The convoy finally arrived at Feng Tian Palace * . Passing through a very long tunnel, they thus entered the vast palace complex. The vast yard stretched out, showing the grandiose scenery of one of the largest palaces in the world, with all of its splendor, beauty, and supremacy.
Standing at the front of Main Hall, Zhu Di, his empress, and his big family, as well as the ministers and a long line of servants and bodyguards greeted the arrival of majestic convoy.
Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun got out of their carriages. Along with other members of the convoy, they climbed the stairs to the porch of the hall where Zhu Di and his entourage were standing, then kneeled before Zhu Di. "Greetings to the Emperor! May the Emperor be blessed with a long life of ten thousand years!"
Zhu Di smiled. "Stand up."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty!" They immediately stood up.
Zhu Di soon approached Zhu Su. His formal expression changed as he patted his full brother's shoulder. "Su! You're so great! You manage to capture zouyu! Wow... Such a rare event, not all dynasties can get it... but you can! I am very proud of you, my brother!" He cheered.
Zhu Su grinned. "I thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
"Okay, come in! Tell me the detail about how you could capture the zouyu!"
Zhu Di grabbed Zhu Su's hand, led him into the palace. He was not only very eager to hear the story Zhu Su would tell, more than that, actually, he longed for meeting with his full brother. Hundreds of kilometers separated them and they could not meet often because of that. So this moment was a rare warm togetherness for them.
"This palace is far more beautiful than before." Passing through the corridors, Zhu Su praised. He was indeed fascinated with the beauty of Feng Tian Palace which was more beautiful than his palace. "It is even more beautiful than the era of Yunwen."
"Hahaha! Of course! How can that kid surpass me?! Of course my own must be better than his!" Zhu Di laughed. "Wait... it's nothing. The palace I'm building up in Shuntian is even much better than this!" In the era of Yongle Emperor after Jianwen Emperor was dethroned, Beiping changed its name to Shuntian. "The palace is built by 100,000 experts and artists, and more than 1,000,000 workers. A fantastic project! I indeed plan to make it the most beautiful palace in the world!"
Looking at Zhu Di who was laughing happily, Zhu Su remained quiet. He had heard that so many people had been captured to do forced labor in building the Shuntian Palace - which was no other than the eventually Forbidden City. Only in Kaifeng, hundreds of people had been captured, although Kaifeng was suffered from the flood. Zhu Di was even building Grand Canal at the same time. This was also the main reason Huan Shikang utilized to set rebellion. Does Brother Di never know how miserable the flood victims are? How can he oppress people to such an extent?
Zhu Di was soon aware of Zhu Su's gloomy expression which was out of his expectation. "Are you okay? Do you feel unwell? Ah, by the way, how about your wound? Does it get better?" Assuming that his brother turned gloomy because of his unwell condition, he asked so.
"Many thanks for Your Majesty's attention, I have regained my vigor."
"That's good. You know, your condition at that time was really apprehensive! But I couldn't accompany you any longer because I have to go back to the capital immediately to take care of the country. Thank Heaven, you're okay now!"
"Please don't worry, Your Majesty. Now I am super fine to take care of daily works."
"Anyway, Su, Kaifeng is in riot, right?"
Zhu Di's question made Zhu Su turn cloudy. "Yes... Your Majesty..." He stammered.
"I've heard that news. It makes me tensed up. They accuse us as the must-be-overthrown despots, right?"
More precisely to say, it is me whom they accuse.
"So insolent. Ming has become a superpower country, but they dare to lie saying that the people's condition is getting worse, that we violate the Mandate of Heaven and it's they who are deserved to rule... damn liers! They provoke the people by using defamation to smooth their way to power!"
"It's true, Your Majesty. They Imitate Zhang Jiao who set the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the late period of the Han Dynasty."
"But we live in a different era. That era was so awful, and we are now very far from the word of awful. I have no idea why he has so many followers."
"He uses metaphysical ability to overcome natural disasters, as well as the healing power to fascinate the people, that's why so many people are fascinated by him. And unfortunately at that time a very severe flood crashes, it strengthens his argument that Heaven is on his side!"
"I am so eager to mobilize troops to arrest them!"
"We are now halfway to finish."
Zhu Di stared at Zhu Su sharply. "Are you sure, you can diminish them?"
"Yes."
Zhu Di furrowed. "But I heard that the riots becomes more chaotic instead of subsiding. I don't want this problem to linger on for long time as it concerns the credibility of Ming. They must be arrested as soon as possible, in order to maintain the dignity of our country!"
"For that reason, Your Majesty, then I bring zouyu here. This zouyu is not a haul - it approached me on its own. Zouyu came to us and not to the rebels' side regardless of their brag that they've got Mandate of Heaven. Doesn't zouyu seem to tell the world, who is actually getting the Mandate of Heaven?"
Zhu Di nid-nodded. A big smile appeared on his face. "That's right! I want to see it. Where is that noble creature? Show me!"
A eunuch quickly stepped forward, bowing, "As you wish, Your Majesty."
***
* Feng Tian Palace = the palace served for Ming Dynasty emperors in Nanjing until Zhu Di moved into Forbidden City in Beijing.