Video Editor

On the 12th day of the intercalary fifth month of the 31st year of the Hongwu reign, Nanjing was shrouded in solemnity.

Zhu Yuanzhang's coffin was placed in Fengtian Hall, with white banners fluttering like a forest and mournful music playing softly.

The entire capital city seemed to be shrouded in an invisible dark cloud. Officials and common people alike were dressed in plain clothes. The usual hustle and bustle of the city was gone, and even the sounds of children playing had disappeared.

Deep within the Wu King's Palace, in a hidden underground chamber, lies a completely different scene.

"Six years! A full six years!" Su Ning stood in the center of the secret room, looking around at the glittering precision instruments and the military maps covering the walls. He finally couldn't help but let out a long breath, his voice echoing in the enclosed space, "We've finally made it through."

His fingers lightly swept across the console, where data streams from all over the Ming Dynasty were pulsating.

The information network he secretly set up six years ago now covers the entire empire like a spider web.

Afu's holographic figure emerged in the darkness, blue light swirling around him: "Master, for the past six years we have walked on thin ice, every step a knife's edge. Now that Zhu Yuanzhang is dead, we can finally catch our breath."

Su Ning walked to a huge bronze mirror and looked at his pale but no longer sickly face in the mirror. He couldn't help but smile bitterly: "These six years of faking illness have been even more difficult than when I was trying to survive in the apocalypse. Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes seem to be able to see through people's hearts... Every time he came to see me, I had to use my Golden Core cultivation to adjust my physiological indicators and create the illusion of being seriously ill."

He recalled that thrilling period in the twenty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign.

The sudden death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao shocked the court and the public, and Zhu Yunwen was subsequently established as the imperial grandson.

At the age of fourteen, he keenly sensed the scrutiny and suspicion in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

"If I hadn't made the decisive decision to feign death and show weakness back then, I probably wouldn't have escaped Zhu Yuanzhang's purge," Su Ning said softly, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes. "This founding emperor never hesitated to deal with anyone who might threaten his imperial power. Zhu Biao's death was too suspicious, and the talent I displayed at that time had already attracted attention."

Afu's data stream flickered: "According to my analysis, there are indeed many suspicious points surrounding the deaths of the three Zhu brothers, Zhu Biao and Zhu Shuang. And the master's choice at the time, from the perspective of survival probability, was the optimal solution."

"Hmph! Zhu Yuanzhang thought he had taken everything from me," Su Ning said with a sneer. "The Ming Dynasty Bank, the Ming Dynasty Trading Company, the Attendant's Office—these industries and organizations that seem to have been taken over by the court—have always been in our own hands."

“Yes, Master,” Afu replied. “Through the talents we have secretly cultivated, the key positions in these institutions are still under our control. In particular, Wang Jin, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, has exceeded expectations and has already taken actual control of the Eastern Depot’s daily operations.”

Just then, a young eunuch walked in and said, "Your Highness, Wang Jin, the head of the Eastern Depot, is secretly requesting an audience."

Su Ning pondered for a moment, then tapped the control panel lightly with his fingers: "Xiao Jinzi has indeed done a good job over the years. From that little eunuch back then to the actual controller of the Eastern Depot today, his growth rate is astonishing."

"Do you want to see him?" Afu asked Su Ning, who was standing to the side, with a puzzled look.

“I’m not going to see him.” Su Ning shook his head. “You should encourage him well and let him continue to serve Emperor Jianwen. After all, our interests are currently aligned with Jianwen’s. Tell him that the Eastern Depot is an important source of information for our Wu Prince’s Mansion. We must ensure that it can be used by Jianwen without posing a threat to our future plans.”

“Understood,” Afu replied. “In addition, Mahe has also expressed his desire to return to the Royal Palace. He has exceptional talent in maritime transport and has accumulated a wealth of overseas resources and connections for us over the years.”

“Not for now.” Su Ning shook his head again. “Now is not the time for us to relax. Tell Ma He to continue to infiltrate between the court and the Prince of Yan’s residence. After all, there are only four years left until the Jingnan Campaign. His position within the court and Zhu Di’s favor are more important to us.”

Afu's data stream flickered: "Has Master decided to intervene in this civil war?"

“It’s not about intervention,” Su Ning’s gaze deepened. He walked to the map of the Ming Dynasty’s territory, his finger sliding from Nanjing to Beiping. “It’s about guidance. Zhu Yunwen is indecisive, and Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and others are too idealistic; Zhu Di is ambitious and has gathered a group of capable ministers and fierce generals around him. This war between uncle and nephew is inevitable. What we need to do is end this war at the lowest possible cost, while also securing the greatest possible benefit for ourselves.”

He walked to a wall and gently pressed a hidden mechanism.

The wall slowly slid open, revealing an even larger space behind it.

This place holds the wealth, weapons, and various advanced equipment that have been secretly accumulated over the past six years...

Some are products of this era, while others were developed by Suning using secret knowledge from his previous life.

“Zhu Yuanzhang thought he had taken everything,” Su Ning said, stroking a set of advanced equipment, the very money-printing machine that Zhu Yuanzhang and the princes of the land had dreamed of. “But he didn’t know that the real power was always hidden underground.”

Afu pulled up a series of data: "According to statistics, we control one-third of the Ming Dynasty's commerce through underground networks, have 275 mid-level generals in the army, and 134 of our people are officials in various regions. In addition, our overseas strongholds have also begun to take shape."

“Not enough.” Su Ning shook his head. “Zhu Di is about to launch his rebellion. We must be fully prepared. Issue the order to activate the second phase of ‘Hidden Dragon Plan.’ Strengthen the infiltration of the northern garrisons, especially the garrisons around the Prince of Yan’s fiefdom.”

"Should we begin to reclaim direct control of the Daming Bank and Mingtang Trading Company?"

"Take it one step at a time," Su Ning instructed. "First, take back 30% to test Emperor Jianwen's reaction. Remember, now is not the time to expose ourselves. Zhu Yunwen has just ascended the throne and is busy consolidating his power. He is not familiar with economic affairs, so this is the best time for us to gradually take back control."

"Yes! Master."

Then Su Ning stood in front of the map of the Ming Dynasty's territory, his gaze falling on the location of Beiping.

"Zhu Di, Zhu Di, do you know that your dream of becoming emperor has long been part of my calculations?" Su Ning murmured to himself. "You will raise an army, you will win the war, but in the end, I will be the one who benefits."

Afu asked, "Why doesn't Master just seize the throne? With our strength, if we launch a coup at the right time, the success rate is no less than 67%."

"The time is not right," Su Ning interrupted. "The Ming Dynasty has just experienced the iron-fisted rule of the Hongwu Emperor and needs time to recuperate. Zhu Yunwen's policy of weakening the princes will cause turmoil, and Zhu Di's Jingnan Campaign will deplete the strength of both sides. As for us..."

His finger lightly touched the location of Yingtian Prefecture, "I will take over everything at the lowest cost when they are both exhausted."

His gaze deepened: "Furthermore, the trajectory of history has its inevitability. What we need to do is not to forcibly change it, but to go with the flow. Zhu Di's uprising against Emperor Jianwen was already morally disadvantageous. What we need to do is further weaken his moral stance and make him bear the infamy of usurping the throne. This time, I will nail Zhu Di to the pillar of shame completely."

With the end of Zhu Yuanzhang's era, Su Ning knew that his own era was quietly dawning.

Sixteen years of patience and sixteen years of planning have finally brought the time to gradually close the net.

In the summer of the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign, beneath the surface of a power shift in the Ming Dynasty, a more covert transfer of power was quietly taking place.

The mastermind behind this transfer was none other than the King of Wu, whom everyone believed was nearing his end.

“The era of Zhu Yuanzhang is over,” Su Ning said softly, gazing at the dragon carving on the ceiling of the secret chamber. “Now, it’s my turn to take the stage.”

The light from the secret room shone on his face, and his eyes, which had once only sought survival, now gleamed with the light of someone who could control the world.

……

On the 16th day of the intercalary fifth month of the 31st year of the Hongwu reign, Nanjing was immersed in a solemn sea of ​​white.

From the Forbidden City to the banks of the Qinhuai River, all shops closed, people wore mourning clothes, and even the most bustling streets were filled with the sound of weeping.

The reason why Emperor Jianwen chose to "bury" Zhu Yuanzhang quickly was entirely in accordance with Zhu Yuanzhang's last will and testament. Before his death, the founding emperor specifically instructed that "the funeral should be simple and the burial should take place in seven days" in order not to cause any unforeseen complications.

Just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the area in front of the Fengtian Hall was already filled with kneeling civil and military officials.

Eighty-one white banners fluttered in the morning breeze, symbolizing the emperor's supreme status.

Ren Hengtai, the Minister of Rites, dressed in the lowest mourning clothes, stood on the steps of the palace and presided over this unprecedented national mourning in a hoarse voice.

"kneel--"

As the long, drawn-out chants of the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs proclaimed, millions of people throughout Nanjing, from princes to commoners, knelt down in unison.

Amidst mournful music, Zhu Yuanzhang's coffin was slowly carried out of Fengtian Hall by 128 Imperial Guards.

Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen, dressed in the heaviest mourning clothes and carrying a mourning staff, walked at the very front of the coffin.

His face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and every step he took was unusually heavy.

Behind him, representatives of the various vassal kings lined up in order, each with a complex and indescribable expression.

"Grandfather..." Zhu Yunwen looked at the enormous coffin and couldn't help but sob softly.

His grandfather, whom he both revered and relied on, eventually left him.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the back of the group.

A plain sedan chair sped by and stopped in front of the ceremonial procession.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and a pale-faced Su Ning staggered out, supported by Princess Zhao Ling'er of Wu.

"Third brother?" Zhu Yunwen looked at his younger brother in surprise, who was said to be poisoned to the point of having reached his lungs.

Su Ning pushed away the people helping him up and knelt down with difficulty: "Your Majesty, I have come to see you off on your final journey..."

His voice was weak but firm, each word sounding as if he had used all his strength.

Zhao Ling'er quickly knelt down beside him to support him, tears welling in her eyes.

This scene moved all the civil and military officials present.

Even the civil officials who had always been at odds with Suning couldn't help but nod slightly.

"Yunwen," Zhu Yunwen stepped forward to support his younger brother, "You are not fully recovered, why force yourself?"

Su Ning looked up, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. These days I have been bedridden and have thought about it repeatedly. If I cannot even see you off on this final journey, how will I have the face to meet Your Majesty in the afterlife?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's eyes welled up with tears: "It's rare to see such filial piety in you. But your health..."

"Your Majesty, rest assured," Zhao Ling'er said softly from the side, "Since the Prince insisted on coming, the imperial physician has already prepared the medicine, and I will also take care of him personally."

At this moment, Qi Tai whispered to Huang Zicheng beside him, "The King of Wu's move is quite unexpected."

Huang Zicheng stroked his beard thoughtfully: "Perhaps it's genuine, or perhaps it's an act. But its appearance at this time is certainly intriguing."

Under their watchful eyes, Su Ning, supported by Zhao Ling'er, struggled to stand back in the funeral procession.

The funeral procession continued.

Wherever the coffin passed, the cries of the people shook the heavens.

Many elderly people knelt by the roadside, holding household registration certificates issued during Zhu Yuanzhang's reign, crying out, "Lord Hongwu is gone!"

These common people may not understand the power struggles of the imperial court, but they clearly remember that it was this Hongwu Emperor who implemented the "equalization of land tax and poll tax," freeing them from the burden of unfair taxes; it was this Hongwu Emperor who severely punished corrupt officials, allowing them to live and work in peace and contentment.

When the coffin arrived at Hongwu Gate, an unexpected scene unfolded. Thousands of disabled veterans spontaneously gathered on both sides of the city gate. Some of them were missing limbs, and some were blind, but they were all neatly dressed in their old military uniforms.

"Your Majesty! Your old ministers have come to see you off!" a one-eyed veteran cried out hoarsely, kowtowing heavily to the ground.

Immediately afterwards, all the veterans shouted in unison, "Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!"

This shocking scene brought tears to the eyes of many officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed harsh on meritorious officials, but he always treated ordinary soldiers well.

These veterans were all his old subordinates who fought alongside him to conquer the country.

Zhu Yunwen was deeply moved and said to Fang Xiaoru beside him, "Sir, you can see how much prestige the Emperor has in the army."

Fang Xiaoru bowed and replied, "Emperor Taizu conquered the world on horseback and shared weal and woe with his soldiers, which is why he won the hearts of the army. Your Majesty should take this as a lesson."

Su Ning watched all this silently from the ranks, and whispered to Zhao Ling'er, "These veterans are the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhao Ling'er said softly, "Your Highness is right. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Emperor Taizu understood this principle well."

The coffin was eventually placed in the Hall of Offering at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, which will be Zhu Yuanzhang's final resting place.

Inside the ancestral hall, incense smoke swirled and the chanting of sutras continued.

High-ranking monks and Taoist priests from all over the country gathered here to chant sutras for the legendary emperor.

Emperor Jianwen personally offered incense to his grandfather, Zhu Yuanzhang. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's memorial tablet, he finally couldn't help but burst into tears.

This seemingly weak young emperor revealed his true nature at this moment.

"Grandfather, your grandson will definitely protect the Ming Dynasty that you have built."

A small incident occurred during the final stages of the funeral.

When the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was about to read out the list of funerary items, Emperor Jianwen suddenly waved his hand to stop him.

"My grandfather was frugal in life, so his burial items should be simple." He looked at the representatives of the vassal kings present, "What do you gentlemen think?"

This is a very meaningful move.

Zhu Yuanzhang did advocate frugality during his lifetime, but imperial funerals have always been strictly regulated.

Emperor Jianwen's actions were both a respect for his grandfather's wishes and a demonstration of the new dynasty's benevolent rule to the world.

The Prince of Yan, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Di's eldest son, was the first to express his opinion: "Your Majesty is wise, and my father often taught us to emulate the frugality of our ancestor, Taizu."

The Prince of Ning's representative then said, "His Majesty's compassion for the people's strength is truly the act of a wise ruler."

Other representatives of the vassal kings echoed this sentiment.

Only Su Ning's eyes flashed with a strange light when he heard these words.

After the funeral, the princes rested briefly in a side hall.

Zhu Yunwen came to Su Ning's side and asked with concern, "Third brother, is your body still holding up?"

Su Ning forced a smile: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I can still manage."

"I have ordered the imperial physicians to wait in the Wuying Hall. They will come to examine your pulse in a little while."

"Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated." Su Ning paused, then added, "Your Majesty's decision to stop the reading of the list of burial goods was indeed wise. If my grandfather were alive, he would surely be pleased."

Zhu Yunwen sighed, "My grandfather was frugal his whole life; how can I, for my own selfish reasons, burden the people and waste resources? But..."

He hesitated.

"Is Your Majesty worried that your uncles might have objections?" Su Ning asked softly.

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly: "With the reduction of the power of the princes imminent, I must be cautious."

Su Ning pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the matter of reducing the power of the princes should be handled slowly rather than hastily. The princes have guarded the borders for many years and have made great contributions to the country. If we act too hastily, I fear that something unforeseen may happen."

These words surprised Zhu Yunwen: "Third brother has always advocated strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches, why today...?"

"I am speaking on the matter at hand," Su Ning coughed a few times, "Now that the overall situation has been initially stabilized, stability should be the priority."

At this moment, Fang Xiaoru stepped forward and took over the conversation: "King Wu is mistaken. Precisely because a new ruler has ascended the throne, it is even more important to act decisively and establish authority."

Su Ning glanced at Fang Xiaoru and said calmly, "Scholar Fang is well-versed in the classics and history, and should know the lessons of the Rebellion of the Seven States during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han."

Fang Xiaoru disagreed: "Times have changed. Now His Majesty's rule is legitimate, and the people's hearts are with him. How can he be compared to Emperor Jing of the past?"

Seeing that a dispute was about to break out, Zhu Yunwen quickly smoothed things over: "Both of you are thinking of the country. Let's discuss this matter later. Third brother is not feeling well, so please go back and rest first."

Su Ning did not insist and took his leave with Zhao Ling'er's help.

Stepping outside the palace, Zhao Ling'er whispered, "Why did Your Highness speak up for the vassal king just now?"

Su Ning smiled slightly: "I wasn't speaking for the vassal kings, I was speaking for the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Jianwen is impatient, and Fang Xiaoru is too idealistic. If we really force Fourth Uncle to rebel, the world will surely be in chaos."

"Then why doesn't Your Highness just say so?"

“It’s too early to say these things now. Jianwen is in high spirits and won’t listen to any dissenting opinions.” Su Ning glanced back at the majestic palace. “Just wait and see, this storm has only just begun.”

The funeral lasted for seven days.

For seven days, Nanjing was brightly lit every night as the people spontaneously kept vigil to bid farewell to this legendary emperor.

Late on the seventh night, after the last group of officials had left, Su Ning remained alone in the Hall of Offerings.

He dismissed his attendants and knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang's spirit tablet.

“Grandpa,” his voice was no longer weak, “you have finally left us.”

The flickering candlelight reflected his complex expression.

“Do you know? Over the years, your grandson has been afraid every day, afraid of being seen through by you, afraid of following in the footsteps of those meritorious officials.” He gently stroked the coffin. “But now, your grandson misses you a little.”

He took out a memorial from his bosom and gently placed it before the altar: "These are some new policies that your grandson has been secretly implementing over the years. I had intended to present them to you for your review... but unfortunately, there will be no more opportunity."

The memorial records various measures such as improving agricultural tools, building water conservancy projects, and promoting new crops, all of which Su Ning secretly implemented through Mingtang Trading Company during his years of feigning illness.

“You always say that your grandson is too radical, but do you know? If the Ming Dynasty does not change, what will happen a hundred years from now…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but just kowtowed deeply.

When he walked out of the ancestral hall, Zhao Ling'er was waiting outside.

Seeing his bloodshot eyes, she didn't ask anything, but silently draped his outer robe over his shoulders.

“Ling’er,” Su Ning said softly, “from today onwards, we will no longer have to live such a hard life.”

Zhao Ling'er nestled in his arms: "As long as I'm with Your Highness, I never feel tired."

The funeral of the Hongwu Emperor marked the end of an era.

But none of those present knew that this funeral also heralded the beginning of a new era...

An era rife with undercurrents and uncertainties.

In Beiping, after receiving a detailed report on the funeral, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, had an in-depth discussion with his advisor, Yao Guangxiao.

"Yunwen does have a bit of his father's boldness," Zhu Di said, handing the secret report to Yao Guangxiao.

After carefully reading it, Yao Guangxiao pondered and said, "The new emperor dares to change the regulations for burial upon his ascension to the throne, which is indeed remarkable. However, what concerns me more is the behavior of the Prince of Wu."

Zhu Di raised an eyebrow: "Yun Tong? What happened to him?"

"It is reported that the King of Wu openly opposed the policy of hastily reducing the power of the vassal states at the funeral and had a dispute with Fang Xiaoru."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di laughed loudly: "This kid has learned to assess the situation."

Yao Guangxiao, however, looked grave: "Your Highness, you should not be underestimated. For years, the Prince of Wu has feigned illness to avoid trouble, but secretly he has been promoting new policies through his business guilds. His ambitions are not small. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, he dares to speak frankly. There must be something fishy about this."

"It's alright! Yunhu has already been thoroughly exploited by Father. No matter how talented he is, he can't cause any trouble."

"Your Highness, the most troublesome thing is that the Wu Prince's Mansion seems to be completely unresponsive to our attempts to contact them."

"Hmph! It's alright! He'll come to his senses; after all, he's a vassal king himself."

Zhu Di paced to the window, gazing at the southern sky and muttering to himself, "Father, rest assured! This Ming Dynasty will not be ruined in the hands of that brat Yunwen."

Yao Guangxiao smiled knowingly: "What does Your Highness mean?"

"Yunwen is eager to reduce the power of the princes, which will surely cause chaos. At that time..." Zhu Di did not finish his sentence, but the ambition in his eyes was already obvious.

The Hongwu era has come to an end, but the story of the Ming Dynasty has only just begun its most exciting chapter.

...(End of chapter)