The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 5

Chapter 5: Fickle Moods

Zhu Biao was momentarily speechless. Then he reached out and tapped Zhu Di’s head.

“Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?”

In his heart, even if Zhu Di had a hundred reasons, he wouldn’t dare to plot rebellion and murder his father. The entire Ming Dynasty was built by their father, a single bowl at a time. Everything they possessed was given to them by the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang). An innate fear of their father’s authority naturally prevented any treacherous thoughts, especially towards their exceedingly intimidating father, the Emperor.

“I believe you won’t.”

At least not now. What the future holds, no one can say. Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, and Emperor Taizong of Tang were all strong fathers. However, two of them were forced into rebellion by their overly powerful fathers. Of course, this was something he should consider. Zhu Di was merely the Yan King; facing the Emperor, the pressure would be much less.

“Father won’t, but what about you?”

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll rebel against you in the future?”

“What will you do then?”

Clearly, he wanted an answer. He also wanted to subtly find out how Zhu Biao would view him, especially after his rebellion. At the same time, he was very apprehensive. Rebellion was something even a biological son could hardly tolerate, let alone brothers. If it was a son, that’s one thing, but if it were brothers, what then?

Seeing Zhu Di’s earnestness, Zhu Biao, though puzzled, gave an answer.

“If that day really comes, if you rebel against me,”

“Then it would likely mean I have failed the Emperor’s trust, failed the nation, and failed the people.”

“If you could help me correct it, I would still thank you.”

These three sentences cut Zhu Di, already burdened with guilt, like a knife. However, Zhu Biao did not notice Zhu Di’s emotions at this time. Instead, he said with some melancholy,

“Old Fourth, you’ll be leaving to your fiefdom soon.”

“Among my younger brothers, I worry most about you. Old Second is in Xi’an, not too far from the grasslands.”

“Old Third is brave and valiant, and his wisdom is not lacking. Only you are still like a child, prone to acting rashly.”

“The ever-changing situations on the battlefield cannot be influenced by emotions.”

“Therefore, you must promise me, stay alive.”

Zhu Di listened silently to Zhu Biao’s admonitions. Since this was a dream, why not try a different outcome? The events of the future stemmed from his departure to his fiefdom, from the early deaths of Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiongying. Since this was his dream, why couldn’t he change all of this?

“Brother, I won’t go to my fiefdom.”

Hearing this, Zhu Biao was stunned. His nagging, like an old mother’s, stopped abruptly. His eyes showed disbelief as he looked at Zhu Di. Only now did he notice the change in Zhu Di’s emotions. Although he didn’t know what happened, he could feel the guilt and the inability to look him in the eye emanating from Zhu Di.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Biao rebuked him,

“Old Fourth, don’t say such foolish things again!”

“You are the Emperor’s son, my own brother.”

“You are the Yan King of the Ming Dynasty. If you don’t go to your fiefdom, who will guard the borders of the Ming Dynasty for Father and for me?”

No feudal prince would refuse to go to their fiefdom. If this were to get out, who knows what rumors would spread.

At this moment, Zhu Biao suddenly frowned and asked, “Old Fourth, are you afraid of death?”

Feudal princes were the first line of defense against foreign invasion. Naturally, there were certain risks involved. However, the Yuan Dynasty was no longer a threat, struggling to even protect itself, making a southward invasion unlikely.

Zhu Di smiled faintly.

“If I could really die on the battlefield, it would be good.”

If he could die in battle, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many things that happened later. Perhaps, that would be a good ending. A peaceful one.

Zhu Biao looked helpless, unsure what was wrong with Zhu Di. He felt something was profoundly off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He gently placed his hand on Zhu Di’s shoulder, comforting him, and said softly:

“Sigh, if you don’t want to go to your fiefdom, then don’t. I’ll speak to Father.”

“But, Old Fourth, I still hope you’ll go.”

“Didn’t you always say you wanted to become a great general like Xu Da, someone who could stand on their own?”

“In the near future, Father, Xu Da, and our cousin will all gradually grow old. At that time, we need to take on responsibility.”

“I’ll stay behind, and you’ll lead the troops. Isn’t that a good thing?”

These words clearly demonstrated Zhu Biao’s immense trust in Zhu Di. But for some reason, it stirred up Zhu Di’s unpredictable temper. He immediately threw Zhu Biao’s hand off his shoulder.

He angrily shouted at Zhu Biao: “Don’t pretend you don’t understand!”

“History books throughout the ages all say four words: Struggle for the Throne!”

“There is no such thing as familial affection in the royal family. Treason is a capital offense!”

“When it comes to that point, it’s either you or me!”

“From the moment I go to my fiefdom, we are no longer brothers!”

Seeing Zhu Di’s hysterical outburst, Zhu Biao was stunned. He didn’t know what was wrong with Zhu Di, nor how to comfort him. At the same time, Zhu Di’s words left him at a loss for how to respond. Anger? Fury? The urge to kill? Or rebuke…?

After a long silence, he softly said,

“Old Fourth, I don’t know why you’re angry.”

“But I know you’ve grown up, and it’s normal to have your own worries.”

“Then I won’t bother you.”

Having said that, Zhu Biao simply sighed slightly, then turned and left. There was no rebuke, no anger, only a slight melancholy and weariness. But the more Zhu Biao acted this way, the more painful it was for Zhu Di. For some reason, seeing Zhu Biao’s dejected back, Zhu Di felt a mix of emotions.

As they grew older, they were no longer like before. Especially the pressure subtly emanating from Zhu Biao seemed to bend his straight spine.

Zhu Di realized he had spoken too harshly. Regardless, he shouldn’t have poured all his emotions onto Zhu Biao. He hadn’t done anything wrong; this was all between him and that bastard Jianwen. The fault was his own.

They hadn’t seen each other in over ten years. It should have been a warm reunion, but he had ruined it. He didn’t know when his temper had become so unstable.

“Zhu Laosi, Zhu Laosi, when did you become like this?”

Zhu Di asked himself. How many people in the world could be as tolerant and loving towards their younger brother as Zhu Biao? The royal family was merciless, yet their father and older brother valued familial affection above all else.

Sigh…

I should go apologize to Brother.

(End of Chapter)

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