THE SUSPICIOUSNESS OF THE EMPEROR

Zhu Su was musing. Move to Luoyang?! He had been living in Kaifeng since the age of twenty after all, he had lived there for more than twenty years, he had already had an unbearable attachment to that city. The city was indeed not the city where he was born, but most of his life story was portrayed there, it was the place where he passed through joy and sorrow. Despite the many calamities that occurred, even though he had to endure rebellion, but it had given him the beauty and splendor of life. He was able to finish Pu Ji Fang there, with the help of many good people from it. Despite the rebellious masses was so massive there, it was finally proven that lots of Kaifeng people still supported him.

It was impossible for him to leave Kaifeng such easily.

Add even more. For this moment, famine, natural disasters, and disease outbreak occurred everywhere, the people encountered difficulty to eat and even had to eat grass roots and tree barks, how could he still order them to build a magnificent palace for him? After all, Kaifeng Palace still stood solidly and majestically, he and his family were still comfortable living there, so for what reason should he bother the people and make them even more miserable just to satisfy his selfishness?...

"You will move to Luoyang, Fifth Brother?" Zhu Yi furrowed.

"But it won't interfere with your power, Yi! Luoyang is very vast after all, right?" Zhu Di immediately understood what Zhu Yi meant by this question. "Do you feel empathy with your Fifth Brother? We must help him by providing a proper place to live."

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your great concern for me. But I do apologize, I cannot accept your offering."

Zhu Di gazed at Zhu Su in surprise; Zhu Su's refusal was beyond his expectations. "How come you keep living in such a disastrous place?..."

"Kaifeng Palace is still in good condition, and we have also renovated it so it is more resilient to any disaster. Most of our people live in difficulty, Sire. Besides poor, they also have difficulty getting proper food, and even die of hunger and food poisoning. I... can't build a new palace over their suffering!"

The momentary silence afterward was filled only by the lively conversation and laughter of the other guests. But instead of giving off a positive atmosphere, this silence on the contrary gave Zhu Su an uncomfortable sensation. Especially the aura radiated from Zhu Di. In contrast to Zhu Chun and Zhu Hui who showed admiration, Zhu Di looked displeased. Even though he was silent, his eyebrows were furrowed and his face hardened.

Why on earth does Brother Di look angry? Is what I said wrong? Or I've offended him?... Ah, it must be, since he enslaves the people to build the New Palace and the Grand Canal... Yes, it must be. He is offended with my words!

But, I must have courage. The words have been spoken out, and after all, I stand on the truth. Heaven will definitely protect me from his anger because Heaven knows, the reason I said so, is for righteousness.

"Fifth Brother, you don't need to move to Luoyang since you can still travel to Luoyang, right?"

Zhu Su felt like he was struck by lightning as he heard Zhu Yi spoke it up while smiling. Gritting his teeth furiously, Zhu Su spontaneously glared at him.

"Ah... no, no! I was wrong. A Fan Wang can't leave the Fan Wang Guo which he leads without the Emperor's permission, is that right, Fifth Brother?" Zhu Yi glanced meaningfully at Zhu Su.

"Yeah, that's right. There are many rules we ought to follow as Fan Wangs. For example, we mustn't catch underage girls from a place that is no longer our domain and even order them to commit obscene acts," said Zhu Su.

Zhu Yi bit his lip. Zhu Su kept glaring at him furiously. He did not guess that apparently Zhu Yi still had a grudge against him about it and kept trying to arouse that case before Zhu Di. And maybe because Zhu Di intended to move Zhou Fan Wang Guo to Luoyang Zhu Yi then felt threatened, afraid of losing his power because of being transferred to Zhu Su, so to maintain his power he did not care even if he might kill his brother.

I just thought he had changed... That kid won't get it into his head, really!

Luckily for both Zhu Su and Zhu Yi, Zhu Di did not care about what they said. His stiff expression had disappeared from his face, replaced by a sympathetic expression when he said to Zhu Su, "Don't worry too much about the people, but instead pay more attention to yourself. You will still have trouble if you insist on staying in Kaifeng."

Zhu Su nodded firmly. "I have made up my mind, Sire. And I am ready to bear all the consequences that may occur."

"Hmmm…" Zhu Di kept staring at Zhu Su closely. Zhu Su himself, showed a decisive, unwavering face.

Zhu Di sighed. "Alright, then! If you have been so decisive... I will not force it anymore! I hope all the rebellions and flood disasters will disappear and you may live comfortably like before."

Zhu Su bowed his head, said, "Your grace is immeasurable!"

"Alright, alright. Today we have gathered here, it's time to have fun! Come on! I'll show you the best shows from Yingtian!"

***

"So, Zhou Wang refuses to move to Luoyang?"

"Definitely." Zhu Di wiggled a mini brush with his hands. "He insists on staying in Kaifeng. His reason for it can thrill the emotions of all deities in Heaven, and he declared it in front of many people. There was no other way but to agree to him. How come I keep forcing him? It's the same as letting your prediction will really happen."

Meanwhile, Xiang Yugong, Head of the Dong Chang, looked at the large map spread out on the table. It was a map of the Ming Empire and its satellite states.

"How vast the area Ming rules," He held his breath, said with admiration. "And you are the Head of Ming, the head of a superpower that is highly respected all over the world. The south, the north, the east and the west, all respect Ming so much."

"But not with the interior." Zhu Di snorted. "Don't you notice Su's action against me? He has made a blatant act of resistance, cunningly wraps it up by using humanitarian reasons... I never guess, my brother who looks naïve and clumsy now turns to be so terrible."

"Power enables anyone to change from angels to demons."

Once again, Xiang Yugong took out a roll of paper and he was now spreading it on the table. Another map. Map of Fan Wangs' respective cities in the Ming Empire.

"The control of San Hu Wei is still held by the respective Fan Wangs. Except for Yi Wang who is hated by the whole Luoyang, all Fan Wangs are in favor of the people. So they have the military power, and also people's support. Especially Gu Wang and Zhou Wang. They are very popular with people. I even have received news that recently more and more people are supporting Zhou Wang due to his new project. Besides, Zhou Wang owns more San Hu Wei soldiers than Gu Wang. Zhou Wang is more dangerous than Gu Wang..."

Zhu Di gripped his brush tightly. Xiang Yugong stared thoroughly at Zhu Di, his eyebrows were raised. "You have managed to arrange the Ming military forces to be the strongest in the world, Sire... but in the aspect of people's support, I am afraid that your prestige might be overthrown by them, and if they make a popular uprising to coup the Emperor..."

CRAAACKK!

The brush that Zhu Di was tightly gripping now broke into two halves. The head of Dong Chang quickly lowered his head, while Zhu Di slammed the broken brush roughly onto the table.

"I won't let that happen…" Zhu Di said in an icy voice. "Can you hear me? I won't let that happen. That's why I call you here. It's your job to thwart it... whatever it takes!"

Xiang Yugong immediately prostrated and pressed his forehead to the floor, exclaiming reverently. "Your subject obeys!"