This Is a Test

After Zhu Yunwen arrived, Qi Tai summoned Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru as well.

"I just received word that the third imperial grandson took a large contingent of the Embroidered Guard with him," Qi Tai said first.

The news had only just begun to spread.

They had not yet heard about it. At Qi Tai's words, all of them froze, unable to grasp what it meant.

Huang Zicheng said, "The Embroidered Guard belongs to His Majesty. How could Jiang Jue possibly go with the third imperial grandson for no reason?"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen felt it was not an opportunity but a blow to him. Distraught, he said, "Doesn't that mean Imperial Grandfather has now even placed the Embroidered Guard at his disposal? This... I have no chance left."

The Embroidered Guard was a symbol of power.

It was power that only Zhu Yuanzhang could wield, yet now Zhu Yuntong could take the Embroidered Guard with him too.

The message this seemed to convey had become even clearer.

Huang Zicheng's and Fang Xiaoru's expressions changed dramatically. Their thoughts were the same as Zhu Yunwen's. This did not bode well for them!

"Don't panic yet."

Qi Tai said calmly, "Do you know where those Embroidered Guards went?"

"Where?"

All three asked at once.

"Toward the Huai-Western Generals."

Qi Tai analyzed the situation. "Do you remember what the third imperial grandson said that day about killing Lan Yu and the others? Afterward, I went home and thought it over. In truth, whether His Majesty names the second imperial grandson or the third, he might kill them either way. After all, Lan Yu and the others are too difficult to control."

At his words, Huang Zicheng seemed to realize something and hurriedly asked, "Did Zhu Yuntong take the Embroidered Guard to the Huai-Western Generals today to kill them?"

"A test!"

Fang Xiaoru spoke those words calmly, then added, "Lan Yu and the others need not necessarily be killed, provided the third imperial grandson can keep the Huai-Western Generals in check as the late crown prince did. His Majesty is probably giving the third imperial grandson a test today-a test in the contest for succession-to see what he is capable of."

"Exactly!"

Qi Tai had been thinking the same thing.

At these words, realization dawned on them.

Zhu Yunwen asked, "Can we let him pass this test?"

Fang Xiaoru said, "Absolutely not. If this really is a test and he is going after Lan Yu, it will save us trouble if the Embroidered Guard and Lan Yu come to blows. If they don't, we must sabotage it and seize this chance to eliminate Lan Yu and the others."

They all nodded. Once Lan Yu died, the Huai-Western Generals would be dragons without a head. His Majesty might even continue the killing, leaving Zhu Yuntong with no supporters at all.

"Once Lan Yu and the others are eliminated, the third imperial grandson will have no one supporting him and will be even less of a match for us."

"When the second imperial grandson inherits the throne, having those military generals out of the way will save us a great deal of trouble. We can also lay everything at the third imperial grandson's feet."

"Didn't he say His Majesty would kill them if the second imperial grandson were chosen? Now he's the one killing them first!"

Huang Zicheng laid out his analysis.

Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up. Their opportunity really was coming. He asked, "How do we make use of it?"

"We spread the news."

Qi Tai said, "Tell all the noble military commanders about what happened today, especially Lan Yu's adopted sons. That will be enough."

Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment, then asked, "What if Imperial Grandfather ordered this?"

Fang Xiaoru said, "It must have been authorized by His Majesty, or the Embroidered Guard would not have gone with him. But we don't know whether there is an imperial decree. If there isn't, the opportunity is ours. If there is... then it isn't a test. My guess is that there isn't, but we'll know the truth if we wait."

Huang Zicheng hurriedly said, "I'll arrange for people to spread the news right away."

After thinking it over, Zhu Yunwen also agreed with Fang Xiaoru. An imperial decree would make the test meaningless. Only without one could Zhu Yuntong demonstrate his ability to subdue Lan Yu.

He had never expected the old emperor's test to come so quickly. He absolutely could not let Zhu Yuntong pass.

Everything that belongs to me, I will seize back with my own hands!

The Prince of Yan's Residence.

"My nephew just took the Embroidered Guard toward the residences of the Huai-Western Generals. It caused quite a stir," Zhu Di said.

Sitting before him was a monk dressed in black.

Yet one look at this monk suggested he was anything but respectable, his belly brimming with wicked schemes.

"What do you think he intends to do, Master Daoyan?"

Zhu Di spoke again.

The monk called Daoyan was none other than Yao Guangxiao. He said, "Isn't he competing for the succession? This should be His Majesty's test for him, though I never expected it to come so quickly."

Zhu Di asked, "What should I do?"

He, too, longed for that supreme seat.

Although he knew his chances were slim, he still wanted it.

While Zhu Biao was alive, he had not dared entertain the thought. Now that Zhu Biao was gone, why shouldn't he think about it?

What if it came true?

"Do nothing."

Yao Guangxiao said calmly, "Someone is even more anxious than you. Let them fight until their heads split open. We will watch how things unfold and see whether an opportunity remains."

Zhu Di knew who that more anxious person was: his eldest nephew, Zhu Yunwen. He was indeed more desperate than anyone. Let them make their fuss. There was no need to thrust a foot into the fray.

"What do you think the outcome will be, Master?"

Zhu Di asked again.

Yao Guangxiao pondered, then said uncertainly, "The third imperial grandson, whose name was scarcely even mentioned before, suddenly dared to bring a sword to court and disrupt the investiture. I cannot fathom his transformation. Your Highness, remember: do not intervene. Just watch the show!"

This was a struggle for succession that Zhu Yuanzhang had set for those two grandsons.

If Zhu Di, their uncle, interfered, would that not be telling Zhu Yuanzhang that he too wanted to compete for the succession?

Would Zhu Yuanzhang agree?

Would Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang agree?

"What we must do is wait!"

Yao Guangxiao said unhurriedly, "There will always be opportunities in the future."

Zhu Di was no longer anxious. Being anxious would accomplish nothing anyway.

But Zhu Yuntong's move had sent shock waves through many people. No one knew what he intended to do, and speculation ran rampant.

Leading Jiang Jue, Zhu Yuntong finally arrived outside the Duke of Liang's Residence Mansion.

Jiang Jue hesitated as he looked at the tightly shut gates.

Were they really going to arrest Lan Yu?

Although he knew this must be His Majesty's intention, the pressure was simply too great, and Lan Yu's rank and standing were far too high.

"Break down the gates and go in."

Zhu Yuntong said without hesitation, "Surround the entire Duke of Liang's Residence. No one inside is to leave without my command. Move!"

"Break down the gates!"

Jiang Jue could only steel himself and order his men to force the gates open.

Hopefully His Majesty could keep the situation under control and prevent it from escalating too far.

Otherwise, those military generals all commanded troops. If things got out of hand, Great Ming might descend into chaos, with dire consequences.

Bang...

The gates were soon smashed open.

The guards behind the gates of the Duke of Liang's Residence Mansion all froze. Anyone daring to storm the Duke of Liang's Residence was courting death. They grabbed their weapons and charged forward to kill the intruders, but when they saw a contingent of Embroidered Guards in Flying Fish Uniforms carrying Embroidered Spring Sabers, every one of them stopped short.

"Where is Lan Yu?"

Zhu Yuntong strode through the gates and shouted.

Just then, a tall man approached. Seeing the fallen gates, then the Embroidered Guards who had forced their way inside, he frowned and asked coldly, "Zhu Yuntong, what do you think you're doing?"

"Insolence!"

He dared address him directly by name! Zhu Yuntong roared, "Guards, seize him and slap his mouth!"