The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 144 Old Brothers, The Past That Can Never Be Returned To
Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at him and said to the Crown Prince Zhu Biao beside him.

"Don't listen to this old man's nonsense. Back then, all I was thinking about were my brothers. When Liu the Rich found out, he gave us a good beating. For that reason alone, shouldn't we eat more?"

The two of them were enjoying their meal.

Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't been this relaxed in a long time.

After finishing his meal, Tang He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang in front of him and said...

"Shangwei, why did you suddenly decide to go back to Fengyang? There are so many things going on in the court, it can't function without you. Even if you ran away and missed us old brothers, you can't bring the Crown Prince with you. If you all leave, what will happen to the affairs of the court?"

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of pride.

"Don't worry, with Tiande here, nothing will happen. Besides, we have a good grandson. Xiong Ying is currently overseeing the country. That kid is quite cunning. Nothing will happen to our Ming Dynasty!"

Tang He was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"U.A. is only ten years old this year. What can such a little kid do? You're not just bragging, are you?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately displeased upon hearing this.

"So what if he's ten? Back when I was ten, I was already leading my old brothers to slaughter Liu the Rich Man's ox. Our grandson may be young, but he's no less capable than us. Even that old scoundrel Li Shanchang was trampled by our nephew!"

Tang He was very surprised to hear this.

Korean official Lee Seon-jang was a true veteran.

Even he himself wouldn't have dared to get too involved with this person back then.

It's unbelievable that this person could be outmaneuvered by a ten-year-old child; no one would believe it if this were told.

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young. We are getting old after all. Now even your grandson who has ascended to the throne is so promising. The revival of our Great Ming Dynasty is in sight!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely pleased and did not deny it, looking at the young man beside him and saying.

"This is your second son, Tang Yi, and the little guy next to him must be your fifth son, right?"

Tang He sighed.

"It's the fifth brother. The eldest brother, Tang Ding, is getting old and is now serving in the army. The third and fourth brothers didn't survive, and seeing that the second brother is also getting old, I'm thinking of sending him to the army so that he won't cause me any trouble!"

"I think Tang Yi is quite talented. With some development, he could become a pillar of our Ming Dynasty like you. How about we send him to Yingtian Prefecture to develop for a while?"

"It just so happens that U.A. is currently acting as regent, and needs help by his side!"

Tang He's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

"That's a good idea. Our second son isn't very capable, he's just a steady guy. He can't do anything big, but he can still serve tea and water. In that case, why not let him follow Xiong Ying?"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood to the side with his head down, not saying a word. He knew very well that this was a tacit understanding between the two brothers.

After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Tang He.

“Our old brothers from Huaixi have gone too far these days. Do you know what I’ve seen all the way from Yangzhou? These people have really done a lot of bad things in our hometown!”

Tang He kept his head down and didn't speak, clearly knowing about these things as well.

"These people have gotten used to a good life, especially now that they're in high positions, they think they're superior and have forgotten their roots. Such people should have been punished long ago and should be given a good talking-to!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared intently at the soup as he drank.

"Just hitting him?"

Tang He kept silent. Although he genuinely wanted to plead for his old comrades, he knew very well that Zhu Yuanzhang would never let them go. It was better to withdraw early.

Seeing that Tang He remained silent, Zhu Yuanzhang inwardly cursed him as an old fox.

"Alright, I know exactly what you're thinking. But as for what to do, I'll see what my good grandson has to say!"

“Our good grandson is no less capable than us. Tie Xuan, who went south to handle this matter, was personally promoted by him!”

"The blank seal case that caused such a stir a long time ago was also forced upon Hu Weiyong by our good grandson!"

Tang He nodded, feeling relieved.

As long as this matter wasn't handled by Zhu Yuanzhang, it's fine.

He had heard of Tie Xuan's reputation; he had been upright and incorruptible lately, never afraid of offending others, and had arrested many people who protected the people. Even if he had to applaud him, he probably wouldn't engage in widespread reprisals.

As for Zhu Xiong Ying, he was just a child. Even if he was tough, how tough could he be? He couldn't possibly kill all of them.

Zhu Yuanzhang could tell what Tang He was thinking just by looking at him.

He smiled inwardly, thinking that this time, his old friend was probably wrong.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left, Tang He's expression changed instantly, and he said to Tang Yi beside him.

"Stay home during this time and don't see anyone. Do the same to your side!"

Tang Yi frowned.

"Father, I don't think His Majesty's words are as serious as they seem. We don't need to be so hesitant, do we?"

Tang He sighed.

“Yi’er, you are still young and don’t understand these things. The reason I agreed to let you accompany the Crown Prince is also a way of protecting myself!”

"He was born to be in that position. He is no longer my brother Zhu Chongba, but Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang!"

"Although I am no longer involved in worldly affairs, the brothers of the Thirty Battalions in the Southwest still support me. That's why I would rather send your brother to Datong Town in the north than to the Southwest. This is one of the reasons!"

"I placed you next to the Crown Prince partly to put His Majesty at ease, and partly because I believe the Crown Prince is no ordinary person; you will have a bright future if you follow him!"

"Remember this from now on: do your job well, don't listen to what you shouldn't listen to, don't say what you shouldn't say, and don't do what you shouldn't do. Do you understand?"

Tang Yi nodded, heeding his father's teachings.

Marquis Yongjia, Zhu Liangzu, and others gathered together, their faces filled with worry.

"Brothers, news has come from Fengyang Prefecture that many members of our family have been arrested and are currently being escorted to Yingtian Prefecture. What should we do about this?"

Emperor Shengzong of Tang gritted his teeth.

"Let's go all the way and kill them all on the way. I don't believe they have enough manpower to protect them all."

Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang frowned.

"You used the same method on Ironblood before, and what effect did it have? Some things can't be solved by fighting and killing; you have to learn to use your brain!"

"What's uncertain now is how much those guys have revealed. If they've said things they shouldn't have, then they really shouldn't be kept alive!"

(End of this chapter)