The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind his desk, while his crown prince Zhu Biao stood beside him.

"That kid Li Jiujiang went to see Ma Sandao yesterday," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile. "Today, Ma Sandao came to apologize with money in hand."

Zhu Biao was slightly surprised: "Jiujiang actually managed to persuade Ma Sandao?"

Everyone in the court knew how stubborn Ma Sandao was. Once he set his mind on something, not even ten oxen could pull him back.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "We were surprised too, but this makes things easier for us."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and then understood: "The day after tomorrow, the imperial examination will be inspected. In front of all the civil and military officials, Father Emperor will unleash his thunderous wrath and punish Hu Mei and his son."

"However, Father Emperor needs someone to deliver the ladder if he wants to revoke the imperial pardons granted to the nobles."

"Jiujiang, can he grasp this level of understanding?"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted: "Him? I thought of that a long time ago, but don't expect him to step forward. He would never take responsibility for something like this."

"Isn't he afraid of being punished by Father Emperor?" Zhu Biao asked in surprise.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled: "This kid is shrewd. Why did he go to Ma Sandao to pull this stunt? He wanted Ma Sandao to take the blame for him."

Zhu Biao suddenly realized: "When the time comes, Ma Sandao will take the initiative to apologize. Besides, it was all because of the iron certificate of immunity from death. He became reckless because he had the certificate and forgot the rules. Then he will voluntarily hand it over. Father can then take advantage of the situation and rightfully take back everyone's iron certificates of immunity from death."

"That's right." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction.

"Jiujiang did a great job, dragging all the nobles into the mess without getting a single thing in trouble himself," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly: "That's why I say, this kid is cunning."

"Does Father intend to groom him properly?" Zhu Biao asked with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "This kid has brains, but his temperament needs to be tempered. He's too lazy and needs to be whipped from time to time. He won't move unless whipped, just like a donkey pulling a millstone."

Zhu Biao sighed, "After all, he's still young."

"He's not young anymore!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smug look. "When the fourth prince was his age, he was already wielding a knife and fighting Wang Baobao on the grasslands."

"Once his mourning period is over, I will properly train him," Zhu Biao said earnestly.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Even during the mourning period, he can't be idle."

Zhu Biao gave a wry smile.

Father has his eye on Li Jiujiang.

"Jiujiang has indeed rendered meritorious service in Hu Mei's case. Father, should we reward him with something?" he asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head directly: "No need."

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback.

"If I reward him, he'll get all cocky," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted. "This kid already has a lot of bad habits. If I reward him with anything more, he'll just get arrogant. I won't reward him. I'll prevent him from becoming complacent."

"So, how does Father intend to handle this case?" Zhu Biao asked solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then said, "The day after tomorrow, we'll inspect the examination hall and order the arrests on the spot. The rest is up to you."

Zhu Biao: "..."

"Hu Mei is our father-in-law, we can't very well do it ourselves, can we?" Zhu Yuanzhang spread his hands.

Zhu Biao, speechless, said, "Father, so you arrest people, and I kill them?"

"Of course!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. "The nobles will definitely cause trouble then. If the situation gets out of control, we'll step in."

Zhu Biao rubbed his forehead.

"In the Ming Dynasty, I'm the boss, and you're the second-in-command," Zhu Yuanzhang glared. "What's there that I can't control?"

Zhu Biao was exasperated: "Father, why are you starting to sound more and more like Jiujiang lately?"

"That kid always talks nonsense," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted. "He's led us astray."

Zhu Biao said, "Father, you must be upright."

"Alas, Father is getting old and his energy is waning," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "The affairs of the court will gradually be handed over to you. As the Crown Prince, you must display the aura of a king and keep the ministers in check."

Zhu Biao straightened up and cupped his hands in greeting: "Father, rest assured, I can hold onto this Ming Dynasty."

"Good, good, good." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a look of satisfaction.

……

The Eastern Palace.

When Zhu Biao returned, Crown Princess Lü came to greet him.

She was wearing an elegant long dress, her smile gentle, and she reached out to help Zhu Biao take off his coat.

"Is Yunwen reading?" Zhu Biao heard the sound of children reading coming from the direction of the attic.

"Yes, Father is teaching him." Madam Lü nodded.

Her father, Lü Ben, was a renowned Confucian scholar of his time, famous throughout the land. He was personally invited by Zhu Yuanzhang to be the tutor of his grandson, Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Biao walked towards the pavilion, with Madam Lü following behind him.

Upon entering, a seven-year-old child sat upright at the desk, diligently reciting his lessons.

It was his son, Zhu Yunwen.

On the other side of the desk sat an elderly man with gray hair, who was Lü Ben.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Lu Ben rose and bowed upon seeing Zhu Biao arrive.

"Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities." Zhu Biao raised his hand. "Yunwen is studying quite well now, all thanks to your excellent teaching."

Lu Ben shook his head: "Your Highness is too kind. It's not that I've taught him well, but that the young prince is naturally intelligent and understands things immediately."

Zhu Yunwen jumped down from the chair, stood properly, and bowed to Zhu Biao and Lady Lü: "Father, Mother, your son can recite the Classic of Filial Piety today."

"Good, good, good," Zhu Biao said with satisfaction. "However, studying alone is not enough; you also need to learn martial arts, riding, and archery. Later, I'll find you a few more young tutors."

Lu Ben was slightly surprised: "Does Your Highness have someone in mind?"

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and said, "I'll need my father-in-law's help to choose."

Lu Ben pondered for a moment and said, "I do have two disciples who will participate in the imperial examination next year. If they pass, they would be suitable to be the young prince's teachers."

"Oh?" Zhu Biao became interested. "Your father-in-law's disciple must be a great talent."

"I have many disciples, but only Huang Zicheng and Qi De can be considered truly talented," Lü Ben said with a smile. "No rush, let's wait until after their provincial examination next year. If they don't pass, they won't have the face to be tutors to His Highness."

Zhu Biao nodded slowly: "I also have someone in mind."

"Who?" Lu Ben asked curiously.

Zhu Biao smiled: "Li Jiujiang."

"That good-for-nothing?" Lu Ben exclaimed in surprise.

Young Zhu Yunwen became anxious: "Father, I don't want an incompetent fool as my teacher!"

"You all underestimate him." Zhu Biao's eyes flickered slightly. "In my opinion, he's very suitable."

Lu Ben was about to say something when he was stopped by a look from the Lu family.

"Isn't it inappropriate for the young duke to be in mourning?" she frowned.

Zhu Biao waved his hand: "I'll talk to him first, then bring him to the East Palace. He's very good at riding horses and can teach Yunwen how to ride."

"My twelfth uncle taught me how to ride a horse," Zhu Yunwen said.

Zhu Biao spread his hands: "Your twelfth uncle lost to him. Besides, your twelfth uncle is going to his fiefdom next year. Alas, he can no longer teach you."

His face darkened, and his eyes drooped.