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

Chapter 201 Emperor Hongxi: Send the invitation to the Prince of Han!

Under the dazed gaze of Emperor Hongxi, Zhu Zhanhe quickly and completely integrated the alligator dragon into his body like flowing water!

"Hoo~" As the boundless power that the alligator dragon merged into his body once again gathered throughout his body, Zhu Zhanhe felt completely comfortable and couldn't help but let out a long breath.

Then, Zhu Zhanhe silently put all the clothes he had taken off back on, one by one.

"Uncle, today's matters are almost settled. I'm preparing to return to the Prince's Mansion, otherwise Mother will worry."

However, before leaving, the nephew still had something to say to his uncle. Zhu Zhanhe looked up at the sky outside and realized that it was already past noon. He then said that he had to go home. But before leaving the palace, Zhu Zhanhe decided to say a few more words to Emperor Hongxi.

"He'er, please speak." Emperor Hongxi paused for a moment when he saw his nephew's slightly serious face, and then asked.

"Uncle did a good job in sending the Crown Prince to Nanjing. At least it ensured that the seven southern provinces would not descend into chaos. But Uncle must bring the Crown Prince back in time to prevent any other trouble from arising!"

Also, regarding my father and third uncle, I urge my eldest uncle to make it clear to the Crown Prince that if he ascends the throne in the future, he must not harm their lives.

When my grandfather was alive, he would think of the bond between father and son; when my eldest uncle was alive, he would think of the bond between brothers. That's why my father and third uncle have been able to remain active despite their repeated actions, because they know they are definitely not going to die.

However, if the crown prince succeeds to the throne, although family ties will remain, things will be uncertain.

Therefore, Your Highness should at least remember your original vow and act with caution!
That's all I have to say. Please take care, Uncle.

"My nephew is in the Prince's mansion, waiting for good news from his uncle!" Zhu Zhanhe clearly told Emperor Hongxi, "I know the reason why you sent the Crown Prince to Nanjing!"
Besides, I know your health isn't good, so you should make preparations in advance!
At the same time, please also tell His Highness the Crown Prince that, for whatever reason, he must spare the lives of my father and my third uncle, the Prince of Zhao!
After speaking, Zhu Zhanhe bowed to Emperor Hongxi, then ignored Fan Zhong's uneasy expression and went straight out the door.

"He'er..." Upon hearing his nephew's words, Emperor Hongxi looked troubled. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say, and could only watch helplessly as Zhu Zhanhe left.

Emperor Hongxi actually knew that his nephew was telling the truth, and that sending the crown prince to Nanjing was to stabilize the seven southern provinces.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince's trip to Nanjing was also intended to curb his ambitions and prevent him from constantly thinking about fighting and killing. Emperor Hongxi was also well aware that, given the Crown Prince's temperament, if the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao were to cause any more trouble, he would likely face certain death!

"Cough cough cough cough..." The violent coughing revealed Emperor Hongxi's frail health and the complex thoughts in his mind.

"Fan Zhong, let's go back to the study!"
At the same time, summon Grand Secretary Yang. "Seeing that his nephew had already left, Emperor Hongxi's eyes were filled with indescribable emotions."

Emperor Hongxi picked up the incomprehensible imperial edict from the altar and walked towards the study...

Soon, Yang Shiqi rushed to the Imperial Study to meet Emperor Hongxi.

"Your subject, Yang Shiqi, pays his respects to Your Majesty." Yang Shiqi arrived at the Imperial Study looking exhausted, but still respectfully kowtowed to Emperor Hongxi.

"Grand Secretary Yang, please get up."

"I have a question for you during this audience." Emperor Hongxi sat upright on the soft couch that Emperor Yongle had once sat on, looking at the exhausted Yang Shiqi, a slight hint of guilt appearing on his face. Then, Emperor Hongxi gestured to a eunuch beside him and began to speak.

"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, please give your instructions. I will answer any questions you may have!" Yang Shiqi slowly got up from the ground, looked at the chair that the eunuch had brought over, straightened his clothes, and slowly sat down in the chair, telling Emperor Hongxi to ask whatever questions he had.

Emperor Hongxi waved his hand again to the eunuchs beside him. The eunuchs immediately understood and filed out one by one. A moment later, only Emperor Hongxi and Yang Shiqi remained in the study.

"Grand Secretary Yang, did the late Emperor have any further instructions regarding this edict?" Now that Emperor Hongxi had confirmed the authenticity of the edict, given his cautious nature, he naturally wanted to ask again.

"Your Majesty, the late Emperor gave other instructions." In fact, after questioning the summoning eunuch, Yang Shiqi already knew that Emperor Hongxi had summoned the Crown Prince of Han today, so he was not surprised by the Emperor's question. "The late Emperor once said that this edict could quell the Prince of Han's rebellion, but both the Prince of Han and the Crown Prince of Han must be present!"

The late emperor said that this edict should be passed down to future generations! If future emperors approve of this edict, they should sign their names to show it to posterity…! At this point, Yang Shiqi no longer concealed anything and spoke frankly to Emperor Hongxi.

"I understand!"
"I have a few things I need Grand Secretary Yang's attention on." After hearing Yang Shiqi's words, the image of the terrifying alligator dragon reappeared in Emperor Hongxi's mind, and he couldn't help but understand the good intentions of the late Emperor Yongle.

"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing that Emperor Hongxi had work to assign, Yang Shiqi quickly bowed and stood up to listen.

"It's alright, it's alright!" Emperor Hongxi gestured for Yang Shiqi to sit down and not to be so nervous.

"The first thing the late emperor did was to order the Ministry of Works to build another fleet for voyages to the Western Ocean."

This matter must not be neglected and must be completed as soon as possible. Emperor Hongxi ultimately agreed to Zhu Zhanhe's request to sail to sea, after all, he also felt that such a powerful dragon remaining in the capital posed too great a threat!

Although Emperor Hongxi sincerely wanted to keep the dragon, he gave up the idea due to practical considerations.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yang Shiqi was taken aback by Emperor Hongxi's request, but he still respectfully agreed.

"The second matter. The late emperor had arranged a marriage between the crown prince and the heir apparent, stipulating that the marriage would take place after the prince returned from the expedition to the northern desert. However, due to the complexities of the battle in the northern desert, the marriage was delayed by many matters."

Although the second son is causing trouble for the court again, the child is not at fault and has indeed reached the age to get married.

"You shall instruct the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the marriage of the Crown Prince of Han with the standards due to a prince, and the expenses shall be borne by the state!" Emperor Hongxi decided to hold a wedding for Zhu Zhanhe, with the state taking the lead in organizing it.

"Your Majesty...?!" Yang Shiqi stared dumbfounded at Emperor Hongxi, utterly bewildered: Has Your Majesty gone mad? The Prince of Han is currently rebelling! And you still want to hold a wedding for his son? And the state will pay for it? What are you thinking?

"When the Han prince went to the grasslands, he made great contributions, and the court should not fail to reward him for his merits."

"That's settled then!" Faced with Yang Shiqi's bewilderment, Emperor Hongxi gave a plausible reason.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yang Shiqi realized that Emperor Hongxi was still trying to win over the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao, which was why he was arranging the wedding for the Crown Prince of Han. Therefore, despite his deep dissatisfaction, Yang Shiqi still agreed.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing!" Emperor Hongxi seemed to suddenly remember something and spoke to Yang Shiqi again. Upon seeing this, Yang Shiqi quickly listened respectfully.

"Didn't you ask me to go and negotiate with the King of Han and the King of Zhao? I agree to this!"
"Before you go, make sure you've arranged the wedding ceremony for the Crown Prince of Han and submit it to me." Emperor Hongxi then brought up Yang Shiqi's request to negotiate peace with the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao. Upon hearing this, even Yang Shiqi thought to himself: Your Majesty, you really make the best use of everyone, sending me to my death after I've finished arranging the wedding ceremony for the Crown Prince of Han.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yang Shiqi had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

"And another thing," Emperor Hongxi began to ramble on again, and Yang Shiqi had no choice but to continue listening.

"I remember that there are still several jars of fine wine buried in the second prince's mansion. He said that they are for drinking when there are happy events in the mansion in the future."

Before you go, remember to dig out a jar of broth from the Prince of Han's mansion and bring it to the second son. After all, it's his son's wedding. Even if he, as the father, doesn't come back, he can still attend the wedding banquet.

Oh, and write out the wedding invitations. Give one to him and one to the third son.

"Regardless of the circumstances, one of them is the father, and the other is the third uncle. Whether they come or not, we must inform them of this child's marriage," Emperor Hongxi said to Yang Shiqi with a slight smile.

(End of this chapter)