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

Chapter 402 The Meeting of True Dragons (8)
"Cousin, I'm sorry."

Since I saw the Imperial Seal of the State at my uncle's place before leaving the capital last time, this is the first time I have seen it in nearly ten years!

"In a moment of panic, I became a little agitated. Please forgive me, elder brother!" After hearing Emperor Xuande's words, Zhu Zhanhe realized that his cousin, Emperor Xuande, was actually frightened by his sudden display of power! Seeing Emperor Xuande being supported by Yu Qian, Zhu Zhanhe quickly explained and apologized to Emperor Xuande.

"Hmph!"

Enough with the nonsense, you've seen the imperial seal!

"Bring it out!" Seeing Zhu Zhanhe's utterly insincere explanation and apology, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, turned cold, let out a cold snort, then shook off Yu Qian's support and shakily sat back down in his chair. Then, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, stared intently at Zhu Zhanhe with a serious expression, demanding that Zhu Zhanhe reveal the hidden secret.

Even now, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, still believed that the secret was the Golden Dragon Token bestowed upon him by his grandfather, Emperor Yongle! Zhu Zhanhe didn't say much. So, without explaining, he silently took out the Golden Dragon Token from his robes!
"The Golden Dragon Token is here!"
"Cousin, take a look!" Zhu Zhanhe then silently handed the Golden Dragon Token to Yu Qian, who was standing beside the Xuande Emperor. Yu Qian then respectfully handed the Golden Dragon Token to the Xuande Emperor, Zhu Zhanji.

"This is the Golden Dragon Token left by my grandfather!!" After taking the Golden Dragon Token from Yu Qian and examining it carefully, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, recognized it with certainty. The golden dragon-carved token in his hand was the only Golden Dragon Token left out of the palace during the reign of his grandfather, Emperor Yongle!

Looking at the golden dragon token in his hand, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, glanced at Zhu Zhanhe, who was sitting upright, and couldn't help but reveal a complicated expression.

"Look at the ravine!"

I know that your contribution to that matter was so great that it was unparalleled in the world!
"However, I am taking back this Golden Dragon Token today." The Xuande Emperor examined the Golden Dragon Token closely, finally clutching it tightly in his hand, and said earnestly to Zhu Zhanhe. After all, in the Xuande Emperor's view, whoever possessed this Golden Dragon Token could potentially control more than half of the Imperial Guards!
In other words, anyone who possesses this Golden Dragon Token has the confidence to rebel!
Therefore, in the eyes of Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, this Golden Dragon Token was the trump card that his grandfather, Emperor Yongle, left for Prince Han, Zhu Zhanhe!
Therefore, for the sake of his descendants, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, wanted to reclaim the Golden Dragon Token! He couldn't leave so many hidden dangers for his young children!
After all, from his conversation with the Prince of Han, Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji had already learned that he had left enough hidden dangers for his children and grandchildren! Therefore, Zhu Zhanji was determined not to, and could not, leave his children and grandchildren with another hidden danger like the Golden Dragon Token!

In fact, to prevent Prince Han, Zhu Zhanhe, from resorting to desperate measures, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, left behind an edict of succession before even meeting with Zhu Zhanhe! His purpose was to ensure a smooth succession to the throne should he die at the hands of Prince Han, thereby avoiding turmoil in the court and the country!
"My cousin believes that the secret that only the emperor could know before his death is the Golden Dragon Token that my grandfather gave me!"
So, that's why the Golden Dragon Token is being revoked!? ? ? ? ? Looking at Emperor Xuande's serious expression, Zhu Zhanhe was momentarily stunned. Then, staring intently at Emperor Xuande's genuine and seemingly unfeigned expression, he was speechless.

Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's unexpected question, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, was startled! He sensed something unusual in those words!
But before the Xuande Emperor could react, Zhu Zhanhe continued speaking.

"Originally, I was planning to keep this Golden Dragon Token as the only gift my grandfather left me."

However, since my cousin likes this Golden Dragon Token, then I will give it to him. Hearing Emperor Xuande's words and seeing his serious expression, Zhu Zhanhe had no choice but to reluctantly part with it. After all, the Golden Dragon Token was truly useless to Zhu Zhanhe; it was merely a cherished memory.

"What?!?!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, couldn't help but shudder. He sensed something extraordinary! But before Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, could continue to think, Zhu Zhanhe spoke again.

"Since my elder brother has come, and even brought the Imperial Seal of the State, he must have come for that matter."

Since that's the case, I can't be stingy.

After all, my grandfather knew about it before he passed away; my uncle also knew about it before he passed away; and now, the time for the true dragon to move to the throne is approaching again in our great Ming Dynasty.

"So, please, cousin, come with me." Looking at the somewhat dazed Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanhe had no intention of explaining and instead began to speak to himself.

"What~???" For a moment, a hint of panic flashed in the eyes of the Xuande Emperor, and his face was filled with an extremely intense light of disbelief. His horrified expression caught everyone off guard.

However, Zhu Zhanhe paid no attention to or offered any explanation for this situation, and simply stood up on his own.

"Minister Yu, go outside and have Yang Shiqi and Fan Zhong tell the imperial fleet: My treasure ship needs to sail a little further out and tell them not to follow us!"

After all, there are some things that are better left unknown to too many people in the imperial court.

"Is it alright for me to say this?!" Zhu Zhanhe ignored the ugly expression on Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji's face and turned to Yu Qian to give his instructions.

"Prince Han~~~" Yu Qian glanced at the pale-faced Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji, then at the ever-calm Prince Han Zhu Zhanhe, and called out to him somewhat bewildered. To be honest, at this moment, Yu Qian was also quite lost!
"What~?"

"Does Vice Minister Yu want our Emperor and the imperial army to witness the deepest secrets of the Ming Dynasty's royal family?!" Zhu Zhanhe seemed unconcerned about Yu Qian's troubled expression, and simply asked Yu Qian in a soft voice with an innocent look.

".
"I'll go right away!" After a moment of silence, Yu Qian avoided the questioning look on the Xuande Emperor's face. Finally, Yu Qian lowered his head and walked with difficulty out of the cabin.

With Yu Qian's departure, only Zhu Zhanhe and the Xuande Emperor remained in the large cabin.

As Yu Qian walked out, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, looked extremely grim!
Because his ministers, the Xuande Emperor, had bypassed him, the reigning emperor, and, without his consent, had privately obeyed the orders of a local prince! This was a disgrace to the Xuande Emperor, Zhu Zhanji! A tremendous disgrace!

Watching the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji's ever-changing expression, Zhu Zhanhe, sitting firmly on his high throne, took in the other's expressions but remained expressionless as he looked down at him.

After a moment, perhaps feeling that the atmosphere in the cabin was too quiet, Zhu Zhanhe spoke first again.

"Cousin!"

I am really curious. Since my cousin has always wanted to surpass me, why didn't he implement any of the many strategies we devised together for the country and its people that night in court?
I believe that if it weren't for my uncle's poor health, he would have tried most of the measures inside! After a moment of silence in the cabin, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind.

After all, Zhu Zhanhe was genuinely curious: given so many good governance measures that everyone had discussed and agreed upon, why did Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, choose to leave them unused?
(End of this chapter)