Chapter 20: Delivering the Imperial Edict on Behalf of My Father

"You two, step back."

"Your son takes his leave!"

Under Zhu Di’s urging, the numb Prince Han, Zhu Gaoxu, was dragged away by his younger brother, Zhu Gaosui. They didn’t go far; Zhu Gaoxu squatted by the outer wall of the palace, lost in thought, while Zhu Gaosui shamelessly stepped on his shoulder, poking his head out to observe what was happening inside.

…

“So, you’re getting used to sitting there, aren’t you?”

Zhu Di glanced at the plump heir, speaking unhurriedly.

“Your son wouldn’t dare! Father, please take the seat.”

Zhu Gaochi hurriedly stood, respectfully offering the spot to Zhu Di.

“I wouldn’t dare, either. Your imperial grandfather should sit here.”

Zhu Di shook his head repeatedly, looking around.

“Huh?”

“Father, are you alright? Grandfather has been gone for more than twenty years now,” Zhu Gaochi asked, worried.

At that moment, two people entered from the inner hall. Zhu Yuanzhang strode in, laughing heartily, and patted the plump heir, clicking his tongue.

“Gaochi, you’ve grown ridiculously fat.”

“Grand… Grandfather?!”

Zhu Gaochi was stunned. How could he not recognize the founder of the Ming dynasty, the hero who had raised him himself!

In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, after Zhu Yuanzhang’s fifth son Zhu Su went to Kaifeng to take up his fief, four of his children had already left. With his deep sense of family, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally missed them dearly. Yet his ancestral law stated, “Princes may not leave their territories without imperial summons, nor meet privately with senior ministers,” so he couldn’t break the rules himself.

Thus, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to have these four princes send their sons to Nanjing to be raised.

Zhu Gaochi came from Beijing to Nanjing at that time and stayed by Zhu Yuanzhang’s side for more than ten years.

Raised until he was seventeen, Zhu Gaochi’s feelings for Zhu Yuanzhang ran deeper than for Zhu Di, which was one reason Zhu Di favored his second son over his eldest.

After all, the second son was raised personally—familiarity breeds affection.

Thirty years of such bonds could hardly produce an ungrateful wolf.

Furthermore, Zhu Gaochi in his youth possessed great strength, yet preferred quiet and learning over martial pursuits, abandoning the sword for the pen. He was well-versed in classics and skilled in both family and state affairs.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally adored him, early designating him as heir to the Yan fief, and decreeing that he would be the next Prince of Yan.

This majestic figure was deeply etched in Zhu Gaochi’s memory.

He patted his hand, ignoring the stunned heir.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat smiling on the dragon throne and asked, “Fourth, I hear you plan to campaign north three times next spring?”

“Aru Tai keeps harassing our borders and refuses to change. This hidden threat must be eliminated. Your son moved the capital to Beiping precisely to strengthen the frontier and resist the remaining Yuan forces and other northern threats, so that the emperor himself guards the gates and deters the raiders of the steppe,” Zhu Di replied solemnly. “You said you feared future generations would rely on Ming’s strength and pursue fleeting glory, waging war without cause. I too worry that future heirs may become addicted to pleasures and games, unable to withstand the wolves of the north, jeopardizing the realm overnight. So while I still have the strength to campaign personally, I must pacify the steppe in one stroke, so that our descendants may rule in peace!”

This emperor, born to the saddle, was as decisive and ruthless as Zhu Yuanzhang in his uprising, possessing a keen insight into warfare, much like his father.

Both shared the same mindset: to eliminate all threats during their reign, ensuring peace for future generations.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in approval, instructing, “Well said. I won’t speak of your capital’s relocation. But for these northern campaigns, you must consult with your eldest grandson. His guidance will be invaluable.”

Zhu Di looked expectantly at Zhu Youjian. Though confident and undefeated in battle, who would refuse such free advice?

After all, every detail consumed vast national resources. Who cared about fairness? Victory lay in the unexpected.

Zhu Di had no professional scruples.

Zhu Youjian pondered and said, “Great Ancestor, to be honest, in these three northern campaigns, you never even found Aru Tai’s trail. In the end, supplies ran out and you had to withdraw.”

“How can that be!” Zhu Di frowned in disbelief. Since the Hongwu era, he had set foot in the north dozens of times, more familiar with the terrain than many locals. With ample supplies, it was impossible not to find Aru Tai!

“Great Ancestor, don’t forget: Aru Tai dared to raid the border because he was prepared and unafraid of our armies,” Zhu Youjian shook his head.

“Fourth, Mongol cavalry are highly mobile. If they keep fleeing, you may indeed end up as later histories record,” Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely.

Zhu Yuanzhang himself had tried everything—mass invasions, dispersed pursuits—yet could do nothing against the remnants of the Yuan under Wang Baobao, nicknamed “Runner,” fully aware of the cavalry’s formidable mobility.

“I understand.”

Zhu Di opened his mouth, feeling disappointed and sighing deeply.

He had intended to campaign only after his father left, but without Zhu Yuanzhang’s support, he couldn’t help but feel dispirited.

During the Yongle era, Zhu Di’s authority and might reached unprecedented heights. Summoning ministers to watch him discipline his son was but a glimpse of his power.

Even if his father descended from heaven, nothing could stop him—but he wouldn’t act openly in front of his father, lest he truly get beaten, unable to resist.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s tone shifted, smiling, “But now you know which routes are fruitless. Avoid them, and you need not accept fate. When I was holding a rice bowl, I never resigned myself to fate either.”

“You’re absolutely right, Father!”

Zhu Di’s eyes brightened and he laughed heartily.

“Since Great Ancestor has decided, I’ll prepare records and routes for the third, fourth, and fifth campaigns and bring them another day,” Zhu Youjian nodded. He saw no reason to object—if Zhu Di knew the outcome and could defeat the Tatars and Oirats in one stroke, the fortunes of the Yongle reign would soar.

“Excellent, thank you, eldest grandson. Let me study them, then march north for a swift victory,” Zhu Di grinned like a blossoming chrysanthemum.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, “This war is not urgent. I came to discuss the campaign against Japan.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi, still dazed, suddenly shivered in terror, crying, “Grand… Grandfather, the treasury is empty and cannot withstand more turmoil! Two campaigns would leave our army and stores nearly depleted, disasters would multiply, and the nation would be exhausted and decline!”

Zhu Di frowned, asking, “Indeed, Father. You once declared Japan was not to be invaded, since it’s a tiny, resource-poor land, tasteless as a chicken bone—hardly worth the effort.”

Though fond of war, he understood the balance of gains and losses. Campaigns against Tatars and Oirats were preventive, but attacking Japan seemed a waste of resources with no clear benefit.

“Don’t worry, Gaochi. This campaign against Japan promises great rewards,” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, then explained the silver standard system he had just learned.

The more Zhu Gaochi listened, the more sense it made—especially now that Ming’s paper currency had lost half its value, and even officials resisted it.

Yet the thought of needing vast amounts of silver as reserves made him anxious, and he complained, “But… but there’s not much silver in the treasury.”

“Yes, Father, our dynasty is not much richer than in the Hongwu era; we still can’t collect enough silver,” Zhu Di agreed.

“That’s exactly why we must attack Japan,” Zhu Yuanzhang said mysteriously, then declared, “There’s a silver mine in Japan that produces three million taels a year!”

“How much?! Three million taels annually?!” Zhu Gaochi was stunned, unable to believe Zhu Yuanzhang’s appearance was just for amusement.

“Grandfather, Father, your son takes his leave!”

Zhu Gaochi hastily bowed and turned to leave.

“Where are you running, Crown Prince?”

Zhu Di called after him.

“To pass your decree to the Six Ministries—campaign against Japan, seize the silver mine!”

Without turning, Zhu Gaochi dashed off, calling, “I’ll fetch Sanbao too; he knows the ways of the sea!”

…