Chapter Four: I Never Wanted to Be Emperor, But What Choice Did I Have?
“To respond to Grandfather the Emperor, your grandson does not wish to.”
Zhu Yuncong stood firm, neither humble nor arrogant.
“The Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler, holds the power over the realm and bears the heavy responsibility for the vast empire.”
“The Ming dynasty’s land and state, the lives of millions of subjects, rest upon one’s shoulders.”
“The weight of this duty is unparalleled.”
“Rising early and retiring late, poring over memorials, exhausted beyond measure.”
“In contrast, being a carefree prince, supported by the court’s stipend,”
“Without the burden of ruling the world, one can enjoy songs and dances daily, accompanied by music and merriment.”
“Life is but a few fleeting decades; who does not wish to live lightly and happily?”
“To be the emperor is far less joyful than to be a prince; therefore, your grandson truly does not wish to be emperor!”
The ministers exchanged glances in the court.
He himself had demanded the title of heir apparent, yet now he declared he did not want to be emperor? How could this be?
“If that is so, why then do you demand the position of heir apparent?”
“Do you understand the rites of a subject, the duties of a son?”
“From childhood, we taught you humility and courtesy. Where have you learned otherwise?”
“Your conduct today—does it not betray disloyalty and impiety?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice grew stern, his tone chilling.
The ministers all shuddered within.
His Majesty was furious indeed!
Rightly so.
Zhu Yuncong’s boldness and recklessness today were unprecedented.
No record in history could match such outrageous behavior.
If the emperor were not angry, that would truly be strange.
Nearby,
Zhu Yunwen kept his head bowed, eyes fixed on the floor, but a faint, imperceptible gleam of satisfaction crossed his face.
He knew his father Zhu Biao’s preferences well.
After his father’s death, he feigned profound grief to win Zhu Yuanzhang’s favor.
This strategy was effective.
Zhu Yuanzhang had already privately hinted to several senior ministers about appointing Zhu Yunwen as crown prince.
Today’s court session was to make it official.
Unexpectedly, the usually unambitious and inconspicuous third brother openly challenged him for the heir apparent position.
This caught Zhu Yunwen completely off guard.
Yet, to him, his brother’s actions were suicidal.
Did he take the supreme throne for children’s candy?
Did he think the emperor would simply hand it over upon request?
What nonsense!
Zhu Yunwen immediately receded, appearing non-confrontational and offering to yield.
This only pleased the emperor further.
Now, the emperor was furious.
Zhu Yuncong was surely doomed.
But Zhu Yuncong was not afraid in the slightest; he spoke calmly:
“Grandfather, why did you take up arms to rebel in the first place?”
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “It was not because you were born rebellious, but because life was unbearable.”
“Not only you, but countless common people could no longer live!”
“Your uprising was not for personal gain, but for the livelihood of the people.”
“The Northern Yuan was tyrannical and unjust, and Heaven’s mandate called for its overthrow.”
“Warlords rose throughout the land, and you took up arms to suppress them—this was in harmony with Heaven’s will.”
“Today, your grandson petitions for the heir apparent title for the same reason.”
“If it were for selfish ambition, I would not ask.”
“But the fate of the realm and millions of lives are at stake.”
“The loyal serve to protect the Ming dynasty, to safeguard the people.”
“The filial must carry on the grandfather’s will, so that our great Zhu family’s empire endures forever.”
“If I cared only for honor and humility, neglecting the state’s peril and the lives of the people, that would be true disloyalty and impiety!”
Zhu Yuncong’s words soared, resonant and powerful.
He paused, cleared his throat, then continued:
“The realm is newly pacified; the people remain uneasy.”
“If my elder brother were alive, brilliant and gifted as he was, he would bear the heavy burden.”
“I would gladly live as a carefree prince, enjoying life.”
“But the second brother, though famed for benevolence, lacks the talent for such weighty duties.”
“If you appoint him heir today, when he ascends the throne, within years the realm will descend into chaos and the state will collapse.”
“At that time, I must cast aside personal life, death, and honor, and urge you not to proceed.”
“Today, I volunteer to shoulder the responsibility of ruling the world!”
“I know this defies Confucian rites.”
“But for the Ming dynasty, for the people, what do personal reputation and accusations of arrogance matter?”
“I implore you, Grandfather, to prioritize the dynasty, the state, and the millions of people, and not to appoint the second brother as crown prince.”
“If you insist, the Ming realm will surely fall into instability.”
Zhu Yuncong bowed deeply and shouted with fervor:
“Grandfather, if you must appoint my second brother as heir, please grant me death today.”
“That way, I will not live to witness the Ming dynasty engulfed in war.”
“Better to die now than be killed or imprisoned later as a rebel, sparing me the sight of the state’s collapse and the suffering of the people!”
Boom!
A thunderclap struck.
Wild winds tore through, flinging open the palace doors.
The eunuchs beside the emperor hurriedly shouted for the doors to be closed again.
Crash! Crash! Crash!
The roar of thunder rolled across the sky.
Dark clouds pressed from all directions.
The once bright sky darkened instantly.
Lightning flashed in rapid succession.
In the alternating light and shadow, everyone’s hearts leapt into their throats.
He was pleading with his life!
No one had expected the emperor’s grandson to risk death in such a manner.
Had he truly grown weary of life?
“Do you not care for your own life if it means preventing me from appointing Yunwen as crown prince?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice lost some of its earlier sternness, becoming calmer.
Yet beneath that calm lurked a deeper rage.
Each word was heavy with anger and murderous intent.
Like a lion fully enraged, no longer roaring but emitting a low growl, ready to pounce.
Death hung in the air.
Zhu Yuncong’s expression remained composed.
“If I valued my life, I would not stand here today.”
“My reckless disregard for rites and filial piety is unworthy of a son.”
“But for the Ming dynasty, for the people, I can no longer hold back.”
“If I valued my life and allowed you to appoint the second brother today, I would become a traitor to the Zhu family, to the Ming dynasty, and to the world!”
Boom!
Another thunderclap.
Lightning illuminated the hall.
Every face turned solemn and pale.
“Ha ha ha!”
Amidst thunder and lightning, the old emperor laughed bitterly, throwing his head back.
“You say that the Ming dynasty can only endure if passed to you?”
“No one else will do?”