The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

The ropes binding Li Jinglong were untied, and he squatted on one side of the execution platform, his hands supporting his knees.

"vomit-"

Another wave of nausea and vomiting hit him, and he poured out all his bitterness.

Zhu Biao stood behind him, his posture elegant: "Is the reaction that strong?"

"Your Highness, don't you feel anything at all?" Li Jinglong asked weakly.

Zhu Biao shrugged: "I'm used to it. From the Hu Weiyong case to the blank seal case, how many heads have rolled?"

"Indeed, you've seen it all." Li Jinglong stood up. "I've even vomited my gall."

Zhu Biao looked at him with a smile: "It's been a long time since Father Emperor has teased the younger generation like this."

"Is Your Majesty kidding me?" Li Jinglong was speechless. "Your Highness, he's trying to kill me! He made me eat three bowls of tofu pudding! Your Highness, I can't stand him anymore! Let's stage a coup! You ascend the throne, and I'll assist you!"

Zhu Biao laughed loudly, then sighed softly: "Jiujiang, since Mother passed away, I've hardly seen Father smile. Only you can make him laugh. Your unrestrained speech not only doesn't punish you, but he also smiles with delight."

Li Jinglong wiped his face: "Your Highness, his smile is my tears."

"Jiujiang, you should go to the palace more often in the future. Even if it's just to annoy your father, it's fine," Zhu Biao said.

"..." Li Jinglong sighed, "Your Highness, aren't you pushing me into a fire pit?"

Zhu Biao's face darkened: "After Mother passed away, Father became increasingly bloodthirsty. His temper also grew more and more violent; he would fly into a rage at the slightest provocation and wouldn't listen to anyone's advice. In the long run, this will not be good for his health."

Li Jinglong fell silent.

Historically, Zhu Yuanzhang did indeed become increasingly tyrannical after Empress Ma's death. The Hu Weiyong case resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, the Empty Seal case and the Guo Huan case resulted in tens of thousands more, and later the Lan Yu case resulted in tens of thousands more deaths.

"What did I ever do to offend him? In a fit of rage, he had me torn apart by chariots as well," he said with a bitter face.

Zhu Biao shook his head: "No."

How did you know?

"He smiles when he mentions you; you are a close relative whom he has carefully nurtured."

Li Jinglong was stunned.

Zhu Biao said solemnly, "Jiujiang, you should do your part to fulfill your filial duty to me."

Li Jinglong nodded: "I will do my best."

"Alright." Zhu Biao clapped his hands. "Continue supervising the execution."

Li Jinglong took a step back: "You want to execute them again? Execute whom?"

"Lu Yang, you're the one who arrested him." Zhu Biao sat back down in his chair.

Li Jinglong shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, it was Minister Lü who took the initiative to send his nephew to the Ministry of Justice. Minister Lü put aside his own family for the greater good."

Zhu Biao glared at him.

On the execution platform, Lü Yang was brought up.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, spare my life! Please, for the sake of the Crown Princess and my uncle, spare my life!"

Zhu Biao sat there, neither interrupting Lü Yang nor showing any impatience; his demeanor was composed and his temperament gentle.

After Lü Yang finished wailing, he finally spoke: "You have violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty. You shall be punished according to the law. Even the Crown Prince cannot bend the law for personal gain."

Li Jinglong admired him.

Even the crown prince kills people with such elegance.

With a smile on his face and a gentle tone, he waved his hand, and a head fell to the ground.

Damn, he seems even more terrifying than Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Li Jinglong!" Lu Yang was utterly desperate. "You'll die a horrible death! I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"

"Execute him," Zhu Biao ordered.

With a flash of light, a head rolled to the ground.

This time, Li Jinglong didn't react as strongly; he just stared blankly.

A member of the imperial family, a marquis.

They used to be very powerful and influential, ordering servants around.

What now?

A head, a corpse, wrapped in a straw mat—not even a complete body could be left.

Once I inherit the title, I'll just lie down and never get involved in politics. I'll just live a peaceful and incompetent life.

Old Zhu wanted me to oversee the execution to give me experience, but I really don't have such lofty ambitions.

……

An hour later, at the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao returned looking exhausted.

Zhu Yunwen hurriedly came forward, but hesitated to speak.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "You want to ask about Lü Yang?"

"Father, Lü Yang is my maternal grandfather's only nephew, and besides, he doesn't deserve to die," Zhu Yunwen said.

Zhu Biao's expression turned slightly cold: "He's already been beheaded."

Zhu Yunwen's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he gritted his teeth and said, "It's all Li Jiujiang's fault."

"Is that what you think?" Zhu Biao's face darkened.

Zhu Yunwen immediately lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

Zhu Biao remained silent for a while before asking, "Do you know why your imperial grandfather sent Li Jiujiang to investigate Lü Yang?"

"I don't know. Please enlighten me, Father." Zhu Yunwen raised his head.

"Your imperial grandfather was thinking of your future," Zhu Biao said. "The Lü family is related to the imperial family through marriage. Although their influence is not great, they should not be underestimated. Your maternal grandfather, Lü Ben, was a great Confucian scholar of our time, with students and former officials all over the court and the country."

"If you become emperor in the future, the Lü family will become very powerful. If the maternal relatives become powerful, the court will be out of balance. At that time, someone will need to step forward to balance them."

Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up: "That person is Li Jiujiang."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly: "Your imperial grandfather always thinks seven or eight steps ahead before taking a single step. Why did he send him to investigate Lü Yang? It's because he's at odds with the Lü family. You're still young; you'll learn gradually later."

"Son understands." Zhu Yunwen nodded.

Zhu Biao nodded and waved, "I'm tired, I'm going to rest."

Zhu Yunwen bowed deeply until his father's figure disappeared behind the curtain of the rear hall, then slowly straightened up.

A short while later, Crown Princess Lü came out.

"Mother," Zhu Yunwen said in a low voice, "Lü Yang has been executed."

With tears welling in her eyes, Madam Lü wiped them away with her hand: "I know, only a Lü family without an heir can put people's minds at ease."

Zhu Yunwen understood what he meant.

Lü Yang was his maternal grandfather's only nephew. With Lü Yang's death, that branch of the Lü family ended. In the emperor's eyes, a maternal relative's family without an heir was the only safe option.

"Mother, I will definitely treat my grandfather well from now on," Zhu Yunwen said earnestly.

"Mother believes me." A hint of hatred flashed in Madam Lü's eyes. "That Li Jiujiang has ruined my Lü family."

Zhu Yunwen's gaze darkened: "He's just a good-for-nothing. We'll settle this score with him sooner or later."

"Okay. Yunwen, just remember that."

"Don't worry, Mother." Zhu Yunwen raised his head. "In the future, your son will avenge Lü Yang."

Lady Lü nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, footsteps were heard, and Lü Ben walked in from outside.

"Grandpa." Zhu Yunwen stepped forward.

Lu Ben's face was somber: "It's time to study."

Zhu Yunwen opened his mouth: "Lü Yang, he..."

"This matter need not be discussed further," Lu Ben interrupted him.

Zhu Yunwen looked at his grandfather and said, "Grandpa, don't worry. I'll remember this."

"Let's go read a book," said Lü Ben.

Zhu Yunwen stepped forward, helped Lü Ben, and entered the pavilion next door.

"Grandpa, you'll be in charge of next year's imperial examination, right?" he asked.

Lu Ben hesitated for a moment before saying, "His Majesty has not yet issued an edict, but he has already appointed me as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy."

Zhu Yunwen was secretly delighted.

……

P.S.: At the beginning of the month, I'm humbly asking for monthly votes. The author is stockpiling chapters for a big release.