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

Chapter 405 Alligator Dragon! Alligator Dragon!
"Your Highness is too kind," Yang Shiqi replied to Zhu Zhanhe. At the same time, Yang Shiqi, Fan Zhong, and Yu Qian silently stood behind Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji.

"Erniu, now that we've arrived..."

"Then let's get ready." Zhu Zhanhe didn't mind the concealed movements of Yang Shiqi and the other two. After giving Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, a serious look, Zhu Zhanhe turned to Liu Erniu and gave the order.

"I will obey Your Highness's decree!" Liu Erniu solemnly and respectfully replied to his lord's orders. After giving Fan Zhong behind the Xuande Emperor a deep look, Liu Erniu quickly turned and left, his hand on his sword.

“Cousin, this is the fourth deck of the treasure ship. Why don’t we go to the first deck?”

After all, we can get a closer look from there later.

"Besides, there are still some things to do on the first deck later." Looking at the solemn-faced Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanhe invited him to the first deck without any surprise.

"Alright!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Emperor Xuande subconsciously tightened his cloak, intending to shield himself from the biting sea wind outside the cabin! Then, Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji looked up at the vast and boundless sea and calmly agreed.

Just as Zhu Zhanhe and his companions were heading towards the first deck of the treasure ship, they saw three simply dressed people, one old and two young, struggling to push a fully loaded flatbed cart toward the bow deck.

"Who are those people?" Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, who was going downstairs, obviously saw the three busy figures, so he asked in a low voice with a puzzled look.

"Cousin, the things they're moving are also part of what's going on."

After all, I had already driven all the soldiers and eunuchs off the ship except for the boatmen, so I had no choice but to do it myself.” Zhu Zhanhe certainly knew who the three people Emperor Xuande was asking about were, but he did not answer directly.

"Your Majesty, the man leading the cart is none other than Prince Han's maternal uncle, Wei Jizhong, also known as Uncle Wei."

The other two are Uncle Wei's apprentices! After a struggle and a change of expression, Fan Zhong spoke up to explain to Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, regarding the question.

"The Prince of Han's uncle is actually a relative~?"

Look at the ravine!

"What, are Uncle Wei and his family helping out on the ship too?!" Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, asked with great surprise as he carefully descended the stairs. After all, this person before him was the Prince of Han's uncle! Why would he be helping out on the ship?
Thinking back to his own uncle, who was always asking him for money, even Emperor Xuande (Zhu Zhanji) felt a pang of sympathy! They were both uncles, so why was there such a huge difference?!
"Since General Fan has figured out who it is..."

You can probably guess what they're doing.

What? General Fan isn't going to help?!

Grand Secretary Yang?
"Minister Yu?" Zhu Zhanhe did not answer Emperor Xuande's question. Instead, after listening to Fan Zhong's words, he pointed the finger at Yang Shiqi and the other two.

Suddenly, the scene was silent.

After all, the Xuande Emperor was still present, so how could Yang Shiqi and the other two possibly obey Zhu Zhanhe's orders and go help with the work? "General Fan, you're strong and healthy, why don't you go and help? That way, we can get back faster, since the imperial troops are waiting for us!"
Vice Minister Yu and I stayed by the Emperor's side.

"The Prince of Han is a man of great principle and would not do anything inappropriate." After only a brief silence, Yang Shiqi broke the calm. And it must be said, Yang Shiqi was indeed remarkable; with just a few words, he eased the awkward atmosphere.

Zhu Zhanhe merely pursed his lips without saying a word.

"Go!" Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, spoke up at this moment. Although he didn't know what the problem was, Emperor Xuande still sent Fan Zhong to help.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" After hearing Emperor Xuande's words, Fan Zhongcai bowed to the emperor and then turned to walk towards Wei Jizhong and the other two.

Next, Fan Zhong, Liu Erniu, and Wei Jizhong, along with two apprentices, a total of four people, were seen constantly pushing wheelbarrows back and forth, transporting loads of supplies to the first deck of the ship. They moved about twenty loads before finally stopping.

"Your Highness, it's ready." Then, Liu Erniu walked over from somewhere carrying a plate. On the plate were a small bowl and a small knife. After approaching Zhu Zhanhe, Liu Erniu respectfully knelt down in front of Zhu Zhanhe.

Seeing Liu Erniu bring over a plate, a knife, and a small bowl, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, couldn't help but look surprised. After all, the way things had developed was becoming increasingly difficult for him to understand!
"Alright!" Zhu Zhanhe simply replied after hearing Liu Erniu's words. Then, to the astonishment of Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanhe picked up the small knife from the plate and gently made a cut on his hand. Instantly, a stream of bright red blood flowed from Zhu Zhanhe's hand and gradually filled the bottom of the small bowl on the plate.

"Yu Qian~!" Seeing that there was almost enough blood in the small bowl, Zhu Zhanhe gently put down the knife in his hand. Then, without any warning, Zhu Zhanhe called out to Yu Qian, who was behind Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji.

"Your Highness!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's call, Yu Qian respectfully approached Zhu Zhanhe, knelt on one knee, and presented the Imperial Seal of the State to him with both hands. Throughout this entire process, Yu Qian did not dare to look up at the Xuande Emperor, Zhu Zhanji's, expression. Because Yu Qian could guess that the Xuande Emperor's expression would certainly not be good!

As Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, watched in astonishment, anger, and then panic, Zhu Zhanhe actually raised his hand and slowly poured the blood from the small bowl onto the jade dragon atop the imperial seal. Instantly, a stream of crimson blood gradually spread across the pristine white seal.

At this moment, in the eyes of Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, the crimson blood and the pure white jade seal formed a striking color contrast!

Then, unexpectedly, Fan Zhong emerged from behind the Xuande Emperor. He tore off a corner of his robe and used it to wrap the jade seal held by Yu Qian. After securely wrapping the seal in the cloth, Fan Zhong presented it to the Xuande Emperor.

"Your Majesty, please fasten the imperial seal to your waist, and make sure it is secure." Fan Zhong knelt on the ground and presented the imperial seal to Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, with both hands once again.

At this moment, the Xuande Emperor was also stunned. He didn't understand what strange things had happened. Why was there blood, the imperial seal, and why was the imperial seal tied to his waist? What was all this about? Perhaps the shock of the day was too great, and coupled with the fact that the Xuande Emperor was not in good health, for a moment, the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji was somewhat dazed and stood there.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has overstepped his bounds." Seeing Emperor Xuande standing there dumbfounded and at a loss, it was finally the old man Yang Shiqi who gritted his teeth, went straight to Emperor Xuande, took the imperial seal from him, and securely fastened it to Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji's waist. Finally, Yang Shiqi bowed and apologized to Emperor Xuande Zhu Zhanji.

"It's alright!!" Although he didn't know the exact situation, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, knew that the fact that Yang Shiqi and the other two were so nervous meant that things were definitely not simple. Afterwards, Emperor Xuande glanced at the jade seal that was firmly fastened to his waist, looked thoughtful, and then waved his hand dismissively.

"Grand Secretary Yang, Vice Minister Yu, and General Fan, please prepare yourselves as well." Zhu Zhanhe wasn't surprised to see the Imperial Seal of the State tied to Emperor Xuande's waist. He could only think that Yang Shiqi and the other two were indeed seasoned veterans, full of clever tricks! However, Zhu Zhanhe didn't mind, simply instructing the three of them to prepare themselves.

(End of this chapter)