Soon, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested the middle-aged postmaster.
The middle-aged postmaster remained calm. After being forced to kneel before Zhu Yunwen, he offered no excuses, only snorting and saying:
"Third Prince, whether you want to kill me or torture me, you can explain yourself. Don't even think about getting anything out of me. I won't say a single word more than necessary."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen scoffed and said:
"I haven't even asked yet, and you've already said so much. You really are a chatterbox."
The postmaster looked rather unpleasant. He insisted that he couldn't say a single word, yet he had rambled on for so long. Zhu Yunwen's sarcasm made him truly embarrassed.
"What is your relationship with Zhu Yunwen?"
Zhu Yunwen asked in a calm tone.
Although the county magistrate repeatedly emphasized that he would not say a word more, upon hearing the name Zhu Yunwen, the postmaster still frowned and looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise, saying:
"How do you know..."
As soon as those three words left his mouth, he realized what he had said and quickly shut up.
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said:
"You really did confess without being asked, and without saying a single extra word. But those three words are enough. This Zhu Yunwen actually bribed you, the postmaster, to attack me. Do you know that if I die here, not even a horse in your post station will survive!"
In ancient times, post stations were officially established.
It has locations in multiple places and is an official inn that provides rest.
There is usually a post station manager and some other post workers.
On weekdays, they are responsible for feeding the finest horses here and providing food, lodging, and transportation for passing officials.
For example, if officials arrive here, the postmaster is responsible for receiving them, and if their horses are not good, he is responsible for replacing them with better ones.
If there is a problem with the pipeline, you are responsible for repairing it, or you can contact the local county government for repairs.
In short, it's similar to a supply point in the transportation sector.
Of course, this is for official use only.
The postmaster was just a minor official.
At this moment, he dared to obey Zhu Yunwen's orders and drug Zhu Yunwen, which was an absolute crime.
Putting aside the fact that he was the head of a rest stop serving passing government officials.
He was supposed to ensure the safety of the food and passersby.
He still wanted to poison them, and the poison was directed at the emperor's grandson and a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Such a crime warrants the execution of nine generations of one's family.
Faced with Zhu Yunwen's question, the postmaster merely sneered, then surprisingly stood up and declared with boundless pride:
"The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. We are deeply grieved by the passing of the late Crown Prince and are extremely worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty. Although His Majesty is wise and decisive, there is no guarantee that he will not make mistakes in choosing a future heir."
Now only you and His Highness the Second Prince have the opportunity. We officials, for the sake of the people and the future of the country, should do our utmost to support the benevolent, kind, refined, wise and courageous Second Prince Zhu Yunwen as the crown prince.
As for you, the third grandson of the emperor, Zhu Yunwen! Hmph, infamous and notorious. In terms of reputation, prestige, and the evaluation of court officials, you are far inferior to His Highness Zhu Yunwen.
If you were made the future crown prince, wouldn't that be a disgrace to the country and its people? Even the slightest chance must not be allowed to exist. Though I die today, I die for the people and for the Ming Dynasty.
My death will be heavier than Mount Tai, and my name will be etched in history. Therefore, I have no regrets about my actions, and I feel no fear. So, kill me or torture me, then do it. Consider it fulfilling my wish for a lifetime of glory.”
Zhu Yunwen narrowed his eyes, then leaned back in his chair and said:
"Who said I was going to kill you? You want to be the kind of hero you claim to be, whose name will be etched in history after death? I won't allow it. You say your death is heavier than Mount Tai? That's just narcissism. You say you'll never regret it? I'll tell you, you will definitely regret it."
"Stop with your sweet talk. Do you think you can change my mind about the loyalty and courage I've shown?" the postmaster rebuked.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the postmaster with a mocking gaze, then stood up and said:
"You're really easy to brainwash. Well then, I'll refute them one by one and see if your death can make you a so-called 'pure stream'."
First, you say Zhu Yunwen is kind and benevolent? Then let me ask you, why would he ask you to kill me? Such a kind and benevolent person, yet you, a mere postmaster, poisoned my food.
Is such an insidious and despicable act something a kind and compassionate person should do?
Upon hearing this, the postmaster hurriedly defended himself:
"This wasn't something His Highness asked me to do; I did most of it myself."
Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said:
"Alright, then let me ask you again: before you met Zhu Yunwen, did you ever think about killing me?"
The postmaster was startled for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said:
"I hadn't even considered it."
Zhu Yunwen snorted and said:
"So after you meet Zhu Yunwen, he will definitely communicate with you in a certain way and guide you in a certain way, making you feel that if you become the crown prince, you will harm the country and the people. On the other hand, he can make the Ming Dynasty shine brightly."
Although he may not say these words directly, he will subtly guide you to think this way, and then use some words to lead you to use posthumous glory and false fame to kill me.
You can't deny that, because before meeting him, you would never have had such thoughts, so he must have guided you to do so through some method.
The postmaster's expression changed slightly. Indeed, Zhu Yunwen had talked to him a lot before, which made him want to kill Zhu Yunwen.
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