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

Chapter 24 Xiong Ying, your mother misses you so much!
Even Empress Ma was shocked to hear the name Liu Sanwu!

"Liu Sanwu is indeed a talented man. His literary reputation was already well-established during the Yuan Dynasty."

"But this person is completely unreasonable, which even your imperial grandfather finds extremely infuriating. Xiong Ying, you should think this through."

Empress Ma spoke somewhat tactfully.

There was no way she could bring herself to discourage her grandson, seeing how excited he was!
In fact, Empress Ma meant to have Zhu Xiong Ying replaced by someone else.

"Grandmother, rest assured! Mr. Liu Sanwu is a man of great talent, and your grandson is determined to have him."

Zhu Xiong Ying could easily understand the hidden meaning in Empress Ma's words.
But
He has confidence!

Or rather, it has to be Liu Sanwu!
Despite his lack of notable fame in historical records, and even being less renowned than Fang Xiaoru and Huang Zicheng, this person may not be as famous as he is in history books.

But Zhu Xiong Ying knew that this was a true genius!
After Hu Weiyong's death, Liu Sanwu's official position was Zhongshu Sheren (a high-ranking official in the Imperial Secretariat).

Even after his own grandfather completely abolished the prime minister system, there was still a need for a role similar to a prime minister to stand between the emperor and the officials.

The Imperial Secretary was the head of civil administration!
Since Hu Weiyong, there has been constant infighting in the court, but historical records show that there has been no major chaos. This was certainly due to the strength of his own imperial grandfather, but Liu Sanwu was also extremely capable!

Most importantly, Zhu Xiong Ying desperately needed someone to help him review the memorials!

"If you can invite Tanweng here, even your imperial grandfather would be pleased." (Tanweng: Liu Sanwu's pen name.)
Empress Ma spoke with a smile.

Biao'er has been sensible since she was a child, which is a good thing for the Ming Dynasty, but it seems to have taken away some of the fun for the old couple.

Empress Ma was naturally pleased with Zhu Xiong Ying's confident demeanor.

At the Han State Palace, Hu Weiyong's face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

Today in the imperial court, His Highness the Crown Prince showed them no respect whatsoever.

And
Dozens of officials were flogged in court. Was that 'slap, slap' sound meant to slap the officials' buttocks? It was meant to slap the faces of Hu Weiyong and his mentor Li Shanchang!

"Calm down!"

"Tranquility!"

At the head of the table, Li Shanchang picked up a teacup and sipped the finest Biluochun tea.

Although he was advising Hu Weiyong, it was clear that Prime Minister Li was not in a good mood either.

"is teacher!"

Hu Weiyong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "However, teacher, His Highness the Crown Prince is clearly 'protecting' Liu Bowen this time, which is very bad for our situation!"

Upon hearing this, even Li Shanchang frowned slightly: "Be careful what you say!"

"Could it be that you have designs on His Highness the Crown Prince?"

The very question posed was already extremely weighty.

Zhu Xiong Ying is the undisputed future crown prince. Hu Weiyong has truly set his sights on him. Emperor Hongwu is not blind. Even Li Shanchang would not be able to withstand his methods!
"Teacher, what I mean is, should more things happen during His Highness the Crown Prince's regency?"

"With this."

Hu Weiyong, however, still spoke.

He was a clever man, and he came to Zhu Yuanzhang's attention because of his merit in procuring ships during the battle against Chen Youliang.

But because of his overconfidence, he was subsequently sidelined.

Now he's spoken again.

"boom!"

Li Shanchang slammed his hand on the table, pointed at Hu Weiyong, and shouted, "Shut up!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is the Regent of our Great Ming Dynasty. We are subjects of the Great Ming Dynasty and should do our utmost to assist him!"

How dare you utter such arrogant and absurd words!

Hu Weiyong was startled by this outburst and quickly apologized, "Master, please calm down! I just felt that His Highness the Crown Prince was getting too close to Liu Bowen."

Li Shanchang said calmly, "Getting too close to Liu Bowen is Liu Bowen's doing! We are doing this for the Ming Dynasty, so we should get rid of him. What does it have to do with His Highness the Crown Prince? When Liu Bowen's crimes are presented, His Highness the Crown Prince will naturally understand our sincere heart!"

Hu Weiyong was slightly taken aback, but then his expression showed admiration!

As expected of a teacher!
He repeatedly professed loyalty to the emperor and love for his country, yet he determined his policy in just a few words:
If Liu Bowen is suppressed, then His Highness will naturally understand that the people who are truly reliable in the court are them!
"Teacher, brilliant!"

Hu Weiyong expressed his sincere admiration.

Li Shanchang sat down again to sip his tea, his eyes filled with deep thought.

What he sought was not merely power in the imperial court, but rather to transform the Ming Dynasty into a system of "co-governance by the emperor and the scholars."

Previously, it was Emperor Hongwu who was powerful, and although His Highness the Crown Prince had a benevolent heart, he could not sit idly by.

Now that His Highness the Crown Prince has made his move, why not seize this opportunity?
Inside the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Xiong Ying summoned Yu Hua Tian and instructed him on the task of finding the missing person.

Besides the group heading to Chaling, another group went north.

Zhu Xiong Ying lacks people, and he lacks more than just scholars.

This time, he even took out his own seal used to collect his allowance from the Imperial Household Department and stamped it on the imperial edict.

After doing all this, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a headache coming on.

It must be exhausting. My own grandfather was able to endure such a high-pressure work environment for 31 years. No wonder Li Zhi flattered him and called him "the greatest emperor of all time"!
Just then, a maid entered the hall and whispered, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Lü, has brought His Highness Yunwen to request an audience."

Upon hearing the maid's report, Zhu Xiong Ying was slightly taken aback, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

What is this 'stepmother' doing bringing Zhu Yunwen, this spendthrift son, here?

To be honest, he had absolutely no objection to his father taking a concubine.

That's understandable for men.

However, the combination of Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen was far too reminiscent of the awe-inspiring "Jianwen Prosperity" of the Ming Dynasty.

While his fourth uncle was indeed a formidable fighter, Zhu Yunwen's cooking skills were undeniable.

Being averse to stupidity shouldn't be considered a problem, right?

"Let them in."

However, we still have to meet.

Otherwise, those pedantic civil officials in the imperial court would spit out a meteor shower of words!
"Yes!"

After the maid withdrew, Yu Huatian's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked softly, "Your Highness, should we send someone to keep a close eye on the Eastern Palace?"

Ever since Zhu Xiong Ying took over the reins of government, he hadn't slept in the Eastern Palace. Now, Yu Hua Tian's inquiry reminded him of this.

"Just plant some in the shadows, but don't make it too exaggerated. The Zhu family dislikes infighting among its members."

Zhu Xiong Ying sighed, which was considered an agreement.

"Yes!"

Yu Huatian nodded and took a small step back.

"Xiongying, you haven't returned to the East Palace for two days. Your aunt misses you terribly."

Before they even arrived, shouts of encouragement had already begun.

Her melodious voice, tinged with a sob, conveyed a thousand thoughts and anxieties.

It was truly a heartwarming scene of a virtuous mother thinking of her filial son.

Zhu Xiong Ying's lips curled slightly, and a faint sarcasm flashed in her eyes.

Do you miss me to death or do you want me to die?

(End of this chapter)