Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 580 Nine Links

Zhu Yunwen suddenly realized that his understanding of the matter was too superficial. He needed to take a new step from his current certainty and confusion and seek a higher vision.

He got it.

This is what the imperial master calls the art of ruling.

It's all about balance.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of the family struggles and political games.

In his heart, as a member of the family, Zhu Yunwen needs to face the family's mission and responsibility. It is very important to maintain independent judgment and tenacity in this struggle of intrigue.

Did Zhu Yunwen understand? He had an epiphany.

He no longer paid too much attention to the superficial storms, but instead turned his gaze to the broader horizon.

Zhu Yunwen no longer felt the heavy burden on his shoulders, but his heart was filled with concern for the rise and fall of his family and country.

Back to the topic, before Zhu Yunwen finished speaking in the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang angrily criticized Zhu Yunwen: "You only care about money and try every means to plunder the common people's wealth all day long. This is unreasonable."

His angry scolding made Zhu Yunwen's face turn pale, and his heart was filled with grievance and anger.

……

The next day.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was solemn.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally welcomed the Annan envoy, and the main reason for his visit was to resolve the dispute over firearms.

The envoys reported that the Portuguese army, with the support of local armed forces, captured the capital city of Medan, which had not happened in Annan for hundreds of years.

Zhu Yuanzhang was worried that this was a sign of things to come, a sign that would affect the future of the dynasty.

My banquet was magnificent, with fragrant spices and rich and varied dishes. The ministers in their best attire listened attentively to the conversation between Zhu Yuanzhang and the envoy from Annan. The atmosphere in the palace was solemn, which seemed to add a bit of solemnity to this important negotiation.

The Annan envoy had a ruddy face, white hair on his temples, and a strong body.

He stood up to toast, but Zhu Yuanzhang looked indifferent, obviously not caring much about his arrival.

"Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the King of Annan, whom I represent, deeply apologizes for the dispute over guns."

"But at the same time we want to resolve this situation and we are ready to make concessions for the sake of peace and friendship between our two countries."

"But there is one thing. We need to get a trade-off, which is also a proof of Ming's national strength."

"This is the puzzle I am carrying. If someone in your country can solve it, we are willing to double our tribute."

With a slight smile, "Oh, what's the problem?"

The Annan envoy brushed off the dust on his sleeves and took out an intricate metal ring from his arms. The details of the nine linked rings exuded a sharp and mysterious atmosphere.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not unfamiliar with the Nine-Ring Chain. In the early Ming Dynasty, someone had presented him with similar items, but no one could uncover them.

"I've heard that this Nine-Ring Linked Link is one of the most difficult problems in the world, but my Ming Dynasty has produced many talented people since ancient times, and I'm afraid I may have stumbled upon it by accident." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly.

The messenger's smile froze, "Your Majesty, if someone can solve it, it is not a matter of fate, but a matter of accidental discovery."

These words seemed to be somewhat ironic. Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and stared at the wine glass in his hand silently. In the east wing, several ministers were ready to go. Everyone was full of expectations, as if the problem of the Annan envoy had become a crown on their heads.

They were like a few wild horses that had broken free from their reins, and their already turbulent hearts inevitably felt even more regretful.

Let’s give it a try, a burly minister finally couldn’t help but stand up.

He held a silver chopstick in his hand, staring at the nine-ring chain, sometimes frowning slightly, sometimes reaching out to touch it, as if he was performing a silent battle with the chopsticks in his hand.

In an instant, a thin layer of sweat seeped out of his forehead, and his hands kept stroking the various links of the nine-ring chain, as if trying to find the mystery in it.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang on the stage smiled slightly and was not in a hurry to draw conclusions.

Another minister with a prominent career was not to be outdone. He, who had been so elegant, was now moved, with a burning desire flashing in his eyes.

He sighed softly, and then tried to use other toys, as if looking for a breakthrough.

The crowd on the stage seemed slightly distracted, but the Annan envoy's gaze remained fixed on the nine-ring chain, with a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Finally, an hour passed, and everyone put down the objects in their hands at the same time, left with a sigh of defeat and silence, leaving behind a scene of loss and helplessness.

The Annan envoy laughed several times, looking extremely proud. He bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang on the stage without hesitation, as if he was confidently saying, "The Scorpio of the Ming Dynasty is invincible, and now he has finally revealed his true appearance."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes fixed, as if a raging fire was rising in his heart as he watched the Annan envoy feel proud.

He smiled and said, since the foreign officials are so proud, why not let me take their place and try to solve the secret of this difficult problem.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the nine-ring chain with a deep look in his eyes, as if he was looking for something.

He began to stroke the metal ring, observing it carefully, stroking it and kneading it. He seemed to have merged into the world of the nine-ring chain, and the people in the audience were waiting quietly in a tense mood.

The noisy voices in the crowd gradually quieted down, and Zhu Yuanzhang's movements became more delicate, as if he was trying to figure out the solution to this difficult problem.

Gradually, a glimmer of light flashed out from the Nine Rings. Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to suddenly realize something and smiled slightly. He flicked it lightly, and the Nine Rings suddenly dispersed silently in full view of everyone.

There was silence all around, with only Zhu Yuanzhang's slightly raised mouth corners and the Annan envoy's wide eyes.

"This...this is impossible." Thin beads of cold sweat oozed from the messenger's forehead.

Zhu Yuanzhang returned the Nine Rings to the messenger. In fact, the problem was not the difficulty of the puzzle, but the interpretation of the mind. It is difficult to solve a new puzzle with a conservative mindset.

The Annan envoy turned pale and felt extremely remorseful. The smug look he had shown was long gone, replaced by deep shame.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and looked at the envoy. "I am full of confidence. The ministers of the Ming Dynasty are talented and absolutely not inferior to any other country. I hope that this success will become a new starting point for the friendly exchanges between the two countries."

The messenger stopped talking, looked a little helpless, and left in a somewhat embarrassed manner.

After the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang and his ministers praised each other for this feat. However, everyone, including Zhu Yuanzhang, knew that after this victory, the Ming Dynasty would be more coveted by external forces, and would need to unite as one to resolve internal disputes and problems.

At the court session the next day, a tense atmosphere enveloped the entire hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, looking handsome and elegant, like an emperor, facing the challenge from the Annan envoy.

Yesterday’s nine-link puzzle was already an eye-opener, and now everyone was looking forward to what kind of test the Annan envoy would bring.

(End of this chapter)