King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

"Forget it, who made me feel good today?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head in a helpless manner, fumbling around on his body for a long time, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "Huh? Could it be that the money grew legs and ran out on its own?"

As he spoke, he took out a silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to the bearded soldier.

The bearded soldier was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting that the old man could actually take out money. He took the silver and weighed it. After confirming that it was genuine, he put away the water and fire stick and waved his hand impatiently:

"Alright, alright, be careful next time! Don't let me catch you spitting again!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded, without saying anything more, turned around and was about to leave.

"Hey, old man, I haven't got your change yet!"

The bearded soldier shouted.

"No need to change, I'll just buy you some candy!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand without even turning his head, and disappeared into the crowd with big strides.

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's departing back, the bearded soldier scratched his head, looking puzzled.

"Is this old man a fool?" A soldier nearby came over and whispered.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left, he did not rush to the Prince of Lu's Palace, but strolled around the city.

As he walked and observed along the way, he found that Yanzhou City was indeed very different from what he remembered.

The streets are clean and tidy, people live and work in peace and contentment, and even the shops on the street have many more novel things than before.

"This old man is really good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded secretly in his heart, and his original anger dissipated a lot, replaced by a trace of relief and curiosity.

As he was walking around, he came to the door of an inn.

This inn is uniquely decorated, with two big red lanterns hanging in front of the door, with the two gold-plated characters "Home Inn" written on them, making it look particularly grand.

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested and walked in.

As soon as I entered the door, the waiter came up to me warmly:

"Sir, please come in! Do you want to stay or just have a meal?"

"Let's stay in a hotel. Please ask for a room upstairs!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, sticking the crutch in his hand on the ground.

"Okay! Please go upstairs, sir!" The waiter took the crutches and enthusiastically led Zhu Yuanzhang upstairs.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked around and found that the interior decoration of the inn was more exquisite, with carved beams and painted buildings, and it was magnificent, completely different from the inn he had in mind.

"This inn has a unique flavor."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction, and his evaluation of Zhu Tan became higher.

After settling down, Zhu Yuanzhang asked the eunuch who was accompanying him to inquire about the news while he rested in the room.

As night fell, Zhu Yuanzhang felt bloated and got up to go to the bathroom.

"Someone come!" he shouted to the door.

The eunuch immediately pushed the door open and walked in: "Your Majesty, what do you want?"

"It's getting late, and I want to go to the bathroom, but this toilet..."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked around but found no sign of the chamber pot.

The eunuch also looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, this... I will go ask the store owner right now."

After a while, the eunuch came back with a strange smile on his face: "Your Majesty, the store owner said that the toilet is in the room."

"In the room?" Zhu Yuanzhang was even more confused. "Where is it?"

The eunuch pointed to a white porcelain object in the corner of the room that looked like a chair: "The shopkeeper said, this is it..."

When Zhu Yuanzhang got closer, he saw a bucket next to the "seat" with a wooden stick attached to it.

"This... what is this?" Zhu Yuanzhang became even more confused.

The eunuch shook his head, indicating that he didn't know either.

At this time, the innkeeper came over after hearing the news. Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's puzzled look, he immediately burst into laughter:
"Sir, is this your first time in Yanzhou City? This is the latest product developed in the laboratory of His Royal Highness Prince Lu. It is called a 'toilet' and is much cleaner and more convenient than a toilet!"

"Toilet?" Zhu Yuanzhang was even more curious. "How should I use this thing?"

The innkeeper smiled and explained:
"You just need to sit on this 'toilet', and when you are done, pull this stick, and the dirt will be washed away. It is clean and hygienic!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned after hearing this. This tenth brother really knows how to enjoy himself!

He stared at the so-called "toilet" with a look of suspicion on his face.

This thing made of white porcelain is smooth, but it seems too small. How can it contain his dragon body?

"Master, how about... I help you over there?" The eunuch observed carefully and suggested.

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him:
"Can we still be stumped by this thing?"

After saying that, he sat on the "toilet" tremblingly with the help of the eunuch.

At the beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang was a little nervous, fearing that this "toilet" was not strong enough and would cause him to fall.

But after sitting for a while, he found this thing unexpectedly comfortable.

"Hmm..." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed comfortably. The height and curvature of this "toilet" were surprisingly to his liking.

After finishing his duty, Zhu Yuanzhang pulled the wooden stick according to the innkeeper's instructions.

With a "splash" sound, the dirty things were washed away by the water, without any odor.

"Wonderful! How wonderful!"

Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but be delighted and praised him repeatedly.

When he was in the palace, he used toilets, which not only smelled bad, but also had to be cleaned by palace maids and eunuchs after each use, which was very troublesome.

But this "toilet" is much more convenient. Just flush it after use. It is clean and hygienic, saving time and effort. It is simply a must-have item for home and travel!

This Old Man Ten is not only good at fighting, but also good at inventing things. He is truly a genius who is both civil and military!

……

In the brightly lit Prince Lu's Mansion, Zhu Tan, dressed in casual clothes, was standing in front of a large wooden table with great interest.

On the table was a huge map of Yanzhou City, with areas densely marked in different colors.

"Your Highness, look, this is our newly planned sewage system. All sewage will be concentrated in the biogas pool outside the city for treatment."

An official pointed at the map and reported to Zhu Tan respectfully.

Zhu Tan touched his chin and nodded with satisfaction:
"Well, that's good. After the promotion of this toilet, the effect is immediate. The city has become much cleaner in the past few days."

"That's right, Your Majesty, you don't know that in the past, those dung men carried dung buckets on their shoulders and walked around the streets every day. The smell was simply terrible..."

As the official spoke, he fanned his nose exaggeratedly.

Zhu Tan laughed loudly:

"Alright, alright, I know your nose is precious. From now on, the job of the dung collector can be completely cancelled, so that they don't have to follow you around all day."

"Your Highness is wise!" the official immediately flattered him. "By the way, Your Highness, can the biogas you mentioned really be used to light lamps and cook?"

Another official came forward and asked with a curious look on his face.

"Of course! How can I lie to you?" Zhu Tan glanced at him, "This is the latest achievement of my laboratory. Don't underestimate this biogas. It is a treasure!"

These days, Zhu Tan has been busy implementing new policies, including building roads, running schools, and fighting with those old stubborn people. He is really exhausted.

But no matter how busy he was, he never forgot his precious laboratory.

Just a few days ago, I just built a flush toilet, and today I’m working on the biogas tank without stopping.

Nowadays, people’s living standards are limited and they are lucky enough to have enough food to eat, so they don’t have any environmental awareness.

Not to mention the city, even in the palace, one could smell a "refreshing" scent every few days.

Zhu Tan couldn't stand this. Besides, if this thing was handled properly, it would be a treasure!

"Baby? Your Majesty, this... this thing, isn't it..."

The official looked embarrassed and seemed to have difficulty speaking.

"It's just shit, piss and fart!" Zhu Tan took over the conversation nonchalantly, "Why? Do you think it's dirty?"

"No...I dare not..." The official waved his hands in fear.

Zhu Tan looked around at everyone and saw that they all looked half-believing and half-doubting, so he smiled and explained:
"You guys are really surprised by things you haven't seen before! Everything in this world has its uses. It depends on whether you can find its value. Although the source of this biogas is not elegant, it is a clean and efficient energy source!"

"It is not only more convenient than firewood to use for lighting and cooking, but it is also environmentally friendly! More importantly, it is inexhaustible!"

Everyone was stunned. This... this was too unbelievable, right?

"Your Highness, is what you said true?" a craftsman asked bravely, "This... this thing can also be used to make fire and cook?"

"Of course it's true! When have I ever lied to you?" Zhu Tan said confidently, "In a few days, when this biogas tank is built, I will show you my skills and let you see how powerful this biogas is!"

……

Zhu Yuanzhang played around nearby for two days and finally remembered his troublesome old man Zhu Tan.

"Get ready, go to Prince Lu's Palace!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and gave the Tenth Elder a surprise attack.

When he arrived at the gate of Prince Lu's mansion, Zhu Yuanzhang was turned away.

"Let's go find your prince, go and report it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang showed a gold medal, which was the royal symbol. Who would dare to stop him?
When the servant saw the gold medal, his legs went weak and he said tremblingly:
"Reply... reply to the distinguished guest, the prince... he is not in the mansion..."

"Not in the mansion?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. Where did this kid go? "Tell me, where did he go?"

The servant replied tremblingly:
"Your Highness...Your Highness is...in the...swamp...biogas tank outside the city..."

"What the hell?" Zhu Yuanzhang almost thought he had misheard. "What qi? What pool?"

"Methane...Methane tank..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was wondering what the tenth son was up to. Why did he leave the palace and build a biogas tank? Could it be that this rebellious son had come up with something new?
Driven by curiosity and doubt, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to go to this "biogas pool" to find out what it was.

The servant did not dare to delay and immediately led the way.

But the further he walked, the tighter Zhu Yuanzhang's brows furrowed, and an indescribable smell rushed into his forehead, almost making him pass out.

"What's that smell?!" Zhu Yuanzhang covered his nose and almost vomited.

The servant said with a bitter face: "Reply... reply to the distinguished guest, this is... biogas..."

Zhu Yuanzhang endured the discomfort and walked for a while, and finally saw the so-called "biogas tank".

I saw a huge circular building built on an open space, and there were soldiers guarding it, with strict security.

"What the hell is this?!" Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at the stinking thing and asked in disbelief, "It's just a pile of shit and piss, and we still need to send soldiers to guard it?"

The servant was so frightened that cold sweats ran down his face. He stammered, "This... this is the order of the prince. I... I don't know..."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the strange scene in front of him and became even more confused.

What exactly is this old man selling? Could it be that this "biogas" is some rare treasure that he is afraid of being stolen?

Before I got close, I heard Zhu Tan's powerful voice coming from inside:
"...So, this biogas is a good thing! Not only can it be used to light lamps and cook, but it can also be used to fertilize the fields and even used as medicine to treat diseases! Just think about it, if this is promoted, it will be a great merit that will benefit the people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang almost laughed out loud when he heard this.

This rebellious son is talking nonsense again! He even uses it as medicine to treat diseases? Why doesn't he just say that this biogas can make people immortal? !
The craftsmen around were listening with fascination, looking at Zhu Tan with eyes full of admiration and awe.

"Your Majesty is truly knowledgeable and talented. We admire you!"

"Yes, yes, the prince is really the reincarnation of a living Bodhisattva, and he cares about the people!"

Hearing these flattering words, Zhu Yuanzhang's anger suddenly rose.

You are so good, Old Ten, how dare you play tricks here and fool the people!

inside.

Zhu Tan continued to talk incessantly.

"...Look, this feces looks disgusting, but it's actually full of treasures! It contains something called 'methane', which is a good thing! It can burn, and it doesn't produce smoke. It's so clean and hygienic!"

Zhu Tan became more and more excited as he spoke, and saliva was flying out of his mouth.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned as he listened. What kind of nonsense is this kid talking about? What "methane"?
Still burning?
How come he had never heard of it?

But his pace couldn't help but slow down.

"Your Majesty, can this 'methane' really burn? Why don't I believe it?"

A craftsman raised a question.

"You don't believe it? Can I lie to you?"

As Zhu Tan spoke, he took out a fire starter from somewhere, walked to the biogas pool, and opened a valve.

"laugh--"

A stream of gas gushed out from the valve. Zhu Tan quickly lit it with a fire stick. With a "boom", a flame shot up into the air, illuminating the faces of the people around him.

"what!"

There were cries of surprise from the crowd, and the craftsmen were all stunned, as if they had seen some incredible miracle.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also shocked by this sudden change. He subconsciously took a step back and looked at the scene in disbelief.

This stinky thing can actually burn?
Zhu Tan looked at the shocked expressions of the people around him with pride, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.

He cleared his throat and continued:

"This biogas can not only be used for lighting, but also for cooking! The heat generated by its combustion is higher than that of firewood! And there is no smoke, so it is very environmentally friendly!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

The craftsmen came to their senses and fell to their knees, worshipping Zhu Tan. (End of this chapter)