Chapter 24: This Is a Test

After Zhu Yunwen entered, Qi Tai also summoned Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru.

"I just received news that the Third Imperial Grandson has taken away a large number of the Embroidered Uniform Guard," Qi Tai said first.

This news had not yet spread far. The others were unaware of the matter, and upon hearing Qi Tai, they were momentarily stunned, failing to grasp the implications.

Huang Zicheng remarked, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard belongs to His Majesty. How could Jiang Huan possibly follow the Third Imperial Grandson for no reason?"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen felt not an opportunity, but a blow. Dejected, he muttered, "Does this mean Imperial Grandfather has even handed the Embroidered Uniform Guard over to him? This... I have no chance left."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a symbol of power. It was a power that only Zhu Yuanzhang could command, yet now, Zhu Yuntong could also lead them. The intended message seemed all too clear.

Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru’s expressions changed instantly. They realized, just as Zhu Yunwen had, that this was detrimental to them.

"Do not be hasty," Qi Tai said calmly. "Do you know where those guards went?"

"Where?" the three asked in unison.

"Toward the Huai-Xi generals," Qi Tai analyzed. "Do you remember what the Third Imperial Grandson said that day about killing Lan Yu and the others? I have reflected on it since. Regardless of whether the Second or Third Imperial Grandson is named heir, His Majesty might kill them anyway; after all, Lan Yu and his faction are too difficult to control."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zicheng seemed to understand. He hurriedly asked, "Did Zhu Yuntong take the guards to the Huai-Xi generals today to kill them?"

"A trial!" Fang Xiaoru said calmly, then added, "Lan Yu and the others do not necessarily have to be killed. The premise is that the Third Imperial Grandson must be able to suppress the Huai-Xi generals just as the late Crown Prince did. His Majesty is likely giving him a test—a trial for the succession—to see what the Third Imperial Grandson is truly capable of."

"Exactly!" Qi Tai agreed.

With these words, they suddenly saw the light.

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

Fang Xiaoru replied, "Absolutely not. If it is indeed a trial to deal with Lan Yu, it would save us trouble if the guards and Lan Yu clash. But if they do not clash, we must intervene and seize this opportunity to eliminate Lan Yu and his lot."

They nodded in agreement. Once Lan Yu was dead, the Huai-Xi faction would be left leaderless. His Majesty might continue the purges, and in the end, Zhu Yuntong would be left with no support.

"Once Lan Yu and the others are removed, the Third Imperial Grandson will have no one left to support him, and he will be no match for us."

"In the future, when the Second Imperial Grandson ascends the throne, it will be much easier without those military men. We can even pin everything on the Third Imperial Grandson."

"Didn't he say that choosing the Second Imperial Grandson would lead His Majesty to kill? Now, it is he who is doing the killing!" Huang Zicheng analyzed.

Zhu Yunwen’s eyes lit up. The opportunity was indeed approaching. He asked, "How do we exploit this?"

"We leak the news," Qi Tai said. "Tell everyone among the nobility and military, especially Lan Yu’s adopted sons. That will be enough."

Zhu Yunwen thought for a moment and added, "What if this was sanctioned by Imperial Grandfather?"

Fang Xiaoru said, "It must be His Majesty’s intent for the guards to follow him, but whether there is an imperial decree is unknown. If there is none, the opportunity is ours. If there is... then it is not a trial. I suspect there is none, but we shall see soon enough."

Huang Zicheng quickly added, "I will arrange for the news to be spread immediately."

Zhu Yunwen agreed with Fang Xiaoru. If there were an imperial decree, the trial would be meaningless. Without one, Zhu Yuntong would have to demonstrate his ability to subdue Lan Yu. He never expected Old Zhu’s trial to come so soon, and he could not let Zhu Yuntong pass. Everything that belonged to him, he would take back with his own hands!

—

At the Prince of Yan’s residence.

"My nephew just led the Embroidered Uniform Guard toward the quarters of the Huai-Xi generals, causing quite a stir," Zhu Di said.

Sitting before him was a monk in black. He looked far from righteous, filled with hidden schemes.

"What does Master Daoyan think he is trying to do?" Zhu Di asked.

The monk, known as Daoyan, was none other than Yao Guangxiao. He replied, "Is he not trying to seize the succession? It must be a trial from His Majesty. I only did not expect it to come so soon."

Zhu Di asked, "What should I do?" He, too, yearned for that supreme position. Even though he knew the chances were slim, he still desired it. When Zhu Biao was alive, he dared not think of it, but now that Zhu Biao was gone, why not consider it? What if it actually happened?

"Do nothing," Yao Guangxiao said calmly. "There are others more anxious than you. Let them break their heads over it. We shall observe the changes and see if an opportunity arises."

Zhu Di knew who that anxious person was—the eldest nephew, Zhu Yunwen. He was indeed more desperate than anyone. Let them struggle; there was no need to interfere.

"Master, what do you think the outcome will be?" Zhu Di asked again.

Yao Guangxiao pondered, unsure, and replied, "The Third Imperial Grandson, who rarely even had his name mentioned before, suddenly dared to carry a sword into the imperial court and disrupt the investiture. His transformation is beyond my understanding. Your Highness must remember not to act. Just watch the play!"

This was a struggle for succession that Zhu Yuanzhang had set for his two grandsons. If an uncle like Zhu Di intervened, would it not tell Zhu Yuanzhang that he, too, wanted to seize the throne? Would Zhu Yuanzhang agree? Would Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang agree?

"What we must do is wait!" Yao Guangxiao said unhurriedly. "In the future, there will always be an opportunity."

Zhu Di stopped being anxious; he couldn't afford to be. However, Zhu Yuntong’s actions had shocked many, yet no one knew exactly what he was planning, leading to endless speculation.

—

Zhu Yuntong led Jiang Huan to the gates of the Duke of Liang’s residence.

Jiang Huan hesitated, looking at the tightly closed gates. Was he truly about to arrest Lan Yu? Even though he knew it must be His Majesty’s intent, the pressure was immense, given Lan Yu’s status and position.

"Break the doors and go in," Zhu Yuntong said without hesitation. "Surround the entire Duke of Liang’s residence. No one is to leave without my orders. Move!"

"Break the doors!" Jiang Huan could only harden his heart and order his men to comply. He hoped His Majesty could keep the situation under control and not let things escalate too far. Otherwise, those generals held military power; if this got out of hand, the Great Ming might fall into chaos, which would have dire consequences.

*Bang...*

The doors were quickly smashed open. The guards of the Duke of Liang’s residence were stunned. Daring to break into the Duke’s mansion was suicide. They reached for their weapons, but when they saw the group of Embroidered Uniform Guards in their flying-fish robes and embroidered spring swords, they froze.

"Where is Lan Yu?" Zhu Yuntong strode inside, calling out loudly.

At that moment, a tall, imposing man walked forward. Seeing the collapsed gates and the guards who had broken in, he frowned and asked coldly, "Zhu Yuntong, what is the meaning of this?"

"Insolence!" Daring to address him by his given name, Zhu Yuntong roared, "Seize him! Slap his mouth!"