The Third Imperial Grandson Was Brutal and Inhumane

When they saw Zhu Yuntong return, several imperial princes in the Great Ben Hall gathered around him.

They were deeply interested in the people Zhu Yuntong had killed yesterday.

The Embroidered Guard had certainly been effective, already helping Zhu Yuntong spread word of what had happened. But somewhere along the way, the story had gone awry. Before anyone knew it, the tale had become that Zhu Yuntong had killed everyone, all but turning him into a murderous fiend.

"Zhu Yuntong, what does killing someone feel like?"

When Zhu Quan, the Prince of Ning, saw that Zhu Yuntong had returned, he too asked with keen interest.

Zhu Gui, the thirteenth prince, had yet to leave for his fief. Naturally, Zhu Quan, the seventeenth prince, had not left for his either and was still attending lessons in the Great Ben Hall.

Zhu Yuntong was speechless.

Why were Old Zhu's sons all a little bloodthirsty?

They certainly lived up to being Butcher Zhu's sons. Not one of them was easy to handle.

"What could it possibly feel like?"

Zhu Yuntong did not know how to answer.

Before they could question him further, Qi Tai emerged from the rear hall. Someone cried, "The teacher is here!" Everyone immediately fell silent and returned to their seats.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yunwen, seated at the front, once again saw how much his imperial uncles supported Zhu Yuntong. His heart ached, and he was consumed by envy.

Still, remembering Teacher Fang's plan for today put him somewhat at ease.

If the plan went smoothly, Zhu Yuntong would become someone vicious, utterly devoid of benevolence and righteousness. Someone like that could never win support.

"Quiet, everyone!"

With a stern expression, Qi Tai swept his sharp gaze across the Great Ben Hall.

The imperial princes and grandsons all shut their mouths.

"Let us begin the lesson!"

Qi Tai nodded slightly, then added, "Before we begin, I will tell you a story from the Chu-Han Contention. Reflect carefully on the lesson within it."

At these words, the imperial princes and grandsons in the Great Ben Hall cheered together.

Their daily lessons here consisted of memorizing texts and more memorizing texts. Their days were tedious and dull.

Naturally, having a story to listen to today was a welcome change.

Most of the imperial princes and grandsons present were restless. At their age, few enjoyed studying. Not everyone was a model student like Zhu Yunwen, and they much preferred listening to stories.

"During the Chu-Han Contention, Han Xin planned to take a roundabout route to launch a surprise attack on Xiang Yu. But unfamiliar with the roads, he asked a woodcutter for directions. The woodcutter showed him the way, but afterward, fearing his plan might be leaked, Han Xin killed him..."

Qi Tai first gave them the broad outline of the story.

Only then did he recount the entire story in detail.

"Han Xin asked for directions, then slew the woodcutter. Do you think he was right or wrong?"

Having finished, Qi Tai posed his question.

"He was right to kill him!"

Zhu Gui was the first to speak. In a ringing voice, he said, "I think he deserved to die. You cannot be merciful on the battlefield."

Zhu Quan was the first to agree. "They were already at war. What room was there for mercy? Kill whoever needs killing. If I were Han Xin, I would have killed him too!"

As he spoke, he even grew a little excited, as though he greatly admired Han Xin's ability to lead troops into battle.

Putting himself in Han Xin's shoes, he felt he would have killed even more decisively.

Seeing Zhu Gui and Zhu Quan take that stance, several other imperial princes chimed in, all saying that the killing was justified and the woodcutter should have been killed.

At once, Qi Tai's expression darkened.

He had never expected these little brats to be so bloodthirsty, every last one insisting the man should have been killed.

Teaching them to kill had not been his intention.

"Quiet!"

Qi Tai barked, and they soon fell silent again.

"Third Imperial Grandson, tell us what you think."

Qi Tai looked toward Zhu Yuntong.

Zhu Yuntong was rather surprised. Why had the teacher not called on his model student, Zhu Yunwen, today, but chosen him first instead? He could only rise and say, "I also think he was right to kill him."

Hearing this, Qi Tai secretly rejoiced.

Just as Fang Xiaoru had said, this Third Imperial Grandson was bloodthirsty, devoid of benevolence and righteousness. He was no good person.

"Second Imperial Grandson, what do you think?"

Qi Tai looked toward Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen knew it was time for his performance. He stood and said, "Teacher, I believe he should not have killed him! The woodcutter helped Han Xin, making him Han Xin's benefactor. Where is the benevolence and righteousness in killing one's own benefactor?"

Qi Tai smiled faintly. "Well said, Second Imperial Grandson. Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation upon which we establish ourselves and live our lives. What do you think, Third Imperial Grandson?"

"That is nothing but softhearted mercy!"

Zhu Yuntong shook his head as he spoke.

"Benevolence and righteousness are not softhearted mercy."

Zhu Yunwen was determined to argue with Zhu Yuntong. In a ringing voice, he said, "Third Brother, how can you be so despicable and cruel? The woodcutter helped Han Xin. What Han Xin should have done was repay that kindness, not kill him! Repaying kindness is benevolence and righteousness. It has nothing to do with softhearted mercy."

"Yesterday, someone suddenly said that you had killed many people, Third Brother. I did not believe it."

"But today, you... you have no benevolence or righteousness in your heart at all. How have you become so cruel?"

He even put on an air of profound grief and anguish.

Zhu Yuntong raised an eyebrow as he listened. Why was this fellow acting as though he cared so much about him?

Zhu Yunwen, caring about me?

That was absolutely impossible.

It would already count as mercy if Zhu Yunwen did not wish him dead.

Zhu Yuntong could only say, "Those who accomplish great things do not let trifles hold them back. If Han Xin had possessed your sort of mercy, he would not have been Han Xin, and his name would never have survived to this day."

"Utter nonsense!"

Growing increasingly agitated, Zhu Yunwen retorted, "Men of resolve and benevolence do not seek life at the expense of benevolence. They sacrifice their lives to fulfill it."

"Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation of one's character."

"Imperial Grandfather has us study the way of the sages in the Great Ben Hall. What we learn is benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness."

"Third Brother, when did you become so cruel?"

"One who is brutal and inhumane is no gentleman."

Angrily perched atop the summit of moral superiority, Zhu Yunwen kept pouring out the sages' teachings on benevolence and righteousness.

He truly lived up to his reputation as the Great Ben Hall's model student. When it came to morality and virtue, he could speak in an unending torrent. He even seemed to have come prepared specifically to attack Zhu Yuntong.

From his words, Zhu Yuntong could tell that he was constantly painting him as cruel, brutal, and inhumane.

By the time he finished listening, Zhu Yuntong could not help raising an eyebrow.

Could this brat be working with Qi Tai to slap labels like unrighteous, brutal, and inhumane on me?

Looking at Zhu Yunwen now, he saw a figure brimming with righteous conviction, the very image of a moral exemplar.

His air of righteousness, contrasted with Zhu Yuntong's approval of killing the woodcutter, made his own benevolence and righteousness stand out all the more.

Before he knew it, Zhu Yuntong had become the bloodthirsty one.

In any case, he was no good person.

They also seemed intent on spreading Zhu Yuntong's reputation for bloodthirstiness and brutality, combining it with yesterday's killings to keep building an image of him as a bad person.

Comparing yourself with others could be the death of you.

Zhu Yunwen was using precisely this comparison to highlight his own virtues.

Once he thought of this, Zhu Yuntong suddenly understood why Qi Tai had told the story, and why Zhu Yunwen had so fiercely contradicted him and kept pouring out his arguments.

"Third Brother!"

Zhu Yunwen had said a great deal, only to find Zhu Yuntong looking utterly unconcerned. Angrily, he demanded, "I am explaining benevolence and righteousness to you. You... you cannot take any of it in?"