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

Chapter 50: Treatment Begins

Yang Pu couldn't understand Zhu Gaochi's intention in asking this question, but he was clear on one point: this question required an objective and practical response.

After a moment's thought, Yang Pu frowned and said, "Your Highness, Xie Jin's talent is exceptional, and I am ashamed to admit my inferiority. Within the Ming Dynasty, there are few who can rival Xie Jin's talent."

However, Xie Jin also became arrogant because of his talent, and was arrogant and disdainful of others.

Later, he gained the emperor's favor, compiled extraordinary books, presided over the imperial examinations, and became a Grand Secretary and then the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. He became even more arrogant and disdainful of others.

Xie Jin considered himself an indispensable person to the Ming Dynasty and repeatedly offered advice to the emperor, but he did not know how to advance or retreat.

But talented people are often sentimental, lingering on night boats on the Huai River, their students and relatives accepting bribes, and they show no remorse.

Zhu Gaochi listened quietly. Yang Pu actually said a lot, almost all of which were about Xie Jin's shortcomings.

Zhu Gaochi was also aware of these things.

In the beginning, Xie Jin was arrogant and rude to others because he believed that his talents were superior to others and therefore looked down on them.

But before, Xie Jin knew when to restrain himself, unlike now.

In Zhu Gaochi's view, the change during this period was simply that Xie Jin's official career during the Yongle reign was too smooth.

After experiencing setbacks during the Hongwu era, he retired for eight years before re-emerging, and now he has become the top official in the cabinet and Zhu Di's favorite minister.

In just over four years, they have covered a distance that most people cannot cover in a lifetime.

The lack of setbacks in his official career also changed Xie Jin's mentality, making him even more arrogant.

But there is no denying that Xie Jin's talent and learning were truly unparalleled.

Moreover, Xie Jin did not engage in infighting or form cliques for personal gain.

Because among all the civil and military officials, there wasn't a single one who could truly get along with Xie Jin, which shows how arrogant and offended people he was.

Zhu Gaochi listened to what Yang Pu said before slowly speaking.

"You've made it very clear. It's a good thing that Xie Jin is being punished now. When things are going too smoothly for someone, it's actually not a good thing."

Xie Jin's personality also needs some tempering so that he can rediscover his former self.

It's not the right time to plead for Xie Jin yet; we should ignore it for now.

Moreover, I still need to consult medical books to treat my mother; this matter is of utmost importance.

Upon hearing this, Yang Pu already knew Zhu Gaochi's thoughts and remained silent.

Zhu Gaochi's words clearly showed that he still had high hopes for Xie Jin, but now he needed to temper Xie Jin's temperament.

Just as Yang Pu was about to leave, Zhu Gaochi's voice came again.

"After you go down, go see Jie Jin and tell him that I don't have time right now. Also, let him think carefully about where he went wrong this time."

Tell him directly that this is what I asked you to convey to him. Think about why Xia Yuanji and Jian Yi were also against it, and why they got away with it, while he was punished.

As for coming to see me, there's no need. Right now, I need to focus on studying medical books.

Zhu Gaochi hoped that Xie Jin would heed these words.

There's no need to say too much to someone like Xie Jin; the important thing is that he can figure it out himself, otherwise, it's all in vain.

As for preventing Xie Jin from coming to him, Zhu Gaochi could guess that after such an incident, Xie Jin would definitely come to him for help.

In Zhu Gaochi's view, Xie Jin's punishment this time was highly suspicious.

It seems that Zhu Di punished Xie Jin because of what he said, but whether Xie Jin's words could actually be punished depended on Zhu Di's mood.

After being rebuked by him so many times, Zhu Di could see that Zhu Di's patience had improved compared to before. In addition, this incident was not enough to make Zhu Di show his joy in front of many people.

Thinking back on what had happened between him and Zhu Di during this period, Zhu Gaochi had a gut feeling.

That was Zhu Di setting him up.

Zhu Gaochi wasn't sure if this intuition was true, but the possibility was extremely high.

Zhu Di seemed certain that he would intervene once Xie Jin was punished.

By the time someone reached a position like Xie Jin, as long as they were a true core official of the court, and as long as they hadn't committed a crime that crossed the line, Zhu Di's punishments were often no longer based on that specific crime.

The reason an official is punished to this extent is certainly because of the person himself, not because of the crime he committed.

Zhu Gaochi understood this principle.

But what puzzled him was what kind of scheme Zhu Di was setting for him, and what Zhu Di suspected about him.

Although he couldn't quite understand it, as long as he didn't respond, no matter what bad ideas Zhu Di had, it wouldn't matter.

After Yang Pu left, Zhu Gaochi continued reading.

Those things were ultimately just a passing episode.

After a long while, Zhu Gaochi suddenly walked out of the study.

"Someone come here! Summon Jiang Yongwen, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, along with his deputy Dai Sigong, chief physician Yuan Bao, and Zhao Daolong! Quickly!"

As soon as Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, the eunuchs outside hurriedly left.

Zhu Gaochi took a book and went to the pavilion outside, where he was deep in thought.

A moment later, Zhang Yan hurried over.

"What happened?"

Zhang Yan approached Zhu Gaochi with a look of concern and worry.

Zhu Gaochi opened his eyes and shook his head.

"Don't worry, I saw a method in a medical book that should work for Mother's illness, so I sent someone to invite people from the Imperial Hospital."

Zhu Gaochi did not hide anything and told the truth directly.

Hearing this, Zhang Yan's heart jumped into her throat.

"You decide this yourself, I trust you!"

Zhang Yan had a thousand words to say, and she was filled with worry about this matter.

How long has Zhu Gaochi been reading medical books? How could he find a solution?

She genuinely didn't believe it.

But now, the thing she had been worried about had just come true ahead of time. Zhang Yan, who had already prepared herself mentally, could only trust Zhu Gaochi now.

Zhang Yan has come to terms with it; it would be best if she could recover.

If Zhu Gaochi is deposed, she will share the consequences with him.

"A woman follows her husband wherever he goes," as the saying goes. Having married Zhu Gaochi, she was destined to face everything together with him.

Zhu Gaochi stood up with a smile and put his arm around Zhang Yan.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

After the two stayed for a while, Zhang Yan went downstairs.

Nowadays, except for a short rest at noon, Zhang Yan spends all her time learning from Xu Miaoyun how to manage the inner palace and harem.

Before long, Jiang Yongwen and the others arrived.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Alright, let's go inside and talk."

Zhu Gaochi had no interest in chatting with the others. After entering the room, he inquired again about Xu Miaoyun's current condition and medication, and then placed the medical book he was holding on the table.

"From what you have said, and from what I understand, Mother's illness may be caused by past hardships, or it may be caused by frequent childbirth."

However, the medicines you use are the same ones used for the illness that has recently broken out in the Empress Dowager's body, and they are mild in nature.

"Then, haven't you considered another possibility?"

Zhu Gaochi looked at the group with a serious expression. He had come up with this idea after seeing the medical book.

Considering later speculations, Xu Miaoyun's illness was actually neither complicated nor simple.

It was most likely that she fell ill due to overwork. Zhu Gaochi was well aware that Xu Miaoyun had been busy with many affairs ever since she married Zhu Di and went to Beiping.

Although I was tired back then, I still had some free time occasionally.

The most arduous period was during the years of Zhu Di's Jingnan Rebellion. It can be said that the rear, logistics, and many other matters all fell on Xu Miaoyun's shoulders.

People only know that he was in charge of the rear in Beiping at that time, but how many people know that the real person in charge was Xu Miaoyun?

Zhu Gaochi was able to govern the country and had considerable governing ability, not because he learned well during the Hongwu period, but because Xu Miaoyun personally taught him during the Jingnan Rebellion in Beiping.

It was through hands-on practice and instruction that Zhu Gaochi accumulated experience and developed the ability to govern the country.

Furthermore, Xu Miaoyun also attributed the credit for stabilizing the rear and logistics, as well as the initial defense of Beiping, to Zhu Gaochi.

He remembers that during that period, Xu Miaoyun stayed up almost every night, and often stayed up all night.

Many diseases were actually left over from that time.

In addition, Zhu Gaochi did not forget about the frequent childbirths that later generations speculated.

He wasn't sure if that was true or not, so he had to call these people over to find out what was going on.

Since he was going to treat the patient in this way, he needed to understand the situation thoroughly.