Zhao Kuangyin raised his head to look at the light screen, then lowered his gaze toward his younger brother.
What he was thinking was plainly written across his expression, which immediately startled Zhao Guangyi.
"This humble monk now knows only the green lamp and the ancient Buddha. I dare not speak of blades and warhorses."
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and could not be bothered to pursue the matter further. Instead, he found the later generations' imitation of Tang Taizong's words rather amusing.
After all, the Tang dynasty could still be considered the preceding dynasty of the Song.
There were more matters known about it, and thus they could be seen more clearly.
The flourishing Tang of a hundred years was like a blazing sun, its might shaking lands ten thousand li away.
Then the An Lushan Rebellion was like that blazing sun crashing to the ground, and ghosts and monsters immediately arose in swarms.
But once he thought again of the Jingkang disaster, Zhao Kuangyin's mood instantly fell into dejection.
He almost wished to say what the light screen had jokingly said.
Boring. I will stop playing and leave.
At that moment he felt an overwhelming urge to beat his bald-headed younger brother again just to vent his anger.
After all, the sealed treasury and the hundreds of thousands of imperial guards had originally been meant, according to the grand design, to unify the realm.
Yet everything had been buried beside the Gaoliang River, leaving regret for a thousand years.
But when he looked again at his younger brother's lowered and submissive expression, Zhao Kuangyin found himself unable to say anything harsh.
He merely waved his hand in annoyance.
Then he twisted his neck slightly, for the text upon the dome had not yet finished scrolling.
---
[Server Chat Log]
[ConquerLater: In my opinion, the reason we hear about Ming princes killing commoners for fun is because Zhu Yuanzhang actually recorded his sons' crimes. In a way, that's progress. In every other dynasty, when did the imperial grandsons ever have their dirty laundry aired? Even today, "Sparse-American-President" can't control his own son. Asking a beggar from 600 years ago to be a perfectly flawless Saint-King is just asking too much.
[WarButChill: The "Vassal Prince" problem existed in every dynasty; you can't blame Old Zhu for the whole thing.
WinOrSnack: If Zhu Di (Yongle) were to evaluate the execution of Li Shanchang and Lan Yu, he'd probably only have three words: "Thanks, Dad."
MarchMaybe: Earlier someone said that if those two had lived, the 'Jingnan' rebellion wouldn't have happened. I'll go a step further: if Empress Ma had lived, at least two of the 'Four Great Cases' wouldn't have happened.
AshEdict: You have to marvel at it: Old Zhu was truly one of the sharpest swords in history. But such a divine blade only had one scabbard. Once lost, it could never be restored, turning the sword into a weapon of mass destruction that hurt both others and himself.
RedBanner: Let's take that metaphor further: Zhu Yuanzhang was the Sharp Sword, Empress Ma was the Scabbard, and Zhu Biao was the Sword Stand. When the scabbard was gone, the sword could still rest on the stand. But once the stand collapsed (Zhu Biao died), the blade had nowhere to go. It just swung wildly, and whoever it touched, died.
IronHeir: That gives me a thought: if Old Zhu had died before Empress Ma, would he have made her be buried alive with him (immolation)?
SteelHan: Your suggestion is very relaxed, but the fact that your entire 'Nine Generations' of family are currently alive and well makes up for it.
NeoLegion: I suggest you travel back to when Zhu Yuanzhang was alive and give him that suggestion. You'll definitely leave a "colorful" mark in the history books.
BannerCore: We don't know if Old Zhu would have the guts to take Empress Ma with him, but we do know that when she died, he cried so hard he almost went with her.
CrownOffline: Regarding the claim that Zhu Yuanzhang started the 'immolation' trend again... that's debatable. There are only two major records: one when Zhu Shuang died and his consort (Wang Baobao's sister) was forced to follow; the other was the 'Palace women following the Emperor' after Old Zhu died. Many believe Zhu Yunwen (the grandson) forced the concubines to die because a group of young 'Grand-grandmothers' was a political headache.
FieldControl: To be blunt, many Ming prince tombs have been excavated, and no immolation pits have been found. If Old Zhu really loved that practice, wouldn't he have ordered a whole harem for Zhu Biao? It doesn't add up.
WarOnWifi: Anyway, Old Zhu and his son Zhu Di were quite alike: once their wives died, they mentally collapsed and stayed "widowers" for over a decade.
CommandLag: One scholar noted: "Judy (Zhu Di) was on the throne for 8,062 days and never wasted a single one." In that sense, he was exactly like his father.]
---
For a moment, Zhu Biao realized that he had somehow become an outsider.
He looked to one side and saw his father's expression shifting between light and shadow. He was most likely pondering the matter of burial sacrifice mentioned in the text, as well as the references to his fourth son.
And the fourth brother who had played a leading role in those words…
At this moment he sat with his brows tightly furrowed, lowering his head and counting on his fingers.
Zhu Biao could roughly guess why.
It was said that this younger brother had a very deep affection for his wife Xu. He was probably calculating how long he himself might live, and what fate might await his wife.
After looking around, Zhu Biao could not help sighing inwardly.
How should he put it?
The metaphor of the sword stand was truly too fitting.
If a divine sword is placed upon a stand without being sheathed, the stand will inevitably suffer damage. Over time the harm accumulates, until it eventually collapses.
Was that not just like himself?
However, after only a brief moment of quiet melancholy, Zhu Biao suddenly felt a somewhat piercing gaze.
Turning his head, he saw Zhu Gang looking at him, though his expression carried a hint of hesitation.
After thinking for a moment, Zhu Biao immediately understood.
The text had mentioned that Zhu Yunwen once forced an imperial uncle to death. Zhu Gang was probably feeling uneasy about his own future.
Zhu Biao also knew that the uncle in question was most likely the twelfth brother, Zhu Bai.
But since Zhu Bai was presently sitting quietly at the back without saying a word, Zhu Biao did not feel it appropriate to say too much.
He could only speak vaguely.
"It has nothing to do with you. Do not worry."
"What nonsense are you saying, elder brother? What would I be worried about?"
Although he said so, Zhu Biao could clearly see the tension in Zhu Gang's expression relax slightly.
However, that brief calm was immediately mocked by Zhu Shuang, who burst into laughter.
"Third brother should learn more martial skills like your elder brother here, so that you may share Father's burdens!"
"Although my life may end during the Hongwu reign like that of our elder brother, I believe it will surely be on the battlefield, dying for the state while striking down enemies. I would have no regrets!"
These words happened to reach Zhu Yuanzhang's ears as he turned his head.
For once he offered praise.
"Shuang'er is somewhat like me. There is a bit of heroic spirit in him."
Zhu Shuang was immediately overjoyed.
He raised his eyebrows toward his third brother with undisguised pride.
"As for you…"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked toward Zhu Di.
His expression was filled with conflict and critical scrutiny.
In the end he merely nodded slightly.
"Though you fall far short of your elder brother, at least you have not brought disgrace upon your name."
Finally he turned toward Zhu Biao.
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke heavily.
"You must take care to cultivate a strong body."