The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Zhu Gaochi's crying continued, and Zhu Zhanji, who was also lying on the ground, felt particularly distressed.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi's figure in Zhu Zhanji's heart was so tall and majestic.

It was only at this moment that he suddenly understood how correct Zhu Gaochi's earnest advice to him had been.

It was all because he was arrogant and influenced by Zhu Di's words that he became so carried away that he lost all sense of propriety.

He really shouldn't have had any ulterior motives in front of these people. If he had answered honestly, he wouldn't be in this situation now.

Zhu Zhanji only hoped that Zhu Di would not actually force his family to return to Shuntian to live out their retirement because of this.

One can only hope that Zhu Di will still remember his affection for him and cherish this familial bond.

Even if he wanted to say something, Zhu Zhanji no longer dared to.

He was afraid that he might say something wrong again, which would make things even more dangerous.

At that moment, all he could do was pray.

And their hatred for Zhu Gaoxu deepened even further.

Ultimately, all of this is because of Zhu Gaoxu, because of this person.

If Zhu Gaochi were gone, they would never have faced such a furious wrath from Zhu Di.

Looking at Zhu Gaochi and listening to his words, Zhu Di felt extremely uncomfortable.

He could see Zhu Gaochi's efforts, and he knew how tired and bitter Zhu Gaochi was.

At first, he genuinely disliked Zhu Gaochi.

The most important reason for making Zhu Gaochi the crown prince was that a stable court was needed at that time to prevent chaos.

While the favor shown to Zhu Zhanji and the support of civil officials, as well as the fact that Zhu Gaochi was the heir apparent to the Prince of Yan appointed by Zhu Yuanzhang, were all factors, they were not the most important.

At that time, all he wanted was to stabilize the court as soon as possible, win over the hearts of the people, and stop the turmoil in the world.

The reason why Zhu Gaochi's position was established until now was not because he suddenly developed a liking for Zhu Gaochi.

Rather, he had seen everything Zhu Gaochi had done as crown prince over the years, and it was the most appropriate thing for him to do.

He was well aware of Zhu Gaochi's ability to govern the country, and he was at ease handing the Ming Dynasty over to Zhu Gaochi and then to Zhu Zhanji.

Listening to Zhu Gaochi's story, Zhu Di felt a pang of sadness.

Actually, what he just said was just to scare people and force them to say what he wanted.

At this moment, Zhu Di truly couldn't bear to continue pushing the issue.

If Zhu Gaochi is truly forced to quit, where will he find someone with the ability to govern the country to help him?

Now that he is old, he is handling state affairs alone, and he still wants to launch a northern expedition at any time. He is not strong enough and needs someone to help him share the burden.

Zhu Di slowly squatted down and placed his hand on Zhu Gaochi's shoulder.

"Boss, get up."

"Father, I won't..."

Hearing Zhu Gaochi's tearful reluctance, Zhu Di felt a headache coming on.

"You are the Crown Prince, what kind of behavior is this? Stand up!"

Zhu Di wanted to scold Zhu Gaochi for what he looked like at that moment, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say the hurtful words.

Not only for those reasons, Zhu Gaochi was also his son, and even if he didn't like him, he was still his eldest son.

Zhu Gaochi raised his head after hearing Zhu Di's forceful words, his eyes already brimming with tears.

"father..."

Zhu Di did not speak, but helped Zhu Gaochi to his feet and held his hand.

"Boss, I'm sorry you had to go through this. I know your feelings, I know everything."

"Father, I'm not wronged. But in the future, please be less suspicious and let's act like a family."

Seeing Zhu Gaochi still sobbing, Zhu Di nodded firmly.

He then took Zhu Gaochi's hand and brought him to Zhu Gaoxu's side, then pulled Zhu Gaoxu's hand over and shook it with him.

"Eldest brother, second brother, I hope you can both remember that we are family."

Zhu Gaoxu was a little confused. He was watching the show, and suddenly it was happening to him.

He was feeling touched by the scene of filial piety between father and son, but in the blink of an eye, he became one of them.

Looking at the smile on Zhu Gaochi's face and seeing Zhu Di's satisfaction, Zhu Gaoxu sighed inwardly.

Knowing full well that this so-called home is already a ship sinking into the water, why bother with all this pretense?

As Zhu Di witnessed this scene of paternal love, filial piety, and fraternal harmony, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He knew it was all an illusion, but at this moment, he fantasized that it could come true, and he was trying hard to convince himself that it was real.

"Second brother, from now on, let's communicate more and get closer. If there's anything you need, I'll do my best to help."

"Big brother, I understand."

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi held hands, so harmonious and helpful to each other.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu is putting all the knowledge he has learned in his two lifetimes into performance.

Since Zhu Di wants to see it, then let Zhu Di see it.

Zhu Di nodded to himself and clenched their hands again.

"If you remember what you just said, I can rest easy."

After Zhu Di finished speaking with a smile, he then came to stand in front of Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi also turned their gazes over, and their tightly clasped hands tacitly loosened.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji, whose body was trembling slightly, and let out a long sigh.

However, upon hearing this long sigh, Zhu Zhanji's body trembled uncontrollably.

Zhu Di felt uneasy upon seeing this.

His eldest grandson, on whom he had placed high hopes, is rather incompetent.

But then, considering Zhu Zhanji's age, he stopped thinking about it.

"Grandson, I understand what you mean. I already said that whatever you say is fine."

You are my grandson, how could I bear to do anything to you? Try not to worry.

I have another question, Da Sun, please tell me honestly.

"When you become emperor and sit in my seat, will you be able to tolerate your second uncle?"

Zhu Di's words made Zhu Gaochi's heart leap into his throat once again.

Zhu Zhanji's originally restless heart had just been calmed down a bit by Zhu Di, but upon hearing the last part, it instantly became agitated again.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.

Zhu Zhanji almost cried. Wasn't it supposed to be that everything would be fine? Why were Zhu Di's questions getting more and more fatal?

Although he was young and not as shrewd as these people, he wasn't stupid either; he could tell how frightening the question was.

"Grandson, raise your head and look at me."

Hearing Zhu Di tell him to raise his head, Zhu Zhanji forced himself to look at Zhu Di with great fear and anxiety, his eyes brimming with tears.

How should he answer this time?

Zhu Zhanji's mind was in turmoil, and he couldn't form a coherent thought. Whenever he tried to think, his mind was constantly disturbed by that unease.

His throat bobbed, his lips opened and closed, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Zhu Gaochi watched this scene with a sense of helplessness.

He had just helped Zhu Zhanji pass one test, and he knew very well that if he disrupted this test again, Zhu Di would definitely not be happy.

"Kid, this hurdle is up to you now. Remember what I told you!"

Zhu Gaochi prayed in his heart that Zhu Zhanji would not forget again.

Zhu Gaoxu's expression was amused; he also wanted to see how Zhu Zhanji would answer Zhu Di's question, even if it was just a polite response.

At that moment, he began to like Zhu Di's wickedness.