Chapter 120: Fool Zhu Gaoxu

Zhu Di saw that Qiu Fu hesitated, and he knew that something was not simple. He separated from Xu Huizu and Yao Guangxiao outside Chengtian Gate.

“What exactly happened?”

Zhu Di’s face darkened, and his steps became heavy.

Qiu Fu swallowed his saliva, looked around to make sure no one was listening, and then whispered, “The Crown Prince sent the bodyguard Yang Zhen with a message, saying that the Second Prince has conspired with the gentry, privately recruited warriors, and intends to…”

Zhu Di’s eyes narrowed with anger, his teeth clenched, and he shouted in a low, hoarse voice, “That animal!”

After the anger, cold sweat broke out on Zhu Di’s forehead.

Once Zhu Gaoxu starts a rebellion, or if the conspiracy is exposed, the entire King of Yan’s residence will surely be destroyed in an instant!

Zhu Gaoxu deserves to die, but what about Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui?

What about the hundreds of people in the King of Yan’s residence?

What about himself?

Conspiring against the throne is a crime punishable by the extermination of one’s entire family!

Although Zhu Di had considered rebellion before and even prepared for it, but dear son, that was in the past. How can’t you distinguish the situation?

Times have changed!

Back then, we had the King of Yan’s Three Guards and the loyal bodyguards, as well as a group of military officers in the surrounding guards who were loyal to us. Even so, there was no chance of success!

Now, there is even less of a chance!

The King of Yan’s Three Guards is actually under the jurisdiction of the court. The guard stations around Beiping have all been disbanded. Military officers loyal to us have either been transferred or no longer command troops. What can you use to rebel?

Back then, even I, pretending to be mad and playing stupid, couldn’t outwit Zhu Yunwen. You, a little brat, why do you think you can compete with him?

You recruited a few rotten tomatoes and lousy eggs, and you dare to confront the mighty army under the new army policy?

When you were cracking walnuts, did you stick your head in the door crack?

What a fool!

Even if you, Zhu Gaoxu, want to rebel, why can’t you at least send me a message? at least let me know in advance so that I can escape and seek refuge.

Rebellion, rebellion!

Do you really think you’re invincible with your little fighting strength?

Do you even know how powerful the Three Great Camps that I just created are?

Do you know the combat power of the Three Great Camps?

Even if you had two hundred thousand troops, you would only have a dead end!

Zhu Di was burning with anger, and he asked in a deep voice, “Is there any other news? Does Ping’an know about this?”

Qiu Fu expressed his concern, “Your Highness, the details of this matter still need to be inquired from Yang Zhen.”

Zhu Di took several deep breaths and strode towards the King of Yan’s residence in the capital.

King of Yan’s residence

Zhu Di entered the room, and Yang Zhen quickly got up and knelt down, saying, “Guard Yang Zhen pays respects to Your Highness.”

“Get up and speak,” said Zhu Di, sitting down and looking at Yang Zhen. Seeing that Yang Zhen looked emaciated and exhausted, Zhu Di suppressed his anger. He turned to Qiu Fu and said, “Go prepare some food and drinks for him.”

“Your Highness, I’m not hungry,” Yang Zhen hurriedly replied.

Qiu Fu left to arrange the food and drinks, and then returned to the room, standing by the door.

Zhu Di sighed and asked, “So, what happened in Beiping Prefecture? Tell me everything.”

Yang Zhen licked his dry lips and said, “After Your Highness left Beiping Prefecture, the Second Prince secretly began to plan. During the implementation of national policies, the Second Prince coerce Jin Zhong into being his advisor, conspiring with the gentry…”

The more Zhu Di heard, the darker his expression became.

When he heard that Jin Zhong was buying off the guards, he slammed the table, knocking over the teacups. He stood up in anger and said, “Dammit! What’s the current situation with Zhu Gaoxu?”

Yang Zhen quickly knelt down and replied, “He has been kept within King of Yan residence by crown prince and not allowed to go out.”

“Chi’er did the right thing!” Zhu Di paced back and forth, gritting his teeth, he turned and asked, “Has this news leaked? Have there been any actions from the Beiping Prefecture guards?”

Yang Zhen shook his head and said, “Ping’an, Zhang Bing, and others are busy with tasks such as reassigning guards and trading the garrison land. They are not in Beiping Prefecture, so they should not have noticed any issues.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di relaxed a little, sat back down, and said, “I understand now. You stay here and rest well.”

Yang Zhen bowed and left the room.

Qiu Fu approached Zhu Di and asked, “Your Highness, should we send someone to Beiping Prefecture?”

Zhu Di shook his head slightly and replied with a cold tone, “No need. Emperor Taizu’s memorial day is approaching, and these descendants should come to the capital to pay their respects. Let’s wait for them to arrive in the capital before deciding how to handle this. What I’m worried about now is whether this matter has already reached the court’s ears.”

“This… it shouldn’t have, right?” Qiu Fu was somewhat uncertain.

If Zhu Yunwen received news of Zhu Gaoxu’s rebellion, he would not remain passive.

Zhu Di didn’t share the same view; he believed that Zhu Yunwen, at present, was like a stealthy leopard waiting for the right moment to strike, just as he had used his “momentum” against Zhu Di himself.

Not acting at all, and then striking with deadly force!

“Jin Zhong was recommended into the residence by master Dao Yan. However, in recent days, master Dao Yan seems to want to tell me something but hasn’t said it. There seems to be something difficult to express,” Zhu Di recalled the details of his recent interactions with Yao Guangxiao.

Shocked, Qiu Fu tried to console Zhu Di, saying, “Your Highness, master Dao Yan’s hesitation may stem from his nostalgia for your past relationship. Now that he is a loyal subject of Emperor Jianwen, he may be feeling guilty and uneasy…”

Zhu Di waved his hand and said with a heavy expression, “Don’t underestimate the Great Ming Security Bureau. These people can infiltrate anywhere.”

In the Tang Bookstore, Tang Run was flipping through a printed copy of “The Great Learning” he suddenly heard some commotion. He looked up and saw his assistant, Liu Er, rushing towards him.

“Boss, boss, great news! Tremendous news!” Liu er exclaimed

Tang Run furrowed his brows, put down the book, and inquired, “What’s the good news?”

As Liu Er approached, he caught his breath and said, “The court has issued an edict abolishing the ban from the 22nd year of Hongwu, allowing bookstores to freely print books, including novels and miscellaneous writings.”

“Is it true?!” Tang Run was overjoyed.

In the early Ming Dynasty, the types of books that bookstores were allowed to print were very limited. They were restricted to three categories:

1. Officially sanctioned and approved historical records from previous dynasties.

2. Local records and gazetteers.

3. Confucian classics and commentaries.

These three categories mainly served scholars and the court, and they had little to do with the dissemination of culture and folk literature.

Zhu Yunwen’s order to lift the ban and loosen the restrictions on civilian bookstores was also intended to pave the way for the emergence and operation of the China Bookstore. After all, if kings were engaged in such activities, it wouldn’t be fair to prevent the common people from doing the same, right?

Since it’s allowed, why not lift the ban earlier?

Bookstores should have a certain degree of autonomy. As long as you don’t violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty, aren’t subversive, don’t betray the country, don’t kneel, and don’t pander, then what books you produce should be your freedom.

Regardless of era you can’t expect the books read by common people to be the same as those read in school?

Tang Run deeply regretted not keeping the manuscript of Luo Guanzhong’s “Romance of the Three Kingdoms ” when he had the chance.

“Boss, what should we do?” Liu Er looked at Tang Run with anticipation.

After some hesitation, Tang Run finally made up his mind and said, “Stop the printing of all Confucian classics, select suitable books, and start carving and typesetting anew! Let’s print a hundred copies of ‘The Romance of West Chamber!”

Liu Er’s expression changed, and he said somewhat anxiously, “Boss, ‘The Romance of West Chamber’ is a banned book. Is it appropriate?”

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