Sky Curtain: The Overlord Charges into Battle, Shocking Emperors of All Dynasties

Chapter 60 True Filial Piety

In the scene, Zhu Gaochi looked aggrieved, as if everything was his fault because he was the regent.

He had to provide disaster relief, open the canal, and repair the Shuntian Prefecture. He couldn't keep up with all the calculations; his head was about to explode.

He now finally understood why his elder brother was so stingy. "How come the Yongle Emperor only supported you bunch of stinking soldiers?!"

Weren't we talking about Zhu Gaochi? What does this have to do with us? How did we become some kind of scoundrels?

The military officers of the Yongle era were indignant. Fine, fine, we've become stinking soldiers. When you, Zhu Di, were pacifying the country, don't call us out. Weren't you a stinking soldier yourself?

In the Song Dynasty, the scholar-officials applauded, finding the words resonating deeply with them. Zhu Di was absolutely right; those military men were simply "stinking bastards." The Song Dynasty valued civil officials over military ones, and their disdain for military officers was palpable. They had assumed Zhu Di, a military emperor, would also value military officers, and given his rebellious origins, their impression of him wasn't particularly high. However, this phrase instantly improved their opinion of him. Regardless of whether Zhu Di actually said it in the future, its appearance on the "Heavenly Screen" was tantamount to a statement. Many planned to write articles in the newspapers after court, claiming that the future Yongle Emperor also valued civil officials over military ones and called those military men "stinking bastards." Since the "Heavenly Screen" appeared, numerous tabloids sprang up. The literary style of the Song Dynasty was already flourishing, with newspapers filled with political and court affairs; now, with the addition of these anecdotes from the "Heavenly Screen," they became even more popular.

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu's resentful expression, Zhu Di thought about his performance during his time as regent. He had been constantly jumping around, trying to compete with Zhu Gaochi for the position of crown prince. Now it seemed that Zhu Gaochi had at least never caused him any trouble with money.

"No money? Can't do the math? If you can't do the math, what kind of country are you overseeing?"

"Your elder brother served as regent for twenty years, and did you see him ever lend a hand even once?"

"And look at you, throwing money around like water. Everyone in the court, from top to bottom, even the palace eunuchs, has received money from you, Prince of Han."

"Those golden beans!"

Did Zhu Gaochi really serve as regent for twenty years?

Having served as regent for twenty years without a single mistake, and managing the court's accounts perfectly, Yang Jian's envy was undisguised. He longed for such a successor. Yang Jian was puzzled; the successors of the founding emperors of all dynasties were not bad. Even Liu Ying, though a little weak-willed, was still a capable ruler who maintained the status quo. The successors of the founding emperors of the Tang and Ming dynasties were all outstanding, and even their grandsons were exceptional. He couldn't understand why he didn't have a qualified successor.

I don't need great talent and ambition, just average ability will do. Could it be because I have too few sons?

Yang Jian glanced at his wife, Dugu Jialuo, and sighed. "As an emperor, you don't even allow me to take concubines. Otherwise, with so few sons, I can't even find a suitable heir."

On the sky, Zhu Di's anger was undisguised. He gradually shifted his anger from Zhu Gaochi's behavior to Zhu Gaochi himself, and began to launch personal attacks.

"Look at yourself, with your pointy mouth and monkey-like cheeks, and look at your older brother!"

"Look in the mirror!"

"You have absolutely no imperial bearing! You were just appointed regent and you've already donned a full-length python robe. Look how proud you are!"

"If the Yongle Encyclopedia is halted, how am I supposed to face our ancestors?!"

"Why don't we find a descendant from Jianwen's lineage, return the throne to him, and then go back to Shuntian to hunt?"

Under Zhu Di's repeated curses and rebukes, Zhu Gaoxu could no longer suppress his anger.

"Dad, don't give me that crap!"

Zhu Gaoxu stood up, forcefully ripped off his python robe, and threw it hard in front of Zhu Di.

"Looking for descendants of Jianwen!"

"Then what rebellion did you start in the first place?!"

"You really think of yourself as a loyal subject!"

Zhu Gaochi uttered one hurtful word after another; his anger had clouded his judgment, and every word struck at Zhu Di's heart.

Go to the most vulnerable place.

"Will we be unable to face our ancestors if the Yongle Encyclopedia isn't completed?"

"Does our whole family's rebellion mean we can go down to meet our ancestors?"

Even if you compile the Yongle Encyclopedia into the greatest book of all time, the historians will not record that you were the heir apparent!

During the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, exclaiming, "What a wonderful grandson!"

"Quickly bring our precious grandson over here so we can see him."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the swaddling clothes of Zhu Gaoxu, rubbed his forehead against Zhu Gaoxu's little face, and turned to glare at Zhu Di, saying, "He looks exactly like you when you were a child."

"How dare you call him a monkey with a pointed mouth and monkey cheeks?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was secretly pleased. Seeing Zhu Di humiliated made him feel much better. This little brat, knowing his future achievements, was practically wagging his tail. His son's scolding made him feel incredibly satisfied. In the scene, Zhu Gaochi continued to vent his dissatisfaction, "Now I'm inferior to my elder brother in every way. I have a pointed face and monkey cheeks? I don't have the countenance of an emperor!"

"I'm going home right now and waiting. Whether you poison the wine or hang yourself, there are only so many people in the household. Open your eyes and see how filial your son is!"

"You'll stay in this seat forever!"

Zhu Gaochi pointed at the dragon throne behind Zhu Di and shouted, "Don't you dare give it to me!"

He then abruptly left the palace and returned to his residence!

Zhu Di's lips trembled in the main hall, then he burst into laughter, "Hahahaha!"

Laughter was mixed with anger and sorrow. His own son had ruthlessly shattered his illusions; his whole family were traitors, and that couldn't be changed.

During the Zhenguan era, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up with admiration. "How dare this man speak to his own father like that? You'll hold this position to the end, don't you dare give it to me!"

He muttered a few words to himself, but he felt that he couldn't express the same domineering and resolute attitude as Zhu Gaoxu. He really didn't know what kind of mood Zhu Gaoxu was in at that time.

Yongle, Zhu Gaoxu looked at the palms facing upwards in front of him with a face full of doubt. What do you mean by this?

Zhu Gaochi spoke first, "Golden Bean, Second Brother."

Anyway, he's a poor prince, so it's not unreasonable for him to ask his rich younger brother for money, right?

Zhu Gaochi hooked his finger again, his small eyes blinking, anticipating the golden beans falling into his palm. Zhu Gaoxu looked at the faces behind his hand, showing no appreciation for his heroic performance on the sky, only admiration for the gold.

The desire for money was so strong that even those ministers who usually considered themselves upright and honest were reaching out for it. They were shameless. Those upright officials looked at the strange looks of their colleagues and thought, "Hmph, it's a coward not to take the money. Besides, if I don't take it, how will Lord Yang take it? If Lord Yang doesn't take it, how will the Crown Prince take it?"

How can we make progress if the prince doesn't take it?

Anyway, they're taking the King of Han's money, so squeezing the King of Han is just supporting the Crown Prince.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed in anger. The old and the young were all starting to lose all shame! It was one thing for the eldest and third brothers to ask for help, but this little brat Zhu Zhanji had to ask for help too!

Hmm? Why does that hand look so familiar?

Zhu Gaoxu followed the hand's movement through the crowd and saw the hand's owner.

It felt so familiar, so warm, and filled with smiles. "Dad!!! Why are you reaching out too?!"

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