Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Boss."

"How's the investigation into the Henan matter going?"

Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject and asked.

"Tu Jie, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Henan, has already submitted a secret report."

When this was mentioned, Zhu Biao's expression became somewhat solemn: "He said that at least five or six dukes and marquises were involved."

"He indulged his relatives, oppressed the people, and seized farmland, causing widespread resentment in the area."

"hehe."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled softly, his eyes, which seemed to see through the ways of the world and the hearts of men, now clouded with gloom.

After a long silence, he said, "Send more men and find the fourth brother as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Zhu Biao felt a jolt of fear.

He knew his father very well. If Zhu Yuanzhang was angry, it meant there was nothing serious; if he wasn't angry, then something serious was going to happen.

"We've already granted a title to our own son, and people are still gossiping about him all day long."

"Why should it bother them if we use our own son?"

"Some people are saying behind our backs that we're using our son to lead the troops in order to seize the military power of our old brothers and do the dirty work of killing the hunting dog after the rabbit is caught."

"What? I'm not even as good as Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin. I can't even do the 'releasing military power over a cup of wine' thing."

"Do they really think we don't know what kind of bad ideas these soldiers have in their hearts?"

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a cold smile.

"father."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice, "The timing of what happened to the fourth brother was indeed very bad."

"The original plan was that in a few years, when my second brother, third brother, and fourth brother were a little older and all got married."

"He took his family to his fiefdom, took command of the army, and guarded the frontier."

"It will also set an example for my younger brothers, so that the system of the king guarding the border will be established in the future."

"Generation after generation, the lost territories of our Han people have been restored to life, and the Hexi Corridor, Hetao region, Liaodong region and other places have all become part of the state."

"Once this matter gets out, those censors and officials will definitely seize on it and not let it go."

"The fourth son is bound to be labeled as frivolous and reckless; how can he possibly govern Beiping?"

"I'm afraid the second and third sons will be criticized."

"They dare?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat up, and a silent sense of oppression spread outwards, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"We are the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, and our son is a prince of the Great Ming Dynasty."

"Even landlords know to distribute their land equally, let alone I, the Emperor."

"Anyone who dares to step forward will have Tu Jie throw out your reckless uncles and elders as a sacrifice."

"Do you really think we can't even lift a knife anymore!"

"I want to see which crime is more serious: a prince leaving the palace without permission or a duke committing lawless acts."

"Yes, Father."

Zhu Biao was terrified.

In this way, those dukes and marquises will likely become the target of public criticism.

"Boss."

"I have issued a decree granting them immunity from death."

"Now it comes in handy, I'll leave this favor to you."

Zhu Yuanzhang noticed Zhu Biao's worries and couldn't help but say a few more words.

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Zhu Biao's eyes welled up with tears. Zhu Yuanzhang had done all the bad things, while he was doing the good thing. Zhu Yuanzhang was paving the way for him to succeed to the throne.

"They were first our subjects, then the nobles of the Ming Dynasty."

"To you, these dukes and marquises are all indispensable ministers."

"We have to leave you some leeway so we can win people over in the future."

"We are not Zhao Kuangyin, and we will not follow Zhao Kuangyin's example of releasing military power over a cup of wine."

"We want to make it clear to them that this country belongs to me, and so does the military power."

"What I do and what I don't do is none of their business."

"There is no reason to beg a subject for favors."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth, saying, "I don't want to follow in Liu Bang's footsteps. These old brothers have fought alongside me through thick and thin to conquer the world. I don't want to see them all follow in Han Xin's footsteps."

"Yes, Father."

Zhu Biao understood and solemnly replied.

"Go to the Duke of Wei's residence."

"Tell Tiande that our family has wronged them in this matter."

"The marriage between the eldest daughter of the Xu family and the fourth son has already been arranged, and there is no reason to change it."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave his instructions.

"Yes."

Zhu Biao then left the Huagai Hall and headed to the Duke of Wei's residence.

...............

At noon, on Qingliang Mountain.

The mountain range is oval-shaped, consisting of hills and ridges that meander from Qingliangmen to Dinghuaimen.

The mountain is covered with lush trees, offering panoramic views of the Yangtze River and the entire city. It has always been a popular spot for nobles and gentry to enjoy the spring scenery.

"Xu Zengshou".

"I heard your sister is going to marry the Prince of Yan."

"Tsk tsk tsk, just being a dog for the Prince of Yan isn't enough for you."

Zhu Yusheng, the second son of Zhu Liangzu, the Marquis of Yongjia, had a weasel-like face and was surrounded by a group of noble sons from Huaixi who were alone.

"What did you say?"

Xu Zengshou flew into a rage, and one hand was already on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

"I'm telling you, your family just loves being the Prince of Yan's dogs."

"What's wrong? Isn't this the truth?"

"Don't you agree?"

Zhu Yu had long disliked Xu Zengshou, and he was eager to take this opportunity to ridicule him thoroughly.

"Hahaha."

The group of noble sons from Huaixi burst into laughter.

Duke Xu Da of Wei has always disliked forming cliques. The Duke of Wei's mansion should have been the pillar of the Huaixi meritorious group, but now it has become a thorn in their side, and even Xu Da's sons have been ostracized.

"you...."

Xu Zengshou was so angry that his face turned red. He was about to draw his sword when someone grabbed his hand.

"To prolong life."

If a dog bites you, would you bite it back?

Zhu Di appeared silently beside Xu Zengshou.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Xu Zengshou turned around and looked on in surprise.

"How dare you call me a dog?"

Zhu Yu was instantly enraged upon hearing this.

As the second son of the Marquis of Yongjia, everyone in Yingtian Prefecture, except for a few people from the Duke's mansion, treated him with utmost respect.

"snort!"

Zhu Di's face turned cold, and he charged into the crowd like a tiger descending a mountain.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In the blink of an eye, all the noble sons of Huaixi were lying on the ground, some with broken arms and legs, and many with bone fragments exposed, covered in scarlet blood, a horrifying sight.

"ah?!"

"It hurts so much!"

"........."

The sounds of wailing and screaming were incessant.

"You...you stay away."

"I am the son of the Marquis of Yongjia. If you harm me..."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yu turned pale with fright and trembled all over.

"Don't think you're just a second son. Even if the Marquis of Yongjia himself came today, what would I have to fear?"

Zhu Di's expression was indifferent, showing no regard for Zhu Liangzu.

There were quite a few wicked people among the nobles of Huaixi. Zhu Liangzu, the Marquis of Yongjia, was the most arrogant and domineering, and he was an ally of Hu Weiyong. Zhu Yuanzhang could tolerate such people, but Zhu Liangzu could not.

"This king?"

"Are you a prince?"

Zhu Yu's pupils dilated instantly, and he blurted out.

"Weren't you just talking about me? Why have you stopped now?"

Zhu Di retorted sarcastically.

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

Zhu Yu immediately kowtowed and begged for mercy; he was not so stubborn as to spout nonsense in front of Zhu Di.

"Snapped!"

However, Zhu Di did not let him go. He struck out with a palm, and the invisible force instantly seeped through his pores and into Zhu Yu's internal organs.

"puff!"

Zhu Yu coughed up blood, his face turning even paler, devoid of any color.

"Go back and tell Marquis Yongjia that those who commit many unrighteous acts will surely perish."

Zhu Di left behind a sentence, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and disappeared outside the Qingliang Gate.

His palm strike had inflicted a hidden force that damaged Zhu Yu's internal organs. He could only live for three more days at most, and the injury was beyond medical help and there was no way to save him.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Xu Zengshou stared blankly at Zhu Di's departing figure.