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

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the Qinhuai River.

The sky was darkening but not yet completely dark.

A gentle evening breeze swept across the river.

Both banks of the river were already brightly lit, with strings of large red lanterns hanging from the eaves of riverside restaurants and pleasure boats.

As the most prosperous waterway in the capital, the Qinhuai River was teeming with painted boats of all sizes, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted out, blending with the sounds of the city on the banks.

The streets on both sides of the river were teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder.

In the 27th year of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang built a sixteen-story building in Nanjing, commonly known as the "Spring River and Autumn Moon Sixteen-Story Building".

The sixteen buildings are concentrated in the western part of the city, arranged along the outer Qinhuai River and major transportation routes.

Among them, the "Danfenlou" is located on Xiguan South Street inside Jiangdongmen, facing the Qinhuai River Old Courtyard across the river, and is currently bustling with visitors.

Zhu Di, dressed in the silk robe of an ordinary wealthy man, walked with his hands behind his back on the street along the Qinhuai River.

Although he is over fifty years old, he still has a tall and straight figure.

Zhu Di gazed at the bustling scene before him, with its flickering lights, the sound of oars, and the throngs of people, a complex expression on his face.

"Yang Rong, Huang Huai," Zhu Di said calmly without turning around, "what do you think of the banks of the Qinhuai River compared to the Hongwu era?"

Yang Rong, who was half a step behind him, exchanged a glance with Huang Huai.

Yang Rong hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to... Master."

"Since the Yongle era, the country has gradually become peaceful. His Majesty has worked diligently to govern the country, dredged the Grand Canal, and Zheng He's fleet has traveled to distant lands, resulting in frequent trade."

"This city of Jinling certainly has a more peaceful and prosperous atmosphere than before."

Huang Huai nodded in agreement: "Brother Yang is absolutely right."

"Now that the lantern festival is in full swing, everyone is enjoying themselves and all industries are thriving, which shows that people's livelihoods are gradually recovering and granaries are becoming fuller."

"It is only because the rulers have governed the country well that the world has been able to have this chance to breathe."

Zhu Di listened, a smile playing on his lips.

He strolled along, his gaze sweeping over the roadside vendors selling various lanterns, snacks, and toys, watching the families with their children, laughing and chatting, and then over the well-dressed scholars and merchants calling out to their friends.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, the sweet scent of cosmetics, and the slightly fishy smell of the river. All these sounds intertwined to create a vivid and lively picture of a prosperous night scene.

Zhu Di couldn't help but sigh.

"Nanjing, the ancient capital of six dynasties, has been the site of more than ten large-scale wars throughout history. The rights and wrongs are too complicated to discuss."

"But historians have all noted that it was on this ancient battlefield that the rise and fall of Wang Shuo, generation after generation, was determined."

"Therefore, there has been a saying since ancient times that one should aspire to conquer the Central Plains."

"Back then, the late Emperor Taizu led the righteous army, which converged in Chuzhou in three routes, and marched south."

"On the second day after the recapture of Nanjing, Emperor Yuan, seeing that the situation was hopeless, fled north in panic."

"Twelve years ago, I embarked on my journey from Beiping and began the Jingnan Campaign, which brought the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty under one rule."

"In the fourth year of Jianwen's reign, at Lingbi, the last line of defense outside Nanjing, I personally led tens of thousands of soldiers to conquer Jianwen's traitors Ping An and Sheng Yong, and won a great victory."

"Nanjing surrendered without a fight."

"Wherever our army goes, the people welcome us wholeheartedly. We have truly taken full advantage of the opportune time. The vibrant life and flourishing of all things are still vivid in my mind."

"Now that I have been on the throne for nine years, Nanjing has not only escaped the ravages of war, but has become even more prosperous, its vibrant scene surpassing even that of the past!"

Huang Huai bowed slightly.

"When the royal army entered the city, the people were not alarmed and did not commit any offenses, which is why we have the joy of every household today without any worries."

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have reduced taxes and levies, allowed the people to rest and recuperate, and sent envoys to the four barbarian lands and opened up sea routes. The prosperity of Jinling City is now far beyond what the previous dynasty could have achieved."

Yang Rong exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and your virtue and prestige have spread far and wide, which has brought about this prosperous era where all directions submit and the country is at peace."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di laughed heartily and pointed at the two men.

"You two, all you know how to do is flatter."

Yang Rong and Huang Huai smiled without saying a word.

Zhu Di glanced at them and then said casually.

"I've heard that some officials in the court have recently expressed reservations about my imperial edict bestowing the Bowen Pavilion upon Zhanjun?"

Yang Rong and Huang Huai exchanged a glance.

Yang Rong hesitated for a moment, then cautiously cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, there are indeed some discussions."

"Several senior officials in the court are mainly worried that His Majesty's favor towards the Prince of Jiyang is too great, which may lead to arrogance and cause the court to lose its balance."

Huang Huai lowered his voice.

"When they discussed it in private, they often cited historical events from the Tang Dynasty as a warning."

"It is said that Emperor Taizong of Tang favored Prince Wei, Li Tai, allowing him to open a literary academy and recruit scholars. His treatment of him exceeded the prescribed order, and his favor even surpassed that of Crown Prince Chengqian."

"Ultimately, this led to suspicion between the brothers, each forming their own factions, which resulted in the struggle for the throne. Chengqian was deposed, and Li Tai also lost favor with Emperor Taizong, resulting in mutual destruction... They feared that His Majesty's special treatment of the Prince of Jiyang would make the Eastern Palace uneasy and repeat the mistakes of the previous dynasty."

Zhu Di did not stop walking, his gaze still fixed on the glittering painted boats on the river, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, he simply said "Oh".

Yang Rong said calmly.

"These officials were also acting out of loyalty to uphold the foundation of the nation and maintain stability in the court."

"They believed that the position of crown prince had been decided long ago, and that it would be the grandson of Emperor Zhanji."

"If Your Majesty is too lenient with the Prince of Jiyang and grants him the power to establish his own academy and recruit talented people, it will be tantamount to establishing a separate small court, which will easily cause unrest among the people and generate unnecessary speculation and disputes."

"If this continues, it will not be a blessing for the nation."

Zhu Di was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. "They're quite thoughtful, even bringing up stories from the Tang Dynasty."

"What, do you think I'm old and confused, unable to distinguish right from wrong, or that I'll become like Emperor Taizong of Tang, spoiling my youngest son and causing confusion between legitimate and illegitimate heirs?"

Yang Rong and Huang Huai were startled and quickly bowed: "Your Majesty is wise and insightful, and makes decisive decisions. He has a profound reason for this."

"Those comments are nothing but the unfounded worries of pedantic old ministers; Your Majesty need not concern yourself with them."

Zhu Di snorted and thought to himself, how could you possibly know about Zhan Jun's intelligence!

He is truly a prodigy of our Great Ming Dynasty!

He was simply giving Zhanjun a chance to showcase his talents.

Is this going too far?

Zhu Di shook his head and said calmly.

"The reason I bestowed the Bowen Pavilion upon Zhanjun is because he invented such a marvelous object as the telescope."

"With a telescope, the probability of our Great Ming winning a battle can increase by fifty percent!"

"This one achievement alone is an unparalleled feat."

"If Zhanjun can rely on the Bowen Pavilion to create more wonders and benefit the Ming Dynasty, that would be a blessing for our Ming Dynasty."

"As for legitimate and illegitimate children, I know the difference in my mind."

"Zhanjun is a smart child. I believe that we should guide him patiently and help him develop his talents. In the future, he will surely assist Zhanji in governing the Ming Dynasty well."

Huang Huai and Yang Rong felt relieved, knowing that the emperor was deliberately saying this to them.

The two quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhu Di stroked his beard.

"Zhanjun, this little monkey is so naughty."

"But his intelligence surpasses that of all the imperial grandsons."

"Don't press it down."

"He is, after all, a descendant of the Zhu family."

After speaking, Zhu Di recalled his conversation with Zhu Zhanjun at the Imperial Ancestral Temple that day.

Zhu Zhanjun confidently told him that the fate of the Ming Dynasty would not last more than two hundred years in Zhu Zhanji's hands, but if it were in his hands, he could turn the tide of the Ming Dynasty's destiny.

After that day, Zhu Di would think of this matter every night and toss and turn for a long time.

It would be a lie to say that he was unwavering in his convictions; Zhu Zhanji was intelligent and composed enough.

However, Zhanjun's wisdom and vision far surpassed that of ordinary people; he seemed to be a born sage, and it would be a pity if he didn't become emperor.

However, if the rule of primogeniture is broken again, the Zhu family will likely face chaos and turmoil in the future.

Of course, he couldn't say these things to Yang Rong and the others.

The ministers also hoped for a stable system of succession.

Zhu Di had a happy kind of trouble in his heart.

While others worry that their descendants will be unsuccessful, he worries that they will be too successful.

Zhu Di took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"That kid is probably studying at the museum right now."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard Yang Rong exclaim in surprise.

"Your Majesty, look, that seems to be His Highness the Prince of Jiyang."

Zhu Di: "???"

He looked up instinctively.

"Where?"

Huang Huai's expression was strange as he extended his finger.

"It looks like it's in front of a brothel."

Zhu Di: "!!!"