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In May of the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign, a suffocating atmosphere of gloom permeated the air in Nanjing.

The continuous rain has lasted for half a month, as if even the heavens are weeping for the tragedy that is about to unfold in this capital city.

Inside the old Wu Prince's Mansion, Su Ning stood by the window of the study, gazing blankly at the rain outside.

On the table lay a newly delivered secret report, containing only a few words: "Li Shanchang's affair has been exposed, and the Emperor is furious."

Now, his personal staff has been established throughout the Ming Dynasty, and its organizational structure is even more secretive. After all, Su Ning knows a lot about the methods of the Military Intelligence Bureau and the KGB.

Therefore, all intelligence in the Ming Dynasty was under Su Ning's control, and he was able to make as many advance arrangements and plans as possible each time.

“Your Highness,” Ma He entered quietly, his voice low, “Our spies in the palace have sent word that His Majesty did not sleep a wink last night and did not even have breakfast this morning.”

Su Ning slowly turned around, her face showing a solemnity beyond her years: "What was bound to happen has finally happened."

He walked to the bookshelf, took down a copy of "The Great Ming Code," and gently stroked the spine with his fingers: "Li Shanchang...the first meritorious official of the founding of the country, ultimately could not escape this calamity."

Ma He whispered, "Your Highness, should we..."

“Don’t make any moves,” Su Ning interrupted him. “At this time, any action will only get you into trouble.”

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached, and a guard rushed in: "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come with an imperial decree. The Emperor summons you to the palace immediately!"

The atmosphere inside the Jinshen Hall was so heavy it could be squeezed out of you.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone on the dragon throne, with a pile of memorials in front of him.

The emperor, nearing sixty, had a livid face and bloodshot eyes.

"Grandson greets His Majesty." Su Ning knelt down and bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not tell him to get up, but instead threw a memorial in front of him: "Take a look."

Su Ning picked up the memorial and became increasingly alarmed as he read it.

This is a secret report from Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which details the various interactions between Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong, including their discussions on politics and criticisms of the emperor in their secret letters.

“Grandpa Emperor…” Su Ning raised her head, unsure of how to begin.

“Do you know,” Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice was hoarse and cold, “that I treated Li Shanchang very well. At the beginning of the dynasty, I enfeoffed him as Duke of Han and appointed him Grand Tutor, making him one of the highest-ranking officials. But what did he do? He actually colluded with Hu Weiyong and plotted treason!”

Su Ning paused for a moment, then cautiously said, "Grandfather, Li Shanchang is, after all, a founding father. If we punish him too harshly..."

"Too much?" Zhu Yuanzhang stood up abruptly, a chilling glint in his eyes. "Yuntong, remember this: mercy towards traitors is cruelty towards the empire!"

He walked up to Su Ning, looking down at his kneeling grandson: "Do you know that when I and Li Shanchang and others raised an army, we swore an oath: to share wealth and honor and never betray each other? But now? They have all forgotten their duty!"

Su Ning raised his head and looked directly at Zhu Yuanzhang: "Grandfather, I understand your good intentions. However... the implication is too widespread, which may shake the foundation of the country."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "To shake the foundation of the nation? If we don't thoroughly purge these treacherous officials, that would be the real shake-up of the nation's foundation!"

On the third day of the fifth month, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to arrest and imprison Li Shanchang on charges of "colluding with Hu's faction and plotting rebellion".

The news sent shockwaves through both the government and the public.

Duke Lan Yu of Liang arrived at the Prince of Wu's residence immediately.

"Your Highness," Lan Yu said with a look of fear, "Will the case of Li Shanchang implicate us old ministers?"

Looking at this usually imposing general, who was now like a frightened bird, Su Ning couldn't help but sigh.

“If the Duke of Liang has a clear conscience, why should he worry?” Su Ning said calmly.

Lan Yu said urgently, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but which official in the court doesn't have some dealings with others? If His Majesty really wants to investigate, I'm afraid..."

Just then, another guard rushed in to report: "Your Highness, Duke Xu Huizu of Wei and Duke Feng Sheng of Song are requesting an audience outside the mansion."

Su Ning and Lan Yu exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

A moment later, the main hall of the Wu King's Mansion was filled with representatives of the noble families of Huaixi.

These once imposing founding heroes were now all deathly pale.

“Your Highness, Prince Wu,” Xu Huizu spoke first, “the case of Li Shanchang has far-reaching implications. We earnestly request Your Highness to say a few good words for him before the Emperor, so as to avoid… to avoid causing a great disaster.”

Feng Sheng also said, "Yes! Your Highness, although Li Shanchang is guilty, his family should not be punished."

Looking at these fearful nobles, Su Ning understood that what they were truly worried about was not Li Shanchang, but their own safety.

"Gentlemen," Su Ning began slowly, "Grandfather has his reasons for acting. As his subjects, we should be loyal to the emperor."

"But……"

"Gentlemen, the best course of action from now on is to stay home and refuse visitors. Running around like this today is very dangerous."

"..."

These words were perfectly worded, but they only made the nobles present even more uneasy.

On the seventh day of the fifth month, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict ordering Li Shanchang to commit suicide, and his wife, daughters, brothers, nephews, and more than seventy others to be executed at the same time.

On the same day, a large number of meritorious officials, including Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong, Fei Ju, and Zhao Yong, were executed.

When the news arrived, Suning was overseeing the renovation project at the former Wu Prince's Mansion.

“Your Highness,” Ma He’s voice trembled, “it’s been three days since the killing began, and I’ve heard that the Qinhuai River has been dyed red…”

Su Ning closed his eyes, and the record in the History of Ming Dynasty came to mind: "More than 30,000 people were implicated, which was known as the 'Hu Party Prison'."

On the tenth day of the fifth month, Zhu Yuanzhang issued the "Record of Traitorous Members," listing Li Shanchang, Hu Mei, Tang Shengzong, and twenty others as traitors, and made it a public order throughout the land.

That evening, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Su Ning again.

Inside the Hall of Prudence, the old emperor sat alone in the darkness, with only an oil lamp flickering in the wind.

"Yunyi," Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was unusually weary, "don't you think your imperial grandfather is too cruel?"

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then answered truthfully, "Your grandson dares not. It's just... over thirty thousand people is really too many."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "Do you think I want to do this? But Yuntong, you must remember that governing a country is like treating an illness; sometimes you have to use strong medicine."

He stood up and walked to Su Ning: "These nobles, relying on their merits in founding the country, are arrogant and domineering, seizing farmland and forming cliques for personal gain. If they are not thoroughly eliminated, the Ming Dynasty will be destroyed in their hands sooner or later!"

Su Ning looked up at her grandfather and suddenly asked, "Grandpa, are you worried that Father won't be able to control these arrogant and fierce soldiers after he ascends the throne?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Yunzhi, you are indeed clever."

He turned to look at the night sky outside the window: "I am old, and your father... is too soft-hearted. If I don't remove these thorns, how will you and your father be able to hold onto this throne in the future?"

At this moment, Su Ning finally understood Zhu Yuanzhang's good intentions.

This purge was not only to eliminate Hu Jintao's faction, but also to clear the way for his successors.

On May 15th, the Great Purge finally came to an end.

The stench of blood in Nanjing gradually dissipated, but an atmosphere of fear still lingered over the entire capital.

Inside the study of the former Prince Wu's mansion, Su Ning unfolded a scroll of Xuan paper, picked up his brush, and wrote four large characters: "Learn from history."

Ma He whispered from the side, "Your Highness, after this purge, the Huaixi Noble Group has been severely weakened."

Su Ning put down his pen, his gaze deep: "No, this is only the beginning. What Grandfather wants is a empire that poses no threat whatsoever."

He walked to the window and looked in the direction of the palace: "And what we can do is to establish a new order on this ruin."

This great purge in the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign completely changed the political landscape of the Ming Dynasty.

The young Prince Zhu Yunwen of Wu witnessed the cruelty of imperial power and realized the difficulty of governing a country in this storm.

All of this strengthened his resolve to implement reforms.

……

In May of the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign, Nanjing, after a bloody storm, finally welcomed a gentle spring breeze. The chilling atmosphere of the Hu Party case had not yet completely dissipated, but Zhu Yuanzhang had already begun to lay the groundwork for a new game.

The atmosphere inside the Fengtian Hall was unusually subtle during the morning court session that day.

Civil and military officials stood solemnly on both sides, but several familiar veteran generals were nowhere to be seen.

Standing at the head of the imperial clan, Su Ning keenly sensed that today's court assembly was destined to be extraordinary.

"Do you all know," Zhu Yuanzhang's voice broke the silence in the hall, "that six dukes, including Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei, and Feng Sheng, Duke of Song, submitted their resignations to me yesterday?"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole court was in an uproar.

Several civil officials exchanged bewildered glances, while the ranks of military officers were deathly silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose and glanced at his ministers: "These old generals have fought alongside me for many years. Now that the world is at peace, they want to return to their hometowns to retire. I... grant their request."

Zhu Biao, who was standing to the side, was slightly moved and couldn't help but whisper, "Father, six dukes have resigned at the same time, this..."

"Your Highness need not say more," Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him, then raised his voice, "Issue my decree to bestow upon Duke Xu Huizu of Wei, Duke Feng Sheng of Song, Duke Li Jinglong of Cao, Duke Deng Yu of Wei, Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, and Duke Tang He of Xin, one thousand taels of gold, five thousand taels of silver, and one hundred thousand strings of paper money each!"

This generous reward once again caused an uproar among the court officials.

Su Ning stood below the stage, but his mind was perfectly clear...

This is clearly a promotion in name only, allowing these veteran generals to gracefully exit the center of power.

After the court session, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Su Ning to the Jinshen Hall.

The old emperor stood before the enormous map of the Ming Dynasty's territory, his back to Su Ning, and spoke after a long while:
"Yunwen, do you think I have been too kind or too unkind to Xu Huizu and the others?"

Su Ning cautiously replied, "The Emperor has generously rewarded his meritorious officials, and the whole world will praise the Emperor's boundless grace."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his eyes filled with a meaningful look: "Then do you know why I wanted them to retire and return to their hometowns at this time?"

"My grandson is dull-witted."

"Because of you!" Zhu Yuanzhang said bluntly, "These veteran generals have too much influence in the army. I will clear away the obstacles for you while I am still alive."

Su Ning was startled and immediately knelt down: "Grandpa Emperor..."

"Get up." Zhu Yuanzhang helped him up. "I know what you're thinking. But Yuntong, you must remember that a ruler must have both benevolence and an iron fist. Xu Huizu and the others voluntarily resigning is the best outcome."

Just then, Mao Xiang quietly entered the hall: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Liang is outside requesting an audience."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Su Ning exchanged a glance, and Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly, "Let him in."

Lan Yu strode into the hall. Upon seeing Su Ning there, he was visibly taken aback, then knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this humble general... this humble general also wishes to..."

"You also want to retire and return to your hometown?" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Lan Yu's forehead was beaded with sweat: "This humble general dares not. It's just that seeing that several old brothers have returned to their hometowns, I feel somewhat..."

"Hmph! A bit of a 'shared fate' mentality?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "Lan Yu, remember this: as long as you behave yourself, I won't treat you unfairly. But if you harbor any improper thoughts..."

"This humble general dares not! This humble general would never dare!" Lan Yu kowtowed repeatedly.

After Lan Yu withdrew, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Su Ning, "Do you see? This is the effect I wanted. Those who should leave have left, and those who should be afraid have been afraid."

Before the controversy over the rewards in May had subsided, an imperial edict in June once again shook the court and the public.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: To reward meritorious officials, the 'Iron Book Army' is hereby established, bestowing upon dukes, marquises, and centurions the seals of their officials and iron books, ordering centurions to lead over a hundred soldiers to protect their homes..."

In the imperial court, Zhu Yuanzhang personally explained the purpose of the imperial edict: "You have all fought alongside me for many years. Now that the world is at peace, I cannot let my old brothers feel disheartened. This Iron Book Army is both a preferential treatment for meritorious officials and a resettlement for soldiers."

After the court session, the dukes and marquises held the iron books and centurion seals they had just received, their feelings complicated.

Song State Duke Feng Sheng stroked the iron book in his hand and said with a wry smile to Wei State Duke Xu Huizu, "The Emperor is trying to give us old bones a dignified end."

Xu Huizu sighed: "With these hundred personal guards protecting us, at least our whole family can be safe after we return home. This is already the best outcome."

Meanwhile, inside the Wu King's mansion, Su Ning was receiving a special guest, Duke Cao, Li Jinglong.

“Your Highness,” Li Jinglong said with a wry smile, “I will be returning to my hometown of Dingyuan soon. I don’t know when I will see Your Highness again after this parting.”

Su Ning personally poured tea for Li Jinglong: "Why does Duke Cao speak so sadly? It is not far from Nanjing, and you can come back to visit at any time."

Li Jinglong shook his head and sighed, "Your Highness is a wise man. He should know that once we leave, it will be difficult for us to return to the court."

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What are your plans after returning to your hometown, Duke?"

"Plans?" Li Jinglong chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Just retire, farm, what other plans could I possibly have?"

“I do have a suggestion.” Su Ning took out a document. “Mingtang Trading Company has obtained some high-yield crops from overseas, namely sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn. Duke Cao can plant them in his fiefdom.”

Li Jinglong was taken aback at first, but then he understood Su Ning's intention: to give him a dignified way out.

"Your Highness..." Li Jinglong's voice choked with emotion, "Your Highness's kindness is beyond my..."

"No need for such formalities, Your Excellency." Su Ning helped Li Jinglong, who was about to bow, to his feet. "You old generals have fought for the country for half your lives. Now that you have achieved your goals, you should be treated with respect."

The news spread quickly, and several dukes and marquises who were about to return to their hometowns came to visit Su Ning.

Soon, these veterans were assigned positions in all of Da Ming Qian Zhuang's branches across the country.

On June 15th, Zhu Yuanzhang held a banquet in the palace to bid farewell to the dukes and marquises who were returning to their hometowns.

During the banquet, the old emperor, unusually, revealed his true feelings:
"My old brothers," Zhu Yuanzhang said, raising his cup, "we rose up together in the past, overcoming countless hardships and dangers, and finally established the Ming Dynasty. Now that the world is at peace, you can return to your hometowns to enjoy your retirement. I... wish you good health!"

With tears in their eyes, Xu Huizu and the others knelt down in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness!"

After the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang kept Su Ning behind alone.

"Yunyi, your idea of ​​arranging for the old generals to work at the Ming Dynasty Bank is excellent," Zhu Yuanzhang rarely praised. "It gives them dignity without letting them interfere in politics."

Su Ning humbly replied, "I'm just doing my part."

“However,” Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject, “you must remember that the way to govern subordinates is to use both kindness and severity. Next, I will show you the true meaning of ‘power’.”

The following day at court, Zhu Yuanzhang promulgated the "Regulations for the Management of the Ironclad Army," which clearly stipulated the organization, responsibilities, and restrictions of the Ironclad Army.

One of the most noteworthy provisions is: "The commanders of the Ironclad Army must be appointed by the Ministry of War and rotated annually."

This decree completely eliminated the possibility for dukes and marquises to cultivate private armies through the Ironclad Army.

As the court session ended, Lan Yu walked to Su Ning's side and whispered, "Your Highness, the Emperor's move... was truly brilliant!"

Su Ning smiled faintly: "Duke Liang is overthinking it. My grandfather is doing this to protect the old generals from being criticized by petty people."

Lan Yu nodded thoughtfully, then took her leave.

Watching Lan Yu's departing figure, Su Ning knew that this power transition was far from over.

The retirement of veterans simply makes room for the rise of a new generation.

And he himself is at the heart of this transformation.

Upon returning to the Wu King's residence, Su Ning immediately summoned Ma He: "Order the money shops in various places to treat the returning dukes and marquises with special courtesy, but also to keep a close eye on their movements."

"Your Highness is worried about..."

“I’m not worried about them,” Suning said with a deep look in his eyes. “I’m trying to ensure that this power transition can be completed smoothly.”

In the summer of the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign, the power structure of the Ming Dynasty underwent profound changes.

Veterans retire with honors, while rising stars prepare to take the stage.

In this silent transformation, the young King of Wu is gradually moving towards the center of power.

...(End of chapter)