The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 9 Deep Affection for Parents

quiet!

The entire Jinshen Hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

On the stage, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as cold as frost, his gaze fixed on Li Jinglong like a knife.

Li Jinglong showed no sign of backing down, standing tall and meeting Li Jinglong's gaze head-on.

The two seemed to be locked in a silent standoff.

After a long silence, Li Jinglong finally spoke first, his tone calm yet exceptionally firm: "Uncle, you told me a few days ago that the title of Duke of Cao represents kinship. His Highness is my cousin, my closest relative. I cannot watch my cousin continue to toil like this!"

It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang became tyrannical, ruthless, and bloodthirsty in his later years. Apart from paving the way for Jianwen, Zhu Yuanzhang's fate was also a major reason for this.

Old Zhu suffered the greatest tragedies of his life: losing his father and mother in childhood, his wife in middle age, and his son in old age.

"My uncle is the Crown Prince of my Great Ming Dynasty, and his health is the future of my Great Ming!" Li Jinglong said, then stood with his hands clasped. "Therefore, even if my maternal uncle punishes me, I will do so willingly!"

Seeing Li Jinglong's seemingly accommodating manner, Old Zhu's face remained calm, but his heart was already rippled with unease. Could it be that Biao'er was really overworked?

"Take him away! Without my orders, he is not to leave the Duke of Cao's residence!" Old Zhu waved his hand, his tone still icy, but in the end he did back down.

Back home, Li Jinglong settled into his study and began to reflect on his actions that day.

Although I angered Old Zhu today, there was nothing I could do about it.

Li Jinglong believed that Lao Zhu would definitely compromise.

As for why? Of course, it's because of Zhu Biao.

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, Emperor Zhu sat behind his desk, the memorial in his hand already open, yet he hadn't written a single word. His mind was filled with Li Jinglong's words from earlier.

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it's like adding fuel to the fire for someone as suspicious as Lao Zhu.

"Someone, go to the East Palace and summon the chief eunuch!" Old Zhu ordered, then added, "Don't disturb the Crown Prince!"

"This servant obeys the decree!"

Seeing the eunuch's figure disappear at the entrance of the main hall, Old Zhu lost interest in the memorial in his hand and got up to pace back and forth on the steps.

It wasn't until half past 7 PM that the eunuch from the Eastern Palace hurriedly ran to the Hall of Diligent Conduct.

"Your Majesty, I am late. Please punish me!" The eunuch entered the hall and immediately knelt on the ground.

"Get up!" Old Zhu waved his hand. Having decided not to disturb Zhu Biao, Old Zhu was prepared to wait.

"Tell me, how has the Crown Prince's health been lately, no, in the last two years?" Old Zhu's voice rarely carried a hint of concern.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch trembled violently and replied, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is perfectly healthy and shows no signs of illness!"

"Did the Crown Prince mention anything about feeling tired? We want to hear the truth!" Old Zhu glanced at the eunuch, his voice slightly cold.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch knelt down with a thud, head bowed, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, this servant deserves death! Since last year, the Crown Prince has frequently been lacking in energy, but His Highness has not made a fuss about it!"

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Old Zhu looked coldly at the eunuch.

"Your Majesty, this servant deserves to die! At the time, this servant also suggested that the Crown Prince ask the imperial physician to take a look, but His Highness just said that he was tired and needed to rest, and at the same time told this servant not to make a fuss!" The eunuch's body trembled as he bowed down.

Sitting behind his desk, Zhu Yuanzhang was already in turmoil. When Li Jinglong spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang still stubbornly believed that Li Jinglong was making excuses.

The moment the eunuch beside Zhu Biao finished speaking, Zhu Biao was already 80% convinced.

"Get out of here! Remember, if you dare utter a single word about what happened today, we'll take your head!" Old Zhu warned sternly.

"This servant dares not!" The eunuch kowtowed again before getting up and leaving the hall. Once outside, he realized that his back was soaked with sweat.

The hall fell silent once more, and after a long while, a series of sighs could be heard.

The next morning, after the morning court session, Zhu Biao was not allowed to leave. Instead, he took Zhu Biao's hand and slowly walked towards the Jinshen Hall.

"Biao'er, the memorials you reviewed yesterday were much faster than usual!" Old Zhu asked casually.

"Father, I have been advised by Jiujiang to try out a new way of governing," Zhu Biao said with a shy smile. "Yesterday was only the first day, and the specific effects cannot be evaluated yet, so I have not reported to you."

"How are you feeling?" Old Zhu asked Zhu Biao directly.

"Nothing else has been discovered yet, but efficiency has improved considerably. In the past, it would take me until 7 PM to review memorials, but yesterday I finished reviewing them by 3 PM." Zhu Biao's face was beaming with satisfaction.

"Oh!" Old Zhu nodded slightly, and continued in a seemingly casual tone, "Were you too tired before?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhu Biao's eyes as he replied, "Father, the affairs of the court are numerous and complex. You are advanced in years, yet you still work tirelessly day and night. I am in my prime, how can I say I am tired! Moreover, I am the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, and handling state affairs is my duty. How dare I say I am tired?"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu nodded, understanding dawning on him.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Zhu Biao prepared to take his leave, but was unexpectedly stopped by his father, Old Zhu: "Biao'er, your father has summoned an imperial physician; you should come along too!"

"Father!" Zhu Biao's expression tightened, his gaze sweeping over his father, and he complained, "Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?"

"I'm not feeling unwell, just a little lack of appetite, that's why I went to see the imperial physician!" Old Zhu explained. "You should come with us to take a look!"

Inside the Jinshen Hall, two imperial physicians were already waiting. Upon seeing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao arrive, they bowed respectfully.

Old Zhu waved his hand with a smile: "No need for formalities! Let us and the Crown Prince see!"

Zhu Biao was taken aback for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "Father, I've always been in good health. Just have the imperial physician examine you!"

"Since we're already here, let's take a look!" Old Zhu said, then sat down and let the imperial physician take his pulse. He also gestured for Zhu Biao to sit down quickly.

Zhu Biao had no choice but to sit down.

A moment later, the two imperial physicians stood up. One of them said, "Your Majesty, your health is not serious. It's just that your liver qi is stagnant and is invading your stomach, causing disharmony in your digestive system. I will prescribe a medicine to regulate your qi, and you will be fine!"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's pulse is weak and his tongue is pale, indicating a deficiency of blood and qi, and an imbalance in the internal organs and meridians. He is currently fine, but I advise His Highness to rest more and avoid excessive thinking, so as not to exhaust his mind and worsen his symptoms!"

Upon hearing the imperial physician's words, Emperor Zhu's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "Is the Crown Prince's condition serious?"

"Your Majesty, it's not serious; it just requires some care and treatment!"

"Good, good, good! You all take good care of the Crown Prince!" Old Zhu ordered repeatedly.

Zhu Biao looked at Old Zhu suspiciously, feeling very puzzled. Why did it seem like he was treating me instead?

"Father, I am in my prime and full of energy. How could the imperial physician say that I am not like this!" Zhu Biao said helplessly.

Old Zhu waved his hand: "Listen to the imperial physician!"

After the imperial physician left, Zhu Biao rose to take his leave: "Father, there's nothing else here, so I'll return to the Wenhua Hall now!"

Old Zhu also stood up, smiling, and said, "I'll go with you to see that new way of governing!"

Zhu Biao was initially taken aback, then overjoyed: "Father, please!"