Zhu Yuanzhang, who was busy reviewing memorials in the Wuying Hall, was stunned. He had originally planned to do something that would offend people and bear some infamy. But then Shuangquan came running over, bringing some news from the previous dynasty and also mentioning Zhu Yuanzhang's punishment of Ren Hengtai.

Hearing Shuangquan's report, Old Zhu couldn't help but laugh, "This kid really is Biao'er's son."

Zhu Yunying was unaware of his father's assessment. After the court session, he simply headed towards the Wuying Hall. He briefly processed the memorials, and then naturally summoned some high-ranking military officials to discuss his reforms of the Beijing Garrison and other matters.

He didn't intend to train a new army, but Zhu Yunying did need his Beijing Garrison to become stronger. The Beijing Garrison had always been the most elite force of a country and a dynasty. Zhu Yunying was generally satisfied with the Beijing Garrison, but he hoped it would become even more outstanding.

Before even reaching the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yunying was stunned, mainly because of the commotion in front of the hall; it was clear someone had gone there. There was no doubt that, apart from Zhu Yunying himself, only Zhu Yunying could go directly there, and the people inside and outside the hall began to move about.

Zhu Yunying strode into the hall and immediately began to complain, "I already said that Your Majesty would come after court, why so early?"

"I'm getting old and don't need much sleep," Old Zhu chuckled, seemingly unconcerned. "You, the emperor, aren't happy about my arrival?"

Zhu Yunying was delighted and said honestly, "We're overjoyed. There are so many things to deal with every day, and we don't trust anyone else to handle them. Now that Grandfather is here, we can have fewer things to do today."

Old Zhu nodded in deep agreement. He had previously entrusted governance to his eldest son and youngest son not only to train them but also because he had too many responsibilities. Therefore, he needed truly trustworthy people to help, and only his eldest son and eldest grandson were qualified for this.

“We were planning to deal with Ren Hengtai today, and you even had the imperial edict prepared,” Old Zhu said, pointing at Zhu Yunying. “But you just went ahead and dealt with him directly. I’m afraid our imperial edict is useless now.”

Zhu Yunying accepted the imperial edict from Shuangquan, glanced at it, and immediately laughed. That was truly Zhu Yunying's style; he would show no mercy to these corrupt officials, simply executing them as a warning to others.

Zhu Yunying sat on the chair that Shuangquan had brought over and looked at Old Zhu, asking, "Grandfather, are you satisfied with our handling of the matter today?"

Looking at his grandson's clean and refined face, Old Zhu said in an annoyed tone, "You really are Biao'er's son! Everyone outside says he is kind and benevolent, but we know how ruthless he can be! You are just the same. Everyone in the palace says that the Crown Prince is kind and benevolent, and that the Emperor is kind and benevolent, but we think they are just ignorant and have been fooled by you."

Zhu Yunying said smugly, "I was raised by my grandmother, so it's true that I'm kind to the people in the palace. To be honest, I really don't punish palace people for trivial matters. In the palace, my reputation is almost comparable to that of my grandmother!"

Looking at his grandson's smug face, Old Zhu said irritably, "So those people can only serve others, they're all ignorant! Your father is like us at heart, except I'm a bit more ruthless. What makes your father better than me is that he also kills people, but we take the blame, and he does things discreetly, not letting too many people know how ruthless he is."

“I’m cunning, and I can be quite domineering, but I prefer to kill people by destroying their spirit.” Zhu Yunying, knowing his own limitations, said to his father, “Grandfather will definitely say that I’ve done something again, ruining some people’s future.”

Old Zhu pointed at Zhu Yunying and said, "In previous years, many people in the north admired the previous dynasty. You generously sent those people to the northern deserts to serve those Tartars and guard the tombs of their masters, ruining the future of many aristocratic families, landlords, and gentry. In Qufu, the Kong family, the head of the civil officials we appointed was reduced to the seventh rank. Only the direct descendants of those people can guard the land they were granted."

Zhu Yunying said smugly, "During the Song Dynasty, the lineage of the Duke Yansheng was only an eighth-rank official, but we promoted them. Besides, they served as Duke Yansheng to the Khitans, Jurchens, and Mongols, so we didn't punish them much. These people only dare to talk about us in private; if they really anger us, we'll even take away their tribute!"

Old Zhu knew Zhu Yunying was just joking; the title of Duke Yansheng still needed to be maintained. It wasn't about showing great favor or respect to the Confucius family, but simply respect for Confucius himself. Confucian culture had a profound influence on this land; even the domineering Old Zhu and Young Zhu sometimes had to make small concessions.

However, it's certain that the Duke Yansheng likely missed his social status and special treatment during the Yuan Dynasty. As for his treatment during the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Duke Yansheng's social status was actually quite ordinary back then, and he didn't have as many privileges.

'Retro', Joo Yoon-young's look could be considered a slight retro style.

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying with amusement and said, "Outsiders fear us because we are good at killing. Outsiders fear you because you have done a lot of insidious things. You have done plenty of things like pulling the ladder away after someone has climbed onto the roof and ruining their future."

Zhu Yunying accepted this assessment with a smile, because he knew that what Old Zhu said was true.

Zhu Yunying, who was very self-aware, was indeed quite cunning and ruthless. He was petty and held grudges. Although he didn't like killing like Zhu the Elder, once someone was put in Zhu Yunying's place, being dismissed from office was a minor matter. It was normal for the entire family to be reduced to dust, with no future for three or five generations. Zhu Yunying was capable of doing that.

Old Zhu put down the memorial and said to Zhu Yunying, "We are satisfied with your actions. However, we still have to say something to you. You are the emperor, so it's fine to be a little domineering and for your subordinates to fear you. But you can't be ruthless all the time."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!