Chapter 51: The Duke of Sage Propagation, a Traitor to the Han People

Zhu Yuanzhang’s words plunged Zhu Biao into silence.

The Kong family, as direct descendants of the Great Sage Confucius, were the spiritual totem of all scholars under heaven—much like the King of Zhou in the Spring and Autumn era, who, though unregarded by most, remained the nominal lord of the realm. If Zhu Yuanzhang acted too harshly toward Kong Kejian, it would bode ill for both the man and the Ming dynasty itself.

Yet since it was his father’s decision, Zhu Biao could only respect it. He lowered his head, refraining from voicing support for Zhu Yuanzhang’s stance. This subtle gesture did not escape the emperor’s notice, but he made no comment.

“When children grow up, they’re bound to have minds of their own,” Zhu Yuanzhang thought.

He smoothly shifted the topic. “Go and arrange something…”

Zhu Biao listened attentively.

“Once Zhang Zhengchang arrives, the Huang residence can hardly refuse to receive guests…” Zhu Yuanzhang, having decided to use Zhang Yi and craft the persona of Huang He, had even prepared his own “house” in the capital. Zhang Yi, that sly fox—if not for Zhu Yuanzhang’s trust in Zhang Zhengchang, he wouldn’t have wagered on deceiving him for long.

Since Zhang Zhengchang was coming to the capital, it was only proper to act the part of a devoted friend.

The crown prince was not entirely convinced by his father’s extreme measures—Zhu Yuanzhang could see this—but since Zhu Biao had thoughts of his own, the emperor was not displeased. After all, a sovereign could not be a vacillating, opinionless man; as for the clashes between father and son, these could be left to time to resolve.

Zhu Biao was not opposed to the emperor’s chastening of the Duke of Yansheng, but feared his father’s actions might be too severe.

So, after Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, Zhu Biao gave a silent nod and turned to leave the Eastern Pavilion.

Father understood the son’s mind, and the son knew his father understood—neither spoke of it, a tacit understanding passing between them.

Stepping out of the pavilion, Zhu Biao found himself at a loss for where to go. Only now did he realize that, aside from his father, he had no one with whom he truly wished to speak. His younger brothers were too small to understand, and besides them, who else was there?

Unbidden, the face of Zhang Yi appeared in his mind. Though this younger brother was even younger than his other siblings, he always inspired a sense of trust in Zhu Biao.

“Since Father plans to invite Uncle Zhang, why don’t I go inspect my ‘home’ and invite Brother Zhang Yi to visit as well? Better that than to have Master Zhang arrive and find I don’t even know where my own house is!”

Giving himself this justification, he arranged to leave the palace with his guards and set off straight for the Qingxin Monastery.

“Young Master Huang, you’ve come!” The incense at Qingxin Monastery was as pitiful as ever; to say the place was deserted would be a compliment.

Bored, Deng Zhongxiu was reciting Daoist texts in the main hall. Upon seeing Zhu Biao, he hurried out to welcome him.

“Where is Zhang Yi?” Zhu Biao, following the proper etiquette, placed five hundred coins in the merit box and inquired after Zhang Yi’s whereabouts.

“My junior is fiddling with his things in his room. I daren’t disturb him!”

“Very well, I’ll go in and find him. You all stay here…” Leaving his guards behind, Zhu Biao entered the monastery alone.

Inside, Zhang Yi was sketching diagrams on paper. Seeing Zhu Biao enter, he quickly set down his pen.

“Brother Huang, what brings you here today?”

“I heard from the steward that you stopped by my house looking for me. It occurred to me that though I’m always visiting you, I’ve never invited you to my home. How about coming over today?”

Zhang Yi agreed at once: “Sure! I was just thinking of going out for a stroll. Besides, Senior Deng and I barely know anyone in the capital, and it’s not easy to get into the city. It’d be great to see the sights with you today, brother!”

Zhu Biao smiled. For all Zhang Yi’s mischief, being in his company was oddly relaxing.

With Zhang Yi’s agreement, Zhu Biao turned to leave, but something on Zhang Yi’s desk caught his eye—a drawing filled with unfamiliar lines and shapes. Though he couldn’t decipher it, the ruler-straight lines intrigued him.

“This is a curious way of drawing. What are you working on?”

“I’m designing a cesspit and toilets for the monastery,” Zhang Yi replied.

The subject of toilets held little interest for Zhu Biao, but the writing on Zhang Yi’s paper was unexpectedly neat.

“That’s not a brush… Brother, what are you using?”

“A pencil. I read in the Heavenly Tome that people of the future use these. I made a few myself…”

Zhang Yi knew his brushwork was lacking, so he had fashioned a few pencils, though the quality was poor and the supply scarce due to lack of proper tools. He reserved them for important diagrams and notes.

A pen from the future, learned from the Heavenly Tome? Zhu Biao casually picked one up. “May I have this?”

Though Zhang Yi’s heart bled, he could only assent.

The two left the monastery and boarded the carriage bound for the “Huang residence.” On the way, Zhang Yi sensed something amiss with Zhu Biao.

“Brother Huang, is something troubling you?”

Sensing Zhu Biao’s distraction, Zhang Yi prodded, then teased, “Are you thinking about that girl from the Chang family again?”

No sooner had he spoken than he regretted it, recalling that this elder brother was destined never to be with the Chang girl—why bring her up now?

But Zhu Biao shook his head. “No, it’s just that my father and I have some disagreements. I’m troubled and not sure whether I should talk to you about it…”

“Usually, if someone says that, it means they want to talk,” Zhang Yi grinned, seeing right through Zhu Biao’s thoughts.

Zhu Biao flushed. This boy’s words always defied convention, but he did indeed wish to confide in Zhang Yi.

“It’s like this: today, my father and I heard some rumors from the north—apparently Qufu has fallen… His Majesty summoned the Duke of Yansheng, Kong Kejian, to the capital, but the Duke claimed illness and could not come, so His Majesty ordered General Xu Da to escort the Kong family here regardless!”

Zhang Yi could hardly suppress a laugh. So the Huang father and son were at odds over old Zhu arresting Kong Kejian? What business was it of theirs, really?

“So what happened? Did you quarrel?”

Zhang Yi was all curiosity to hear Zhu Biao’s explanation.

“It wasn’t that serious,” Zhu Biao replied, “just a difference of opinion. He’s my father—I can’t win an argument with him, so I’m left feeling frustrated.”

Zhu Biao trusted his younger brother Zhang enough to share his complicated feelings.

Zhang Yi listened quietly.

“I do think the Kong family has acted poorly, but after all… they’re descendants of the Great Sage, the spiritual anchor of all scholars. His Majesty’s actions might chill the hearts of the learned! Yet my father insists the Kong family must be dealt with. I can’t refute him, so I can only stew in my frustration… By the way, brother, the Kong and Zhang families are both long-standing clans with ties to the previous dynasty. If it were you, how would you handle the Duke of Yansheng?”

Zhu Biao looked expectantly at Zhang Yi, hoping for affirmation. But Zhang Yi regarded him as if he were a fool.

“Kong Kejian? He’s a traitor, plain and simple!”

Zhang Yi showed him no mercy.