Upon hearing the King of Chechi's question, Zhu Gang smiled confidently and said:
"It's very simple. As long as I can clear you of suspicion in the Ming court, some officials who support me will immediately come out and praise me."
When the time comes, you should cooperate with me as much as possible and let some officials in the court know my abilities. As you know, I have a good relationship with the Chechi Kingdom, which is very advantageous to me.
At that time, your Chechi Kingdom will directly express to the Ming Dynasty your willingness to conduct some trade with the Ming Dynasty, in order to eliminate the previous misunderstandings.
Furthermore, by specifically naming me, they want me to be in charge of trade with Chechi Kingdom, which better demonstrates my value and ability, and will be very beneficial to me.
In this way, the conflict between Chechi Kingdom and the Ming Dynasty will not only be resolved, but it will also lead to meaningful cooperation between the two sides, and it will benefit me as well. We will all benefit.
The prince of Chechi Kingdom suddenly asked:
"Is that all you're capable of giving you the chance to become emperor in the Ming Dynasty?"
Zhu Gang nodded, and then said:
"You don't know much about the situation in the Ming Dynasty. Our Ming Dynasty once had a crown prince who was the absolute heir to the throne. Everyone in the entire Ming court supported him, submitted to him, and loved him."
However, apart from him, there was almost no one else suitable for that position. It's a pity he died. With his death, the Ming Dynasty descended into chaos.
Because this most perfect successor was gone. The Ming Dynasty had almost no one suitable to inherit such a position. This was once the biggest headache for the Ming court officials and my father, the Emperor.
After several twists and turns, Zhu Yunwen revealed a side that was incredibly impressive, and he quickly became the most suitable successor.
But now that he's dead, there's really no one in the Ming Dynasty who is truly suitable to inherit that position.
If I had to give an answer, then from the current perspective, I am in a rather reasonable and appropriate position. Therefore, under these circumstances, your assistance from Chechi Kingdom is icing on the cake and will play a certain role.
Furthermore, I have a more secure partnership with Chechi Kingdom.
The King of Chechi Kingdom immediately inquired:
"Oh? Then why don't you tell us about it!"
Zhu Gang became serious and said:
"If... I mean, if... if my father was really senile and didn't choose me as the crown prince, but instead chose someone else, like one of his brothers or one of his grandsons."
Then I must prepare for the worst, which is to rebel. Currently, some officials in the court support me. Some local military commanders are also willing to pledge allegiance to me.
In this situation, if your Chechi Kingdom can also listen to me and give me some help, or even troops, then my chances of successfully rebelling will be much greater.
"Once my rebellion succeeds, Chechi Kingdom and the Ming Dynasty will be friends. Whatever the Ming Dynasty has, Chechi Kingdom will certainly have too. How about that? Is that reason and leverage enough?"
The father and son in Chechi Kingdom exchanged glances, both agreeing that it was a feasible plan. Although it might be a little risky, if they succeeded as Zhu Gang suggested, Chechi Kingdom would truly become the ruler of the west.
Conversely, if they are unwilling to cooperate with Zhu Gang now, they will lose the opportunity to whitewash their image in the Ming Dynasty.
If they cannot clear their name, the Ming Dynasty will send troops to attack Chechi Kingdom, and Chechi Kingdom will surely perish.
It held immense hope, yet certain death.
The choice is clear to the King of Chechi Kingdom, unless he is a fool.
So he nodded and said:
“Very well, since that’s the case, my Chechi Kingdom is willing to cooperate with Your Highness Prince Jin. However, there is still one thing I have some doubts about.”
You said that in the present Ming Dynasty, some officials in the court and local military commanders support you.
This is somewhat different from what I knew. I've heard that officials and military leaders in the Ming Dynasty were very united.
How did things come to this point, with the situation seemingly falling apart?
Zhu Gang sneered:
"When Zhu Yunwen was alive, the officials in the court had to be united, and the local armies dared not be disunited either."
"Zhu Yunwen is dead. Without his control and deterrence, it's easy to understand why I took advantage of their weakness."
"I see. In that case, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty is indeed majestic and domineering."
Such a person is indeed terrifying, capable of uniting all the civil and military officials and the people of this vast country with unwavering loyalty to him.
He was indeed a terrifying person, and thankfully, such a person is dead; that's a great thing.
Zhu Gang nodded slightly and said:
"Indeed, Zhu Yunwen is terrifying to a perverse degree. And it is indeed as you say."
If Zhu Yunwen had not died, even as a local king, I would never have dared to make any move, and would have had to be extremely disciplined.
But now that he's dead, with no one to restrain him, he has nothing to fear.
Their plan can be described as flawless; it is highly feasible from every perspective.
After all, Zhu Gang was indeed the most likely candidate to inherit the throne among Zhu Yuanzhang's many sons and grandsons, both logically and emotionally.
If, under these circumstances, he helps Chechi Kingdom clear itself of suspicion of killing Zhu Yunwen in court, it would be tantamount to preventing an innocent war from taking place.
Although Chechi Kingdom was indeed responsible for this, if one tries to deny it in some way and makes everyone feel that they have missed out on Chechi Kingdom, then it will indeed give people that impression.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
