The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 62 Meeting Zhu Di
After Zhu Di's group entered Yingtian and besieged the imperial city, they waited for news from the palace about Emperor Zhu Yunwen.

When the flames that soared into the sky dyed the oppressive heavens red, and the eunuchs and imperial guards hurriedly opened the gates of the imperial city to welcome the Yan army and bring out the news of the emperor's self-immolation, Zhu Di finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Instead of cheers, a moment of silence fell over the royal tent of the Yan army camp. Everyone held their breath until Zhu Di let out a long breath, as if infused with vitality, and excitement filled everyone's eyes.

Throughout history, the greatest achievement has been to rescue the emperor. They followed the Prince of Yan from Beiping through life and death. While there was loyalty and righteousness involved, wasn't the ultimate goal simply to gain wealth and glory?
Among these people, only the monk Daoyan was different. A deep sense of satisfaction flowed through his heart. He had finally fulfilled his childhood dream, and his dragon-slaying skills had not been wasted.

He interrupted the jubilation that filled the tent and said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, the journey of a hundred miles is only half complete at ninety. Although Zhu Yunwen is dead, there are still princes in the world and loyal ministers outside Zhu Yunwen. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Whether you can sit securely on the throne is still an unknown!”

Of the three ministers most trusted by Jianwen, Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng were not in Yingtian, and were most likely recruiting soldiers to prepare to defend the emperor. However, they were not important. The most important person was Fang Xiaoru!
He was a renowned scholar and a leader of the literati in Jiangnan. His lineage was famous throughout the world, dating back to his teacher Song Lian and even further back to the late Song Dynasty.

Even though the imperial son-in-law Li Qi is slightly inferior in terms of prestige, and given that he was Jianwen's teacher, if we could get him to acknowledge your imperial throne, the hearts of the people would be easily appeased.

Zhu Di frowned slightly, and was about to agree when a personal guard came in to report: "Your Highness, a man claiming to be the Imperial Son-in-Law Li Qi is requesting an audience outside the camp."

Zhu Di was startled, then delighted, and quickly said, "Quickly, invite them in."

Led by the guards, Li Qi walked straight into the tent. This was the first time he had seen Zhu Di in reality since his transmigration. Compared to his memory, Zhu Di was much more mature. The flames of war from three years ago seemed to be solidified on every inch of his skin, and his whole body exuded a murderous and bloody aura.

"This humble subject, Li Qi, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Yan. May Your Highness live a thousand years."

As soon as Li Qi spoke, everyone remembered that Li Qi had resigned from all his official positions more than two years ago. Zhu Di's smile became even more sincere. He helped Li Qi up and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, don't be so polite. You are an outstanding figure among the imperial relatives and a great talent that even Father Emperor praises. It's just that Jianwen is incompetent and cannot use your talents. In the future, I will definitely give you an important position!"

Li Qi didn't believe that statement at all. How could a criminal clan be given important responsibilities?

The fifth rank was the upper limit. The cabinet ministers in the Yongle era were naturally much stronger than those in the Hongwu era, but a low official rank is still a low rank. The status of cabinet ministers was truly improved when Emperor Renzong later added the titles of Minister and Vice Minister to them, giving them both official titles and real power. Only then could they be considered half a prime minister.

We still need to get rid of our criminal identity first!
Historically, many scholars would come to join him today and tomorrow, such as Xie Jin. Yang Rong stopped Zhu Di, who was rushing into the palace, and asked the famous question, "Should I first stop the emperor or ascend the throne?" This earned him Zhu Di's appreciation, and he later enjoyed a successful official career.

But for Li Qi, this was far from enough!

In his view, Zhu Di's actions after entering Yingtian were simply like those of a clown, ugly beyond belief, leaving countless negative examples for posterity.

With this thought in mind, Li Qi asked directly, "Does Your Highness intend to go straight to the palace and then have Fang Xiaoru draft the edict of accession to the throne in order to quell the rebellious intentions of the former officials of Jianwen?"

Zhu Di and Dao Yan were not surprised that Li Qi could guess this. Zhu Di nodded and said, "That's right. Jing He, do you think it's inappropriate?"

“If Fang Xiaoru is willing to draft the edict, there is naturally nothing wrong with it. But has Your Highness not considered that Fang Xiaoru would rather die than submit?”

If this happened in the main hall of the palace, in front of all the officials, and Your Highness was sternly rejected by Fang Xiaoru, wouldn't you have lost all face?

If Your Highness truly wishes to do so, then invite him to this camp. Here, regardless of victory or defeat, the outside world will remain unaware. This is a way to advance or retreat as needed.

Li Qi's words were like a wake-up call. Zhu Di hurriedly ordered someone to bring Fang Xiaoru here. Then he suddenly realized that Li Qi's words had a hidden meaning. "Jinghe thinks that Fang Xiaoru will never yield?" "Although Fang Xiaoru and I have different political views, he is a loyal minister who will never waver in the face of death. I am certain that he will never yield. However, my words alone are not enough to prove anything. Your Highness will have to test him."

Li Qi turned and walked behind the screen in the tent, quietly waiting for Fang Xiaoru to arrive.

Only after Zhu Di knew that Fang Xiaoru's path was completely blocked could his subsequent plans be implemented. This was a series of schemes targeting Zhu Di's weaknesses, a blatant and overt conspiracy.

Fang Xiaoru didn't hide at all. He walked into the Yan army's camp with his head held high. Zhu Di asked Fang Xiaoru to write the edict of accession to the throne in a polite manner, but Fang Xiaoru refuted him sharply.

Zhu Di claimed that he was emulating the Duke of Zhou in assisting King Cheng, but Li Qi shook his head in disbelief. Like his father, Zhu Di always came up with terrible excuses, which is why he was criticized.

This is probably the worst time in history that the Duke of Zhou has been vilified.

Fang Xiaoru asked sternly, "The Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng? And what about King Cheng?"

Zhu Di had no choice but to say that Prince Cheng had committed suicide by burning himself. Fang Xiaoru then said that Prince Cheng had a son. Zhu Di said that the country relies on a long-lived ruler. At this point, the conversation had reached a dead end.

In this political logic, Zhu Di was a blatant usurper, and in the end, all he could do was resort to sophistry and death threats.

"So what if you exterminate my entire clan?"

Zhu Di saw the spirit of martyrdom in Fang Xiaoru's eyes, and he understood that Fang Xiaoru truly would not yield.

Even though Li Qi had warned him beforehand, Zhu Di was still furious. He barely managed to suppress his anger and ordered his soldiers to take Fang Xiaoru away and put him under guard.

Looking at Li Qi who walked out from behind the screen, Zhu Di sighed and said, "Jinghe, you are right. Fang Xiaoru is already determined to die. He wants to be martyred for Zhu Yunwen!"

If you hadn't reminded me, this would have been recorded in history.

Li Qi said with deep emotion: "When times are dire, integrity is revealed, and each one is recorded in history. It is in the records of the Grand Historian of Qi, in the brush of Dong Hu of Jin, in the dagger of Zhang Liang of Qin, in the integrity of Su Wu of Han. It is the head of General Yan, the blood of Attendant-in-Ordinary Ji, the teeth of Zhang Suiyang, and the tongue of Yan Changshan."

Even in the chaos of King Zhou of Shang, there were people like Bi Gan and Shang Rong who were willing to die for him; and in the evil of Emperor Yang of Sui, there were people who were willing to die for him. How much more so for Zhu Yunwen?

Fang Xiaoru was determined to earn a place in history even at the cost of his life, and Your Highness was merely a stepping stone to achieving that reputation for loyalty!

"How hateful!"

Zhu Di said angrily, "Since Jinghe had anticipated this, do you have a good plan?"

(End of this chapter)