, his cooperation with Prince Ning in certain areas was part of his own money-making scheme, and he very much did not want Jiang Bin to get involved.

Jiang Bin said, "But sworn brother, with the situation so chaotic among the people, shouldn't you, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, be honest with our godfather? I know that Prince Ning is quite capable, but... hasn't he gone too far this time?"

Qian Ning reached out and pulled Jiang Bin aside.

This back-and-forth made Jiang Bin very unhappy.

After all, in the eyes of a martial artist, anyone who gets close to them makes them look incompetent.

Once they reached a spot near the corner, Qian Ning said, "Couldn't you have waited until the end of the month, before anything happened, and then told His Majesty about it as a joke? Why did you have to bring it up prematurely and upset His Majesty?"

"But Your Majesty... is leaving the palace tonight." Jiang Bin said with a mournful face.

If you don't say anything in advance, and the emperor hears the rumors from the people after leaving the palace, then it's all our fault for not controlling public opinion.

"His Majesty mentioned privately before that everyone seems to be talking about Prince Ning's filial piety and righteousness, as if Prince Ning has a great reputation. His Majesty is actually quite displeased about this, but he just didn't say it outright," Jiang Bin said. "If a truly capable person who can foresee the future were to emerge from Prince Ning's household, would His Majesty be happy?"

Qian Ning rolled his eyes and said, "It's obvious you don't know who Tang Yin is."

"Isn't he just a down-on-his-luck scholar?" Jiang Bin still seemed unconvinced.

It's as if I didn't research Tang Yin beforehand.

I just can't stand how the Prince Ning's mansion has been flaunting its presence these past two years. They even rush to report to the emperor after hearing a commoner's prophecy about the future, as if they care so much about national affairs.

Ultimately, it was all because Prince Ning harbored rebellious ambitions.

Look at how well-behaved and law-abiding the other vassal kings are?

Qian Ning said, "Tang Yin is a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination). How can he casually claim to have seen the future? He just can't take the Jinshi (a higher civil service examination), it doesn't mean he's been stripped of his Juren title."

"So, what he said is credible?" Jiang Bin continued to frown.

"Furthermore, if Prince Ning heard some strange things and didn't report them, that would be a big mistake and might arouse suspicion. Prince Ning did this very well, leaving no room for criticism," Qian Ning continued to defend Zhu Chenhao.

Jiang Bin appeared very dissatisfied.

If you've taken a bribe from someone, of course you'll speak up for them.

"In that case, you must suppress this matter for now. Once the twenty-nine days since Tang Yin's prophecy was fulfilled, and all the meritorious officials in the capital are safe and sound, I will definitely go with you to file a complaint and have His Majesty arrest Tang Yin for his nonsense and disturbing the emperor's ears, and punish him severely. We will say that he is spreading alarmist rumors, and that killing him would not be enough to appease the people's anger," Qian Ning said.

Jiang Bin said, "Is it not permissible to inform His Majesty of the public's opinions in advance?"

Qian Ning waved his hand and said, "That's absolutely not allowed! His Majesty hopes to find someone who can foresee the future, but he can't let those common people have such delusions! If some bad talk suddenly starts among the people, wouldn't that mean I'm incompetent? If it really happens, it won't affect me much, but if it doesn't happen and the news spreads, or someone throws a tantrum at me."

Jiang Bin felt disdainful.

You knew it would have repercussions, yet you still brought it up with the emperor so early on? Isn't that something you brought upon yourself?

"Come, come, come with me to see the Emperor. You must understand which words can be said and which cannot!"

Qian Ning advised, "His Majesty only wants to have fun right now, not to suffer any unpleasantness."

Jiang Bin said, "Then why don't you hurry up and find a way to make His Majesty's planned tour happen?"

"Leaving the capital is easy, but where are you going? Don't you think about how much commotion an inspection tour would cause? Wouldn't it be better to stay in the capital and enjoy a few peaceful days? Are you short of money right now? Or are you lacking in wine, women, and wealth? You're just thinking about unrealistic things..."

Qian Ning was very arrogant.

Jiang Bin, however, was thinking, "This capital is your territory. Now you enjoy the emperor's favor, and the emperor is almost completely under your control. Of course you feel great about this."

But if I want to rise to power, I'll have to use some unconventional methods, the best way being to get His Majesty to my territory.

The Northwest is my home turf.