Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

After Xia Yuanji left, the duty room returned to silence.

Gu Yannian lowered his eyes and continued to flip through the account books in his hands.

He knew all too well what was about to unfold outside Fengtian Gate.

Although his intervention accelerated the course of history, people's hearts and personalities are difficult to change easily.

Zhu Gaochi was a benevolent ruler, while Zhu Zhanji was a ruthless and decisive one.

The father and son are bound to clash over how to deal with Zhu Gaochi.

At this moment, the officials stood solemnly in Fengtianmen Square, completely silent.

Zhu Gaochi sat upright on the dragon throne, having recovered from a serious illness and spent several months recuperating.

His face was no longer ashen and puffy as before, but exuded a dignified and imposing presence.

The cage cart was pushed to the foot of the imperial steps.

Zhu Gaoxu was forcibly dragged out of the carriage by several strongmen and pinned to the ground.

Although he became a prisoner, his fierce and courageous spirit remained undiminished.

He suddenly raised his head, staring intently at the high and mighty Zhu Gaochi, his eyes bloodshot.

"The victor is king, the loser is villain; kill if you want! Don't pretend to be some kind of elder brother!"

Zhu Gaoxu roared angrily.

Zhu Zhanji stepped forward, stood with his hand on his sword, and said loudly:

"Father! The Prince of Han has raised an army in rebellion, a heinous crime deserving the extermination of his entire clan! Your son begs for the imperial decree to execute him publicly as a warning to others!"

Among the officials, many also stepped forward to second the motion, demanding severe punishment for the traitorous king.

Zhu Gaochi looked down at his younger brother, who was emaciated yet still arrogant, and a deep sadness and weariness flashed in his eyes.

He did not issue the decree immediately.

Instead, he slowly stood up, walked down the steps, and came to Zhu Gaoxu's side.

"Second brother, oh second brother..."

Zhu Gaochi sighed deeply, his voice echoing across the empty square.

"When Father Emperor was in trouble, you charged into battle and saved him from danger several times. I have never forgotten your contributions."

"But why are you so fixated on this dragon throne? Is it really that comfortable to sit on?"

Zhu Gaoxu sneered, "What do you know, you fatso who can't even ride a horse! This world belongs to the strong!"

Zhu Zhanji flew into a rage, drawing his sword half an inch: "Insolence!"

"Step back!"

Zhu Gaochi turned around and sternly stopped his son.

He turned his head again to look at Zhu Gaoxu, his tone calm but every word carrying immense weight.

"You have committed treason and rebellion, and according to the law you should be executed by slow slicing. But I am your elder brother, and I promised Mother that I would protect you brothers."

"Since you are unrighteous, I cannot be unjust."

He turned around, faced the assembled officials, and loudly issued his decree.

"By imperial decree, Zhu Gaoxu is stripped of his title of Prince of Han and demoted to commoner. Considering his past merits, he is spared the death penalty."

"He was sent to Fengyang and imprisoned within high walls, to guard the tomb of Emperor Taizu for the rest of his life, and could not leave without dying! His family members and female relatives were also imprisoned, and all their support was provided by the imperial treasury."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The heinous crime of treason only resulted in a life sentence of confinement?

Zhu Zhanji said urgently, "Father! This is tantamount to releasing a tiger back into the mountains; it will surely bring disaster in the future!"

"My mind is made up; say no more!"

Zhu Gaochi suddenly waved his sleeve, displaying an unquestionable imperial majesty.

Zhu Gaoxu slumped in the snow, watching Zhu Gaochi's departing figure, the arrogance in his eyes gradually fading.

Instead, there was an indescribable sense of dejection.

He had thought he would get what he wanted and die a glorious death.

Little did they expect that what awaited them was a long, dark life behind the high walls of Fengyang.

For a fierce and active general like him, this was far more cruel than killing him.

Half an hour later.

The message was relayed back to the Ministry of Revenue.

Gu Yannian listened to the discussions among the officials and put down his brush.

A thought stirred within him: this Emperor Hongxi was, in the end, still that fat man whose very bones exuded the Confucian principles of benevolence and forgiveness.

Zhu Gaoxu was imprisoned in Fengyang.

Although it preserved the bond between brothers, it also provided a relatively stable explanation to the Ming Dynasty.

There was no widespread bloodshed or violence.

If this were the case, the world would experience less turmoil and more peace.

At dusk, the evening drums sounded.

Gu Yannian put away his abacus on time, straightened his clothes, and strode out of the Ministry of Revenue.

The wind and snow outside had not stopped, and there were few pedestrians on the long street.

He opened an oil-paper umbrella and walked slowly through the snow.

As I passed a mutton restaurant on the street corner, the aroma of bubbling white broth and scallions wafted over me.

Gu Yannian folded up his paper umbrella, lifted the heavy cotton curtain, and stepped into the hall.

"Shopkeeper, cut a plate of lamb shank and warm two ounces of liquor."

He sat down in the corner by the window.

Before long, steaming hot mutton and mellow liquor were served.

Pick up a piece of mutton, dip it in some minced garlic, and put it in your mouth. As you chew, the fresh and fragrant flavor fills your mouth.

He took a sip of warm wine and looked out the window at the swirling snow.

"On a snowy day like this, with wine and meat, that's the life a person should have," he murmured to himself.

For him, the grudges and feuds in the imperial court were nothing more than topics of conversation over tea and after dinner.

On this long journey of life, all he has to do is protect his own peaceful world.

Waiting patiently for the arrival of the next spring breeze.

Spring of the second year of the Hongxi reign.

As the ice and snow melt, all things come back to life.

Under the rule of Emperor Hongxi, the various government departments of the Ming Dynasty performed their respective duties, and the money and grain from all over the country flowed into the national treasury in an endless stream.

This day is a day off.

Gu Yannian was not wearing official robes, but only a plain cotton long gown, tending to several pots of newly sprouted orchids in his own courtyard.

Since Shen Wan passed away, the courtyard has become increasingly empty and quiet.

He never remarried, nor did he hire any servants.

He personally took care of all the cleaning and daily chores.

It's not about saving money.

With his current physical abilities, these chores are nothing more than a matter of a snap of his fingers, and he can at least have some peace and quiet.

Just as I was watering the orchids, a very steady knock came from outside the courtyard gate.

Gu Yannian put down the water ladle and went to open the door.

An old man wearing a black cloak stood outside the door.

The old man was tall and robust, with a slightly hunched back, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, revealing the vicissitudes and perseverance he had experienced after weathering many storms.

Although he wasn't wearing a python robe, the imposing aura emanating from him, a power that comes with long-held authority, would be impossible for ordinary people to bear directly in his presence.

Gu Yannian recognized the person at a glance and was slightly surprised.

"So it's Eunuch Zheng. I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly with such an honored guest."

Gu Yannian folded the cup to the guest.

The visitor was none other than Zheng He, the renowned eunuch of the Ming Dynasty, whose fame resounded throughout the world.

Zheng He removed his cloak, stepped into the courtyard, looked around, and laughed loudly:

"I had long heard of Minister Gu's noble character and his aversion to pleasure. Seeing this humble dwelling today, I know the rumors are true."

"This old servant has taken the liberty of visiting you; I hope you will forgive me, sir."

Gu Yannian led Zheng He to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard and brewed a pot of tea.

"Since my father-in-law is not currently stationed in Nanjing, how could he have time to visit Shuntian Prefecture?"

Gu Yannian handed over the teacup, asking the question knowing the answer already.

Since Emperor Hongxi ascended the throne, in order to allow the people to rest and recuperate, he issued an edict to completely halt the construction of treasure ships for voyages to the Western Ocean.

Zheng He, the maritime hegemon, was placed in Nanjing and became a clay idol enshrined there.

For a commander who has devoted his entire life to the vast ocean.

Such idleness is tantamount to cutting meat with a dull knife.