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

In addition to military spending, there is also shipbuilding.

The South China Sea cannot be without ships.

The sea of ​​Jiaozhi is still closed now, so naturally no pirates would plan to attack the coast.

But once business develops, the South China Sea will be in trouble!

The most urgent task is to speed up the construction of large ships and artillery.

In addition, Xie Jin also reported that Jiaozhi and Champa had reached a trade order for grain transportation.

The exports were naturally sweet potatoes, and this was an order for nearly one million taels of silver, but Champa had to pay monthly and settle the bill in one year.

For this, Xie Jin also praised Zhu Xiongying for his far-sighted vision.

Overall, the situation in Jiaozhi is better than I expected.

Finally, Xie Jin made a veiled request to Zhu Xiongying, saying that he needed another 300,000 taels of silver to solve the urgent problem.

Another three hundred thousand taels... Zhu Xiongying was overwhelmed.

The old man often said that one does not know the cost of oil and salt unless he manages the household. Now, Zhu Xiongying finally understands the truth.

Xie Jin needed to use the 300,000 taels of silver for disaster relief for tsunamis, earthquakes and other disasters in the three southern regions. Many people were displaced and needed relief as well.

No wonder those in power always have a headache whenever they encounter natural disasters or man-made disasters.

Every time a natural disaster comes, a huge amount of money is spent!

Zhu Xiongying was already tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep, and now when he saw the documents sent by Xie Jin, he became even more worried.

Where did he get the money for three hundred thousand taels?

In the midst of sorrow.

A servant slowly knocked on the door of Zhu Xiongying's study.

"Master! Grandpa is here." Zhu Xiongying was a little dazed.

Looking at the sky outside, he asked in confusion: "It's so late, why is the old man here?"

"What about people?"

The servant said, "Outside the gate."

Ok?
Normally the old man would come in directly at this time, why is he being so shy today?

Zhu Xiongying quickly opened the umbrella and said, "I'll go pick him up."

As soon as he went out, the drizzling rain soaked Zhu Xiongying's clothes. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and waves of water were already appearing on the ground.

Zhu Xiongying, holding an oil-paper umbrella, walked through the first and second courtyards in three or two steps.

From a distance, I could see several people standing upright under the eaves of the large porch.

Zhu Xiongying looked carefully and the faces of several people were clearly visible under the red lanterns.

The old man stood weakly in the middle, trying hard to show a hint of joy on his face, but he couldn't hide his frail appearance, as if he would fall down if the wind blew.

Standing behind the three old men were Lan Yu and Chang Mao, who looked lonely.

There was a look of sadness on everyone's face.

Zhu Xiongying's heart tightened and he rushed forward in two steps.

"what's the situation?"

"Old man, what's wrong with you? You look so weak!"

Zhu Xiongying's eyes were filled with concern and worry, and his eyes suddenly turned red!

"He was fine when we separated this afternoon. It's only been a short while. What happened?"

Zhu Xiongying grabbed Lan Yu and said, "Uncle! Speak!"

Lan Yu's eyes were red, she looked up, and said nothing. "Uncle, tell me!"

Chang Mao and Lan Yu's actions are exactly the same!
Zhu Yuanzhang tried hard to smile, touched Zhu Huai's cheek, and slowly wiped the tears from Zhu Xiongying's eyes.

"Men don't shed tears easily, why are you crying?"

"Cough cough cough..."

A violent cough came from Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth, and the coughing continued as if he was going to cough out his lungs.

"Come into the house and talk!"

He carried the old man on his back and said, "Let's go in and talk. Hold an umbrella for me!"

After saying that, Zhu Xiongying anxiously carried the old man to the study.

Entering the room, Zhu Xiongying carefully placed the old man on the bed.

"What happened? Have you found a doctor? Has the imperial physician come? Has he made a diagnosis?"

Zhu Yuanzhang gently pulled Zhu Xiongying's hand and said, "Grandson...don't ask."

"Let me tell you something from my heart."

Zhu Xiongying squatted down quickly: "Old man, you say."

Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed his grief and stroked Zhu Xiongying's resolute face: "My child, Grandpa is sorry for you and the abbot of Tianyun Temple."

"I guess I won't be able to see him."

Zhu Xiongying was stunned: "Don't say so much."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, seemingly twisted somewhat by the pain.

When Zhu Xiongying saw the old man suffering from illness, tears burst out of his eyes.

He tried hard to calm his anger and wiped away his tears.

It turns out...parting is so painful!
"Good boy...don't cry, don't cry..."

Zhu Xiongying turned around and shouted angrily: "Damn it! Who can tell me what happened to Grandpa?!"

Lan Yu and Chang Mao remained silent, and no one dared to speak nonsense.

Zhu Yuanzhang pulled Zhu Xiongying and said: "You kid, you have a bad temper... cough cough, irritable... cough cough, let me do it."

"Time is running out. We can't hold on for much longer..."

The old man was barely breathing, and said, "Grandson, these are your two younger brothers. From now on... from now on, you will be the one taking care of them. You are a family..."

Zhu Xiongying grabbed Zhu Yuanzhang's hand and said, "Don't worry! Now is not the time to talk about this."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "No, if you don't tell me, I, I won't have a chance."

The old man still looked at Zhu Xiongying with fondness: "When I saw you being born and the first time I saw you, I felt that you were so wonderful. I really want to spend more time with you and let time go slower."

"I've done a lot this year, and I want to find an afternoon to talk to you about some of the things."

"Unfortunately, there is not enough time."

Zhu Xiongying was stunned.

"Uncle! Grandpa uncle! Are you guys trying to drive me crazy?"

"Do you want to watch the old man being tortured to death?"

"What disease is it? I know more than you, I know more than anyone else. With the wisdom taught by my master, I have a better solution than you!"

"tell me!"

Lan Yu and Chang Mao were both stunned.

What is the wisdom of Master?
The two of them had no time to think about it, and said tremblingly: "Malaria...Malaria."

Zhu Xiongying stared at the two of them in a daze, and often breathed a sigh of relief: "You...are going to piss me off to death! You should have said nothing earlier! It's just a trivial matter! It's making my heart almost jump out of my chest!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was silence!
It’s just a small matter…

Zhu Xiongying said it so easily and so lightly.

The tense atmosphere just now collapsed in an instant.

Lan Yu and Chang Mao looked at Zhu Xiongying in shock.

Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Yunwen's eyes also widened.

The old man muttered to himself for a long time, and just when he was about to say, "I have kept it a secret from you for a long time, I have deceived you for a long time..." he didn't finish his stuttering words, and the old man opened his eyes wide with difficulty.

The air is a little quiet.

"Big brother!"

Zhu Yunxun hurriedly grabbed Zhu Xiongying's hand: "Brother, what did you say?!"

The call of "big brother" was so sincere and heartfelt, as if venting infinite grievances!

Zhu Xiongying patted him on the shoulder: "It's okay."

Then, he looked at the dazed Lan Yu and Chang Mao and said, "It's just malaria." Lan Yu and Chang Mao were so shocked that their mouths were so wide that stones could be stuffed into them.

Zhu Yunwen looked a little gloomy: "How to treat it?"

Zhu Xiongying said: "There is a tree in my house, the cinchona tree. Go scrape the bark off it, grind it into powder, boil it into a medicinal soup, drink it for a few days and you will probably be fine."

“That’s bullshit!”

Zhu Yunwen said sternly: "Grandpa's life and death are at stake, and you still have the mind to talk nonsense now!"

Zhu Xiongying glanced at him coldly: "Don't make trouble! Get out of here!"

Zhu Yunwen stopped Zhu Xiongying: "I can't let you take risks!"

Zhu Xiongying looked at him indifferently, "If the old man wasn't lying in bed, I wouldn't be able to beat you to death!"

"Uncle, grandpa, help me scrape the bark and grind it into powder to make the medicine soup!"

In the previous life, people extracted cinchona cream from the bark of the cinchona tree. This was the first generation of anti-malarial medicine. Later, with the development of the pharmaceutical industry, people made quinine from the ingredients of cinchona cream.

This special medicine is extremely effective against malaria and is a rapid blood schizont killer.

Zhu Changye taught Zhu Xiongying this.

Although current technology cannot extract quinine, the bark powder of the cinchona tree is sufficient to treat malaria.

Especially for Zhu Yuanzhang, the infection has not yet worsened.

Fortunately, they came early enough!
"Treating an illness is no joke! What if something happens to grandpa, will you be responsible, brother?" Zhu Yunwen refused to give in.

"You said that this mere tree bark can cure diseases. What a joke! The imperial doctors in the Imperial Hospital said that there is no way to cure it. You don't know any medical skills. How can I believe you?"

Zhu Xiongying looked at him, was silent for a moment, and said: "Why should I ask you to believe it?"

Zhu Yunwen said sternly: "He is my grandfather!"

Zhu Xiongying sneered: "I am more worried than you!"

"Get off!"

"You have no courage at all. If this family is handed over to you, what can you do?"

"It's not like the old man hasn't scolded you before. I thought you could change, but you didn't!"

"When you encounter problems, you cry. When you find a solution, you become suspicious!"

"When the old man really passes away one day, you will be the sky of his family. He will rely on you to protect him from the wind and rain. Can you do it? Can you do it?"

Zhu Xiongying said two words coldly, then walked out with Lan Yu and Chang Mao!
On a rainy night, three men who were not afraid of wind and rain were frantically and carefully scraping the bark of the cinchona tree with knives.

Lan Yu and Chang Mao were also somewhat incredulous.

"Wow, is this...really so magical?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Malaria is not a serious disease. This tree grows in Jiaozhi, and it was thanks to the princess of Champa who gave Master this tree."

"Otherwise, getting medicine from thousands of miles away would be useless!"

"I really didn't expect it to work today. Everything is God's will. The old man shouldn't die."

Lan Yu and Chang Mao nodded worriedly but never said anything.

To be honest, they didn't believe in their hearts that a piece of tree bark could cure malaria...it was too magical.

A plague that no one has been able to cure for thousands of years can be solved by a piece of tree bark?
However, even though they didn't believe it, they still believed in Zhu Huai.

This kid wouldn't do anything without a purpose.

Now that I’ve said it, it might work...
The bark was a little wet because it had just rained, which made the process more difficult.

Zhu Xiongying and the other two collected the bark of the cinchona tree and returned to the study.

"Fire!"

Lan Yu hurried over to make a fire.

Even though he is the Duke of the current dynasty, he is now willing to help Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Xiongying put the bark on the fire to dry it.

"Grind it into powder!"

Zhu Xiongying handed the bark to Chang Mao.

Zhu Yunhuan watched from a distance, hesitated for a moment, walked over, and took the bark from Chang Mao's hand: "Uncle, I'll do it."

Zhu Xiongying glanced at Zhu Yunxun calmly: "Yunxun, good job, good man! Work harder and faster!"

As if being infinitely inspired.

When I was a kid, my eldest brother looked at me like this!

Zhu Yunxun nodded vigorously: "Okay! Big brother! I'll listen to you!"

"Make a fire, boil soup, and decoct medicine."

Chang Mao nodded: "I'll do it!"

Inside the house, four people immediately became busy.

Zhu Yun was still kneeling at the head of Zhu Yuanzhang's bed.

While pounding the medicine, Zhu Yunhuan silently looked at Zhu Yuanzhang lying on the bed. A smile appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's pale face.

It seemed that he was also moved by Zhu Xiongying's action.

The old man didn't seem to be in so much pain.

Regardless of whether what Zhu Xiongying said was true or false, he saw in this boy the qualities of a man, a man who supports the family!
He is a natural leader!
Even if there were two dukes beside him, he ordered them around as if it was their right!

Brat! You really act like an adult now!
He is truly the pillar of our Zhu family!

Even if grandpa is gone now, I feel at peace!

Boy, you are a man, and you have experienced a lot. You are the grandson of our Zhu Yuanzhang! We are relieved!

This old man has fought for his family all his life.

Until death, he was still stubborn and refused to admit defeat or accept his fate!

Since the eldest grandson said it was a big deal, then it was a big deal!

"OK OK!"

Chang Mao shouted: "It's almost done!"

Zhu Xiongying handed the bark to Lan Yu: "Uncle, come here, I'll go feed the medicine!"

"Okay!" Lan Yu said decisively!
Zhu Xiongying carried the hot medicine soup and walked to Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon bed. He glanced at Zhu Yunwen and said, "Go cry over there!"

He sat on the bed, holding Zhu Yuanzhang's old hand with one hand, holding the medicine soup with the other hand, blowing slowly.

The hand held Zhu Yuanzhang tightly, as if infinite power was injected into the old man's heart.

Zhu Xiongying smiled and said, "I said it's just a small matter, it's just a small matter, do you believe me, Grandpa?"

Feeling Zhu Xiongying's strength, Zhu Yuanzhang squeezed Zhu Xiongying's hand and said weakly: "Believe it! If I don't believe you, who else can I believe?"

"You are our pillar now!"

Zhu Xiongying held the old man's hand tightly and said, "You help me settle down in Daming, and I will protect you until the end of your life. I have said that a man's words are unchangeable once they are spoken!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "What a great grandson!"

Watching Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yuanzhang express their true feelings.

Zhu Yunwen looked a little lonely standing aside.

Zhu Yuanzhang changed his tone and said, "Grandson, you don't know. When some people heard that we were not capable, some disobeyed us, and some informed us of our failures...Haha!"

After saying this, Zhu Yunwen felt nervous again.

Zhu Xiongying patted Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "I'll deal with them one by one when you get better!"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slowly. Even though he was weak, his hawk-like eyes still carried the domineering attitude of looking down upon the world. "Hit!"

Zhu Xiongying blew the hot steam from the bowl in his hand again, and it didn't feel so hot anymore. He helped the old man up with one hand: "Come on, drink slowly."

"it is good!"

Zhu Yunwen stretched out his hand to stop it.

The old man's eyes were like knives.

Zhu Yunwen remained silent.

Zhu Yunhuan stood not far away, his eyes full of concern.

(End of this chapter)