REMEMBRANCE 4

"... Am I doing the right things in the eyes of my people? And also, in the eyes of my own family?"

"... What do you think? Everything I do, is it right, or wrong?"

Yes, he remembered that his father once asked him those questions. Undeniably, his father had worked very hard to flourish his country. In order to set a good example for his ministers not to live lavishly, the emperor was willing to live a simple life. During his mother's birthday, instead of having a luxury party, the emperor ordered the court ladies to serve simple and tasteless vegetable soups. No meat could be found there. Zhu Su even almost vomited while eating it. But his father immediately scolded him, "Su! You must be able to experience the misery of the people from the lowest class, only then you can become a great leader who can be sympathetic to his people. If you always live in extravagant life, you will become a leader who only oppresses his people. And I don't want my sons to become such nasty things. My sons must become respected leaders and have a place in the hearts of their people. Hence, Su, you can't spit it out, you must eat the whole of it!"

No leaders in any previous dynasties who could practice the same way his father did now. The emperor also set the laws that improved slaves' standards of living. Slaves, during the Ming Dynasty, should not be treated like animals, let alone be killed as someone liked. The emperor also eased taxes, encouraged people to cultivate land more diligently, and this led to a great progress of economic power. The standard of living which once dropped drastically during the Yuan Dynasty, had now been completely advanced at Ming Dynasty.

"Huang Ye Ye is very concerned with his family, loves his children and grandchildren, and also all Ming people as well. It's really difficult for us to let him go..."

True, he was a very controversial father to Zhu Su. A dictatorial, tyrannical, fierce, perfectionist father with too high expectations for his children. A father who could punish his own son by exiling him. A father who had the heart to torture their children for the sake of "building their characters to be better." But on the other hand. He was a very understanding father, and very aware of his children. Was it the emperor who finally supported him to the completion of his mission? Xiu Zhen Fang could be distributed widely all over Ming, and even reprinted several times, it all thanked to the help from his father.

Could he let his father go without feeling of loss, even in the least?

Did he feel lost with the departure of his father?

Which was his true inner voice?

"Huang Ye Ye, even though you have left us, you will still live in our hearts forever. Thank you for protecting us, and loving us so much. Huang Ye Ye, may you rest in peace."

Zhu Yunwen closed the parchment, handed it to the leader of the funeral ritual. Then he took a wine cup, putting it on the altar. He took another wine cup, and once again, he put it on the altar.

In a sudden Zhu Su remembered of how his father was willing to go to Yunnan to save him. To the extent that the emperor got hit by Xie Wang's poisoned arrow, and almost died right then and there.

True. His father was willing to sacrifice himself just to protect his son.

He did not care about his life anymore. Though he was the emperor who got worshiped all over the country. Just using that reason, the emperor had the right to be selfish and chose not to save him.

However, his father still saved him.

Because, he was his son. His own flesh and blood. His own son.

"... Am I doing the right things in the eyes of my people? And also, in the eyes of my own family?"

Yes... Fu Huang. No human being can be one hundred percent right. But no matter what it takes, you are my own father. A father whom I respect very much, whom I love so much. Farewell, Fu Huang. Please forgive your son's faults, which often made you frustrate in the past. May you rest in peace. And thank you very much, for everything you have done for all of us.

"Once again, do kowtow to pay respect for four times!"

This time, Zhu Su did his last kowtow sincerely from his deepest heart, to escort his father to the afterlife. And, as a statement of devotion to his father, eternally.

"May all of you leave Ming Xiao Ling!"

The summer sun still accompanied the entourage as they left the palace mausoleum. As if it was providing them with warmth, to expel the cold due to their feelings of loss.

***

"Your power will not last long. Later, you will lose your power, as a result of being overthrown by your uncles!"

Sitting on the throne, Zhu Yunwen who had now become the Jianwen Emperor, trembled in great fear as he heard the prophecy foretold by the Imperial Diviner.

"Being overthrown by my uncles?! Then... how about my next fate?..." Zhu Yunwen's voice was quivering when asking.

"About that question... I really do my apology, but that's out of my capability..."

"My uncles..." Zhu Yunwen had his hands clench tightly. "How can they be such merciless to me? We are all kindreds, for Heaven's sake!..."

Qi Tai, the advisor of the emperor, stepped forward and said, "No need to worry, Sire. May I give you a suggestion? Before the enemies move, we must move faster than them. You must prevent your uncles from seizing your power!"

"But... how?..."

"Abolish all systems of Fan Wang Guo. After that, arrest and if possible, sentence all of your uncles to death!"