My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 37 Challenge

Ru Chang did not dissuade Zhu Yuanzhang from appointing Zhu Gaoxi as the Prince of Wu, fearing that he would offend the Crown Prince. As soon as she returned to the Ministry of War, she sent Qi Tai to see Zhu Yuanzhang.

Previously, in order to help Zhu Yunwen better understand military affairs, Zhu Yuanzhang instructed Ru Chang to select a suitable person from the Ministry of War to serve by the side of the imperial grandson.

With the position of Left Vice Minister vacant, Qi Tai, as the Right Vice Minister of War, ranked second in the Ministry of War.

Ru Chang recommended Qi Tai to the Crown Prince in order to offset the previous negative impact.

Having spent many years in officialdom, he had developed his own set of wisdom for protecting himself and his body, and was by no means a naive newcomer to the workplace.

Many people have the mentality of trying to please everyone and not offend anyone before the situation becomes clear.

If Zhu Gaoxi wanted to find trusted confidants, he would have to find another way.

If only Yao Guangxiao, who is knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, could come.

The cheap dad would definitely be reluctant to part with it.

"You gave sweet potatoes to Aying, why didn't you give them to me?"

Zhu Hui questioned him with a straight face.

Zhu Gaoxi never imagined that he would appear in the vegetable garden.

Ever since Zhu Hui uttered the rumor that "he will be born an emperor," Zhu Gaoxi has considered him someone he will never associate with, and he also keeps his distance from his birth mother, Consort Guo.

Zhu Gaoxi turned around in response and saw A Ying making a helpless expression, while Zhu Hui beside him was puffing up his cheeks, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Zhu Gaoxi laughed, never expecting Zhu Hui to be so jealous, like a child.

He was supposed to take up his post in March of this year, but whether he was really sick or faking it, he has not left yet.

"It was my oversight; I thought Uncle Nineteen didn't like it."

Zhu Gaoxi laughed it off.

"I ate some at my mother's place and was waiting for you to deliver it, but I waited for several days and didn't see you. When I asked A-Ying, I found out that you had already delivered it to him," Zhu Hui said, putting on airs like an uncle. "You little rascal, you're showing favoritism and you're not being honest."

He went to the main hall to study with Zhu Ying every day, so he naturally had plenty of opportunities to ask these questions.

But he never used to come to the vegetable garden. Why has he suddenly changed his tune and started trying to get close to us? Is it just for the sweet potatoes?

Zhu Gaoxi was too lazy to think it through, so he asked Li Hui to pack two portions of sweet potatoes and give one portion to each of them.

Zhu Hui, however, suddenly exclaimed as if he had discovered a new continent, "Little one, why are there so many chicken feathers, duck feathers, and goose feathers in these yards?"

He squatted on the ground, carefully picking at the poultry feathers that the eunuch had just brought from the Imperial Kitchen. These were meant for the young eunuchs to use as pens to dip in ink.

Besides feathers, he also had the kitchen prepare some charcoal for writing, allowing the eunuchs to choose for themselves, which was much more convenient than preparing a set of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for each person.

"For writing," Zhu Gaoxi replied perfunctorily.

"You really do have a knack for coming up with ideas," Zhu Hui said, looking Zhu Gaoxi up and down. "You're young, so using this to write is definitely less strenuous for you."

After Zhu Hui and Zhu Ying left, Zhu Gaoxi immediately instructed Li Hui to hide the poultry feathers and charcoal in a secluded corner.

To prevent eunuchs from interfering in politics, Zhu Yuanzhang learned from the lessons of previous dynasties and strictly prohibited eunuchs from reading and writing. He was not yet ready to debate with Zhu Yuanzhang and planned to wait until the mimeograph machine was somewhat developed before doing so. Right now, he was only stuck on the ink and wanted to go to the Imperial College Printing House to find some ideas.

Early the next morning, Xu Zengshou came to the vegetable garden. Zhu Yuanzhang granted him special permission to be exempt from the morning court session that day.

Zhu Gaoxi had already psychologically become accustomed to regarding Xu Zengshou and Xu Huizu as his maternal uncles.

"Try it," Zhu Gaoxi said, giving Xu Zengshou some of the sweet potato fries that had been partially dried and shaped.

"Hmm, it tastes good," Xu Zengshou said, enjoying his meal.

Zhu Gaoxi only allowed Sanbao and Lihui to accompany him, leaving all the other eunuchs in the vegetable garden.

Xu Zengshou scooped up Zhu Gaoxi with one hand and held him in his arms.

After leaving the palace, we got directly into the carriage.

Xu Zengshou was extremely concise with his words, and not a single word wasted during the entire conversation.

Only after the carriage left the imperial city did he slowly speak, "The matter of you being enfeoffed as the Prince of Wu is now a hot topic of discussion in the court and among the people. Some say you are a genius, while others say you are a monster and want to get rid of you as soon as possible."

"What did Father say?" Zhu Gaoxi knew that Xu Zengshou and Zhu Di had a close personal relationship and had been exchanging letters.

"Fortunately, he had the foresight to leave you a few people in advance: four personal maids and six eunuchs, all of whom are quite skilled. I personally trained them all during this period. You are currently at the height of your fame, so be careful that someone doesn't try to sabotage you."

"Can you read?" Zhu Gaoxi asked, as this was what he valued most.

"Not only are you literate, but you've also been taught everything by Master Daoyan. You can do business by reading account books, and you're familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as astronomy and geography," Xu Zengshou exclaimed. "Your father really went to great lengths for you."

"I might start my formal education in a couple of days, and my grandfather wants me to choose my own teacher," Zhu Gaoxi said, wanting to hear Xu Zengshou's opinion. "I'd like to choose from Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, Huang Huai, and Yang Shiqi from the Hanlin Academy. It would be great if Master Daoyan could come."

"If your father reveals all his assets, aren't you afraid of being wiped out?" Xu Zengshou pondered for a few moments. "You can only choose one of Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, Huang Huai, or Yang Shiqi. Test the waters and see how others react."

"Then let's choose Yang Rong," Zhu Gaoxi said confidently, believing that Yang Rong was shrewd and good at protecting himself.

Xu Zengshou asked with a smile, "At such a young age, how come you seem to know the officials of the Hanlin Academy better than we do?"

"I was just guessing," Zhu Gaoxi replied slyly.

"Was that sweet potato really a dream the Crown Prince sent you?" Xu Zengshou asked in an extremely low voice.

"Otherwise what?" Zhu Gaoxi retorted.

"You little rascal, you don't trust anyone and you won't tell the truth," Xu Zengshou said in a low voice, shoving a letter into Zhu Gaoxi's hand.

When Zhu Gaoxi opened the letter, he found it was from Zhu Youdun.

Zhu Youdun compiled a list of guards, which he would write to Zhu Yuanzhang suggesting that these guards be assigned to protect Zhu Gaoxi's safety.

According to Zhu Youdun, these are all experts.

Zhu Gaoxi was deeply moved, never expecting so many people to care about his safety.

"No matter what troublesome things you encounter, just tell me, and I will write to your father and the heir apparent. They will always find a way to solve it," Xu Zengshou assured him, patting his chest.

Zhu Gaoxi knew that Xu Zengshou was trustworthy, otherwise he wouldn't have told him so much.

In the previous life, Xu Zengshou was killed by Zhu Yunwen with a sword for tipping off Zhu Di.

"What are my chances of winning?" Zhu Gaoxi asked cryptically.

"What do you think?" Xu Zengshou asked in return.

"I have absolutely no confidence," Zhu Gaoxi said frankly.

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate," Xu Zengshou said with a heavy expression, indicating that he also didn't have much confidence in Zhu Yunwen.

"I need to find a kind of ink to make mimeograph machines. That's the main reason I'm going to the Imperial Academy," Zhu Gaoxi revealed in advance to avoid wasting time.

"Not for accompanying your studies?" Xu Zengshou asked.

"No," Zhu Gaoxi never thought of finding a study companion.

The risk of him becoming a study companion is too high. If he loses the battle for the crown prince position, the study companion will be the first to suffer.

He didn't want to involve too many people, nor did he want to force others to make premature statements.

Perhaps this can be considered a way of protecting oneself.

After all, he is currently at a significant disadvantage compared to Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen was the rightful Crown Prince; Zhu Yunwen was at best a challenger with little chance of winning.

No one was willing to openly stand by his side, and even Xu Zengshou had to be discreet in front of outsiders.

The gentleman does not stand under the wall.

Zhu Gaoxi understood their predicament.