The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 92 Zhu Yuanzhang's Chess Game: Li Jiujiang's Brain Not Working

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang, unusually, was not reviewing memorials and was drinking tea. Zhu Biao sat below him, and the father and son chatted idly.

"That Princess Baihua is now a maid in Jiujiang," Zhu Biao said with a smile. "Father, can that boy handle it? I have seen Princess Baihua. She is a beauty from the grasslands, not like the women of our Central Plains."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled: "Don't underestimate that kid. Everyone says he listens to music in the brothel and sleeps soundly in brothels, but has Li Jiujiang ever spent a single night in a brothel?"

"My cousin was still alive then, would he dare?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "That kid has a bottom line; he knows what he can and cannot do. The other day, he ran into the Yuan family's daughter on the street with Baihua. What did you think? He panicked like he'd been caught in adultery. Let me tell you, he would never do anything reckless before he gets married."

"Father trusts Jiujiang completely," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"There are many things we don't trust about him," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "but on this matter, we trust him. Although this kid is full of tricks and has a thick skin, he's not the kind of person who can't control his temper."

Zhu Biao nodded, then changed the subject: "Over the years, we've only secretly sent people to protect Princess Baihua. Coincidentally, she ended up following Jiujiang. Things will be much easier from now on."

"The Hundred Flowers chess piece will be of great use in the future," Zhu Yuanzhang said, narrowing his eyes.

Zhu Biao understood immediately: "Father, does he want to help her younger brother, Buyibala, become the next Khan of the Northern Yuan?"

"Yes," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "That's why we released Libala back to the grasslands. He was a prisoner of war in our hands, so he knows how big the Ming Dynasty is and how ruthless our methods are. If such a person were to sit on the throne, at least he wouldn't impulsively come to attack our borders."

Zhu Biao frowned: "He's still young, and he was once a prisoner, so his prestige in the Northern Yuan is limited. It won't be easy for him to contend for the Khanate on his own."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled: "We should give him some more firewood."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise: "Father, are you planning to release Hai Li back? To use Wang Bao's old forces on the grasslands to support the purchased Li Bala?"

"That's right. Wang Baobao has been dead for several years, but his influence still lingers. The generals who fought alongside him back then are now influential in the various tribes of the Northern Yuan. His younger brother, Toyin Temur, is also a powerful general with a large army under his command. If we can win him over to Maidelibala, that kid will have the capital to contend for the throne." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were sharp.

Zhu Biao nodded slowly, pondering for a long time: "Father, this is a brilliant move. However, whether it's Li Ba Ci or Hai Li, we must keep them under our control."

"Biao'er, is there anything in this world that is completely controllable?" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "First, try to make it as controllable as possible. Even if it becomes uncontrollable in the future, having another force will at least cause chaos within their ranks."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands in clasping: "Your Majesty's thoughts are profound; your son cannot possibly match them."

"Don't flatter me." Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "I need to send a letter to Wang Baobao's younger brother, Toyin Temur."

Zhu Biao's smile faded, and he nodded: "My second brother's wife, Guanyinnu, is also his own sister. This relationship will come in handy."

Upon mentioning the Princess Consort of Qin, Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately darkened: "By the way, has the second prince been behaving himself lately?"

Zhu Biao sighed: "Your Majesty, I'm punishing him by making him study, to learn how to be a vassal king. I assign him homework every day and test him daily."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly: "Don't let him go back for now."

The father and son were chatting.

Wang Jinghong tiptoed in and announced that Li Jinglong was requesting an audience.

"That's rare. On a day off, this kid actually came to see us on his own initiative." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand. "Let him in."

Soon, Li Jinglong entered the hall: "Your subject Li Jinglong pays respects to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Get up, come and have some tea," Zhu Yuanzhang beckoned.

Li Jinglong stood up and walked over: "I'd better stay standing."

"Sit down when I tell you to." Zhu Yuanzhang glared. "What, do I have to get up and pull out a seat for you myself?"

"No, no, no." Li Jinglong plopped down.

A servant beside him served him a cup of tea, which Li Jinglong sipped lightly.

"The sun must have risen in the west today! Instead of drinking tea and listening to music on the Qinhuai River, you've come to the Qianqing Palace, Li Jiujiang?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Your Majesty is wise; I do indeed have something to attend to," Li Jinglong said.

He recounted the rumors circulating in the teahouse about Wang Baobao's will.

"Is that all?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly.

Li Jinglong blinked: "Your Majesty, Wang Baobao has been dead for several years, but suddenly the whole city is talking about his will, and it's being described in great detail. There must be someone manipulating things behind the scenes."

"I know, it's been circulating for several days now," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Li Jinglong was taken aback and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, is this something the scouts are up to?"

"Why?" Li Jinglong was completely dumbfounded.

"Don't worry about this," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand. "Just find the Darughachi in the north room of the scout headquarters."

"As you command," Li Jinglong said happily.

His concern was whether the emperor would suddenly decide to impose all the messy things related to investigating rumors, caravans, and the Princess of Qin on him.

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang say this, his heart pounded with anxiety.

Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing his relieved expression, snorted, "I heard your estate is about to be built?"

Li Jinglong became wary again: "Yes, Minister Mai of the Ministry of Works helped me find some timber and stone merchants, all of whom supplied the goods at cost price. I have reported this to His Majesty, and His Majesty has given his permission."

"Alright, alright," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "This doesn't count as embezzlement."

Li Jinglong frowned: "Your Majesty, once they've finished supplying the materials, are you going to arrest them?"

"What's the rush? What's the point of arresting a few of them?" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

Li Jinglong seemed to be deep in thought.

The Guo Huan case will only come to light next year; Zhu Yuanzhang is still waiting until then.

So what is he waiting for?

It feels like Zhu is playing a grand game, a game that involves more than just corruption; it involves various factions, local powerful clans, and the Northern Yuan.

It's too complicated; my brain can't handle it.

"Jiujiang, in a few days, the twelfth prince will be back from the Xuanwu Lake camp," Zhu Biao said with a smile. "Spend some time with him when you have time."

Li Jinglong readily agreed: "No problem."

"Don't take him to the brothel or the entertainment district." Zhu Yuanzhang glared.

Li Jinglong looked aggrieved: "Your Majesty, I am a respectable person and I never go to those kinds of places."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both smiled.

"Don't lead the twelfth prince astray," Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

Li Jinglong chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, you have so many accounts! Even if you ruin one, you still have plenty more. With over twenty sons, surely some of them will amount to something."

After saying that, he immediately bowed and withdrew.