Chapter 42: Heightened Sense of Crisis
“Has the Second Imperial Grandson finished so quickly?” Qi Tai said with a smile.
No matter the teacher, they would always be gentle and kind toward a good student.
Moreover, Zhu Yunwen was their predetermined favorite, already prepared in advance to perform today.
“Please recite it,” Qi Tai said.
“The student humbly offers his work,” Zhu Yunwen replied politely and modestly, then began to recite slowly.
“Snowflakes fluttering, blanketing the wild plains; silver-clad and pure, the majestic rivers and mountains.
Smoke curls softly, warming the village homes; hunting dogs frolic joyfully, barking amid the snow.”
When he finished, confidence still radiated from his face.
He believed this poem was especially well-crafted; it was the result of much thought, and no matter what, Zhu Yunxu and those other royal uncles could never surpass him.
“Well done!” Qi Tai praised. “An excellent poem!”
This poem was entirely Zhu Yunwen’s own creation.
They had only asked him to prepare in advance, never expecting such quality.
From another perspective, Zhu Yunwen’s ability to compose a fine poem in such a short time before the grand hall was a true testament to his talent.
Anyone can memorize texts, but Zhu Yunwen believed the real skill was in composing poetry.
Of course, he could recite texts as well.
Mastering both made him quietly proud.
“Thank you for your kind evaluation, sir!” Zhu Yunwen said, satisfied as he took his seat. But before sitting, he glanced back at Zhu Yunxu with a look full of challenge.
He intended to defeat Zhu Yunxu in literary talent.
“He’s provoking you,” Zhu Ying said.
Zhu Yunxu replied, “Since he’s taken the initiative to embarrass me, I won’t hold back.”
With that, he stood and said, “Sir, I have finished my work.”
“Recite it!” Qi Tai said calmly.
He did not believe Zhu Yunxu could compose poetry.
Today was meant to be Zhu Yunwen’s showcase; Qi Tai thought Zhu Yunxu was only unwilling to admit defeat and wanted to show off.
In such a short time, Qi Tai hadn’t even thought of what to write himself—Zhu Yunxu was even less capable.
“Very well!” Zhu Yunxu said unapologetically, beginning:
“Behold the northern lands, a thousand miles sealed in ice, ten thousand miles blanketed in snow…”
“Hmm…” Qi Tai felt uneasy.
The opening was grand and majestic, with a profound ambiance far superior to Zhu Yunwen’s poem.
Qi Tai immediately regretted it; he had underestimated Zhu Yunxu’s depth and should not have brought literature into the test so soon. It seemed Zhu Yunwen was about to be utterly outclassed.
When Zhu Yunwen heard the opening, his expression changed.
Could Zhu Yunxu really compose such magnificent verses?
Impossible!
Zhu Yunxu… absolutely not.
He had been quietly proud moments ago, but now he was slapped in the face—so quickly and so harshly—that he was flustered and unsure what to do.
Zhu Yunxu ignored their reactions and continued:
“All that is past is gone; to count the great men, look only to the present.”
When he finished the last line, he did not wait for Qi Tai’s comments but sat down, leaving them all stunned.
It wasn’t that Qi Tai refused to comment; he simply dared not.
This poem was beyond ordinary commentary.
Only Zhu Yuanzhang himself had the authority to judge it.
Though Zhu Yunxu was audacious to write such verses, Qi Tai could not bring himself to speak; it truly left him at a loss.
Zhu Yunwen turned back and glared fiercely at Zhu Yunxu, unable to understand why he was always so far surpassed in every respect.
Why?
No one could give him an answer.
“Sir, please comment!” Zhu Ying laughed.
Though these princes were unlearned, they possessed some discernment and could grasp the meaning of the poem.
Qi Tai’s face flushed red as he remained silent for a long time, then said, “No more poetry. You… you all recite your texts; I will step out for a moment.”
A sense of crisis!
A strong crisis emanated from Zhu Yunxu.
Zhu Yunwen felt this threat growing stronger, realizing his path to succession would be even harder. He hurriedly rose and followed Qi Tai into the rear hall of the grand hall to discuss what to do. He feared losing to Zhu Yunxu—and such a loss was unbearable.
“Second brother!” Zhu Yunxi called out uncertainly, wanting to follow Zhu Yunwen but lacking the courage.
“Well done!” Zhu Gui and the others laughed heartily.
They felt immense satisfaction witnessing Zhu Yunxu’s triumph over them. Previously, it was only in reciting the Four Books; now, in poetry, they realized Zhu Yunxu’s talents were truly hidden and far greater than before.
Even the good student Zhu Yunwen was thoroughly defeated by Zhu Yunxu.
Too strong!
——
“Your Majesty, there is new news from the grand hall,” Jixiang hurried into the Wuying Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang was in a foul mood today, largely because many memorials criticized Zhu Yunxu’s cruelty yesterday.
Rumors outside even claimed Zhu Yunxu was bloodthirsty.
They said Zhu Yunxu resembled Zhu the Butcher, killing at the slightest provocation, and warned against letting such a grandson become emperor, lest their future be miserable.
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately recognized this as a deliberate smear campaign.
He had appointed his rebellious grandson to establish authority, but now outsiders were manipulating the narrative. Fortunately, he could still endure; otherwise, he would have already sent Jiang Wan to arrest those spreading rumors.
Zhu Yunwen certainly would not be arrested, but others would not be so lenient.
The Butcher was the Butcher; in the future, his rebellious grandson would be just as ruthless in eradicating corrupt officials.
“What news?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly.
Jixiang replied, “Two matters. First, Mr. Qi seems intent on branding the Third Imperial Grandson with a reputation for cruelty and heartlessness.”
He briefly explained the plot regarding Han Xin’s killings.
“That old fellow!” Zhu Yuanzhang was displeased.
He fully agreed with Zhu Yunxu’s viewpoint: great men do not fuss over trivialities. The battlefield is unpredictable, and a mere woodcutter cannot influence the outcome.
If it were him, he would kill not just one woodcutter, but ten.
“When there’s time, we’ll deal with him!” Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly.
It was clear this defamation was part of the succession struggle, aimed at Zhu Yunwen. The rumors of Zhu Yunxu’s cruelty echoed Qi Tai’s machinations today.
All intended to tarnish his rebellious grandson’s reputation.
For now, during the succession period, he would endure and see what other tricks they had.
“And the second matter?”
“Regarding poetry,” Jixiang smiled. “The Third Imperial Grandson is remarkably talented. The poem he wrote, Your Majesty will surely appreciate.”
He recited the entire “Ode to the Spring Garden,” from beginning to end.
“‘To count the great men, look only to the present.’”
“Excellent, very well written!”
“This poem is magnificent and grand… Haha, who would have thought the rebellious grandson possessed such talent?”
Zhu Yuanzhang liked it immediately. In all of the Ming Dynasty, only he had the authority to judge this poem; no one else could.
Anyone else daring to comment further would be overstepping their bounds.