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

"You can't go against fate."

"Cough cough."

The old man's eyes were somewhat dimmed, and tears were flashing in his tiger eyes.

"You little brat, grandpa hasn't seen you get married and start a family, grandpa hasn't had a grandson yet, and Biao'er, you haven't come back from outside, and I haven't seen you yet."

"Grandpa...I can't help you!"

"Brat, Biao'er, I'm going to hand over the country to you."

The old man's eyes were red, "Grandpa went to find you, Grandpa will tell you everything tonight, Grandpa will make you the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty! Grandpa really wants to give the country to you!"

"Grandpa really wants to see you again and stay with you and your father for a few more years."

Zhu Yuanzhang never feared death, but he had not yet made arrangements for the aftermath of the Ming Dynasty!
Although he has quickened his pace and accelerated his layout.

However, there are unexpected changes in the weather and people are subject to misfortunes and blessings at any time!

It’s fate you can’t avoid!
"Cough cough cough."

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed again.

He slowly closed his eyes, and after a long, long while, he said to Zheng He: "Go, tell them to leave, and tell them that tomorrow we will summon all officials to the Fengtian Hall for a grand court meeting!"

Zheng He nodded hurriedly: "Your servant... Your servant obeys your order!"

……

Drip, crackle.

The Forbidden City is desolate in late spring.

After nightfall, the Forbidden City is so quiet that you can hear a pin drop.
The door of Jinshen Hall was slowly opened by Zheng He.

Outside the house, everyone stood upright with deep sorrow on their faces.

When everyone knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had been infected with malaria, they all looked extremely depressed and grief-stricken.

It doesn’t mean that malaria will definitely kill people. There are also people who have survived malaria, and there are such cases.

But everyone knows that those who can make it through are young and strong with excellent physical fitness. And the old man is so old... everyone has a sad look on their faces.

Zheng He looked at the crowd and said softly: "Everyone go back first. Tomorrow I will order all officials to come to the Fengtian Hall in the front court to see the emperor."

The senior officials headed by Zhan Hui and Lan Yu were stunned with mixed feelings of sadness and joy!

Sadly, a group of emperors may lose their lives in these two days.

The good news is that Zhu Yuanzhang may make big moves at the grand court meeting in Fengtian Hall tomorrow.

Zhan Hui, Lan Yu and others clenched their hands in their sleeves.

Slowly, everyone knelt on the ground, shouting: "Long live the emperor!"

Zheng He looked sad and said softly: "Everyone, please go back."

He glanced at Zhu Yunwen again: "Grandson... please go back too."

Zhu Yunwen was stunned for a long time, and suddenly yelled hysterically: "I won't leave! I won't leave! I want to stay with my grandfather! My royal grandfather will be fine, absolutely fine! Get out of here! Let me go in and honor my grandfather!"

Zheng He stopped Zhu Yunwen and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor won't let you in."

"You bastard! He is my grandpa, my real grandpa! He is everything to me. My father is gone! I can't watch my grandpa go like this! I want to stay with my grandpa!"

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

Zhu Yunwen burst into tears and refused to give in.

Seeing this, Kong Ne and other great scholars shook their heads and sighed: "As a son, you should only be filial! Why do you want to stop the Crown Prince from being pure and filial?"

Qi Tai echoed, "Which is the most important thing to do? Serving your parents is the most important thing; which is the most important thing to guard? Guarding yourself is the most important thing. The emperor's grandson is serving his grandfather, which is the greatest filial piety. How can we stop him?"

Filial piety has always been the top virtue in all dynasties in ancient times. Without filial piety, one cannot talk about virtue.

Kong Ne and others said this for the sake of justice, and it is impossible to refute it based on emotion and reason.

Just as Zheng He was hesitating.

"Grandpa Huang."

Another small voice came from a distance, the voice was sad and choking, and it was sobbing.

It’s Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Yunhuan came in hurried steps, completely ignoring the ministers beside him, and rushed straight to the gate of Jinshen Hall and knelt down.

Bang bang bang!
Zhu Yunxun knelt down and kowtowed three times: "Master!"

"My grandson is the third one! I want to go in and see you! Grandpa! I, the third grandson, haven't seen you for a long time!" Lan Yu and others were a little dazed.

At this moment, he suddenly saw Zhu Yunhuan and heard his miserable words, and Lan Yuhu's eyes turned red again!
Even this tough guy couldn't help but choke up a little.

This is also the bloodline of my Lan family!

The third brother, who is usually low-key, even a little cowardly and often bullied, is also Chang's biological son!
He is Zhu Xiongying’s biological brother and Zhu Biao’s biological son!

A feeling of blood being thicker than water immediately entered the hearts of Lan Yu, Chang Mao and others.

"The third one!"

Lan Yu cried out.

Zhu Yunhuan looked back at Lan Yu and Chang Mao, and suddenly an inexplicable power was injected into his body, "Uncle, Grandpa Uncle... I... miss you!"

Hey!
Silent sigh.

When the ministers saw this heartfelt scene, they realized that there was not only one Zhu Yunwen in the Eastern Palace, but also a truly filial son!
Zhu Yunhuan knew that it was impossible for him to inherit the throne, but when he heard that Zhu Yuanzhang was critically ill, he still rushed over through layers of checkpoints.

This is a truly filial grandson!
"Idiot, idiot!"

Inside the house, a soft sound rang out inside and outside this quiet Jinshen Hall. The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear.

"Come in, ahem, come in." The old man called softly.

Zheng He was stunned for a moment, then quickly maintained order and allowed everyone to enter the Jinshen Hall in an orderly manner.

Zhu Yuanzhang lay on the bed with his eyes closed and remained silent.

Zhu Yunhuan trotted to the head of Zhu Yuanzhang's bed and knelt down suddenly: "Grandpa! My grandson is here, my grandson is here!"

Zhu Yunwen also knelt at the head of Zhu Yuanzhang's bed, crying inconsolably.

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed lightly and took Zhu Yunhuan's hand: "Third brother..."

He didn't have much energy to say too much to Zhu Yunhuan. He needed to conserve his strength and slowly convey his final words to his eldest grandson!

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and looked at the ministers not far away, and said: "Lan Xiaoer and Chang Jiawa, you two stay, ahem, stay, drive everyone away, there will be an early court session in Fengtian Hall tomorrow."

Lan Yu was silent for a moment, then clasped his fists and said, "I obey your order!"

After saying that, he looked at everyone and said, "Let's all go back first."

Kong Ne, Qi Tai and other Hanlin scholars stood where they were and said, "When the king is in trouble, how can the ministers stay away?"

Lan Yu was too lazy to argue with them now: "Jiujiang! Get them out!"

Li Jiujiang is naturally the pen name of Li Jinglong.

Li Jinglong waved his hand: "Come in! Take away all the irrelevant people!"

After saying this, he held the long sword at his waist and said: "Don't think that the emperor is ill and can disobey his orders. If anyone dares to disobey his orders, don't blame me for being blind!"

After such threats, no one dared to stay in Jinshen Hall any longer. They all shook their heads and left unwillingly.

Lu looked at Zhu Yunwen with a complicated look, then quietly left the Jinshen Hall.

The room became much quieter and more spacious. Only Lan Yu, Chang Mao, the two brothers Zhu Yunwen, and Zheng He were standing by to serve.

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a weak voice: "What the imperial physician said outside, ahem, we all understood it."

A hint of sadness came out of the mouth of the elderly Zhu Yuanzhang, it was so bleak!

"Grandpa, no..." Zhu Yunhuan cried.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "Listen to me." "I have malaria, cough, I admit it."

"The imperial physician said that this is the early stage. In the later stage, we will have a high fever, convulsions, and shortness of breath..."

"We don't have much time left. Hey, people, there will always be a day like this. There is no such thing as living a hundred years."

Lan Yu and Chang Mao wiped their tears silently.

"I'm very happy that you two are filial. I like the whole family to be like this. You brothers take care of yourself. When I leave, don't do anything stupid."

Zhu Yunhuan desperately held Zhu Yuanzhang's hand and said, "Master!"

Zhu Yuanzhang patted the back of his hand and said: "You are even softer than your second brother, and you are also cowardly. I am sorry for you and rarely paid attention to you. Now I know that you don't hate me."

Zhu Yunhuan shook his head desperately: "Grandpa! You are my real grandpa! How can your grandson hate you? If so, he would be worse than pigs and dogs!"

"Good boy."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and started coughing violently again.

Zhu Yunwen hurriedly said: "Grandpa, let's not talk about it anymore! Let the imperial physician treat the disease! There must be a way!"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hands helplessly: "What else can I do? The imperial physician is not a god."

"You two go over there, and ask Lan Yu and Chang Mao to come over."

The two of them looked back at Lan Yu and Chang Mao.

Lan Yu raised her head and wiped her tears, then walked over and said with a smile: "Old man, don't talk nonsense! If the imperial physician can't cure it, we'll kill him!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Lan Xiaoer, I wanted to chop you down several times. If it weren't for that kid protecting you, how could your arrogant temper have ended well?"

Lan Yu felt unhappy.

"I told you that you should hide your incompetence after you become successful. When you were crawling in the mud and peeing in other people's pots, I knew you would be a great man when you grow up."

"Calm down your temper and be nicer to the people. We have all been through hardships."

Lan Yu wiped away her tears, feeling upset: "Grandpa, stop talking, stop talking! Lan Xiaoer is not a human being! Lan Xiaoer has caused you so much trouble!"

As he spoke, Lan Yu slapped himself madly, each time louder than the last. Perhaps, only pain could make his heart feel less painful.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and grinned, "Okay, I understand your friendship."

"The Ming Dynasty is not peaceful yet. Many people in the north, southeast, and even the west are eyeing us covetously. The people live and work in peace and contentment because you are carrying the burden forward."

"We still need you to support the armaments of the Ming Dynasty. You were all heroes back then. Don't be cowards in the future."

Lan Yu nodded frantically: "Hey hey! Okay! We will all listen to the Marshal! We will all listen to the Marshal!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned.

It has been a long time since he heard anyone call him Marshal Zhu!
It was as if he had returned to that era of war and battle, and tears slowly welled up in the old man's eyes.

"Time is running out, time is running out!"

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and said, "We still have work to do. Lan Xiaoer, go get us a sedan chair and carry us out of the palace."

Lan Yu was shocked.

Zhu Yunwen said anxiously: "Grandpa! You need to rest now! Don't walk around!"

Zhu Yunhuan also said anxiously: "Grandpa, what are you doing leaving the palace now?"

Lan Yu and Chang Mao shouted: "Let's go get that kid over here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "I have to tell him in person, I have to tell him in person that I am sorry for him. I think that I will happily ask him in the future, do you know who I am?"

"I can't wait any longer."

"Go ahead and carry it over to us."

Zhu Yunhuan was shocked. Sure enough...it was really the eldest brother? !

Lan Yu and Chang Mao wiped their tears and made up their minds: "Let's carry the sedan chair for the Marshal ourselves!"

With that, the two of them hurried out.

Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunxun had different thoughts.

Not long after, Lan Yu and Chang Mao came back.

"Your Majesty! Let's go!"

As they spoke, Lan Yu and Chang Mao walked over and carried Zhu Yuanzhang on their backs. “Your Majesty, bear with it.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little painful, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Well, let's go!"

The night is cool and the water is cool.

There are lights in every house in Yingtian City.

A sedan chair, carried by two dukes of the Ming Dynasty and guarded by two emperor's grandsons on both sides, slowly went towards the Qinhuai River in the night!

Lying down late at night listening to the wind and rain.

It's raining outside the window, dripping, and it's best to fall asleep with the sound of rain.

However, Zhu Xiongying tossed and turned and could not fall asleep.

He put on his clothes and relit the copper lamp on the table.

The light was flickering in the wind outside.

Zhu Xiongying closed some windows slightly.

He opened the letter sent by Xie Jin again.

It is more like a thick booklet than a letter.

Xie Jin has been in Jiaozhi for three months. During these three months, Xie Jin has achieved many results.

At the beginning of the booklet, Xie Jin first respectfully thanked Zhu Xiongying, because the influx of 300,000 taels of silver gave Xie Jin a lot of room for maneuver.

Now the land in Jiaozhi has begun to be fully cultivated, and the new tax policies have been fully implemented.

The people of Jiaozhi did not resist too much, and some disobedient gentry were also punished as examples by Xie Jinming.

Xie Jin's words were very concise and to the point.

But Zhu Xiongying knew that these four simple words "clear and upright example" must have caused many deaths in Jiaozhi.

Many reforms have been achieved at the cost of lives.

In the face of the general trend, some people will always have to sacrifice. The old man once said that if you are in power, even if you love your people like your own children, you will always have to sacrifice some people.

As a leader, you must be ruthless when necessary!
Today, there are nearly 700,000 Tianhu farmers in Jiaozhi, with up to 7 million hectares of arable land.

Compared with the data of the United States and China, which often covers hundreds of millions of hectares, a few million hectares is nothing.

But Zhu Huai did not want to build an agricultural base in Jiaozhi. His goal was still commercial development in the second half of the year.

According to Xie Jin, the agricultural land in Jiaozhi has basically stabilized.

After the summer harvest, a large portion of tax silver should be collected.

At present, Jiaozhi is still facing some minor difficulties. For example, the general literacy rate in Jiaozhi is low and there are still many grassroots officials who exploit the people and abuse their power.

Zhu Xiongying believed that Xie Jin was capable of solving these problems.

A left councillor ordered him to be killed, and Xie Jin's prestige in Jiaozhi was also lost.

The development of agriculture is basically stable, and with the reform of the whole system, there will not be any major problems with taxation.

Of course, the process of governing the people will encounter various difficulties. Only when problems arise can we find ways to make improvements.

Apart from agriculture, the biggest difficulty faced by the Jiaozhi Provincial Government was the construction of coastal defense.

Xie Jin has allocated 200,000 taels of silver to the southeastern coastal defense, and nearly half of the silver has been used on coastal defense.

Jiaozhi spontaneously recruited more than 100,000 navy soldiers, which accounted for the bulk of the military expenditure and would become increasingly prominent later on.

(End of this chapter)