Volume 1, Chapter 38: Zhu Di Spins a Grand Vision, A Life Cut Short...

Zhu Di was instantly baffled, utterly confused by Jiang Lin’s words.

“Blame me? What does that have to do with me? You just praised me for having a fine son, so how can you now say I failed as a father? Your words don’t match up at all! They make no sense!”

Seeing Zhu Di’s bewildered expression, Jiang Lin had no choice but to explain:

“During the Jingnan Campaign, you encouraged Zhu Gaozu by saying, ‘The heir is often ill; you must encourage him.’”

Upon hearing this, the elder Zhu and Zhu Biao exchanged a slightly speechless glance with the fourth prince.

What on earth did that mean? It implied, “When your brother dies, his position will be yours.” Even if that was the reasoning, was it really appropriate to say it so plainly to a child? Was that something a father should say? Was he cursing his own son to die?

Zhu Di fell silent, lowering his head, too ashamed to meet the eyes of elder Zhu and Zhu Biao.

He never imagined he would one day utter such words.

Perhaps it was those words that planted forbidden thoughts in his second son’s mind—thoughts of seizing the crown, even usurping the throne.

Jiang Lin continued, “Later, you still granted the crown prince title to Zhu Gaochi.”

“Zhu Gaoxu naturally refused and allied secretly with your third son, Zhu Gaosui, conspiring in the shadows to depose Zhu Gaochi.”

“You, Emperor Yongle, clearly saw all this but did nothing to stop them!”

“Perhaps Zhu Gaochi’s early death was partly due to this; the constant rivalry and pressure from his brothers weighed heavily on him!”

“It was your indulgence that allowed Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui to grow increasingly reckless, even refusing to govern their own fiefs and lingering long in the capital.”

“Otherwise, do you think such a reckless brute would dare to blindly imitate you?”

Jiang Lin’s words struck Zhu Di dumb, leaving him speechless and unable to reply.

“Hee hee hee…” Zhu Yourong couldn’t help but cover his mouth, chuckling.

Aside from the emperor and eldest brother, only Jiang Lin could render the fourth brother so flustered.

After hearing Jiang Lin’s account, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Di with anger.

“No wonder Jiang Lin said you failed as a father. Didn’t your actions only sow discord between your sons, setting them against each other?”

Before Zhu Di could react, elder Zhu slapped his back hard, scolding him angrily:

“You’re a fool! You won’t learn! Did the tragic struggle for the throne between Tang Taizong’s sons, Li Chengqian and Li Tai, not teach you anything?”

“Fortunately, our great-grandson turned out well and kept the throne secure.”

Zhu Di bowed his head, silent, while Zhu Biao tried to soothe elder Zhu’s temper.

Once elder Zhu calmed down, he looked at Jiang Lin and said, “Tell me about this great-grandson of mine.”

“How did he rule after ascending the throne? From what you said, he seems like a fine emperor.”

Jiang Lin cast a disdainful glance at Zhu Di, cleared his throat, and continued:

“Ming Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji was appointed heir apparent at twelve. He followed Zhu Di on northern campaigns, rode into battle at fifteen, and ascended the throne at twenty-six, earning the reputation of a scholar-warrior emperor.”

“Historians praise him as one who ‘governs the world with the pen and steadies it on horseback!’”

“In the first year of Xuande, he quelled Han King’s rebellion, stripping Zhu Gaoxu and his son of their titles and imprisoning them in the capital.”

“In the third year of Xuande, he personally led troops in the Battle of Kuanhe, where he encountered the Wuliangha tribe. Despite being outnumbered by over ten thousand cavalry, he led elite soldiers to victory in a surprise encounter.”

“Politically, he focused on reforming the bureaucracy and finances, elevating the cabinet’s status, rooting out corruption, streamlining institutions, and enforcing austerity to revitalize the court.”

“Economically, he implemented policies of rest and recovery, easing social tensions. His reign, along with that of Ming Renzong, is known as the ‘Ren-Xuan Era of Good Governance.’”

“In foreign affairs, he sponsored the seventh voyage of Zheng He to the Western Seas; ceased military campaigns in Jiaozhi, conserving manpower and resources and fostering better relations with the local peoples.”

“In short, he led the Ming dynasty into its most powerful era!”

“Well done, truly a scholar-warrior emperor, ha ha ha.”

Hearing this, Zhu Di’s face lit up with pride.

Zhu Yuanzhang grinned so broadly he could barely close his mouth. “Fourth son, your grandson is truly remarkable—he carries our legacy!”

Zhu Biao also felt gratified. Though he spoke words of praise, a certain heaviness weighed in his heart.

There was no helping it—this was a psychological whirlwind!

From the father, to the fourth brother, to the young nephew and even the unborn grand-nephew—all four emperors had led the Ming to prosperity and strength.

But the one in the middle—the son—his offspring fell short?

He felt like vomiting blood!

Sigh… Should he envy them, or envy them?

“During Zhu Zhanji’s reign, he implemented measures to alleviate the people's hardships and played a positive role in stabilizing Ming rule. Posterity holds him in exceptionally high regard.”

“Moreover, Zhu Zhanji was not only accomplished in governance and warfare but was also a refined scholar and painter, excelling in landscapes, figures, beasts, flowers, birds, and insects. His surviving works include ‘Wuhou Reclining’ and ‘Three Suns Rise.’”

“Ha ha ha, very impressive!”

Pride beamed on Zhu Di’s face. His eldest grandson was truly exceptional in every way, flawless—simply magnificent!

Yet Jiang Lin abruptly changed tone: “Unfortunately, his life was too short.”

“If Zhu Zhanji had lived longer, perhaps his reign would not just be called the Ren-Xuan Governance, but the Ren-Xuan Golden Age!”

His voice tinged with sadness as he shook his head helplessly.

“What?!” Zhu Di exclaimed in disbelief.

“Jiang Lin, are you serious? You just said my eldest grandson campaigned with me from age fifteen. How could he have died young?”

Though Zhu Di voiced doubt, he knew Jiang Lin wouldn’t lie—it must be recorded in history.

His son’s frailty could be explained by weak health from childhood.

But why would his grandson also die young? It defied reason.

Could this be heaven’s punishment for him?

A punishment for his treason!

All retribution!

Jiang Lin glanced at Zhu Di and slowly said, “Zhu Zhanji’s early death was precisely because of the years spent campaigning alongside you, which left him with chronic ailments.”

“There are many theories about why Zhu Zhanji died young, but the most credible one points to Your Majesty.”

At this, Jiang Lin suddenly looked toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was momentarily stunned and confused.

What did this have to do with him?