Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

Zhu Gaoxi scolded, "Xiao Jin, don't be rude, come back quickly. The master is a guest, don't frighten him."

Yao Guangxiu's body was still trembling slightly. Hearing this, he thought, "I'm so scared! If it weren't for my years of cultivation, I could be enjoying a feast today."

The golden dragon flicked its tail, transformed into a streak of light, and shrank back to its wrist, becoming a quiet bracelet once more.

Zhu Di sat upright, taking in the old monk's expression, feeling incredibly comfortable, thinking that today's trip had truly been worthwhile. He glanced at Zhu Gaoxu beside him and noticed that his second son had a similar expression. The father and son exchanged a rare moment of tacit understanding, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: It was worth it.

Zhu Di, with his cunning personality at play, said: "Daoyan, you've been practicing Buddhism for decades, but you haven't developed any supernatural powers. Why don't you join the Taoist sect and let your fourth brother teach you a thing or two? Who knows, one day you might be able to fly through the clouds, which is much better than you be chanting wooden fish in the temple."

He spoke casually, his tone as if advising an old friend. He had only intended to tease the old monk and relieve his embarrassment. Unexpectedly, Yao Guangxiao pondered for a long while, not only not refuting, but instead raising his head and looking earnestly at Zhu Gaoxi: "Your Majesty's words, this humble monk believes are not unreasonable. If one could receive some guidance from His Highness Prince Rui, entering the Daoist path would not be a problem."

Zhu Di didn't see Yao Guangxiao's embarrassment. Instead, what surprised him most was that the old man was acting unpredictably and had actually taken it seriously. "Damn it," he thought, "this old man doesn't play by the rules; he actually took it seriously."

Zhu Gaoxu reacted quite strongly to Yao Guangxiao's words. He leaned close to Zhu Gaosui's ear, his tone full of vigilance: "Oh no, someone's come along to steal our business. If Fourth Brother can pass on his supernatural powers, he'll pass them on to me first. I'm his second brother. Third Brother, once I've learned the supernatural powers, I'll teach them to you!"

Zhu Gaosui was speechless, and whispered, "Second brother, why can't fourth brother pass it on directly to me?"

Zhu Gaoxu was taken aback and glared at the third brother: "Fine, but it's first come, first served, and there's a difference between close and distant relatives. I'll definitely be taught first, there's no room for discussion."

Zhu Di had watched the show long enough, and changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "Alright, let's get down to business. Fourth Prince, I've come here today to discuss a few things with you."

"The first thing is to settle the officials of the Prince Rui's mansion." Zhu Di sat up straight and said loudly, "According to regulations, the mansion should have the following offices: Chief Secretary's Office, Trial Office, Food and Beverage Office, Sacrificial Office, Treasury Office, and Record Office. As for guards, a Guard Command Office should be set up, with three hundred guards selected from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"I have a few candidates in mind. Listen to them first. Chief Secretary, my idea is to let Yang Ji, the eldest son of Yang Shiqi, take the position. I've met that boy twice. He's quite clever and young, so you young people can speak to him."

After he finished speaking, he added, "You know Yang Shiqi. He doesn't show off in the cabinet, but he's reliable. Having his son as your chief secretary will give you a dependable person."

"Hu Ying is the most suitable person to manage the documents and records. That young man is Hu Guang's nephew, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the second year of the Jianwen reign. He has solid knowledge. Let him manage the documents and records for you. He can also help organize those Taoist books."

He continued, "My intention is to appoint Qiu Fu's eldest son as the commander of the guards. Qiu Fu made great contributions during the Jingnan Rebellion, and his son is a worthy son of a military family. His martial arts skills are beyond question. Of course, he cannot be compared with the fourth son, but he is just right to guard the Prince's residence for you."

After saying that, he glared at Zhu Gaoxu and said, "Second Prince, don't even think about messing with the officials in Prince Rui's residence. I know you've been running around to Fourth Prince's place a lot these past few days. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Trying to squeeze your people from Prince Han's residence in? No way."

"Your subject simply wanted to help." Zhu Gaoxu blushed slightly, his intentions exposed.

Zhu Di ignored him and turned to Zhu Gaoxi: "Fourth Prince, these are the general candidates. Chief Clerk Yang Ji, Registrar Hu Ying, and the Guard Commander Qiu. If you feel anyone is unsuitable, or if you have other candidates in mind, just tell me."

Zhu Gaoxi thought about the origins of these people and nodded slightly. Actually, it didn't matter whether he wanted these people or not, but he thought it would be nice to have someone to play with: "Father has made very thorough arrangements, and I have no objections."

"Alright." Zhu Di's expression was more solemn than before. "The second matter is that things are not peaceful in Annam. Although Hu Ji Mao and his son have been captured, rebellions in Jiaozhi continue, and Jian Ding, a former official of the Chen Dynasty, is inciting the people. I plan to send Zhang Fu to lead troops to conquer Annam again."

Zhu Di suddenly spoke urgently, with a rare hint of longing in his voice: "I want to go too. You turned me back to my twenties, and I just can't suppress this urge anymore. I want to lead the expedition myself. I want to borrow your dragon, ride it to Annam, and forget about the miasma, we'll be there in a few days. Those rebels in Jianding have never seen a dragon before; they're terrified." He then looked at Zhu Gaoxi, waiting for his reply.

Zhu Gaoxi nodded: "That's fine. Little Jin can carry Father Emperor; it recognizes Father Emperor's aura and won't reject him."

Before Zhu Di could even rejoice, Zhu Gaoxi added, "Father, Xiao Jin was enlightened by me. I'm afraid it will throw a tantrum if it's been away from me for too long. I also want to go out and see the magnificent land of my Great Ming."

"Granted!" Zhu Di was in a good mood, already imagining himself riding a dragon into battle. Throughout history, which emperor was as powerful as Zhu Di? He was extremely proud of himself.

Zhu Gaoxi then said, "However, Father, the dragon can only carry a few of us. What about the army? I think it would be better if we set off with the army. On the way, we can let the people along the route see the might of the Ming army, which will also boost their morale."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi stood up: "Father! I'll go too! I've fought all my life, and now I feel young again. I want to go to the battlefield once more! Those Annam rebels are a piece of cake for me!"

"Granted."

After all, the second son was indeed a capable fighter during the Jingnan Rebellion. He turned the tide several times in times of crisis. The second son was also a military general, and it was normal for him to want to go when he was young. It was good that the eldest son was in charge of the country, so it was good to let the second son go to the front line instead of staying in the capital and causing trouble.

If Zhu Gaochi had said at that moment, "Father, please abdicate immediately, and I will ascend the throne," Zhu Di might have agreed.

Seeing his second brother leave, Zhu Gaosui quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Father, now that my second brother is leaving, I also wish to go on the expedition with the army!"

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Gaosui, waved his hand, and declined indifferently: "What are you going to do? It is enough for me, your second brother, and your fourth brother to accompany the army. In the capital, I will leave you to assist your eldest brother in overseeing the country."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaosui had no choice but to obey and dared not argue any further.

Zhu Gaochi listened to his father for a long time and said, "Father, please allow me to say something. The emperor's personal command and the mobilization of the army, along with provisions, weapons, and postal services, all cost a lot of money. If we fight another war this year, I'm afraid we'll have to increase taxes again. The people have only had a few years of rest and really can't afford to suffer any more."

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together and echoed the Crown Prince: "Your Majesty, what His Highness the Crown Prince said is absolutely right. The Yongle Encyclopedia has not yet been completed, and taxes in various regions have not been fully restored. At this time, launching a large-scale military campaign would not be a blessing for the country. This humble monk believes that we should prioritize recuperation and development."

Hearing his eldest brother complaining about being poor again, Zhu Gaoxu turned around, glared at Zhu Gaochi, and snorted, "Big brother, you're always so stingy when it comes to war."

"Second son, don't you know the cost of tea, rice, oil, and salt when you're not in charge of the household? Doesn't repairing the Yongle Encyclopedia cost money? Doesn't fighting and traveling cost money? ... The national treasury is already in deficit every year, are you going to make up for it?" Zhu Gaochi immediately retorted when he heard his second son say that he was stingy.

"You're always complaining about being poor, it's so annoying! And you still want me to make up for it? I'll make up for nothing!" Han Wang said angrily when he heard his eldest brother start listing all the places where money was needed again.

Zhu Gaoxi interrupted the Prince of Han: "Father, my elder brother and the Grand Master are right to worry. However, this time, money and grain are not a problem. Not only will I not need Father to collect a single grain, but I can also distribute grain to the people along the way."

Zhu Gaoxu put his earlier dissatisfaction with his eldest brother to the back of his mind: "Fourth brother is really resourceful! Unlike eldest brother, who is always stingy and reluctant to approve this or that whenever there is a battle."

Zhu Gaochi looked up at him, but didn't bother to reply.

Zhu Di finalized the personnel arrangements: "Alright, on this expedition, I, the second prince, and the fourth prince will go together, the crown prince will stay in the capital to oversee the country, and the third prince will assist the crown prince in handling state affairs."