From Zhu Zhanji’s horseback riding to archery posture, one could tell at a glance that he had received expert instruction – not from ordinary riding and archery instructors. Emperor Yongle and others understood this well and weren’t particularly surprised. However, Prince Han, Prince Zhao, and others were all amazed.

They only knew that their eldest nephew had been sent away as a “spark of hope” during Beijing’s turbulent period for individual protection, thinking that in such remote, impoverished places avoiding the world, what experience could he have gained?

Seeing him thin as a skeleton, weak as a little chick, with a pale white face where blue blood vessels were clearly visible, they thought this sickly appearance probably made him even weaker than his obese, frequently ill father. Alas, they wondered if he could even survive to adulthood.

But Zhu Zhanji had remained silent for seven years, then amazed everyone with his first cry. Who could have imagined that beneath his frail appearance lay such superior martial arts as three simultaneous arrows?

Zhu Zhanji did this intentionally. After returning to the palace, observing the subtle relationships between family members and relatives, he knew his father was in a precarious position with Second Uncle Prince Han eyeing the Eastern Palace covetously. As the Eastern Palace’s eldest imperial grandson, he had no choice. As the saying goes, “children from poor families take charge early” – at only seven years old, Zhu Zhanji knew he had to prop up the tottering Eastern Palace.

Therefore, when performing before Emperor Yongle previously, he had deliberately held back, just hitting the target adequately. He was preparing to amaze everyone on Dragon Boat Festival willow-shooting day, letting others know that though his father’s health was poor, he could compensate for his father’s shortcomings.

The Crown Prince’s eldest son’s stunning debut naturally earned full applause. Emperor Yongle called his eldest grandson to his side, sighing that the Zhu family had worthy successors.

What was expected to be the Eastern Palace’s humiliation unexpectedly reversed into the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s stunning first performance. Prince Han was greatly disappointed. Where exactly had the Crown Prince’s eldest son been raised these five years? What divine figure had trained him? Could there be some mysterious force unknown to others in the Ming Dynasty? Did all these forces belong to the Crown Prince’s eldest son?

Know yourself and your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat. Prince Han felt he needed to reassess the Eastern Palace’s strength. So whom should he ask for information?

The emperor had sent Eunuch Sanbao and Jinyiwei Commander Ji Gang to fetch the child. Eunuch Sanbao was the emperor’s confidant with tight lips – questioning him would likely yield nothing and might arouse the emperor’s suspicion. Ji Gang, having mixed in officialdom for so many years, had more room for conversation.

So Prince Han arranged a dinner with Ji Gang to gather intelligence.

Ji Gang was indeed a veteran of three reigns – Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle. Prince Han’s invitation honored him and couldn’t be refused, so he gladly attended.

During the banquet, Ji Gang listened to pleasant words, drank good wine, admired beauties, and accepted gifts, receiving Prince Han’s sugar-coated bullets – but while eating the sugar coating, he returned all the bullets to Prince Han.

Ji Gang pretended to be drunk, his mouth clamped shut like a clam shell, refusing to be pried open for any words.

With Emperor Yongle’s persistence, Prince Han wouldn’t give up, ordering his subordinates to summon his five-year-old legitimate eldest son Zhu Zhanhe.

Zhu Zhanhe was born to Prince Han’s wife Lady Wei. Despite his young age, he was already enfeoffed as Prince Han’s heir apparent. His appearance and build closely resembled his father Prince Han – both had round faces, large heads, tall and sturdy builds, looking imposingly dignified. On Dragon Boat Festival willow-shooting day, he had also hit three targets, but since Eastern Palace eldest cousin Zhu Zhanji appeared first with his three simultaneous arrows technique, stealing all attention, despite his best efforts, the response was lukewarm.

As heir apparent with noble status, Ji Gang quickly stood to bow. Zhu Zhanhe, like a little adult, helped Ji Gang up: “Director Ji, no need for ceremony. Today I want to ask Director Ji for a favor.”

Ji Gang looked at this child sitting in a chair with feet not reaching the ground, swinging back and forth, yet with such a serious manner – he found it quite amusing: “What instructions does the heir apparent have? Please speak freely – this minister will do his utmost.”

Zhu Zhanhe said: “On Dragon Boat Festival willow-shooting day, eldest cousin performed excellently with three simultaneous arrows. His riding and archery skills amazed even father king. Though I also hit three arrows, I was far inferior to eldest cousin. Knowing shame leads to courage – these past days I’ve been diligently practicing at Prince Han’s mansion, but haven’t grasped the essentials. My hands are worn raw, yet I’ve made no progress.”

While speaking, Zhu Zhanhe showed Ji Gang his injured hands – small palms with several burst blood blisters: “Famous teachers produce outstanding students. Eldest cousin wasn’t born knowing archery. I want to ask Director Ji – who is the master who taught eldest cousin riding and archery? I greatly admire him and would gladly make three visits to his cottage to request instruction.”

Generally, by the third emperor in imperial families, passion had cooled. Imperial clan disciples had long abandoned their ancestors’ horseback military skills, turning to literature and arts instead. Even fierce bloodlines like the Yuan Dynasty’s Golden Family couldn’t avoid this pattern. However, because Emperor Yongle was history’s only vassal prince who successfully rebelled to gain the throne, this infected the Zhu family’s martial passion into the fourth generation, with military arts and strategy remaining their learning focus.

Despite his young age, Zhu Zhanhe was modest, polite, and respectful to the worthy, quickly gaining Ji Gang’s favorable impression.

One must know that when Ji Gang went to fetch Crown Prince’s eldest son Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Zhanji had insisted on personally bidding farewell to his foster mother Hu Shanwei, publicly embarrassing Ji Gang – that slap in the face still stung. Of course, Ji Gang wouldn’t stoop to calculating with a seven-year-old child, but he felt Zhu Zhanji was too pretentious, being courteous yet coldly distant to people, quite arrogant, as if afraid others wouldn’t know his noble birth.

Zhu Zhanhe’s sincerity and self-deprecating approach to building relationships, plus seeing his palm’s blood blisters, made Ji Gang find this child quite interesting – his words were pleasant to hear.

But Mu Chun’s feigned death and secret marriage to Hu Shanwei were state secrets that could only be told to the emperor, empress, and Eastern Palace.

Ji Gang shamelessly patted his chest: “This minister taught him.”

Hearing this, Prince Han choked on his tea, coughing uncontrollably. Ji Gang was adequate at intelligence work, but his martial arts and military strategy were truly mediocre, far inferior to Prince Han’s. Could such a teacher produce a student like Zhu Zhanji?

Moreover, the timing didn’t match – it was clearly a lie. During the four-year Jingnan Campaign, Ji Gang was running around gathering intelligence everywhere. How could he have time to teach Zhu Zhanji?

Hearing his father’s cough, Zhu Zhanhe knew Ji Gang was being evasive. Being still a child, he puffed his cheeks angrily: “Director Ji is deceiving children, not keeping his word. I’m angry.”

Ji Gang mysteriously lowered his voice: “Some things this minister cannot speak directly about. The riding and archery skill of three simultaneous arrows – Prince Han’s grandfather, Duke Zhongshan Xu Da, knew it. Additionally, there was another outstanding general at court then – Prince Zhaojing Mu Ying was also skilled with bow and horse. Family scholarly traditions… Prince Han is well-read and should understand this minister’s meaning.”

Prince Han immediately understood: “These five years, Zhu Zhanji was hidden in Yunnan at Duke Qianguo’s Mu mansion? Excellent! No wonder when Huang Zicheng went to Yunnan to recruit troops, Duke Qianguo Mu Sheng refused to send forces citing southwestern defense duties. So father emperor had already brought the southwestern Mu mansion into his fold. This means Duke Qianguo Mu Sheng was Zhu Zhanji’s riding and archery instructor.”

Everyone knew that second-generation Duke Qianguo Mu Ying and Emperor Gaozhu died successively, so Prince Han could only guess it was third-generation Duke Qianguo Mu Sheng.

Ji Gang smiled: “This minister said nothing – Prince Han guessed everything himself. Your Highness must not repeat this minister’s words.”

Seeing Ji Gang’s reaction, Prince Han was even more certain of his guess: “I was too stupid – I should have guessed it was Yunnan’s Mu mansion earlier. During the four-year Jingnan Campaign, looking across the entire Ming Dynasty, only Yunnan remained consistently stable. That place was full of new immigrants who didn’t know each other. Even seeing a group of unfamiliar outsiders was common – easiest to hide people and safest.”

Zhu Zhanhe clung to his father’s arm coquettishly: “Father king, I also want Duke Qianguo to teach me riding and archery. Next time in archery competition, I can’t lose to eldest cousin again.”

Eldest cousin was thin as a mantis – Zhu Zhanhe hadn’t taken him seriously. Before cousin’s return, he had always been the imperial family’s focus, the emperor’s favorite grandson. But once cousin returned, the emperor’s attention was almost entirely on cousin alone. This contrast made Zhu Zhanhe quite displeased.

Losing to a mantis – how could he accept this?

Ji Gang thought silently: Imperial clan children compete openly and secretly, not properly enjoying wealth and honor. Adults are one thing, but five- and seven-year-old brats – isn’t this the age for playing with mud and stealing birds’ nests? Why does each live more exhaustingly than I do?

Ji Gang felt these imperial children had forgotten to drink Meng Po’s soup when reincarnating – they were born as adults. How innocent and lively he had been as a child!

Prince Han said: “Duke Qianguo is far away in Yunnan – how could he teach you? I’ll find you another good teacher.”

Zhu Zhanhe’s stubborn streak emerged: “I don’t want anyone else! I only want Duke Qianguo!”

Having been pampered since childhood with almost no refusals to his desires, Prince Han felt regretful but wasn’t angry, patiently explaining to his son: “You’re talking childish nonsense – the Mu family’s hereditary garrison of Yunnan is fundamental national policy established by Emperor Gaozhu. This is ancestral law. That incompetent previous emperor repeatedly changed ancestral laws – what was his fate? Moreover, Duke Qianguo is a border commander who cannot enter the capital without imperial summons or leave Yunnan. Do you think he’s an ordinary general who comes at call and leaves at will? Give up this idea early.”

For the first time, Zhu Zhanhe was scolded by his father before outsiders. Tears welled in his eyes, but wanting to save face and not cry publicly, he angrily jumped down from his chair and ran away.

Prince Han apologized to Ji Gang: “The child was rash, leaving without farewell – making Director Ji witness this comedy.”

Ji Gang actually found Prince Han’s heir apparent endearing – now he looked like a proper child: “The heir apparent is innocent and adorable – how could this adult minister hold grudges against a child?”

One must admit Prince Han had reasons for winning over many court ministers in one year – besides his handsome appearance and literary-military talents, he was skilled at interpersonal relations. Who doesn’t like being respected and hearing pleasant words?

After the banquet, both host and guest gained what they sought, departing satisfied after eating and drinking well.

The next day, Ji Gang secretly reported yesterday’s banquet to Emperor Yongle: “…This minister’s every word was not deceptive – Prince Han understood everything himself. However, this minister feels that the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s five-year disappearance surely interests more than just Prince Han alone – we can’t keep hiding it forever.”

Ji Gang was no longer the mindless vase of the past. With Emperor Yongle as such a powerful patron to embrace, switching to Prince Han’s embrace would be pipe dreaming. His loyalty could only go to Emperor Yongle – interactions with Prince Han were mere performance.

Observing Emperor Yongle’s noncommittal expression, Ji Gang continued: “Moreover, from age two to seven, the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s appearance has changed considerably. If someone makes an issue of this, it could harm the Crown Prince’s eldest son. This minister thinks we should go with the flow and tacitly acknowledge this matter – this way there’s an explanation for the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s education and upbringing, preventing others from questioning his mysterious origins.”

This made sense. Having Duke Qianguo Mu Ying as the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s enlightenment teacher benefited him and avoided gossip.

Emperor Yongle was currently most fond of this eldest grandson. Hearing Ji Gang’s reasoning, he agreed: “Transmit my secret decree – have Duke Qianguo Mu Ying cooperate to round out the Crown Prince’s eldest son’s background story.”

Having Mu Ying take responsibility was a safe method. They couldn’t expose Mu Chun and Hu Shanwei’s relationship, especially Hu Shanwei, who was involved in too many shocking secrets. Without her behind-the-scenes intelligence and instigation of mutual destruction between Emperor Jianwen and his mother, how could the Jianwen reign have collapsed so quickly?

Such weapons of mass destruction should remain hidden, not easily deployed.

Ji Gang received orders and left. Returning to the Jinyiwei office with his bottom barely warming the seat, people from Prince Han’s mansion hurriedly came requesting he visit the mansion: “Director Ji, our heir apparent has run away! The princess consort fainted from shock. The prince has taken people to pursue him, sending me to request Director Ji’s help in the search!”

Involving imperial grandson safety, this was no longer personal friendship. Ji Gang quickly ordered people to report to Emperor Yongle while he first took people to Prince Han’s mansion to understand the situation.

By then, Prince Han’s consort had awakened, eyes red from crying, showing Ji Gang the letter left by heir apparent Zhu Zhanhe.

The five-year-old child’s handwriting was more regular than adults’. Ji Gang looked and used his lifetime’s cultivation to barely restrain his laughter:

This little rascal Zhu Zhanhe had threatened and bribed his wet nurse’s family – an adult milk brother and several servants – to take him fleeing to Yunnan to find Duke Qianguo for “apprenticeship in martial arts.”

“I never knew he secretly read such improper novels.” Prince Han’s consort threw several books onto the table – covers showing Four Books and Five Classics and other sage texts, but contents being market fantasy novels about martial arts and cultivation: “Petty people kept flattering the heir apparent, using these shallow novels to entice him. A perfectly good child was led astray.”

Ji Gang thought silently: No wonder the Prince Han mansion steward reporting the case was evasive, unwilling to directly explain why the heir apparent ran away – so it was this kind of “scandal.”

What kind of scandal was this? In ten years, same covers would contain even more vulgar “romantic” novels.

When Hu Shanwei served as Director of Palace Attendants, inspecting the Eastern and Western Five Palaces where princes lived in Qianqing Palace, she had confiscated many such things… Alas, why was he thinking of her again?

Ji Gang slapped his forehead hard, knocking Hu Shanwei out of his mind.

Imperial children matured quickly. When ordinary people were still ignorant children, Prince Han’s heir apparent had reached his rebellious phase, enjoying fantasies. Reading some market martial arts novels with protagonists falling off cliffs, into water, wandering and encountering various adventures – hermit masters, immortal caves, martial arts manuals, etc.

Cousin Zhu Zhanji left home for five years with mysterious whereabouts, returning to shoot three simultaneous arrows brilliantly – this was exactly like novel protagonists’ lives!

Zhu Zhanhe was absorbed reading these, deeply envious, wanting to emulate his cousin.

At this moment, Prince Han’s heir apparent Zhu Zhanhe’s boat had reached Jiujiang in Jiangxi. To avoid detection, he wore bright red jacket and skirt with butterfly bows in his hair, disguised as a girl, yet stood at the deck railing with hands crossed behind his back in a pointing-at-rivers-and-mountains, passionate-writing, generous-spirited pose:

Since Duke Qianguo cannot come to the capital as my riding and archery teacher, I’ll go to Yunnan to visit Duke Qianguo, master the three simultaneous arrows technique, and return accomplished, making everyone look at me with new eyes!

Thinking this, Zhu Zhanhe changed from hands-behind-back stance to left hand on hip, right hand raised high in a tight fist.