Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 181 Prince Zhao's Request
“He’er…” Upon hearing his son’s words, the Prince of Han was clearly still unwilling. He opened his mouth anxiously, about to continue persuading his son, but was stopped by the Prince of Zhao.

"Second Prince, let He'er decide on this matter!" Prince Zhao reached out to stop Prince Han, who was about to speak, but was met with a furious glare from Prince Han.

"Third brother, you..." Prince Han looked at Prince Zhao in disbelief. You said before that He'er had a dragon, which was the best thing to do. Why are you unwilling to do it now that we're dealing with important matters?!

"Second Prince, we must do our best to ensure the success of this operation! If we fail, He'er will be the last hope for our families!" Prince Zhao gave the most reasonable explanation to the angry Prince Han.

"Hmph!" Prince Han glared fiercely at his third son, Prince Zhao, then turned and glared at his precious son before letting out an angry snort and leaving with a resentful look.

"He'er, I will speak to the Princess. He'er is still young. I will entrust the affairs of the Third Uncle's Prince's Mansion to him!" Looking at his composed nephew, Prince Zhao thought of his family members and actually bowed to his nephew.

"Third Uncle, Third Uncle, please don't do this!" Zhu Zhanhe was startled by his Third Uncle's stubborn actions and quickly stepped forward to help him up.

“He’er, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart.”

I've lived most of my life and have seen four emperors of my Great Ming Dynasty!

"I never imagined that I would only realize in my old age that you are actually the most suitable person in my Zhu family to be emperor!" Prince Zhao looked at his nephew with a strange expression.

"Third Uncle..." Zhu Zhanhe was about to speak when Prince Zhao stopped him again.

"Let your third uncle finish speaking."

I won't comment on my grandfather.

My father, the Yongle Emperor, was eager to prove himself. To put it bluntly, he was a tyrant. It was only because his eldest son helped him that he was able to turn the court upside down.

Your uncle is kind-hearted, but too weak; a ruler who only guards the city!
The eldest son's youngest son may seem unruly, but he is actually the most obedient and doesn't listen to advice! Moreover, he has a bland temperament and will never amount to anything!

Only you, with your literary and military talents, lofty ambitions, and possession of a true dragon, still value family ties so much.

"If it were your father, he would probably have made a huge scene by now!" Prince Zhao looked at his calm nephew and sighed inwardly, admiring him: "This is the composure of a towering mountain!"

Prince Zhao reached out again, stopping Zhu Zhanhe from saying what he was about to say.

“He’er, your father has a very strange temper. I’m not sure if it will work this time, but my brother and I will do our best!”
If it works out, that would be the best outcome. If it doesn't, at least we still have you, who can guarantee the safety of our family!

Finally, Uncle has one more thing to ask of you! After a long preamble, Prince Zhao finally revealed his true thoughts.

"Please speak, Third Uncle." Zhu Zhanhe did not refuse and directly asked his Third Uncle, Prince Zhao.

"If your father and I fail this time, your third uncle knows you will definitely have other ideas. Please take your third uncle with you then!" Prince Zhao looked at Zhu Zhanhe with eager anticipation in his eyes.

"Don't worry, He'er, your third uncle won't eat and stay for free."

I have already asked your aunt to take inventory of all the gold, silver and valuables in the Prince's mansion, and some of them have already been sent there.

The eunuch you sent to build the ship, your third uncle has cleaned up his mess and even sent a group of offending shipwrights to him. Your third uncle doesn't ask for anything else, but for your father's sake, please, He'er, help your third uncle out!" Prince Zhao sincerely expressed his sincerity and bowed to Zhu Zhanhe again.

After taking a deep look at his third uncle, Zhu Zhanhe remained silent for a long time before finally helping Prince Zhao to his feet.

"Third Uncle, the late Emperor ascended the throne at the age of forty-two. If you trust me, I will give you a great gift before you reach that age!" Zhu Zhanhe's mind raced. In the end, he made a promise to Prince Zhao.

After all, if we accidentally conquer too many territories in the future, we'll need countless people to manage them! And my third uncle, Prince Zhao, is an invaluable talent!

"He'er, your third uncle is grateful!" Although it was just a verbal promise, Prince Zhao was still overjoyed, and his beaming smile was impossible to hide.

"Alright, Third Uncle, let's go back. We've been out for quite a while now."

"Besides, it's time for the night's prayers to begin." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his cheerful third uncle, then looked up at the moon in the sky, and couldn't help but remind his third uncle that they had been out for quite some time.

"Yes, yes, He'er is right, let's go back now!"
"Third Uncle has gone ahead!" Prince Zhao, whose face was full of excitement, reacted after hearing his nephew's words. He immediately adjusted his emotions, greeted his nephew, and left first. After all, it was better to go separately to avoid any misunderstandings.

Watching his third uncle, Tong Wandou, leave, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but sigh. His third uncle truly lived up to his reputation as someone who had commanded the Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years; this intelligence was no joke...

On the other side, Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji, who had been kneeling all day and was walking with difficulty, was summoned by Emperor Hongxi and was receiving a verbal reprimand.

"...Don't act rashly at this time!"
"Your second and third uncles came wearing soft armor!" Emperor Hongxi took a sip of the tea his son handed him, easing his heavy cough, and said to the Crown Prince with a solemn and earnest expression.

Clearly, Emperor Hongxi was fully aware of the purpose of the armed guards that the Crown Prince had arranged for him to be stationed in the mourning hall.

"Father, Second Uncle and Third Uncle will not let this go!" After hearing Emperor Hongxi's words, Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji excitedly got up from the edge of Emperor Hongxi's bed, looked around, and then went to his father's ear, frowning and saying with a murderous look on his face.

"Then this seat is for you, okay?" Although it was a question, Emperor Hongxi's anger was directed straight at Zhu Zhanji, causing the originally murderous Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji to lower his head, bow his body, slowly take a few steps back, and then kneel down on the ground, looking at Emperor Hongxi with pleading eyes.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough," Emperor Hongxi coughed a few times, perhaps angered by his son, but the coughs were deeply suppressed, as if he was afraid of being discovered.

"Back then, your grandfather made a blood oath with the four of us."

"Anyone who kills another member of the Zhu family will die young! Do you really not want to live anymore?!" Looking at his still stubborn son, Emperor Hongxi sighed inwardly and couldn't help but try to persuade him again. He truly did not want his son to kill his own family.

However, such persuasion was clearly useless, and Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji still looked unconvinced.

Seeing his son's stubborn expression, Emperor Hongxi's expression changed several times.

"We'd rather let them rebel first than let us strike first!" After his eyes darted around a few times, Emperor Hongxi lowered his voice and said to his son Zhu Zhanji in a rather irritable tone.

Upon hearing his father, Emperor Hongxi's, words, Zhu Zhanji's expression froze. He looked up at his father with disbelief and incomprehension.

"Otherwise, the first thing I will do in my new policies is to remove you from your position as crown prince!" Looking at his stubborn son who still refused to admit defeat, Emperor Hongxi sighed deeply and said something that made Zhu Zhanji lose his composure, so much so that Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji fell to the ground in fright.

(End of this chapter)