Daming: I am the Crown Prince

King Zhou of the Ming Dynasty rushed back to Yingtian Prefecture in a dusty state, but he still couldn't help feeling worried.

After worshipping the ancestors, Zhu Su couldn't help but complain, "Nephew, you can't just let me come back whenever I need to."

Zhu Yunhuan joked, "Uncle Wu was not allowed to come back before, but you left the vassal state without permission and wanted to come back. Now that you are allowed to come back, you are not very happy about it. Uncle Wu, this is not good."

"How can it be the same?" Zhu Su said with reason, "I was just running to my hometown in Fengyang, not sneaking back to Yingtianfu. Besides, this is a different time, and coming back now is probably not a good thing."

Zhu Yunhuan did not accept such an evaluation and said seriously, "Fifth Uncle, you hurt my heart when you say that. How can you say that!"

Zhu Su still looked like he didn't care at all. This attitude was self-evident. He obviously didn't agree with some of Zhu Yunhuan's statements. He was steadfast in his own understanding and didn't intend to change his mind.

Zhu Yunhuan could only say, "Fifth Uncle, this trip is not a bad thing, I really have an errand."

Zhu Su felt even more uncomfortable when he heard this. "Although the second brother was punished to farm in his hometown, he also had to be the master of ceremonies for the grandson's wedding. The third brother built a city in the northwest and divided up pastures to help your other uncles settle down in peace. The fourth brother is not much better, he is stationed in Beiping. The sixth brother is going to send troops, right? It must be that your seventh uncle is useless, otherwise he would have to do something too."

After hearing what Zhu Su said, Zhu Yunhuan was speechless for a moment, because these were all the truth.

If you think about it carefully, being a vassal king in the Ming Dynasty is really not that easy. There are many things, big and small, to deal with.

Guarding a place and educating the people were the basic job requirements. From time to time, they also had to send troops to fight. These things could not be shirked. If there were other urgent matters, these princes would also be required to step in.

So the Prince of Wulin in Hangzhou is the most free and easy one. He can indulge in the beauty of nature and no one thinks of him, whether it is big or small. Only when he needs to offend someone, the Crown Prince may think of his second brother.

"There are some hidden dangers in the north, and Fourth Uncle has to lead the troops." Zhu Yunhuan said, "Now either Fifth Uncle will lead the elite troops of Henan Dusi to patrol Beiping, or I will ask my younger brother Dun to lead the troops there."

Zhu Su immediately became serious and asked, "Was this battle successful?"

Zhu Yunhuan asked back, "What does Fifth Uncle mean?"

"If it's like the past when the kings patrol the border for autumn hunting, then let Youdun go. Anyway, he doesn't have to go to the battlefield, just patrol along the Great Wall, which can be a good exercise." Zhu Su said calmly, "If the court sends out a large army, then I will lead the troops to guard the place and help my fourth brother."

Zhu Yunhuan said, "It doesn't look like the fighting will be too intense, but it's hard to say whether it will turn into a major war. The armor left by the Tartars was found in Daning, and those people are determined to move south again."

Zhu Su suddenly became serious and said, "Then let Youdun lead the troops of Henan Dusi first. His fourth uncle will definitely lead the troops of Beiping to join the troops of Daning. The troops of Henan can guard Beiping and rush to help at any time."

Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Fifth Uncle, we two are the ones who have been wronged the most. When it comes to the playboys in the royal family, the first people who come to mind are either you or me! God and heaven are my conscience, there are so many playboys among my uncles, and there are also many of my brothers who are useless. Why are they targeting us?"

Seeing that Zhu Yunhuan was still in the mood to joke, Zhu Su also breathed a sigh of relief, "It's because of our special status that other princes and grandchildren can be as prominent as us. But to be honest, not many of my younger brothers are capable."

Zhu Yunhuan did not refute too much, "There are a few who are quite capable, but the younger they are, the harder they are to teach. The world is peaceful now, so there is no need to be as strict as before. Grandfather is old and soft-hearted, and I can't control him too much."

Zhu Su sighed and said, "Your father was able to control them when he was alive, but it's not easy for you to beat or scold them now."

Zhu Yunxun started to complain, "Fifth Uncle, you are ruining my reputation. When have I ever beaten or scolded my uncles?"

"You either don't beat or scold us, or you are setting a trap for us to fall into." Zhu Su was in a good mood, and then said, "By the way, I still need to discuss with the people from the Imperial Hospital after this trip. I have some ideas for my book 'Compendium of Herbs for Famine Relief'."

Zhu Yunxun immediately felt something was wrong when he heard this, "Fifth Uncle, isn't this the "Bao Sheng Yu Lu" you compiled?"

Zhu Su immediately showed disdain, "'Bao Sheng Yu Lu', 'Bao Sheng Yu Lu', you only know the title of the book. This book is a medical book, you should understand medical books, right?"

Zhu Yunxun said uncertainly, "It means literally, I can probably understand it."

"A prescription book is a book that records or discusses prescriptions!" Zhu Su said disdainfully, "This is a general medical book, and most medical books contain prescriptions."

Zhu Su then said proudly, "I am now working on a prescription. Although it is only one word different from the prescription book, it is worlds apart."

Zhu Yunxun asked quickly, "What is this?"

Zhu Su looked at Zhu Yunhuan with admiration, and then said, "Studying the treatment methods and the rules of prescription compatibility is the real big thing! Most prescription books just prescribe medicine according to the prescription, which does not make them good doctors. If the prescription is well made, then it is a master. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Treatise on Febrile Diseases, and Qianjin Yifang are all like this."

Zhu Yunhuan was confused. "Don't those medical books have prescriptions? If I remember correctly, I don't know whether it's Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases or Qianjin Yifang that is the ancestor of prescription books."

Zhu Su was even more disgusted, "It's impossible to explain it to an amateur like you. You should try to understand people's hearts. You can figure out those things thoroughly."

Zhu Yunhuan didn't care about that, but still reminded, "Fifth Uncle, no one will say anything if you like these. But please, please, it is said that doctors don't treat themselves, so don't prescribe medicine for yourself for no reason."

If it weren't for Zhu Yunhuan's special status, Zhu Su would have rolled up his sleeves and beaten him. If any of his nephews dared to doubt his medical skills, he would have beaten them up without mercy and then grabbed them to feel their pulse.

But the nephew in front of him with a sincere look in his eyes had a special identity, so he couldn't lose his temper.

Zhu Su said angrily, "I understand, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunxun asked randomly, "By the way, what does the 'Compendium of Herbs for Famine Relief' mean?" Zhu Su said with great excitement, "It means literally that when people encounter famine, they can only eat plants and trees. But they can't eat anything they want, as some of them are poisonous."

Zhu Su continued to be very proud, and he really put in a lot of effort. "I have summoned many doctors and scholars, and some skilled painters. I have drawn all the plants and trees I know, and I have also combined their usage in ancient and modern times to even infer their species. This book focuses on food rather than medicine. If I can find relevant credibility in ancient and modern documents, I will include it and comment on it as appropriate, so as to provide medicinal and dietary therapy and suggestions."

Zhu Yunhuan was stunned for a moment. He originally thought that his fifth uncle was interested in medical books and was the "King of Medicine" of the Ming Dynasty. But now he saw that he was a botanist of the Ming Dynasty, and what he did was extremely meaningful.

Zhu Su said, "I built a garden in Kaifeng and transplanted various plants and trees I found out about there to conduct observation experiments. Nephew, you also know that disasters are frequent and people's lives are very hard. They often eat grass roots and tree barks to fill their stomachs. If this thing is accomplished, won't it benefit the people?"

Zhu Yunhuan said sincerely, "If this thing is really accomplished, it will not only benefit the people, but will also benefit the whole world!"

Zhu Su was even more proud and said, "Do you really think that I just like to enjoy singing and dancing? Planting grass and trees is not easier than planting crops. Especially in the past, not many people have recorded some plants in detail. So I will have people observe them carefully, from seeds to buds, from flowering to fruits, and record everything."

I have to say that what Zhu Su did was really the attitude that a serious scientific researcher should have, he was very careful.

Zhu Yunxun asked with concern, "Uncle Wu, if you do this, I'm afraid the money in the mansion won't be enough, right?"

No one did these things before. Writing books and biographies was the dream of countless scholars. They aspired to become a great writer and leave a good reputation for generations. Some industry leaders would also do the same and leave behind some of their own experiences.

However, there are very few detailed observations on some plants. Even some medical books do not record the growth process of some herbs in detail, or provide detailed drawings.

Not to mention that what Zhu Su did was something that some people would not even give a second glance at under normal circumstances.

Zhu Su said proudly, "I am the King of Zhou, and my annual salary and supplies are sufficient. Your aunt and I are not extravagant, and we don't like ostentation just because we have stewed food, so it must be enough."

If you want to do scientific research, you definitely need sufficient financial support. Only someone like Zhu Su, who is wealthy and high-ranking, can devote his energy to it without regard for cost, and recruit a large number of talents to do this well.

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it carefully and said, "Uncle Wu should report the names of those who helped Uncle Wu to do these things. Then I will give them official positions."

Zhu Su's eyes lit up and he said, "Great, many of the people who help me are civilians, so it would be respectable if they had an official title."

"Of course, they have done these things, so they must be rewarded." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "It's fine if they can't get money for doing such a good thing, but if the court doesn't reward them, who will be willing to do these things in the future!"

When it comes to intellectual property rights and so on, it is still a bit difficult now, and patent protection and so on are also difficult to form now.

However, in some fields, for those who have made significant contributions, the court can give more rewards and recognition, whether it is money or status, and give them more treatment, which will also stimulate some people's enthusiasm for science.

Suddenly, an unhappy voice came, "We've always been afraid that you two would get together. How can you two have so much to talk about?"

Zhu Su immediately knelt down and saluted politely, "I, your son, kowtow to your father. Long live your majesty."

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said to Old Zhu, "Grandfather, my fifth uncle and I have a good relationship. This is a good thing. It shows that our family is prosperous."

"When you were a kid, you didn't hang around your fifth uncle, and he didn't pay much attention to you." Old Zhu was puzzled. "Your second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle are all more useful to the court, so why do you have such a good relationship with your fifth uncle?"

Zhu Yunhuan said quickly, "It's definitely not because they have similar tastes. It's really that my fifth uncle has great ambitions and has always been a role model for the royal family of our Ming Dynasty. Grandfather, you don't know that my fifth uncle is now compiling a famine relief book and has subsidized a lot of money into it."

Old Zhu was also stunned for a moment, "Didn't you say you were compiling a medical book?"

Zhu Su has been compiling medical books in the past two years, and many people know about this. Even when Zhu Su built a garden in Kaifeng, Old Zhu and Zhu Yunhuan knew about it, but they always thought that they were growing herbs.

This time there was no need for Zhu Su to explain, Zhu Yunhuan began to explain with a beaming smile.

With Zhu Yunhuan's constant explanations and Zhu Su's occasional supplements, Old Zhu gradually understood and his expression was full of relief.

His most spoiled grandson is the best heir to the throne, and he can be entrusted with the Ming Dynasty. His most spoiled "youngest son" has always been concerned about the country and the people, and even if he is not good at fighting, he is always thinking of ways to help the people, which is much better than other princes.

It is no exaggeration to say that what Zhu Su did far exceeded the expectations of Zhu Lao and Zhu Yunhuan, which was naturally a huge surprise. Previously, Zhu Su was compiling a medical book, which made people feel very happy.

What he is doing now is something that seems even more thankless, which is what makes people feel surprised. After all, there are quite a few medical books, and all Zhu Su can do is to make some repairs, summaries and improvements. It is difficult for him to make a leap forward in the medicine of the Ming Dynasty by his own efforts.

But in compiling the "Herbal Medicine for Famine Relief", this is a real big deal. This is not just for fame. As for what Zhu Su is doing now, it can be said that he has done it to the extreme. He really wants to do this thing perfectly.

This is the true wise king of the Ming Dynasty, and this is how one should act when doing things in a down-to-earth manner!
Because of the surprise brought by Zhu Su, Old Zhu was naturally in a happier mood. Never underestimate your children and grandchildren, they can always bring some unexpected surprises. Even a famous playboy may not be incapable of doing something extraordinary.

Therefore, those minor troubles in the north were not worth mentioning in Zhu's eyes. After all, those things in the north now seemed to be just minor hidden dangers, and the court could solve them at any time.

And it is what makes people happy that their children and grandchildren can really do things well and take the country and the people of the world to heart.

For Lao Zhu, now is an extremely happy moment!

, (End of this chapter)