Chapter Five: My Talent and Ability Surpass His Tenfold!
Boom!
Thunder roared again, the deafening sound piercing the eardrums with a faint ache. Yet amid the earth-shattering thunder, Old Zhu’s calm voice seemed even more imposing, as if the pressure of authority weighed heavier than the storm itself.
When an emperor’s wrath is unleashed, corpses lie for miles!
What must it be like to face the fury of an emperor head-on?
Zhu Yunxu’s expression remained unchanged, his figure unmoving like a mountain.
“That’s not the case!” he said softly, shaking his head.
“Among Your Majesty’s sons, Second Uncle the Prince of Qin and Third Uncle the Prince of Jin both possess military talents.”
“However, both are excessively brutal in temperament, quick to anger and unpredictable, often punishing those around them unjustly, making them unsuitable to govern the realm.”
“Only Fourth Uncle, the Prince of Yan, harbors virtue, commands troops wisely, and has the ability to rule the state.”
“If Your Majesty appoints him as heir apparent, he would surely be able to safeguard the Ming dynasty and its lands.”
“I, too, wish to become a carefree prince, no longer vying or contending.”
At these words, the three princes standing nearby—Prince of Qin Zhu Zhu, Prince of Jin Zhu Chang, and Prince of Yan Zhu Di—all changed their expressions drastically.
The three had rushed back upon hearing of Zhu Biao’s death, each harboring their own private thoughts.
While Zhu Biao was alive, none dared to contest the crown prince’s position; after all, no one could surpass Zhu Biao.
They were all acutely aware of this.
But now that Zhu Biao was dead, the fight for succession was inevitable.
Such thoughts could only be entertained silently in their hearts, never to be uttered before Old Zhu, much less in front of the assembled ministers.
The Princes of Qin and Jin were somewhat more composed.
Though their nephew’s public accusation of their violent temper and caprice wounded their pride, they chose not to argue at this moment.
But the Prince of Yan could no longer restrain himself.
“You, Zhu Yunxu, are inviting death for yourself—why drag me into this? You say I could inherit the throne and become emperor? How would Father react to such words?”
Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward and knelt.
“Your Majesty, please be discerning; I have no intention of seizing the throne.”
“Yunxu speaks nonsense. Father, please do not take it to heart!”
Zhu Yunxu chuckled.
“I said only that if you were emperor, you would govern well. I never said His Majesty would pass the throne to you, Fourth Uncle. Why the urgency?”
“Though Fourth Uncle is talented, he is not the eldest legitimate son.”
“Above him stand Second and Third Uncles. This imperial throne will never come to Fourth Uncle!”
He raised his voice.
“Precisely because of this, your grandson is willing to risk life and death to step forward.”
“There is an ancient saying: ‘Succession favors the eldest legitimate son, not the most virtuous; favors the noble, not the eldest.’”
“My mother is the crown princess, lawfully married.”
“By ritual and law, after my eldest brother’s death, I am the rightful eldest legitimate son.”
“Though my second brother is a year older, he is not legitimate.”
“His Majesty naming me Crown Prince is rightful, proper, and ordained by Heaven and Earth.”
“But Your Majesty fears my lack of talent, that I cannot command the ministers, nor control the generals.”
“So you supported Lady Lü, hoping to choose my second brother as heir apparent.”
“But that is a grave error.”
“My second brother lacks the ability to govern.”
“His prestige is insufficient to command respect.”
“His talents are inadequate to manage state affairs.”
“If Your Majesty appoints my second brother heir and entrusts him with the realm, the Ming dynasty will be imperiled!”
“I cannot stand idly by while the dynasty faces danger; I must admonish with my very life.”
A flash of lightning streaked across the sky again, but this time no thunder followed.
In the sudden brightness that quickly faded, the air seemed to freeze, making each breath more difficult.
Within the grand hall, everyone’s hearts seemed to stop.
Tension gripped each person tightly.
“You claim your second brother lacks ability, prestige, and talent, and yet you think yourself vastly superior to him?”
Old Zhu’s voice was now much calmer, devoid of pressure or killing intent.
No expression flickered across his face, but no one could fathom his true thoughts.
“Of course!” Zhu Yunxu answered confidently.
Feudal emperors, educated in the royal tradition from childhood, were often remarkably capable.
Modern people, despite receiving nine years of compulsory education and possessing relatively advanced scientific and cultural knowledge, few can surpass those ancient emperors in wisdom, strategy, and social acumen.
A clever person is clever, regardless of the era.
But Zhu Yunwen is the exception.
If one were to rank the dumbest emperors in history, Zhu Yunwen would surely rank among the top three.
Throughout history, emperors have been cruel and unkind, bloodthirsty by nature, indifferent to the lives of their subjects, caring only for their own pleasures…
Such rulers are condemned in history as “foolish monarchs.”
Yet most fools were either addicted to indulgence or forced by circumstances; it does not necessarily mean they lacked capability.
Zhu Yunwen was not a man given to pleasure, but he was utterly incompetent.
A man like that as emperor is a true disaster.
As a time traveler, Zhu Yunxu did not arrogantly believe he was stronger than Old Zhu or the seasoned ministers and generals in the court.
Those men were remarkable geniuses beyond ordinary men.
But Zhu Yunxu was confident that compared to the useless Zhu Yunwen, he was at least ten times better.
“Preposterous!”
Huang Zicheng leapt forward again, pointing at Zhu Yunxu.
“What have you done to prove your ability, prestige, and talent surpass your second cousin?”
“If Father were still alive, I would not need to prove myself,” Zhu Yunxu replied calmly. “If not for desperation, I would not wish to bear the heavy burden of this realm.”
“So you believe your talent is unrivaled, but have simply never had the opportunity to prove it?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice sounded.
Zhu Yunxu did not respond, tacitly admitting it.
At this moment, he could not deny it and could only parry each attack.
“Ridiculous!”
Huang Zicheng knelt before Old Zhu.
“Your Majesty, since the third prince claims unparalleled talent, I am willing to test him, so he may convince us all.”
“Agreed!” Zhu Yuanzhang responded.
Huang Zicheng was elated.
“I will obey Your Majesty’s order!”
He rose and looked outside.
The storm raged relentlessly.
“Your Majesty has asked me to propose a test. In such haste, it’s impossible to have the two of you engage in administrative tasks.”
“Normally, one would ask about governance strategies, but such questions are superficial and theoretical, yielding only shallow answers, hardly decisive.”
“Managing a department or governing a region requires months or even years to assess one’s achievements and ability to govern.”
“The heir apparent’s position cannot hang unresolved for long.”
“To settle the matter immediately, why not compose poetry or prose?”
“While it cannot measure governance ability, it can reveal some talent.”
“Then we can see whether the third prince’s claims are arrogant nonsense.”
In Huang Zicheng’s view, since the challenger dared to vie for the heirship, he must have prepared thoroughly.
If asked about governance or state policies, he would respond fluently.
After all, such answers can be prepared, memorized in advance.
Huang deliberately did not ask about policies but chose poetry instead.
By setting the test on the spot, the challenger’s preparations would be rendered useless.
Zhu Yunwen clasped his hands respectfully.
“Leave it to Master Huang.”
“Very well!” Huang stroked his beard and nodded gently.
“Outside, a fierce wind rages, with lightning, thunder, and pouring rain…”
Before he finished, Zhu Yunxu interrupted.
“Do you mean to have us compose poems about the autumn storm?”
It was already September, and thunderstorm days were rare.
Huang Zicheng’s heart skipped a beat.
Indeed, he had such a thought.
But seeing Zhu Yunxu’s expression, he reconsidered.
Could it be that he also prepared poetry and prose?
Though the storm arrived suddenly and fiercely, it was possible the Astronomical Bureau had foreseen it earlier.
If the challenger had prepared poems on this theme, it would be a perfect trap.
Zhu Yunwen was well-versed in Confucian classics from childhood; poetry and prose were his strengths.
He should easily surpass Zhu Yunxu.
But if the other was prepared, feigning unpreparedness, it would be difficult to say.
With this in mind, Huang Zicheng quickly shook his head and changed course.
“No!”