People like Zhu Gang, including Zhu Di, actually grew up in military camps when they were very young.

They study literature, but they value martial arts more.

Leading troops to fight is the life that Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang desire most.

The reason why Zhu Gang was so anxious was because he realized that the biggest problem of the vassal kings was military power.

My father gave it to them because he needed them to restrain the military generals and nobles of the Ming Dynasty.

But now, my eldest nephew wants to take it back, which makes things a bit uncomfortable.

Zhu Chong did not show much emotion when he heard this, but instead asked, "If this is the case, what will you do?"

Zhu Gang suddenly became anxious and said, "I...I...I..."

But after saying "I" three times, he couldn't continue with the rest of the sentence.

After a long while, he asked dejectedly, "Father will not agree. I have shed blood for the Ming Dynasty and made many contributions."

Zhu Chong smiled contemptuously and said, "Third brother, do you think that given the favor your eldest nephew enjoys in front of the emperor, if you really bring up this matter, the emperor will not agree?"

"Let me put it this way. I'm sure you know what my eldest brother's situation is like. Think carefully about how much my mother doted on my eldest nephew when he was young, and how much my father doted on him as well."

"Since the birth of my nephew, how many nights has he slept in the East Palace? My eldest brother used to often say that my nephew was not his own son, but the queen mother's. He said that he was more like a biological son than a grandson."

"Now look, my nephew has been wandering outside for ten years. My mother died of illness because of her. Kunning Palace has become a forbidden place. My father has left the position of empress vacant for ten years. The Ming Dynasty has no mother of the country. Now my nephew has returned and moved directly into Kunning Palace."

"And recently, if you look closely at Father, the corners of his mouth are always curled up, and it is said that he eats two more bowls of rice every day."

"Let me put it this way. If my nephew were to rebel now, I'm afraid my father would personally put the dragon robe on him."

"On the day of the enthronement ceremony, that crown and robe looked familiar to you. I recognized it very clearly. It was my eldest brother's crown and robe."

"I saw it when it was being made, and I asked my father why my eldest brother's crown was made according to the emperor's etiquette."

"At that time, I was severely reprimanded by my father. So, you understand what kind of status my nephew holds in my father's heart."

Zhu Chong spoke in a calm tone as he gradually analyzed the current situation. After returning from the war in Sichuan, his wisdom seemed to have skyrocketed.

Zhu Gang was certainly not stupid, he just didn't realize it. Besides, in his heart, his relationship with his eldest nephew was still very good.

At least when we were in the coastal area of ​​Zhejiang, the cooperation with the Qunying Chamber of Commerce under my eldest nephew was quite speculative.

After hearing this, Zhu Gang's face flashed with a trace of struggle, and he said: "Second brother, is there nothing we can do?"

Zhu Chong laughed and asked, "What do you want to do? If you disagree, do you want to go and complain to the emperor and ask him to persuade your nephew?"

Zhu Gang shook his head bitterly and said, "Then let's just be a wealthy prince from now on. My nephew is still very rich and will not treat us unfairly."

Seeing this, Zhu Chong comforted him, "Don't worry, third brother. This is just the worst-case scenario. But in my opinion, my eldest nephew may have more ideas."

At this point, Zhu Chong shook his head slightly and said, "Let's stop guessing like this. When the nephew comes over during the dinner, everything will become clear."

Zhu Gang could only nod helplessly.

At this time, the steward of the Qin Palace came to report: "Your Highness, Your Highness the King of Chu, Your Highness the King of Qi, and Your Highness the King of Shu are here to visit."

Qin Wang Zhu Chong said, "Please come in quickly."

After listening to his second brother's instructions to the housekeeper, Zhu Gang smiled and said to Zhu Chong, "It seems that it's not just us. The sixth brother, seventh brother, and eleventh brother also have similar ideas."

Qin Wang Zhu Chong nodded and said with some emotion: "Only the fifth and twelfth brothers don't care about this matter. The fifth brother is devoted to medicine. Now he is running a school with his eldest nephew. He doesn't want to go back to his fiefdom. I went to his place two days ago. He is fully committed to it."

"As for the situation of my twelfth brother, you know."

When Zhu Gang heard his second brother Zhu Chong talking about his twelfth brother, Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo, he nodded slightly and agreed with him.

If we were to ask who is the most well-behaved child in this royal family, it would naturally be Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo. Over the years, even the eldest brother Zhu Biao had conflicts with his father, but the twelfth prince, Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo, really obeyed his father's orders in every detail.

In fact, Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo was indeed a filial son to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Historically, the reason why Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo had no descendants was because he was extremely sad after the death of Zhu Yuanzhang and began to think of leaving the world.

Finally, under the attack and suspicion of Zhu Yunwen, he set fire to the palace and concubines with his own hands, put on the clothes of a prince, rode a white horse with a bow and arrow in hand, and jumped into the fire to commit suicide. All his attendants and guards died with Zhu Bo.

This King of Xiang, Zhu Bo, was a man of both literary and martial talents, with an elegant demeanor, and was good at calligraphy, painting, and poetry. His calligraphy was vigorous and exquisite.

Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang had a poem to compose, he liked to have Zhu Bo write it.

In painting, King Zhu Bo of Xiang was good at painting babies.

Speaking of which, King Xiang Zhu Bo and Zhu Ying have a small connection.

The painting of his eldest grandson, which is currently kept in Zhu Yuanzhang's bedroom and was once the object of Zhu Yuanzhang's daydreaming, was painted by Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo.

Zhu Bo was fond of learning and often read until midnight. He set up the "Jingyuan Pavilion" to recruit talented people to proofread and organize books. Zhu Bo also liked to talk about military affairs. He had extraordinary arm strength, and was proficient in using bows, arrows, swords and spears. He could ride a horse very fast and had a heroic spirit.

Zhu Bo carried his books with him wherever he went, and he would lecture and recite them regardless of the cold or hot weather.

Whenever he passed by a beautiful scenic spot, he would linger there all day, composing poems and essays for it and engraving them on stones.

Zhu Bo was particularly good at Taoism and had a special fondness for Taoist culture. He even ignored his status as a prince and called himself "Zixuzi".

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang both knew very well that if their father intended to give away military power, this twelfth brother would be the first to respond without any hesitation.

Among all the princes, it seems that Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang only forgot to mention Zhu Di.

But who doesn't know about the things between Zhu Di and his eldest nephew?

If the military power really had to be delegated, the first person to do so would definitely be Zhu Di.

No matter what, whenever something bad happened to the vassal kings, it was always Prince of Yan Zhu Di who took the lead.

As for those behind, they are waiting for the right opportunity to act.

Just when the princes began to gather at the Prince of Qin's Mansion, Zhu Ying had already arrived at the Huagai Hall from the Dali Temple.

"The real boss is here. If you have any ideas, you can talk to our eldest grandson. This matter was proposed by our eldest grandson. We don't know what will happen next, but we have to give it a try after all."

"Why don't we see how our eldest grandson explains what you just said to us?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw his eldest grandson, he smiled and said to the ministers below.

After the morning court session, officials from various departments gathered together, mainly those from the Hanlin Academy, as well as some censors and heads of various departments.

For example, the Shangshu, and even Liu Sanwu and Bai Xindao who had spoken in the morning court, all of these relatively powerful people, none of them fell.

Obviously, this is also because they are afraid of being caught by His Majesty.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying glanced over and saw that the leader among them was naturally the Minister of Personnel.

"Minister Liu, you didn't tell me during the morning court session, but now you come here and tell me if I have any opinion about you."

Zhu Ying was not vague at all. He came in and spoke directly to Minister Liu of the Ministry of Personnel.

When he was at the door just now, Zhu Ying had already heard something, which was nothing more than something about the imperial examination.

Obviously they wanted to take a roundabout approach. Seeing that the old man didn't say much at the morning court, they thought they could open the door from the old man.

"I dare not."

Minister Liu obviously didn't dare to wear such a big hat, and bowed quickly in response.

“Hehe.”

Zhu Ying snorted twice, then turned his gaze to the old man with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately understood the meaning of this look and nodded slightly.

After receiving the old man's approval, Zhu Ying was no longer polite and directly ordered: "You are talking nonsense behind my back and are suspected of alienating the relationship between me and grandpa. Even so, I don't need to be polite to you."

"Liu He!"

"I am here."

"Pass on this palace's decree. Those headed by Minister Liu will all be fined one year's salary, demoted three ranks, and given fifteen strokes of the cane in court as a warning to others."

"I obey your order."

As Zhu Ying and Liu He talked, Minister Liu's face suddenly turned pale with fright.

His lips moved, but he didn't dare to speak.

"Why, you're not convinced?" Zhu Ying asked with a sneer.

"I dare not." Minister Liu said fearfully.

Zhu Ying was too lazy to respond and said, "Drag him out and beat him far away. Don't ruin the good mood of me and grandpa."

Jiang Li brought dozens of Jinyiwei and carried these ten people out directly.

Faced with such a situation, these officials did not even dare to say anything to refute or beg for mercy.

As for the suspicion of sowing discord, if Your Majesty were to take action, I'm afraid no one here would survive.

In comparison, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's one year's salary deduction, three consecutive demotions, and ten strokes of the cane in the court were really insignificant.

If you resist, it will only get worse.

After everyone was dragged away, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "I'm sure they will all be grateful for the kindness of our eldest grandson."

Such treatment was extremely rare in the imperial court during the Hongwu period. Before that, some officials were likely to be beheaded for being late when the emperor was in a bad mood.

During the morning court session one day in the 20th year of Hongwu, a minister of the third rank lost his head because of this.

There are rumors in the court and the public that if His Majesty doesn't like you, you will most likely be executed for stepping into the Fengtian Hall with your right foot first when attending court.

Hearing the old man's words, Zhu Ying smiled and did not answer.

The reason why officials have such a gap mentality is naturally closely related to the old man’s coercive policy.

However, Zhu Ying did not like killing people, especially intellectuals.

In Zhu Ying's opinion, the population of the Ming Dynasty is still relatively small, so it is natural for scholars to make the best use of their resources. For example, among the labor prisoners, some scholars can be recruited to teach.

Zhu Ying still believes that those who have made mistakes can be forgiven as long as they can reform themselves.

Moreover, these days, many people who commit crimes do so out of necessity. After all, everything is done for the sake of survival.

If people could have enough food and clothing, there wouldn't be so much crime.

"We have already prepared for the grandson's dinner. No one knows his son better than his father. Few of our sons are worry-free, but they are quite capable in fighting wars."

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed and said, "I guess my sons are thinking about whether my eldest grandson wants to take away their military power and make him a rich and powerful prince."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying also smiled and said, "Of course I think so, but it's also a good idea. At least my grandson is relatively more receptive to the idea of ​​establishing a vassal state overseas."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "I'm afraid they will be even happier after hearing what Grandson thinks. They originally thought they lost the military power, but Grandson gave them the royal power. But Grandson, aren't you afraid of being cursed by ordinary people for doing this?"

When Zhu Ying heard this, the corners of his mouth curled up and he said, "The crime is in this generation, but the merit will last for generations to come!"