The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Zhu Gaochi coughed lightly.

Things aren't as bad as you think.

Haste makes waste.

Actually, he had some mixed feelings about his father taking elixirs.

On the one hand, the Han King's faction is now very powerful.

If Zhu Di falls, the Crown Prince may not be a match for the Prince of Han.

on the other hand......

He has been the crown prince for ten years.

It's impossible to say I don't want to take another step forward.

Yang Shiqi's expression turned solemn. He put down his teacup, slowly rose, bowed deeply to Zhu Gaochi, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I dare to speak frankly."

"It is common knowledge in the court and among the people that His Majesty is currently obsessed with elixirs and his health is deteriorating day by day. If His Majesty is indeed... truly in danger, then the Han Prince faction is currently at the height of its power, the Huai Prince has recently made unparalleled contributions, and has also been personally granted the Imperial Guard by His Majesty. Their power is already established."

"At that time, the political situation will be turbulent, and the safety of the nation will hang by a thread."

"The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, and His Highness is the heir apparent. Their positions have long been established and are known throughout the land. But when the time comes, only strength will prevail."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's pupils contracted slightly, and the fat on his face trembled gently. He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Master Yang means..."

Yang Shiqi raised his head, his gaze intense, his voice low but incredibly clear: "Your Highness, I believe that at this juncture, the Crown Prince's Palace needs to make two preparations."

"Firstly, on the surface, continue to serve His Majesty with filial piety, visiting him daily and showing concern for his health, so as not to give anyone cause for criticism. At the same time, contact the upright officials and ministers close to the Crown Prince, such as Jian Yi and Lü Zhen, so that they can gain a foothold in the court and advocate for the Crown Prince."

"Secondly, we need to make arrangements in advance. Your Highness can secretly contact those generals in the capital garrison who have received favors from the Crown Prince or have a history of conflict with the Prince of Han."

"In addition, the Crown Prince's guards and officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices need to strengthen their training so that they can protect His Highness in critical moments."

"As for His Highness the Crown Prince..." Yang Shiqi looked at Zhu Zhanji with a solemn expression, "Your Highness must remain calm and must not have another direct conflict with the Prince of Huai. Although His Majesty is seriously ill, his mind is still clear. If he reveals any weakness at this time, it would be unwise."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's fat face trembled. He remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh, his voice heavy and hesitant: "How could I not know what Master Yang is saying?"

"However... although Father is currently taking elixirs, his spirits are still good, and he is not in such a critical condition."

"We, as subjects, are secretly plotting something...isn't this tantamount to treason?"

"If word gets out, how can I face my father, how can I face the people of the land?"

Yang Shiqi's expression turned serious. He put down his teacup, slowly rose, walked to Zhu Gaochi, bowed deeply, and said earnestly and firmly, "Your Highness is mistaken!"

"Your Highness's actions are not for treason, but for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and all its people, a measure to 'prevent trouble before it happens'!"

He raised his head, his eyes fixed intently on Zhu Gaochi, and said, word by word, "Your Highness, please consider this: if His Majesty's health were truly damaged by those elixirs, and one day he suddenly... passes away, and the Prince of Han seizes the opportunity to rebel, leading his troops straight to the capital, what kind of situation would arise when the Eastern Palace is unprepared and the position of Crown Prince hangs by a thread?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's pupils contracted slightly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead, but he did not interrupt.

Yang Shiqi continued, "The Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, has always been arrogant and domineering, but he is also brave and skilled in battle, and is deeply supported by the soldiers in the army."

"If he raises an army, there will surely be insiders in the capital; and his former subordinates are also present in the capital garrison."

"At that time, the capital will be engulfed in war, officials will be filled with fear, the people will be displaced, and the Ming Dynasty will be in imminent danger of collapse!"

"If the Prince of Han succeeds, how could he tolerate Your Highness and the Crown Prince?"

"Even if His Highness manages to escape with his life, he will likely face imprisonment within the high walls of Fengyang, or be demoted to a commoner and exiled to the frontier! And His Highness the Eldest Grandson will be the first to suffer, his life in grave danger!"

"Even worse, if the King of Han ascends the throne, he will be tyrannical and ambitious, and will surely engage in endless wars and start another war."

"At that time, with campaigns against the Mongols in the north and Annam in the south, endless wars will empty the national treasury, impoverish the people, and the peaceful and prosperous era that our Great Ming Dynasty has finally achieved will be destroyed in an instant!"

"Those treacherous individuals who attach themselves to the Prince of Han will surely seize high positions, wreak havoc on the court, and loyal and virtuous officials will either be slaughtered or ostracized. The vitality of the Ming Dynasty will be severely damaged!"

Yang Shiqi spoke with great passion, his voice trembling slightly, clearly showing that he was genuinely moved.

He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and slowly said, "Your Highness, I dare to utter a harsh truth: Your actions today are not disloyalty, but rather an act of loyalty!"

"This is to prevent the kind of tragedy that would occur if His Majesty were to pass away, resulting in the collapse of the state and the devastation of the people!"

"As the Crown Prince, Your Highness bears the weight of the nation's fate. In this extraordinary time, it is only natural for you to act extraordinaryly!"

"If Your Highness, out of fear of rumors, clings to old ways and fails to make preparations, it will be too late to regret it once unforeseen circumstances arise!"

"At that time, Your Highness will have failed His Majesty's trust, failed the ancestors of the Ming Dynasty, and failed the millions of people under Heaven!"

After speaking, Yang Shiqi bowed deeply again, his voice resolute: "Your subject Yang Shiqi is willing to serve Your Highness with his life, even unto death! I only beg Your Highness to prioritize the nation and make a swift decision!"

After listening to Yang Shiqi's impassioned speech, Zhu Gaochi sat in his chair and remained silent for a long time.

His expression shifted, sometimes worried, sometimes fearful, sometimes resolute. Finally, he slowly raised his head, looked at Yang Shiqi, a complex light flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Master Yang... your words are like a wake-up call, enlightening me."

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the pitch-black night outside, and said in a low but firm voice, "So be it... Since it's for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the people of this world, I... will be this 'unfilial descendant' who 'prevents trouble before it happens'!"

He turned to Yang Shiqi, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Master Yang, you are now fully responsible for the Crown Prince's secret arrangements. Keep it absolutely secret; not a single word can leak out!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Yang Shiqi bowed and accepted the order, a hint of relief and determination flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Zhanji, standing to the side, listened to his father and Yang Shiqi's conversation, his expression changing constantly. But in the end, he slowly loosened his clenched fist, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

He knew in his heart that once he took this step, there would be no turning back.

Zhu Zhanji silently comforted himself.

We are doing this for the Ming Dynasty!