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

Chapter 98 How could the old emperor not know about the fourth prince's ambition?

After much thought, the old emperor suddenly realized that, in many ways, Gao Xi was actually more composed and calm.

For example, right now, Yunwen is rushing to welcome the Eleventh Prince and Fang Xiaoru, while Gao Xi is diligently handling memorials without being affected at all.

By automatically filtering out distracting information and maintaining a calm and composed mindset, one can concentrate and maximize efficiency.

Zhu Gaoxi was adept at using the insights and experiences he had accumulated from his previous life's exams.

He was not on the same wavelength as Fang Xiaoru and never thought of recruiting him for his own use.

Although Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, was only twenty-six years old, he possessed extraordinary insight and a mature approach to governing the Shu region, which Zhu Gaoxi deeply admired.

However, fate is something that cannot be forced.

No matter how powerful or influential the social circle, Zhu Gaoxi didn't want to force his way in, only to be met with a cold shoulder and make a fool of himself.

Doing your job well and focusing on cultivating your inner strength is more important than anything else.

Zhu Youdun and Zhu Jixi were both brave and skilled generals, but Zhu Yunwen was intolerant of them and never reflected on his own problems.

If one misjudges people, how much use can it be of using one's power to snatch back Fang Xiaoru?

Once you've recruited talent, the key to achieving the desired results lies in how you utilize them.

Focusing on practical skills, assigning appropriate tasks based on different talents, setting suitable incentive and reward measures, and adjusting them as needed are the ways to gradually tap into more potential.

In terms of personnel management, Zhu Gaoxi felt that he still needed to continuously refine his skills in order to truly understand the essence of it.

Seeing that Gao Xi was methodical, organized, and orderly in his work, the old emperor smiled with satisfaction.

Age is never a barrier as long as one is capable.

Besides, the fourth brother has his own unique way of fighting. He can anticipate opportunities and defeat the enemy in the ever-changing battlefield, and he can definitely protect his son.

The old emperor did not want to see Fang Xiaoru, so he exempted him from entering the palace to pay his respects. Zhu Yunwen temporarily placed him in the Shu Prince's Mansion in the capital.

Zhu Chun, accompanied by his ten-year-old eldest son Zhu Yuexuan, arrived at the Qianqing Palace with Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun bowed according to custom.

Zhu Chun smiled broadly and praised each of them.

Zhu Chun's image is different from that of Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, and Prince Yan, Zhu Di, who are both heroic and domineering.

He was handsome, of medium height, gentle and kind, yet he maintained an unspoken distance.

Zhu Yuexuan is practically a miniature version of Zhu Chun; his gestures, words, and actions are all identical.

Although only ten years old, he was in no way inferior to the child prodigy Zhu Gaoxi in his behavior and demeanor.

Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen was overjoyed and beaming with excitement. He was extremely attentive to Zhu Yuexi, showing her great care and concern.

Zhu Gaoxi sighed with a bittersweet feeling, having never seen him treat Zhu Yunwen so well before.

In order not to interfere with Zhu Gaoxi's handling of state affairs, the old emperor took Zhu Chun and his son to the Wenhua Hall for a casual chat.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxi was being treated coldly, Zhu Yunwen was extremely pleased. His joy was palpable, and he even raised his voice much higher than usual.

Once they were out of sight, Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Youdun both breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at each other.

Zhu Gaoxi sent Fei Lu and Fei Zhu, two guards from the Flying Eagle Guard, to meet Lady Xia. They were to arrive no later than the day after tomorrow.

Xu Zengshou had already informed Guo Ying that Madam Xia would be staying at the Marquis of Wuding's residence temporarily.

"Her daughter, Yunying, will most likely come with her," Zhu Youdun whispered, "She's only three years old."

"Let's stay at the Prince of Wu's residence and leave it to Dongmei to take care of," Zhu Gaoxi replied without hesitation. He couldn't let the little child be in danger. "Let Yunqing go with you to pick her up outside the city. She's good at coaxing children. I won't see her yet."

Zhu Youdun nodded upon hearing this, "Okay, I'll go with Miaojin then."

Having Yunqing disguise herself as Miaojin's maid seems more reasonable.

Zhu Gaoxi never cared about these details; he believed that Youdun would handle everything flawlessly.

In the afternoon, Zhu Youdun was ordered to inspect the naval warships at Longjiang Wharf.

Zhu Gaoxi remained in the Qianqing Palace to consult with the old emperor about the handling of some memorials.

Sun Shouchang, a Taoist priest at Baoqing Temple in Chongming County, Suzhou Prefecture, said that in the nineteenth year of the Hongwu reign, the city walls were rebuilt, encroaching on the land of officials and civilians, and the rent and taxes were not abolished.

"How do you think we should reply?" the old emperor asked after reading the memorial.

"If the situation is true, then issue an edict to exempt him," Zhu Gaoxi replied confidently.

The next memorial: Marquis Geng Bingwen of Changxing reported that the Qinzhou Tea and Horse Bureau was inconvenient for trade and requested that it be moved to Xining.

To resist the invasion of the remnants of the Northern Yuan, the Ming army needed a large number of warhorses. Therefore, it implemented a tea-horse trade policy in the northwest region, exchanging tea produced in the Central Plains for warhorses. The Tea and Horse Bureau was established to manage the tea-horse trade and strictly prohibit the sale of smuggled tea out of the country.

Most tea and horse trading posts were established at border transportation hubs that facilitated tea and horse trade. The Qinzhou Tea and Horse Trading Post was the first, established in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign.

The tea-horse trade in Qinzhou began after the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty and has a long history. Its relocation to Xining was of great importance, and Zhu Gaoxi dared not make decisions on his own.

The old emperor held the memorial, pondered for a moment, and then ordered Huang Liang to invite Yu Xin, the Minister of Revenue, to come over.

Previously, such memorials were usually discussed and decided by the old emperor or the crown prince. Now, the old emperor wanted to let Zhu Gaoxi contact the officials of the Six Ministries, but he was worried that Zhu Gaoxi was too young, so he hesitated for a while.

After Yu Xin arrived, the old emperor briefly explained the contents of the memorial and instructed Yu Xin to convene the officials of the Ministry of Revenue to discuss the matter.

"Your Majesty, should we invite the Crown Prince to the Ministry of Revenue?" Yu Xin asked cautiously.

Yu Xin had long been aware of the old emperor's deliberate support for the Prince of Wu. However, having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for many years, he had his own way of protecting himself.

It is a grave taboo for a subject to presume to know what the emperor has not explicitly said.

It's better to play dumb, ask for instructions more often, and be careful to avoid making a big mistake.

"The Crown Prince has other matters to attend to. Record them and submit them to the King of Wu for review," the old emperor said after a moment's thought.

Yu Xin immediately understood, and after bowing respectfully to the old emperor and the King of Wu, he withdrew.

"You are young, so you can handle all kinds of government affairs in the future in the same way," the old emperor instructed earnestly, looking at his grandson's small body, he couldn't help but sigh.

Thanks to ample nutrition, Zhu Gaoxi was tall and strong for his age, but unfortunately, he was too young and was still considered a callow child by most people.

If Gao Xi is to be made the crown prince, then the fourth prince must be brought to the capital to oversee things.

As the father, the old emperor was well aware of his fourth son's ambitions.

No matter how well you hide it, there will always be a time when you slip up.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards weren't just sitting around doing nothing; how could the old emperor not know that?

The fourth prince has coveted the throne for many years. Without a strong check, will he fight with his own son for it?

If you dare to act recklessly, we'll see how we deal with you.

Have to prevent!

The old emperor made up his mind and immediately took out a blank imperial edict, picked up his pen and wrote down the decree that his fourth son, Zhu Di, was not allowed to usurp the throne.

Watching my grandfather busily and mysteriously seal the imperial edict, placing it in a rectangular wooden box covered with black silk cloth.

Zhu Gaoxi didn't bother to look at the contents of the imperial edict, nor was he interested in guessing what the old emperor had written.

No matter what the old emperor wants to do, no one can stop him.

Since that's the case, the more you know, the more dangerous it is, so you might as well be extremely obedient and pretend to be ignorant.