The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 114

Chapter 113: Yongle vs. Jiajing, Zhu Di’s Impatience

According to Zhuang Mu and Yao Guangxiao, the door leads to countless rivers—many worlds. From the first glance at the old Taoist priest, something felt wrong. His bearing was one only someone of high rank could possess, especially that suspicious gaze.

“An emperor wearing a Taoist robe—how unusual,” Zhu Houcong’s eyes, filled with doubt and suspicion, fixed on Zhu Di.

Zhu Di paused, startled. The suspicion and doubt in those eyes were almost identical to his own, even mirroring Zhu Yuanzhang’s suspicious nature. The emperors of the Hongwu and Yongle dynasties were both known for their suspicion. Zhu Di understood this, it was tied to their experiences. The Founder Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, because of his humble origins and the loss of loved ones, became deeply suspicious, distrusting everyone in his later years, and prone to killing. Zhu Di himself, due to the hardships of the four years of the Jingnan Campaign (a period of civil war in which Zhu Di seized power), and his awareness of his rebellious origins, harbored deep suspicion. A rebel always fears other rebels.

But what caused this emperor’s intense suspicion? The old Taoist priest seemed even more suspicious than he was, a sign of profound insecurity. Zhu Di himself sometimes felt this way, alone in the palace, lacking security and feeling that no one was trustworthy. That feeling that commoners were constantly trying to harm him.

“Who are you? Why do you address me as ‘朕’ (Your Majesty)?” Zhu Di asked, slightly displeased. He would show due courtesy to the emperor of an unknown dynasty, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate discourtesy in return.

“I asked you first, and you didn’t answer, yet you ask me? Didn’t your father teach you manners? Or are the emperors in your country all…” Zhu Di took a deep breath, his mustache trembling slightly, then uttered two words: “…rude.”

Zhu Di’s eyes, filled with anger, glared at Zhu Houcong, like a dragon crouching before him. Zhu Houcong felt a tremor in his heart.

But as the epitome of imperial power tactics, could he be outmatched in terms of presence by some unknown rebel emperor? Despite feeling immense pressure, his strong competitive spirit prevented him from backing down.

“Is there a second emperor in the Jiajing Dynasty?”

At that moment, Zhuang Mu’s eyes flickered. It was indeed the Emperor Shizong (the Jiajing Emperor). His guess was right—only the Jiajing Emperor fit the description: a Taoist priest, intensely suspicious, with skin lesions from consuming elixirs, yearning for immortality through cultivation, and exceptionally intelligent.

Yao Guangxiao smiled faintly at Zhuang Mu. It seemed the young friend knew quite a lot. While unsure about the Jiajing Dynasty, from Zhuang Mu’s expression, it must be related to the Ming Dynasty.

By this time, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and Di Ping had all awakened. The first thing they heard was the old Taoist priest asking if there was a second emperor in the Jiajing Dynasty. They also saw Zhu Di glaring at the Taoist priest with a displeased expression.

Zhu Gaosui quickly stepped forward. “Father.”

Zhu Di ignored Zhu Gaosui. He was trying hard to restrain himself. He was already annoyed by the old Taoist priest, and now this attitude? Zhu Di, the emperor of the Yongle Dynasty, was treating everyone in the tavern equally, out of respect for Zhuang Mu and his unique abilities. But equality had its limits. He would not tolerate anyone looking down on him.

“Jiajing, is it? I’m speaking calmly. You should also restrain that superior attitude. Otherwise, I won’t care which dynasty you’re from.”

Although Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Di were at odds, he would still stand by his father in crucial moments. He cracked his neck, glaring fiercely at Zhu Houcong. “Old man, speak politely to my father, or I’ll smash your mouth.”

Zhu Houcong involuntarily took a step back. So what if there were more of them? He’d bring people next time. But for now, he’d play it safe. This tavern was unique; the people here weren’t recorded in the annals of the Jiajing Dynasty. The tavern itself was extraordinary, reputed to have stood in Nanjing, the Capital City, since the Hongwu Dynasty. Then, for unknown reasons, it disappeared from Nanjing and reappeared in a secluded alley in Beijing. He had sought it out, curious about its unique nature. He had been strangled by a palace maid early in his reign and was fearful of revealing his whereabouts. He went out of the palace as secretly as possible.

Who were these people… daring to be so arrogant? They knew he was an emperor and were unconcerned, even threatening to beat him.

Seeing the situation was turning sour, Zhuang Mu stepped in to mediate. “Now, now, let’s be amicable. Old man, don’t take it to heart; we’re all family.”

Zhu Gaosui retorted coldly. “Family? I’d be damned if I’m family with him. Zhuang Mu, don’t stop me. I’ll tear his mouth apart. I can’t stand that superior tone!”

Yao Guangxiao was slightly surprised by Zhuang Mu’s words, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Family? This Jiajing Emperor…Interesting, truly interesting.

Zhu Houcong, seeing the situation was unfavorable, didn’t persist. He simply spat out a threat: “You’ll regret this!” Then he left in a huff.

Zhu Di snorted. “Zhuang xiaozi (young Zhuang), if you weren’t here, I would have beaten him to death.”

Zhu Di said to Zhuang Mu calmly. Who’s the good emperor who doesn’t wear a Dragon Robe or regular clothes, but a Taoist robe? Taoist emperors were rare in history, and inconsequential. If Zhuang Mu hadn’t been there, he would have let Zhu Gaoxu deal with him.

Zhuang Mu smiled. “Old man, it’s better to be amicable. Treat visitors with courtesy. Besides, we’re all family, what’s the point of this?”

Speaking of family, Zhu Di looked at Zhuang Mu with a smile. “Zhuang xiaozi, you’re not married yet, are you?”

Zhuang Mu returned to the counter. “I don’t have time to get married. Besides, given my situation, it’s better not to hurt a young woman.” He had considered this. If his sleep problem couldn’t be solved, he wouldn’t get married. But he also thought that he needed someone to take care of him. He was conflicted.

Zhu Di smiled. “Ah, my daughters are all grown up and married. Otherwise, I would have given a princess to you.”

Zhuang Mu quickly shook his head. “I think it’s better not. If I marry a princess, will the princess serve me or will I serve the princess?”

Zhu Di, however, was persistent. “Imperial relatives have servants to attend to them, you don’t have to worry. I don’t have daughters, but I have sons.”

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui felt a chill down their spines. No way! His daughters were married, so he wanted to give away his sons? The sons were married too! Even Zhuang Mu was unsure how to respond.

“Uh, I’m tired.”

Zhu Di blocked Zhuang Mu at the counter exit and said earnestly, “Zhuang xiaozi, don’t look down on my two sons’ appearance. Their daughters are definitely excellent.”

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui sighed in relief. Phew, they almost got married. Zhu Di’s speech was dramatic; perhaps from years of scaring people, he often spoke dramatically.

Zhu Gaosui stepped forward with a smile. “Uh, Father, I don’t have daughters.” Zhu Gaosui had the fewest children, only two sons.

Zhu Gaoxu also stepped forward. “I don’t have daughters either.”

Zhu Di was stunned, silently staring at his two sons.

Zhuang Mu smiled, pushed Zhu Di’s hand away, and said, “Old man, I’m really tired. I’m going to sleep.” He went upstairs to bed, leaving Zhu Di silently staring, questioning.

“You two, don’t have daughters?” “Second son, I remember reports saying you had children. Didn’t you have any girls?”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded. “I do have two daughters, but they are too young to be married.” He mostly had sons, he wasn’t sure if he should be glad or not.

Zhu Di turned to Zhu Gaosui. “Third son, you’re thirty-five, and you don’t have a single daughter??”

Though embarrassed, it was true. As a veteran of the Jingnan Campaign, Prince Zhao Zhu Gaosui, at thirty-five, only had two sons. Unlike the other prolific feudal princes.

Zhu Gaosui quickly said, “Father, the eldest brother has daughters, and they are almost of marriageable age. You can choose them.”

Zhu Di nodded silently. “I suppose I have to.” The purpose of the marriage with Zhuang Mu was simple. Their current relationship was just that of a customer and a shopkeeper; it wasn’t solid. A marriage would strengthen Zhuang Mu’s sense of belonging to the Yongle Dynasty and the Zhu family. Though Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui were disappointing, Zhu Gaoshi had many children, including marriageable daughters. If all else failed, a betrothal would do; they could marry later. Marriage wasn’t the goal; using marriage to bind Zhuang Mu was.

“By the way, old monk.” “Have you ever heard of the Jiajing era?” He didn’t seem to have seen an emperor with the Jiajing era name in the historical records.

Yao Guangxiao shook his head. In history, no one used the Jiajing era name yet.

Zhu Di frowned. If he wasn’t from the past, could he be…from the future? Or from an unknown dynasty?

“Second and third sons, were you dreaming with that old Taoist priest?”

Zhu Gaosui nodded. “Yes, the old Taoist priest bought Immortal Dream wine from Zhuang Mu.”

“Immortal Dream wine?” That suited the Taoist priest’s attire and demeanor. Taoists seek immortality. Daoist disciples are mostly like Zhuang Zhou—unhurried, with aspirations but not overly ambitious. Daoist disciples mostly seek immortality.

“Then what?”

Zhu Gaosui smiled. “Who knows, the dream was about Hou Yi shooting down the suns. Ten suns hung in the sky, and he became one of them. Then the second brother transformed into Hou Yi, wielding a bow and arrow, shooting down the suns. The old Taoist priest fled for his life. But the old Taoist priest was clever. He immediately guessed that we had entered his dream and committed suicide to wake up.” Forcibly ending a dream, suicide was the quickest and most effective way. Of course, suicide wasn’t necessary, but Zhuang Mu seemed to have forgotten to tell the old Taoist priest.

Zhu Di pondered. Hou Yi shooting down the suns was a good dream background. If Zhuang Mu hadn’t gone to sleep, he wanted to experience what it was like to shoot down the suns. It would be better than hunting.

Zhu Di nodded. “Hmm, you two continue to stay here. If Lan Yu comes, send someone to inform me.”

…

In the palace, Zhu Di returned to the imperial study and summoned Zhu Gaoshi. Zhu Gaoshi, limping, arrived in the imperial study with the help of a young eunuch, bowing slightly. He didn’t kneel; it would have been too strenuous.

Zhu Di continued, “Eldest son, I remember you have several daughters. Are they of marriageable age?”

He was startled, then replied, “Father, I do have daughters, but they’ll be of marriageable age in a few years. Your Majesty, do you want to arrange a marriage alliance with another country?” His eldest daughter was born in the seventh year of Yongle. In this era, girls could be betrothed at twelve or thirteen and marry a few years later. When Zhu Di asked about his daughters, Zhu Gaoshi immediately thought of marriage alliances.

Marriage alliance?

Zhu Di stood up, hands on his hips, and laughed. “There’s no country in the world worthy of a marriage alliance with us.” The Zhu family’s daughters, unlike other imperial marriages, often married down, to men of ability, not just high rank.

“Alas…this is difficult.” His daughters were all married and older, and Zhu Gaoshi’s daughters were not yet adults. There were no suitable candidates.

Zhu Gaoshi was puzzled. “Father, why are you asking this?”

“I want to arrange a marriage for Zhuang Mu. You should know of his abilities. Binding him to the Zhu family through marriage is the best way. It’s a pity that you are all disappointing.” Who would have thought that he, Zhu Gaoshi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui, four people, couldn’t even produce a marriageable daughter. Perhaps it was fate.

Zhu Gaoshi hesitated, wanting to say something but hesitant.

Zhu Di, seeing Zhu Gaoshi’s hesitation, said calmly, “What is it? Speak.”

Zhu Gaoshi then spoke. “Father, news from Henan and Shandong just arrived. There’s a severe drought. It hasn’t rained for almost three months. I’m planning to allocate funds for disaster relief in Henan and Shandong. This will delay the collection of grain for the Northern Expedition.”

Zhu Di frowned. “How long will it be delayed?”

“If the situation improves next year and the drought subsides, it will take a year. If not, it will take at least two years.”

Two years? Would he even live that long? But the grain problem couldn’t be ignored.

Zhu Di sighed. “Can’t we squeeze it out?”

Zhu Gaoshi, somewhat embarrassed, shook his head. “To collect grain for the Northern Expedition, we either need to reduce government spending or increase harvests. I’ve already reduced government spending as much as possible. As for increasing taxes…” “Most of the land in the Ming Dynasty has been cultivated. The harvest depends on the heavens. Natural disasters are beyond our control. If we could increase grain yields, perhaps…”

Zhu Di pondered. He wondered about the door in Zhuang Mu’s tavern, the countless rivers it connected to. The Yongle river was drying up; perhaps he could borrow “water” from other rivers. He could also buy it. He might ask Zhuang Mu if he could use the door to buy grain for the Northern Expedition. Each dynasty’s wealth was different. This year’s harvest in the Yongle Dynasty was poor, so he could borrow grain from other countries. If the harvest was poor in other countries next year, they could borrow grain from the Yongle Dynasty. It was a mutual exchange. The key was how much grain the door could transport. If it was only a few bushels, it would be useless.

…

In the tavern, it was almost evening. Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Gaoxu, and Di Ping were still playing cards. Zhu Gaoxu adhered to the principle of not letting anyone leave if they lost, forcing Zhu Gaosui and Di Ping to play cards all day.

At that moment, a middle-aged man with a worried expression and listless eyes walked in, muttering, “The ancestral land, will it truly collapse in my hands?”

Di Ping was about to play his card when he noticed that the door bell hadn’t rung. He quickly winked at Zhu Gaosui.

Zhu Gaosui thought Di Ping wanted a card and passed his little joker under the table. Zhu Gaoxu couldn’t count cards, so he wouldn’t notice extra or missing cards.

This time, Zhu Gaosui’s cheating was exposed. Di Ping didn’t take the joker. Zhu Gaoxu noticed Zhu Gaosui’s actions under the table and looked down. Seeing Zhu Gaosui pass a card to Di Ping, Zhu Gaoxu’s anger flared. He flipped the table over.

(To be continued)

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