Zhu Yunwen was originally Zhu Biao's eldest son.
His biological mother, Lu, was Zhu Biao's concubine, but after the death of Crown Princess Chang, Lu was promoted and became the crown princess.
And Zhu Yunwen also transformed from a concubine to a legitimate son.
After Zhu Biao's eldest son Zhu Xiongying passed away, Zhu Yunwen became the eldest son again.
That's life, you never know what's going to happen next.
Lao Zhu knew that the 'good saintly grandson' in Yang Xuan's mouth did not refer to Zhu Yunwen, but Zhu Di's eldest son Zhu Gaochi.
Lao Zhu was very satisfied with this grandson.
He is very much like his trademark, kind, generous and eager to learn.
It would be great if he was Biao'er's child, what a pity!
Alas~
Lao Zhu sighed in his heart, which was a pity.
Then he looked at Yang Xuan: "I understand what you mean, go ahead and get busy!"
"Yes." Yang Xuan saluted and left.
But Lao Zhu looked at Yang Xuan's back, his eyes flickering, not knowing what he was thinking.
…
Beiping.
Qingshou Temple.
"Your Highness, the position of Crown Prince is vacant now. Who do you think your Majesty will appoint as Crown Prince?"
At a square table made of sandalwood, old monk Dao Yan brought the poured tea to Zhu Di and asked with a smile.
"My eldest brother just passed away. Isn't it too early to say this now?" Zhu Di frowned slightly.
"Your Highness, this is wrong."
"The crown prince is the foundation of the country."
"Now that His Majesty is old, there are undercurrents in the court."
"The position of crown prince must be established as soon as possible."
"Follow the principles of national integrity!"
"It's impossible for Your Majesty not to see this. If the humble monk's prediction is correct, the crown prince will be established soon."
The old monk Daoyan said slowly.
Hearing this, Zhu Di's eyes flickered and his mentality changed a little.
The old monk Dao Yan was keenly aware of Zhu Di's changes, but he didn't say anything, just smiled in his heart.
…
Beijing.
After chatting with Lao Zhu that day, the two of them never talked about anything related to the prince.
Yang Xuan also led the cabinet to assist Lao Zhu in handling government affairs.
After all, he has been Zhu Biao's deskmate for more than ten years and has rich experience.
Lao Zhu is basically satisfied with everything he handles.
This also allowed Lao Zhu to withdraw from the busy government affairs and have time to think about the crown prince.
As early as the founding of the country, he insisted on establishing direct descendants and elders.
But now, Zhu Biao is gone, and the second son is such a bastard, obviously he cannot be the heir apparent.
But if the second son is skipped and the third son is established, the fourth son is not bad, and his grandson Zhu Gaochi is even better than the third son.
The most important thing is that the establishment of direct lineage and long-term development has become an empty talk after insisting on it for half a lifetime.
And the inheritance system for future generations of kings will also be messed up.
It eventually evolved into a struggle between several princes, which would not only cause fratricide among their brothers, but also consume the national power of the Ming Dynasty.
This is not what Lao Zhu wants to see.
In fact, thinking of this, Lao Zhu was already inclined to make Zhu Biao's son Zhu Yunwen the crown prince.
Since having a son would lead to so many consequences, it would be better not to have one at all.
Directly establish his grandson Zhu Yunwen, and implement the establishment of a direct descendant to the end.
Just do it!
The decision Lao Zhu made, except for the deceased Queen Ma and Zhu Biao, basically no one could make him change.
…
In September, Lao Zhu announced to the world directly in front of all the civil and military officials that Zhu Yunwen, the eldest son of Zhu Biao, was appointed as the crown prince. (This eldest son refers to the eldest son among Zhu Biao’s living sons)
As soon as this edict came out, the world was in an uproar.
The court quickly stabilized and kept silent about the prince's affairs, lest he be stabbed by Lao Zhu.
Some people are already planning to go to Zhu Yunwen's place to pay homage to the dock.
Some people have now realized that the emperor's grandson Zhu Yunwen did not have a deep foundation in the court like Zhu Biao.
It can even be said that he has no foundation.
Based on everyone's understanding of Lao Zhu, he will definitely launch a purge in the court next.
Get rid of all those who do not support Zhu Yunwen.
…
At the same time, Peiping.
Qingshou Temple.
There are only Zhu Di and old monk Dao Yan in the Zen room, so Zhu Di doesn't need to be too careful.
I heard him say extremely angrily: "Zhu Yunwen is a child with a yellow mouth, why should he be the crown prince?"
"Is it possible that my father has lost his mind?"
"If the second or third brother is appointed as the crown prince, I will not be able to accept it."
"After all, there has been an order of growth and development since ancient times!"
"But why is he Zhu Yunwen?"
"Father, it's true. Second brother and third brother are still here!"
Zhu Di was unwilling to give in and refused to accept it.
He even had opinions on Lao Zhu in his heart.
He had been guarding the frontier for more than ten years, just to gain his father's attention.
In the twenty-third year of Hongwu's reign, he led a large army, climbed the ice and lay in the snow, and persuaded the Yuan army led by Nai'er Buhua, a remnant of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, to surrender without spending a single soldier.
This move successfully gained him Lao Zhu's attention, but Lao Zhu's attitude was: Lao Si, you are so good, from now on we can safely leave this important frontier town to you.
It is precisely because of Zhu Di's outstanding performance that Lao Zhu dealt with those arrogant soldiers and fierce futures with a knife quickly and neatly.
Monk Daoyan listened quietly to Zhu Di's complaints and did not express an opinion. He just had a smile on his face from beginning to end.
It seems that this result has been expected for a long time.
After Zhu Di calmed down, Daoyan said: "Your Highness, you must make preparations early!"
"What are you preparing for?" Zhu Di wondered.
What else could it be, of course it's rebellion... Dao Yan thought, but he couldn't say this directly.
So he changed his words.
"Your Highness, although you are a vassal king, you are different from an ordinary vassal king."
"It's the King of Sai who has a lot of troops."
"One day the emperor's grandson ascends the throne, and there will be a group of uncles with heavy troops at his head. If it were you, what would you think?"
Hearing this, Zhu Di's face was also a little solemn.
Just listen to Dao Yan continue: "Therefore, after the emperor's grandson succeeds to the throne, it is bound to reduce the vassal status."
"Especially for a King of Sai with a heavy army like His Highness."
Zhu Di had expected this a long time ago, because if it were him, he would not be able to sleep well at night.
"So what? It's just a matter of cutting off the feudal vassal."
"Is it possible that he still dares to kill me?"
Zhu Di snorted coldly, not believing that Zhu Yunwen dared to do something to him.
He is Zhu Yunwen's uncle.
This era attaches great importance to ethics. If Zhu Yunwen dared to kill his uncle, would he still have a reputation?
"Your Highness, prepare in advance, just in case!" Dao Yan said.
"Don't talk about it. My father is still alive. No one knows that Jinyiwei's spies are in that corner."
"At this time, if I make any moves, my father will know immediately."
"Old monk, if you want me to die, just say so. Why bother?"
Zhu Di said dissatisfied.
After hearing this, Dao Yan also knew Zhu Di's attitude.
But it doesn't matter, as long as you still have ambition.
He smiled slightly and comforted: "Your Highness misunderstood, everything the poor monk did was for Your Highness!"
"snort!"
…
