Ming Dynasty: I, Zhu Yunwen, started by resurrecting my grandmother.

"Your Majesty, please do not be soft-hearted like a woman. Hesitation will only lead to more trouble."

At this time, Zhu Yunwen has been imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison. Your Majesty should make a decisive decision and execute him.

Otherwise, he would become His Majesty's greatest threat," Qi Tai said.

Zhu Yunwen was somewhat taken aback upon hearing this: "My dear minister, what makes you say such a thing?"

Why do you say he will become my greatest threat?

"If it were before, it would be better, but now Empress Ma, Lady Chang, and Chang Yuchun have all returned. Do you think these people can help you?"

Even though Empress Ma is your grandmother, she might not be able to treat everyone equally.

I've also heard that when Zhu Yunwen was young, Empress Ma often gave him special treats, secretly providing him with all sorts of delicious food and drinks. This is understandable; isn't it always been this way since ancient times? Grandmothers always dote on their grandsons.

Your Majesty, please consider who Chang Yuchun is. He is in no way inferior to famous generals of ancient times such as Bai Qi and Wang Jian.

They have never lost a war.

With the Chang family in the middle, do you think Chang Yuchun wouldn't side with Zhu Yunwen?

Once he gains control of the military, that would be a very significant matter.

The Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty contain this clause: relatives of the empress must not seize power.

How did Wang Mang usurp power in the Han Dynasty? Has Your Majesty forgotten?

At this moment, Zhu Yunwen felt that Zhu Yunwen was like a hot potato, and he couldn't kill him or let him go.

The court officials also had differing opinions on how to deal with Zhu Yunwen.

Some advocated killing him, others released him, and still others reinstated him to his original position. As a result, this matter gave Zhu Yunwen a great headache.

He has now imprisoned Zhu Yuntong, but he has not yet decided what to do with Zhu Yunwen.

Qi Tai straightened his clothes and advised again, "This time, when Zhu Yunwen went to Beiping, he used the money that His Majesty had bestowed upon him to buy a thousand warhorses."

Your Majesty, what do you think is his purpose in doing this?

If he was procuring these warhorses for the court, he should have informed His Majesty. But did he do so?

No, he clearly has ulterior motives.

Back then, Zhou Yafu of the Han Dynasty, despite being so old and holding such a high official position, purchased five hundred sets of armor, yet Emperor Jing of Han imprisoned him.

It's important to understand that Zhou Yafu was no ordinary man. He was the son of Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, inheriting his father's title and having made great contributions in suppressing the Rebellion of the Seven States. It can be said that without Zhou Yafu, there would have been no later Han Dynasty.

Even someone with such great merit was punished by Emperor Jing of Han for purchasing five hundred sets of armor.

Ultimately, Zhou Yafu went on a five-day hunger strike in prison and died vomiting blood.

Therefore, Your Majesty must not be lenient with Zhu Yunwen.

Think about it again. Yang Guang was the Prince of Jin, and at that time, the Crown Prince was Yang Yong.

Later, Yang Guang finally seized the position of crown prince and immediately had the deposed crown prince Yang Yong strangled.

As for Li Shimin, he personally shot and killed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

They are both Li Shimin's brothers, born of the same mother, so what are you worried about?

Moreover, Zhu Yunwen was suspected of colluding with the enemy; he managed to escape from the Northern Yuan's camp alone.

How could this be possible if he wasn't colluding with the enemy?

Later, after he was captured by Chen Zuyi, Minmin Timur risked his life to save him.

Clearly, their relationship was extraordinary.

Therefore, from any perspective, Your Majesty, it is time for you to make a decision.

When faced with a problem, a true man should be decisive and not hesitate.

Back when Xiang Yu and Liu Bang were conquering the world, Liu Bang was the first to enter Xianyang.

At the urging of Zhang Liang and Fan Kuai, Liu Bang withdrew from Xianyang and stationed his troops at Ba Shang.

At that time, he had 100,000 soldiers, while Xiang Yu was stationed at Hongmen, commanding 400,000 troops.

If Xiang Yu had listened to Fan Zeng's advice and launched a surprise attack on Liu Bang the next morning, Liu Bang would have been doomed to defeat.

If that were the case, how could Liu Bang have become emperor?

During the Three Kingdoms period, when Liu Bei was weak and powerless, he sought refuge with Cao Cao. Cao Cao summoned his advisors to discuss how to deal with Liu Bei because of this.

Some people say, "Kill them."

Some say we should use it, while others say we should use it first and then kill it.

Cao Cao was also hesitant. If he had killed Liu Bei back then, how could the world have been divided into three kingdoms?

Therefore, indecisiveness is the greatest enemy of a monarch.

After Qi Tai's repeated persuasion, Zhu Yunwen's eyes flashed with ferocity, and he punched the table with his fist: "Fine, it's settled then. Zhu Yunwen will be executed in three days."

Seeing that Zhu Yunwen had finally made up his mind, Qi Tai nodded: "Your Majesty is wise!"

However, things could change if we delay. We shouldn't wait three days; execute him tomorrow morning to prevent future trouble.

"No need for that, it won't take a day or two." Zhu Yunwen did not agree to Qi Tai's request.

Just then, a guard walked in from outside and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

"Who?"

"Your grandmother has arrived."

Zhu Yunwen and Qi Tai were both taken aback when they heard this.

Qi Tai was afraid because he had been beaten by Empress Ma.

He quickly said to Zhu Yunwen, "Your Majesty, since your grandmother has arrived, and you two have things to discuss, I will take my leave for now."

Zhu Yunwen understood his thoughts and nodded.

Qi Tai slipped out through the side gate.

Zhu Yunwen said to the guard, "I will personally greet you."

"promise!"

Zhu Yunwen hurried to the door of the study and descended the steps to greet him.

He went outside and saw that it was indeed Empress Ma. He quickly lifted his clothes and knelt down on the ground: "I did not know that my grandmother was coming. I am late in welcoming you. Please forgive me."

Empress Ma glanced down at him, then snorted, "Get up!"

"Yes, Grandmother!" Zhu Yunwen stood up and helped Empress Ma up with his hand.

Empress Ma shook off his hand.

Zhu Yunwen's face flushed, and he knew that things were not going to go well tonight.

After the grandmother and grandson entered the study, Zhu Yunwen personally brought a chair for Empress Ma: "Grandmother, please sit down!"

Empress Ma didn't stand on ceremony and sat down.

Zhu Yunwen poured him another cup of green tea, presenting it with both hands: "Grandmother, please have some tea!"

Empress Ma's tone was icy: "Just leave it there."

Zhu Yunwen gently put down the teacup and stood aside.

He wiped the sweat from his brow with his robe sleeve and asked cautiously, "I wonder what instruction Grandmother has for me, arriving so late at night?"

"I heard you've imprisoned Zhu Yunwen again, is that true?" Empress Ma asked bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's heart skipped a beat. He wondered how the old man knew about this matter, which was kept so secret.

Later, he realized that it must have been Zhao Ning'er who reported it. He should have arrested Zhao Ning'er as well.

"That's certainly true, Grandmother!"

"I want to ask you, what did you promise me back then, in front of your grandfather's funeral hall?"

You said in front of the entire court that you wouldn't kill Zhu Yunwen, so why have you arrested him now?

What mistake did he make?

"What do you intend to do with him?" Empress Ma asked coldly, her face as cold as ice, clearly furious.

"This—," Zhu Yunwen felt his tongue was a little short.

As he got anxious, sweat poured down his forehead.

The weather in May and June is already hot enough.

He gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with his robe sleeve: "Grandmother, it's like this, it's not that I want to imprison him, it's just that there are too many memorials from court officials impeaching him."

"I have no choice but to do this, Grandmother. I hope you can understand my difficulties."

"A minister impeached him?"

Which ministers were they?

Is it Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng again?

That kid is just stirring up trouble; you'll be corrupted by them sooner or later!

What's the difference between them and Zhao Gao back then?

Zhao Gao and Li Si conspired to alter the First Emperor's will, making his youngest son, Huhai, the emperor, who became known as the Second Emperor of Qin.

When Hu Hai first ascended the throne, Zhao Gao, who considered himself his teacher, began to preach to him about enjoying life.

Therefore, it was suggested that Huhai stay in the palace, not concern himself with official business, and not attend court.

Zhao Gao selected beauties from all over the country to fill the harem for Hu Hai's debauchery.

From then on, Hu Hai spent his time fooling around with the women in the harem.

Zhao Gao then advised Hu Hai that he should kill all his brothers so that no one would compete with him for the throne and he could rest easy.

What happened next?

His brother came to him willingly, begging to be executed.

Hu Hai agreed, and his brothers were also obliged to express their gratitude for the imperial decree.

Just think about how absurd this is!

Hu Hai was truly ruthless; he killed almost all of his brothers and sisters.

So, what happened in the end?

The whole world rebelled. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu invaded, and Hu Hai had no brothers to come to his aid.

Seeing that Hu Hai was about to fall from power, Zhao Gao simply ordered his son-in-law Yan Le and his younger brother Zhao Cheng to kill Hu Hai!

You should learn from history, not follow the example of Hu Hai.

Upon hearing Empress Ma's words, Zhu Yunwen broke out in a cold sweat, his inner robe completely soaked.

But this time, he was also very stubborn.

He made up his mind that he had to kill Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen took a long time to catch his breath, calmed himself down, and then mustered his courage to say, "Grandmother, what you said is not without reason."

However, this time, the grandson, based on the laws of the court, had no choice but to kill Zhu Yunwen.

You don't need to worry about this, old man.

Moreover, when my grandfather was alive, he established the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty".

It clearly states that women are not allowed to interfere in politics.

Therefore, please ask Grandmother not to interfere in this matter.

Empress Ma trembled with anger upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words.

She stood up and pointed with her hand: "Good, good, good, now you're the emperor, your wings have hardened, and your grandmother can't control you anymore, right?"

Okay, then just pretend I was never here and didn't say anything, alright?

Goodbye!

Zhu Yunwen had never seen Empress Ma lose her temper like this before.

My heart was pounding.

Empress Ma was so angry that her lips turned blue. She stood up and left Zhu Yunwen's study, trembling.

"Grandmother..." Zhu Yunwen called out.

Empress Ma pretended not to hear.

From that moment on, she knew that Zhu Yunwen was no longer the same Zhu Yunwen he used to be.

Previously, Zhu Yunwen was a very filial son. During his father's illness, he served him tirelessly.

Old Zhu was deeply moved when he saw this.

This is also one of the reasons why Emperor Zhu appointed Zhu Yunwen as the Crown Prince.

Now that Zhu Yunwen is the emperor, he can no longer tolerate Empress Ma interfering in court affairs.

Empress Ma didn't even know which leg she took back to Kunning Palace.

Zhao Ning'er was still waiting for her there.

Seeing Empress Ma's extremely unpleasant expression, Zhao Ning'er knew that things had definitely not gone well.

She quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to Empress Ma with both hands.

Empress Ma took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

Because she was angry, she didn't drink a drop of water at Zhu Yunwen's place, and now she only felt that her mouth was dry.

She sat down and panted for a long time before finally being able to speak.

"Sigh! Just as I expected, that bastard Zhu Yunwen won't listen to honest advice, even though it's hard to swallow."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ning'er was also greatly surprised: "What? He dares to disobey even you, sir?"

Empress Ma shook her head and sighed repeatedly: "Now that he's all grown up, he's using his grandfather's 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions' to pressure me, saying that women should not interfere in politics."

Look at what he's saying!

How could he even see his grandmother anymore?

Upon hearing Empress Ma's words, Zhao Ning'er panicked and couldn't help but ask, "Grand Empress Dowager, what should we do about this?"

Did he say how to deal with Zhu Yunwen?

"He said he absolutely must kill him this time!"

"Ah?" Zhao Ning'er's heart sank, feeling as if it were being torn apart. She burst into tears, "Even you, sir, can't help me, what am I supposed to do?"

Empress Ma also had tears in her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, then began to curse Zhu Yuanzhang again: "In the end, it's all that damned Zhu Chongba's fault. If he hadn't established this damned Ming Dynasty, what kind of emperor would he have made?"

These brothers, when they get together, aren't they even closer than blood relatives?

Now that imperial power is involved, brothers are fighting tooth and nail for it, even to the death!

That damned bastard! Just thinking about him makes me so angry I could grind my teeth. I wish I could whip him a couple of times!

Zhao Ning'er grinned, thinking to herself, "What time is it now? What's the point of saying all that?"

"Empress Dowager, are you truly without any solutions?"

"I've done everything I could. Yun-hu is my own grandson. You're sad, but do you think I'm not?"

I have a glimmer of hope; I want to save him too.

At the Prince of Kaiping's residence.

Chang Yuchun was also depressed because through his interactions with Zhu Yunwen, he realized that this young emperor was completely different from his grandfather. In terms of friendship, he and Zhu Yunwen had a pretty good relationship.

Old Zhu was a very generous man who was good at using people. People would work for him willingly.

Zhu Yongwen gave him a different feeling; this man appeared honest and kind, but his inner thoughts were complex, and he seemed quite adept at manipulating power.

This was very different from Chang Yuchun's personality.

Chang Yuchun is a straightforward person who will fight if he disagrees!

I don't like complicated procedures.

Even his personal plea for Zhu Yunwen failed; it seems Yunwen's chances of survival are slim.

Chang Yuchun was also extremely anxious when he thought of this.

Just then, Madam Chang came to him crying: "Father, please think of a way to save Yunhuo!"

Normally, the father and daughter would be overjoyed to see each other, but because of this incident, Chang Yuchun sighed deeply.

Chang Yuchun then recounted his meeting with Zhu Yunwen.

Chang was also surprised when she heard this: "Father, what did you say?"

You mean you went to Zhu Yunwen yourself to beg him, but he wouldn't even give you face?

Chang Yuchun shook his head: "This is not a matter of saving face, but rather that what they said was reasonable and well-founded, leaving you with no way to refute it."

Of course, these reasons are secondary.

Most importantly, Yunwen's noble status posed a direct threat to Zhu Yunwen, given that Yunwen carried the blood of the Zhu family.