The Regent's Burden in the Ming Dynasty Chapter 7

A gust of wind blew by, and Alexander Zhu couldn't help but feel a little cool.

But Frederick Zhu still had that smiling face.

"Grandpa Emperor, my mother and my third brother..."

Frederick Zhu interrupted Alexander Zhu and said, "Grandpa Huang will not blame you, but Grandpa Huang wants to ask you, why don't you listen to your mother and second brother?"

After saying this, Frederick Zhu just looked at Alexander Zhu with a smile.

There was a hint of smile in his eyes, but Alexander Zhu could not see clearly and could not guess what Frederick Zhu was thinking.

"Don't be afraid, my dear. You just need to answer what Grandpa Emperor says." Frederick Zhu comforted her softly.

The more Alexander Zhu looked at Frederick Zhu, the more unfathomable he seemed to him.

Another gust of wind blew up the strands of hair on his forehead, causing them to flutter in front of his eyes.

"Because of filial piety." Alexander Zhu said: "So, Alexander Zhu can't do what mother and second brother say."

Filial piety and respect for elders refer to the love that one shows to one's parents and the love that one shows to one's brothers and sisters.

Filial piety means being filial and obedient to one's parents;

Filial piety means being respectful and obedient to one's elder brothers.

Frederick Zhu was slightly surprised, and asked with a smile: "Since it is out of filial piety, you should listen to your mother and brother. Why do you do the opposite?"

Alexander Zhu shook his head and said, "In response to Grandpa Huang's words, in my opinion, that is foolish filial piety, and it is actually unfilial."

"Oh?" Old Zhu was happy: "Tell me about it."

Alexander Zhu said: "If my second brother becomes the emperor, with his ability, he will not be able to control the ministers and princes, and there will be even greater chaos."

"At that time, it's not just my second brother who will be affected. If he loses control of his throne, the entire Ming Dynasty may even fall into civil strife."

"If I listen to my mother and my second brother, it will put them in danger, and the Ming Dynasty in danger."

"I am sorry to Grandpa Huang and my father who is in the underworld. This is truly unfilial."

"And now, although Wen'er has disobeyed his mother and second brother, he is preventing something bad from happening. This is true filial piety."

"As a ruler, you are in charge of a country, and your responsibility is extremely heavy. It is not a trivial matter."

"Grandpa Emperor asked me, I should speak my mind and not let personal interests interfere with public interests."

His tone was firm, and although his voice was childish, it was powerful.

"Good!" Frederick Zhu's eyes lit up and he praised: "You are so insightful at such a young age. You are worthy of being the grandson of our old Zhu. Haha..."

But the next moment, Frederick Zhu's expression dimmed a little: "If the boss knew about this, he would definitely be proud of you..."

Seeing that Frederick Zhu was in a bad mood, Alexander Zhu hurriedly pulled his hand and said, "Grandpa Emperor, Daddy has been buried, don't be sad..."

Old Zhu let out a long sigh, seemed to want to say something but stopped himself, and just stared at Alexander Zhu in a daze.

Just then, a eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived."

Frederick Zhu came to his senses and said, "Let him in."

"yes."

Leonard Zhu has been back for several days.

He was originally in the north defending against the invasion of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. It was only after hearing the news of Adrian Zhu's death that he rushed back from afar in compliance with the imperial order.

Before this, Alexander Zhu had met Leonard Zhu at Adrian Zhu's funeral.

However, there were a lot of things going on at the time and there was no chance to talk much in private, so I couldn't even see his face clearly.

I don’t know why Leonard Zhu appeared here today.

While Alexander Zhu was thinking, he heard the sound of footsteps not far away.

He raised his head and looked at his fourth uncle carefully.

He was of medium build, a bit fat, with a long beard, and looked quite heroic.

Perhaps due to being on the battlefield for many years, his skin was somewhat dark and rough.

His eyes were filled with a sharp and domineering light.

Leonard Zhu walked over step by step and respectfully called Old Zhu "Dad".

Unlike other royal families, Frederick Zhu rose from the grassroots, so he never cared about these royal titles and there were not so many red tapes.

As long as it is not a formal court meeting, the son will call him dad instead of father emperor.

Lao Zhu nodded and said, "Old Four, here I come."

"Yeah." Leonard Zhu nodded and looked at Alexander Zhu.

Before Leonard Zhu could speak, Alexander Zhu took the initiative to greet him: "Hello, Fourth Uncle."

Leonard Zhu happily reached out his hand, touched Alexander Zhu's head, and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few days, you have grown taller again!"

Alexander Zhu smiled proudly and said, "That's right, Alexander Zhu must grow up quickly, then you can go to the north to ride a big horse with your fourth uncle."

Leonard Zhu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Okay, Fourth Uncle promises you that he will take you to the north to ride horses!" he said loudly.

Unlike Zhu's other sons, Leonard Zhu had a very generous and chivalrous character.

"Fourth Uncle, it's settled then!" Alexander Zhu said happily, full of anticipation.

"It's settled!" Leonard Zhu said, "When Fourth Uncle conquers the Northern Yuan Dynasty, I will take you on horseback to travel all over the Northern Yuan Dynasty!"

"Oh! That's great!" Alexander Zhu jumped up and clapped his hands: "It's great to have my fourth uncle guarding the country!"

Leonard Zhu was stunned again, and then burst into laughter.

"Old Four," Frederick Zhu said, "You haven't eaten yet, let's eat together."

"Yeah." Leonard Zhu nodded.

Frederick Zhu said to his servants, "Add another set of bowls and chopsticks."

"yes."

At the dinner table, Alexander Zhu didn't say much.

But he was secretly looking at Frederick Zhu and Leonard Zhu.

"Old Four," Frederick Zhu picked up a piece of roast goose and asked, "How is the north now?"

A gust of wind blew the wind chimes in the pavilion, and Alexander Zhu pricked up his ears and listened quietly.

Leonard Zhu put down his chopsticks and said excitedly: "Dad, the Northern Yuan Dynasty never gave up and always wanted to counterattack, but I beat them all back."

"Okay." Frederick Zhu nodded with satisfaction.

Leonard Zhu took advantage of the situation and said, "Dad, as long as I have enough troops, I will be able to wipe out the entire Northern Yuan Dynasty in the future!"

A murderous aura condensed in Leonard Zhu's bright eyes, and this murderous aura made Alexander Zhu feel that the temperature around him had dropped a few degrees.

Frederick Zhu nodded and sighed: "The Northern Yuan Dynasty is indeed a major threat to our Ming Dynasty!"

"He is a hero in the grasslands, brave and good at fighting, and he is like a thorn in one's side and a thorn in one's throat."

However, Frederick Zhu did not say much about sending troops.

I can't tell what he is thinking.

The two talked about some other things about the Northern Yuan Dynasty. It was getting late and they had almost finished their meal, so Leonard Zhu stood up and took his leave.

Before leaving, Leonard Zhu looked back at Alexander Zhu and said cheerfully: "Grow up quickly, little B@st@ard, and wait for your fourth uncle to take you for a ride on horseback."

Alexander Zhu smiled and said excitedly: "Yes, Fourth Uncle, it's settled."

After Leonard Zhu left, the smile on Frederick Zhu's face faded a little, and instead a trace of sadness appeared on his face.

"Grandpa Emperor, what's wrong with you?" Alexander Zhu asked.

Frederick Zhu hesitated for a moment and asked, "My dear, I have another question for you."

Alexander Zhu responded: "Is it about the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"

"Smart!" Frederick Zhu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Grandpa Emperor wants to ask you, if the Ming Dynasty launches a large-scale northern expedition now, can it completely wipe out the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"

Zhu Yunxuan was stunned for a moment.

It is by no means easy to completely wipe out the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

The Yuan army was mostly composed of mobile and flexible cavalry, good at guerrilla warfare. If they advanced rashly, they would most likely not be able to find the main force for a decisive battle, and would have to retreat after tiring themselves out.

It was somewhat of a fluke that Lan Yu led an army of 150,000 to defeat the Northern Yuan royal family at Buir Lake.

They were just a little short of finding the Northern Yuan Dynasty's royal court, and with their food supplies running out, they had no choice but to return to Ming.

The North-South Front was too long, with a front line of several thousand kilometers, and it was very difficult to supply food and fodder.

The third point is that it is impossible to establish an effective regime and rule on the grassland.

Even if they win temporarily, they will revive again after they withdraw their troops.

Without mentioning anything else, just these three are already difficult problems.

It is not difficult to defeat the Northern Yuan Dynasty, but it is extremely difficult to completely wipe it out.

Throughout the Ming Dynasty, this issue was never resolved.

Otherwise, the Qing army would not have entered the pass.

Alexander Zhu shook his head and said, "A centipede is still alive even after it dies. I don't think it's possible to be afraid."

Frederick Zhu nodded and said, "It's indeed not possible."

"You think your fourth uncle is suitable for the position of crown prince, but you also saw it just now."

"If your fourth uncle inherits the throne, he will definitely launch a large-scale attack on the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Not only will it cost the people money and manpower, but the outcome is also uncertain."

Alexander Zhu was stunned for a moment.

Historically, after Leonard Zhu ascended the throne, he did launch several large-scale attacks on the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

It seems that Lao Zhu had guessed it long ago.

Moreover, judging from Zhu's attitude, he doesn't seem to want to launch a large-scale Northern Expedition?

He conquered the world through military prowess, but hoped that the next generation would govern the country through civility?

Suddenly, a light flashed in Alexander Zhu's mind.

Could it be... that this is the real reason why Frederick Zhu was unwilling to let Prince Yan succeed to the throne?