The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 65 What Does the Prince of Yan Mean?
Autumn is usually a time of desolation, decay, and ruin, but in Yingtian City, there seems to be a blazing, extravagant, and fiery summer breeze, caused by the restlessness and anxiety of people's hearts.

The Yan King's army was stationed both inside and outside the city. Fully armed soldiers could be seen everywhere in the city. At Longming Post Station outside the city, the defenses were very tight. The soldiers in each camp were in good order. Looking into the distance, the Yan King's banner was fluttering in the wind, bringing with it a strong autumn breeze, which was very impressive.

Since the Northern Army breached the city and the Emperor set himself on fire, and the Northern Army took full control of Yingtian, the Prince of Yan's carriage and royal banner have been erected outside the city. The entire capital can see the "Yan" character flying high, but the Prince of Yan has never stepped into the city again!
Between day and night, officials would prostrate themselves upon entering the camp, hoping for a promotion, but no one ever saw the Prince of Yan in person.

How abnormal!

The last field army of the imperial court was defeated at Lingbi. Now who can stop him? The throne is right in front of him. How can the Prince of Yan resist entering the palace to ascend the throne?

Three days later, Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng, who were serving as guards outside the capital, were both brought back to Yingtian. The Yan King's banner finally began to move from Longming Post Station, and only then did everyone realize what the Yan King meant by the secret of heaven.

The Prince of Yan raised an army under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials and pacifying the country." The treacherous officials he wanted to eliminate were Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng. He was determined to kill these two before he would be willing to enter the palace and ascend the throne.

However, the order from the Prince of Yan that was later relayed left the officials in Yingtian confused.

Instead of executing Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng directly, the Prince of Yan ordered that three days later, all officials of the ninth rank and above in the capital, as well as elders and officials in Yingtian Prefecture, must enter the palace so that the Prince of Yan could hold the people accountable!
To hold the world accountable?

Is the King of Yan confused? Who is guilty?
Isn't it the King of Yan himself?

The right thing to do is to ascend the throne as soon as possible. Why bother to whitewash yourself? In broad daylight, wouldn't you become a laughing stock?
The world does not change according to their will.

The autumn wind was brisk, and the sky was cloudless. Three days ago, His Highness the Prince of Yan issued an order that everything in the capital should be as it was in the days of the Hongwu Emperor. Vendors selling food, girls in brothels, and all trades that had been depressed by years of war were now bustling with activity and singing and dancing because of the Prince of Yan's order.

The fragrance of rouge wafted from the flower boats along the Qinhuai River into the autumn breeze, and the streets seemed to have returned to their former liveliness. His Highness the Prince of Yan was not as cruel as the court claimed. It didn't matter that the capital had changed masters; it was still the Zhu family's world after all.

Over the past few days, Zhu Di quietly observed the changing emotions of the people in the capital. It seemed that most people in the country were not opposed to his ascension to the throne, which reassured him greatly.

Standing in the capital, he seemed to see the hearts of people all over the world.

This is the meaning of "one leaf falling, and the world knows autumn is here!"
On the day of the interrogation, as dawn broke, the Prince of Yan's banner fluttered in the wind and headed towards the palace. In just a few days, the generals of the Yan army noticed that His Highness the Prince of Yan was quite different, exuding a more composed demeanor.

The palace had long been under the control of the Yan army. For the concubines, palace servants and other prisoners, the fact that the one entering the city was the King of Yan was probably a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Although it was equivalent to the end of the country, they were still blood relatives. Even if they were imprisoned, they would at least retain some dignity and would not be insulted by the soldiers.

Zhu Di, Li Qi, and their entourage rode into the palace on horseback. They looked at the once magnificent Fengtian Hall, now reduced to ashes and ruins. The autumn rain of the previous day had swept away the black ash and embers, leaving only a bare white expanse.

Zhu Di didn't speak. Just as he was about to spur his horse into the inner part of the three main halls, he heard the sound of galloping horses approaching. Prince Gaoyang, Zhu Gaoxu, rode up, his face filled with excitement. Before he arrived, his voice preceded his arrival, "Father, look what your son has found?"

Everyone looked up at the sound and saw Zhu Gaoxu holding a knife in his hand. It was inlaid with gold and jade and shone brightly under the sunlight. The scabbard was engraved with seven stars, like stars, extremely luxurious. Zhu Di's pupils shrank. How could he not recognize this thing?

It was none other than the Seven Star Sword, which his father treasured dearly! Zhu Di received the sword, his heart already filled with excitement. He held it with both hands and slowly drew it out. The blade's center reflected the sunlight, as if it had been cut into a shimmering autumn lake. "What a fine sword! It is a fitting match for a hero!"

"Then, under heaven, besides Your Highness, who else is there? It can't be Jianwen, who has turned to ashes and dust, can it?"

The generals all grabbed the reins and burst into loud laughter, displaying their unrestrained demeanor.

Zhu Di also laughed heartily, without saying anything else. When he was on the throne, his precious sword was intimidating, but now that he had reached the pinnacle of the world, the precious sword was merely an accessory.

He sheathed his precious sword, hung it at his waist, lightly lifted the reins, and the horse leaped up the steps toward the Hall of Literary Glory, displaying complete composure.

Li Qi and his entourage soon arrived at the open space between the former Huagai Hall and Jinshen Hall. There, Yan soldiers carrying ceremonial guards, as well as Empress Lü, a group of princes, and other members of the Jianwen imperial family, were waiting, all with expressions of fear and apprehension on their faces.

As the sound of horses' hooves faded, only by looking up could one see the King of Yan face to face.

Looking at the group of old, young, women and children, Zhu Di dismounted his warhorse, gripped the precious sword at his waist, took a few more steps forward, and stood before Empress Dowager Lü. He showed no arrogance, but simply said with emotion, "Sister-in-law, how have you been?"

Empress Lü felt a chill in her heart at not being addressed as Empress Dowager, yet she was helpless.

Without waiting for Empress Lü's response, Zhu Di turned to the princes and said, "You young men, your clan elders are here. Why don't you come and pay your respects?"

The princes were still young, and having heard too many arrogant words from the Prince of Yan over the years, they were naturally terrified. Yet they had no choice but to step forward, trembling with fear, and prostrate themselves in worship. This trembling and fearful demeanor made Zhu Di frown slightly. When Empress Lü saw this scene, she felt a pang of pain in her heart. "Your Highness, I know you harbor resentment towards the Emperor, but these children are just children. Why should Your Highness bother with them? You will needlessly lose the love of your elders and the affection of your clan."

Zhu Di's previously mild expression instantly turned cold. He leaned on his sword and faced Lady Lü, saying proudly, "Sister-in-law, I know you are in a state of turmoil, which is why I have been somewhat lenient with you. But you should still be careful with your words."

"My meeting with you today is merely to inform you that although Jianwen has wreaked havoc on the world and persecuted the imperial family, I am not so foolish as to bother with ignorant women and children like you. You are my relatives, so do not act so timidly in the future, lest you disgrace the integrity of my Zhu imperial family."

When Empress Lü heard the words "causing chaos to the world," her face turned deathly pale, and she swayed as if she were about to collapse. The crimes that the Prince of Yan sought and questioned were no longer limited to "purging the court of corrupt officials"!
Hearing what Zhu Di said next, they finally stopped trembling, and a bittersweet joy arose in their hearts, at least the Prince of Yan would not take action against them for the time being.

Zhu Di paid no attention to Lady Lü's surprise or joy; she was just a woman in the deep palace. He turned around, mounted his horse, and looked down at the crowd, saying, "Today, I will question the world on the site of the former Fengtian Hall. My sister-in-law, please bring the young men of the imperial clan to the left side of the high platform and listen to my heartfelt words."

I recommend a friend's book, "This Primitive World Is Not Serious!"

As the title suggests, the book is unconventional and has a slightly eccentric feel to it. It's like Krishnamurti handing out candy—humorous, lighthearted, and with a unique style.

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(End of this chapter)