The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

He paused, feeling that the answer was too vague, and tried to be more specific, his cheeks flushing slightly: "The Qin dynasty lost the deer because of its tyranny, which caused it to lose the hearts of the people. Therefore, those who pursue the deer should prioritize benevolence and virtue, and win the hearts of the people, then the Mandate of Heaven will naturally return to them."

These words sounded like they were memorized from some old scholar's pedantic memorial, dry and devoid of substance. Zhu Zaiji's face flushed red, as if he could hear the sneers of those young Hanlin scholars.

Zhang Yaozu patiently guided him: "Your Highness speaks of benevolence and virtue as fundamental, but when heroes rise up and the world is in turmoil, merely having the name of benevolence and virtue is probably not enough to rely on. How should one conduct oneself, how should one survive, and even how should one achieve victory?"

"Perhaps we should remain steadfast, focus on internal affairs, and await the will of Heaven? Or should we broaden our influence by recruiting talented individuals and heeding honest advice?"

After speaking, seeing that the gentleman neither refuted nor nodded, Prince Yu had no choice but to continue racking his brains: "To rashly wage war would only increase casualties and is not the act of a benevolent person. A ruler should have the well-being of the people in mind."

A faint, almost imperceptible, complex expression flashed in Zhang Yaozu's eyes, seemingly a mixture of disappointment and expectation. He bowed respectfully: "Your Highness is benevolent and compassionate, and your concern for the common people is truly a blessing. I have learned much from your teachings."

The other Hanlin scholars also nodded in praise of Prince Yu's benevolence and kindness. Zhu Zaiji breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt inexplicably ashamed. He made an excuse and quickly escaped.

"Your Highness?"

Ignoring the personal eunuchs guarding the door, Prince Yu walked straight into the small garden behind the Wenhua Hall. As soon as he turned into the garden gate, he suddenly stopped, as if he had run into an invisible wall.

Not far ahead, beneath the old tree with its leaves all gone and its branches jagged like ghostly claws, the shadows of the covered walkway spread out like ink. A figure stood quietly at the boundary between light and shadow, hands behind his back, head slightly tilted back, intently gazing at the gnarled branches of the withered tree. It was Zhu Zaizhen.

He was accompanied only by the old eunuch Ma Dezhao, who looked like a clay puppet. The two of them seemed to blend into the bleak, gray light and heavy shadows, their silence exuding an indescribable chill.

Startled, Zhu Zaiji suddenly wondered how Zaizhen would face the question from earlier.

He immediately answered himself in his heart: Zai Zhen has been unruly since childhood and has been scolded far more than I have. If he were here, he would definitely answer even worse. I am just not used to such worldly questions yet. After my father appoints me as the crown prince, I will study and practice diligently, and I will naturally be able to deal with them with ease.

Yes, that's it. I may not be as good as the former Crown Prince, but I'm definitely better than Zaizhen. I'm just not used to it yet, but it will get better.

Zhu Zaiji stopped in his tracks, instinctively wanting to retreat. He didn't want to see Zhu Zaizhen in private right now, but what he feared most came to pass. He didn't know when Zhu Zaizhen had discovered him.

Zhu Zaizhen showed no surprise whatsoever, only a smile on his face as he gracefully cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty."

"Zaizhen." Zhu Zaiji's throat moved, and the voice he squeezed out was a little dry. He forced himself to walk a few steps faster and put on the gentle expression that an elder brother should have.

"What a coincidence, you're here for some fresh air too."

"Yes," Zhu Zaizhen said with a smile, "The teacher made me read the Imperial Ming Ancestral Instructions again, but I found it boring, so I came here to stroll around. Seeing the strange and unique shape of this old tree, I couldn't help but look at it for a while."

Zhu Zaiji gave a vague "oh" and, following his younger brother's words, looked at the old locust tree, pretending to be seriously appraising it. However, his mind was not on the tree at all. He could feel his brother's gaze falling on him.

Zhu Zaizhen looked him over, his tone carrying just the right amount of appreciation: "Your Majesty, your new clothes look very smart, and the colors are bright and eye-catching, making you look even more dignified and imposing."

Zhu Zaiji unconsciously straightened his back. This brand-new royal blue dragon robe was sent by his mother, Consort Kang, just yesterday. It was made of Lu silk newly presented by his maternal grandfather, the Du family, and the needlework and embroidery were exquisite.

When he put it on this morning, he did feel more refreshed when he looked in the bronze mirror. But now, standing in front of his younger brother, who was dressed in slightly worn casual clothes, the fine clothes suddenly seemed too new and too conspicuous.

"It's just a small token of our maternal grandparents' appreciation, nothing special, just some Lu silk."

Prince Yu steadied himself and tried to show his brother's generosity: "There's still plenty of fabric left. I'll have someone pick out a few of the best ones and send them to you so you can have a new robe made."

Zhu Zaizhen shook his head: "Since it is the intention of my elder brother's maternal clan, how can I accept it?"

"What's this...?"

Just then, Zhang Yaozu, the tutor, came out looking for Prince Yu and saw this scene. He thought to himself that the rumors outside were really hateful, saying that the two princes were going to fight each other. But today he saw with his own eyes that they were clearly brothers and brothers, which was a blessing for the country.

Zhang Yaozu stepped forward and bowed. Before he could speak, Zhu Zaiji said to Zhu Zaizhen, "Sir, you have come looking for me. I will go back now."

"Very well." Zhu Zaizhen bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty, please take care."

"Um."

On his way back, Prince Yu suddenly wondered whether Zaizhen's refusal of the fabric was a genuine adherence to his duty, or simply a matter of disdain for the small token of appreciation from the Du family and from Zhu Zaiji himself.

Seeing him leave, Zhang Xing emerged from the side, shook his head to indicate that there was no one else around, and then silently retreated to a far corner to ensure that anyone who approached would be spotted by him and Tao Ze first, and that they would promptly warn their prince.

After remaining silent, Ma Dezhao spoke in a very low voice: "His Highness Prince Yu seems somewhat unsettled; his face was flushed when he arrived."

"Your Majesty is an honest man," Zhu Zaizhen said with a smile. "An honest man will feel ashamed when faced with a situation he cannot handle."

The official from the Hanlin Academy chased after him, probably because he had asked the Emperor a difficult question in public earlier and was now coming to help him solve it.

"Shall I send someone to inquire later?"

"No need. It's just a matter of how to govern the country, ensure the people's well-being, and overcome difficulties. It's normal that Your Majesty can't answer it or doesn't answer it well."

Answering too well is actually not good. The emperor would like a mediocre Prince Yu, and the officials would also like him. They had long been fed up with the hardship of living under a clever emperor.

Zhu Zaizhen stretched out his arms and yawned. His elder brother was a fool who had good fortune. For those upright officials who were concerned about Prince Yu, a successor who was not very wise and even somewhat mediocre would rely more on these loyal and virtuous ministers in the future, giving them more room to realize their ambitions and practice the rule of Yao and Shun in their hearts.

Xu Jie and Gao Gong, who among them wasn't arrogant and self-important, would they genuinely want a monarch who was shrewd, decisive, and had absolute power?

No, what they want is an emperor who can listen to them and knows how to govern the country by doing nothing. In their eyes, the emperor's behavior today might actually be seen as simple, honest, and easy to correct.

.........