Chapter Thirty-Seven: Hua Rong Begins to Shine

While Zhu Hao paused atop his horse, surveying the scene, the procession came to a halt. Emperor Zhu Changluo dismounted first, followed by Zhu Hao, Zhu Youxiao, and the accompanying officials, all of whom respectfully awaited the Emperor’s command.

Zhu Changluo was evidently in high spirits that day, his face alight with smiles as he regarded his two sons. “The Great Ancestor won the realm through a hundred battles, and the Honored Ancestor guarded the empire’s gates with his own hands. For centuries, the nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall have not dared cast a covetous eye upon our Central Plains. Though the realm is now at peace, we must never grow complacent and let our swords and spears rust or our horses run wild on southern pastures. The sons of the House of Zhu must never forget their ancestral teachings: to mount the horse and bring peace to the world, and to dismount and bring peace to the people. Today, I have brought you both here to see if you have neglected your martial training. You may each lead your respective retinues to hunt. Whoever brings back the greatest bounty shall receive this jade pendant as a reward!” As he spoke, Zhu Changluo removed a dragon-shaped jade pendant from his side.

This was no ordinary piece of jade, but the personal adornment of the Son of Heaven, a symbol of imperial authority. The Emperor’s words clearly hinted at a renewed consideration of his heirs, using this contest as a test. Zhu Hao and Zhu Youxiao exchanged glances and noticed their elder brother’s somber expression—he had evidently discerned their father’s true intent. Zhu Hao, understanding this, resolved inwardly that he must support his elder brother. If he himself were to win, even if he were crowned, it would likely not last; it was wiser to follow the course of history and ultimately receive the throne from his brother. Thus, seeing the prize, Zhu Hao’s competitive spirit faded.

Unaware of Zhu Hao’s many thoughts, Zhu Changluo looked at him with fatherly affection. “Youjian, you must show your best today!” he said, offering no words to Zhu Youxiao, nor even a glance, before announcing, “Begin!”

Both sons bowed, mounted their horses, and set off with their entourages. Zhu Hao’s party had not ridden a hundred paces before they spotted a lively little rabbit nibbling on grass, oblivious to the looming danger. Zhu Hao nodded slightly at Hua Rong, who immediately drew an arrow, nocked it to his three-stone bow, and, with practiced ease, pulled it to full draw. The movement was so fluid that Zhu Hao could not help but admire him.

With a sharp “whoosh,” the arrow flashed through the air, striking the rabbit and pinning it to the ground, the shaft burying itself three inches into the earth beyond. The force of the shot astonished all present, who burst into applause.

Yet Zhu Hao gazed at the rabbit’s still form, a strange feeling stirring within him. Life was indeed fragile; a weak little rabbit at the mercy of human power, its fate toyed with at a whim. Was this not his own situation? In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, if he did not become powerful, his fate might be worse than this rabbit’s. Only by growing strong could he prevent the things he dreaded from coming to pass.

With this realization, Zhu Hao’s pity for the rabbit vanished, his gaze growing cold. “Today I hunt the rabbit; if I am not strong enough, who’s to say I won’t become the hunted one day? Perhaps, for a rabbit living in the imperial hunting grounds, death by arrow is its destined end.”

No longer plagued by compassion, Zhu Hao, accompanied by the marksman Hua Rong, quickly amassed a fine tally: a sika deer, two wild boars, five or six rabbits, and a dozen pheasants—all before noon.

Surveying their spoils, Zhu Hao’s thoughts turned to his elder brother. “I wonder how he’s faring. I hope I haven’t outdone him…”

Just as Zhu Hao was pondering his brother’s situation, he saw Zhu Youxiao galloping toward him at full speed, crying out for help. Zhu Hao was alarmed, unsure of the cause, until the scene behind his brother made everything clear.

A wild boar, easily five or six hundred pounds, thundered in pursuit, its eyes blood-red and three arrows protruding from its head. Clearly enraged and wounded, it tore after Zhu Youxiao like a charging incense burner—a comical sight if not for the gravity of the danger. Zhu Hao realized at once: Zhu Youxiao and his men had only wounded the beast, not slain it, and now its fury had turned deadly. If it caught up to his brother, there would be no hope of survival.

At that critical moment, Zhu Hao shouted, “Hua Rong!”

Hua Rong understood instantly, drawing another arrow and, with the same effortless grace, nocking it to his powerful bow. He aimed at the boar and cried, “Strike!”

With a piercing whistle, the arrow shot forth like lightning, entering through the boar’s head and exiting at the hindquarters before finally lodging in the earth some distance away. The massive beast, for all its size, could not withstand such a wound. It staggered a moment, then crashed to the ground.

Zhu Youxiao, looking back from horseback, saw the boar fall and breathed a sigh of relief. He tried to rein his horse to a stop, not wanting to barrel into Zhu Hao’s party. But whether from lingering panic or the horse’s fright, pulling the reins only spurred the animal faster, and it bolted wildly, out of control.

Now pale with fear, Zhu Youxiao seemed at a complete loss. Zhu Hao grew more anxious by the second. Just then, Hua Rong leapt from his horse, flipped through the air, and landed deftly on Zhu Youxiao’s mount. He snatched the reins and hauled them tight. The horse reared and screamed, but Hua Rong’s expert skill brought it to a halt. He dismounted first, then helped the ashen-faced Zhu Youxiao down.

It was a long moment before Zhu Youxiao recovered his wits. Bowing to Hua Rong, he said, “You must be my royal brother’s guard. I owe you my life—thank you!”

Hua Rong quickly returned the gesture. “I am indeed Fifth Prince’s escort. This is but my duty, Your Highness; you need not thank me.”

Seeing the two engaged in conversation, Zhu Hao dismounted and approached. “Brother, what happened? Where are your guards? Why are you alone?”

Zhu Hao’s swift dismount was prompted by genuine concern, but also by a worry: Hua Rong’s loyalty was still uncertain, and if he grew too close to Zhu Youxiao, Zhu Hao might lose him to his brother’s camp.

Catching sight of Zhu Hao, Zhu Youxiao could no longer converse with Hua Rong and immediately exclaimed, “It was a close call—thank heavens you were here. We discovered the wild boar and tried to bring it down, but its hide was too thick. Even three arrows didn’t finish it; instead, we enraged it. My guards sacrificed themselves to cover my escape—I know not what’s become of them, but their chances are grim. It’s all my fault!” Tears welled in his eyes as he spoke.

Zhu Hao was moved. As imperial children, they were protected at the cost of others’ lives—a harsh reality of their time. In this era, imperial authority reigned supreme, and dying in its defense was seen as an honor.

Seeing his brother’s grief, Zhu Hao tried to comfort him. “Brother, you mustn’t be so distraught. If those brave men knew you were safe, they would feel their sacrifice worthwhile. When you sit on the throne, do more for the common folk, and you’ll have done right by them. The future of the Ming rests on your shoulders—take care of yourself.”

Zhu Hao’s words soothed Zhu Youxiao somewhat, but soon his expression grew troubled again. “It’s already midday, and I haven’t hunted a thing. If I return to Father like this, he’ll surely be displeased. Who knows whom he’ll favor for the throne? He seems to think highly of you, brother. If you become Emperor of Ming, then do more good for the people—let that be your repayment for the guards who died for me today.”

Zhu Hao was chilled to the core by these words. He now knew he must not take the Dragon Throne. If his father could not avoid his fate in the Red Pill case, then it was essential that his elder brother succeed him. With their current relationship, if his brother ascended, Zhu Hao would be protected. If anyone else, or even he himself, were to sit the throne, the path would surely lead to ruin.