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In April of the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign, Nanjing was shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

Before the aftermath of the Hu Weiyong case had subsided, another group of officials involved in the case were executed, including Yu Xian and his son, the father-in-law of Zhu Zi, the Prince of Tan.

When the news arrived, Su Ning was reviewing reports from money shops across the country at the temporary Wu Prince's Palace.

Then his trusted aide Ma He rushed in and said, "Your Highness, news has come from the Prince Tan's residence that the residence has recently purchased a large amount of kerosene, and the pungent smell can be smelled in the residence day and night."

Su Ning suddenly stood up, and the record in the History of Ming flashed through his mind: "Tan Wang Zi, the eighth son of Emperor Taizu... In the twenty-third year, his wife Yu was implicated in her father's crime, and the prince and his wife were burned to death."

"Prepare the horses! Head to Prince Tan's residence immediately!" Su Ning ordered while changing his clothes. "At the same time, send someone to the palace to inform my grandfather and father that I have been ordered to go and comfort Prince Tan."

"Your Highness, aren't you forging an imperial edict?"

"We can't worry about that now! Besides, Grandfather and Father will understand."

When Suning's fast horse arrived at the Prince of Tan's mansion, the smell of burning oil inside was already so strong that it was pungent.

The chief secretary of the Prince's residence came out with a look of fear and knelt down, weeping, "Your Highness, please persuade our Prince! He hasn't left his bedchamber for three days!"

Su Ning strode across the courtyard and saw dozens of oil drums neatly arranged on the open ground in front of the hall, with several eunuchs carrying them into the hall with trepidation.

"All of you, step back!" Su Ning shouted sternly, then pushed open the door to the bedchamber.

The hall was dimly lit. Prince Zhu Zi of Tan sat alone on the couch, his face haggard and his eyes vacant.

At only twenty-two years old, he now resembles an old man in his twilight years.

Princess Yu knelt to the side, sobbing softly. When she saw Su Ning enter, she hurriedly wiped away her tears and bowed.

"Eighth Uncle," Su Ning walked up to Zhu Zi and said in a deep voice, "Why did it come to this?"

Zhu Zi slowly raised her head, revealing a bitter smile: "It's Yun Tong! Are you here to send off Eighth Uncle on his final journey?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, Eighth Uncle!" Su Ning sat down beside him. "Grandfather specifically sent me here to tell Eighth Uncle that the Yu family's sins should be left to the Yu family. Grandfather and Father value family ties the most; how could they blame Eighth Uncle for this?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhu Zi's eyes, but it quickly faded: "You don't need to comfort me. The Hu Weiyong case involves tens of thousands of people, and my father-in-law is implicated. How can I escape? Rather than waiting to be stripped of my title and reduced to a commoner, I'd rather..."

“Eighth Uncle!” Su Ning interrupted him, “Do you know that if you were to commit suicide here today, you would truly break the Emperor’s heart! If the Emperor wanted to punish you, why would he wait until today?”

Princess Yu also sobbed, "Your Highness, Prince Wu is right. If Father Emperor wanted to punish us, he would have issued an edict long ago..."

Zhu Zi's expression wavered, but when he saw the oil barrel in the corner of the hall, he showed a resolute look: "Even if Father Emperor doesn't blame me, how can those censors in the court let me go? Living under constant impeachment is no different from death."

Suning knew he had to give him a new hope.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Does Uncle Ba know of any branches of the Mingtang Trading Company in Changsha?"

Zhu Zi was taken aback: "Uh? I've heard a little about it."

"I would like to invite you, Uncle Eight, to serve as the general manager of the Changsha Mingtang Trading Company branch," Su Ning said solemnly. "If you, Uncle Eight, can stay away from the intrigues of the court and focus on running the trading company, you can live a peaceful and prosperous life while also contributing to the commerce of the Ming Dynasty. What do you think, Uncle Eight?"

"This..." Zhu Zi was clearly not prepared for this suggestion. "I am a prince, how could I..."

“Eighth Uncle,” Su Ning said sincerely, “precisely because you are a prince of the Ming Dynasty, you should set an example for the imperial family. Now that the Ming Dynasty is in need of development in all sectors, wouldn’t it be better if the imperial family members could give full play to their talents than to be confined to their residences all day long and do nothing?”

Princess Yu, who was standing nearby, also advised, "Your Highness, what Prince Wu said makes sense. If we can go to Changsha, we can get away from this place of trouble and do some practical things. Why not?"

Zhu Zi remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "Yun Tong, your Eighth Uncle knows you mean well. But..."

“Uncle, there’s no need to worry about Grandfather,” Su Ning said immediately. “I will go to the palace to meet the Emperor and report this matter to him.”

Just then, a eunuch announced loudly from outside the door: "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao strode into the hall, and upon seeing the oil drums scattered all over the floor, Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately turned ashen.

"Eighth Prince! What are you doing?!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared.

Zhu Zi hurriedly knelt down: "Your son... Your son..."

At this moment, Su Ning quickly came to Zhu Zi's rescue: "Grandpa, Eighth Uncle is just having a moment of weakness. I have already persuaded him, and Eighth Uncle is willing to serve as the general manager of the Changsha Mingtang Trading Company branch, to serve the Ming Dynasty's trade."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Zi, who was kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

After a long silence, he sighed, "Eighth Prince, do you really not trust your father that much?"

Zhu Zi sobbed uncontrollably, "Your subject dares not... Your subject only..."

"Hey! Get up!" Zhu Yuanzhang's tone softened a bit. "Yuntong's suggestion is good. Go to Changsha and manage the branch of the trading company well. Don't think about these foolish things anymore."

Zhu Biao stepped forward to help Zhu Zi up, saying, "Eighth brother, you've been too foolish. If Father wanted to punish you, he would have issued an edict long ago. Why wait until today?"

A potential tragedy was thus averted.

When leaving the mansion, Zhu Yuanzhang specially arranged for Su Ning to ride in the imperial carriage with him.

"Yunyi, we owe you a lot today." Zhu Yuanzhang rarely showed signs of fatigue. "Among all your uncles, your eighth uncle is the most weak-willed."

“Grandfather, I think it would be better to give all the imperial uncles a chance to participate in practical affairs.” Su Ning suggested, “This way, we can avoid them being idle all day long and at the same time contribute to the Ming Dynasty.”

Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully, "Your idea is good. But we must proceed step by step."

……

The following day, Prince Tan Zhu Zi and his wife set off for Changsha.

Before leaving, Zhu Zi made a special trip to the Wu King's residence to say goodbye.

"Yun Tong, you saved my eighth uncle's life," Zhu Zi said gratefully. "When we get to Changsha, I will definitely run the business well and live up to your expectations."

Su Ning smiled and said, "Uncle Ba, you flatter me. Changsha is rich in resources and offers endless business opportunities. Uncle Ba will surely be able to make great strides there."

After seeing Zhu Zi off, Ma He said in a low voice, "Your Highness, although the matter of Prince Tan has been resolved, there is much discussion about it in the court."

"Let them talk," Su Ning said dismissively. "After this incident, Grandfather should understand my philosophy even better."

Zhu Yuanzhang valued family ties the most, and he wanted to cultivate an image of being a brother who loved and respected his elders, so that he would have the opportunity to become the crown prince two years later.

Sure enough, at the court meeting a few days later, Zhu Yuanzhang announced that he would implement a "practical appointment" system among the imperial clan, allowing members of the imperial clan to give full play to their talents in areas such as business and education.

Although this decision drew opposition from some conservative officials, their voices seemed weak and powerless in the face of the example of the King of Tan.

The deeper impact was that this incident further increased Zhu Yuanzhang's trust in Su Ning.

In the following months, many reform measures were successfully implemented.

“Yunyi,” Zhu Yuanzhang said to Su Ning in the Jinshen Hall one day, “do a good job! Your imperial grandfather will not treat you unfairly.”

"Yes, Your Majesty." However, Su Ning felt something was off when she heard Zhu Yuanzhang say this.

It's like the tactics and manipulative techniques used by bosses to manipulate their employees in later generations...

Su Ning knew that changing Zhu Yuanzhang's decision would be extremely difficult.

……

On the seventh day of the fourth month of the twenty-third year of Hongwu's reign, the sun shone brightly in Nanjing.

The newly built outer city wall resembles a giant dragon, winding its way around the capital.

Zhu Yuanzhang led his civil and military officials and the various vassal kings who came to report on their duties to the majestic Jubaomen city tower.

"My lords, please look," Zhu Yuanzhang said, spreading his arms wide with high spirits, "this outer city has a circumference of 180 li and sixteen gates, which can ensure the peace and tranquility of Nanjing for a hundred years!"

The princes all praised him, but only Su Ning noticed that Prince Yan, Zhu Di, was looking at him with a probing gaze.

The future Yongle Emperor was in his prime, and his brows already showed signs of martial prowess. "Fourth Uncle," Su Ning stepped forward and bowed.

Zhu Di snapped out of his reverie and laughed, "It's Yuntong! I heard you recently proposed the new policy of 'integrating land tax into poll tax.' You're truly a promising young man."

"You flatter me, Fourth Uncle," Su Ning replied modestly, but he keenly noticed the scrutiny in Zhu Di's eyes.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly beckoned: "Yunyi, come here."

Su Ning quickly walked to Zhu Yuanzhang's side, and saw the old emperor pointing to a magnificent complex of buildings in the distance: "Look over there."

Following the direction Zhu Yuanzhang pointed, Su Ning saw a grand palace. Although it was somewhat old, its former grandeur was still evident.

“That was my residence when I was the Prince of Wu,” Zhu Yuanzhang said nostalgically. “It has been empty ever since I moved into the palace.”

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Father often mentions the past when he made decisions from the Wu Prince's Mansion and pacified the world."

All the vassal kings showed expressions of longing.

Chu King Zhu Zhen whispered to Qi King Zhu Fu beside him, "I heard that the study of my father is still preserved there, and even the furnishings have not been moved."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly turned around, faced the crowd, and said in a loud voice: "I have decided to bestow the old Wu Prince's Mansion upon Yuntong as his residence!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked!

Prince Yan, Zhu Di, suddenly contracted his pupils, Prince Qi, Zhu Fu, dropped his folding fan to the ground with a "thud," and even the usually composed Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, gasped in shock.

"Father!" Crown Prince Zhu Biao was the first to react, "This...this is probably against etiquette..."

"What's wrong with the etiquette?" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him. "Yuntong is now the Prince of Wu, and it's only natural for him to live in the Prince of Wu's residence!"

Zhu Di stepped forward and forced a smile, saying, "Father, the former Wu Prince's Mansion is of great significance. Shouldn't it be incorporated into the imperial ancestral temple?"

“Yes, Father,” Prince Zhu Gang of Jin also advised, “that place preserves too many of Father’s old belongings. If…”

"It is precisely because it preserves my old belongings that Yunhu should reside there!" Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze swept over his sons. "Do you know that Yunhu most resembles me in my youth? He has courage, dares to innovate, and is unafraid of public opinion. This former Prince Wu's residence is none other than his!"

Su Ning was shocked; he had never expected Zhu Yuanzhang to make this decision.

The former Wu Prince's Mansion was not just a residence, but also a symbol of the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

This reward is of immense significance!

"Grandfather," Su Ning knelt and bowed, "I am young and lack virtue, and I fear I am unworthy of such an honor..."

"Get up!" Zhu Yuanzhang personally helped him up. "I said you can do it, so you can do it! Tomorrow I will order the Ministry of Works to begin repairs, and you must move in within three months!"

On the way back to the palace, the various princes had different expressions.

Zhu Di deliberately slowed his pace and walked alongside Su Ning.

"Yunyi, your imperial grandfather has high hopes for you!" Zhu Di said calmly, but a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

Su Ning humbly replied, "Fourth Uncle is joking. Grandfather was just being spur-of-the-moment."

"On a whim?" Zhu Di chuckled. "Father never acts on a whim. Do you know that back then, if any of us brothers dared to mention wanting to move into the old Wu Prince's Mansion, we would be severely punished by Father?"

Su Ning understood that this favor had already aroused the jealousy of the royal uncles.

That evening, Zhu Biao arrived at Qingyan Pavilion in Suning.

"Yunhu, what do you think of today's events?"

Su Ning asked her father to sit down and personally poured tea: "Father, I'm afraid Grandfather's actions are not just a simple reward."

Zhu Biao nodded: "The old Wu Prince's Mansion has special significance. Father Emperor is showing the world that you are his most valued grandson."

"But because of this, I will become the target of everyone's criticism." Su Ning smiled bitterly, "I saw the looks in the eyes of all the royal uncles today."

“Especially your fourth uncle,” Zhu Biao said in a low voice, “He looked very unwell when he left today.”

Su Ning pondered for a moment: "Father, I have an idea. After the old Wu Prince's Mansion is renovated, I would like to establish a 'Royal Academy' there and invite the sons of all the royal uncles to study there."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! It can both dispel their jealousy and enhance the relationship among the imperial family members."

Three days later, the Ministry of Works began repairs on the old Wu Prince's Palace.

Su Ning personally went to inspect the palace, and when he entered the main hall, he was awestruck by the grandeur of the building.

“Your Highness, please look,” the Ministry of Works official pointed to the throne in the center of the hall, “this is where His Majesty sat back then, and it remains intact to this day.”

Suning gently stroked the armrest of the throne, as if he could feel the weight of history.

Suddenly, he felt a bump under the handrail. Upon closer inspection, he saw a line of small characters: "Expel the barbarians and restore China."

"This is..." an official from the Ministry of Works exclaimed in surprise, "This is His Majesty's handwriting from back then!"

Su Ning was deeply moved. At this moment, he truly understood the significance of this royal palace.

That evening, he went to the palace to meet the emperor.

“Grandfather, I saw your inscription on the throne in the old Wu Prince’s Palace.”

A look of reminiscence flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes: "That was the decision I made when I made up my mind to launch the Northern Expedition. Yuntong, do you know why I bestowed the former Wu Prince's Mansion upon you?"

"I don't know."

"Because I see in you the version of myself that dared to challenge everything back then." Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice, "The Ming Dynasty today may seem peaceful, but it is actually fraught with crises. Land annexation, official corruption, remnants of the Northern Yuan... these all need to be changed by someone."

He stood up and walked to Su Ning: "I hope you can be like me back then, undaunted by difficulties and courageous in innovation. This palace is my token to you!"

Su Ning knelt down and bowed solemnly: "Grandson will certainly live up to the Emperor's expectations!"

However, Su Ning was filled with sneer at this moment, suddenly seeing in Zhu Yuanzhang the methods of the future Yongle Emperor.

The Yongle Emperor of later generations used rhetoric to deceive his second son, Zhu Gaoxu, making Zhu Gaoxu believe that he could become the crown prince and ascend the throne. Little did he know that it was all Yongle's deception of his second son.

Therefore, Su Ning was still making other arrangements in secret, all of which he personally oversaw, and even his trusted confidants, including Li Shouzhong, were unaware of them.

Since we've decided to fight for the world, we must prepare several backup plans.

However, the news still caused a great shock to both the government and the public.

However, although the civil officials were dissatisfied with Su Ning's reform measures, the emperor's act of bestowing the old Wu Prince's Mansion upon the Prince of Wu forced them to reassess the young prince's status.

The one most shaken was Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.

"The former Prince Wu's residence..." Zhu Di paced back and forth inside the Prince Beiping's residence. "Father is going to establish Yunwen as the core of the third generation!"

Yao Guangxiao twirled his prayer beads: "Your Highness, it seems we need to rethink our plans."

"Great monk, do we still have a chance?"

"Of course! The Emperor's thoughts are the hardest to fathom. Perhaps he has always favored Zhu Yunwen."

"Then why..."

"Does Your Highness know what a whetstone is?"

"What? You think Yunwen is just a whetstone for Zhu Yunwen?"

"Your Highness, please be patient! Adding white to the king's name is no easy task."

...(End of chapter)