Chapter 4

Dà Nèi, Wénhuá Hall.

A eunuch hurried into the hall, holding a memorial and presented it to the imperial desk.

Behind the imperial desk, Emperor Yongle Zhu Di was sitting upright, silently reading a memorial, remaining silent for a long time.

Zhu Di was a towering figure, with a slightly dark complexion. His eyes, though, were sharp, like a needle piercing through a sack.

Beside Zhu Di stood an old monk in black robes, calm and composed, exuding a dignified air.

Wénhuá Hall was a side hall, not very large, but it was where Zhu Di often met his trusted ministers and summoned officials of the Hanlin Academy in private.

As for this old man, he was none other than Yao Guangxiao, who was renowned throughout the land. He first became a monk with the dharma name Daoyan, then incited Zhu Di to rebel in Beiping, ultimately securing his rule over the empire.

After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he appointed Yao Guangxiao as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and put him in charge of the Monastic Records Office. Although his rank was not high, he was a trusted confidant of Emperor Yongle, and many of the empire's decisions bore his influence. Thus, the people called him the "Black-robed Chancellor."

After picking up the memorial, Zhu Di glanced at it briefly, and his face suddenly turned dark, his sharp eyes revealing a hint of anger.

This anger quickly dissipated, and he threw the memorial on the imperial desk: "The Crown Prince is too soft-hearted, and his son is not like his father."

The calm and composed Yao Guangxiao immediately sensed the underlying meaning. Zhu Di, who had seized the throne by force, was as fierce as the founding emperor.

His criticism of the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi as being too soft-hearted clearly indicated his deep dissatisfaction.

The phrase "son not like father" was even more serious, implying that this son was not like him...

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly, ignoring Zhu Di's complaint.

It was not his place as a monk to comment on the affairs of the imperial family.

Zhu Di raised his head and looked at Yao Guangxiao: "A man who is too soft-hearted and cannot discipline his own relatives, how can he govern the empire?"

If the earlier phrase "son not like father" was just a personal grievance, then the question of how to govern the empire was a matter of state.

Yao Guangxiao asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what does the memorial say?"

Seeing that he had finally spoken, Zhu Di seemed to find a kindred spirit and coldly snorted: "The Jinyiwei reported that the Crown Prince indulges his brother-in-law, who not only shows no interest in learning but is also arrogant and tyrannical, using the power of the Eastern Palace to make people avoid him like a venomous snake."

A young man causing trouble... Yao Guangxiao did not really care, after all, he was just a member of the imperial family, and how many members of the imperial family were ever praised?

What Yao Guangxiao was more concerned about was the information in the Jinyiwei's report. Clearly, most of the military officers of the Jinyiwei were originally Zhu Di's personal guards, deeply trusted by him. These guards had also followed Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu in battle, and they had a life-and-death bond.

Now that the Jinyiwei was secretly reporting on the Crown Prince's relatives, there must be more to it than met the eye.

But Yao Guangxiao was a very smart man and did not want to get involved. He said, "It is indeed unacceptable for members of the imperial family to break the law."

Zhu Di nodded, his face cold, and said coolly, "Issue an edict to reprimand the Crown Prince, and order him to strictly discipline them. If he cannot handle such a small matter, I will take care of it myself."

Yao Guangxiao nodded.

Zhu Di could not help but add, "I have never seen such a wicked young man!"

As he was speaking, a eunuch hurried in and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Chief Sacrificial Wine of the Imperial College, Hu Yan, requests an audience."

Zhu Di closed the memorial, his expression unchanged, and exchanged a glance with Yao Guangxiao, both wondering why he was here.

Zhu Di said, "Let him in."

Hu Yan, a renowned scholar and a man of integrity, was highly esteemed by Zhu Di.

A moment later, Hu Yan hurried into the hall, no longer the calm and composed man he used to be. Seeing Zhu Di, he immediately bowed, panting, "Your servant Hu Yan, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise, Minister," Zhu Di forced a smile, noticing that Hu Yan seemed different from usual.

"Your Majesty, I have come to beg for your mercy, to allow me to resign from teaching the children of the nobles."

Zhu Di's face changed slightly, and he immediately asked, "What has happened?"

Hu Yan could not hold back: "Your Majesty... I can no longer teach them. These children are all unruly. A few days ago... the son of Duke of Cheng, Zhu Yong, actually went to my backyard... to steal my chickens..."

Zhu Di's face darkened, but he composed himself: "Children being mischievous is normal. You are a great scholar, do not take it to heart."

Hu Yan's heart sank. These were not your chickens, were they?

He continued, "What is even more outrageous... is that Zhang Ye..."

At the mention of Zhang Ye, Zhu Di's face changed again.

That boy... Zhu Di had been keeping an eye on him. Zhang Ye's father, Zhang Yu, had saved Zhu Di during the Jingnan Campaign when he was surrounded by the enemy. Zhang Yu had pretended to be Zhu Di to draw the enemy's attention, saving Zhu Di's life, but he died in that battle.

One could say that Zhu Di's life was saved by Zhang Yu. Without Zhang Yu, there would be no Zhu Di today. After Zhang Yu's death, he left behind a few children, and Zhang Ye, the youngest, was highly regarded by Zhu Di.

"What has he done?"

"He is the worst. I was using the latrine, and he threw firecrackers into the feces..."

Zhu Di: "..."

"Your Majesty, I cannot bear it. I was... utterly humiliated, covered in feces... I have never been so insulted."

Hearing this, Zhu Di slammed his hand on the desk and could not help but curse: "I never thought there could be anyone worse than Zhang Anshi! Zhang Ye, that boy, and Zhu Yong... Minister... rest assured... I will not tolerate them!"

Hu Yan wanted to say more.

Zhu Di's face was already red with anger, and he gave a signal, so Hu Yan reluctantly left.

After Hu Yan left, Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao and said resentfully, "The children of the nobles have become so corrupt. I thought... Zhang Anshi was beyond redemption, but who would have thought... there are even worse ones."

Yao Guangxiao frowned: "Your Majesty, this is no small matter. If we do not take action, in the future..."

Zhu Di's narrow eyes narrowed: "Hu Yan is gentle and courteous, it will be difficult for him to discipline these rascals. You should go and investigate thoroughly, see how they misbehave, and at the same time, pick out a few outstanding ones. I do not believe that among so many children, there is not a single outstanding one."

Yao Guangxiao, the mastermind behind the Jingnan Campaign, was the best person for the job. Even the fathers of these boys would tremble before him.

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly and said, "Yes."

...

Zhang Anshi had slowly adapted to his new life. He lived outside the Eastern Palace, but his brother-in-law, the Crown Prince, sent people to check on him almost every day.

This made Zhang Anshi feel somewhat at ease.

Another dawn arrived.

The eleventh day of Zhang Anshi's new life.

He felt that through his efforts, his reputation was gradually improving.

Very good.

The more this happened, the more he needed to be humble and not arrogant.

Today was another day of school. Under Zhang San's arrangement, Zhang Anshi set off for the school.

Meeting up with Zhang Ye and Zhu Yong, Zhu Yong excitedly said, "Brother, look what the third brother has brought."

Zhang Anshi looked down and saw Zhang Ye slyly pull out a large package from his sleeve, revealing a black mass, then quickly put it back, looking around and grinning foolishly.

It was gunpowder, specifically for the Divine Machine Corps!

Damn!

Zhang Anshi: "..."