The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Prince Ning's Mansion.

Li Shishi, Liu Yangzheng, and Gongsun Jin arrived early to attend a meeting to decide whether Zhu Gonggui or Zhu Yi would go to the capital.

When Zhu Chenhao appeared, he was followed by Zhu Yi.

Zhu Chenhao asked, "Why didn't Tang Yin come?"

Gongsun Jin stood up and said, "Your Highness, Tang Yin still harbors resentment, and the young master said that he can sever ties with the Ning Prince's Mansion when he goes to the capital. Now that we are discussing a major matter concerning the rise and fall of the Prince's Mansion, it is not appropriate to let outsiders participate."

"Mm." Zhu Chenhao nodded.

Treating Tang Yin as an outsider and using him would make Zhu Chenhao feel better psychologically.

At least I won't have to face Tang Yin, that traitor, anymore.

"Where's the second son?" Zhu Chenhao immediately realized that his second son had not yet appeared.

Gongsun Jin said, "This humble servant will go and urge them immediately."

……

……

The group waited for a long time.

Zhu Gonggui arrived late, still looking somewhat hungover. He was puzzled to see the group before him and asked, "Father, has something important come of this?"

"Please greet all the gentlemen first. This is Mr. Li." Zhu Chenhao was afraid that his son would not recognize Li Shishi or know that Li Shishi was currently working for the Prince's Mansion, so he introduced him to his son.

Zhu Gonggui casually bowed and said, "Greetings, Mr. Li."

He didn't even bother to ask which Mr. Li it was.

"Ugh!"

Zhu Chenhao is now single-mindedly plotting a rebellion. He already felt that his third son was a gift from heaven, and seeing his second son's carefree and irresponsible attitude only fueled his anger.

The difference between people is greater than the difference between humans and livestock.

"sit down!"

At Zhu Chenhao's command, everyone took their seats.

Zhu Chenhao, seated at the head of the table, began, “His Majesty has decreed that a prince from the Prince’s Palace be summoned to the capital. In addition to being carefully nurtured, he may also be appointed to offer incense at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and regularly work in the Hanlin Academy and the Wenhua Hall. I would like to hear your opinions on who should be sent.”

Everyone present, except Zhu Gonggui, was thinking, "Do we even need to ask for opinions on this?"

It's already been decided that only a son of your third son's talent and ambition is worthy of the responsibility of being the Ming Dynasty's reserve crown prince.

Zhu Yi stood up and said, "Of course, my elder brother should go. He is the heir of our royal family, and he is older and more prudent, making him the perfect choice."

"Hmm," Zhu Chenhao simply responded, offering no comment.

Zhu Gonggui stood up and said, "Father, has he gone to the capital and won't be back for several years?"

Zhu Chenhao frowned and ignored him.

Gongsun Jin smiled and said, "Second Young Master, that's true, but that's for the Prince's Mansion. Think about it, if one can incense burn at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it's equivalent to the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. In the future... there might be a possibility of him succeeding to the throne. The Prince's Mansion will also be glorious because of this."

"Then... I'll go."

Zhu Gonggui was not polite either.

Who made my elder brother die young, and who is currently the only choice to become the heir apparent? If I don't go to this important matter of inheriting the Ming Dynasty, who will?

Li Shishi couldn't stand it any longer and said coldly, "Your Highness Prince Ning, this matter needs to be discussed."

Zhu Gonggui was initially nonchalant, as if the matter was neither open to discussion nor a matter of suspense.

When he heard Li Shishi's words, he couldn't help but look up and glare fiercely at the old man.

It's as if they're saying, "Who do you think you are? You're already on equal footing with my father, and now you want to interfere in important matters in my royal palace?"

Zhu Chenhao said, "Mr. Li, please speak freely."

Li Shishi looked at the two princes in front of him. He might have had a difficult decision before, but now it seemed to have strengthened his belief.

Rebellion is a skill; if it fails, losing one's life and fortune is a minor matter, but being utterly disgraced is the most unacceptable thing for him.

If we want things to get done, we still need to send a reliable person.

This Zhu Gonggui seems unreliable no matter how you look at him.

"Although the Third Prince is young, his insight far surpasses that of the Second Prince, and he possesses an unwavering spirit. Even in times of crisis, he can maintain his integrity and will be able to help him achieve great things in the capital. In my opinion, it is the most appropriate choice for the Third Prince to replace the Second Prince. As for the Second Prince... it is not unreasonable to entrust him with the management of the Prince's residence."

Li Shishi spoke very tactfully.

They were just short of starting to curse.

Who does your second son think he is? Give him a taste of his own medicine and he gets all cocky? What kind of person is he to dare volunteer to go to the capital to fight for the position of crown prince?

Zhu Gonggui, his face displeased, said, "Mr. Li, what do you mean by this?"

Li Shishi smiled and said, "I didn't mean anything by targeting the Second Prince. It was just... something I felt compelled to say. I also need to hear everyone's opinions."

Zhu Gonggui then looked at Liu Yangzheng standing to the side and asked, "Mr. Liu, shouldn't you say something at this time? You don't also think that my third brother is more suitable to go to the capital than I am, do you?"

At this moment, Liu Yangzheng preferred to remain silent and wise, so he rarely responded to the conversation.

Gongsun Jin then laughed and said, "Second Young Master, going to the capital is nominally to compete for the position of Crown Prince, but in reality, it's no different from being a hostage. In fact, the court still has many suspicions about the Prince's Mansion, and there are many things that you are not aware of."

"How could I not know?"

Zhu Gonggui insisted, "Isn't it just that we want to rebel and overthrow this tyrant?"

"Ahem... Second Young Master, too much talk leads to mistakes, please be careful with your words." Gongsun Jin hadn't expected that this guy not only had ambitions to become the Crown Prince, but also didn't know how to be discreet in his speech.

Although what you said is not a secret to the people present, you are so blunt. Have you not considered that Li Shishi and your brother, who are sitting opposite you, actually know nothing about this?

Zhu Gonggui said, "What's there to hide? The court has always been unfair to our Ning Prince's Mansion, starting with my grandfather..."

"That's enough!"

Zhu Chenhao couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted his son.

Zhu Gonggui was still somewhat unconvinced and turned his head to the side.

Zhu Chenhao said, "Second son, I understand your desire to go to the capital and work for the Prince's Mansion. But now, Mr. Li thinks it's not a bad idea for your younger brother to go as well. So, you two tell me, if you go to the capital, what is your purpose? And what can you do there?"

These words were spoken.

Zhu Gonggui thought that his father was testing him.

But those around him understood that Prince Ning was setting a trap for his son, Zhu Gonggui, to make him back down.

Zhu Gong said, "What are you going there for? Isn't it to try to become the crown prince? To speak up for our royal family as much as possible? To dispel the emperor's concerns about us? Father, putting everything else aside, the third prince is still young and hasn't even started a family yet. It will be difficult for him to establish himself in the capital."

Zhu Chenhao ignored him and looked directly at Zhu Yi, asking, "Third brother, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Yi said, "Oh, I will do my best to assist the emperor in completing the counterattack against the Tatar invasion of Zhangjiakou in April, as Mr. Tang predicted, and strive to keep the emperor in Xuanfu and not return to the capital for the next few years. At the same time, I will make the court believe that my royal family is wholeheartedly for the court and the people's livelihood."