A storm is brewing; this is how many people feel at this moment. While not everyone in the court is filled with anxiety, it is certain that many people feel this is the calm before the storm.

As the maternal uncle of the Crown Prince, Chang Mao felt he had made something of himself.

After a brief stint in Goryeo and some military achievements, they returned to the Ming Dynasty. The third prince remains in Goryeo, while the second prince is stationed in Beiping to care for their mother. Chang Mao, meanwhile, is in Yingtian Prefecture, serving as a powerful ally to the Crown Prince.

Seeing Xu Zengshou arrive, Chang Mao smiled happily, "Zengshou's here! Let your uncle take a look!"

Xu Zengshou gritted his teeth. Although he was a little younger than Chang Mao, he was helpless in the face of Chang Mao's shamelessness. "Greetings, Duke Zheng."

"That's too formal. We're family." Chang Mao laughed and continued in a carefree manner, "I called you here this time because you're usually quite cautious and honest, and your riding and archery skills are pretty good. This time, you'll be guarding the palace. What are your thoughts?"

Xu Zengshou immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone firm, "This humble general obeys!"

Chang Mao nodded slightly and said earnestly, "Zengshou, you'd better be more diligent this time. You're already quite clever, and you should be even more so now. You should also be more decisive when faced with problems."

Xu Zengshou did not underestimate Chang Mao, because he knew that Chang Mao was Zhu Xiong Ying's maternal uncle and the Duke of Zheng. Putting aside Chang Mao's seniority and title, what he saw in Chang Mao was that he was not shrewd in small matters, but he was never confused in important matters.

After Xu Zengshou left, Chang Mao had someone summon Xu Yingxu and said directly, "Now it's time for the four gates of Yingtian Prefecture to rotate, so you will go to Jinchuan Gate. You and Geng Xuan, the heir of the Marquis of Changxing, will guard the gate, and you should be more diligent these days."

Xu Yingxu didn't say much, and readily accepted the order. He knew that there was no room for bargaining at this point.

It's unclear when exactly, but some power dynamics began to shift in the Ming Dynasty. Of the meritorious officials and generals who fought alongside the emperor to conquer the land, aside from a few who remained in the court, a growing number of younger generations were beginning to rise to prominence.

In present-day Yingtian Prefecture, it feels as if the younger generation is the real protagonist, and these people do indeed wield considerable power.

Watching Chang Mao arrange the security of the city and palace, many people even thought that if the Crown Prince really wanted to rebel, he might actually succeed, and there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Not to mention that Chang Mao now controls the city and the imperial city, and Xu Yungong controls the Five Military Commissions, it is no exaggeration to say that a large part of the Ming Dynasty's Imperial Guards are now under the command of the Crown Prince.

Moreover, Lan Yu currently commands a large army in the southwest, Fu Youde controls the elite troops of the nine border regions, and Li Jinglong is inspecting various garrisons. The Crown Prince not only controls the capital's army, but also a significant portion of the border troops are now under his control.

In fact, everyone knows that this was an intentional delegation of power by the emperor, which is why the crown prince has such a huge force in his hands.

Previously, most of these powers were in the hands of the Crown Prince, but now they have been largely transferred to the Crown Prince's grandson.

One cannot help but admire the emperor's deep affection for his son. Throughout history, how many emperors have been able to entrust such a vast power to their heir with almost no suspicion? It's not just the civil officials in the court, but most importantly, the army—this is the force that cannot be ignored.

Many people are getting busy at this time, feeling that they are about to enter a special period, and that they need to be more diligent, careful and attentive.

At this crucial moment, no unexpected events can be tolerated; absolutely no chaos can occur. Perhaps some people believe this is the pivotal period for them to truly enter the imperial court.

Old Zhu, who had 'retired behind the scenes,' was not without power. A seemingly ordinary middle-aged man came to the Qianqing Palace.

Sitting in his chair, Old Zhu listened and watched as Little Zhu ruthlessly destroyed the flowers with a stick, and he laughed quite happily.

These young people are alright; they're a bit inexperienced in their work, but there aren't any major problems. As long as they don't meet their destined one like him, they should be able to succeed.

"Tell them back that when people get old, they should retire. It's good for them to go back to their hometown to enjoy their retirement. Our grandson will give them a respectable life. Don't stop them. It's time for the younger generation to step up."