The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

"If possible, it would be even better if the Crown Prince could take good care of himself."

If Zhu Biao hadn't died...

He can protect Lan Yu for a lifetime.

If Lan Yu doesn't die, then he can naturally also live.

As long as Lan Yu isn't out of his mind and actually rebels, even if he's a bit arrogant, Zhu Biao can tolerate it.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao was somewhat puzzled: "What do you mean by that?"

"To be honest, Your Highness, I am currently a criminal."

A person burdened with guilt?

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You... embezzled?"

"Have you forgotten? I'm engrossed in cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao, and I don't hold any official position in the court. How could I possibly be involved in embezzlement?"

Also.

I almost forgot, this kid is a believer.

"Then what mistake did you make? I can advise my father, and perhaps you can be pardoned."

As long as it's not a serious crime.

He can always offer some advice.

His own father was a heavy-handed killer who liked to eradicate his victims completely.

He didn't think it was a bad thing, but it was really unnecessary to involve others.

Lan Chen said helplessly, "I haven't broken any laws or committed any crimes."

"No crime committed? How can you be a convicted criminal?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled. "Could it be that someone is falsely accusing you?"

Lan Chen coughed lightly twice: "That's a question for the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard beneath me."

Jiang Huan staggered and almost fell down along with Lan Chen, whom she was carrying.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao looked at Jiang Huan and asked, "Your name is Jiang Huan, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

What is the position of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Jiang Huan reported truthfully: "Your Highness, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was established by His Majesty in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign (1380) as the eyes and ears of the emperor."

"Eight-character summary: in charge of guarding the emperor and patrolling to arrest criminals."

I can understand the beginning.

It meant that they took over the duties of the Yiluan Division.

However, the last four words puzzled Zhu Biao.

"Isn't patrolling and arresting criminals the duty of the Military Command?"

Faced with Zhu Biao's question, Jiang Huan did not know how to explain.

He wouldn't lie, but he also dared not speak of his duties as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he naturally knew that Crown Prince Zhu Biao did not like the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Seeing this, Lan Chen spoke up for him, saying, "Your Highness, you can understand it as the Embroidered Uniform Guard being the emperor's henchmen, responsible for protection and attacking people."

"They can bite anyone, as long as the emperor needs them."

"Not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, they can directly arrest, apprehend, and detain criminals."

"Of course, normal criminals go through the Ministry of Justice's procedures, while abnormal criminals go through the Imperial Guard's prison."

"He arrests those whom the Ministry of Justice cannot, and he kills those whom the Ministry of Justice dares not kill."

"Evidence? The Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't need evidence to arrest people. Once they've tortured you, you'll naturally confess."

"In short, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will manage what the Ministry of Justice can manage, and it will also manage what the Ministry of Justice cannot manage."

"To act first and report later, with the special permission of the emperor—that's the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Jiang Huan fell silent after hearing this.

He didn't say anything.

The duties of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were mostly to do dirty work, which is why they were separated from the Ministry of Justice.

The purpose is that the Ministry of Justice is committed to the law, and if it were to do dirty work, it would be a violation of the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

Re-establishing a new organization would greatly preserve the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice was a permanent institution, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard was a temporary one.

The Ministry of Justice's violation of the law damages the credibility of the national legal system.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's illegal actions damaged the emperor's personal prestige.

The emperor did grant them immense power, but they weren't that capable of acting first and reporting later.

If he dares to act first and report later, he will also die.

Upon hearing Lan Chen's description, Zhu Biao frowned immediately: "Is what Lan Chen said true?"

Jiang Huan nodded: "Your Majesty, I do not have the authority to act first and report later, but otherwise it is roughly the same."

Zhu Biao glanced at Lan Chen.

However, although the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not have the authority to act first and report later, according to Lan Chen's description...

The things the Embroidered Uniform Guard did seemed to be shady.

"So, Lan Chen is a criminal, and you're the one who framed him?"

Jiang Huan immediately replied, "Your Highness, I have reported that Duke Lan Yu of Liang was plotting a rebellion, not Lan Chen."

Duke Lan Yu of Liang is plotting a rebellion?!

The word "treason" instantly triggered Zhu Biao's nerves.

He could offer some advice on other crimes.

But he was somewhat powerless to do anything about the crime of treason.

"Did your father really plot a rebellion?"

Lan Chen said helplessly, "Your Highness, you know my father's personality."

"He's just a bit arrogant; what ambition could he possibly have?"

He understands Lan Yu as he is now.

Just as Lan Chen said, the reason why Lan Yu was so arrogant was because he was spoiled by Chang Yuchun.

He was young, had a distinguished military record, and his brother-in-law was the most valiant general in the Ming Dynasty.

He has a good background, is capable, has a military record, and is young.

A combination of factors led to Lan Yu's arrogant and disdainful personality.

But in his presence, they still knew to restrain themselves.

After all, Lan Yu himself knew that his background had changed from Chang Yuchun to him, the crown prince.

However, not every young man who has made meritorious contributions can be as steady as Li Wenzhong.

He's a bit arrogant, but his abilities are unquestionable.

However, people change.

"Does your father truly have no intention of rebelling?"

"Do you really think my father's personality is capable of rallying so many people to rebel?"

One sentence silenced Zhu Biao.

That makes a lot of sense.

Lan Yu offended not only civil officials, but also military officials.

There were also the vassal kings; in short, apart from his background as the crown prince and the emperor, Lan Yu disliked everyone.

"But if your father didn't rebel, why did Jiang Huan accuse him of treason?"

Lan Chen tapped Jiang Huan: "You'll have to ask Jiang Huan about that. If I remember correctly, the evidence of my father's treason was his confession, wasn't it?"

That's right, evidence of Lan Yu's treason.

It was the confession that Jiang Huan extracted from Lan Yu after he arrested him.

Apart from that, there was no other substantial evidence, not even a motive.

According to the original historical trajectory, from arrest and interrogation to death, it took a total of ten days.

A treason case, from the time the crime was committed to the time the person was beheaded, took only ten days.

In a case of treason, Zhu Yuanzhang did not even consider whether it was a false accusation.

Jiang Huan was almost killed on the spot.

Is this really true?

Jiang Huan remained indifferent.

There was no response; they simply remained silent.

Although he didn't answer, Zhu Biao already understood.

"Why did Father kill Lan Yu for no reason?" Zhu Biao frowned.

"The Lan Yu case occurred in the 26th year of the Hongwu reign, and a few months before the case, Zhu Yunwen was made the Crown Prince."

To establish Yunwen as the Crown Prince?

Is this an attempt to pave the way for Yunwen?

"Even so, Father, there's no need for you to be in such a hurry to execute Lan Yu. I am still alive."

"I am still able to suppress Lan Yu. Even if Lan Yu is still alive when I am about to die, I will naturally pave the way for Yunwen."

"Why must Father Emperor plan for the future in such a way?"

Lan Chen sighed softly: "The year before Zhu Yunwen was made the Crown Prince."

After a brief pause, Lan Chen emphasized the words.

"In the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign, Crown Prince Zhu Biao died of illness."