Chapter 3: Eternal Joy

Chapter 3: Yongle

After sending the letter, Xu Jingchang finally felt at ease. Even if he couldn’t save anyone, he had done what he ought to do. At least no one outside could blame him for anything.

Next, he would wait for his aunt to arrive in the capital to see what would become of Xu Huizu… Regardless of the outcome, it wouldn’t greatly concern him.

Once the chaos following the new emperor’s ascension settled, he expected to formally inherit his noble title. Zhu Di had posthumously granted Xu Zengshou the title of Marquis of Wuyang—not a duke. Perhaps it was a mistake to list two dukes in one family, or maybe they were testing the waters with a marquisate first before advancing him further.

In any case, he was certain to enter the ranks of the nobility, and quite prominently at that.

Now, what was life like for a noble? Should he go listen to music by the Qinhuai River? Or fish at Xuanwu Lake? Or perhaps watch the stars atop Purple Mountain? Gazing at the vast heavens and contemplating the cosmos, one would realize that Zhu Di and the Xu family were nothing but insignificant ants… Perhaps he should get some crystals, grind an astronomical telescope, and explore the heavens.

Xu Jingchang’s mind soared, dreaming of becoming the center of his own universe.

But just as he finished lunch, Xu Yi rushed in, flustered.

“Young master, the emperor and the Prince of Han have arrived.”

Xu Jingchang was taken aback. Zhu Di came? The man was so busy that even a brief meeting was difficult—why would he come to the Xu household on his own? And why was Zhu Gaochi following him? Could it be that his letter had somehow reached them?

“Xu Yi, what’s the emperor’s demeanor?” Xu Jingchang asked.

Xu Yi’s face was pale as he whispered, “Young master, His Majesty looks fierce and has brought several armored guards. Could it be that he’s here to accuse us?”

“Accuse us?” Xu Jingchang was stunned. What crime had he committed? Writing a letter to his aunt was hardly a transgression.

He quickly rose to greet Zhu Di. A dignified middle-aged man clad in military uniform entered, flanked by guards, with Prince Zhu Gaochi close behind.

No doubt, this was the new emperor, Zhu Di.

As Xu Jingchang was about to bow, Zhu Di snorted, “Follow me.”

The emperor strode directly into the main hall. To him, visiting the Xu household was like being at home—bold and unceremonious, he took the seat of honor. Xu Jingchang followed but dared not sit, standing respectfully by.

Zhu Di appraised him from head to toe and suddenly smiled. “Good boy, you’ve grown and gained courage. You forced me to drop a mountain of state affairs just to come see you. Do you know what you’ve done?”

Xu Jingchang replied honestly, “Your Majesty, I do not.”

Zhu Di’s anger deepened. He glanced at Zhu Gaochi and said, “You explain.”

Unable to contain his fury, Zhu Gaochi barked, “You harbor supporters of Jianwen, you plead for Xu Huizu, and now you deny it?”

Xu Jingchang shook his head. “Prince of Han, your words are unreasonable. I merely wrote to my aunt explaining the situation. If you doubt me, ask her when she arrives. Did I plead for Xu Huizu?”

By the time Empress Xu arrived, it would be too late. Zhu Gaochi’s anger flared, “You want Mother to know, which is clearly to protect Xu Huizu!”

Hearing this, Xu Jingchang was even more dismissive.

“Prince of Han, although you are my aunt’s son and I only her nephew, I must say, my aunt is wise and loyal. She married His Majesty and has devoted herself to supporting him for many years. During the Jingnan Campaign, although a woman, she donned armor and defended Beiping. Her heart has always been with His Majesty. She would never let family ties cloud her judgment if it harmed the throne. It is wrong to assume she would shield her brother blindly.”

“You!” Zhu Gaochi was so enraged he wanted to strike Xu Jingchang, but with Zhu Di present, he dared not.

“Father, this brat is talking nonsense and must be dealt with!” Zhu Gaochi shouted.

Zhu Di furrowed his brow but seemed to ignore Zhu Gaochi’s outburst, his mind turning to his wife. The past four years had been hard not just for him but especially for Empress Xu.

Between the uncle-nephew strife on his side and the brothers divided on the Xu side, it had ended with Xu Zengshou’s tragic death and Xu Huizu’s imprisonment—both Empress Xu’s own brothers.

Zhu Di understood well. Otherwise, Xu Huizu would have been executed long ago.

When Zheng He reported that Xu Jingchang had sent a letter to his aunt, Zhu Di was surprised. If he wrote to her, why inform the emperor as well? Was he afraid of the emperor’s wrath?

This young man was intriguing.

Zhu Di thought to take a break from his busy schedule and visit the Xu household. After all, in his youthful memories, the Xu mansion was even more imposing than the strict palace.

Then Zhu Gaochi arrived, bringing petitions from several generals demanding punishment for remnants of Jianwen’s supporters in the army—undoubtedly targeting Xu Huizu.

Seeing this, Zhu Di brought Zhu Gaochi along and informed Xu Jingchang that he already knew about the letter to his aunt.

This infuriated Zhu Gaochi. If Mother found out, how could they still eliminate Xu Huizu? Without removing the Xu family’s influence, how could he install his own men?

Zhu Gaochi increasingly resented Xu Jingchang, wishing he could kill him too.

But the final decision was not his—it belonged to Zhu Di.

“Xu Jingchang, you speak as if you understand the empress,” Zhu Di said with a faint smile. “I want to ask you, if the empress arrives, what do you think she would say to me? Can you guess?”

It was a test. Xu Jingchang had pondered the Jingnan Campaign and studied some of Xu Zengshou’s letters. He realized Zhu Di could not casually kill Xu Huizu, not just because of the empress.

But, after all, people were prone to act on impulse.

The cunning Sima family had even dared to kill the Duke of Gaogui in broad daylight.

Zhu Di’s fury had driven him to kill Xu Huizu, his adversary—nothing unusual.

The key was to have someone influential step forward to counsel Zhu Di and restore his reason.

Undoubtedly, that person was Empress Xu.

Now that Zhu Di asked, Xu Jingchang reluctantly answered, “Your Majesty follows the late Emperor’s instructions to raise arms in the Jingnan Campaign to remove traitors and restore order. My uncle, though slow to see the truth, was merely blindly loyal to Jianwen. He is not the same as the treacherous schemers like Qi Huang. I humbly ask Your Majesty to distinguish carefully, so as not to wrongfully kill loyal ministers.”

No sooner had he spoken than Zhu Gaochi rejoiced, sensing a flaw. “Father, this boy just said he wasn’t pleading for Xu Huizu, but now his true colors show—he clearly sides with him. This traitor must be punished!”

Zhu Di looked up, smiled faintly at Xu Jingchang, and asked, “What do you say?”

Xu Jingchang replied, “Your Majesty, I will keep it simple so the Prince of Han can understand. During the Three Kingdoms, Wang Yun eliminated Dong Zhuo but refused to pardon his subordinates. This led to rebellions by Li Jue, Guo Si, and others, who kidnapped the emperor and ravaged the land, causing the Han dynasty to fall apart.

Now, Your Majesty’s righteous campaign aims to eradicate rebellious ministers like Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, Lian Zining, and Fang Xiaoru. Xu Huizu did not participate in the reduction of the feudal lords and was not Jianwen’s confidant; he merely followed imperial orders to lead troops. Though misguided, he remains a loyal subject of the Ming. If even he is treated as a rebel, how will the tens of thousands of former Jianwen soldiers feel? I believe the priority now is to pacify the people. Whether Xu Huizu is my uncle or not, this is my honest opinion.”

These words clearly sided with Zhu Di’s position. Xu Huizu could be confined or stripped of his title, but execution for treason was unthinkable.

Zhu Di nodded thoughtfully. “You speak with reason. Let’s put Xu Huizu’s case on hold for now.”

Zhu Gaochi was shocked. What was this? Without the empress even arriving, just a few words from Xu Jingchang had saved Xu Huizu?

“Father, the Jianwen rebels must be exterminated root and branch, or the wound will fester and bring endless trouble…”

“Silence!” Zhu Di roared. “Second son, don’t forget Xu Huizu is your maternal uncle. How can you be so heartless?”

Those words silenced Zhu Gaochi, but his furious glare at Xu Jingchang was unmistakable.

Zhu Di ignored him and smiled at Xu Jingchang. “Your words just now showed great insight. I feel as if a knife has cut my heart over your father’s tragic death. I have already decreed that the four years of Jianwen’s rebellion be nullified and merged back into the thirty-fifth year of Hongwu. Next year, we will officially change the era name to Yongle. From then on, only happiness will follow. Rest assured, with me here, your family will never suffer injustice. You have no need to fear.”

Era name Yongle!

Xu Jingchang frowned suddenly. He seemed to recall somewhere that the name Yongle had been used before—and by someone quite notorious.

Should he tell Zhu Di? But the ascension edict had already been announced. Could it still be changed?

Xu Jingchang hesitated, and Zhu Di, sensing his thoughts, curiously asked, “Speak freely. Now the Ming realm answers to your uncle. There is no problem that cannot be solved.”

Xu Jingchang shook his head softly. “It is not about me, Your Majesty. It’s just that the era name Yongle has been used before.”

“Used before? By whom?”

Zhu Di’s ascendancy had been swift after the Jingnan Campaign. Daoist master Daoyan was still handling military supplies in the rear, and Empress Xu and Zhu Gaochi were still in Beiping.

Meanwhile, the realm could not be without a ruler even for a day. After entering Yingtian, Zhu Di restored order and began the formal procedures to ascend the throne, including honoring Zhu Yuanzhang’s memory.

Time was tight and tasks heavy.

The entire process was overwhelming. He could not even handle Xu Zengshou’s funeral personally.

As for the ascension edict, it was merely a formality. Zhu Di had not thought much about it and had Zhu Gaochi urge the Ministry of Rites officials to draft it.

After a cursory review, he saw no problem and announced it to the world.

Could there really be an issue with the era name?

Zhu Gaochi also grew anxious. “Father, with so many erudite Hanlin scholars full of knowledge and experience, how could a child like him surpass them? The Yongle era name is absolutely flawless. I personally oversaw it. There’s no mistake!”

Was it you who did it?

Xu Jingchang suddenly perked up. “Your Majesty, if I recall correctly, Fang La once used this era name.”

(End of chapter)