Chapter 45: Many thanks to His Highness the Prince of Yan for the tea money
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“Enough, enough! Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We’re all old now; we can no longer control those little rascals.”
Zhu Yuanzhang lifted his wine cup and sighed once more. For a moment, he truly seemed like a hero in his twilight years.
After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced back at Er Niu, set down his cup, and asked in a low voice, “What is the situation among the vassal kings?”
“Your Majesty, I estimate that the Third Highness’s imperial edict should have reached the various princes by now.”
…
Beiping.
“The imperial edict has arrived! Prince Yan, receive the decree!”
Prince Yan’s procession had traveled less than a hundred miles from Beiping when a troop of soldiers came galloping toward them. The man at the head raised a scroll of yellow imperial edict high above his head from a great distance and shouted toward the heavens.
Zhu Di had been discussing with Yao Guangxiao how they should conduct themselves once they reached the capital, and which ministers and nobles they ought to win over. Suddenly, his eyelid twitched.
Before he could say anything, Zhu Gaochi, who was beside them, immediately grinned and said, “Father! The imperial edict is here. It seems Grandfather Emperor must be summoning us back to the capital to attend his funeral. Now you don’t have to worry about entering the capital without an imperial summons.”
With that, he quickly jumped down from his horse, hurried to the front of the procession, and dropped stiffly to his knees.
“Second son of Prince Yan, Zhu Gaoxu, receives the decree on behalf of Prince Yan.”
His voice was loud, and his face wore a broad smile, as though receiving the decree for his father were some immensely glorious achievement.
However, after dismounting, the eunuch delivering the edict merely glanced at him before turning his gaze toward Zhu Di, who was still among the procession.
The sight left Zhu Gaoxu so embarrassed that he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. He wanted to stand, but did not dare.
“Alas, Your Highness, receive the decree,” Yao Guangxiao said with a frown and a quiet sigh.
Only then did Zhu Di jump down from his horse. He went to the carriage and helped Xu Miaoyun down before walking to the eunuch and kneeling.
After shooting Zhu Gaoxu a glare, he said in a clear voice, “Your son Zhu Di listens to the decree.”
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims…”
The eunuch finally unfurled the imperial edict and began to read. His shrill, nasal voice cut into Zhu Di’s heart like a knife.
And when Zhu Di heard the words, “After I ascend to Heaven, none of the vassal kings may return to the capital to attend my funeral. Remaining where you are and fulfilling your filial duties will suffice. Any violator shall be stripped of his princely title and reduced to commoner status,” he nearly coughed up blood and fainted on the spot.
He had only just managed to steel himself to return to the capital and contend properly with his brothers, yet before his men and horses had even left Beiping, this imperial edict had arrived.
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Father! Just how much are you protecting the line of the elder brother—and that precious eldest grandson of yours?
I am your legitimate son too! How could you be so partial? Am I truly inferior to some inexperienced child?
“Your Highness, accept the decree and offer thanks.”
Yao Guangxiao was also deeply puzzled, but compared with the dejected Zhu Di, he was in far better spirits. At least he still remembered to remind Zhu Di to receive the decree.
Zhu Di recovered from his unwillingness. Though his heart was filled with resentment, he still accepted the imperial edict with the utmost respect.
“The imperial decree has been delivered. Prince Yan, we eunuchs shall not impose upon you any longer. We shall take our leave.”
The eunuch showed no false modesty, nor did he make any attempt to solicit a reward. He handed the decree to Zhu Di and turned to leave.
“Eunuch, please wait.”
Quick-eyed and quick-handed, Yao Guangxiao grabbed the eunuch just as he was about to mount his horse. Grinning broadly, he somehow produced a thick stack of banknotes and discreetly slipped it into the eunuch’s sleeve.
The eunuch stopped without revealing the slightest change in expression. When he turned back, however, a smile had finally appeared on his face.
“Master, is there something you need?” His tone had also become much more courteous, no longer carrying the official, businesslike air of before.
Yao Guangxiao hurriedly jabbed Zhu Di in the back, signaling him to seize the opportunity and ask about the situation in the capital.
He could detain the man, but as a strategist, he could not overstep his bounds by making the inquiries on Zhu Di’s behalf.
Zhu Di finally understood. After gritting his teeth, he forced a smile toward the eunuch.
“May I ask, Eunuch, how did Father Emperor pass away? And what is the current situation in the capital?”
He smiled again and added, “Please do not misunderstand. This prince is merely concerned. I ask that you tell me the truth.”
In fact, Zhu Di already had a fairly clear answer in mind.
When he had returned to the capital a few months earlier, he had seen Zhu Yuanzhang keeping Zhu Yunwen at his side every day. It was obvious that he intended to groom the boy as heir. Now, on the eve of his death, Zhu Yuanzhang had ordered all the vassal kings not to return to the capital for his funeral. Was that not an outright attempt to pave the way for Zhu Yunwen’s accession?
Once Zhu Yunwen had fully ascended the throne and secured his position, there would be nothing the vassal kings could do, no matter what schemes they might harbor.
Father! You are far too partial. My heart aches!
The corners of the eunuch’s mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, though his expression remained calm.
“Prince Yan, I suspect you already know the answer. Why make things difficult for a humble servant like me?”
Just as expected!
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Alas! Father, you are so biased—and I refuse to accept it!
Zhu Di sighed inwardly once more, but his face was covered in smiles. He quietly slipped another thick stack of banknotes to the eunuch.
“Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. This is merely some tea money from this prince for everyone who has labored and traveled so far.”
The eunuch did not show the slightest hesitation. He even took out the banknotes and counted them in full view of everyone before cheerfully turning around and handing them to a man behind him.
“Captain Zhang, this is the tea money Prince Yan has given us. Please take it. As for His Highness’s instructions, I cannot speak to them. You should explain things to Prince Yan.”
With that, he voluntarily stepped aside, revealing the man behind him.
A flying-fish robe and an embroidered spring knife—who else could he be but a member of the Brocade Guard?
And judging from the eunuch’s form of address, the newcomer was actually a Brocade Guard captain.
Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao were both dumbfounded. Was it really necessary to deploy a Brocade Guard captain merely to deliver an imperial edict?
The Brocade Guard not only possessed the authority to supervise every official; even vassal kings such as themselves were under its surveillance.
If this man returned to the capital and accused them of colluding with and bribing palace eunuchs, Zhu Di would never be able to wash the stain away, even if he leaped into the Yellow River.
“Captain Zhang, this prince… this prince merely…”
Zhu Di felt as if he were on the verge of vomiting blood. Inwardly, he kept shouting, Father, you are far too partial! His face, meanwhile, was awkward to the extreme.
Captain Zhang nearly failed to suppress his laughter.
His thoughts were, His Highness really knows how to play the game. Just look at how frightened Prince Yan is!
Naturally, he maintained a solemn expression and cupped his hands toward Zhu Di in greeting.
“Thank you for Prince Yan’s tea money. However, there is far too much of it. We brothers would not dare accept it. Once we return, this subordinate will hand every coin over to the imperial court.”
Thump.
Just as Zhu Di was grinding his teeth in frustration, Captain Zhang’s voice reached his ears once more.
“As for the news from the capital that Your Highness wishes to know, it is hardly a secret that cannot be repeated. On the second day after His Majesty passed away, my lord had already taken control of the imperial court and secured the wholehearted support of the nobles and every official…”