Zhu Di's Fright

A hard landing could easily cause trouble. A soft landing was the proper way forward.

In history, mere months after taking the throne, the Jianwen Emperor had struck with thunderous force, stripping the Prince of Zhou of his title and reducing him to a commoner. He had then moved against the Princes of Qi, Xiang, and Dai, stripping them of their titles as well.

Prince of Xiang Bai, terrified and unable to prove his innocence, had burned himself to death along with his entire household!

Even in the face of such a tragedy, the Jianwen Emperor had remained unmoved. He had placed the Princes of Qi and Dai under house arrest in succession, then reduced the Prince of Min to a commoner.

With no way left to retreat, Zhu Di had rebelled under the banner of "clearing the emperor's side and pacifying the nation's troubles." After four years, he had driven the Jianwen Emperor from the throne and taken his seat upon it in Nanjing.

This time, Zhu Yunwen had learned from history. Rather than rushing to curtail the princes' power, would it not be better to have them ask him to reduce their domains or relocate them?

If he settled the matter before everyone, no one could find fault with it. Besides, the lands they received would be far better than their original desolate frontier domains.

Was there anything wrong with enjoying wealth and honor as a prince in peaceful times?

Those who loved women could take a few more concubines. Those who loved wealth could acquire a few more acres. Those who loved food could eat a few more mouthfuls.

And those who loved military power?

They were courting death.

Military authority had to return to the central government!

On that point, there was no room for negotiation!

"Come, on this Mid-Autumn Festival, let us drink!"

Zhu Yunwen raised his cup, and everyone followed suit.

He set his cup down, and a eunuch beside him refilled it. Taking the cup, Zhu Yunwen stepped down from the dais and told everyone, "This cup is a toast I must offer to Fourth Uncle alone. Fourth Uncle, come!"

Zhu Di hurried to his feet, repeatedly protesting that he did not deserve the honor.

Zhu Yunwen smiled. "Fourth Uncle, I have seen your great service and hard work. Without you holding Shuntian and coordinating military affairs along the nine frontiers, I fear I would know no peace, day or night. This cup is for you."

"Fourth Brother, just drink it."

Zhu Gui, the Prince of Dai, called out with a smile.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Yunwen. As Zhu Yunwen raised his cup and they prepared to clink them, Zhu Di noticed that the emperor's cup was held lower. He hastily lowered his own, touched it lightly against the other, and drained it.

Noting this small detail, Zhu Yunwen smiled and drank his wine. Then he picked up a wine pot from beside him, intending to pour for Zhu Di himself. With a careless slip, the pot fell to the floor, spilling wine everywhere.

Everyone started.

Shuangxi hurried over to clean up, then brought a fresh pot of wine.

With a faintly apologetic air, Zhu Yunwen said, "Fourth Uncle, that was my carelessness. Here, let me fill your cup. Once the wine is spilled, fresh wine is the only thing to serve. I hope it suits your taste."

Zhu Di's eyes widened in utter horror!

"Once the wine is spilled, fresh wine is the only thing to serve"—those were the words spoken during his secret meeting with Li Zengzhi and Zhu Di in Yangzhou Prefecture!

Yet the emperor had repeated them without a single word out of place!

Could Li Zengzhi be the emperor's man, sent to test me?

The family banquet continued, but Zhu Di had gone cold all over and lost all interest. Looking at the gentle smile on Zhu Yunwen's face, he felt wave after wave of panic.

He knows my every move!

He knows I have ambitions!

He knows who my men are!

That is why he changed Beiping's defenses!

That is why he transferred Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, Li Zengzhi, and the others away!

That is why he demanded Dao Yan!

That is why he plans to implement the new military policy in Beiping Prefecture!

What exactly is he doing?

Bitterness filled Zhu Di's smile. He understood!

Zhu Yunwen was employing the art of war, seeking to make him submit without a fight!

What a formidable Zhu Yunwen, what a formidable Jianwen Emperor, what a formidable nephew!

The family banquet ended, and the princes departed one after another.

After returning to the Prince of Yan's Palace, Zhu Di told Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and the others what had happened at the banquet. "What do you think?"

Zhu Gaoxu sprang up in anger. "Father, Li Zengzhi must have betrayed us! Qiu Fu was guarding outside at the time. No outsider could possibly have heard anything from the room. Apart from Li Zengzhi and you, no one knew what was said in that secret meeting!"

"Does it still matter who betrayed us?"

Zhu Gaochi glared at Zhu Gaoxu, then said to Zhu Di, "Father, our only course now is to comply with His Majesty's wishes and quietly await an opportunity. From summoning Dao Yan to the Capital, to applying the New Recruit Policy in Beiping Prefecture, to dropping that hint at the Mid-Autumn family banquet, His Majesty has shown that he knows our intentions. He merely lacks clear evidence, which is why he has repeatedly warned us."

Zhu Di understood this, of course. He sighed. "In your view, how should we comply with his wishes?"

Zhu Gaochi said solemnly, "Show our loyalty."

Zhu Di's pupils contracted slightly. Those words were easy to say, but far too difficult to put into practice!

While in the Capital, showing loyalty through a few words and gestures was easy enough.

But how could he show his loyalty after returning to Beiping Prefecture?

It would mean nothing other than relinquishing military authority, reducing his forces, or introducing the New Recruit Policy. Zhu Di could choose none of those!

How could his great undertaking succeed without soldiers?

Zhu Gaoxu disagreed with his elder brother. "Father, why not return to the Capital and raise our banner? At your call, the guards of Beiping Prefecture would surely rally to us. Then we would command a hundred thousand troops. We need only persuade the Princes of Ning, Gu, and Dai, and we could control most of North Zhili. Then we could march south, take Jinan, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou, and seize Nanjing in one stroke!"

"You seem to have forgotten, little brother, that there are still four hundred thousand troops around Beiping Prefecture!"

Zhu Gaochi rebutted sharply.

Zhu Gaoxu sneered. "What of four hundred thousand troops? Without capable generals, soldiers are useless, no matter how many there are. Ping An and Qu Neng may have some ability, but they are still no match for Zhang Yu and Zhu Neng. Besides, Father has fought a hundred battles, and his mighty reputation resounds everywhere. Who would dare face him?"

Zhu Gaochi shouted angrily, "You are far too naive! Beiping's defenses should already be entirely under Ping An's control! Ping An is a resourceful man, and I hear His Majesty has even given them the authority to appoint officers. Once he installs his own men, who will obey our commands?"

"Even if we gain control of Beiping Prefecture, the New Recruit Policy will certainly be implemented before we arrive. Do you think the guards will risk their lives in battle, or enjoy the benefits of the new army? Without those men, where would we get a hundred thousand troops?"

"Besides, if we rise in haste, before our provisions, horses, and weapons have all arrived, how could we proceed? Would we feed on the common people? Without their support, how far could we go? The Jianwen Emperor holds the realm in his hands. Would he simply sit and ignore us?"

Zhu Gaoxu was about to argue when Zhu Di slammed his hand on the table and rose. "Enough!"

Unwillingness shone in Zhu Di's eyes. "We will discuss this again once we return to our domain."

The Hall of Martial Valor.

Zhu Yunwen had not collapsed in a drunken stupor. Instead, he was reading memorials from across the realm. Fortunately, there had been no major incidents lately; the nation was at peace, and its people were secure.

Shuangxi approached and reported, "Your Majesty, Zheng He of the Imperial Stables Directorate has arrived."

Zhu Yunwen raised his brows slightly and told Shuangxi to bring him in.

Zheng He entered the hall and bowed. "Your Majesty, Longjiang Shipyard can indeed build large ships for ocean voyages. However, there are still too few shipwrights. If we wish to build large vessels in substantial numbers, I fear it will take several years of effort."

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly. "I have already ordered shipwrights to be assembled, and shipyards to be established in Suzhou, Songjiang, Zhenjiang, and other places. We will draw upon the strength of the entire nation to build an oceangoing fleet. The Duke of Cao's journey south is also intended to prepare for shipbuilding."

Zheng He hastily said, "Your Majesty has considered everything. I have no further concerns. In three years, we will be ready to sail!"

Zhu Yunwen frowned. Three years was rather a long time.

Still, preparations for an ocean voyage involved a thousand tangled threads. There was truly no rushing them.

"I appoint you deputy commander-in-chief of the navy. You may select ten thousand servicemen from the navy and begin organizing the oceangoing fleet. The court's warships are currently mainly Fujian-style ships, which should have no trouble reaching the Southern Seas. Tell Chen Xuan, the navy's commander-in-chief, that you have my permission to select anyone you wish."

"Also, ensure they train well in the water. When the time is right, take them out to sea and sail south to Guangzhou, transporting cargo back and forth. Only by weathering wind and waves can they grow. If you encounter anything you cannot resolve, come directly to me."

Zhu Yunwen issued these instructions solemnly.

Zheng He thanked him excitedly for his grace.

His Majesty has already considered everything I thought of. What more could I ask for?

Time to prepare for the voyage!

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head and continued dealing with the memorials. Seeming to sense something, he noticed Shuangxi gazing in the direction Zheng He had gone. "What are you staring at?"

Shuangxi started and hurriedly knelt to beg forgiveness.

"Enough. I merely asked a question. Just answer properly. There is no need to drop to your knees at every turn."

Zhu Yunwen frowned.

Shuangxi hastily rose. "I merely felt envious to see that Seal-keeper Zheng can both oversee shipbuilding and command troops. I never imagined that an incomplete man could also win distinction and establish great deeds."

Zhu Yunwen chuckled. "Everyone in this world has a place of their own. Yours is to stay faithfully by my side. His is to open new sea routes."

Shuangxi understood that, of course.

After dealing with the memorials, Zhu Yunwen arranged for them to be delivered to the Office of Transmission. Then he stretched his weary body and walked out of the Hall of Martial Valor with Shuangxi accompanying him.

A bright moon hung high, its pure light quietly illuminating the palaces of Great Ming.

The still, autumn-cool night was soothing.

Ma Enhui slowly approached and said to Zhu Yunwen, who was gazing absentmindedly at the moon, "Is Your Majesty in a poetic mood?"

"A poetic mood?"

Zhu Yunwen looked at Ma Enhui with a bitter smile.

Slightly tipsy, Ma Enhui gazed at Zhu Yunwen with misty eyes. "On such a fine festival, does Your Majesty not intend to leave us a lovely tale to tell?"

Zhu Yunwen shook his head helplessly and looked toward the moon. After a moment's thought, he realized that this was not the Tang or Song era. He could plagiarize Li Bai or Su Shi and play the elegant poet.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, few great poets had truly achieved fame comparable to those of the Tang and Song. Even Song Lian, Liu Ji, and Gao Qi, the three great masters of poetry and prose in the early Ming, were little known to later generations.

Later figures such as Li Menglong, Wang Shizhen, Li Zhi, Yuan Kai, Wang Fuzhi, Huang Zongxi, and Gu Yanwu had all left poems that survived through the ages, but Zhu Yunwen had memorized few of them.

There was, however, one work by Wang Shizhen that suited this moment and setting.

Zhu Yunwen shamelessly appropriated it. All of Great Ming belongs to me-what is one of Wang Shizhen's poems? Besides, Wang Shizhen will not even be born for another hundred years and more...

"So radiant and pure-who knows how often it has waxed and waned beneath skies cloudy or clear?

"Speak no more of clouds or clear skies, of waxing or waning; rejoice instead in this fine season on earth. In this fine season, may we year after year behold the Mid-Autumn moon."

Zhu Yunwen recited slowly.

Ma Enhui looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise. Although she knew he had some talent, hearing poetry so rich in philosophical reflection still caught her off guard.

"'In this fine season, may we year after year behold the Mid-Autumn moon.' I share that wish."

Ma Enhui spoke with a heart full of joy.

Zhu Yunwen drew Ma Enhui into his arms and gazed at the bright moon. It was full now, but in just a few days, it would begin to wane.