Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

He waited anxiously for the old man to speak.

But Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be asleep, lying motionless in the rocking chair.

In his mind, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to see some past events.

That year seemed to be the 15th year of Zhizheng.

In a command hall on Haozhou Road, the young Zhu Yuanzhang sat on a tiger-skin chair with high spirits.

There were many men squatting on broken stools around them. Those who knew about them thought they were the Huaixi Volunteer Army, while those who didn't thought they were bandits.

Each of these men was extremely ferocious, with a look of fearlessness towards life and death on their faces. Leading the group was Xu Da, who had a gloomy face. It was obvious that he had just roared, and Xu Da's face looked very angry.

The bearded and angry-haired man next to Xu Da is Chang Yuchun.

The group of people squatting below were Geng Zaicheng, Geng Junyong, Zhou Dexing, Hua Yun, Hua Yunlong, Zhao Pusheng, Hu Dahai, Deng Yu, Feng Guoyong, Feng Sheng, Liao Yongan, Liao Yongzhong, Yu Tingyu, Li Shanchang...

Everyone looked unhappy.

This year, Zhu Yuanzhang's father-in-law Guo Zixing had just died, and the rebel army was now lacking a general.

Within three years, the Huaixi people led by Zhu Yuanzhang won battle after battle, like a group of killing gods, fighting on both sides of the Huai River and never having any rivals.

How great were Zhu Yuanzhang's achievements and how ferocious he was in battle? Who among his brothers didn't know that?

But something happened today that made the people of Huaixi very angry.

After Guo Zixing's death, they all thought that Zhu Yuanzhang would become the commander-in-chief of the entire Huaixi Army. However, the Red Turban Army Song regime in Henan sent an imperial edict, appointing Guo Zixing's son Guo Tianxu as the marshal of the Huaixi Wing Army and Guo Zixing's brother-in-law Zhang Tianyou as the deputy marshal.

Zhu Yuanzhang was ranked third.

A loud thunder exploded in the Tiger Hall.

Xu Da roared, "Dingyuan, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Quanjiao, Sizhou, these territories were won by our brothers with their blood! They won with their lives! His Guo family was attacked, and Haozhou was lost. They ran to us like a lost dog. If we hadn't taken them in, what would his Guo family be worth?"

"Why should Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou be the generals?" "I don't accept it!" This was Xu Da's roar.

Then, Chang Yuchun, Feng Sheng, Fu Youde and other men all shouted with their hair and beards standing up: "I don't accept it!" "If anyone wants to be the commander-in-chief, it should be our big brother Zhu! What are they asking for?" This was the critical moment when Zhu Yuanzhang was striving to become the king in the late Yuan Dynasty.

It was also a turning point in Zhu Yuanzhang's life.

By defeating Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou, Zhu Yuanzhang can immediately control the Red Turban Army on both sides of the Huai River!

But at the same time, it also means competing against the rebel army in Henan.

Life and death require a choice.

Young Zhu Yuanzhang had to be cautious. "Brother!"

Xu Da walked up to Zhu Yuanzhang in a hurry and said, "When we fought Dingyuan, we lost our lives! Do you still remember? If I hadn't blocked six swords for you, would I still be alive?"

"Why do we work so hard and protect you so much?"

"Zhongba, big brother! If you are not ruthless, your kingdom will not be stable! Just one word from you, and I will take people to kill Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou right now. We will regard you as our commander-in-chief!"

After Xu Da started, all the generals shouted in agreement...

Zhu Yuanzhang's quest to conquer the world...also started with Xu Da's words.

A tear slowly flowed from the corner of the old man's eye.

My thoughts gradually became blurred. My young and brilliant companions have either grown old or died.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly pulled his thoughts back to reality.

Xu Huizu was still waiting anxiously for the old man to speak.

"Grandson, what do you think of what Master Xu said?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was a little hoarse.

Zhu Xiongying seemed to feel that the old man was trembling slightly, and seemed to be in a very complicated and conflicted mood.

He thought about it and said, "Grandpa, I can't decide these things for you."

He glanced at Xu Huizu and said, "My grandfather is old, so you will play the emotional card. Have you ever considered this, Master Xu?"

Xu Huizu swallowed.

He grinned awkwardly and said, "Mr. Zhu is so considerate of your grandfather and so filial. I admire you very much... Then, old man... I won't bother you anymore."

Xu Huizu turned around tremblingly and prepared to leave.

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped him and said in a deep voice: "Your Xu family has made great contributions. Our emperor will not treat you unfairly. Go back and wait."

Xu Huizu was stunned, then ecstatic. He suppressed his excitement and bowed: "Okay! Thank you, old man. I am very grateful for your trouble!"

The sky outside is blue.

The air was very fresh, and the breeze ruffled Xu Huizu's hair. Xu Huizu secretly clenched his fists in his sleeves.

Xu Huizu's expression changed unpredictably, with some joy at surviving the calamity, and some disappointment at losing power.

In any case, the old man's last words should indicate that the Xu family is safe.

Xu Huizu's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed at this moment, and he walked back to the Xu Mansion with ease.

……

Inside Zhu Xiongying's courtyard.

Zhu Xiongying dried the old man's hair.

The old man looked at the hair that filled the copper basin and said with a sigh: "My hair is going to fall out."

"You know what, you're really good at massaging my scalp. I suddenly feel a lot more relaxed on my head."

Zhu Xiongying looked at the relaxed old man and asked curiously: "When Xu Huizu asked you just now, you were silent for a long time. Why did you finally agree to Xu Huizu's question?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying meaningfully and said, "Do you know Xu Huizu, what is he going to do?"

Zhu Xiongying thought for a moment and said, "I think he wants to hand over all the power of the Xu family in exchange for the safety of the Xu family. His Zhongshan Palace should have compromised with you."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and said, "Yes, the Xu family compromised." "We agreed to him because we remembered Xu Da."

"It reminds me of the past, of these old guys who are gone."

Zhu Xiongying looked at the old man suspiciously and asked, "Are you so sure? Will they really let go of this...Norda's rights?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying and asked, "Do you hope that the Xu family will never recover?"

Zhu Xiongying shook his head: "This may be the best outcome."

"If we continue to give them power, and if the King of Sai really rebels... well, the Xu family will be in a very sensitive position by then. If that happens, their life and death may not be decided by you."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying with admiration: "You think deeply and see far. You are right! This is the best ending!"

"But it's a pity. The three brothers of the Xu family all have some of their father's shadow. If they can be used, they will be three powerful generals."

Zhu Xiongying nodded and said, "There is still a lot of time. Maybe we can use them one day."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Maybe we won't see that day, it all depends on you."

Zhu Xiongying scratched his head: "Grandpa, I have to say, you had a very strong aura just now."

"Ok?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Xiongying said: "Xu Huizu is like a child who has made a mistake in front of you, and he doesn't even dare to speak loudly."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and said: "Aura is cultivated with every sword and every gun, and also with every word and every action."

Zhu Xiongying was a little confused and shook his head: "I don't understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying and said, "When you communicate with people who are not as powerful as you, you should control your facial expressions, don't be sentimental, and don't show your emotions. Keep a distance from them and keep a sense of mystery."

"Of course, these are just skills. The real thing is that you have to have the ability and knowledge. It's like we are the fishermen and Xu Huizu is the fish."

"If you want to hook him, you have to think from his perspective, think about the ultimate purpose of his words, and then make a judgment on how you should respond." "Speaking is a science. It is not the case that the more you say or the clearer you explain, the better. Sometimes you have to be ambiguous, and sometimes you have to be concise."

"Over time, you'll find that when you can handle these people, you'll be able to do it easily."

Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking earnestly, looked at Zhu Xiongying who was confused, and said with a smile: "If you hadn't mentioned this, we would have forgotten about it. Aura is something that is very weak, but also very important. You should learn it."

"But I still say that a person with an empty head will not have aura even if he pretends to be good. Enrich yourself, learn more about the ways of the world and knowledge, and slowly make yourself stronger in this aspect!"

Zhu Xiongying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with some admiration and said, "Grandpa, how come you know everything? Sometimes I feel very close to you, and sometimes I feel that I don't know you well enough."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, his expression darkened, and he said: "Didn't you say that a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind? Haha."

"By the way, do you have time tomorrow?"

Zhu Xiongying thought about it and nodded: "Well, what?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "A batch of oak and ironwood shipped from Jiaozhi to the Ministry of Industry has arrived. I will take you to the Ministry of Industry to see the world tomorrow!"

Zhu Xiongying asked in confusion: "Oak and ironwood? For shipbuilding?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Nonsense? The Southeast Construction Bureau is responsible for shipbuilding. The Ministry of Works wants these, so they will naturally build our Ming Dynasty firearms!"

Zhu Xiongying was stunned, "This is a secret!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "The Timurids said that their muskets have a longer range than ours. Our firearms cannot lag behind. You are smart, go and see if you can give us some advice."

Zhu Xiongying was actually quite excited. After all, he had been traveling through the Ming Dynasty for so long, but he had never seen Ming Dynasty firearms.

"it is good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "I guess Xie Jin must have asked this group of people to send you some letters or something, so I just went to pick it up."

Zhu Xiongying smiled, as if remembering something. He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked carefully, "The Firearms Bureau is confidential. It's okay for us, the grandfather and grandson, to go there, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and said: "Let's go back and ask, and by the way, we have to deal with the Xu family's affairs, and come to give you a definite answer tomorrow."

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Okay, I'll take you there."

"Ah."

………………

By the time the old man returned to Jinshen Hall, it was already very late.

The palace was brightly lit.

Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zheng He: "Go and call Zhan Butang."

After Zheng He left, Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back in the armchair and took a nap.

Not long after, Zhan Hui came over cautiously.

"Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyelids, looked at Zhan Hui, and said, "Let's arrange for the Firearms Bureau tomorrow, and take Zhu Xiongying over to have a look."

Zhan Hui immediately understood: "I obey your order!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, thought for a moment, and called Zhan Hui: "Go to the Zhongshan Palace at night."

"Xu Huizu wants to hand over his power. We need to know everything. Why would he retire from the army? If he cannot be persuaded, we can't forget our old friendship."

"The Xu family has fought for our Zhu family all their lives, and we cannot let their descendants suffer. No matter what, the title must be kept for them."

Zhan Hui trembled slightly, and nodded with a complicated expression: "I... obey your order."

The Xu family is a smart family. It is obvious that the fire set by the emperor will burn to the Prince of Zhongshan's Palace.

It was at this moment that Xu Huizu wanted to delegate power.

The Xu family has a master!
In any case, the emperor's meaning is very clear. He will deprive them of all their military power, but keep their titles and let them be peaceful lords!

………………

Zhongshan Palace.

It's still a bit chilly in the late spring nights.

The three Xu brothers and Xu Miaojin were sitting in the middle hall, waiting anxiously.

Although Xu Huizu said with certainty that the old man had given up his intention to kill.

But they did not dare to relax until the imperial edict came.

Late at night.

There was a rustling sound of footsteps outside the door.

Xu Huizu looked confused for a moment.

"Master, Mr. Zhan is here."

Xu Huizu stood up hurriedly: "Please come in quickly."

Not long after, Zhan Hui came over in a hurry.

Seeing the Xu brothers and sisters sitting in the middle hall, he nodded in response.

"Master Zhan, please sit down and have some tea."

Zhan Hui waved his hand: "I won't drink the tea. I will convey the emperor's intention."

"I heard that Master Xu is going to retire? The defense of the capital of our Ming Dynasty still requires your Zhongshan Palace. Why do you want to retire? You are all rising stars of our Ming Dynasty, and you are all brave and powerful soldiers of the Ming Dynasty. But what difficulties have you encountered?"

I still have to say some polite words, otherwise it would be difficult to explain to the officials.

Xu Huizu sighed and said, "Recently, my three brothers have been feeling increasingly unwell... cough cough..."

"Cough cough cough."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"..."

Xu Yingxu and Xu Zengshou pretended to cough.

Zhan Hui's cheeks twitched. Although this was an humiliation to his intelligence, he still held it back.

Xu Huizu continued: "I am not really suitable for the important task of defending the capital. Please tell the emperor, Master Zhan."

Zhan Hui nodded: "I see. However, the emperor also said that healing is a serious matter. The emperor has reserved the title of King of Zhongshan for you and will not treat you unfairly."

Xu Huizu was delighted.

"Your Majesty...won't you take back the title?!"

Zhan Hui said: "What are you talking about? You are just not feeling well, why would the emperor want to take back your titles?"

Xu Huizu hurriedly said: "Yes, yes."

Zhan Hui continued, "That's fine. Today I'm just here to ask a few questions. I have something else to arrange, so I'll leave first."

"Farewell, Mr. Zhan."

"Don't see me off. Goodbye."

…………

After Zhan Hui left.

Xu Huizu breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Yingxu and Xu Zengshou felt relaxed, but also somewhat unwilling.

(End of this chapter)