"Father, the border of Yunnan is desolate and full of miasma. My son, I do not want to go. I am really afraid that if I go here, I will never be able to return to the capital to see Tianyan again."
In the imperial study, Zhu Gaoxu was crying.
Yongle sat at the top, feeling slightly touched by his second son's crying voice.
Zhu Di is the emperor, but he is also a normal person. Normal people cannot treat everyone equally. He always has preferences.
Zhu Gaoxu was the most favored by Zhu Di among the sons, and Zhu Gaoxu himself knew and knew how to take advantage of this.
So when Zhu Gaoxu didn't leave to go to the feudal vassal for a long time, and he was impeached by civil servants because he stayed in the capital, so when he was called for questioning, he almost instantly turned into a man with runny nose and tears.
"It is enough for Yunnan to be guarded by the lineage of King Qianning. If there are not too many more ministers, and there are not too many minor ministers, it does not matter if the ministers do not become vassal... Those civil servants desperately urged the ministers to become vassals. I don’t know what the intention is!”
While crying, Zhu Gaoxu raised his head and secretly observed his father's expression.
He saw some reluctance and reluctance on Zhu Di's face at first, but when he heard his next words, his whole face froze.
Immediately, I felt a little calmer in my heart, knowing that I had indeed mentioned what Zhu Di paid most attention to.
Zhu Di was a very suspicious person, and now Zhu Gaoxu's words suddenly aroused his suspicions again.
Yes, you civil servants are urging me to let the King of Han become a vassal. What are your intentions?
Everyone knows who will benefit the most once Zhu Gaoxu becomes a feudal lord.
I'm not dead yet, and you're already eager to get along with the prince? After that, who knows if you will do anything to put the good prince in your eyes to the throne. After all, you always say that I "kill too much".
Perhaps except for Zhu Biao and Zhu Houzhao, the Ming Dynasty, no, the entire China for thousands of years, this was the source of the conflict between the emperor and the prince.
I am not dead yet. Although you will be the next boss, you must not take it away if I don’t give it to you.
Thinking of this, Zhu Di's expression suddenly changed drastically, and the image of his fat son, who was already not very impressed, worsened even more.
Zhu Gaoxu saw it secretly and knew that the heat was coming. He suddenly stood up resolutely and walked out with tears in his eyes. At the same time, he said:
"My son knows that my father is also in a difficult situation, and it is not good for him to go against the other ministers... However, I am just afraid that I will never be able to have a happy relationship with him again in this life... But since my father's holy order is like this, my son will also obey it, and from then on he will guard the border for my father. , protect our Ming Dynasty. May my father live long and prosperous!"
These words seemed to be respectful, but they made Zhu Di feel guilty, and completely aroused his rebellious psychology - I am an emperor, and I should be arbitrary in all matters. When did I have to compromise with you civil servants? And the words "descendants are prosperous" reminded Zhu Di even more.
You only have three sons.
Are you willing to?
Although the decision to vassal Yunnan was made by Zhu Di, when it came to this moment, he was reluctant to give up.
At this time, Zhu Gaoxu was also retreating step by step. He walked very slowly, but without any sloppiness. At the same time, he raised his ears and listened to the sounds behind him.
When he put his hands on the red-lacquered door, even with Zhu Gaoxu's psychological quality, he could not help but break out in a cold sweat.
Hurry, Father, if you don't say anything, it will be too late! He thought silently in his mind.
"Wait!" A somewhat urgent voice came from behind.
Zhu Gaoxu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and bowed:
"Father, do you have any other orders?"
"I...I just thought about it." Zhu Di stood up and walked out of the desk: "You don't need to go to Yunnan to become a vassal for the time being..."
His eyes flashed a few times:
"I'm just about to go on a northern patrol, so you can follow me north first to inspect the border defenses, and we, father and son, can get close to each other... As for the matter of vassalage, we will discuss it later... No matter what, I will not ban you in this Yunnan land. went."
"You're right. If we divide you, I'm afraid we will see each other less and less... You and I, father and son, should spend more time together... As a father, I can't bear to leave you."
"Father!" Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be extremely moved. He suddenly knelt down, walked several steps on his knees, hugged Zhu Di's thigh, and burst into tears.
"My son..." Zhu Di stroked his hair with his hands, tears welling up in his eyes.
He really likes this son.
Zhu Gaoxu is very similar to him, not only in appearance and personality, but more importantly, when he sees him, Zhu Di seems to see his former self.
The one who obviously has outstanding abilities, but has been suppressed for decades because of the order of birthright.
He could not forget that when Zhu Biao was reading and writing comfortably in the Nuan Pavilion and handling the government affairs of the empire, he had already gained vassal status early and risked his life fighting the Mongols in the bitter cold outside the Great Wall. The bloody temperature lingered in his nose, and his ears The edges were filled with screams and roars.
He didn't want his son to live a life of depression and dissatisfaction like his former self, or even... follow the same path as his former self.
He is already forty-one years old, which is not considered young in this day and age.
This is something he can do very little for his children and grandchildren.
Zhu Di exhaled heavily, and a determined look gradually appeared in his hazy eyes.
I just want to keep the King of Han in the capital. Our father and son fought in the north and south, conquered this wonderful world, and enjoy it today. What's wrong?
Zhu Gaoxu was also crying, but his eyes flashed with pride.
——
early morning.
Before dawn, the ministers had already gathered outside the imperial city, waiting for the emperor's call.
Since it was not yet time to go to court, the ministers gathered together in twos and threes and chatted casually to pass the time.
"Brother, according to the news in the palace, the King of Han was ordered to enter the palace yesterday. He may have packed up his belongings and gone to join the feudal clan." Yan Keng's voice was filled with sadness and relief.
That's fine, he doesn't want to go against his best friend.
A faint hum came from Yan Ya's nostrils:
"Just a vassal? It's not that easy."
"If His Majesty had not summoned the King of Han yesterday, but had sent someone to order him to go to Yunnan immediately to join the vassal state, then the King of Han might have been forced to set off... but he was summoned to the palace... ha."
"You mean..." Yan Keng's eyes widened.
"The feeling of licking a calf... It is said that there is no family affection in the Tian family, but the emperor is not made of jade, so how can he really have a heart of stone." Yan Ya said, and he couldn't help but feel a little bit in his heart. The sourness.
It is said that the Tian family has no family ties, but what about myself? I have only enjoyed fifteen years of family affection from my father.
His younger brother was even worse. He lost his father when he was nine years old.
And Zhu Di, no matter what, has been accompanying his son for more than 20 years.
As he thought about it, he was horrified. Why did he think of this when we were talking about something? He quickly shook his head to get rid of these useless feelings.
My father also had to do this for the sake of the family's great cause.
After calming down, he said calmly:
"Things won't end that easily. Our King of Han is so smart (treacherous)... I can't say it. In the end, you have to stand up and add fuel to the fire. After all, in the eyes of others, you are still the King of Han, and you must We must make a clear distinction with the King of Han in front of the crown prince and submit a certificate of surrender."
Of course, these words are spoken in a very low voice, so they can come out of your mouth and reach their ears.
Yan Keng nodded when he heard this. Although there was some confusion in his eyes, it was quickly driven away.
For the greater good!
(End of chapter)
