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

Chapter 31 Zhu Gaoxu: Do you really think I'm just a brute without a brain?

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu was shocked and stared at Zhu Gaochi with wide eyes.

A moment later, the murderous intent in Zhu Gaoxu's eyes began to resurface.

"Boss, I've already warned you, don't be so stubborn! That's our mother, not a tool for you to consolidate your position! Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?!"

Zhu Gaoxu clenched his fists, staring intently at Zhu Gaochi, his heart filled with complex emotions and distress.

This complex and uncomfortable feeling stems not only from Zhu Gaochi's desire to continue his stubborn pursuit of using Xu Miaoyun's illness to solidify his position, but also from the fact that he is now trying to advise Zhu Gaochi.

In fact, he shouldn't have tried to dissuade Zhu Gaochi from vying for the position of crown prince; he should have let Zhu Gaochi continue to deceive himself and let Zhu Gaochi do it.

He believed that if he waited until Zhu Gaochi was unable to cure Xu Miaoyun, he could then take action and was very confident that he could remove Zhu Gaochi from the position of Crown Prince.

This should have been a rational approach, but Zhu Gaoxu couldn't calm down at all when he thought that Zhu Gaochi was using Xu Miaoyun.

In Zhu Gaoxu's subconscious, or rather, out of emotional choice, he could have used other methods to defeat Zhu Gaochi, but he would never allow anyone to take advantage of Xu Miaoyun.

Because Xu Miaoyun's condition was already very serious, and they all knew that she didn't have much time left, he didn't want Zhu Gaochi to even harm Xu Miaoyun, who was so ill.

On the one hand, the position of crown prince was within his grasp, and if he even encouraged Zhu Gaochi to continue doing so, there was a very high chance that Zhu Gaochi would be deposed.

On one hand, there's Xu Miaoyun. Zhu Gaochi could use Xu Miaoyun, but he really didn't want to. She was his only family member, his own mother.

Historically, after the capital was moved, Zhu Gaochi personally carried Xu Miaoyun's coffin to Shuntian without relying on anyone else.

It can be said that Zhu Gaoxu didn't care about anyone else in this family except Xu Miaoyun.

This was something that made him particularly distressed and complicated, but once he made the decision, Zhu Gaoxu did not regret it.

Those who have fought their way through the battlefield, especially those who have led large armies, are often decisive in making decisions.

Because that's a style developed on the battlefield.

On the battlefield, opportunities are fleeting. A great general, a skilled and courageous warrior, is destined not to be a hesitant or indecisive person.

As for whether Zhu Gaochi could cure Xu Miaoyun, Zhu Gaoxu had not even considered it.

He and Zhu Gaochi had stayed in Yingtian together, and after returning to Beiping, they became familiar with each other. He knew Zhu Gaochi very well what kind of person he was.

He did acknowledge that Zhu Gaochi was skilled in governing the country, but as for medical skills, Zhu Gaochi was someone who couldn't even heal or control his own body. How could he be told that Zhu Gaochi was skilled in medicine?

Furthermore, even if someone knows medicine, can Xu Miaoyun's illness be cured simply by having medical skills?

He longed for someone to cure Xu Miaoyun. There was a famous doctor before, whom he personally knelt down and begged for. Although the doctor ultimately had no effect and was killed by him in the face of Xu Miaoyun's wrath, he truly had this wish.

Now that Zhu Gaochi claims he can cure Xu Miaoyun, he is utterly skeptical.

Don't even mention the possibility of it happening; it's impossible even if there's a 100% chance.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Gaoxu, seemingly oblivious to Zhu Gaoxu's murderous intent, and slowly poured tea for him.

After confirming these things, Zhu Gaochi actually had a very good impression of Zhu Gaoxu.

There is still hope for this person.

Actually, there wasn't any real conflict between him and Zhu Gaochi; neither of them wanted to kill the other.

He just wanted to solidify his position, and Zhu Gaoxu was trying to take it from him.

It was purely for the sake of that position; there wasn't that much personal resentment. To be precise, Zhu Gaochi's dislike for him stemmed more from the original owner's actions and personal morality.

His open admission and statement that he read the medical book to save Xu Miaoyun was not only stating a fact, but also a way to gauge Zhu Gaoxu's reaction.

Just as he had expected, Zhu Gaoxu actually took the initiative to persuade him for Xu Miaoyun's sake. Although the persuasion was tinged with threats, it made him even more certain.

Sometimes Zhu Gaochi admired the original owner of this body. He had a capable Zhu Di above him and a capable Zhu Gaoxu below him. If he could get along well with these two, it wouldn't matter who the Ming Dynasty attacked.

If the sky is not taken, the blame is on the contrary.

If you don't seize the opportunity when it arrives, you will suffer the consequences.

The original owner read so many books, but it was all for nothing. No wonder he died young in history.

Meeting Zhu Gaoxu's gaze, Zhu Gaochi slowly spoke.

"Second brother, I'm serious. I do have a certain chance of curing Mother's illness, but it will take time."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu remained silent and continued to stare intently at him, Zhu Gaochi felt somewhat helpless.

The prejudice in a person's heart is like a mountain, the kind that even the legendary Yu Gong (a legendary figure who moved mountains) couldn't move.

If someone else had said this, someone knowledgeable in medicine, he dared say Zhu Gaoxu would have knelt down and begged that person to treat Xu Miaoyun.

But now that he's said it, this person doesn't believe him at all.

If this isn't stubbornness, if this isn't obstinacy, then what is it?

Zhu Gaoxu sighed and put down his teacup.

"Second brother, let's make a deal. If I can't cure Mother's illness, I will ask the old man for permission to resign from my position as crown prince and recommend you to him."

But if I cure Mother's illness, we won't argue anymore. The outside world is vast, and you can choose any place you want. How about that?

Zhu Gaochi's expression and eyes were serious. This was an idea he wanted to take after his leisurely days came to an end.

Zhu Gaoxu now understands that he really doesn't want to cause internal strife with his younger brother, the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, who is so capable and skilled in warfare.

It's exhausting and you don't get anything even if you win. He must be crazy to fight with Zhu Gaochi. Does he really think it's fun?

Besides draining the Ming Dynasty's national strength, besides internal strife, besides causing him more trouble, what else can it do?

Now is the perfect time; he can take this opportunity to solve this problem as well.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed upon hearing Zhu Gaochi's words; he was amused by Zhu Gaochi's words.

"Boss, you're shameless. You're hypocritical, and you don't even realize it."

If you can't cure your mother's illness, how can you hold onto this position?

If you can't sit still, who else can the old man give it to besides me? Do he need your recommendation?

Zhu Gaoxu really wanted to hit someone; this person had completely outmaneuvered him.

Do you really think all he knows is fighting? Do you really think he's brainless?

Sometimes Zhu Gaochi was also very angry because of people's preconceived notions that he was good at fighting but had no brains and that he was a reckless brute.

Zhu Gaoxu sometimes really wanted to crack open these people's heads and see what gave them the right to look down on him.

It's one thing for those who don't get along with him to act this way, but it's the same for those who support him. So, he can only be a lowly soldier?

The prejudice these people held against him was as high as the mountain that was Zhu Gaochi, which made him indignant for a time.

Zhu Gaochi's lips twitched; he really hadn't expected Zhu Gaoxu to be able to regain his senses here.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi suddenly realized that Zhu Gaoxu was not stupid. How could he be so easily fooled by Zhu Di's empty promises without realizing it?

Stopping thinking about it, Zhu Gaochi laughed and said, "Second son, have you forgotten? The old man dotes on my son. The crown prince is practically decided, you should know that, right?"