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

Chapter 95 Zhu Gaochi's Fear and Resilience, Zhu Gaoxu's Irreplaceable Role in the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Gaochi looked at the secret report that Zhu Di had dropped and immediately understood.

The reason why Zhu Di was angry today is revealed in this secret report.

When Zhu Gaochi opened the report, his eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out. His face turned deathly pale, cold sweat poured out, his lips trembled, and his eyes, holding the secret report, shook incessantly.

Zhu Gaochi felt his mind go blank, every muscle in his body was trembling, his heart seemed to have stopped beating, and his mouth was dry, so he couldn't help but swallow hard.

It was only at this moment that Zhu Gaochi finally realized that everything was here.

Before he could think of anything else, Zhu Gaochi disregarded his prostrate position, forced himself to calm down, and looked at Zhu Di with a determined expression.

"Father, I knew absolutely nothing about this! These people dared to harbor such evil intentions and should all be punished!"

Especially those who dared to express their opinions about Father's northern expedition, and dared to say these things, I believe they should be thrown into the imperial prison, investigated to find out who their accomplices are, and executed without pardon!

Zhu Gaochi did not choose weakness. At such a critical moment, choosing weakness would have meant facing countless problems.

At this point, it is necessary to let Zhu Di see his attitude and his tough side.

Some things you can back down on, but for others, once you back down, you'll never be able to clear your name again.

Moreover, he was truly unaware of all of this.

Zhu Gaochi hated these people even more than Zhu Di did; he hated them to the core!

The murderous intent in his heart was even greater than that of Zhu Di.

These people, using his name as a front, all seem to be doing it for his own good, but these idiots are pushing him into the abyss!

This is hardly support for him.

This is clearly using his status to blackmail him; these people are all doing this for their own benefit!

When he came to his senses, Zhu Gaochi was filled with endless anger; he had almost been harmed by these people.

Today, Zhu Di could still ask him questions. After regaining his senses, Zhu Gaochi also learned the truth, but Zhu Di still chose not to believe him.

However, this belief is based on his attitude.

Zhu Gaochi is now regretting that he promoted these people in the first place, wondering if they even have any brains.

How could these people have come up with such a thing as daring to use force against Zhu Di's northern expedition and directly attacking him?

Zhu Gaochi felt both fear and relief. He was glad that he hadn't taken the initiative to contact those civil officials during this period. Even when someone came, he would only talk about business in a frank and open manner and never chat with anyone.

If he goes even slightly astray during this period, he might really lose his position as crown prince this time.

Not only has he lost his position as crown prince, but his life may also be in danger.

Although his health was failing, he had not considered ending his life prematurely.

Zhu Di kept his eyes on Zhu Gaochi, carefully observing his reactions.

Zhu Di was somewhat surprised to see Zhu Gaochi go from fear and horror to suddenly proposing severe punishment, even going so far as to find accomplices and uttering words of immediate execution.

This time, Zhu Gaochi did not choose to be weak, but instead confronted him firmly, which surprised Zhu Di.

What he disliked most about Zhu Gaochi all along was Zhu Gaochi's weak and cowardly nature.

As the crown prince, it was a good thing to be benevolent, and Zhu Di also considered it a skill to have civil officials praise his benevolence.

Zhu Di also knew that Zhu Gaochi was not really that weak.

However, Zhu Gaochi acted this way in front of everyone, which made him very impatient.

The crown prince can be benevolent, but he must never be weak.

Especially when facing everyone else except him, even if this weakness is a pretense, it is absolutely unacceptable.

Zhu Di knew very well that if he, as the emperor and crown prince, showed weakness, it would only embolden those below him.

However, Zhu Gaochi was the kind of person who dared not be like him or like the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who dared to directly overturn the table.

In the end, this will definitely lead to big problems.

This time, Zhu Gaochi's unusual firmness impressed Zhu Di, as this was the kind of Ming Dynasty crown prince he had always wanted to see.

At this point, Zhu Di was completely convinced that Zhu Gaochi had truly not been involved in those matters.

It wasn't just Zhu Gaochi's performance just now, but also because the Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't found anything.

After a long pause, Zhu Di's somber voice slowly rang out.

"Boss, you said you were unaware of the situation and didn't participate, so I'll believe you this once."

Since you've said these people deserve to die, then I'll put you in charge of this matter.

The Imperial Guards have already arrested these people. You will handle the rest personally. You will also decide how to deal with everyone involved.

"Regarding the life and death of these people, once you've made your decision, I won't interfere. Go ahead and do it with confidence."

Zhu Gaochi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he became extremely solemn.

While Zhu Di appeared to be granting him power, Zhu Gaochi was well aware that this was a test for him.

He has always been known as the benevolent prince.

If he doesn't handle this matter seriously and doesn't deal with it harshly, Zhu Di will definitely have something to say about it.

But if he really did that, some of the civil officials who supported him would definitely become disloyal to him.

The so-called benevolent prince will also be out of reach of him and will disappear from this world.

By choosing ruthlessness, Zhu Di's pressure was greatly reduced.

However, the downside is that the support from civil officials for him will definitely decrease.

If he chooses to continue upholding benevolence, the civil officials will continue to support him.

But this would present a major problem for Zhu Di.

However, Zhu Gaochi's expression hardened after a short while.

"Father, I have decided to handle this matter seriously! No one involved will be let off the hook!"

Zhu Gaochi understood very well that Zhu Di's attitude was the most important thing.

Moreover, this incident has crossed my bottom line.

If we don't deter these people, similar incidents will continue to occur.

He himself will one day be killed by these people.

Moreover, anyone with a brain wouldn't be disappointed in him because of this.

Those who started to distance themselves from him should be identified and dealt with gradually, and replaced with others.

After being weak for so long, it's time to show everyone his ruthless side.

Once the decision was made, Zhu Gaochi did not hesitate for a moment.

Zhu Di admired Zhu Gaochi even more for his resolute expression.

Regardless of the reason behind Zhu Gaochi's behavior today, at least he likes this attitude.

"Boss, I'm leaving this to you."

After saying that, Zhu Di continued.

"As for Da Sun, he wants to persuade his second uncle to come back. If he has that intention, he should go out as soon as possible."

This time, we're moving people over for the second son, and we'll have the eldest grandson go with him.

Go back and tell him to prepare.

Although the matter was resolved, Zhu Di also wanted Zhu Gaoxu to return as soon as possible.

This incident also served as a wake-up call for him.

That was to show those people that in the Ming Dynasty, he had more than one option: Zhu Gaochi.

This was also the reason why Zhu Di was most dissatisfied with Zhu Gaochi.

The problem is that they won over the civil officials, but couldn't control them!

It was only at this moment that Zhu Di realized that Zhu Gaochi's role in the Ming Dynasty was truly irreplaceable.

Zhu Di waved for Zhu Gaochi to leave, while Zhu Di remained lost in thought.

Zhu Di was not thinking about the event itself, but rather about its impact and why those people dared to have such thoughts.

A moment later, Zhu Gaosui slowly walked in.

"Father, I want to resign from my position as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and go to my fiefdom."