Although Prince Zhu Di of Yan was appointed as a prince, he was stationed in the north to guard Yan territory. He has shown amazing perseverance and courage since childhood, and is the most outstanding among his brothers, but he missed the crown prince position because he is not the eldest son. After the unexpected death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang established his grandson Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Di was forced to retreat by the fiefdoms and had no choice but to rise up in rebellion. After the four-year Jingnan Campaign, he finally took control of the capital. Zhu Di had the world, but he carried eternal fame and lost his beloved in his heart. Zhu Di used the latter half of his life's hard work to rewrite the history of the Ming Dynasty, built the Forbidden City, relocated the capital to Beijing, and launched five expeditions to the northern desert, compiling the "Yongle Encyclopedia" and dispatching Zheng He to the West, achieving immortal achievements. He passed away on his triumphant return journey during his last expedition to the north.
Quickly, let us go after over that way!
You cannot escape this time, just surrender!
You dare to intrude into the imperial palace!
What on earth do you want?
I come here today
is to kill Zhu Yuanzhang this brutal animal!
Who stands on my way should die!
What a fool woman!
If you are a real man
just stand out of my way!
But you are going to kill my father!
Zhu Yuanzhang
Killed my family members over five hundred!
He is a big devil!
You are his son
you are a devil too!
You even are not able to kill me.
How can you kill my father?
You leave now.
Let me go.
I let you go.
Over there! quickly!Catch the assassinator!
Quickly!
Lord Yan, everything is okay with you?
I am good.
Where is the assassinator?
Escaped.
We must catch the assassinator! Go!
Yes!
Her family name is Liang.
Your Majesty
Last night, Lord Yan
has left the capital.
Your majesty
have nothing to worry about now.
My fourth son
actually
I feel guilty to him.
My grandfather
How is your body condition?
Your grandfather is old
how can I keep a good body condition forever?
But I
do not hope my grandfather suffer disease.
I would like to suffer the disease
that my grandfather may suffer.
and eliminate my grandfather’s worries.
My good boy!
I feel so happy to see
your filial piety.
My grandfather
Your body is needed to recover back soon
because the affairs in the court
cannot work well if without you.
I cannot host the court meeting these two days
you help me to deal with the affairs.
I do not think I can handle the affairs, grandfather.
I have no any experience in this regard.
I am afraid that I will delay the court affairs!
It is sooner or later for you to take over the task.
When I am still be with you together
you give it a try first!
Yes. Grandfather, I follow your instruction!
Your grandfather is old now
and you are growing up to a mature man.
I am thinking that
it is time to confirm your wedding now.
What do you think?
I, I do not want to have a wedding now.
My grandfather!
Why not?
I just do not want to marry now.
And I want to
attend upon grandfather all the time!
and take care of grandfather’s body!
Grandson, you father had gone.
As to your wedding
grandfather has to arrange in person.
Your wedding symbols you are a real adult.
Your grandfather
I should witness this important moment
before I die.
My grandfather
You speak something nonsense
you must live a long life!
It is deceitful to think that way.
I know my body situations.
You do not hope
let your grandfather die with regrets, right?
Sure, I do not hope.
All right, that is the deal.
I have chosen a girl for you.
Tomorrow is your wedding.
Yes. Your majesty.
Your highness, it is midnight now.
You can lift the bride’s veil.
Please you lift now.
and do not keep the Imperial Concubine Dowager Sun wait.
Tonight is your wedding night.
Your highness, your highness.
Imperial Concubine Dowager Sun,the highness..
Your highness, your highness
Your highness!
Wake up, your highness.
I have to host the court meeting today.
I forget this important thing!
Serve me change clothes!
Your highness
Sure enough, the majesty said that
Except for the powerful minister
your highness should conduct benevolent policy.
Right.
I am worried about this
may run counter to the doctrine of the Sages.
Your highness is lenient, kind and broadminded.
That is a good fortune for the court.
But, in my view
What the majesty told and asked actually
will benefit your highness’ future cause.
Teacher, you think that so too?
To be frank
I have the same feeling before
but I think that
it is only the first step
to remove these powerful ministers.
So, you mean that
the majesty will remove other threats again?
In your highness’s opinion
Who are the biggest threats to
hold the imperial rights?
Teacher, what is your opinion?
Surely, it is those vassal lords
also your highness’s uncles.
They received majesty’s enfeoffment.
They enjoy feoff, and
they hold part of military power.
They actually are the feudal princes.
What you say is totally right!
But my imperial uncles
are hard to deal with.
The majesty canonizing them as the feudal princes
is to let them assist the court
so make sure the imperial power
hold by the imperial family.
But meanwhile, this also carries hidden threat.
Once these feudal princes decide to betray the court
what the court should do to prevent that situation?
Only hope this won’t happen.
That’s only your hope, my highness.
For example, the lord Yan
who has great talent and ambition
and at the meantime, he manages BeiPing region, such a treasure place.
How can he succumb to your highness?
My fourth uncle is indeed a great talent
He even has me to respect him enough.
The man like the lord Yan
Should alert you to be careful
to deal with.
Otherwise
Even if you inherit the throne
it would be hard to hold it long!
Maybe so
but I still do not think it is not good to remove my uncles one by one.
They are my imperial uncles!
I would rather they betray me
I do not want to betray them.
Grandson
You have hosted the court meeting for several days
and the ministers gave you a highly comment.
That is very good.
I do think now, I can
leave in peace in the end.
My grandfather
please do not say like that.
I do not hope to listen.
Ok, I stop.
You really are my good grandson!
What happens, grandfather?
Do you feel uncomfortable?
Grandson
Do you have
anything to tell with me?
Everything is fine with the court affairs
but not with the border areas.
Nowadays, the situation in the court is stable
you do not need to worry about the border areas.
the border areas
where the feudal princes guard.
Well, grandfather
I am confused with one thing
and hope grandfather can give me instructions.
You tell then.
You just said
I do not need to worry about the court affairs
and the feudal princes are guarding the border areas.
And the world is peaceful.
But if
Those feudal princes decide to betray the court
what should I do to handle with?
The feudal princes betray the court? Who are they?
I do not aim at which feudal prince
I just think of this situation.
just think of this situation.
I understand your worry.
But I do not
consider this situation!
So, grandfather, you
agree with my guess?
On your stand
what should you do now?
On my stand
I should advocate and encourage
them to be moral and to acquire the rites first.
If both cannot work
I will reduce their fief
and deprive their title of feudal prince.
If they still want to betray the court, what will you do?
Then, I have done all I could do
and I will send an armed force to suppress them.
Grandfather! Grandfather!
What is wrong with you?
Servant! Servant!
Your majesty!
Call the imperial physician at once!
Yes. Your highness.
Grandfather!
Grandfather!
Grandfather!
Your majesty?
Why would your majesty get up now?
This is what I
prepare for Wen er
Your majesty
That is what you mentioned before!
Support me up now.
Yes. Your majesty.
Come.
Come. Be slowly.
Your majesty
you cannot be too
worried about the court affairs.
It is urgent to care for your body now.
I cannot to be not to
worry about this grandson.
Do you know
what happened just now?
Did the highness
annoy you?
If he really annoyed me
that was not a big deal.
Tell you
I just touched his head.
That is not a big thing that
your majesty touches your grandson’s head.
What can you know?
his head touched like
an incomplete head, seemed part of his head missed.
That is not a lucky symbol.
Really?
I am afraid of that
Wen er is doomed to fail
to maintain our Ming Dynasty prosperous forever
Our great Ming Dynasty
may be ruined at his hand!
Your majesty, you may overthink.
Your grandson
is born with god’s luck.
You do not need to comfort me.
I feel bad things only when I feel
I am on the way to death.
What a pity!
Nothing can work right now!
If the fourth son
is be with me now
I may feel better.
Your majesty, you are talking about the lord Yan, right?
Except him, who else can I think of right now?
I miss him this moment.
Your majesty
Do we need to send a servant to call the lord Yan back?
It is too late now. That is the god’s will!
I can do nothing now!
You keep this iron box
hide well for me.
If one day, Wen er encounter difficulties
you take this iron box
to him.
Yes. Your majesty.
I will hide this iron box
in a private place.
This thing only
keeps you and me, understand?
Yes, your majesty!
Being an emperor is not an easy thing!
I go to hide the iron box now, your majesty.
Go then.
Eunuch Wang, the iron box is hidden well now.
Ok. Let us go.
Your majesty!
Your majesty!
Your majesty!
Keeping Xu Miaoyun alive
is a curse.
Yes. Your majesty, I know how to handle this.
Open the door.
Grandfather! Grandfather!
Grandfather! Please wake up!
Grandfather! Please do not scare me!
Grandfather!
I am so afraid of seeing this scene.
Please talk something with me!
Grandfather!
Grandfather! You, you finally wake up.
Who are you?
Grandfather,
I am your grandson Wen er!
I am your grandson Wen er.
Wen er?
Who is Wen er?
Grandfather
Cannot you know who am I?
I am your grandson Wen er!
My fourth son!
My fourth son, you come back.
Grandfather
do you look for Lord Yan?
Grandfather! Grandfather!
Grandfather!
Your majesty! Your majesty!
Grandfather!grandfather!
Imperial Concubine Yun
This is the majesty
specially asks me to send you.
It is rarely that the majesty remembers your imperial concubine Yun.
That is also a good luck for your imperial concubine Yun.
Imperial concubine Yun, these dishes
are all your favorite ones.
It would not taste good
if letting the dishes getting cold.
Chef Wang
I have a favor to ask you.
Imperial concubine Yun, please ask.
When I die
The jade pendant
please do not take it away from me
and bury it with my died body together.
Okay. Your imperial concubine Yun, do not worry about it.
Imperial Aunt:
Your highness
Chef Wang, what are you doing here?
I am here to kill imperial concubine Yun
at the majesty’s order.
What do you mean?
Grandfather
has died!
Died! You listen me?
The majesty, the majesty has died?
Grandfather has died!
Right now, I am the
majesty of the great Ming Dynasty!
Now, all things are under my control.
All the ordinary people have to
listen and follow my orders!
Do you understand?
Guard!
Yes. Your majesty.
Your guards
I request you
to let the imperial concubine Yun go.
Understand?
Yes. Your majesty.
Imperial Aunt
Grandfather has died
you are free now.
you finally get free!
My father!
What happens, your lord?
I dreamed my father.
My father is probably not going to make it.
Really?
Sure enough.
My father was
calling my nickname.
My fourth son, my fourth son.
Your lord, do not worry.
It is just a dream
If something bad
happened in the majesty
there must be message coming.
No, this dream is too weird
and too real!
Your lord, if you really
do worry about something bad happen to the majesty
we send our man
to ask about the situation, okay?
I send the man to ask about the situation right now.
Your majesty
The monk Dao Yan has
to rush into
I cannot stop him.
Send him in.
Your lord, your lord, your lord!
The majesty has died!
It is no wonder now that
I heard my father calling me in my dream.
He was to
see me one last time.
Father! I am not filial son!
I am not filial son!
Your lord, I am sorry for your loss!
But the current situation is severe and urgent
please your lord make preparations in advance!
Right, your lord.
We should
make a countermeasure!
Father was gravely ill
but I do not know this!
There must be something hidden from me.
It is known that the court has been
intending to keep your lord out of the court affairs.
In the following days
I am afraid that the current situation
will not good for your lord.
Your lord, what should we do
to deal with?
I am back to the capital to
grave for my father first.
And I ask my nephew Yunwen
For what happened on earth.
Why father was gravely ill?
and why I am kept out of this?
Right, that is good then.
Back now!
Wait, your lord.
According to the rules of the court
The king of vassal states
can back with a troop.
Why does not your lord bring a troop back with you together?
That’s good to act accordingly.
That is right. Your lord.
The situation in the court is very unstable now.
If you lead a troop back with you
it may be
can maintain a stable situation.
Your lord
I would like to accompany with you back together.
All right, let us back now!
On the grandfather’s deathbed
he was calling uncle’s nickname
and asking whether you come back or not.
It was very clear that grandfather wanted
fourth uncle back to the capital
and to meet with him.
The majesty has died.
It is too late
even if the lord Yan come back now.
How could to make the decision without lord Yan’s participation?
That’s my grandfather’s commandment!
No matter what
Lord Yan should participant in discussing the inheritance of throne.
Your highness, that should not happen!
At present, the majesty just died
and you do not inherit the throne formally
our Ming Dynasty does not have a majesty
Right on this moment
Once someone else want to exploit this opportunity to
snatch the throne
the world would be in chaos!
So, in your view
we cannot let the lord Yan know this thing?
Not only we should keep lord Yan unknown
also including
other feudal princess.
That is the majesty’s last words.
Why the majesty did so?
Who is lord Yan
your highness must know and see his talents.
Years ago
The majesty mentioned that
lord Yan resembled him most for several times.
and was intended to let Lord Yan
to inherit the throne.
That is right.
On the majesty’s deathbed, he was intended to
tell lord Yan
some things.
That is not indeed good
for your highness!
And as for Lord Yan
his great ambition
of inheriting the throne has been very clear.
Right.
I have heard that lord Yan
trains his troops in Beiping everyday
and never be loaf on his duty.
He has been watching this opportunity
and waiting this opportunity!
My fourth uncle
is an outstanding figure
and likes battlefield life.
You two do not need to consider him as a threat.
Your highness may wrong with this time.
I do not know whether your highness remember that
On the day of
the majesty’s 65 years old birthday
the majesty set a topic
for your highness and other feudal princes
the lord Yan said one sentence
“all things on the earth goes well, since the sun shines the dragon
scales that looks like shining golden glowing in the
That is simply a stunning word.
He was to express his determination
to inherit the throne.
This indeed sounds
make sense.
Your highness
so you have to
be carefully cautious to Lord Yan
who is the biggest threat.
among these feudal princes.
Anytime, being cautious is a must.
But my grandfather just died
I have to tell them
what happened.
I suggest that
all feudal princes
are not allowed to attend the majesty’s funeral
including lord Yan.
How can be possible to forbid
all the feudal princes attending the funeral?
Chief Wang’s words are reasonable.
All the feudal princes hold military power.
If they come to attend the majesty’s funeral
they must lead a troop with them together.
That is to open the door to the threats!
The majesty just died
Most of these feudal princes
are unsatisfied with your highness
and do not share the same stand with you.
No matter who he is
he has been casting his greedy eyes on the throne.
For now, there leaves no time to contend with each other.
and once they fight against with each other
It is extremely possible that the current situation will be out of control!
That cannot happen! that cannot happen!
My uncles are
grandfather’s sons!
How can his sons do not attend their father’s funeral?
What you ask me to do now
is to let me
to be mocked by the people in the world?
You two do to
figure out ways for me!
I actually have an idea
that requires your highness’s permission.
Say it now!
Faking an imperial edict!
This, faking an imperial edict?
No. That cannot be adopted.
The current situation is very urgent.
Your highness has to do so!
Please your highness makes decision now!
That cannot be adopted!
This, this is to let me
to be a disloyal, unfilial
heartless imperial grandson!
If I do so, how can I face with
my died grandfather!
Your highness
Who is going to do great work
should not bother about small matters
and always knows what is the top priority!
That’s how the world functions!
Mr. Huang
I remember that you have been teaching me
to be a loyal, filial, heartful man?
Why do not you
advocate this now?
Your highness inheriting the throne smoothly
is to benefits thousands of people in the world!
That is what I
have been advocating!
Does your highness understand now?
Your highness, the great Ming Dynasty will be
your Dynasty!
If your highness fails at the last moment
your Dynasty! it will be too late to regret!
The majesty’s testamentary edict arrives! Move away!
Stop!
Your lord Yan, The majesty’s testamentary edict arrives!
Your lord Yan
please receive the majesty’s testamentary edict!
Lord Yan refuses to receive the edict
Why he does that?
You ministers do say your ideas!
Your highness
Lord Yan refuses to receive the edict
and tells that he leads a troop to attend the funeral.
He is not to lead a troop to attend the funeral
he is clearly to send a punitive expedition against your highness!
Your highnees
I think that lord Yan refuses to receive the edict
he is clearly to look down upon the court!
He has other intention!
Minister Qi
What you say is wrong
The majesty died, and the whole dynasty is in deep sorrow.
Lord Yan is the majesty’s son
He has obligation to be filial piety to the majesty.
He comes to attend the funeral
how can say he has other intention?
The majesty’s testamentary edict
orders that all the feudal princes
do not allowed to attend the funeral.
Lord Yan refuses to listen to the order
If he does not have other intention, what are his wants?
As to the edict, in my view...
What do you mean? Is you going to slander
the majesty’s testamentary edict?
I do not dare to!
All right, lord Qi
no need to talk about this.
Lord Yan is lord Qi’s brother-in-law
how can he does not share the common stand with lord Yan?
Lord Huang
you are venomously slander me!
Enough!Do not argue!
You all only know to argue!
you do
figure out some suggestions for me now?
What is wrong?
you all become dumb, don’t you?
Your highness, I have ordered that
All the soldiers along the river get full prepared for a real battle.
No one allow to go cross the river!
Otherwise, he will be punished in the name of treachery!
That is what you only know!
Lord Yan
is to come to the capital to attend the funeral
and you only know
to meet on the battlefield.
If the battle happens
how can I face with the situation?
No matter what
it cannot allow the lord Yan to cross the river with a troop!
Like the old saying goes
Confront soldiers with generals, stem water with earth.
Now that lord Yan leads a troop to come
the court naturally can fight against with a troop!
All right. You stopping saying.
All of you leave now.
Yes, Your highness!
Chef Huang, in your opinion
What should I do now?
Your highness, two things
Should be given top priority right now.
First
We should host the majesty’s funeral
and the majesty should be laid to rest immediately.
Right, I permit your advice.
Tomorrow morning
Grandfather’s funeral will be held.
As to the name of mausoleum
I have already figured out.
It is called as “Xiao Ling Tomb.
That means my filial piety to the majesty.
Your highness brilliant!
Chef Huang
What is the second thing
that you just mentioned?
The second thing
is also needed to be done quickly.
Please your highness ascends the throne as soon as possible!
The Ming Dynasty needs a majesty to ensure a peaceful and stable court
so as to deter the enemies.
What chef Huang says is totally right.
Please your highness ascends the throne at once
to stabilize the current situation of our great Ming Dynasty.
This thing
I have to think over, think over again.
Your highness, I would like to see the lord Yan
and persuade him to receive the majesty’s edict
and back to Beiping.
Duke Cao is my cousin
and the son of lord Yan’s cousin.
We are family.
Then things should be easy
to be done since we are family.
All right, this thing
is your duty then.
I must live up to your highness’s expectation.
Right. This thing counts on you then.
Frozen!
Father, son comes late!
All of you, listen up!
Lord Yan comes to the capital to attend the majesty’s funeral
all of you do not get in the way!
Vice Minister of War, lord Qi has given an order that
Anyone who leads a troop to cross the river
will be punished in the name of treachery!
and will be killed with lawful authority!
Lord Yan, what we do now?
They are simply pushing me too far!
Then we rush to
kill them all!
Go kill!
Please wait!
Jinglong see your lord Yan!
Jinglong, you
ask those soldiers to
let me and my soldiers cross the river!
Your lord Yan, please calm down.
Jinglong is here to
announce the majesty’s edict.
This is a faked edict. I refuse to receive!
It is good if you do not receive
but I have to let you to check.
The majesty’s testamentary edict announces that after I, your majesty died
All the feudal princes do not allow to the capital to attend my funeral
and all of you have to listen my grandson, Zhu Yunwen’s order!
By your majesty himself!
Li Jinglong
You should dare to take this faked edict
to deceive me!
Your lord Yan wrong.
Your lord Yan have not seen this edict
how could you know this is a faked edict?
Then I tell you that
The majesty’s last words
I have already known!
Father hoped me to come back to see him!
To be frank
Jinglong does not know these words
What I know is that
the majesty has been buried
and laid to rest now!
H aving been laid to rest?
I am father’s son
and I have not come back yet
They should...
So that is to say
it is useless even if your lord Yan come back now.
And it is better for your lord Yan to back to Beiping.
We are family
No need for us to argue and fight now since the things is a foregone conclusion.
I ask you now
Where is my father’s tomb?
Xiao Ling Tomb.
Father, I am not filial!
and I do not expect that I cannot able to send you to be laid to rest.
The majesty has been buried in the Xiao Ling Tomb.
Father!
Your lord Yan, please restrain your greif.
Tomorrow morning, the imperial grandson
is to ascend the throne with filial piety.
If your lord Yan have any words
that need to tell the imperial grandson
Jinglong can do this for your lord Yan.
Worship the Xiao Ling Tomb!
Worship the Xiao Ling Tomb! Worship the Xiao Ling Tomb!
In Hongwu 31th year of Ming
Zhu Yuanzhang, 71 years old
died of an illness in the capital.
After six days of his death
Zhu Yunwen ascends the throne
and changes the reign title as Jianwen
and he is called as Jianwen majesty.
The previous majesty died
and the Ming Dynasty is in deep sorrow.
I ascend the throne with my filial piety
in accordance with the rites.
This is to maintain a safe and peaceful Ming Dynasty
and to bring the ordinary people of our Ming Dynasty a good life.
I follow the previous majesty’s will
advocating benevolence-oriented
to bring benefits and prosperity to our thousands of people.
Your majesty lives a long life!
All my ministers arise!
Thanks, your majesty!
I just ascend the throne.
It is reasonable to
award the ministers who made contributions to the court
to keep a peaceful and safe Ming Dynasty!
I canonize Qi Tai as the Minister of war.
Thanks for your majesty’s reward!
Arise!
I canonize Huang Zicheng as
the Minister of Tai Chang Temple and Hanlin Academician.
Thanks for your majesty’s reward!
Arise!
I canonize Fang Xiaoru as Hanlin lecturer
Thanks for your majesty’s reward!
Arise!
I canonize Li Jinglong as Military Commander in Chief
taking charging of the military affairs of the capital.
Urgent report from Duke Cao and lord Li.
Your majesty.
Worship the Xiao Ling Tomb!
Your majesty.
Forego the formalities.
What happens, your majesty?
You look tired
and who annoys your majesty?
those ministers
I let them to
give advice and suggestions.
But they do know nothing
and only know to argue with each other.
What happened?
This thing
started from my died grandfather.
Before my grandfather’s death
he wanted to see lord Yan.
I know that
grandfather had been valued lord Yan most
and hoped to meet lord Yan.
Perhaps he had something to talk with lord Yan.
to talk with lord Yan.
But what is wrong with this?
Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai
they are not satisfied with
all the feudal princes
and worry about that anything bad may happen
if allowing the feudal princes to come into the capital.
And they also do not hope
lord Yan comes into the capital
in case of causing disputes
This is for your majesty’s good.
and it is indeed reasonable.
Aunt, you also think that so?
Yes. Your majesty.
But they forced mt to
forbid lord Yan coming into the palace.
And I have to listen their advice
and ordered Huang Zicheng to
write the majesty’s testamentary edict
in which all the feudal princes and their soldiers
do not allow to the capital to attend the funeral.
Your majesty should fake the edict!
I know it was wrong to do so.
But I indeed have no other choices!
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