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

Chapter 283 The Crown Prince of Han's Deception of the Third Prince

In Xia Yuanji's view, after all, a country with a wise and capable ruler is a blessing for the nation!

Although the Prince of Han is somewhat ambitious and fond of grand achievements, he's also quite easygoing. As long as things go his way, he's definitely a wise ruler! And the Crown Prince of Han is even more so. After long observation, Xia Yuanji has concluded that his son-in-law is deeply versed in the ways of a ruler, adept at both overt and covert strategies, dignified and authoritative, decisive in ruthlessness, yet still compassionate—quite similar to the late Emperor Xiaokang. If he were to become ruler, he would undoubtedly be an unparalleled wise ruler; perhaps he could even recreate the glorious era of the Han and Tang dynasties!
Now that Emperor Renzong has passed away and Emperor Xuande has ascended the throne, Prince Han is still unwilling to accept this, believing himself to be the most suitable person for the throne. Therefore, he has raised an army in rebellion, causing national turmoil. If Prince Han suffers a loss of face and, in his anger, disregards the overall situation and produces such a document, wouldn't that lead to chaos throughout the country?! Just thinking about it makes Xia Yuanji's scalp tingle!

Looking at his son-in-law, the Crown Prince of Han, he had chosen a completely different path to save the country than the Prince of Han. This choice made Xia Yuanji, a traditional Confucian scholar, believe that his son-in-law's path was the most suitable, and it was also what Xia Yuanji admired most about his son-in-law at this moment!
Therefore, looking at what the son-in-law is doing now, it is all an attempt to save the Ming Dynasty:

To prevent turmoil in the Central Plains caused by sudden changes, the son-in-law moved the pilot projects to a corner far from the Ming Dynasty. This expansion also served to prevent the rise of foreign powers and to take preventative measures.

The land reform was an attempt to alleviate the problem of land annexation in the Ming Dynasty;

The purpose of developing ocean-going fleets was threefold: first, to solve financial problems; second, to obtain superior grain seeds from overseas; and third, to provide a way out for the unstable princes of the Ming Dynasty.
The establishment of the military academy can be considered a transformation in terms of military combat capabilities;
The establishment of the cabinet and the planned Grand Council were also intended to prevent civil officials from colluding for personal gain.
Watching his son-in-law's current activities, Xia Yuanji felt that everything his son-in-law was doing was an attempt to save the country! Xia Yuanji's gaze towards his son-in-law suddenly deepened. He suddenly realized that his son-in-law was the most suitable person to inherit the throne of the Ming Dynasty!
Not to mention, according to my son-in-law, with the blessing of this dragon, he can live to be 120 years old! Doesn't that mean that my son-in-law can protect the Ming Dynasty for at least another 100 years?!

"Your Highness, with this document, the future direction of Yunnan's expansion will have to change."

Moreover, Yunnan must also accelerate its expansion. Having completed his self-consolation, Xia Yuanji suddenly became excited. As a high-ranking official who served five emperors—Hongwu, Jianwen, Yongle, Hongxi, and now Xuande—Xia Yuanji seemed to have a deep love for the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, he would definitely assist his son-in-law in saving the Ming Dynasty in his lifetime!
If he is gone, his son and his grandson will take his place. In short, the Xia family will definitely complete the work of redeeming the Ming Dynasty!
"Since Father-in-law understands the seriousness of the matter, that's for the best. So, I'll trouble you to lead the officials of Yunnan in their hard work from now on." Zhu Zhanhe was somewhat taken aback by his father-in-law's sudden enthusiasm. However, although he didn't know the reason, Zhu Zhanhe was still very satisfied with his father-in-law's willingness to work hard.

"A few months ago, when Grand Secretary Yang visited Yunnan, I discussed with him that he would send some scholars over from Yunnan. I would like to ask you, Father-in-law, to take some time to write a letter to Grand Secretary Yang in my name, asking him to send the scholars over as soon as possible, since it has been some time and it is not good to keep delaying."

In addition, there's the matter of the land allocation between civil and military officials in Yunnan. Although the first draft of the plan has been completed and sent to the army, we still need to continue to optimize and revise it. For example, I just thought of something: regarding the land granted to officials based on their positions, should it be revoked after they leave office? For officials who violate laws and regulations while in office, how should the granted land be revoked? How much should be revoked? These are all issues that need to be considered.” Seeing that his father-in-law was full of enthusiasm, Zhu Zhanhe seized the opportunity and quickly put forward some work requirements.

Especially regarding the matter of Yang Shiqi sending people, Xia Yuanji, who was initially excited, was stunned after hearing his son-in-law's words. He thought to himself: Either my son-in-law has gone mad, or Yang Shiqi has gone mad. Given the current situation, my son-in-law is practically openly raising the banner of rebellion, and you, Yang Shiqi, are still sending scholars to Yunnan?
What's wrong with you, Yang Shiqi? Are you afraid the Han Crown Prince's rebellion isn't powerful enough? Or are you afraid he won't beat you enough? Or are you afraid the alligator isn't scary enough? Or perhaps, after seeing the alligator, you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, are planning to hedge your bets? Or maybe you want to send a wife to my son-in-law? Don't even dream about it, my daughter is already the Crown Prince's wife and she's pregnant! In a month or two, she'll give birth to a grandson of the King! You old fool, get lost!

In short, Xia Yuanji appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he had thoroughly criticized Yang Shiqi!
"Your Highness is right. It is indeed a matter concerning the people's livelihood that I have not considered. But please rest assured, Your Highness, I swear on the lives of my entire clan that I will keep this a secret!" After his initial excitement and some mental reflection, Xia Yuanji finally calmed down.

In the instant his emotions calmed down, Xia Yuanji suddenly realized that he seemed to have fallen into a trap set by his son-in-law! Suddenly realizing this, Xia Yuanji felt his head throbbing with blood, and for a moment he felt dizzy and his mentality was about to explode.

The problem is, the son-in-law didn't give him any time to lose his temper; he just started kicking him out on his own.

"Third brother, according to the rules of my Han Prince's Mansion, although you are still a year away from the age of being involved in politics, you are almost an adult. You should gradually begin to participate in some important matters within the manor. Today is your first lesson, and you must remember it well." Zhu Zhanhe turned his gaze to his third brother, Zhu Zhan'an, who was standing to the side. Zhu Zhanhe had thought long and hard about letting his third brother know about the theory of national subjugation in advance. He was worried that his younger brother was too young to keep the secret, and he was also worried that the fact that this matter was too shocking would frighten his brother. But in the end, Zhu Zhanhe decided to tell his third brother this secret to encourage his future growth.

"Brother, Zhan'an has remembered! Zhan'an will definitely keep this a secret." After hearing his elder brother's words, Zhu Zhan'an slowly emerged from his shock and made a firm promise to his elder brother.

"That's good. Remember, the Han Prince's Mansion will never be a rebel, but a pioneer of the Great Ming Dynasty! It is the first and last bulwark of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

My Han Prince's Mansion must pave a path for the Ming Dynasty to survive for ten thousand generations, emerging from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

We may be misunderstood, we may be seen as rebels, we may prosper in the process, or we may fall into the abyss.

If Father succeeds, then you will have to follow the path I am on now, and continue as rebels.

If my father fails, I will succeed him and continue as the greatest rebel of the Ming Dynasty.

And you and your younger siblings are either beneficiaries or victims of this.

But no matter what, my Han Prince's Mansion will not decline or perish. There will always be survivors who will continue to do this!

This Golden Dragon Token is my promise to my grandfather, and the promise of my Han Prince's lineage to never betray the country!

Of course, if my Han Prince's Mansion achieves something in the future, I will allocate all of you younger brothers to the fiefdoms I have developed. No matter how you develop, I will not blame you.

"But third brother, you are the most rational and composed among all my brothers in the Han Prince's Mansion. I hope that our lineage of the Han Prince's Mansion will always be the support of the Ming Dynasty!" Zhu Zhanhe slowly stood up, came to his younger brother, patted his shoulder, and said with a face full of determination and expectation.

(End of this chapter)