BSI Chapter 19 Winning Easily
Chapter 19 Winning Easily
"Those who fail to perform their duties diligently deserve to be beaten to death with sticks," Wu Liang's voice was not loud, but it was filled with a strong murderous aura.
"You should admit your mistake and correct it. Don't do it again." Seeing Wu Liang's nervous expression, Fu Zhong didn't want to ask any more questions.
Zhu Gaoxi lost all interest, bid farewell to Fu Zhong, and asked Wu Liang to escort him home.
He was preoccupied and didn't know what to do, so he could only ask Zhu Youdun for help.
Zhu Youdun remained calm after hearing this, saying, "Perhaps the eunuchs think that horse is unlucky. It's not a big deal; just have someone take the horse out of the palace."
"Who?" Zhu Gaoxi asked.
"How about we find your maternal uncle, Duke Xu Huizu of Wei?" Zhu Youdun asked, turning his head to the side.
"Okay," Zhu Gaoxi couldn't think of a better candidate.
Xu Huizu enters the palace every day to teach the Crown Prince military strategy and other martial arts. He has replaced Li Jinglong as the head of the military instructors for the Crown Prince.
Although the matter was resolved quickly, Zhu Gaoxi still felt uneasy.
Zhu Yunwen was clearly displeased to see Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun together.
His inner voice echoed again, "What are those two doing together? Could they be talking about Kurima?"
"What are they trying to do? What are they plotting?"
"Fu Zhongzhen is meddling in other people's business and deliberately picking a fight."
Zhu Gaoxi felt genuinely tired for Zhu Yunwen, so he pretended to be relaxed and ran off to find his elder brother, Zhu Gaochi.
He could appear in front of his elder brother anytime, anywhere, and Zhu Gaochi would never be angry under any circumstances, although he would sometimes be a little embarrassed.
Zhu Youdun was very polite in front of Zhu Yunwen, but this did not dispel Zhu Yunwen's wariness.
Sometimes, Zhu Gaoxi felt that Zhu Yunwen was like someone who had just withdrawn a huge amount of cash, looking at everyone as if they were robbers, and constantly on guard against them.
In Zhu Gaoxi's view, Zhu Youdun didn't care about the position of crown prince at all.
He stayed in the palace primarily to fulfill his filial duty to Zhu Yuanzhang.
It must be said that Zhu Youdun was truly meticulous and thoughtful towards Zhu Yuanzhang.
Compared to him, Zhu Gaoxi felt inferior.
Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Youdun, no matter how angry he was, he could calm down.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt that having such an outstanding grandson was a blessing from heaven.
Zhu Yunwen paled in comparison.
Actually, he also wanted to win so easily.
Whenever he was consumed by jealousy, Zhu Gaoxi could hear his inner thoughts, especially when he pretended to be calm and said things against his will.
Zhu Youdun had no intention of arguing with him at all.
Just as Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Shangbing intentionally yielded to him, Zhu Youdun also yielded, trying to do so subtly.
Zhu Yunwen was in a state of being roasted over a fire.
Like a pawn crossing a river, there is no way back but to charge forward.
Even when physically exhausted and filled with fear, they still gritted their teeth and moved forward.
Being the crown prince is no job for a human being, Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself.
Zhu Gaoxi liked riding horses. He liked the feeling of having a wide field of vision and the sound of the wind rushing past his ears when he was running with the help of external force.
He often waited at the intersection of Qianqing Palace and the horse farm, hoping that a military officer would appear so he could take him for a ride around the horse farm. As a result, he got to know many military officers.
When Zhu Yunwen was away, Li Jinglong even took pictures of Zhu Gaoxi's horses.
It seems that flattery has become a professional habit for Li Jinglong.
Of all the military generals, Li Jinglong was the most considerate and attentive.
Li Jinglong was able to meticulously consider all aspects of the rider's needs during the horseback riding process, such as drinking water, eating snacks, and having a seat cushion...
Zhu Gaoxi gradually fell in love with him.
No wonder Emperor Qianlong liked Heshen.
Who doesn't have a sycophant by their side who specializes in figuring out their preferences?
Zhu Gaoxi secretly vowed that when he held great power in the future, he would find someone as understanding as Li Jinglong to serve him, to make him take the blame, and to let him do bad things and bear the infamy.
Then, having Zhu Youdun follow along at all times, acting as a bodyguard, a doctor, and a mobile encyclopedia, allowing you to look up all sorts of knowledge anytime, and also soothe people's emotions—he's practically omnipotent!
But what did he have to offer to make them obey him?
He's still young, so everyone is accommodating to him and willing to play with him.
So, what about in the future?
How can I get Xu Miaojin to marry me? How can I get Zhu Youdun to be my master for life? How can I find an incredibly obedient lapdog?
What can we give up for all of this?
Is it supreme power?
Power was driving Zhu Yunwen mad.
Zhu Gaoxi hesitated and stepped back.
Anyway, there's no rush, I can think about it slowly.
Zhu Youdun proposed to Zhu Yuanzhang that he go to inspect the maritime transport.
Zhu Yuanzhang was reluctant to let him go and always tried to find an excuse to keep him.
"Wait a little longer. Tang He has been ill recently. Once he's recovered a bit, let him come to the palace and share his experience with you. He was in charge of the battle against Fang Guozhen, the transport of grain for the Northern Expedition, and the construction of the city on the coast of Fujian and Yue. He knows all the ins and outs. Let him teach you. No rush, just wait a little longer," Zhu Yuanzhang said, his eyes welling up with tears.
Zhu Gaoxi had long seen through it; he simply couldn't bear to part with Zhu Youdun.
He seized the opportunity to plead, "Brother, ride a horse."
So Zhu Youdun took him to the horse farm, and sometimes when they encountered other military officers on the way, he would call them all along.
They took turns carrying Zhu Gaoxi while he rode a horse, and Zhu Youdun sat beside him reading books—medical books, history books, military strategies, books on farming, books on building houses and cities—he read all kinds of books, his breadth of knowledge was astonishing.
Wu Gao jokingly called Zhu Youdun a big bookworm, whose book was full of all kinds of knowledge.
Ping An often asked him to explain military strategy to him.
Geng Xuan discussed the Bagua formation with him.
Zhu Gaoxi also read books, particularly those on agriculture and medicine.
However, he usually doesn't read in front of outsiders, for fear of shocking them.
In November, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict promoting the Eastern Palace officials Men Kexin and Wang Junhua to the positions of Left and Right Assistant Ministers, further solidifying the position of the Crown Prince.
Zhu Yunwen's emotions subsequently stabilized.
Zhu Gaoxi was once worried that he would collapse.
If something happens to the Crown Prince, countless people will suffer.
In order to coax Zhu Youdun to stay in the palace for a longer period of time, Zhu Yuanzhang used the excuse of the cold winter to delay summoning Tang He to the palace, saying that his old brother's health would improve next spring.
Zhu Gaoxi could tell that Zhu Youdun didn't really like the palace; he longed for life outside.
Zhu Gaoxi believed that capable people do not want to be confined to one city; they all like to travel around and broaden their horizons.
Since Zhu Gaochi stayed behind, Xu Miaojin gradually faded out of Zhu Gaoxi's life.
Zhu Gaochi was able to handle all the daily care for Zhu Gaoxi and was very patient.
Xu Miaojin spent most of her time with Consort Ning.
This put Zhu Gaoxi at ease.
If Xu Miaojin were to have frequent contact with Zhu Youdun, it's hard to guarantee that Xu Miaojin wouldn't be tempted.
He didn't mind that Xu Miaojin was too old; he wanted to marry her.
When Consort Ning was to serve the Emperor, Zhu Gaoxi was kept behind as usual.
"Miaojin is three years younger than the Crown Prince, which is the perfect age. Seeing that the Crown Prince is quite attentive to Miaojin, should we...?" Consort Guo asked as she helped Zhu Yuanzhang undress.
"Go down and ask Miaojin what she thinks. That girl has a strong will," Zhu Yuanzhang replied after a moment's thought. "If she doesn't like it, she can cause a huge uproar."