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In May of the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign (1389), a sense of oppression permeated the air in Nanjing.

Deep within the Forbidden City, in the Hall of Diligent Conduct, the air was filled with the fragrance of medicine. The seventy-one-year-old Zhu Yuanzhang lay on his dragon bed, his face ashen, but his eyes remained as sharp as ever.

"Grandfather, how are you feeling?" Zhu Yunwen knelt before the bed, carefully feeding the old emperor his medicine.

Zhu Yuanzhang gently pushed aside the medicine bowl, his cloudy eyes revealing an undeniable authority: "Yunwen, has Liu Jiyuan sent back any report?"

Zhu Yunwen was slightly taken aback, then remembered the almost forgotten name: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there was indeed a secret report three days ago. Liu Jiyuan reported that a suitable site had been found in Changbai Mountain, and the army of the Prince of Ning and the forces of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission were being mobilized to build the mausoleum."

A hint of relief appeared on the old emperor's gaunt face: "How's the progress?"

"It is said that the underground palace has already been excavated, but..." Zhu Yunwen hesitated for a moment, "Changbai Mountain is located in a remote area, and it is quite difficult to transport building materials. Liu Jiyuan has requested that more laborers be sent."

"Granted." Zhu Yuanzhang said without hesitation, "Issue my decree to mobilize another 50,000 laborers to ensure that the work is completed before winter."

Zhu Yunwen finally couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, I have never understood why you want to build a mausoleum in Changbai Mountain? That is not the location of the dragon vein of our Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang's deep gaze looked out the window, as if piercing through the palace walls and seeing the distant north: "That mausoleum is prepared for your younger brother, Yunhu."

"What?" Zhu Yunwen nearly dropped the medicine bowl in his hand. "Give it to... to my third brother? But he still..."

"He's still alive, isn't he?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head, his gaze piercing. "Yunwen, do you know why, all these years, I've spared no expense, using century-old ginseng to keep Yunwen alive?"

Zhu Yunwen shook his head blankly.

"Because I am waiting." The old emperor's voice suddenly became ethereal, "waiting for the right time, waiting for... an time that will not shake the foundation of the nation."

He suddenly started coughing violently, and Zhu Yunwen quickly went over to pat his back.

After catching his breath, Zhu Yuanzhang grasped his grandson's hand tightly:
"Yunwen, remember this. The first thing you must do after I pass away is to stop supplying Yunwen with century-old ginseng."

Zhu Yunwen trembled all over: "Grandfather! This...this could cost my third brother his life!"

"I want to take his life!" Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze suddenly sharpened. "Actually, over the years, I have been most wary of your brother. He is just too powerful! Even if he is poisoned to the point of becoming a living dead, he can still cause me trouble."

The old emperor struggled to sit up, staring intently at Zhu Yunwen: "So we must take him with us."

Zhu Yunwen was already drenched in sweat: "Grandpa..."

"Yunwen, remember this well! The country is of utmost importance."

He didn't say the rest aloud, but Zhu Yunwen already understood its meaning.

He shuddered as he recalled the many amazing things Suning had done over the years.

“But Grandfather,” Zhu Yunwen wanted to argue, “my third brother, after all…”

"After all what? After all, he's your brother?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "Yunwen, remember this! There is no kinship in the royal family! If people aren't ruthless, the country won't be stable!"

These words struck Zhu Yunwen like a thunderclap.

He stared blankly at his grandfather, as if he were seeing this emperor who had ruled the Ming Dynasty for thirty-one years for the first time.

Although he was extremely wary and fearful of his exceptionally talented younger brother, he never considered actually taking his life.

Zhu Yuanzhang, panting heavily, continued to instruct: "Changbai Mountain is located in a remote area. Burying Yuntong there will not only fulfill your brotherly bond but also prevent his tomb from becoming a object of desire for some people. This is the last thing I can do for him."

At this point, the old emperor's tone unusually revealed a hint of sadness: "Yunzhen, that child, is so much like me when I was young. He has courage and means; if he weren't so extreme, he would surely be a wise ruler. What a pity..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Zhu Yunwen understood the implication...

Unfortunately, he was born at the wrong time; unfortunately, he was too outstanding; unfortunately, he threatened the stability of the imperial power.

Su Ning's methods were indeed swift and decisive, but if he were not careful, he would definitely take the Zhu family's lives first.

"Grandson... understands." Zhu Yunwen lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction and took out a secret edict from under his pillow: "This is the last edict I leave for you. After Yuntong... you must personally supervise the transport of his remains to Changbai Mountain for burial. Remember, it must be done in secret and must not be made public."

Zhu Yunwen received the secret decree with trembling hands, feeling as if the thin silk cloth was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Furthermore," Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze suddenly became distant, "don't blame your imperial grandfather for being ruthless. Sitting in this position, one is truly all alone, and many times... there is no other choice."

Zhu Yunwen bowed and left the Jinshen Hall, heading towards the East Palace with mixed feelings.

Throughout the journey, his grandfather's words kept echoing in his mind: "There is no kinship in the royal family... If people are not ruthless, the country will not be stable..."

Inside the Hall of Prudence, Zhu Yuanzhang gazed alone at the dragon-patterned ceiling and sighed softly:

"Yunzhen, don't blame your grandfather. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for being too outstanding. If the Ming Dynasty were handed over to you, it would definitely go out of control. Because your grandfather simply can't see through you!"

At that moment, a tear flashed in the old emperor's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

Instead, what emerged was the unwavering resolve and decisiveness unique to emperors.

In May of the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign, the power transition in the Ming Dynasty had quietly begun.

Meanwhile, the mausoleum, located far away in Changbai Mountain, is under construction and awaits its destined owner.

Zhu Yuanzhang never expected that Changbai Mountain was not some kind of demonic dragon vein, nor did he expect that Liu Jiyuan was Zhao Ling'er's maternal uncle.

Even more unexpectedly, the Changbai Mountain Mausoleum was built continuously and became the first mausoleum in China in the true sense.

……

On the tenth day of the intercalary fifth month of the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign, Nanjing was shrouded in an unusual silence.

Inside the Forbidden City, the Hall of Prudence was filled with kneeling civil and military officials, all eyes fixed on the tightly closed hall door.

Inside the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang lay on the dragon bed, his breathing faint.

Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen knelt before the bed, tightly holding his grandfather's withered hand.

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai, the three regents, stood by with solemn expressions.

"Yunwen..." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was barely audible, "Remember... my instructions..."

"Waaah..." Zhu Yunwen was in tears: "Grandfather, I will remember."

The old emperor's gaze slowly swept over the three ministers, finally settling on Fang Xiaoru: "Minister Fang... I entrust Yunwen to you..."

Fang Xiaoru knelt and kowtowed: "Your subjects will do their utmost to assist the new emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes with satisfaction, but suddenly, he forced them open again and said with his last breath, "And... Yunhu...we weren't right..."

Before he could finish speaking, the old emperor's hand suddenly fell limp, and he was silent.

"Grandfather!" Zhu Yunwen cried out in anguish.

"His Majesty has passed away!" Wang Jinghong, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, cried out in a sob.

In an instant, the sound of weeping filled the hall and its surroundings.

The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty thus ended his legendary life in the intercalary fifth month of the thirty-first year of Hongwu's reign.

According to Zhu Yuanzhang's arrangements before his death, Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne in the Jinshen Hall on the very day his grandfather passed away.

Fang Xiaoru personally drafted the new reign title "Jianwen," meaning "to establish a civilized government." "Your Majesty," Fang Xiaoru addressed the emperor at the first imperial council, "the most urgent task is to stabilize the court. News of the late emperor's passing has spread, and the regional princes are likely..."

Zhu Yunwen, now the Jianwen Emperor, interrupted Fang Xiaoru: "I know. Issue my decree that no prince in any region may leave his fiefdom without permission, and no prince in the capital may leave the capital at will."

Huang Zicheng added: "Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot have reported that the Prince of Yan has been frequently moving troops in Beiping recently, which may indicate some unusual activity."

Emperor Jianwen frowned: "My fourth uncle has been guarding the northern frontier for many years, and it is common for him to mobilize troops. There is no need to worry about it."

At this moment, Qi Tai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the late Emperor instructed us before his death... regarding the matter of the Prince of Wu..."

The hall suddenly became quiet.

Almost everyone knows about Zhu Yuanzhang's cruel last will and testament...

Stopping the supply of century-old ginseng to the King of Wu is tantamount to a death sentence.

Emperor Jianwen remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "Prince Wu is my own younger brother, and he is currently seriously ill in bed. If we cut off his ginseng supply, wouldn't that be taking his life?"

Fang Xiaoru said urgently, "Your Majesty! The late Emperor must have had a deeper meaning in this move! The Prince of Wu has been..."

"No need for further words." Emperor Jianwen waved his hand. "My mind is made up. The supply of the Prince of Wu's century-old ginseng shall continue as before, without any delay."

The three regents looked at each other, but dared not offer any further advice.

Their new ruler always seemed particularly stubborn when it came to matters of family and kinship.

After the court session, Emperor Jianwen went to Fengxian Hall alone.

Gazing at his grandfather's memorial tablet, he murmured to himself:
"Grandfather, please forgive me for not being able to comply. Yunhu is, after all, my own younger brother, and he has been bedridden with serious illness for years. I simply cannot bear to do this..."

At this moment, Wang Jin quietly entered the hall: "Your Majesty, news has come from the Wu Prince's residence that the Wu Prince has suddenly improved somewhat."

Emperor Jianwen was taken aback: "What? He... he's really getting better?"

"The imperial physician said it was a final burst of energy before death," Wang Jin said in a low voice. "However... I always felt something was amiss. The King of Wu has always given me the impression of being infallible."

"You're overthinking it! The King of Wu is bedridden and unlikely to recover. Besides, his banks, trading companies, and servants have all been taken over. Even his greatest support, the noble families of Huaixi, has been destroyed. What do I have to worry about?"

"But……"

Emperor Jianwen pondered for a moment: "No need to say anything more! Prepare the carriage for the Prince of Wu's residence."

"Yes! Your Majesty."

This was Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen's first time leaving the palace after ascending the throne, and also the first time in many years that he had visited his mysterious younger brother.

The Wu Prince's Mansion was still deserted, but it seemed to have become more lively than before.

Upon hearing that the emperor had arrived, Zhao Ling'er hurriedly came out to greet him.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jianwen helped Zhao Ling'er up: "Sister-in-law, please rise. How is Yunhuo today?"

"Your Majesty, the Prince was indeed lucid for a moment today and even asked if there were any major events in the court," Zhao Ling'er said, a strange glint in her eyes.

Emperor Jianwen entered the bedroom and saw Su Ning still lying on the bed, her face pale.

But upon closer inspection, one can see that his breathing is more stable than before.

"Yunwen," Emperor Jianwen said softly, sitting by the bedside, "I've come to see you."

To his surprise, Su Ning's eyelids trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes!
"Second... Brother..." Su Ning's voice was weak, but clearly audible.

Emperor Jianwen was both surprised and delighted: "You...you're really awake!"

“I heard… that my grandfather… has passed away…” Su Ning said haltingly.

Emperor Jianwen grasped his younger brother's hand: "Yes! Next year will be the first year of Jianwen's reign."

A complex look flashed in Su Ning's eyes, then she closed them again, as if she had exhausted all her strength.

After leaving the Prince of Wu's residence, Emperor Jianwen had very mixed feelings.

He was both happy for his brother's improvement and somewhat uneasy.

“Your Majesty,” Huang Zicheng, who was accompanying the emperor, said in a low voice, “the timing of the King of Wu’s awakening is too coincidental. I have a feeling that…”

"There's no need to doubt," Emperor Jianwen interrupted him. "Yun Tong has been seriously ill for many years, but now he is showing some improvement. This is a blessing from Heaven for our Great Ming."

However, when the news reached the Prince of Yan's residence in Beiping, Zhu Di's reaction was quite different.

"What? Yunwen is awake?" Zhu Di sneered. "Hmph! Zhu Yunwen is still too kind."

Yao Guangxiao, fiddling with his prayer beads, said, "Your Highness, this is our chance. The new emperor has disobeyed the late emperor's edict, which is a grave act of filial impiety."

A glint flashed in Zhu Di's eyes: "Send the order to speed up preparations. At the same time...send someone to Nanjing to secretly contact the Prince of Wu."

"But now the King of Wu is a toothless tiger, we..."

"Hmph! Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse! Don't forget that Father Emperor didn't have access to check printing technology when he was alive."

"Is Your Highness eyeing the money exchange and checks?"

"Hmph! Originally, checks were equivalent to gold as hard currency. Now that there is no continuous issuance of new checks, the value of old checks has skyrocketed. The profits here are truly tempting."

"Your Highness is wise."

In the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign, the Ming Dynasty was in turmoil beneath its surface of calm.

News of the new emperor's violation of the late emperor's will spread like wildfire, and the regional princes were all watching and waiting.

The King of Wu, who gradually awakened from his "living dead" state, became the focus of attention from all sides.

Late that night, in a secret chamber of the Wu Prince's mansion, Su Ning was listening to A Fu's report.

"Master, the Prince of Yan's men have already made contact with the Prince's residence. Although Emperor Jianwen has not cut off our ginseng, the surveillance has become even more stringent."

Su Ning smiled slightly: "Of course. But... the real show is just beginning."

"What should we do next?"

“Continue to feign illness.” Su Ning’s gaze was deep. “Make everyone think I’m just having a final burst of energy before death. Wait for the right opportunity…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but the sharpness in his eyes said it all.

With the death of the Hongwu Emperor and the ascension of the Jianwen Emperor, the Ming Dynasty entered a new era.

However, the direction of this new era was quietly changed by a "benevolent" decision by the new emperor.

No one knows what kind of chain reaction this decision will trigger.

But everyone sensed that an even bigger storm was brewing.

...(End of chapter)