Liu Xian gave Zhu Yuanzhang an approving look and readily spoke:
“Your son has indeed made great achievements; his civil and military accomplishments are among the best of all emperors throughout history.”
Zhu Yuanzhang was so happy that he rubbed his hands together like an old farmer, feeling very pleased with himself. Listen to that; he was one of the best emperors in history.
After he started his rebellion, he also studied history books. He learned that the previous dynasties were all ruled by heroes whose sons were cowards. Even if there were good successors, they were at best rulers who could only maintain the status quo.
For example, a certain Qin Shi Huang, hahaha, Hu Hai.
For example, Liu Bang, whose son was named Liu Ying...
Who is as lucky as Zhu Yuanzhang, who had a legitimate heir like Biao'er—the eldest son of the legitimate wife, an outstanding heir who also loved his brothers and sisters?
Receiving his father's approving and loving gaze, Zhu Biao returned the look with a tender and adoring one.
Father and son have always gotten along well, without the suspicion often found in imperial families.
Seeing this scene, the other princes were envious. Good, good, they knew the deep bond between their father and elder brother.
Born into an imperial family and being a boy, who can say they have no ambition? Naturally, they feel resentful of the deep affection between the emperor and the crown prince.
But then my older brother turned out to be a truly wise and benevolent ruler. Sigh, that makes me even more envious.
The current fourth prince, Zhu Di, is also a little jealous, but within an acceptable range.
Suddenly, he looked up casually and met a pair of meaningful eyes.
This eye contact was fleeting, and no one noticed.
Zhu Di's heart skipped a beat for no reason. Why was Liu Xian looking at him? And, moreover, he was certain that this was no coincidence.
Doubts arose in his mind, and as Liu Xian recounted the achievements of "Emperor Chengzu," Zhu Di could no longer remain indifferent.
Liu Xiandao:
"Emperor Chengzu established the cabinet system, in which cabinet officials held low positions but wielded great power. They had the authority to approve imperial edicts but not to make decisions, thus concentrating imperial power in the emperor's hands."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, thinking that his son Biao'er's idea was brilliant. He had long felt that the Prime Minister was too much of a nuisance, but he was also worried that it would be too tiring for him to handle things alone. This solved all his problems.
Zhu Biao also admired himself, thinking how he had come up with such a brilliant idea.
Zhu Di felt a sense of déjà vu but dared not speak.
"In terms of culture, Your Majesty, your son, Emperor Chengzu, compiled the Yongle Encyclopedia, which is hailed as the most comprehensive encyclopedia in history. Future generations will forever remember the reign title Yongle."
Old Zhu: That's right, that's right. Biao'er is very learned, so it's normal for him to repair books.
He cleared his throat and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, you chose the reign title Yongle quite well."
"This reign title should have been chosen by your subject; Your Majesty is too kind," the Crown Prince said tactfully.
Zhu Di was puzzled; he felt he particularly liked the name Yongle.
Moreover, he noticed that Liu Xian kept saying "Your Majesty, your son," but why didn't she just say "Crown Prince"?
You know, Father Emperor has quite a few sons!
Considering Liu Xian's notoriously bad and domineering personality, Zhu Di had an extremely bold idea: Could it be that "Chengzu" refers to his eldest brother?
Could the eldest brother be "Huizong"? Actually, Huizong was a common temple name for the second emperor of a dynasty.
Then his elder brother died young, and he only reigned for four years. Then he had a wolfish ambition, no, I should say the country relies on a long-lived ruler, so he reluctantly took over the Ming Dynasty under the pretext of succession by his brother.
Oh right, he knew that Liu Xian had mentioned before that his father was somewhat destined to bring misfortune to his wife and children.
This makes sense, doesn't it? The eldest brother is Father Emperor's most beloved son...
Zhu Di's heart was pounding, he was constantly thinking, and his mind was in complete turmoil.
Ling Xiao noticed that the real Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di, had changed color like a chameleon in the crowd. He smiled knowingly and continued:
"During the reign of Emperor Chengzu, he strengthened ties with the outside world and sent eunuchs to the Western Ocean. They not only brought many foreign seeds and artifacts, but also spread the fame of the Ming Dynasty and made all nations pay tribute to him."
Old Zhu was a little puzzled, not realizing that the Crown Prince had this idea, but it was good that all nations were paying tribute.
Zhu Di had already lowered his head and was beginning to think about how he should respond if his father found out the truth.
"Emperor Chengzu's military campaigns in the northern deserts and the southern pacification of Jiaozhi greatly expanded the territory of the Ming Dynasty and further disintegrated the Mongol Yuan forces."
He was also known for his military prowess, even achieving the legendary feat of sealing the wolf's lair at Mount Langjuxu as an emperor. Had he not also been exceptionally skilled in civil administration, his posthumous title might not have been Emperor Wen (civil emperor) but Emperor Wu (martial emperor).
Liu Xian watched with satisfaction as Zhu Yuanzhang's face slowly cracked open, and he turned his head as if stuck, looking at the Crown Prince with an indescribable expression.
Although Biao'er is good at riding horses and hunting, and his martial arts skills are not bad, he does not have a strong talent for fighting.
He may be able to expand territory, but only by deploying troops and appointing people, not by personally taking charge!
Zhu Yuanzhang felt dizzy. Zhu Biao, who was next to him, was also shocked and had mixed feelings, but he still helped his father up immediately.
"Biao'er, what, what kind of nonsense is this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang stammered, and finally said, "Who else could be his successor but Biao'er?"
"Father..." Zhu Biao couldn't find any words of comfort. Anyone would feel bad knowing that the throne, which seemed like a sure thing, had fallen into the hands of someone else.
But if "Emperor Chengzu" isn't himself, then who is his younger brother?
Zhu Yuanzhang also thought of this, and turned his gaze to his group of sons. Regardless of whether they thought they were the chosen ones, the princes who met their father's fierce eyes all lowered their heads.
Including Zhu Di.
Zhu Di: What should we do? What if Father Emperor wants to kill "Emperor Chengzu" to ensure his elder brother's succession...?
Forgotten aside, Zhu Xiong Ying, who was accompanying her grandmother Empress Ma, suddenly spoke to Liu Xian:
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