Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 6 If one is filled with anger, one cannot attain righteousness.

Listening to Zhu Di's words, Zhu Gaochi knew that Zhu Di was definitely upset.

But this emotion itself is definitely not because of his so-called leisure and carefree attitude, but for other reasons.

However, without any supporting information, Zhu Gaochi truly had no idea why Zhu Di was picking a fight with him.

"Father, I had some rare free time, so I got up early and took a break. I didn't expect you to find out."

To be honest, Dad, I've thought some things through.

In the past, I studied diligently and handled state affairs, but in return, you felt that I was controlling the court and cultivating my so-called princeling faction.

Moreover, my body is becoming increasingly frail and bloated, and I can no longer ride a horse or shoot a bow. You often criticize me for this and even tell me to take my second brother as my role model.

I thought about it and realized that with you here, why should I work so hard? With your abilities, handling these national affairs would be a piece of cake for you.

I also want to lose weight, so I'll increase my exercise to at least prevent myself from getting too out of shape.

Now that Mother's health is failing again, and the Imperial Hospital is helpless, I intend to try my hand at medicine myself, hoping to find a solution. I humbly request Father's permission.

Zhu Gaochi did not hide anything and directly expressed his thoughts.

He had no intention of continuing to work tirelessly for the country; not only would it be exhausting for him, but it would also be thankless work.

In fact, he knew very well from his memories that the original owner did have the idea of ​​cultivating his own people. The people he recommended were capable, but they were all people close to him.

Now that this fact is in place, he truly doesn't want to continue getting involved in national affairs and wants to ease things down.

If this continues, his conflict with Zhu Di will inevitably deepen, and he doesn't even need to think about it.

In fact, he could understand Zhu Di to some extent, since Zhu Di's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, having seized power through the Jingnan Campaign.

Under such circumstances, the current situation is both to prevent him from usurping Zhu Di's power and to prevent Zhu Gaochi from making another Xuanwu Gate Incident, since the two of them are indeed capable of doing so.

This situation, however, has given rise to a new problem.

What if he and Zhu Gaochi were to join forces?

Therefore, he and Zhu Gaoxu could only be at odds, and could only compete.

He and Zhu Gaoxu did not compete with each other, which made Zhu Di uneasy.

This has led to the current vicious cycle: he is the crown prince, and most of the people in the court support him.

Regardless of whether they truly support it or not, their stance on the issue of establishing a successor demonstrates that they have already taken sides.

Otherwise, Zhu Di would not have hesitated for more than a year before appointing him as crown prince.

In the army, Zhu Di himself had prestige and could keep Zhu Gaoxu in check, but in the imperial court, it was not the same as in the army.

This meant that as long as he did something, he would inevitably clash with Zhu Di sooner or later. However, Zhu Di added Zhu Gaoxu to the mix, which served both to prevent the brothers from joining forces and to make Zhu Gaoxu a buffer in the event of a conflict between him and Zhu Di.

Now, Zhu Gaochi wants to downplay his own importance and gradually reduce his influence.

Zhu Di had concerns, so he simply handed over all power and left Zhu Di to do whatever he wanted.

Zhu Gaochi was certain that the moment he downplayed his own involvement, Zhu Gaoxu would definitely jump out.

Rather than exhausting himself dealing with affairs and having to contend with Zhu Di, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui, he might as well let himself off the hook.

Wouldn't it be better to use that energy to do something else and enjoy life?

That last paragraph was simply a way to further solidify his position as crown prince.

He just wanted to relax for half his life, not to drift aimlessly for the rest of his life.

Even if Zhu Gaochi were to emerge, which would inevitably deepen the conflict with Zhu Di, he still needed to take precautions for himself.

Now, it's a matter of whoever is closer to Zhu Di, or whoever does more work, between him and Zhu Gaochi, and whoever is suspected and distrusted.

He had to give this good opportunity to Zhu Gaoxu, since he was the eldest brother.

Zhu Di listened to Zhu Gaochi's calm words, his eyes fixed on Zhu Gaochi.

From what he had learned before, he had seen some changes in Zhu Gaochi. Now, Zhu Gaochi was so calm and composed, a stark contrast to the timid and cowardly Zhu Gaochi he had met before.

The last sentence, in particular, deeply moved Zhu Di.

Although I don't like my eldest son, his filial piety is truly rare.

Of the three brothers, Zhu Gaochi was the first to want to personally read medical books in order to find a way to cure Xu Miaoyun.

Regardless of the final outcome, Zhu Di found this sentiment extremely rare and appreciated it.

Even so, he didn't come to see Zhu Gaochi for these reasons.

As for Zhu Gaochi's change, whether it was real or fake, he also needed to discern.

Zhu Di's face darkened, and he immediately let out a cold snort.

"Hmph, so you do know you have the Crown Prince's faction? Now that you're the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, even I, the Emperor, have to give way. Are you so eager to take my throne?"

Zhu Di looked coldly at Zhu Gaochi, choosing to ignore the things Zhu Gaochi said that pleased him, without uttering a word.

After all, if he brought those things along, how could he continue to throw a tantrum?

Looking at Zhu Di's expression, Zhu Gaochi now understood why his brothers were all afraid of him.

This person's ability to label others is absolutely amazing.

What did he say? He just said a few normal words, but the person didn't mention the rest of the sentence and just kept focusing on that one sentence.

More importantly, what exactly happened?

Zhu Gaochi had a feeling that he had become a scapegoat and a target for Zhu Di to vent his dissatisfaction.

Still unable to figure it out or guess the reason, Zhu Gaochi calmly said, "Father, you taught me that in governing the country, one should not be impetuous, but rather calm, composed, and impartial."

There is a saying in the Great Learning: "Cultivating oneself begins with rectifying one's heart. If one is filled with anger or resentment, one cannot be upright."

"Father, I don't know what happened that made you angry."

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, Zhu Di was completely stunned and stared blankly at Zhu Gaochi.

No, he's angry right now. Can't Zhu Gaochi see how angry he is?

Normally, at this time, shouldn't Zhu Gaochi be lying on the ground explaining his grievances, saying things like "I don't have any fear" or "I dare not"?

What did he just hear that made Zhu Gaochi start lecturing him?

He, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was taught a lesson by his own son, the crown prince.

But in just a moment, Zhu Di's face darkened.

bang~

"I'm angry? Tell me, why am I angry?"

So, all I've taught you is that you can only say a sentence or two and then start showing off your literary talent, huh?

He even started lecturing me! When I was reading those books, you unfilial son weren't even born yet!

Zhu Di slammed his hand on the table, paced back and forth, and walked directly to Zhu Gaochi, loudly questioning him.

Zhu Di was truly enraged. Xu Miaoyun advised him, saying that she was his legal wife, and that he was only where he was today because of Xu Miaoyun's support.

But what about Zhu Gaochi?

How dare he defy the Heavenly Gang! His son brought up his father's words, which infuriated him.

Isn't it because he didn't study hard when he was young that he's now so interested in the Book of Changes and the Analects?

The reason Yang Shiqi was promoted was not only because of his ability, but also because Yang Shiqi had unique insights into the Book of Changes, which Yang Shiqi enjoyed listening to.

As a result, Zhu Gaochi used this opportunity to lecture him, and the more Zhu Di thought about it, the angrier he became.

Zhu Gaochi was a little nervous when he saw Zhu Di suddenly lose his temper.

He wasn't afraid of Zhu Di punishing him, but he was afraid of one thing.

Sure enough, as Zhu Di looked around searching for something, Zhu Gaochi quietly retreated.

A moment later, Zhu Di took off his shoes and glared at him fiercely.

"You unfilial son, I'll give you a good beating today!"

Seeing Zhu Di's posture of rolling up his sleeves and rushing over, Zhu Gaochi immediately ran away.

I was running and complaining bitterly. I should have known better than to say that. What kind of talk is this?

Even so, Zhu Gaochi did not regret it at all, because he felt great after saying it, and he would say it again if he had to do it again.

"Stop the prince! Don't let him escape!"

"I am the Crown Prince! Who dares to stop me?! Get out of my way!"

The eunuchs and imperial guards in front of the palace gate were all dumbfounded. With this situation, whose advice should they take?

It's obvious that the father and son weren't serious. If they stopped them and Zhu Di actually hit them, what if Zhu Di became unhappy?

If we don't stop them, what if Zhu Di causes trouble for them later?

At that moment, everyone felt numb.

Why should a person choose to be on duty today?