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

Chapter 312 Brother Yu, The Last Gift

"Is His Majesty trying to use benefits to keep His Highness the Crown Prince of Han in check?!" Suddenly, Yu Qian recalled the massive ocean-going fleet that His Majesty had sent to Yunnan some time ago, and the fact that His Majesty had turned a blind eye to the Crown Prince of Han's occupation of Annam. He couldn't help but understand the mystery behind it!
"Using benefits to entangle my son?"
Brother Yu, you're overthinking it!
That brat on the throne now can't afford to offend my Prince Han's son!
"He's just trying to win him over!" The Prince of Han said with even more pride in his son, Yu Qian, who was quite astonished.

"Brother Yu, do you believe it or not, if the current emperor dares to have even the slightest thought of taking action against the Prince of Han's Mansion in Yunnan, the first to object to him will definitely be the cabinet of our Great Ming Dynasty?"

"They might even risk their lives to remonstrate with the cabinet!" Seeing the somewhat incredulous look in Yu Qian's eyes, the Prince of Han, holding a wine cup, half-reclined on the small couch, continued to speak to Yu Qian with a cheerful smile.

"What?" Yu Qian was completely dumbfounded by the words of the Prince of Han. He couldn't understand where the Prince of Han got such confidence. Was he just talking nonsense after drinking too much?

"Hehe~, Brother Yu, that's enough, I can't say any more, it's not good for you to say too much."

When you, Brother Yu, one day take up the position of Grand Secretary, you will naturally know some more secret things!
"After you finish this cup of wine, Brother Yu, go back. Don't come here again starting tomorrow! Lest you be impeached for colluding with me, a vassal king." The Prince of Han looked at Yu Qian's dazed expression and couldn't help but want to laugh. So the Prince of Han picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup of wine, and then poured a cup of wine for Yu Qian. Only then did he realize that the wine in the pot was now completely empty.

With a "crack," the Prince of Han flung the empty wine jug away without a second thought. The jug landed on the ground and shattered into pieces.

Then, the Prince of Han, holding a wine cup, gently touched it to Yu Qian, who was still holding a wine cup in a daze. After that, the Prince of Han threw the empty wine cup away.

"Crack!" The sound of the wine glass shattering on the ground seemed to startle Yu Qian from his wandering thoughts. Yu Qian blankly finished his wine, then walked out with the empty glass in his hand, forgetting even to say goodbye to the Prince of Han.

"Brother Yu!" Seeing Yu Qian's dazed expression, the Prince of Han gritted his teeth and called out to Yu Qian again.

"Your Highness~" Upon hearing the Prince of Han's call, Yu Qian quickly turned around, staring at the Prince of Han with a tense expression, still looking puzzled and thoughtful.

"Brother Yu, you can call me Brother Zhu. Before we part, let me give you one last gift." Then, the Prince of Han gently took a beautifully crafted, bright yellow brass ring from his own hand and solemnly placed it in Yu Qian's hand. He then held Yu Qian's hands tightly, gripping the ring firmly in his grasp.

Yu Qian watched the Prince of Han's actions with confusion. He was surprised by the exquisite brass ring. Did it have some special meaning? Why was the Prince of Han taking it so seriously?
"Brother Yu, my daughter is getting married, and as her father, I don't have much to give as a dowry. So please accept this ring as a gift."

"If one day you see my brat, as long as he sees this ring, he will definitely make up for the poor girl's dowry!" The Prince of Han held Yu Qian's hand tightly and said to him solemnly.

However, seeing the extremely solemn look on the Prince of Han's face, Yu Qian knew in his heart that the ring he was holding in his hand must be extraordinary!
"Alright, Brother Zhu, I will definitely keep this safe." After the Prince of Han released his hand, Yu Qian was about to put the ring into his pocket, but the Prince of Han stopped him.

"Brother Yu, you must always carry this with you."

"You must observe carefully everywhere, and you will discover some interesting things!" Prince Han said mysteriously to Yu Qian, as if he had thought of something interesting. Prince Han couldn't help but chuckle.

"Uh~~" Looking at the mysterious look on the Prince of Han's face, Yu Qian couldn't help but want to ask something more, but the Prince of Han stopped him directly.

"Brother Yu, I won't see you off!" Prince Han knew exactly what Yu Qian wanted to ask, but he had no intention of explaining. Instead, he directly urged Yu Qian to leave, not giving him a chance to speak, and turned his back on him.

"Brother Zhu, take care!" Seeing the way the Prince of Han was trying to drive him away, Yu Qian could only suppress his questions and leave the Prince of Han's residence with a face full of doubt.

"I still have a chance, I still have a chance~" Watching Yu Qian's departing figure, the Prince of Han's eyes gradually became serious, and he muttered to himself in a frenzied manner.

Of course, Prince Zhao also received news of the birth of the eldest grandson of the Prince of Han's mansion. However, he also received another message from Zhu Zhanhe. "That brat, he actually asked me about my two daughters' marriages!" Prince Zhao looked at the letter from his nephew in Yunnan. On one hand, he envied his second son for having a grandson. On the other hand, Prince Zhao was also thinking about the marriages of the two daughters he had sent to Yunnan.

After all, thinking about it carefully, both daughters were already thirteen or fourteen years old, and it was time for them to get engaged. Moreover, since this brat from the second son's family had written to inquire, he, as the father, really had to think about it carefully for his daughter. After all, she was his own daughter, and Prince Zhao cared about her very much.

"What should we do? Are there any good candidates?" Prince Zhao sat at his desk, pen in hand, his face full of thought.

time flies.

In Yunnan, Zhu Zhanhe was playing with his son with his wife when suddenly Liu Erniu came running over from a distance.

"Your Highness, an urgent message from the Embroidered Uniform Guard!" Liu Erniu knelt before Zhu Zhanhe and said respectfully.

"Oh~" Zhu Zhanhe looked at Liu Erniu with some surprise, but still handed his son to his wife Xia, who came to take the child.

Taking advantage of his wife picking up the child, Zhu Zhanhe subtly scratched her palm, treating it as a casual touch. Afterwards, Zhu Zhanhe calmly read the secret letter from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but upon looking up, he couldn't help but frown.

"Go to Chengyun Hall and summon Minister Xia and Minister Mu!" Zhu Zhanhe frowned, clutching the letter in his hand, and decided to discuss the matter with them.

"Respectfully seeing off Your Highness!" As her husband hurriedly departed, Princess Xia, holding her child, blushed slightly but still very tactfully saw him off.

Inside the Chengyun Hall.

"Father-in-law, Uncle Mu."

Urgent message from the Embroidered Uniform Guard: The Oirat Mongols have invaded, and the Emperor has decided to personally lead the campaign! Looking at the two mature and prudent elders in front of him, Zhu Zhanhe clearly explained the urgent message from the Embroidered Uniform Guard in one sentence and looked forward to hearing their opinions.

"The imperial court will surely win this battle!"
The current army of the imperial court consists of the old guard left by Emperor Taizong. Now the emperor also has the armies of the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao, so it can be said that he has the military strength of the whole country at his disposal.

Moreover, during Emperor Renzong's reign, he halted a large amount of construction work, leaving behind a considerable amount of money and grain.

The imperial court is now well-equipped with troops and supplies, making this battle a foregone conclusion. Mu Sheng has a thorough understanding of the imperial court's situation, so his analysis is sharp and insightful.

"Is Your Highness worried about the Prince?" Xia Yuanji keenly sensed his son-in-law's unusual mindset and asked softly.

“Ever since the Prince and Third Uncle were placed under house arrest in Beijing, they have been quite restless. If the Emperor returns victorious from his campaign, they will likely have even less of a chance. I’m afraid they might take drastic measures in their anger!” Zhu Zhanhe expressed his concerns.

"This~~" For a moment, Mu Sheng and Xia Yuanji didn't know how to respond. They knew that what the Crown Prince said made sense, but after all, the Prince of Han was far away in Beijing and not by their side, so they couldn't persuade him even if they wanted to!

(End of this chapter)