CH 8

Zhu Di was Zhu Yuanzhang’s fourth son and had been conferred as the Prince of Yan at 11 years old. At fourteen years old, he’d begun following Lan Yu’s armies to fight in military expeditions, utterly routing the remnant Northern Yuan soldiers at Kherlen River. After returning to the country, at 21 years old, he’d become the vassal Prince of Beiping [1], and had since become one of the Ming Dynasty’s most powerful barriers of protection against the North.Read it on sassystrawberry DOT com and not on this stupid site.

As the folk songs say:  The Prince of Yan as a vassal [2] is an impregnable fortress [3]. Aggregators and reposters suck. Read it on the original site, SassyStrawberryD0Tcom

From North of the Buir Lake to the Great Wall in the South, from the Silk Road in the West to the Jiayu Pass in the East. Each day that Zhu Di is garrisoned there in defense, is another day that the remnants armies of the Northern Yuan Dynasty would not dare rashly move down south.

Zhu Di looked like his mother, although no one in the Imperial Court knew who Zhu Di’s birth mother was [4]. It was said that the Prince of Yan looked very different from Zhu Yuanzhang. Please do not re-upload this translation elsewhere, and do not trade/distribute EPUBs.W(*u[[08y08y0gq38y4q20[84y[02*

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes were narrow and his nose broad, he had the look of a soaring eagle and the manner of a mighty tiger.

Zhu Di, on the other hand, had thick straight brows, eyes as lustrous as if they’d been lacquered, a tall nose bridge, and lips as thin as a knife. At times, his eyes would flash with some mischief. Since he’d enlisted in the army for many years, he possessed the crafty unctuousness of a seasoned veteran ruffian. He looked to be carefree and insouciant but maintained a degree of shrewd sophistication.

The study of physiognomy states that people with thin lips are the most merciless. However, Yunqi didn’t really believe this, at least Zhu Di treated Xu Qing extremely well, and also treated Xu Qing’s maiden family quite well. 

As expected, Zhu Di shook the lapels of his robe, and sat down to speak, “Your Jie [5] had me come and ask, whether the injuries from the twenty strokes of the punishment rod that you took on behalf of the Imperial Grandson have already healed?  In another three days, is Da-ge [6] ‘s funeral procession. I’ll have some words with the Emperor, and request to bring you back to Beiping for several days so that our family can get together.”Translator: SassyStrawberry 

Yunqi handed him a cup of tea, and gave a wry smile, “ I certainly would like to take a leave of absence to go over and play at your place. But given the current situation, how can I get away?”

Zhu Di said, “ Not a problem. There’s no harm in Feng-er watching over things, I’ll explain it  myself.” sassy[removethis]strawberry[DOT]com

Yunqi hastily replied, “If we leave him alone here, should something happen, I fear that he won’t be able to suppress it on his own.”

Zhu Di looked at Yunqi for a while, his stare giving rise to a sense of trepidation in Yunqi’s heart. Yunqi said, “Pei! You’re only ten or so years older than the both of us, why’d you shamelessly act like you’re old, and muddledly call us Yun-er and Feng-er?”

Zhu Di chuckled at this, and expressed with great interest, “ Tuoba Feng was picked up and brought home by me. He’s like my son, if I don’t call him Feng-er, what else would I call him?”

The pair of brothers-in-law swapped some casual chit-chat about the dynamic political situation in the capital. Zhu Di had been garrisoned at Beiping for many years and wasn’t very familiar with the affairs of the Imperial Court in Nanjing. And Yunqi was rather generous with his information and shared all the matters that had happened beneath the Emperor’s feet. Finally, when they touched on the topic of Lan Yu, they both sighed at one another for a long while.

Zhu Di shook his head and sighed, “ When I followed Great General Lan Yu for a military expedition, he gave me many pointers on troop deployment and battle formations. Truthfully, had it not for Lan Yu in the past, I truly would not have been able to accomplish such military achievements, and assume the position of vassal Prince of Beiping.”

“Why I can have what I do today, is, after all, due to Lan Yu’s contributions.” Translator: SassyStrawberry 

Yunqi sneered, “I only fear that while you thank him in your heart, he wouldn’t be able to appreciate it from the underworld. I wanted to play host that day, and invite both of you to drink wine. Lan Yu stated that you were full of wicked ideas, and appeared to find you an eyesore.”

Both men looked at one another and laughed for a  moment. Zhu Di spoke mock-seriously, “ This Prince is truly a law-abiding and dutiful good citizen…”

Yunqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Blowing your own trumpet so hard, beware that the strong wind doesn’t get your tongue all twisted up.” Having spoken, he got up before speaking again, “ A vassal prince is still an external subject, don’t get too cozy with the Emperor’s personal attendants, lest that crowd of civil officials grab you by the hair [6]. I can’t save you then.”ad it onSassySTrawberryDotCom

“I won’t see you off. When you get home, give my regards to my Jie.”  

Zhu Di smiled, “Alright. I’m leaving.”

Yunqi sent Zhu Di to the door. Zhu Di asked again, “ Has the Emperor’s health been good lately?”

Yunqi bantered, “Yet another one who’s thinking about rebelling, why are you asking this out of the sudden?”

Zhu Di smiled wickedly, “ It’s not as if you didn’t know. The old man has always liked being suspicious. If I greet him to his face and ask about his health, he’ll be sure to suspect that I’m planning to rebel. Since I can’t bring it up to him, I can only ask you. You and Feng-er have stayed the longest by his side, so how’s my father?” 

Yunqi felt somewhat touched by this, believing Zhu Di’s question to be sincere. Thus he leaned against the door and considered for a moment, before responding, “Truth to be told, it’s not too good.”

Zhu Di’s face paled, “What do you mean?”Read on https://sassystrawberry.com/

Yunqi whispered, “Last time when he beat Fang Xiaoru, he coughed up blood. I heard that he stopped practicing martial arts intermittently during the prime of his life,  his attention having been diverted by other matters. Now he spends night and day toiling, and is now frail with age…I’m afraid that he won’t be able to last many more years.”

Zhu Di sighed and placed both hands before his chest, the very image of an idle and leisurely Prince. The brocade clothes, jade belt, as well as the taotie embroidery – all served as a foil for this army ruffian, the overall effect looking rather comical.

Only to hear Zhu Di speak in a careless manner, “Xiao-jiu-zi, Jiefu’s glorious splendor and great wealth will all depend on you…” 

Yunqi turned to take the Shangfeng Baojian. Zhu Di fled in a great hurry. As he passed by the front courtyard, he hastily grabbed hold of Tuoba Feng and spoke with him for a moment. Only to see Tuoba Feng’s odd expression as he entered the room, it was unclear what sort of teasing he’d heard. 

Fortunately, it was Zhu Yunwen who’d been established as the Crown Prince. Otherwise, if it were that ruffian who was to become the Emperor, goodness knows what manner of chaos the empire would be in. If you’re not re3ding this on sassystrawberry.com – it’s a crappy reposter.

Yunqi stretched lazily and went out of the room. He conveniently picked up a small broom from the courtyard and swept the fallen leaves into a pile. At this time, Tuoba Feng clutched a stack of paper money as he hurriedly entered the room.

Yunqi was secretly amused, in his heart, he thought that Zhu Di must have rewarded his ‘son’ with some bank notes, thus Tuoba Feng had run back to hide his private savings. He then said, “Lao-Ba, find two sweet potatoes and burn some leaves to roast them for us to eat.”

Tuoba Feng absentmindedly replied with an “Oh” from the room. N$09ug34g-97q3[4h”%-b93q5b’-q395m73-

Yunqi scanned the room, and suddenly noticed a piece of paper in the corner of the courtyard. He bent down to pick it up, and read it aloud, “Banknote…five million!?!”

In a split second, Yunqi was so shocked that his voice went up in pitch, gripping the paper and crying out loudly as he made a big fuss.

“Shi-ge! I picked up a banknote worth 5,000,000 taels !” 

Yunqi charged into the room as if he needed to use the toilet urgently [7], crashing headlong into Tuoba Feng’s arms. Tuoba Feng forced open his fingers, gave it a glance, crushed it into a ball, and tossed it away, “That’s paper money meant to be burnt as offerings to the dead.”

“You’ve never seen paper money before?”

Hearing the sounds of the wind, the Jinyiwei who left their rooms all laughed until their stomachs hurt. Yunqi’s face was scarlet and he sorely wished that he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

The 48th day after Crown Prince Zhu Biao had been buried.

The chill of the autumn days was like water. Over ten thousand people had been executed in Nanjing. The twin banks of the Qinhuai river had gone cold overnight.

Today was the end of the 7-week ritual [8] for Zhu Biao. The Jinyiwei had all changed to black uniforms and were patrolling the palace. The next morning after the 49th day, Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yunwen, and the members of the imperial family would escort his coffin out of the capital. The Emperor and the Imperial Grandson would put on mourning clothes [9], remove their crowns and knock their heads against the coffin, and send it to the Imperial Mausoleum in Fengyang.

Yunqi’s impression of Zhu Biao was of an honest, kind person – with a mild temper and faint smile. He tended to be inflexible and unable to adapt to situations, and lacked a sense of humor – he could never understand the Jinyiwei’s jokes, and would only nod. However, he and Huang Zicheng were as similar to one another, as a pot with its matching lid.

Zhu Yunwen resembled the late Crown Prince greatly, but he was even more kindhearted. If one compared this pair of father and son against the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di…Yunqi felt that it was still Zhu Di who more closely resembled the young Zhu Yuanzhang.

In the deep shadows of twilight, the drum signaling the change in shifts for the Jinyiwei sounded.

Tuoba Feng smoothly straightened the collar of his clothes and prepared to take over Yunqi’s shift. The previously tightly shut lacquered door of Qinghe Palace [10] opened.St0l3n Translati0n

Huang Zicheng and five Jinyiwei exited together. Yunqi stood at the entrance, and whispered, “The Emperor summoned the both of us to wait in attendance, the rest of them are to wait outside the hall for further instructions.”Tuoba Feng’s pupils suddenly contracted as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

“What is it?” Yunqi observed Tuoba Feng’s expression, but Tuoba Feng remained silent and didn’t answer. He merely raised his head and entered the hall.

Yunqi held Tuoba Feng’s hand, and by a deep sense of tacit understanding, they separated. The Jinyiwei Commander and Deputy Commander being on duty at the same time only could mean one of two things:

The hall was ablaze with lights, oil lamps from all directions sent their luminous rays of light toward the Dragon desk, eliminating Zhu Yuanzhang’s stooped and aging silhouette. THIEF

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed a few times and waved back the approaching old eunuch. a3-94bnmq3-957uq-[5b73]5bmn]bq5-q93]5-9bqu

The eunuch bowed and retreated out of the hall. In the hall, there was only Tuoba Feng standing to the left, and Yunqi to the right.

Zhu Yuanzhang placed the bloodstained handkerchief on the desk. At this time, the doors to the hall were again pushed open, as Zhu Yunwen entered the room.

In that instant that the doors closed, Yunqi caught a glimpse of Huang Zicheng’s complicated expression. 

“The Imperial Grandson greets his Imperial Grandfather.” Zhu Yunwen’s eyes were slightly red as he bowed respectfully.

Yunqi sighed secretly. Zhu Yunwen never knew how to hide his emotions, completely lacking in subtlety. While reminiscing about the late Crown Prince, his emotions were clearly written on his face.

Zhu Yunwen had delicate features, with bright eyes and elegant brows. His eyes contained unspeakable grief and gentleness. Zhu Yuanzhang noted this, and heaved a sigh, “ The dead are gone, Yunwen. Don’t mourn excessively, remember to pay attention to your health.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded in assent. Yunqi suddenly understood why Zhu Yunwen could distinguish himself from others [11].

The true nature of the members of the Imperial family is difficult to ascertain. Zhu Yuanzhang himself was an expert in political tactics and manipulation, and when pitted against Zhu Di, he could see through his son’s thoughts easily. On the contrary, it was Zhu Yunwen, the one who never concealed his true self, the one who faced Zhu Yuanzhang openly and forthrightly – whom Zhu Yuanzhang looked upon with favor [12].  Translat0rSassyStrawb3rry

Zhu Di was destined to merely be the Prince of Yan. In other words, the shrewdness and political trickery were Zhu Yuanzhang’s lifelong regret. In order to make amends, he planned to pass the throne to the free and unrestrained Zhu Yunwen. A goal that he personally couldn’t achieve, he’d be able to fulfill with the aid of his descendants. SASSYSTRAWBERRYDOTCOM

Zhu Yunwen bowed again in respect, and said “Yes.” Thus, the grandfather and grandfather pair stared at one another in silence again. After some time, Zhu Yunwen uneasily broke the silence, and said, “Tomorrow when we escort the casket, will Grandpa [13] go too?” 

Zhu Yuanzhang answered, “Of course, I will go.” ST-LEN TRANSLATI0N

Zhu Yunwen nodded his head and felt somewhat relieved at this. Zhu Yuanzhang said, “I will instruct you this time. Once you’re familiar with the path, in a few years when Grandpa passes away, you’ll need to learn how to arrange the funeral matters on your own. Send Grandpa’s coffin back to Fengyang, to be buried with your father.”

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Yunwen was overcome by sorrow and burst into loud sobs.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a small smile, as he consoled him,” Don’t cry, Yunwen. As people, who would not die?” Read1ng 0n Aggreg3tor is Annoy1ng

In the space of that moment, Yunqi had a vague illusion that Zhu Yuanzhang was no longer the Emperor who had just cut short ten thousand lives but was instead a kindly and warm old man.

Zhu Yunwen wept for a long while. With tears in his eyes, he nodded and knelt down.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, “ With regard to your empire, Grandpa has already made the necessary arrangements on your behalf. At this time, with several uncles guarding the borders, you can set your mind at ease, stay home and be the Emperor.”

Zhu Yunwen sobbed for a moment, before nodding. awrawr9qnba4r-9w8ur-9wu

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, “As for the words of the civil officials, listen to them if you’re willing, beat them if you’re not. You aren’t permitted to dismiss this post, the Imperial Court can’t do without them.”

Yunqi’s heart thudded in his throat, and he could almost feel Tuoba Feng’s agitated heartbeat as he stood at the other side of the dragon desk.

How would Zhu Yuanzhang evaluate the Jinyiwei?! To bring up such a topic before both of them, what could his purpose be?

To cut away one person… to limit their power and influence. To cut away one person to limit their power and influence…to cut away one person…to cut away one person… The hand that Yunqi had hidden in his sleeve shook uncontrollably. He lifted his gaze towards Tuoba Feng. His only thought was to stand together with Tuoba Feng – to stand in front of Tuoba Feng and shield him.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, before saying, “Jin…” ReadOnActualSite.

Yunqi was covered in sweat, the perspiration soaking even the sashes of the Imperial Bodyguard’s hat.

Never in a million years would Yunqi have expected that Zhu Yunwen would interrupt Zhu Yuanzhang’s words at this time.

“Those external enemies have my uncles to defend against, but …what if my uncles themselves rebel against me, what should Yunwen do then?”

Even Zhu Yuanzhang hadn’t expected this question and was slightly staggered by it.

Yunqi and Tuoba Feng simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then questioned, “ How would you deal with it?” Aggregat0rs Suck.

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head and deliberated for a moment, before lifting his head to say,” To persuade them with morality [14], after which one’s actions must arise from etiquette. Also, one must cut away the vassals, if it fails, I will use …[15]”

Zhu Yuanzhang responded coolly, “Huang Zicheng taught you that?”

Zhu Yunwen nodded. Zhu Yuanzhang asked, “Was it the Grand Tutor who told you to ask about this?”

Zhu Yunwen tacitly admitted to it.Read on https://sassystrawberry.com/

Zhu Yuanzhang said, “ Yunqi, you are of the Xu family. Tell us what you think about this?”

Yunqi felt suffocated, and without thinking, blurted out, “Sow discord.”

Zhu Yunwen was slightly taken aback. Zhu Yunzhang seemed to be exceptionally satisfied with this response and unhurriedly nodded his head, “ If your subjects really have disloyal hearts, then foment discord between them and compel them to fight one another… in this manner, you can alleviate your internal worries. Yunwen, they are still your uncles, you won’t need to go to the extent of using force against them.”

Zhu Yunwen bowed, and Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again, “Huang Zicheng is really a pedant, and only knows how to indulge in theoretical, empty talk. The scholar is a hindrance to the country, you cannot believe everything he says.”

Hearing these words, Yunqi couldn’t help finding his words incredibly preposterous. You’ve already killed all the Meritorious Founding Ministers. Now that there are only a few bookish pedants left if Zhu Di really decides to rebel someday, can it be that you going to have Huang Zicheng lead the troops in battle?

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again, “This person Fang Xiaoru is a man with the strength of character. Although his words and actions are old-fashioned and inflexible, his moral integrity is commendable. You might as well spend more time talking to him.”

Zhu Yunwen agreed. Zhu Yuanzhang again said, “Go back then. Sleep earlier tonight. Tomorrow we need to leave the city at the 5th watch [16].”[n038b473857][3

Zhu Yunwen kowtowed and turned to leave. Yunqi’s only wish was for Zhu Yuanzhang to order to have the doors of the Qinghe Palace opened and summon the rest of the Jinyiwei inside, and everything would be back to normal.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t do so. After Zhu Yunwen left, there were only three of them left in the hall.

“Xu Yunqi.”

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke indifferently.

Yunqi bowed respectfully, his voice trembling as he responded, “This subject is present…”

Zhu Yuanzhang knit his eyebrows together, and his withered old face revealed a sliver of killing intent.

“……”

Tuoba Feng’s eyes were filled with utter disbelief. ReadthisonTranslatoRsite.Not this one.

Yunqi did his best to breathe, the air in his lungs seemed to have solidified, causing him pain. Yunqi walked towards the center of the hall, knelt with both knees on the ground, and responded, “This subject is present.”

At that time, Yunqi’s thoughts had been whirling at maximum speed. How could he safeguard Tuoba Feng, expound on the matters pertaining to the Jinyiwei, profess his loyalty, pledge his life, exonerate him…countless reasons flashed through his mind.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Jinyiwei Deputy Commander, Xu Yunqi, do you admit your crime?!”

This sentence, like a lightning bolt from the blue, caused Yunqi’s mind to go blank.

Zhu Yuanzhang brought out a memorial and flung it to the ground. It fell in front of Yunqi.

Yunqi looked at that memorial and felt as if a basin of icy water had just been poured over his head, engraving itself in his bones and inscribing itself upon his heart.

The memorial was a record of Zhang Qin’s life experiences, from his birth to the present – the information was complete. It had been circled in vermilion by the Imperial brush, and the Emperor himself had annotated these two words: “Lan Mo.”

Yunqi’s brain buzzed, completely unable to accept the situation. He’d initially only expected that Zhu Yuanzhang would punish Tuoba Feng. He himself was one of the relatives of the Imperial family and was the son of the meritorious official, Xu Da. He’d never expected himself to be implicated.

However, he’d underestimated Zhu Yuanzhang’s intellect.

At this time, he suddenly saw the light about the sequence of events leading up to the Lan Yu case – the entire matter had been a trap set by Zhu Yuanzhang!

From the moment that he’d framed Lan Yu for treason, and Jiang Huan had made that secret report, Zhu Yuanzhang had already intended to use him to deliberately leak out the news, thus creating the false appearance of Lan Yu absconding in order to escape punishment!

“A clever person may become a victim of their own cleverness [17], Yunqi, do you understand this now?” Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, “Tuoba Feng.”

Since the moment that Yunqi got on his knees, Tuoba Feng’s eyes were dull as he stared blankly at Yunqi who was currently kneeling at the front of the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang raged, “Tuoba Feng, hear my command!”

Tuoba Feng finally came to his senses, and his expression revealed his utter confusion.

“This subject…is present.”

Tuoba Feng lifted the front of his robe, before sprinting towards the hall in a daze, kneeling next to Yunqi, he lowered himself to the ground and said, “Everything was due to this subject making decisions and acting without authorization, it had nothing to do with Deputy Commander Xu. This subject… this great crime deserves ten thousand deaths!”

“……”

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless due to astonishment.

Zhu Yuanzhang assessed Tuoba Feng for some time, and couldn’t figure out the underlying reason. Yunqi instead replied slowly, “This guilty subject released Zhang Qin and Lan Mo on one’s own initiative. Such a crime warrants death. One bears responsibility for his own actions [18], Tuoba Feng was entirely ignorant of this matter. This subject is willing to plead guilty and accept punishment.” Why are you reading this on this aggregator site.

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a grave voice, “Since you admit your guilt, Tuoba Feng will take you into custody, tomorrow at noon…”

Tuoba Feng inhaled sharply, raised his feet, and got up. awr08aynwe08qwvyq8

Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the dragon desk. He narrowed his eyes and recoiled almost imperceptibly by half a cun. 

Tuoba Feng took one more step forward, before kneeling again. Half of his body currently shielded in front of Yunqi. He abruptly pounded his head onto the ground with a dull sound, sending fresh blood flowing.

“Setting the traitor free was under Feng’s instructions, and had nothing to do with Yunqi. Feng’s  great crime deserves ten thousand deaths!” Tuoba Feng cried out solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang flew into a great rage, as he said, “ Tuoba Feng, what is your motive in this? ! Come, men! All of the Jinyiwei outside the hall come in!”

Yunqi flicked his wrist, as he lifted his head to meet Zhu Yuanzhang’s line of sight. Don’t read on this aggregator shitty site.

The killing intent that had suddenly arisen, locked up Zhu Yuanzhang’s entire body. The cicada wing knife was at Yunqi’s fingertips which quivered uncontrollably.

Tuoba Feng’s gaze revealed a panic-stricken expression, as he turned and grasped firmly at Yunqi’s wrist.

With a “bang” sound, Qinghe Palace’s door was pushed open, and nearly ten Jinyiwei charged inside.

A eunuch followed them closely, as he cried anxiously, “Emperor! A disaster! The Imperial Grandson…”

Zhu Yuanzhang was abruptly moved to anger and was now caught unawares as he was suddenly subjected to these shouts. He almost vomited blood, and couldn’t be bothered with both Yunqi and Tuoba Feng, staring in disbelief at the eunuch who had come to deliver the message.

“…Just now when the Imperial Grandson was watching over the coffin… burning…burning paper money at the time… the Crown Prince’s soul made its presence felt, and the Imperial Grandson’s soul was…snared away!”

Tuoba Feng heaved a sigh of relief, and a slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He let go of Yunqi’s wrist and reversed his hand to hook his fingers, gently tightening his grip.