IT IS NOT OYER YET 2

Besides Zhu Youdun, Zhu Su still had another son, named Zhu Youxun. Zhu Youxun was one year younger than Zhu Youdun, yet he possessed a lot of farsighted thoughts as well as plans for his future - and he also had big ambition. This character was very contradictory to Zhu Su, moreover in the aspects of throne and power. If Zhu Su was the type of apathetic one and did not care about power, Zhu Youxun, to the contrary, really cared about it. He even had a very big plan - to claim the throne and become the next Zhou Wang.

And this had been seen since Zhu Youxun had not even reached nine years old. Every time he was studying at the school, in order to ingratiate himself with his father, Zhu Youxun studied very hard. He exerted his best to answer the questions asked by his teacher as quickly as possible, especially when his father was coming to see the learning process of his children. He hoped, by recognizing him as a diligent and clever child, his father would be touched to appoint him as the heir to Zhou Wang.

But all at once, Zhu Su was being exiled to Yunnan. Someone must replace the position of Fan Wang as soon as possible. There was no time to choose the successor in a relaxing manner. As the result, following the primogeniture principle of Huang-Ming Zuxun * stating that it was the eldest son who had the right to ascend the throne, the Hongwu Emperor appointed Zhu Youdun to be a temporary Zhou Wang to take care of the entire Zhou Fan Wang Guo.

Zhu Youdun was a calm, easygoing boy who did not like to show off, unlike Zhu Youxun. However, not crazy about bragging was not the same as not brainy. It turned out that Zhu Youdun could handle the Zhou Fan Wang Guo very well. So well, even to the point that his grandfather got very impressed with him. Zhu Youdun was immediately entitled as the Zhou Shi Zi officially, and became the fastest young prince amongst the emperor's grandsons who was appointed by his grandfather to be an official Shi Zi of a Fan Wang Guo.

Zhu Su was obviously very proud of Zhu Youdun's achievements. He himself also liked Zhu Youdun the most since Zhu Youdun's mindset was the most similar to his if compared to his other children. Zhu Youdun also became the child who followed Zhu Su's attitude for most.

Unlike the Hongwu Emperor and Zhu Su, Zhu Youxun became one who hated Zhu Youdun's accomplishment the most.

"Fu Wang! You have returned from Yunnan? Ah... I'm so happy!" Running excitedly to greet Zhu Su, Zhu Youxun quickly hugged Zhu Su tightly, threw himself into his father's cuddle.

"Youxun my boy... I am also very happy to see you again," Zhu Su smirked, very delightful to see his son cared for his return so much. He hugged Zhu Youxun back, and stroked his son's hair.

"Yes, Fu Wang... I miss you very much. At that time I was really shocked as Jinyiwei captured you! I even can't sleep for days! I'm so worried about you!"

"Yes, my son, that's really terrible... but it has passed. Now I am back home. So don't worry. You can sleep well now."

Still hugging his father, Zhu Youxun asked, "Fu Wang, since you have returned, then you are back to your position as Zhou Wang?"

"Yes, my boy."

"So Brother doesn't handle the Fan Wang Guo anymore?"

"No. All have been back to normal."

"But... Brother is still the heir of Zhou Fan Wang Guo?"

"Yes."

Zhu Youxun's eyes flashed in a strange way. His eyebrows stiffened. But Zhu Su did not have any chance to realize it because Zhu Youxun was able to change his expression quickly. He returned to his nice face when asking, "Fu Wang, can you tell me what kind of criteria that makes you appoint Brother as the heir of Zhou Fan Wang Guo?"

"Your brother is the eldest son, Youxun. Huang-Ming Zuxun has a clear admonition stating that it is the oldest son who will ascend to the throne."

"Just because of that... Brother can be appointed as Shi Zi?..." Zhu Youxun's hug slacked off. He murmured with a very small voice, which was barely audible. "So... just because he was born a year earlier than me..."

"What, Youxun? I can't hear you?"

"Eeehh... I just thought... uhmm... Are you really going to follow that rule?... I mean... don't you think it's weird? Just because of being the eldest son, someone then is chosen to be the future ruler? If that person is a fool, will he still be chosen?"

"Well... what else can I do? That's your grandfather's order, after all?"

"So, if it is not determined from the birth pedigree, you will try to be Emperor, right?"

"Eh..."

"Is that right? Is that right?! Fu Wang, you are very smart, you deserve to be the next Ming Emperor!" And we, as your children, will be able to get higher power and authority, He added inside his mind.

"Why do you suddenly discuss this matter, Youxun?"

"You should consider my thoughts carefully. Actually, the principle of Huang-Ming Zuxun is unfair. It prohibits all talented people to be rulers just by using the excuse of the pedigree of birth. If we have talent and skill, then why we don't deserve to get a position appropriate with our talent? The people will also get benefit from this. In fact, the principle of Huang-Ming Zuxun has great potential to produce the wrong leaders and thus it will harm this country."

"Stop talking about this, Youxun. I'm tired." Zhu Su released Zhu Youxun from his embrace. "You must know, the reason why I was exiled to Yunnan is because of this matter of imperial throne. I'm really tired. Now I want to live in peace without facing problems any more."

Zhu Su stepped away, leaving Zhu Youxun who now watched his father's back with a disgruntled frown.

I'm different from you, my weak and timid father. Everyone knows that rule; To get the power requires a massive struggle. I will not take the same path as yours. I am willing to make every effort to reach the throne - even if a big sacrifice is required for that.

...

* Huang-Ming Zuxun = the admonitions left by the Hongwu Emperor for his descendants