The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 97 The waves wipe out the heroes
In the winter month, Yingtian, which was once filled with the fragrance of osmanthus, saw all the flowers wither and fall, and the princess's mansion was also covered with withered flowers. Only a few small chrysanthemums still held a last bit of vitality and charm.

An uninvited guest arrived at the princess's residence. He did not have a visiting card and was quite impolite when he entered. He was arrogant and barged in.

Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han.

Dressed in royal robes, with a jade belt around his waist, a crown lying across his head, and rhinoceros boots on his feet, he exuded great majesty with every glance.

He barged into the mansion with a somewhat arrogant air. The servants and maids along the way naturally dared not actually stop this prince dressed in royal robes. They could only try to persuade him while rushing off to report to the princess.

Zhu Gaoxu stopped at the bottom of the steps in front of the hall, as Li Xianmu helped Princess Lin'an out of the hall.

Princess Lin'an was also dressed in formal attire. As the current eldest princess, she wore more than a dozen exquisite pearls, and her presence was in no way inferior to that of Zhu Gaoxu.

Her face concealed her anger as she looked down at Zhu Gaoxu, her voice cold and stern, saying, "Your Highness, I am your elder. You entered the mansion without prior notice. What is your intention?"

"Does Your Majesty know of your rudeness?"

Zhu Gaoxu was not unperturbed upon hearing this. He had always been like this, acting recklessly even in front of the emperor, let alone in front of the eldest princess.

He scanned the mansion, then his gaze fell on Li Xianmu's face, his expression slightly hardening.

Li Xianmu frowned slightly, because he couldn't figure out the meaning behind the Han King's expression; there was neither malice nor goodwill.

After Zhu Gaoxu withdrew his gaze, he cupped his hands towards Lin'an and said, "Gaoxu greets Aunt. I heard that Uncle is seriously ill. As his nephew and a prince of the country, how can I not respect the way of kinship and come to visit him?"
I apologize for my intrusion.

Although the manners were casual, the etiquette was not lacking. Lin'an could not directly retaliate, especially since this was the Prince of Han, the emperor's most beloved son, and there was no need to make enemies unnecessarily.

However, it would be inappropriate to let Zhu Gaoxu go to see Li Qi rashly. The two sides have no relationship, so why bother with such pretense?

Suppressing his anger, he politely declined, saying, "Your Highness, the Prince Consort is seriously ill and cannot withstand further agitation. Please return."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu raised an eyebrow. He was determined to see Li Qi today, and Princess Lin'an couldn't stop him.

"Aunt, how could you possibly discourage your nephew's affectionate intentions? Could it be that Aunt doesn't think highly of her nephew?"

Princess Lin'an frowned deeply. Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu's arrival was ill-intentioned, she was in a dilemma when she heard hurried footsteps approaching.

The group turned to look and saw Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, panting heavily as he approached, clutching his belt. He was already obese and had come in a hurry, his face flushed with sweat. Beside him were the gentle and beautiful Crown Princess Zhang and his young but valiant eldest son, Zhu Zhanji, both of whom were also panting heavily.

Zhu Gaochi steadied himself by holding onto the jade belt, and when he saw that the Prince of Han was still in the front hall and had not entered the back courtyard, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, they arrived in time.

Zhu Gaochi received the news that the Prince of Han had gone to Princess Lin'an's residence when he was still in the Eastern Palace. He knew that his younger brother was sometimes crazy and not very bright, and now that Li Qi was in poor health, he was afraid that something bad would happen and he would have to deal with it. So he rushed here as fast as he could, and fortunately he made it in time.

He stepped forward to pay his respects to Princess Lin'an first. Before he could speak, the Prince of Han said with a hint of sarcasm, "Brother, you really seem afraid of being late. No wonder you can be the Crown Prince. I am only fit to be the Prince of Han. Such skill is truly beyond my ability to learn."

The hall fell silent. Crown Princess Zhang gripped her son's hand tightly, her eyes slightly lowered. Zhu Zhanji was furious, but his mother held him back. Princess Lin'an frowned even more, remembering what Li Qi had said about the struggle for the throne. Li Xianmu remained expressionless, supporting his mother like a guardian deity.

Zhu Gaochi was not angry at all despite being provoked by his younger brother. He smiled lightly, just like Maitreya Buddha, and said, "My uncle is seriously ill. Of course, I, as his nephew, should come to visit him. My second brother has really grown a lot by thinking of this. If Father Emperor knew, he would be pleased. However, you should invite your brothers to come together. How can you let one of you enjoy the honor all to yourself?"

"Why don't we wait here a little while? My third brother should be arriving soon."

"you……"

Zhu Gaoxu wanted to be angry, but he had nowhere to vent his anger. He was speechless, stifled by these words that were full of barbs. He could only snort angrily, stand there with a cold face, hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, with a cold and arrogant appearance.

Princess Lin'an nodded gratefully to Zhu Gaochi, who responded with a slight nod, indicating that Princess Lin'an need not worry.

Not long after, Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui, arrived in his carriage. He hadn't wanted to come, since he wasn't familiar with Li Qi at all, but since the Crown Prince had personally sent someone to visit his elder, he couldn't refuse and had no choice but to go.

After the three brothers arrived, Princess Lin'an could no longer stop them, so she led them to Li Qi's sickroom. Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the door, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly said to everyone, "Aunt, Crown Prince, I would like to speak with my uncle alone. Is that alright?"

Zhu Gaochi was in a dilemma. Li Qi was seriously ill. Although Zhu Gaoxu couldn't do anything, what if something happened?
Princess Lin'an naturally objected immediately. She knew that Zhu Gaoxu's loss of the crown prince position was largely due to Li Qi, so how could she let him go in alone? Just as she was about to speak, Li Xianmu grabbed her.

Li Xianmu stepped forward and calmly said, "Your Highness, please allow me to go in with you. My father is unwell and needs someone to take care of him."

Seeing the wary look on Princess Lin'an and the Crown Prince's faces, Zhu Gaoxu sneered, "Fine."

There was no reason to stop the Prince of Han now. Li Xianmu went in first to report, and then came out and followed Zhu Gaoxu inside. As soon as they entered the room, they smelled a strong medicinal smell. Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand, seemingly feeling unwell. The room was actually quite bright, but he felt a deep sense of oppression and his emotions were churning.

After turning around the screen, Zhu Gaoxu saw Li Qi at a glance. He had thought that when he saw Li Qi, he would definitely speak sarcastically to vent his depression, but he was wrong. The first thing he said after seeing Li Qi was, "How could a man of the nation, a sage, become like this?"

The light filtering through the window fell on Li Qi's face, making his skin appear almost transparent. His hair had turned a dry, yellowish-white color. If it weren't for the arrogant air he still exuded, Zhu Gaoxu would hardly have recognized him.

Li Qi was helped to sit up by Li Xianmu. In response to the question from Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han, he smiled and said, "Because death is returning everything you have in life to this world. No matter how brilliant you were in life, in the end you are nothing but a handful of yellow earth."

Zhu Gaoxu was silent for a moment, then sat down imposingly in a chair at the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Why does my uncle think I should come to visit you?"

"It seems you have some questions you wish to ask me."

"Uncle, don't you realize that I'm taking advantage of your illness to vent my anger, or even intend to anger you to death?"

"Your Highness is not that bored."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu sneered, "Just now in the courtyard, my brothers and aunt were very wary of me, afraid that I would do something. In the end, it was my uncle who was willing to believe me."

Saints are indeed different.

Uncle, you are truly wise beyond your years. Why don't you guess what I want to ask?

A faint smile appeared on Li Qi's weak and pale face. "Your Highness wishes to ask why I recommended the Crown Prince to His Majesty."

Click!

Zhu Gaochi actually managed to crack the porcelain cup in his hand, and it was about to shatter completely. Even Li Qi couldn't help but freeze. He truly deserved to be called the peerless general who had saved Zhu Di several times during the Jingnan Campaign!

If we categorize Zhu Gaoxu's personal martial prowess according to the system's data, it would probably be above 95.

Zhu Gaoxu said, word by word, "If they were ordinary pedantic scholars, I could understand why they recommended my elder brother to Father Emperor, talking about the eldest son's position. But although I haven't had much contact with my uncle, I know that you are not bound by trivialities and are not bound by the times. Father Emperor said that you are a first-rate sage in the world. I don't understand why you also support my elder brother. Is it just because he came to you to study a few times during the Jianwen era?"

Li Xianmu's expression shifted slightly. Zhu Gaoxu's words were filled with deep incomprehension and extreme resentment. In Zhu Gaoxu's view, if it weren't for Li Qi, a trusted minister of the emperor, speaking up, the position of crown prince might not have fallen to his elder brother.

"Because the primogeniture system is indeed good. It is difficult to distinguish between the virtuous and the unvirtuous, but whether the eldest son is the heir can be seen."

Li Qi calmly asked, "Is Your Highness the Prince of Han opposing this because you are the second son, or are you truly opposed to the eldest son?"

Zhu Gaoxu was taken aback, and his voice suddenly became somewhat agitated, "But my uncle has always admired Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and has repeatedly encouraged my father to study. Why did he change his mind when it came to choosing a crown prince? If my uncle had been born in the early Tang Dynasty, would he have supported Li Jiancheng and rejected Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenguan?"
"As the eldest son, does that mean he should take everything away? What kind of logic is that?!"

"It is a matter of principle that a son should inherit everything from his father; it is a matter of principle that a wife should bear children only for her husband; these principles did not exist from ancient times, but were established by sages, and the inheritance by the eldest son was also established by sages."

“Choose the virtuous and follow them! This is also the principle of the sages! Emperor Taizong was more virtuous than Emperor Jiancheng’s eldest son, and now…”

"Your Highness!"

Li Qi's expression remained calm, but his voice suddenly rose slightly, even taking on a hint of sternness. Although he was weak due to his physical condition, he remained unwavering. "It is indeed reasonable to choose the virtuous and follow them. However, it is easy to distinguish between Jiancheng's lack of virtue and Taizong's virtue. But now, is Your Highness virtuous? Is the Crown Prince virtuous? Or not? Who can tell?"
Moreover, Jiancheng has repeatedly plotted against and attacked Emperor Taizong. Has the Crown Prince ever plotted against or attacked His Highness?
Your Highness's repeated comparisons to Emperor Taizong and your referring to the Crown Prince as Jiancheng are already unwise actions!

Zhu Gaoxu opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.

Li Qi's words were simple: "You, Zhu Gaochi, are indeed not bad, but you are far inferior to Emperor Taizong. Your elder brother is also better than Jiancheng, and he has no moral problems whatsoever. He has never harmed you."

Lies don't hurt, truth is the knife.

After piercing through Zhu Gaoxu's resentment and sense of injustice, he had nothing more to say. What use was sophistry? He had come here seeking justice.

"But that's not fair."

Zhu Gaochi, as if grasping at a lifeline, angrily said, "In the Jingnan Campaign, my contribution was the greatest. If it weren't for me, the Jingnan Campaign would have been lost countless times, and even Father Emperor would have died several times. My elder brother just reaped the benefits without lifting a finger. Why should he be able to sit on the throne, while I have to be this damned Prince of Han!"

Seeing that Li Qi remained silent, Zhu Gaoxu immediately perked up, "You also think what I said makes sense, right? I have made great contributions to the country, but I haven't received what I deserve..."

"not enough!"

Before Zhu Gaoxu could finish speaking, Li Qi interrupted him. Zhu Gaoxu looked at Li Qi blankly and asked, "What's not enough?"
Before he could ask, Li Qi stared straight at him and said indifferently, "During the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, personally commanded nineteen large-scale battles that determined the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty, with a total of 1 defeat, 2 draws and 16 victories."

Among these five battles—the pacification of Xue Ju, the suppression of Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang, the capture of Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, the defeat of Liu Heita, and the repulsion of the Turks—any loss in any one of them would have meant the end of the Tang Dynasty. Yet, none of the Tang generals at the time could have achieved this, hence the later generations called Emperor Taizong the founder of the Tang Dynasty. And what about His Highness, the Prince of Han?

Zhu Gaoxu was dumbfounded. So the reason he wasn't good enough was because he hadn't made enough contributions. He wanted to refute it, but the facts were there. During the Jingnan Rebellion, he had never even served as a commander-in-chief leading troops on his own. The only commander-in-chief was his father, the Emperor. If Emperor Taizong was the bright moon, he was just a firefly!

He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly let out a sneer.

“I was truly foolish to even think of debating with you, Uncle. Your eloquence is unparalleled, even those who specialize in this art cannot match it, let alone a mere warrior like myself. To argue with you in front of me would be utterly disgraceful.”

These words were clearly a sincere praise of Li Qi, yet they carried a hint of sarcasm, though it was unclear to whom that sarcasm was directed.

"Your Highness, among the generals of the Jingnan Campaign, your merits are the greatest, and you possess unparalleled bravery. If you are so eager for a fiefdom, you will indeed be dissatisfied. Since we are here today, it is fate that brings us together. I have a word of advice for you: if one day Your Highness comes to your senses and no longer fixates on that position, you might as well wander outside the Central Plains. There is fertile land two thousand miles to the south, where you can live a solitary and carefree life."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu's sarcasm deepened. He suddenly stood up and said to Li Qi, "Uncle, although I didn't get the answer I wanted today, I did understand something else."

In the past, you were always the one teaching others. Today, your nephew also has a saying for you, Uncle: No matter how difficult or dangerous the journey, just forge ahead without hesitation, regardless of life, death, fortune, or misfortune!
Back in Baihegou, I braved the arrows and charged into the midst of ten thousand troops to rescue my father, and that's how I came to rule this world!

Farewell! "

After saying that, he turned around and walked out.

Li Xianmu said in a low voice, "Father, the Prince of Han is arrogant and unruly, and is favored by His Majesty. He will not listen to your words."

"is it?"

Li Qi knew that Zhu Gaoxu was all bark and no bite; his current silence did not mean he would not listen in the future. He was merely planting a seed in the ground.

Moreover, Li Qi's gaze fell on Li Xianmu, carrying a profound meaning, "Today's words were merely to make him try to target you less in the future. How can the matter of vying for the throne be ended so simply with a few words?"

Li Xianmu lowered his head.

After Zhu Gaoxu went out from the outer room, he simply cupped his hands in greeting to everyone and left without saying anything.

His expression revealed nothing, and Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui, followed him away, unnoticed by anyone. Only after the two brothers had walked outside the mansion did Prince Zhao ask in a sinister tone, "Second brother, what did you and Li Qi say just now?"

With his hands behind his back, the King of Han recalled Li Qi's last words. After a brief silence, he coldly said, "They were just useless words, but they made me determined to take a gamble."

He turned back and glanced at the plaque of the Princess's Mansion one last time. Everyone says that you, Li Qi, are infallible, but since you don't think I can succeed, I'll fight you to the death!
A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of the King of Zhao. He could guess with his own feet what the King of Han had said. He really thought that the King of Han had been persuaded by Li Qi in just a few words, after all, Li Qi was the best at persuading people.

Leaving aside the two brothers, Princess Lin'an and Zhu Gaochi's family hurriedly went into the house and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that Li Qi was indeed unharmed.

Zhu Gaochi took a few steps forward, his eyes already red and glistening with tears. The Crown Princess was somewhat shocked. She knew her husband well; he was an extremely resilient man who only revealed his true emotions to a select few.

Li Qi said with a smile, "His Highness the Crown Prince looks a bit healthier; this is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gaochi's voice was already choked with sobs as he said, "Gaochi should have come to visit my uncle long ago, but I couldn't bear to see this scene. It all seems like a dream. I have only known my uncle for a short time, but I have developed a deep affection for him. I never imagined that things would come to this. I really don't know what to say in this situation."

Princess Lin'an felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. Yes, what can one say at the very end?

These are nothing more than words of comfort, but are such words meant to comfort the dying or the living?

"Uncle has worked so hard for the Ming Dynasty, but my second brother is so immature. If he said anything inappropriate just now, I apologize to you on his behalf. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Zhu Gaochi felt indignant and sorrowful, and a trace of resentment arose in his heart towards Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness, there's no need for that. His Highness the Prince of Han was merely expressing some resentment and unwillingness. It is Your Highness who needs to be careful, for the storm has only just begun."

I'm not worried about Xianmu, but Fang'er and Mao'er are rather mediocre. If they are ever unwittingly implicated, I hope Your Highness will take care of them. That would be enough to honor our friendship.”

Historical records don't describe this period of succession struggle in great detail, but Zhu Gaochi's officials in the Eastern Palace, Huang Huai, Yang Pu, and Jin Wen, were imprisoned in the imperial prison for ten years, and Xie Jin and others even died during the Yongle era, so one can imagine how intense it was.

It wasn't until Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne that these people were released from prison, reinstated to their original positions, and then promoted one by one to the Nine Ministers. They remained active until the Zhengtong era of Emperor Baozong. Even those like Xie Jin, who had died long ago, were exonerated. If they couldn't hold on for these ten years, then everything would be over.

The expressions of everyone in the room changed slightly. Although they had long known that the King of Han had wolfish ambitions, they did not expect him to dare to speak so arrogantly in front of Li Qi. He really had no scruples.

Upon hearing Li Qi's words again, one feels a sense of the impermanence of life. It seems that people like Li Qi are so powerful that others have to avoid them, so why should they have anything to worry about?
If he were not unable to protect his family on his deathbed, why would he entrust his family affairs to others?

Li Qi had already calculated the general situation, but being in a weak position is a way to survive, so why not add another layer of insurance for his sons?

If the emperor comes later, he will need to ask the emperor for another layer of insurance.

It's just a matter of doing one's best and leaving the rest to fate.

Zhu Gaochi immediately agreed, "Uncle, don't worry, I will take care of my three cousins, at least to ensure their lives are not in danger."

Li Qi knew that under monarchical autocracy, it was often difficult to save one's life. Even during the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin had not been able to save Liu Wenjing's life.

There was nothing more to say between him and Zhu Gaochi. What needed to be said had already been said. Human feelings are in one's heart. To seek repayment for kindness only breeds resentment. Wouldn't it be more endearing and thought-provoking to leave some lingering impressions between people? Aren't those unforgettable white moonlights precisely because of that path that has never been walked, which holds infinite possibilities?

The departure of His Majesty's three sons, the Crown Prince and the two princes, from Princess Lin'an's residence has sparked much speculation in the capital, with numerous rumors and conjectures circulating, and even more concerning the health of Li Qi.

These speculations, like fluttering flowers, drifted and landed in everyone's hearts. Time had slowly entered December. Even though Yingtian was located in the south, it had already begun to feel the chill. Moreover, Yingtian had been particularly cold in recent years, as if the frost from the north had been brought there since the Jingnan Rebellion!
After Zhu Gaochi and the others left, Li Qi fell into a state of alternating sleep and wakefulness. By the time his condition finally stabilized, it was already the end of December. In a few days, it would be the first day of the first month of the third year of Yongle's reign, and the spring imperial examination was not far away.

As soon as Li Qi's condition stabilized, the emperor, Empress Xu, and the monk Daoyan barged into Li Qi's sickroom, bringing with them a chilling aura.

"I thought I wouldn't be able to see you one last time."

"His Majesty even postponed the imperial examination by two months for my sake. This is an imperial edict. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. If His Majesty gives the order, even the King of Hell in the underworld would not dare to take my life ahead of time!"

Your Majesty, I will certainly live well and never fail to live up to Your Majesty's kindness.

"Empress, Master, do you remember what I said on the way here? Did you see that Li Qi would not have any resentment? He would even joke with me."

Empress Xu smiled gently, "Jinghe is a remarkable person in this world, and Your Majesty is also a remarkable person."

"I am no extraordinary person. The one who can talk to Jinghe the most is this old monk."

"Your Majesty is too kind. Before Duke Jinghe, this humble monk could only bow his head and listen attentively. How could I dare to compare myself to him?"

Everyone spoke with delight, and for a moment, laughter filled the sickroom, as if Li Qi was about to recover. However, there was a hint of bitterness hidden in the laughter. Zhu Di's voice grew softer and softer, and finally he let out a long sigh.

"I have just gained a confidant, and I am about to lose him after only a year. Who will I consult when I encounter difficulties in state affairs in the future?"

"Your Majesty is exceptionally talented. Any minister can achieve great things under Your Majesty's guidance. The court and cabinet are full of capable ministers. Even without ministers, Your Majesty can still create immortal achievements."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's eyes sharpened slightly. "How could I not know that you are all outstanding individuals? But you are ultimately different from me!"

A top-tier emperor can perceive this fundamental difference, which is why Zhu Di trusted Li Qi so much.

"In history books, when ministers are on their deathbeds, they always present the emperor with things that were difficult to say in the past, as a way of entrusting them with something. Jinghe, do you have anything to say that you were unable to say in the past? Today, please say it all."

Historical records contain many dying words of ministers, most of which are admonitions, but what's amazing is that emperors almost never listened to them.

Now that Zhu Di is here to ask questions, it's naturally different. He genuinely senses that Li Qi has many unfinished words, perhaps some of which can only be spoken on his deathbed.

In fact, Li Qi had nothing more to say.

In this era, it's pointless to say many things; the relocation of the capital was inevitable, so there was no need for him to say it.

The voyages to the Western Ocean were important, but in reality, they were not a sustainable endeavor. It was like conquering the grasslands; the inputs outweighed the outputs, and once the dynasty entered a period of decline, failure was inevitable.

What should I say?

Li Qi came up with a very outrageous policy of Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that you are preparing a fleet for a voyage to the Western Ocean."

Upon hearing about this fleet, Zhu Di immediately became excited. His purpose in establishing this fleet was simple: to establish a tributary system with the West. As for seizing land, frankly speaking, it was very unrealistic. After all, this was not a management game where you could simply fill in a color and the place would be under the rule of the Celestial Empire.

It took Zhu Yuanzhang thirty years, plus the two hundred years of guarding by the Duke of Mu's mansion, for Yunnan to become one of the so-called eighteen provinces of Han China. It would have been quite remarkable if Zhu Di had been able to maintain the current military borders and then turn Guizhou into a prefecture-county system during his lifetime.

"When the Ming Dynasty is strong, it should make all the surrounding countries submit and all the vassal states pay tribute. The might of the Ming Dynasty will shine brightly in the world."

"Does Your Majesty not think that hundreds of ships and twenty or thirty thousand people are too many, just for diplomatic missions, trade, and tribute?"

Zhu Di was taken aback by these words. He knew that Li Qi had always supported the establishment of a fleet, so what did he mean by this?

Li Qi stopped keeping them in suspense and said, "Back then, Emperor Taizu Gao established fifteen states that were not subject to conquest. I thought that was a bit frivolous. What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhu Di's eyes sharpened instantly.

Li Qi's body was so weak that his words were weak and feeble, but these few words made Zhu Di seem to see blood and swords!
"The reason we do not conquer these countries is because they are far away, separated by high mountains and vast oceans. We cannot supply them with our land, nor can we command their people. Moreover, the threat from the northern Mongols is still very great. It would be pointless to expend our national strength to conquer these remote and small countries. Jinghe should know this. Why do you say this?"

Li Qi smiled slightly. His voice was low but full of determination. "The Zhou emperor thought that everything outside the royal domain was barbaric. During the Qin and Han dynasties, Jiangnan and Lingnan were inhabited by the Yue people. During the Tang and Song dynasties, court officials turned pale at the mention of Lingnan. Now, Yunnan is also Han land. Jiangnan is already a paradise on earth. The Champa rice from Annam has a very high yield."

With each word Li Qi spoke, Zhu Di's eyes lit up a little more.

"Nowadays, the Great Ming Dynasty is indeed unable to cross mountains and rivers to launch a conquest, but we cannot be bound by ancestral rules and refrain from doing so in the future. If Your Majesty does not dare to violate this decree, then what will future emperors do?"
Moreover, since the Yuan Dynasty, there have been frequent Japanese pirate raids at sea. Since Your Majesty wants to open up trade with the West, how can you allow the East to harass you?

"Barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue; they always need to be attacked and killed."

Li Qi's tone remained indifferent, and Zhu Di sighed, "I didn't expect you to bring this up. I thought you would talk about the relocation of the capital, the Mongol affairs, the struggle for the throne, the affairs of the princes, and even advise me not to be impatient in the future."

But I never expected you to bring up matters concerning the West.

"With Your Majesty's talent and wisdom, you can surely handle those matters perfectly, so why should I offer any further comments?"
"His Majesty values ​​the voyages to the Western Ocean, but he doesn't place too much importance on them. The Ming Dynasty was founded on the reconstruction of China, which is already a great achievement. However, the extent of the Ming Dynasty's future prosperity depends on this matter."

Zhu Di was shocked to hear this. He never expected that Li Qi would have such high expectations for the voyages to the Western Ocean.

Li Qi wanted to ask Zhu Di to issue an order that the sea would never be banned again, but after thinking about it, he decided against it. After all, the Ming Dynasty was a feudal dynasty, and once it was discovered that overseas exchanges would affect its rule, it would still choose to ban the sea. It was better to leave such matters to his descendants.

After finishing these matters, Li Qi was already feeling somewhat tired. Zhu Di sighed again at this sight. Back then, Li Qi could accompany him to handle government affairs for an entire day, offering opinions on hundreds of important national matters without showing any sign of displeasure.

These days, after just saying a few words or recounting a story, one is already so exhausted, which is a sign that vitality is increasingly lacking.

"On my deathbed, I should not have let you discuss such important national affairs."

Zhu Di sighed, "Jinghe, you and I have known each other for a while, and you are my brother-in-law and a member of the imperial clan, so I have always been more affectionate towards you."

I have come here today not because I am worried about the affairs of the state, but because I want to hear what you have to say. People often say that a good teacher and a helpful friend are beneficial for a lifetime. I did not have these before, and I disliked listening to advice. Fortunately, I later found you as a helpful friend. You are a wise and free-spirited person. Throughout the Ming Dynasty, no one surpasses you. I hope that your attitude towards life will allow me to listen to some of your advice.

It's a pity you're leaving before me. If you could leave behind even a few words that could serve as a constant reminder to me, that would be for the best.

Upon hearing this, Li Qi pondered for a moment, "Your Majesty, in my youth I lived a life of luxury and extravagance. In my youth, I suffered a great upheaval and almost fell into depravity, experiencing the coldness and warmth of human relationships. In my middle age, I gradually saw through the ways of the world. Once, while watching the waves of the Yangtze River flow eastward, I composed a poem that fully expressed my aspirations in this life. If Your Majesty does not mind, I am willing to write it down!"

"I am fortunate!"

Li Xianmu helped Li Qi sit up from the bed, and then they got down to the table. Princess Lin'an ground the ink for him as usual, and tears fell on it.

Li Qi's hand trembled slightly, but the moment he grasped the brush, his hand was steady, and he wrote wild and unrestrained cursive script on the rice paper.

The pen fell, then paused.

Everyone in the room—the Emperor, the Empress, Daoyan, Princess Lin'an, and Li Xianmu—looked at the paper. They saw that the calligraphy was elegant and flowing, and it was a poem titled "Linjiang Xian."

The poem says:

The Yangtze River rolls eastward, and its waves wash away all heroes.

Success or failure is all in vain.

Aoyama is still there, How Many Suns.

The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river bank are accustomed to seeing the autumn moon and spring breeze.

A pot of wine to celebrate our reunion.

So many things in the past and present are just a joke.

I'm so tired, there's so much to write! I'll update like crazy today, I'll definitely get over 15,000 words. Brothers, please vote for me!


(End of this chapter)