Chapter 50 All Brawn and No Brains

"This is the Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I certainly know what I am saying, but Your Highness, do you know what you are doing?"

Chen Kan replied, then pointed to a folding stool and smiled with a relaxed air. "There is no need for such a strong reaction. Anyone unaware would think this humble official has done something untoward to you. Please, take a seat."

Why was Zhu Gaoxu reacting so strongly just now?

It was because Emperor Yongle had not yet uttered the words: "The Crown Prince is often ill, you must strive to do your best." Therefore, he was still capable of putting on an act.

However, Chen Kan knew very well that Zhu Gaoxu stood no chance whatsoever. In terms of methods, scheming, or luck, he was simply no match for that gluttonous heir apparent left behind to guard Beiping City.

The only thing he could truly bring to the table was his meager military achievements from the Jingnan campaign.

Thus, Chen Kan was not afraid to lay this matter out in the open with him directly.

Even if it were brought into the open, the worst possible outcome would merely be a falling out with Zhu Gaoxu.

Chen Kan did not care.

And Zhu Gaoxu was indeed worthy of being a man who had commanded tens of thousands of troops. Although startled by Chen Kan's words, he quickly regained his composure.

He sat down as instructed, gazing at Chen Kan with eyes full of curiosity.

A moment later, he asked directly, "Tell me, how did you figure it out? I dare say that ever since I entered the capital, I have never revealed any inappropriate thoughts in front of others."

Chen Kan handed him a cup of sweet wine and said, "It is too hot, drink a cup of sweet wine to dispel the summer heat."

Zhu Gaoxu did not understand the intention, but he took it and drank it down in one gulp.

Chen Kan pointed at the cup and said, "That is how your cover was blown."

With a look of suspicion on his face, Zhu Gaoxu picked up the cup, examined it closely, and then shook his head. "Old friend, stop playing games with me."

"Heh."

Chen Kan chuckled, took the cup, and refilled it for Zhu Gaoxu.

He said faintly, "The Prince of Gaoyang whom I knew would never drink this kind of soft, effeminate stuff meant only for women. He only ever drank potent liquor."

"Oh?"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled, signaling for Chen Kan to continue.

Passing the sweet wine back to him, Chen Kan continued, "In my memory, that Prince of Gaoyang always seemed full of youthful vigor and ambition.

He would show anger when displeased, rage when provoked, drink deeply when in the mood, and punch anyone who displeased him straight in the face, regardless of the catastrophic trouble he might cause.

That Prince of Gaoyang, though hot-tempered and impulsive, was very comfortable to be around.

But now, the Prince of Gaoyang I once knew seems to have vanished."

When he finished speaking, Chen Kan looked at Zhu Gaoxu with a half-smile.

"Interesting. To think that one could view matters in such a manner?"

Zhu Gaoxu experienced a sudden flash of insight, and then his tone shifted as he asked, "Then how do you view the current Prince of Han?"

Chen Kan asked with mischievous intent, "Do you truly wish to know?"

Zhu Gaoxu formally cupped his hands toward Chen Kan and said with a solemn expression, "I would like to hear the details."

"Full of valor, devoid of strategy."

The four words slowly slipped from Chen Kan's lips.

Instead of getting angry, Zhu Gaoxu asked with an eager thirst for knowledge, "How so?"

"When has Your Highness ever seen a monkey running all over the mountains suddenly transform into an enlightened, ascetic monk detached from worldly affairs?"

"Hahaha, hahahaha......"

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly burst into laughter, his voice deafening.

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is, so that's how it is!"

Repeating the realization three times, Zhu Gaoxu stood up, the gentleness in his eyes completely replaced by cold indifference.

Looking down at Chen Kan from above, he said, "I thought my disguise was flawless. Now it seems my methods were still far too naive."

"Mm, it is good that Your Highness knows."

Chen Kan sat composedly on his stool.

Indeed, this was the real Zhu Gaoxu.

A rough military man, yet stubbornly trying to pose as a refined scholar with pretentious airs.

Having cast off his disguise, Zhu Gaoxu felt thoroughly refreshed throughout his body.

He looked at Chen Kan and asked, "Since even you have seen through it, I suppose His Majesty and the ministers must have seen through it as well."

Chen Kan pointed in the direction of Beiping: "Not just them. There is also the Heir Apparent in the north—please do not forget him."

"Very well. Since matters have come to this, I have nothing more to say. This empire was won by my father and me with swords and spears. My father sits upon the throne, and I have no objection to that. But why should that fat pig also ride on my head and shit and piss? I refuse to submit! Chen Kan, are you willing to swear allegiance to me?"

Zhu Gaoxu finally bared his fangs. Though phrased as a question, his tone brooked no argument whatsoever.

Chen Kan tossed the empty wine pot aside and smiled. "I! Am! Not! Willing!"

"Hmm?"

Zhu Gaoxu frowned. Chen Kan's response was somewhat beyond his expectations.

If you are not willing, why waste so many words with me?

"Chen Kan, do you know what you are missing out on?"

Chen Kan rolled his eyes. What else could he miss out on, other than the chance of being turned into jar-baked chicken?

Standing up, Chen Kan smiled. "Your Highness jests. As I said, I am merely a small figure struggling to survive in the cracks, with weak arms and legs that cannot withstand much turbulence. Furthermore, I owe my allegiance solely to His Majesty and to Great Ming."

Zhu Gaoxu understood the subtext of Chen Kan's words: he had no desire to become entangled in the whirlpool of the succession struggle.

Whoever wins, he will serve.

Yet at this moment, Zhu Gaoxu genuinely felt a deep appreciation for talent.

A young talent like Chen Kan, capable of grasping the overall situation so thoroughly, was precisely what he lacked around him.

Thus, for a rare second time, he extended an olive branch to the same person.

"Chen Kan, I will give you one more choice. If you choose to pledge loyalty to me, I guarantee that not only will you immediately escape this prison sentence, but you will also soar straight to the highest ranks."

Chen Kan smiled, bowed slightly, and said, "If Your Highness has no further matters, this humble official respectfully bids Your Highness farewell."

Zhu Gaoxu gave Chen Kan a deep, lingering look and said nothing more.

He cherished talent, but... he was, above all, an imperial prince.

Watching Zhu Gaoxu depart into the distance, Chen Kan opened a fresh flask of sweet wine and leaned against the corner of the wall to drink alone.

Zhu Gaoxu's repeated visits could not simply be a coincidence.

Though he knew not what the prince saw in him, Chen Kan politely declined any involvement in the succession struggle.

Taking advantage of this opportunity to make his stance crystal clear was for the best; it settled a heavy burden on his mind and averted countless future troubles.

Scarcely had Zhu Gaoxu's footsteps faded when Chen Kan's cell welcomed a second visitor.

Li Jinglong strode in with a swagger, seated himself unceremoniously before Chen Kan, and unhesitatingly helped himself to a flask of wine.

After draining the entire flask of sweet wine, he tossed it carelessly to the side.

Then he asked, "I ran into the Prince of Han at the gates of the Imperial Prison just now. Did he come to see you?"

"Indeed," Chen Kan replied.

"Oh."

Li Jinglong let out a single syllable before remarking, "The Prince of Han is no good man. His intentions are crooked. You would do well to have as little to do with him in the future as possible, lest you be implicated by him down the line."

"Oh?"

Chen Kan was utterly astounded. Could these words possibly come from the mouth of Li Jinglong, universally acknowledged throughout Great Ming as a hopeless fool?

Had the sun risen from the west, or was Li Jinglong not a fool at all?