Chapter 146: Abdication
Zhu Biao was born in the first year of Longfeng, a time when the country was in chaos and warlords were fighting for power.
But as Zhu Yuanzhang's eldest son, he was the one most favored by Zhu Yuanzhang since he was born. Later, he was specially taught by famous scholars. After Zhu Biao was named the crown prince, he was given the strongest civil and military ministers as his team.
It is no exaggeration to say that Zhu Yuanzhang really had nothing to say about Zhu Biao and was not even afraid of him rebelling.
Zhu Biao did not disappoint Zhu Yuanzhang. He was kind-hearted and a man of both civil and military talents. In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang often let him govern the country, so all civil and military officials respected him very much.
If he had not been a crown prince in title but did not actually hold power, it could be said that the Ming Dynasty now had two emperors, but no one thought there was anything wrong with it.
Even in this situation, Zhu Biao did not think there was anything wrong with it and gladly accepted everything arranged for him by his father.
But Zhu Biao has always felt a sense of panic and walking on thin ice in his heart.
Because he has been the center of attention since he was a child, he must do everything to the best of his ability, but he doesn't know why he must do the best. Even he himself doesn't know what he really wants.
But just like the top students in modern schools, those top students themselves probably don’t even know why they have to study like this and live under the spotlight. Is this really what they want?
Zhu Biao was like this. He was doubtful, but he accepted everything given by Zhu Yuanzhang calmly. He followed Zhu Yuanzhang's way in all his habits, and that was also what the people around him taught him.
It is no exaggeration to say that everyone is actually waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang to pass away or abdicate to Zhu Biao. Then the Ming Dynasty will naturally enter the era of Zhu Biao, and everyone will continue to do things step by step.
At first glance, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this. Even Zhu Biao himself thinks there is nothing wrong with being an emperor like Zhu.
But as Zhu Chong overturned his cognition again and again, Zhu Biao suddenly had many doubts in his heart. Is it really okay to be an emperor like Zhu?
"Second brother, sometimes I really envy you for being able to live so freely." Zhu Biao exclaimed in admiration from the bottom of his heart.
"Brother, you just don't understand life clearly. Why do you always make yourself so tired?" Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Biao with a puzzled look.
"I feel like you've been taught stupid by those old masters. Why do you listen to them in everything? You don't have to be like our father, always pursuing a single result, always afraid that something big will happen to Jiangshan."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Chong in confusion.
"It's true that the country belongs to our Zhu family, but since we can't take preventive measures and can't stop natural disasters or man-made disasters, why not just do what we can in the present and make the necessary preparations in advance?"
Zhu Chong said carelessly, "Maybe you think it's difficult to accomplish those things, but it's not something you can accomplish in one generation. No one can predict what will happen tomorrow, so just live in the present and do your best in the present."
"What you said is not right. The ancients said: When you are in a high position in government, you should worry about the people..." Zhu Biao started arguing with Zhu Chong again.
"Every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country!" Zhu Chong scoffed. "When my father was clashing with Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang, who would have thought that he would ultimately conquer the country?"
"Where there is a will, there is a way. This is the true portrayal of our father back then. Big brother, you are in an environment now, and you don't have the worries of the chaotic times back then. But big brother, you must understand that it is easy to conquer a country, but it is difficult to maintain it. How to maintain this country requires you to put a lot of thought into it!"
"I'm going to say something outrageous right in front of you. Our father has been fighting since he was young and is used to it. He feels uncomfortable every day without fighting. He always feels that someone is trying to harm him. In fact, he is mostly worrying about nothing!"
"I've analyzed the Northern Yuan situation with you. Is it really right for us to just keep wasting time fighting them? Aren't all the troubles we have internally caused by our father? And what about the troubles in the southeast? Does he really see the suffering of the people?"
"So, big brother, let's put more of our energy where it should be. As for those bullshit rules of officialdom and how to get along with others, put them aside for now. We don't have the time to bother with those old hands."
"If they really annoy me one day, I'll use our father's Ming Dynasty law to torture them. Anyone who embezzles ten strings of cash will be executed without mercy. Let me make it clear, in our Ming Dynasty, there are almost no people who have not violated this law!"
Zhu Biao was shocked by Zhu Chong's words, but he could not say anything to refute that Zhu Chong was wrong. After all, what he said was correct and well-founded, especially the last sentence, which was an iron rule set by Zhu. Who would dare to say it was wrong?
So Zhu Biao quickly changed the subject, "Alright, alright, I know you're capable, so just do your job well, assist our father well, and cooperate with me, right?"
Upon hearing Zhu Biao say this, Zhu Chong's face immediately fell, "Brother, can I say no? I don't want to be an official, I just want to be a free and easy prince, traveling around and enjoying the mountains and rivers..."
"Impossible!" Zhu Biao interrupted Zhu Chong righteously, "How about I let you take over the throne? I'm increasingly convinced that you're more suitable for the position."
"Since you are the legitimate son, I will abdicate and let someone more capable of taking over. I guess..."
"Don't overthink it, big brother. I promise you, I suddenly feel that I'm suitable for being an official, but not for a high-ranking official. Let me give you and our father some advice. I'm still capable of being a small official of around the fifth rank, hehe..."
Zhu Chong was shocked that Zhu Biao could actually say what he had just said, and quickly admitted his mistake. This guy was a stubborn donkey. If he really set his mind to something, he would definitely do it. Zhu Chong did not want to be the crown prince, and Old Zhu would really beat him to death when the time came!
But when he saw Zhu Biao's smug smile, Zhu Chong knew that he had been fooled by this seemingly honest and kind elder brother. He suddenly felt unbalanced, so he had an idea and came up with a plan.
"Brother, I suddenly thought of what we just talked about. Do you have any ideas on how to ensure that the people of the world have enough food to eat and warm clothes to wear in the future?"
Zhu Biao was stunned by Zhu Chong's question. His brain was not as quick as Zhu Chong's, but he knew that since Zhu Chong asked, he must have had an idea.
"Second brother, it seems you already have an idea. Why don't you tell me about it? If it's appropriate, we can jointly write a letter to the emperor and then we can implement it together."
"Brother, you really say it lightly. Ensuring that the people have enough food and clothing is a matter of national policy. If we decide and implement it with just a few words, then our Ming Dynasty's national policy would be too frivolous."
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