Di Ming

Chapter 409 "If I fall, the Qing Dynasty will be gone."

Zhu Changluo was so happy he almost cried when he learned that the master wanted to see him.

"Squeak—" The old palace gate of Jingyang Palace was opened, and Zhu Changluo felt as if he had been released from his cage.

I can finally see Mr. again!
...

As the sun sets, the young minister's shadow is stretched long by the slanting rays, reflected on the pillars of the right wing of the Huangji Gate, like a serene and beautiful painting.

Zhu Yin had been waiting there for a quarter of an hour.

The burly generals on duty at the Imperial Gate all looked at Zhu Yin with admiration. They could not speak or move around freely; they could only gaze at Zhu Yin in greeting.

Zhu Yin looked at the right wing, his expression filled with emotion. It was here that he had taught Zhu Changluo for three years. He knew this place all too well.

Soon, a young boy appeared, surrounded by several eunuchs. It was Zhu Changluo. Sure enough, Zhu Changluo was walking again.

Zhu Changluo is now a prince, and in principle, he should have an imperial carriage and a retinue for his travels. However, Consort Zheng, in order to deliberately suppress his status, has been delaying the provision of such a carriage and retinue, and has repeatedly reduced his daily expenses. Consort Wang and her son are under house arrest in Jingyang Palace, and their living conditions are even worse than those of more respectable eunuchs and female officials.

Emperor Wanli pretended not to know anything about this.

Fortunately, with Zhu Yin's secret care, the lives of Consort Wang and her son improved significantly.

“Sir!” Zhu Changluo couldn’t help but burst into tears when he saw Zhu Yin’s familiar figure.

"Your subject Zhu Yin pays respects to Your Highness!" Zhu Yin said solemnly, bowing.

"Sir, please don't stand on ceremony!" Zhu Changluo quickly said, returning the greeting to Zhu Yin. He was already twelve years old and knew that in front of everyone, the teacher had to bow to him.

The teacher and student entered the right wing, followed by several eunuchs who had been monitoring Zhu Changluo. Zhu Yin took out a handful of gold beans from his sleeve and said to them:

"I have a few words to say to His Highness Prince Xin. I would appreciate it if you gentlemen could do me a favor."

When the eunuchs saw the gleaming gold beans, their eyes lit up, and they all cupped their hands and said with a smile, "Please, Mr. Zhihu."

After taking the baby tiger's gold beans, they politely withdrew from the right wing and stood guard outside the door.

As soon as they left, Zhu Changluo immediately bowed and said, "Your son greets you, sir..."

Zhu Yin quickly helped Zhu Changluo up. "Changluo, it's been a few months since I last saw you. You've grown taller and stronger, and you look great. You're so composed at such a young age. I'm very pleased with you."

Looking at the handsome and gentle young man before him, Zhu Yin couldn't help but recall the timid and frail boy from a few years ago, who was as thin as a frightened quail.

Changluo is really much better than before.

Zhu Changluo looked up with an incredibly loving face, his smile filled with reassured joy, and said in a clear voice, "It's all thanks to the teacher's good teaching. Even Mother Consort said that I'm sensible now."

At this moment, Zhu Changluo felt as if he were seeing his father returning from a long journey.

Although Zhu Yin was only a few years older than him, he felt a fatherly warmth from Zhu Yin. Seeing Zhu Yin's figure was like seeing a mountain range or a big tree.

Zhu Yin reached out and touched Zhu Changluo's hair bun, and said with a smile, "Changluo, you are already twelve years old. You can tell your teacher what you like to do the most."

Zhu Changlu tilted his head slightly. "Can I say anything?"

Zhu Yin nodded, "Of course, as long as it's what you like best."

Zhu Changluo answered without hesitation: "To answer your question, sir, besides studying, what I want to do most is astronomy and geography. I like the work of the Imperial Observatory. At night, I like to look at the stars and imagine the geography and mountains of the nine provinces."

Zhu Yin was very pleased and looked at Chang Luo with new respect. "So Chang Luo likes astronomy and geography. Very good, very good. Your teacher is very happy for you because you will become a useful person."

He was genuinely happy. Happy that his disciple had such a valuable hobby. It seemed that his guidance over the past few years had been very effective.

"Really?" Zhu Changluo's eyes lit up with hope. "Sir, I would like to borrow some of the tools from the Imperial Observatory to take a look."

Zhu Yin nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Alright, I will definitely give you a set of instruments: an armillary sphere, a simplified armillary sphere, a gnomon, a Western quadrant, and instruments I designed myself. I'm just afraid that your Jingyang Palace won't have enough room for them."

Although Emperor Wanli forbade the private manufacture of astronomical instruments and once ordered the execution of Huizhou merchants who privately manufactured armillary spheres, Zhu Yin was fully capable of manufacturing them in the name of the Ministry of Works.

"Thank you, Mr. Xie!" Zhu Changluo was overjoyed to hear that he could get his hands on a set of instruments.

Zhu Yin continued, “However, if you want to delve into astronomy and geography, observation alone is not enough; you also need mathematics and geometry. Hmm, I will give you some math books later. Start with the ‘Zhoubi Suanjing’ and ‘Jiuzhang Suanshu’, then read ‘Haidao Suanjing’, ‘Zhuishu’, ‘Ceyuan Haijing’… I also have some research on mathematics and astronomy and geography. I will compile it and let you study it together.”

Zhu Changluo replied, "Yes! Your son will definitely study the Dao diligently."

"Huh?" Zhu Yin was even more surprised. "You think these are the Dao? How do you know these are the Great Dao?"

Zhu Changluo said earnestly, "These are the principles I gleaned from your teachings, Master. I feel that not only astronomy and geography are the Great Way, but everything in the world contains a kind of Great Way. When I read Zhuangzi and Huainanzi, I also felt that the Great Way is omnipresent, profound and vast. The more I learn from you, Master, the more unfathomable you seem..."

Upon hearing Zhu Changluo's words, Zhu Yin suddenly realized that most Ming Dynasty emperors were highly talented, but simply neglected their duties. Zhu Changluo's intelligence was clearly due to good genetic inheritance. Even the Wanli Emperor was quite intelligent.

Zhu Yin sighed, "Chang Luo, I am very pleased that you think this way. To have such a talented person to teach is the greatest joy in life. It's a pity... it's a pity that I am about to leave the capital and will hardly see you again."

Zhu Changluo's smile slowly froze, and his gaze dimmed instantly. "Where are you going, sir?"

Zhu Yin glanced at the doorway and lowered his voice, saying, "Go to Sichuan and become the magistrate of Pengshui County in Chongqing Prefecture. This is your father's decree, because someone has impeached your teacher."

"I can only wear this red official robe for one more day."

Zhu Changluo couldn't help but show his anger and lowered his voice, saying, "How can Father Emperor do this? The gentleman has made such great contributions. He is a loyal and virtuous minister. Why does Father Emperor want to demote him and banish him from the capital?"

"I understand, it's Consort Zheng's doing! My teacher is my mentor and protector. They're deliberately targeting him in order to make my third brother the crown prince..."

Zhu Changluo is very smart, but he is only half right.

His father demoted Zhu Yin not only because Zhu Yin was a figurehead for the eldest son, but also because his father was wary of Zhu Yin's great achievements at a young age and deliberately sought fault to suppress him.

Zhu Yin didn't explain, but sighed, "I don't mind. Going to the southwest to be a county magistrate is a good way to govern a region and benefit the people of the county. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just... I'm worried about you."

Zhu Changluo's nose stung, and he couldn't help but shed tears. "It's all my fault for not being favored by Father Emperor. I couldn't plead for the teacher, and I haven't even been able to see Father Emperor..."

Zhu Yin shook his head. "Chang Luo, you don't need to think about pleading for your master. As long as you can grow up safely, your master will be at ease. Judging from the current situation, it will be difficult for you to be made crown prince again. Although the position of crown prince originally belonged to you, your father is too biased and willful. I'm afraid the officials will not be able to stop him."

"I suspect that your father will make Prince Fu the crown prince in three years at most. Your chances of becoming the crown prince are already very slim."

Zhu Changluo's expression relaxed. "I couldn't be happier. I don't like being emperor like Father. What's so good about that? I'd rather be a prince, far away from this palace and these people." Zhu Yin solemnly instructed, "Changluo, although you think this way, it doesn't mean the Zheng family sees you that way. They always see him as a threat and an obstacle. You must be careful, especially to avoid saying anything that might cause trouble. Never complain. Even if you have to endure it, you must endure until you leave the palace. You must show an attitude of not fighting and accepting your fate. Survival is always the most important thing. There will be people in the palace secretly protecting you and your mother, but you and your mother still need to be careful yourselves..."

"Yes!" Zhu Changluo accepted the order. "I will keep your instructions in mind."

Zhu Yin continued, "If one day your father asks you where you want to be enfeoffed, don't say a specific place. Just say that your name contains the character for water and that you want to be enfeoffed by a river. Remember that?"

"Yes!" Zhu Changluo said earnestly. "I remember. I want to be enfeoffed by the river. But... Father Emperor dislikes me so much, will you really ask for my opinion?"

Zhu Yin smiled and said, "Your ability to think of this shows your exceptional intelligence. Your father might ask for your opinion. Although he doesn't like you, you are, after all, the eldest son of the emperor. The throne was originally yours to inherit, but because of him, it will be passed to Prince Fu. How can he not feel guilty? As long as he feels a little guilty, even if it's just to make amends to you, he will ask for your opinion."

Zhu Changluo nodded, "I understand. When Father asks, I will say what you said. I will not say that it was your idea."

Zhu Yin said, "Then I am relieved. After you take up your fief, I may find an opportunity to visit you. However, the princes are strictly controlled by the court and local officials, so you won't have much freedom after you take up your fief."

When Zhu Changluo heard that he still had no freedom even after becoming a prince, his expression became even more somber.

Zhu Yin comforted him, "Chang Luo, let's take it one step at a time. Don't think too much about it. Believe that things will eventually turn around. I consider you my son, and I'm willing to do many things for you. Let's leave other things for the future."

Zhu Changluo pondered his teacher's words and felt a sense of hope and strength within them.

Although he couldn't explain what this hope and strength was, his heart suddenly lit up, and he regained his courage.

The teacher was his light and his fire. As long as he saw the teacher and heard his words, he was no longer afraid!
"Changluo." Zhu Yin patted Prince Xin's head. "Your initial aspiration remains steadfast, and your path leads to great achievements. Your youthful vigor awaits its brilliance, so cultivate it diligently. Life itself is a journey of self-cultivation, and this ruthless and indifferent palace is surely a place for spiritual practice."

"Disappointments are common, but few can be shared with others. Life is like a journey against the current, with only a single reed to navigate. The most important thing is to seek within yourself and let your inner light shine. Only by enduring hardship and cultivating a pure and tranquil mind can you attain the highest ideals and live a life of seclusion. Even if you are as silent as dust, you can still understand your true nature. You should strive to do so."

"Yes!" Zhu Changluo cupped his hands in greeting. "I will remember your earnest teachings, sir."

Zhu Yin added, "Furthermore, health is the foundation for a stable life and career. You must diligently practice the fitness methods I have taught you. Only when both mind and body are strong can one be refined and cultured, thus becoming a gentleman."

Zhu Yin gave Zhu Changluo his earnest and detailed instructions, his tone full of concern, and Zhu Changluo remembered them all.

No one but his teacher could teach him so many principles.

Seeing the setting sun like blood, Zhu Yin sighed, "I must leave now. I will depart the capital in three days. Let us part ways here, master and disciple. Take care, take care."

"Sir!" Zhu Changlu knelt down, choking back tears, and said, "I can't bear to see you go, sir..."

"Foolish child, foolish child." Zhu Yin helped him up and patted the dust off his knees. "A man does not easily shed tears. Although you are young, you are the eldest son of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How can you act like a child?"

"Yes." Zhu Changluo wiped away his tears. "I just don't know when I will be able to see you again, sir, given how far the journey is."

Zhu Yin held his little hand and patted it, saying, "Take care of yourself. One day, we will meet again."

After saying this, he gave Zhu Changluo a deep look, sighed slightly, and turned to leave.

"Sir!" Zhu Changluo chased after him out of the right wing and saw that the master was already walking under the sunset, his figure radiant yet lonely in the glow of the sunset.

Zhu Changluo's tears welled up again, "Sir...take care!"

As the sun set, Zhu Yin waved without turning his head.

……

Zhu Yin left the Forbidden City, looking back at the majestic palace with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Changluo, take good care of yourself. Your teacher hopes that you will live a peaceful and joyful life.

Zhu Yin arrived at Duanmen, boarded the carriage driven by Lan Cha, and returned to the Jiangning Marquis's residence in Caomao Hutong. It was already dark by then.

"Welcome back to the manor, sir!" As soon as Zhu Yin arrived at the manor gate, hundreds of servants lined up to greet him, and the magnificent lanterns illuminated the area as if it were daytime.

Immediately, firecrackers began to pop and crackle.

"Our lord has finally returned to the manor!" Jin Yunniang stepped forward with a smile, personally carrying a brazier, and invited Zhu Yin and the others to step over.

Even Little Black got its fur swept up by the feather duster.

Zhu Yin laughed and said, "I'm back safe and sound. You must have been worried, right? Yunniang, everyone in the household will receive a month's allowance."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Seeing the joy on everyone's face, Zhu Yin thought to himself, "If they knew that I had been demoted from the capital and become the magistrate of Pengshui County, I wonder how they would feel."

Zhu Yin entered the backyard through the courtyard and went up to Hanzhang Tower, where he saw Ning Qingchen, who had returned that morning, holding a one-year-old baby named Hong Taiji, and muttering to herself:

“You little Tartar, you are the Qing Emperor Gaozong Huang Taiji in history. If your aunt kills you, your damned Qing Dynasty will be gone, hehe.”

"Beg your auntie, and your auntie will spare your life. Oh dear, you're so scared you're practically bubbling over, hehe!"

Zhu Yin was speechless. He stepped into the room and laughed, "What Emperor Gaozong of Qing, Huang Taiji? Emperor Gaozong of Qing was that bastard Qianlong. Huang Taiji was Emperor Taizong of Qing."

Ning Qingchen chuckled and said, "So it's Emperor Taizong of Qing. What a load of rubbish! His life is in my hands. If I throw him, the Qing Dynasty will be finished."

She was obviously joking; how could she really fall?

Zhu Yin sat down and took the chubby, soft-bodied adopted son. "Even if you hadn't thrown him, the Qing Dynasty would still be gone. The Jianzhou Jurchens and the Haixi Jurchens suffered heavy losses and were severely weakened. It would have been very difficult for the Manchu Qing Dynasty to be born."

He held the historical figure of Emperor Taizong of the Qing Dynasty in his arms, looked into the child's innocent eyes, and couldn't help but burst out laughing, his laughter carrying an indescribable mischievousness.

"Huang Taiji, from today onwards, you are considered a Han Chinese. Your ancestors were surnamed Zhao, so I will bestow upon you a name: Zhao Jingzhong."

"Surname Zhao?" Ning Qingchen was taken aback, staring with puzzled black eyes. "Little Tiger, isn't he a Jurchen? Why is his ancestor surnamed Zhao?"

Zhu Yin's smile grew even more mischievous. "That's a long story..."

...

P.S.: Don't take this legend seriously; it's just a prank by the little tiger. There's actually no evidence to support it. It's highly likely that the Yuan Dynasty royal family were descendants of Liu Bang, which is probably true. However, the possibility that the Qing Dynasty royal family were descendants of the Song Dynasty is very small.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the month, time to climb the monthly ticket rankings again. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)