Chapter Twelve: Jiang Xuan's Proposal and Old Zhu's Punishment
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Clop! Clop! Clop! The sound of horse hooves echoed ceaselessly through the night. Zhu Yunrong sat inside the carriage, his calm face slightly pale beneath its composed exterior. Tonight’s events had struck him deeply; though he had barely managed to come to terms with them mentally, residual unease lingered.
Jiang Quan rode alongside the carriage and suddenly spoke, “Your Highness, Third Imperial Grandson, I’ve heard that you have long resided within the mansion with few social interactions. Perhaps today is your first experience with such bloodshed.”
“The Park family were heinous traitors, colluding with the Japanese pirates; they deserved their fate. There is no need for you to grieve over them.”
“I understand,” Zhu Yunrong replied. “Thank you for your concern, Commander Jiang.”
“You are too polite, Your Highness,” Jiang said. “His Majesty’s empire was won on horseback; naturally, his descendants must be capable of commanding legions in battle.”
“Today, ordering Your Highness to lead the Jinyiwei to raid the household was precisely to hone your abilities. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty’s earnest intentions.”
Zhu Yunrong nodded. “Commander Jiang is absolutely right. Grandfather the Emperor is far-sighted. I will treasure his teachings deeply.”
“That’s enough from me,” Jiang smiled. “Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent, far beyond ordinary men. There’s no need for me to remind you of such things.”
He shifted tone, lowering his voice. “I heard that earlier today in the Golden Dragon Hall, Your Highness had a conflict with the Duke of Liang.”
“I was thinking, since the Duke of Liang is your maternal granduncle, perhaps we could visit his residence now to offer some comfort?”
“It is already late and curfew is in effect.”
“You are out on official business; a discreet visit to his residence now would not arouse suspicion.”
“Blood and love are intertwined in family quarrels.”
“Your Highness and the Duke of Liang are family—though bones may break, the sinews remain. At this juncture, if you cannot rely on him, who else can you?”
“I believe the Duke of Liang is a reasonable man and will not truly harbor grudges against you.”
“If there are any matters, this would be a good opportunity to discuss them. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Before Zhu Yunrong could answer, Jiang added, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will not disclose this to anyone.”
“Stop the carriage!” Zhu Yunrong said calmly.
The carriage came to a slow halt.
He drew back the curtain and fixed Jiang Quan with a deep, penetrating gaze. His expression darkened abruptly.
“How dare you, Jiang Quan! Do you know what you’re saying?”
With a clatter, Jiang Quan dismounted swiftly and knelt on the ground.
“Your Highness, since you aspire to inherit the Ming dynasty’s throne, you must prepare early.”
“The Duke of Liang commands great respect in the army, with countless sworn sons under his banner. One command from him and thousands will respond.”
“He is also your direct maternal granduncle and will surely lend you his support.”
“I, though unworthy, am willing to serve under Your Highness and dedicate myself like a loyal dog or horse.”
Zhu Yunrong said nothing. He jumped down from the carriage and raised his leg, delivering a sudden, powerful kick toward Jiang Quan.
Bang!
The force was tremendous. Jiang Quan’s body was sent tumbling across the ground for several yards.
He scrambled to his feet and bowed again.
“Your Highness, every word I spoke came from my heart; not a single word was false.”
“You have great ambitions; how could you shrink back in fear and hesitate to advance?”
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“With the Duke of Liang’s backing in the army and me leading the Jinyiwei as support from within,” Jiang continued, “if the inside and outside unite—combined with Your Highness’s status as the eldest legitimate grandson—great deeds can be accomplished, and...”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Before he could finish, Zhu Yunrong had surged forward, slapping Jiang Quan sharply across the face.
“If you were not the commander of the Jinyiwei, the Emperor’s personal guard, I would have no authority over you despite being an imperial grandson. Otherwise, I would kill you right now.”
Zhu Yunrong’s voice was fierce.
Jiang Quan finally fell silent.
Looking up at him, his face swollen and bruised, he was filled with astonishment.
“Return to the mansion!”
Zhu Yunrong suddenly turned and re-entered the carriage.
…
The next morning, before dawn.
Zhu Yuanzhang had already eaten breakfast and entered the imperial study.
Ever diligent, he rose early every day for decades without fail.
“Your Majesty, the Third Imperial Grandson requests an audience!”
Just as he settled at his desk, a young eunuch reported.
“Why so early?”
The old emperor muttered to himself and then said, “Summon him.”
…
Zhu Yunrong entered the study without bowing, calling softly, “Grandfather!”
The old emperor’s face lit up with a broad smile. “Yunrong, you come so early. Are you eager for me to confer your princely title?”
“Not at all,” Zhu Yunrong shook his head. “I have something to report.”
His expression serious, his tone grave.
He did not trust Jiang Quan’s professed loyalty.
But even if it was a ruse, it required solemn attention.
“Is it about last night’s raid? No hurry!”
The old emperor scrutinized him up and down and smiled. “We heard you were attacked by assassins. Were you frightened? Did you sleep well last night?”
“I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Grandfather.”
Zhu Yunrong said, “I did not sleep well—not due to fright, but because I worried about Your Majesty’s safety.”
The old emperor laughed heartily. “What could happen to me? Don’t worry; my constitution can last several more years.”
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“Besides, birth and death are natural laws.”
“I have lived a long life; if I were to pass suddenly, it would be natural. Why worry?”
He saw this clearly, unlike other emperors who chased immortality.
“I heard you were attacked last night and that Jiang Quan risked his life to save you. You should thank him properly.”
Zhu Yunrong’s face changed. “Grandfather, the Jinyiwei commander Jiang Quan is reckless...”
He recounted Jiang Quan’s words from last night without omission.
At the end, he said, “Grandfather, though Jiang Quan serves as commander of the Jinyiwei, he harbors treacherous intentions, plotting internal and external collusion in rebellious treason.”
“Last night, since only the Jinyiwei accompanied me and it was my first time leading, I dared not provoke suspicion, fearing he might act out of desperation. That is why I did not arrest him immediately.”
“Today I dare not delay further and have hurried to report to Your Majesty. Please issue an immediate order to arrest this traitor and punish him without mercy.”
The old emperor heard this but did not seem angry. Instead, he smiled. “Though Jiang Quan is rebellious, there is some truth in what he said. Why do you refuse to accept it?”
“Grandfather!” Zhu Yunrong called out sharply.
“Yunrong, you wish to inherit the throne and govern Ming because you worry about the dynasty’s future—fearful that the successor cannot stabilize the realm and ensure its eternal prosperity. That is why you volunteered.”
“There is no reason to commit treason for selfish gain.”
“If you truly did, you would be unworthy of being a grandson, even less than a beast!”
The old emperor laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. “Well said! You are truly my good grandson.”
“Jiang Quan, as commander of the Jinyiwei, should not entertain such thoughts.”
“However, considering his loyalty over the years, he is still one of our Zhu family, not an outsider.”
“Moreover, his faithful service has earned him many merits.”
“Last night, he saved your life from an assassin’s dart—that is a great deed.”
“I will punish him by docking three months’ salary. I believe this will deter any future disloyalty.”
Zhu Yunrong was momentarily stunned.
Though he suspected Jiang Quan’s matter was arranged by the old emperor, the mild punishment seemed strangely perfunctory, as if the whole matter was barely being acted out.
Something felt amiss.
He stealthily glanced at the old emperor, who was smiling brightly and watching him.
Zhu Yunrong quickly said, “Grandfather wields both kindness and strictness. Being so benevolent to Jiang Quan, he will surely be grateful and never again harbor improper thoughts.”
He bowed deeply.
“I will tell him it was your concern for his life that moved me to plead for his pardon.”
The old emperor smiled. “That way, he will bear no grudges against you and will cherish you.”
“Thank you, Grandfather!” Zhu Yunrong hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
The old emperor seemed greatly pleased and smiled again.
“You did well last night. I have already drafted the decree. From today, you are officially titled Prince of Wu.”
“Your second brother Yunwen will be made Prince of Xian.”
“You are both still young; there is no need to rush to your fiefs.”
“In a few days, both of you will come to study and serve by my side.”