Chapter Fifteen: Zhu Yunlu’s Reason!

“Although you are a Duke, my second brother is a Prince.”
“You yourself said there are ranks and distinctions, yet you keep addressing him by his given name. For that alone, I should give you twenty lashes.”
Under Chang Sheng’s shocked gaze, Zhu Yunxu spoke deliberately, “Secondly, His Majesty has already decreed that military commanders and sons of distinguished martial families are forbidden from private association.”
“But you secretly conspired to urge them to come to the prince’s residence in a group to congratulate me.”
“Doesn’t that also deserve twenty lashes?”
“Moreover!” Zhu Yunxu turned and paced, “You sent someone to spy on the prince’s mansion without authorization. Such audacity surely warrants twenty lashes as well.”
Zhu Yunxu waved his hand, and several imperial guards immediately stepped forward, seizing Chang Sheng firmly.
“Are you really going to hit me?” Chang Sheng struggled left and right but could not break free.
“Uncle, I’m doing this all for your own good.”
Zhu Yunxu rubbed his forehead in frustration, then suddenly quickened his pace, standing before Chang Sheng and shouting, “For my own good, do you think I’m not doing this for your good as well?”
“There are people from the mansion coming to congratulate me, but they are civil officials—no matter how much noise they make, they can’t overturn the heavens.”
“Who are you then?”
“We are martial nobles, military commanders, leaders of armies numbering thousands upon thousands.”
“You stand together supporting me—what is your intention? To threaten His Majesty into naming me heir apparent, or else rebel?”
“Go ahead and try. Let’s see if His Majesty’s blade is swifter, or if your courage is greater!”
Chang Sheng pouted, “Although His Majesty decreed this, don’t we still eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves together as usual? Has His Majesty ever truly punished us? Is it really as serious as you say?”
Zhu Yunxu glanced at him and felt an even greater headache.
On the one hand, this uncle was truly a steadfast supporter.
He had no reason to alienate his own people.
On the other hand, with such foolish allies, there was no need to fight for the throne at all.
But persuading him with reason was certainly not easy.
Even after this fierce reprimand, the other party remained unconcerned.
His mind raced.
After a long pause, Zhu Yunxu suppressed his anger and sighed deeply. “Enough, enough. You are a Duke, and my uncle. Though I am a Prince, I have no right to strike you.”
“No more lashes, no more!”
He sank to the ground. “I will write a memorial to present to His Majesty later.”
“I will no longer contend for the position of heir apparent.”

“Requesting His Majesty to appoint my second brother as heir apparent, to stabilize the court and secure the Ming dynasty’s realm!”
Chang Sheng’s face changed drastically upon hearing this. “That won’t do! You have already publicly declared your claim to the heirship. How can you suddenly give it up?”
Zhu Yunxu shook his head and sighed, “I contend for the heirship not for myself, but so that the Ming dynasty may endure for all eternity.”
“And so that your generation of noble and meritorious offspring may also prosper alongside the Ming.”
“But now it seems I was far too naive.”
“If I do not contest the throne, the realm will be far more stable.”
“When I stand forth, and you all make a fuss, how can the realm remain stable?”
“But I am young, inexperienced, lacking prestige, and cannot control you all.”
“When I struck Granduncle in court, it was a last resort to save him.”
“But Granduncle may not understand me in his heart.”
“Today, if I really hit you, I would be reluctant. After all, you are my uncle.”
“There is no logic in a nephew beating an uncle.”
“But if I do not strike you, His Majesty will think I incited the noble offspring and military commanders to take sides, threatening the court.”
“That would be my death sentence.”
“The position of heir apparent will never be mine.”
Chang Sheng hurriedly said, “That’s not true! You publicly claimed the heirship, yet His Majesty did not punish you.”
Zhu Yunxu shook his head. “That is different.”
“When I petition His Majesty, whether I receive the position depends solely on His Majesty’s will.”
“If His Majesty wishes to grant it, he will; if not, he won’t.”
“The final decision rests with His Majesty alone.”
“But if you all come out publicly waving banners for me, the nature of it changes entirely.”
“Who ultimately rules the Ming dynasty? Is it you, or His Majesty?”
“Is it for you to decide whom to support as heir apparent, or for His Majesty to appoint?”
Chang Sheng pondered, realizing the truth in this.
But then he questioned further, “But this matter was done by us, not you.”
“Besides, we had no intention of threatening His Majesty, and would never dare!”
“How can it not be your concern?” Zhu Yunxu said, “If not you, then I cannot control or restrain you.”
“For example, you address my second brother by name, showing no respect to the Prince. In His Majesty’s eyes, either I disrespect my elder brother, or I cannot control you and the noble and military sons.”
“His Majesty would never entrust the Ming dynasty to me.”
Chang Sheng suddenly understood and jumped up. “Makes sense!”
“The heir to the Ming dynasty must have sufficient prestige—when he speaks, thousands of troops obey without question.”
“Your prestige is indeed lacking.”
He patted his head. “You want to use the excuse of punishing your uncle to establish your prestige among noble sons and military commanders, right?”
“Good idea!” Chang Sheng gave a thumbs up. “If His Majesty sees that the noble sons and military generals obey you completely, he will surely think you are the best suited to inherit the Ming realm.”
“Then let me be the first to suffer!”
Chang Sheng lifted his clothes and lay flat on the ground.
“Hit me! Uncle’s butt is thick; I can take it!”
Zhu Yunxu was startled and hurried over. “Uncle, are you really alright?”
Chang Sheng was fearless. “I’m fine. A true man can endure a few lashes.”
“Go ahead, I won’t make a sound.”
“As long as it boosts your prestige and helps you claim the heirship, what’s a little pain to me?”
Zhu Yunxu looked deeply moved. “You’re so good to me, Uncle.”
“But today, you will not only be lashed but also scolded, and in the future, you must follow what I say.”
“Of course.” Chang Sheng said, “I’m taking this punishment so that those noble sons and military commanders will obey you from now on. You can give me more orders—I will be the first to comply.”
“Good. Then I shall begin!”
Zhu Yunxu shouted loudly, “The Duke disrespects the Prince, colludes privately with noble sons and military commanders, and sends spies to monitor the Prince’s mansion… though these are not serious crimes, they are grave faults.”
“You should be lashed sixty times, but considering you are the son of a meritorious general and a royal relative, I will reduce it by half—thirty lashes as a mild punishment to serve as a warning.”
“Men, carry out the sentence!”
At the command, the royal guards raised their boards.
Smack!
The heavy board struck Chang Sheng’s buttocks, and the man who had just boasted he wouldn’t even cry out now screamed like a slaughtered pig.
“Ahh…”