Chapter 40: The Third Imperial Grandson is Brutal and Inhumane

Upon seeing Zhu Yunkan return, several imperial princes in the Hall of Abundant Learning immediately gathered around him.

They were deeply intrigued by the executions Zhu Yunkan had carried out yesterday.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had indeed been quite efficient, spreading word of the events on his behalf. Somewhere along the way, however, the details had become distorted, and before long, the rumors claimed that Zhu Yunkan had slaughtered everyone, making him sound almost like a bloodthirsty demon.

"Zhu Yunkan, what does it feel like to kill someone?"

Prince Ning, Zhu Quan, asked with great enthusiasm the moment he saw Zhu Yunkan enter.

Since the thirteenth prince, Zhu Gui, had not yet departed for his fief, neither had the seventeenth prince, Zhu Quan, who was still attending classes inside the Hall of Abundant Learning.

Zhu Yunkan: "..."

Why were all of the old emperor's sons somewhat inclined toward slaughter?

True sons of the Butcher Zhu indeed; none of them were easy to deal with.

"What kind of feeling could there be?"

Zhu Yunkan did not know how to respond.

Before they could continue pressing him with questions, Qi Tai emerged from the inner hall. Someone shouted, "The teacher is here!" and immediately everyone fell silent, quickly hurrying back to their respective seats.

As for Zhu Yunwen, sitting at the front, seeing once again how much support those imperial uncles gave to Zhu Yunkan filled his heart with a bitter, burning envy.

Yet, remembering Master Fang's plan for today, he managed to feel a little more at ease.

If the plan went smoothly, Zhu Yunkan would be portrayed as a brutal individual devoid of benevolence and righteousness—and such a person could never command genuine support.

"Quiet down, everyone!"

Qi Tai's expression was stern as his sharp gaze swept across the Hall of Abundant Learning.

All the princes and imperial grandsons immediately shut their mouths.

"Let us begin the lesson!"

Qi Tai nodded slightly, then added, "Before we start, I will tell you a story—the story of the Chu-Han Contention. I expect you all to ponder its underlying principles."

At these words, the princes and grandsons in the hall cheered together.

Their daily routine here consisted of nothing but reciting texts day in and day out, making life quite monotonous and dull.

Having a story to listen to today was naturally a welcome change.

Most of the princes and grandsons present were active boys. At their age, very few actually enjoyed studying; not everyone was a model student like Zhu Yunwen. By comparison, they much preferred listening to stories.

"During the Chu-Han Contention, in order to launch a surprise attack on Xiang Yu, Han Xin prepared to take a detour. Because he was unfamiliar with the terrain, he sought out a woodcutter to ask for directions. The woodcutter pointed out the correct path, but later, fearing his plan would be leaked, Han Xin had the woodcutter killed..."

Qi Tai first gave a general outline of the story.

Only then did he recount the complete narrative in detail.

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

Qi Tai asked once he finished the tale.

"Killed him right!"

The first to speak was Zhu Gui, who said loudly, "I think he deserved to die. There is no room for benevolence on the battlefield."

Zhu Quan was the first to echo him: "We are talking about war—what room is there for benevolence? Kill those who ought to be killed! If I were Han Xin, I would have killed him too!"

As he spoke, he looked rather excited, as if he deeply admired Han Xin's ability to command troops in battle.

Picturing himself in Han Xin's shoes, he felt he would have been even more decisive with the sword than Han Xin.

Seeing both Zhu Gui and Zhu Quan express this view, several other princes chimed in, agreeing that it was a justified killing and that the woodcutter had to die.

Instantly, Qi Tai's complexion darkened.

He had not expected these brats to have such a heavy lust for blood, all of them claiming the execution was justified.

That was not the lesson he had intended to teach.

"Silence!"

Qi Tai barked, and they quickly quieted down again.

"Third Imperial Grandson, tell us your thoughts."

Qi Tai looked toward Zhu Yunkan.

Zhu Yunkan was quite surprised. Why wasn't he asking the model student Zhu Yunwen to answer the question today, but instead calling on him first? He had no choice but to stand up and say, "I also believe the killing was justified."

Hearing this, Qi Tai felt a secret surge of delight.

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

"Second Imperial Grandson, what do you think?"

Qi Tai turned his gaze to Zhu Yunwen.

Knowing it was time to play his part, Zhu Yunwen stood up and said, "Sir, this student believes he should not have been killed! The woodcutter helped Han Xin, making him Han Xin's benefactor. To kill one's own benefactor—where is the benevolence and righteousness in that?"

Qi Tai smiled faintly and said, "Well spoken, Second Imperial Grandson. Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation upon which one establishes oneself. What does the Third Imperial Grandson say to that?"

"Nothing more than petty benevolence!"

Zhu Yunkan shook his head.

"Benevolence and righteousness are not petty benevolence."

Zhu Yunwen was determined to lock horns with Zhu Yunkan, raising his voice to declare, "Third Brother, how can you be so base and cruel? The woodcutter helped Han Xin; what Han Xin should have done was repay the kindness, not murder him! Repaying kindness is an act of benevolence and righteousness, and it has nothing to do with petty benevolence."

"Yesterday, when rumors suddenly spread that Third Brother had killed many people, I refused to believe them."

"Yet today... you show a complete lack of a benevolent heart. How have you become so cruel?"

He even put on an expression of profound heartbreak.

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

Could Zhu Yunwen possibly care about him?

That was an absolute impossibility.

The mere fact that Zhu Yunwen hadn't tried to have him killed already counted as mercy.

With no alternative, Zhu Yunkan replied, "Those who achieve great things do not sweat trivial details. If Han Xin possessed your brand of benevolence, he would not be Han Xin, and his name would not have been passed down to this very day."

"Nonsense!"

Zhu Yunwen grew even more agitated, refuting him sharply: "Men of noble character and benevolent people never seek to save their lives at the expense of benevolence; rather, they sacrifice their lives to achieve benevolence."

"Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation of personal conduct."

"Imperial Grandfather placed us in the Hall of Abundant Learning to study the ways of the sages—to learn benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness."

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

"Cruelty devoid of benevolence is unworthy of a gentleman."

...

Indignant and standing upon the moral high ground, Zhu Yunwen poured forth a continuous stream of the sages' doctrines regarding benevolence and righteousness.

True to his reputation as a model student of the Hall of Abundant Learning, he could rattle off these moral principles endlessly, as though he had come fully prepared specifically to counter Zhu Yunkan.

From his words, Zhu Yunkan could clearly perceive that Zhu Yunwen was steadily painting him with labels like "cruel" and "inhumane and brutal."

By the end of the tirade, Zhu Yunkan could not help but raise an eyebrow.

"Could this fellow be planning to work with Qi Tai to brand me as devoid of benevolence and righteousness, labeling me as cruelly tyrannical?"

Looking at Zhu Yunwen now, he appeared righteous and awe-inspiring, the very picture of a moral paragon.

By contrasting his own righteousness with Zhu Yunkan's approval of killing the woodcutter, Zhu Yunwen was accentuating his own benevolent nature.

Before he knew it, Zhu Yunkan was being cast as bloodthirsty.

In any case, he was being painted as a villain.

It seemed they intended to spread the reputation of Zhu Yunkan's bloodlust and cruelty far and wide, combining it with yesterday's executions to cement his image as a bad man.

Comparisons only served to highlight differences—often to one's detriment.

It was precisely through this contrast that Zhu Yunwen sought to showcase his own virtue.

Realizing this, Zhu Yunkan suddenly understood why Qi Tai had told that story, and why Zhu Yunwen had so fiercely opposed him and delivered that lengthy diatribe.

"Third Brother!"

Having said a great deal, Zhu Yunwen noticed that Zhu Yunkan still wore an utterly nonchalant expression, and angrily demanded, "I am explaining benevolence and righteousness to you, and yet... you refuse to listen?"