Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 27 Reprimands and Attitudes

Zhu Gaochi was somewhat surprised when Yang Pu finished speaking.

This was his first contact with these people, and he got a preliminary glimpse of them.

He had gained some initial insight into how scholars spoke and acted, and indeed, they were quite different from others.

If he can accomplish these things, he will be filial to his parents.

Moreover, as the crown prince, and with the emperor now harboring ambitions to rebuild Beiping, many so-called "crown prince faction" members oppose this. This way, he can extricate himself from the situation and avoid being implicated.

After all, if he were to support Zhu Di, he would inevitably hurt the feelings of those who supported him.

However, if they did not support Zhu Di, the conflict with Zhu Di would intensify.

As the elder brother, he also demonstrated brotherly affection and respect, showcasing his magnanimity.

Zhu Gaochi could say that Yang Pu's words were all to the point and were all for his benefit.

In particular, once these things get out, people all over the world will have more faith in and support for him as the crown prince, and his popularity and reputation will rise.

More importantly, leaving behind a Zhu Gaosui without any power base would prevent him from causing any trouble in the court.

Zhu Gaoxu, being capable, would inevitably be arranged by Zhu Di to accompany him to the temple to pray for blessings if he set off under such a pretext.

During Zhu Gaochi's absence, Zhu Gaoxu should not even think about stirring up any trouble.

With Zhu Gaochi absent from the imperial court, those who support him will not be greatly affected.

However, the small group of people who support Zhu Gaochi could have a huge impact if Zhu Gaochi wanted to.

The initiative still lies with Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi pondered these things, and finally sighed inwardly.

Yang Pu's words were indeed very good, but it's ultimately a pity.

"Yang Pu, you're right, and you're wrong."

I consulted medical books, and indeed I wanted to save my mother. I do not deny my filial piety.

But what I have done is not for others to see, nor for the world to see.

How people in the world view me is a matter of individual judgment.

The so-called reputation for filial piety is not something I deliberately pursue. In fact, I would rather not have such a reputation, as long as my mother can recover.

As for praying for blessings, what's the use if I, as a living person, don't do it myself but instead place my hopes on those vague and unreal things?

If prayers were effective, why would the world need governance, why would there be chaos, and why would the world be littered with corpses?

The King of Han and the King of Zhao are both my brothers and have great filial piety. Why should I remind them of this?

As the crown prince alone, he should shoulder the heavy responsibility of the country and the family; how could he shirk this responsibility for the sake of praying for blessings?

Filial piety is important, but the country is even more important. If one can abandon the country, how can filial piety be accomplished?

We, the sons and daughters of Han, have sacrificed our filial piety for the country. It is because of them that the Han people have survived to this day.

The soldiers of our Great Ming Dynasty all fight for the country and cannot fulfill their filial duties in front of their parents. Does that mean they are unfilial?

No, they are also people of great filial piety, and they deserve even more praise and admiration from the world.

And your advice to me in this way is wrong of you.

Filial piety is of paramount importance and cannot be neglected. Without filial piety, how can a person shoulder the responsibility of being a pillar of the nation?

Your advice to me to have a strong sense of filial piety is commendable.

Zhu Gaochi looked intently at Yang Pu. He knew Yang Pu spoke well and that Yang Pu was trying to help him, but he disliked this method.

Such affectation can be done at certain times. Sometimes, it's necessary to put on a good show to send a signal to the world, and it's feasible.

But now is not the right time, and there is absolutely no need to put on such a performance.

Even though he set himself the goal of enjoying a leisurely life for half his life, it didn't mean he was indifferent to worldly affairs.

As for Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, these two are capable of ruining themselves, and as long as Xu Miaoyun is around, they can be kept in check.

Telling Yang Pu these things is actually a way of conveying my current attitude and telling Yang Pu what kind of person I am now.

Today, Yang Pu came, and he knew that he represented more than just Yang Pu; Yang Pu was the representative, but there were others as well.

This was also to tell Yang Pu and others that he was different now.

If it were in the past, the original owner might have done it, but he wouldn't.

At the same time, it was also telling Yang Pu and others that these words were best said rather than actually thought.

Now he doesn't know whether Yang Pu was simply offering advice or if this was Yang Pu's true thought.

If it's the latter, then even if Yang Pu is talented, he'll have to think about how to use him in the future.

There are actually many talented people in the world. Even those in the imperial court, can't we find equally outstanding or even more outstanding people among the common people?

Zhu Gaochi did not believe it; there were plenty of capable people in the world.

However, those in the imperial court, especially those in high positions, cannot be competent simply by having ability.

Just like his previous life when he started his business, what he needed during the startup phase was hardworking and energetic people who knew how to innovate and be enterprising. However, when he reached a certain stage and needed to be stable, those innovative and enterprising people would become out of place.

These types of people all have sufficient abilities, but simply having abilities is not enough.

These past two days, he has also been constantly digesting Zhu Gaochi's own memories, digesting what he has seen and learned.

Throughout history, the people in the imperial court depended on what kind of people the emperor wanted and what kind of person the emperor himself was.

When the court needs stability, the radical reformers are destined to be unable to rise to prominence.

When the court needs reform, the conservatives and stability-oriented faction is destined to be suppressed.

However, the imperial court cannot consist of only one type of person; it is simply a matter of what kind of people are the main figures in the formation.

Even for him, the same principle applies; after he came to power, not all capable people were the kind of people he needed.

Because there's a term called adaptability.

Different political views lead to different people being employed.

If Yang Pu and his ilk want to continue following him, then they have to adapt to him.

Yang Pu was startled by Zhu Gaochi's words.

He knew that Zhu Gaochi was giving him a warning, and that Zhu Gaochi was expressing his attitude.

There are some things that Zhu Gaochi can figure out without having to express them, after all, he is not someone who is new to officialdom.

Yang Pu rose in fear and knelt before Zhu Gaochi.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for punishment."

Yang Pu's expression was resolute, and he had no complaints whatsoever.

If you're wrong, you have to admit it, no question about that. Moreover, he deeply agreed with what Zhu Gaochi said and admired Zhu Gaochi even more.

Even if he admitted his mistake, he knew that Zhu Gaochi would not punish him, because Zhu Gaochi's last words already meant that Zhu Gaochi was giving him a hint.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Yang Pu and smiled slowly.

"Get up. As long as you know where you went wrong, that's good. If you have made a mistake, correct it; if you don't, keep up the good work."

You are people I trust and value; don't let me down.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yang Pu stood up, and he seemed to have even more reverence for Zhu Gaochi than before.

Zhu Gaochi poured Yang Pu a cup of tea and then spoke.

"As for Xie Jin's matter, you see it very clearly. Do you have a solution?"