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

Chapter 225 Emperor Hongxi's Last Words

Inside the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty.

In recent days, Emperor Hongxi, Zhu Gaochi, has fallen seriously ill and is bedridden, refusing any food or water. Everyone knows that Emperor Hongxi's life is nearing its end, and he is about to pass away!

For this reason, Empress Zhang and cabinet ministers such as Yang Fu have been staying by Emperor Hongxi's bedside day and night for the past few days, ready to receive his last edict at any time.

"Tell me, what's new these past few days?" Emperor Hongxi, lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes. He seemed to have regained some energy after a good night's sleep, so he murmured, asking if any important events had occurred in the court in recent days.

"Your Majesty, everything is going well and nothing serious has happened. You can rest assured and recover!"

The imperial physician said to take it easy on you. Hearing her husband's words, Empress Zhang's eyes instantly welled up with tears, for her husband had finally woken up.

"I know my own body." Looking at his tearful wife, Emperor Hongxi knew the blow his collapse would have on her. He felt a deep sense of guilt towards Empress Zhang, but as the emperor, he had to prioritize the affairs of the state.

"Yang Fu, tell me about the situation of the second and third brothers." Taking advantage of his still lucid state, Emperor Hongxi inquired about the current situation of his two younger brothers who were still rebelling.

"Your Highnesses, please remain in Jinan City." Yang Fu knew that the current Emperor Hongxi should not overexert himself and should rest well, so he swallowed the words that were about to come out.

"Speak, I can handle it." Emperor Hongxi naturally saw that Yang Fu hadn't finished speaking, and immediately thought that some bad news had come, so he asked with difficulty.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Crown Prince of Han." Yang Fu gritted his teeth, knelt respectfully on the ground, and held the letter high in his hand to report to Emperor Hongxi.

"What is it about?" Upon hearing that it was a letter from Zhu Zhanhe, the son of the second son, Emperor Hongxi's eyes darkened. He remained silent for a moment before asking the question.

"The Crown Prince of Han has sent a letter asking the court for ships, saying that Emperor Taizong promised him an entire fleet when he was in power." Yang Fu said, while carefully observing Hong Xi's expression. He didn't want to upset Emperor Hong Xi.

"Yes, that's true." Emperor Hongxi readily admitted to the matter, without denying it.

"Uh~" No one expected Emperor Hongxi to admit this directly, because building an entire fleet would cost a lot of money! The court is currently busy with many affairs, where would they find extra money to build ships?
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Han demands that the court deliver the ships within three months, or he will send troops to seize the lands of Guangdong and Guangxi!"
He stated bluntly that he would only return the lands of Guangdong and Guangxi to the court when the imperial court gave him the boat. Seeing that Emperor Hongxi had acknowledged this, Yang Fu had no choice but to tell Emperor Hongxi the consequences of his actions with a bitter expression.

"Continue." As if he could foresee the future, Emperor Hongxi knew that Yang Fu still had something to say, so he let Yang Fu continue.

"The Crown Prince of Han also gave the court a way out, saying that if the court could send him its existing old fleet and personnel first, he would give the court a period of delay."

However, the specific timeframe for the postponement needs to be discussed in detail with him in person. Given that Emperor Hongxi's health condition prevented him from engaging in prolonged strenuous activity, Yang Fu tactfully and concisely explained Zhu Zhanhe's request.

After hearing Yang Fu's next words, Emperor Hongxi fell into deep thought.

"Say yes!"

Give him everything except Ma Bao and the soldiers on board, including the ship!
"I will arrange for someone to deliver it to him immediately." To everyone's surprise, Emperor Hongxi directly agreed to Zhu Zhanhe's request, an action that stunned everyone in the entire palace.

This Han prince is clearly plotting a rebellion, so why is the emperor so lenient with him?
"Your Majesty...?" Yang Fu, who couldn't understand it at all, finally couldn't help but remind the seriously ill Emperor Hongxi that this thing couldn't be given away, otherwise it would be aiding the enemy!

"Send someone to find the Second Prince and ask him to release Yang Shiqi to talk with the Prince of Han. The Second Prince will agree to this." Emperor Hongxi unexpectedly uttered words that surprised everyone. After all, everyone knew that Yang Shiqi was under house arrest by the Prince of Han. With the two sides at war, how could the Prince of Han possibly release him? Besides, Yang Shiqi was the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet. Releasing Yang Shiqi would be digging a pit for the Prince of Han himself. How could that be possible?
"Have Yang Shiqi tell the Crown Prince that Emperor Taizong will definitely keep his promise. If I die, my son will repay this debt!" Emperor Hongxi spoke haltingly for a long time before finally finishing this complete sentence.

"However, I have one condition. I would like to ask the Crown Prince of Han to show that thing to Yang Shiqi." Emperor Hongxi stopped Yang Fu from speaking further with a look and then said something inexplicable.

"Yes!" Yang Fu had no choice but to agree, even though he didn't know what riddle Emperor Hongxi was playing or what the thing he was talking about was.

"You may all leave. I need to speak with the Empress." Seeing that Yang Fu had agreed, Emperor Hongxi waved his hand to dismiss everyone, leaving only Empress Zhang behind.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing? The second son's son is clearly up to something." Seeing everyone leave, Empress Zhang couldn't help but complain to the ailing Emperor Hongxi. However, her reddened eyes revealed her deep concern for her husband's health.

"Zhang, please listen to me. This is my way of making my final arrangements," Emperor Hongxi said to Empress Zhang, taking a few deep breaths.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You will definitely get better." Upon hearing her husband's words, Empress Zhang burst into tears, her voice trembling with sobs. She took a step forward and held her husband's hand tightly, as if worried that Emperor Hongxi might slip away at any moment.

“Remember, everything I did was for my son.”

"Tell Yang Shiqi that I have written my name on the things he gave me and placed them in the Imperial Ancestral Temple." Emperor Hongxi said to Empress Zhang with difficulty, panting heavily.

"Stop talking, stop talking, you need to rest." Seeing that her husband was still working hard for their son, Empress Zhang burst into tears. She grabbed her husband's hand, wanting to put him back in bed, but Emperor Hongxi refused.

"Listen to me, or it will be too late."

"You must remember what I told you last time, remember it well." Emperor Hongxi said urgently, holding Empress Zhang's hand tightly.

"I'll remember, I'll definitely remember," Empress Zhang said, looking at her eager husband.

"According to my plan, my son is capable of succeeding to the throne, and there is a high chance that he will defeat the second and third sons."

However, there's always a chance of something going wrong.

Remember this: if one day the second son wins, tell your son not to put up any futile resistance. Go find He'er and beg him; he will save our whole family's lives.

"Remember this well!" Emperor Hongxi said to Empress Zhang with difficulty, despite his physical discomfort.

"I remember, I remember." Although shocked by what her husband said, Empress Zhang tried her best to calm down and loudly agreed to what her husband said.

"That's good, that's good. Cough cough cough cough cough." Perhaps having said what he was thinking, Emperor Hongxi finally felt relieved. He let out a long sigh of relief, then coughed loudly, and bright red blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

"Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!" Seeing her husband vomit blood again, Empress Zhang cried out for the imperial physician with a heart full of grief. In an instant, the imperial physicians who were standing outside the palace filed in one after another.

(End of this chapter)