novelSusiti Chapter 14 Untamed Horses
Chapter 14 Untamed Horses
To cater to Zhu Yuanzhang's preferences, Zhu Gaochi would take Zhu Gaoxi for a walk every day after meals to help him lose weight.
Zhu Gaoxi felt that he was now a bit like a souvenir, with Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yuntong, Zhu Gaochi, and Xu Miaojin always wanting to hold his hand and wander around with him.
The fat Zhu Gaochi was one year younger than Zhu Yunwen, and the same age as Zhu Yunwen, both being fifteen years old.
However, compared to Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Yunwen was a bit like a fool.
Although Zhu Gaochi was physically disabled and had difficulty even walking, his mind was quick.
Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Shangbing, and Zhu Youdun were ordered to inspect the city gate guards at dawn, a task assigned the night before.
Zhu Shangbing and Zhu Youdun both returned on time to report back to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Only Zhu Gaoxi's eldest brother, Zhu Gaochi, arrived late.
Watching him struggle to move his obese body, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a barely perceptible sigh.
"Why are you so late?" Zhu Yuanzhang seemed displeased.
Zhu Gaochi replied calmly, "Reporting to my grandfather, it was too cold, so my soldiers had breakfast before the inspection."
He made up an excuse without batting an eye, which made Zhu Gaoxi look at him with new respect.
I always thought my older brother was an honest man, but now it seems that's not entirely true.
Seeing that he could justify his explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang did not press the matter further.
As a vassal king, one bears the heavy responsibility of guarding the borders, and knowing how to care for one's soldiers is an essential quality.
Zhu Gaochi's answer was fairly relevant.
Sure enough, big guys have big wisdom, Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself.
Zhu Gaoxi felt deeply honored to have such an elder brother.
He gradually figured out Zhu Gaochi's logic of doing things: not seeking excellence, but avoiding mistakes, and prioritizing stability.
Zhu Gaoxi asked Zhu Yunwen to help him access relevant materials about the Lan Yu case.
Zhu Yunwen dared not make a decision on his own and immediately reported back to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the imperial eunuch Huang Liang to deliver the case files to the side hall and then personally came to inquire about them.
"Why did you decide to look at these?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, stroking his big head.
Zhu Gaoxi smiled but didn't speak. He couldn't speak in complicated sentences yet, just like trying to cook dumplings in a teapot.
"Want to know what Grandpa was thinking?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.
Zhu Gaoxi thought for a moment and answered, "Yes."
"If you want to see any information in the future, just tell your grandfather. Yunhuo can't make the decision," Zhu Yuanzhang said before walking out.
As they reached the door, Zhu Yuanzhang turned back and said, "Maybe in a few years, you'll be just like You Dun."
It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang's focus has shifted from Zhu Yunwen to Zhu Youdun.
Will he take back his move?
Was Zhu Youdun's high regard for him merely a whetstone for Zhu Yunwen, or was he being used for something else?
Zhu Gaoxi couldn't understand it.
Perhaps Zhu Yuanzhang found something he was dissatisfied with in Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen, a boy who grew up in the deep palace and had little contact with the outside world, was suddenly about to become the crown prince, so his shortcomings were inevitable.
He was different from Zhu Biao, who was born in the early stages of Zhu Yuanzhang's rise to power. Zhu Biao had deep relationships with many civil and military officials and pleaded for his younger brother on many occasions. He was highly respected by both officials and princes.
Lan Yu was the brother-in-law of Chang Yuchun and the maternal uncle of Zhu Biao's first wife, the Crown Princess Chang.
Chang Yuchun was Zhu Yuanzhang's most valiant general.
With just his father-in-law, Zhu Biao could gain considerable influence in the army.
Lan Yu's bravery rivaled that of Chang Yuchun. Although he made many minor mistakes, Zhu Yuanzhang always tolerated and protected him.
During the process of following Fu Youde to pacify Yunnan, Lan Yu made outstanding military achievements. Not only was his salary increased by 500 shi (a unit of dry measure), but he also married his daughter to Zhu Yuanzhang's eleventh son, Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, thus forming a marriage alliance with Zhu Yuanzhang.
As Lan Yu accumulated more and more military achievements, his reckless nature gradually became apparent.
When Lan Yu followed Feng Sheng on his northern expedition against Nahachu, during the process of persuading Nahachu to surrender, Lan Yu took off his own clothes and, under the guise of drunkenness, forced Nahachu to wear them, causing a commotion among Nahachu's troops. The famous general Pu Ying was attacked and killed by Nahachu's scattered troops on his way back.
However, upon returning to the capital, Zhu Yuanzhang revoked Feng Sheng's general's seal but did not punish Lan Yu in any way.
Zhu Yuanzhang handed over the general's seal to Lan Yu, entrusting him with the command of the troops for the northern expedition.
The following year, Lan Yu lived up to expectations, leading Wang Bi and other generals to defeat the Northern Yuan army near Buyur Lake. Only the Northern Yuan monarch and the crown prince, along with a few dozen others, escaped on horseback.
Soon after, both the Northern Yuan ruler and his crown prince died in internal strife.
From then on, the Northern Yuan ceased to exist and gradually split into tribes such as the Oirat and Tatar.
When the good news arrived, Zhu Yuanzhang compared Lan Yu to Wei Qing.
However, Lan Yu made another mistake by forcibly taking the Northern Yuan's principal wife, causing her to commit suicide out of shame and indignation.
On their way back, they passed through Xifeng Pass. Dissatisfied with the slow pace of the officials, they ordered their troops to break through the pass.
It is said that he also secretly divided the spoils of war and presented famous horses to Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, but was sternly rejected by Zhu Di.
Despite such a serious mistake, Zhu Yuanzhang merely gave him a severe scolding and changed his title from Duke of Liang to Duke of Liang State, without pursuing any further charges against him.
Not only that, Lan Yu forcibly seized farmland, adopted sons, ...
He was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, ranking below Feng Sheng and Fu Youde, and he repeatedly voiced his grievances.
This brute had a long history of misdeeds and was arrogant and domineering from the very beginning.
However, these mistakes were not the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Zhu Yuanzhang always treated Lan Yu with great tolerance and courtesy because Crown Prince Zhu Biao was able to win him over.
However, after Zhu Biao's death, the only person left who could subdue Lan Yu was Zhu Yuanzhang himself.
If Zhu Yuanzhang were to pass away, none of his descendants would be able to subdue Lan Yu.
Even Zhu Di, with his formidable fighting prowess, might not be able to win Lan Yu's heart.
Lan Yu may lose control of the royal family.
If the wild horse were to break free, the empire could potentially change hands, something Zhu Yuanzhang absolutely could not accept.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have time to build another team for his grandson.
He didn't have time to reason with the civil and military officials, so he chose to take direct action.
If Zhu Biao hadn't died, Lan Yu might have become a renowned minister and general, creating a beautiful story of a ruler and his minister.
However, after Zhu Biao's death, Zhu Yuanzhang's health was precarious. He didn't know how much longer he could live, so he had no choice but to act decisively.
The Lan Yu case was Zhu Yuanzhang's emergency measure to deal with risks.
Lan Yu's fate was sealed the moment Zhu Biao died.
Lan Yu may have hoped that Zhu Yunwen would become the crown prince.
However, whether Zhu Yunwen or Zhu Yuntong was made the Crown Prince, it could not change his fate.
Perhaps Zhu Di had already seen through this, which is why he chose to feign illness when the Lan Yu case came to light.
Having experienced the Lan Yu case, military generals could no longer fully trust Zhu Yunwen, fearing they would suffer the same fate as Lan Yu's former subordinates.
They deeply felt Zhu Yunwen's hostility.
Although the Lan Yu case was beyond Zhu Yunwen's control.
However, the profound impact of the Lan Yu case will all fall on Zhu Yunwen.
As Zhu Gaoxi pondered this, he couldn't help but gasp.
One wrong step leads to another.
The father's caution is not without reason.
What can he do in this process?
Zhu Gaoxi fell into deep thought.